Aberrant: Theomachy - The Darmathian Domain

[Blue Thunder]

The Darmathian Domain

This thread is for information on the Darmathian domain the game takes place in. Don't post anything in here; if you have anything to contribute, contact me through PMs or post it in the general thread. When new places crop up in game they will be added here.

A Brief History

Silgaea, the Protogenoi

The city of Silgaea takes it's name after a Protogenoi, one of the first novas. Legends say that when the nova Silgaea was cast down from the Upper Realm he smashed into the side of a great mountain within the Darmathian region. The force of his impact was so strong that it toppled the mountain it to half it's size and caused the ground to tremble violently for a day. Deeply hurt by his banishment and not wanting to anger the gods again for fear that they would one day return and exact further punishment, Silgaea declared that he would never leave the mountain. And there he sat, refusing to move. Baselines came to the mountain and chiseled the rock he sat upon into a throne. They erected a city around the throne using the mountain rubble and named their new society in his honor. The wandering rain-goddess Pontenki would visit Silgaea during the rainy season to keep him company, but he would otherwise remain alone. Local novas respected Silgaea's resolve, and after a hundred years of sitting upon his throne in penance for the sins of all Protogenoi, he turned into red dirt and passed on. Pontenki's tears fell upon the red dirt and Marmir the Absolute was born.

Darmathia is Born

Marmir quickly set about building an empire. With the city-state of Silgaea as it's capital his power extended across nearby lands and seas; within a century his domain spread across vast tracts of wilderness with little resistance. The few novas that lived within his borders were allowed autonomy as long as they did not interfere with his authority; any that resisted were expelled from his lands or killed.

The neighboring domain of Šile Amûne, with it's large population and limited resources, eventually set it's eyes upon Marmir's lands. The Infernal General Nertartaral and the All-Knowing Nabananke organized armies to invade Silgaea. Marmir organized the novas and baselines within his lands into a single force to repel the invaders. The war between the two domains lasted over forty years and saw heavy casualties on both sides. Šile Amûne novas outnumbered Marmir's novas 2-to-1, yet the strategies of Marmir and his generals compensated greatly for the difference. The war ended in a dramatic battle at Cibura in which the Silgaean nova-general Darmath sacrificed herself for victory. Nertartaral's forces retreated back to the Šile Amûnian domain, having conquered little of Marmir's lands. Great enmity exists between the two domains to this day. For her sacrifice Darmath's name lives on; Marmir formed the Darmathian Pantheon at Silgaea, with all novas voluntarily taking a position or being expelled from the domain.

Pontenki's Prophecy

Due to a curse by Nabananke, the rain-goddess Pontenki passed on to the Underworld after her son's victory. She gave a dire prophecy to Marmir before she faded away: he would continue to exceed himself and grow in authority with every passing year, but if he ever left his father's throne his authority would come into question and wane. Upon his mother's passing Marmir placed himself upon his father's throne and declared that he would never leave it. His three wives took over the duties that he was no longer able to directly carry out and they became the de facto rulers of the Darmathian Pantheon. Marmir then split his domain into different regions with each given a different praetor, or regional leader. The praetors were given authority over their regions, but were expected to obey Marmir's rule at all times.

Darmathia Today

The Darmathian Pantheon is blessed with novas yet still has fewer than any of the three domains that border it, all of which seek to expand their territory. Marmir is still the unquestioned ruler of his domain but leaves Pantheon affairs to his scheming wives who have split the pantheon into three opposed camps. The various praetors maintain peace between themselves even as they attempt to underscore each others' influence. Nertartaral and Nabananke want to enslave all of Darmathia and they have the powerful Šile Amûne Pantheon at their disposal. Darmathia has enemies on the outside, enemies on the inside, and enemies from beyond. War is inevitable.

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Silgaea, the Darmathian Metropolis

The metropolis of Silgaea is located on and around Mount Silgaea, which itself is surrounded by steep mountains and thick woodlands. It is the most populous location in the domain and considered the capital of all of Darmathia. Mount Silgaea has been partially hollowed out with tunnels and halls for the Darmathian Pantheon to use as a home. The surrounding city extends in every direction around the mountain.

The Metropolis

Memoriam Road - A road littered with shrines, artworks, and other displays representing departed Darmathian novas.

