Saw a post earlier on about the Maryland Darter elsewhere, it is the only endemic vertebrate to Maryland, and was last seen in 1988 in Deer Creek.

It's been nearly 40 years since the last confirmed sighting, but that sighting was already part of a much smaller series of sightings from the 60s to 80s of the species, before then having not been seen since 1912; it camouflages well into the environment.

Does anyone know of any programs for it/attempts to rediscover it?

I've tried reaching out to Friends of Harford, Harford Land Trust, and the Susquehanna Wildlife Society, but so far only Harford Land Trust has replied, and they don't have any active conservation efforts for the species.

I haven't been to the flea market in Joppa in a while, what's this rebranding all about?

After a seemingly terse negotiation the prior year, it had come to pass that a group of Alates were successful in founding a new Cluster within the southerly highlands of Aelbaion, with the blessing of a local ducal lord no less.

However, with such blessing comes duties to be done, and with the months having passed through all four seasons, the time has come for the newly settled Cluster to pay what tax it may owe.

At the fringes of the Demani's new fief, a path has been constructed, as was agreed upon for the purpose of the paying of taxes. From the rather barren rural cartway it runs alongside, the fief is entered immediately by a masonry path, though the stone in use would not be of familiar stock to whomever is deeded the right tax collection.

Likewise, the landscape would appear as foreign to the rolling dry grasses and the occasional flag, tuckamore, or knieholz known to the area by the locals. In its place, the signs of a changing ecosystem would already show apparent. Swaths of grasses absent from the hills, with small earthworks covered in shrubs and herbs cordon small ponds, saplings of trees sprouted far beyond the forest which the Cluster is told to have situated their settlement within.

As foresters, Demani do not take kindly to open landscapes nor flat land, much preferring the warm, sheer cliffs and highlands within Ayetho. However, not every soul may live amongst their idealized habitat, and it would be a folly to yield to tides of the natural order without even an attempt at making up for that which one lacks. As it is such, Demani nesting in such prairied conditions have over the centuries learned to adapt such terrains to their own natures, beyond that which the heavens should will.

Although not preferred, grasses, millets, and grains may not be ignored in those early periods, the new Nest must find itself able to feed itself even in a lacking environment, and so the bounty of the meadows are harvested as would be the seeds of pines and oaks. However, in each open patch of soil to be seen, the more quickly growing seeds of herbs, creepers, and shrubs would be planted, establishing a more desirable baseline for the next springtime.

## Water Management

Likewise, the rivers, streams, creeks, and all other flows of water, would not find themselves neglected by the nestlings. The rapids would have stones built up to disturb their flow, the shallows would be dammed with twigs and twine, and any gores that prevent raintime floods would be bricked and barred to turn their depths stagnant and force the flow higher in elevation, all for the sake of taking what water is there and spreading it across the feathery lea.

However, not all lands are suited to such simple brooks. Where water flows but nary a run is to be had, more creative dugouts and dams must be employed.

Where the land would allow it, any such ephemeral braids might see channeled to a fixed sluice, but where no such fortune may be found, water must be enchanneled through other means.

In areas which go without distinct mild channels of any meaningful sort, two solutions dominate the short term. The more favorable of which being the creation of capture basins. These basins serve a dual purpose, both serving as a well to source groundwater from, as well as being intentionally located where rainfall may runoff towards whenever it may come. These wells are best known for their terraced structure, which helps prevent collapse, as well as for near universally bearing the telltale ornamentation of Demani artists, covered in endlessly intermixing patterns and tiles, though these do often erode away in the deeper levels due to the nature of water collection.

A less favorable, but cheaper and more widespread method, is to create smaller earthworks to capture rainwater. These works may be a variety of shapes, depending on the nest or cluster constructing them, but are generally longer than they are wide, and see the dugout soil stacked on the downhill side of the basin, creating a series of ditches which may ensnare what rainfall comes when that may be. This permits and promotes larger, woodier plants in areas which may otherwise be too dry or have excessive drainage.

Once such methods, or combinations of methods, produce a condition in which higher order retention structures may be of use, such structures will then be installed, ensuring a greater degree of water is made available for planted forage.

## Soil Production

However, it is not only water which a forest is built on, but soil as well. Though Demani will scarcely nest at poor soils, there have likewise been times where it was inevitable, forcing innovation on how such challenges might be overcome.

Demani seek a dark, rich soil when settling a colony, and will work towards making the soil where they settle of that consistency when it is not natively present, to varying degrees of success.

A common source of the base material for these soils circles back to the water retention structures mentioned previously. The dams, barriers, and ditches creating basins in which alluvial soils may develop, which during the maintenancing of these structures may be dispersed more intentionally in the surrounding areas. Likewise, in the larger wells, lacustrine soils develop over time, which are similarly dispersed during regular maintenance of the wells. While the exact quality of these soils is dependent on the surrounding environment, it is a safe and secure baseline for which heartier soils may be propagated.

In wetter habitats, there may likewise be deposition in native wetlands. From these wetlands, should the soil elsewhere in the Nest's territory be subpar, basins may be dug nearby, in which scraps leafs, twigs, bone, and flesh may be loosely deposited, and the waters allowed to fully submerge the material. As these materials decay, a highly fertile muck begins to form, which is duly extradited to its intended home elsewhere before it can harm the natural marsh. The muck may also be mixed with alluvial or lacustrine shovelings for a more balanced mixture. When these muck pools are no longer needed, or are otherwise forgotten, they are in time reclaimed by nature to form peatlands, which may then after be used by a later Nest to host the saplings that Demani desire, by happenstance.

In drier areas, such wetlands cannot be relied on, meaning more complex methods must be and have been developed as well. One of the simpler methods being the grinding of stones into dust. Though this often makes for a poor soil initially, this granulation allows for the rapid weathering of the stone particles which would normally take centuries or even millennia to form thin soils. The method of grinding is more often than not involving the use of those Demani who have an affinity to material magic, using their abilities to move the rocks and boulders, and if they are particularly capable, doing the majority of the breaking down this way as well. To refine it further to powder, those whose duty is irregularly needed at the Nest, or who have grown too old or injured to carry out other tasks, take the gravel produced and hammer it into powder to the best of their abilities, leading to this method often having a wide variety of particle sizes, some even still pebble sized.

To compensate for the poor quality of ground stone as a soil, the final two features of current Demani soilmaking practices come into play, both involving organic waste- no, not like Aelbaion, there is just as much aversion to feces in Demani as there is in most other sapient race.

Of these two practices, the simplest is the creation of compost from food and craft scraps. With the nature of Demani construction and handiworks rarely including stones nor metals outside of more specialized fields, the trimmings of twigs and vines from basketmakers, the clippings of cotton, hemp, and other fiber fabrics, and all variety of leaf, pulp, and mulch, all end up as a steady source of material for compost, regardless of soil quality at least one compost site may be found at most any Nest. Likewise, food scraps and spoils are naturally added to compost where suitable, certain plants or meats occasionally precluded when found to adversely impact the compost quality.

The second, less frequent method is the creation of a sterile fertilizer, of which the bones, shells, and exoskeletons of different animals are used as the source material for. The bones and shells are first broken into smaller pieces, though not as finely as the method involving stones, and are then fired to leave little more than the structural calcium and phosphorus, to Demani simply leaving fired bone. The fired bone is then soaked, causing it to boil and seemingly melt, but in reality just reconstituting while forming solution in the water. What remains is then hammered into a powdery substance to be mixed into what other soil supplements have been produced, enriching them. This method is rarely seen in younger nests, though is more common at nests which eat a larger volume of meat, regardless of maturity.

After the components to produce a quality soil have been achieved, the nestlings must mix what has been gathered to produce the base of their ideal soil. Though the exact ratio within the mix is highly dependent on the local conditions and expertise of the members of the Nest, what follows after mixing does not change, the activating of the new soil.

The soil mix, to be activated, must be given just as much life as one might natively find in nature. Though many microorganisms already inhabit much of the base material, a more refined touch is added by the Demani making it, in no small part thanks to their mastery of fungi and forest.

Fiberous fungi are the preferred option by Demani, which help partially stablize the soil until macroflora are able to take root. Likewise, the fungi for this purpose has long been cultured by Demani to help in the settling of new Nests over time, producing a mycelial culture which helps fix nitrogen to the soil, break down phosphates trapped in soil compounds, and increase the soils carbon content through its own growing, dying, and respiration. This myceliated mixture is broken and turned at a rate the nestlings producing it find suitable, until a soil suitable to supplement more barren regions has been prepared.

This prepared soil is valuable, however, due to how intensive the process of producing it can be, meaning it may not be used haphazardly. The primary place this soil is used is at the highly maintained gardens within the immediate vicinity of the Nest. It is much rarer for large amounts to be used beyond the more cultured gardens, only very large Nests being able to afford the expense of cultivating more far flung landscapes to such an extreme degree. Instead, less highly prepared soils, or even just excess components of soil production, are used to fertilize the broader expanse around a Nest to thicken the soils and prepare it for foresting. Though, in locations deemed ideal enough, the more refined soil produced may be used, even if a distance from the Nest, but this is a rare occurrence.

## Ecological Succession

As a favorable soil composition is established, and that soil is made to be naturally saturated by streams and reservoirs, the flora and fauna of the region will likewise be cultivated to the Demani's favor.

At first, the cereals and millets of the prairies will be used as sustenance until proper hearty foodstuffs may be cultivated, but as mentioned in the opening, more preferable herbs will be seeded where such openings to plant may arise in the formative years.

As a wetter environment is constructed and the soil is enriched, a greater variety of herbs will be planted by the nestlings, particularly those which have strong, deep taproots, as to hold the soils in place.

When the grasses begin to naturally subside in the springtimes, desirable shrubs and saplings will find themselves rooted in locations the Demani deem favorable for their growth. Likewise, as the woody plants grow, their condition will be noted, and companion plants may be seeded near them as necessary.

As the trees grow higher over the early years, the shade that they bring lends to the new herbs to be planted in their shadows, with creepers and berries and all other sorts. And as the trees grow taller still in the following years, smaller fruit and nut trees and shrubs may be planted where their shadows do not overlap, so that in the next following years the canopy may be enclosed entirely beneath the foliage.

