Post by Kenneth New on Jan 1, 2014 18:14:34 GMT -5
A city of some sort has existed at the point where the Neimoth River flows into the Venasko Gorge for millennia. Examining the foundation of the city and some of the lower levels, scholars have managed to piece together something of that history.
Modern Karthis
The modern city of Karthis is mostly human construction, however the older parts (those areas nearest the Isle of Evonell) are of Ilfaren construction. When the Ilfaren armies, under the command of Aldonas, destroyed the Scathovar city, they left little of its original construction standing. They built a massive fortress of the Isle of Evonell and began building a walled city to support it on both banks of the Neimoth River. The Ilfaren construction is noted for its tall towers, high walkways and green spaces. Originally the walled Ilfaren city, called Evonelliath, was reserved for those of Ilfaren blood. Humans built their own smaller communities outside the wall, downstream and on both banks of the river. The human construction was more typical of Haliemmon architecture, with walled rectangular houses no more than two stories tall and squat 3-5 story octagonal towers. The Ilfaren structures are made from seamless stone, while most of the Haliemmon buildings are made from cut limestone blocks. As more inhabitants from around the Neimocrands and beyond have moved to the city, different architectural styles have contributed to the cityscape.
The following list goes from the modern city backwards in time to the earliest known structures.
Scathovar Karthis (Karh'thiz)
Very little of Scathovar Karh'thiz exists on the surface of the city. According to the legends from the past, the city was dominated by walled and fortified Dweirish houses made from cut stone and the dark, windowless basalt structure favored by the Scathovar. The latter were seldom more than two stories above ground, but often had several levels of basement beneath them. The tallest structure was the Kargumband, a massive Dweirish fortress that sat on the Island now known as Evonell. While the Ilfaren leveled the fortress, the substructure of the modern Evonell still retains this Dweirish construction. Rumor has it that the lower levels connect directly to Deep Karthis.
Dweirish Karthis (Karogthuz)
This is the Dweirish city that lies beneath the modern city. It was clustered mostly in the same parts of the city as the later Ilfaren city of Evonell. However, the district known as Wyvern Hill (north bank, upstream from Evonell) and the district known as the Quarry (south of the river in the southern hills) were both independent Dweirsh communities. [Later Scathovar construction mainly filled in areas between these towns.] Dweirish construction from this time is distinguished by pointed arches and widows walks. Some buildings from this era still remain in Wyvern Hill and the Quarry. The lower levels of the fortress of Evonell also show signs of this style.
Ophidian Karthis (Kharuh'dheza)
No structures remain from this era except for the well-nigh indestructible Serpentine House, a massive single-story house made from serprentinite. This stone is not native native to the region and many scholars assume that it was created through conjuration, a theory lent credence by its seamless construction. The house is a sinuous long house, lit by transparent stones in the curved ceiling, surrounded by gardens (planted much later). It sits downstream, almost at the falls. The house has passed from owner to owner over the years, but is currently owned by the Church of Yig, who've converted it to a Temple and training area for mages and clerics.
Much of the infrastructure of the upper levels of Deep Karthis are crafted in this style. You can tell by the seamless serpentinite construction and the rounded corridors. Called the serpent tunnels, these corridors connect many parts of Deep Karthis on both sides of the river.
Keltraxian Karthis
The name is known only from Ophidian inscriptions that describe the earliest inhabitants of the area as the Keltraxi. No structures remain from this period, but some repurposed stone used by the Dweir and the humans bears bas-relief depicting bipedal insect folk. There are some tunnels in Deep Karthis that are well made, but sized for small creatures. The arches in these vaulted tunnels often bear the same insectoid motif. The bas-reliefs are strikingly similar to a savage insectoid race dwelling in the cavern beneath the Neimocrands. These creatures are called the Murmicons. If they are descended from the Keltraxi they have truly degenerated over the millennia. The few Ophidian references to them describe them as partners and allies, powerful mind mages in their own right. The savage Murmicons are often led by sorcerers.
Ancient Karthis
Although nothing can be found on the surface, some of the caverns below Deep Karthis show signs of a civilization even older than the Keltraxi. Who or what these inhabitants were is unknown. It's not even known whether they ever inhabited the surface, although some of their stonework can be found in Deep Karthis. Scholars refer to these beings as the Ancient Builders. Similar styles of stonework have been found beneath Setida, Mandrigor and other areas of the Neimocrands. Details are hard to make out in these ancient works, but the impression is vaguely reptilian.
