Stavenn

To understand Stavenn, one must understand the unique history that makes it what it is today. Founded by Kalika Aisling way back before The Awakening, it has ancient roots as the dominant city of Aetherius. As the first prophetess of Aesir, God of War, she had a clear vision; that of a unified and trained populace with which to control the world through military action. She fled the stagnant township of Caanae with a small group of followers, and began the work of uniting the feuding tribes of the southern region.

Among the original tribes were a mountainous folk, who tapped the resources of their mountains to produce bronze and steel instruments of war. The valley adjacent to the mountainous region housed a large village of fearsome warriors. They were a previously nomadic tribe of gypsies, hardened by generations of traveling through the lands. Upon making their home in the valley, the mountainous people waged war with them, and they adapted quickly and fiercely to a truculent existence. The modern city of Stavenn is situated on the meeting grounds of these two tribes' ancestral lands, with part of the city extending up into the adjoining mountain.

As time went on, people from distant cities flocked to the city of Stavenn, seeking refuge from the hordes that ravaged the lands. They set up just on the interior of the main gates, making their little slice of Stavenn a diverse area in both architecture and culture.

Stavenn's flag is made of thick, black leather striped with indigo and gold. Center is a golden halberd crossed upon a bed of black, a symbol of the might and power of the city it denotes, while the edges of the flag have been trimmed with a fringe of red and black.

In the year 125 AM, the city of Stavenn was irreparably destroyed when a ritual performed at a leyline intersection in the Ravana Gorge backfired, releasing a horde of demons that burned the city to the ground. Now, only ruins mark the location of the once great Empire.

History

Stavenn's Founding, and the Generation War

In the year 500 AH, Kalika Aisling, the great-great-granddaughter of Ayva and Yaksha, had a vision of her own that led her to form the Cult of Aesir, God of War. He chose her as his first Prophetess and encouraged her to leave Caanae, travel south, and unite the tribes of the southern region under His Patronage. For centuries, Stavenn grew slowly while Caanae prospered, which would soon reach its tipping point in the year 589 AH, when Czevak harnessed the citizenry's hatred towards Caanae to gain power and authority over the military. He then kicked off the Generation War with a swift attack on Caanae that was summarily turned back by Caanae's defenders.

The war ended sometime around the year 614 AH, when Czevak was 50 years old. He personally led troops north to Caanae and engaged them in a battle that became known as the Red Siege. In this battle, Czevak personally fought Elder Nathariel and was killed, which broke the spirit of his troops and ended the Generation War.

The Rise of the Siege Machine

In the year 775 AH, the High Council of Stavenn sent scholars into Caanae under the guise of architects looking to build a temple to Avasyu. In reality, they were stealing mathematical formulas from the astronomers of the Academia Sylvalis that allowed one to calculate the trajectory of shooting stars. The scholars returned to Stavenn and turned over the formulas to Czezlo Tota, who used them to create the blueprint for a massive siege machine that could catapult boulders through the air with terrifying and deadly accuracy. Those machines would be used against Caanae in the War of Avarice, which began sometime near the year 850 AH and lasted for approximately seven years. Both Stavenn and Caanae claimed victory in this war, and both were left severely weakened and lacking supplies.

Stavenn's Dominance, and the Birth of the Noctusari

The Horde that decimated the city of Caanae in the year 100 AA did not travel further south to attack Stavenn, which ultimately led to the city's rise to dominance over Aetherius in the early Second Age. Survivors of the attack on Caanae fled to Stavenn and begrudgingly became citizens, and the city was allowed to flourish for several years with almost no outside interference; the greatest threat to Stavenn actually came from within. Underground groups of magick users alarmed Stavenn's High Council and provoked Gautier Lajos to pass a law in the year 150 AA that prohibited the use of magick within the city.

The law did not stop Ayasha and Galen Gazali from finding fellow practitioners of magick and banding together. Their sect survived underground and they developed their skills in secret, and they went unnoticed for almost five years before being discovered. When citizens of Stavenn learned of this threat lurking just beneath the shadows, a massive wave of anti-magick hysteria led to the systematic persecution and murder of anyone suspected of "witchcraft". This period of Stavenn's history became known as the Burning Times.

