[Location] The Stalwart Highway/Main Gates [Post Here First]

[Gillar]

The only known path leading to the great city of Sultros is the Stalwart Highway. Winding its way beneath the Kitrean Mountains, The Stalwart Highway serves as the primary passage to Sultros Citadel from lands outside the kingdom. A massive subterranean tunnel 30 yards wide and just as tall, the entrance to the Highway has been said to look much like the open mouth of some gargantuan beast as it prepares to devour all before it. Built in front of the Highway entrance is a massive stone structure of stone built by the hands of Isurian masons. Izurdin’s Shield as it is known, the grand structure provides the first line of defense against any who dare seek harm against Sultros Citadel. The Shield and the entrance to the Highway are difficult and dangerous to find for non-Isur as the Kitrean Mountains are difficult to navigate and filled with countless dangers; natural and unnatural alike. The Shield is manned by an ever-changing number of troops belonging to Izurdin’s Hammer, the primary military force of the Isurian kingdom. From their vantage point atop the Shield, elite archers keep watch over any and all who seek entry while heavily armed soldiers patrol from the ground. Would-be travelers along the Stalwart Highway must check in with the soldiers on the ground in order to gain entry. Anyone found to be undesirable is turned away and those who dare challenge such a decision can expect a severe beating and perhaps execution as the Isur suffer none in their midst who may be considered a threat to the Kingdom. Those granted entries into the Highway are usually merchants who are allowed to ply their trade at the Citadel. Fellow Isur are always granted entry without question unless they are known criminals or have for some reason suffered banishment. Individuals seeking entry who are not merchants or fellow Isur may gain entry by providing proof of their ability and desire to contribute to commerce within the Kingdom. This takes the form of what many non-Isur may consider a bribe but to the Isur it constitutes dedication to industry. In short, a payment of 10 gold mizas is required for non-Isur, non-merchants to enter the Highway the first time. Payment buys the traveler a simple copper medallion baring the image of an open hand, symbolizing that the Isur welcome the traveler. Merchants are given a similar medallion however their symbol is that of a two-wheeled cart symbolizing their mercantile nature. The Highway itself is nearly 50 miles long and weaves through the mountains, sloping upward, downward and twisting in a way that anyone not baring some form of subterranean navigation abilities or skills will have no idea what direction they are traveling. The walls of the Highway are very smooth, almost unnaturally so and the ground is clear of any obstructions. While Isur do not require light to travel the Highway, there is some provided for non-Isur in the form of small orbs of light positioned at equal intervals along the way. The orbs are actually pieces of natural stone granted the ability of illumination by Isurian engineers. The light is dim however and provides just enough sight to keep someone traveling slow but steady. Although the Highway is rather long, there are no stopping points provided as the Isur value strength and endurance in all things. The journey is almost always uneventful as soldiers also patrol the Highway expanse. It will take between 1-2 days traveling from the Shield to the other end of the highway. As one reaches the other end of the highway, the grand tunnel comes out on the side of a mountain to a large, flat, rocky plain. About a hundred yards from there stands Sultros Citadel and its massive gates. For all would-be travelers along the Highway, a soldier approaches and calmly asks for the person’s reasons for seeking entry. Depending on the answers and whatever contributions, if any, are provided, the soldier may allow entry into the Highway. (Those granted entry into the Highway are considered to have access into the outer confines of the Citadel itself.)

[Rorugir]

