MaktaraThe Maktara desert is known to all Niravar as an inhospitable wasteland. The entire region was under the ocean until the events of the Cataclysm lifted it up to become part of the Sarthian continent. The seas have long since dried up, leaving the sands and winds and skeletons of what once lived here. There is one town at the edge of the desert where Niravar go to escape the reach of government and to sell perhaps less-than-legal wares. |
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Politics
Laws in Maktara are typically decided by the resident Thalassic Architects, but the religious figures generally lack any means to enforce the laws in question. Locals will, however, typically follow the tenets set out by the Architects, solely out of respect for the Ocean, which Maktara's residents worship.
Most of the power in Maktara is in the hands of Thalassic Architects. They are not aligned with any faction in Terran, and their 'rule' is somewhat improvised, relying on favors and help from the locals as the Architects have no employees of their own.
- The Ebonbrand – Maktara is a great place to sell illegal goods outside of the Throneshapers' reach. The journey is treacherous, and the organization has a handful of permanent agents set up in Zuras as a result.
- The Myriad – The Myriad sends its agents to Maktara to assist in day-to-day tasks such as organization, construction, or securing supplies for the Lucent Caverns.
Economy
The residents of Maktara are known for their resilience and perseverance. In spite of the general lack of resources in the region, humans and Niravar alike have learned to survive in the desert. In Maktaran settlements, locals commonly cultivate mangrove trees for their fruits, and a special crop called the weeping brittlebush that, when ground up, can be used to make bread. Fish are likewise a common food in Maktara, though only those who worship the Ocean are allowed to fish, so as to avoid angering the spirits.
- Thalassic Architects are among the most important Niravar a settlement can have. There are typically multiple in each settlement, and the locals provide them with food and shelter in exchange for their communication with the Ocean and its spirits.
- The Myriad has a number of agents in Maktara, helping the locals with day-to-day tasks.
- Able-bodied Niravar are needed to transport supplies to the Lucent Caverns. These Niravar are often equipped with special gliders that allow them to traverse the dunes without issue.
Other common occupations include:
- Farming
- Carpentry
- Fishing
Culture
Thalassic Architects spend most of their days digging narrow channels in geometric patterns on the shore. These patterns are called Thalassic Emblems, and each settlement must have at least one to appease the spirits. They are typically 100 metres across, circular, and contain a passageway into their centre, where the locals go to pray to the Ocean. If an Aether pool happens to be on the shore, Architects will attempt to build the Emblem so that its center encompasses the pool. Emblems like this are very rare and extremely significant to the residents of Maktara.
Besides their connection to the Ocean, the residents of Maktara are very superstitious. It is, for example, believed that one should never call out to the spirits out in the wilderness, as they may descend upon the land to wreak havoc in an effort to answer the call. Niravar with a guilty conscience should, also, be wary of getting near the docks – their guilt may call the spirits to them, and the Ocean might reach onto the docks and drag them into the water, towards an inevitable death among the waves.
The criminals residing in Maktara don't typically share any beliefs related to the Ocean, but generally stay respectful of the locals' practices, as provoking the ire of the residents is not exactly wise when one is trying to stay undetected. All four gods are worshipped in Maktara, though the God of Energy is the most prevalent. Thalassic Architects often wear small symbols bearing the mark of Energy to express their allegiance.
In spite of often being considered a mere folk tale by outsiders and visitors, the Ocean spirits in Maktara are very tangible and not at all difficult to encounter. Each Ocean spirit has a name it prefers to be called, but most of them lack a physical form or shape - their presence is shown solely through subtle hints such as a change in the direction of a sea's current, or a quiet splashing sound coming from a bucket of perfectly still water.
It is, however, widely known that the spirits only show themselves to those they deem worthy of seeing them, and many require a sacrifice or offering to be made prior to making their presence known. It is unwise to challenge any of the spirits when near a body of water – they could be listening. |
The Ocean's Kiss is a tradition deep-rooted within Maktaran beliefs. In Maktaran folklore, the Ocean is filled with countless spirits, and one can vie for their patronage and protection using centuries-old rituals and evocations.
When a new cub is born in Maktara, the parents travel to the coast to find a special seashell, called the Eye of the Depths. They then bring this seashell back and hang it somewhere in their cub's room - the seashell's name is literal, as Maktarans believe the Ocean will see their cub through the seashell and judge whether or not the young Niravar is worthy of its protection.
Once the cub reaches five years of age, the shell is taken from its place and painted. Traditionally, the cub will dip their paw in paint and leave their pawprint on the seashell as a finishing touch. The shell is then wrapped with a sturdy string and placed around the cub's neck once the paint dries. The day after this, the family is expected to venture to the coast once again, as it is time for the cub to call forth a spirit to protect them. They are expected to walk down one of the countless piers dotting Maktara's shoreline and, still wearing the seashell around their neck, jump into the water. It is believed that the Eye of the Depths will call forth one of the Ocean spirits and, if they have deemed the cub worthy, the spirit will lift the Niravar back out of the ocean and onto the pier. If this happens, it is a sign that the Niravar is now under the protection of one of the spirits.
While Niravar who fail in this test are not shunned by the community, the locals will hesitate to form closer friendships or relationships with them, as it is widely believed that without the protection of a spirit, the Niravar will soon perish.
International Relations
Notable Characters
Manriona InaraleiManriona is a dedicated Thalassic Architect. She watches over the city of Zuras, and is reluctant to give up her position, fearing that the younger Niravar who would replace her is not skilled enough for the task at hand. |
Void Reaper Presence
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Geography & ArchitectureMaktara is divided into two regions: First is the southern region of Silacia, where jets of fire from underground fuse the sand into large glass spires. The terrain is constantly shifting and volcanic in nature, meaning all but the bravest or most desperate of Niravar venture here. Second is the northern half of Maktara, the Ancient Maktaran Sea. This region was once a part of the surrounding ocean until it was upheaved during the time of the Cataclysm, causing the waters to recede and dry up in the sweltering sun. The area's history can be seen in the bleached bones of corals and sea creatures alike that disappear and reappear as often as the winds shift the sands.
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ZurasA town filled with Niravar who want to live at the edge of a barren desert. Needless to say, there aren't very many inhabitants. What Zuras does have, however, is a small Aether Pool at its center and a small stream of traders who come here to sell illegal wares that would be difficult to sell elsewhere. |
Spring of the NightThe Spring of the Night is said to be a strange oasis that appears only to those truly in need no matter where in Maktara they find themselves. Some only believe it to be a myth, while those that believe in its existence claim the oasis has ties to the God of Space. |
HaycanenA town situated over a river of lava. The locals are strangely nonchalant about the lethal stream running through the settlement, and go about their daily lives like they aren't two wrong steps away from getting incinerated. |
Lucent CavernsA set of empty magma chambers deep under Silacia is home to a large Aether Pool and its own resident population of Niravar. Until recently, this population has been isolated from the rest of Terran and many of its inhabitants speak only Old Niravar. |