The few members of the sect that managed to survive vowed to avenge their fallen comrades, and formally became known as the Noctusari. They also began to worship Nemesis, Goddess of Wrath. Over time, the members of the Noctusari secretly gained power within the ruling structure of the city.

Stavenn's Imperialism

In the year 200 AA, Stavenn began to establish the imperialistic rule over the lands of Aetherius that it is still known for to this day. Scouts and exploration parties were sent to discover new lands for conquest, which is how Jaden Magnar came to discover the village of Kinsarmar in the year 207 AA. The villagers there were survivors of the fall of Caanae and were immediately hostile to the Stavennites, which incensed the city's leaders, such as Mahina Idris, and encouraged them to return in the year 209 AA to easily seize control over the growing settlement. Misae Jerica was appointed as Kinsarmar's first governor and established a series of stiff taxes and tariffs against the citizens of Kinsarmar.

Not everyone in Stavenn and Kinsarmar supported its imperialism. In the year 300 AA, a woman by the name of Lyria began a rebellion with a surprise attack upon the city guard and the Stavenn-appointed leaders. The Night of Morr's Embrace succeeded in liberating Kinsarmar, but only for a brief period of time. It was also during this time that a group of pacifists in Stavenn openly opposed the High Council and were marched out into the Shaahri Desert to die. The survivors found their way to a fertile oasis and developed a small settlement there, which would grow to become the city of Antioch.

In the year 400 AA, Kinsarmar again rose up against its oppressors and succeeded in expelling them from the city, but it did not take long for the Stavennite military to begin marching towards Kinsarmar in a quest to regain control. This time would be different, though, because as soldiers passed through the Khandava Forest, the very trees and wildlife resisted their movements and fought back against them. Very few survivors were able to return to Stavenn and quickly rumors spread of the attack being led by lithe humanoid beings with blades. When Kinsarmar learned of this, they sent people into the forest to find evidence of this phenomena, and it was then that they discovered the elves and lycaeans, led in part by Lyria, the rebel who first overthrew Stavenn rule.

Stavenn would discover its own unique race of people in the year 550 AA, when explorers in the distant jungles came across reptilian beings transformed by the power Moradeim. The kohdon became a significant part of Stavenn's military force at the time.

The Noctusari Corruption

In the year 1000 AA, a man named Asa Grady walked through the streets of the city late one night and noticed a strange gathering of the High Council and other members of the city's government. He watched from outside as the meeting proceeded to look more like a sinister blood rite, and realized that this was a meeting of the Noctusari. Grady quickly alerted the citizenry to the ritual and once they saw it for themselves, the Stavennites quickly captured the Noctusari members, including Anoki Fauve, and sentenced them to death for treason.

300 years later, Acacia Farrell became the leader of the High Council while also secretly serving as a high-ranking member of the Noctusari. The citizenry were called to the government building for an emergency meeting, where the council revealed that the city was now controlled by the Noctusari. Mordecai Vega attempted a rebellion but the newly-formed Diavlous guard quickly executed him and his allies.

Malignists and the Moon of Terror

The Malignists were an offshoot of the Noctusari, dedicated to the belief that Sukdher, the Moon of Terror, could be used to strengthen Stavenn's might. Their rituals, performed at the dawn of the Age of Desperation in the year 1493 AD, caused Sukdher to move dangerously close to the ground, allowing rifts to open up and allow demons from the Demonic Realm to enter the Prime Material Plane. A Saboteur from Kinsarmar was tasked with infiltrating the guildhall of the Malignists and kill them, effectively ending the ritual and allowing Sukdher to return to its normal orbit. The rifts closed and all remaining demons were killed. Although the cities of Aetherius did not choose to enter into direct conflict with Stavenn as a result of this event, harsh penalties and trade restrictions were made to weaken the city, and bans on the use of magick were made in Antioch.

The Stavenn - Noctusari War

Conflict Grows

Distrust caused by the actions of the Malignists caused the leadership of the Noctusari and the government of Stavenn to have an icy relationship in the early years of the Third Age. Tensions rose to a climax in the year 405 AD, when a battle broke out in the Ravana Hills near the city, between leaders of the Noctusari and citizens, including Aakrin Krax'ai, Yosho Delphian, Appolyon Kyr'anet, and Malith. The Noctusari, including Lidara S'Sylistha, Martyn Faris, Sarentha and Melantha D'Ahdri, Kabal Brynja, and Rauglaer, were attempting a ritual that, if successful, would steal death magick from the guilds of Stavenn.

