[INFO] The Chronos Outpost

[Melodine Cantus]

Time goes on and on.
It walks, leaps, flows, flies,
Sets the Zodiac Wheel into motion.

And so the Wheel goes,

Aries: The Ram,
Taurus: The Bull,
Gemini: The Twins,
Cancer: The Crab,
Leo: The Lion,
Virgo: The Maiden,
Libra: The Scales,
Scorpio: The Scorpion,
Sagittarius: The Centaur-Archer,
Capricorn: The Sea-Goat,
Aquarius: The Water Bearer,
Pisces: The Fish.

Without Time, they are nothing.
The Wheel cannot spin, all will cease to exist.

Time too, brings the Seasons,
The gradual fade from
The Blossom of Spring,
The Brightness of Summer,
The Harvest of Autumn,
The Cold of Winter.

Without Time, they are nothing.
The Seasons cannot come, all will cease to exist.

 

[Melodine Cantus]

the circle goes on and on
never ending, never pausing, never failing

About Chronos

Chronos Archetypes

Chronos Traditions

Chronos Festivals  

[Melodine Cantus]

there are secrets hidden everywhere
beyond what the naked eye can see

The Chronos / Zodiac Castle

Chronos' outpost in The Surrounding is connected to the Libra outpost. It is not technically an outpost as the others as it is the main fort; it is huge compared to the Zodiac outposts. It is thus referred to as the Chronos Castle, or the Zodiac Castle, as the Castle is the main building. It is only second in size to that of the Castle in the Moon Kingdom, having to house the Zodiacs, the Knights and many servants to tend to their needs. The Castle was encased in a crystalline dome, held up by the power of the Opal Crystal, and had survived many attacks by Chaos monsters in the past.

The entrance too, is broken; a large hole where massive doors once were magicked into the Opal Crystal barrier. Upon entering the hole, there is a circular holding room which is mostly bare, with banners with each Zodiac symbol hung on the white pillars which hold up the balcony above. The banners seem to have wear and tear in them, and so does the carpet on the floor. A singular long red carpet bordered by gold runs to the large double doors at the end of the room, once guarded by soldiers and an authentication system created by Mau technology.

It seems however, that the doors can be easily pushed open, leading into the large indoor garden with a fountain decorated by the depictions of the Zodiac signs. The flora and fauna now seem overgrown with weeds, fallen into desolation due to having no caretakers, vines curling around the old fountain, with only a little water trickling out from the spouts.

Past the garden is the main entrance to the Castle. The architecture of the Castle resembles the Alhambra; both are large fortresses that also doubled as a city to those who resided there.

There are also many hidden passageways in the Zodiac Castle, known mostly to those who have had much time to explore it, especially Princess Chronos and her Hands in their youth.

First Floor

There are more intricate pillars in this room, accompanied by two curved elegant stairways that lead to the second floor. The entrance room has many doors as well, especially a large one just opposite the entrance door. This door leads to the throne room.

The throne room is one of the largest rooms in the Castle. It has three thrones at the back of the room on an elevated area; two of the larger ones set in the middle, and one smaller one which sits besides the large throne with the same symbol upon it. It also serves as a meeting room; a large round table is brought in with thirteen chairs for the Zodiac Soldiers with their respective Zodiac symbols upon them. It is also here when the Ring Ceremonies are held; when the new batch of Zodiacs are sworn in and wear the Ring of the Zodiac upon the fingers. The Ring is impossible to take off, and this is shown in the present Zodiacs by the white burn mark around their right ring finger where a wedding ring mark was branded.

Besides the throne room, there is also a large dining area which leads to the kitchens, a living room, and a library. The library is connected to the Temple Ananke.

There is both an inner ballroom and an outer ballroom; the latter is merely a covered stage floor in the midst of the gardens.

The first floor has also dozens of living quarters, presumably where the many housekeepers of the Castle once stayed.

Second Floor

On the second floor, there is a gift room with artifacts sent from the other planets in gratitude of the Zodiac protecting them all. (White Moon Senshi may stumble into artifacts from their Planet in here???) Right besides the gift room is the burial room. There are tablets here meant to honor the previous Zodiac royalty and Soldiers; the largest belonging that to Chronos and Eon, and medium-sized ones with each Zodiac sign upon them. There is also a large weaponry room in the left wing, filled with an array of weapons, although many seem to have rusted with time. Near it is a large empty room, once used as a training/sparring room.

