Clueless Delver

"Oh! I know! It's to protect them!" Shurmo could see her grandson's eyes brighten as he turned to her and spoke. "Gramma! Can you teach me how you made that?" "Are you sure? It's quite hard!" "I wanna try!" Shurmo's smile widened as she patted her grandson's head.

One of the most notorious criminals said to have come from Lal-Mit. Known to be a deviant illusionist who mastered a particularly deadly spell known as Mistcleaver, which is said to be able to paralyze people in fear by imparting a gruesome illusion of oneself being cut apart by a mist of tiny cleavers. She is known for numerous counts of kidnapping and tincturing highly dangerous potions made of ingredients rumored to be parts of her victims. It is said her fall to madness was due to losing her whole family during the Sack of Ul-Anar, from the tribes of the neighbouring Gur-Qet.

"It is a fort, my dear." "A fawt?" "Yes, we used to live near one, do you remember?" "Oh ya! Was big, taww an pink!" Shurmo couldn't help but smile as she saw her grandson smiling. "But this one isn that big..." Yeiluma spoke as he approached the fort to look at it closer. "Can you guess why?" "Nnnn...."

A pejorative term referring to excessively vain men. The term is said to be coined by Hanur-Alat, 4th Prince of the Kingdom of Geese, which was known during the Age of Petty Kingdoms for its immense wealth of copper. The word Pillarbeard was used to mock the 2nd Prince of the same Kingdom, Hanur-Tomul, who was infamous for his obsession with vanity, in particular his extremely long and garishly groomed beard which was extremely straight and resembled a fluted pillar. While Hanur-Alat's left forearm was dismembered by Hanur-Tomul, in a fit of rage for his derision and lack of respect, many years later, it was Hanur-Alat who triumphed in the succession wars and became known as the One-armed King, whose exploits are greatly romanticized to this day.

Soon, her work was complete and she gazed upon it with a faint smile. It had been a while since she had personally shaped using Grain, but she still felt she had decent control over the skill. Soon, she heard a sounds of sobbing soften as she hear muddy footsteps coming fron behind her. "Gramma, what's that?" Yeiluma asked.

Ruins of a colossal acqueduct which once transported water from the Dry Lakes, during the Age of Petty Kingdoms. Said to be the work of Arartu the Enslaved King, said to have been a distant ancestor of the renowned Heroic Slave Shal-Adul. Once, Arartu sought to build a great tower from the secrets of Tonal Magics he learned in secret, hoping to enter the Higher Realms. He was punished by Divine Lightning which dashed his work, and it was said he was inspired by this divine indictment and pledged a life of servitude to his people, building many works of infrastructure that have endured even the winds of time. The acqueduct is named after Sunnuru, a barley farmer who asked the Enslaved King for water to be brought to his land. While the acqueduct no longer carries water, it casts a large shadow and provides a shaded path the travels leagues between Ninur-Sin and An-Ligir. The site is also frequently visited by scholarly processions from Lal-Mit hoping to glean the secrets of Tonal magic ...

Though the Shaping Grain was not Shurmo's forte, she deemed herself decent at the art, and could conjure simple crafts from most materials - enough to be used for various needs like carrying water and supplies. Back in the Darkwaters, she could have simply ordered or commissioned Grainshapers who were able to conjure works much greater and of a more nuanced taste - but what she needed know was something functional.

A mythical creature of a large tortoise with spiral scales which concentrate into conical horns at its elbows. Said to be an omen of stability - as it is sometimes witnessed in swampland, rivers and ponds at the start of new empires. It is said that Petty King Susunin of Ancient Kanartu once commissioned the construction of a colossal tortoise pavilion for this reason - and during that time, the slaughter of tortoises was outlawed.

With the thought in her mind, she swept her gaze in search of nearby branches. It was these branches that many mudlurkers sought refuge from the violence of the mistrain that would sweep them off their feet - which would kill or cripple them in most cases as their fragile bodies fell. Soon her eye fell onto a fallen branch that was bent in arc like a bow. A faint smile formed on her lips as she swept her sleev in the direction of the fallen branch, causing a wall of mud to rise around it except for an opening on one end facing the inner arc of where a bowstring would be strung if one were to imagine the branch as a bow.