61st Spring 511 A.V. The Stalwart Highway - midday It was dark. That was the first sensation one who entered the Highway ever experienced, and the sensation was not lost on Rorugir. Darkness covered its prodigal son like a old blanket, at once comforting and familiar yet slightly out of place. For a moment as he entered the tunnel, it was disorienting, him having spent so much time on land and above it, always in either Syna or Leth's sight at all time. But as his eyes adjusted and old, abandoned senses were revisited, the darkness took on a new kind of intimacy. It was the twenty-second day after having left Lhavit, that city cradled by the stars which had become his home for two and a half seasons. Over mountain and under stormy sky Rorugir had made his way... here. The reasons were not easily fathomed, not even to him. Much of it, though the self-imposed exile was loath to admit it, had to do with fear, fear not for him but for his people. After the djed storm had toppled Lhavit and presumably the rest of Mizahar, much of Rorugir's waking hours had been spent worrying about what had happened to his family and the rest of his people, all of whom were harbored here within the mountain kingdoms. Eventually, the worry had driven him home. The Highway was not new to him – he was a native of Sultros as he were. The position of the werelights that guided travelers down its dark path could have almost been placed by sight, and Rorugir made his way past them easily. The massive Shield that guarded the tunnel likewise, had been easily passed; by virtue of his isurian nature the guards manning the Shield had let him pass with but a few questions. Light gathered at the far end of the Highway, and Rorugir knew that he was drawing near, finally. As he made his way out of the tunnel, a wide open plain presented itself to him. This path was familiar as well. The gates of Sultros, towering at the far end of the plain, however, were not so mundane to him. Even he, an isur who had lived under the rocky cradle of these very gates, could only stop and stare at the monstrosity before him. A moment was spent in quiet reflection, silently praising whatever mason had poured his life into carving those very gates. The soft clinking of plate mail forced him back to the present. The geomancer looked to his left and saw an fellow isur, though one dressed in armor and bearing the sigil of Izurdin's Hammer. But, contrary to whatever the outsiders might think, the rifts between clans were deep, and it was with a tingle of suspicion Rorugir noted the redness of the man's swollen left arm. “Greetings, Pitrius,” the man greeted in Isur. “What brings you to the gates of Sultros?” “I am but returning home,” Rorugir replied gruffly, embarrassed by how rough his Isur had become in his time away from Sultros. “I was on a journey, but now I am finally returning home.” The man's hand, placed around the hilt of his hammer, did not so much as budge. “And, may I ask, what is your name?” “Rorugir...Rorugir Steelrune.” The man looked thoughtful for a second, but he could not seemingly place the name to that of a banished isur, so he said, “You are free to enter Sultros.” Rorugir inclined his head and turned away. In the near distance, there was a rumbling that symbolized the great cogs and wheels of the Sultrosian gates opening up, the monster's maw opening to allow the prey in. The man besides him gave Rorugir a guarded smile, then gestured for him to enter. But there was a moment that stilled Rorugir before he entered. He had not told the guardsman the whole story. When he had left, it had been without the approval of his clan or family. As it were, the Pitrius would likely not accept him back into the fold. And, what then? What if he was exiled in every sense of the word? Rorugir shook his head. “Whatever comes will come.” He told himself. The once exile took a breath, and then looked up. Head turned back to the gates from whence he had come, the stalwart son of the mountains walked on in, eyes blazing, ready for whatever may await him inside.

[Taelos]

Season of Spring, Day 65, 512 AV The Stalwart Highway -night For how long he had wandered, only Izurdin, Himself, could know. What first began as a short jog to clear his mind quickly turned into a race to save his sanity. Throughout the deepest cavernous recesses of Sultros he wandered like an angry spirit. None who caught a glimpse of his imposing form dared to stop and question one with such determination, such passion for his task. Whatever lofty duty warranted such action at this time of night must not be interfered with. Nor did Taelos notice them. To him all were but shadows of shadows. After the untimely death of his wife and son, nothing seemed to matter anymore. He longed for peace and he had found it on this night in his wandering. He ran and that was it. To him there was no Mizahar, no Sultros, no Izurdin. There was only Taelos and the blessed oblivion through which he ran. However this reprieve was only to be temporary. A massive red arm grabbed his own and pulled him back to reality. "I do not wish to quarrel with you, clansman", Taelos turned to the soldier with a look of absentminded fury. Clearly surprised at the reaction, the soldier continued in a more polite tone, ”I am sure that your task must be great indeed for you to move with such haste but I was not informed that any were to leave Sultros this night. Where is proof of your clearance and what is your business without the city?” Taelos then fully recovered himself and the reality of his location came crushing down upon him. He had managed to wander to the main gates of the city! All rage, all determination, all confidence left Taelos in that instant. He had no idea as to how he had wound up there. “Forgive me clansman. I have no clearance to leave and I have no business outside of the walls of our city this night.” Taelos feared what would come next and searched for the right words to relate to this guard how he truly had no clue as to how he wound up there. Unable to do so Taelos simply said, ”I do not know why I am here.” Fortunately for Taelos, the expression on his face spoke volumes to the guard and he believed Taelos. In addition the guard recognized Taelos for the death of his wife, son, and consequent end of his line was still news among the gossips of the city. The guard looked on Taelos with as much sympathy as an Isur can without insult and patted him on the back. “All is forgiven Taelos. Do not fear any repercussion from me. You have clearly been through enough this night. If I might be so bold, clansman, it might not be unwise to go back to your quarters and rest.” Taelos nodded and turned to face the long dark corridor ahead of him that lead back into the city.