There are also a few empty rooms in the right wing to cater to the occasional guest. Scattered upon this floor and the other floors are also inner rooms with gardens.

Third Floor

The third floor is largely a living space, with many rooms once inhabited by Knights sworn to Chronos. One door in particular is larger than the others though it is locked, refusing entrance to anyone.

Zodiac Floor

This floor is occupied by the Zodiacs Soldiers only. There are twelve large rooms with their Zodiac sign on the door, running from Aries to Pisces, and are furnished to each of their liking.

The doors are magicked and can only be opened by their owners.

Royal Floor

This floor is occupied mainly by the Zodiac royals, namely, the Royal Chamber, where Queen Chronos once resided, and the Princess Chamber, where Princess Chronos once resided. There is also a room for each of the Seasons and for Zue. Zue's room is right between that of the Royal Chamber and the Princess Chamber. The Seasons occupy the four rooms facing the Chambers, on the opposite of the hallway. There is also a room which Eon once occupied, right next to the Princess Chamber.

The doors here are also magicked as with those on the Zodiac Floor.

The Towers

There are thirteen towers in the Zodiac Castle. These Towers house the communication systems; the main one being linked to the other planets and especially the Moon Kingdom, and the others linked to the Outposts. The system is made up of a huge screen where the face of the person they are conferring will appear upon and a keyboard to enter in codes to communicate with the other planets. The floor of the communication rooms have tiles made of reflective glass and is brightly lit.

The Main Tower is strictly for the Zodiac royalty only. The other twelve towers are named after each Zodiac, and the Zodiacs were responsible for their corresponding towers.

Most of those that belong to inactive Zodiacs are inaccessible, and those that work can only be operated by the Zodiacs/the Seasons. The communicative systems currently only work within the Surrounding, a.k.a. the active Outposts. The Towers can be accessed from any floor.

Temple Ananke

The Zodiac Castle is not the only building in the main fort. The secondary building lies right beside it, connected to the library in the Zodiac Castle by a passageway, although there is a main entrance which one can enter from the Gardens.

The doors to this building however, are shut. The linked passageway is collapsed, hindering the side entrance by a pile of rubble, and there is no way to get in.

What lies within?  

[Melodine Cantus]

there is history in the walls
the ebb and flow of their glorious days

So my meta civ is camped at Chronos Outpost! What can I do?

Good question! Here's a selection of mini-quests:

• In the beginning phases, help set up camp.
  ++++There are sleeping bags and various amenities to be set up. Maybe you should help people settle in? You could go check if the kitchens on the first floor are functional (they are!) and use supplies to start a meal. It's up to you! Sleeping bags should be set up in the ballroom on the first floor.
  
• Dust and clean up the place
  ++++Having left for thousands of years without any housekeepers, the Castle is really dusty. The library and the burial room are good places to start, and perhaps organizing the gift room would make Chronos happy? (Note: Senshi owners may come up with gifts from their homeworlds for civilians to find.)
  
• Clear the rubble from where the pathway to Temple Ananke collapsed
  ++++The covered walkway that once connected the library to Temple Ananke had collapsed from the attempt to restore the Surrounding. There's a lot of rubble and stone pieces there and it's a mess. You could even try to find a way in, if you want, but the doors will not budge.
  **
  
• Explore!
  ++++It's a goddamn Castle. Explore the place; there may be secret passageways here and there! Who knows? You can go to the Zodiac Floor and the Royal Floor (the 4th and 5th floor, respectively), but the doors will not open. Why not explore the Towers and see if the communication systems still can work? (Most of those that belong to inactive Zodiacs are inaccessible, and those that work can only be operated by the Zodiacs/the Seasons. The communicative systems currently only work within the Surrounding, a.k.a. the active Outposts.)**

**If you try to force your way in or destroy the walls, Chronos will not be very pleased. Flora will pretty much get very irritated if she finds you neglecting your duties and trying to slam down one of the magically-locked doors.