[REGION] The Valley Of Brass [Archive] - Wizards Community

[REGION] The Valley Of Brass [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ashtaroth
07-11-05, 03:43 PM In ancient days the Humuradd had two gods as alike in character and skill as any brothers born on the same day. In all matters the gods agreed and for their priests it seemed that to serve the will of one was to serve the will of both. Years turned to centuries and the gods began to desire a bride and each, unknowing of the others intent, pursued this desire with the full gambit of their divine power. Alas both gods fell, as certainly as prophecy, for the same mortal.

Each, upon learning of the other's intent, flew into a rage and they fought for her love. For seven days lightning split the sky and the Hurumadd cowered in their homes, knowing not which of their gods would triumph; unsure of where their own loyalties lay. At dusk on the seventh day a burning star fell from the sky, the godly bodies of Humuradd deities visibly ruined by constant battle, even as they fell neither would yield and they crashed upon the crust of the world and rent it open. Distant mountains toppled and the ground split a mile deep.

The Humuradd, when their great fear subsided, went to the edge of the great valley torn into the earth and searched for their gods. Neither could be found, for their wrath, being exactly equal and opposed, had destroyed them both utterly. The Humuradd were left alone and godless. The mortal who had loved them both, in a moment's grief hurled herself into the deep valley and her anguished cries haunt the night still when the chasm winds blow and carry them up into the sky.

The great chasm wrought by their gods' death was vast and as the gods died their essence had transformed into something else. Huge quantities of brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) had formed throughout the length and depth of the great rift. The brass of the rift was infused with divine energy and the Humuradd soon discovered that the image of living creatures made in the brass would come alive.

So the Humuradd's greatest artists set about to make themselves a new god of brass standing fifty feet high; a titan of the valley to rule over them and guide them and protect them. And under the influence of this metal god the Humuradd built many creatures of brass to guard them and serve Him. The Humuradd were again peaceful and strong and multiplied to become an empire of cities and towns built into the sides of the valley and upon its high spires.

****

That's mostly flavour text, but the basic ideas are these:

Big valley, think Grand Canyon, but deeper, longer and narrower.

No indigenous life, as the valley was created, but lots of creatures made from brass.

There's different alloys of brass, where the promportions of metals differ and rarer metals are added, so there's scope for some differentation.

Powerful civilized empire of the Humuradd, with everything metal being made of brass.

Cities set in the side of the valley walls -- I'm thinking a kind of Incan Myan Aztec feel for the constructions.

God made of brass (maybe a deity rather than a god, but certainly the focus of worship) physically lives in a large temple, but is (perhaps) able to act through all the brass creations.

Let's see what everyone else thinks before we get any more detailed.
the_one_true_shea
07-11-05, 07:20 PM Can that mortal's name be Galatia? And there be a city, named after her? and a cult of priestesses?
Ashtaroth
07-13-05, 04:43 PM Okay TOTS, I can run with that. :)

Galatia: City Of Woe

The site of the suicide of Galatia, the would-be bride of the lost gods of the Humuradd, became a site of cultural mourning, just as her act of grief symbolised the national loss. The promontory overhangs the very deepest parts of the Valley of Brass -- an area whose bottom has still not been reached and which may well extend to the molten core of the world.

In the dark days and seemingly hopeless years following the destruction of the gods the site of Galatia's death became the sole remaining site of pilgrimage for the Humuradd and thousands visited. Before work began on the Brass God there were individuals who ministered to the grieving and performed burials according to the old tradition. These lay-clerics, bereft of magic, began the veneration of Galatia and though it would quickly be overtaken and eclipsed in popularity by the reverence of the Brass God, the Cult of Galatia remains the oldest religion of the Humuradd, emphasising the old ways and comforting those in grief.

