The Ruins of Hartha

My Friend

If your path ever brings you to the western edge of the Great Plains of Uthira, look to where the setting sun dives deep behind the peaks of Barak Tor and you will see her. Let your eyes fall upon the broken spires of the Ivory Citadel. See how her crumbled towers reach for the skies and imagine the true Majesty that this place held in eons past. When you find your self amidst her crumbled ruins and walk the cobbled streets of Hartha, know that you are standing upon one of the most important Relics of this world.

It is true that we do not know many things about the White Citadel. One thing is however certain. The white, marble walls of her tallest towers stood well above the clouds and caught the light of Ronthir when Arda, our land, wore a very different face than the one we see today.
It is indeed proven that Hartha existed since the end of the seventh circle of Neva some 2500 years ago. Despite the fact that our historical understanding stops there, it is greatly possible that the white citadel pierced the clouds long before that.

Her purpose has been the center of debate among historians and arcanists for centuries. Some of my colleagues believe that Hartha was the center of knowledge and wisdom of this land. A place were the wise children of Arda gathered in order to bring civilization foreword. Others say that it is here that one can find the first Home of the ancient Yororthaghrim. The place where the Elder Poets gazed upon the land and filled their primal voices with the creative songs that formed this world. In truth, whether all this are just romantic fantasies I cannot be sure.

One this is certain however.
The White Citadel of Hartha conceals within her wreckage the lost Mastery of our age. It is still there, beneath the stone and ruin…waiting like diamonds buried in the mud.

-From the Musings of Unker

Prominent Organizations

There are dozens of guilds, crews and consortiums that throw their brave adventurers into the bowels of the ruined Citadel, all in the hope that these explorers will return with priceless artifacts and knowledge in their hands. Of all these organizations, there are four that hold prominence, these are as follows:

The Amber Bear Company

The Amber Bears hold loyalty as their most important trait. All the members of the group are individuals that, in one way or another, are their lives to the Guild.
A dept compensated in order to avoid persecution from the criminal underworld, a rescued orphan, a financial sponsorship that supported you through your arcane studies. Whatever your story is, your success and your prosperity were given to you by the Amber Bears with an open hand. They are your family.

The Amber Bear company is a mercenary group that has as its goal to simply make a profit out of its expeditions within the Citadel. They believe in doing business clearly but never softly. Most of the people of this group are battle hardened warriors although some wields of the Arcane Crafts are also counted within their Ranks.

Core beliefs:

• It is in battle that the true character of a person is revealed.

• Loyalty above all else.

• The guild is Family. It has your back.

The University of Mythria

The School of Mythria is a well established and prestigious institution.
As their Mission, the scholars, researchers and archaeologists of Mythria have the unrelenting study of knowledge, both Arcane and mundane. Its presence in Hartha can be regarded as obvious since it is there that the long-lost knowledge of the past is hidden under the rubble and indeed this institution plays a vital role in our quest for understanding Hartha.

However the University has another more hidden function. That is to act as an unofficial overseer and envoy for the kingdom of Uthira. It is no secret that the school of Mythria owes its allegiance to the Crown of the Jeweled City. As we mentioned before, the Ruins of Hartha fall under Uthiran territory and therefore a method of control and monitoring of the world altering events that take place in the ruins is necessary. The University fulfils that role.

Due to its vast expertise in both arcane and historical matters, as well as the fact that the majority that magic initiates in Hartha are from Mythria, the university is involved in nearly all important discoveries. Where it is not involved, it is certainly well informed through its great network of agents. Almost nothing happens in the White Citadel without these scholars being aware of it.

Core beliefs:

• Knowledge is Dangerous therefore knowledge is Power.

• Everything is connected. Through rigorous study these connections are revealed.

• Queens and kingdoms turn to dust but the Aranweave always remains.

The Roses of Inumire

The Roses of Inumire, named after the chaotic Goddess of Luck and Hidden Knowledge, are a more particular group. To the eyes of many they might appear as a misguided group of mostly young people who have filled their minds with dangerously romantic ideas and often operate outside the laws spreading chaos and disarray.
For the Roses the Truth is the most important Treasure of humanity and they believe the understanding and the wisdom that comes with it must be available for all who seek it.
Their mission is to uncover the hidden and forgotten knowledge that lie within Hartha and spread it freely and unconditionally to the rest of the world. Consequence, money and fame is of little importance to them and often they engage in illegal activities in order to "retrieve" information or artifacts that have rightfully fallen under the ownership of other factions as per the laws that govern operations in Hartha.

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In truth, as dangerous and infamous as the Roses of Inumire can be, they play a very important role in how information travels in our world and, in it's essence, their ideology is a noble one.

Core beliefs:

• Give knowledge to the world, and let the dice fall where they may.

• Truth is everything, speak the truth, live the truth, spread the truth.

• Everyone should have an equal chance at living a life of prosperity and fulfillment.

Phantom Snake Company

It would be impossible for the infamous phantom snake company, to be absent from such an important hub of knowledge and power, as the Citadel of Hartha.
The Phantom Snakes are a group comprised of outcasts, thugs, mercenaries and peddlers. Individuals that mostly live outside the norms of society in Arda and always operate within the borders between legality and crime.

Their members can be identified, by coiling tattoos of white snakes, although more often than not, these are concealed under their clothing, and their goals are varied and usually secret.

Throughout the land the phantom snakes have many supporters among the common folk. They often provide support, and protection when disaster strikes, and they ask nothing in return. They also bring some kind of order to the inherent chaos of the criminal underworld, in keeping smaller criminal organizations in check, by means of control, bribery, punishment and retribution.

There is an old saying:

“Whether in the gardens of the highest palace, or the gutters of the lowest slum, pick a rock and underneath it you will find the white snake waiting.”

Core beliefs:

• Secrets are more valuable than any amount of gold.
• Don't let them see you coming.
• Some people fear you. Good, this fear is your armor.

Theme Song

Politics

Hartha exists within the giant kingdom of Uthira and as a matter of fact, the white citadel is a great source of wealth and renown for kingdom. All the Guilds and expeditions that operate in Hartha have to pay a tariff to the Queen. In addition, anything that comes forth from within the ruins themselves, resources, knowledge, magic items or ancient technologies belong to the Queen if she so desires them. It is more often however that the Crown purchases these resources from the Guilds at extreme favorable prices in order to ensure good moral and stable business relationships. All in all, if the Guilds abide by the Laws of the Crown they are left to operate freely within the ruins and most of them make quite a bit of profit in doing so.

Cooperation

In Haartha it is most common for different guilds to work with one another when going in expeditions within the ruins. Different organisations have different expertise. One may focus in raw strength while others might have a more arcane focus or even a proficiency in trap management.
Upon Hartha laws the spoils of a joint expedition are divided equally between all parties. However efforts are always made to give ones own guild the lions share of the findings, even if that sometimes means employing...less than honorable methods.

Map of Hartha

Alternative Names

White Citadel - Ivory Citadel

Type

Acropolis / Citadel