Arket

Overview

Arket is a land covered in lush jungles, sweeping meadows, and the mystic of being isolated on lands filled with primordial energy. Sometimes, nestled in the dense canopies, a town might appear. With simple lives turned toward the pursuit of meaning and peace, Arket can seem like a paradise to the uninitiated. Yet, trouble still brews within this land. Dark forces attempt to break the peace from the outside and within. Only through the new material God Ark and her immense power does the burgeoning nation stand a chance at survival.

Harmony With Nature

Arket is a land heavily entwined with the natural world. Communities are closely connected to the land, its resources, and geography. The Flower Mother during his uniting of Arket incorporated many Enkai practices into her orthopraxy. This emphasis on sustainable living has fundamentally shaped the land.

Family’s Demands

The Blessed Path and Ark herself place a heavy emphasis on family. A person’s obligations begin with their family. Children are expected to be loyal to their parents. Close relationships with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents are common. It is not uncommon for up to four generations to live in the same house. A family’s demands come first. It is expected that all members of the family make personal sacrifices in order to better the whole. An individual’s aspirations are secondary to the dreams of the family. Those who attempt to escape this social order are shunned by the local community. Sometimes they are given the title Dani or leech.

Arket’s Jungles

The jungles of Arket are criss-crossed by ancient roads that weave through the undergrowth. For generations, Zell attempted to clear and maintain these roads but failed. In recent decades, under the leadership of the Flower Mother, new techniques have led to the creation of natural trails through the jungle that blend in with nature. Most native Arketians can traverse these natural trails but foreigners will quickly get lost in the floral labyrinth. Xate trees cover much of the Art jungles. These strong trees can grow up to sixty feet tall with their large fronds blocking most natural light from hitting the jungle floor. The Xate tree is home to many creatures within the jungle.

However, the true treasures of the Arketian jungle are the Shinshowa trees. Shinshowas grow up to two-hundred feet tall and are incredibly durable. These trees, whose leaves turn a deep violet during the wet season, are used to build homes upon. Many settlements are created around a thick grove of Shinshowa trees. In addition, the trees produce a nutritious sap which contains almost fifty-thousand calories a gallon. Special techniques are required to work with Shinshowa trees. Their bark is incredibly tough. Most iron tools cannot penetrate the tree’s defenses. Furthermore, Shinshowa trees are extremely fire resistant. This is for good reason. Raw Shinshowa sap is highly explosive.

Dangers in the Jungle

Aside from getting lost, the jungles of Arket are not for the faint of heart. Temperatures drop rapidly during the nights causing hypothermia to the unprepared. Although the high temperatures in the day can just as easily lead to heat exhaustion. Additionally, an evolutionary arms race has occurred within the jungles. Every creature has developed some sort of survival mechanism to prevent a quick life. Whether that be venom, poison, primordial channeling, or more, any creature in the Arketian jungle could be dangerous. Yet the locals often say that leaving the jungle alone is the best way to keep a person safe. Well, at least, except for the carnivorous plant-life. They are always looking to take a bite out of any passing food source.

Strange Creatures

The jungles of Arket proliferate new creatures seemingly out of thin air. Many discovered animals are thought to be entirely unique. It is unknown how this occurs as scholars have tried to pinpoint the spawning grounds of these new species. As of yet, nothing has been identified.

Forgotten Ruins

Ruins are a common find within the jungle. Many ancient civilizations and cultures have called the Arket peninsula home. However, all have eventually succumbed to the entropy of the jungle. The vines reclaim the stone and the roots the artifacts as all memory of these places becomes lost. But these treasurers are not destined to be lost forever. Many genasi ruins can be found in the jungle. These ruins contain many pieces of ancient technology as well as clues about genasi society. Although finding these ruins are not for the faint of heart. Not only must scholars contend with the jungle but the multi-layered defenses of these genasi strongholds. The occasional Vindicar hive can be found as well. Vindicar from Arket appear to have slowly merged with the jungle over time. Their exoskeletons are more wooden or fungal than their original metallic shells. These Vindicar are also more predatory in nature, enjoying the hunt and struggle for survival. The feral Vindicar of Arket are also lacking in their capacity for language. Many of these Vindicar do not speak or talk in short, broken, sentences. This naturalization of the Vindicar has not been documented anywhere else on Ramesh.

