Ishan

*Hey there! Let's break some legs!*

*-Ender*

*Generations Long Passed...*

Ishan didn't always lurk in the dark, relying on otherworldly fungus for food. Before the apocalypse they were a thriving surface city. When disaster struck, they took shelter underground, in a cave system discovered by someone who merely meant to dig a well. They soon realized they were not alone in the caves. Creatures unlike any from above emerged frequently from somewhere deeper in. Scholars theorized that the caves themselves were created by one such monster of massive proportions after witnessing one consume rock. They survived on rations from the surface for a while, but eventually rations ran low, and they were forced to rely more and more on the cave's flora and fauna. This consisted mostly of insects and small aquatic creatures, the fungus farther down, and the occasional monster that found its way up. All who couldn't stomach the fungus or otherworldy flesh died here, and it would be known later as *The Starving*.

Even when the remaining population discovered that although the fungus didn't kill them, it still had... effects, it was too late.

## GROUPS OF THE POPULATION

*Church of the Wyrm*
Modern Ishan's "*scholars*". All of the first ones and their apprentices had died in the Starving, the Cult of the Wyrm was formed by survivors, mostly regular folk, finding their books left behind and trying to make sense of them (while, unfortunately, under the effects of the mushrooms.)

A lot of books about the aforementioned theories on the caves' beginnings were found. Almost immediately, these "Scholars" decided that something large and powerful enough to dig the caves they now live in must have been a god of some sort, and turned to worship as to be spared if it returned.

The Church of the Wyrm hoards most of the pre-Starving books, but some Riftguards have managed to grab and hide them before the Church could.

*Rift Guards*
Some are less effected by the mushrooms than others, or effected more physically than mentally. Many Riftguards were with the ones who discovered the old books, or were taught by them, but instead of turning to worship, they formed a guard to eliminate creatures coming from the rift before they could grow big enough to cause harm to Ishan. A few Riftguards are also hunters of sorts, they and their families eat the creatures they kill. Some of these believe that relying more on the strange meat for food than mushrooms is why they aren't a part of the Cult. Other Riftguards are also Harvesters that have taken gathering fertilizer into their own hands.

*Harvesters*
Some call them mushroom farmers, but they don't only harvest the mushrooms. The Harvesters' jobs consist of cutting back the fungus if it grows too big, and feeding it. Mushroom fertilizer is made from corpses, both monster and human. Ishan has no cemeteries, there isn't enough dirt in the caves to bury bodies, and so the dead are handed off to the Harvesters to feed the mushrooms that will in turn feed Ishan. Most Harvesters either also have Riftguard training, or a Riftguard partner, the biggest mushrooms grow where monsters also lurk.

*Jungle Explorers*
Below even Ishan, deeper in the caves where there are too many monsters for even the average Riftguard to go, there is a great mushroom jungle. Mushrooms taller than trees, allowed to grow undisturbed for thousands of years. And below that, a great cavern said to be the former home of the great Wyrm, and the Rift it came from. Most are dissuaded by the danger, but some take it as a challenge, or are overcome by curiosity, and make it their life goal to see the Riftwyrm's Cavern. Very few have ever made it, and even fewer have returned, but those who do bring back beautiful crystals, new varieties of mushrooms and even, occasionally, other flora. Ishan is lit by strains of glowing mushrooms and flowered vines brought back by a very lucky adventurer.

*Lapidaries*
When Ishan first entered the caves, there were almost as many crystals and minerals as there are mushrooms today, both from this world and from the one beyond. There were once many people who went out and mined them, but eventually there were very few crystals left to mine. Most lapidaries now just collect and polish gemstones. Originally a mere hobby, but they are becoming more and more common as a legitimate job after Ishan returned to the surface and trade with other Clans bloomed. It's rumored that crystals regrow like the mushrooms near the reality altering Rift in the Cavern, but for most, they're simply not worth the risk.

*Aquarists*
Aquarists care for the cave waterways and the creatures that reside in them. Some even breed fish to sell, food from their own dimension is in high demand in Ishan.

