The Kel'Nok Mire

The Gyésanti Swamps are inhospitable to all but the most disease-ridden, plague-infested, and rot-resistant lifeforms. Beneath the darkened and shadowed veil of Eresh, the swamp is empowered to choke, drown, and snuff out all life that dares enter without the Rot Bringer’s consent. Yet, a single permanent settlement persists. Built on a rare dry patch in the southern portion of the swamps, the Kel’Nok Mire has existed for millennia. It is the only area in the Swamp where the Kel’Nok – the creatures for which the settlement is named – are "peaceful". However, should anyone not welcomed by Eresh linger too long within the Mire or dare to raise a hand to any who live there, the Kel’Nok rise from the darkened bog to ravenously feast… leaving only bones behind.

The Kel’Nok Mire was approximately the size of a small town, though only about ¼ of its total “potential” population was a permanent resident. The year-round residents occupied the permanent structures: huts built upon the scattered patches of solid ground or cabins built atop stilts that descended into the muck and shallow swamps. Moss, lichen, and mushroom were allowed to crawl up and cover most structures. In the Kel’Nok Mire, rotted wood was the primary building material, and it was oddly sturdy. Natural bridges of bending tree roots and branches (with a few constructed walkways as needed) allowed for easy movement across town without disturbing the Kel’Nok that slept in the stagnant waters. Given the tendency of the local Kel’Nok to vomit up the bones of their recent meal, bones were commonly used as supports or decorative pieces.

On the northern edge of the Kel’Nok Mire was the largest dry patch of land. This area was reserved for temporary residents and, more specifically, the Gyésanti Caravans. Here, where the muck wasn’t as detrimental, caravans would set up clusters of tents and temporary homes. During travel and trade seasons (where night was the longest), this portion of the Mire was often near empty. However, during important religious festivals or during times of strife that made travel dangerous, the number of tents was more than three times the number of physical structures in the Mire.

On the southern edge of the Kel’Nok Mire was the Shadow Pool, a large gathering of pitch black, still and stagnant water. The Gyésar believed that the entire pool was infested by Kel’Nok, which were practically invisible moving through the pool. The Shadow Pool was also the location of Eresh’s Temple. Neither the Gyésar nor the Mushroom Folk dared venture into the Shadow Pool (unless their time of death had arrived) and so a Shrine was constructed at the water’s unmoving edge.

Culture & Societal Roles: The Gyésanti Caravan

While most of the world might rise with the sun and rest with the moon, the residents of the Kel’Nok Mire conduct their affairs under the protective veil of Eresh – night – and escape the sun through sleep. Even with the ever-present fog to block most of the sun’s rays, it is common to find most Gyésar asleep or indoors until the sun has formally set. Even while traveling across the continent, the Gyésar only travel at night and prefer to travel on moonless nights. While trading with other regions and cities, the Gyésar were often willing to work during the day, but far preferred to negotiate, trade, and barter during the late evening hours or the very early morning.

Societal Roles. The people of the Kel’Nok Mire often filled roles defined by what was needed or otherwise important in the Caravan setting, even if one of the permanent residents.

1. Caravan Leaders – Every caravan has a leader or a spokesperson. Caravan Leaders often arise from the Versed; they must have tremendous knowledge and wisdom to navigate both the swamp and the outside world. They must be able to negotiate with various types of people. Retired leaders often filled “political” leadership roles in the Kel’Nok Mire.
2. Rot-Touched & Swamp-Speakers – A broad class that encompassed people who were infused with some form of magical talent. Shamans read ill omens and signs in the swamp. Herbalists created remedies and balms, balancing pain relief with the artistic spread of rot. Druids who could raise and command Rot Wights were important additions to caravans venturing into dangerous territory. The Rot-Touched represented the closest thing to a traditional clergy.
3. Arthropod Handlers – For generations, certain families of Gyésar have had the honor of raising, training, and handling the Caravan Arthropods, the “Stilt Bugs”. Arguably the most important animal in the Swamp for the Gyésar, those responsible for their care were held in high esteem.
4. The Versed – The Gyésar title for scholars. Their primary job was to obtain worldly knowledge and speak many languages to help facilitate trade while traveling. It was common for Versed to study under a Caravan Leader and later become a Leader themselves.
5. The Common – The remaining Gyésar were often mushroom farmers, fisherman, seamstresses, weavers, and more.

