The Celestial Citadel is the grand seat of power for the Unknown, located in the heart of the Plane of Helion. This sprawling divine fortress stands as a symbol of perfect harmony, creation, and divine order in the cosmos. It is the eternal home to the greatest of the Unknown gods, where they oversee the balance of the universe and maintain the cosmic cycle of life, magic, and order.
Appearance
In appearance, The Celestial Citadel is a gleaming palace of white marble, radiant crystal, and gold, soaring high above the verdant groves and golden rivers of Helion. Bathed in eternal light, the citadel’s towers seem to reach into the heavens themselves. Its halls are adorned with statues of ancient heroes and gods, shimmering with divine energy that shifts and pulses with the will of the gods who dwell within.
The citadel serves as both the meeting place of the Pantheon of Primus and a sanctuary for their most devout followers in the afterlife. It is fiercely protected by the Hosts of Helion, celestial warriors created by Helios to preserve order within the cosmos. The citadel’s gates are also guarded by the twin gods Fujin and Raijin, whose eternal vigil ensures that no unworthy being may enter this sacred place.
Pantheon of Primus
While the entire Pantheon of Primus has ties to the Celestial Citadel, only certain gods reside permanently within its walls. Unknown, the God of Life and Creation, presides over the citadel as its primary ruler. His presence radiates throughout Helion, bringing life and light to all corners of the cosmos.
The other major deities who dwell within the Celestial Citadel include:
- Talos, the God of Vigilance and Vengeance, who commands the Hosts of Helion and ensures the protection of the citadel.
- Mystera, the Goddess of Magic, who maintains the Ether—the arcane fabric that connects all life and magic throughout the cosmos.
- Unknown, the God of Time, who oversees the flow of time and the eternal balance of past, present, and future.
Other deities, such as Abraham Zachariah, the God of Lore and Legends, may appear within the citadel when called upon but do not reside there permanently. Abraham, along with other minor deities, remains a transient presence, summoned only for important cosmic decisions or specific divine matters.
The Damnation of Death
Deimos, the God of Death and Judgment, is a unique member of the Pantheon of Primus. Unlike his brother Helios, Deimos is confined to the Plane of Oblivion, where he resides unless specifically summoned by the gods. From his domain, Deimos oversees the souls of the dead and ensures that they are judged fairly before being sent to their final destinations—be it the afterlife in Helion, the depths of the Nine Hells, or another plane.
Deimos' confinement is not a punishment, but a necessity for maintaining the balance between life and death. His presence in Oblivion is crucial for keeping the cycle of mortality intact. Only in times of great cosmic importance, when the balance is threatened, is Deimos called to the Celestial Citadel.
The Hall of Heroes
Within the Celestial Citadel lies the Hall of Heroes, an afterlife reserved for the greatest champions and warriors who served the gods of Primus with honor and valor. The hall is a place of eternal glory, where the spirits of these heroes feast, celebrate, and relive their greatest victories for all eternity. Each hero is given a place of honor, their deeds remembered and immortalized.
Guarded by Talos, the Hall of Heroes is considered one of the highest honors a mortal can achieve in the afterlife. Those who enter are considered blessed, living in eternal merriment and surrounded by the legends of old. The Hall is also said to serve as a staging ground for divine battles, where heroes may be called upon once more to fight alongside the gods in times of great cosmic strife.
Cosmic Significance
The Celestial Citadel is the heart of divine order and balance in the universe. From this fortress, the gods of Primus watch over the cosmos, ensuring that life, death, time, and magic continue to flow in harmony. The citadel itself is a reflection of this balance, with its shifting architecture and radiant energy pulsing with the ebb and flow of creation.
Fujin and Raijin: Guardians of the Gates
The twin gods Fujin and Raijin, once part of the Unknown, serve as the eternal guardians of the Gates of the Citadel. Standing watch over the entrance to this divine realm, they ensure that only the worthy may enter its sacred halls. Legends tell of their power, said to be capable of holding back even the most terrible of the Khaos gods that dare to challenge the sanctity of the citadel.
Fujin, the God of Wind, and Raijin, the God of Thunder, also symbolize the eternal vigilance of the Pantheon of Primus. Their watchful eyes see all who approach, and no intruder has ever breached the gates without their knowledge.
Legends and Myths
It is said that the Celestial Citadel was shaped by Unknown, the Star-Smith, during the early days of creation. Using the raw energies of the cosmos, Ael forged the citadel to be a place of divine protection and balance.
The citadel is also home to countless myths surrounding The Aeonic Struggle, the great war between the Primus gods and the Elementari. It is within these hallowed halls that the gods first gathered to plan their battles, and it is said that their divine strategies and victories were written into the very stones of the citadel.
Entry and Protection
The Celestial Citadel is not easily accessible. Its gates are fiercely protected by the Hosts of Helion and the twin gods, Fujin and Raijin. Only those who have earned the favor of the gods may enter, and even then, they must pass through rigorous trials to prove their worth.
While the citadel itself is a place of divine peace and order, it stands as a fortress against the forces of chaos and destruction. The gods of the Primus Pantheon use the citadel as their command center, constantly working to maintain the balance of the universe and protect it from the encroaching chaos that seeks to unravel all that they have created.
The Citadel remains a place of legend and reverence, its gates closed to all but the most worthy, and its halls filled with the echoes of divine power. Only at the end of time, when the universe reaches its final moments, will the gates fully open, and the Celestial Citadel will reveal its true purpose.