# City: Irus-Halls
> [!info] Quick Facts
> | | |
> |---|---|
> | **Type** | Ancient Capital City |
> | **Region** | Skyemount (Western Ganath) |
> | **Population** | Many thousands of Goliaths |
> | **Built By** | Giant-kin progenitors |
> | **Government** | Nomadic family tribes |
> | **Known For** | Heart of all Goliath culture |
> [!map] View on Map
> [Open Interactive Map →](https://hawksrepos.github.io/elvensong-map/?location=Irus-Halls)
The capital city of Skyemount, homeland of the Goliaths in Gryth, built by ancient giant-kin and repopulated by Goliaths 500 years ago.
## Overview
Irus-Halls is the capital of **[[Region - Skyemount]]**, a large mountainous region in Western Ganath. This ancient structure is found nestled in the highest regions of the area, where the mountain peaks begin to break the clouds and **the air is deadly thin**.
## Ancient Origins
This sprawling ruin was built by the **giant-kin progenitors to the Goliaths**, who used their massive size to make **awe-inspiring structures of a monumental scale**.
The Goliaths discovered this abandoned ruin almost **500 years ago** and repopulated it as travelling nomads, moving within the halls' massive areas in small groups and family tribes.
## Current Population
Now, Irus-Halls houses **many thousands of Goliaths**, who have adapted the gigantic open spaces to their own needs. The settlement serves as:
- The **heart of all Goliath culture**
- A pilgrimage destination for far-flung Edarian Goliaths
- The center of Goliath family tribes and traditions
### Pilgrims from Afar
The far-flung Edarian Goliaths of the **Andaganges Mountains** make rare but important pilgrimages here, traveling great distances to connect with their cultural homeland.
## Location & Secrecy
The hall's **precise location is a little-known fact** beyond the confines of the Goliath race. Its positioning creates many tough natural barriers to exploration from outsiders, helping to preserve Goliath independence and culture.
### The Torches of Guggan
The Halls are signposted by the massive **Torches of Guggan**. Although unlit for many centuries, these torches show the scale and power of the ancient giant races that built Irus-Halls.
## Golk-ah - The Highest Peak
Irus-Halls is found within the shadow of **Golk-ah**, the **largest mountain on the surface of Gryth** in terms of height from sea level. This mountain towers above even the surrounding mountains.
### Extreme Conditions
> [!abstract] Golk-ah - Highest Peak
> The mountain is completely beyond exploration for most races:
> - Air at its peak is **-70 degrees**
> - Air is so thin that **a few minutes of exposure would leave most races unconscious**
### Goliath Pilgrimages
However, the Goliaths make **regular pilgrimages close to the peak** as part of their **coming-of-age rituals**, as their bodies are extremely adapted to cold and thin air.
## Architecture & Structure
The city consists of:
- **Gigantic open spaces** originally built for giants
- **Sprawling ruins** repurposed by Goliaths
- **Monumental scale structures** demonstrating ancient giant power
- **Adapted areas** for Goliath family tribes
The massive scale of the original construction creates unique living spaces that have been modified over 500 years to suit Goliath needs while preserving the awe-inspiring architecture.
## Cultural Significance
Irus-Halls represents:
- The center of Goliath identity and tradition
- A connection to their giant-kin ancestors
- A sacred and protected homeland
- The starting point for coming-of-age rituals on Golk-ah
![[Pasted image 20260114000906.png]]
![[Pasted image 20260114000913.png]]