Pom Venzun

The Venzun Family, founded around 600 B.B. was once part of the Bacri tribe. Originating from a crystal cave in East Najera'jad, the Pom is focused on the crystals discovered. Delium Venzun is said to have been the first find these crystals and mined them for use by his family. Some members of The Venzun family are still around today, but most have died off.
== Pre-golden age 600-500 B.B. ==
=== Founding ===
A small friend group originally from the Bacri tribe, left to set out on an adventure to form their own family. Apon the discovery of the Crystal Caverns, the friend group formed the Venzun Pom. (See Tales of the Venzun for more info about the discovery of the Pom)
The family slowly grew over the years and after 80 years the family consisted of around 40 people, all living and mining the crystals. Due to the crystals healing and ageing-preventing properties, many of the original founders were still around when the golden age for the family began.
== Collapse of the Venzun 9 B.B. ==
As the Mahait marched on Jiramivan, Abarinsk panicked. He knew he could not defeat them as is, and decided to search for another way to defeat the Mahait. He had heard legends of a family in central Najer, the Venzun Pom, who were guardians of a magical crystal. He decided to rest his hopes on obtaining this crystal, and took his forces to assault the Venzun and take their crystal. The Venzun were renowned for being fearsome warriors, and as a result, Abarinsk took a strike force of his own best men. The Mareba ambushed the Venzun at night, and the cave where they resided was soon engulfed in blood and violence. 
In the end, the Mareba came out on top, slaughtering the Veznun, although only a fraction of his own men survived. He took several shards of the crystal and, discovering their extreme volatility, used them to create an explosive device. When the Mahait came to retake Jiramivan, they were greeted by a grateful populace and an empty town hall. They quickly reasserted control over the city, but before they could celebrate, the town hall was engulfed in a massive fireball, a detonation caused by Abarinsk improvised explosive. (Credit to The mahait wiki page)
== Venzun Whisper of Hope 20 AB-78 AB ==
After many years of silence from the Venzun Pom, many presumed the pom was completely destroyed. The lands of Kafas niv Jaseda and the Venzun tribal land fell into disrepair. The location of the mines was covered with sand and forgotten and the small town that rested abover Rinja niv Almara crumbled in the harsh desert heat. However, there was still hope for the reestablishment of the pom. There was still hope. 
=== Belna Sadfe 20 AB ===
Belna Sadfe is thought to be the last remaining Venzun at the time. She had been born and raised in the countryside of Kigea'jad after her parents ran away to escape the conflict. She married a man named Kristinta Hasha there. They were quite poor and struggled to make a living. However, they were happy. Belna and Kristinta had a child and named him Susanda. Quite sadly though, Belna passed away from an unknow illness soon after.
=== Susanda Kristinta 50 AB ===
Susanda Kristinta is the last known blood-related descendant of Delium Venzun.
== Tales of the Venzun ==
=== Deliums Discovery of the Crystal Caverns ===
            In the time long before The Bells were uncovered, during a time nomadic tribes thrived in Najer, there lived a man, Delium Venzun. He was a smart young man, born into the Bacri tribe and accustomed to their practices. Growing up, Delium always helped his family and believed that one day, he would be able to lead his own. Delium had few friends, yet he was satisfied with the two he had:Para Shutte and Jeshika Zon.  The three of them grew up together in a small Bacri camp just south of Rinja niv Almara.
           On Delium’s twentieth birthday, the age one was expected to continue the bloodline, the friend group decided to venture out, hoping to establish their own camp. They traveled North-East until they found a hill with a small tree atop its crest. Hidden, under the shade, was an opening to a narrow cave leading into the abyss.
           Delium chose to venture forth into the earth while Para and Jeshika set up camp on the surface. Crawling his way down the tiny tunnels, Delium descended for hours until, unexpectedly, the narrow cave opened into a massive cavern. Bewildered by the cavern's size, Delium knew there was something more to this underground space than it seemed.
After walking down a stone path within the cavern, Delium approached an archway. Inside this very cavern stood an altar infused with diamonds. The altar radiated a faint light that seemed to pulsate with time itself. Stone statues stood at attention against the walls, equipped with tools and armaments meant to protect and repair the site.
