NEW ARVEGUM
The city of New Arvegum is pressed against the Astora mountains’ foot as the beguiling city of sparks. Settled within the floodplains of the Twintail and Snake Eye rivers, this enchanting and sprawling metropolis began as a simple farming hamlet collecting coin by passerby on the Coronal highway. After War’s Flamehearts bypassed the Astora Mountains by crossing the Edelithian Reservoir, the Horseman sought to sever the Edelitheian food supply, putting the city under siege. It was inevitable that the village would be set in the demon’s gaze as it sits for a brutal onslaught.
According to local legend, following the ravaging of Old Arvegum, the refugees fled at the horrific sight of these hellspawn into the outer town. Trailing them down was a creature only known as “The Beast,” a bloodthirsty paragon of demonkind. As it encroached upon the broken streets and burning buildings, a sudden spark of fire burst within the air, and in one cut, the Beast was beheaded. Sheathing a blade wreathed in a divine blessing, a ronin from a foreign land known as “Kojin” would be recorded in the annals of history as the Sword Saint of Arvegum.
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Following the Wake of Steel and the routing of the Flamehearts, the surviving village of the Arvegum highlands adopted many aspects of Kojin in their fledgling culture. The nights are illuminated by the crackling sparks of fireworks, tales of the Beast strike fear in the hearts of unruly children, and the city overall is synonymous with festivity, even in this troubled land. The standout feature of the municipality is the Ember Ring colosseum. I personally have been enthralled by gladiators of far and near elegantly clashing in the Sword Saint’s Ordeal. These great combatants undergo a series of battles, chancing to fight blessed by the enigmatic swordsman against the ongoing struggle against War’s forces. Other personally recommended attractions include the local bar joint of the Smouldering Spirits and the high-stakes Arvegum Fever Casino if you’re seeking the fullest nightlife.
One defining characteristic of New Arvegum is its stars, the Enfernabloom fireworks. A gift from Kojin’s homeland, this unique genus of flora smolders at its center and emits a sickening smoke. With no established Ministry clergy to sanctify the settlement, these Enfernabloom’s are responsible for warding off the prowling demons in the sparse woodland. But, decorated in mystifying colors or in floats floating down the canal, most New Arvegan denizens have embraced their identity as the keepers of fire and embellish it with pride. The Enfernabloom’s natural influence has taken its toll on the city, though; the water and air are polluted with smoke, and the ground has been toxicated with pollution, causing the outsourcing of most of Arvegum’s crops other than the thriving lotuses.
Author’s Note: Recent developments have created a new militia around New Arvegum’s walls to complement the Enfernabloom’s incense. Known as the Woodsworn, these wooden automatons are silent and, aside from a few exceptions, express no emotional capabilities. Contrary to their recent emergence, indicators point to their creation stemming from much earlier times. It is unknown what origins the constructs have, nor their affiliations with the New Arvegum hierarchy. Their mechanisms do have an insertion point for Enfernabloom, though to what effect it has on their psyche alludes to me. More resources will be probed for further insight.
