AshkiAshki is known for two things: its never-ending plains dotted with boulders, and thieves. While most of the bandits and pirates keep to the eastern side of the region, some particular endeavoring groups may make their way west where they find surprising resistance amongst the monasteries that call the rock-strewn hills their home. |
Politics
Ashki is effectively divided into two halves – the eastern half of the country is lawless and filled to the brim with thieves, pirates and smugglers, whereas the western half is controlled by numerous orders of monks dwelling in isolated monasteries and adhering to strict laws.
To prevent the city from getting set on fire by an angry mob every Tuesday afternoon, Anghor Thom follows a simple judicial system based on contracts. A resident of the city may strike a contract with one of the many criminal organizations calling the place home, and as long as they fulfil their part of the deal, they are protected by that organization and any attacks on them are considered attacks on the faction in question. This system creates a delicate balance of power in the streets of Anghor Thom, and keeps the local businessmen loyal to the dubious organizations calling the place home. An individual without any contracts to shield them is likely to end up kidnapped, robbed, or dead. Or all three.
The monks in the west, on the other hand, follow a set of morals rather than laws, and are generally peaceful... as long as their visitors do not prove to be a threat to their monastery.
Ashki's center is Anghor Thom, and whichever organization happens to be in charge of it is technically in charge of the happenings in the country's entire eastern half. The monks in the west have no set leader and consider one another equal.
- Genelalore's Faithful - The Venerable Congregation of the Iron Dawn, commonly referred to as Genelarore's Faithful after the name of their spiritual leader, is a massive faction spanning the entire western half of Ashki. Its members live in monasteries and camps strewn across the region and rule the area with unwavering resolve and determination.
- The Fire Serpents - The current criminal faction holding the most power in Ashki's eastern half. Their favourite activities include stealing shipments from merchants only to sell them back to said merchants at a ridiculously increased price.
- The Wardens - Ashki is not at all a popular destination among the Wardens, but thanks to their work in cleansing corrupted Aether Pools, the Wardens are respected even among the criminals and enjoy a degree of protection from Ashki's most powerful crime lords. Attacking a Warden might just result in the attacker being thrown to the Void Reapers before the Warden is allowed to cleanse the pool in question.
Economy
The monks in the west are almost completely isolated from the rest of Terran and are entirely independent in terms of agriculture and technology. This area of Ashki is filled with skilled mages who make up for the monks' lack of newer technology with magic and enchanted tools.
EASTERN REGION
- Manual work, such as carpentry or construction, is highly valued in Ashki. The workers are seldom harmed... but are often kidnapped to help construct specific buildings. They get paid for their work, of course, but whoever kidnaps them gets to have them work on their building first. And that's what really counts.
- While the Fire Serpents are currently Ashki's most powerful organization, there are many others fighting for influence in the region. Thieves, smugglers, bodyguards and mercenaries alike are a common sight throughout the eastern region.
- Pirates are likewise not at all unusual in Anghor Thom. They commonly work with Ashki's crime lords to deliver goods (and captives) overseas.
WESTERN REGION
- The monks do what they can to avoid being dependent on the outside world. Due to this, they offer a wide array of work, from farming to building to transporting goods and guarding the caravans crossing the tundra. The work isn't extremely well paid, but the money is legal and the workers are seen as contributing to the community.
- Priests and rite leaders are common within the monasteries.
- Monks which protect the monasteries and any other Faithful from harm are likewise a frequent occurrence in the west.
- Magic-based crafts are also highly valued, and anyone who can enchant gear and tools to make the locals' life easier is a welcome sight.
Culture
The criminals of Anghor Thom care little for religion, and leave everyone to worship whoever they want, however they want. If you disapprove of your neighbour lighting insufferably strong incense to honour their god, you can go beat them up yourself – whoever wins is probably right.
The monks living in the western region of the country are not exactly harmless, either. After all, poorly organized attempts to overtake their half of the country are a common occurrence, and they therefore do whatever is required to keep their territory safe.
