The Dragon Rotunda, located in the Riders Quadrant at Basgiath War College, is also referred to just as the Rotunda throughout the novel. The words are interchangeable.
Geography[]
The Dragon Rotunda is an imposing vaulted chamber that serves as the central hub of the Riders Quadrant. It connects all wings of the quadrant, linking the academic wing and dorms while also providing access to the gathering hall, commons, and library.[1][2]
At the center of the stone keep is a giant arched door, bearing the inscription: "A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead."[1]
A wide staircase leads up from the courtyard to the rotunda's four main doors. The room rises three stories tall, from the polished gray marble floors to the domed glass ceiling that filters soft morning light into the space, which causes sounds to echo.[3]
Upon entering from the courtyard, two massive arched doors to the left lead to the academic wing, framed by orange-and-black pillars. On the right, two identical doors provide access to the dorms. Up a half a dozen steps directly ahead, four doorways lead into the gathering hall.[3]
Six marble pillars, sculpted into shimmering dragons of various colors—red, green, brown, orange, blue and black—are evenly spaced around the rotunda. Each dragon appears to be crashing down from the ceiling, their snarling mouths forming the bases of the pillars. There is enough space between the bases of these pillars to fit at least four squads in the rotunda's center. A small gap exists between the claw of the dark-red marble dragon and the wall.[3] The green dragon pillar is noted as having exposed fangs.[4]
History[]
TBA
Gallery[]
TBA
Trivia[]
- In Fourth Wing, Violet Sorrengail observes that the rotunda might be the most beautiful piece of architecture not just in the citadel, but in all of Basgiath.[3]