Takio

The island city of Takio sits in the almost circular arms of Kuan Bay on the east coast of Dabgach. Takio was founded at least 600 years ago and was used consistently as a fortress. It became the centre of political life under the cruel reign of Bezenvial (reigned 296-325 AU). When Bezenvial was overthrown by the Triurge in 337 AU, Takio was the site of the final and most ferocious battle.



Takio is a scene of spectacular devastation these days, its remnants charred and distorted by the unimaginable magical energies unleashed on the place. Massive archways are riddled with clusters of tiny holes, as if consumed by ravening worms. Towers are contorted, the stone melted and warped. The walls of buildings are jagged and jumbled and spattered by myriad colours or stained by a metallic sheen; legend says that a reflection cast in the metallic sheen will cause the reflection to come to life and attack the originator. Mighty gashes scar the earth, with bubbling quagmires which give off noxious fumes. The air itself seems charged with magical powers and the smell of sulphur pervades the place, supposedly due to the abandoned fire sprites and other weapons that can still be found in the city. Magical auras can induce unexpected reactions in the unwary – a sense of oppression at times or fits of uneasy laughter. The city ramparts are battered and the arms of mighty catapults can still be seen there along with pitch-smeared missile, pointing towards the sea and an enemy long since vanished. The seawall is actually built out over the water and there are a number of grated blow-holes built into the streets so that geysers of salt-water erupt at regular intervals. The grand arch of the city gates once guarded the narrow causeway that connects the city to the mainland. The arch itself is carved in the shape of two mighty interlocking serpents while the wrought-iron portcullis has been blasted through, leaving jagged edges jutting out like an old man’s broken teeth while nearby surfaces are peppered with fragments of metal. The mouth of the gate erupts at unpredictable moment with sheets of crackling flame.



Although long abandoned, the city is believed to be inhabited by evil spirits and living being mutated by magical weapons and marked with multi-coloured scales and a silvery sheen. The worst of these are blends of different living creatures that endure an endless, agonised existence.