#99 Wandering Crown City

Age: 600 Years

Hidden or Lost?: Hidden

History: The Giant Wastes, where titanic humanoids endlessly amble, trampling the ground into deserts beneath their feet, are not generally hospitable to sentient life. The exception being the askew metropolis known as Wandering Crown City. A small, ancient stronghold full of secrets and intrigue. The jostling streets hold untold fortune and adventure, for those who can reach them.

Wandering Crown City was initially founded as a research station ambitiously built into the stony scalp of one of the giants of the wastes. It was devoted to discovering the secrets of the enigmatic titans, what they were and why they endlessly wandered the vast plains. Even from the vantage point of one of their heads, the giants’ secrets remained difficult to uncover, however the site itself proved to be a terrific place to hide.

Situated atop the head of one of the identical giants, the Wandering Crown was always moving, and even more difficult to reach. Retiring scholars and expelled scientists began to settle in with the original research expedition, bringing supplies and building materials via air or rickety pulley systems. Then came the fugitives and pirates looking to make the Wandering Crown their own, but the clever population of researchers proved to be their match, making sure the new city remained a sanctuary for great thinkers and holders of mystery.

Across centuries, the city grew and now it resembles an actual crown on top of the deathless giant’s head. The population, a mix of generational scholars and descendants of fugitives, survives on the oversize lice that nest in the titan’s hair or migrations of foul that stray too close to the city. Among the unique wonders found in the city include the Grey Mine, the original research pit that was built to excavate the giant’s skull and explore the inner workings of the enigmatic creature. There is the Listening Station, where astrologers, star readers, and seers go to commune with the heavens from their raised vantage point. And there’s the Calling Horn, a colossal enchanted horn that was built to try and communicate with the other giants on the plain, although it was abandoned after the other giants didn’t seem to notice.

Today, most find their way to the secret city either via sky portal or by climbing the moving body of the giant. Many seek an audience with the learned scholars, or some make the journey seeking the fabled artifact said to be able to control the giants, which is rumored to be hidden in the city. Finally, there are those who come to Wandering Crown City to try and conquer the towering outpost, but these war makers don't last long among the air of the giants.

1. The Grey Mines

2. The Giant’s Chapel

3. Underworks

4. Vault of the Giant’s Will

5. Exhaust of Humours

6. Mayoral Ziggurat

7. The Heaven Finger

8. Leaning Colleges

9. The Scholar’s Table

10. The Oculon

11. Forward Skytower

12. Hold of the Calling Horn

13. Listening Station

14. The Residences

15. Lice Processing Plant

16. The Receiving Pyramid