The Lands (Description of the Ancient City) - Welcome! READ!

[Arctic Vixen]

Hello, and welcome to the Darkness Pack.

All are welcome amongst the members of this Pack, and all are free to stay as long as they would like. Please take a moment to at least scan the contents of this thread, as it will familiarize you with the surroundings.

Also, please take a look at the Laws thread, so that your stay here might not be marred by poor conduct.  

[Arctic Vixen]

A large mountain range rests in the Northeast region of the island, and very near to the center of the range sits its crown jewel – the largest mountain of them all, called Ajitabh or “One who rules the sky”. This is the name the Taranis have given to the mountain. The original name, older than even the oldest Tarani, has been lost to time.

Built onto – or into, rather – the western face of the mountain is an ancient city of unknown origin. Directly beyond the city is a forest, green and lush and tall, nestled in the valley between Ajitabh’s western side and the surrounding range. Ajitabh refuses to allow light to fall onto this city until just before noon and only allows that light to stay for a few hours, sometimes less. The height of the forest permits the trees to receive a good amount of light, but not the city beyond them. This leaves the inhabitants of the city in a nearly endless night. Perfect.


These are the lands of the Darkness Pack. Surrounded by the night they love these Taranis thrive in the ancient city, with food provided by the dense forest and protection provided by the daunting mountains. Their mountain, Ajitabh, provides both shelter and the only paths leading to the rest of the island – dozens of tunnels that wind their way to all other parts of the island begin within the city, within the mountain. To traverse the mountains surrounding the Darkness Pack’s territory would be almost certain suicide, so these tunnels are the only way too and from the city…unless one is willing to travel by air. Even then, the currents created by the peaks are treacherous.  

[Arctic Vixen]

The city does not have a name, for it shares its name with the mountain. Very little plant life can be found within the innermost parts of the city due to the fact that nearly everything is made of stone, so any flora must be brought in from the forest. A glowing twilight is provided in the streets and in homes by one of the prides of the Darkness pack – a swirling, glowing ‘mist’ is encased within glass orbs that hang in any place that needs light, usually white, light blue or light green in color. This “mist” is actually different gases encased within the glass that react with each other to produce light. These orbs last for a good while – sometimes several months – before they must be replaced. They are easy to find and obtain within the city, but use of them beyond Ajitabh’s gaze is forbidden. Knowledge of the exact composition of the orbs is held only by the Elder, Lady Zhriva, and those she deems worthy to create them.


The forest provides nearly everything the Taranis of the Darkness Pack need. Flora and fauna thrive in the valley, but certain things – like cloth – must be imported from other parts of the island. Certain metals can be mined from the mountain, some only in small quantity as the Taranis in this area are not willing to destroy the mountain for such superfluous things. Any metal sorely needed is imported via the Lady if it cannot be found in surplus in the mountain. Water is obtained from the top of the mountain: large, deep grooves have been carved into sections of the mountain where glacier water tends to collect, and the water flows via these grooves down to the city where it is collected in large stone basins.

All manner of Taranis may be found wandering the streets - even, upon occasion, the Lady herself. It is not uncommon for the Lady to be found walking amongst the other members of her Pack every once in a while, though one should not speak to her unless spoken to first, or given permission by her Attendant  

[Arctic Vixen]

The residence of the Darkness Pack’s Elder, Lady Zhriva, is the most secluded…and most spectacular. Carved deeper than any other structure in the city, her ‘castle’ is not visible from outside the mountain, for it is encased entirely within. The main path through the city has a single gate at one end that blocks the path to this hidden fortress, guarded around the clock by a minimum of four Taranis. This gate is held tightly shut by a series of complicated, puzzle-like locks, the combinations of which only held by those four guards and the Lady herself.

Beyond the gate is a path leading deep within the mountain, eventually opening up to a large, wide cavern with many ‘structures’ coming off of it, mostly hidden by doors and hallways. Much lies within her castle – meeting rooms and bed chambers and dining areas and the like, all lit with a clever mix of light orbs and mirrors and adorned with veins of gold running through the walls. To be invited into the areas beyond that gate is a privilege reserved for the Lady’s advisors, military leaders, esteemed guests and other such persons of importance. This is not to say that no one knows what lies beyond the gate or that no commoner has been beyond the gate, for that information is not secret and there are celebrations where all are allowed within the area. However, there is one place within her walls that few can explain to its fullest and that few eyes have actually beheld, and this is the Lady’s personal chamber.

Lady Zhriva’s chamber is accessed by a large onyx door inlaid with gold at the far end of the main cavern. This door opens to reveal a chamber most magnificent, one that few actually get to lay their eyes on. There is a path inside the chamber made entirely of black onyx, lined with gold, leading directly up to a short flight of stairs. One would never dare to set foot off this gold-lined path - the Lady will not allow it. At the top of these stairs sits the Elder on a large black cushion – simple and elegant, so that the rest of the room may shine. Literally. You see, once the large onyx door is closed one is encased in a true wonder, a vast ocean of stars in a night sky within the great mountain. Whether an illusion of the eyes with an enormous array of mirrors and orbs, or something weaved of the Lady’s magic, or something else entirely, only she knows. The way the stars twinkle and shift suggests that there is more to them than meets the eye. Perhaps they are the Lady’s magic, or perhaps they are something more….

The Lady may move in and out of the Chamber without use of the large onyx door. No one is allowed to be in the Chamber but herself should she choose to leave or enter this way, and therefore no one is sure exactly how she enters and exits without use of the door. The secret is hers alone.