Information on GATEs

[Alyssa Snow]

The Dragon GATE resides in Alerar and is also commonly called the Aleran GATE. It resides to the Far East near the Mountains of Dawn. Specifically, it is built close to the location of Dragon’s Folly where the Alerar Air Force fought and killed one of the very few remaining dragons. Its corpse decayed and affected several caves, local flora, and fauna. Now, Dragon’s Foley is known for its unique collection site of poisons, elements, and oddities. That is what influenced the location of the Dragon GATE to be built. As a combined effort of the Dark Elves, Dwarves, and Last Bastion, the Dragon’s gate takes on a very metallic and rigid aesthetic. The buildings are forged mostly of metal and are afforded the luxury of Ettermire’s cleanest burning steam technologies. Much of the advancements there are powered by modern engineering feats with alchemical influence. The focal point of the facility, the Academy, is even forged with Dragon Ivory harvested from the epicenter of Dragon’s Folly. Hence, the locals tend to call it the Dragon GATE instead of the Aleran GATE.

The uniform for the Dragon Gate is charcoal grey and closely resembles the average skin tone of the local Dark Elves. Accents of crimson red pepper the uniform near the neck, sash, and over the right shoulder. The insignia is worn proudly on the breast and resembles a dragon’s rib cage as seen from the side with one wing sprouting from the top. It is embroidered in an off white like bone.

Outside of the Dragon GATE is a supplementary military hangar used to house various types of airships. Here, the research branch experiments on several types of air vessels. The finished products are built to completion within the security of the GATE walls, but are stored in the external hanger due to the sheer square footage needed. This external facility is heavily guarded to deter theft from individuals looking to prosper from cutting edge technology. Aside from the GATE and its Hangar, the surrounding area is framed by plains, woodland, and mountains. A river cuts through the middle of the plains and provides the necessary resources for growing food and powering the steam technology in the GATE grounds

GATE Focus:

The primary focus of the Dragon GATE is to further advancements that are independent of magic. In the GATE specifically, there still is the use of magic despite many of Alerar’s occupants being completely cut off from both the Pantheon and the Tap. Research is heavily focused on alchemy, physics, biology, and science. Their military branch is also heavily armed with the newest advancements in Althanian technology. Newer and more efficient weapons are being developed regularly as well as protective methods against said weapons. It is the mantra of the Dragon GATE that every creation must have an opposite. It is with this mantra that the turn towards Althanas’s recent calamity and seek to find its opposite.

The GATE also strives to research the unusual weather phenomena to the north. Given the country’s close alliance with Salvar, traffic between the GATE and the non-magical northerners is frequent and common. Since the removal of the Forgotten One posing as the head of the Church of Ethereal Sway, the intense northern winds still threaten the city. It is part of the Dragon GATE’s mission to pinpoint the cause of this and determine whether or not the source is a threat to the rest of southern Althanas.

Between the Alchemy and steam technology of the Dark Elves and the smithing knowledge of the Dwarves, the Dragon GATE also focuses on refining and developing new techniques for forging metals and equipment. This technology is invented with the purpose of supporting and aiding in reconstruction around Althanas as well as reinforcing key structures for future events. The research team is also using this partnership as an opportunity to research the history and lore of the Dwarven people in-depth. Much of their archives are dedicated to this research.

Of the four GATEs, the Dragon Gate boasts the second largest military force. While not as large in quantity, the weapons and armaments their elite are trained with could easily compete with the world’s standard military. This technology also makes the Dragon GATE one of the most well fortified establishments across Althanas including automated golems and steam turrets. Paired with their airships, the Dragon GATE is commonly conscripted for military aid in suppressing rebellion, quelling rabid wildlife, and covertly silencing political threats. This focus on military power has earned them a more negative stigma compared to the other GATEs but is often kept in check by the Beinost GATE and Jagged GATE of Corone.

