Galuda, City of Leaves
On top of an isolated plateau in the jungles of Sebile, there was a city built specifically to harness something stolen from our people. A seed from the Tree of Knowledge, something which is a part of our heritage. If I knew exactly where the city was, our people would have already taken action... but I know fate has already done our work for us.After a number of successes concerning arcane experiments, the mystics of Ortega wished to expand their influence into the southern subcontinent. With aid from Kirsha, a large number of settlers traveled through the jungle and discovered they were not the first civilization to reach it. The indigenous peoples there were not all human, and almost all of them were quite hostile to a group of magic-wielding outsiders seeking to establish a foothold in the region. Thus a plateau was chosen as a defensible position, and many of the settlers were forced to sharpen their combat skills extensively. By the time the mystics had completed the walls and wards to keep watch for anything trying to dig underneath the city. The great difficutly in traveling between the nearest city - Kirsha - and the newly built Galuda meant there was very little traffic of conventional means.
The fall of Ortega might have left the city almost intact, cut off from the outside world as much as it was. However it is impossible to truly say since detailed maps or directions to reach Galuda were lost far sooner than any mentions of it in histories. It might even have been overrun and claimed by those they were fighting against. Rumors say there were great stores of knowledge there, and what few stories about the city remain hold mentions of a great tree which overshadowed much of the city and sheltered it in more than one way. This tree was said to be a likeness to the fabled Tree of Knowledge in elven creation myth, but cynics suggest the city was merely a storehouse for records on the arcane experiments undertaken by Ortegans. Either way, the city would be an incredible find should the location be even hinted at. Many scholars, chiefly those who are skeptical of "an advanced magical empire forgotten so completely" have provided an alternative theory. They believe Galuda's existence may be just a fictitious creation made from the elven myths and the very real vaults kept by the Sages of Myrisic.
History
WARNING: This section is heavy with spoilers. Do not read if you are playing in my campaigns and wish to remain innocent!
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It's not entirely known when the Ortegan mystics discovered it, but when a seed purported to be from the Tree of Knowledge entered their keeping there was no denying what it might be used for. After establishing the seed's authenticity as far as possible, debates were held for where to establish it as a fixture. Many thought it would be best served to be an anchor for a new capital, but the majority ruled instead to take the seed to a place where it was likely to have room to grow properly and have a closer match to what climate was suspected to be best. When this led to a place in the southern subcontinent, the objections were dropped and the mystics began to make plans for the settlers to be well-protected. Once the procession left the Kiroan Desert and entered the jungle, however, every facet of the original plan swiftly wound up being discarded.
While the jungles had long been infamous for being a region which were full of hostile life (including occasional carnivorous plants), none of the Ortegans were prepared to run into other humans. These thralls, cultists, and degenerates proved to be more dangerous than anticipated by the settlers since they hinted at a broader evil which had sprouted within the jungle. This evil made itself known as the Ortegans pushed further, proving to be serpentfolk who worshipped darker deities who demanded sacrifices and tribute from their followers. These unknown creatures had a broad variety of physical form, yet all shared the same religion and haughty sense of superiority to "the warm-blooded". With them being not just present in the region, but powerful, the mystics were urged to reconsider the whole plan. Instead, adjustments were made to seek out a position which could be readily defended. The settlers found a plateau which could be altered to suit them, and quickly set about making the work happen. In two weeks, the mystics had raised stone barriers from the earth and reinforced them with magic. Others were trained in the use of bows and spears, such that any individual who could not wield magic could instead be a threat with weapons. One moon was all it took for Galuda to be carved from the jungle and defended against varied attacks.
As the city grew, the mystics forged a connection to the other cities with travel magic and soon had a lifeline to help support their need for supplies. The mystics began to cultivate the seed, while they also began to undertake an alternative task for their brethren. Without a clear idea of what the "Tree of Knowledge" would do, it was suggested Galuda become a stronghold for all records and knowledge of Ortega. Since experimental mishaps which destroyed both those who undertook the experiments and the records which might say what went wrong always were a true hazard, this idea gained traction. As soon as Seriaven was built and its more advanced travel magic became linked to Galuda, a great library was built in the heart of the city which held hundreds of thousands of vellum scrolls. Over decades, the library maintained the scrolls and curated several codices which were distillations of theories which were central to the mystics' studies. The city's defenses evolved as well, and orichalcum became employed to seal off potential entrances such to present an impenetrable physical barrier to allies and thralls of the serpentfolk. As the city took root, so too did the seed sprout into a sapling which resembled no known tree on Erisdaire. Yet even over a single generation it showed very little development, disappointing the original settling mystics. Experiments were begun elsewhere in the city to investigate many of the local flora and how the growth of the tree might be safely quickened. Between the arboretums where mystics and others sought ways of raising trees, and the growing storage of knowledge, Galuda became known as "the City of Leaves".
