Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #207

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #207 

July 26th, 2023 

• Number: 207 

• Name:  Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: Ulono Atu – The Curse of the Endless Deluge 

• Location:  Central Wastelands west of the Ulu Maug range 

• Population (approx.): 200-250 inside and outside
  

• Brief: The City of Earth, with the Cathedral of Pala in the center, was a solid mass of buildings reflecting all manner of construction techniques and materials from the mundane to the fantastic, from the miniscule details to the massive structures. The earth-priests and building-wardens had designed to handle most types of inclement weather until the deluge began. The skies darkened, lightning flashed, and the rain began to pour, and pour, and never stopped. The on-going conflict had turned Vai supported by Lagi versus Pala encasing the latter’s city in an unending storm. Streets, walkway, and any flat surface filled to the brim. Water poured into storm drains only to reappear in the clouds above. Lightning pummeled roofs and walls, punching holes and breaking windows to provide access for the unending cascades. The flooding and lightning strikes brought the City to a half and those who did not perish in the waters, were driven away. Centuries later a small band of dedicated magicians maintain a small number of tunnels from beyond the encircling avenue into the depths of the City, allowing access to a small number of vaults and chambers. 

• Elmora Greatfinder, 54, female Dwarf, is a mage specializing in moving Earth. She is very short and has hints of a silver beard, even though her hair is bright copper. Elmora loves to wear flamboyant clothing with contrasting colors, robes, pants, and a blouse. She carries a pair of medium-sized hammers held to her back by a leather bandolier she had specially made. 

• Elmora lives in the city of Earth and works for them. She uses her magic to move dirt around and create tunnels and bulwarks to control water flow from the Curse of the Endless Deluge. Elmore comes from a long line of earthmages working to maintain access to the City. She enjoys the daily challenges of protecting the few city occupants from harm. Her latest challenge is creating safe paths through the city for visitors with essential reasons for being there. 

• Elmora is married to Bromdar Greatfinder, 57, Dwarf. They have a daughter, Solla, 3. They live in an underground house created by Elmora. It is on the city outskirts, just outside the encircling highway, and she has dug underground tunnels that lead from her home to several vital structures in town. 

• Geography: The City of Earth covers the southeastern district of Ulono Atu. After centuries of constant rain, most surfaces are covered with several feet of standing water including interiors of buildings where either windows or doors have collapsed, or lightning strikes have punched holes in walls or roofs. The pools and ponds are home to all manner of aquatic flora and fauna, some unpleasant creatures introduced during the curses and other ordinary animals arriving by natural means. The Church of Pala maintains a small outpost outside the highway connected to the City by a network of tunnels continuously maintained by earthmages like Elmora and rockwardens. Water levels are monitored constantly and reveal the slow ebb of the deluge. 

• Next Article: The City of Six Curses – The Fourth Curse