Участник:RustingWithYou/Sandbox 1 - История изменений

>Triogenix в 01:47, 24 июля 2023

2023-07-24T01:47:47Z

← Предыдущая версия		Версия от 04:47, 24 июля 2023
Строка 196:		Строка 196:

	Fallen Mountain is a highly fortified military structure - one of the most imposing fortresses the Coalition ever constructed, and it is not empty. While the identity of the Sinta who hold the Mountain now is unknown, the most popular theory is that they are a group of Coalition holdouts, led by a lord who refused to surrender and vanished into the radioactive dust. Whatever the case, the answers to how the Traditionalists - who had little to no nuclear research pre-Contact - gained access to the vast number of nuclear weapons they deployed during the Contact War may be found within its depth. Aside from the bounty, scavengers tell stories of the secrets that may be hidden there - advanced Skrell or human technology, lost treasure of Coalition lords, Aut’akh cultists practising their dark rituals - or an empty bunker, and a swift death.		Fallen Mountain is a highly fortified military structure - one of the most imposing fortresses the Coalition ever constructed, and it is not empty. While the identity of the Sinta who hold the Mountain now is unknown, the most popular theory is that they are a group of Coalition holdouts, led by a lord who refused to surrender and vanished into the radioactive dust. Whatever the case, the answers to how the Traditionalists - who had little to no nuclear research pre-Contact - gained access to the vast number of nuclear weapons they deployed during the Contact War may be found within its depth. Aside from the bounty, scavengers tell stories of the secrets that may be hidden there - advanced Skrell or human technology, lost treasure of Coalition lords, Aut’akh cultists practising their dark rituals - or an empty bunker, and a swift death.


	== The Eastern Wasteland ==		== The Eastern Wasteland ==

>Triogenix: adding hidden TOC

2023-07-16T23:53:37Z

adding hidden TOC

← Предыдущая версия		Версия от 02:53, 17 июля 2023
Строка 1:		Строка 1:
	{{Navbox Lore}}		{{Navbox Lore}}
	{{Navbox Unathi Lore}}		{{Navbox Unathi Lore}}
			{{Template:TOC Hidden}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	The Wasteland is an unforgiving place, as the name implies. Many inhabitants, the survivors of the Contact War, attempt to make a livelihood here. Their reasons for doing so varies: Be it religious, familial ties, or lawbound exile.		The Wasteland is an unforgiving place, as the name implies. Many inhabitants, the survivors of the Contact War, attempt to make a livelihood here. Their reasons for doing so varies: Be it religious, familial ties, or lawbound exile.

>RustingWithYou: wasteland regions

2023-07-11T23:20:17Z

wasteland regions

Внесённые изменения

>RustingWithYou в 22:48, 11 июля 2023

2023-07-11T22:48:48Z

Внесённые изменения

>RustingWithYou в 09:33, 5 июля 2023

2023-07-05T09:33:45Z

← Предыдущая версия		Версия от 12:33, 5 июля 2023
Строка 48:		Строка 48:
	Education in the Zazalai Mountains is nothing out of the ordinary for Unathi - most of the region lacks a formal schooling system, with rural clans’ education traditionally being a combination of on-the-job learning for most practical tasks and basic literary and theological education - traditionally the duty of the local shaman or priest. The one exception to this, however, comes from the martial culture of the range. Traditionally, all Sinta men aged fourteen or older are required to train at arms, to a degree beyond the ordinary levels that levies elsewhere may have. Usually organised by the local Lord’s Claws, these young men are usually taken for several months when they are considered old enough and drilled in the basics of a modern Unathi army. They are also required regularly to practise these skills in their own time, so that whenever the next foes of the Hegemony emerge, the warriors of Zazalai may stand ready.		Education in the Zazalai Mountains is nothing out of the ordinary for Unathi - most of the region lacks a formal schooling system, with rural clans’ education traditionally being a combination of on-the-job learning for most practical tasks and basic literary and theological education - traditionally the duty of the local shaman or priest. The one exception to this, however, comes from the martial culture of the range. Traditionally, all Sinta men aged fourteen or older are required to train at arms, to a degree beyond the ordinary levels that levies elsewhere may have. Usually organised by the local Lord’s Claws, these young men are usually taken for several months when they are considered old enough and drilled in the basics of a modern Unathi army. They are also required regularly to practise these skills in their own time, so that whenever the next foes of the Hegemony emerge, the warriors of Zazalai may stand ready.