Their support branch is the second smallest of the four branches but where they lack numbers, they excel in production. Their investment in alchemy has made them effective in the administration of traditional medical aide, but they excel in providing reconstruction support. Between automated golems, steam engines, dwarven engineering, and alchemical compounds, the Dragon GATE is a welcomed sight for sore eyes. Their production values can shorten a construction timeline by half easily. In conjunction with magical support from the Beinost GATE, there is no force able to complete a project quicker. Their support branch is often conscripted by factions around the world for mass production of weapons, armor, and building supplies.

Administration

The Gatemaster at the Dragon GATE is a dark elf by the name of Seever “V’Shaladin and previously advised the Monarch of Ettermire, Edari’axa. He is a Graf that owns a large plot of land to the northeast of Ettermire which is largely undeveloped or utilized. His Economic influence helped to fund the construction of the Dragon GATE and he oversees its operation with stern precision. He is often accompanied by his Guardians both as habit from being nobility and precaution. He exhibits somewhat of a God complex when dealing with offenders of the GATEs rules and acts independently as a judge, jury, and in some cases, executioner. He stands just over six feet with an average build, pitch dark skin, red eyes, and ashen hair carefully straightened and maintained to his mid back. He always walks with posture expected of nobility and carries a newly developed prototype rapier at his side.

One of the two Guardians which commonly advise and accompany him is General Toland Heresyne. Toland was born as a servant to Seever when he was still advising the King. In the events of the Great Calamity, Toland fended off a group of rogues that made an attempt at Seever’s life in hopes of commandeering his wealth. Toland dispatched the assassins, rallied his fellow servants who had mixed opinions of Seever, and raised their encampment in the nearby forest with extreme effectiveness. Once chosen and situated as the Gatemaster of the Dragon GATE, Seever appointed him as the General of their specialist division. Since then, Toland has been effective in his discipline and training of those chosen to serve.

Toland is young compared to the other faculty at the Dragon Gate and is a hybrid of Dark Elf and human. His skin resembles a muted chocolate. His hair is short, dark, and curly but shaved at the sides. In imitation of Graf Seever, he maintains a noble posture despite his diminished social status. He is built like stone and is bulky for his thin and tall frame partially due to endless hours of manual labor and personal determination to his training. Toland has eerie yellow eyes and is just as stern as Graf Seever. On days when he is not escorting the Gatemaster, Toland is found in the barracks or training grounds vigorously engaging his cadets in military drills. He is an expert marksman with a hunting flintlock, but prefers the axe for general combat. When not in the GATE uniform, Toland wears a new form of composite body armor that hugs his form closely, maintains range of movement, but also affords the protection of full plate. This set of armor was a gift given to him by Seever during his promotion to General.

With Toland, another General occupies the Gatemaster’s side. Her name is Emilia Firebrand. She is a rare half dwarf who was exiled from the Kachuck mines with her father, a human, after being born. They settled in Ettermire where her lineage and her father’s knowledge introduced her to smithing and engineering. In the events of the Great Calamity, her father left for the frontlines and died due to excessive ash inhalation. She was left in charge of the forge and projects her father worked on. These projects were only a part of a larger blueprint for a new flying machine to be produced by Alerar. Given the increasing ire and blame Alerar placed on their neighboring country after the Calamity, Emilia took the plans and work with her and applied to the Dragon GATE. She was swiftly accepted and promoted to General of the Aerial Division of their military branch.

Emilia stands no taller than five feet and has a full, curved figure. While most dwarven women are often confused as men, her human liniage clearly remains. She is strong as the mountain children but exudes a kindness expected of her alluring face. She has thick, fiery red hair which either hangs loosely over her chest or braided behind her. Her eyes are verdant green and she speaks commonly with the voice of a concerned mother. However, when dealing with situations pertaining to her father’s research, she becomes stern and defensive. Emilia does have a tendency to imbibe Dwarven fire wine and it hits harder than most dwarves thanks to her father’s genetics. Her behavior under the influence of alcohol is questioned around the GATE, and several stories circulate. Whether or not truth exists in the rumors remnants to be determined.

