Punampu, who's inhabitants call it the Anciently Dignified and Resplendently Aged City of the Punampu, was originally a very large and splendid city, the capitol of a forgotten kingdom, which, in age, has declined to a somewhat less grand state.
Punampu, who's inhabitants call it the Anciently Dignified and Resplendently Aged City of the Punampu, was originally a very large and splendid city, the capitol of a forgotten kingdom, which, in age, has declined to a somewhat less grand state.
Punampu lies in the midst of a vast, foetid swamp, the home of strange alien vegetation, foul airs, and a most unpleasant group of semi-human raiders who call themselves the Frog Lords. Trade in and out of the city is facilitated by a raised causeway that leads to the edges of the swamp, where it joins more conventional routes. This causeway, like much of Punampu is now fallen into disrepair- after all, if nobody comes down the way, what is the point in fixing it?
Punampu's character is now grown squat, grey, and decayed, much like that of its inbred population. The city looms upon a low mound (called the Mound of KhrQu after a long-forgotten hero), built of ancient, hexagonal blocks of stone. The walls are crumbling and were long ago stripped of the splendid painted murals of its elder years; the ancient domes and spires, collapsing and filthy with bird-dung and fungus, are barely visible above these cyclopean edifices. The main gates of Punampu are missing, but as any Punampuni will tell you, they were made of solid gold and studded with jewels the size of a fist. Punampuni maintain the rather insane belief that Punampu will someday be restored to glory.
The streets of Punampu are winding and narrow; the grey and mossy ancient structures of the town overhang them like leaning corpses, gutted of all innards. The Punampuni dwell in the remnants of these great halls, huge vaults, towers, domes, and ruined palaces, gleaning a living from scraped moss, fish from the marshy pools in the foundation of the city, and bits of ancient baubles found in the dust, which they trade to each other in attempt to get more than the common share; invariably, this fails.
In the center of the city is the monumental megalithic Fortress of Qhesh. This impossibly ancient, cube-shaped structure was fashioned from some gleaming black stone, so smooth that the fingers skid from it, and no mark can be made. There is a deep pit that encloses the Fortress, and none have entered it in the memory of the Punampuni.
Punampu's mound is slowly sinking into the marsh below it, and every day, the foundations of the city gain more and more water. In some of the lower regions, one can find marshy ponds in the smashed pavement and dirt thoroughfares, and strange marsh beasts sometimes roam the alleys, among darker things which climb from the endless catacombs beneath the city.
Scrolls
Twists, chapters, and details meant to stream with the submission — not general discussion.
No scrolls yet — leave one if you have a twist worth keeping.
Sign in to plant an idea scroll.
Enjoyed this? Sign in and cross blades for CaptainPenguin — five clashes, up to 25 XP.
Sign in to cross the blades.
Enjoyed this? Sign in and Grant your Favor.
Sign in to Favor
Discussion
Reader talk, questions, and feedback — not scrolls.
No comments yet — be the first voice in the hall.
Sign in to join the discussion.
Also in
Codex hubs that gather this piece with similar work.
- City Image MoonHunter
Bonds
Curated bonds across the Citadel — sign in to bind a bond.
Links to this article 1
- City Image MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
Use alongside
Submissions that pair well with this one at the table.
-
Not Sure What To Do?
A few threads that are itching for additions or collaboration to get you started at Strolen's Citadel.
-
City Image - Medhar, the City that hides.
Settled two hundred years before, the people were fleeing war and tyranny. Establishing a comfortable existence in the fertile, but empty valleys, they soon lea…
-
City Image- Sarkushen
Of old, this city was the home of a coven of the Sarkukai, foul devotees of Sarku, Lord of Worms, the God of Rising From The Grave. Though they were driven out,…
-
City Image - Cheza 'city' Betaze '17'
Cheza Betaze is the 17th Nekron urban area found in the Northern Cascades. The reasons why it is the best known of all Nekron cavern cities is that is has an ea…
-
City Image - Stone Holt
StoneHolt
The greatest city on Neyathis - not built by the hand of man, but by long-gone giants. It is a city of superlatives and place of new beginnings.
-
City Image - PlaceBetweenSunsetandFalls or Anshenestardaywadaden
Nestled between a plateu and a river that soon leads to the sea, is the Elventi city of Anshenestardaywadaden or more literally Place Between Sunset and Falls. …
...and for a trinket, a local guide will pole the visitors through the flooded areas, pointing out the slowly sinking wonders of the ancient city, hoping for another handout. Such majesty fallen into disrepair. Perhaps the hope of the restoration of glory is all that keeps the locals going from day to day.
I get the feeling of being in Mexico where there was a once proud peoples completely eclipsed by the newcomers.
The mighty people fall because someone else is better.
Bump...
A ruined city still with traces of it's former greatness.
I always liked this one... I did a good job with it
Very atmospheric indeed, you get the feeling of abandonement well across. Neat post.
Indeed. This place begs to be used..