Anor

**Anor** was a six ward city inside Angelou, with a notable high authority of 12 individuals called the **Essemaior**. The city was razed by a unknown Celestial, punishing the city and its citizens for their horrifying consumption of its kind's flesh for research.

## Information

### Geography

Anor was surrounded by a large ringwall encircling the teared city and the Ithilian Fields, where a great many native flowers blossomed vibrantly all year around. The tear city itself was divided into six levels, each surrounded by marble walling save for the first, which was built using the same material as the large ringwall for extra defense. Each level held a gate at specific spots, and none alike. Each individual level housed a specific zone, naturally, but also contained many scattered alleyways, narrow passageways, and houses even in the Lower Cathedral Ward, though the Upper remained dedicated to the Grand Cathedral itself.

While each level had some form of sustained plant life, the Upper and Lower Cathedral Ward housed the most plant life, a mix of flowers and extreme overgrowth vegetation, especially around the Grand Cathedral. There a huge mural depicting Anima, majestic in all her glory and giving, was painted with the brightest of colors. Juxtapose, a separate mural of Throes was painted across from it, as if to show what was to be feared, a testament, a reminder.

A statue of Anima also existed, a spectacle and so frequently prayed over. It had Anima posed for her front half to be visible with her long hair like roots, while her back was part of the base of the great tree, its limbs outstretching, withstanding the test of time. Frequently, flower petals from the neighboring real trees would fall on her and cause blood like stains against it.

### Belief

The inhabitants of Anor heavily worshiped the Celestial Anima, to the point of obsession, and feared her twin, Throes.

### Essemaior

( "*Beware the frailty of men*." ) The Convocation seated 12 high ranking individuals, followed by a handful of lesser scholars, all dedicated to the idea of expanding the boundaries of human capabilities, transcending beyond their own mortality. In a sense, they wanted to become as close to a Celestial as possible, with hope to overcome Maledictions. Among other things.

**Known Members**

I - **Iosefka** - Founder, however, due to her 'inadequacies' she was overshadowed. Iosefka confirmed her research explored the more wholesome aspects of life. The possibilities of Echoes, something she dubbed the beings from Angelou reappearing on Kalon - a higher plane of existence manifesting on the physical. They are, however, dead. Or rather, supposed to be.

II - **Ephraim** - Self-appointed Leader, overshadowed Iosefka. While, at the time, it seemed kind and almost protectively done, it seems Ephraim only had ill intentions in taking over completely, leaving Iosefka ignored and belittled. It's hinted that it was Ephraim's research idea to consume Celestial flesh.

III - **Amos** - Rian's husband and the father of the deformed child, a result of consuming Celestial flesh. He wanted to keep the child, despite its affliction and marvelled at the possiblity that it was proof change was possible.

IV - **Amnon**

V - **Rian** - Iosefka's best friend, Amos's wife, and the mother of the deformed child, a result of consuming Celestial flesh while pregnant. She was said to still support the consumption even after her child's suffering disposition.

VI - **Mordecai**

VII - **Delilah**

VIII - **Jezebel**

IX - **Levi**

X - **Carmen**

XI - **Mikhail**

XII - **Sineon**

## History

With a heavy class struggle, a disparity between the lower and the upper, one could say Anor was doomed at the start. The previous council of governing bodies were elected officials, though, unfortunately, since the upper class held so much weight and influence, all of them were of the same class and held little interest in helping the lower. The Old City versus the Central City stands as a living testament toward that lasting scar, even after their removal and the rise of **Essemaior**.

Anima, dubbed *The Ivory Lady*, was worshipped heavily, and her twin counterpart Throes equally so, however the latter was feared far greater than the former, and it stands to reason that the assumption that Anima herself blessed Anor was what kept her influence so uncontested.

## Notable Locations

### The Central City

The largest housing district level in Anor. Heavily trafficked and second largest section of the great city.

### The Towers

Serving as a vantage point for looking out above the walls on the lower level at each point, they are the initial defensive when the main gate is closed.

### The Upper and Lower Cathedral

Built to honor Anima, this ward sports the major Cathedral on the upper level, while the lower contains various graveyards and mausoleums. This ward strangely contains the most plant life of Anor. Many native flowers and trees grow abundantly, and seem to flourish as if Anima herself somehow approves of it. In all actuality, Anor's priests and priestesses keep up with managing it all as part of their daily prayers.

### The Academia and Archives

It's quite clear by the sheer size of the ward, that this section of the city is the most prolific investment Anor has to offer. People from all walks of life dream of walking such halls and expanding their knowledge, even more so joining the ranks of **Essemaior**, of whom calls this ward home. Anor produces a great many scholars.

### The Old City

As ancient as the city, though some may still occupy it. When the Academia was established, Anor seen an influx of population gravitating to it, and thus expanded housing into what is now the Central Ward. The upkeep of the old city is rather poor, and most residents are of the lower class.

## References

1. ↑ Chapter Eleven
2. ↑ Reference Image