Landscape of Arket

Ataru Lake

The largest freshwater lake on the continent is Ataru Lake. Teaming with fish and flora completely unique to the lake, Ataru is said to be a gift from the High Gods themselves. While most of the lake is seven or eight feet deep, a central depression towards the center of the lake reaches a maximum depth of more than two-thousand feet. Here, many deep dwelling creatures live in a series of submerged caves. There is a legend that an ancient monster from the Glass Sea resides in these caves. Locals in Ioka for generations have claimed to see the Ataru Lake Monster.

Kumo Haaku Mountains

These mountains are the tallest in Arket. Home to many rare ores, the Kumo Haaku are a favored destination of miners hoping to seek their fortunes. Ark regulates the mining heavily. The tallest peak, the Titan Finger, is a spiritual oasis of primordial power. It is the site of many rituals performed by clerics of Ark.

Sukoshi Peaks

The Sukoshi Peaks are dwarfed by the Kumo Haaku. However they are considered sacred due to Ark’s journey and acquisition of the mountain aether on the peaks. Many take religious pilgrimages to the peaks to see the holy landmark.

Additionally, the peaks are home to a thriving griffin population. The griffins hunt mountain goats on the peaks. Over the past decades, through Ark’s efforts at revitalizing the mountains, the mountain goat population has grown to the point where the griffin do not hunt off the mountains. While tame, the griffins have been known to attack travelers that stray too close to their nests.

Swamp of Oda the Merciless

Located to the North of Tatakai, the swamp is named after a terrible warlord that plagued the Arket peninsula in the past. While the civilization that Oda terrorized is long gone, his legacy of terror remains. As part of that legacy, ghosts and other wayward spirits haunt the swamp. In addition, scavengers like trolls or hydras prowl the swamps looking for scraps. Particularly for hydras, the lack of humanoids within the swamp has made the ideal conditions for breeding. Most hydras incubate their nests for two years before tending to their young for another five. At any given time, there are thought to be more than fifty hydra mothers within the swamp. Scholarsand biologists have documented the migration of hydras from all over Ramesh to the swamp of Oda the Merciless. Because of this, many scholars simply refer to the area as the Hissing Bog.

Family and Duty

In Arket, family can be thought of in three distinct stages: Chi, Sabisu, and Owar. The Chi stage occurs from birth until the age of sixteen for a human. In these years, a person is supposed to obtain knowledge, grow in virtue, and learn what they love. After Chi comes Sabisu. Sabisu occurs from ages seventeen to sixty for a human. In this stage of life, a member of an Arketian family is supposed to listen to the Blessed Path. They are to serve their family, nation, and goddess. Family members in the Sabisu stage are responsible for building a family’s honor. Finally, there is the Owar stage. Those in the Owar are leaders of a family. They make familial decisions, manage finances, and plan the future of the family.

There are times when a family member needs to take time away from the family. In these cases, they can invoke what is called the Ressun. If a Sabisu decides they need the Ressun, all the members of the family must gather. The Sabisu explains to the Owar why they would like to leave. Then, the Owar decide what the Sabisu’s mission on the journey is and how they will complete it. Afterward, the Sabisu embarks on their mission to fulfill themself before eventually returning back to the family. If the Sabisu fails their Ressun, they could be ostracized from the family or in extreme cases, banished. Only a Saint or Ark herself can end this banishment in Arketian society.

Social Classes

Arketian society is broken down into five distinct classes. The lowest is the Akuta class. These individuals are untouchables, scorned by society, and worth nothing. They are a legacy from the rule of Zell still held by the people of Arket. Despite the Flower Mother’s best efforts, the Akuta are still poorly treated amongst most settlements. Above the Akuta are the merchants. Merchants, for not making anything with their own hands, are the lowest besides the Akuta. Next are the farmers. Although despite being in the middle of the hierarchy, farmers are held in high regard in Arket. Their closeness with nature is praised by Ark and her Saints.