There are also two heads of the research branch at the Dragon GATE. Each focuses on their own specialized fields of study, but often meet to find opportunities and connections between the two. The Lead Specialis that handles all the advancements in Alchemy is none other than Rachne Korr. His history is largely a mystery and is kept that way by many in the Administration. He was recommended by Gatemaster Seever and appointed directly to Guardian. He keeps to his quarters and lab, rarely seen by residents or cadets. When he is seen in public, he is often in comapny with the Gatemaster or Toland.

Rachne is pale for a Dark Elf and has light grey skin. He wears a contraption over his left eye and is lean to the point of seeming sickly. Rachne’s hair is pitch black and dense, but he keeps it no longer than his chin line. His attire is almost always a white lab coat. The stains of which raise many questions with the residents of the GATE and many are afraid to approach him. However, his contributions to the medical shops, support team, and general quality of life improvements afford him the silence he likely desires. It is without doubt he is a genius, but his purpose and goals remain vague.

Much to his antithesis is Rachel Grandsteel. She heads the steam division of the research branch and used to serve as a lead mechanic for Ettermire’s public service department. As a human and female, she was never presented the opportunities to advance in Ettermire, but possessed a brilliance and innate ability with steam tech. When most of the technicians left aboard the airships dispatched to the locations of the Great Calamity, Rachel stayed behind and handled the operation of Ettermire. Since she lacked the respect of her peers to command, she took most of the work upon herself and kept Ettermire running efficiently. It was during this time that she earned the respect of her peers. Upon the return of the surviving mechanics and engineers, Rachel was offered a senior position but declined. Instead, she applied to the Dragon GATE on recommendation of a member of the Core Collective. She was accepted and quickly proved her prowess as a leader. She now serves as overseer of the airship and steam technologies used at the Dragon GATE with little or no protest of her peers.

Rachel is a brunette with shoulder length frizzy and curly hair often specked with oil. Though she has occasionally attempted to appear more effeminate, her line of work always resumes her to a state of frazzled mess. Her face is honest and eyes just as dark brown as her hair. She is loud, friendly, and outgoing. One might consider her somewhat of a tomboy since her passion is focused on engineering, thermodynamics, and hydraulic technologies. She loves the hum of machinery and finds excitement in designing and creating things which defy expectations. She frequently works with Emilia and dreams of creating a vessel that will take her higher than the clouds — high enough to touch the stars.

Last of the Administration is Gurrelle Damnfrost. He is an old, stocky, angry little dwarf that was exiled from Kachuck due to his awful demeanor. He, believe it or not, heads the Dragon GATE’s support branch. His focus is construction and with the expectations of a generation long gone. No matter the effort put toward the projects he oversees, Gurelle always expects more. Beyond his grumpy and bitter exterior, he genuinely cares for his line of work and the people it impacts. He would be caught dead admitting it, however. While some of his subordinates resent him for the type of manager he is, others can see into his depths and respect what he demands from them.

During the Great Calamity, Gurelle injected himself into as many recovery efforts as he could. Despite his age, his level of production rivaled some of the best the youngest recruits could offer. He worked tirelessly and earned great praise from the Last Bastion. Originally, he was slated to serve as Gatemaster but stepped aside the responsibility because he “didn’t want to babysit no cry babies”.

Gurelle is shy of a full five feet, but is still just as much a child of stone as any dwarf. He wears a patch over his left eye which is often obscured by unkempt, wavy white hair. His rough skin is littered with scars and scrapes earned from hard labor and a lack of “whining like a newborn slag skipper”. He harbors a soft spot for those truly in need but masks his kindness with copious amounts of colorful insult. Despite his hostilities, Gurelle rarely degrades himself to common slang or slander. Many of his outbursts are hard to understand but are spoken with such gravelly ferocity that the only way to accept it is as an insult or jeer.