Kasa

Kasa is an ancient city and the main capital out of two in Braided Shore, the other one being New Foundry. It is a city with a dramatic history, and similarly dramatic current events. Recently, something has happened in Kasa, which leaves most of the city closed to travelers.

Lore Book: The Western Lands

Region:	The South
Nomad's Rest?	No
Available Since:	Yes

Lore

Kasa's crest is an insignia with a knot and a feather.

History

Old Dynasty

The Age of Settlement marked a pivotal period in history when the Braided Shore was fragmented into numerous city-states, each governed by unique dynasties. These city-states, frequently under the rule of individual leaders, played a fundamental role in shaping the political, cultural, and economic dynamics of the ancient world. Within this array of Old Dynasties, one in particular stood out for its profound impact and is now commonly recognized as the "Old Dynasty".

The Old Dynasty's founders remain shrouded in mystery, yet the earliest recorded member, King Mathidas, shared his reign with wife Queen Thela Thenn. Their rule originated from Kasa, marking the dynasty's earliest known presence. Historians speculate that the dynasty survived three or four generations after Mathidas, one of the best understood monarchs from this dynasty was Queen Leathides, Mathidas and Thela's daughter, who founded the order of the Porcelain Knights. Another notable member of the Old Dynasty royal family was Princess Sashinja, who married a Sand Fox Prince from Ovi Talif. concluding prior to two pivotal events, the Cobalt Eclipse and The Lords' War, which saw the dynasty's demise. Ruler Keronos marked the conclusion of this bygone era, preceding the rise of the Halzhaan dynasty. Keronos is said to have been the last of the Old family of Kasa before the rise of the Halzhaan dynasty. Compared to his ancestors, Keronos is seldom featured in tales. And the few stories that do speak of him and his disappearance do so sourcelessly for even the scholars of Rivenleaf know next to nothing about him beyond his name.

Kasa is a place brimming with legends. Not least of which are the ones about its founding. Some say it was the work of Mason King Nadrimm Kassa, a master stoneworker who built the city overnight, while others insist an ancient, mysterious cult built the city to honour their forgotten "Queen Kasyra". Even more beguiling is the conjecture that Kasyra might have been the progenitor of King Mathidas himself, although no definitive proof has surfaced to validate or dispel this hypothesis.

The Rise of a New Dynasty

The Age of Dynasty, colloquially referred to as The Age of Halzhaan, represents a significant turning point in the intricate history of Kasa and Braided Shore. This era has its genesis in the pivotal event commonly referred to as The Ice Hag War, which is believed to have been ignited by the chaos caused by the Frost Hag and the Cobalt Eclipse. This conflict remains a mysterious chapter in the chronicles of history, with only fragmented accounts and remnants of oral traditions offering glimpses into its nature and consequences.

Current Events in Kasa

The stability of Kasa endured a severe blow due to the Kasa's Incident. Right now, the communal ferries to Kasa are suspended, and private skippers appear busy or unwilling to take passengers to the city. Apparently, the gates to Kasa have been barred, and armed guards prevent anyone from entering. At the barrier, the Wardens tell travellers that Ilmana’s Bridge is closed, on the Coroners’ orders.

Gossip around Braided Shore mentions that the Arch Council Forum in Kasa stands abandoned, and governing directives now come all the way from New Foundry. Rumours suggest that whatever caused the incident started within the Council itself. All city districts, from the Old Town to the Council Pavillion, the Embassies, and the Factory, remain isolated during the ongoing investigations into what has happened in Kasa.

Geography, Culture and Economy

Geography and Infrastructure in Kasa

The city of Kasa –one of two capitals– lies in the south part of Braided Shore. It is divided into several districts, many of them connected by bridges. Much of the city is built on very old foundations, which have survived through a long, sometimes quite violent, history.

Underneath the city runs an old sewer system and rumour has it that something called the Sewer Queen stalks its darkest corners. But then again, maybe it’s just rats. (But then again, maybe the Queen controls the rats). However, some adventurers claimed they've seen her lurking in the underground tunnels, her limbs unnaturally long and thin, her robe in tatters and dripping with sludge, and with a mask that covered her face.

The aftermath of the Ice Hag War left an enduring mark on the city. To the south of Kasa lies the billowing saffron fields which supply all of Braided Shore. The royal cobalt saffron crocus has become a symbol of sorts for Kasa, ever since the fall of the Frost Hag. It is said that, when the ground once more lay without the frigid touch of the Hag, the first saffron flowers appeared to grace the survivors of that terrible time. Many are convinced it was a gift from the Sefra, for the noble deeds of the Asken.