	In the urban ~~centers~~, however, it is a different story. The Merchants' Guild bankrolled a formal system of schooling in Bahard for nearly a ~~century~~		In the urban centres, however, it is a different story. The Merchants' Guild bankrolled a formal system of schooling in Bahard for nearly two hundred and fifty years, leading to a generally well-educated urban peasantry. Many of the graduates of these schools wound up becoming apprentices and later full-fledged guild members with the Merchants, and they were generally successful in their aim - creating a well-educated workforce for guilds such as the Merchants and Junzi Electric, which required a degree of education greater than that of the average Unathi when the system was first developed.

			Bahard was never truly one of the great academic centres of Moghes, paling in comparison to the universities of greater cities such as Teht and Skalamar. However, the education system of the city was much more widely available, with the members of the guild who operated it charging affordable fees, and offering loans to those who could not pay. This led to a generally well-educated populace in the city, and a large number of its citizens becoming workers in well-paying guilds. However, following the Contact War, the schools of Bahard are a pale shadow of what they once were without Guild investment - many of the buildings now stand empty and crumbling, and while the new generation still receives the education that citizens have come to prize dearly, teachers are few and far between, and the lack of Guild funding means that the schools have trouble maintaining themselves.

			While it is the warriors of Mudki who are most well-known, the city’s status as a bulwark against the foes of the Hegemony also led to the establishment of the Mudki Academy of Engineering in the year 1976. One of the oldest academic institutions on Moghes, many of the finest engineers of the Izweski Hegemony have graduated from its halls, and for much of its history it has been noteworthy as the rare university that accepted nobles and commoners alike. The Construction Coalition was a large investor in the Academy, and many of its members are graduates of the institution, including the current guildmaster. However, following the Contact War and the gradual ruin of Mudki, the Academy closed its doors in 2456, stating that they would reopen when the situation had stabilised. Nearly a decade on, and there is no sign that the once-honoured institution will return.

	== Faith ==		== Faith ==

>RustingWithYou в 01:15, 5 июля 2023

2023-07-05T01:15:26Z

← Предыдущая версия		Версия от 04:15, 5 июля 2023
Строка 46:		Строка 46:

	== Education ==		== Education ==
	~~lizard~~ in ~~da school what will he learn~~		Education in the Zazalai Mountains is nothing out of the ordinary for Unathi - most of the region lacks a formal schooling system, with rural clans’ education traditionally being a combination of on-the-job learning for most practical tasks and basic literary and theological education - traditionally the duty of the local shaman or priest. The one exception to this, however, comes from the martial culture of the range. Traditionally, all Sinta men aged fourteen or older are required to train at arms, to a degree beyond the ordinary levels that levies elsewhere may have. Usually organised by the local Lord’s Claws, these young men are usually taken for several months when they are considered old enough and drilled in the basics of a modern Unathi army. They are also required regularly to practise these skills in their own time, so that whenever the next foes of the Hegemony emerge, the warriors of Zazalai may stand ready.

			In the urban centers, however, it is a different story. The Merchants' Guild bankrolled a formal system of schooling in Bahard for nearly a century


	== Faith ==		== Faith ==

>RustingWithYou в 05:51, 1 июля 2023

2023-07-01T05:51:03Z

← Предыдущая версия		Версия от 08:51, 1 июля 2023
Строка 28:		Строка 28:

	While its underground aquifer has prevented Bahard from facing the fate of most other cities in the Wasteland, its fisheries and farms are gone now, covered in radioactive sand and dust. The city’s grand buildings and palaces still stand, but every year more and more of them are empty as the population flees east into what remains of the Untouched Lands. The Sinta of Bahard still cling to their trinkets and finery, but the gold and silver is tarnished now, the fine clothes worn and tattered. While some, particularly among the older generations, still believe that the days of wealth and glory may return, whether by K’laxan science or Lord Korhar’s sorcery, but year by year the Wasteland spreads, and despair grips the city further.		While its underground aquifer has prevented Bahard from facing the fate of most other cities in the Wasteland, its fisheries and farms are gone now, covered in radioactive sand and dust. The city’s grand buildings and palaces still stand, but every year more and more of them are empty as the population flees east into what remains of the Untouched Lands. The Sinta of Bahard still cling to their trinkets and finery, but the gold and silver is tarnished now, the fine clothes worn and tattered. While some, particularly among the older generations, still believe that the days of wealth and glory may return, whether by K’laxan science or Lord Korhar’s sorcery, but year by year the Wasteland spreads, and despair grips the city further.


