Vandalia Citadel

*You are right here in your story. Don't skip ahead.*
Massie Burnson, *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, p. 32
**WARNING: SPOILERS FOR *THE ARCHER'S CUP* ARE AHEAD; CAUTION IS ADVISED.**

**Princess Emma**: Have they not been through some of the worst of the woes?

**Lord Blackstar**: All the citadels have paid a price for opposing Morbin. Vandalia has been through a pretty awful ordeal, yes, and so is very low indeed. But that makes them all the more eager for the rising.

—*Ember Rising*, pg. 105-106

## Vandalia Citadel

Lord Booker greets Emma Joveson in Vandalia Citadel, as illustrated by Zach Franzen in Ember Rising.

## Book information

### Mentioned

*The Last Archer*
*The First Fowler*
*The Archer's Cup*
*Ember's End*

**V****andalia Citadel** was one of the secret citadels established by the Heralds of the Mended Wood. It was known for its inhabitants who had suffered a great deal through their efforts to resist Morbin Blackhawk's evil regime.

## History

### Crest

The exact design of Vandalia's crest is unknown, but it is mentioned that it includes the colors blue and gold.

### Background

Vandalia Citadel was ruled over for an unknown period of time by Lord Booker, before leadership passed to his son Lord Morgan.

### *The Last Archer/The First Fowler*

Vandalia Citadel is mentioned briefly, having sent a number of representatives to Cloud Mountain's Citadel Congress. When Prince Smalls' entourage sets out for Halfwind Citadel, it is said that they are headed for Vandalia Citadel. The advance party under Helmer includes Aubray of Vandalia, and both forces begin heading north to reinforce the deception.

### *Ember Rising*/*The Archer's Cup*

Emma, newly named the heir to the throne of the Thirty Warrens, traveled with her company to Vandalia Citadel to seek refuge. While there, she met Lord Booker—who died shortly after her arrival— and his son, Morgan.

After some time, Emma left Vandalia to make for First Warren in order that she might confront her elder brother, Winslow. Forces from Vandalia took part in the ensuing Battle for First Warren, with their most elite forces forming Emma's personal bodyguard. When Emma had to leave for Blackstone Citadel, she noted that she had enjoyed her stay at Vandalia and how loyal its inhabitants were.

Lord Morgan and some of Vandalia's elite soldiers join Emma at the rearguard during the Battle for First Warren. Lord Morgan participates in the battle, most of the time near Emma.

Two does from Vandalia, including Cara Loglew, participate in the Ultimate Archer's Cup, but while they are excellent archers they lose to Nate Flynn.

### *Ember's End*

The forces of Vandalia citadel, under Lord Morgan, take part in preparing the city for the Siege of First Warren, in which they also participate.

## Inhabitants

### Personnel

* Booker (former citadel lord; deceased)
* Morgan (current citadel lord)
* Aubray (deceased)
* Deever

## Trivia

* The map shown at the beginning of *Ember Rising* spells "Vandalia" as "Wandalia", in Old English style.
* The name Vandalia is of uncertain meaning and origin, possibly being derived from either a Dutch or Native American group or the Germanic tribe known as the Vandals. At one point the area that is now the state of West Virginia was considered as the site of a fourteen British colony named Vandalia; the name has since been applied to a number of towns in the United States.

## References

1. ↑ [1]
2. ↑ [2]

*This article has received The Green Ember of excellence.*