Likewise, with such a rapidly changing environment compared to what nature does willingly, assistance is given to the procession of grassland animals to those of the woodlands.

As the ox and the coyote are driven out by increasing foliage, the nestlings introduce the squirrel and the dove, the deer and the fox. Whether it be from more nearby woodlands or import from their birth Nest, neither flora nor fauna remains untouched under Demani cultivation.

## Advancements

Being that such immense time and effort is put into these works, Demani naturally have come to have some more recent advances as well. These advances are, in no small part, thanks to their many more domestic partners than anything else.

Beginning with the eldest of these domesticates, the Foxfolk of Ayetho have become an integral part of the forests Demani manage. As gatherers and dispersers of seeds, and as managers of the little things, from excessive debris to the hunting of rat and squirrel.

In newly developed forests, the domestic Foxfolk have become the bringers of the forest to the more disparate portions of the young Nest's territory, expanding the woodlands and keeping the more settled portions healthy when the nestlings are stretched to thin.

Similarly, there are the managers of the bigger things, the domestic Harpies. As the herdsmen of the deer and forest game and protectors of the Nest's boundaries, the domestic Harpies serve much the same function in new woodland.

Where a new forest is seeded, it is the Harpy who herds the native ox or bison of the prairie, and who brings upon the deer and game to become head of the woods. As protectors of the forest, the Harpies likewise are hunters of the undesired hounds and felids, driving out the competition for the wild game when the time is right.

In a more unique case, there is the Rockborn which have been brought in by the Demani. Though typically just a foodstuff or as a source of soft stone, the domestic Rockborn of Ayetho also prove a healthy addition to a developing forest.

As these constructed forests are in areas which lack them natively, they tend to be drier. This allows the more intelligent Rockborn to assist in the clearing of land and in the cultivation of the newly broken ground. The less intelligent varieties also see use, primarily as a means to source stone for producing soil.

More recently, however, the Peri which have been taken in by Demani have found a home in landscaping, particularly near the coasts where their powers are less limited by availability of seasalts. With their bioelectric system, as well as the preparation of tinders by the nestlings on site, the shock may be used to either start a controlled burn, as to rapidly fertilize the soil when all conditions other than native plant life are ideal, or as a means to enrich constructed soils, with the voltage of the shock breaking the bonds of nitrogen and oxygen in the soil, allowing the nutrients to bond to the soil itself and be utilized by plants and microbes.

With such a variety of happenings, it is no wonder how Demani Nests stand the test of time as well as they do. Although, the number that fail to make it this far may be more impressive, simply due to how much coordinated effort is necessary, but we may never know if that is truly the case, we may only bask in the glory of what is here and now.

How do I get in

INTRODUCTION

At the southern end of Ashagon, at the center of the Jade Sea along the border of Highscorch and Vishanti, on the sole coastal lowland of Ayetho, you weary travelers find the embrace of the Free City of Svantaya.

Although the Jade Sea is renowned for its troubles with piracy, landing in this place finds you little distress in your journey. Whether it is the military might of the city or their relationships with the Sterosi to the south is unknown, but once docked, the atmosphere ceases to seem so salty and somber like the ocean. Instead, the bustle of the city is immediately apparent, with the port having no direction where you could not see all many of human, elf, foxfolk, harpy, and others, from all around and beyond the Jade Sea.

Svartaya itself, beyond the port, has relatively easy to understand districts. Landing in the Port District, you stand at the rim of the Merchants' District, which forms a ring around the wealthy Old City. And, moving towards the city's fringes, you could walk through the Residential, Laborers', and Slum Districts. Though as long as you stay on the main roads, you may never notice the slums hiding behind the fanciful street facing businesses.

Your journey, for whatever purpose it may have, has arrived at a most opportune time. For the day you arrive is the beginning of the Spring Solstice Festival, a time where the harvests of Svartaya's mild winters come to market and the need for planters is at an all time high to plant for the summer harvest.

No matter where one goes in the city, there is food and festivity to be had, from the depths of the slums to the heart of the Old City, there is no corner one could not find excitement at this time.

Unlike most spring festivals, however, this spring also marks an election season for the Council, only driving the desire further to bring great result amongst the local leadership, desiring to secure votes from those who may.

Should your party come bearing vendors or merchants, mercenaries or adventurers, political power or even just deep pockets, it is no doubt you should find yourself at the center of interest amongst the locals in one way or another.

So, be as it may, may you merrily wander the streets! And may you leave with a head full of wonder and pockets light as air!

MAJOR LOCATIONS

Old City Market

From the heart of the Old City reaching all the way along the main roadways to the Port and surrounding commercial districts, the Old City Market is home to the retailers of finely made goods and luxuries, with many a unique store and business to be found.

The first of note are the boutiques, shops frequented by the many urban gentry, the most notable of which being Dari's boutique. Dari is an older gentleman who has spent many years honing his craft in wielding lace and precious stone, but most importantly being a designer worth his weight in gold, leading the fashion scene in Svartaya with his styles. Dari is known for being a bit eccentric, overly focused on work, but typically quite kind to customers who do not act poorly in his business.

Another of note in this district is the Theatre, home to all variety of performances and one of the few accessible businesses to the townsfolk in the Old City. At this time, the theatre was not holding a typical showing, but instead trying to garner new blood. The theatre’s head playwright, a middle aged man named Bariri, is holding auditions for apprentice and probational writers to work under him, and perhaps run branch theatres in the future. Bariri is known for being very outgoing, getting along with others quite well, and is favoring creativity over experience in those he wishes to hire.

Yet further in the Old City, there is a well known pastry shop run by the pastissier Amadu, a young woman who is the daughter of one of the many noble families in the Old City. The pastry shop sells a large variety of baked goods, with twists, turnovers, buns, and more. Amadu is known for her more refined attitude, and may turn you away at the door if you are not presentable for such an establishment.

Vulpine Quarter

On the far side of the Old City from the Port, the Vulpine Quarter is home to the majority of the Foxfolk in Svartaya. In this quarter, one may find individuals from all walks of life, with the local Foxfolk not holding a unified identity, divided internally amongst those with and without demon influences, the grey foxes having been touched by the Demani.

Of the places one outshines all the rest, despite being only a few short years old, Yols' ice products have taken the city by storm. Although the shop is set up near the edge of the city, quite close to the demons' forests even, Yols finds endless requests for ice and iced goods, making it a long walk to reach, but a fine destination to find unique and refreshing treats in the nearly tropical climate. Yols is known for her easygoing attitude, treating anyone who looks young like a kit and speaking casually even to nobles. Yet, no one contests her on this, for no source of ice has ever been so reliable, and being Yols is of the forest, there are some who fear that angering her may invite disaster to the city.

Other more modest industries exist as well, however. One of which is the largest fur producer in all of Svartaya, the Foxfolk Furrier Guild, run by an orange fox named Fleece. The guild’s products are woven fur textiles which come in orange, white, grey, and black, all without dyes. This is achieved through a natural hygienic requirement in the Quarter, brushing out shed. A variety of barbers and groomers collect the furs at low prices, and may even pay certain individuals to visit regularly if their complexion is desirable, to which will be processed into a variety of textiles. Fleece is known for his gruff attitude, likely due to his age, as his orange fur slowly pulls as he gets older. Should you get to speak with him, he is polite, but perhaps not as eloquent as he was in his prime.

One might also happen upon one of the Quarter's more amusing individuals, a birdcatcher named Slate. Slate, despite his many quirks, is a reliable source of small wild birds which he successfully catches without harming, by what means aren't entirely certain, though. Slate is the predominant source of Speckled Doves, for people associate the bird with the presence of Angels, as well as good luck and health. Slate is a cheerful young man who enjoys making a coin off his childhood hobby, though is a bit dense at times, much like the rock he is named for.

Harpy's Quarter

The Harpy's Quarter, more accurately a general Trezeran-origin Quarter of the city, is home to the majority of Svartaya's Harpies and Peshi, bordering the Port closely for three Peshi's sake. Unlike other districts, this Quarter is centered around a collection of large Charter Stones directly from Trezera, though some business is still done with coin here, despite this.

Of the industries which use coin, none is more prominent than the Tanners Guild, ran by Ishmael, a hearty looking harpy who you'd sooner believe you'd meet in a tavern than an office, ever engrossed in his work. Ishmael is a Ayethan Harpy, and has not yet dropped the tradition of leatherworking passed on from those Harpies still within the demons’ forests. With sadlers, cordwainers, glovers, and more, all manner of leather product can be found here, if you don't mind the smell. Ishmael is a very calm and level headed personality, contrary to his appearance, and is more than happy to make small talk or talk business.

Most business is still run by recorded song, however, and this can be well and truly seen with the street markets, filled with craft goods reminiscent of the Trezeran homeland. Though the blackware is more browned, and the feathers in the textiles are perhaps less glamorous than those of more tropical birds, it is undeniably of a Trezeran cultural root. Of the many vendors, one may come to cross with Vaza, a young potter who has yet to even find a wife. Vaza is a more timid vendor, still green in the business, but is determined to do well to care for his aging parents, and has become quite capable of sculpting impressively ornate blackware even without the proper education of the inner city potters.

Likewise, on a much simpler note, there is the fish market, in which one may meet a Peshi named Havriel, a fishmonger. Havriel is a simple soul, bringing fish he catches to market to sell himself. It is not a glamorous business, but it lets him provide for his family. Havriel is known for being down to earth, willing to keep things equal in his exchanges so long as you are not rude.

Cyren's Quarter

The Cyren's Quarter, perhaps a misnomer, is one of the largest quarters, and home to many of the lower and middle class humans, as well as the majority of Svartayan Elves, relatives to those down south in Cyrenthia. Much of this stems from the Cyren’s reliance on trade to feed their homeland, leading to this district being home to many of the finer things Cyrenthia has to offer, even so far away from their borders.

