Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #277

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #277 

October 5th, 2023 

• Number: 277 

• Name:  Deep Dive on a Site of Interest: The Dismal Marsh and Lotus Delta of Danthas – Part 4 

• Location: Northeast Wastelands where the Danthas River meets the Sea of Hethichol 

• Population (approx.): 314 (Protectors of the Lotus Delta) 

• Brief: Once through the Dismal Marsh, the Danthas River turns toward the Sea of Hethichol by way of the most unusual, beautiful and magically made construct of the Lotus Delta. In ages long past, some entity (or creator as the local Locathah claim) or force reconstructed the existing distributaries into a series of curves and arcs leading to the sea. Only from the skies above does one realize the waterways of the delta have been arranged in the form of a lotus flower pointing to the northeast. The reason, need or desire for this epic endeavor is lost to time, but its creator desired it to be permanent and placed a community of Locathah in the waters just offshore to maintain and protect the 300 square mile river delta. In the present day, the tribes of Locathah continue to maintain the waterways with established relationships with the inhabitants of the islands of the delta and the local authorities of Taodeas represented by the Sailors and Travellers Guilds. 

• Hulan, 35, male Locathah, is a Protector of the Lotus Delta. He is of average height and has a robust build. His face and body are primarily gray, with the occasional hint of yellow accenting an area. He wears scraps of specially treated leather armor. Hulan wields a spear and shield. 

• Hulan is the leader of the Protectors of the Lotus Delta tribe. The tribe believes their special abilities come from a magical being living in the area (under, about or comprising the delta itself). Hulan's job is to keep the site safe from others and to use the magic to help the environment. Hulan has several magical powers that are defensive. The tribe rarely attacks anyone, preferring to negotiate and encourage intruders to move away from the area. 

• Hulan lives with his mate, Nivut, 31, female Locathah, who leads the hunting group for the tribe. He cares for his niece, Haval, 15, and nephew, Dalin, 12. They live in the largest hut near the tip of the highest Lotus leaf. Haval and Dalin join the hunts with Nivut and are working on their bow and arrow abilities. On festival days, all four of them wear special luminescent paint and chant and sing about the unique properties of the Lotus Delta. 

• Geography: The Lotus Delta begins east of the Marshwardens base (#87), the curved waterways covering about 15 miles before emptying into the Sea of Hethichol. The Locathah tribe, Protectors of the Lotus Delta, built their settlement (location 5 see below) on the seafloor near the tip of the lotus where the rich sediment of the Danthas spreads across the seabed. Hulan’s grown coral on stone home is closest to shore and its roof, and some others, can be seen below the surface when the tide is at its lowest. The Locathah mark their settlement with tall stone spires, rising near to the surface, to prevent heavily laden ships from hitting buildings. The Sailors Guild has enhanced the markers, with permission, by adding buoys chained to the markers.  

• Most of the amphibians hunt and fish in the shallows along the coast, but Hulan and his fellow Protectors can be seen in the channels of the delta maintaining the waterways. Unbeknownst to all, even Hulan, there is a concealed tunnel, in the cellar of his home, that leads to a cavern complex under the Lotus Delta. Like its location, its purpose is unknown but is likely related to Hulan’s feeling that there is something living in or under the channels and islands.