Eperit

The center-most area of Pryce has many names depending on who’s answering. Cimmerians have rightfully named it Eperit, the birth land. Alyrians call it the Dead Lands, due to the corrupt nature of the area. Regardless of its name, Eperit consists of mountainous regions, the Northern Mountains, and is primarily home to the continent’s steppe biome. Due to both Cimmerian presence and high levels of magic, the land is uniquely marked due to the taint, causing nature to take on a twisted, though exotic, appearance.

Government

Ruling above all is the Great Lord, also known as the Ruling Lord. All final decisions are made through them and them alone. Residing beneath them are the other Lords and Ladies that hold high ranking positions and are brought in for some matters and disputes. These ranked officials are also in charge of taxation and other policies to govern their select regions. Though typically, this does not concern the Great Lord, if issues do arise, they are first brought to his advisors, and they decide whether or not to bring them to the Lord.
When it comes to disputes, it is mainly between the involved parties, rarely will guards interfere. The exception is when the involved parties can not reach an agreement, violence that is more than a petty squabble start up, or anything else that would need multiple parties to interfere. Guards will either bring said issue to the Lord/Lady of the area or bring it straight to the advisors and Great Lord. In some cases, mostly for pettier squabbles where conflict refuses to resolve, guards can simply throw them into prison for the night.

Defences

It should be noted that Eperit holds no walls, it's greatest defense is the landscape itself. Due to being an area heavy with taint, parts of Eperit are practically unlivable for other species besides Cimmerians. Alyrians that do wander in can stay for a bit before having to retreat. Because of this, no large scale attack has ever happened. Another natural defense is that the sun over Pryce is not as bright as other places, the reason unknown, but helpful for all that live here. This allows Cimmerians far more energy and the ability to sneak across the land in shadow form. If an army was to approach, it would be quite easy for Cimmerians to launch a stealth attack against the offending party. And lastly, the native beasts that roam the land rarely wander close to the city but do patrol the outskirts. An army would have to first get past them before even thinking about attacking Eperit.

History

The Heart

Before the Alyrian incursion, Eperit was the capital of Pryce simply because it existed so close to The Heart, the center area of Pryce, the believed to be birthplace of the Cimmerian race, and where many believe Darkness prison rests. The population was average, and the Cimmerian people were far more spread out, the nobility seeing more significant territory as well. After the attack, Eperit became the only true area that Cimmerians existed on Pryce, and the tainted region grew as the taint became more focused.

Geography

Steppes primarily make up the landscape of Eperit. To the north rests the great mountain chain known as the Northern Mountains, to the west are the Cauwin and Naquar Lake, and to the southwest, the Kuno Jungle. Even with the landscape forever effected by the taint, nature continues to grow, giving Eperit a rare and beautiful view. While the outskirts lack color, showing travelers a barren and grayscale landscape, the closer one gets to the center, the more life begins to flourish. Magic and taint mixing have created a diverse and colorful landscape consisting of bright, neon-like plants, gems, and rocks.

Crystal cave by Nerkin

Eperit also contains cave systems where vast flora and fauna resides along with magic-fueled water sources, echoing rocks, and more. Many believe that one of the many cave systems will lead to Kiamet, Darkness's home and prison.

by Ilya Nazarov

Type

City

Population

16,212

Location under

Pryce

Owner/Ruler

Doran Rauturi

Characters in Location

• Ruvian Rauturi

Appearances
For the Crown

Notable Places

• The Black Market

• The Lord's Castle

• The Heart