Galatia, by virtue of the continuation of prayer, eventually became an elevated spirit -- the Humuradd Goddess Of Death and Sorrow -- and as successive generations of Humuradd came to bury their dead so a city of catacombs built into the promontory grew. It has become tradition that all Humuradd who can afford it are entombed in the labyrinthine cavern structure of Galatia. In contrast to many other races the Humuradd bury their dead without grave goods, so while the city is defended by its priestly caste of several hundred members strong and ceremonial guards, it has never been assaulted.

As a mark of the friction that still exists between the Brass God (whose creations are deathless) and the Humuradd Goddess of Death, the city is defended entirely by mortals, unlike the other cities of the Humuradd which are at least partially manned by the fierce Brass Golems.

Galatia is a city of tombs which every Humuradd will visit several times in their lifetime and, if they wealthy enough, forever after. As a result of its small resident population and large temporary population Galatia has the largest concentration of hostelries in the world -- there is one inn or hotel for every ten people normally resident in Galatia and tending to the needs of mourners (whatever those needs may be) can be a profitable enterprise. Because of this traffic, and the handing down of legacies which occurs in the city, Galatia is frequented by many sell-swords looking for adventure and even more mercenaries looking for a quick profit.

Galatia is a small city on the South Wall of the Valley. It is also a city which feels much older than it is. Its traditions -- such as hanging shoes on pegs rather than leaving them on the floor and chanting the five prayers at dusk -- are no longer widely practised in the empire at large. In Galatia time does not just stand still, it has reverted to an ancient age and as such many Humuradd hold it in an esteem equal to the great cities of the North Wall.

That's given me some other ideas too.
the_one_true_shea
07-17-05, 04:06 PM Okay TOTS, I can run with that. :)

Galatia: City Of Woe

Galatia is a city of tombs which every Humuradd will visit several times in their lifetime and, if they wealthy enough, forever after.

TOTS! Now thats funny :rofl:

City of Woe, City of Tombs, like the ancient city of kings.. ahh I like it!