Of these Cyrene businesses, one of note is the jobber Orania, an elven woman who stands out for her particularly dark skin, even for those from Cyrenthia. Orania’s shop sells an ever invaluable good, oils. From her stand, one may find oils made from pressed seeds of a plant from the southern nation, what in particular a secret not divulged, though perhaps an inquisitive soul could encourage the secret from her, whether it be by trickery or by coin. Orania is, although secretive, a rather beloved member of the community, her oils selling at a more modest price than most, keeping her business rarely at a full stock, and allowing those without to dare to afford such a luxury.

Another of note is the elven salter, Sisenna. Sisenna is somewhat fairer than Orania, and less enjoyed by his community than she. Being a merchant of salts, his goods are both vital and come at a great cost, his goods being much more frequently sold to the wealthy and to other merchants than to the townsfolk. Those who speak with Sisenna describe him as needlessly opulent for his station, believing him to be far too invested in his coin to see what's right in front of him. If that is truly the case, one can only find out for themselves.

Outskirts

For those looking for less honorable goods and services, one may find themselves wandering about the outskirts of Svartaya. Wandering off the main streets leaving the city, the scents of fresh bread and clean streets quickly transition to dank, musty scents of poorly maintained infrastructure and mold. Though these slums are periodically cleared, this only causes new ones to pop up a few minutes away, and the sturdier buildings remaining in the cleared area repopulated within days.

The largest of these illicit businesses is by and far that of the pirates. Of the same line as the pirate states to the south in Steros, these pirates fashion themselves as mercenaries on the seas, who simply collect protection fees from undefended vessels between clients. Of these different crews, the one you are likely to come across these days is Kalla. Kalla is a very large man, about two meters in height, and is known for his violent personality. Should you need his services, he is happy to work with you, just don’t try too hard to negotiate, lest you become a target rather than a client.

Particular value may also be found for those in need of intel, with yet another business hidden in the grime being the Information Guild, though not formally a guild recognized by the city. Through the various bartenders, hoodrats, street children, and more, the Information Guild is the number one source for any and all information one may need within or around Svartaya, and at times even abroad, when guests such as yourself cannot keep your mouths shut. Contacting the guild may prove difficult, but if you know where to look, you may find an orphan or foster who is willing to buy or sell information, though their name likely won’t be true even to a client.

A final major industry along the outskirts is perhaps the least friendly of all, being that of a hired sword. These swords are not for open combat, but for dealing with problems behind the scenes, assassins, murderers, and thieves. Contacting these lot is less difficult than the Information Guild, but far more perilous. Along a redlight street, a certain alleyway has a hidden door from which one may commission these brigands, and it is best to leave anything other than business far away before visiting.

OTHER LOCATIONS

A Wandering Angel

Angels, a beloved people throughout all of Ayetho regardless of species, and Svartaya is no exception. Although you guests may not be accustomed to the pale, many winged strangers, simply standing out enough while walking by an Angel may get one to strike up a conversation with you.

One of note happens to be out and about during these festivities, and is running for office, even, exempt from such restrictions to holding office thanks to the nature of their being. The Angel is indistinguishable as to if it is a man or woman, and frankly is not tall enough to even be certain they are an adult, but they greet you with utmost courtesy, if with much curiosity and excitement behind the formality, as Devate, and are seeking both your company and your support.

Street Museum

Along one of the many streets going to and from the Old City, one would see an impressive arcade going on for many blocks. Along this arcade, there are more guards than on other streets, as all manner of sculptures, murals, and other art litter the street from the walls of the buildings to the very trellices making up the arcaded ceiling of the street.

Along this street, there are also many artists, such as the young apprentice Durian, a foxfolk who has managed to find a path above his station. A bright optimist, Durian is more than happy to ramble about his ambitions in art, and perhaps some complaints about the paints sticking to and staining his fur.

Quiet Reading

For those who are less interested in festivities, there is still a place for you in Svartaya, with a great library existing in the city. The library is a property of the City’s Council, and one must only pay an entrance fee to take advantage of the nice quiet reading place. One may find the entire sum of Svartaya’s knowledge within the library, as well as scribes and scholars making copies of different documents to spread and share, or just as practice writing.

Entering the library, one would find part of what their entry is funding, as a limner would quickly be assigned upon entering the building, both as your attendant and to ensure your proper conduct. The limners are often children of less fortunate families, and yours is no different, being a young girl named Kana. Kana is cheerful, but quiet unless spoken to, not wanting to risk her valuable job to a misspoken word. She will ensure you have light to read and are taking proper care of the books you read, and, being she is a rather bright child, may even serve as a surprising conversation partner.

The Palace

A final location of particular note is the Prince's palace, a grand structure at the edge of the Old City. Although getting in may usually be difficult, this is by and far the best place to see to making real political connections, as most of those campaigning for office are very much networking here more than anywhere else. And, with it being a festival and an election season, now is the best time to make those connections yourself, with no other time of the year having as lax restrictions on entry.

As Ayetho has grown, smaller Demani kingdoms have been forced to abate from their old heartlands, and their Alates fly out to more far flung afield locations with the passing of time.

Now, with Ayetho having grown to such an extent as it has, Alates have begun to show up in *your* territory too! A truly difficult conundrum.

Lacking a sense of political territory, only that of enforced boundaries, the Alates attempt to settle in any temperate mountains with limited population sizes, particularly the ones closer to Ayetho, where they originate from.

Some, however, cannot find such a remote space, and may seek what authority exists in the land to petition them directly for a space, if with their mastery of the common tongue being lacking.

With that in mind, the time has come for decisions to be made.

Do you allow the Demani to settle in the mountains undisturbed, fearful of the rumors of their strength and of their immense size, risking a large population potentially forming?

Do you permit the less fortunate Alates to negotiate a settlement, despite it being unknown if they will uphold their end of whatever deal is made, being a seemingly insular race?

Or do you refuse these visitors and attempt to drive them out? Undisturbed by their towering heights and ability to fly.

## Note

Demani, once settled, may form either a Cluster or a Nest. If more than two Alates show up, a Cluster will be forming, which would only reach a population of a few hundred at most. If only two arrive, a Nest will be forming, which can surpass a thousand Demani in just a few short years.

Demani are protective of their Clusters and Nests, and will defend a certain area around it based on its population.

It had been just over three months since Tsaedgevo was born, and it is finally nearing time for him to leave the nursery to go out and serve his duty as a Tsatsiu in the nest.

Tsaedgevo woke that fateful morning to his littermates already up and about, being the smallest he was not one who needed much assistance to get ready, and he got up from his bedding to begin his day.

Unlike the days Tsaedgevo had lived thus far, this morning his litter's nurse, Nonofe, is helping his siblings get dressed in unusual clothes. The outfit is a dazzling black adorned with finely embroidered amber thread. The outfit has short, sleeved legs which come up to a bunched fabric coming up one's front, around the back of the neck, and fastening to itself with finely made stone buttons at the center of the torso.

Until now, neither Tsaedgevo nor his littermates had ever worn anything but children's smocks, and he could feel the room practically vibrating with everyone's curiosity and excitement.

Moving out of the nursery for the first time, Tsaedgevo sees many new Demani both big and small, shuffling about with countless feelings and expressions on display in the air. He walks with his litter to a balcony, which overlooks the expansive valley this nest holds dominion over.

Tsaedgevo blinks rapidly with his nictitating membranes and his eyelids alike to adjust to the bright morning light. When he does finally adjust, he is left in awe of the vast world which had been mere seconds away from him all this time.

He isn't given long to ponder, however, as a Nonyaon he has not seen before speaks up, her voice gentle but her presence scented with the demand of attention from the younglings.

“Now that you all have outgrown the nursery, it is time to begin working in the Nest and learning your place in the world,” The Nonyaon begins. “We will begin with the Aof who are of age, please step forward.”

The largest members of the litter go forth first as instructed, not quite the size of the fully matured Aof, but still more than a head taller than Tsaedgevo.

After coming forward, the Nonyaon uses a small blade to cut back their hair to above their shoulders, saying, “With the pieces of you that have been parted, so begins a new life for you all.”

The Aof are then ushered away by others, further ceremonies being specific to their roles.

The remainder of the litter follow up in kind, the young Nonyaon after the Aof, and the larger of the Tsatsiu in the litter going before Tsaedgevo.

When it is Tsaedgevo's turn, his hair is cut just below the shoulder, rather than above.

The Nonyaon performing the rite telling him, “You are the least of the litter today, but from your efforts you will find yourself depended on more than any others in time. Take heart in your future, little one.”

Whether this was a word of comfort or a prophecy for Tsaedgevo to heed, he does not know, but he isn't given time to ponder this, being led away by an elder Tsatsiu back inside, but to a newer, less embellished wing of the Nest.

The elder Tsatsiu speaks to Tsaedgevo along the way, practically radiating comfort to the boy, “Do you know what your purpose is, little one?”

“To make people happy?” Tsaedgevo answers, though is merely guessing on what he's heard in passing whilst growing up.

The elder Tsatsiu emanates amusement from that answer. “The only purpose one has,” he tells, “is to *be* happy.”

“Then what about everyone else?” Tsaedgevo asks.

“Do you think you would be happy if others were weary?” He returns the question to Tsaedgevo, but doesn't give him time to answer, this time. “It appears we have arrived. This will be the most important task before you may truly join the Nest.”

“What is it?” Tsaedgevo is curious, to say the least, and perhaps a hair nervous.

“No need to fret,” the elder assures, scented with comfort. “You simply must make this space your own, that way those who enjoy who you are may naturally come to join you in the coming months.”

“How do I do that?” Tsaedgevo is still unsure, but his tail is swaying at what his body is telling him is the answer.

The elder smiles at Tsaedgevo, “it seems you already know, little one. Go on then, it won't do you any good to be delayed by an old thing like me.”

“You won't stay?” Tsaedgevo asks, having never been alone before.

“You won't even notice I'm gone once you begin, now go on ahead, little one,” the elder assures once more, egging Tsaedgevo onward.

Tsaedgevo reluctantly enters the room on his own. Other than some tools and dyes, there is nothing but what is necessary to have a restful sleep.

And so, he begins to decorate.

Although having not had the chance to decorate before, experience is of little importance for Tsaedgevo, his spatial awareness allowing him to feel out the patterns and symmetries as he goes.

Soon enough, the first wall is done, having been done up with spiraling carvings like the wind itself, and dyed in whitewash, ochre, and other colorings.