Above the farmers are Makers. In the Maker class resides many important jobs from blacksmiths, to carpenters, artists, and even clerics. The Makers possess tangible skills that add to society. Only above the Makers are the Daimyos. A member of the Daimyos has administrative authority in Arket. Noble families, a leader of a village, or even the Shogun themself is a part of the Daimyo class. It is difficult but not impossible to move between social classes. While an individual born into a class will usually stay there all their life, there are rare stories of individuals cultivating a new path. These stories usually involve a Saint or Daimyo raising an individual up or down in rank. There is limited segregation among the classes. While not mandated, many of the same class congregate together. Certain restaurants serve distinct classes. This has led to distinct cultural traits that are exclusive to only one class. For instance, the Maker class in general prefers food that is more savory while the Farmer class enjoys spicier food.

One of the greatest barriers between the classes is marriage. To marry into a class lower than your own is viewed as a devaluing of the family. Overall, if a family’s prestige is lowered too greatly, there is a risk of all members in the family dropping a class. Therefore, those who marry lower face banishment from their family often.

Blessed Path

The Blessed Path is the core of Ark’s religion. According to Ark, the Blessed Path is the natural progression of the universe as whispered by the world’s aether. Those with ears turned toward the Path can follow it and avoid suffering. The Blessed Path holds within it the true purpose and duty of all things. To go against the Path is to go against destiny.

Akuta Charity

When a horse, ox or other large farm animal dies, it becomes the property of the local Akuta. It does not matter if the animal had been the personal property of a farmer, or if belonged to the Shogun themself; once it is dead, only the Akuta have any right to it. This is part of the Akuta charity.

Government Structure

Hokoro

The Hokoro is the governmental figurehead of Arket. They act as the head statesperson, greeting diplomatic envoys, while also managing the cultural traditions of the nation. Although the Hokoro holds no real political power, their favor is highly valued in political and public life. As of 701 AR, Fuji Shigea and the Fuji family hold the title of Hokoro.

Shogun

The Shogun of Arket is a dictator chosen by Ark and her Saints. Vested within the Shogun is executive, legislative, and judicial powers. The word of the Shogun is law within the borders of Arket. Only a superior majority, two-thirds, of the Grand Families of Arket can overrule the Shogun.

When the Shogun dies, members of the Diamyo class may present themselves before Ark in an attempt to be made the next Shogun. Those worthy enough of consideration must undergo the Trials of Mountain, Seas, and Sky. The first individual to complete the trial becomes Shogun. In 688 AR when the first Shogun, Izumo Kazuki, died it took two years before a member of the Diamyo could successfully complete the Trials.

As of the year 701 AR, Omori Kazeke is the acting shogun. With almost a decade of experience, Kazeke has proven themself to be a strong shogun with the necessary skill to keep Arket safe from outside threats.

Grand Families of Arket

There are many grand families which help rule Arket. These families do everything from running small villages, advising the Shogun, or even acting as diplomats. Grand families are given special privileges due to their station. These privileges include the owning of weapons, the creation of great fortress manors around Arkete, and more. Some scholars believe up to 70% of the wealth within Arket is held within the grand families.

However, this dwarfs the expected 92% hold the families have on swords, daggers, and other weapons. The keys to power within Arket are truly held within the grand families.

Katanagari

Known in common tongue as Sword Hunts, the kantanagari take place every few years. This event is done to find, acquire, and melt down illegal weapons across Arket. Usually led by a local grand family, the katanagari is supposedly key to establishing order within Arket.

Policing

Town guards around Arket only carry simple batons as weapons. They mostly deal with keeping the peace and rarely, if ever, fight. The pacifist nature of Ark forbids excessive violence. However, if a situation gets too out of hand, many times the people will call upon one of Ark’s Saints for assistance. Due to the low crime rate and smaller population of Arket, the Saints are rarely overwhelmed by crime within the nation.

