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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. | 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. | |||
<div class="toclimit-2 nonumtoc" style="float:right;padding:15px;font-size:20px">__TOC__</div> | <div class="toclimit-2 nonumtoc" style="float:right;padding:15px;font-size:20px">__TOC__</div> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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=== Malignists and the Moon of Terror === | === 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 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 [[Saboteurs|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. | 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 [[Third Age|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 [[Saboteurs|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 (player)|Aakrin Krax'ai]], [[Yosho (player)|Yosho Delphian]], [[Appolyon (player)|Appolyon Kyr'anet]], and [[Malith (player)|Malith]]. The Noctusari, including [[Lidara (player)|Lidara S'Sylistha]], [[Martyn (player)|Martyn Faris]], [[Sarentha (player)|Sarentha]] and [[Melantha (player)|Melantha D'Ahdri]], [[Kabal (player)|Kabal Brynja]], and [[Rauglaer (player)|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 Summoning of Sk'tal=== | |||
===Unholy Matrimony=== | |||
===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 [[Prime Material Plane|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== | ==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. | *'''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, 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. | *'''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== | ==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=== | ===Iudicatus Castigatio=== | ||
The prison and judicial branch of the Stavenn government. | The prison and judicial branch of the Stavenn government. | ||
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===Imperial Parade=== | ===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. | 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. | ||
===The Church of Death=== | ===The Church of Death=== | ||
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===The Stavennite Academy=== | ===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 Complex=== | ===The Imperial Complex=== | ||
===The Imperial Plaza=== | ===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=== | ===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. | |||
===The Imperial Exhibit=== | ===The Imperial Exhibit=== | ||
== Quests and Activities == | == Quests and Activities == | ||
*'''Finding a Locket in a Rubblestack''' - ID 1197 | |||
*'''Mmm, Dog Stew!''' - ID 1195 | |||
*'''Mad Science''' - ID 264 | |||
===Archived Quests=== | |||
*'''A whetstone for Hilo''' - | *'''A whetstone for Hilo''' - | ||
*'''Drunken Old Soldier''' - | *'''Drunken Old Soldier''' - | ||
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*'''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. | *'''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. | ||
[[Category:Geography]][[Category: | [[Category:Geography]][[Category:Ruins]] | ||