Closing his eyes, Dalar figured he would have to follow this roadway to the west for a mile or so, before being able to join the Goldway at a junction point.
The Goldway will then run for about another mile to the south, where I will branch off, but this time onto the east running Onyx Ring – that glorious district of exotic animals and trade goods. From there I will have to continue, passing several junction points until I find Verdigris Avenue, which will lead me to the north again and the home of the scholars – the Grande Libatorium of Wynne.
Dalar smiled, as he was able to retrace the well-traversed path through the large city in his mind.
During his formative years within the scholarhood, Dalar found that, outside of diplomacy and literature, he had a natural gift with cartography and world geography. The added area of study only prolonged his schooling, but now Dalar could say that he was one in about a dozen or so to be as well versed in the world they lived; the study of geography was one often looked down on by the scholars, but Dalar found he had an innate skill in its teachings, so he spent an extra four years in persuit of perfecting his knowledge. Now he was so versed with the lay of the land, he could close his eyes and visualize every feature along the way, allowing him the ability of marking out the quickest path to his destinations.
It took Dalar the better part of three hours to traverse the way from postern gate to the Grande Libatorium. He had not counted on the streets to be congested with auto carriages and citizens. In the past, most of Brixon would have been at home, sitting by a fire or enjoying a family dinner. Dalar did not doubt the heat of day led to a city that thrived in the cool of night.
The scholar was glad to find the central square mostly void of activity. There were a few street performers loitering around the bases of three towing obelisks located at the heart of the wide square. These were the Valvian Towers of Time – a monument to man’s relation to the whimsical nature of the past, present and future. There was a lone copper plaque on a raised pedestal declaring the monument’s message:
Without recalling the past, how can the man of the present look to better his future?
It was a fitting message, made to honour the men who had fallen during the Great War and to warn against further such travesties.
Dalar rode around the far edge of the smallest limestone spire, which represented the future, letting the weight of its testament fill his soul with hope. Taking a deep breath, he led his steel-framed steed away from the monuments and towards the Grande Libatorium.
The front façade of the building was adorned with sculptures of the greatest scholars in the history of Wynne. The visage of Bold Newton of the ancient province of Issa stood central amongst the other effigies. In his hand he held an apple, as if to test his theory of gravity. Flanking Newton to either side were monuments to the great Asimo and Strauss, who were brothers from Ynoux, proving the world did in fact rotate around the sun.
The building itself was designed with tall, exaggerated angles, domed roofs, and hidden patios and balconies. Wild ivy encroached most of the lower sections of the stucco walls, providing a lovely sense of nature in the midst of the urban sprawl. The windows of the Libatorium were often too large, and always came to a curved top, mimicking the stained glass domes above.
Dalar smiled as he caught a glimpse of the verdigris stained copper plating that served as shingling for the building. He knew many members of the scholarhood praised the verdigris rooftops as a sign and testament to the persuit of knowledge. Many of these men and women often used the roof as their shield against the naysayers, declaring,
“ Only a sharp and trained mind can stand forever, like a sturdy copper roof. Yes it may get worn and withered, and age will clearly show; however, the roof maintains its shape
The Goldway will then run for about another mile to the south, where I will branch off, but this time onto the east running Onyx Ring – that glorious district of exotic animals and trade goods. From there I will have to continue, passing several junction points until I find Verdigris Avenue, which will lead me to the north again and the home of the scholars – the Grande Libatorium of Wynne.
Dalar smiled, as he was able to retrace the well-traversed path through the large city in his mind.
During his formative years within the scholarhood, Dalar found that, outside of diplomacy and literature, he had a natural gift with cartography and world geography. The added area of study only prolonged his schooling, but now Dalar could say that he was one in about a dozen or so to be as well versed in the world they lived; the study of geography was one often looked down on by the scholars, but Dalar found he had an innate skill in its teachings, so he spent an extra four years in persuit of perfecting his knowledge. Now he was so versed with the lay of the land, he could close his eyes and visualize every feature along the way, allowing him the ability of marking out the quickest path to his destinations.
It took Dalar the better part of three hours to traverse the way from postern gate to the Grande Libatorium. He had not counted on the streets to be congested with auto carriages and citizens. In the past, most of Brixon would have been at home, sitting by a fire or enjoying a family dinner. Dalar did not doubt the heat of day led to a city that thrived in the cool of night.
The scholar was glad to find the central square mostly void of activity. There were a few street performers loitering around the bases of three towing obelisks located at the heart of the wide square. These were the Valvian Towers of Time – a monument to man’s relation to the whimsical nature of the past, present and future. There was a lone copper plaque on a raised pedestal declaring the monument’s message:
Without recalling the past, how can the man of the present look to better his future?
It was a fitting message, made to honour the men who had fallen during the Great War and to warn against further such travesties.
Dalar rode around the far edge of the smallest limestone spire, which represented the future, letting the weight of its testament fill his soul with hope. Taking a deep breath, he led his steel-framed steed away from the monuments and towards the Grande Libatorium.
The front façade of the building was adorned with sculptures of the greatest scholars in the history of Wynne. The visage of Bold Newton of the ancient province of Issa stood central amongst the other effigies. In his hand he held an apple, as if to test his theory of gravity. Flanking Newton to either side were monuments to the great Asimo and Strauss, who were brothers from Ynoux, proving the world did in fact rotate around the sun.
The building itself was designed with tall, exaggerated angles, domed roofs, and hidden patios and balconies. Wild ivy encroached most of the lower sections of the stucco walls, providing a lovely sense of nature in the midst of the urban sprawl. The windows of the Libatorium were often too large, and always came to a curved top, mimicking the stained glass domes above.
Dalar smiled as he caught a glimpse of the verdigris stained copper plating that served as shingling for the building. He knew many members of the scholarhood praised the verdigris rooftops as a sign and testament to the persuit of knowledge. Many of these men and women often used the roof as their shield against the naysayers, declaring,
“ Only a sharp and trained mind can stand forever, like a sturdy copper roof. Yes it may get worn and withered, and age will clearly show; however, the roof maintains its shape
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