City of Bridges

Appendix: 5 Bridges of Historical Consequence

Tob's Fort Bridge

Tob's Fort is a huge rock that sits in the middle of the Cille, just before the joining with the Aris river. A series of caves riddles the rock, some too perfectly shaped to be entirely natural. Legend has it that it was settled by survivors of the calamity that reshaped the world 1000 years ago or more. The bridge that connects it to Shinetower Stair (the large promontory at the confluence of the two rivers) was built by city rulers during the Age of Kings, to prevent accidental deaths among those who tried to land their boats on the rock for sight-seeing or other purposes. Though it's patrolled regularly by the City Watch, it's not considered a particularly safe place.

The Gatehouse

Every city, town and hamlet in the Surviving Lands has a Gatehouse, but Corregal has the only one that spans a river gorge. The Gatehouse is the western-most (upriver) bridge across the Cille, and is topped by a massive basilica that acts as a spiritual center for the city, and also houses the many people who serve there. Bridge and basilica are both built of gold-flecked granite, with a single 150-foot-high arch anchored in a tower on either bank. Both towers are accessible by boats on the river, but the main level of the bridge is along Cille Street on the south, and a series of stairways down from the High Bank on the north. The Gatehouse is more than just a place of worship: the Gates regulate the flow of spiritual/magical energies into the world. Without the Gates, the world would wither and die. Without the Gatehouses to monitor and control the Gates, the energies would flow unrestricted, (potentially) leading to a second Great Calamity.

Daena's Bridge

Daena was the twin sister of Evreme's King Dynmor, but they argued and she departed the royal capital of Averest and took up residence in Corregal, then only a regional center (with a few dozen bridges). A fierce warrior with aspirations towards the Eresti, she refused Dynmor's summons to return to court and marry the southern warlord princeling with whom he wished to make an alliance. The warlord, taking her refusal as an insult, set out to capture her for himself, and set siege to Corregal. In a final battle on the bridge that now bears her name, Daena faced and defeated the warlord, but took a mortal wound and died. In grief, King Dynmor made it law that thereafter no women would be permitted to bear bladed weapons. The bridge itself is closed to traffic, except for the anniversary of Daena's death, on which the women of the city lay a tribute of flowers across it.

Great Furzon Bridge

The Tazan Empire conquered Evreme approximately 200 years ago, obliterating Averest and the royal line. They established their provincial headquarters in Corregal. Trying to win the support of the local population, while asserting their mastery at the same time, they began the monumental construction of the Great Furzon Bridge, the highest and longest bridge in the city at the time. Its wide span, lined with shops and businesses, remains a center of economic activity even after the revolution lead by Sieur Eristan Fleuracy ended the Imperial dominion. That the bridge was not torn down following the revolution. despite its constant reminder of their former subjugation, is a testament to the population's respect for their bridges and bridge builders.

The Broken Bridge

Vallen's Sun Bridge was the first major construction begun in the years following the revolution. Larger even than the Great Furzon Bridge, it would have dominated the riverscape and increased the prestige of the Vallen family a hundred fold. After ten years of construction it was nearly complete when a magical explosion tore it apart, killing over one hundred workers and three members of the Vallen family who were there on inspection. The culprit was discovered to be Sieur Javar Aderen, head of a rival House. Javar killed himself before he could be apprehended, and all that remains of Sun Bridge are the ruined abutments on either shore.