ch 5 Cythorpia Unveiled: Arjun Learns the Secrets of the Land

The old man, chief of Greenwood Village, stood before the young noble Baron Simon von Kreasu with a stern expression. He was a man of few words, but his eyes spoke volumes. He wore a worn leather vest over his muscular frame and carried himself with the pride and confidence of a seasoned warrior.

As he toured the village with Simon, the chief explained the specialties of the town - the high-quality iron timber they produced, as well as other handicrafts. His words were simple and direct, reflecting his no-nonsense approach to life.

Beside them walked a young apprentice knight, eager to learn from the chief's wisdom. The chief cast a critical eye over the chubby baby-faced Simon, who held a piece of candy in one hand. He could see that the young noble had much to learn about the ways of the world.

Despite his gruff exterior, the chief was well-respected by his people for his fairness and compassion. He had seen many young knights come and go, and he knew that Simon would face many challenges on his journey. But he was determined to teach the boy everything he knew, so that he could become a great leader one day.

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Cythorpia was also home to countless villages, towns, and cities, each with their own unique character and way of life. Arjun lived in Green Wood Village, a small but prosperous village nestled in the heart of a dense forest. The closest kingdom to his village was the Port Kingdom, which was known for its bustling seaports and thriving trade.

Arjun sat in Old Henry's room, listening intently as the old man spoke of the world of Cythorpia. Henry told him about the different races that inhabited the world, including humans, elves, orcs, dragons, undead, and werebeasts. He also spoke of the various empires, kingdoms, and villages that dotted the land.

As Henry continued, Arjun became fascinated by the world of Cythorpia. But then Henry's tone turned somber as he spoke of orphans and the orphanage system. He explained that orphans were often targeted by cults, who would brainwash them and use them for their own purposes.

"That's why one kind emperor 1200 years ago made investments in orphanages," Henry said. "He gave them food and shelter, hoping to protect them from the cults. But people still hoarded resources, and things reached a critical point."

After the emperor passed away, a world terrorizing event took place, and the orphans were still not safe. Necromancers and cults attacked, causing devastating losses in population, money, and food. It took 50 years to stabilize the situation, and from that point on, every empire and kingdom maintained strict rules and management when it came to orphans.

"They promise to give or recruit them, and they are also happy to find talented pupils, knights, and soldiers for the nobles," Henry said. "But of course, orphans cannot freeload for their entire life. So they are advised to leave the orphanage at ten years of age."

Arjun was stunned by the history he had just heard. He realized that even in a world as fantastical as Cythorpia, the struggles of life and death were still very real. He felt grateful to have had Old Henry as a teacher, and he knew that he would never forget the lessons he had learned in this room.

Arjun looked up from the old history book he was reading and turned to Henry, the elderly man who had been his mentor since he was a child. "Henry, why do orphans always get admitted to orphanages?" he asked, intrigued by the stories of war, famine, and betrayal that had led to this practice.

Henry, who had been a traveler and adventurer in his youth, leaned back in his rocking chair and sighed. "It's a sad tale, Arjun," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "You see, there are some people who would take advantage of innocent children, brainwash them, and use them for their own nefarious purposes. That's why one kind emperor, more than a thousand years ago, decided to invest in orphanages and provide food and shelter to these vulnerable kids."

Arjun nodded, understanding the logic behind the emperor's decision, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. "But if the orphans are not educated or trained properly, won't they be more susceptible to the cult's brainwashing and manipulation?" he asked, his mind whirring with questions.

Henry stroked his chin and nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, Arjun. That's why many empires and kingdoms have strict rules and management when it comes to orphans. They promise to provide them with education, training, and a chance to become knights or soldiers for the nobles. Of course, there are always those who slip through the cracks, but the idea is to give these children a fighting chance."

Arjun listened intently to Henry's words, feeling a sense of admiration for the noble intentions behind the orphanage system. He knew that he was lucky to have been taken in by Henry, who had taught him basic reading and writing skills despite his own limitations. And with his mind feeling more stimulated than ever before, he knew that he was on the cusp of a new phase in his life - one that would involve unlocking his full potential as a mage and a knight.

From the Bookshelf took a rather thick book.

Arjun looked up from the book, his eyes wide with wonder. He had never heard of a world like Cythorpia before. The book was filled with descriptions of different races and their cultures, and Arjun found himself getting lost in the details.

According to the book, Cythorpia was a world with many different races, including humans, elves, orcs, dragons, undead, and werebeasts. Each race had its own unique characteristics and culture, and they all coexisted on the same planet.

Arjun was particularly interested in the werebeasts. He had never heard of such creatures before, and he was fascinated by the idea of people who could transform into animals. The book described werebeasts as having a strong connection to nature, and living in close harmony with the natural world.

He also found the different locations on the planet intriguing. The book described how the werebeasts, orcs, humans, and trolls all shared the same continent, while the elves had their own kingdom called Elvandro, and the dragons had their own territory as well. The undead, on the other hand, lived on a group of large islands called the Archipelago.

Arjun couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to live in such a world. He imagined exploring the different regions, meeting the different races, and learning about their cultures and traditions.

As he closed the book and set it aside, he knew that he would never be able to experience such a world firsthand. But he also knew that there was something special about the power of imagination, and he felt grateful for the chance to learn about such a fascinating and magical place.

Just as Arjun was about to get up and leave the Old Henry, he noticed a new book on the shelf that caught his attention. It was titled "Empires of Athenum: A Historical Account." He picked it up and asked old henry to read.

