Iscabal

Small Town: Population 1,629 (67% human, 23% letheni, 10% vesperkin)

History

Iscabal was founded in the late Upheaval period as a mining town, using the expansive mountain ranges north of them to begin harvesting mass quantities of metal, which they stockpile in warehouses throughout the town. The town was once twice its current size, but the Grave Rot Plague culled their numbers as it did everywhere else. The town is home to a large number of craftsmen and blacksmiths, but since the mid-Reckoning period, the town has been known for something far more valuable.

In 717 RK, a mining crew searching for iron deposits happened upon an entirely new metal, which had a blue patina and was seemingly unremarkable otherwise. The Rathmora Colin did not have the education to comprehend the importance of this metal they had found. Metallurgists determined it was largely identical to steel in terms of its durability and flexibility, with the exception that it did not rust; with the patina it forms appearing to be entirely cosmetic, not damaging the material. The royal family found the color of the metal enticing, and began decorating their armor and weapons with it, gifting it occasionally to accomplished soldiers. However, after it began to be used on the battlefield by these soldiers, its true value emerged when a soldier wielding a shield made of the metal charged into battle against a force accompanied by a wizard, who lobbed a fireball in the midst of the group; and the flames were promptly devoured by the metal, redirecting all of the harmful effects of it into the shield. After some experimentation, it was determined that the metal was capable of absorbing Flow, nullifying most of the magical capabilities of enemy forces.

This turned the tides of the war against Art Hunahunari. Despite the Rathmora Colin's prohibition on the practice of magic, the discovery of the metal which would come to be known as Esciten, meaning "hungry metal", would completely nullify the advantage that Art Hunahunari had over the Myrmidoni; which would lead to the development of At Matica. However, despite its perceived rarity, it was also discovered that as it absorbs Flow, it "digests" it, and as a result, the metal itself grows. Ever since this discovery, Iscabal has begun artificially growing Esciten, ensuring that magic cannot be used against the Rathmora Colin.

Government

As part of the Rathmora Colin, Iscabal is under the authority of Vazar Colton Rathmora in Elysara. The town's local overseer, a middle-aged Human man named Cogran Maspalis, is responsible for managing the town's infrastructure and coordinating operations. Cogran is a retired Myrmidon who was wounded in an attack on Catarvoss almost two decades ago, and as a result walks with a limp using a cane. His treatment of Letheni slaves is relatively mild compared to the rest of the empire, and he has forbidden torture of any kind, believing that doing so will only encourage them to try harder to escape or sabotage their operations.

Economy

Though Iscabal still produces a large quantity of common metals for the empire, the majority of its economy is based around the mining, growing, and processing of Esciten. Naturally occurring Esciten is of far higher quality than that which is grown by artificial means, but it is good enough for the Myrmidoni and their shields. Natural Esciten has a higher capacity for Flow absorption and is more durable, and is thus reserved for the elite and royalty. The town uses Letheni slaves and prisoners to mine natural Esciten, but the population in Iscabal is predominantly Human, as the empire wants its best craftsmen processing the ore, as they do not trust the Letheni with the metal. Blacksmiths that are skilled in working with Esciten are paid very well.

Notable Locations

• Ophalataldor - The "blue forge" is the largest facility in Iscabal, and is the source of one of the empire's most well-guarded secrets. Inside, naturally occurring Esciten is artificially "grown" to produce large quantities of ore which is of lesser quality, but just as useful. A large number of Letheni slaves are put to work here for one specific reason; their skill with magic. Despite the empire's prohibition on magic, it is the only way by which Esciten can be grown, as it is absorbing charged Flow and "digesting" it that causes Esciten to grow. The metal can only absorb so much charged Flow, depending on the size of the ore, before it becomes unstable and risks a violent explosion; so the process must be overseen by a number of researchers to ensure the Letheni do not intentionally cause a breach in order to destroy the facility. The methods by which Esciten is grown, and the fact that magic is involved, is kept secret from all outside the facility, even the Myrmidoni guarding it.
• Bul Valgar - The most important mountain in the empire, home of the metal called Esciten which the empire covets. It is the only mountain which Esciten has ever been discovered to occur naturally. The mines carved out of the mountain are the most heavily guarded locations in all of northern Myr, with the Myrmidoni crawling all over the surrounding mountain passes keeping an eye out for potential intruders. The northern side is largely unguarded, however, due to the Rexanori in the Repos il Denath.
• Mell Duchat - This enormous lake, called "thunder lake" in the Myrin tongue, is home to a large variety of freshwater fish that feed the residents of Iscabal. The lake is about 230 miles across at its widest point, and is so named for a strange phenomenon where a thunderous sound will periodically sound across the waters from a distant location at night. The source of the sound is unknown to the townsfolk, but it has unnerved them enough to petition Cogran to investigate further. The only clue regarding the source of the sound is that some areas of the lake have erupted like a geyser and given off intense waves when the sound occurs; however, the area where the eruption happens appears to never be the same.
• Repos il Denath - A large forest on the other side of the mountains from Iscabal that spans the entire northern coast. Its ominous name, meaning "forest of death" in Myrin, comes from a creature located within which has decimated every Myrmidoni force that has ever ventured into their domain. The "Rexanori" as they are called, are bipedal stealth hunters with tan skin and black armored plating; claws sharp enough to tear through metal like flesh. They are extremely hard to kill, and even the Myrmidoni fear them, so the forest is avoided at all costs. The Rexanori occasionally wander into the mountains, drawn by the scent of Esciten.

