Aphoset

Beware the blade quenched in the waters of Aphoset. The land of oil, water, and debauchery is the second officially recognized court of Sumarfold; Aphoset sets trends and claims traditions, solidifying their influence in the palaces of tomorrow. Maintaining a matrilineal society within the broader system of Sumarfold's aristocracy since its inception, Aphoset thrives as a driving cultural, financial and defensive force within the nation.

## Description

Occupying the south-eastern corner of Sumarfold, Aphoset sits along the coastline neighbouring the court of Novus-Morscuro and shares a border with the Empire of Asteveil on its most eastern side. Both a sense of national pride and national dismay, Aphoset is a salacious court that sparks only the most slanderous rumour as it appeals to the most affluent and debauched minds of Sumarfold. Cunning ruse and spectacles grounded in truth occupies the wandering eyes and greedy hands of vying foreign delegates. Flaunting grandeur and embellished might to distract eager socialites and foreign enemies alike from their charge: elemental power, Sumarfold's military might, and national cultural influence.

Following in the steps of her sister courts, Aphoset oversees the naiadic rift, balanced with the careful construction of reservoirs connected to the ziggurat to collect and strain the mystical current to pacification. Prudent measures of the waters are utilized in many imbuing ceremonies and crafting methods as they prove to be a powerful conductor for additional durability and the arcane. A powerful conductor in a fluid form and so easy to contain, it was relatively uncomplicated for Aphoset to quickly produce anything from inks, libations, potions, oils, to poisons and weapons quench and imbuing waters. Unlike the other courts, they've quite literally been able to bottle their magic, and it's proven incredibly beneficial to their economy and the perceptions of power they can boast.

Secondly, the primary training base and deployment offices for Sumarfold's military are in Aphoset. Evidently, this has opened up a need for leisure and frivolity as the court acts as a transportation hub for those leaving for the inner continent or the naval seas. Grand parties and balls held by high-ranking officials and members of the aristocracy are a staple of the culture and allure. The court has also gained a reputation for salacious use by many politicians, military officials and delegates who seek the benefits of withdrawn shadowy corners of the court without surrendering their usual affluent comforts to partake in seedy affairs.

Most prominent in the lives of Foldians across the nation, Aphoset is the true force of progressive culture as a whole. Since its inception, Aphoset has pushed boundaries and tested the waters before anyone else was brave enough.

## Geography

Geography in Aphoset sees crossover with the Empire of Asteveil, with numerable rivers running down towards their borders as the land fades to the coast. The north of Aphoset sees temperate weather, similar to Teramzyn and their neighbour, the Empire, and proceeding south temperatures see a subtle rise in heat and ocean-effect precipitation.

Sumarfold has always been a whimsical land riddled with elemental mystery simply due to the rifts' presence far before the elves' arrival; however, Aphoset observed a definable boom of adaptation and evolution in local wildlife and flora after the rifts first started to expand. This change is particularly evident in the court, as the runoff from their rift is hard to contain once it meets another body of water. Preventing animals or plants from consuming or living near the tainted recondite waters was never a clear priority for the court.

To this day, the geography of Aphoset is forever altered by the rift they command. With deepened waterways and, in many cases, lands flooded to infecund conditions from newly carved out rivers and ponds, Aphoset's officials are wary of further unstable expansions. However, there are some benefits as Aphoset's waters glow particularly brightly, proving an awe-inspiring experience according to tales by the non-native Foldian.

## Government

Aphoset is historically a matrilineal society and has had a long-standing tradition of Archons being women who've inherited familial titles through the affluent privileges held in their aristocracy. Other courts have traditionally seen more men in the position as the normality was carried over by their ancestors, the lords of Leastrune, and the settlers who split from the original party had differing ideas on rulership and inheritance of goods.

The first Archon of Aphoset, Nuala Rodor, was the leader of this group of self-emancipated settlers who disagreed with the direction set by the original party leaders of Leastrune and set out around 18 OPC to found the court of Aphoset. Her political council and advisors were all women, and this also set a symbolic precedent that carried itself through the iterations of Sumarfold's modern-day aristocracy.

Currently, Luxe Tinuviel sits as Aphoset's Archon with wavering popularity as she welcomed a disgraced son of Esudel-Astra, and childhood friend, to be her Magistrate. Luxe's decision to simultaneously break traditions of the matrilineal structure and challenge the aristocracy has upturned the usual political chatter and typical ribald of the Aphesian gossips. Overall, Luxe Tinuviel, for her part, is a considerably level-headed, intelligent, and respected individual whose authority is often questioned due to her unassuming demeanour and stature.