To the monks of Ashki, religion is everything. Genelalore took into account worship of all four of the gods, which leads his faithful to worship any of the four in relative harmony with the rest.
International Relations
Factions
The Fire Serpents
Lawful EvilThe constant fight for power in Ashki's eastern half is merciless, but the Fire Serpents' sheer ferocity and courage have allowed the faction to come out on top every single time for the past several years. The group consists of lawless criminals, fugitives, fraudsters and tricksters, and their favourite past-times involve kidnapping, stealing goods and then re-selling them at outrageously high prices, and bullying other criminal groups into submission.
In spite of their fearsome reputation, the Fire Serpents' reign in Ashki's eastern half has resulted in a tentatively stable political situation, and life in the capital is actually somewhat bearable, provided one is able to find shelter under the wings of one of the major criminal factions.
It isn't at all difficult to join the Fire Serpents - the tricky part is staying in the faction. Members' loyalty is tested time and time again, and new additions to the group are under close supervision to make sure they don't try anything funny. Besides not betraying the group, Fire Serpents work comes down to being a good criminal and contributing part of your 'earnings' to the faction.
There are only a handful of 'rules' within the Fire Serpents, mostly revolving around sharing spoils, respecting higher ranking members, and listening to Rajani. While the faction isn't above asserting its dominance where necessary, members are discouraged from picking fights with other criminal groups or any other factions which may call Ashki home. Furthermore, Myriad and Wardens agents are not to be harmed and, in some cases, even enjoy a level of protection from the Fire Serpents when they go about their duties in the region.
Rajani ◈
They don't have time for fancy titles. Rajani rules over the Serpents and holds all the authority within the organization. They join their subordinates on heists, kidnappings, robberies, and and all kind of crime, and they like to give orders 'in the field' rather than from a cozy hideout somewhere secret.
Rajani's Own
There isn't much in terms of ranks in the Fire Serpents, but those closest to Rajani are often regarded with the most respect. Surprisingly, Rajani doesn't value ruthlessness as much as they do wisdom and quick thinking, so this group of Serpents consists mainly of scholars and intellectuals who strayed onto the wrong path.
In spite of this elevated status within the faction, Rajani's Own have no hand in deciding what happens within the Serpents. They may advise Rajani for or against certain decisions, but the ultimate choice still falls to the faction leader and the rest of the group simply has to accept the outcome. Due to their reliability and experience, Rajani's Own often work on more high-profile contracts and jobs, or mentor newcomers to the faction on how to conduct the Serpents' business properly.
The Serpents
Members of the group. Robbery, kidnappings, fraud, and and all kinds of trickery are welcome in the Serpents as long as they stir up no political drama with other nations and don't endanger Myriad or Warden missions. In a peculiar show of pettiness, the Serpents have been known to kidnap carpenters and masons working on other criminal groups' buildings so that the Serpents' construction could be finished first. The laborers are all paid handsomely, of course – the city needs their work, so there is no need to rob them.
Below are some types criminal activities the Serpents commonly perform:
- Ambushing trade caravans - Passing through Ashki with a cart full of valuable goods is practically an invitation to be ambushed. Enchanted goods are particularly valuable, as the Serpents can make use of them even without needing to sell them.
- Burglary - Any shop or business within Ashki that is not protected by a criminal organization is a fair target to steal from. Sometimes, Serpents even re-sell the merchant's goods back to them, at an increased price.
- Kidnapping - Naïve travelers who don't take the necessary precautions when moving through the region make for an easy target. The victims can be held for ransom, or sold into less reputable corners of Terran for manual labor.
- Bribery - A classic.
- 'Providing better labor conditions' - If a rival group's carpenters are working a little too fast, they can be relocated to a Fire Serpents building and offered a much better wage for their work. The more luxury that can be provided for them, the better. Is it really kidnapping when you pay them?