Culture

Living in Iscabal can be difficult; between the poor air quality and constant smell of coal from the many forges and refineries, and the military lifestyle, it is not a "happy" place for the most part. However, there are some unique cultural expressions found here that separate it from the rest of the empire. Humans are widely known for their artistic predispositions, and with the excess of artificial Esciten available, it has been used widely for decoration. There is a statue outside of Ophalataldor depicting a Myrmidon that is well-worn, showing Esciten's unique and beautiful blue patina. Most blacksmiths in the town have pieces made of Esciten on display, and accents on their forges and buildings that have a style not seen anywhere else. The blue patina that forms on Esciten can be shaved off and used as a pigment; however, the flakes are extremely volatile when brought near sources of charged Flow, which will cause them to explode in a shower of harmless sparks. For this reason, there is a paint used by the locals that is brushed onto sticks and used as a magical "detector" of sorts.

There are plenty of stories and local legends passed around, both for the residents and the slaves. The Human locals believe that Bul Valgar is sacred; a gift from Lekaris, and see it as confirmation that the empire's conquest is righteous. The Rathmora Colin has made use of propaganda to galvanize its citizens, telling tales of atrocities committed by Art Hunahunari, spreading the message that only Lekaris' love can save them. The residents of Iscabal are particularly zealous, believing that the Myrmidoni are righteous warriors liberating those who have been oppressed by an evil regime. There is a belief that the top of Bul Valgar reaches Lekaris' moon, as the two often align, and that anyone able to ascend to the top will be able to speak with her and receive her blessing.

The Letheni have their own stories and superstitions, many focusing on a perceived future liberation of their people or a mighty hero who will strike down Vazar Colton. Those caught spreading these stories can be severely punished. In particular, these stories make mention of a hero by the name of Istiniareth, meaning "lightbringer" in the Letheni tongue, who they believe will rise from the mines and lead them to topple the empire. It is said that Istiniareth will have green eyes and the ability to speak to animals. This has unfortunately led to several green-eyed Letheni children being executed. The Letheni have an opposing belief to that of the citizens of the empire regarding Esciten, believing the metal itself is evil and that it has corrupted the Humans, turning them against their people, as they had once lived in relative harmony. They believe that Bul Valgar is inhabited by a malevolent entity that has tempted the Humans with power so that they will destroy all others that stand in their way. The Letheni are terrified of the mines and silently pray to Lys while within, despite being punished for doing so.

Iscabal has a wide variety of fish available in Mell Duchat that serve as the bulk of their food supply, but they import a number of ingredients from Zedamir, which is paid for by the Rathmora Colin, as Vazar Colton wants to keep the residents happy, as they control his most important resource. A very popular dish amongst the townsfolk is Harisanomas, fish which is battered and fried, and served with a number of fruit sauces such as caramelized peach syrup. Though alcohol is forbidden to the Myrmidoni, a local resident has created a drink which is very popular amongst Myrmidoni and citizens alike; called Mexonalan, it is a drink made using water from Mell Duchat, which is then sweetened with peach syrup and carbonated by adding needles of a local bush and sealing for a week.

Defenses

Iscabal is one of the most heavily guarded locations in the entire empire. Perhaps the most astounding defense found in the town is the walls surrounding it, which are entirely made of Esciten. The sheer amount of metal required to construct this wall would be enough to supply shields to an army. The Esciten used to construct the walls, however, is artificially grown at the Ophalataldor. Though its capacity is reduced compared to naturally occurring Esciten, the sheer size of the walls, reaching 20 ft. tall and 2 ft. thick, is enough that nothing short of divine intervention could output enough charged Flow to overload it. This ensures no magic will ever breach the town's walls. Additionally, any magical attacks on the walls would simply cause it to grow further.

Besides the walls, the number of Myrmidoni present in the town far outweighs the number of craftsmen and miners. Their watch is heaviest around the town perimeter, and then at the Ophalataldor, and the mines in Bul Valgar.

Crime

Though the town is heavily guarded, it sees its fair share of violence. However, it is typically directed at the Myrmidoni, rather than civilians. Many years ago, when Ophalataldor began its operations, growing Esciten artificially; the Letheni working there managed to stage an escape before the researchers there learned ways to better control the workers. The Letheni coordinated to destabilize several large chunks of Esciten, using them to create several large explosions which nearly collapsed the facility entirely, killing two dozen Myrmidoni. These Letheni managed to escape into the mountains, where they now reside, calling themselves the Vadir Moldrisi ("red ravens").

The Vadir Moldrisi have worked tirelessly for years trying to liberate the rest of their kin from the town, ambushing the Myrmidoni in the mountains, dropping boulders on them, and even luring the Rexanori to attack them. Occasionally they will sneak into Iscabal, using the Myrmidoni's inability to distinguish them from slaves to stage attacks on Ophalataldor and other facilities in the town. They have only been as effective as they are due to their usage of illusion magic. They are known for painting the top halves of their faces with red paint, which some believe is blood.