	=== Res’karum ===		=== Res’karum ===

>RustingWithYou: like the entire hegemony, i forgot about bahard

2023-07-01T05:50:28Z

like the entire hegemony, i forgot about bahard

← Предыдущая версия		Версия от 08:50, 1 июля 2023
Строка 21:		Строка 21:

	The mountains are cold and vicious, with the Unathi of the region having historically dressed in thick furs from the mountains’ various beasts. Most of their food comes from either hunting or fishing, with several mountainous lakes still existing in the untouched regions of the range. While, like most Sinta, they adhere strongly to the traditions of their ancestors, the Zazalai are above all else practical. If a new way of doing things is better, they will adopt it - and if not, it will be discarded. The mountains do not abide sentimentality. This mindset has led to the Sinta of Zazalai being stereotyped as stern, pragmatic and humourless by others. This is a misconception, however, as the Zazalai sense of humour is a particularly stone-faced and deadpan one.		The mountains are cold and vicious, with the Unathi of the region having historically dressed in thick furs from the mountains’ various beasts. Most of their food comes from either hunting or fishing, with several mountainous lakes still existing in the untouched regions of the range. While, like most Sinta, they adhere strongly to the traditions of their ancestors, the Zazalai are above all else practical. If a new way of doing things is better, they will adopt it - and if not, it will be discarded. The mountains do not abide sentimentality. This mindset has led to the Sinta of Zazalai being stereotyped as stern, pragmatic and humourless by others. This is a misconception, however, as the Zazalai sense of humour is a particularly stone-faced and deadpan one.

			=== Bahard ===
			Bahard is an oddity among the Zazalai Mountains, with the Sinta of the city breaking from many of the stereotypes of the wider culture of the range. For centuries, the Bahard Pass was one of the only safe routes between the Hegemony-controlled Southlands and the independent kingdoms of the east, and most trade between these nations was forced to route through the city. The wealth of both the Hegemony and the kingdoms that would later form the Traditionalist Coalition flowed through Bahard, bringing great wealth to both the city and its rulers. Even the commoners - the more advantaged ones, anyway - of Bahard were known for their wealth and propensity to display it - jewellery, armbands of precious metals and fine clothing were known as hallmarks of those from Bahard, even outside of the nobility. This has led to a wider stereotype of Bahard Sinta as ostentatious, greedy and vain, obsessed with their own appearances. As an old joke told on both sides of the mountains goes - “How do you know if a man is from Bahard? Give him a mirror and wait for him to look for a priest to marry the thing”.

			It is unsurprising, then, that the Merchants’ Guild can trace its origins to Bahard. The Guildhall of the city was the place where the modern institution was formed, and for many years served as its main headquarters. While it is now extinct, the purple mantles of guild members were originally dyed with the Korhar Blossom, a deep purple flower that once grew on the slopes of the Bahard Pass. However, the Contact War brought an end to these glory days, as trade across the mountains dried up. The Merchants gradually withdrew their efforts from the city, until the nuclear exchange brought the final death knell to the city. Many of those who remained in Bahard have never forgiven this, believing that while the Contact War crippled the city, it was the Merchants’ flight that truly doomed it. The Guild is hated now, and those who show their faces wearing the colours of the Merchants will be met with dismissal at best and outright hostility at worst.

			While its underground aquifer has prevented Bahard from facing the fate of most other cities in the Wasteland, its fisheries and farms are gone now, covered in radioactive sand and dust. The city’s grand buildings and palaces still stand, but every year more and more of them are empty as the population flees east into what remains of the Untouched Lands. The Sinta of Bahard still cling to their trinkets and finery, but the gold and silver is tarnished now, the fine clothes worn and tattered. While some, particularly among the older generations, still believe that the days of wealth and glory may return, whether by K’laxan science or Lord Korhar’s sorcery, but year by year the Wasteland spreads, and despair grips the city further.


	=== Res’karum ===		=== Res’karum ===

>RustingWithYou: cities

2023-07-01T05:49:42Z

cities

← Предыдущая версия		Версия от 08:49, 1 июля 2023
Строка 16:		Строка 16:
	<center>''“My father died at his post upon this wall. My grandfather the same. Should I have a son, he will man this wall as I have, and he will know his duty - whatever comes, he shall face it as a man of Res'karum.”''		<center>''“My father died at his post upon this wall. My grandfather the same. Should I have a son, he will man this wall as I have, and he will know his duty - whatever comes, he shall face it as a man of Res'karum.”''
	-Anonymous Res'karum guardsman, on the night before one of the many assaults on the city.</center>		-Anonymous Res'karum guardsman, on the night before one of the many assaults on the city.</center>

