XOLOS LAKE
Area: 130 km2 (50 sq mi). Empire: None. Population: None. Ecology: Shrubs, Deciduous trees. Landmarks: Serbalia Bay, Mudslide Gate, The Ridge, Camper’s Bay, Xolos’s Den, The Drop-off, Dryjaw’s Shore, Garos’s Den. Loa/Fiends: Xolos, Dryjaw, Garos.
A dry lake dominated by packs of vicious, wild dogs. Surrounded by an arid and dried up desert environment, this lake has become a hazardous oasis for all manner of desperate wildlife. Although it has since lost around 80% of its water source since its estimated formation, a small steady stream of fresh water pools from deep beneath the crust of the world keeps this dry lake a viable source of life-renewing energy.
Xolos Lake gets its name from one of the fiendish wild dogs that dominate its muddy shores, Xolos and his pack of loyal followers. Two other packs of wild canine species also have dens in the rocky ridges of the lake’s northern and western shores, with Xolos and his pack controlling the largest territory. Although conflict is rare between the three packs, territorial disputes have been documented, as well as highly aggressive attacks towards other animals, making it nearly impossible for any traveller to get past the southern bay of the lake without a battle occurring between adventurer and fiend. During the cooler months of the year, migratory species like the Serbalia use Xolos Lake as an oasis watering hole, bringing the most opportunity for the carnivorous species of the lake to hunt and stock up on meat for their dens.
ME’TAUHO BEACH
Area: 6.47 km2 (2.5 sq mi). Distance: 5.5 km (3.5 mi). Empire: None. Population: None. Ecology: Palm trees, shrubs, brush, flowers, algae, kelp. Landmarks: Palm lining forest, Me’tauho shore, GUILD Campsite, Northern break, Sielki Point. Loa/Fiends: Me’tauho King.
A humble little beach nestled along the southwestern shores of Co, Me’tauho Beach is known as the world’s smallest beach. Located just southwest of Nútopolis, at about a 2-days travel time. Me’tauho is separated from the mainland by a heavy lining of tangled palm trees, seedlings that have no doubt drifted from the Serpent Jungles. A 5-kilometer stretch of linear beach, Me’tauho is a secluded paradise for its wildlife that are protected by the palm tree lining, and two rocky points that are battered by high-tide waves, making travel around them a tiring endeavor for people.
Populated mostly by small tropics-dwelling animals, the most common alpha predator are the subspecies of beach seilkis, known as Me’tauho Seilkis, that inhabit the beach and use its shores as a hunting ground. But don’t be fooled traveler, Me’tauho Beach may be a simple speck of land, but even it is visited by the occasional traveling dragons and other sea beasts hunting for their own prey. While the northern point of the Me’tauho is a breakage of slippery rocks thrashed by the waves of the ocean, small rodents and crustacea inhabit this area, safe from the seilkis that dominate the southern point of the beach. Historically, the Me’tauho Beach Seilkis are a bob of about 40 beach seilkis, and are typically non-aggressive to travelers unless threatened. However, recently there have been reports of a rather large and aggressive alpha male seilki that has been overfeeding and hoarding prey, threatening and reducing the local fish population. Dubbed the Me’tauho King, GUILD requests have been posted offering a bounty on the beach seilki’s head.
The main reason Me’tauho is considered a point of interest, and even included in this guide, is because of the GUILD’s expressed interest and funding for protection and conservation of Me’tauho Beach. One of this beach’s known landmarks are its GUILD campsite, a small cabin established a few meters into the northern section of the palm tree lining. Maintained and serviced by the Nútopian branch of the GUILD organization, Me’tauho Beach is considered an easy training ground for low-ranking hunters. Newly licensed hunters are encouraged to make the 2 1/2 days journey down to the campsite where they are free to train and safely hunt amongst the small wildlife, within regulations. Passing travelers may even rent the unoccupied cabin for a nominal fee. However, this newly established cabin has also attracted small attention from clan members looking for an easy raid to earn them some notoriety, so renting travelers are encouraged to come armed and ready.