Ioka

Ioka is the capital of Arket. Founded long before Ark rose to godhood, Ioka was once a city built out of flat marble. In recent years, vines and flowering plants have taken over the marble as nature has reasserted itself in the city. Young shinshowa trees give shade at every street corner. On the outskirts of the city, makers form new buildings made out of local stone and wood. Ioka grows stronger with each passing year with no plans of stopping. The Ataru Lake continues to provide fresh water and food for the growing capital. Scholars calculate that Ioka could quadruple in size before sustainability would become an issue for Ataru Lake.

Site of Ascendance

Near the center of Ioka is the site of Ark’s ascendance. The buildings in the old square have been torn down and replaced by trees. Around the space, butterflies flutter constantly. Business meetings, family reunions, and other events can also be seen within the holy site. Often travelers might see Ark herself walking gently through grass that has replaced the old cobblestone roads. Many note that her power seems to grow dramatically when she spends time at her site of ascendance.

Blessed Sakura Tree

At the exact spot where Ark ascended to godhood a Sakura tree grew. This tree’s bark is made out of silver and its leaves gold. So far the tree has climbed to almost fifty feet in height.

Over the years, citizens of Ioka note that the tree denotes the health of the nation. When the Blessed Sakura tree is in full bloom, Arket prospers. And when the tree appears sickly, dark times are happening within Arket. Some believe that when the tree dies, Arket itself will die as well and be no more. For this reason, many bring the tree offerings of water, soil, and other valuables.

“Um...the tree appreciates thee?”

- Ark to a crowd of religious zealots

Spiral Gardens of Sawa

In the Western ward of the city lies the Spiral Gardens of Sawa. Tekigoko Sawa was a renowned architect operating between 613 - 699 AR. Sawa, when the Flower Mother took power, decided to dedicate his next project to the new goddess. Therefore, for five years Sawa built his spiral garden.

The end result was the largest collection of Arketian flora on the continent of Ramesh. Created in the pattern of a spiral, each of the six spokes encapsulates a different aspect of Arketian natural beauty. It all culminates at the center with a gigantic butterfly garden. Every known type of butterfly exists within the garden. In 688 AR, an agent from the Oric Divisky in Kovorov found a new species of butterfly within the jungles of Arket. This butterfly, the only one of its kind, was transported to the garden and remains there to this day.

Vu Jon

Vu Jon is the greatest school in all of Arket. The school’s studies are focused around arts, the humanities, and biology. Math, social sciences, and the like are not taught within the establishment. Following the teachings of Arket, Vu Jon believes that the hard sciences are just distractions from following the Blessed Path.

Machi Garrison

Those of the Machi Garrison were present for Ark’s three miracles. Now sworn to her service, the Garrison defends Ioka. The magics released that day appear to have artificially increased the life spans of the original members. Some describe how the original members of the Machi have not aged a day since the miracles.

Occasionally, a member of the Machi Garrison might fall in battle. When this happens Ark choses a willing citizen in Arket to join the Machi. This new recruit is then tested by the Machi before being inducted into the ranks. These new recruits, while aging slower, do still appear to age albeit at a third the natural rate. There are never more than one-thousand members of the Machi Garrison at any one time.

Enkai

The city of Enkai is completely tied to the natural world. Houses and other buildings are built or hang from shinshowa trees. Amongst the houses hang Joya vines. These vines blossom most of the year with a grand display of rainbow petals. However, if the flower is touched, it retracts into the vine.

This natural beauty is the foundation of Enkai’s identity. With many governmental projects dedicated to the preservation and growth of the city’s beauty, Enkai’s love of the natural world has only grown in recent years. Travelers first entering the city might have a hard time telling where nature stops and civilization begins. For the citizens of Enkai, that is the point.

Harmony with Nature

Using high magic, the druids and clerics of Enkai can create a symbiotic relationship with nature. Leaves twist together to form rainwater collections during storms. Careful cultivation of honey bees lead to abundant harvests and honey stores. Lumberjacks are trained in renewable techniques that preserve the health of the tree while allowing them to harvest its bark and wood. Nature provides for the people of Enkai.

Arket Wine

Enkai is home to the most profitable industry in Arket: wine production. The wine made in Enkai is the finest in all the Rings. Many have tried to understand why the wine tastes so good. Thieves and scholars alike cannot understand. But the secret is simple. The forest itself wants to help the people of Arket. It smoothens the wine until alcohol within holds no bite at all. Nothing across the Rings can compete with the wine of Enkai because of this.