*Surface Dwellers*
Eventually, someone dared to leave the caves, and discovered that the previously uninhabitable outside world was slowly healing. An official entrance and exit to Ishan was constructed, stairs carved into the rock and stone bricks made, and a city started outside. New Ishan city inhabitants range from temporary residents having a vacation there or staying while studying the nearby ruins of Old Ishan, to those who never want to return to the caves and have homes and jobs in the city such as chopping wood, hunting or breeding surface animals, or starting farms that aren't for mushrooms.

*Church of the Frost*
Sometimes, on the coldest days, a great fanged beast can be seen in the distance, watching the development of the city with eerily keen eyes the color of deep ice and snow. The Church of the Frost is a small group of surface dwellers who worship this entity in belief that it brings the cold, in hopes it will spare them from it. The Church of the Frost is a lot more easy going than the Church of the Wyrm. While the latter is deeply afraid of their deity, the Church of the Frost is simply trying to establish friendship with theirs. The Frostbringer has never attacked Ishan like the Wyrm had, but the days seem to slowly be getting warmer as the Church of the Frost grows.

## IMPORTANT PEOPLE AND CREATURES

*"Riftwyrm"*
Not actually the Riftwyrm of legends. ***Ender*** is a dragon shifter who happened to be bored one day and took it out on New Ishan. The Church of the Wyrm mistook her for their deity and began worshipping her, and she took advantage. Most Riftguards are a bit skeptical that she's the Wyrm from the books, but fear her nonetheless.

*DemiWyrms*
Children and descendants of the "Riftwyrm". Not given sacrifices, but still have special status and are occasionally given offerings. Princes or Princesses of sorts.

*Riftwyrm's Priest*
Leader of the Church of the Wyrm. In charge of giving the "Riftwyrm" offerings, including killing sacrifices.

*Riftwyrm's Deacons*
Riftwyrm's Priest's henchmen. Collect offerings, and detain those who are to be sacrificed.

*Head of the Rift Guards*
Organizes Riftguard squads. Doesn't necessarily have to be great at fighting, but excels in strategy.

*Rift Guard Lieutenant*
The most skilled in combat. Lead Riftguard squads in battle.

*Bat*
Former Riftguard Lieutenant. Left to explore the jungle further, reached the Cavern and managed to return. Started and leads Ishan's only search and rescue, and is the one to bring back most new crystals.

*Head of Harvest*

Harvesting doesn't really have a hierarchy- the Head of Harvest is just particularly dedicated to it and has spent years researching it. Other harvesters go to her for advice.

*Head of Communications*

Not only has the outside world healed, there are others on the surface. The Head of Communications is tasked with talking to the other clans' leaders- and figuring out what they're saying through language differences.

*Frostbringer*

The great fanged cat like beast on the surface that is rumored to bring the snow.

*Priest of the Frost*

Founder of the Church of the Frost. Doesn't do human sacrifices (possibly partially because their diet consists of more than mushrooms), the Priest of Frost instead collects and offers their deity a percentage of everything New Ishan produces in hopes it will protect the city. (The Frostbringer seems particularly fond of milk, which isn't too surprising seeing how it resembles a cat.)

## CLOTHING AND ARCHITECTURE

*Mushroom Style*
Ishan relies heavily on the mushrooms that fill the entirety of the caves. The smaller ones closer to the surface are more commonly eaten, and the massive, tree sized ones further down are chopped down or carved to construct shelters. When the mycelium is thick enough, it is harvested to craft a fabric of sorts for clothes.

*Surface Style*
With New Ishan's construction, wool and leather clothes are becoming more and more common. Underground buildings are still made from mushrooms, but most on the surface are made from stone or clay bricks or wood.

## LOCATIONS

### *Old Ishan Ruins*

Remnants of Old Ishan, from before disaster and before the caves. Mostly buried in snow now.

*•Old Well•*
The fateful well some ancient farmer attempted to dig before instead stumbling into the Riftwyrm's tunnels. There is a ladder inside that leads to Ishan.