Marks of Decay

The Gyésar saw themselves as deeply integrated with the Cycle of Decay. Although they were resilient against disease, pestilence, poison, and rot, they often permitted symbols of decay to take root upon and within their flesh. Limbs that slowly succumbed to rot were kept rather than amputated despite persisting pain. Specific fungus would often establish themselves at the base of a limb, their mycorrhizae creating patterns just beneath the skin. Such natural “tattoos” were praised despite the restricted mobility that arose in the joint. The development of bark-like skin was common and the loss of feeling in the area was both a detriment and a boon. This practice, perhaps, is one reason why outsiders regarded the Gyésar as plague bringers.

To bear a mark of decay was to be blessed of Eresh. Those who did not naturally develop such markings often sought the aid of a Rot-Touched, many of whom were the rough equivalent of tattoo artists. These Rot-Touched would either coax fungus to take root in the flesh or encourage bark-like growths. Once the mark had held, the Rot-Touched would create a beautiful, yet macabre display.

On The Dead

Among the Gyésar, dying might be worthy of fear and trepidation, but death was not. In death, one achieves perfect symbiosis with the Cycle of Decay. One’s body becomes nourishment for new life. As such, there were no formal burials for Gyésar. It was tradition, however, to return a dead Gyésar to the swamp, if they were to perish while traveling. Bodies were often placed at the base of Path Markers, which the Gyésar believed would help guide souls to the Shadow Pool quickly. On moonless nights in the Kel’Nok Mire, lingering spirits of the recently deceased would rise from the Shadow Pool. Above the stagnant waters, they would dance and frolic, occasionally drifting to the shore to commune with still living loved ones. And as the night faded, the lingering spirits would fade, embraced by Eresh.

Caravan Arthropods, "Stilt Bugs"

Like the Gyésar, the Stilt Bugs were originally from the neighboring swamps and marshes of Mevetés. The family from which Stilt Bugs descend were once prey for the carnivorous dinosaurs that prowled the nature god’s lands. The modern Stilt Bugs were the last species within this family; all others had gone extinct from over-predation and over-hunting.

The Stilt Bugs, like the Gyésar, changed with their arrival and time in the Gyésanti Swamps. As they aged, they often accumulated symbiotic fungal growths along their legs and across their carapace. Vines and vegetation that got entangled on limbs or protrusions often remained, heightening the Stilt Bugs' natural camouflage. Further, the long, stilt-like legs of the Stilt Bugs made navigating particularly mucky or bog-like areas easier. More importantly, as their limbs resembled the roots of the gnarled, warped trees of the Gyésanti Swamps, the Kel’Nok were rarely disturbed by the movement of Stilt Bugs. Although best equipped for the Swamps, they were nimble and sure-footed in a variety of environments.

Key Locations

1. Shrine at the Shadow Pool
2. Central Kel'Nok, "Market District"
3. The Mushroom Grove
4. The Holding Cells
5. Camptown Outskirts

RUINED SETTLEMENT
450-500 YAR

Type

Village

Location under

The Gyésanti Swamps

Related Reports (Primary)

• Session 25 – Is it Rot? Is it Decay? Is it Paranoia?
• Session 26 - Into the Shadow Pool
• Session 27 - Why Aren't YOU Tanking Then???

Entering the Shadow Pool

It was no secret to the Gyésar that they were Eresh’s second love, so to speak. If Eresh did not even allow the Mushroom Folk safe passage to her Temple, why would she grant the Gyésar access? The Gyésar believed that only those specifically called by Eresh could enter the Temple and be shielded from the Kel’Nok that guarded the entrance. Those not called would be ripped and torn apart, food to nourish the Cycle of Decay that would feed new life. On the rare occasion when an outsider would make their way to the Kel’Nok Mire and abuse their “welcome”, the Gyésar had no issue luring and sacrificing said intruder to the Shadow Pool.

Mushroom Folk Society

The Mushroom Folk are simple beings, though the group that resides in the Kel’Nok Mire is perhaps the most intelligent. Despite their potential to achieve more, they are content to toddle along looking for their next feast: bodies to bring to rot for Eresh. Rarely do the Mushroom Folk divide themselves into castes, roles, or any other rigid structure. Rather, the Mushroom Folk view themselves equally as one entity and as a group of individuals.

Occasionally, however, they will recognize a My'ahje (a "Sage"), an older Mushroom Folk who has achieved “enlightenment”. This occurs when a Mushroom Folk lives long enough to accumulate greater sentience by decomposing the remains of humanoids, most commonly Gyésar.

The Dead Above the Shadow Pool

War Ghost by Hideyoshi