The ancient days of Elyria, a mythical time when Qin walked the lands, and where all the many tribes of Mann had just found their place in the world, is a period of history very frequently visited by bards, authors, artists and other storytellers. Many of the legends popular among the To’resk are purported to have been told and retold across the ages since this time. As is typical of the To’resk, many involve a sort of ancestor veneration, with operatic pieces detailing how and why the Promotille of the wetlands acquired their status.
One such tale told in the grand duchy of Genera is alternatively named ‘The tale of the Croc and the Qin’ or ‘The ballad of Codylus and To’ran’. Each tells a similar tale, albeit with a tone befitting both the higher, and lower levels of society.
Our tale begins with a crocodile named Codylus. He was rather unlike his fellow reptiles in his admiration of the culture and lifestyle of the To’resk. To’ran, the Qin of the wetlands, was rather active, in one form or another, in both cursing and rewarding those he saw deserved a raise, or a lowering of station in life. To’ran was particularly proud of his children, the To’resk, and upon observing Codylus’ affinity for them, came to offer the croc the opportunity to earn his place, to permanently become a To’resk himself.
Thus, Codylus was tasked with constructing a settlement that would, in more ways than one, raise the station of the To’resk just as To’ran would raise him. Codylus’ found a suitable location in the heart of the wetlands, at the nexus of multiple trade routes, between the most influential regions on the continent. Eventually, through good administration, the town became rich and prosperous. However, To’ran was unsatisfied, Codylus had profited himself, but hardly raised the To’resk as a whole.
Codylus, for his second attempt, spent all of his gold in the construction of a great temple to the Qin, taller than any other building in sight. The artistry and piety of the temple were unprecedented for an independent settlement. To’ran visited Codylus again, and was pleased by his piety in having constructed the temple. But it wasn’t quite enough, whilst the temple was grand and holy, it still did not suffice to heighten the prestige of the To’resk.
So for his third and final attempt, Codylus left his town, travelling deep into the swamp bearing gifts of great craftsmanship, as well as fresh produce. He eventually arrived at the residence of a Dras host, whereupon the two reconciled the differences of their tribe, with Codylus offering any Dras a place in his town, that they may live in peace, not segregated to their biome. And so more than a hundred Dras accompanied him back to the town, now made many times larger than a city, by the addition of his new compatriots.
To’ran then visited the great city for the last time, finally conceding to Codylus the great weight of his actions, in undoing the past injustices of his children during the great drought. To’ran bestowed upon Codylus and his city the name of ‘Astuçean’, also granting Codylus the right to remain a To’resk for the rest of his life.
So ends the tale. While many historians and priests of the Qin lay doubt at the idea of direct Qin involvement, or the idea of a crocodile turning into a Mann, the great city of Astuçean is very much real, playing a role in history for many an age. Today Astuçean is not only a diverse and prosperous city, but also the seat of a county, named after the founder, Codylus. The current lords even claim direct descent from Codylus himself, taking the crocodile for their banner.
As befits a city of its legendary status, Astuçean is a great hub of exchange, not only trade, but also tourism. The great arena of the city is scarcely used for combat, but for dramatic and musical performances, including, of course, this tale. Many guilds and trade organisations seek shelter from political and military turmoil by establishing themselves here, knowing that there will always be a place for them. Whilst other great cities of Elyria play roles in the dance of dynasties through war or administration over vast swathes of land, Astuçean has ever been a locale where everyone can find something in common, where all people are welcome, at all times.