### *Ishan: Zone One*

The safest area of Ishan. The more vulnerable live here. Elderly, children, the disabled, anyone who would have trouble fending off even a small rift monster. The majority of the shops are also here, to avoid disruption from monsters.

*•Massive Stairway•*

The official exit of Ishan, and entrance to New Ishan (or vise versa, depending on which direction you're going.) Before the stairs were carved, one brave adventure made a ladder from mushrooms to reach the surface, and found it to be healing, to their surprise.

*•Riftwyrm's Church•*

Base of operations for the Church of the Wyrm. Where most books from before the Starving, and offerings for later are kept, as well as where sacrifices are imprisoned. Their priest sometimes gives speeches here, mostly fear mongering. Occasionally, the "Riftwyrm" will visit and attention seek here.

*•Shops•*

Ishan shops mostly distributed mushrooms, rift monster meat, and occasionally crystals and fish in the recent past. Nowadays, you can also find surface goods like wood, bugs and meat, wool and leather, crops, and sometimes even goods from other Clans.

*•Water Fountain•*

At first, Ishan relied on natural cave streams for water. During the construction of the official entrance Stairway, they carved ditches into it to collect rainwater and carry it to fountains in Zones One and Two. Zone three has too many monsters that could contaminate a fountain.

### *Ishan: Zone Two*

Most of the population is here. Deep enough to have plenty of mushrooms and small rift creatures for food, not deep enough to be dangerous for the average citizen.

*•Residential•*

Every zone has homes, but Zone Two is almost completely dominated by them.

*•Water Fountain•*

At first, Ishan relied on natural cave streams for water. During the construction of the official entrance Stairway, they carved ditches into it to collect rainwater and carry it to fountains in Zones One and Two. Zone three has too many monsters that could contaminate a pool.

### *Ishan: Zone Three*

The most dangerous part of the city. Only Riftguards and Harvesters live here. With no day or night cycle underground, there are always monsters howling in the outskirts, where the mushroom jungle looms.

*•Rift Guard Base•*

Base of operations for the Riftguards. Generally, they take shifts sleeping here. Weapons, shields, and armour are created and stored here.

*•Harvesters Base•*

Base of operations for the Harvesters. Fertilizer, tools for cutting down mushrooms and collecting mycelium, and sometimes mushrooms themselves are stored here. Many harvesters live in Zone Two and come here to work, some are particularly dedicated and live in the Base.

*•Mushroom Jungle•*

Only those who crave adventure or death dare to enter. Stretch of tunnel beginning at the outskirts of Zone Three that has been completely covered by massive mushrooms and other flora from the rift, inhabited by monsters.

*•Bat's Den•*

Bat's favorite hang out spot, located in the jungle. He stores crystals and new mushroom species he finds here.

*•Riftwyrm's Cavern•*

Massive cavern, filled with dense mushroom jungle. A large glowing lake sits in the middle, and a Rift to another world.

*•Rift•*

A massive cut at the bottom of the Riftwyrm's Cavern that touches into the ***Lower Between Lands***

### *New Ishan*

The city formed when Ishan recently returned to the surface.

*•Water Fountain•*

Refilled by rain, and sometimes snow. Water is drinkable, any who contaminate it get sacrified immediately. Popular gathering spot, sits in the center of the city.

*•Residential Sector•*

Section of New Ishan where people sleep.

*•Farming Sector•*

Section of New Ishan where crops are grown.

*•Ranching Sector•*

Section of New Ishan where animals are kept.

*•Fishing Sector•*

Section of New Ishan surrounded by water.

*•Lumberjack Sector•*

Section of New Ishan with forests.

*•Trades Sector•*

Section of New Ishan for shops. People from other clans can also set up shops here.

*•Shrine of the Wyrm•*

Large stone statue of the Riftwyrm with a bloodstained stone table for offerings and sacrifices. Was originally in the Church of the Wyrm, moved to the surface so the "Riftwyrm" would see it during her "return."

*•Shrine of the Frost•*

Wooden leopard statue with a clean wooden table and large bowl for offerings. Sits on the very outskirts of New Ishan where the Frostbringer lurks.