Isaris

Allegedly hidden deep beneath the waves, Isaris is the supposed birth place of merfolk, tritons and various other undersea creatures. Oddly, this myth is not tied to any specific culture and appears in stories ranging across many suggesting that there is some historical precedent for an underwater city of this scale and magnitude. Most experts agree that if it did ever exist then it would have had to be Pre-Era of the Dragon and it is doubtful that it remains to this day.

## General Mythology

While portayals of the city do vary from myth to myth, there are a few factors that remain the same.

* ***Scale -***No matter where or how it is portrayed, Isaris is decidedly enormous on par with modern cities such as Khora or Lavellium. In some historical writings, Isaris was believed to be a collection of smaller settlements surrounding one larger one while, others suggested that it is simply one gargantuan metropolis.
* ***Design*** - Historical texts and stories typically described the city as being built 'of the sea' with one text describing the buildings as having a 'pearlescent sheen' and another describing it as like a glass or crystal. In artistic depictions, it is usually shown as being built from corals, crystal, pearl like substances and often vaguely sea themed limestone of some kind (often not specified). Architecture typically mimics shell like designs.
* ***Denizens**-* As may be expected (and was stated previously) Isaris is supposedly home to sea dwelling sentient creatures such as tritons, sea elves and merfolk. Other suggested inhabitants have been: marids, krakens, dragon turtles, water elementals and in some texts aboleths.
* ***Leadership*** - Most sources indicate that Isaris is ruled by some sort of king. This king is never named, referenced to only as '(the) King of Isaris'. The king rarely appears personally and typically speaks through aids and confidents. On the rare occasion they do appear, they are typically masked and display immense power over the city itself (see below). It is also important to note that while in Asmori they are referred to as 'King', in languges with a gender neutral term for monarchy that one is instead used. The actual gender of the ruler (or rulers) is never specified.
* ***Hostilty to Surface***- With very few exceptions, all inhabitants of Isaris show immense hostility to indivudals from the surface. They also appear to disdain typical surface trappings such as excessive clothes as well as their food. There is one story (see below) that suggest however that some surface dwellers can be given the Blessing of the Deeps that allow them to become an inhabitant of the city permanently.

## Featured Myths

### The Pearl of Oceans

In this story, Salik wandered the oceans of the world searching for meaning during an existential crisis. As he wandered, he noticed that the currents of the seas had a distinct pattern that be became obsessed with uncovering believing that it held some deep secret. Eventually he found that they all seemed to spiral out from one specific spot which he went in search of. There he found a singly pearl wrapped in the swirling currents of the seas and glowing with power. He placed a hand on it, intending to take it as his own, but it instead absorbed some of his power and sent it back out in a shockwave. From the sea floor, beings began to take shape, these were the first tritons and merfolk. Entranced with these people, Salik helped them make create a city leaving the pearl at its very heart.

### Sedena and Nanak's Hunt for Sili

After an argument with Inkla , Sili fled into the sea to hide and abandon her duties. However, this unfortunately meant that beings stopped dying as well as being born. After a number of desperate pleas,Nanak and Sedena decided to track her down. They travelled through the ocean facing a number of perils including storms and a kraken. Finally, they came across a number of strange water dwelling creatures that they didn't recognise. The creatures were immediately hostile and it was only after Nanak did some magic tricks for them that they listened. Sedena explained their prediciment and the creatures (probably Tritons) led them to a grand city. There Sili was a guest of the royal court. At first she point blank refused to listen and instead declared that she wanted to stay living in this city. There are two versions of this story.

In the first, when persuading didn't work, Sedena attacked Nanak and cut him across the chest. Without the cyles of life and death, there was no ability to heal either which meant that Nanak remained in pain. Unable to bear the pain of her friend, Sili agreed to return. In some versions, Inkla later performs an apology in the form of an elaborate dance.

In the second, a group of invaders try to attack the city but they have all become immortal due to Sili's refusal to return to her work so the city is severely damaged. The King of Isaris makes an appearance, driving back the invaders by creating huge coral reefs to trap them. They then beg Sili to return to the surface but promise to let her return for one day every seven years. This is thought to relate to the Uskavan Day of Deathlessness.

### Pirate King Kita

One of the most popular Narosi tales is of how Kita gained the ability to breathe underwater. Supposedly this was due to being shipwrecked on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean. After being alone for thirty days and nights, she saw a beautiful blue elf leave the water and begin collecting shells. When the elf saw her, they screamed and dove straight back into the water. Desperate to speak to someone, and slightly delirious, Kita dove in after the elf. Too weak to swim, she quickly began drowing and passed out. When she awoke, she could breathe and she was in a great and beautiful city. She learned that the elf she followed took pity on her and granted her the Blessing of the Deeps. While she had gained the ability to breathe underwater, she was told that she could never again leave the city otherwise the surface would learn of them. She met a number of other 'Blessed Surfacers' who were very happy with their new lives, a number had similar stories to her of being rescued after a ship wreck. However, Kita was not content and longed to explore once more. Finally, she challenged the King of Isaris to a game of Shogi on the condition that she be allowed to leave. She managed to cheat her way to victory, which wasn't discovered until the last moment and fled Isaris with a large amount of treasure. She used this to buy her ship the Hakamaru which features in most of her later adventures.

Supposedly, the Hakamaru was blessed with magic from Isaris and upon her death, the city reclaimed the ship, dragging it beneath the waves.

Other Appearences

* The Story of Ilas: In some versions, Ilas passes through Isaris while looking for the Chasm of Fangs.