[color=2e2c2c].[/color]
[center][table][row][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/RggS5CF.jpeg[/img]
[color=2e2c2c].................................................................................................[/color][/cell][cell][color=2e2c2c].[/color][/cell][cell][justify][sup][h3][b][color=ffffff]T H E [color=2e2c2c].[/color] B L A C K [color=2e2c2c].[/color] C I T A D E L[/color][/b][/h3][/sup][hr]
[sup][color=808080]Nestled in the Valley of Kings, surrounded by Mount Briar, lives the Black Citadel. This castle was named for the dark mountainous stones it was built from and carved into. While its exterior boasts a tall and intricately crafted keep, it is deceptive, for its size is nearly triple what is known or seen from the outside. During its construction, thousands of masons not only built this commanding fortress, but also carved into the mountainside, expanding deeper in Mount Briar and creating a vast network of ornate rooms. After Rowan overthrew King Leoric and seized the crown, he oversaw a secret excavation to create a labyrinth of tunnels through the mountains as emergency escape routes and strategic military access so that if a war ever came to his doorstep like it did for Leoric, he couldn’t be outmaneuvered in the same way.

The public facing part of the citadel houses the common parts of a castle: great hall, royal bedchambers, high council chambers, the citadel library, royal basilica, greenhouse, various lounges and studies, and an additional fifty guest bedchambers. Deeper into the heart of the mountain is the breathtaking cavern ballroom, the royal armory, treasury, and dozens of additional bedchambers. Lastly, the undercroft is home to the guard barracks, apothecary, infirmary, prison, and food stores.[/color][/sup][/justify][/cell][/row][/table][/center][center]____________________________________________________________________________________
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[center][sup][color=808080][i]To view fullsize images, right click on image and choose 'open image in new tab'[/i][/color][/sup]

[table][row][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/ydETexm.png[/img]
[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]S T O R V A N E [color=2e2c2c].[/color] H E R A L D R Y[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]Throughout the citadel there are countless sigils, coats of arms, and other heraldry for house Storvane, often in the form of navy blue banners embroidered with a silver owl. Even what might feel an excess is significantly less than the number of golden eagles that used to cover the walls of the castle.[/color]
[color=2e2c2c]...........................................................................................[/color][/sup][/justify][/cell][cell][color=2e2c2c].[/color][/cell][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/IN3SzZk.png[/img]
[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]T H E [color=2e2c2c].[/color] G R E A T [color=2e2c2c].[/color] H A L L[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]The busiest and most frequented room in all of the citadel is the Great Hall. It is a long stone room with a towering cathedral ceiling adorned in ornate chandeliers. The walls are lined with three massive hearths on either side that bathe the room in warm and a soft glow. A navy runner splits the room in two, leading up to the throne which is accented by large windows and a stunning view of the Valley of Kings. While this room’s major function is for greeting the public or making an address, it is also [url=https://imgur.com/Af7JOns]outfitted with tables[/url] for grand feasts.[/color]
[color=2e2c2c]...........................................................................................[/color][/sup][/justify][/cell][cell][color=2e2c2c].[/color][/cell][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/UpYyKfZ.png[/img]
[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]C O U N C I L [color=2e2c2c].[/color] C H A M B E R S[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]The High Council’s chambers is a smaller and more intimate room nestled higher up in the citadel and closer to the King’s personal quarters in the central tower. The room’s architecture feels like a smaller piece of the Great Hall and even shares a similar view of the valley. A few fireplaces line the room but the heart is a large circle table at the center of the room. When Rowan became King, he did away with the old rectangular table, transitioning to the traditions of Stonefallow where there is no head of the table but every man was seen as an equal.[/color]
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[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]C A V E R N [color=2e2c2c].[/color] B A L L R O O M[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]The shining jewel of the Black Citadel is the Cavern Ballroom. Where the traditional castle meets the mountain is a stunning round ballroom that opens up to an expansive cave with a waterfall fed by the snowcaps and an alpine lake atop Mount Briar. Said to be a rare sight unlike anything else in the Ninefold, people often think it is a myth until they lay eyes upon it themselves.[/color]
[color=2e2c2c]...........................................................................................[/color][/sup][/justify][/cell][cell][color=2e2c2c].[/color][/cell][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/OwzVgnh.png[/img]
[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]O V E R L O O K [color=2e2c2c].[/color] C O U R T Y A R D[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]Tucked between two towers, resting above the entrance to the citadel is the Overlook Courtyard. While the courtyard does not offer much beyond a decorative fountain, what it lacks in adornment it makes up for in a breathtaking view of the Valley of Kings and the surrounding Mount Briar.[/color]
[color=2e2c2c]...........................................................................................[/color][/sup][/justify][/cell][cell][color=2e2c2c].[/color][/cell][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/pI2DJxl.png[/img]
[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]C I T A D E L [color=2e2c2c].[/color] L I B R A R Y[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]The citadel library is impressive by most scholars' standards. It is a large, two story library filled to the brim with books, tomes, scrolls, and all other forms of literature. Aside from a handful of colleges throughout the kingdom, this the largest privately owned library in Aethoria. It houses such an extensive collection that it is rare the Keeper of Scrolls must seek texts from outside sources.[/color]
