Zhaq'ara

Zhaq'ara is the enigmatic capital of Bluesnow Island, a testament to the fragile unity between the Yuan-ti and the Lizardfolk, also known as Ophidians. Nestled beneath the shadow of the island’s central mountain range, Zhaq'ara is a city where serpentine temples and pragmatic marshland huts coexist, reflecting the complex history of conflict and cooperation between these two peoples. The city's architecture is a blend of ancient Yuan-ti mysticism and Lizardfolk pragmatism, with winding streets that mirror the serpentine nature of its Yuan-ti founders, while the Lizardfolk structures provide stability and functionality near the wetlands that surround the city.
Zhaq'ara was established after centuries of conflict between the Yuan-ti and the Ophidians, who were transformed into humanoids by the leaking magic of the Titan Snake. The city represents a hard-won peace and cooperation between these two groups, although tensions still simmer beneath the surface.
Founders: A Yuan-ti leader known as Zhareth and a Lizardfolk chieftain named Ak’qul, who forged an uneasy truce after generations of war between their peoples.

Demographics

Yuan-ti: 65% of the population, including Purebloods, Malisons, and a small number of Abominations who hold high religious positions. Lizardfolk (Ophidians): 35%, mostly living in the outer districts near the marshlands and serving as hunters, builders, and defenders of the city.

Government

Zhaq'ara operates under a council system led by the Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk. The Council of Scales includes an equal number of Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk representatives, ensuring that decisions affecting the settlement are made cooperatively. The leadership of the city rotates annually between a Yuan-ti and a Lizardfolk elder, fostering a tenuous but functional balance of power.

Defences

Zhaq'ara is protected by both magic and physical defenses. The Serpent Wards, ancient magical barriers, guard the city from intrusion, while the Fangsreach Militia, a joint force of Yuan-ti warriors and Lizardfolk hunters, defends the city walls. The central mountain range also provides natural protection, as it limits access to the island’s interior.

Industry & Trade

Zhaq'ara’s main industries revolve around the harvesting of rare herbs and venoms from the island’s unique flora, as well as the crafting of poisons, medicinal elixirs, and enchanted items. The city also exports leather, marsh-grown crops, and fish to the mainland, while importing metals and textiles.

Infrastructure

The city’s infrastructure reflects a blend of magic and practicality. The Yuan-ti have maintained remnants of their ancient magical systems, particularly in irrigation, with mystical canals winding through the streets to supply fresh water. Meanwhile, the Lizardfolk, adapted to the marshlands, have constructed durable homes on stilts and platforms that keep their dwellings dry during seasonal floods.

Districts

• Serpent's Spine: The heart of the city, dominated by winding streets and buildings reminiscent of serpentine coils. The Yuan-ti predominantly reside here, their homes built with enchanted stone and adorned with fading murals from ancient traditions.

• Marsh Flats: The Lizardfolk’s domain, located near the marshlands. This district is more practical and rugged, with homes constructed from mud, reed, and stone. The Flats are also where the bulk of the city’s agriculture is tended.

• The Ruined Temple of Sseth: Once a grand temple to the Titan Snake Sseth, it now stands in partial ruin, overtaken by moss and vines. While no longer a site of worship, it remains a focal point for historians and adventurers intrigued by its mysteries.

• The Scale Bazaar: Zhaq'ara’s bustling market district, where traders bring exotic wares from both the island and beyond. Artisans from both cultures sell leather goods, bone weapons, and intricate carvings.

• Fangsreach Fortress: The city's main defensive structure, where the joint Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk militia trains. This fortress sits at the northern edge of Zhaq'ara, guarding against external threats.

Assets

• Venomblade Forge: A blacksmith specializing in weapons crafted from the teeth and bones of giant serpents, alongside magical weapons once used by the Yuan-ti.
• Vineweaver Apothecary: A well-respected shop where both Yuan-ti alchemists and Lizardfolk shamans create potions, salves, and antidotes using herbs found in Bluesnow’s unique flora.
• The Sacred Coil: A magic item shop offering relics unearthed from ancient ruins, including those that once belonged to Sseth’s followers.

Guilds and Factions

• The Serpent Wardens: A faction of Yuan-ti sorcerers devoted to maintaining the magical wards that protect the city.
• Ophidian Hunters' Guild: Lizardfolk who specialize in hunting the island’s dangerous wildlife and crafting goods from their hides and bones.
• Venomtraders’ Consortium: A merchant guild that controls the trade of rare venoms and alchemical ingredients.

History

While Zhaq'ara is not a typical tourist destination, it attracts adventurers, scholars, and herbalists interested in the island’s rare resources and the mysteries of the Titan Snake’s magic. Visitors often come to witness the Ritual of Ascendance, a rare ceremony where a new Anathema Matriarch is chosen.