As Delium approached the altar, he felt the weight of his ancestor’s history upon him—a presence long lost and forgotten, buried deep under Najer’s sands, something divine and linked to the stone around him.
Delium knelt before the altar and prayed, “Oh, Gods of my ancestors that I do not know. Please forgive me for disturbing your temple.” As he spoke, the altar lit up in a dazzling glow of magenta. Awestruck and curious, Delium reached out and touched the altar.
Suddenly, visions rushed into his mind. Delium, initially taken aback by the overwhelming flashing of images, felt as if he had been teleported to a world beyond comprehension. He saw grand cities rising from the golden Najer sands, a testament to Najer’s resilience. He witnessed the birth of vast industries, the ceaseless hum of machinery echoing in his ears. He watched as the toils of countless hands, strong and determined, shaping the world around them, forging a path toward fortune and prosperity.
Amid these extraordinary visions, an overwhelming feeling of awe, wonder, and a duty to those he loves came rushing into his heart. His eyes welled up with tears, not from sorrow but from the overwhelming grandeur of the future he was peering into. As his tears fell onto the cold stone floor of the cavern, a divine presence, Taramsej, the god of stone and industry, stirred. Taramsej had been watching over Delium, and at this moment, he chose to bestow a sacred blessing upon him.
With a gentle touch of his divine power, Taramsej transformed Delium's tears into something miraculous. Magenta crystals, awakened by the deity's intervention, began to sprout and grow from the very spot where Delium's tears had landed. They erupted from the ground, their vibrant hues reflecting a kaleidoscope of light across the once-dark cave.
As the visions continued, they became clearer, and at the center of them all, a magnificent diamond emerged from the shifting sands, its surface engraved with the words ‘Ӿʟeɨɨћɨ гɨtɨҕиɨ hʟƀʟиuɨӿ ƀoƀ ƀөөʌөn ɨиӄ ƀɨӄɨи ƀɨʌɨu ҕʟи aʟи ʌɨuɨ yɍʒ ɨиu ɨyɨиɨyɨћ иʌʟћ ћɍӿ aʟи ɨyҕɨ ћөөy ҕʟyʟћ ҕʟa yɍʒ ƀoƀ ƀөөʌөn ɨиđʟћ ҕɨe (May these crystals safeguard your lineage for all eternity, as the sands of time forever shift and the desert winds weave tales of your kin's enduring glory.). In that moment, Delium felt a surge of emotions. It was not just a symbol—it was a promise, a promise of favor, and a beacon of guidance in the pursuit of progress.
As quickly as the vision had begun, it ended, and Delium collapsed to the floor. Hours passed as Delium lay in the cavern, surrounded by the radiant beauty of the magenta crystals sprouting from his tears. When he finally awoke, there was a sense of newfound motivation within him. A fervent commitment to protect the sacred legacy of the cavern and to lead his people toward the future, he had glimpsed in those divine visions.
Rising from the cold stone, he was determined to protect this sacred palace. Delium approached the altar once more and broke off six crystals, one for each member of the party and their heirs.
Delium rushed back to the world above, sprinting through the caverns, now decorated in beautiful shimmering crystals. As he finally emerged into the open air, the warm desert breeze greeted him. A beautiful setting sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink. His heart raced, not just from the sprint but from the magnificence of what he had experienced.
Soon, Para and Jeshika spotted him and rushed to his side. Their faces showed a mixture of relief and curiosity. It had been over twenty hours since Delium had entered the small cave, and their worry had grown with each passing minute. Delium couldn't hold back his emotions any longer. Lunging at them, arms wide open, he embraced them in a warm hug. After a moment of silence, Delium pulled away. Smiling, Delium gifted Para and Jeshika each two crystals, and they named the cave “Hasahu niv Venzun” (Cave of Venzun).
Thus ends the story of the creation of the Cave of Venzun and the Venzun crystals, how Delium Venzun discovered a Lost God long before scholars, and the base for all beliefs and traditions inside the Venzun Pom.