Genelalore's Faithful
Lawful NeutralThe Venerable Congregation of the Iron Dawn, commonly referred to as Genelarore's Faithful after the name of their spiritual leader, is a massive faction spanning the entire western half of Ashki. Its members live in monasteries and camps strewn across the region and rule the area with unwavering resolve and determination.
Genelalore's Faithful present themselves as a serious group dedicated to preserving Ashki's pre-Cataclysm history and heritage. However, one does have to wonder if it's really necessary to hide all artifacts they find within their monasteries, never to be revealed to the rest of the world again.
According to legend, Genelalore was a Niravar mage in ages past whose magic skills had no equal, even in pre-Cataclysm society. Originally from a family of humble blacksmiths, he was able to use his arcane gift to raise metal citadels and cities on a whim. It is said that it was in one of those magnificent structures that he saw a spark of divinity, the gods beckoning him to join them - but he turned his eyes towards Terran instead, devoting himself to maintaining stability and harmony in its society.
For a Niravar not born into the faction, it is difficult to obtain membership among Genelalore's Faithful, especially among the group's higher and more secretive ranks. Typically, an individual will be invited to make an offering at one of the group's shrines after they've been seen performing something extraordinary, and if the offering is deemed sufficient, the individual may be granted entry into the lowest rank of the Faithful. Niravar and humans higher in rank are discouraged from talking to or befriending lower ranked members of the faction, and outsiders are especially unwelcome beyond the occasional help and advice out on Ashki's roads.
Genelalore's Faithful follow a strict set of rules:
- The members of the order are to not commit any crimes or transgressions against their fellow Niravar.
- Any pre-Cataclysm relics or items are to immediately be sent to Tel Auris, where they will be secure and protected from misuse.
- Members of the order are to not disclose any information about the workings of the Faithful to outsiders, or those of lower rank.
- One may climb in rank by procuring more pre-Cataclysm relics or furthering the Faithful's pursuits in fighting against the bandits ruling over Ashki's eastern half.
Any individual who breaks the above rules can either buy their way back into the order by donating to one of the temples, or face harsh punishment in the form of manual work, imprisonment, or exile.
The Iron Grasp ◈
This secretive figure has been the source of many a rumor about the Faithful. It is said The Iron Grasp is a descendant of Genelalore himself, born of extraordinary heritage and magic talents... but nobody has ever seen them. Or perhaps everyone has, and they are hiding among the ranks of their followers. It is unknown who the Grasp really is, or if it's truly one person and not secretly a group of leaders, but the Faithful are hell-bent on following them and the letters with orders they leave behind.
The Mornspeakers ◈
Highest-ranking monks below the Iron Grasp. Mornspeakers lead sermons, prayers, ceremonies, and organize expeditions into Ashki's wilderness. They are usually magically gifted, though there are a handful of human Mornspeakers who possess no such gift. Each monastery is led by a handful of Mornspeakers, and it is not at all rare for them to bicker amongst themselves - in especially severe cases, however, a letter appears in the chambers of one of the arguing parties not long after, sending them to a different monastery on behalf of the Grasp. The Mornspeakers are the only ones who receive these letters from the faction's leader, but none of them have ever seen the Grasp in person. This leads to the occasional Mornspeaker attempting to take over the faction, though no such attempt has yet been successful.
The Sun-touched
These individuals coordinate and manage day-to-day tasks in the Faithful's monasteries. Additionally, however, they observe the Faithful and ensure all of Genelalore's decrees are observed. The rest of the faction tends to regard them with a small amount of distrust - after all, nobody likes being scrutinized.
Blades-Like-The-Sky
The faction's guards and warriors. Niravar belonging to this rank often carry special gauntlets with sharp razors that extend past their claws, to make them even deadlier in combat. Humans and humanoids are scarce in this part of the Faithful.