Wine Trading

The wine from Enkai is shipped from its harbor across Ramesh. The longest route goes from Enkai to stopping in Senexil before journeying up river and ending in Ramiborg. This journey is the heart of the Arketian wine trade.

Economists believe that more than 130 million gold worth of wine, raw materials, and manufactured goods are traded every year via this trade route. All of it is taxed by the Shogun and provides the backbone of the Arketian economy.

Spirit Gates

Twenty years ago, trees across Enkai began to split apart at the base creating a natural gate. These gates are windows into other dimensions according to the locals. Scholars who have passed through these gates describe stepping into the ethereal plane, the home of the spirits. However, the locals also say that during the full moon, the spirit gates open to the primordial ring. When this occurs, primordial energy floods into Enkai causing an explosion of natural beauty.

However, this also allows for the denizens of the Primordial Ring to cross into Enkai. Some like the goblin scholars of the Primordial Ring are embraced by the people of Enkai. They come seeking to trade their knowledge and inventions with the locals. Other hostile fey come to cause trouble within the city. Most of the time these fey are handled by the Saints but during times when the Saints are overburdened, the ruling family of Enkai might hire foreign mercenaries.

Pedaru

The people of Pedaru once defied Ark and denounced her godhood. After she saved Pedaru from an invasion from Tatakai, the people swore their faith to Ark forever more. Now, Pedaru is the religious heart of Arket. The city is built upon faith, following the Blessed Path, and obeying the tenets of Ark.

City of a Thousand Temples

Pedaru is dotted with temples. While many are dedicated to Arket, still more are solely for her Saints. There are so many temples that most of Ark’s Saints have their main residence in Pedaru itself. It is not an uncommon site to see one of the Saints walking down the street or buying fresh produce from a vendor.

Market of Shem Shalathair

Pedaru for most on the continent of Ramesh is at the edge of the world. Because of this, many travel to Pedaru to seek strange goods unfathomable tens of thousands of miles away. The heart of this exotic trade is the market of Shem Shalathair. Shem Shalathair was a wealthy merchant from Doz who immigrated to Pedaru. With his strong trading connections, Shalathair built a thriving market space. Although Shalathair is long dead, his legacy lives on in the market. Dragon eggs, phoenix tears, shinshowa wood, gray air, and more can all be found in the market. For scholars looking to acquire the rarest of ingredients, the best option is the market.

Iron Shiro

Being so close to Tatakai poses challenges for Pedaru. The warmongering people routinely launch attacks against the city. While few of these attacks actually reach Pedaru or do any real damage, Ark protects her people. The Saints constructed a fortress known as the Iron Shiro. In times of danger, the people of Pedaru retreat into the Shiro. The fortress itself is thought to be impregnable. With hundreds of magical wards, a mote, and doors made from iron that are over five feet thick, no army thus far has been able to dent the exterior of the Shiro.

Wood Whispers

The Ire is the main defense of Pedaru. Within the woods lie the spirits of thousands of Tatakai soldiers who have sought to attack Pedaru. Any crossing of the Ire is thought to be suicide. Yet, over the years, many treasures and secrets have been lost within the woods. Those seeking fortune might occasionally venture into the woods. Most are never seen again. In recent years, Tatakai has begun trying to clear a path through the Ire to Pedaru. To the knowledge of Pedaru, they have had no success. But in reality, Tatakai has made exceptional progress. Despite heavy losses, large forces of soldiers can make it halfway through the Ire before heading back to Tatakai routinely.

Ever-Deep Pond

To the South of Pedaru lies a simple looking pond. However, this pond is more than meets the eye. Exploration of the pond has found that it is infinitely deep. Not even a Saint of Ark could reach the bottom. Many who have descended into the dark waters have noted that the passage continues downward forever. Occasionally though, divers have reported doors of different types appearing on the walls of the pond. There are no reports of divers who have gone through a door and have come back. Saint Hezuwan attempted to enter one of the doors in 696 AR but never returned. They are presumed dead.

