Am-Xitha, Parts I & II (Past Chronicle 2013-2014)

Duchy of Am-Xitha - by T.A. Saunders ©2013 v1.5

Overview

Before its destruction in 213 BF, Am-Xitha (pronounced Am-Zeetha) was considered a city of tolerance and cultural advancement. The only Elvish city known to have a population of both Shar'Vaire and Humans living side by side with Tallis-Shae, those who claimed residency behind her walls were often students, scholars and those wishing to learn more about the Elvish way of life. Whenever there was a need for a diplomatic summit or discussions between the three peoples, Am-Xitha was the city that was done.

When the War of Eternals spilled over into Shalzaar, Am-Xitha was one of the first cities struck, because the Shar'Vaire knew it had almost no defenses. It had been considered a place of peace and a no-weapons policy had been strictly enforced. When the Imperial D'Mirian airship armada converged over the city, her Elder, Alora Misaleena went so far as to welcome the Imperial invaders with food and drink. Her kindness was met with a very public gang rape and murder on the orders of Captain Delras Kajr and the crew of the Imperial airship, Vajarka. The hackles of the Moon Elves raised, they made a stand with whatever makeshift weapons they could find. Even Shar'Vaire who had been staying and living there, sided with the Moon Elves and faced imminent destruction, rather than willfully surrender Am-Xitha. Despite their valiant stand, the sparse defenders were routed and the city was reduced to rubble.

Am-Xitha remained a broken shadow of its former glory for over 1,700 years. As a monument to the many that had fallen and a reminder to the Shadow Elves of today to never let their guard down, the city was never rebuilt, until a petition was set forthin 1345 AC, by self-exiled Miroan Prince, Arathys Blackthorne, who had royal ancestors that had served on the Am-Xitha Council. What the Duchy stood for was no longer relevant to the Shadow Elves that rose from the dark, centuries after the War of Eternals had concluded. Save for a few structures that managed to withstand the bombardment from Imperial Airships, the vast majority has been reduced to rubble and dust, making for a scraggly wasteland of ruination.

With his petition secured, and the elevation of Duke of Am-Xitha granted, Arathys set forth to enlist the aid of many of the Heroes of Am-Xitha to see the soil purified, her borders secured and buildings rebuilt. In large part to the Dwarves of the Glantheel clan and the Sivanoshei of Am-Shei, Am-Xitha has seen almost complete restoration in five years, with only minor refinements remaining.

There are also catacombs outside of the city that more than one person has fallen into in recent years, the whole of which remains unexplored, for now. There is little lore on these catacombs or their purpose in the old records, with rumors of skeletal warriors and other spectral beings lingering hatefully in the shadow of a city reborn.

The Duchy ranges from the border to the west with the Kingdom of Moonfall, encompassing the Jackalare town of Lakeview to the north, sharing an eastern border with the Duchy of Am-Vansa at the town of Ta-Nirin, and encompassing the town of Ta-Ithimar to the south. These lands are patrolled on a regular basis by the Am-Xitha Outriders, to ensure the borders are made safe for travel.