Luxinae
Architecture
A city unlike any other within the Midnight Expanse, a relic of an age that is otherwise only known by eroded stone foundations that have mostly been built on top of. The city has a distinct footprint, the whole city forming into a nine pointed star with presumably different districts for each point, and a colossal monolithic tower in the center. The tower has long since been cut off by age or calamity, but its fallen debris bears signs that it was once carved into the likeness of faces.Though the central tower overshadowed all other structures in the city, indeed in the whole expanse, it was not the only notably large structure. All the still standing buildings of the city are huge in comparison to what is built in the current era, one general building’s footprint could fit three homes.
The buildings are generally square with flat roofs that are made from semi translucent obsidian glass. The walls are made from massive stones that must have weighed well over a ton each. Veins of metals are artistically embedded in the stone, forming beautiful patterns and designs that have survived the centuries since the city was destroyed.
The outer walls of the city are covered in lines of metal, which lights up at night with an eerie soft glow that is not quite strong enough to keep demons at bay.
Points of interest
Many believe the central tower was tall enough that if you climb to the top on a clear day, you can see the entirety of the Midnight Expanse, though if this was ever true, it would have been before the collapse.
Even during the day, one can feel subtle tremors underfoot in some parts of the city; hear rumbles beneath the ground, distant roars of unseen monstrosities. In spite of the ruin being centuries or more old with no inhabitants to maintain its upkeep, nature refuses to reclaim the city, leading to its well preserved state.
Even during the day, one can feel subtle tremors underfoot in some parts of the city; hear rumbles beneath the ground, distant roars of unseen monstrosities. In spite of the ruin being centuries or more old with no inhabitants to maintain its upkeep, nature refuses to reclaim the city, leading to its well preserved state.
Tourism
It is forbidden to resettle the city, as it is believed to be haunted or cursed [and very well may be]. For most of the year, the peoples of the Expanse avoid the city, but once a year, a band of representatives from all nearby cities will travel and set up camp just outside the city walls. A festival is held, offering sacrifices and gifts to Life, Death, and War, alongside pleas to not let such a curse befall their own homes.
This time is also used to mingle with others from different cities, exchange goods, and talk about political matters.
The youth are eager to use this time to sneak into the city to explore, or try to reach the top of the monolith. Everyone knows of the ruin’s ill reputation, but the young are always eager to prove their courage… or simply to disobey their parents’ rules. Fortunately, nothing dangerous has happened... yet.
Likewise, scholarly types interested in the era the city was built in will sneak in to study what murals and text has survived, trying to decipher what it all says.
This time is also used to mingle with others from different cities, exchange goods, and talk about political matters.
The youth are eager to use this time to sneak into the city to explore, or try to reach the top of the monolith. Everyone knows of the ruin’s ill reputation, but the young are always eager to prove their courage… or simply to disobey their parents’ rules. Fortunately, nothing dangerous has happened... yet.
Likewise, scholarly types interested in the era the city was built in will sneak in to study what murals and text has survived, trying to decipher what it all says.
RUINED SETTLEMENT
Unknown, it has always been ruined
Alternative Name(s)
The Silent City
The architecture section's writing style reminds me a ton of "Shadow over Innsmouth!" I'd love to hear how one of the youth sneaking into the city would describe the experience.