Michael's Gate

Population: 5,000 people

Ruler: Duchess Beatrice Atwood

Known For: Fortress of the Silver Order, Silver and Coal Mine

This fortress-city lies on the northeastern edge of Elyria, between the Drakeclaw Mountains and the Middle Sea. The city is encompassed by massive white walls built to an impressive and imposing height. Anyone passing into Elyria by road must go through Michael’s Gate. As such, the city is known as one of the most defensible positions in the continent, and has broken the lines of many failed siege attempts. The city rests on the east side of the Vita River, with a massive drawbridge that lowers across the waters. All along the eastern facing walls of the city is an interior corridor along with arrow slits every few feet, and the top ramparts are lined with cannons. The drawbridge into the city is decorated with dozens of statues depicting every angel known to the Faith of the Sacred Flame.

Griffonrest Tower. This imposing citadel is the fortress monastery of Knights of the Silver Order. This massive tower of white stone is a major vantage point over anyone riding towards Elyria from Liberio. The top floors of the tower are a massive roost built to house hundreds of griffons which the Silver Order use as mounts. Surrounding the base of the tower is a massive complex with sprawling stables for horses and other animals, quarters for hundreds of knights and their retainers, and smoke spewing forges and workshops. The Cathedral of the Saint of Swords serves as a gathering hall for the order, and is large enough to seat a thousand warriors around a roaring brazier for worship and meetings. High Paladin Uriel Radley has his own offices and apartments in the main tower to oversee training and operations within the Silver Order stronghold.