Alcazara: The Alcazara palace in Caratha is the largest manmade structure in the Eleven Kingdoms. (The Globrodingantuaplex of Giantopolis in the fabled Giant Kingdom of Gargantua is much bigger but, being giantmade, doesn’t count for purposes of this ranking.) Also called the Palace of Arden.

The Alcazara is constructed atop the precise geomystical center of Arden, the so-called Navel of the World or Cosmic Bellybutton. The Navel is an immensely powerful focus for arcane and cosmic energies and the source point of all magnetic and magical force lines. The design of the Alcazara takes these forces into account. One of the functions of the palace is to channel and control magical energies.

The most outstanding features of the Alcazara are five immense domes surrounding an massive Blue Dome. Each dome is surmounted by a spired tower. Clockwise from the north, they are the Emerald Tower, Tower of Pearls, Silver Tower, Cursed Black Tower and the Red Tower. Beneath each dome is a terraced understructure. The areas between the domes are given over to gardens, courtyards, ceremonial plazas, snack bars and gift shops.

The tower above the central dome is known as the Shining Tower or Champion Tower. From the top of the Champion Tower rises a long, slender spire formed of purest tanium. Its summit is the highest point in Caratha, rising almost 1000 feet above sea level. At the top of the spire is set the Heart of Caratha, a blue Alcazarine gem the size of a large barrel.

For centuries, Shining Tower was the home of Caratha’s first rulers, the Mighty Champion of legend and his descendants. After the Line of Champions was extinguished, the tower was closed off and abandoned, save for the guided tours at ten and two o’clock Luneday through Freshday, with an added four o’clock tour on Vanaday.

Construction of the Alcazara was begun by the Mighty Champion and completed by his son, the Young Champion, in 112 AH.