The walls either side of the room are next to be decorated, but are not mirror images of one another.

Tsaedgevo decorates one in a triangular tiling, the edges of the tiles aligning at the corner of the room with the tails of the spirals at the back wall, and the colors of the tiles being dark as charcoals, only highlighted by glistening white beads like the night sky he had heard stories of in the nursery.

The other side is decorated in a pentagonal tiling, with the tiles being dyed the darkest blues available to Tsaedgevo, the colors being aligned in wave-like configurations as if being as vast as the ocean, though the concept of an ocean is foreign to the boy.

The final wall may only be seen by those leaving the room, but Tsaedgevo gives it all his effort regardless. Like the far wall, it gets a spiraling pattern dyed in whitewash and ochre, but instead of round spirals, it is host to quadrilateral spirals, squares which never quite meet at the final corner before repeating again.

Next, the ceiling is decorated in the lightest blues Tsaedgevo was provided, intermixed with kite tiles colored in white like the clouds, and a brilliant yellow tile being placed at the center, as if radiating light to all the other tiles on the ceiling like the sun Tsaedgevo was granted the honor of seeing just this morning.

Next, the floor. Although it is to be walked upon, Tsaedgevo still puts in all his effort for it, decorating it with a seemingly irregular pattern. A tiling of two different colored kite tiles, black and white. At the center of the room, directly below the false sun Tsaedgevo made on the ceiling, he places five white tiles in a star-like shape, then five black tiles to fill the voids, then surrounds it in white once more, and repeating the process over and over until the tiling has covered the entire space, a radial symmetry beginning at the center of the room.

The final thing Tsaedgevo has left to decorate is then the bedding itself, pockets where each member may find privacy, if only just. He chooses to use what little truly precious material he was given to decorate these. Each one is given a unique pattern of small gemstones over various colorings and designs carved in by Tsaedgevo, with everything from shiny rocks to true precious gems being mixed together in various styles over top to accentuate the spaces.

Although to a human eye, such elaborate and contrasting decorations may seem bizarre, even gaudy, Tsaedgevo is proud of his very first creation. …and famished, it having already drawn late into the evening without his noticing.

Being as such, he pokes his head out of the room for the first time since beginning this process, and begins the next step on his life's journey.

Linengien began her day much the same as any other. Rising lightly before the dawn, she stretched her wings, saw to changing into her clothes for the day, and had a light meal of querned nuts and seeds with her flock.

​

Ready for the day now, Linengien began her allotment of chores for the morning before the herd wakes, today her task being twining new rope, the old ropes having begun to fray and decay from use.

​

Shearing and braiding the vines together, Linengien makes chordage spanning about ten meters, the sun only just rising when she is done.

​

Pressing on with her day, Linengien would finally have to see to the herd her flock is privileged to manage.

​

The herd is of a variety of deer with flat, semicircular antlers, ruddy pelts made of irregularly sized spots, and dark, two toed hooves. A deer in name only, as in the distant future it will one day be discovered that these deer are relatives of the giraffe, rather than being of cervid stock.

​

Taking to the air, Linengien would land atop the leader of the herd, the dominant male, and egging the buck on towards a suitable browsing site by batting its neck with her wings intermittently. It is a slow, gentle process, but gets the deer to behave, so she pays the efficiency of it no mind.

​

Once the herd is finally settled in to browse the shrubbery, the most exciting part of Linengien's week is soon to arrive, a checkup from the Nest she and her flock serve.

​

Having heard stories of the fanciful duties of the flocks kept at the Nest, from singing to being daytime companions, the free access to find a man to wed, and many other tales true and not, Linengien makes sure to prepare for the arrival of their masters.

​

She freshens up with a spare change of clothes and light jewelry, beaded anklets and a circlet made to resemble the horns of the Demani, though being sure to continue to space a place for the herd, distraction only welcome to such an extent.

​

As she and the rest have grown accustomed to, a pair of Demani flutter in around noontime, after the deer have already settled down for the hottest part of the day, with one checking on the flock to see to their needs, and the other checking on the herd to see to its needs.

​

Being shepherd of the herd today, Linengien is visited by the Nonyaon responsible for veterinary work, the larger of the pair that visits. Taking a landing not far from her.

​

Linengien happily closes the remaining distance, fluttering off the back of the deer she was perched upon to land just in front of the Nonyaon, the mild scent of the Demani's amusement only emboldening her.

​

“Good morning!” She chirps to the veterinarian, needing to use the Demani's language, “Would you like to see the deer?”

​

The veterinarian pats Linengien's head for her eagerness, rewarding her in affection. “Thank you, little bird,” she says to her, “Do show me what you have today.” The Demani then pulls her hand away, allowing Linengien to do her duty.

​

The pair go about each deer one at a time, Linengien perching on the deer one at a time to keep them at ease, and the veterinarian giving a brief look at each to see if there is any treatment necessary.

​

As is routine, though, there is little needing done, the flighty helpers that the harpies are having kept things steady without any cause for harm.

​

Linengien is again rewarded for having helped in this process, earning not only the affections of the Demani, but also the scent of her being quite fond of giving the affection.

​

“Well done, little bird,” She praises verbally as well, “The elder of this herd has begun to lose weight, it is time for it to be removed to be made of use for its last.”

​

Linengien almost falters at that, having ridden the old buck often while shepherding since coming of age, even if it was expected to come one day.

​

The veterinarian notices this, and reassures her, “there is no need to fret, all things that come will go.”

​

Linengien sighs, but nods in agreement, “I know, it's just a shame.” She does not argue, agreeing even. She just will miss her old companion.

​

With her piece having been said, Linengien perches on the deer one last time, gently rousing it to shuffle it off out of the others' sights. After some distance away, she takes the hook of her boot and pierces its throat while it is still sleepy.

​

Although this gives the deer a start, it is felled within minutes when it cannot breathe nor announce danger to the herd. After this, Linengien leads both of the visiting Nonyaon to the carcass, where they lift the beast together with relative ease, as far as Linengien can tell.

​

The veterinarian gives Linengien one final word before they depart, telling her, “the next visit will come with a reward for your works and the deer. You have done well, little bird.” After which, the pair busily take flight back to their Nest with their tribute.

​

Once gone, Linengien has little choice but to return to her duties, unsettled by her first time having to prepare a deer for tribute herself, but deeply contented by having been rewarded such praises this visit.

​

With the morning shift over, she hands off shepherding to one of her sisters, and begins her evening duties.

​

Linengien first washes herself, having been dirtied by the culling of the buck, then prays for the buck's sacrifice this day, as well as in honor of the many years of service it had given her flock.

​

Cleaned in both body and mind, she sets about collecting herbs for the evening's meal, only to spot something most peculiar to her. A collection of humans in the woods, armed with spears and sheathed weapons of some sort. Potential poachers of the herd she and her flock dutifully protect.

​

She quickly flies a distance away to safely alert her flock to the threat, chirping a warning song that echoes through the forest. To the untrained human ear, it is no different than any other echoing bird call, but to Linengien's flock, and any others nearby, it is a call to arms to heed in short order.

​

Linengien follows the poachers from a distance until help can arrive, continuing to sing of their location as they progress into the wood. And, as the guard dogs, erm… guard birds, of these woods, a flock descends on the poachers.

​

Although Linengien is still young, inexperienced in these coordinated defenses, the sight of her sisters' skills leaves her in awe, even amidst the chase.

​

The poachers' party is flanked from the sides and swooped down on from above in seemingly random intervals, the harpies making grazing cuts to convince a retreat, rather than to kill.

​

Although the humans do attempt a defense, their likes long enough to be a threat in a straight line, the long staffs are unsuitable to forested combat, leaving the poachers unsuitably equipped for combat like such.

​

A route is eventually achieved, with a detachment of the flock keeping chase to ensure the poachers leave the forest entirely. And Linengien, being the one to sound the alarm, is praised for a second time today, this time by her sisters and flock.

​

She sees nuzzles and rubs, even being enveloped by winged embrace from some of the elder sisters in the flock. In all, Linengien sees much appreciation, and can't help but feel pleased with her day being like so.

​

After the celebrations have ended, Linengien and the others patch up those who were injured in the clash, putting ointment and bandage on cuts and scrapes, and go about finishing their remaining daily tasks.

​

At the end of the day, although later than usual, Linengien gets to go to sleep once more, greatly pleased with herself on this day.

​

As Ayetho in the north has expanded increasingly far over time, other Demani alates have been forced to settle yet further away from the Ayethan core.

​

One result of this, in the fine lands of the Steros Archipelago, has been Demani Clusters appearing in the highlands in recent decades, causing travelers to take pause before recklessly marching into the mountainous interiors of the peninsular region and of some islands.

​

However, as of the year 1 CE, a much more important development has come to pass.

​

Instead of another mere cluster being settled by the Alates in late winter, a lone pair built a private abode. A Nest.

​

Unknown to the lowland peoples who favor the sea to the mountains, this Nest would grow unusually rapidly compared to the Clusters that may not last even a decade on their own. Despite only one Au and one Agge, these two Demani royals would end the year with a Neat population of over 150 Demani, rivaling the populations of most long-lasting clusters in Steros.

​

This would continue into the year of 2 CE, where the population would jump from just above a single hundred to roughly 600 Demani by the end of the year. Even as oceanbound as the Sterosi may be, they could not help but notice as the mountain slopes above their nearby towns began to change, prompting curiosity and concern.

​

Although Demani sightings had been getting more frequent locally to that point, it would take until the end of 3 CE for true concerns to be raised by the locals. The Nest's population had now grown to be over 1,000 Demani, and there now were new Demani, to the lowland peoples, who were enforcing invisible boundaries on the mountain, restricting access by force if necessary.

​

Now, with the year of 4 CE just beginning, there are even rumors of another one of these abnormal Clusters existing on other nearby mountains as spring begins, small abodes with only two Alates settling in a radius of this Nest, as the Nest's Queen has become a true Aujo, sending out her first Alates expected to become Augue.

​

Above Ayetho, besides the many major sky islands owned by other powers, there are a number of transient smaller islands dotting the skies, not permanent enough of fixtures to even appear on a map, nor large enough to warrant showing.

