Topotota

**The Gobogobo Kingdom(?), Topotota.** The Gobogobos live underground due to past (very one-sided and unnoticed) feud with Oco’n. It was essentially a tragic case of the Oco’n unknowingly taking land which had already been claimed but the Gobogobos had no means of protest or taking their land back. Left without proper homes, the Gobos retreated underground. Their towns are like rabbit burrows, nice and damp spaces created down deep where the Gobogobos have made their home. Topotota is a difficult place to find and unearth as it does not have any political presence nor has anyone gone to the lengths of mapping out its underground system. **Ancient draconic magic and illusions seems to protect the Kingdom**, making it much harder to even find. The gobos are content with forever living underground or travelling around in small groups if ever they have curious eyes for the lands above. Their only political tie would be with **Drakrom** as their Kingdoms are right next to each other. The dragon and vulkan-kind often pay the Gobos visits.

Because Gobogobos are the equivalent to Rock Babies who don’t and have never caused much troubles except for understanding the value of gold, Kingdoms often allow passage to Gobos providing they get the top of their heads magically stamped. Travelling Gobos do not like this as it ruins their ‘colour’.

***In Summary:** Gobos were chased underground because of the Oco’n unknowingly claiming their land. Topotota does not care for Valkaian politics as they do not require the same things that other races do. They only care for Drakrom because they are friends and Drakrom protects Topotota with the Kingdom’s ancient draconic magic.*

**\*\*Note: There are many towns and cities around Topotota, the map is not a to-scale reference!**

## Topo Mountain

An oddly shaped mountain that sits between Veledien and Drakrom, Topo Mountain is very quickly identified by its colourful and almost childish appearance. The ‘face’ of the mountain takes on the simplistic features of a Gobo. Uneven rock swirls to mimic Gobogobo cheek markings on both sides of the mountain.The stone from the mountain takes on a special quality which dyes it into light and pastel colours by decades of Gobogobo life cycles returning into the grounds and sprouting into strings of ore for more of these little creatures to hatch. This loud and babyish appearance is disguised as a regular and unremarkable mountain for others to assume is Topotota at first glance. Draconic illusions from the Ignitia’s planted runes around Topotota’s strategic burrows had cast a whimsical mystery surrounding these lands.

From an outsider’s perspective, it is said that the little ones have fled after the Oco’n began taking land, and now, the entire race of Gobos live underground. A lush and colourful forest grows around the base though filled with all kinds of flora. Coloured a light lavender to purple, with hints of greens and pinks. The soil here is sensitive to light, brown when undisturbed, but lightening into the same purple hue when shifted and unearthed. There have been tales of mysterious happenings within these forests. Those who tried to travel through to seek the land of Gobos find themselves lost- circling the same areas over and over as if it were a maze.

**Crudely drawn signs** can be found in the middle of the forest and another at the base of the mountain, with ‘NO ENTRY’ written in large bold letters as though smeared with four gummy fingers. The signs are small and about four feet tall. While the Gobos have intended these to be warning signs, the fact is that finding the second one means being closer to finding Topotota.

**To find the entrance,** one must see with knowing eyes. The similar spell to what is used to disguise the mountain must be imprinted into you to bypass what is already there. Once this spell is cast upon a person, or perhaps once the Kingdom chooses to expose itself and undo the illusion, you will easily find your way around. There are two big cave entrances into Topotota on two sides of the mountain, tall and wide enough for those apart from the Gobos [the Ignitia] may enter. Magic glowing mushrooms and plant life lingers to light the way dimly, intentionally planted in spite of the uneven rocks and dirt, leading one into an open area ahead where more light begins to filter in.

**Once inside** past the long pastel cave-like tunnels, you approach a ‘main hub’ where the inside of the mountain seems to be hollowed out and divided into various sections, heights, and the like. Hundreds and thousands of Gobos can be seen busy at work, running around and climbing walls which have been naturally dented and carved in by decades of the same climbs and pathways. There are staircases and pulley-lift systems for those unable to walk or climb, but they are made tiny for individuals below three feet in height. Each Gobo seems to have something they are very talented at doing, each Gobo serves a purpose, even if that purpose is licking dirt off the floor to keep the ground clean.

