Vaults of Achaela

The Vaults of Achaela are a series of fortresses built around Tarsas by the architect Vitimadorion Hintax and constructed throughout the middle ages from 1230 all the way up to 1640. There are a total of forty of these large structures that dot the Tarsan countryside. All forty vaults are unique and represent Hitax's life work, a project which he started in 1225 and continued up until his death in 1272. Initially, he was asked by Emperor SOMEBODY to design two fortified structures to hold the full measure of the ancient texts, wealth, and other priceless treasures from throughout the years of the Hellenic Empire. It was in this way that much of the literature and knowledge from that empire survived its fracturing. Hintax delivered the designs for the two structures and subsequently designed thirty-eight more, which he left in his library upon his death, where the plans were discovered by his oldest son and sold to the crown.

Construction of Vaults 1 and 2

The initial two vaults were built outside of Aenonesos and were named after the architect's sons, Valos and Teros. Both were started in 1242 and finished in 1250. In their day, they were the most heavily fortified structures in Scipia for a number of years. Both possessed a three layered defensive wall as well as a defensive mote, with heavy ballistae built into each layer for soldiers to operate. A multi layered gate composed of solid iron slabs could be closed for each wall. The external defenses were one of the few similarities.

Valos

Valos was finished one month before Teros and was designed as a great library to hold the ancient tablets and texts that were stored all over the Empire. These were brought together by an edict of the emperor in 1249 and assembled for cataloging. Scholars and teachers were brought together that same year and a great cataloging of texts began. These were categorized into the eight wings of the great library that made up Valos. These wings were capable of holding millions of texts and books and were to be maintained and kept by seventy scholars that were to work at the library for life. The structure contained full living quarters for all seventy, as well as space for livestock and storerooms for food. Each of the scholars were to be sponsored by a noble patron who would pay for their living expenses and donate food to Valos so the scholars would not have to farm.