Modern Karthis
The modern city of Karthis is mostly human construction, however the older parts (those areas nearest the Isle of Evonell) are of Ilfaren construction. When the Ilfaren armies, under the command of Aldonas, destroyed the Scathovar city, they left little of its original construction standing. They built a massive fortress of the Isle of Evonell and began building a walled city to support it on both banks of the Neimoth River. The Ilfaren construction is noted for its tall towers, high walkways and green spaces. Originally the walled Ilfaren city, called Evonelliath, was reserved for those of Ilfaren blood. Humans built their own smaller communities outside the wall, downstream and on both banks of the river. The human construction was more typical of Haliemmon architecture, with walled rectangular houses no more than two stories tall and squat 3-5 story octagonal towers. The Ilfaren structures are made from seamless stone, while most of the Haliemmon buildings are made from cut limestone blocks. As more inhabitants from around the Neimocrands and beyond have moved to the city, different architectural styles have contributed to the cityscape.
The following list goes from the modern city backwards in time to the earliest known structures.
Scathovar Karthis (Karh'thiz)
Very little of Scathovar Karh'thiz exists on the surface of the city. According to the legends from the past, the city was dominated by walled and fortified Dweirish houses made from cut stone and the dark, windowless basalt structure favored by the Scathovar. The latter were seldom more than two stories above ground, but often had several levels of basement beneath them. The tallest structure was the Kargumband, a massive Dweirish fortress that sat on the Island now known as Evonell. While the Ilfaren leveled the fortress, the substructure of the modern Evonell still retains this Dweirish construction. Rumor has it that the lower levels connect directly to Deep Karthis.
Dweirish Karthis (Karogthuz)
This is the Dweirish city that lies beneath the modern city. It was clustered mostly in the same parts of the city as the later Ilfaren city of Evonell. However, the district known as Wyvern Hill (north bank, upstream from Evonell) and the district known as the Quarry (south of the river in the southern hills) were both independent Dweirsh communities. [Later Scathovar construction mainly filled in areas between these towns.] Dweirish construction from this time is distinguished by pointed arches and widows walks. Some buildings from this era still remain in Wyvern Hill and the Quarry. The lower levels of the fortress of Evonell also show signs of this style.
Ophidian Karthis (Kharuh'dheza)
No structures remain from this era except for the well-nigh indestructible Serpentine House, a massive single-story house made from serprentinite. This stone is not native native to the region and many scholars assume that it was created through conjuration, a theory lent credence by its seamless construction. The house is a sinuous long house, lit by transparent stones in the curved ceiling, surrounded by gardens (planted much later). It sits downstream, almost at the falls. The house has passed from owner to owner over the years, but is currently owned by the Church of Yig, who've converted it to a Temple and training area for mages and clerics.
Much of the infrastructure of the upper levels of Deep Karthis are crafted in this style. You can tell by the seamless serpentinite construction and the rounded corridors. Called the serpent tunnels, these corridors connect many parts of Deep Karthis on both sides of the river.
Keltraxian Karthis
The name is known only from Ophidian inscriptions that describe the earliest inhabitants of the area as the Keltraxi. No structures remain from this period, but some repurposed stone used by the Dweir and the humans bears bas-relief depicting bipedal insect folk. There are some tunnels in Deep Karthis that are well made, but sized for small creatures. The arches in these vaulted tunnels often bear the same insectoid motif. The bas-reliefs are strikingly similar to a savage insectoid race dwelling in the cavern beneath the Neimocrands. These creatures are called the Murmicons. If they are descended from the Keltraxi they have truly degenerated over the millennia. The few Ophidian references to them describe them as partners and allies, powerful mind mages in their own right. The savage Murmicons are often led by sorcerers.
Ancient Karthis
Although nothing can be found on the surface, some of the caverns below Deep Karthis show signs of a civilization even older than the Keltraxi. Who or what these inhabitants were is unknown. It's not even known whether they ever inhabited the surface, although some of their stonework can be found in Deep Karthis. Scholars refer to these beings as the Ancient Builders. Similar styles of stonework have been found beneath Setida, Mandrigor and other areas of the Neimocrands. Details are hard to make out in these ancient works, but the impression is vaguely reptilian.