TURAS

Turas precedes recorded history on Anomaly. Built by unknown hands, it is thought to have been a location Dlotinus himself visited during his seeking of The One. The name “Turas” means “journey.”

Turas’ symbolic significance is without equal. A number of The People’s Seers thought to use it as a place to meditate and teach but ran afoul with the cultural resistance of the masses who considered it hallowed ground. Dagda did not hesitate to explore the possibilities Turas had to offer. It was well known Dlotinus had no desire to be worshipped himself, and would have encouraged any means, other than coercion, to spread the philosophy of The One. Many still resisted based on long-held objections (and no small amount of superstition) regarding Turas. Dagda’s direct blood relationship with Dlotinus and her already impressive powers quelled most concerns…and certainly any dissent. Her unwavering stand on Turas proved a boon for The People, for among the many “treasures” within was the Aisling (“dream/vision”) Table.

Hidden deep within the mountain crowned by Turas, Dagda discovered the Aisling in a hidden room which now serves as her meditation chamber. The maze of corridors to the Aisling is such that only Dagda, Aine and the Battle Lord know the way. Others who might find the chamber of their own accord will, according to Dagda, “do so for being on the path of The One…” The Aisling (so named for the powerful visions she’s able to draw from its use), helped Dagda safely guide The People through many of its darkest hours. She believes the Aisling somehow amplifies her already formidable visions. Dagda thinks this is why Dlotinus himself chose to remain here for a time while on his own journey. Any writings that might have shed some light on this belief are long lost.

Any would-be Battle Lord must be victorious at the Column of Challenges (also called “The Challenge”). The winner is defined as the one left standing. The other is dead... Should the current Battle Lord be deposed, the victor faces a far more cryptic test under the watchful eye of Dagda. To fail in this, as with the Challenge, is death. None who successfully become Battle Lord ever speak of the “trials.” All who fail do not ever speak again.

Should a Battle Lord fail to materialize; the Clans operate by a loose association of Clan leaders until a new Battle Lord can be agreed upon. The People rally around the Battle Lord in war, and war fought as a single cohesive unit has always proven superior to independent clans operating under different commands. The Battle Lord also eliminates the likelihood of infighting among clan leaders. For this reason, most Battle Lords are drawn from the Red Clan, though there have been exceptions scattered throughout The People’s hallowed past.