## Potopoto Rock

Potopoto Rock is a large rock standing at 6ft in height sits deep under Topo Mountain. In Gobo tongue, ‘Potopoto’ means many, this very monument is what remains of the Gobogobo ancestors. To the untrained eye, it appears to be a normal rock with moss and flora growing on top but to the Gobogobos, it’s a rock of great importance. When they were chased away from the surface and forced to flee into the depths of the earth, these very ancestors paved way for the generations of Gobogobos to come. If one were to look very closely, they might be able to make out vague impressions of the past Gobos like their gummy hand prints.

Every now and then, Gobos gather around the monument and leave offerings of shiny rocks, precious gems and items that are important to them in honour of their roots. At the end of every year, a big festival is held to show thankfulness, love the coming of a new year. During this time, the underground world of Topotota is lit with strings of lights and bonfires, many gather around Potopoto Rock bringing quality rock, dirt and gems to share with one another.

The rock sprouts these peculiar, rounded, glowing orbs which can be plucked only 1-3 at a time every few years or so. They are all perfectly rotund and take the likeness of light within a glass ball the size of a regular Evas’ palm. These are a form of environmental crystelei which serves barely any purpose whatsoever except for keeping whoever holds it warmer or colder depending on the seasons, and keeping the area around it lit. The Gobos treasure these **‘Poto-orbs’** immensely and use these to permanently light up certain areas of Topotota.

## Gobo Mounds and Burrows

Magic glowing shrooms and flora grow in the tunnel leading into Topotota’s main hub and residential area. This area consists of separate dirt mounds known as **Gobo Mounds,** that are hollow inside, small windows and doors made of wood painted in different colours. Damp and dark, this helps hold the mound together and each Gobo Mound is made of good quality soil and are sturdy. Though seemingly small on the outside, the dirt mounds are spacious inside and each are packed with personality as every Gobo decorates their own home with furniture made from carved wood or rock and filled with clutter items personal to each Gobo. You might even find some hand and footprints or messily painted signs made to further differentiate each dirt mound. Though dirt mounds are the most common housing option, some Gobos prefer to burrow deeper underground. These burrows are often darker and much cooler, perfect for Gobos who prefer the cold.

Not far from the cluster of Gobo Mounds lies a busy recreational area lined with stones and climbable rock structures. Glowing shrooms and foliage also grow in this area, lighting it up nicely. The foliage can be crushed into a mush that also acts as glowy makeup or glow in the dark paint. Gobos enjoy splashes of colour and are quite the artists. There are stone slabs and walls in place where Gobos can express their artists talent, hand and finger painting with crushed berries or charcoal and dirt mixed with water. There are small mud pools where Gobos can splash and play in mud or have mudball fights. In these mudball fights, Gobos can run and climb around the obstacles or rock structures to dodge or simply open their mouths to eat the mudball.

## Pebble Nursery

The Pebble Nursery is a small pebble-proofed area located near the string of ores where baby Gobos, known as **pebbles**, are born. Nurseries are crudely but lovingly made through carving out large, large, holes in stone walls, directly connected to Gobo hatching grounds. It is a damp area with special mixes of dirt smudged over smoothed out rocks. Pebble nurseries are known to be more colourful alike the exterior of Topotota’s mountain, marked by unique bell flowers and moss growing around the area for the Gobogobos to very easily tell different holes in the walls and burrows apart. Newly formed Gobos have their own area where these rocks and ore strings are kept safe, when these pebbles hatch, they are carried to the Nursery where they will be cared for. Pebbles are usually one foot tall or smaller when they are born, as they have stumpier limbs than normal and they cannot fully walk. They do however, hunger for dirt and are known to be very vulnerable at this stage of their lives. Mounds of soft dirt can be found everywhere for these newborns to dig around, burrow into, eat, and sleep on.

**Caretakers** frequent the area, a mix of older Gobos and also on a lesser scale, Ignitia. Though often, schools of pebbles would be brought up together in nurseries until they are a few years of age, Ignitians are trusted and permitted to adopt and foster pebbles until adulthood, so long as these pebbles frequently return to Topotota to learn the ways of Gobo and learn valuable Gobogobo life skills like finding the right types of rock, or so long as the foster parents are able to visit often. Pebbles are imprinted at the start of their development as egg-like ore strings and may imprint on multiple people at a time.

**Pebble Schools** are ‘classes’ of baby Gobogobos lead by one adult Gobo, or if an Ignitia is trained in Gobo caretaking, one adult Ignitia. Ranging from 5-10 pebbles at a time, the adult’s job is practically being a full time parent. These pebbles follow the adult around like baby ducklings during the day to learn and be taken care of. Pebble Schools are disbanded when the pebbles grow old enough to have the desire to part ways from their caretaker to pursue a passion. Some choose to never part from their caretakers to form a bond with them for life, but most Gobos choose to live independently,with their rock siblings, or chosen family.