=== Kidnapping of Susanda Kristinta 77 AB ===
Riding on his large white steed, Susanda awed the beautiful stone spires that protruded towards the heavens. It had been a long trip, riding all the way to Godama. It demanded days on the road. Susanda looked forward to getting back to Kigea’jad and seeing Ameri again. Her wonderful smile, delightful cooking and pleasant company all filled his mind as he rode down the road. He thought about his home as the desert sun shined down upon him. However, as he daydreamed, his horse swerved off the road to avoid crashing into three others in front of them.
Startled, Susanda struggled to get the horse back on the road. In the blink of an eye, the sand before them fell and exposed a deep pit. Susanda leaped off his horse, narrowly reaching solid ground, but the horse was less fortunate. It took too long to realize what had happened and plummeted to the bottom. Not even a second had passed before Susanda heard the splat of flesh and the crunch of bones hitting the cold stone below. Susanda could not help but peer over the edge and gaze at the mutilated, blood-soaked horse he once rode.
However, he did not have long to look. The clanging of armor and knocking of arrows could be heard from behind him. Susanda spun around and unstrapped his dagger, which he always draped by his side. He noticed three men approaching him, one with a gleaming bow of oak and gold. The other two wore black hoods and bore steel swords. Susanda had been jumped by bandits before, but never ones so organized or well-equipped. He decided to run.
Susanda sprinted for the road, but the sound of an arrow whizzing through the air stopped him in his tracks. One of the soldiers spoke in a deep voice, “That is your first and only warning shot, Susanda Kristinta.” Shocked and frightened, Susanda asked shakily, “Wh-what do you want from me?” Suddenly Susanda felt an agonizing pain in his left calf and fell to the ground. He looked and saw a steel arrow pierced through his bare leg. The blood stained the sand, a dark crimson red.  Then a soldier shouted, “Let’s go! Tie him up!” The men strode towards Susanda.
He was determined, though. He clutched his dagger and slowly rose to his feet. He charged at one of the men and plunged the dagger deep into his forehead. There was a look of shock frozen on the man’s face as he collapsed to the ground with a thud. Susanda carelessly yanked the dagger out of the corpse and glared at the others. Bloodstained Susanda’s blue robes and his once shiny dagger dripped dark red blood onto the sand.
The other soldiers stood there stunned, but one quickly lunged at Susanda and sliced his arm. Susanda screamed in pain as he felt the blade go through his arm, severing it. To agonized to fight back, Susanda collapsed onto the scorching sand and willingly submitted himself to the men.
=== Ameri's Ritual of the Venzun 83 AB ===
    Ameri lies down for a bath in her home. It had been a while since she relaxed in the warm water. All the current events were too stressful for her, and the worst part was that she didn’t know how to help. She remembered the days of living with her father. It had been six long years since then. Ameri wished that she could talk to Susanda one last time.
   After her bath, Ameri slipped on a gown and headed for bed. Lying down underneath the covers, Ameri recalled going through the ritual of The Venzun with her father.
   “Ameri!” Susanda calls while standing in the doorway, clenching his bag full of tattered books, “We need to go before the sun rises.”
   “I know!” Ameri shouts back while running down the spiral staircase. Her long hair flowing behind her. Quickly she grabs two loaves of bread, a lantern, and her bag of clothes and medicine. They rush outside to the pen. Susanda straps the two-person saddle to Bada Kash while Ameri locks the front door. “The moon isn’t even halfway up in the sky. why must we leave so early?” Ameri questions speculatively.
   “It’s because we have far to travel. Now hop on,” Susanda states firmly. Ameri hoists herself onto the white steed behind her father. As the duo gallop through the city Ameri gazes at the twinkling stars of the night sky and marvels at their beauty. She knew it would be a while before she would see them again. As they approach the gate, a young guard strides out of the checkpoint, waiting to ask where they are off to. Already knowing the question, Susanda tells the boy, “We are off to my plantation.” This is a lie, but whatever got them through would have to do. The guard gave a nod and shoved open the gate.
