Nightfall

The Darkness Encroaches

The world is waking from its Dream. Urd-Ashak, the city built on the first light of waking, has risen in unfettered glory from the dawn of that first day. But now, words from afar bring confusion and fear to this bastion. The eudor, the folk from an arid south, bring a promise of new wakings, but dangerous monsters prowl the wilds along with them. Worse, whispers spread through the city of folk of unknown provenance who emerge from below and beyond the world bearing malice.

In Urd-Ashak, the folk light beacons in the darkness to dispel such notions and pray to the spirits for succor. After all, the waking brings only the fulfillment of a promise for good. Doesn't it?

Player Characters

• Ardrynn, erephim wizard, hermit background; played by Joe
• Seswyr, Ocaithe Barbarian; played by Jeff
• Balaam, played by Adam
• Naanna-En, played by Chuk
• Iolande, mero/bard; played by Jamie

Logistics

• Watch: Naana-En • Balaam • Seswyr • Ardrynn
• Marching Order: x

Features of Urd-Ashak

Streets and Roads

One of the defining features of the city is its elaborate system of paved streets that mapped the growth of the settlement from town to city. Quite literally, in fact, as members of what in modern times is the Order of Haman'suri worked in communion with the spirit to determine the optimal street layout for such growth.

The streets of the city connect to the great roadways that radiate out from the city across the plains. The construction of roadways, too, falls under the purview of the Order of Haman'suri, as it extends the city's connection to distant communities.

Walls and Gates

Two sets of walls have been built over the generations. The original set were simply the city walls until construction began on the newer, larger set. The original walls, which enclose the oldest parts of the city, were named the Sky-Blessed Ramparts, while the new set was named the Walls of Four Directions. City folk mostly refer to them as the ramparts and the walls, as most dwellers think of travel within the city as either in toward the ramparts or out toward the walls.

The gates allowing passage through either set of walls have always been held in great significance. Every gate has its own name and set of decorations and usually a combination of spirits and lore associated with it. Much of the city's history is enshrined in the mosaics, paintings, and sculpture that adorn the gates.

• Among the most significant of the gates are the Cardinal Gates that serve as the main entrances to the city, each one set at exactly its cardinal direction and paired with a major roadway stretching in that direction. Of these, the Esthir Gate, marking the East, is considered primary and the proper main entrance to the city. The Esthir Gate commemorates the erephims' journey after the first waking, as the folk followed the waking east across the plains toward the rising sun each day.

Canals

The central plains, though blessed with water, are not home to the great rivers of the world. These came later, with the waking of the mero. Urd-Ashak's lifeblood is the system of canals that draws water from the many rich springs beneath the city and channels it for use. They are supplemented by rainwater reservoirs that sit as great pools throughout the canals. The canals vary in temperament, ranging from almost wild to disciplined and precise, all to serve not just the folk but also the plants and animals that call Urd-Ashak home. The Order of Shelot has overseen the development of the canals from the early days of the city to ensure that the waters that sustain it remain healthy and in ample abundance.

Ziggurats and Obelisks

The ziggurats of Urd-Ashak house and nurture the spiritual life of the city. Each is a grand temple dedicated to a particular spiritual pursuit or philosophy, sometimes housing one order and sometimes multiple orders united as particular foci under one overarching idea. As such, ziggurats are also places of communion with the spirits aligned with that ziggurat's philosohy.

• The primary ziggurat of the city is the Sky Spire, a massive structure that is the center of the city and overlooks all of Urd-Ashak. The Spire houses numerous of the most influential orders of the city, most of whom are those dedicated to communion with the ephemeral spirits of the sky: wind, moon, and stars primarily. With their wisdom, Urd-Ashak has flourished through the generations.

• Of newer importance citywide are the four ziggurats of the cardinal directions, each rising near its Cardinal Gate. The orders housed in each of these ziggurats work in concert with spirits typically from the farther reaches of the world to give them a voice within the city. They also serve to advise how actions taken by Urd-Ashak may influence the waking world at large.

Although ziggurats house the great philosophies of the city, spiritual study also includes more specific or particular thought as well. These are represented by the obelisks of the city, which can be found in any setting throughout it. Obelisks can represent a broad range of ideas, pursuits, and beliefs, not always exclusively spiritual in nature. Here, the folk may come to contemplate a particular question, activity, or path.

