Sage Of Fables

Well, the current year is 5100 P.C. (Post-Catastrophe). Each year consists of ten months, with each of those consisting of five seven-day weeks (350 days per year).

The months were named well before the Catastrophe; the origin of their development lost to history. In order, they are: Aiunim, Batorim, Gedarim, Jorgrim, Kuradim, Tyim, Ybim, Shedrim, Alim, and Keranim.

The days of the week were named for the Octiem by Arkan Jorem, an Asharan historian who wrote much of the recorded history of early post-Catastrophe Ardowin. They are Soldem, Virdem, Nordem, Wardem, Lyrdem, Gardem, and Mordem.

(The astute among readers may notice only seven days and eight Octiem. Tharizdun, unsurprisingly, did not receive this honor.)

The Starfields is the more pleasant name given to the space between the planes. Also referred to as Inaloc (meaning “Where Nothing Waits” in ancient Celestial), the Starfields are vast stretches of stars and floating debris. It is said to linger in the background of the night sky of Ardowin, with many claiming the dimmest stars are actually peeking through the Veil into Inaloc.

The only people who have glimpsed into Inaloc have gone mad shortly thereafter, often either destroying themselves and their work relating to it or vanishing from society entirely, possibly having found a way to transport themselves there, though no documentation of successful transport of any kind of matter from the Starfields has been confirmed.

What is known is that interplanar travel somehow interacts with the Starfields, using the place as a sort of tunnel between worlds. In fact, the first recorded confirmation of a mortal witnessing Inaloc was in the midst of a terrible teleportation mishap. Thus, those with the ability to safely interact with that space, such as the Icons, can monitor it for signs of massive interplanar movement, signalling the arrival of a large number of entities (or perhaps one very powerful one).

The Icons, as I have come to understand them, only fill specific roles in so far as they are worshipped for certain roles by mortals.

The Icons operate in distinct Trinities, with each overseeing a broad aspect of mortal society, which they seem most primarily focused on protecting.

The First, The Second, and The Third comprise the Trinity of the Crown. They are praised and appealed to by those seeking guidance in leadership, either individually or in relation to positions of power.

The Fourth, The Fifth, and Sixth are the Trinity of the Breath, and oversee practices maintaining the natural world and its many lifeforms. They are often entreated by clerics of nature or druids.

The Seventh, The Eighth, and The Ninth make up the Trinity of Ruin. They are patrons of bravery, strength, and resolve in the face of disaster or conflict.

The Tenth, The Eleventh, and The Twelfth are the Trinity of Mysteries. They are knowledge seekers and knowledge keepers, sought out by scholars, courts, and sages for their wisdom.

The Thirteenth, The Fourteenth, and The Fifteenth are the final Trinity as of current, the Trinity of the Field. They are the most active Icons on the Material Plane, and seem to be focused on scanning Ardowin for planar incursions, looking out into the Starfields for possible intruders or invaders. It is believed that the Thirteenth created the first Gilded.

The Court of Faces is one of the burgeoning courts in the Dwimmerwood. It advertises itself as a “Court for the People,” usurping the natural process of the Fey Courts by not having a High Fey at its epicenter. Little is known about the Mistress of the Court, but her inner circle is composed of several humanoid figures, all clad in colorful garbs and masks, frozen in expression. Underlings of the court also appear to wear this apparel, though it tends to be less decorated.

Of this inner circle, not much more is known, other than titles and roles. Most recently, the court made its name known with the appearance of La Mercenario in Freyglen during the war with the Hells, turning the blades of the Gildhart legions against one another in a pivotal moment during the final conflict. It is this intervention that put the Court of Faces on the map.

La Mercenario appears as a humanoid male, clad in fighting leathers and a breastplate with armor stretching down his left arm (he seems to be left-handed). He wields a longsword forged from what appears to be a mixture of silver and an unknown Dwimmerwood metal, one that causes the strikes of the blade to quickly decay flesh and metal around the wounds. His face resembles a bifurcated mask, partly porcelain and decorated with skeletal paint, and the other side constructed like a golden skull, conjoined with a gold bandit’s mask. He is often seen carrying a knight’s helm, but has never been seen wearing it.

