Panhandle

*“We are too near the removal of my people for our young to fully understand the enormity of the crime that was committed agasint my race. Truth is, Ambassador Cyrus is concealing the truth from the young. Children do not know we are living on land that was taken from us at sword point to satisfy Aramoor’s greed. Murder is murder whether committed by a skulking villain or by uniformed soldiers. Murder is murder and Aramoor must answer. Ambassador Cyrus must explain the charred bodies in the Field of Ash. Ambassador Cyrus must explain the 500 silent graves that mark the subjugation of Ambar” - Anonymous Ambar Elf*

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## Panhandle

### The People

The Ambar Elves take their name from the village's original name before the Ohta-O Airm Nyaira. Ambar Elves are the original denizens of Panhandle. The Elves make up the mining community of Panhandle living in the Dust Quarter of the village.

The Ambar share many physical traits with the other Elven races. The biggest differences are their pale, translucent skin. Because of their time spent underground their skin has lightened in hue drastically. Also because of the use of Secre-Gul their complexion has paled overtime. Their bodies have adjusted to the reduced blood levels brought on by the Secre-Gul.

Their eyes have shrunk adjusting to the lack of sunlight underground. Their pupils have grown to compensate for the reduced light levels. This has resulted in the Ambar elves having small black eyes, resembling  pieces of coal. Lastly because of the years of manual labour the Ambar Elves are more muscular and stronger than their Elves brothers.

### Religion

The Ambar Elves believe the mountain is their god and the practice of Secre-Gul is them healing the body of their God. By removing the impurities in the stone and replacing it with their life force they believe the mountain will rise from the ground one day and regain life. This belief has resulted in the reverence of stone works. The Ambar believe when one of their own dies the soul returns to the stone of Mount Tar-Culu.

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### Culture

The culture of the Ambar Elves is mostly lost to time. Since the occupation of Aramoor and the appointment of Ambassador Cyrus the Ambar have been subject to re-education preograms to help integrate them into Aramoor society.

This is most apparent in the language of the Ambar, all of the Ambar were taught common under a program implemented by Ambassador Cyrus. All Ambar can speak common but certain words they will always speak in their native tongue as a sign of respect.

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### Eldar Council

The Eldar Council are the head of the Ambar society before the Famien War they discussed and decided on everything that wa a happening within the village.

Since the reinstatement of the Council by Ambassador Cyrus the councils powers have been stripped significantly. They are welcome of village meeting and have a say in all discussions. There have been times when they have been undermined and their actions have been thrown out.

The most heated debate currently is that of the miners. Cyrus wants to increase the output of the mines and he wants to do so by bringing Dwarven miners from Aramoor.

The council have repealed this suggestion several times, in an attempt to keep the Secre-Gul a secret from Aramoor. There reason being that the Ambar know the mountain, if other miners were brought it they would destroy the mine and maybe the village.

### Locations

#### *The Dust Quarter*

The oldest and poorest area of Panhandle. The most southern part of the village, sitting south of the silver bridge. This area was repurposed to house the remaining Ambar population of Panhandle. The area is a cluster of densely packed houses.

The quarter is referred to as the dust quarter because the streets are lined with dust from the miners returning from Mount Athos.

#### *The Diamond Quarter*

The Diamond Quarter south of the Gold Bridge and Northe of the Silver Bridge is the home to the middle class of Panhandle. Housing most of the merchants and artisans of the Village. The quarter is responsible for two of the most lucrative exports, precious gems and the enchanted items.

Aramoor archaeologists claim Panhandle gems to be the purest gems ever produced in Aether. This has garnered a lot of wealth and respect for the gem cutters and enchanters of Panhandle.

#### *The Enchanters Hall*

The Enchanters Hall finished construction 10 years ago. The hall is an open forum surrounded by pillars folding up a ceiling constructed from white river rock.

The Hall is responsible for the enchanting of items to be exported to Aramoor. During trading hours gemcutter apprentices can be seeing running to a from their workshops to the hall. Passing over sacks of freshly cut gems.

Because of the Gems purity they can be the target of powerful enchantments. This access to quality raw materials has made the Panhandle Enchanters Hall one of the most prestigious in Aramoor.

The Hall’s operations are ran by Grand Arbiter Julius appointed by Cyrus to oversee the quality and export of enchanted items out of Panhandle.

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#### *Ambar Statue*

The Dimaond Quarter was the old centre of the village. Here stands a stone statue crafted by the first Ambar Elves. This statue is made from the first stones removed from Mount Tar-Culu. The statue depicts an Ambar Elf  carrying a mountain on his back. The Ambar Elves claim this statue represents their duty to the mountain and how it is their responsibility to care for the mount.

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#### *Gates and Bridges*

The bridges of Panhandle are as old as the village itself, predating any records. Each bridge takes its name from the metal commonly taken over it. From north to south. The Mithril bridge links to the northern road and passes past the Dragon Tower. The Gold bridge links to the eastern road and passes through the diamond and market quarters. The Silver bridge links to the southern road leading to the harbour and The Serpent of Athos. This road passed through the Dust quarter.

The gates of Panhandle were built by Sarda during the Airm Nyaira era. The gates get their name from the ravine bridges they are connected to. From north to south there is the Mithril, Gold and Silver gate.

Originally the bridges and gates were called from north to south the Silma, Tar-Culu and Telepta gate.

