Ostasunctum, Remnants of the Ashes

Moments before the Tiamat Crisis, the city of Illustria was overrun by devils and other fiendish creatures. When Tiamat emerged from her prison orb, it was released from the Heavensfield Temple of the Elysium in Illustria. Destroying it entirly. Ashes fell from the sky like snow from the city. The air was thick and chocking, flickering embers across the sky. Tiamat and her chromatic dragons calimed Sanctus as their seat of power. And while the city was subjegated, a mysterious individual, with skin pale and flaky like ash gave the people there hope. This strange ashen figure in protected the commonfolk and lead many of them underground or beyond the city walls to relative safety. All while preaching some new dogma of new and fresh beginnings through the cleansing of fire and rising from the ashes. When the crisis subsided, this masterious ashen figure vanished. But many remember and carry on the ways. The ways of the Creed of Ashes

## Overview

Once a republic of tolarance of other cultures, races and relegions. Now, a zealous society to the extremes. In the past this openness was considered a strength, but now all the vassels and conquered realms of Sanctus have rebelled and gone back to their old names and nations. From Sanctus to Ostasanctum. From followers of teh Elysium and Starlight Zodiac, now followers of the Creed of Ashes. Soon after the Inquisition and outcasted prosecutors found this creed, you get modern day Ostasuncatum. Considerably smaller than what Sanctus used to be, but the real power of Ostasanctum lies in its appeal to the ''hearts'' or bloodlust rather to common people in other lands. Ostasanctum is not a nation, but a religious order. A religious order that have their doctrine as follows: Forgiveness through cleansing of fire. Magic is evil. Sinners shall be met with extreme punishment.

***Pyre and Faith:*** The Creed appeals to the masses that feel belittled by elites, nobles, kings, queens, that blame their percieved misery on others. The coming of Tiamat was not of their won fault. It was the fault of evil magics, of those they allowed to live in the ghettos of their golden city to rise up against them when the queen awoke. The fault lies with the other gods that did nothing but watch as they were torn asunder by dragons and devils. The uneducated and mob flock to Ostasanctum to be repaid in blood what was lost to them. The Creed as it stands now target any who are special or different. Other priests, artists or outspoken ones are painted a target of blasphemy, painted as heretics. And their punishment is due, punishement and forgiveness through cleansing fire.

***The Creed:*** The Creed of Ashes claim to be the symbol of hope, the ember that endures the misfortune of the world. Heralds of a new age of prosperity that can only take place once all evil has been burned away from the world. Old City is what they call the remnents of Illustria. Old City stands as their de faco capital and still lies in ruins as a symbol of what was. The city looks to its Hierarch as its guide and leader. An elected member from the powerful and influential of the Creed. The Templar Order of Cinders is the militant arm of the Creed. They amass in call to arms against those that threaten Ostasanctum or the Creed.

## Economy and Culture

Ostasanctum is not a nation of prosperity or riches. Its people are poor and mostly uneducated. Living simple lives in the ruined city or out in the countryside. They get by, dealing with monsters and bandits that often come and raid their small towns. Most of the wealth goes towards the Creed and equiping their Templars of Cinders. Much of the entertainment is the trials of sinners, who almost always end up ashes on a pyre. Its people are weary of outsiders and are not friendly by any stretch of the word. Followers of the Creed don't stay in Ostasanctum all their lives either. Traveling to other towns and cities in other nations, spreading the Creed. They come back to winter in Ostasanctum.

***Bounties and Commissions:*** Many monsters and beasts roam the lands and even the ruins of Old City. The Creed invites adventurers and puts bounties on these monsters. However, more times than not, these adventurers disappear under mysterious circumstances after their contracts and bounties are concluded. Ostasanctum is always in need of fine craftsmen as well. Black Etherium is a valued material by the Creed and they are willing to pay for famed and skilled artisans to craft them weapons and symbols made of the material.

## Politics, Perception and Magic

The rest of the Continental Sovereignties ''tolorate'' those of the Creed in their towns and cities. Preaching and percieved as madmen clinging onto the idea of the end times. Most ignore them, but every now and then gather a crowd of supporters that find their way back to the light that embers in Ostasanctum. The Templars also do not acknowledge the authority of others when they have aquired a target for their inquisition. Which often leads to skirmishes or riots. But most, even city guards tend to stay clear when they see the silver-plated muskets or black etherium sword wielding templars march into their town.

***Purge the Arcane:*** Radical prosecutors found the Creed early on in its formation. And early on established the idea of magic as evil and should be purged. So that is exactly what they do. Inquisitors and Templars hunt down mages and those sensative to magic. If they are not burned on pyres, then they are thrown into black etherium shackles and used as slaves. Used to enchant and create magical items, weapons and armor to help the Creed further burn the stain of magic in this world.

## Grymheim Activity

Much of the priests of the Creed despise the Gealdyr people. Seeing them as sick pretenders of the Ashen God and have declared their own inquisition against them. The tales of the magical allurments of Grymheim have also stirred the ire of the Creed. It is very safe to say that the Osta do not intend to be friendly towards the Gealdyr.