​

These islands are high in the air, making them relatively dry despite the humid climate, and very, very isolated.

​

Due to the dry nature of these minor islands little flora calls these islands home, just some dryland grasses and shrubs at best. However, what does call these islands home are the many, many flying creatures in Ayetho.

​

Birds, insects, draconids, bats, and so on and so forth. Each island in the sky is a diverse and secure nesting ground for countless species across entirely different families of the animal kingdom.

​

These various animals nest on the island, raise their young in a land safe from almost all possible predators, and then can do so again the following year without fail. This has led to the skies of Ayetho often being blotted out by massive flocks of different creatures in the sky, making a cloudy day without any chance of rain, unless you count guano.

​

Being such a protected nesting ground, these flying islands are a core component of every ecosystem in Ayetho, ensuring that there is a near infinite supply of small birds, bats, and the likes.

​

And, as the guano builds up on these small islands, the islands will enter their later stage of life, and gracefully, hopefully, crash into the surface, creating a highly fertile guano quarry to take advantage of, or simply an ideal substrate for new wild plants to take back over when not mined out.

​

Likewise, these islands have a secondary impact on the environment.

​

Thanks to their slow decay over time, weathering away, a substantial amount of detritus is not just in the waters, but in the air. Combined with the humidity of much of Ayetho, Ayetho has become home to clouds of algae subsisting off the fine particulates high up in the sky, as well as supporting unique filter feeding species in the air rather than the ocean. More humid regions may even see anemone-like organisms grow off the bottoms of the islands to filter the algae from the air in a more sessile motion, where the algae would be thickest thanks to being by the source of detritus.

​

On The tallest mountain in Ayetho, there are at times, far above the clouds, bursts of gasses and geysers, beginning above the ice caps and the fumes lingering in the air and on the ice.

​

This lingering ash stains the ice a dull red, like the glaciers itself was made to bleed, and, at times, moves far enough from the mountain to rain down onto the lowlands.

​

This phenomenon is known by the various peoples below as dry rain. The droplets, filled with the red powder, falls like the blood of the gods over the earth, staining plants, cloth, and soil, stinging when touching one's skin, and, after a heavy dry rain, making a drink from a river feel like it's taking water away from you instead, earning the name.

​

This red substance is a variety of tannins, unknown to the atomicly illiterate peoples of this day and age, and causes all manner of chaos when it falls. The waters turn brown, smelly, and bitter. The consistency of thin soils changes, threatening what plants grow in it, and animals caught in the dry rain may see their skin, fur, or feathers dyed red for over a week, the reddened areas feeling dry and taut.

​

These rains, while potentially harmful at times, are also greatly beneficial in the long term. These volcanic tannins are far less stable than organic tannins, and once broken down leave behind easily digestible organic molecules for plants, fungi, and microbes.

​

All one must consider is if it is worth the time out in the rain that happens when the gods weep, for the bounty can only be found after the storm, and only suffering within. …suffering being minor skin irritation, maybe don't get it in your eyes either.

​

Some years before the current day.

​

It had been a long walk for Yols. Though the tree canopies kept her shaded and the mountainside woodlands were peaceful as ever, she had still had to walk for quite some time with her pack, all to find some difficult berries to share around. It's late in the season, so Yols wasn't expecting much close to the den, but the distance she's had to walk to barely fill her pack half way is now erring towards absurdity in her mind.

​

Before she can truly go mad over her little plight, Yols would hear rustling in the distance, like a clumsy skipper had missed its jump between the tree branches.

​

Out of curiosity, Yols heads in the direction of the sound, only to find a rare sight to her eyes. A human, in the woods no less. The human appears to be an adult, probably, but is much less hairy than what Yols has heard adult humans should be, and more finely dressed than one should be ojt in the woods.

​

“Hey, what are you doing up here?” Yols calls out to the human, her common tongue unpractised, causing the human a start.

​

“What- oh, you're one of those demon foxes,” The human, a boy on the verge of adulthood, retorts. Not so polite, but more ignorant than actually hostile.

​

“Yes, yes, enough of that,” Yols dismisses that description. “You're not meant to be up this far, you know. You'll just agitate everyone for no good reason.” She scolds the boy, as if he isn't much taller than herself.

​

“I'm just taking some quality time out of town for a bit, whats the problem little kit?” The boy replies, being testy with the lone fox.

​

Yols returns his sass with a flat look. “you must be one of the human children, you're so tall I almost made a mistake,” She decides, returning his sass to him. “I'll help you get safely back down to your litter, even if you're much too tall for a youngling.”

​

Yols then begins walking towards the only town he could be from, Svartaya, taking his hand as she passes him. To his dismay, she is in fact the stronger of the two, tugging him along with relative ease once he regains his footing.

​

“Okay, okay, sheesh,” the boy huffs, crouched over slightly with how far ahead Yols is trying to walk. “No need to run, I'll follow, okay?” He relents.

​

Yols isn't unreasonable, so the boy earns a chance to walk back willingly, his wrist being released.

​

“Was that so hard?” She does still tease him a bit though, “Now then, is your den on the edge of town? It'd be irresponsible to leave you far from home if not.” Yols commits to walking him home.

​

“Shouldn't you be asking my name first?” The boy complains at her determination to stick to him that long.

​

“Oh, pardon me,” Yols exclaims sarcastically, followed by a sweet as sugar tone, “what might your name be, little kit?”

​

The boy gives Yols a look for that, which only earns a foxy snicker.

​

“You may call me Goda Rahaj, I am-" the boy, Goda, is cut off by Yols.

​

“Its nice to meet you, little Goodoo, I am Yols,” Yols introduces herself, still teasing the boy.

​

A bit more flustered this time, Goda continues speaking, “...As I was saying, I am the son of the Prince of Svartaya, so you should address me with the appropriate title.”

​

“Hm? A young kit like yourself shouls be honoring his elders, or at the very least honor the older ladies, like a proper gentleman,” Yols has little concept for the city's culture, and makes no attempt to understand it either, simply earning a sigh from Goda.

​

“Don't be like that,” She chides, slowing down to open her pouch. “Have a berry, no, a few, you're a growing boy.” Yols holds out a handful of deep, purpur berries, Goda accepting them and eating before even noticing what was unusual about them.

​

After putting on a bewildered face, he finishes the snack before questioning, “...these were cold?”

​

“Yes?” Yols questions his confusion, “why would I give you warm berries? they don't have a very good texture that way.”

​

“No, I mean-" Goda shakes his head at the fox. “They're cold! Do the hill demons have unlimited money or something?”

​

“Money? Those flighty dears don't use coin for just about anything,” Yols dismisses that question, mostly. “Do you need money for your ice?”

​

“Ice is expensive and heavy,” Goda answers more formslly this time, as the conversation drifts towards a potential business in his mind. “If you can just get more, can't I just buy the block you have on you?”

​

“This is my forage pack, you can't just have every shiny thing you see, little kit,” Yols refuses, the edge of the forest now within sight.

​

“Then… how about this,” Goda suggests, “why don't we meet up again the next time you come down this way? I'll have a servant keep an eye out for you, so come back with plenty of ice for sale next time.”

​

Yols takes a moment to think about it, considering the value of the offer. “Perhaps I will, but I must stick around just a hair longer to find out why you're so intent on the block.”

​

Goda is a bit disheartened at that, having been hoping the sassy little vixen he met would be a little less business savvy. But, he does well to not let that show.

​

“Feel free, though you'll stand out a little with how you're dressed.” He warns, if lightly. She's far from the strangest dressed fox in such a multicultural city.

​

“Oh bother with that, it's a nice day, I don't need those stuffy city clothes.” Yols dismisses, the pair fully exiting the woods now, and immediately into one of Goda's attendants who was searching for him.

​

The servant approaches the pair, giving Goda a look for his mischief. “Young lord, you know better than to antagonize the demons in those forests, …” and Goda's scolding continues.

​

Yols takes the opportunity to continue towards town, waving to Goda, “see you next time, little kit.”

​

Although Demani are a utilitarian bunch, a waste not want not kind of society, this trend is inevitably met with the face of death, and what to do with the remains of those whom they lived alongside for years or even decades, their brothers and sisters, parents and children, even pets, livestock, and plants.

​

Although in the very distant past, before even written record, Demani had disposed of their beloveds remains by the reuse of their entire bodies, in more contemporary times, Demani have come to hold dear the ability to seek out those who have passed away, even if only a piece of that person.

​

From this desire, many different means of preserving and honoring the dead did develop, but the method which ultimately took root best in the Nests of Ayetho was the creation of extensive Mausoleums and Crypts.

​

These Mausoleums began relatively small, constructions which the occasional Tsatsiu would convince a construction oriented Nonyaon to erect here and there, but as more appeared, more interest in them became apparent amongst the Demani.

​

This would come to a head when this interest inevitably reached the Au of various Nests, sparking the interest in these burials in their Queens.

​

With the interest of some Queens, those Queens Nests would begin allocating resources towards substantial funerary buildings in the vicinity of the Nest itself, the doors and halls large enough for the Queen to traverse through, and every surface within being a potential burial place for an individual Demani, depending on the style desired by that Nest's Queen.

​

These individually isolated Mausoleums would continue to exist for some time, until finally the Aujo herself, the High Queen of Ayetho, would finally take notice of these unique funerary rites.

​

Not wishing to be forgotten any more than any of the other Queens which constructed Mausoleums, the Aujo would come to a decision.

​

By her decree, nine hundred years hence of the current day, that the valley just due north of the Prime Nest would be designated as a universal Mausoleum for all those Demani had cared for in Ayetho, and in turn would be the final resting place of all current and future Au and Agge, Queens and Kings.

​

The Mausoleum would line the entire cliff face of the valley, having many elevated entrances, not unlike a typical Nest.

​

Inside, however, things would be different. The halls would be lined with ornamented skulls of Demani, Harpies, Foxfolk, Peri, and even Rockborn which have all resided within or around the Nests, with the more important Demani which have achieved some degree of honors being designated for specific rooms which the vast hallways lead to.

​

Of these rooms, the majority would be round spaces with domed ceilings, which one would be able to take in the immense number of ancestors who played a part in their personal success by looking in every given direction.

