On the Nature of the Obelisk

[Lalena Steele]

Throughout the city a short thesis starts to appear. The text is accompanied by numerous sketches of obelisk and glyphs

On the Nature of the Obelisk

A thesis on the architecture of Ephia's Well
by scholar and archaeologist Kali Qingwyn

All throughout Ephia's Well obelisks can be seen.  To the humble observer these four sided pillars that come to a point at the top could be mistaken as merely a part of the vernacular architecture or decoration, but I would like to assert that they are clearly more than that. 

The obelisk is a four sided pillar that has two discernible parts, a bottom section that makes up the main body  and a smaller pyramid point at the top. Freestanding obelisks tend to be about 6- 8 meters in height with the top portion being anywhere from a half meter to two meters. There are two different types of freestanding obelisks in the Citadel. The first has a slanted pyramidal base with a smaller top portion, made of a soft yellow stone and almost completely covered in glyphs. The other has more square base made of a harder grey stone and has sections of glyphs. The pyramidal ones appear to be more weathered. Perhaps these were built first from a softer sandstone, and then the shape was improved upon when harder stone was found and sourced.

While the construction of these monuments in and of themselves is fascinating one must wonder if they have purpose. The prominence of the obelisk to the dwelling cannot be denied. They are some of the first examples of the city's architecture one sees as they flank the overlook to the city. Then when one enters the city through the pyramid in the main lobby four obelisks form a courtyard in the center, and with  similar arrangement around the statue of the Pilgrim in the Plaza.  They are built onto the roofs of the city buildings and seen all over.

   Perhaps the most interesting ones are the multiple obelisks that line the way to the Eagle Mount and the halls of the Q'Tolip. One who is verse in glyphs and pictographs will recognize that these obelisks are carved with constellations and stars. At the very top of the stair to Eagle Mount upon the platform there are three Obelisks arranged in a triangle. The prominence of the obelisk, especially at the astronomer's university, and the glyphs carved into the sides of the obelisk suggest that the obelisks are built towards the celestial, that they are an attempt to reach the stars. It is possible that they go further though, that these monuments actually harness the magic of the stars.