Difference between revisions of "Ur-Sagol"

Revision as of 12:31, 9 June 2007

Danger : Normal
Inhabitants : kensha beasts, nagas, podmaws

A ruined, ancient city, once safe and prosperous. Over time, Ur-Sagol became a large and mighty Metropolis, well known in several worlds for its powerful mages and its great gathering of felaryan artefacts and treasures.

The true reasons for the city destruction are unclear and probably lost in time as it took place 2000 years ago, according to some scriptures. However it is widely believed that the city became too big and expansionistic for its own good, and caught the attention of a guardian. Which one is unknown, however the destruction was spectacular and fast.. Strangely in that time the jungles surrounding the ruins have been slow to reclaim them, Giving suspicion that the land has been cursed as well.

Ur-Sagol has since become a ominous omen for every Felarya cities, often branded to dissuade expansionistic leaders.

Despite its sinister reputation, the existence of the dimensional gate on the outskirts of the city mean a fair amount of traffic still passes through it. The place is dangerous. Not only Felaryan predators often come here seeking fresh preys form other worlds, but also many bandits and thieves lurks in the ruins to rob the newcomers and trade caravans headed to and from the gate.

People

The Cyclopeans were as far as anyone can tell brilliant. Building massive structures and excelling at various types of magics, they seemed to command great power and wealth. Many of the clues to there cultural heritage and way of life however have been lost as over the past 200 years the city has been ransacked and pillaged repeatedly. leaving little to no evidence of what it meant to be a Cyclopean.

Ruins

The ruins themselves have been largely pillaged and emptied over time, giving little to no information about their builders. The only sure thing is that the large, cyclopeans structures resemble early Babylonian and egyptian architecture found on ancient earth. They range in size from small hovels to monstrous temples scattered about a great area. It was once the largest city ever built on Felarya so its ruins cover a great swath of land.

It is also very noticeable when you enter the ruins, as the plant life has thus far been reluctant to regrow over the city. no one knows why but it is assumed the land is cursed.

The Gate at Ur-Sagol

This well traveled gate is one of the most heavily used gates in all of Felarya. It is protected by strong wards and barrier's, that disallow many of the Felaryan predators form going anywhere near it. In most cases it causes their predatory senses to tell them a larger predator is near by making them wish to go no where near it.

This dimensional gate itself is far from the ordinary. Working quite inexplicably, it seems capable of connecting to other dimensions through varying means. Other gates only able to connect to types like themselves, are limited to travel with other worlds with a similar system, whether they be magical or science based. This gate however seems able to adapt, connect and otherwise function completely independent of all others… perfectly.

This means more often than not, most people coming to Felarya use this gate (unless they know and use another) making it the starting point for many explorers. It also means that this is the most used gate in all Felarya. This is also in part due to its (odd) ease of use. No matter the person the use of the gate is unbelievably easy, some using words, others hand gesture, touch, ritual, even just expectation… all have been used to open proper inter dimensional travel, with astounding accuracy.

Obviously, this makes the ancient and mysterious artifact, something of a legend on countless worlds. Baffling mage and scientist alike, it is a conundrum wrapped in an enigma. No one has been able to figure how it works. It appears to be solid stone of unknown type. Dark, with a slight luster it seems as solid and ageless as time itself. In fact, all attempts to date it have failed. Records indicate that it has existed as long as anyone can remember leaving most to believe it was created by a god of some type long ago.

Further is its apparent nonexistence under close scrutiny, leaves the observer wondering how it can even exist. Either using magic or scientific means, the more sophisticated the method the less likely you will get any readings at all. For example, taking a photograph of it will produces only a grainy distortion of it; it gets worse with more refined methods. Close eye observation will reveal no seems of fissures of any type. Occasionally some say they can see a strange writing seemingly painted a few layers into the stone though no one has been able to understand it or even reproduce it.

Several peoples have adopted it as a sort of religious symbol. This has made its ownership a thing of great contention; however, after of its last owner (the people of Ur-Sagol) it has been left alone. Many fearing the same fate would befall them as the doomed city.

The gate itself is a perfect circle. The inner ring has a diameter of approximately 5 yards, though on its stone base the clearance is only 4. The outer edge has a diameter of 6.28 yards, making the rings thickness about 4 feat. The ring itself if looked in cross section would resemble a thick I beam; making a deep grove on the inside and outside edge. The face, and back of the gate are rounded and bow out at the center. It is about a foot thick on the inside and outside edges and one and a half in the center.

The pedicle the gate is placed upon appears, and has been tested, to be ordinary granite form a local source. It has been tested to be a 4000 year old structure, revealing that, at the very least, it has been in that spot since then.

Though, there are many gates of various types on Felarya The gate at Ur-Sagol remains by far the most enigmatic and well used in all of felarya.