Some people claim to recognize La Mercenario. They say they recognize his face or his finery. They say they recognize his mannerisms or his fighting style. But nobody’s been able to put a name to the porcelain and gold visage.

Rumors point to a soldier or bandit who fell in a conflict, judging by the mortifying imagery on his face. Given the style of his garb, he was likely from Ashara, probably between 4900 and 5050 P.C. Some believe the helmet was once his, but the way he fell was dishonorable, so he can no longer wear it. Others believe the helmet isn’t his at all, but that of a partner or comrade-in-arms who fell by his side.

In conversation, La Mercenario is said to be relaxed and sly, displaying control over his engagements. Those who spoke to him shortly following the conflict described him as “savvy” and “disarming,” and many who had been most adversely affected by the Gildharts’ cruelty said they were inspired by his outward valiance and his disdain for the “empty valor” of the occupying force. It is said that the Court of Faces nearly tripled in size that day.

Many creatures with Fey ancestry from the Dwimmerwood or Dolemoor have the ability to see very well in dim light or darkness. This has contributed to the stereotype of “catlike” behavior when describing the Fey, as their eyes often gleam like a cat’s in the dark. But why do they have this trait?

Most native Fey creatures grow up in shaded environments, whether it’s the creeping shadows of the Balebark Woods in the Dolemoor or the Evensong Forest of the Dwimmerwood. There’s a great deal of light variance, requiring many to adapt to this setting. For many Fey, particularly Dolor, or Shadow, Fey, this manifests in an thin, translucent membrane that hoods over the eye, much like an eyelid. For most Fey, this gives them an exotic, almost mysterious look, as their eyes appear to lack an iris and only vaguely reflect the colors of the eye itself. This is why you will often see Faeries and Archfey depicted with glowing monochromatic eyes—most Feys’ eyes do have a gleam to them, but they are shaded by this membrane that often covers the eye in bright light. From most any distance, this just appears to be an iris-less eye; only upon extremely close inspection is the membrane visible.

The Cursed Lands occupy a large, unmarked swath of the Zujabhar Desert. While nobody has been able to map its exact perimeter, it seems to have a diameter of about 300 miles.

The Cursed Lands were once occupied by the mighty kingdom of Al’Sathir, ruled by High Master of the Halls, Anthuket. It is from this era that leaders cities like Tsers and Nakturan get their titles of “Hallmaster,” as each city contains a massive chamber hall for meetings with other leaders. Al’Sathir was not only the largest of all nations on Xeqash, but the wealthiest, drawing attention from all of Ardowin. And Anthuket was well-liked, but unprepared for the terror that was the Great Catastrophe.

During the Great Catastrophe, one of the Dread Pantheon’s high acolytes unleashed a plague upon Al’Sathir. He entreated other kingdoms to help, but most could not spare any clerics in the wake of the war, and others resented the perceived untouchable prowess of Al’Sathir and its citizenry. Desperate to save his people, Anthuket tried to plea with the gods, but went unheard. Out of options, Anthuket turned to the Fell Powers of the Dolemoor. They granted Anthuket his wish, made in blind misery, “To hold his family close and cure them of this plague.”

Everyone Anthuket touched from that point on fell into deep sleep, freed from the sickness but bound in eternal slumber. Furious, Anthuket spat on the gods for leaving him to the Fell Powers. His anger ignited the true power of the curse, raising an army of wicked undead from the barren streets of Al’Sathir—a nation of angry corpses at his command. To avoid the new threat amidst the ongoing struggle, the gods banished Al’Sathir to the Shadow Plane, a transitory plane between the Dolemoor and the Material where the Fell Powers reside. But Anthuket’s anger was not so easily sated.