Points of interest

• The Ruined Temple of Sseth: Once the center of the Yuan-ti’s religion, it now serves as a historical site for study and exploration.
• The Serpent’s Gaze: A towering statue of a coiled snake with gleaming emerald eyes, said to watch over the city.
• The Marshwalkers’ Guildhall: A rustic, reed-constructed building where the Lizardfolk gather to plan hunts and expeditions into the dangerous swamplands.

Tourism

Though not a typical tourist destination, adventurers and historians are drawn to Zhaq'ara for its ruins, the mystical presence of Bluesnow, and the chance to study its unique reptilian culture. Guided tours of the Ruined Temple of Sseth are popular, as well as swamp excursions led by the Marshwalkers.
Celebration Day of Serpents Pact - 6th Mortisfall
The Serpents Pact is a one-day event held annually in Zhaq'ara, celebrating the unity between the Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk. This vibrant celebration is the most important holiday for the people of the island, honoring their shared history and the founding of their city. The festival is packed with rituals, performances, and competitions, symbolizing the cooperation that has made Zhaq'ara a beacon of peace on Bluesnow.

Morning: The Shedding of the Past At dawn, the festival begins with the Shedding of the Past, a solemn ceremony held at the Ruined Temple of Sseth. Both Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk elders gather to offer a symbolic shedding of skins—ornate garments crafted from scales and cloth—to represent casting away old conflicts. These skins are burned in a communal bonfire, signifying the transformation of their society from a divided past to a unified future. The smoke rises toward the mountains, where it is believed the spirits of their ancestors watch over them.

Midday: The Grand Feast of Unity By midday, the central square of Zhaq'ara is transformed into a bustling banquet known as the Grand Feast of Unity. Long tables are set up with foods harvested from the marshlands, including freshwater fish, amphibians, fruits, and hearty grains. Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk chefs collaborate on the feast, blending their culinary traditions into one grand meal. The feast is open to all, and visitors are encouraged to partake as the festival emphasizes communal sharing.
At the center of the feast, an enormous cauldron bubbles with a stew known as The Scales’ Bounty, a dish made from ingredients contributed by both races. The first bowl is ceremonially shared between the Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk leaders to symbolize their continued cooperation.
Afternoon: Trials of the Marshwalkers Following the feast, the Trials of the Marshwalkers begin, drawing crowds of eager spectators. This challenge tests the strength, agility, and wit of warriors from both the Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk, as they navigate through an obstacle-filled course set in the surrounding marshlands. The trial includes dangerous beasts, enchanted traps, and quicksand pits, pushing contestants to their limits. The victor earns the coveted Scale of Unity, a medallion made from the scales of both a snake and a crocodile, representing balance and harmony.
Evening: Dance of Scales and Unity Song As the sun sets, the festivities move to the Serpent’s Gaze Square, where the Dance of Scales takes place. Yuan-ti dancers glide through the square with hypnotic, snake-like movements, while the Lizardfolk add their powerful, stomping dances. The two styles intertwine in a mesmerizing performance, embodying the unity of the two races. The dance is accompanied by rhythmic drumming and wind instruments, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
The night culminates in the Unity Song, a musical retelling of the founding of Zhaq'ara, blending both Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk storytelling traditions. Bards from each culture share the stage, singing tales of their ancient conflicts, the magical transformation of the Lizardfolk, and the eventual peace that led to the founding of the city. The performance is a reminder of their turbulent history and the strength they now find in unity.
Traditions and Symbols

• The Scale Lanterns: All day, Zhaq'ara is illuminated with lanterns in the shape of snake and crocodile scales, which are hung throughout the city. The glowing scales symbolize unity and light in dark times.
• The Shared Cup Ritual: At the end of the festival, Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk leaders drink from a single shared cup of water drawn from the marshes, representing the bond that sustains their people.

Cultural Significance Serpents Pacts is not only a celebration of Zhaq'ara’s past but also a reminder of the ongoing commitment to peace and cooperation between the Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk. It attracts visitors from nearby regions and is seen as a symbol of progress and unity on the island of Bluesnow. The one-day celebration is a vivid, powerful reminder that strength comes not only from warriors but from community and understanding.

Architecture

Yuan-ti architecture features sweeping, spiraling designs with a heavy use of stone and marble. Many buildings are adorned with intricate carvings and mosaics, though much of it is slowly being reclaimed by nature. Lizardfolk architecture is more simplistic and functional, with mudbrick huts elevated on stilts to avoid flood damage.

Geography

Zhaq'ara is nestled in a valley between the central mountain range of Bluesnow and the marshlands that stretch towards the coast. The island itself is a mix of rocky peaks, dense swamps, and tropical forests.

Climate

Bluesnow experiences a humid, tropical climate with heavy rainfall throughout most of the year. The temperature is warm, and the marshlands contribute to the city’s often foggy atmosphere.

Natural Resources

Venomous Reptiles: A variety of venomous snakes and reptiles provide the raw material for potions, weapons, and armor. Marshland Crops: The marshes produce unique flora, including magical herbs and plants used for alchemy.

Founding Date

845AD

Type

Town

Population

25000

Location under

Bluesnow

Characters in Location

• Ssekra of the Voss