Saline Citadel

The tower's initial purpose was to harness the most concentrated storms of the Tempete Archipel as one giant lightning rod. Its spire is unique in that regard as it is a large circular base with dozens of small lighting rods equidistant from each other. Creating a web of drawn lightning at the highest peak of the towering structure. The lower parts of the structure are purposed to house the Salted Steel tribal militia, the leading bloodline of the tribe, a recycling system of rainwater, and elevated cropping. The Saline Citadel is designed with the intent to rival the legendary Word Tree in the broken continent of Azenveld. It imitates its branches in the form of lightning to strike fear into enemies' hearts, earning it the nickname "The Lightning Tree."

The Saline Citadel is a cylindrical structure measuring nearly 100 meters (300 feet) from base to peak. Each of the 30 floors encompasses a variety of chambers with access to the inner structure. The massive circular open space has metallic bridges and stairways to the upper floors. Pulley systems are installed to elevate people and supplies or for elevated cropping fields. At the bottom of the open area is a large body of water from rainfall deep in the earth. It contains a marine ecosystem similar to the coral reefs of the Saline Sea. Commonly used for fishing by the residents of the tower. At the heart of the tower rests a crystal attuned with the aspect of lightning that has the ability to resonate a thundering sound that is amplified by the tower's structure. The structure itself is made of oceanbed rock capable of withstanding heavy winds and lightning storms, and is layered with large bricks that take several men to carry—piled together through intense labor, pulleys, magic, and sealed together with a mixture of sand and clay. The thickest bricks and mortar are concentrated at the base as a foundation buried deep in the earth. The more complex the chambers become as one climbs to the higher floors. The highest floors are the most luxurious to house the ruler of the Salted Steel tribe and their bloodline. At the tower's peak is a circular base where lightning rods are placed equidistant to carry lightning in a web-like pattern. Illuminating the open center of the tower for all to witness. The interiors are lit by wall lamps carrying quantities of whale oil harvested by the Couperet de Baleine with steel-made mechanical windows that open and close through levers.

While the village area outside the tower is susceptible to a siege, the tower's massive walls and defensive capabilities make invasions difficult. In the event of an attack, the entrance is sealed with a large locking mechanism of solid steel, and small openings at the tower's base are opened to release cannon fire. The tower resonates its thunder crystal to emit an alarming sound that can be heard all over the Tempete Archipelago - alerting the residents of an attack and to amass their forces at the citadel. Those stationed at the tower open their weapon storage to repel a siege and arm themselves with blades, archery, and artillery. Mechanical windows at the higher levels are effective vantage points for archers and tactical observations. The towering structure's massive layout can withstand heavy artillery fire, but it's important to note that the interior side of the cylindrical tower is weaker than the exterior. Even if a sufficiently large artillery force were to be positioned to bombard the tower until it collapsed, the storm-ridden environment makes stationary sieges exceptionally difficult. Blinding rainfall and intense lightning, influenced by the deactivation of the lightning rods at the tower's peak, can suppress the effectiveness of invading forces by using the natural lightning storms as a deterrent.

