Aléste was founded concurrently with its sister city, Coepi Locus, and is the second metropolis in the Trieme Key. Its primary locus, Aria Taelthi, stands on the very tip of the Cape of Ilethi, and is protected on three sides by a sheer drop into the icy waters of the Bay of Kadarain and the Sea of Janīr, respectively. Additionally, the only side that isn’t protected by the great water is guarded by the Wall of Lóren.(Circa: 4150 AAV) The second part of the city Oronu Taelthi is a port less then a mile away from the first, connected by the ancient trade road known as the Lord’s Way, which passes from the steps of the Saoru Calyx down to the shore of Oronu Taelthi. Oronu Taelthi is the seat of Aléste’s economy, which is focused primarily on fishing, shipwrighting, and naval mercenarism.

However, most of the residential areas and non-marining markets are firmly behind the Wall of Lóren, as is the seat of government, as well as the city’s most distinctive feature, the Saoru Calyx, or Tower of Sight. This tower is the tallest of the trieme, and the most slender. The first three stories of the tower are spread across an enormous, circular compound, and make up the most famous, comprehensive, and well-kempt library on the entire continent of Avalor. It is open to the general populace, and is widely used, primarily because of the qualities of the tower.

Saoru Calyx warps sight, twisting it, dimming it, enhancing it, but these are only side-effects of the true power of the spire. Saoru Calyx enhances prophetic ability. As one climbs higher and higher in the tower, their ability to perceive things that have happened, are happening, or will happen is warped, twisted, enriched, enhanced, and amplified. For this reason, the general library-goers on the first level enjoy a slight ability to learn what they will more quickly, if the “tricks of the light” don’t bother them.

The second and third levels hold texts of greater import, value, and danger. While they are not sealed to all, few, for their own safety, are granted entry into the second level, and still fewer, only those who have access to the third.

Above this only one is permitted. The Prophet, the man reborn again and again, and the only man with the mental fortitude and prophetic ability to handle the entire tower, ascending the great spire, with its pentagonal streaks of sapphire.