Martyn was killed, and upon his resurrection, he fled to the Noctusari guildhall to alert the other members. Meanwhile, the Noctusari were bound and brought back to a locked chamber in the city, and the Stavennites brutally tortured and maimed them. In the final moments before their inevitable death, the Noctusari cried out something in the demonic language, and a fiery portal appeared before them. Berodach, the eldest of the Noctusari and the guild's current tutor, passed through the portal with a horde of demons at his side. The Stavennites managed to kill Berodach, but he quickly rose once again to life as a Demon Lord - the first known appearance of these beings. In the confusion, the Noctusari, save for Kabal, were able to escape back to their guildhall.

Infiltration of the Noctusari Guildhall

The mob of Stavennites brought Kabal to the sealed entrance of the Noctusari guildhall, and with the help of Malignists, a ritual was performed to break the barrier protecting it. Varulan Qel'Daithe-Kyr'anet performed the ritual using Kabal's blood to construct a pentagram on the ground. With the crash of thunder and a bolt of lightning from the heavens, a massive crater opened up in the middle of the city, allowing entrance to the guildhall.

Demons and magickal totems hindered the Stavennites as they tried to enter, but Aakrin cleverly devised a way to spread an inferno throughout the halls, killing them all. Once inside, Berodach was again slain, this time for good. The rest of the Noctusari, however, could not be found. A tunnel was discovered, which had allowed the Noctusari guild members to safely retreat, the path blocked by an indomitable demon guardian.

The Destruction of Stavenn

In the month of Ultio, in the year 125 AM, Moradeim laid low in its orbit, revealing leylines of Diachaim in weaving patterns all throughout Aetherius, which flared up with energy as the Moon of Change came so near to the ground. The High Priest of Moradeim traveled to the Lost Forest, where an intersection of leylines pulsed more strongly than anywhere else.

As the nature of the leylines was explained to those who gathered around him, it became clear that the leylines could be influenced with shards from the World Core. A particularly unstable intersection was discovered in the Ravana Gorge near the city of Stavenn, and a battle for control over it broke out almost instantly.

In a desperate attempt to distract the forces of Magick and Anti-Magick, Kabaal Lynne released the plague of the Nephilim, which quickly wreaked havoc upon the countryside of Stavenn. Antioch, whose forces remained locked in battle with Stavenn, was undeterred by the plague, but soon the intersection was fully attuned to the energies of the Demonic faction.

Flagg, a prominent Malignist in the city, summoned a group of citizens to perform a ritual that, if successful, could harness the power of the unstable leyline intersection for the glory of the Republic. Ihsan Nessaja, Caelya Talmarian, Arutha Con'Doin, Etienne A'thenelle, Ayden, and Lartus worked to perform the ritual, but lost control of the leylines. The veil between the physical realm and the demonic realm thinned and a horde of demons manifested within the heart of the city, quickly destroying everything they touched. Intense and powerful fires broke out all throughout the streets, turning some of the oldest structures in all of Aetherius into mere piles of rubble and ash.

Notable Denizens

• Lucasta Alcine - A wealthy foreigner of fair prestige, Lady Alcine is a vision of straight-laced femininity. While her porcelain skin and statuesque features immediately strike one as beautiful, she is similarly as hard and cold as the aforementioned stone sculptures she models. With almond-shaped eyes blue as winter ice, she is at once both noble and arrogant. Her daughter is Elisia and is absent, either estranged or dead.

• Magnin, the Demonologist - Magnin is a tall lanky man, with long stringy black hair that constantly falls into his eyes as he buries his head in a book. He frequently moves one hand, with its long slender fingers, to flip his hair back out of his view. He wears loose black trousers, and a rumpled white shirt that seems to be permanently stained with a variety of different liquids. His white skin provides a stark contrast with the darkness of his hair, and his deep brown eyes that shine with a deep and profound intelligence.

