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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DethStryke" data-source="post: 1018315" data-attributes="member: 1309">Aztaclán - City of the HeronsOnce known as the World's Scroll, the city of Aztaclán was a center of learning for the Nahuatl kingdom. Mastered by the High Priest Chitockwa and his acolytes, the libraries within Aztaclán were rumored to hold the combined knowledge of the known world. Chitockwa himself was a learned scholar of such renown that thousands flocked to the city to be taught by him alone.This was many years ago, of course. Far beyond the memories of even the elves, with the longest of lives. It is known that as the favored of Aethedoc, god of knowledge and magics, Chitockwa was enlightened with the wisdom and intelligence beyond his mortal mind. With all of this, he was not able to see what fate had in store for him.Posing as a travelling scholar, Delmora, the Goddess of Trickery and Thieves, brought news to Aztaclán that caught the ear of Chitockwa. You see, Delmora knew of his greatest desire, and used this to sour his mind against Aethedoc. Within Aethedoc's control was the Prime Codex. On it's magical pages held the knowledge of the world and its masters. Between those covers told the tale of each and every creature, from the smallest insect to the gods, themselves. This Codex was the only book in existence that Aethedoc forbid to Chitockwa's eyes. Through the years, his longing for this knowledge had grown to a nearly all-consuming need. So, when Delmora offered a glimpse of this holiest of holy books, Chitockwa eagerly agreed.Knowing full well that Aethedoc would be aware if she removed the Codex from its resting place, Delmora was loathe to steal it. So instead, she created a duplicate of it. Near perfect in every detail save one; this Trickster's Codex did not show the path of every creature. Instead, it showed the future that the reader feared the most.The Trickster's Codex appearance and magical radiance fooled Chitockwa, who eagerly opened the book and let his eyes devour its contents. It spoke of a terrible army that would besiege the city, burning the libraries and destroying the knowledge of ages. He read of Aethedoc's punishing him for his failure to protect the library. His mind burned at the thought of being banished from his books and spending eternity with nothing to learn. The magic that Delmora had woven began to take effect, and Chitockwa began to rave about what he read. The trickster goddess listened intently to his words, then took her leave quickly. In his hysterics, he didn't even notice her go. Delmora went straight to the foul humanoid gods and promised them the knowledge of Aethedoc's Prime Codex. At first they scoffed, knowing that Aethedoc would never let that book out of his sight. She told them that a human did indeed posses the book, and that it was at this very moment being held in Aztaclán. Within minutes, their spies confirmed this, as Chitockwa had begun ranting aloud and preparing the city for a war that was not to come.Delmora whispered in their ears how the Codex is within their grasp if they are brave enough to reach for it. "Bring the war he fears, and let your might rip this power from his fragile hands!" These words sent the demon gods into a blood frenzy for power. Calling forth their scattered tribes, an army was formed and sent marching to Aztaclán.Few know what truly happened when the battle was joined, as none survived to tell the tale. What is known is that the land around Aztaclán was turned to swamp land from the foul magics turned loose that day. Those shallow waters hide the bones of thousands of creatures, orc, human, goblin, ogre, & elf alike. The wrath of both sides was great but, in the end, nothing was decided. The book was lost, presumably with the books and scrolls that some were able to remove before the battle. Perhaps it is still locked within the ruins of Aztaclán, bolted and warded with Chitockwa's dying breath. At this point, anything is possible. The city was razed by muscle and magic, with all who remained in its walls and all who tried to enter them with force were laid to a horrible fate. The morning after, when the ruins were still smoking, Delmora had her last laugh. A symbol of her victory, a Heron, brought hundreds of its kind to the husk of the once great city. This small bird, known for its aggressiveness, claimed the city for its own.To this day, flocks of Herons make their nest there. Some say that they are immortal and protect the remainder of Delmora's greatest joke yet. When the sun touches the horizon, bringing forth the night, their combined calls echo across the swampland like vile laughter at the folly of men.Next: Spinecap Tower</blockquote>

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