"A World Unexplored", "The Empire of Aht Urhgan dominates the Aradjiah Continent, a landmass found east of Mindartia. This massive nation lies between the Gugru Blue and the countries of the Far East, and is governed by the Divine Empress--a ruler who wields absolute religious and secular authority. During the time of the Crystal War, the allied forces of Altana—including Tavnazia, one of the Empire's largest trading partners—petitioned for the aid of the Aht Urhgan armies. Despite repeated requests for help, the Empire remained steadfast in her isolation and dispatched not a single soldier. These actions led to the continuing diplomatic distance between the Western nations and the Near East. The Empire is currently at war with her Far Eastern neighbors." 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"10","Caedarva Mire", "0","0","$C_PATH1+'com/ahturhgan/arpm02.pml?bk='+$bk+'&contID=0&arName=0'" "09","Mount Zhayolm", "1","0","$C_PATH1+'com/ahturhgan/arpm02.pml?bk='+$bk+'&contID=0&arName=1'" "08","Halvung", "0","1","$C_PATH1+'com/ahturhgan/arpm02.pml?bk='+$bk+'&contID=0&arName=2'" "07","&style=tx13_4;Wajaom Woodlands", "1","1","$C_PATH1+'com/ahturhgan/arpm02.pml?bk='+$bk+'&contID=0&arName=3'" "05","&style=tx13_4;Aydeewa Subterrane", "0","2","$C_PATH1+'com/ahturhgan/arpm02.pml?bk='+$bk+'&contID=0&arName=4'" "06","Nashmau", "1","2","$C_PATH1+'com/ahturhgan/arpm02.pml?bk='+$bk+'&contID=0&arName=5'" "01","Al Zahbi", "0","3","$C_PATH1+'com/ahturhgan/arpm02.pml?bk='+$bk+'&contID=0&arName=6'" "02","Mamook", "1","3","$C_PATH1+'com/ahturhgan/arpm02.pml?bk='+$bk+'&contID=0&arName=7'" "03","Arrapago Reef", "0","4","$C_PATH1+'com/ahturhgan/arpm02.pml?bk='+$bk+'&contID=0&arName=8'" "04","Other Areas", "1","4","$C_PATH1+'com/ahturhgan/arpm02.pml?bk='+$bk+'&contID=0&arName=9'" "&pre=1;This vast stretch of swampland covers Azouph Isle. "Caedarva" means "illusion" in the language of Ephramad. The mire is a dreary place covered in dense fog nearly all year round, yet it is also home to a multitude of animals and aquatic plants such as wild rice, lotuses, and thickets of shrubs. Caedarva Mire is well known as the ancient site of a great battle between the Empire of Aht Urhgan and the Kingdom of Ephramad. Now the area is enveloped in a struggle for supremacy between the Lamiae and their Undead Swarm, the Qiqirn of Nashmau, and the Near Eastern Fomors." "&pre=1;Found across the ocean from Cape Mazklah, beyond the Sicklemoon Straits, Mount Zhayolm is an active twin volcano that rises from the islands of Vozold and Zazalda. Home to the Troll Mercenaries, the Halvung Territory was once recognized by Aht Urhgan as an independent state of the Empire. The constant rain of volcanic ash combined with occasional emissions of sulfuric gas have created a wasteland almost completely devoid of plant and animal life--an inhospitable land that saw very few travelers before the emergence of the Astral Candescence and the ensuing struggle." "&pre=1;Surrounding the base of Mount Zhayolm, the city of Halvung is a military fortification built by the Troll Mercenaries. While defensive foundations and mercenary barracks constructed from heat-resistant materials can be found above the surface, the bulk of Halvung is concentrated underground. The subterranean complex is favored by the mercenaries' employers--a faction of Moblins that splintered from Movalpolos in the distant past. The design of Halvung was based on the mobile homeland of the Moblins, with several modifications to allow for the towering frames of the Trolls. The location of Halvung also brings other benefits--cast metal and jewelry crafted using the abundant geothermal energy of the volcano provide a valuable source of black market income." "&pre=1;The Wajaom woodlands cover a vast stretch of land to the west of the Imperial capital. The name "Wajaom," meaning "abundance" in the language of Aht Urhgan, is a fitting term to describe the rainforest tract that also encompasses the Bhaflau thickets to the north. The areas