   Ameri always enjoyed riding at night with her father, the cool breeze and enjoyable company always put her into a state of bliss. However, this night was different. The two stayed mostly quiet for the whole trip, only exchanging a few words now and then. They spent hours cantering on the stone road across the dimly lit desert. On the trip, they ride past Najera’jad, a city full of life. With shouts from the city being heard from the road. On their travel, they also pass a magnificent blackstone pyramid with lava pouring throughout it.
   Around midnight, Susanda steers Bada Kash off the road. They gallop towards a small dune with a short tree on top. Stopping at the base of the hill, Ameri and her father dismount. They walk up the dune, and Susanda ties Bada Kash to the nearby tree. While he does that, Ameri looks in front of them. It’s a deep cave that seems to glow a slight purple hue.
   Susanda strides up to Ameri, “I remember when my father took me here.” He recalls. “The night was just like this, the sand was cool, and our robes swayed in the slight breeze. The stars filled the night sky like snow being sprinkled into a cauldron.”
“Dad, you brew too much.” Ameri jokes. “Oh shush, back then I was scared to enter, probably more than you are, I knew that I could see the sky for days or even see my father, but I made it so don’t worry.”
      Susanda hands his bag of books over to Ameri. He asks her, “Do you have everything? Food, water, medicine?” “Yes, I do. You don’t need to worry.” Ameri replies. Susanda leans forward and hugs Ameri, “May the Lost Gods guide you.” And with that, Ameri sets off into the cave.
     The cave’s walls narrow, and the ceilings quite low. Ameri must crouch to descend. She has to sometimes turn sideways to fit through. Crawling through the caves, getting lower and lower, Ameri stumbles into a dome-like room. In the center was a stone table covered with ash and cracks. Molten purple liquid dripped from the ceiling forming crystals on the floor and filling the entire room with a faint purple hue. Ameri gazes around, spinning in place to admire the beauty of it all.
     Crunching beneath her step, Ameri tried to avoid the small crystals. She wondered what this room was used for. Her father told her that the texts left by Delium Venzun would guide her. Tiny crystals chime as she brushes them away to clear a spot to sit down. She reaches into the satchel and grabs an old leather book. “Let’s see, where are we?” Ameri muttered to herself while flipping through the old pages.
     After some time, Ameri fails to locate the room she is in in the book and decides it was made after the founders’ time. She guesses the room is a place to collect crystals for jewelry but is not completely sure. Ameri decides to collect a few crystals anyways for a new set of earrings. After stashing some of the rocks into her bag, she asks herself, “Is there anything of importance in this book, in the first place?” 
   The Magic of Our Caves, A Guide for Our Descendants
By Delium Venzun, Para Shutte and Jeshika Zone
This book is dedicated to our descendants, those who wish to partake in the sacred ways of our family. We have written this in order of encounter from the surface to the very depths of this cave.
While this book may not be found after our deaths, anyone in this cave must learn the dangers and difficulties faced when exploring these sacred grounds. Here is our unprofessional guide to the cave.
   Part 1, The basics.
   As you may know, the crystals in this cave are magnificent. As soon as I saw them, I wanted one.
   However, I must warn you that untreated crystals are highly unstable. Para’s hand is gone because of that one. Any exposure to rapid temperature changes will result in pure unrefined crystals exploding.
   While pure crystals are dangerous, they can only be found at very low depths. It took us over ten days to descend to the bottom, so pack plenty of supplies. When you are at the upper parts of the cave, the only worry you should have is the lack of ways to explain how majestical the cave looks.
Ameri believes she has read enough to continue exploring the wonderful underground system. Storing her book away in her pack and conjuring some water with the help of a crystal, she walks across the room to the next set of tunnels.
   Slowly walking, admiring the walls and floors, Ameri notices that the cave is opening. After a sharp left turn, Ameri comes face to face with a staggering hall. The ceiling stretches past the torch’s illumination. Pillars of a dark stone support the weight of the earth above. Ameri is but a small figure in the dazzling hall of stone and gem. Shocked and amazed, Ameri decides to camp there for her first night in the cave. She sits down and lights a small fire to draw some of the scenes she has seen so far.
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