Tatakai

Tatakai has sworn a vow of vengeance on Ark for all of time. Their ears refuse to hear the call of the Blessed Path and they are lost in hate. At least, that is what Ark says...

In reality, the people of Tatakai believe that Arket has been overtaken by religious zealotry that threatens to overwhelm them. Ark’s focus on stagnation, they believe, will lead to the rotting of society. Therefore, Tatakai believes it is their mission to resist the Flower Mother at every turn. Their primary fear is Ark expanding, gaining more followers, and destroying the progress of society Ramesh has made since the fall of the Clovian Republic.

For decades Tatakai has been fighting a losing battle. Ark’s power dwarf’s the city’s patron God, Hachiman. Her Saints contain within them the power level armies with a flick of their hand. Yet, Tatakai persists. According to Tatakai, they will always persist. Zell might have abandoned the fight against this great enemy but Tatakai will never surrender in the face of such an existential threat.

The Promise of Bone

Horace Laberius was the regional governor of Arket when Ark came to power. Despite Horace’s best efforts, he was defeated in battle with Ark and turned into the butterflies that circle her person. Yet, Horace’s family still remained.

His wife, Amatia, and his son, Quintus, vowed to continue the battle. Amatia performed a powerful ritual using Primordial magic to safeguard the minds of her people from Ark’s influence. Amatia realized that Ark was using low magic to psionically influence the minds of the people she was near. This aura of low magic slowly breaks down the values and motivations of a person allowing Ark to influence them to follow the Blessed Path. Yet with Amatia’s ward, the people of Tatakai are immune to this aura.

This ritual, known as the Promise of Bone, is what allows Tatakai to keep resisting. It is also the best kept secret in Tatakai. Only the Laberius family knows of the Promise. This is to prevent Ark from trying to destroy the ward.

Wrath Iridium Mines

Quintus Laberius is not only a brilliant commander but also a skilled geologist. When he was young, Quintus studied geology to help find more natural resources in Arket and gain prestige in Zellian society.

Just before the death of Horace, Quintus found a new metal beneath the jungles of Arket. This metal is an alloy of Iridium. Quintus discovered this metal could make weapons and armor that were sharper, lighter, stronger, and more importantly, charm proof. An individual who carries a piece of this alloy is considerably more resistant, and depending on the amount immune, to charms.

After Horace died and war on Arket was declared, Quintus began leading the extraction of this new wrath iridium. This metal is the backbone of the Tatakai fighting force. However, as of yet, neither Arket nor Tatakai has discovered what makes wrath iridium different. The secret is that wrath iridium is alive. It is the flesh of a primordial titan buried deep beneath the lands of Arket. This titan, unknown to the continent, wishes to one day be free and rule

Arket. Toward this end, the titan wishes for the destruction of Ark and her Saints. Quintus still mines the wrath iridium in earnest. As supreme commander of the Tatakai army, he seeks to further increase the power of the wrath iridium. His experiments, while still not having produced a strong alloy yet, are still promising. It is the dream of the entire Laberius family that perfecting the use of wrath iridium will win them the war.

Jungle Burns

Tatakai routinely engage in jungle burns. These burns provide the city additional space to expand the city while also removing cover in which Arketian spies can hide. The big jungle burns occur in the Ire. It is the hope of Tatakai that they can eventually destroy the wood and launch an unimpeded assault on Pedaru itself.

Sometimes Tatakai hires mercenaries to aid them with the jungle burns. There are many dangerous animals within the jungle who do not like their homes getting set ablaze.

Warrior’s Breath

There are times when Tatakai relents from battle. If an important person passes away or a tragedy occurs, Tatakai might declare a warrior’s breath. This announcement means a one month suspension from all wars or military activities.

Top Dollar Mercenaries

Tatakai’s soldiers are hired as mercenaries across the Rings. They are a cracked fighting force that decimates no matter the situation. Tatakai soldiers are trained from birth and are easily worth five of the average soldier on the battlefield.