A mythical creature said to be the omen of reversal. Often rumored to be spotted flying high in overly one-sided battles, after which an overturning of odds occurs abruptly. It is said that the Tri-horned Falcon may be one of the Original Beasts during the Time Before Creation - aeons before the formation of even the primordial world, and few recognize its importance except for those that are extremely long lived or have been exposed to esoteric lore.

The Manticore Belfries... Home to madmen breeding bloodthirsty manticores. The promise of treasure is great. That - I'll admit. But I'd stay clear of that place if I were you... Unless you are a madman yourself, or enjoy the feeling of spines piercing your flesh. Wastetreader Dykstra A cluster of 200ft tall tapered towers made of alabaster bricks topped with a bulbous cage that serve as belfries for manticores. The towers are connected to one another via 100ft wide cliffside tunnels open to one side, held up by rock-hewn pillars fixed with sconces. These partially open tunnels snake around the edges of the cliff, connecting the Greater East Wall to the north and the Lesser Wall to the south. At the foot of each of the towers are fortifications accessible through a thick iron gate, staffed with a platoon of undead soldiers. They will not attack unless provoked. The towers are all 6 levels high, and access to each level is allowed through a large spiral staircase t...

Shurmo's brows furrowed as she decided to turn her attention elsewhere. While keeping an eye on her bawling grandson, she thought of other matters. She felt in her element when she was plotting things, as she did much of which rose her to her current position as Elder. Though she had been rather frustrated as all the plots that she came up with seemed to fall flat after a quick internal wargame, she felt she was on to something after she decided to plan not from the perspective of a Crab Rider, but as a fragile mudlurker.

A state of consciousness said to be one of the many pinnacles of Asceticism. The path of Shacklemind demands the eschewing of slumber, requiring the ascetic to stay conscious for extremely long periods of time. The first stage of Shacklemind is attained when one begins to feel an ethereal, encompassing weight on one's mind, while advanced stages allow one to unlock unusual powers of extrasensory perception and metacognition.

In truth, had she, alone, witnessed the death of these fragile creatures, she would have hardly batted an eyelid. To her own shame she recalled terrorizing a few of these creatures in a fit of rage during her youth, when things did not go according to her plans. Despite the sorrowful scene before her, she chuckled slightly as she recalled her own lack of empathy in contrast to her grandson's. Perhaps that is why I still live... She thought solemnly as she briefly recalled the countenance of her sons who had all perished before her.

The beloved mount of Queen Kaalnundu the Great, said one of the most accomplished rulers of the Age of Petty Kingdoms, long before the inception of the polities, but centuries after the Primordial Age. Nanaurtu was known for his remarkable plumage which was iridescent as the ancient taels of copper that was prized among all other possessions, before the discovery of Bronze and other precious metals. Nanaurtu was also said to have been extremely fast and could cover leagues without food or rest. It is said that Nanaurtu's descendants are teal eyed giant emus, which typically demand a higher price in the market.

 Shurmo felt her heart ache as she saw her grandson sobbing on the mud. Alas, unlike the creatures of the Darkwaters, most of the lurkers of the mud beyond the were but frail creatures - they easily perished due to their short lifespans, and even at the slightest touch. Several cycles ago, Yeiluma adopted two small pygmy boars born of the mud, and tried his hardest to be gentle and delicate. But one died after stumbling across the mud, and the other drowned after falling into a tiny puddle.

The clear summit of a wide hill known for persistent sounds of thunder despite the lack of nearby lightning or storms. Other than grass and some common fungi, no other trees or plans are known to grow in the area. The area is largely banal, and far removed from civilisation, but one may occasionally discover tents owned by Echomancers from Lal-mit who seek to discover the secrets of sound that they claim lie somewhere in the area.