Temple of Ishteros - The center of worship for the followers of Ishteros. The temple is often used as the focal point of festivals and celebrations.

Temple of Phyremus - The watchtower of Phyremus which sits atop the highest part of Mount Silgaea making it the tallest building in the metropolis. It overlooks the entire city.

Silgaean Gardens - A complex building containing flowers and other plantlife, built into the side of Mount Silgaea and connecting to the Pantheon Fortress. The building has several floors and an open roof, and was built to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Commissioned by Asona Mahea.

The Coliseum - The largest structure in the metropolis after the Pantheon Fortress. The Coliseum hosts battles between novas, gladiators, and slaves but is also used for various sporting and racing events. One of the most popular structures in the entire domain.

The Crawl - A long series of winding streets and paths built onto one side of the mountain. The streets are lined with merchant stalls and bazaars selling almost anything one could theoretically find within Darmathia's regions and beyond. It is the busiest and most crowded part of the metropolis.

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Phlegra, the Endless Wastes

The massive territory of Phlegra consists mostly of long stretches of cold tundra and dry steppe. It is famed for it's wildlife which is larger in size than normal, making it a destination for hunters and animal breeders. The rain-goddess Pontenki once lived in the clouds above Phlegra where she would watch over the shepherds that moved their herds across this vast region.

Worster

Worster is possibly the furthest village that is occupied year-round. To the surprise of many people from more 'civilized' climes, much of the city is virtually buried, to better insulate the homes when the cruel winds blow and the sun dips below the horizon. Only a scant two hundred people call Worster home through the cold winter, though this can almost double during the summer as trade caravans come to visit.

During the summer, traders flock to the village, eager to trade manufactured goods, clothing, and other supplies for mushrooms and the furs the region is famous for. Some little farming can be done during the five months the sun is up, and this is the time most of the inhabitants use to fish both fresh and salt water fish, and smoke them for the long winter ahead. As the Autumn Equinox passes by, the bitter winter winds pick up, and other than the hardiest of hunters, the villagers retreat into their underground homes. Tunnels connect them, to allow for conversation, trade, and courting, and the growing of edible mushrooms to supplement the dried meat and hard bread. By the Winter Solstice, the sun rises for a scant three hours a day.

Island Above the Mist

The Island Above the Mist is the former home of Pontenki the rain-goddess. It is an island of rock and soil that floats among the highest clouds of Phlegra. The island is roughly a kilometer in radius and half a kilometer deep. It's surface is almost perfectly flat and covered in a thin, uniform layer of grass but in the middle grows a massive tree, the only feature on the island. Atop the tree is a small altar being held up by entwined branches; it is from this altar that Pontenki would cast sporadic rains and winds upon Phlegra during the time in which she lived.

The Island Above the Mist has no residents aside from the occasional bird or curious nova. A nova expedition was once sent to the island by Imperatrix Samaethir to assess the island's usefulness for war (her plan being to drop the island onto an enemy city), but the explorers could find no way to pilot the island. It is said to wander the southern skies by it's own volition, sometimes dropping in altitude enough to be seen by the nomads that live within the steppes and frigid tundra.

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Cibura, the Mud Flats

The notorious and lifeless mudflats of Cibura lie along the border between Darmathia and Šile Amûne, stretching for as long as the eye can see in every direction and creating a natural barrier between the two warring domains. The mudflats are treacherous for infantry and cavalry to cross which has been a definitive factor in Darmathia's defense. Both Darmathia and Šile Amûne claim Cibura as their own.

Enicaar

The only city within the Darmathian side of Cibura. It is almost entirely military in purpose: it is protected by massive stone walls, has several large barracks, training facilities, warehouses for supplies, kennels, and anything else a massive military force could need.

The Ciburan Citadels

Two military installations lie within the Šile Amûnan side of Cibura. Talon Citadel lies towards the northern end of the region, with Claw Citadel to the southern end. Like most Šile Amûnan citadels they serve religious as well as military applications. The Citadels themselves are large enough to house entire armies.

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Lichiduum, the Shadow-Cursed Forest

The forests of Lichiduum are world-renowned for the presence of Lich Trees, which have the magical property of absorbing light and casting the region in perpetual night. The wildlife of Lichiduum is so dangerous that Marmir has decreed that no one is to enter without permission by the region's praetor. It is rumored that a gateway to the Underworld exists here.