Economic Instability

Kasa is a city rich in culture and one of its main areas of trade is in far sea exports. The economic foundation primarily relies on the textile industry. The city imports substantial quantities of raw silk and wool, which fuel a thriving textile factory situated in proximity to the northern docks. This facility is dedicated to the manufacturing of garments that are distributed to cities throughout the Braided Shore. The city's capacity to import raw materials and transform them into finished products has served as a fundamental pillar of its economy, establishing it as a prosperous and sought-after commercial hub.

The disruption of trade precipitated a sharp decline in the value of locally produced goods and a simultaneous exponential increase in the value of imported commodities. This economic imbalance has affected all residents, and those stranded within the city face a harrowing struggle for survival marked by scarcity of food and essential supplies.

Map

WIP

Locations

Major

• Beham Teahouse

Minor

• Kasan Post Office
• Basar Market
• Cobalt Alley
• Far Trader's Square
• Humble Bridge
• Kasan Southfields
• Old Bay
• Old Harbour
• Old Kasa Graveyard
• Park of Mahas Iso
• Ribbon Inlet
• Sah Sahi Alley
• Shipper's Quarter
• The Be Kasa Sliver
• The Turam Light

Connections

• Charwood Forest
• The Burnings

• Apartment
• Cellar
• The Cistern

Interactions

Quests

• If you approach Post Master Rivenu, you will begin the Deliver the Mail quest.
• For a Bag of soil, Amaru Rimri will give you one Fresh tomato and 1 Knot of thankful wishes.
• Hari asks you to bring him a Bag of wheat flour.
• You can help Elder Madi out by comforting the Solemn City Dweller in her place.

Events

• Puzzled Rock Thrower
• Gossiping Wardens
• Nameless gravemarker

NPCs

NPCs that are permanent or recurring only on this map

• Amaru Rimri
• Bridge Warden
• Cocky Looter
• Elder Madi
• Gate Warden
• Geva Kha
• Grieving Mother
• Grumpy Mason
• IjaijAtta
• Kenno Droil II
• Local
• Post Master Rivenu

NPCs that are permanent or recurring only on this map

• Alley Grocer
• Arpig
• Driftwood Collecting Youngster
• Guma
• Hari
• Kadd Baht Myr
• Kasa Leaf Gatherer
• Lomi
• Nbad
• Semet
• Sik
• Thomi Droil III
• Yisem

NPCs that do not appear all the time and shows up in other areas

• Flik

• Gossiping Wardens

Pickups

{{Page Col-2|leftCol=50|

Containers

• Broken urn
• Chest
• Cloth bag
• Debris
• Earth pile
• Leather bag
• Slab
• Urn

Reagents

• Alken Powder
• Crocus Roots
• Dandelion
• Garden Balsam
• Pure Soot
• Sea Shells
• Whispering Orchid

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Endeavours

• Humble Bridge pillar
• Droil locked strongbox

Vellan Messages

• "My daughter desperately wants a pet Omin. Does anyone know where to purchase one? -Topi Luren
• Contact Professor Menell regarding the Umber Lake repopulation effort.

Quotes

South of Kasa lies billowing fields of saffron. The royal cobalt crocus flower of those fields has become a symbol of sorts for Kasa ever since the fall of the Ice Hag.
It is said that when the ground once more lay without frost, the first saffron flowers appeared to grace the survivors. A blessing from the Sefra, a gift for the noble deeds of the Asken.

Braided crocus root band

Some folk insist that the Kasyran cult were the first residents of Kasa, having allegedly built the city in a pattern honoring their leader "Queen Kasyra". Some legends even go so far as to claim that Kasyra was the mother of King Mathidas himself, although no evidence has been found to prove or disprove this theory. Kasyran has since then become a term for someone born in Kasa, even if the natives prefer the term Kasan.

Kasyran Guard Plate

Kasa is the city of culture and far sea export! Have you ever been?

Traveller

Trade values of local goods plummet in Kasa! Trade values soar on imported goods in Kasa!

Town Reporters

Raw wool and silk are the biggest imported good to Kasa where the textile factory near the northern docks spins away to create clothes for the cities all around the Braided Shore.

Ordinary Kasa backpiece

The merchant and crafter classes of the citizens of Kasa commonly fasten their hair with this type of hairpin. It will take the trained eye of a Kasa local to tell the difference between a merchant and a crafter pin, but anyone born into either class will be able to tell them apart instantly.

Kasa hairpin

I know you don't believe me but I swear I saw her! The Sewer Queen... Limbs unnaturally long and thin, robe in tatters and dripping with sludge, and that mask...

I turned to flee the instant I saw her but I was ambushed by an army of rats at every turn, never seen 'em act like that. It was pure luck that I found an exit when I did, I shudder to think what might've happened had she caught me.

I don't care what you pay me, I wouldn't go down there again for all of Pelgen's Master Iron.

A traumatized Kasa worker. on Sewer worker's blanket

Images

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  Nightwalkers in Kasa