### Law and Order

Unlike the other courts, Aphoset has an established group of law-bearers aside from the guardians of the ziggurats. This city guard is less concerned about solving severe violent crimes and more so with seeking out disruptions, mediating belligerent people, patrolling less travelled paths and alleys, and keeping an open presence in the community should someone need emergency assistance. Over the year, citizens of a more pious and devout disposition have taken up these roles. Still, there's undoubtedly room among the ranks for simmering corruption as the Magistrate chases down more personal issues.

### Crime

Plots of treasons, murder, revenge, and extortion are commonplace headlines in Aphoset; whether they're fabricated accounts or the truth, there's rarely a day where someone vies for power and ignores their moral compass to achieve such heights.

Social crimes, although never met with any legal punishment, are to be expected if traversing the circles of Aphoset. And the severity of a social crime may be deemed less or more based solely on one's perceived social status by a jury of public opinion. Affairs, seduction, enticement, corruption, blackmail, under-the-table deals, and backstabbing are all acceptable until they aren't.

Crime thrives along the shared empire border. Where Teramzyn has been devout in their guard over Foldian lands, Aphoset's attention was spent on other focuses. Soldiers spend so much time guarding the rift, training on military bases or being transported that it presents a perfect opportunity for a black market trade route that spans from the cracks in the border all the way down to the Foldian coast to spring forth.

## Trade

By far, the most popular trade items of Aphoset are weaponry, enchantments, inks, potions, and the gains of their military might. Some could go so far as to say their trade is in Sumarfold's culture as well since they're more likely to be the first interaction a foreigner has with Sumarfold, and historically, they've had the most influence on the direction of social culture as a whole. As a tourist destination, Aphoset promotes historical sites, their sex-work industry, and the natural glow of their waters.

Aphoset works alongside Teramzyn, hunting the forest between their courts and then tanning the hides to share. This arrangement has proven to be a cordial and profitable relationship between the two courts, which has bolstered a natural agreement and internal allyship for them as well.

## Culture

Foldians seeking prestige in the social ecosystem of Sumarfold would set their sights on Aphoset as connections to the upper echelons are abundant in the court made to be their playground. They know to look to Aphoset first for emerging popularity in fashions, songs, dances and ornamentation in the upcoming seasons since Aphoset has historically had an eye for innovation. However, Esudel-Astra tends to take credit for this magnitude of cultural impact; it's nevertheless intuitive to Foldians that Aphoset is the real trendsetter of the nation and the facade of prestige that Esudel-Astra wears is the political mask of the country.

By virtue of Aphoset's geography, they're closely tied to overseeing the deployment of Sumarfold's soldiers, and thus the city has a continuous demand for carousing. There's a sizeable red-light district of the central town dedicated to the employment of adult entertainers and sex workers, which tends to earn its own mythology by the intrepid adventurer or worn-out soldier. Aphoset isn't the only court that regulates this industry, but it does boast it as a popular reason for tourism and wholeheartedly welcomes it as an economic draw. On the other side of entertainment, Aphoset claims all it can. Theatres, dance clubs, concert halls, outdoor stages, gambling halls, parks, and increasingly expensive shopping districts are calling cards of a typical city experience in Aphoset.

Liberation, in many senses, is quite normal to the culture, as Aphoset has maintained a progressive front in politics, religion, and society since its origins. This unfettered cultural mindset is evident in the fashion, art, attitudes, businesses, and social relationships of Aphesians. In recent years, Aphesians have seen a turn towards more insular and conservative outlooks bubble up from under the surface. With the crowning of an Archon they deem less than stellar and The Empire's war taking more Foldian lives due to the accord between two nations, Aphoset has seen an uprise in political and social disturbances. Seemingly no end in sight, the Magistrate uncovers a new plot of betrayal or brings an end to loose lips sharing secrets within foreign circles almost weekly these days.

### Fashion

Aphoset is the most open-minded of the courts by far, but only to take advantage of what an open mind may learn. This method means they're usually the first court to bring in new textiles, necklines, accessory ideas, and reasoning as to why these fashions would be a point of pride for Sumarfold's culture and legacy. The court also has a cultural benefit of living so close to the border of the Empire, as it allows them to keep an eye out for the rising popularity of fashions in the wider world and trends set by the Empire's influence. In the past, this has allowed Aphoset to out-spectacle their neighbours or get ahead of the curve by creating new modern fashions before the broader continent is aware of the oncoming trend.

Aphesians enjoy loose but expensive fabrics with incredible details in beading, embroidery, and sewn gems. Colour palettes vastly range but are more consistent with the choices for current fashion seasons instead of availability. Aphesians of all stripes have a meticulous taste for fashion and aren't afraid to speak their mind on who they believe is worst dressed.