Generations passed and the tasks of caring for the new 'Oracle Tree' passed from parent to child, and then again to their children. The Oracle Tree began to display a curious quality where its shed leaves could be processed into an incense which aided concentration during studies. None dared test its sap, since the Tree had not yet provided any seeds to cultivate and the singular specimen was too valuable to risk for curiosity's sake. Reports were made of the roots burrowing down into the underground storage vaults for the library - but instead of destroying the structure it seemed the Tree replaced the stone with living wood. Slowly and steadily, the vaults closest to the surface wound up converted in such a manner and possessing an intangible feeling of calm and silence. However, the fall of the Ortegan Empire would happen before any mystics managed to pry too far into the mystery which was taking root - literally - within Galuda's heart.
While the jungles had long been infamous for being a region which were full of hostile life (including occasional carnivorous plants), none of the Ortegans were prepared to run into other humans. These thralls, cultists, and degenerates proved to be more dangerous than anticipated by the settlers since they hinted at a broader evil which had sprouted within the jungle. This evil made itself known as the Ortegans pushed further, proving to be serpentfolk who worshipped darker deities who demanded sacrifices and tribute from their followers. These unknown creatures had a broad variety of physical form, yet all shared the same religion and haughty sense of superiority to "the warm-blooded". With them being not just present in the region, but powerful, the mystics were urged to reconsider the whole plan. Instead, adjustments were made to seek out a position which could be readily defended. The settlers found a plateau which could be altered to suit them, and quickly set about making the work happen. In two weeks, the mystics had raised stone barriers from the earth and reinforced them with magic. Others were trained in the use of bows and spears, such that any individual who could not wield magic could instead be a threat with weapons. One moon was all it took for Galuda to be carved from the jungle and defended against varied attacks.
As the city grew, the mystics forged a connection to the other cities with travel magic and soon had a lifeline to help support their need for supplies. The mystics began to cultivate the seed, while they also began to undertake an alternative task for their brethren. Without a clear idea of what the "Tree of Knowledge" would do, it was suggested Galuda become a stronghold for all records and knowledge of Ortega. Since experimental mishaps which destroyed both those who undertook the experiments and the records which might say what went wrong always were a true hazard, this idea gained traction. As soon as Seriaven was built and its more advanced travel magic became linked to Galuda, a great library was built in the heart of the city which held hundreds of thousands of vellum scrolls. Over decades, the library maintained the scrolls and curated several codices which were distillations of theories which were central to the mystics' studies. The city's defenses evolved as well, and orichalcum became employed to seal off potential entrances such to present an impenetrable physical barrier to allies and thralls of the serpentfolk. As the city took root, so too did the seed sprout into a sapling which resembled no known tree on Erisdaire. Yet even over a single generation it showed very little development, disappointing the original settling mystics. Experiments were begun elsewhere in the city to investigate many of the local flora and how the growth of the tree might be safely quickened. Between the arboretums where mystics and others sought ways of raising trees, and the growing storage of knowledge, Galuda became known as "the City of Leaves".
Generations passed and the tasks of caring for the new 'Oracle Tree' passed from parent to child, and then again to their children. The Oracle Tree began to display a curious quality where its shed leaves could be processed into an incense which aided concentration during studies. None dared test its sap, since the Tree had not yet provided any seeds to cultivate and the singular specimen was too valuable to risk for curiosity's sake. Reports were made of the roots burrowing down into the underground storage vaults for the library - but instead of destroying the structure it seemed the Tree replaced the stone with living wood. Slowly and steadily, the vaults closest to the surface wound up converted in such a manner and possessing an intangible feeling of calm and silence. However, the fall of the Ortegan Empire would happen before any mystics managed to pry too far into the mystery which was taking root - literally - within Galuda's heart.
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