The book detailed the great empires of Athenum, each with its own unique culture and challenges. The Valoria Empire in the west was known for its advanced technology and innovation, while the Aurelian Empire in the east placed great emphasis on tradition and hierarchy.

The IMPERIUM,in the centre, always striving to evolve and improve while also respecting tradition and maintaining order. They were open to new ideas and innovations, but only if they were deemed beneficial and sustainable for the long term.

The Iridia Empire in the south was the breadbasket of Athenum, with fertile farmland and a thriving agricultural economy. However, it was also prone to droughts and desertification, which posed a constant challenge for its people.

In the north lay the Glaciem Empire, a land of harsh winters and rugged terrain. Its people were hardy and resourceful, relying on hunting and fur trade to survive in the frigid climate.

Arjun couldn't help but wonder how these empires interacted with each other, and what kind of conflicts and alliances existed between them. He imagined the Valoria Empire using its advanced technology to conquer its neighbors, or the Aurelian Empire struggling to maintain its traditions in the face of rapid change.

In addition to the empires, there were also five powerful kingdoms, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Arjun wasn't sure of the names of all the kingdoms, but he knew that they played important roles in the politics and economy of the continent.

As he closed the book and returned it to the shelf, Arjun felt a sense of awe and excitement. He knew that there was so much more to learn about Athenum, and he couldn't wait to dive deeper into its history and lore.

As Arjun explores the lush forests of Greenwood, he comes across a village of werebeasts. He observes as they go about their daily lives, tending to their farms and crafting tools and weapons. Arjun is struck by the werebeasts' connection to nature, and how they seem to live in harmony with the forest.

He notices how the village is adorned with intricate wooden carvings and totems, each with a symbolic meaning that represents a different aspect of the werebeast culture. Arjun learns that werebeasts have a deep reverence for their ancestors and the spirits of the forest, and that they hold elaborate ceremonies to honor them.

Arjun also notices the werebeasts' unique architecture. Their homes are built using natural materials like wood and stone, and are designed to blend seamlessly into the forest. He learns that werebeasts believe in living in balance with nature, and that they strive to minimize their impact on the environment.

As Arjun wanders through the village, he hears a group of werebeasts gathered around a fire, singing songs and telling stories. One of the werebeasts invites Arjun to join them, and he eagerly accepts. He listens intently as they share tales of their history, from the days when they were hunted and feared by other races to the present, where they are now respected and valued members of their community.

Arjun is fascinated by the werebeast culture and feels grateful for the opportunity to learn about it firsthand. He makes a mental note to spend more time with the werebeasts and learn even more about their customs and traditions.

As Arjun peeked out from behind a tree, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. A village of werebeasts, right in the heart of Greenwood. He had heard tales of these mysterious creatures before, but had never actually seen one in person.

He was so engrossed in watching them go about their daily lives that he didn't even notice when one of the werebeasts approached him. Startled, Arjun took a step back, but the werebeast held up a reassuring hand.

"Hello, young one. What brings you here?" The werebeast's voice was deep and rumbling, but not threatening in the slightest.

Arjun hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But something about the werebeast's calm demeanor put him at ease.

"I was just...um...exploring," Arjun finally managed to stammer out.

The werebeast looked at him quizzically. "Exploring? In the forest?"

Arjun nodded. "I like to come here and look for interesting things."

The werebeast studied him for a moment before speaking again. "Well, in that case, why don't I show you around our settlement? It's not often we get visitors, especially human ones."

Arjun was surprised by the offer, but something about the werebeast's friendly demeanor put him at ease. "Um...sure. That would be great."

And so the werebeast, whose name was Rorik, led Arjun on a tour of the settlement. As he learned more about the werebeasts' way of life and their struggles, Arjun began to develop a deep respect and admiration for them.

As they walked through the village, Rorik spoke of how werebeasts were created by a powerful alchemist, who combined humans with animals in an attempt to achieve immortality. She explained how werebeasts possessed both human and animal traits, and how their intelligence varied but tended to be higher than that of the average human due to their animal instincts.

He also learned about their tumultuous past and the obstacles they faced before they could live in harmony with their wild instincts. One of the werebeasts narrated the tale of a skilled Tier 5 alchemist, who was also a werebeast, and was deeply fascinated by their biology and behavior. After years of intensive research and experimentation, the alchemist developed a potion using common materials that would help the werebeasts control their animalistic urges.

The werebeast explained to Arjun how the potion had been a game-changer for their kind. It brought stability and tranquility within their community and enabled them to coexist peacefully with other races, as they were no longer seen as unpredictable and dangerous. The werebeast also informed Arjun that the alchemist disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only his notes and the formula for the potion.

Rorik went on to explain how werebeasts struggled to maintain control over their animal instincts, leading to conflicts within their own communities and with other races. However, she also shared the story of a genius mage who developed a potion with common materials that allowed werebeasts to be in control of their instincts. This situation had stabilized 300 years ago, and while the mage's whereabouts were unknown, his legacy continued to impact their community to this day.

As Arjun listened, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the rich history and culture of the werebeasts. He knew that there was much more to learn about this fascinating race, and he was excited to explore more of Cythorpia and its inhabitants.

By the end of his visit, Arjun felt like he had gained a new understanding of the world around him. And he knew that he would never forget the kindness and hospitality of the werebeasts.