A map of Laurelorn Forest, with Tor Lithanel at its centre.
Tor Lithanel, the "City of Glass," is the capital city of the Wood Elf realm of the Eonir, located in the Ward of the Sun, at the centre of the Laurelorn Forest. It dates back to the original High Elven colonisation of Elthin Arvan, the Old World.
History[]
Near the end of the War of the Beard, Dwarf armies had destroyed the High Elf city of Kor Immarmor and threatened to overrun the last remaining High Elf colony at Tor Lithanel. In the Elves' hour of desperation, the exiled High Elf mages known as the Grey Lords summoned a great spirit host to rout the besiegers. Meanwhile, a solitary High Elf wizard named Darlorhan made a terrible pact with a dark power and unleashed a terrible disease upon the ruins of Kor Immarmor where the Dwarf reserves were encamped.[2a]
The two-pronged High Elven assault broke the Dwarfs' resolve and ultimately forced them to withdraw to their mountain holds. Though the war continued for years afterwards, the Dwarfs never again threatened Tor Lithanel. Among the Dwarfs, Kor Immarmor was recorded in the Great Book of Grudges as the site of an atrocity committed by a High Elf dubbed the "The Blinding Death."[2a]
Notable Locations[]
The capital of the Laurelorn Forest is a rare surviving example of archaic High Elven architecture. Within the city walls, exotic fruit and nut trees are cultivated with the aid of magic. The huge gems adorning nearly every building contain souls of deceased Elves, held permanently in stasis to preserve them from consumption by Chaos. From a distance, these soul-gems catch the light and cause the city to glisten. Humans who have approached close enough to witness Tor Lithanel's splendour have nicknamed it the "City of Glass."[1a]
The skyline is defined by three marble towers. The heavily guarded Silver Tower, containing the queen's throne, is the tallest and oldest. The Dragon Tower is the second tallest and is currently empty. In ages past it served as a rookery for Dragons, as evidenced by the scorched interior. Prince Aesryn wishes to restore the Dragon Tower to its former glory. Finally, the Hippocrene Tower also sits abandoned, by decree of Queen Marrisith.[1a]
The High Council of Tor Lithanel convenes outdoors in the Agora where a single lornalim tree grows. Citizens are encouraged to observe the council's public proceedings. Adjoining the Agora is the Temple of Asuryan, where the sun god's cult maintains an eternal flame.[1b]
Perhaps the most intriguing building in Tor Lithanel is the Library of Mournings, which contains manuscripts dating back to the Sundering. The library houses the largest known collection of scrolls describing experiments of the legendary Old Ones.[1b]
Wishing Woods[]
A dense stand of firs and larches near Tor Lithanel is sacred to worshippers of Sarriel, the god of dreams. Well-trodden paths end abruptly at waystones marking the wood's edge. Beyond sagging branches draped with curtains of lichen is a heavy, foreboding darkness. Eonir pilgrims are fearful of the spirits within, preferring instead to meditate for dream-visions at the perimeter.[1b]
At the centre of the wood is a crumbling, overgrown amphitheatre that predates the High Elf colonists. The Queen of the Laurelorn knows the forum is actually an Old One portal to distant Avelorn, via transit through an esoteric magical realm called the the "Dreaming Wood." The portal is damaged however, making the Dreaming Wood unstable and preventing transit to Avelorn.[1b]
Rainbow Falls[]
From Tor Lithanel's highest towers, a majestic waterfall of shimmering colours is visible. Great obelisks once stood on either side of the falls, but collapsed in an earthquake and fell across the waterfall's crest. The magically-infused waters of the River Demst refract into the eight colours of the Winds of Magic as they cascade over the jumble of broken waystones.[1b]
The Eonir use the released magic for rituals. Priests of Vaul, the god of smiths, gather Chamon and weakened Aqshy for coldforging metal. Over time, the thundering waters have deafened the already-blind priests that work tirelessly in the damp tunnels behind the falls. Powerful nature spirits can be encountered near this sacred site, including Viydagg, the primeval maiden, and Capa, the otter, patron of the naiads.[1b]