During the second Dark Ages, human settlements were divided by tribes, which were constantly fighting over territory and resources. Amid such bloody turmoil, one tribe stood at the peak of conquest. The Salted Steel tribe, an organizing force of ruthless killers who took on the name from what they call "ambition tempered by salt and forged in steel." Led by Baldwin Antioch, the Salted Steal tribe emerged from the Tempete Archipel and attacked the mainland in 440 of the Dark Ages (DA). In less than a century, one tribe expanded its territories throughout most of the continent. At the height of their power, the old Signeur Baldwin called for constructing a massive lightning tower on Saldefer Island, designed to be a home and fortress for his tribesmen. To build this citadel demanded a significant number of slaves from conquered tribes. They collected bedrock from the Saline Sea, carved it into large blocks of solid stone, lifted each block onto the other through mechanical lifting, and sealed it with clay and sand. In 496 DA, the construction was completed. The numerous lives lost from lightning strikes, construction injuries, and exhaustion were buried in the ocean in a region that would be later called "Coral Corpse Reef." Those slaves and laborers who survived were sent back to their occupied lands.   Only one tribe had the strength to fight back against the Salted Steel, the Silver Fang tribe. Through great bloodshed, the Silver Fang, led by Chieftain Gamon, overpowered the occupying forces and pushed the Salted Steel back into the archipelago in 517 DA. Forced back into their lands, they took those tribes that swore loyalty to them through the tradition of the Duel of Destiny. Having them reside in the neighboring islands while the Salted Steel rested in Saldefer Island. The Silver Fang attempted to siege the island directly to end the reign of their defeated enemy, but the tower's defenses held strong and forced Chieftan Gamon and his forces to retreat.   In the year 83, after the Dark Ages (ADA), seeking to restore the lands they lost, the Salted Steel tribe, led by Signeur Alderic Antioch, launched an invasion against the Kingdom of Owenar, attacking the continent's western region. This war was short-lived, as the combined strength of heroes in the Saltwood Forest and the naval prowess of Queen Lauren Owenar overwhelmed the tribe's sea raiders. Falling back in defeat, Signeur Alderic concluded that ending the tribe's desire for conquest was for the betterment of all. He saw the islands as the only home they needed, isolating their faction entirely from the affairs of the mainland. Despite this declaration of peace, many tribesmen attempted to raid neighboring continents for several centuries, slowly reigniting their desires for conquest and the return of the tribe that once ruled Westenra.   After a hundred years of neutrality, one tribesman, Caecilius Bain, came to the sitting ruler Signeur Louisieze Antioch at the throne room of the Slaine Citadel in 470 ADA. The Bain family had previously defied the commands of neutrality by engaging in raids against neighboring factions. They still believed in the old ways and had always sought to reawaken the ambitions of conquest. Caecilius Bain proposed to the Signeur that an army be assembled to invade Owenarian territory. In Caecilius's eyes, the Wisemen Purge, which killed so many Owenarian citizens, had rendered the neighboring kingdom weak and unorganized—a lifetime opportunity to gather their forces without too many eyes on them. Signeur Louisieze did not want to reignite such ambitions, as it was his ancestors' duty to maintain neutrality and sway the people from the horrors of war. However, Caecillus would not take no for an answer. In 497 ADA, he led an insurrection against the Signeur and attacked the citadel from the inside. Insurrectionists slaughteredthe guards, opened the gates to invite opportunists, and Caecilius himself slit the throat of the Signeur in disgust. The Antioch family, which once founded the Salted Steel tribe, was taken to a ship to live in exile in the frozen Iceveil Sea in the north. It is unknown if any of its members had been seen or survived afterwards.   Signeur Caecilius, with his successful insurrection, ordered the revival of the old ways and began assembling a fighting force. Resources were diverted to military use, citizens were obligated to be trained in combat, and the nurturing of future generations was enforced to influence growth in numbers. It would take several centuries of amassing while pretending to remain neutral. By the year 900 ADA, they had formed a massive force capable of instilling fear in any faction they deemed an enemy, stoking concerns of conflict throughout the Kingdom of Owenar. When Prince Talon raided a former Salted Steel tribesman's home in the Owenarian capital Arcshire, it was all needed to spark the fires of the 2nd Salted Steel War in 979 ADA. The unified tribes, with their centuries-long militarization, invade every corner of Westenra, including the lands of the Dwarven Clans. After 11 years of endless bloodshed, the Salted Steel tribe again fell back in defeat. However, rumors have risen that the tribe did not show their full strength in the war, and their attacks were only a means to weaken the Kingdom's defences for a future conflict. What that conflict is, no one truly knows. What is known is that those who reside on the islands are still a formidable and unpredictable danger.