The Cloudhaven Defense Fortress was a massive aerial defense platform that floated high in the atmosphere of the moon Kasiya, its purpose to serve as the primary defensive line that would ensure the safety of the capital Port Kasiya.

It was a massive fortress consisting of over 358 floors, in the shape of a large pointed cone with a large bore hadron cannon at its tip that ascended up a vertical central shaft through the entire fortress. It was entirely controlled by a central artificial intelligence system, the framework of which eventually helped create the housing for Taldryan's own AI, V.O.D.O.

During the War for Port Kasiya when Clan Taldryan directly engaged the rulers of Kasiya, it proved to be a significant obstacle and prevented nearly all forms of aerial engagement and disallowed the fleet from orbiting overhead with deadly precision and accuracy.

However, with the valiant efforts of Jorm Na'trej and Dasha ‘Tala’ Jalus, the fortress was infiltrated and its droid forces overwhelmed. In a last ditch effort to deny Taldryan its prize, the fortress was moved over Mount Arreat and the central cannon began boring into the moon to attempt and destabilize the moon's core.

While it did initially succeed in its objective, Jorm managed to destroy the reactor core of the station which sent it plummeting into Mount Arreat and plugged the hole it had created with the cannon. The force from that crash resulted in several fissures breaking from the mountain, one of which has recently begun to feed lava into the northern reaches of the Shada Jungle, setting sections of it ablaze.

From that time onward, the fortress had fallen silent and only the first 78 floors were readily accessible. Beyond the 78th floor, heat and radiation from the mountain's volcanic heart and the compromised reactor core proved far too treacherous to attempt any further descent.

As time progressed eventually research personnel were able to reach down to the 183rd level with protective gear, however that would prove to be as far as they could descend due to the severe conditions recorded. Though it could not be confirmed visually, researchers claimed to have seen droids that were not connected to V.O.D.O's systems wandering around some of the levels deeper within the central shaft.

The first 100 levels would gradually be restored and rebuilt to serve as the main complex for the centerpoint of Karufr City, while everything below would remain restricted. Research estimates put reactor core access at another twenty-seven years.

In the midst of the secret construction of Karufr City around the surface level of the fortress, Lord First Appius Wight would mysteriously disappear and all knowledge of the city project would go dark from the Republic's archives.

It was only during a rescue mission ordered by the Lady Second Cassandra Tyris to recover the lost Vice-Chancellor Anderson that the project would be learned of again. During negotiations, the droids which defended the city and fortress acted erratically and forced an evacuation of the rescue team with Anders in tow.

All further communications with the city have fallen silent, a large dampening field encompassing the region surrounding it.

What has happened in Karufr City? And why did the droids turn on everyone? Could the mysteries deep within the heart of Mount Arreat and the Fortress be connected? And who will save the Ewoks from fiery disaster?

The Fortress Cloudhaven is a Taldryan-only event series, and will run from the 10th of February until the 17th of March in two separate phases.

Phase 1 will run from February 10th until the 24th.
Phase 2 will run from March 3rd until the 17th.

Each competition will be worth 5 points for 1st place, 4 for 2nd, and 3 for 3rd with 1 point for participation. The cumulative score will determine placement in this parent competition, with ties broken by the # of 1st place finishes followed by 2nd and 3rd should ties still persist.