Aegispolis is a powerful island nation located in the New World, positioned amid tumultuous seas and surrounded by fierce, unpredictable weather, Aegispolis is known for its rich tradition of honor, strength, and intellectual pursuits. The island is divided into multiple city-states, each governed by councils of philosophers, warriors, and scholars who hold tremendous influence over the populace. Though they frequently compete for power, the city-states share a deep-rooted worship of ancient deities and a unified respect for knowledge, combat, and tradition.
Overview
The island's culture is deeply rooted in tradition, revering legendary warriors, gods, and scholars. It is divided into multiple city-states, each ruled by a council of philosophers who vie for influence and control. Despite their occasional conflicts, they are united in a shared worship of ancient deities and a strong emphasis on knowledge, strength, and honor.
Geography
Aegispolis is a rugged, mountainous island, with sharp cliffs and sweeping coastlines that rise dramatically from the turbulent New World seas. Its landmass is divided into multiple regions, each reflecting the character of its distinct city-states. The central landscape is dominated by Mount Aetherion, a towering peak where the sacred legends are said to be held. From this high vantage, streams cascade down the mountains, feeding into rivers that wind through valleys and provide water to the surrounding cities.
Architecture
Buildings in Aegispolis are constructed from white marble, limestone, and dark volcanic rock, giving a contrast of elegance and natural ruggedness. Massive columns, intricate carvings, and statues of mythical beasts and heroes are common. Many structures are adorned with gilded accents, mosaics, and frescoes depicting legendary figures, ancient battles, and revered gods. Despite its beauty, Aegispolis architecture is also practical, designed to withstand the harsh winds and occasional seismic activity of the New World.
Notable Residents
| Residents | ||||
 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acheron Parthenopaeus | ||||
Locations
Each location within Aegispolis serves as a testament to its rich culture, blending the influences of philosophy, battle, and myth, creating a distinctive island that thrives in the harsh and mystical New World.
Athonia
Known for its vast libraries and public forums, Athonia’s buildings emphasize intellectual grandeur. Structures are often multi-tiered with grand staircases, open colonnades, and rooftop gardens filled with olive trees and vines. The Library of Ionia is Athonia's crowning achievement, with its domed roofs and stained-glass windows that illuminate rows of ancient scrolls and texts.
Myren
The architecture in Myren is robust and fortified. Buildings here are lower to the ground and more heavily fortified with dark stone, ideal for defense and training. The Arena of Heroes is Myren’s centerpiece, a colossal amphitheater where warriors gather for combat trials and ceremonies. The Arena’s walls are engraved with the names of past champions and feature carved statues of mythological heroes.
Delphoria
Delphoria is the hidden heart and capital of Aegispolis, perched on the slopes of the island’s tallest peak, Mount Aetherion. Enigmatic and shrouded in myth, Delphoria is revered as a sacred place, known for its beauty, mysticism, and the secrets it holds. Few have set foot atop Mount Aetherion, as much of the city lies in the base of the mountain itself but legends tell of supernatural forces that guard its peak.
Gallery
History
In ancient times, Aegispolis was said to be the homeland of demigods and heroes, chosen by powerful deities who watched over the island from their celestial heights. At the heart of this mythic land lies Mount Aetherion, an imposing peak that soars above the clouds and is often compared to the legendary Mount Olympus. According to island legends, Mount Aetherion was once the seat of the gods themselves, a place where the mortal and divine realms converged. Its summit is eternally cloaked in mist, a veil believed to hide celestial secrets and divine artifacts, including a long-lost Poneglyph that bears knowledge of unimaginable significance.
Aegispolis’s origins trace back thousands of years to a time when legendary warriors and scholars united to form a society that honored both intellect and strength. Guided by divine dreams and visions, the first leaders of Aegispolis built their civilization around the reverence of the gods believed to dwell on Mount Aetherion. These deities, known collectively as the "Aetherions," were thought to bestow blessings on those deemed worthy, often manifesting as supernatural abilities or wisdom beyond mortal understanding.
A pact was made between the people and the Aetherions that so long as the islanders upheld their principles of honor, courage, and knowledge, they would remain under divine protection. The mountain, however, was declared off-limits to all but the chosen few, with the gods setting guardians and trials to safeguard the peak. From time to time, an oracle would ascend the mountain to seek divine wisdom, but none would ever reach the summit, disappearing into the mists or returning with visions that only deepened the island’s mysteries.
The greatest mystery surrounding Mount Aetherion is the legend of the Poneglyph of Aetherion.[1] According to myth, this ancient stone was placed at the mountain’s peak over 800 years ago by travelers from an age long forgotten. The Poneglyph is said to contain information that predates the Void Century, holding secrets of the world’s ancient knowledge and even a map to hidden treasures in the New World. Some believe it may contain information about a weapon capable of reshaping the world or an eternal truth guarded by the gods themselves.
Yet, despite centuries of attempts, no one has managed to reach the peak of Mount Aetherion in over 800 years.[2]Every explorer or warrior who has attempted the journey has either vanished or returned in defeat, claiming the path became twisted, time itself became distorted, or strange illusions clouded their vision. Many Aegispolians believe that only a true “Child of Aetherion” a hero chosen by the gods can reach the summit and uncover the Poneglyph’s secrets.
Trivia
- Based on Ancient Greece.
References
- ↑ Shadows of the Church Grim: Xeroh and Yoramu reach the Poneglyph half-way to the summit of Mount Aetherion.
- ↑ Shadows of the Church Grim: Even Xeroh was unable to fly to the very summit of Aegispolis. He was able to reach the half-way mark but found himself unable to fly up there himself.