As Domel ran, his mind raced to recollect the brief glimpse of the other trespasser who the one-eyed woman appeared to be following... Or chasing. It was even briefer than a glimpse - after all, he was practically falling in mid-air while wrestling another trespasser. But one thing that he remembered seeing a checkered blur.

A desert wastelands southwest of Agash said to have been created by the kin of the First Shepherds, whose herds grew to such a size that large pastures were virtually eradicated whenever they passed through the land. It is rumored that the reason for this was that the sheep of in the Primordial Age were nearly half as small as the sheep of the present and we're able to multiply at a much more rapid pace. Today, few wander the Woolwastes save those exiled from civilisation and archaeologists.

"What a relief, at least we caught these two. What exactly is going on?" Whelds eventually spoke after seeing that Domel was fine. "We'll find out after we interrogate them. Bring them to the cells, I think there are at least two more who snuck past the wall." Whelds' mouth hung open, as she now realized the watch was far from over. "I'll be making chase, until then," Domel gave a short salute before running ahead.

A secret ledger used by the intelligencers of Agash, often stowed in bales of hay. Secret messages are sent by tying stalks of hay in secret manner that changes every month. Rumor has it that the one who devised the changes of secrets was once an Geomendicant from Lal-Mit.

 But soon as the echoes of the strike disspiated, Domel saw the sword had now wraped about his right arm on the surface of his armor. "I'm fine. But still... what a strange weapon this is..." Domel spoke as he raised his arm to calm Whelds, who approached from the side to look at the strange weapon that spiraled around his outstretched arm.

A fetish cut from a tiny fragment white jade, typically fashioned in the abstract likeness of a hunched man working on wood. Considered a symbol of excellence and good luck by craftsmen across the regions of Ninur-Sin and Agash and often worn as an amulet or worn using an on an ankle chain.

As Domel gingerly tugged at the segment, a click resounded from it, and suddenly the segmented sword lashed forth around his arm like a serpent, causing a chill to run down Domel's spine. The sword's segments slashed at his helm, creating a loud clunk, making Domel flinch in surprise. "Brother Domel!" Whelds voice came from behind him.

 A rare scarab with shells of extremely vibrant colours known for its uncanny resemblance to palm-sized freshwater lobsters. Unlike their freshwater doppelgangers, the scarab is much smaller in size, typically around the size of a thumb. It is typically petrified by feeding it amber and used as part of jewellery, which some circles find more tasteful that the typical fare of gemstones and pearls. It is also used in the making of pigments of deep colours used only by the most accomplished of painters.

A towering wall 330ft high of white megalithic bricks that stretches 6 miles connecting the Wooly Toad Range and the peaks of the Manticore Belfry to the south. Undead sentries make stand in eternal vigil atop and within the walls, braving the onslaught of the violent winds and clouds of frost wyrmflies that swarm any living thing in sight. The large wall is punctuated castled and held together with 5 soaring keeps that are found at the ends of the wall and spaced equally along the wall. Near the foot of the wall is a fortified high-gate which secures access past the wall via a brook that carries hot springwater from a distant underground lake. As the wall is well maintained by the patrolling sentries, crossing to the south takes 1 day, if uninterrupted by patrolling undead. Each keep is approximately 100ft in diameter and has at least 20 floors that go down to the base of the wall and 5 floors that rise 65 ft from the top of the wall. The tops of each keep are armed with ballis...

 The sword uncannily resembled a strange cross between the segmented shell of a centipede and a spine, with small blades studded the side of each segment. Close inspection of the blades revealed traces of dark red residue, indicating that it had been used quite often, but without much maintenance. Just how did that woman keep such a weapon within her robes? Domel thought as he held a segment between his thumb and index finger and tried to bend it.

 A remarkable cousin of the common goat that have coats of fur that resemble interlocking teardrop scales. Said to be found on the tall Plateau of Visions where few return from due to the high altitude. Scaled goats are known to be extremely large, nearly twice the size of a regular goat and also extremely hardy and aggressive, making them extremely challenging to hunt, especially when one is subject to the fog of visions that delude all travellers within the plateau it resides.