Eyes-Of-Iron
Niravar and humans who bear this title are solely dedicated to maintaining the Faithful's connection with the outside world. They speak with travellers and foreign diplomats and maintain the faction's good reputation beyond the borders of its territory. No agents of the faction travel further away from their homeland than Eyes-of-Iron do.
Hands-Of-The-Dawn
Members whose role may seem minuscule, but whose contribution is priceless. Masons, cooks, carpenters, tailors, any and all members of the organisation who help with day-to-day tasks are considered Hands-of-the-Dawn. Originally, this role was the default for all human members of the faction, but over time, it has grown to include Niravar as well. This is the lowest rank among the Faithful, and they are scarcely privy to any in-depth information about the faction.
Notable Characters
ZarallZarall is the soft-spoken and stoic assistant of Rotamund. Their time spent deep beneath Anghor Thom has caused their social skills to suffer, resulting in awkward pauses and uncomfortable silences. A portion of their face and their entire hind leg was greatly injured years ago when - as a native of Anghor Thom - they happened to spot a small spider-like automaton scurrying along the surface. They followed the strange contraption which lead them deep beneath the city. However, the path was treacherous and a single unfortunate misstep sent them plunging into the depths. While the fall bruised and battered them, it wasn't until they came face-to-face with an aggressive Mantis automaton patrolling the tunnels of Rotamund's territory that they nearly lost their life. Luckily, the ancient beast Rotamund found them and saw fit to repair the grievously injured Niravar, adopting them as his personal assistant. |
UshasUshas lives in Tel Nahuel, one of the many monasteries scattered throughout the low rocky highlands of Ashki. There, he watches the world from a distance, horrified at the drive for power certain Drakhanites have. He hopes that peace can be found once more. He is surprisingly skilled in battle and will not hesitate to protect his allies and friends. |
RajaniRajani is a bandit who quickly made a name for themself after robbing a number of large shipments from Hanor. While they use the 'bandit' title, they are certainly not landlocked and can be found leading their crew on the seas as well. What many people do not know, however, is that Rajani is the illustrious leader of the Fire Serpents, and their iron grip over Anghor Thom has earned them considerable respect among even the roughest of criminals. In spite of their reputation as a ruthless robber and treasure hunter, however, they strictly refuse to set foot within the ruins beneath Anghor Thom, and forbid their organization's members from doing so as well. |
Void Reaper Presence
Reference images
Geography
Tel NahuelOne of the many monasteries of Genelalore's faithful. Due to its size, Tel Nahuel is among the most open to visitors, and many Niravar make the treacherous journey to Ashki to study with the local monks. |
TirubriA small town situated next to Ashki's largest lake. Those who settle in the town usually do because they want to lead a quiet and peaceful life which is in stark contrast to the majority of denizens in Ashki. |
The Lost MonasteryA forgotten monastery, half-sunken into the ground. A peculiar puzzle tube was recovered from here that then led a group of brave explorers into the underground of Anghor Thom. |
Dead Man's Haven
Ashki's vast landscape features a number of interesting sights, but Dead Man's Haven has prevailed as one of the most elusive. The archipelago features unusual natural features, completely different from the rest of the region, and a ruined city which scholars would usually waste no time rushing into. However, the islands appear to have been granted solitude and peace since the Cataclysm, and the only visitors to Dead Man's Haven tend to be Darband fishermen chasing after the enormous fish lurking in the archipelago's waters.
|
Anghor ThomThe largest city in Ashki, Anghor Thom was said to be named after a famous pirate. The architecture follows no consistent rules or conventions, and symbols are carved into the exteriors of buildings to show their allegiance to different criminal groups. There are many inns within the city, though staying in them without having anyone to vouch for you or protect you is a dangerous idea. Beneath the city sits a sprawling labyrinth of tunnels filled to the brim with thieves and hideouts. Below even that lies a strange system of corridors and rooms lined with metal pipes and guarded by peculiar constructs. In spite of the treasures that are rumoured to be within, Anghor Thom's criminals usually leave the area well alone. |