are home to a rich variety of fauna, from birds that hover in the air with their rapid wingbeats to bees that build hives of enormous size. Once the Imperial Army's watchtowers and patrolled routes allowed children to safely enjoy berry gathering in the forest, but due to the Empire's weakened defenses, the woodland paths are now used by the Mamool Ja for raids on the Imperial capital." "&pre=1;This extensive network of tunnels lying beneath the Wajaom Woodlands is covered in subterranean plants, ranging from vines to ferns, fungi, and moss, giving the caverns a unique vibrancy unseen on the surface. The Aydeewa Subterrane was once a site of the ancient Olduum civilization until sinking almost completely into the ocean. However, traces of the past can still be seen in the stone pillars and altars scattered about the area. The Empire of Aht Urhgan maintained the caverns until recently, when the increasing beastman threat forced them to withdraw. Now the Aydeewa Subterrane is plagued with Qiqirn and Mamool Ja thieves looking for treasure among the ruins." "&pre=1;After striking north from the Imperial capital, a perilous voyage across the roiling seas of the Cyan Deep will bring travelers to Azouph Isle. This mist-shrouded island is home to the solitary settlement of Nashmau. Once a supply base for the Imperial navy, it was abandoned after a plague descended upon its population; the Qiqirn have since taken the town as their own. The diminutive beastmen have reopened a section of the port in order to trade with fishermen and other visitors to the Arrapago Islands. To the east of Nashmau lies a stretch of mudlands known as the "Deadmist Marsh."" "&pre=1;Protected by tall ramparts, the impregnable fortress city of Al Zahbi serves as the capital of the western half of the vast Empire of Aht Urhgan. The city resembles a labyrinth, with the roofs of stone buildings joining to form paths around structures built on a higher level. The serpentine designs seen throughout the city represent the two-headed snake king Zahak, a symbol of the Empire. Al Zahbi is divided into three wards: Commoner's Ward This fairly new ward houses residents who have either not been granted or have been stripped of citizenship. Beastman attacks are a constant threat due to the district's location on the outskirts of town. Merchant's Ward This diverse ward is home to merchants and craftsmen who provide their services to the area's throngs of traders, mercenaries, and adventurers from foreign lands. The district also features two ports, one facing the inland sea to the north and another facing the open sea to the south. The Merchant's Ward also serves as a western gate to the Empire. Imperial Ward The Imperial Ward lies behind a colossal white wall that separates the district from the rest of the city. The magnificent imperial palace, military facilities, and residences of the imperial family line the streets inside, but noncitizens are strictly forbidden to enter." "&pre=1;The capital of Mamool Ja, Mamook was built deep in a forest on a peninsula west of the Aht Urhgan Empire. In order to control parasite infestations, the wooden structures that cover the capital are burned down and rebuilt every few years. Therefore, much of the construction in Mamook appears rather crude. Like the Mamool Ja's equipment, the few intricate decorative metals in the area were created by prisoners taken by Mamook. Furthermore, sacred stones situated in each area of the capital are believed to harbor the spirits of fallen Mamool Ja heroes and protect Mamook from evil." "&pre=1;This highly treacherous area is legendary for stranding many a ship. It is for this reason that Arrapago Reef became the final bastion for a kingdom that was destroyed by an attack from Aht Urhgan. It is said that the kingdom's immense treasures still rest in the coastal caverns. However, the Lamiae are currently using the reef as their stronghold, guarded by the sleepless undead. Infiltrating Arrapago Reef would be no easy task."