Vos Ostabrae
212 Adnaen
And of Old Adnae? It met the Doom Ordained, that which cannot be escaped, as will in time The World.
Welcome
Edos
The world of Edos was once an incredibly varied and diverse place, full of many fascinating lands and peoples. It is, as it was near its peak, its own separate setting, one which I have dedicated over a decade to developing and used as a setting for countless stories.
But that was the world before, this takes place over two centuries later. The "Wildefolk", a vicious and innumerable race capable only of taking or destroying, never creating, never improving, were a threat long kept in check by cooperative nations. But no more.
They have destroyed all of Edos as its people knew it. All civilization is lost, so much knowledge is forgotten, so many resources are used up. And still the Wildefolk prowl...
Vos Ostabrae
Hidden away and nigh-impenetrable, the fortress-city of Vos Ostabrae is a last enclave of Edos and Humanity. Unlike the rest of the world it was not plundered, instead overlooked. It has evolved quite a lot in two centuries, however.
From a military garrison to a city that must be entirely self-sustainable, self-reliant, and self-sufficient, Vos Ostabrae has come a long way, as have its residents. To remain both hidden and protected, nothing can be left to chance. Only minimal smoke rises from the city, when out of doors people speak only in whispers, even all the food is grown within the great walls.
In Vos Ostabrae you are born in the city and already have a purpose: survival. Not your survival, but that of the city. And for most, they are born within the walls, live within the walls, and die within the walls.
Teaser
Tomar and Yevgeniya ran headlong through the forest, the very beginnings of frost crunching beneath their feet. They vaulted over fallen trees and boulders alike, but no matter how fast they ran the whooping cries and shrill whistles of their pursuers grew ever closer.
They knew, just as everyone did, that eventually the Wildefolk would overtake them. They always did. Perhaps not if they headed straight for the stronghold, but they both well understood and accepted that if it meant keeping the stronghold’s location hidden from the Wildefolk, the loss of two expeditioneers was acceptable.
There were only two options: somehow lose their pursuers, or make the Great Wainwright proud by dying well.
Now they could begin to see them, just flashes of tawny color, distinctly human yet decidedly disproportionate bodies, crude clothing and implements, and seeming monstrous features. Still, it meant they were closing in.
Yevgeniya nocked an arrow in her bow and Tomar drew his hatchet and knife.
Up ahead, seeming to rush towards them as they rushed towards it was a small clearing, a great granite escarpment four times the height of a man blocking any chance of escape. The two exchanged grim nods as they leaped over a log into the clearing.
They would fight it out here, their backs to the granite wall. Wildefolk were easy enough to kill, but no matter how many there were of you, there were always more of them. That’s how it had come to this, after all.
And now their backs were to the wall, literally, and the enemy closed in...