Region Profiles

Ephia's Well

"You come from distant places, do you not, traveller? You must be thirsty. This Well... its waters are pure and clear. As we say in the desert: live and drink."

The following worldview is commonly held by the residents of Ephia's Well, and can be gleaned by any who spend time within its walls.

Overview

Ephia's Well is a small-scale fortress and sometimes-settlement that has long occupied a prominent and central spot on the trade routes between the splendorous cities of the desert, straddling a crossroads of the great Giant's Road. It is said to have been built by the ancient giants thousands of years ago; now their ruinous walls form the innermost quarter of the fortress, surrounding a bountiful oasis that flows outwards from tributaries deep within the earth. The surrounding walls have been built and torn down by conquerors, adventurers, and merchants... again and again and again.

The most recent incarnation of these attempts at state-building is a small colony-town tucked within the resurgent Sultanate of Baz'eel. It is governed by an assembly of Legates elected from among the Voiced population (those true citizens of the Well who have paid for their right of citizenship) who reign on behalf of the Sultan. Many of these Legates are drawn from the three most prominent political Leagues of Ephia's Well. The League of Purple, staunch traditionalists, the League of Gold, who value coin over blood, and the League of White, who position themselves as voice for the poor and needy. The Well's laws are nascent, largely inherited from Baz'eel, but dutifully enforced and mostly adhered to. Those who reject these laws find solace in the Well's linked network of cramped gutters and camps.

On the outskirts of this political battleground, three prominent groups are situated within Ephia's Well - the Astronomers of Q'tolip, who ward Ephia's Well from natural disasters and lead its archaeological efforts, the Sultan's Janissaries, who maintain the Well's place in a growing empire and participate in its defense, and the Knights of the Cinquefoil Rose, who act as guarantors of the refugee culture and operate the Well's largest drinking establishment.

Teeming with refugees from ruined settlements, the Well has a linked destiny with the much larger city of Baz'eel, hosting the outflow of those that have been denied entry to the City of Splendors. Its minarets are visible in the Well's skyline, an ever-present reminder of the opulence that awaits those deemed worthy by the administrators of the settlement. The fourth legion of Baz'eel's standing army is stationed in the Well. They enforce the will of the Assembly and work to advance the interests of the nearby capital.

The population of Ephia's Well is small, perhaps no more than a few thousand people, but more refugees arrive every day. For work, many are craftsmen, relying on a steady stream of raw materials brought in by scavengers and caravaneers from the surrounding wastes - with frequent distributions of aid in "stabilization packages" from wealthy donors in Baz'eel.

Social Characteristics

Secretive - "The result of their discussion? I can't tell you that. Not for any price. They are listening, and they would have my head..."

Constructive - "Our walls, they crumble. Our people, they starve. We must build. We must build a jewel in the desert, a rival to all who behold it..."

Lawful - "The edict was clear; the cigars are illegal now. I suppose we will have to close the store. I don't know what I'll tell my father..."

Social Norms

Desperate - We have lost everything. Our past and our present, both taken from us in an instant. All that now remains is our future, and that grows uncertain with each passing day. We must dig in the sand, and pull out the treasures we find. If that is not enough, we shall go to our masters, and grovel. We are not too proud to beg.

Hierarchical - All men have a place in society, and that must be recognized. The lesser is not the greater; the greater worked and labored and earned his place here. What have you done? You must bow your head when better men pass.

Meritocratic - But after he has passed, you must prepare to surpass him. Perform great feats in the name of the Citadel; build great monuments on her behalf; earn your place here. When once you have, perhaps it shall be he who bows his head.

Il Modo

Il Modo is perhaps only 30-40% populated by the ethnically Modini. The city also has a Tablet in which there are substantial minorities of Stonefolk, Halflings, and Gnomes. Elves and Ashfolk are very rare.

The Way of the Divine Dome is the state religion of Il Modo. “The Dome of Man” is a huge cathedral-complex situated in the center of the city.

Il Modo floats upon the Sea of Pearls and does not have a fixed locale.

Politics is very complicated and cut-throat. Il Modo functions independently but historically was under the control of the old Caliphate. Modinis still resentfully feel like they are thought of as a second-rate power.

Il Modo is governed by a Grand Duke and his Council of Five. The Grand Duke’s name is Nicodemo Nicosino. He is very old and rumored to be at death’s door. The Council of Five has an additional four reserved places: The Seat of the Dome (highest religious leader), The Seat of the Soldier (highest military leader), The Seat of Coin (important business leader), and The Seat of the People (supposed to be for the common folk, in practice frequently isn’t).

The Grand Dukes are elected for life in a complicated electoral process. Many Grand Dukes die from assassination.

The Game of Knives is a Modini term used to describe many different kinds of conflict and intrigue.

It also specifically refers to the system by which a family or individual’s “votes” are counted in electing the Grand Duke. Essentially, upon adulthood, many Modinis receive a special ceremonial knife from the head of their family (there are many kinds of knives, these ones vary in form and history but all bear the Seal of the Duke indicating its status). These Marked Knives each represent a single vote as well as an informal calculation of prestige and importance. Stealing, purchasing, or earning Knives through various actions are all possible. One isn’t supposed to kill someone else to get their Knife, but if it happens, who is to know?

Some families are wealthy but have very few Knives, some families are poor but have very many Knives. Many long-term residents have no Knives at all, and are considered as worthless as foreigners. Almost all Modinis eagerly seek to accumulate as many of these Marked Knives as they possibly can.

The Crimson Death is a terrible plague that causes constant problems for Il Modo. Those who suffer it often develop blotchy-red pustules and discolorations that mark their skin a deep red. This is one reason the Modini love to wear masks for those known to have been afflicted are frequently shunned and feared. Those who have been afflicted by it are called the Lezrous.

There are many industries in Il Modo. The Modini are marvelous traders and merchants. They also possess huge Workshops that create all sorts of goods. Small eels are harvested nearby for food, and Eeling Schooners set forth to hunt the distant western seas for enormous Great Eels. These Great Eels have their blubber rendered into a valuable oil. Many ships do not return, beset by pirates or pulled into the depths by the Kraken.

Il Modo is beset by many problems that might cause its inhabitants to seek a better life in the desert. Violence and disease are common, and opportunities for those born without Knives are few and far between. Life in the Humbles (the Modini Slums) is wretched and miserable. The city struggles to maintain the giant submerged flotation tanks (known as the Vesciche, or Bladders) that prevent it from sinking into the waves. Flooding is common, and space is at a premium.

Who is to say what fresh opportunities might exist for a cunning Modini among the inferior peoples of the distant desert?