EAJ’NAKYIB
Area: 30,823.49 km2 (11,901.02 sq mi). Empire: Himeros. Established: 2004 2A. Population: 1.8 million. Time Zone: BTC. Locales: Upper district, Mid district, Lower district, Bazaar district, Southside bridge, Northside bridge, Palmtown, FakihalNakhltib, Gazz Town, The Surfing Slopes, Red Sun Block, Promised Sunrise Block, Dead Sun Block, Garthim Business Tower, Royal Sunset Block, Eaj’himaya Watchtower, Temple of Prayer and Meditation, Karan Solar Arenas, Devlin Gas Headquarters, Perihelion Block, Ayoubi Museum, Twin Suns Block, Eaj’Chasm. Ecology: Cacti, date palms, palm trees, brush, fruit trees, desert flowers, herbs. Culture: Qizal. Dominant Species: Qizal, ork, altyn. Loa/Fiends: None.
Across the dunes of the Sahra'alshasham, sitting on the western horizon is the city of Eaj'nakyib. A marvelous city that has stood strong since the final years of the second age. A city that has seen many trials, from the famine that brought the villages together and established the city, to the many wars and raids that strengthened the city into the impregnable plateau it is today. The citizens prefer not to dwell on the cities violent past, but rather focus on the “wondrous future” from which the city gets its name. Or maybe its just because people don’t have time to think of the past in such an overpopulated city.
With most of the population living in one of Eaj’nakyib's megablocks, other blocks have become dedicated to corporations that have recently moved in during the fourth age. Eaj’nakyib's surrounding chasm, once a sanctuary for refugees and haven for protecting city resources, has all but been forgotten. Airships now effortlessly glide over its black abyss, and lately those unlucky enough to live near the plateau’s edge have reported strange noises and foul smells coming from the depths below…
But it's not all gloom and corporate affairs in this oasis city. Eaj'nakyib also boasts an active nightlife with plenty of entertainment for all ages. Eaj'nakyib is also one of the host cities of the sand surfing championships with one of the top five competing teams in the league, The Crimson Crawrs. Rumors of the chasm’s mysterious activity has also brought in a small population of lancers as well, seeking the reward for investigating the chasm. In Eaj'nakyib, the wondrous palm tree city, everybody has the chance to make their future wondrous.
NÚTOPOLIS
Area: 94,270.4 km2 (36,398 sq mi). Empire: Anteros. Established: 3201 3A. Population: 532.4 million. Time Zone: UTC. Locales: Bazaar District, The Block, The Forbidden Forest, Upper District, Blackout District, Mid District. Ecology: Urban. Culture: Blended, multispecies. Dominant Species: Elf, Dark Elf, Ork. Loa/Fiends: Unknown.
In 3201 of the Third Age Nútopolis was established as the third megacity of Ra, in 2077 of the Fourth Age it was voted as one of the worst cities to live in on Ra. Its main problems: a sky high rate of violence and more people living outside the protected barrier than any other megacity. Still, Nútopolis is one of the most popular cities to live in. During its early years, Nútoplis quickly established itself as a city of dreamers, a city with a promise; citizens flocked to Nútopolis to build new lives and businesses, and today its Bazaar District is one of the biggest independent markets in world. Yet new dreams brought new nightmares and those too poor to afford the protection of the inner city built lives below the city wall dreaming of a way inside. It just depends on how desperate they are to make that dream a reality.
Nútopolis didn’t just attract dreamers and self-starters looking to make a name for themselves, it also attracted those willing to do the extreme to achieve their dreams, and on 1972 4A Nútoplois bore witness to the first of the MTG attacks, and a new definition of criminal emerged on Ra. Host to several different Clan factions, a number of superpowered or enhanced criminals, and gods only know what else, Nútopolis is also classified as the third most violent city on Ra. With an established history of big dreams, crushed spirits, and sky high violence Nútoplis may be one of the worst cities to live in, but people are always dying to get in, always ready to hear an offer from the city with a promise.