The Fell Powers granted him a blessing: the ability to exact his revenge on the people who turned their backs on his. In exchange, the souls his legions feast upon would be in turn fed to the Fell Powers, fueling their own influence and leaving the horde hungry for more. Those who wander the Cursed Lands wander through a land stranded in time, where the dead hold dominion over all.

Apologies for the delay—an issue arose within the Dwimmerwood that had to be addressed. On with the story…

Aurim'var was Archdragon of Khardûn from 2530 P.C. to 2985 P.C., the third longest reign of any Archdragon in the continent's history. Aurim'var's legacy is one of a ruthless conqueror. His name nearly directly translates to "Golden Fanged," and was the inspiration for his title, alongside his many conquests. Aurim'var was a member of a group of powerful dragons known as the "Scales of Reclamation." Each of the three dragons in this group served as Archdragon of Khardûn, covering a total span of over 1,000 years. The other two served their stints first, with Khor'il'maar, the Usurper ruling from 1919 to 2213, and Mix'il'draz, the Willbender, serving from 2213 to 2530.

Before the Scales of Reclamation, Archdragon Khrudal'il'mox had brought Khardûn into a new era of prosperity. Focusing on rigorous trade and communication with outside cities, especially Freyglen and Tsers. As these practices continued, Khardûn's legacy as an unstoppable force under previous Archdragons had begun to wane. Other civilizations were viewing the continent as "just another people in our world." While there were plenty in Khardûn who were content with this, Aurim'var was not. At the time, Aurim'var was Dragonlord of Clan Duloric, responsible for the mighty mystical forges in the Queen's Spine of Khardûn. Without the pretext for conquest, and being a period of relative interplanar neutrality, the need for Duloric's forges grew lesser and lesser. The same could be said for the training of Clan Shochranari's warriors. Their Dragonlord, Khor'il'maar, shared his grievances with Aurim'var. That is when the two hatched a plan with the help of the Scale of Irthos Lex, Mix'il'draz. Aurim'var gave them each tasks to complete, to ensure what he saw as a return to Khardûn's global image.

Using his innate arcane abilities to manipulate the minds of the lower managers of the trade routes, Mix'il'draz began to sow seeds of distrust between the countries of Xeqash. He spread rumors of the return of the yuan-ti empire in the South, hinting that various smaller states may have been involved in its rebuilding. With that rumor underway, it was not difficult to convince other members of clan leadership across Khardûn that Xeqash posed a potential threat. While Khrudal'il'mox was popular, it was well-known that he had no wartime experience. Thus, the vigor with which the Clans rallied behind war-driven Khor'il'maar at the next Tjor'mat'al was unmatched. Under him, Khardûn began to arm the world with its mighty forges, warning of some looming threat. With the immediate support of Irthos Lex, Shochranari, and Duloric, Khor'il'maar had no issue gathering support. Using connections in the Barren Moors of Xeqash, Aurim'var arranged for a "sudden" emergence of an undead yuan-ti army on Xeqash, allowing Khardûn the opportunity to rush to their aid and subdue the "threat." After this, Khardûn felt that Khor'il'maar's wartime personality was no longer needed, which made for an easy transition to the well-spoken and thoughtful Mix'il'draz. All according to Aurim'var's plan.

Through Mix'il'draz, Aurim'var arranged for the smuggling of Khardûn's mighty wealth to other continents, where it would be miraculously "discovered" by various adventurers and taken to their cities or used to prop themselves up as nobles. All the while, Mix'il'draz aided Aurim'var by poisoning, mind-controlling, and otherwise dispatching of dragons and mortals alike who stood in their way in Khardûn. Eventually, the time came for Aurim'var to take the throne.

