The Second Citadel is a citadel ruled by Queen Mira in the Tales of the Second Citadel series. The knights of the Citadel are its backbone, and conceptually work to serve its citizens by protecting them. Over the years, this philosophy has devolved into merely killing all monsters. It is located in the humid jungles and swamps of The Northern Wilds, which the inhabitants of the Citadel see as simply an extension of their territory and refuse to call by its proper name.[1] It's structure is a city with a tall central spire, surrounded by thick stone walls with four gates in each direction.[2]
History[]
| “ | It happened hundreds of years ago. Our First Citadel lay in ruins. Every knight in the kingdom was slain; our King, devoured. | ” |
—Sir Damien[src]
Before The Second Citadel came The First Citadel. In mythology passed down for generations, it is said that the humans of the First Citadel were under attack by monsters and struggling to survive. The war between humans and monsters reached a point in which the First Citadel was destroyed, all the knights slain, and the king dead. The monsters began a three-day assault against the remains of humanity, with one raiding party by land, one by sea, and one by air. Humanity would have been destroyed where it not for the actions of three brothers, who were lowly workmen in a village by the sea. These three brothers would later become known as The Three Saints.
On the first day, monstrous hordes came by land, riding over the mountains to the North, until they were met by the oldest brother, a mason--Saint Aaron the Resolute. Saint Aaron struck the earth with his hammer again, and again, and again, until the ground opened up and swallowed every beast to the shadows below.
On the second day, the monsters came again by sea and were met by Saint Damien the Tranquil. He stood down the monsters and stared into their gaping maws beneath the waves, waiting to strike at the right moment. He threw his fisherman’s-spear into the waves at just such an angle and just such a force that a mighty whirlpool spun and shredded the demons to chum.
On the third and final day, they came by air, and no one was there to stop them. No one except the child, Saint Ferdinand the Brave. While the people ran screaming from the shadows above, Saint Ferdinand held his ground. The bravest brother held his slingshot high, and just as the first blast of fire came from the first of those terrible creatures in the sky, Saint Ferdinand let forth, and through his courage his pebble became a thunderbolt which struck every dragon from the heavens, and the world was clean once more.
After the monsters had been driven back, humanity realized that they had survived and began to rebuild. Centuries passed, and a new and greater Citadel had been formed.
The Fall[]
During the events of The Fall (Part 2), the Second Citadel is destroyed first by presumably explosives set by The Hand, and then by Marc using Saint Aaron's hammer to completely level the citadel spire. Mira and Absolon survive, as well as a lot of the knights. However, after the dust settles and the Off-World invaders have been dealt with, Mira gives up her power and abolishes the monarchy. The people who lost their homes move to the surrounding villages, and there is no third citadel.[3]
Society[]
Knights[]
In order to join the Knights of the Crown, one must first complete the knighthood exams. These consist of various tests of dueling, jousting and fighting. Presumably, the Captain of the Journeymen has final say on who joins their ranks.
The knights are split into two sectors: The Journeyman Knights, who journey out into the Northern Wilds to protect the various settlements under the jurisdiction of the Crown, and the Citadel Guard, who are in charge of protecting the Citadel itself. The Captain of the Guard position was inhabited by a man who set himself on fire under the invasion of the Fear-Bug, then by Sir Caroline,[4] then by Sir Absolon.[5] The only Captain of the Journeyman Knights we know of is Sir Absolon. Absolon would often complain about Caroline ordering around one of his Journeymen, Sir Angelo, so we can assume the two sectors are meant to be seperate.[6]
The Festival of the Three[]
An annual celebration of The Three Saints. At midnight, each saint is commemorated with drums, bells and fireworks respectively.[7]
Saintsrise[]
A holiday marking the new year. Consists of eight days of celebrating; three days for each Saint (except for Saint Ferdinand, since he is small). The final day is spent feasting with family members. The story of the Saints is told before dinner. Various foods are eaten to commemorate the occasion; Saint Aaron's Stew, which is made with beef, salt, herbs, and milk, The Tranquility Brew, which is just water, and the Sweets of Ferdinand.[8]
Locations[]
The Craftman's Quarter[]
Where Marc and Talfryn are from. Workshops there are built right on top of each other, with ladders reaching up to various doors and windows. People hang the things they make and sell from their awnings.[2]
The Citadel Spire[]
Also called the Tower of Two Thousand Steps. The Queen lives at the top, and the Knights of the Crown reside below. Surrounding it are training grounds and underneath is an underground field for training and knighthood exams. Inside is an armory, the Journeyman Knight's Office, and the Citadel Guard's Office.[2] Sir Caroline once pushed Sir Damien down these stairs and broke his leg.[9]
The Temple of Saint Damien[]
A religious building dedicated to Saint Damien, where hymns are sung in his honor. Isolde, Sir Tristan's wife, was a well known singer there before she was possessed by a demon.[10]
The Barracks[]
Barracks for the knights.
Characters[]
Ruler[]
Captain of the Guard and Journeymen[]
Citizens[]
Trivia[]
References[]
- ↑ Second Citadel - The Lovers of the Fallen Tower (Part 1)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Second Citadel - The Fool in the Garden of Death (Part 2)
- ↑ Second Citadel - The World to Come (Part 3)
- ↑ Second Citadel - The Battle at World's End (Part 6)
- ↑ Second Citadel - The Mad Mirages (Part 1)
- ↑ Second Citadel - The Devil in the Sunlight (Part 1)
- ↑ Second Citadel - Knight of the Crown, Lord of the Swamp (Part 1)
- ↑ Second Citadel - The Miracle of Eight
- ↑ Second Citadel - The Caves of Discord
- ↑ Second Citadel - The Shattered Spirit (Part 1)
| Second Citadel Locations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Regions |
The Center of the Universe · The Northern Wilds · The Southern Frosts · The Wayward East · The Western Wastes | |
| The Northern Wilds |
Fort Terminus · The Keep · Milltown · The Second Citadel | |
| The Wayward East | ||
| The Southern Frosts | ||
| The Western Wastes | ||