Gateway to the Underworld

The only known gateway to the Underworld within Darmathia rests deep inside Lichiduum. A wide and deep crater sits at the center of the forest; within that crater is a pond whose waters are pure black and whose surface never ripples; within that pond is a small island of mud and rancid filth; and upon that island is a massive stone doorway with a swirling mass of death energies as a door. It is thought by many that the forest itself sprang up as a result of the deathly energies from the gateway but none know for sure. The gateway is guarded by powerful wards that prevent armies of unliving monstrosities from crossing over.

Cirnace's Atelier

The praetor of Lichiduum lives alone at his atelier concocting potions and extracting poisons from the dangerous creatures around him. Cirnace rarely allows visitors into the Shadow-Cursed Forest, but his atelier provides the only truly safe refuge for travelers from the surrounding environment. Wards built around the structure keep the region's monster at bay. Atop Cirnace's atelier is a mysterious "stargazing tunnel" which allows him to view the stars in greater detail. It is said that he can gaze so close to the stars that he can see pockets of the Upper Realm but he has never divulged the details of his observations to others.

The Ivory Tree

A tree of pure white wood and glowing white leaves grows within a cluster of otherwise normal Lich Trees. The tree gives off enough light to illuminate it's immediate surroundings and is thought by Cirnace to be a Lich Tree suffering from a hereditary anomaly. It is the only known specimen of it's kind in the world and has been a subject of debate within the Senate. Imperatrix Samaethir would like that the tree be uprooted and taken to a better location to see if it can be seeded and spread throughout the domain. Viatami would like the tree studied as well, but demands it be kept where it is to prevent Samaethir from advancing her goals.

For now the Ivory Tree is staying put. This hasn't stopped novas and daring baselines from "poaching" some of it's leaves on occasion. The leaves of the Ivory Tree continue to glow after being plucked and are valued by nova craftsmen for their potential magical use. Cirnace has already concocted useful potions using the leaves but is loathe to share his recipes with others.

Imotki's Nest

Imotki the Spider Queen is one of the few novas that Cirnace allows within his forest. She makes her home among the canopy of a patch of ancient Lich Trees. She and her children wander the forest looking for prey to poison and wrap in spider silk, which they then bring back to the nest for the entire family to gorge upon. Imotki's territorial hunting grounds extend throughout a third of Lichiduum. She takes a dim view of trespassers.

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Sanagea

Located near Silgaea, it was the first region taken over by Marmir when he begun his expansion. The region is one of the more populated in Darmathia with the city of Konark at it's center and a series of villages in the surrounding wilds. The region is mostly hills and fields and contributes a great deal of grain to the domain.

Konark

The capital of Sanagea. It was founded by the father of Samaethir, who declared himself king and his daughter as heir. When Marmir invaded Konark he slew Samaethir's father and took her as his wife. Marmir is now considered King of the city with Samaethir Queen. Konark consists of a main castle protected by a stone wall. Peasants and workers live outside the castle and are protected by a second smaller wall.

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Taralogan

The region of Taralogan consists of winding mountains and sprawling marshlands. The old mountains reach high into the sky and are famously thick with fog at most hours. They would normally be an obstacle for travelers but monks have established a series of roads, bridges, and shrines to assist those who pass through.

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Lycetrian

Lycetrian is a small coastal region lying along the western borderlands. It serves as an important trading location between Darmathia and the lands to the west, as well as being an important stop for sea traders.

Iarte

The trading port of Iarte may be smaller than Silgaea but it is more multicultural. Traders from around the world sell their wares at Iarte, where they are then sold and traded throughout Darmathia's inland areas. The city is governed by a family of nova merchants.

Mount Kakus

Kakus is a semi-active volcano near the ocean. It stands out from other local volcanoes because of it's green magma, which is sometimes sought after by nova blacksmiths because it is reputed to have enchanted properties. A small tribe of volcano worshipers live in the forests near the mount, in homes built atop stone stilts. The volcano is named after a nova who once ruled the region.

The Green Shore

The product of Mount Kakus, the sands of this shore are a deep green. The sands go so deep into the ocean that the entire shoreline has a green hue to it. It is a favored gathering spot for the Merfolk.