Ath Velanis

**Ath Velanis** is a Tevinter fortress in southeastern Seheron. It is located on top of a cliff, overlooking the coast. At the base of the hill is the old walled town of Ath Velanis, which serves as a major military base for the Tevinter forces in the New Qunari Wars.

## History

It was originally built in circa -640 Ancient, during the wars of succession after the death of Archon Tiderion. No one knows exactly when. But according to legend, when Ath Velanis was built, it was used by Malgorthios the Black in order to sacrifice women screaming to the Old Gods. For centuries afterward, the fortress is said to have housed Malgorthios' descedants: madmen, possessed by demons. For a time, it housed the Fraternity of the Grinning Abomination, a rather controversial fraternity of the Imperial Circle of Magi.

Eventually, it fell into ruin. In the Dragon Age, Magister Aurelian Titus chose it as a secluded place to perform his grim magical experiments. Aurelian Titus and his cult occupied the fortress until they were killed in the year 9:38 Dragon. As tensions between the Tevinter Imperium and the Qunari began to ramp up from 9:38-9:40 Dragon, Tevinter forces descended upon the fortress, opting to use it as their base of operations in Eastern Seheron.

## Locations

During the New Qunari Wars of the mid-Dragon Age, Ath Velanis is suddenly brought back to life, and the old ruined city springs back up around it. Suddenly the old stone buildings are converted into barracks and smithies, complete with naval yards and airship ports.

### Within the Fortress

* **Altus Quarters** - Nicest quarters in the fortress are reserved for Altus-class mages and their kin.
* **Laetan Barracks** - The barracks for Laetan mages are located within the fortress.
* **Officer Barracks** - The barracks for Soporati officers aren't as nice as the Laetan barracks, but at least they're protected.
* **The Forge -** The place where military-issue weapons and armor are created. A highly skilled set of Tranquil and dwarven craftsmen work to imbue weapons and armor with enchantments around the clock.

### Outside of the Fortress

* **The Broken Horn** - Being the only tavern and brothel in Ath Velanis, the Broken Horn is a popular establishment. Not-so-tastefully decorated with the broken horns of fallen Qunari.
* **The Old Chantry** - A former temple to the Old God Urthemiel that was converted long ago into an Imperial Chantry. It sits in the heart of the village, the centerpiece of the main square. It is currently operational.
* **The Dockyard** - The base of naval operations, outfitted with a great number of enchanted lightning rods to protect from the magically-formed lightning storms that often blow over.
* **Soporati Barracks** - The barracks of the lower-ranked Soporati soldiers.
* **Orentius' Apothecary** **& Wares** - A small but well-stocked apothecary and general store run by an old Laetan woman named Agatha Orentius.
* **Aldo's Clinic** - A clinic run by a battle-scarred Tevinter veteran.
* **The Bathhouse** - Where the soldiers can go to get clean.
* **Slave Barracks** - When Altus and Laetan mages go off to war, they often bring a number of their slaves with them to serve the Imperium as laborers. They stay in meager barracks outside the fortress and perform a lot of the menial tasks.

### Other

* **Tunnels** - A great network of old tunnels runs under the city. An underground movement has begun to use them to help runaway slaves escape.