Omu Settlement in Arteria | World Anvil

Omu

As you approach the city of Omu, a mist shrouds the area, and the sound of rushing water fills your ears. The ruins of ancient structures are partially flooded and partially crumbled, adorned with serpent motifs. The scent of sulfur and dampness hangs heavy in the air, and the constant hiss of steam fills your nostrils. The lava lake to the southeast casts a fiery glow that illuminates the city, and its heat is palpable. The palace of the Yuan-Ti leaders looms in the mist at the heart of the city, while the massive stone spire known as the Fang rises ominously from the center of the lava lake. The Yuan-Ti inhabitants, with their serpentine forms and inscrutable motives, watch your every move with suspicion.   Nestled within the heart of the Fanged Swamp lies the sprawling Yuan-Ti city of Omu. The ruins of ancient structures crumble among the new constructions, adapted to accommodate the unique physiology of the snake-like inhabitants. The streets are narrow and winding, leading to grand structures such as the temple to the night serpent and the palace of the Yuan-Ti leaders.   To the southeast of the city lies a vast lake of bubbling lava, its fiery glow visible from miles away. Steam and fog rise from the lake's surface, shrouding the city in an eerie mist. At the center of the lake stands a massive stone spire known as the Fang, a formidable prison where captives are held and tortured.   The cliffs surrounding Omu are steep and treacherous, separating the city from the rest of the Fanged Swamp. The dense jungle beyond the cliffs is filled with deadly predators and treacherous terrain, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to penetrate the city's defenses.   As visitors approach the city, they must first cross a narrow bridge that spans the river flowing through the town. The river is the source of much of the flooding that plagues Omu, but the Yuan-Ti inhabitants pay it little mind. Instead, they revel in the unique beauty of their city, with its partially flooded ruins and ancient structures dedicated to the night serpent.   Overall, Omu is a city shrouded in mystery and danger, with the Yuan-Ti reigning supreme over all who dare to enter. The city's location in the heart of the Fanged Swamp, surrounded by cliffs and treacherous jungle, only adds to its air of foreboding.  

Economy

  The Yuan-Ti of Omu operate on a twisted and ruthless economic system, based on the exploitation of both their own people and those they capture from the surrounding lands. Poisonous herbs and ritualistic concoctions are produced in dark, noxious laboratories, sold for exorbitant prices to wealthy clients who seek them for their alleged magical properties. But the true heart of the city's economy lies in the cruel and depraved trade of sentient beings. Slaves are taken from all corners of the world, bought and sold at the brutal colosseum or trained in specialized facilities to cater to the needs of the highest bidder. The entire city is geared towards this industry, with a large military complex constantly searching for new sources of slaves, and a palpable air of fear and oppression permeating every corner of the streets.  

Culture

  The culture of the Yuan-Ti is a twisted and cruel one, built on the foundation of power and domination. They have a rigid hierarchy where the higher one's rank, the more serpent-like they are and the more power they hold. This creates a constant struggle for power and dominance within their society. The Yuanti are almost completely emotionless due to their reptile heritage, with little value placed on individual lives or emotions, except for those of their own family and their social status.   The Yuan-Ti's primary focus is on the slavetrade, and they will stop at nothing to acquire new and exotic slaves to add to their collection. Their training facilities are infamous for their cruelty, where they train their slaves to become specialists in various trades to cater to the needs of their buyers. The more exotic and rare a slave is, the higher the price they fetch, and the more power and status the Yuanti gain.   Their cruelty extends to their own kind as well, with constant power struggles and backstabbing within their ranks. Punishments for failure or disobedience are harsh and unforgiving, ranging from public humiliation to death by ritual sacrifice. The Anathema, their leader, is a figure of fear and reverence, and those who displease or betray him face unspeakable horrors.   The Yuan-Ti's religion is centered around the Night Serpent, and their rituals are gruesome and bloody. They offer sacrifices to their deity regularly, with the most prized sacrifices being rare and exotic slaves. The Yuanti's fascination with poison extends to their religious practices as well, with deadly concoctions used in their rituals.   In short, the Yuanti culture is a grim and twisted one, built on power, cruelty, and domination. Their obsession with the slavetrade and their ruthless pursuit of power make them a force to be reckoned with in the world of Arteria.  

Military Complex

  The Yuan-Ti military is a force to be reckoned with. Their standing army is comprised of well-trained infantry and siege units, equipped with deadly venom-tipped weapons and armor that can withstand even the most vicious attacks. However, their preferred tactics focus more on stealth and subterfuge, utilizing their highly trained spies and assassins to infiltrate and destabilize other civilizations and cities. These spies hold a higher rank in the Yuan-Ti military hierarchy, with their successes being celebrated and rewarded with higher positions and privileges.   Their spies are unmatched in their ability to gather intelligence, sabotage infrastructure, and sow distrust within populations. Their assassins are skilled in the art of killing, capable of slipping in and out of a target location without ever being detected. Once a target has been weakened and destabilized, the Yuan-Ti army will sweep in and subdue the city and its inhabitants with brutal efficiency.   The hierarchy within the Yuan-Ti military is strictly structured, with the most serpent-like individuals holding the highest ranks. These higher-ranking Yuan-Ti oversee the operations of the spies and assassins, and are responsible for making strategic decisions and leading the standing army into battle. Those who demonstrate exceptional abilities in battle and leadership are promoted to higher ranks, while those who fail are demoted or punished severely.      

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  • Omu
Type
Large town
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