​

The skull ornaments in these cylindrical rooms would be of one of a selection of types, whether that be honored pets, valued guards, notable soldiers, elite workers, or even Tsatsiu who left enough of an impression. Each skull would be caringly preserved and coated in painted plaster, returning to the bone an appearance similar to what was once held in life, the colors chosen for religious significance rather than accuracy, and in the plaster being carvings of the individual's life story, as was known to others.

​

The second type of room would be a long, rectangular space with a vaulted ceiling. In this style of room, at the center would be a coffin, in which an Augue or Auvuo would lay embalmed, sealed away from prying eyes and the elements.

​

Besides this coffin, various containers and tables would be present, on which crafts and items prepared for those Au before and after their deaths would be placed, and embedded in the walls would be the skulls of all Demani selected by that Au during her life to be honored with sharing her burial grounds, though the majority would end up being her Agge. Usually after they've naturally died, but not necessarily.

​

The final type of space would be a distinct space from the others, a much larger, trapezoidal room, needing medial columns to properly support the ceiling. This room would be the resting place of the Aujo now and in the future. Much like the second room variety, crafts made for the Aujo during and after her death would be kept with her, but unlike the fully sealed Augue and Auvuo, the Aujo's coffins would be capped with transparent panes of crystal or glass, allowing visitors to honor the past Aujo without any barriers, and to allow the tombkeepers to know if and when any care needs to be taken to further preserve these Aujo mummies.

​

The construction of this vast, national Mausoleum would take several years, decades, in fact, not even being finished when the Aujo of yesteryear who commanded its construction had finally passed away.

​

However, the Aujo's chamber in the tomb had been completed early on, as was ordered, allowing her to still be the very first Aujo buried within her great work, the Mausoleum of Ayetho.

​

To the present day, nearly an entire millennium after, the Mausoleum is not considered formally completed, both due to ever expanding needs for funerary spaces, and due to past Aujo wishing to leave their mark on the styles and directions of the Mausoleum. In all, the structure is not only the most sacred site to all Ayethan Demani, but it is also a visual reminder of all the progress made by the Demani, and their advancement through different styles of art and construction.

Harpies are a well known people across all of Ashagon, their flight making them incredibly mobile and their connection to Sojourn dispersing the flighty folks around all corners of the continent.

As such, Harpies likewise have a long history in the lands of Ayetho, which is something that has in time led to their unique relationship with Demani. That being, having went the path of many another people in Ayetho, and ending up as a domesticate of the eusocial folks.

The domestication of the Harpy is much more alike that of that of cats compared to other races under Demani rule, with Harpies having developed a mutually beneficial relationship within the Ayethan mountainside forests with the Nests that lord over those forests.

In time, the nesting sites of the Harpies would get closer and closer to the Demani Nests, which made their more personal nests safer, until it eventually came to be that Demani would be seen by Harpy hatchlings before other Harpies, causing more direct social bonds to develop between the two races.

With this set in motion, further generations of Ayethan Harpies would see increasing meddling from Demani interests, with Demani beginning to encourage and discourage different mating habits than what the Harpies naturally followed, and bringing the nesting sites of the Harpies even closer to their own Nests.

This would, in time, result in Ayethan Harpies becoming visually and culturally distinct from the Harpies in Trezera and other parts of Ashagon.

Of the physiological differences, Ayethan Harpies would see the tell-tale signs of domestication syndrome: neoteny, slightly larger eyes, visually striking colorations, and generally being more flexible.

However, more specifically selected for traits, as well as just generally more advantageous traits, would also show up in these Ayethan Harpies at the same time. Of the selected traits, Demani would have encouraged selection towards larger females and smaller males, more defined brow ridges, larger ears, and more feminine proportions, by Demani standards, at least. Alongside these, advantageous traits for these Harpies would also develop through natural selection, even with the meddling. These Harpies would develop shorter, broad wings, suited for forest flight rather than soaring, as well as enlarged, segmented sinuses, as well as impressively large noses to fit these sinuses, which give these Harpies a unique trait amongst the mammaliform creatures of the continent, allowing the Harpies to not only sense, but also understand to an extent, the pheromone communications of the Demani they serve.

That service, like their means of domestication, being much different than the other domesticates of the Demani. The Ayethan Harpies serve only one substantial role in Demani territory, that of shepherds of the wild herds at the fringes of Demani managed forests, allowing the Harpies to take advantage of the abundant resources that the Demani Nests have cultivated within the forests, and in return being guaranteed prized game without having to manage such herds themselves.

And, although this is by far the main service, Ayethan Harpies may also serve other purposes, in a more mutually agreed upon way than most other domesticates. These may be any variety of task, and often are temporary positions until the Harpy has received what reward they desired, but the most often permanent position being companions to Tsatsiu, joining them in song and performance in and around the various Nests across the mountains.

Beyond these physical changes and typical workplaces, the Ayethan Harpies have likewise developed a uniquely Demani influenced culture as well.

The most readily seen aspect of this influence is their manner of dress, the Harpies wearing similarly styled, open back tunics to the Demani, as well as more unique to themselves jewelry, a popular ornament being a circlet embellished with horn-like structures that mimic those of Demani, though some more faithfully than others.

Unlike the Sphinx-led systems of Trezera, Ayethan Harpies, while still mostly egalitarian, have developed to be increasingly matriarchal, once again inspired by the Demani. Though Harpy men are not spurned, their cultural and political importance is by no means equal to the women they stand alongside.

Likewise, Ayethan Harpies do not follow what would be a typical courtship for others of their kind. These Harpies see a significantly reduced reliance on bonding between mates, and few individuals being monogamous for their entire lives, some even being polyandrous outright. This has had a related impact of seeing fatherhood becoming more culturally associated with childcare than motherhood in the Ayethan Harpies, with the fathers being the homemakers as one of the ways they continue to prove their fitness as mates in a near marriageless society.

Many other traits are likewise changed in numerous ways, but in what ways and why becomes increasingly varied and less and less meaningful to generalize, as different flocks of Ayethan Harpies develop their own beliefs and methodologies.

The peoples of the coastal portions of Ayetho are not to be categorized into any typical description.

Being settled along the ever so active coastline of the Jade Sea, bordering the Cyrens and Pirates to the south, the Crone to the north, and the Trezerans and Imperials to the east, the Ayethan coast is diverse in its settlers, both local and foreign borne.

The coast of Ayetho itself is an impressive spectacle. Though the Crone in the north command the most impressive rivermouth in the region, the lowland valley of the Ayethan free city is not to be disregarded. Having towering mountains surrounding a wide coastal valley, as well as Demani on those mountains preventing outside invaders from attacking over land, the port of the free city is the only inlet able to be used to threaten the seafaring folks of the Ayethan coast.

Thanks to this highly isolated, but locally expansive territory, many peoples have come to settle here over the centuries. Though Humans are the eldest local group, and the plurality of peoples, there are also many, many others. From rarer Crone visitors from the north, Cyren Elves from the south, Harpies and Peshi from Trezera, Iguanids from the Empire, and even more far flung groups like the Foxfolk, Peri, and others with increasing rarity.

These different groups, though largely peaceful in interaction, are mostly self-segregated outside of the commercial districts at the heart of the free city, the City of Svantaya. The eldest districts of Svantaya are largely home to Humans, but as other groups gain wealth, this dominance in the old city has lessened somewhat in more recent years.

Around the old city, there is the port district, the beating heart of the city which all races may partake in equally, …more or less, as well as the higher end craftsmen districts, which the wealthy old city residents are the best customers of. These craftsmen districts are divided on several lines, being divided by trade, by guilds, and by race, with many of these craftsmen districts and guilds having doubles where another race dominates a different sector.

Further still, one may find the middle income communities of Svartaya, where the largest communities are Human, Foxfolk, and Elf districts, with smaller districts which host other groups that have come to settle the region. These districts are denser than the upper class old city, having rowhomes and apartment buildings, as well as where one many begin to see the poor and homeless panhandle for coin, as well as children trying to find their own by selling wildflowers, snacks, and all manner of other goods on the streets.

These middling districts are further surrounded by the dirtier working districts. Processing plants, refineries, and the smelly, dirty, smoky industrial uses, which are the workingplaces of the less skilled workers in the middle classes, and the more skilled of the lower classes. Unlike the skilled craftsmen districts near the old city, the industrial districts are a somewhat wild portion of Svartaya, where the majority of social mobility can be seen. The best of the lower classes may take advantage of the upward mobility of moving closer to the city center, while the incompetent members of the middleclass might risk spurning their opportunities and being increasingly exiled to the extremities of the city.

The outermost urban districts see the lower class residences and businesses. These regions are home to a mixture of rather civil, but poor districts that line the main roadways that the city guard tends to, to more unscrupulous areas dominated by thieves, organized crime, redlight districts, and businesses avoiding taxes and tolls for one reason or another out of the public eye.

These more lawless, or more generously, autonomous districts, slowly thin out towards the outskirts of the city, without any walls guarding the city thanks to the practically impervious natural defenses, and gradually give way to the non-urban districts of the free city, the rural hinterlands.

The hinterlands are by and large agricultural, whether it be orchards, fields, hunting grounds, or whatever else, but also see dispersed rural villages which house the farmers, as well as manors and estates of the wealthy looking to escape the cramped, cluttered city for some time. These estates typically lord over a small number of the rural villages, and both the estates and the villages may be occupied by any number of the city's races.

This intermixed society sees real implications in the governance of Svantaya, which is no small part of why peace and order have been able to be successfully maintained.

The main governing body of the free city is a popularly elected council, of which each local race is guaranteed a number of seats based on regularly held censuses. Though, the autonomous districts at the fringe of the city do still regularly see underrepresentation in return for the lack of oversight.

The current largest guarantee is to the humans, of which the old stock are guaranteed 24% of the council, and the new stock are guaranteed 21%, for a total of 45%.

Next are the Foxfolk, which the Wild hold 7%, the Feral hold 4%, and the few Domestic which manage to frequent the city from the highlands hold 1%, for a total of 12%.