• Rhav, Stavennite gatekeeper - Rhav is a bulky tanari, standing shy of four cubits tall. He wears a loose white shirt which has been stained by oil and other bits of grime such that its colour is now unrecognizable. A pair of brown leather trousers, equally dirty complements the shirt, while scuffed leather boots finish off the ensemble of this filthy, yet practical man. His lanky black hair seems to fall in his face often, as his forehead bears the marks of an oil-covered hand frequently brushing his hair away from his eyes.

• Lord Bartram Khendrel - A fresh shave and cut for his salt-and-pepper hair and beard, Bartram seems freshly fitted with an air of importance. An indigo button-up silk shirt fits his form just right, with cuff-links of solid gold. A black leather belt holds up form-fitting black trousers that are sharply pressed. Boots poke out from his pantlegs, with nary a trace of dust or dirt on them. Crows-feet grasp at his light blue eyes, though he maintains a renewed aura of vigour about him that suggests he's recently taken on a more meaningful life for himself. He retired from being Stavenn's rat collector in the year 99 AM and was granted nobility by Imperator Akhan.

• Christine, the Imperial curator - Thick, black hair glides down to just below the shoulders of this rather tall and slender tanari woman. Her skin is pale, and bright emerald eyes peer out from thin eyebrows, which seem to almost always crease in thought. Her bright red lips are pursed as she examines the exhibit, while she seems to fiddle with a small piece of parchment in her well groomed hands. Her dress is made from black velvet with the crest of the Empire embroidered onto the chest. The sleeves cover her arms completely leaving just her hands bare. The neck line hugs tight to her throat, and the hem brushes the top of her well polished heels. Dangling down from her neck is a necklace of several silver chains, the longest one nearly down to her stomach while the smallest brushes the top of her breast. A silver name plate sits on the left side of her chest, "Christine" etched carefully onto it.

• a ssylsin death dancer named Nassina - Taller and leaner than most women of her race, this ssylsin female has pledged her life to the art of death, forsaking the more usual life of raising the young. Shards of obsidian embedded between the scales of her upper arm mark her commitment, identifying her as a death dancer of the Ssyra tribe. A well-tanned skin of a leopard is tossed over her shoulders, and a long-range bow is slung across her back. In addition to the bow, several long knives hang on a wide leather belt around her waist, and a tiny pouch filled with poisoned berries for her arrows is tucked away within easy reach.

• Olilat the shadowgem specialist - One looks upon Olilat and sees before them a very distinguished elven male. His long golden locks shine with a sheen unparallel to any other. His sidhe ears point sharply from behind his visor which also serves as a magnifier he can pull down over his eyes to inspect finely crafted pieces of jewelry that much closer.

Landmarks

Arch of the Stavennite Republic

Four towering columns support the Arch of the Stavennite Republic, that rise forth from a highly polished obsidian walkway and form the foundation on which they stand. Residing between the columns and upon the walkway are three words formed completely of ruby shards - Loyalty, Strength, and Perseverance. Each column is unadorned and the obsidian colored marble which forms the shaft is completely flawless. The base of each column is formed from a richly detailed tail with each scale having been gilded with solid gold. The capital is ornately detailed with carved scales that curl outward to form the volute. Resting firmly atop the two columns is a smooth, black marble slab which forms the architrave. An immense stone demon with the body of a lion and the tail of a dragon is poised in a position of attack atop the architrave. The demon has two necks representing the two guilds of Stavenn, each neck topped by three fanged heads that represent the professions of each guild - united in purpose and strength upon one body. With no pediment to protect the demon from the elements it has been gilded to ensure that it remains in a perfect state. It weighs about 2200 pounds.

