Lost City of Torad

The Lost City of Torad, also known as the Ancient City, the Floating City, and the Metropolis of the Gods, is a place described in ancient legends. According to the oldest depictions of this city, it was where mankind first came across the gods, and this Grand Paradise was home to as many gods as there are humans in Heartwynn.

### Description

The City has been described in numerous ways by those claiming to have seen it, but some details have remained consistent. Many tales tell of a city built in a small valley, surrounded by a lake. This city inexplicably hovered above the lake, no part of it dipping into the depths, and had great bridges that connected it to the shores of the lake. Spires of radiant gold towered high into the sky, as if threatening to scrape the very clouds themselves. Great fortifications surrounded the city, a bulwark that would have made the dwarves seethe with jealousy. Legends say that the streets were inlaid with golden runes on every cobblestone, that every window was an elaborate work of art, made of stained glass, and each house was created by a master artisan, glorious masterworks in their own rights. Those that dwelt within the city were gods, as mentioned before, and they wore clothing made of finely woven precious minerals, so carefully created that they made steel feel soft as silk to the touch, but it still protected like metal.

### Known History

Little is known about the establishment of Torad or how long it had existed before humans first found it. Favorable relations between humanity and the gods led to several human tribes settling around the city, paying homage to those within. However, this picturesque arrangement did not last. The gods grew complacent with the worship they received from humans, and their blessings grew lax. Fields wilted, plague swept the land, and great storms damaged homes. This caused humanity to become displeased with the gods. In their anger, the numerous human clans that were gathered around the city began attacking it, but the stalwart defenses rebuked the assailants each time. This continued until someone from within, a divine traitor, threw the gates open and allowed humanity to enter. Through sheer numbers, the enraged humans dragged down each god and tore them to pieces. One by one, the powerful divines fell, but that is the last that was heard of the city. Legends say that this is why the gods do not walk among humanity anymore, and that any unfortunate event that befalls humanity is simply the gods paying back retribution for this ancient injustice that humans did.

### Theories

Many scholars debate whether or not Torad actually existed at all, dismissing it as simple metaphor or hyperbole. They point to inconsistencies in the legends and descriptions of the city, claiming that if people had truly seen it, the descriptions would be more concrete and have more similarities.

Those who claim to have seen the city in recent times state that it is found in the heart of Toradi's Spine, now sunken into the lake that it once sat upon. Still, expeditions sent to find the city have come back with no results, not even managing to find the lake when guided by one who has claimed to find it.

Within the city is supposedly great power left behind by the gods, and wealth held fast within ancient vaults. Whether true or not, these tales have led many hapless adventurer to their deaths in the search, as Toradi's Spine is still rife with danger.