Samara is arguably the cruelest outpost of Navarre, where Xaden Riorson and Garrick Tavis were stationed during Iron Flame.[1]
Geography[]
Samara is a military outpost located in eastern Navarre, within the Esben mountains, about a mile or two from the eastern border where Poromish provinces Krovla and Braevick intersect. It is part of Elsum Province and serves as the easternmost outpost of the Southern Wing, a day's flight from Basgiath War College.[2] The surrounding landscape is severe, isolated, and mountainous, with peaks covered in snow, even during summer. The nearest village is a half-hour flight away, and there are no trading posts within walking distance.[3]
Samara's fortress is a mammoth, with dark-red stone. It features a layout similar to Athebyne and Montserrat, though it is twice as large. Outside the entrance, elevated four stories, is a hanging cage occasionally occupied by infantry.[3]
From the field of trampled grass near Samara's entrance, there is a stone ramp leading to an arched entrance with a portcullis with two posted guards. There is a path off the side of the field that infantry platoons take for their morning runs. The courtyard lies just past the portcullis and is cooler than Basgiath's climate. The barracks form the southern side of the fortress, and the infirmary is located to the right within the bailey. There is a southwestern staircase located near the barracks corridor.[4]
History[]
Lieutenant Colonel Degrensi runs the Samara outpost. Major Burton Varrish was an interrogator stationed here until he was transferred at the request of Degrensi.[5] Two companies of infantry along with eighteen dragons and their riders are stationed here. Degrensi established rules of leave and pride at Samara- those stationed here are required to fight and defend passes for leave in the fighting pit.[3]
Iron Flame[]
After graduating, Xaden and Garrick are stationed at Samara. Mira Sorrengail is later stationed at Samara as well.[4] The outpost is attacked by gryphon fliers one day.[6] Mira was out on patrol and Xaden is wounded during the battle, but was mended.[7] Gryphon fliers attacked the outpost again, after a large amount of rider cadets joined the revolution. Mira and other riders come to join the revolution as well.[8]
General Melgren uses his foresight signet to see a battle between the Navarrian military and venin at the Samara outpost on the solstice. In his vision, Navarre loses and the ward at that outpost falls.[9] Because of this, General Melgren and majority of the Navarrian military are stationed at Samara when the Battle of Basgiath begins.[10]
Notable Residents[]
Current[]
Southern Wing[]
Samara is the easternmost outpost of the Navarrian military's Southern Wing.[2]
Lieutenant Jarrett[]
During Iron Flame, Jarrett was the holder of the only pass for leave among the lieutenants for the weekend. Xaden Riorson fought him to claim the pass and won, though opted to split the 48 hours between them. He is equal in height to Xaden, but with an extra 20 pounds and built like Garrick Tavis.[3]
Lieutenant Cornelia Sahalie[]
Initially met as a bystander in fighting pit, she explains the reason behind the fight to Violet Sorrengail. She previously sparred against her sister, Mira Sorrengail, who left a thumbprint-sized scar on her jawline from a right hook. She later informs a major of the fight's results in order to adjust the patrol roster.[3]
Lieutenant Colonel Degrensi[]
The commander of the Samara outpost. Requested Burton Varrish be reassigned from an active wing and Samara within his missive to General Augustine Melgren.[5] Created a rule at Samara for leave passes being earned through sparring within the fighting pit.[3]
Former[]
Xaden Riorson[]
Stationed at Samara during Iron Flame, but later abandons his post to save Violet and returns to Aretia.[2][11][12]
Garrick Tavis[]
Stationed at Samara during Iron Flame, but later abandons his post to save Violet and returns to Aretia.[5][2][11][12]
Mira Sorrengail[]
Stationed at Samara during Iron Flame, but joins the revolution in Aretia after General Lilith Sorrengail appears at the outpost following the dead wyvern at its gates and tells all riders the truth. She allows riders and their dragons a chance to stay or leave, to which half, including Mira, left.[4][8]
Major Burton Varrish[]
Previously stationed at Samara, but reassigned to Basgiath War College as vice commandant after three consecutive deaths of prisoners during his interrogations. The reassignment was in part due to Degrensi's missive to Melgren stating this incident and requesting the transfer.[5]
Notable Locations[]
Barracks[]
The barracks make up the southern side of the fortress.[3]
Sublevel[]
The staircase in the barracks descends to the sublevel of the fortress, where the stone floor marks the end of natural light. There are two paths of the sublevel which are dimly lit by two mage lights. The area smells of damp earth and metal permeates the air. The path to the right leads to the fighting pit. The path to the left is unknown.[3]
Fighting Pit[]
Shouts and cheers can be heard from the corridor, echoing off the walls and floor. Typically guarded by infantry twenty yards from the stairs. The square-shaped windowless room is carved out of the very foundation. There is a thick wooden railing overseeing an excavated pit below, with a floor of packed dirt containing fresh and old splatters of blood. At the far end of the pit is a series of metal rungs embedded into the stone's masonry used to climb out.[3]
Armory[]
Located on the lowest level of the fortress.[8] The armory is said to be full of daggers containing the medallions of special alloy boosting the wards.[3]
First Floor[]
The corridor of the first floor is dimly lit, and contains the office of the scribes, with a stairway at the end.[3]
Second Floor[]
The second floor has an arched entrance and contains a wide stone hallway filled with barracks doors.[3]
Third Floor[]
The door to the third floor reveals a hallway with windows opening to the bailey on one side, and equidistant wooden doors on the other. [3]
Xaden Riorson's Room[]
Xaden's room is located on the third floor, south wing, second door on the right within Samara's barracks. His room is warded to allow only himself and Violet Sorrengail entry.[1] His room is austere with servicable furniture. There is a door to the left that leads to a private bathing chamber. There is a desk, a nightstand, a bookcase stacked with books along its shelves by the window, a rack of weapons, heavy black drapes-standard issue for night-patrolling riders-and a plush, dark grey blanket covering his very large bed.[3]
Garrick Tavis' Room[]
Garrick shares a bathing chamber with four other riders, as noted in Iron Flame.[3]
Operations Center[]
A high-clearance area where 24-hour duty is held.[13]Accessed from a northwestern staircase from the courtyard.[7]
Sparring Gym[]
A small sparring gym located on the north side of the outpost's first floor. There are wooden targets that line the back, with a throwing line. There is at least one sparring mat.[4]There are three oversized windows and mage lights that illuminate the space when the natural light fades.[7]
Gym Bathing Chamber[]
Polished stone walls, high, glazed windows partially cracked open, and a row of wide benches under the center of three lines of spouts, which are similar to the spouts at Basgiath. There is a lever on the wall that controls and causes the water to stream from the spout in the aqueduct overhead.[7]
Gallery[]
TBA
Trivia[]
- Major Varrish was reassigned because his interrogations led to three consecutive deaths of prisoners.[5]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Iron Flame, Chapter 10
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Iron Flame, Chapter 6
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 Iron Flame, Chapter 12
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Iron Flame, Chapter 20
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Iron Flame, Chapter 5
- ↑ Iron Flame, Chapter 26
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Iron Flame, Chapter 27
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Iron Flame, Chapter 38
- ↑ Iron Flame, Chapter 57
- ↑ Iron Flame, Chapter 59
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Iron Flame, Chapter 35
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Iron Flame, Chapter 36
- ↑ Iron Flame, Chapter 16