Yorn et Gaul

The scarred city of Changelings

Yorn et Gaul was once the greatest city within The Glassius Reach. Famed for its adherence to The Pattern, an extremely ordered way of living. The city was a bastion of the north. This sadly changed during the height of the Western War when the city was attacked and a relic called The Apex, one of The Oldshards, was lost. This object, central to the Changelings culture, has never been recovered. Most believe it was destroyed, but some think it was stolen by invading forces. Regardless, its absence has damaged the city’s order and culture greatly. The city is now upon hard times, and has been for around half a centaury. Despite losing The Apex, the people of Yorn et Gaul continue to revere the site where it was once held, attempting to maintain their ordered beliefs and society. However the empty pedestal that once held The Apex does not provide the grounds required for such a complex belief system. Regardless, it is still desperately worshiped by the city’s people.

Now, the city is experiencing growing disorder and even crime. Changelings of Yorn et Gaul are beginning to lay down their old traditions. The Pattern has now become too cumbersome for many, and they are choosing to lead lives unguided by the many rules of their ancestors beliefs. The city’s authority has attempted to rebalance things with little success.

On the opposite end of things, the fanatical members of society have begun to lash out in different ways. Some claim The Apex’s absence to be a test, and worship even more than the Changelings have done traditionally. Others strike out at those who deviate from the ways of old. Many groups have been formed to try and locate The Apex, based on the idea that it was stolen.

# Overview

Aspect	Description
Main Opportunity	The city is an open wound on the world. While tragic, it gives a direct view into the heart of such a unique people and culture. Witnessing the daily life of Yorn et Gaul is like looking through geological layers of history all the way back to The Awakening, and possibly even before. The Changelings have such a long standing, well documented history of their people. It begins when the Changelings found themselves in possession of The Oldshards after The Awakening. Bearing no knowledge of their past, they possessed a strange reverence and innate understanding of the relics, despite their lack of memories. All their traditions were built around them, and the removal of The Apex exposes the nature of Zol and its people in a very tangible way. It is also a place where Changelings can live unencumbered by an old religion, however they cannot do so without judgement.
Main Challenge	It is no secret that Yorn et Gaul struggles. Those who don’t leave the city either cling to echoes of a fading past, or stray from their traditions into the bleak unknown. Disorder plagues its days, and there does not seem to be an end in sight. Many outsiders frequently ask why those who seek to maintain their traditions don’t emigrate to Corinth. Some do, but in Changeling culture, the oldshard one is born near is thought to play a distinct role in ones life. They believe that the oldshard they are not attuned with cannot connect with them.
Climate	Continental
Cuisine	Exotic farmed goods, fish, exotic spices
Export	None
Size	Large
Outer Villages	Some
City Leader	Yemodhan Surrite
Primary Language(s)	Changeling
Majority Racial Group(s)	Changelings
Majority Religion(s)	Exaltation Obscura of The Oldshards

# Major Features

Feature	Description
Distinguishing Features	Costal, River valley/Hilltop
Architecture	Sleek obsidian brick, sharp features, tall buildings, elongated and thin detail-work
Color(s)	Yellow, Black and Red
Symbolism	A tall and narrow trapezoid with the wide part on top (The symbol of The Vertex)
Defenses	Remote, hostile terrain, army of Changelings highly skilled in covert and deceptive warfare, High walls, allies with The Word of Wrath

# People Groups

Group	Type	Description
Shardwitnesses	Religious/Political Station	Those elected to lead the city, and bear witness to the guidance of The Apex. However now that the city’s oldshard is missing, this group now acts to guide and manage the city as best than can in its absence. They are a group that is formed of the most respected range of citizens, they live highly regulated lives by the rules of The Pattern. At their head sits the city’s Shardcaller, Yemodhan Surrite. Shardwitnesses are similar in their influence to foreign nobility, but lead very strict and humble lifestyles. Those who become Shardwitnesses must be nominated many people (peers, mentors, and authorities) and also prove themselves by means of written essay, and engagement in political and philosophical debate.
The Public	General populace	The people of the city are faced with great social and political struggles. The systems established by The Pattern originally created much infrastructure for Changelings of all kinds, but with the loss of The Apex the people are divided. Some cling to what once was, others deviate into new ways of living.
Members of The Eelynn	Academic Station	Scholars and philosophers tasked with teaching and understanding the world. Specifically through the lens of The Oldshards. Members of this school pursue careers in magic, scholarship, and teaching. All people of the city from ages 8-15 participate in learning at The Eelynn. The school provides many levels of education, and is a repository of some of Zol’s most obscure knowledge due to its influences, and removal from the rest of the world. Some members of The Eelynn are rumored to be tasked with making long pilgrimages to distant lands, bearing changeling disguise, to return with knowledge not yet possessed by The Eelynn. The highest ranking members of The Eelynn are all Shardwitnesses. The Eelynn within Yorn et Gaul is facing unprecedented times without The Apex
Tarsects	Local authority	A branch of local guard who are tasked with policing the very minute details of the Glassian Laws. They are not allowed to make arrests, but they are responsible for reporting infractions and doling out fines. Since Yorn et Gaul’s population has begun to deviate from The Pattern, Tarsects are very controversial figures. Some appreciate their services, others hate them.
Outsiders	Racial Group	The few non-changeling members of society. In the whole city there are less than 15, and each of them has special permission to live within the city. Typically it is for some service they can provide to Yorn et Gaul. Their social lives are very delicate things as Changelings are not trusting of outsiders. Yorn et Gaul is a particularly dangerous place to outsiders, as some fanatics are violent towards them.
Progressive Citizens	Political Group	Those changelings who seek a new way of life not dictated by The Pattern. The absence of The Apex has made a good portion of the population believe they do not need their lives to be so organized. Some are very normal citizens, some are careless (and possibly criminal), while others are fanatics. Making organized protests against the ways of old, or even taking full-blown criminal action.
Conservative Citizens	Political Group	Those changelings who try and maintain, or restore the ways of old. These individuals adhere closely to The Pattern. They treat the holy site where The Apex was once held with the same reverence as if it were still there. Some are very normal citizens, while others are fanatical. Fanatics are known to cling to the ways of old even more than most citizens of Corinth. Some even go as far as taking violent action against those who deviate from tradition.
The Maezerat	Militant Group	A collection of fanatical Changelings who still believe The Apex survives. This sect of warriors organized within the city sends mercenaries far and wide in search for their lost relic.
Still Changelings	Misc	A group of some changelings who have been born around 500 years after the loss of The Apex who were not born with the capacity to change their appearance. About 1 in every 100 Changelings within Yorn et Gaul is born this way in modern day. Much folklore and fear surrounds these individuals, and they are typically outcasts from society.
The Formless	Criminal	A small gang of very secretive criminals who have begun operating within Yorn et Gaul, spawned by very fanatical, progressive changelings