			=== Culture of the Zazalai Mountains ===
	Since the earliest days of the Izweski Hegemony, the Zazalai Mountains have been known as a mighty wall, keeping those kingdoms who refused to bend the knee from launching any assault on the might of Hegemonic power. Their culture reflects this - the Sinta of the mountains are hardy and militaristic, for every man, woman and child has known for centuries that if and when war comes, their people will be the first to fight, bleed and die for the Hegemony. Though in the modern age the Izweski rule over Moghes is uncontested, the mindset persists, and many Unathi from the Zazalai Mountains have enlisted with the Izweski Navy or become Kataphract-Hopefuls, to continue the traditional role of their people in defending the Hegemony. Their loyalty to the Izweski is well-known and well-reinforced. In the centuries since the rise of the Hegemony, the Izweski have known the value of the natural barrier that the Zazalai Mountains formed, and have historically spared no expense in ensuring the loyalty of the Zazali Sinta. Since the Contact War, however, the ancient barrier of the Zazalai Mountains has become obsolete as a military point, as all that remains on the far side now is Wasteland - leading the Izweski to be both less able and less willing to provide as much assistance to the region as they historically have. Some of the locals view this as a betrayal - particularly those from the region around Mudki, where the rule of the maddened Lord Izaku has driven the city into disrepair, seemingly without intervention from the Hegemon.		Since the earliest days of the Izweski Hegemony, the Zazalai Mountains have been known as a mighty wall, keeping those kingdoms who refused to bend the knee from launching any assault on the might of Hegemonic power. Their culture reflects this - the Sinta of the mountains are hardy and militaristic, for every man, woman and child has known for centuries that if and when war comes, their people will be the first to fight, bleed and die for the Hegemony. Though in the modern age the Izweski rule over Moghes is uncontested, the mindset persists, and many Unathi from the Zazalai Mountains have enlisted with the Izweski Navy or become Kataphract-Hopefuls, to continue the traditional role of their people in defending the Hegemony. Their loyalty to the Izweski is well-known and well-reinforced. In the centuries since the rise of the Hegemony, the Izweski have known the value of the natural barrier that the Zazalai Mountains formed, and have historically spared no expense in ensuring the loyalty of the Zazali Sinta. Since the Contact War, however, the ancient barrier of the Zazalai Mountains has become obsolete as a military point, as all that remains on the far side now is Wasteland - leading the Izweski to be both less able and less willing to provide as much assistance to the region as they historically have. Some of the locals view this as a betrayal - particularly those from the region around Mudki, where the rule of the maddened Lord Izaku has driven the city into disrepair, seemingly without intervention from the Hegemon.

	The mountains are cold and vicious, with the Unathi of the region having historically dressed in thick furs from the mountains’ various beasts. Most of their food comes from either hunting or fishing, with several mountainous lakes still existing in the untouched regions of the range. While, like most Sinta, they adhere strongly to the traditions of their ancestors, the Zazalai are above all else practical. If a new way of doing things is better, they will adopt it - and if not, it will be discarded. The mountains do not abide sentimentality. This mindset has led to the Sinta of Zazalai being stereotyped as stern, pragmatic and humourless by others. This is a misconception, however, as the Zazalai sense of humour is a particularly stone-faced and deadpan one.		The mountains are cold and vicious, with the Unathi of the region having historically dressed in thick furs from the mountains’ various beasts. Most of their food comes from either hunting or fishing, with several mountainous lakes still existing in the untouched regions of the range. While, like most Sinta, they adhere strongly to the traditions of their ancestors, the Zazalai are above all else practical. If a new way of doing things is better, they will adopt it - and if not, it will be discarded. The mountains do not abide sentimentality. This mindset has led to the Sinta of Zazalai being stereotyped as stern, pragmatic and humourless by others. This is a misconception, however, as the Zazalai sense of humour is a particularly stone-faced and deadpan one.