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[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]G R E E N H O U S E[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]The citadel’s greenhouse was originally created for ease of access to necessary herbs and other plants for medicinal purposes. Over the years, while it still serves that purpose, it is also one of the attractions that gains a lot of attention from those who visit the Black Citadel along with the ballroom. The greenhouse is built out of the side of the mountain and houses a large variety of flora from all reaches of the kingdom.[/color]
[color=2e2c2c]...........................................................................................[/color][/sup][/justify][/cell][cell][color=2e2c2c].[/color][/cell][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/jXSSsCA.png[/img]
[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]N O V A R I A N[color=2e2c2c].[/color] B A S I L I C A[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]Even though there is a larger temple in the heart of the Valley of Kings, there is also a royal Novarian Basilica built into the citadel. While it doesn’t compare in size to the city’s temple, it is far more grand with elaborate stained glass windows and hand carved statues depicting each of the Gods.[/color]
[color=2e2c2c]...........................................................................................[/color][/sup][/justify][/cell][cell][color=2e2c2c].[/color][/cell][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/Q6hJXpn.png[/img]
[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]G U A R D [color=2e2c2c].[/color] B A R R A C K S[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]The barracks are nothing particularly special or fancy, but knights from the farthest reaches of Aethoria claim that the King’s Guard Barracks are the nicest and most homely quarters most of them have ever seen. Each guardsman gets their own bed and trunk for their personal belongings. The barracks has a roaring fire at all times and the men are fed large, hearty meals. Branching off from the main room there is a practice room with archery targets and dummies. There is also a private bedchamber for the Captain where he has his own single bed, fireplace, and writing table.[/color]
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[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]K I N G ' S [color=2e2c2c].[/color] C H A M B E R S[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]At the top of the highest tower of the Black Citadel are the King’s Quarters. To no surprise this is the nicest bedchamber in the castle, with the best view. Contrary to what others might assume, it’s fairly modest in size, but is decorated with gilded chandeliers, a large fireplace, and an ornate canopy bed. And while this room is home to [i]both[/i] the King and Queen, it is rare for both of them to share it at the same time.[/color]
[color=2e2c2c]...........................................................................................[/color][/sup][/justify][/cell][cell][color=2e2c2c].[/color][/cell][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/2XOevEs.png[/img]
[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]D E C L A N ' S[color=2e2c2c].[/color] C H A M B E R S[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]Modest in comparison to what most might assume for an heir’s room, Declan’s bedchambers were nothing exceptionally grand. While he now resides within the guard barracks in the Captain’s Quarters, King Rowan insists on keeping his son’s room exactly how he left it. He has offered that Declan can still stay in his room on multiple occasions, but since abdicating and renouncing his titles, he doesn’t feel it is appropriate for him to live like a Prince when he isn’t one. Although on rare occasions when no one is around, he sometimes finds his way back to his old room.[/color]
[color=2e2c2c]...........................................................................................[/color][/sup][/justify][/cell][cell][color=2e2c2c].[/color][/cell][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/OnDT3By.png[/img]
[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]D O R I A N ' S [color=2e2c2c].[/color] C H A M B E R S[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]A stark contrast to his brother’s room, Dorian’s bedchamber is a cesspool of drunken debauchery and fornication. If it’s ever clean, it doesn’t last for long. Servants clean frequently, to no avail. It’s not uncommon to find a naked body or three passed out and strewn about the bed. And anytime someone comes to his room it is littered with more wine bottles, the bed clothes disheveled, and the stench of sex still pungent in the air.[/color]
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[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]M A E V E ' S [color=2e2c2c].[/color] C H A M B E R S[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]A bedchamber to rival her parents, Maeve has expensive tastes and wants nothing short of the best. Everything in her room is ornate with elaborate hand crafted details created with the utmost skill and intricacies. Everything is so perfectly kept and decorated that it looks like a room from a dollhouse rather than a place someone lives. Servants come and clean it twice as regularly as Dorian’s chambers, but while you cannot tell a difference in Maeve’s room, if a hair is out of place she will know.[/color]
[color=2e2c2c]...........................................................................................[/color][/sup][/justify][/cell][cell][color=2e2c2c].[/color][/cell][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/PIjzumL.png[/img]
[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]R H E A ' S[color=2e2c2c].[/color] C H A M B E R S[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]Having been under lock and key for nearly a year, Rhea’s room has turned into her safe haven. While it is a mess, it isn’t from alcohol and lovers like Dorian, but books, musical instruments, and other forms of entertainment to amuse her. At some point over the last year she took it upon herself to paint the walls in an attempt to bring some of the outdoors in with her. It’s a bit messy and cramped, but one of the few places where she doesn’t feel her mother’s prying eyes.[/color]
[color=2e2c2c]...........................................................................................[/color][/sup][/justify][/cell][cell][color=2e2c2c].[/color][/cell][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/5U03UmG.png[/img]
[justify][center][h3][sup][sub][b]G U E S T [color=2e2c2c].[/color] C H A M B E R S[/b][/sub][/sup][/h3][/center][hr][sup][color=808080]While guests’ bedchambers lack personality, they offer all of the comforts any noble should be accustomed to. Every room has a large bed, a fireplace, some seating, a writing desk, and various storage for all their belongings. While every chamber can vary to an extent from room to room, every need should be accounted for, and if not it can be retrieved for them upon request.[/color]
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