# Goods and Services

Name	Type	Description
Keep Apex	Keep	The city’s main keep
Apex Convergence	Teleportation Circle	The city’s main teleportation circle. Located within the keep.
Xor Illiandel	Market	The city’s main market
The Scarmark	Market	The city’s slum market
Ral Kidoc	Tavern	A tavern popular with Changelings who lead traditional lives
The Unbroken Tavern	Tavern	A tavern popular with Changelings who lead more progressive lives. Known for not limiting drinks for its patrons, a distinct deviation from The Pattern.
The Eelynn	College	A place of study for all Changelings of the city. Most citizens of Yorn et Gaul study here for at least some part of their youth, and some even go further to become full fledged members. These members go on to study magic, philosophy, and various other branches of academia. All of this study is viewed through the lens of The Oldshards, and the worlds relationship to them. Yorn et Gaul’s branch of The Eelynn faces great challenges without The Apex.

# Authority

The city is overlooked by Shard Witness Yemodhan Surrite. Surrite is commonly mocked as one of The Unwitnessed, a term used for rulers of Yorn et Gaul since the Western War and the loss of The Apex. Despite the city turmoil, Shard Witness Surrite has had a reasonable amount of success compared to their predecessors. They have a reputation for firm rule which has forced criminal activity deep into the shadows.

Along with Shard Witness Surrite, the Head Tarsect Lawrence Lostara is a very prevalent authority within the city. They are know as the Shard Witness’ attack dog who cracks down on deviant behavior. The Head Tarsect is hated by many.

Beyond that the city’s military is formidable, as defense is a large concern for the city since the Western War.

# Laws

The city subscribes to the Glassian Laws, however enforcement is an issue within the city for minor crimes.

# Modern Importance

In modern day, Yorn et Gaul does not have much influence outside of its territory. It has the lesser economy within The Reach, and as a result does not export much. However within history and rumor it is a place of frequent mention. Some talk about the hardships it faces, while others talk about it as a hive of evil where the good kingdoms of the west prevailed.

# Historical Importance

Once the greatest kingdom of The Reach, Yorn et Gaul is now mostly known for its great losses sustained during the Western War.

For more information on this, see the following section ‘Destruction of Yorn Et Gaul’

# Destruction of Yorn Et Gaul

During the late First Age, Laenwalde and Gethsemane faced a great deal of political infighting. Some evidence of this pointed to the interference of Changelings. Laenwalde and Gethsemane began proffering threats towards The Glassius Reach. The Glassius Reach denied these claims. When the supposed sabotage did not stop, the nations declared a war that would be called the Western War.

The Changelings were outnumbered greatly, but they proved a very difficult foe due to their strange environment, and the fact that they can manifest in any physical, humanoid form.

The clashing of kingdoms stretched on for just over one hundred years, before the attackers were able to lay siege on Yorn et Gaul. The destruction was swift and brutal once the gate fell. Many changelings adopted disguising forms and fled the city.

Once the dust settled it was realized that The Apex, one of The Oldshards, was destroyed (however some think that it was stolen). At this time, it was seeming like The Glassius Reach would soon be conquered. This changed when a Wordbearer of unknown origin entered the fray.

Ehmalog, Word of Wrath came to the aid of The Glassius Reach. It is not known why he did this, nor where he came from. The Wordbearer’s capacity for killing was like no other. He single-handedly slaughtered the invaders armies in droves. Even Faraday, Word of Armaments could not defeat him.

The invaders armies were forced to withdraw. Yorn et Gaul was retaken by Changelings. However the city’s wound, its loss of The Apex, would never heal.

Even to this day Ehmalog, Word of Wrath, is said to stalk the mountain pass in a tract of land called the Wrath Wastes. He kills those he deems trespassers of The Glassius Reach. None know why he does this for the Changelings, but without his aid they would have surely fallen.

For more lore read Weaving - The Wrath Wastes

# Other Things of Note

The city is the nearest of all to Holyfield, and as a result has much folklore about it. This includes things like strange people called ‘Nots’ who come to the city and steal away children and bring them to Holyfield. Others think the place where spirits go until they are reborn. Regardless it is avoided by most.
The city does utilize Apparatum, however its disconnection from the outside world has made it difficult for The Glassius Reach to keep up with the advancements in technique and skills involved in the Artificers practice.