	~~Prior~~ to the Contact War, ~~the Miners’ Guild had a substantial investment~~ in ~~the Zazalai Mountains, with many Guild mines operating all across~~. During the Contact War, ~~many~~ of ~~these mines were rendered inaccessible or collapsed~~, and the ~~Guild largely retreated from~~ the ~~region~~. ~~While they do still operate some mines~~ in the Res’karum ~~region~~, a ~~newcomer has arrived~~ to ~~pick up what they left behind - namely~~, ~~Hephaestus Industries~~. ~~Largely through use~~ of ~~mining robots~~, ~~Hephaestus~~ has re-~~opened several Guild mines~~ in the ~~Zazalai Mountains~~, in ~~regions~~ that ~~remain too dangerous or irradiated~~ for ~~Sinta~~ to work in ~~effectively~~. ~~To many in~~ the ~~local Guild chapters~~, ~~this is an act~~ of ~~blatant theft - but~~ the ~~wider Guild does not overly care for~~ the ~~mines~~ of ~~Zazalai~~, and ~~so Hephaestus’s moving in~~ has ~~gone unanswered by~~ the ~~Miners for now~~.		=== Res’karum ===
			Res’karum was a city of middling importance prior to the Contact War - its military might was dwarfed by that of Mudki, and its economic power paled in comparison to that of Bahard. During the Contact War, however, this changed, as the plane carrying the bomb meant to destroy the city crashed during its approach, sparing the city and surrounding region from nuclear annihilation. Most of the range’s population in the modern day lives in Res’karum and the surrounding region, now the largest portion of habitable land in the Zazalai Range - and for many, the last safe place before venturing into the harsh sands of the Wasteland.

			Res’karum sits over a sheer cliff, dropping nearly one hundred feet. The River Kharai runs through the city, thundering off the cliff in an awe-inspiring display of natural glory. To many practitioners of Zazalai Th’akh, it is believe that the Falls of Res’karum are a site of great spiritual power, and it is said that on certain auspicious nights of the year, they act as a gateway between the earthly world and the realm of spirits, where Sinta with sufficient honour and courage may seek to venture into the ethereal realm and win their heart’s desire from the mighty Zyola of the mountains. Even outside of the city, the falls are considered one of the great natural wonders of Moghes, and often attracted wealthy tourists from across the planet to see them with their own eyes.

			The city’s population take great pride in the natural splendour of their home, and often take umbrage at how it has been packaged, sold and cheapened by the tourism industry. Low-quality souvenirs of the Falls and the mountains surrounding them can often be found in the Wasteland now, left and forgotten in the dust. One would think that the nuclear exchange would have diminished the tourism industry, but wealthy nobles from across the Hegemony will still make the trip by shuttle on occasion, looking to see the famed falls for themselves.

			Since the Contact War, the city has been stretched to the point of breaking, however. Refugees from the wider mountain range have fled to the region, and Lord Yu’zath cannot help them all - though some odd mixture of pride and kindness has led him to try anyway, enforcing harsh rationing that has only grown worse as the wider Hegemony undergoes famine. Many of the original population resent these refugees, viewing them as little more than useless mouths to feed leeching on the hard work of the locals - or, in the case of refugees from the eastern side of the mountains, enemies of the Hegemony who should receive no aid or succor from the Sinta of Zazalai.

			=== Mudki ===
			Mudki was once known as the Shield of the Hegemony - a fortress-city spanning the northernmost pass of the Zazalai Mountains. In the Izweski War of Succession, where the Honoured Alliance took up arms against the upstart Izweski Clan, Mudki acted as a bulwark, serving as one of the key allies of the Izweski in securing control of the mountains, and it has filled that role ever since. During the Contact War, the Traditionalist Coalition’s forces tried and failed three times to take Mudki, before the nuclear weapons were launched to destroy what they could not capture.

	~~To the south~~, ~~Bahard~~ is the ~~birthplace~~ of the ~~Merchants’ Guild~~, and for centuries ~~held~~ the ~~largest guildhall on Moghes~~ - ~~but the Guildhall there lies abandoned, as trade through~~ the ~~city has dried up following the Contact War~~. ~~The merchants and their families - or at least those who could afford it -~~ have ~~fled the city in droves~~, ~~heading for the Untouched Lands or~~ even ~~offworld,~~ as the ~~dying city holds no~~ more ~~profit worth taking. While some rare merchants will still pass through the city, the locals~~ of ~~Bahard view this as a betrayal, and will treat any wearing~~ the ~~colours of~~ the ~~Merchants’ guild with contempt~~.		The Unathi of Mudki are known across Moghes as resilient, proud and quick to anger - firm friends, and terrible enemies. Their dedication to their duty is near-fanatical, and it is said that the warriors of Mudki will build barricades of their own dead before they surrender. Every tendency of the warriors of Zazalai was exemplified in Mudki, and for centuries it has had a reputation for producing some of the finest and best-disciplined soldiers in the Hegemony. Perhaps that stubborn refusal to break is why so many have remained there, even as the Wasteland consumes more and more of the lands around the city.

