Prologue
Avernus: The first layer of hell: a rocky forbidden place where few plants grow under a blood red sky. Fireballs created from the hatred of lost souls randomly fall upon the land, and explode making life difficult for anyone that walks this damned plane. Across this infinite landscape, roam the Baatezu, the devilkin rulers of Hell. The Baatezu build great fortresses in Avernus for their armies awaiting the next incursion of the blood wars. As they go, they torment and enlist the souls of hell into their war with the demon kind. Even in this environment, live lost civilizations of mortal beings. Some protected by Arch-devils, others strange mutations created by powerful Baatezu to guard their layers. One such lost race is the Elder Fey’ri.
In a quiet corner of what was once the lands of the Goddess Tiamat five great fortified cities form a pentagram connecting to a central hub; Each city being able to host a half million inhabitants, yet all but a few of these stand empty. The Central hub looks to be a center for the cities. It encompasses some paltry three-square miles but, rises far above the rest of the area with magnificent towers, buildings and spires.
The people of these cities, numbering some two-hundred fifty thousand, with their slim agile bodies, pointed ears, slightly almond shaped eyes mark them as elven fey. Their scales, twice the size of a dragon disciple’s and easily distinguishable, wings, and odor mark their Abishai blood. Some have colored eyes: about ten percent of the population. The rest all have eyes the color of onyx. Their scales are of the five colors of the Abishai. Women and children in the cities are of one color except for the central hub. The males of all colors inhabit all of the five cities. Among them, the warriors of the city are easily distinguishable. The male warriors carry with them at all times a katana and wakizashi. The females a katana and deceptive hand fan made of metal often with elaborate spines and small blades to both embellish and enhance its capability as a weapon.
When Dawn comes or, what can be thought of as dawn, the people come out of their abodes and gather in groups. Morning starts with exercise or sparring with one another. At this time all have weapons. They practice the arts of war and fitness before starting the day. Warriors, Peasants, Artisans, even children: all are included in the morning ritual. Afterward the people split up to perform their various tasks for the community of their respective families.
Peasants split up into groups and go to tend their Rothe (The cattle of the lower planes), mushrooms, and lichen. Warriors take to the towers to watch for intrusions from foreigners of any kind. Artisans go to their shops to open up for the day. The children are herded into dojos to learn the skills they need to be productive members of society. The Daimyos’ run the day-to-day life of each individual family and report to their respective Shoguns. The council of Shoguns for each city advises and report to their respective Circle member. The five circle members rule the overall cycle of the people. Not involved in petty family politics the Circle must look to the future and guide their people for the good of the entire nation.
This is where we begin our journey.