### Religion

Aphoset has a surprisingly strong connection to the official religion of Sumarfold. Although it isn't represented by Aphoset's overall political optics, citizens' relationship with religion becomes apparent when walking through the cities and streets of the court simply by the prevalence of tokens and shrines to the Tresceian deities. Decorative temples, shows of sacrifice upon the doorstep, symbols of a chosen deity hanging in windows or above doorways, inspired fashions, and devotional jewelry are the prevalent signs of religion across Aphoset. Although certainly less uniform than the Empire, their influence is undeniable in bringing over the Tresceian faith that now serves as blasphemous principles of the aristocracy and spiritual comfort, particularly to those Aphesians who see loved ones and fellow citizens off to war via their borders.

Especially with the importance of liquid wealth and *that-which-flows* in Aphoset, it's extremely common for folks to create water features with the intent to decorate and devote to their chosen deity. Often, altars, shrines, and graves are accompanied by a token of water or, if one is affluent enough, a great feature that mingles the Aphoset fold to the deities.

### Festivals and Holidays

Aphoset recognizes and celebrates the festivals of each Tresceian deity with full gusto and is far more likely to observe a uniform holiday recognized by the Empire than the other courts.

Similar to Teramzyn's *Four Pillars*, Aphoset celebrates **Six Pillars**. This is a further breakdown of which deities are celebrated together and spread over more specific transitional points of the year as opposed to the change of seasons.

**Wishryll** is one of the more ancient and dying traditions still celebrated on the fringe. When the elves first left Leastrune, they celebrated their first year by writing their wishes on pebbles, parchment, or toy constructions of boats. They would send them downstream at sunset, hoping their wishes would find their way back to the mythologized underground river they were born of.

## Defenses

Aphoset is closely tied to the nation's military with a host of bases and naval forces at their docks; they're one of the more fearsome courts in terms of military might. The presence of military personnel and soldiers in between stations is typical for the main cities and port towns of Aphoset and often provides locals with a sense of security. Along with physical power, Aphoset hosts several military-grade weapons and priceless research, which is public knowledge to varying degrees.

A significant degree of military presence in Aphoset is due to their willingness to accept the transportation of foreign soldiers and a closer foreign relation with the Empire than Teramzyn, who undoubtedly shares a larger border with the nation.

Like most courts, their rift provides them with specific capabilities that allow for protection and defence; however, Aphoset's rift doesn't have the same aggressive force as the other courts. Aphoset's rift is best put to use by enchanting and coating weapons, armour, and inks with the mystical waters and providing it as a reagent for poisons, healing concoctions, and potions.

## Transportation

Aphoset has notable river-ways and canals closer to the coast used to transport citizens and goods, resources, packages and wandering shops across the city. This transportation method isn't unseen in other parts of Sumarfold but is undoubtedly more viable and popular in Aphoset's daily life.

Of course, similar to the other courts, Aphoset also utilizes transportation circles, elevators, water elemental drawn carts, walking, and public monorails.

## Notable Locations

**Matron Harbor** is the main stretch of docks used for military deployment and naval activities. They're a historic site simply due to their age but are nontheless actively in use. At some point, Matron Harbor, further down the southwest coast of Aphoset, reaches The Piers of Rodorian, which are frequented for tourism and trade above all else.

**Maiden's Chantry** is the district regulated in large for its sex work industry that drives a healthy local economy located just north of Matron Harbor. It tends to be a hotspot for soldiers seeking company and the curious tourist, which often comes with its own mythology. However, Maiden's Chantry presents many exciting experiences depending on how much further one explores the other luxuries and recreations found in the area.

**Eauracl Lift**, the home of the Archon, is named after the long line of Seers who used Aphoset's waters to cleanse their scrying mirrors and imbue their visions for deeper perspicacity. The Eauracl family held power as Archons for a few hundred years before their last sitting Archon was poisoned by her Magistrate and subsequently overthrown in a craven act of jealousy.

**Wishryll Terraces** are a set of interconnected water gardens within the court that lead to a single waterway into the greater sea. The gardens are about as lavish and vain appearing as the rest of Sumarfold, but the waters do indeed have a more luminescent and magical pink appearance from the runoff of the Aphesian rift. The Wishryll Terraces are still used today for the less popular holiday of its namesake, but it's increasingly more well-known as a visually appealing landscape and place to welcome guests or push a fee for tourists wanting a closer interaction.

## Inhabitants

### Adventurers

LETHIA WINDBLOOM (mystified bard, former inhabitant)