Aphalur

In 12 LE, Aphalur was discovered by Akthol prospectors. The city was of such grandeur and size that they feared going near it for several years; believing it to be the home of titans or possibly even a god. After working up sufficient nerve they would enter the place eight years later and stake a claim to it.

The graceful lines of the towers and walls, seemingly cut from one piece of stone, show a skill in magic and architecture beyond anything that seems possible. There are great ivory and vine covered bridges that float in the clouds, rotating on some invisible axis between seven looming spires.

This otherworldly bastion with its slender towers, each 700' high, rising into the clouds and defying all rules of engineering - or at least what we know is possible. The place has chrome yellow gates standing twice the height of a titan, and a multitude of windows decorated with gold and silver designs of angelic creatures. The place is unimaginably large and would take a 1,000 years or more to build - this place, massively built, yet carefully hidden in the peaks, could not have been built by mere mortals.

- Khuzbul, of clan Nakhir-Tholgûr, journal - "Rukham-Fel Expedition"

Aphalur is a Supernal word that means "depot". It was built in the Creation War (1486 DE - 8777 DE) under the watch of the Golden Seven; one of the special forces of the Nawirrûs Covenant. These angels were aided in the construction by mortals; largely those of clan Tharag. During their war with the primordials, Aphalur served as a training ground and arms storage for the armies of the gods. When the battles of the Creation War spilled into Bal-Kriav, the place was fortified so that it could withstand potential attacks by the massive armies of the primordials. During the epic battle that raged across Regadnîn, Aphalur served as a factory for making arms and as a hospital.

In the Lith-Crillion Era, dwarves took up residence in the place. The holy dwarven empire Akthol-Tharag was born in the halls of Aphalur. This city of the gods became the empire's capital. Aphalur's holy nature and history has undoubtedly had an impact on the dwarves of Akthol-Tharag.

They are a lawful and good natured people, haughty, and distrustful of outsiders. They are secretive and act as if they are protectors of a holy place that should not be spoiled by contact from the outside ... or perhaps they know something that is best kept hidden away.

- Ermikel the Balance, "Species"

The entire area of Aphalur is under a divinely cast hallow spell. The city defenses also include thousands of bells, none more than fifty feet from another. When these are sounded, they produce a ringing that has the effects of a holy word spell. Many glyphs of greater warding, each releasing positive energy or holy fire, are on windows, apertures, thresholds and other entryways. These are permanent effects and cannot be easily thwarted.

Across the city are hundreds of alabaster plaques. These Plaques of Aphalur are inscribed with Supernal runes. On these plaques are short stories of the Creation War. An enterprising talaxan named Nindonor made secret treks to Aphalur. During these expeditions, he copied the runes of these plaques onto scrolls. He made these dangerous forays into holy grounds and was able to escape detection for nearly a decade. On his last journey to this place, he was captured by soldiers of Akthol-Tharag. Nindonor's writings became known as the Scrolls of Dawn . They have since been copied and provided a great deal of information on the doings of the gods and primordials so long ago.