	~~Junzi Electric~~ is ~~still~~ a ~~vital guild of~~ the ~~Zazalai Mountains~~, having ~~erected enormous wind turbines throughout~~ the ~~range centuries ago~~. ~~While most~~ of ~~the region’s power comes from fusion nowadays~~ - ~~with Junzi guildsmen having constructed~~ the ~~Res’karum Regional Power Plant decades prior~~ to the ~~Contact War - the wind turbines~~ are ~~still maintained~~, and ~~provide a valuable source~~ of ~~power to smaller rural regions - as well as Wastelanders~~, ~~as several~~ of the ~~abandoned turbines have been re~~-~~activated and used to power~~ Wasteland ~~communities~~. ~~In one particularly notable event~~, one of ~~the Reclaimer crawlers dragged a ruined turbine out from a collapsed mountain and mounted it to their vessel~~.		Mudki today is an intimidating sight, but a shallow one. Its ancient walls crumble, its once-loved lord hides in his palace, ranting and raving about the alien poison that is killing Moghes, and his people suffer in silence, with many of them having fled for the relative safety of Res’karum to the south. The culture there now is one of fear and fatalism - everyone knows the city is dying, except seemingly its lord, and few still believe that anything can or will be done to save it. It is a sprawling city where the buildings are empty, and at first glance it would be hard to tell it apart from any of the thousands of ruined cities that dot the Wasteland surrounding it. Every year, more and more of the locals flee the ruined city, seeking sanctuary in Res’karum - or even, for the truly desperate, fleeing into the Wasteland. This has enraged Izaku further, calling those who fled south “traitors and rebels no better than the damned Traditionalists” in one of his increasingly rare public addresses.

	~~No guilds have holdings~~ in Mudki - though many once had guildhalls there, the city's struggle against raiders, the growing Wasteland, and the madness of its ruler has led any major guilds to pull their investment from Mudki, before it collapses altogether. The city is already showing the scars of this, with its once-mighty walls beginning to crumble without the aid of the Construction Coalition, and its walls struggling to be manned without the mercenaries of the Fighters' Guild.		== Education ==
			lizard in da school what will he learn

	== Faith ==		== Faith ==

>RustingWithYou: subheadings

2023-06-30T22:24:03Z

subheadings

← Предыдущая версия		Версия от 01:24, 1 июля 2023
Строка 37:		Строка 37:
	=== The Stone Lords ===		=== The Stone Lords ===

	~~'''~~Lord Azhal, King of the Mine~~''':~~ Gold and silver, coal and oil - Azhal is king of all wealth beneath the earth. He is known to be stern and unforgiving, yet always fair in his judgements. Stories about him are usually about some bold and arrogant hero venturing into his realm, deep beneath the ground, in search of treasure. The hero is faced with trials that humble him, and Azhal may grant him the treasure he seeks - but only if he believes the Sinta is truly worthy. He is depicted as a male Unathi with glittering silver scales clad in black, wearing a golden crown.		==== Lord Azhal, King of the Mine ====
			Gold and silver, coal and oil - Azhal is king of all wealth beneath the earth. He is known to be stern and unforgiving, yet always fair in his judgements. Stories about him are usually about some bold and arrogant hero venturing into his realm, deep beneath the ground, in search of treasure. The hero is faced with trials that humble him, and Azhal may grant him the treasure he seeks - but only if he believes the Sinta is truly worthy. He is depicted as a male Unathi with glittering silver scales clad in black, wearing a golden crown.

	~~'''~~Lady Kharai, Queen of the Waters~~''':~~ Mistress of the precious lakes and springs that give the mountains life, Kharai is the wife of Azhal. Where he is harsh and unforgiving, she is kind, and in many tales is the one who persuades him to show mercy to the hero. However, when her anger is roused, she is a terrible force to behold, causing drought and famine to plague those who have wronged her. It is said that her tears can cure even death, and she is often venerated by healers of the Zazalai mountains.		==== Lady Kharai, Queen of the Waters ====
			Mistress of the precious lakes and springs that give the mountains life, Kharai is the wife of Azhal. Where he is harsh and unforgiving, she is kind, and in many tales is the one who persuades him to show mercy to the hero. However, when her anger is roused, she is a terrible force to behold, causing drought and famine to plague those who have wronged her. It is said that her tears can cure even death, and she is often venerated by healers of the Zazalai mountains.