Because of this, Tatakai is able to charge premium prices for their mercenaries. It is because of this that mercenary work is the foundation of the Tatakai economy. However, all Tatakai mercenaries realize their work is just a means to an end. Those around the Ring do not understand the refusal to die that many Tatakai soldiers hold. They do not understand that every soldier knows they must return home to Tatakai so they can free Arket from Ark’s rule. That is how Tatakai soldiers routinely win despite overwhelming odds. In their minds, there is no other choice. And therefore, the death of even one Tatakai soldier is considered a great tragedy.

Hachiman

In life, Hachiman was a hermit of the woods. Then, when Horace journeyed to Arket, he began to aid the governor. Overtime, the two became best friends. During the event which turned Horace into butterflies, the governor shielded his friend from Ark’s magic. It was at this moment that some of the stray aether of the world turned Hachiman into a demigod.

Hachiman escaped back to Tatakai and alerted Horace’s family of what happened. It was his warning that saved Tatakai. When Amatia learned that Hachiman was a god, she asked him to become the new patron god of Tatakai after Zell retreated from Arket. Hachiman reluctantly agreed.

Although Hachiman is technically a God, they are considerably weaker than the regular material God. The aether within Hachiman is considerably less compared to Ark. Even against a Saint of Ark, Hachiman struggles to beat them. Yet, despite all this, Hachiman has saved the lives of thousands of Tatakai soldiers and is an inspiration for the people of Tatakai. On the other hand, Hachiman is viewed as a monstrous beast in Arket. Mothers tell children to eat their food or Hachiman will come to take them to Tatakai in the night. Hachiman is the face of Tatakai warmongering and oppression.

“My favorite thing in the world? Sunshine, my cat, young one. When the day is done, she sleeps

on my lap. It is my favorite part of my day”

-Hachiman to a child asking him a question

Trust

The lone Orc stronghold on Arket, Trust is one of the least visited Orc cities on Ramesh. Even more than most Orc cities, Trust is isolationist. Like most Orc city states, Trust’s name reflects its core virtue, trust. The citizens of the city are bound to a shared oath of trust between each other. This core idea is the foundation of the entire culture within the city. Individuals, theoretically, can rely on anyone else in the city as if they were their best friend. This is of course not always the case but for many in the city, they experience nothing less. Shopkeepers in the city charge fair prices, food in restaurants is prepared to the highest quality, and the few politicians in Trust are the most beloved on the continent (and the least corrupt).

Low Crime

As one might expect, the crime rate in Trust is astronomically low for a city of its size. Most town guard do not carry weapons. They do not require them. Most crime is done out of desperation: starving mothers trying to feed their children, crimes of self defense, or simple accidents.

Dishonesty

Lying, deception, or any other kind of dishonesty is viewed as one of the worst crimes within Trust. Those caught in such deception are either exiled if they are a citizen of Trust or executed if they are an outsider.

Outsiders

Few individuals who were born outside the city are allowed inside. To gain access, a citizen must grant a writ of trust to the outsider. If the outsider causes trouble, the one who grants the writ suffers the same punishment as the outsider. Therefore, writs are granted very infrequently. Most outsiders are also constantly watched by members of the Trust military. Adventurers tend to cause trouble wherever they go. The Trust military is there to make sure no mischief is done within the city. People within Trust are notoriously easy to trick, fool, or steal from by outsiders. This risk also leads to severe punishments for transgressions. Many small infractions can lead to banishment while dishonesty, breaching the peace, and other criminal behavior often receives the punishment of execution.

Tower of Honesty

Located in the center of the city, the Tower of Honesty is what Trust was built around. This mysterious tower, filled with primordial energy from an age long forgotten, stands as a shining marble symbol over the city. Those who step foot within the tower cannot lie. Even Material Gods cannot speak mistruths or be deceptive within the tower.

Due to the tower’s nature, many peace accords have been struck within its halls. Diplomats, Kings, Queens, Czars, and the like have all made journeys to the Tower of Honesty for its incredible properties.

At the top of the tower, in an open air room, sits a large ruby weighing fifty pounds. This ruby seems to always glitter, even on a cloudy day. Those who look into the ruby have their minds individuals who have attempted to remove the ruby from the tower lose all sense of purpose. They become people only in name but not in spirit.