Biavard

Biavard a known archeological site in the high hills south of Amastre. It seems to be a city, long abandoned, and vandalized by treasure hunters and locals scavenging for building materials.. 
== Archeology ==
It is unknown who built it or when, or when it was destroyed, though there are several theories. The two most prominent are that it was constructed by either the Dramaugs, a race of reptilians that inhabited the region, or by some other ancient group native to the area. Were either of these theories to be proven true, it would challenge contemporary archeological dogma, which has been in place for centuries. However, it is extremely difficult to prove either, as most artifacts have been looted by adventurers during the intervening centuries.
=== Dramaug Theory ===
The Dramaug theory is the first of the two theories. This theory is supported by the oral records of the Dramaugs themselves, who claim to have built great citadels of stone and timber in the high hills of the region, and would challenge the current prevailing view, which states that these tales are merely tales of small hillforts and palisades in the valleys, exaggerated through millennia of oral tradition. Were this theory to be correct, the academic view of the Dramaugs would shift entirely, from an isolated, backward people, who claim falsely that they ruled the world, to a different outlook, as archeologists would have to consider that they had a society advanced enough to create such massive creations of masonry and timber. 
=== Ancient Other Theory ===
The ancient other theory states that the city was of some other construction, perhaps of Ancient Vechtese, Tyskenautellish, or even some lost variety of Ancient Elf. The first people were known to be active in the region for many thousands of years, though they were not known for their construction of stone cities in high hills in the region, preferring simpler wooden walls. The theory that the city was constructed by the ancient Tyskenautellish is plausible, though it lacks some key features to definitively determine its accuracy, namely the lack of certain architectural components common in Tyskenautellish monasteries and towns. The final theory is that it was some colony of the Ancient Elfs. While they were not natively from the region, and preferred to stay clear of mountains, there is some evidence of ekven activity in this region in ancient times, wish some ruins being found in the region, and several peoples claiming descent from them, such as the Reyelleans. 
Notably for both of these theories, there is little definitive evidence for any of these groups to have been present during the time of the settlement's construction, with most thought to have been taken by treasure hunters. What remains in the city is a combination of artifacts from several cultures and periods, thought to have been left behind by adventurers,
=== Jenkanscen's Proposal ===
A third theory exists, called Jenkanscen's Proposal, after the archeologist who first proposed it. Jenkanscen theorizes that the city was constructed in stages, and would have been abandoned and rein-habited many times throughout its existence, by varying peoples. This is evidenced by what little artifacts remain, with pottery of many styles and ages being found in the vicinity of the settlement, as well as the remains of numerous peoples being found in graves throughout the region. 
=== The Fall of Biavard ===
Little is known about the destruction of the ancient town, aside from what evidence has been produced from the scant remains within the city itself. The masonry presents scorch marks in many places, and there is evidence of flint and iron arrowheads imbedded beneath a layer of soot and ash. Many charred bones have been found, a few grasping at weapons, but most in sprawled out as though they were fleeing or in the corners of collapsed buildings. Many of the skeletons are incomplete. Most have deep cuts into the bones themselves, and that nearly 90% of the skeletons have been decapitated. Several mass graves have been discovered near the site, though it is unknown whether these date to the period of the city's fall or are from a later time.
Category:Lore
Category:Settlements