	~~'''~~Lord Iala, Prince of the Sword~~''':~~ A warrior through and through, Iala is the son of Kharai and Azhal. He wields a sword forged in his father’s underground realm, and is the one who leads the pantheon to war against the Cold Gods, when the season of war comes. He is portrayed in his tales as overconfident and bold, but an honourable and good-hearted warrior, who always tries to fix his mistakes. It is said that he takes the spirits of noble warriors to march with him in his host, to push the Cold Gods off their distant peaks and back into darkness.		==== Lord Iala, Prince of the Sword ====
			A warrior through and through, Iala is the son of Kharai and Azhal. He wields a sword forged in his father’s underground realm, and is the one who leads the pantheon to war against the Cold Gods, when the season of war comes. He is portrayed in his tales as overconfident and bold, but an honourable and good-hearted warrior, who always tries to fix his mistakes. It is said that he takes the spirits of noble warriors to march with him in his host, to push the Cold Gods off their distant peaks and back into darkness.

	~~'''~~Lady Zalai, Princess of the Winds~~''':~~ Daughter to Kharai and Azhal, Zalai is the opposite of Iala through and through - where he is cocky, she is patient, and where he is straightforward, she is calculating. She often stands beside her brother during battles against the Cold Gods, and frequently is the one who leads her family to victory, by turning their enemies against one another, or tricking them in some clever fashion.		==== Lady Zalai, Princess of the Winds ====
			Daughter to Kharai and Azhal, Zalai is the opposite of Iala through and through - where he is cocky, she is patient, and where he is straightforward, she is calculating. She often stands beside her brother during battles against the Cold Gods, and frequently is the one who leads her family to victory, by turning their enemies against one another, or tricking them in some clever fashion.

	=== The Cold Gods ===		=== The Cold Gods ===

	~~'''~~Vhesk, of the Empty Peaks~~''':~~ Vhesk is, in some versions of the tale, Azhal’s younger brother. It is said that the two agreed at the world’s creation on who would get the lands beneath the earth, and who would get the peaks of the high mountains. Vhesk chose the peaks, and felt cheated when his brother found the riches that the earth holds. Furious, he has tried many times to steal his brother’s kingdom, and will send avalanches and freezing winds to torment the Sinta of the peaks. He is primarily associated with dishonour, cowardice and envy.		==== Vhesk, of the Empty Peaks ====
			Vhesk is, in some versions of the tale, Azhal’s younger brother. It is said that the two agreed at the world’s creation on who would get the lands beneath the earth, and who would get the peaks of the high mountains. Vhesk chose the peaks, and felt cheated when his brother found the riches that the earth holds. Furious, he has tried many times to steal his brother’s kingdom, and will send avalanches and freezing winds to torment the Sinta of the peaks. He is primarily associated with dishonour, cowardice and envy.

	~~'''~~Xiaxa, of the Howling Storm~~''':~~ In some versions of the faith, she is Vhesk’s daughter - in others, a sister to Iala and Zalai who betrayed them, jealous of Zalai’s domain. She claims the winds as her own as well, but where Zalai is subtle she is furious and direct, sending tornadoes and howling storms to drive Zalai from the skies she calls her own. She is a vicious god, and will torment Sinta on the high slopes, hoping to kill them and claim their souls for her own. She is primarily associated with rage, treachery and cruelty.		==== Xiaxa, of the Howling Storm ====
			In some versions of the faith, she is Vhesk’s daughter - in others, a sister to Iala and Zalai who betrayed them, jealous of Zalai’s domain. She claims the winds as her own as well, but where Zalai is subtle she is furious and direct, sending tornadoes and howling storms to drive Zalai from the skies she calls her own. She is a vicious god, and will torment Sinta on the high slopes, hoping to kill them and claim their souls for her own. She is primarily associated with rage, treachery and cruelty.

	~~'''~~Aore, of the Endless Hunger~~''':~~ A monstrous spirit, barely even Sinta, Aore is used as a weapon of war by the other Cold Gods. It devours food, causing it to spoil, and is said to eat the souls of Sinta it finds wandering the spirit world. All that matters to it is filling its endless hunger, and it will return from death until it does so. It is believed that Sinta who turn to cannibalism have fallen to Aore’s influence. It is associated with greed, gluttony and waste.		==== Aore, of the Endless Hunger ====
			A monstrous spirit, barely even Sinta, Aore is used as a weapon of war by the other Cold Gods. It devours food, causing it to spoil, and is said to eat the souls of Sinta it finds wandering the spirit world. All that matters to it is filling its endless hunger, and it will return from death until it does so. It is believed that Sinta who turn to cannibalism have fallen to Aore’s influence. It is associated with greed, gluttony and waste.