The War Gong of Stavenn

An imposing construction of rahnse, bone, and rope, this large gong lies silent with suppressed power even when left undisturbed. The disk itself is the height of a tall Xiur and fashioned entirely from rahnse. It is suspended by ropes thicker than a Kohdons arm from a crossbar of fused bone resting atop two pillars comprised of the same material. Adorning its face the Stavennite Crest has been etched into the surface before being painted with what now appears to be dried blood. Surrounding the Crest, five images of battle have been painted with such meticulous care that they appear almost lifelike. Above and to the left of the Crest a Diavlous has been painted at the completion of a powerful swing, his axes stained with gore and a pair of newly headless Justicars tumbling to the floor before him. Moving clockwise, the image of a Sidhe Noctusari can be seen; fist clenched before a rapidly disintegrating Warden, the hapless fools face caught in an expression of unimaginable agony. The next image is of an obviously wealthy desert Mukhtar, his back arched slightly backward as a Saboteur, barely discernable behind him, drives a blade through his back and out of his chest. Directly below the Crest, a Limorasi can be seen cackling with sadistic glee as she prepares to tear the third limb off a living vodun doll. At her feet, a Mage of Kinsarmar can be seen screaming in agony, his staff falling useless from the stumps where his arms used to be. The final image is that of a Malignist roaring in triumph as she drives the point of her Daegger into the heart of a cowering Cleric. The image has been painted so meticulously that one can even discern an explosion of light denoting a Seraph guardian whose charge has succumbed to death and the bronze shattering shards of Seraphic Aura that proved no impediment to Elimination. It weighs about 1000 pounds.

Iudicatus Castigatio

The prison and judicial branch of the Stavenn government.

Via Incola

A rough translation of this section of roadway that leads into the northern foreign district of Stavenn is "Inhabitant's Way". The guildhall of the Diavlous can be found at one end of this road, and at the other end is a grand pagoda where Lucasta Alcine resides.

Imperial Parade

The extensive Imperial Parade is one of Stavenn's main thoroughfares, paved with black marble and swirls of gold. The Parade begins at the city gates and extends further into the city, passing the Via Incola and Via Efferus before winding down to the Ascendo del Roccia just before the city's government buildings. Along the Imperial Parade, one will find entrance to the city's public baths, a statue of Acacia Farrell, and a monument to Czevak.

Ascendo del Roccia

Loosely translated to "ascend the rock", the name for this roadway is fitting, as it leads up into the southwestern mountains where many homes and shops are built.

The Iron Cathedral

Also known as the Church of Stavenn, this structure honors the former Pantheon of Divine Patrons for the Republic - Nemesis, Anathema, Thanatos, Malkav, and Aesir. Omar Khayyam Ravenhurst oversees the operations of the cathedral.

The Stavennite Academy

A pair of large, black iron gates seals the entrance to the Stavennite Academy, their matte exterior serving as a contrast to the gleaming interior of the hallway. Underfoot is a crimson marble polished to such sheen that one can see their reflection in it. Smooth, pale ivory columns line the hallway at measured intervals. Silver sconces have been set into each column in order to light the way down the long corridor, and two elegantly crafted crystal chandeliers hang from the arched marble ceiling. In the center of the corridor, gold plating has been inlaid into the marble floor in the shape of the Stavennite crest.

The Imperial Plaza

West of the gates to Stavenn is the Imperial Plaza, near the Hall of Accolades. The street is made from black marble and accented with gold that swirls with intricate designs. Dangling from the roofs of the buildings that line the street are red silk canopies, giving one refuge from the suns. Large iron-wrought lamps line the cobblestone walkway, giving off a dim light. Resting above the doors of each business is a wooden sign entailing what one would find within. In the center of the walkway is a large statue, welcoming any who enter The Imperial Plaza.

The Hall of Accolades

Glossed bamboo spreads out creating the floor boards of this rather elegant trophy room. The black marble walls are lined with plaques. Each plaque houses the head of an enemy of the Empire, their names carved into the wood below it. Cut into the marble is a large fireplace, with shelves on either side filled with more heads. Black rugs decorated with gold and indigo designs rest on the floor, giving more color to the room. Large cushioned chairs offer a place for one to relax and admire the splendor. Thin lengths of rich, red silk are secured at each corner of the ceiling, drawing together at the center where a large chandelier hangs, the fixture decorated with numerous shrunken heads.

Quests and Activities

• A whetstone for Hilo -
• Drunken Old Soldier -
• Finding a lost parchment -
• For the Empire -
• Hooked on Hulo -
• Mad Science - Magnin, the Demonologist, would appreciate you bringing him the corpses of the mutant rats found in the sewers of Stavenn.
• Saving a page from his master's ire - A young boy on the Imperial Parade has lost his master's sword and fears his retribution. He'll surely be grateful for those who can help him find it.
• Memories of Elisia - Lucasta Alcine would you like to deliver an item to a young girl wandering around Stavenn who reminds her of her daughter, Elisia.