hmmm, "These lay-clerics, bereft of magic, began the veneration of Galatia and though it would quickly be overtaken and eclipsed" now that makes me think of something! When next I thread It shall be on the "God-Shells" :eek:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ashtaroth 07-11-05, 03:43 PM	In ancient days the Humuradd had two gods as alike in character and skill as any brothers born on the same day. In all matters the gods agreed and for their priests it seemed that to serve the will of one was to serve the will of both. Years turned to centuries and the gods began to desire a bride and each, unknowing of the others intent, pursued this desire with the full gambit of their divine power. Alas both gods fell, as certainly as prophecy, for the same mortal. Each, upon learning of the other's intent, flew into a rage and they fought for her love. For seven days lightning split the sky and the Hurumadd cowered in their homes, knowing not which of their gods would triumph; unsure of where their own loyalties lay. At dusk on the seventh day a burning star fell from the sky, the godly bodies of Humuradd deities visibly ruined by constant battle, even as they fell neither would yield and they crashed upon the crust of the world and rent it open. Distant mountains toppled and the ground split a mile deep. The Humuradd, when their great fear subsided, went to the edge of the great valley torn into the earth and searched for their gods. Neither could be found, for their wrath, being exactly equal and opposed, had destroyed them both utterly. The Humuradd were left alone and godless. The mortal who had loved them both, in a moment's grief hurled herself into the deep valley and her anguished cries haunt the night still when the chasm winds blow and carry them up into the sky. The great chasm wrought by their gods' death was vast and as the gods died their essence had transformed into something else. Huge quantities of brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) had formed throughout the length and depth of the great rift. The brass of the rift was infused with divine energy and the Humuradd soon discovered that the image of living creatures made in the brass would come alive. So the Humuradd's greatest artists set about to make themselves a new god of brass standing fifty feet high; a titan of the valley to rule over them and guide them and protect them. And under the influence of this metal god the Humuradd built many creatures of brass to guard them and serve Him. The Humuradd were again peaceful and strong and multiplied to become an empire of cities and towns built into the sides of the valley and upon its high spires. **** That's mostly flavour text, but the basic ideas are these: Big valley, think Grand Canyon, but deeper, longer and narrower. No indigenous life, as the valley was created, but lots of creatures made from brass. There's different alloys of brass, where the promportions of metals differ and rarer metals are added, so there's scope for some differentation. Powerful civilized empire of the Humuradd, with everything metal being made of brass. Cities set in the side of the valley walls -- I'm thinking a kind of Incan Myan Aztec feel for the constructions. God made of brass (maybe a deity rather than a god, but certainly the focus of worship) physically lives in a large temple, but is (perhaps) able to act through all the brass creations. Let's see what everyone else thinks before we get any more detailed.
the_one_true_shea 07-11-05, 07:20 PM	Can that mortal's name be Galatia? And there be a city, named after her? and a cult of priestesses?
Ashtaroth 07-13-05, 04:43 PM	Okay TOTS, I can run with that. :) Galatia: City Of Woe The site of the suicide of Galatia, the would-be bride of the lost gods of the Humuradd, became a site of cultural mourning, just as her act of grief symbolised the national loss. The promontory overhangs the very deepest parts of the Valley of Brass -- an area whose bottom has still not been reached and which may well extend to the molten core of the world. In the dark days and seemingly hopeless years following the destruction of the gods the site of Galatia's death became the sole remaining site of pilgrimage for the Humuradd and thousands visited. Before work began on the Brass God there were individuals who ministered to the grieving and performed burials according to the old tradition. These lay-clerics, bereft of magic, began the veneration of Galatia and though it would quickly be overtaken and eclipsed in popularity by the reverence of the Brass God, the Cult of Galatia remains the oldest religion of the Humuradd, emphasising the old ways and comforting those in grief. Galatia, by virtue of the continuation of prayer, eventually became an elevated spirit -- the Humuradd Goddess Of Death and Sorrow -- and as successive generations of Humuradd came to bury their dead so a city of catacombs built into the promontory grew. It has become tradition that all Humuradd who can afford it are entombed in the labyrinthine cavern structure of Galatia. In contrast to many other races the Humuradd bury their dead without grave goods, so while the city is defended by its priestly caste of several hundred members strong and ceremonial guards, it has never been assaulted. As a mark of the friction that still exists between the Brass God (whose creations are deathless) and the Humuradd Goddess of Death, the city is defended entirely by mortals, unlike the other cities of the Humuradd which are at least partially manned by the fierce Brass Golems. Galatia is a city of tombs which every Humuradd will visit several times in their lifetime and, if they wealthy enough, forever after. As a result of its small resident population and large temporary population Galatia has the largest concentration of hostelries in the world -- there is one inn or hotel for every ten people normally resident in Galatia and tending to the needs of mourners (whatever those needs may be) can be a profitable enterprise. Because of this traffic, and the handing down of legacies which occurs in the city, Galatia is frequented by many sell-swords looking for adventure and even more mercenaries looking for a quick profit. Galatia is a small city on the South Wall of the Valley. It is also a city which feels much older than it is. Its traditions -- such as hanging shoes on pegs rather than leaving them on the floor and chanting the five prayers at dusk -- are no longer widely practised in the empire at large. In Galatia time does not just stand still, it has reverted to an ancient age and as such many Humuradd hold it in an esteem equal to the great cities of the North Wall. That's given me some other ideas too.
the_one_true_shea 07-17-05, 04:06 PM	Okay TOTS, I can run with that. :) Galatia: City Of Woe Galatia is a city of tombs which every Humuradd will visit several times in their lifetime and, if they wealthy enough, forever after. TOTS! Now thats funny :rofl: City of Woe, City of Tombs, like the ancient city of kings.. ahh I like it! hmmm, "These lay-clerics, bereft of magic, began the veneration of Galatia and though it would quickly be overtaken and eclipsed" now that makes me think of something! When next I thread It shall be on the "God-Shells" :eek: