Parseil, the Ruined City
Oh? Well yes I know tales of it. Fair Parseil, Jewel of Aurora, City of Moonlight... fallen into darkness, taken but not destroyed. Oh the tales which could be told of such a place, but it's not for the faint of heart. The evils which dwell within those walls are greater than you would think. Buy me a round, and I'll tell you a tale... keep buying, and I might have more to tell!Many centuries ago, the city of Parseil stood on the northeastern shore of Aurora Bay and served as a stop for trade vessels using the Frostwater Way. Then as the world began to experience an upheaval, and the Rhyliss Empire began to spread conflict ahead of it, a horde of monsters descended on Parseil swiftly. While the original defenses had long served to dissuade such actions, this assault was considerably more focused and soon the walls had been breached. Within three days, the castle in the midst of the city had fallen to the horde's leader and residents were hunted down through the streets which used to be quite safe.
Attempts to retake the city have failed, as 'year after year' became 'generation after generation'. The horde's initial attack had not broken the defenses, merely overwhelmed them and left those defenses intact to be used against adventurers and armies trying to besiege the ruins. As time passed, fewer and fewer people attempted a battle against the horde still residing inside the city. The occasional group of adventurers would still try, hoping to make a name for themselves by succeeding where others have failed. Thus far, there has been only a minor victory in the creation of Varinas Hall.
Defences
At the height of its power, Parseil was protected by walls which were taller than most of the houses within the city, and thick enough to support substantial battlements. Furthermore, there were anti-siege weapons situated in many of the towers along the wall which made it difficult to successfully besiege the city. At the harbor, Fort Karsel was situated close enough to provide defensive support from archers and large-scale weapons. It was also home to a small fleet of ships which could engage invaders trying to reach the city through the docks. Should invaders breach the defenses focused on the water, there were also guards stationed at various points who could mobilize quick enough to intercept invaders before they could depart their ships.
Silvermoon Castle also enjoyed a significant amount of defenses, though these were concentrated in ways to prevent invaders from entering the castle and threatening the king and any civilians who sought shelter in the castle. Foremost were arcanists who focused their talents into spells which could supplement soldiers' efforts, being more creative than to simply use what is colloquially called "battle magic". Some records which survived described animated statues which were also key to defending the castle against more powerful foes, though scholars still debate whether these references should be considered factual.
When Parseil was taken, there were only a few breaches in the wall made and the horde quickly worked to fill those breaches with rubble from inside the city. In addition to this, there is a definitive edge to the defense of the city now as most of the "residents" can be reasonably expected to pick up a weapon and fight. The existence of the Knights of the Queen also brings into sharp focus just how committed the horde is to holding the city, since elite forces are not often expected to be a major part of "mere monsters". Rumors persist there are true monsters, beasts of unmistakable power and ferocity which are ready to strike anyone they think could become food.
Silvermoon Castle also enjoyed a significant amount of defenses, though these were concentrated in ways to prevent invaders from entering the castle and threatening the king and any civilians who sought shelter in the castle. Foremost were arcanists who focused their talents into spells which could supplement soldiers' efforts, being more creative than to simply use what is colloquially called "battle magic". Some records which survived described animated statues which were also key to defending the castle against more powerful foes, though scholars still debate whether these references should be considered factual.
When Parseil was taken, there were only a few breaches in the wall made and the horde quickly worked to fill those breaches with rubble from inside the city. In addition to this, there is a definitive edge to the defense of the city now as most of the "residents" can be reasonably expected to pick up a weapon and fight. The existence of the Knights of the Queen also brings into sharp focus just how committed the horde is to holding the city, since elite forces are not often expected to be a major part of "mere monsters". Rumors persist there are true monsters, beasts of unmistakable power and ferocity which are ready to strike anyone they think could become food.
History
Long ago, in years before the Rhyliss Empire had yet to be conceived, the region around the Aurora Bay was ruled by the King of Parseil, the City of Moonlight. It had grown from a fortress overlooking a trade stop into a prosperous city, with Silvermoon Castle having taken the place as the seat of rulership. Fort Karsel remained, turned into the base for the harbor guards and guides. Trade ships would come from the colder northern oceans through the Frostwater Way, or from elsewhere along the bay to resupply before heading out. Docking fees and taxes from trade coming through the city amounted to a great amount of money over decades, allowing Parseil to build the defenses which proved necessary against raiders and monsters which sought to plunder the city.
Until a day came when the horde arrived, with many things which were thought impossible. For one, there were numerous different types of monsters which were not fighting each other (much) and were bent on breaking the city before them. Secondly, the attack was highly coordinated and strained the attention of the defenders as the walls, gates, and harbor were assaulted almost simultaneously. And lastly, the horde did not disperse back to the wild after it had seized Silvermoon Castle and routed the city's defenders. It remained, slaughtering any survivors who had not been able to escape the city entirely.
Repeated attempts were made to retake the city by adventuring groups, or large armies of such people banded together. All of them would fail in the goal, and in most cases this would mean a total annihilation of the 'invaders'. A few who escaped would tell tales of a group of knights devoted to the ruler of the city, who were brutal and efficient in stomping out attempts which looked like they could potentially threaten the grip of the horde on the city.
While the Rhyliss Empire was expanding outward, and always is looking to increase their reach beyond their borders, Parseil has never truly been within their range of influence. Furthermore, the expected investment of time and force has made the Emperor decide against it. Nominally, the city still falls within the borders of the allied nation of Durrsk - though they, too, lack the power to deal with it. Adventurers have rallied to the call, seeking fortune and glory as they think to either disperse the horde or get rich raiding into Parseil. They have all found failure, save for a more recent outing which resulted in the establishment of 'Varinas Hall'. For the time being, the horde inside Parseil seem content to cede control of one building (and a few acres outside the city walls).
Until a day came when the horde arrived, with many things which were thought impossible. For one, there were numerous different types of monsters which were not fighting each other (much) and were bent on breaking the city before them. Secondly, the attack was highly coordinated and strained the attention of the defenders as the walls, gates, and harbor were assaulted almost simultaneously. And lastly, the horde did not disperse back to the wild after it had seized Silvermoon Castle and routed the city's defenders. It remained, slaughtering any survivors who had not been able to escape the city entirely.
Repeated attempts were made to retake the city by adventuring groups, or large armies of such people banded together. All of them would fail in the goal, and in most cases this would mean a total annihilation of the 'invaders'. A few who escaped would tell tales of a group of knights devoted to the ruler of the city, who were brutal and efficient in stomping out attempts which looked like they could potentially threaten the grip of the horde on the city.
While the Rhyliss Empire was expanding outward, and always is looking to increase their reach beyond their borders, Parseil has never truly been within their range of influence. Furthermore, the expected investment of time and force has made the Emperor decide against it. Nominally, the city still falls within the borders of the allied nation of Durrsk - though they, too, lack the power to deal with it. Adventurers have rallied to the call, seeking fortune and glory as they think to either disperse the horde or get rich raiding into Parseil. They have all found failure, save for a more recent outing which resulted in the establishment of 'Varinas Hall'. For the time being, the horde inside Parseil seem content to cede control of one building (and a few acres outside the city walls).
Alternative Name(s)
City of Monsters
City of Moonlight (Formerly)
Aurora's Jewel (Formerly)
City of Moonlight (Formerly)
Aurora's Jewel (Formerly)
Type
Large city
Related Ethnicities
Inhabitant Demonym
Parselian (Former)
Children
Hordeling (pejorative)
Children
Hordeling (pejorative)
Location under
This was so cool as a story for a settlement! Absolutely loved it. I'm most intrigued about the idea of how regular citizens are treated and if one could simply enter the city being an outsider if it's not with the intention to conquer it. I definitely would be watching out for any of those beasts looking at me with hungry eyes!
The thing is, it's now sort of a place where there's a small war going on trying to reclaim the city. And it's only going marginally well, since only individual bands of adventurers are technically allowed to deal with it. The two major powers on the continent both have signed a treaty which keeps them out of this territory, or from sending actual forces into it. Which means, well, any settlement inside this "no-man's-land" has to fend for itself ever since Parseil fell.