The Cyren Elves hold 11%, the Trezeran Harpies hold 6%, the Ayethan Harpies hold 5%, the Trezeran Peshi hold 4%, and the Imperial Iguanids hold 4%, these totaling another 30%. Together bringing the total to 87%.

The remaining percentage is distributed between the less frequently appearing races, such as Peri, as well as amongst hard to census regions, such as the rural lordships and the autonomous outskirts of the city. This system has helped hold the city firmy together, particularly thanks to the Humans of old and new stock often failing to form a coalition in the council, forcing both of these more dominant allotments to seek coalition with a number of smaller groups to hold power. The current ruling coalition consists of the old stock Humans, the Wild and Feral Foxfolk, the Cyren Elves, and a plurality of the miscellaneous seats reserved for rural lords, giving the current coalition 52% of the council.

Beyond the council, other governing bodies nominally exist, but these bodies exist at the behest of the council, even including the governor of the free city, the Prince of Svartaya. The title of Prince has long since lost power over the free city, and is largely relegated to a diplomatic role in the modern politics of the city, even if a theoretical authority over the council remains on paper.

Being so isolated on land, the City of Svartaya is limited in its warring capabilities, the only significant forces which exist being its navy. The navy of Svartaya is, even still, in no small part a defensive body. The Jade Sea is host to all manner of piracy and threat from larger nations, so the only concern of Svartaya is to simply prevent their port from being blockaded and to not have foreign lords attempt to extract a tax on their lands.

The culture of Svartaya, much like its people, is too varied to truly classify in a meaningful way. With inputs from all across the Jade Sea, Svartaya is a bonafide meltingpot of different beliefs and faiths, making it a relatively safe place to make treaties between nations or rival groups without risk of imprisonment during negotiation. It is also a convenient spot for different cultures to exchange goods, with cultural exchange being as simple as visiting a different district than one’s own in the city.

Thanks to the districting of the city, at least, one may at least expect a general trend of cultural and religious practices in different areas without having to give too much thought to it, even if such assumptions may or may not truly be accurate to the lives lived there.

Despite these impressive equalities, however, there are indeed definitive castes amongst the residents.

At the top, naturally, is the wealthy old stock Humans, which have been the primary beneficiaries of the city’s success, and, having been here first, have long been the largest landowners in the city and in the hinterlands. Though, the poorer of the old stock Humans are still often in lower classes.

Next are the other wealthy natives to Svartaya, those born in Ayetho. Being native born granting them a degree of prestige over the next ranking class, being the foreign born wealthy.

Below these elite rankings, the highest middling class is the new stock Humans, which make the majority of the skilled craftsmen supplying the old city district and the guild leadership which reign over the craftsmen. Skilled craftsmen and merchants of other races are held in similar regard, but the plurality Human population tends to skew rank in favor of the Human craftsmen when the individuals skills are of similar value.

Further down the social ladder, the unskilled craftsmen of any race hold good regard amongst their peers. Though not honorable like the skilled craftsmen, their works are yet still considered valuable, bringing them prestige through their works.

Lower still, the farmers, sailors, and other day workers are still considered amongst the good men of the free city, not to be discounted in the concerns of court. It is not until one reaches the lower castes that one may see disdain shown towards their mere presence.

Of the lower classes, it is broken up between the working poor, tax collectors, thieves and other criminals, and the homeless in that order. Though the degree of disdain earned by each of these castes is relatively similar, an honest working man who is impoverished would never be doubted if accusing a homeless man of a crime, nor would one who may have witnessed if such an accusation was a lie readily step forward to defend the homeless man.

Many another feature of the City of Svartaya is likewise difficult to categorize. From what the people wear to how they live, all is varied between districts and castes, making it unreasonable to attempt to summarize these details in an overview of such a wide scope.

On the foothills of Ayetho's coastward mountains, the Emnujes, Flower Petal, Herd sits, with some of its silver foxy residents partaking in teaching their kits.

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At the edge of their little Cluster, an elder known as Sedge, though often just called Sage, being the town's shaman, sits, surrounded by a number of the younglings of the Herd.

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Once all the kits have settled down, Sedge speaks. “I know you little ones don't always like having to sit and listen to me ramble on, but do this old man a favor and pay attention today, we'll be doing something fun, I promise.”

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Immediately, one of the kits, Lilac, speaks up, “Does that mean we don't need to write anything today, mister Sage?” The boy being restless before it even begins.

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“Yes, no writing today,” Sedge confirms, earning a collection of bright faces. After a chuckle, he continues, “today I'll be helping you all find spirits which suits your natures. Young as you are, it's about time to start learning to use your magic to help those who have none.”

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“I want to use fire!” Lilac speaks up first, followd by others.

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“Can I learn to make ice?”

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“I like helping my mom in the garden!”

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“What about thunder?”

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And so on, the kits ramble their questions to Sedge.

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“Now, now, no need to get so rowdy,” Sedge calms the kits, though looks quite pleased at their eagerness regardless. “No one picks their spirits on their own. Rather, the spirits will pick you if you have the affinity to earn their grace.”

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“Then how do I get fire?” Lilac questions, intent on his choice.

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“By having a warm heart, like the hearth inside,” Sedge answers patiently, earning a huff from the kit.

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“Moving on,” Sedge continues, “Let's begin by seeing which of you resonate with the earth.” Sedge then places a small dish filled with fine gravel in front of the children.

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“One at a time, imagine the pebbles here rolling towards you, as if a little helper no larger than the pebble is trying to give it to you.” He instructs, watching the kits closely now.

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Some try harder than others, but it doesn't take long to prove who has better affinity than others, with a few of the kits quickly finding a number of pebbles lazily rolling towards themselves. In particular, Maple, Hickory, and Galena.

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“Very good, you three,” Sedge seems pleased with the outcome, patting each of the three's heads. “The three of you have a good affinity for the earth, like the orange herds further down the mountains. The Lady Soilmaker must be most pleased with you.”

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The trio seem quite happy about the result, chattering amongst themselves quietly for a moment before settling down for Sedge again.

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“Next,” Sedge places a second small dish, this one of water. “Let's see how you all get along with the waters, they're more flighty than the earth, so don't feel troubled if none of you resonate with it.” He doesn't get their hopes up with water, unlike the earth.

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“This time, imagine your little helper is holding up a droplet of water, especially for you,” He instructs.

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Once again, Sedge's students attempt to take on the task. This time, there is but one successful kit, with a droplet of water floating directly in front of Lilac.

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“Well done, Lilac,” Sedge praises the boy, though Lilac seems unhappy with the result.

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“I wanted fire though…” Lilac complains.

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“Just because you have an affinity for the waters doesn't mean you won't be able to work with fire, silly kit.” Sedge ruffles the boy's hair for doing well, even if he complained.

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Though Lilac lets out an offended little yip, Sedge continues his lesson.

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The lesson cycles through life, the domain of the Lady of Harvest, wind, the domain of Windbreaker, mother of all grey foxes, light, the domain of the Lord Sun, darkness, the domain of the Shepherd, lightning, the domain of the Thunderbringer, and eventually, after much impatience from Lilac, Fire.

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“Now then, kits, while fire is a comforting element, it is also a demanding one,” Sedge explains. “You must take care to not burn yourself nor others, understood?”

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Sedge gets a menagerie of affirmations from the children, the continues.

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“I will give each of you a candle to try to light. You younglings would have trouble starting your own flame, so I will be lighting my own candle as well,” Sedge instructs, “once more, imagine your little helper taking an ember from my candle, and placing it unto yours.”

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Once the instructions are done with, Sedge places candles in front of each student, then finally one in front of himself, which he lights with his magic.

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“Do not try to force the spirits of fire, just leave the invitation for them to find your welcome open,” He addresses them one last time, letting the children begin.

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Once again, there are few who succeed. A girl named Juniper manages to singe her wick, while a boy called Quartz manages to just light his candle.

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The most notable success, however, is the ever overeager Lilac, who not only lights his candle, but engulfed it in flame, forcing Sedge to preemptively extinguish the fire.

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“What did I tell you, Lilac?” He scolds the kit, but Lilac seems unfazed this time.

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“I did it!” Lilac exclaims, excited by having succeeded in getting the fire he wanted from the start.

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“Yes, you did,” Sedge shakes his head at the boy. “Do not be so excessive with your flame, you will hurt someone if you keep that up.”

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Sedge then continues, deciding to cut the lesson there since it has drug on longer than expected with all the excitement and whispering amongst the children.

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“To end things off, the fire which the three of you have bonded with is the gift of the Divine Daughter, the teacher to the earliest of our kin,” Sedge keeps it brief, finishing off with, “now then, go show your parents what you've learned today, little rascals.”

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This dismissal is met with much fanfare, the different kits all heading off to show off their first magics.

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In the beginning, a single egg existed, all that is and ever would be held within.

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From that egg would form the greatest of Queens, the origin of fullness and emptiness.

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Much like many another Au, the Greatest Queen began as an infant, requiring the nurture of dutiful Nonyaon until coming of age. To sate this need, the Greatest Queen would create the very first Nonyaon, a number of nurses to tend to her as she would grow.

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As the Greatest Queen continued to grow, her needs would grow with her.

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Once large enough to need clothing, she would create the weavers and spinners of the Nonyaon, the spinners using the very essence of the universe to make fabric, and the weavers making all array of clothing to adorn their Queen.

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Larger still, the Greatest Queen would begin to desire new sustenance, creating the lands to be scoured, and the foragers to seek edible things from the lands.

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Finding the vast lands sparse and empty, the foragers would resolve this issue by building from the soil what they then desired to present to their Queen.

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The first would form the vines and grasses along the ground, seeking easy pickings and material to present the spinners.

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The second would form the shrubs and herbs above the grasses, wishing for sweeter rewards and hearty seeds.

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The third would form the trees and canopy, desiring an easy place to fly to and collect their prize.

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The fourth, and final, would create the wild game, with hares and deer, and all other woodland creatures stemming from her. The fourth forager would be expelled from the gatherers, forming unto themselves a new designation in which to serve her Queen, becoming the first hunter.

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Returning to the Greatest Queen, the foragers in line would present their findings. The first presenting tubers and grains, the second presenting berries and greens, and the third presenting larger fruits and nuts.

