Unarian Cupola

First Appearance and Context

The Unarian Cupola is mentioned when avout descend from the area of the portcullis near the Praesidium. From that vantage, the Unarian Cupola lay to the north and, at that moment, its gridiron was down; a neighboring cupola associated with the Centenarians was also closed. The narrator speculates this overall shutdown may have been a precaution taken during Apert.

Roles/Actions and Affiliations

• Associated with the Unarians and their community in the concent; context suggests it is one of several domed gatehouses whose gridirons can be opened or closed.
• Its operation fits within the system of portcullises administered around the Praesidium, and moments of closure have been observed during Apert.

Relationships

• Community linkage: The cupola is tied to the Unarian Math.
• Oversight: Portcullis usage around the tower is managed by the Master of the Keys, who schedules access patterns.
• Counterpart structures: A similar cupola associated with the Centenarians was noted nearby and likewise closed at the same time.

Descriptions/Characteristics

• Form and function: Referred to as a cupola (a small domed structure) equipped with a gridiron portcullis that can be lowered or raised to control passage.
• Situation: Seen north of the central cupola where the observers stood; part of a cluster of cupolas tied into the tower access network.

Current Status/Location

Within the concent’s gatehouse complex around the Praesidium; observed with its gridiron closed during Apert. Beyond this observation, detailed layout and regular operating schedule have not been described in the text.