With a fiercely loyal Dragonlord at the helm of nearly every clan (Clan Uskeol's Dragonlord, Mizkari, was unimpressed with Aurim'var's personality, but respected the established hierarchy of Khardûn), Aurim'var "discovered" the mountains of Khardûnian treasures in the vaults of leaders around the world. As he expected, some were willing to relinquish what did not belong to them... others were not. Using this as an opportunity, Aurim'var led campaigns of war across every continent of Ardowin. In these years, sometimes referred to as the "Age of Fire" (though the sporadic nature of these wars makes some scholars hesitant to call it one long "age"), Aurim'var established Khardûn as the singular most powerful continent of Ardowin, putting on full display the sheer power of a military filled with dragons. Aurim'var himself went on many of these campaigns, bathing their leaders and their riches in white-hot flames. Once a city or country was defeated, he would take the smoldering remains of their wealth and mold it into a massive spike, which he would plunge into the landscape as a marker of his victory. Always the leaders of the people would be encased in the molten structure.

As his warpath grew bloodier, many of the people of Khardûn wished to step in his way, but he was in the prime of his strength, and nearly all the mightiest dragons of the time were in awe of his power. Eventually, even Mix'il'draz grew uneased by Aurim'var's wrath, and went to Aurim'var's own child, Auravil, to discuss. Auravil was certainly a powerful creature, but was fresh from his years as a wyrmling, far from being able to resist Aurim'var. Mix'il'draz trained Auravil over the years until Aurim'var caught wind of the treachery. Mix'il'draz tried to savage the Crown-Melter's mind, but was unable in his old age to outspeed the Archdragon. As punishment, Aurim'var created a globe of molten gold and shoved it into Auravil's skull in place of one of his eyes, an eternal reminder of Aurim'var's title and power.

Only a hundred years later, Auravil would earn the trust of many other young dragons of Khardûn and overthrow his father in Tjor'mat'al. In a tense fight, Auravil was able to make use of his father's hubris and blast his own flames down his father's throat before Aurim'var could react. As he reeled from the pain, Auravil's allies rushed in, in a rare breaking of Tjor'mat'al tradition, and worked together to subdue and slay the Crown-Melter. The spirits of Khardûn later approved, agreeing that Aurim'var was a threat that had to be stopped. Auravil would be the one to institute the presence of mortal authorities in the Clans of Khardûn under the title of Clan "Fangs," who would represent the mortals of each Clan in the decisions of the Draconic Council.

While Aurim'var was an undoubtedly ruthless creature, some of his crusades were, in fact, legitimate. In ages past, rival dragons of Khardûn had, in fact, stolen relics of the continent and kept them for themselves. The Archdragon, for all his wickedness, was fiercely vengeful toward those who harmed Khardûn's people, history, or culture. While no longer an aggressive force, it is thanks to Aurim'var that Khardûn was inspired to keep a close, standing army, in case such a plot ever arose again, and kept a peaceful rapport with the world for nearly 1,500 years afterward, until the rise of Ûn’dor’thal. As is often the case with history, out of the fires of pain and destruction, heroes rose and the world was rebuilt with greater resilience. The Crown-Melter was a reminder to Ardowin of what can happen when power goes unchecked, though few in power now were alive to witness the horror.

Do gods ever send mortal avatars as representations of themselves on the material plane? We have seen gods come down in person before, but their allowed interaction with the material plane is quite limited; would the gods ever make themselves temporarily “mortal,” or give life to a blessed creature in order to protect their interests?

As the Great Catastrophe unfolded, those families who had once been the safeguards of the Material Plane against the Nephiri began to reveal their colors. In the end, any mortal can fall to corruption. The center of their web of power lied in Xeqash with the Alabaster family, whose power and influence swept over the continent.

As their forces spread, smaller cities began to band together, connecting through Xeqash’s robust teleportation circle system. As leaders rose among the people, individuals of particular prowess began to take it upon themselves to resist the growing threat. The first and most notable of these was Farah Mariday. A competent abjurer and former soldier in the militia of her hometown of Gabros, Mariday had experience in combating foes greater than those at her disposal. Her people had fought against the yuan-ti empire to the south many times alongside the other southern townships.

