Paruhatpa
Lo, it has been recorded by the sages that in the heart of the Senu Desert Desert, where the heat of Edius scourgeth the land with fiery wrath, lieth the desolate city of Paruhatpa. Hidden within the verdant Nerikefu Oasis, the ruins of Paruhatpa standeth as a silent witness to a once vibrant polis of arcane knowledge and elegant beauty. This ancient city did flourish at the dawn of the Fourth Age under the rule of the Rusati, a noble kindred of the Alvi who once dwelled amidst the scorching sands. Yet, a peculiarity marked their lineage: sons, as precious pearls in the ocean's depths, were born but once in a century, each held in highest esteem and groomed to serve as their Pharoah.
Under the wise guidance of the Rusatican Pharaohs, Paruhatpa reached towards the heavens, its spires like fingers of light piercing the endless blue. Their people, with minds honed and spirits keen, delved deep into the mysteries of arcane philosophy, laying the foundation for the magical arts as practiced by the Collegium Arcanum. Enticed by tales of wonder, Humans flocked to Paruhatpa's gates, yearning to drink from the fount of mystic knowledge. The Rusati, who lacked the physical strength of men, welcomed the Human tribes for their labor would be useful in the further construction of the city to increase the glory of their Pharaoh.
Alas, with the passage of time, the thirst for power festered in the hearts of men. Led astray by the venomous whispers of that which still lingered within the lore of the Djeti - creatures of half-man, half-serpent - they delved into forbidden knowledge, seeking dark magic whispered to them on the night wind. Ignoring the dire warnings of the Rusati, the Humans of Paruhatpa embraced these wicked arts, their minds and bodies corrupted by the serpents' enchantments.
As the shadows of evil crept across Paruhatpa, casting a pall over its once-brimming streets, the Rusati faced a heart-wrenching choice. Abandon Paruhatpa, their testiment to co-existence with mankind, or stay and fall victim to the spreading corruption of the Apophians. They forsook their beloved city, retreating to hidden oases scattered across the desolate sands, carrying the torch of their wisdom away from the encroaching darkness and the eyes of men.
Now, it is said that Paruhatpa stands as a monument to fallen glory, its majestic structures reduced to crumbling testaments of a forgotten time. Only the most learned sages whisper its name, a mournful lament echoing through the shifting dunes. Yet, amidst the sands, some believe the Rusati still watch with guarded eyes, their ancient knowledge a shield against the world's forgetfulness. And perhaps, when the stars align and the desert blooms anew, Paruhatpa shall rise from the ashes, its lost splendor restored under a radiant dawn.
RUINED SETTLEMENT
3150 AR