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## Outside Panhandle

### Mount Tar-Culu (Mount Athos)

Mount Tar-Culu was renamed to Mount Athos by General Cyrus. Mount Athos is one of the biggest mountains currently recorded. The Ambar Elves have mined deep into the mountain. They have extracted many minerals including: Gold, Silver, Mithril, Iron, several previous stones and even coal. The mining of Mount Athos has been in constant operation as far as records can show. Archaeological experts estimate at this level of operation mining could continue for well over 1000 years.

The base of the mountain sits behind the village on a separate platform. Three bridges cross a ravine between the village and the base of Mount Athos. The entrance is covered in a carved mural. The Ambar Elves say the mural depicts the Mountain God Tar-Culu teaching the Ambar Elves the art of Secre-Gul. Aramoor specialists date the mural to be at least 1000 years old.

### Secre-Gul (Elven Mining)

Elven mining is a closely guarded secret by the Ambar Elves. The Elder Council have forbidden anyone apart from Ambar Elves to enter Mount Athos’s mines. Cyrus has tried to repeal this law on several occasions but has always been met with fierce opposition.

Looking at the entrance to the mines you will see no equipment or tools typical of an Aramoor mine. The Ambar Elves use an unconventional method to extract the precious minerals from the stone. An ancient technique believed to be taught by Tar-Culu, is a form of blood magic. A miner will enact a ritual that draws the imperfections from the stone and into the body of the Ambar Elf. In turn the blood of the miner will be transferred into the stone of the mountain.

A second ritual is then performed to compress the trace minerals in the miner’s blood into nuggets and extract them from the body. This practice is tied deeply to the Ambar’s religion and allows the extraction of minerals without destroying the mountain.

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### The Telepta (The Serpent of Athos)

The Telepta, a river running south of Panhandle. Renamed to The Serpent of Athos by Cyrus. This is the village's fastest connection to the outside world. A small dockyard sits on the bank of the river and connects to Panhandle through the silver gate.

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### Harbour

The Harbour can be found at outside the walls of Panhandle on the other side of the Silver Gate. The harbour sits on the bank of The Serpent of Athos and is the main trade port for Panhandle. River boats are constantly shipping goods to and from this port.

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### Farm Land

The farm land a small area outside the walls off Panhandle. Constructed as part of a restoration project by Sarda. These farms were revoked by Cyrus from the Ambar Elf owners and given to Aramoor farmers.

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## Brief History

The village of Panhandle before coming under control of Aramoor was known as Ambar. Ambar was an Elven mining village ran by a council of elders. Ambar is situated on a plateau before a great mountain known locally as Mount Tar-Culu. Mount Tar-Culu is rich in natural resources, the Ambar Elves can mine several precious metals and stones from the mountain. Ambar survived independently by trading these natural resources for those it lacked, like food. The trade of iron and coal, two major resources, kept them safe from outside intervention.

30 years ago, the land was blighted with the worst drought ever recorded. This resulted in famine across the land. This hit every settlement and nation hard. Ambar was hit especially hard, with their lack of good farmland and the food trade ceasing. The people of Ambar suffered.

After 6 years of strict rationing and suffering a young female elf called Sarda Tengwe started spreading the idea of Airm Nyaira (Eternal Claim). A radical idea that the Ambar Elves have suffered, and the world was at fault. Sarda further reasoned to her people that their god Tar-Culu did not stop at the mountain but was the world and it was their right to claim the world as theirs. Sarda rose in power amongst her people promising that the Ambar will take control of their own destinies and will never suffer at the hands of another.

Sarda deposed the elder council and appointed herself the new absolute ruler. Crowning herself Queen Ambar and rightful ruler of all under Tar-Culu. Over the next 4 years radical changes happened within Ambar. Walls were erected around the village. The northern quarter of the village was repurposed into army barracks and drilling squares.

The land outside the walls was subject to a massive restoration project, transforming this land into farmland by bringing good soil up The Telepta river by barge. All iron exports were embargoed; this iron was fashioned into weapons and armour for the Airm Nyaira.

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### Famine War

After these 4 year of restoration and consolidation Sarda and Ambar were ready. They claimed Aramoor to be their rightful territory under Airm Nyaira, calling an Ohta-O Airm Nyaira (War of Eternal Claim). Ambar raised 500 men and women and marched down from the plateau towards Aramoor. Aramoor had rallied her armies and sallied out of the city to meet the Ambar force.

The armies met at what is now called the Field of Ash. Aramoor’s army was 1000 strong, including 100 Dragon Guard, 3 mounted on dragons. Ambar was outnumbered and outclassed, what ensued was a slaughter. Ambar’s forces, blinded by fanaticism, charged the Aramoor lines. Under command of General Cyrus Armstrong, the dragon mounted dragon guard swept the Ambar ranks with dragon fire.

On that day, no Aramoor soldiers drew their steel. Everyone of the 1000 troops present returned home. The same cannot be said for Ambar, 500 men and women were put to the flame that day on the Field of Ash. Reports claim there were no survivors.

Aramoor troops marched onto Ambar. They met no resistance after the Field of Ash. General Cyrus marched through the Tar-Culu gate and entered the fortified village. Sarda was captured and tried on the spot, she was found guilty by Cyrus under the law of Aramoor and was reportedly executed. Reports claim her remains are buried in an unmarked grave.

Aramoor took control of Ambar renaming the settlement Panhandle and setting up General Cyrus as Aramoor’s ambassador. The Elder Council was re-established under Cyrus. Both would work together to benefit Aramoor and Panhandle.

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