Farah spent the formative years of her life traveling the expanse of Xeqash, learning from dozens of different teachers in both magical and martial combat. She was inspired by the story of her mother’s life. Kaliya Mariday was an adept mage herself, and traveled the world in search of new ways to practice the craft. Farah’s returns home were brief, few, and far between, but she was always met with warm smiles, warm hugs, and warm food from her family. When the Alabasters rose to power, her father encouraged her to use her talents for the aid of others, and helped to send her further south, away from the Alabasters’ sphere of influence before it was too late. He would go on to speak out loudly against Cassius Alabaster, and suffer the fate so many did for such an act. Her mother went to stay with her sister, and helped evacuate smaller towns during the conflict.

Headstrong and determined, Farah gathered other capable adventurers and began a series of coordinated attacks against the focuses of the Alabaster operation. One of the party’s greatest feats was the liberation of Tsers, which had previously fallen under Alabaster control. Having previously bested captains and generals, the party expected the same from Tsers, only to find that it was defended by the son of the family, Marcain Alabaster. Marcain was a difficult opponent, his magic quite different than any she had studied. As her party battled on, one by one they were subdued, though not outright killed. Farah noticed this and trapped Marcain in a magic seal. She was able to convince him in the possibility of resisting the family, which he despised, and, albeit reluctantly, brought him into the fold.

With Tsers back in the hands of the people, it became the center point for the Rebel Nations, a group of cities and towns across the continent who were able to fight off the Alabasters’ armies. Their unity would be what got them through the Catastrophe, and serves as a core pillar of Xeqash’s current interwoven nature—a continent of people forced from an early Age to band together against unthinkable evil.

With their help, and the help of her party, Farah would co-discover a method to restrain the Black Dawn and press the Prime Pantheon’s advantage just enough to seal victory, though not without extreme costs having already been paid.

After the Catastrophe, Farah was crucial to the Rebuilding, offering education alongside Marcain Alabaster to those who wanted to learn the ways of magic, with many writings and wizards having been lost to the conflict. She returned to help her family restabilize their lives, and would eventually become the first Abjuration Representative in the Syndicate Arcanum, an organization begun by Marcain as a blend of magical academy and temporary structure in a world that lacked direction and leadership. Since his deeds were unknown to many outside of Xeqash and his name carried such infamy, Farah was the face of the Syndicate for millenia until Marcain’s resurfacing in 5006. Xeqash’s Rebel Nations disbanded, though their tethers remained strong as their economies and cultures returned to normal. The continent was simply too big for one massive state. But with Farah’s guidance, future wars between the non-empirical societies would be non-existent, allowing them to unite against the empire of the yuan-ti.

Other leaders like Nubium’val’dor of Khardûn and Archdruid Loam of Raewahld would bolster the Material Plane’s physical defenses while the Levastra sisters would establish trade routes across Ardowin’s oceans, and all would share their progress with Farah and the Syndicate until the world began to properly heal. Farah also tried to work Marcain back into favor wherever she could, knowing his long life and experience would be crucial once her own was spent.

While he took over the research and martial defenses of the world, she continued to guide young minds and help world leaders structure laws to help resist a future rise like the Alabasters’ until her death of natural causes in 76 P.C. Her funeral was a widely attended event and her passing was mourned across Ardowin. Although her name has fallen out of popular use in the wake of more politically prominent figures, her contributions to the history and life of Ardowin can never be overstated.

Truly depends on where you cut off “city.” Easily the largest city of Ardowin before the Nine Hells’ attack was the city of Tsers in Xeqash. Hopefully, in time, it’s beauty can be restored. In the meantime, Inderus holds that title.

Ardowin has not had struggles with issues of sexual orientation and gender identity to the extent that Earth has, though there have been cultures/organizations who have had specific practices that didn’t always have room for such lifestyles.

In fact, many older languages do not have gendered words; they are a development of modern Common. Many languages take what would commonly be considered as the role of “gender” and apply it to more intrinsic traits. For instance, the words for “he, she, etc.” are more accurately translated as “one who laughs, or one who is bright.”