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And, the first hunter would present their game, presenting bone and marrow, meats and fat, and all other extraneous organs to their Queen.

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Seeing all these things, the Young Creator was pleased.

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In turn, the Greatest Queen would create those who may process these things.

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To process the nuts, fruit, tubers, grains, and meats into suitable foodstuffs, the first chefs would be created.

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To process the leafs, branches, bark, and vines into items suitable to present to the Greatest Queen, wickerers would be created.

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To process the wood of the trees into finished products, carpenters, cabinet makers, and woodworkers would be created, as would lumberjacks to collect and retrieve the logs.

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To process the furs and hides of the wild game, tanners and shearers would likewise be made. To then process the tanned hides, leatherers would thus be created.

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With all these things now having Nonyaon to work and prepare them, the Greatest Queen could then again rest and continue to be nurtured by her faithful servants, the hour of her true reign not long to arrive.

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To reward these honorable deeds, these Nonyaon would be rewarded the first names given by the Greatest Queen.

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The first would be named Earthshaker, for breaking the lands into soil for grasses.

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The second would be named Harvestbringer, for her abundance of berries filling endless multitudes of baskets.

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The third would be named Windbreaker, for the towering trees which stop even the winds.

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And the fourth, the hunter, would be named Destiny, for it would forever be her decision on when one would live and when one would die, having brought life into being, and thus taken it away to allow such humble beings to better serve the Greatest Queen.

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With slightly above average stature and olive tan skin, hazel to green colored, deep set, hooded eyes, tall, upturned noses, and very full lips, the Patoians alone dominate the low lying central plains of Ayetho.

These grasslands are home to all manner of giants which the Patoians must frequently go toe to toe with, and provide little for these peoples in stone or metals, creating a truly hot furnace in which this culture has been formed.

Patoian society is historically built upon tightly knit familial tribes, with no one in a settlement being distantly related enough to be wed. Though, in modern times this has largely given way to the great unifier, the Sitalian Kingdom, which has strived to mend internal divisions with forced migrations and intermarriages, breaking down the old social order.

Sitalian governance reflects these realities as well, with each successive king requiring the new lord prove his mettle through military campaigns, recognition of oracles, and gifts, which probably aren't bribes, as gestures of good will to each tribe subjected to his rule.

In these campaigns, which rarely occur beyond the formative years of a new king's rule, the king must prove his kettle through pillaging, raiding, or conquest of lands beyond his realm, or by subjugation of internal dissenters in publicized open combat.

Much like one would expect from those living amongst the indefensible terrain and terrible beasts of the central plains, both the older tribal Patoian and more recent Sitalian settlements are highly fortified in nature.

At the center of each settlement is a large, mudbrick fortress, the layout inside of which typically hosts enough living quarters, store rooms, and so on for the entire village or town to seek shelter within for a short time, the layout being winding and disorienting to confuse invaders and leave them as easy pickings inside.

This fort is often surrounded by a dry moat, with the soil dug to make the moat piled up on the interior side to make scaling the moat more difficult, forcing use of the bridges, controlled choke points.

Beyond the fortress, two opposite sides will host large, square courtyards, within which day markets may operate, the buildings lining the courts largely being craftsmen's homes and workshops.

Along the courtless sides of the settlement, the general living quarters of most of the population may be found, as well as some smaller farms and pastures in less populated settlements.

These sections are again surrounded by a dry moat, making the core settlement within the outer moat roughly square, or sometimes rectangular or trapezoidal. The number of exterior dry moats may vary by settlement.

Beyond the exterior moat, the settlement's primary farms and pastures may be found, typically being largely composed of cereals and small horses. Amongst the farmland, various dry moats, dugouts, earthworks, and other fortifications may be sporadically implemented by individuals farmers' decisions or needs.

Patoian culture comes and goes in two primary phases, the Pre-Sitalian period, and the Sitalian period.

During the Pre-Sitalian period, the culture of the Patoi was very familial in nature. Whether father or mother, to disrespect one's parents was deserving of public punishment, even more so if it was one's elders held in disregard.

The family's elders are the height of this period's culture and authority, being the ones trusted to manage storehouses, pass on history and legends, and perform religious rites at what times are appropriate to that settlement.

Below the elders, the parents of the children, but particularly those adults who are blood relatives of the elders, are the working authority of a settlement, directing labor, rearing children, and, in the case of all able men and even some women, warriors who raid nearby settlements and villages for food, coin, and prestige.

And at the bottom of society, slaves captured through conquest or purchased at market are treated more poorly by the Pre-Sitalian Patoi than anywhere else in Ayetho before or since, their wellbeing seen as secondary due to their inability to speak the local tongue and discrimination from being foreign to their imprisoning settlement.

Sitalian culture has evolved much from this baseline from just a few centuries prior. Starting again at the top, the king is the peak of society, the highest war chief.

Below the king are the new leaders of each village and town, the war chiefs who aided the king during his rise to power as generals, commanders, and so on, with their rank under him during that time holding great significance for the treatment of their wisdom during his reign.

Technically below war chiefs, but functionally above in village life, are the elders. The elders continue to hold their role as teachers to the village youth and religious leaders of the community, but in the few small cities which are slowly emerging, a state sponsored priest class is beginning to develop, with the priests being warriors of good education appointed by the King, resulting in a reduction in elder political power in larger settlements to increasingly negligible roles, only the honor of age remaining.

The men and women in each settlement have likewise seen a change to their dynamics. Men have more thoroughly gated tasks such as lawmaking and warfare to themselves, while women have seen increasing degradation of opportunities, leaving few in socially powerful positions like had been seen in centuries prior, relegated to homemakers and small shop clerks, outside of some surviving exceptions.

Sitalian society, beying young and having formed from a relatively egalitarian stock, lacks prominent caste structures. However, this does not mean there is a lack of societal order present and developing.

At the peak of Sitalian hierarchy sits the king, who claimed his throne through lineage and a gauntlet of blood and iron. The king serves as mediator between the many communities brought into his fold, and director of great works within his realm. Exact administration of his policies is often left to his wife or wives, or hired ministers, as is becoming increasingly common.

Just below the king are his war chiefs, who are both leaders of their own small militias, resisting centralization efforts, but also leaders of one or more settlements, tasked with tax collection and governance.

Combined with the king, these two roles make up an inherent caste of scholar warriors, who must be studied to govern, but may only govern by proving their mettle.

Below the leaders of the realm, Sitalian society treats most merchants and laborers relatively similarly, with any craft or skill being just another trade, albeit, some more honorable than others for a variety of reasons.

It is not until you reach those individuals enslaved as result of raids or wars that you see a clear distinction between peoples made. Sitalian slaves are most often household slaves, maintaining increasingly massive estates as the kingdom becomes more established. Of those who do work outdoors more often than not, it is typically in moving materials for more skilled craftsmen, rather than in the trades themselves.

Being a younger kingdom, Sitalian Clothing is not segregated significantly by class, from the enslaved all the way to the king, all members wearing a relatively similarly styled outfit more defined by quality of fabric and needlework than by what the outfit itself is.

The outfit in question is at its base, a breechcloth, a skirt which typically ends just above the knee, and a toga-like top which has a single sleeve for men, and two for women. For men, the sleeved side is worn on their right, the toga being fastened at the chest and at the waist, with excess fabric flowing down more or less according to the individual's wealth, most often ending above the hem of the skirt.

The construction of Sitalian housing does not differ extensively from preceding Patoian period.

The walls are of a wooden frame with a wicker mesh, coated in a clay plaster on both the exterior and interior, with the exterior walls typically whitewashed, and the interior left plain or painted.

The roofs are semicircular, with bunched grasses layered over top one another to create a thick mat which water struggles to penetrate.

In common households, the houses will often be clustered in short rows or surrounding a shared courtyard, with spaces between the houses being made shaded to do household tasks outside the living spaces. Wealthier households will typically have larger, stand alone estates, but may also form clusters at times still.

The interiors of the houses will see a central quarters with a hearth at the center, with doorways allowing one to enter the space from outside on either side of the building. To one of the remaining sides, the bedrooms may be placed, with any storage being buried yet further interior to the bedrooms.

The lives of the Patoians under the Sitalian Kingdom, unlike their housing, have developed more liberally than not, seeing significant changes in the last centuries.

Although a newborn would at one time be a joyous occasion, in the present era, it is gradually becoming a taciturn assembly. While a slave or midwife may still assist in the birthing process, the father's verdict in the child's future has become paramount. Whether boy or girl, the child must find their father's approval in the first minutes of their lives, else they be unofficially sold to slavers, or offered to a war chief or the king for the family's honor. Though, more isolated communities continue less extreme practices honoring the mothers.

Should the infant be kept, and live, they may only enjoy their childhoods until the age of five. At this age, the child is expected to survive any future illnesses, and thus may begin to assume their future duties through helping their parents, servants, or slaves for the coming years.

Boys will learn to spy wild game, make traps, the family's foraging spots, how to hunt, and most importantly, how to farm the fields.

Girls, on the other hand, will be studied in childcare, weaving, cooking, and thanks to their former societal significance before the Kingdom, are still the primary learners of medicine, mostly herbal folk remedies.

At age twelve, the differences in their upbringings is only further exemplified. While boys will continue learning from their families, they will also begin apprenticeships and mentorships under craftsmen, warriors, or scholars, expected to learn to provide for their future families by mastering a craft beyond basic self care. Girls, on the other hand, are expected to begin further learning how to be a homemaker for their future husbands, and may even begin being sold off to eligible suitors by families who cannot afford their child without a new income from a husband.

Thanks to the recentness of these changes, however, there are still communities who raise their boys and girls largely interchangeably, though most will fall into the same categories, just at less extreme angles.

Some time before the age of twenty, nearly all daughters would have been sold off to their husbands, typically with some input from the daughter as to preference, but not necessarily. Sons, on the other hand, will either begin the process of working in their trade, or will go out with an adventuring party in hopes of gold and glory. Women traditionally would participate as well, but as societal norms have shifted under the new regime, it has become increasingly uncommon.

Finally, once married, the cycle is able to continue once more, with the woman as the owner and keeper of the estate, and the man being the ruler and provider under the Sitalian Kingdom.