Chiaroscuro: City of Glass

   Little is known about the City of Glass' history during the First Age. What is known is that it was a haven of the arts in all its forms. The buildings themselves were masterwork pieces done by the hands of talented sorcerers. They would make the base shape and some of the fine detail that can still be seen today. Glassblowers would craft Essence and form to make the exquisite decorations, which adorned the many buildings.

   The techniques that were used to create such marvels are unknown to this day, like much lore from the First Age. The sheer magnitude of the works expresses a clear organization of powerful sorcerers and talented artisans or less likely, one powerful artisan and magic-user.

   Due to the sheer scope of the City of Glass, many organizations have claimed responsibility for the wonder. Many Dragon-Blooded claim that it was members of the Terrestrial Exalted that created the great works. The popular story is that a sworn brotherhood consisting of all five aspects came together. The Water and Earth aspects coaxed the sand from deep in the ocean. The Fire and Wood aspects enchanted the fires and fuels to produce the heat needed to make the glass. The Air aspect placed them one by one in their respective place.

   The Order of the _________________ has claimed that it was a great Solar Twilight by the name of Gerias Lošrel who made the whole city in one day. She made the city out of glass as to reflect the sun throughout the world, spreading the word of the Unconquered Sun with its rays. They have claimed Gerias Lošrel is buried in the Blue Spire near the center of the city.

   The Delizhan are a tribe of people originally known as raiders and nomads. They were once regarded as a savage group, raiding from town to town, taking what they needed or wanted. Unbeknownst to many of their victims, the Delizhans were incredibly gifted in philosophy and math. They considered themselves noble raiders.

   The rediscovery of Chiaroscuro was one not of exploration, but of bloodshed. There existed three tribes of wandering conquerors called the Delzahn. Each tribe had its own Khan, or ruler. The Khan was responsible for the planning of the roving and raiding of its tribe. It was a hard life for many of the Delzhan. During those days after the Great Contagion, many of the horses and camels the Delzhan prized as companions had died.

   150 years after the Great Contagion, Khan Raegor began a conquest of the surrounding territories before spreading his reign to the other tribes of the Delzhan. In single combat, Raegor eliminated the other two Khans and forced the Delzhan into one tribe. The Delzhan had become one unit, under a new Tri-Khan.

    Raegor was known as the Man Who Was A Horse. A terror in battle, he rode barebacked on a huge destrier, trained to carry its rider's girth. Legends speak of him reaching a terrible 6'7", easily weighing twice the normal man. His heavily muscled framed carried a large sledge empowered with a great horse spirit. Raegor's favorite form of battle was to ride in, moving his sledge in circles to crush the heads of his opponents.

   Despite his brutal nature in combat, Raegor excelled in the other two traits the Delzhan were known for, mathematics and philosophy. His intellectual nature provided him with a reasoning capacity beyond the typical Khan's. He reasoned that the limited number of supplies and food would only carry the Delzhan so far in raiding and pillaging. The Delzhan, to survive, must find a location that had ample food and those who could harvest it for them, for the Delzhan knew nothing of agriculture. To surviveŠ the Delzhan must become tame.

    Raegor saw that during this time there was still chaos due to the death and famine following the Great Contagion. Instead of the nomadic lifestyle, he saw the life of the Delzhan being tied to a stable source of food and income. In a spearhead campaign of rulership, instead of raiding, he took Chiaroscuro as his own. He spread his rule to the Fish People, as the Delzhan called the ones who lived there at the time.

   The battle for Chiaroscuro was short and brutal. The Tri-Khan had watched the people for one year before the attack. He had sent men to spy on the Fish People, under the guise of traders. After they had gathered all the information they could on the Fish People, the traders returned with their information.

    The plan it self was part brilliance and part savagery. The Tri-Khan moved the Delzhan into the city after the strongest men and women of the Fish People left to gather food from the Inner Sea. The Tri-Khan split his forces in three raiding parties. The strongest went towards the small docks located off of the blue breakwaters, which the Tri-Khan would command. They awaited any return of those who went to fish and were commanded to kill those who stepped foot on land. The next two forces were evenly divided and split among the homes and farmers of the Fish People.