"Just in time. Help me with these invaders - they are quite aggressive and need to be bound," Domel spoke as he heaved a sigh of relief. He was just wondering how he would carry the two for detainment. As the recruits begin to bind the invaders with thick lengths of cord, Domel picked up the segmented sword the one eyed woman brandished earlier and examined it.

A crown made of dull colored but polished beads made from a combination of common stones and bird gizzard stones. Said to have been the crown of the fabled Lion of Remedies who ruled once ruled a small part of Gur-Qet, before it's inception. The Lion of Remedies was said to have been partly responsible for the enlightening of the Sacred Beasts, and there are numerous tales of the Lion's encounter with each of the 36 sacred beasts, typically involving the use of a variety of strange herbs that no longer exist.

"Brother Domel!" Whelds voice came from the battlements above as Domel caught his breath from the earlier exchange. As he looked up to the source of her voice, he saw two other recruits following behind as they descended a flight of stairs along the high wall to where he stood alongside the incapacitated invaders lying prone on the mud.

A collection of ritual dances performed by the Sickle-Dancers of Agash, usually used to hone a dancers ability to move in a flowing, harmonious manner regardless of uneven footing. There are fifteen dances, each containing three sections of five minute dances that tell the story of a lily's travel from a tiny pond to the vast ocean. Few have mastered all dances of the Lilies, and typical journeyman dancers only learn up to the 3rd Dance.

Domel then pounced upon his one eyed adversary, shoulder-first, tackling her in a forceful takedown. A yell of pain rang from in front of Domel, followed by the sound of a thud as his target fell backwards to the ground, curling up in agony. The segmented whip-sword left the woman's grip and fell onto the muddy ground with a splat.

A small yellow flower that grows from cucumber stalks. Typically used to signify secret love and often used in many tall tales as a symbol of elopement especially in the regions of Agash and Kal-Absur. While many attribute the symbolism due to the size of its fruit, it is said that it originated from two forgotten Thrones of old Ninur-Sin, who eloped, after exchanging cucumber flowers, to the region that is now called Agash.

The sound of clashing metal rang through Domel's bones as he shrugged off the cascading blade segments that struck his torso. In response, he forced his right shoulder ahead, repelling it away from him as he now approached within three steps from the one eyed woman who was recovering from his forceful deflection.

The attendant hound of the Deity of Light, Mana-Saptur.  Often depicted as a lean, long-legged hound without eyes, and with two tails.  Legend has it Ustu-Mammu still walks the mortal realm, but deep under the earth along a circumambulatory route as ordered by the Deity of Light as a ritual to coax the rising of the sun. It is said that Ustu-Mamu herself is able to create light from darkness and unusual flashes of light deep in mines are usually attributed to her proximity.

What followed was a flash of cold light. Having made her decision as well, the one-eyed woman brandished a segemented sword, cracking it like a whip in Domel's direction. Nevertheless, Domel continued his charge, bracing himself.

One of the agents of the Greater Order who is venerated by esoteric cults for bringing true order to the land. Alu-Sulu was a divine snake that took the form of clouds of brimstone and was said to have a tongue of honey that possessed immense powers of persuasion. With his charisma he ushered a great war between the 365 tribes in the Primordial Age, which ultimately resulted in the equilibrium that is the 9 polities in Ulrunir of the current age.

 Domel decided there was little need for words. A stood in a prepared stance - taking the opportunity to adjust his breathing recover from his previous struggle against the unconscious tribesman. He would have this one-eyed woman make the first move - as she seemed to be in a rush.

A furnace made of clay, shaped like a jar. Typically used to brew medicine. It is said that jars that have gone through long periods of brewing inherit some medicinal essence of the herbs it brews, and so it is tradition that medicine tincturers hand down their jar furnace to their chosen disciples.

Domel winced as he recovered from the bruise from falling from a great height. Though his armor had lessened much of the impact and his foe was now incapacitated the feeling of danger had not waned, and with a roll, he slid to one side and got to his feet to look at the source of danger. Gazing at him with a furious expression was a woman wearing a dark green cloak and a leather strip that covered one of her eyes.