	~~'''~~Jharal, of the Gilded Lie~~''':~~ A spirit of unknown origin, Jharal is known as a wanderer and a miscreant - often working with the Cold Gods, in the hopes of stealing Azhal’s treasure for themself. However, they will often betray the Cold Gods as well, as soon as the situation turns against them. They are said to be in love with Zalai, and she will often trick them into helping the Stone Lords out of some peril or another by exploiting this. They are associated with lustfulness, deceit and laziness.		==== Jharal, of the Gilded Lie ====
			A spirit of unknown origin, Jharal is known as a wanderer and a miscreant - often working with the Cold Gods, in the hopes of stealing Azhal’s treasure for themself. However, they will often betray the Cold Gods as well, as soon as the situation turns against them. They are said to be in love with Zalai, and she will often trick them into helping the Stone Lords out of some peril or another by exploiting this. They are associated with lustfulness, deceit and laziness.

	== Holidays ==		== Holidays ==

	~~'''~~Kharai’s Reverie~~''':~~ Held on the last day of Kasavakh, it is considered a day of thanks and celebration of Kharai’s gifts to the mortal world, before she rests until Versakh comes again. Gifts are often exchanged during the Reverie, and lovers will often sneak off to spend the occasion together, before the harsh cold of Travakh comes in.		=== Kharai’s Reverie ===
			Held on the last day of Kasavakh, it is considered a day of thanks and celebration of Kharai’s gifts to the mortal world, before she rests until Versakh comes again. Gifts are often exchanged during the Reverie, and lovers will often sneak off to spend the occasion together, before the harsh cold of Travakh comes in.

	~~'''~~Iala’s Contest~~''':~~ A festival, often held in one of the larger cities of a region, where young men will travel from far and wide to test their skill and strength against others. These act as a form of marriage competition, with many seeking less victory, and more to prove themselves before likely young women. It is generally a boisterous occasion, full of laughter, drinking and good-natured duels which are, in the modern age, very rarely lethal.		=== Iala’s Contest ===
			A festival, often held in one of the larger cities of a region, where young men will travel from far and wide to test their skill and strength against others. These act as a form of marriage competition, with many seeking less victory, and more to prove themselves before likely young women. It is generally a boisterous occasion, full of laughter, drinking and good-natured duels which are, in the modern age, very rarely lethal.

	~~'''~~Vhesk’s Day~~''':~~ The only time of year when the Cold Gods are honoured, this day falls in the middle of Travahk, at its coldest point. For this day, offerings are made to Vhesk and the Cold Gods, to spare the Sinta from their wrath. It is considered extreme misfortune to speak at all during this day, and most clans will go about the day’s business in total silence. Hatchlings born on Vhesk’s Day are considered to be cursed, and in ancient times were often left to die rather than risking bringing misfortune on their clan. While that practice was outlawed under the Sarakus, Sinta born on this black day can rarely expect happy lives, as rumours of their cursed nature will spread.		=== Vhesk’s Day ===
			The only time of year when the Cold Gods are honoured, this day falls in the middle of Travahk, at its coldest point. For this day, offerings are made to Vhesk and the Cold Gods, to spare the Sinta from their wrath. It is considered extreme misfortune to speak at all during this day, and most clans will go about the day’s business in total silence. Hatchlings born on Vhesk’s Day are considered to be cursed, and in ancient times were often left to die rather than risking bringing misfortune on their clan. While that practice was outlawed under the Sarakus, Sinta born on this black day can rarely expect happy lives, as rumours of their cursed nature will spread.

	~~'''~~Gharakai (Merchants’ Welcome)~~''':~~ A holiday that is no longer celebrated, Gharakai was held near the start of Kasavakh in Bahard, to celebrate as new trade caravans came in from both east and west. Colourful banners would be hung, and a grand celebration would commence in the streets. But now the eastern gates are shut altogether, and no merchants come in from the west - and these days, when Gharakai comes is simply another reminder of the doom that grips the city.		=== Gharakai (Merchants’ Welcome) ===
			A holiday that is no longer celebrated, Gharakai was held near the start of Kasavakh in Bahard, to celebrate as new trade caravans came in from both east and west. Colourful banners would be hung, and a grand celebration would commence in the streets. But now the eastern gates are shut altogether, and no merchants come in from the west - and these days, when Gharakai comes is simply another reminder of the doom that grips the city.