    Seeing the chaos insue in the city, many of the fishermen returned to the city docks only to see the Delzhan mounted and awaiting them. A few braved the charge trying to help their families, only to be ridden down by camels and horses bridled with bells. The farmers suffered the worse of all the fighting. Many of them were the women and younger children, who chose to fight pack with what little they had. Pitchforks and hoes were little match for scimitars and bows. Many of the farmers and livestock were eliminated in the conflict. Those in the homes surrendered peacefully, trying to save their small children and babies in their arms.

    The Tri-Khan told the fishermen the Delzhan now commanded the city and their lives. If they refused, their wives and children's lives would be forfeit. It was a plan that the Tri-Khan would not actually go through, but bluffed. The Tri-Khan and his people knew little or nothing of farming and fishing. Their live was that of raiding and foraging. If he killed the people he needed, his people would eventually starve. Whether it was his commanding tone or sheer luck, Raegor succeeded in his plan in some ways.

    Raegor did not know of the slaughter of the farmers. When he arrived to see the chaos that his warriors were committing, he flew into a rage. He slaughtered the commander of the unit and those who would not stop their rapine and killing. He gave their heads to the Fish People as an apology and a oath that the Delzhan would never kill again unless a revolt occurred.

   The Fish People saw his slaughter of his own people in two respects. First, the man was willing to kill his own people at a whim. This frightened the Fish People, after all, if he would kill his own what is stopping the Tri-Khan from killing them. They mean nothing to him. Second, it showed that in some strange way, he was fair. He killed those who broke their word and committed savagery.

The Breakwaters

   The azure blue glass breakwaters are completely intact and our survivors for the First Age. What confounds many scholars of that age is why there are no inhabitants living on the breakwaters. No mollusks or barnacles have been seen to grow on the clear blue glass, nor does it stain in any way. Twenty years ago, some traders dropped a large amount of red dye on one of the breakwaters. The dye itself came off the glass without any form of mark or permanent harm.

   While it is understood that these were used to protect the city from storms and crashing waves, as to not allow erosion to take the city's foundation, nothing remains of a port from the First Age. The wooden walkways and quays were constructed recently and whether or not Chiaroscuro was originally meant as a port town is not known.

The Plaza

   The central section of Chiaroscuro is called the Plaza. This stretch of six blocks contains miraculously untouched buildings. Spared from the devastation, by an unknown force, the buildings are silent observers of a grander time. Each block holds at least 150 people in various apartments and shops.

   In the center of the area is a small gazebo, where Grandmother Bright can be found. A known wise woman, many have come to her for her knowledge and aid. If its happened in Chiaroscuro, chances are she knows. At least, that is what the inhabitants of the Plaza claim.

   The other odd happening in this area is the walking dead. Spirits are seen walking around at night conversing among themselves and the living. They often plead for help, vengeance, or some other necessity. Some zombies have been seen cleaning up the area. No one bothers these shambling workers, as it is in their best interest to keep them around.

The Quays

   Chiaroscuro holds 45 main quays for docking ships of all kinds. The quays are made out of heavy firewoods imported by the Tri-Khan from the east. Each quay is 10 yards wide by at least 100 yards long.

Guides

   One important aspect of Chiaroscuro is that of the local guides. Since much of the town is in utter desolation, exploring the ruins of the City of Glass can cause much confusion. Many parties have gotten lost in the huge towers or sewers of the area. Hiring a guide can reduce the chances of this happening.

   Many types of guides are available at almost every time of day. In the Tent Quarter, you can find ruffians waiting around to find someone who looks lost (which is easier than it seems). The charges usually range from the innocuous (a loaf of bread) to the outrageous (your first born child). Many of these guides do know the area. Few are vagabonds looking for an easy mark, as the local guides make sure to eliminate those few who rob others in that fashion.

   If you are looking for more respectable guides, quite a few can be found in the Shopping District. One particular trio is well known for their willingness to do just about anything if the price is right. Two entertainers, Selchin and Setrayla, will show you the choice ruins, share your bed, or sing old songs with the finest voices. Their warrior escort, Iftlin is a warrior with few equals and makes sure the client returns alive. Their prices range from steep to simple depending on the person asking.