An unusually flat insect known for its flat-tipped horn. Its name was coined due to many seekers of treasure and tomb raiders discovering them as they delved deep, as these bugs are often found in caves and long lost tombs, blending typically into sandstone. Their strange appearance has also caused it to be the subject of numerous artworks, especially sculpture.

As a chill ran down her spine, she forced herself ahead without concern for conserving her strength. And soon a loud sound clanging metal sounded from behind her followed by a groan of pain. But Gumue paid no heed to whatever was behind her. Now was her chance. And with a renewed determination for flight, she forced herself into a wild sprint and took off further ahead.

A headband made of intricately coiled cords of hemp dyed white, blue and carmine, worn by a disbanded warband of 100 exemplary warriors marked for death by many of the leaders of polities across Ulrunir. The reason for the indictment is unclear, and is often cited as sacrilege. They are known to be unable to remove their headbands due to a curse cast on them by multiple master hexers, including the ascetic Curseseer Alkun-Gor, essentially placing a target on their backs. Yet many manhunters who have sought members of the Mortal Band have all met death, alluding to their fearsome might even when alone.

Gumue felt her energy drain as she continued her desperate sprint, daring not to look back. I can't keep up with this, she thought as she increased her pace of breathing. Though she had received training from her mentor in her physicality and had been many times by various pursuers during her journey, she had mostly outrun them thus far. Yet now her pursuer, based on the unwavering rhythm of her steps, seemed to have a bottomless reserve of stamina. Gumue dared not imagine the outcome if she were caught. There must be another way... Gumue's mind began to race. But just at that moment a shadow was cast upon her.

One of the most dangerous elite units under the command of the lieutenants of Nar-Zakash, of the Cauldron of Brass. They are known for brandishing a large head sized bell of brass, tinged in various hues which they use as a catalyst for their magics. Though they number only in 10, one Bell Bearer is said to be capable of turning the tide of battle through the use of deadly sound sorceries that can interrupt communication and effectively crippling the entire chain of command. They are also equally formidable in both close quarters and ranged combat, with their only counter being the powerful combatants that are deaf, which is exceedingly rare.

"Stop following me!" Gumue yelled as she ran as fast as she could amid the distant sounds of crashing in the air. From her previous parting with the Jar and Staff, Gumue was running alongside the tall wall, essentially skirting the bottom of some segment of the wall that she descended from some time ago. While she was perfectly happy to take the long way, she found herself disturbed by the situation at hand. While she had fully expected the one eyed woman, Glass, to part with her after they managed to disengage from the two giant boars who pursued Jar, she was extremely troubled to find that Glass was still following her after some time, and did not respond despite her asking of a reason for doing so.

One of the most mobile battle-craft units, only found in large scale sieges of polity strongholds. They are known for their cloak of dark swan feathers which obscure them as they work in the night. They are said to have been servants of the descended Deity of Tools, who nurtured a select group of people with his wisdom, in exchange for relinquishing their bloodlines' ability to gain divinity.

Hajer considered for a moment to explain himself to the line of pikes pointing at him just a few feet away, but quickly put out the delusion from his mind. As the sounds of hooves on mud grew behind him, he sucked a deep breath and with a powerful exhalation shot in a sprint towards the left. What followed were a mix of yells, crashing, and the squealing of two furious boars.

One of the most formidable infantry types in Ulrunir, known for its ability to overwhelm with sheer numbers and destructive capabilities. The Torchbearer Infantry are Sicklesword wielding footmen known for also holding a torch in their offhand. Many of them are known to be ruthless criminals who were whipped into ironclad subservience by the Gaolers of Nul-Othu of the Edict of Law of the Divine Ka-Abir. They are known for practicing the a type of swordplay that combines fire and sword, with no regard for self preservation, allowing them to rapidly trample opponents. Despite their infamy, the Torchbearer soldier is often used as an archetype in stories to represent the often cynical antihero.