## Gobo Soil & Spice Mines

To the Gobos, the quality of the soil is extremely important. Soil is a type of nourishment to them and just like any Evas, the Gobos also like to satisfy their palates. One brand of soil is simply not enough. For that very reason, the Gobos have their own **Spice Mine** where spice dirt piles are neatly organized and displayed for consumers to browse. Different soils with different colors, texture, and flavours come in boxed containers made of rocks, but there are Gobo merchants that sell soil in open sacks. The soils are often labeled with drawn signs; smeared with four gummy fingers. Sometimes, the Gobos may even leave their a mark of their chumby hand prints if the soil is of a high-quality brand.

**The Dining areas** are only a few steps away from the spice market. The first thing you’ll notice when you enter are the soft cushioned dirt meant for sitting, though there are also flat rocks positioned around to those who prefer flatter surfaces. Magic glowing shrooms surround and illuminate the eatery, creating a warm and almost nightlife-esque atmosphere. It is common for Gobos to bring their own rocks, dirt, soils, and mud for sharing; so a wide rock slab has been put up for Gobos to place their food on. Many Gobos like to sit together and enjoy each other’s company while they happily stuff dirt into their mouths.

Past the spice market and the eateries is the **trading area**, where Gobos trade belongings like old trinkets, shinies, or even dirt and rocks! You can either eat them or keep them as a souvenir, the choice is yours to make. The Gobos who trade here are often fascinated by foreign wares as they hardly given the chance to freely roam about. They might even part with their prized possession if the item you wish to trade catches their beady eyes.

## Gobo Resource Mines

The Gobo Resource Mines branch off towards the east end on the inside of Topotota. It spirals downwards into an open cavern-like area for many Gobos to climb down and descend. Topo Mountain’s underground cave systems are oddly rich in ever-growing resources. Unlike everything above, the pastel colouration tapers off into darker hues alike regular caves. The underground resources sprout and grow at an abnormally fast pace in comparison to everywhere else in Valkaia for some odd reason. The Gobos state that it is the nourishment the land gets from the cycle of Gobo life, and perhaps that is true though there seems to be a large amount deep crystelei and mana core deposits far, far, far, far, below which may very well be the reason for its ample supply of resource and growth. Gobo miners are trained at the upper levels of the mines before being allowed to descend any further. A special mixture of dirt and glowing foliage is smeared all over them to glow in the dark among the scarce bioluminescent plants dotting around the area.

This glowing concoction is smeared and painted onto parts of the cavern walls to be used as markers for Gobo and Ignitia kind. From there, one can easily discern the forked paths through and down into various mine shafts of different categories. Things are moved around by hand in woven sacks, wheeled chests, and through pulley lift systems.

**Jewel mine shafts** are filled with many colourful (and shiny!) jewels and gems which are a delicacy to Gobos. Yes, it’s very much an acquired taste like like sweets and candies to them. They mostly mine these to eat and lick like hard candy, though knowing the actual worth of it outside of Topotota is a little jarring to the Gobos due to how common rare gemstones are found within these tunnels.

**Resource ore mine shafts** are filled to the brim in an unruly manner. All sorts of metals and minerals grow in a convoluted mess around these parts, likened to Bismuth-like formations which are structured yet wild. Mining anything from this area needs to be done so crudely and quickly, as breaking pieces off slowly allows the ore to continuously grow and mend what is not yet teared off back into place. Alike jewels, metals and other kinds of ores can be eaten by Gobos as well, though not often due to its texture being more crunchy and chewy; not at all pebble or elderly friendly. **Most of these were shipped and given to Drakrom as means to aid the Ignitia and their closed off lifestyle. Currently, that is not happening due to Drakrom’s internal and explosive conflicts.**

## Path to Drakrom

Down the mountain and to the northeast, a path is carved directly from Topotota to Drakrom exclusively. Enchanted with buried runic carvings meant to hide it away from the rest of the world. **The path to Drakrom is currently blocked from the Gobos’ end for safety reasons. The paths share a magical channel which require both Kingdoms to keep open. When one side closes, the other will be unable to enter from that end, and would require entering by regular, rather than exclusive means. This is due to the struggle of the Meiyun & Aezei faction conflict within Drakrom among the Ignitia, and the Ignitia making choices that the Gobogobos do not agree with.**