Solcastel

Though it has fallen many times, every time we rose from the ashes. Today, Solcastel stands strong, and will continue to do so until the end of time! Boldo Phoenixia!

In the long history of Alkenor, not a name has ever persisted as long as Solcastel. Many times unmade, and as many times remade, the castle atop the plateau carries with it over 4000 years of wear. Unbeknownst to all, the absurd longevity of the household and the neighbouring city is not a miracle, but bears the mark of the greatest mage that ever lived, Merlin of Solcastel.

Unmoveable foundations

As empires fell and wars broke out, no durable harm came to the region. There were losing battles, sacks and blazes that consumed to the stones, and multiple times the reigning family was thought to be entirely eliminated. And each time, a successor arose to lead the reconstruction effort. A son, hidden from the political schemes until its fate came to be; an heiress, coming out of religious seclusion to assume her role as the head of the family; a removed cousin of royal blood, brought back from exile after the passing of the royal family...

At first it was a duchy. Then it became a bishopric, then a kingdom that grew to be an empire, to ultimately fall and be taken apart, leaving only the land of Solcastel to ruined aristocrats. At times, it was reduced to a hamlet at the foot of castle ruins. At others, the territory of a famous outlaw, gathering sinners from all over the country to plan a massive takeover. At any point in history, the name Solcastel would appear in an official report or the other, carrying with it more or less weight, but always prevailing.