Changing direction was not an option now - the timing the change had to be correct so that he would not fall into the line of the beast's charge. As Hajer picked up his pace, he soon heard the crackle of embers and saw the mud road debouch into a larger space, revealing a spiked barricade made of wood, lit by numerous ember sconces. "Who goes there!" the voice of a woman rang from past the barricade, followed by the clicking of boots and the pointing of numerous pikes between the gaps of the barricades. Hajer's face turned solemn at this encounter.

One of the formidable heavy infantry units of Saintess of Floods, Manar-Alkun, the of the Coral Shackle of An-Ligir. Known for its nearly impregnable defense and deadly offensive capabilities with a 5 columns of 5 pikemen advancing in a tight formation. At the centre of the formation is the Tower Glaive bearer who is a strongman-sorcerer wielding a massive glaive capable of smashing through frontlines, and even harming flying creatures. Based on historical record, the only time these units were defeated was due to the deployment of 5 platoons of spellswords by the Sorcerer-General Non-Onot serving under the Cauldron of Silver, who defeated 2 platoons of the Urchin Phalanx during the War of Lilies.

Forcing himself to breathe at a more rapid pace, Hajer pushed himself to sprint even faster. Still, the crashing sounds behind him gradually louder despite his efforts.

One of the elite ranged units of the armies of Min-Kagas, the Throne of Mud of the Heroic Covenant of Ninur-Sin. Known for wielding large bronze slinger-staves that are able to throw large bronze orbs the size of a curled up person. They are also known to be extremely deadly in close quarters as ends of their slinger staves are bladed and are able to function as bidents that can pin down creatures.

Hajer fled as fast as his legs could run through the alley into what appeared to be a crossroads of a slum quarter which appeared completely uninhabited. Without hesitating, he followed the direction of the wind as he heard the sounds of more crashing come from behind.

One of the relics left behind by Met-Lamas the Blade-blooded. Studded in sharp, bladed clumps of crimson. Met-Lamas was a known ascetic known for his unusual active pacifism and visited numerous war swept regions in his vision of engendering peace. However few took kindly to his attempts and he was terribly maimed. Despite this he continued his efforts even after his blood was rumored to gain unusual properties, creating bushels of crimson blades that impeded passage by advancing warriors and eventually led to numerous white peaces among warring polities. His trail of crimson blades stands to this day across the old battlefields of yore.

The boar's quick turn was outside of Hajer's expectations. Or perhaps there were two? Hajer thought as his brows furrowed. Trusting his instincts he sprinted ahead to a narrow alley he now saw straight ahead.

The sole survivor of the War of Deities at the end of the Primordial Age which culminated in the Long Weeping, a period of perpetual stormy weather which flooded much of the land. Lash-Agil was moulded by the Deity of Earth, originally part of a realistic record of random creatures within the world. Eventually, the Deity of Earth returned to the Higher Plane. When the war began, the Deity of Air breathed life into the statues, and harnessed them in a long battle with the Deity of Force. Through the centuries, Lash-Agil gained a depth of knowledge unlike any other, and maintains vigil at the ruined Ziggurat of Air, that few dare to approach.

Immediately after his change of stance, Hajer leapt to his left headfirst, breaking his fall with a roll with his right shoulder. For the few seconds he was in air, he felt another rush of wind to his right, after which followed by a loud crashing sound.

A platter with two handles forged from bronze. Often used to serve food in large feasts. The symbol of the platter is also used to symbolize impending abundance and is often used in heraldry. The platter is always painted in the shades of bronze due to its association with the mortal plane which in concert with the platter demonstrates material abundance.

Hajer made a decision as he hung his two axes on his girdle. There was no fighting this fight. His previous exchange was a dangerous fluke, and he decided that he was not going to risk another exchange where his adversary clearly had more stamina, size, hide and ridiculous bursts of speed.

A remarkable palm tree which bears leaves that form a silhouette reminiscent of a round cymbal. Often used in heraldry to represent alertness and grandiosity. The orange cymbal palm in particular is used as the symbol of the Choral Peerage, a warband of elite, noble warriors who are the few of the warbands hired by the polities of Ulrunir as the highest caliber of mercenaries.