ALDOR

Aldor—the city of progress, innovation, and scholarly breakthroughs—is a beacon for all who seek a place in the scientific world. Much of the research conducted in both Aldor Tower and Aldor College has yielded innovations that benefit the people of Kurestal—such as the Golems invented by Scholar Cato that patrol the halls of Aldor College and the Church of Eolin. Aldor is also open to the sharing and exchange of knowledge with those outside Kurestal—older and more rudimentary sentry-model Golems have been loaned to Champion Rho’don to aid the residents of Helix’s Grand Bazaar. 

With all the secrets Aldor holds within its fortress walls, entry into the city is strictly controlled. Those who are not residents or members of the Church or College must obtain a permit to pass through its gates. The only exception is Wintertide, during which the city’s gates open to all who hold a Wintertide Ticket.

Aldor isn’t always blanketed in deep frost and heavy snow. During the warmer summer months, some of the frost thaws, leaving behind a pleasantly cool climate and patches of snow—perfect for outdoor activities. When it is the height of winter, though, blizzards can be sudden and brutal. For those who get lost in the forested mountains, Aldor Tower—with its spire cradling a glowing crystal—serves as a beacon, guiding them home.

Built into Mount Aldor, the Church of Eolin is a grand building lavishly adorned with depictions of the goddess on every surface and item—from the murals and paintings on the walls down to the carved candelabras. Among these, the most iconic is a towering floor-to-ceiling stained glass window showing Eolin rising, sword in hand and arm outstretched toward the sun. At dawn, when the window catches the light, the chapel is bathed in glimmering gold, soft blue, and pearly white. It is one of the most breathtaking sights in all of Kurestal. 

Hidden deep within the church lies the Crystal of Vitality. Both the Church and College are custodians of said Crystal, but its protection is entrusted solely to the Church, given its status as a divine relic with deep historical significance. Because of this, Scholars must undergo a thorough (and long) booking and screening process to gain access to the Crystal. This was mandated by the Church, though the College deems the process unnecessary and undignified. This screening process has been a point of contention between the Church and the College for many decades and remains one of the very few disagreements they still have with each other.

As Kurestal’s most prestigious school, Aldor College draws aspiring students from across the land who seek to further their studies in magic and the sciences. Following the rogue golem incident in 1836 AA, the college gained greater autonomy after the Church of Eolin stepped back from managing it. Since then, there have been more innovative breakthroughs in science and technology… and also far more explosions. 

Graduating as a Scholar is no easy feat, and it takes years of research to complete a thesis, dissertation, and/or invention in one’s specialised field (or fields) of study. Any Scholar harbouring hopes of becoming a Head Scholar must prove themselves through years of rigorous study and unwavering dedication.

Aldor College’s library holds a vast collection of tomes and scrolls documenting both past and present research. Not all research is archived in the library—only works deemed worthy by the Faculty Board earn a place on its shelves. The library consists of two wings—Established Research which houses studies that have been peer-reviewed and stood up to rigorous testing, and Experimental Research, for ongoing studies still under evaluation. A new section in the Experimental wing—still sparse in content—is dedicated to pioneering research on Golem studies, led by Head Scholar Cato and his team.

Separate from the main campus, the Aldor College of the Arcane is where aspiring magic users learn to harness and control their abilities by walking the Path of the Magus. Many seek out the college to establish themselves in the magical community and pursue paths as renowned magic users, inventors, or researchers. 

All first-years must complete a foundational course before choosing to specialise in one of two branches: Thaumatology or Thaumaturgy—or more commonly referred to as Theoretical Magic or Applied Magic, respectively. As their names suggest, Theoretical Magic is learning about the history and theories of magic, while Applied Magic is more about practising spellwork. 

Aldor College advises all Scholars and students of magic not to pursue other commitments that may jeopardise their education. Scholars and students of magic are expected to dedicate their full energy to the pursuit of knowledge; if they wish to take on other paths, they may do so after graduation.

In the middle of a clearing within Aldor Winter Park, the Tree of Gifts stands proudly, glittering in brilliant colours. Surrounding the tree are stalls offering food, drinks, and knick-knacks, carollers singing by the side, stages with live performances, and tents hosting baking and gingerbread decorating competitions.

Each winter, Aldor City opens its doors to host Wintertide—an annual celebration of gratitude that originated there and remains one of the city's most cherished traditions. To enter, one must have a Wintertide Ticket, which can be purchased at stores and official kiosks located outside the city gates. While tickets are also sold by merchants throughout Kurestal, some may be counterfeit or priced above their original value.