Many obelisks are attended by spirits and often a small order, individual priest, or teacher of another kind who dedicate themselves to understanding the obelisk. Additionally, most ziggurats include a number of obelisks on their grounds to provide a focus to particular components that make up the philosophy of that temple.

Rihads, Gardens, and Bazaarahn

The rihads of Urd-Ashak are, much like those in other communities, large open air courtyards enclosed by walls or other structures that serve as community space. However, in the city, the rihads are numerous and often dedicated to more specific functions than their rural counterparts. Many play host to specific gatherings and festivals through the seasons and are used as performance and general community spaces otherwise. The rihads are influenced by the neighborhoods in which they are found, so their particular foci range broadly, including serving as marketplaces, amphitheaters, places of study, art spaces, civic platforms, and more.

• A type of rihad particular to Urd-Ashak is the bazaarahn, a large market more enclosed than is typical that features multiple interior tiers, much like a zigurrat. A rihad marketplace is often fluid, with merchants bringing their wares with them for the day and taking them away at the end. The bazaarahn includes open space in a similar way, but also features permanent store fronts and stalls that can be secured at the end of the day, allowing merchants a longer term presence. The bazaarahn also feature entertainment, food, and refreshment as an expected fixture.

• Related to the rihad are the gardens of Urd-Ashak. Unlike the rihad, however, not all of the enclosed gardens of the city are open to the public at large. Many are maintained at some expense by either the city or private citizens, and this often determines their accessibility. Those maintained by the city are often free or charge a nominal access fee, but even access to the open gardens is monitored to prevent overcrowding and damage. Private gardens range from being quite accessible, even free on certain schedules, to very expensive or solely by invitation only.

Travel Houses, Mudhai, and Caravansarai

Visitors to Urd-Ashak have a variety of options available to them. Most will be familiar with travel houses, a type of communal house that is maintained in larger towns throughout the world. Elsewhere, travel houses are open to any visitors and are stocked and maintained by the community. Visitors are simply expected to help out as they are able while staying in a travel house.

Travel houses in Urd-Ashak are more particular in use. All are maintained by city-appointed workers and are available for short term stays within the city. Those new to the city are directed to a travel house to get their bearings and then encouraged to move on to whatever situation suits them best. The travel house workers often serve as advisors and guides in this regard. Travel houses are either free for a short period of time or charge a small fee from the coinage given to new visitors at the gates.

• The mudhai are the next step up for visitors to the city and are much more numerous than the travel houses. In addition to offering private rooms or beds in a common space, a mudhai also provides food, drink, and occasionally entertainment. A mudhai often provides accommodation for private meetings, parties, and the like as well. A majority of the mudhai are privately owned, and all charge for their services. Charges can range from very reasonable to quite expensive, as some of the more exclusive mudhai are more akin to private residences for rent with other accommodations included. All mudhai names include the suffix 'han to designate their function.

• Caravansarai are often larger buildings that play host specifically to merchants and others traveling with goods to the city. They include private rooms for their guests as well as space to store and secure their wares. Some even include limited market spaces or reception rooms on their grounds, though most encourage their guests to conduct business outside of the caravansarai at more appropriate venues. Those who make use of the caravansarai are often regular visitors to Urd-Ashak and have no need of services provided by the travel houses or mudhai.

The Folk of Urd-Ashak

Spiritual Leaders

Bashraan al'Korehd: The Radiance of the Order of the Enlightened. As the head of the highest governing order of Urd'Ashak, he is the city's defacto leader.
Nimi Vuruu: Communant of the East. Nimi is responsible for matters east of Urd-Ashak, traditionally including the forests and ocaithe.
Atahl kin'Kala: Communant of the South. Atahl is responsible for matters south of Urd-Ashak, traditionally including trade from the southern plains.
Dula Hemal: Communant of the West. Dula is responsible for matters west of Urd-Ashak, traditionally including the western hills and orim.
Jabar Idris: Communant of the North. Jabar Idris is responsible for matters north of Urd-Ashak, traditionally including the mountains and bosen.