Saphethion

Saphethion was a Magical floating High Elf city of Saphery, the home of the ruling Mage-Prince Thyriol. ^[1]

The palace was a floating vision of silver and white towers that surrounded a central gilded needle that glimmered with magic. Its internal maze of corridors, rooms and passages was larger than it should be and included portals to many rooms in other lands including Lothern, Montieth, Tor Anroc and Tor Yvresse. ^[1]

History

Sundering

To his horror and shame, Thyriol discovered that not only his son Anamedion but also his mother Illeanith and other students including were using Dark Magic. When he sought them out in their hiding place in his palace, all but Anamedion fled through a prepared emergency portal. His grandson thought his too weak to fight him but with a mere whisper of his grandmother's name by Thyriol, the young elf lost focus and was consumed by his own spell although Menreir was also killed in the confrontation. ^[1]

Later Thyriol, having successfully cleared his kingdom of all the other renegade sorcerers, attacked the citadel of his daughter with the Saphethion. Although his city suffered damage in the resulting conflict, Thyriol led an aerial assault on his Pegasus, aided by dozens of other mages on their own flying mounts but Illeanith managed to escape. ^[2a]

Following his cleansing of Saphery and at the request of Phoenix King Caledor I Thyriol hosted a council of Princes on Saphethion to discuss the civil war. ^[2b]

As Malekith fought Caledor Dragontamer for control over the Great Vortex, the crystal matrix of the city was flooded with magic - the diamond-like heart shattering and sending explosions throughout the city. The mages atop it who had been aiding Caledor tried to arrest its fall but it crashed into a hillside, sending further detonations across the whole structure. Ancient artifacts and devices glowed and burned along with the city. ^[2c]

Locations

• Grand Chamber: Circular doomed hall lined with alcoves containing sculptures of the greatest elf mages. ^[1]
• Hall of Stars. ^[1]
• Mausoleum of the Dawn. ^[1]
• Tower of Alin-Haith. ^[1]

Sources

• 1: The Sundering (anthology) (Time of Legends edition): The Dark Path (Short Story) by Gav Thorpe, pg. 688-699
• 2: The Sundering (anthology) (Time of Legends edition): Caledor (novel) by Gav Thorpe
  • 2a: Fifteen: The Hammer of Vaul, pg. 906-910
  • 2b: Sixteen: Sixteen: A New Power, pg. 911
  • 2c: Twenty One: The Sundering, pg. 1009