Alcyon is a an archipelago to the far east of Hieron, beyond the Shredded Steppe. In Spring in Hieron 07: Structure and Purpose, Victoria Solomon marks it as a point of interest after hearing that the islands are somehow protected from the effects of the Heat and the Dark, and that some of the people living there are made of stone.
Description
Alcyon is connected to the northeast of Hieron by a land bridge. The actual islands are tiered, similar to Greek or Italian Southern European raised hills, and filled with vineyards. There is a large stone wall with a large gate at the end of the land bridge, separating Alcyon from the rest of Hieron. A colossal statue of Galenica stands on the furthest island.[1]
The interior of Alcyon is green and beautiful, filled with vineyards, orchards, and groves of fruit trees, with low cities that have a brownish-tan color and vines hanging from the roofs. The weather is mild and sunny. From the main dock, a beautiful paved road winds up through estates and villas and cuts through farmland where normal plants grow with new poisonous plants from the Spring.
The main island is separated into several districts. To the south is a city called Coraline, and to the east are more villas and homes. [2] To the southeast, the statue of Galenica has giant, bright orange opaline eyes that emit light, making it similar to a giant lighthouse.
Within the city, a large conservatory stands beside the path, filled with vines of flowers. The governor's residence is a three-story mansion to the south. Between the two is an enormous fountain which acts as a forum, where the people of Alcyon gather to discuss and debate.
The official colors of Alcyon are based off a pink coral called Alcyonium.
History and Involvement
Hadrian, Throndir, Fero, Ephrim, Benjamin, Rosana, and Ephrim's retainers Marigold and Highwater depart The Last University to visit Alcyon in Spring in Hieron 20: Passing of Voices. After taking a path that brings them along the northern shore of Hieron, they arrive to a collection of tents gathered before the land bridge that connects to Alcyon. The people in the tents are former members of the Grand Tour, who lived magically elongated lifespans while they were part of the Tour but are now hoping to return to their homes in Alcyon generations later. They tell the party about "metal men" who are trying to enter Alcyon, but claim that only "stone men" are actually allowed inside.
The party crosses the bridge and comes to the gate, where a crowd of Ordennan anchor are gathered, speaking to a pala-din. Hadrian attempts to muscle his way through the crowd, and overhears the conversation where the anchor are growing impatient with the wait to enter Alcyon, but the pala-din insists that Tabard is working as quickly as possible. Hadrian, startled to hear that Tabard is still alive, asks to speak to him, invoking his authority as Sword of Samothes. The pala-din examines his magical sword to confirm that Hadrian really is chosen by Samothes, then introduces himself as Hisam.[1]
The party explains that they are there as diplomatic envoys from the University, and also to find out why Alcyon has been spared from the Heat and the Dark. Hisam allows the party to enter the gate the next morning, and brings them via boat to the main dock. They go up through vineyards where poisonous Spring plants are growing, and the party have to wear masks to walk through safely. They arrive at a main villa where they meet Tabard, who is now Governor of Alcyon. He explains that he founded this community ten years ago. [2]
Fero meets Hisam and his parents Omera and Tanyel to speak with them about the vineyards. They explain that the Spring plants aren't poisonous to the pala-din, and that they use them to drink, paint, and decorate their bodies.