The Six Spired Stronghold.
In the centre of the Sixfold city, stretching into the sky, are the six spires, built on a spiralling mound. In the light of the dawn they shine, a rainbow of colours and things close to colours dancing over the city in their reflection.
The lowest spire, made of a smooth red stone like mother of pearl, is home to the Sixth. The Sixth rules over the laws, and the highest court is convened here, for only those who have committed the most heinous of crimes (although what those might be differs from most places). Here also is the Asking Chamber, where the citizens can petition for changes in the law. The signatures are taken in thick black ink, so thick it can barely be squeezed from the pen. The Sixth sits in his great chair, red robes covering his features, but sometimes the light catches eyes beneath the hood, scanning the room without coordinating with the other.
The next spire, shiny and white, is the fifth’s domain. The outer walls reflect the light from the sun far away from the secrets within. The Fifth is the ruler of spies and traitors, soldiers and thieves; she watches all, a gleaming white smile beneath the shining shawl. She lives in and devours shadows, and her subjects bring her information she likely already knows. The orders of the army ultimately come from here, but the queen rarely demands anything, merely asking.
Cranes and dead eyed workers cluster around the ever changing green spire of the Fourth. The Fourth is in charge of the city’s change and improvement. Both the builders and the hospitals send reports which eventually end up in the office of the Fourth. A different person picks it up each time, but they are all The Fourth.
The third spire pulses, as if veins run below its purple surface. Here lives the Third and the Humming library, which collects all the knowledge it can. The Third scuttles around the spire on its many limbs, face contorting and joints clicking. Show it something interesting and you may have a friend for one of your lives. The Third directs the goals of the research of the city; in small houses around there are self-trained scholars living on its generous grants, although why they are asked to research such things they could not tell you.
The next highest spire is simpler than the others, except for the carvings on its blue wall. In front of it is a great courtyard, home to the Second’s market. It is small, but holds great importance; the carvings on the walls that tower over the stalls give the prices the Second has set, and that must be obeyed. The Second is personable, and can be found wandering their market often. Their prices are kept throughout the city; there are whispers that does who fail to obey find their names carved next to a price.
The final spire, a soft yellow colour, is closed. If the First has a role in the city, you do not know it, and if there is a way into the rough walls, you are ignorant of that also.
The Six tower over the city, both the spires and their owners. But now you are making your own moves. New factions are rising, new technology developing. Whatever your goals are, welcome, to the Sixfold City.
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