Common Knowledge
This is knowledge that everyone living in Old Ashton knows of. This stuff relates to events upon Old Ashton.
Mukaga
Mukaga is an Island Oni who rules over The Vircook Isles. It is a well known fact that Oni were once Kami, a nature spirits whose ward was carelessly destroyed due to mortal interference. Mukaga’s ward was destroyed during Ultima, but rather then become a being of Rage, the Energy created from Ultima allowed Mukaga to rapidly evolve, strengthening his mind to resist the rage that normally comes with the destruction of a Ward.
Due to the circumstances of his creation, Mukaga has the focus and dedication of a Kami, but the strength and temper of an Oni, a loyal ally, and a scary adversary.
Mukaga’s power allows him to influence the weather, as well as have some control over the nature of the Isle and the surrounding water and tides. It is known that if Mukaga leaves the Island for any reason, it will take at least one week for him to attune to the Vircook Isles again to enact his influence.
Leyline Nexus
It is know a Leyline Nexus is
Rivalry Between Beastkin and Were-Creatures
There is a natural rivalry between Beastfolk and Were-Creatures, with Angonians having a full hatred towards Werewolves. This rivalry often leads to “opposite creatures” getting into fierce competitions, up to and including battles to the death.
Due to the intermingling species of Old Ashton, it is not uncommon for small brawls to break out due to minor reasons such as bumping into each other in a crowded street or taking the last tea biscuit at a bakery.
No Littering
While most laws are simply common sense, the most strictly enforced law is not one most tourists would expect. Willful littering and vandalism comes with heavy fines, with repeated offenses often leading to prison time. Due to the delicate nature of the environment, any litter is a risk to the quality of the water, and could taint the homes of the aquatic folk of Old Ashton. As such, littering is also often viewed as Destruction of Property and Vandalism in many cases.
To encourage a clean town, Old Ashton has garbage cans available in most locations, constantly emptied out to ensure a clean appearance. Collected trash is exported to Orbesta, where it is properly destroyed in the landfills the region has for their own people.
Water System and Purification Centre
Old Ashton had a number of impressive water features spread around the town, such as fountains, geysers and wheels. One of the most impressive is the Water Clock, with up to twelve fountains that flow depending on the time of day. It does this by having a basin with 11 pipes flowing from at different levels. As the basin fills from the initial fountain, these pipes will become submerged overtime, which flows to the next fountain, then the next fountain, etc. When the basin fully fills, the water is completely emptied to a secondary reservoir under the fountain, and the cycle begins again.
Old Ashton has an intricate sewage system that flows to the Central Island, The Great Straight Palace. Under the palace is a complicated system that purifies all tainted water using Alchemy and Magic before it is returned to the Ocean. It is well known that the system is considered the most expensive thing on Old Ashton to maintain, but considered extremely important.
The Barge
The Barge is an key feature of Old Ashton, The Barge is a flat top houseboat that serves as a floating stage for various large scale performances. With a movable stage, it allows the performers to choose their stage, with a number of locations across the Vircook Isles set up to allow audiences to watch the performances.
When mot being used, the Barge is setup as a tourist boat that makes a curcuit around the Isles over the course of four hours.
King of the Volcano
The island is home to Wyvern the locals have dubbed the King of the Volcano, or Volov. Technically categorized as a Barbedtongued Wyvern, it poses no real danger to the residents and tourists of the Isles, choosing to hunt in Orbesta a four hour flight away for it once every two weeks.
Just like the warning signs “Don’t stand on the black rocks” around shorelines, the area around Volov’s lair is labelled with equally obvious “Do Not Approach” signs and fences. Like the warning signs on the shoreline, 10-15 people do not heed the warnings, and trespass on Volov’s territory. 8-13 people get a frightening story, while 2-4 don’t survive. A common phrase between locals is Don’t Poke The Wyvern
As per most other residents of the Vircook Isles, Volov also pays taxes and thus is subjected to the same protection Mukaga offers. Volov’s lair being upon The Vircook Isles is a point of tension between Orbesta and The Isles. The only one who appears to be welcome in Volov’s territory is Ishina, who travels into its territory each week for unknown reasons.
Bussinesses
These are the businesses you will likely deal with the most.
Heaven and Hell Bellows
A smithy located on the Bridge District, known for reliable and trustworthy work. Run by Rakshasa and Kinnara, the two work in tandem to put their heart into each of their pieces. Their work is often considered art, but they are equally as reliable when put to the test.
Before their death, the two were lovers, torn apart by disaster, one soul damning themselves so the other may ascend to the heavens. Centuries passed but their love never faltered. Fate would eventually reunite them upon Pallet, where their love and memory for each other ascended them to becoming a Rakshasa and a Kinnara.
Tlarks Talismans
Tlark is a sahuagin witch living on the outskirts of the Old Ashton, in her own small cave. She sells talisams to travelers, with hope they will be used to harm those who exiled her.
Kitsune’s Kitsuni
Seller of Pottery and Vases, she dabbles in Rune Etching, searching for a way to make her pottery indestructible without taking away from the imagery and beauty of her works. She knows the Indestructible Rune, but seeks a way to alter it to allow it to look better.
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