Around the caldera of the dormant volcano Shataan sits a city of fire and freedom. Buildings of basalt and obsidian seem to flow down the mountainside from the volcanic rim, set along steep paths carved into the mountain’s face. Dry heat gives a physicality to the air and nutrient rich ash spurs the growth of sparse shrubbery. Artificial pastures house goats and sheep, watched over by shepherds and warriors. Delicious smells waft up from eating houses serving kebabs, dolmas and pita stuffed with dates and curried lamb. A dragon soars overhead, scales rippling with light from above and below, lit by the harsh sunlight and Shataan’s glowing magma.
This is Oduma, land of dragons and judges, unbound and unbroken, free until the end of time.
A Union Borne of Fire
In ancient times, when the primordial world was still wet with the strokes of Yatsuo’s brush, the dormant volcano Shataan called out to the people of Almira. The mountainside offered advantage in repelling invaders, the nutrient rich ash grew lush grasses for grazing and the free winds empowered those who laid to rest upon the mountain’s steep slopes.
In time, the great city of Oduma grew around the caldera of the volcano. Freemen and women of the city herded sheep and goats under the lava’s glow and debated philosophy in great meeting halls carved into the face of the mountain.
In time, however, the magma’s pressure grew to be too great. The mountain buckled and thrust a fresh cloud of ash into the air. Waves of lava began to seep over the rim of the caldera and Odumans prayed for their salvation. This desperate prayer gave birth to Rakma, god of judgement and prophecy. Together with the djinn and dragons, Rakma created four deep channels to siphon off the magma and prevent Shataan’s eruption. These channels exist to this very day and keep the volcano from decimating this hub of flame and freedom.
In time, the great city of Oduma grew around the caldera of the volcano. Freemen and women of the city herded sheep and goats under the lava’s glow and debated philosophy in great meeting halls carved into the face of the mountain.
In time, however, the magma’s pressure grew to be too great. The mountain buckled and thrust a fresh cloud of ash into the air. Waves of lava began to seep over the rim of the caldera and Odumans prayed for their salvation. This desperate prayer gave birth to Rakma, god of judgement and prophecy. Together with the djinn and dragons, Rakma created four deep channels to siphon off the magma and prevent Shataan’s eruption. These channels exist to this very day and keep the volcano from decimating this hub of flame and freedom.
The Caldera City
Oduma sits around the caldera of the semi-active volcano Shataan, in southern tip of the Volorin Mountains. The constant rumbling of the mountain coats the city and its surrounding area in thick coats of nutrient rich ash, The terrain of the city of Oduma and its surrounding countryside is considered to both desert and mountain, its ash is considered to be both ash and sand.
The weather along the caldera is severe. The city is often oppressively hot, owing both to their location in the world and their proximity to the caldera of Shataan. The sky is not often clear, ash clouds block much of the light of the sun and obscure vision on even the best of days. Rain is scarce, and despite the nutrient rich ash of the volcano, the plants that grow in Oduma are often tough, hardy grasses and shrubs.
The city's fashion is quite utilitarian, influenced by the terrain and weather. Most Odumans wear veils over their eyes and mouths to keep out the ash. Sturdy boots keep the ash from their feet and help them traverse the perilous slopes. Most of Oduma’s citizens wear loose fitting clothing woven from silk and other cool materials. Sheer capes and turbans are often used to keep off of the skin and out of the hair. Catfolk in particular wear large capes to keep their fur clean.
The weather along the caldera is severe. The city is often oppressively hot, owing both to their location in the world and their proximity to the caldera of Shataan. The sky is not often clear, ash clouds block much of the light of the sun and obscure vision on even the best of days. Rain is scarce, and despite the nutrient rich ash of the volcano, the plants that grow in Oduma are often tough, hardy grasses and shrubs.
The city's fashion is quite utilitarian, influenced by the terrain and weather. Most Odumans wear veils over their eyes and mouths to keep out the ash. Sturdy boots keep the ash from their feet and help them traverse the perilous slopes. Most of Oduma’s citizens wear loose fitting clothing woven from silk and other cool materials. Sheer capes and turbans are often used to keep off of the skin and out of the hair. Catfolk in particular wear large capes to keep their fur clean.
The Glimmering Archipelago
Shataan’s massive caldera is punctuated by a set of huge diamond islands called the Glimmering Archipelago. This collection of floating diamond platforms is populated by flocks of Mountain Dragons who use the Glimmering Archipelago as a breeding ground.
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Mountain Dragons are free spirits who aspire to wealth, glory, and personal gain. Many young mountain dragons will find companions to travel with in order to seek adventure that may bring these thins. Singularly focused on personal gain, Mountain Dragons will push their companions to make hotheaded or impulsive decisions.
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The Genie Stones
To the exact northern, eastern, southern, and western edges of Shataan sit large basalt spires which emanate powerful, plane-disrupting magic. Huge, ephemeral serpents swim through the air, thunderclouds send bolts of lightning hurling infinitely upwards, strange alien eyes blink into existence before closing themselves off from reality. These four massive stones pierce straight into the elemental planes, drawing their essence forth to create genies.
Siquan, the Spring Stone
Ever present storms throw a constant veil of ash into the air around Siquan, the Spring Stone, located in the eastern foothills of Shataan. Piercing into the Elemental Plane of Air, Siquan draws the chaotic energy of the winds into the Material Plane, along with the mighty Djinn. Masters of air magic and sylphs make pilgrimages to this stone, for it is an air elemental saturation.
Niben, the Summer Stone
Flames and burning sand tumble into the Material Plane around Niben, the Summer Stone, located in the southern foothills of Shataan. Gouts of flame and vengeful Efreet fall from the sky as the destructive energy of unchecked flame surges forth from the Elemental Plane of Fire. Masters of fire magic and Ifrits make pilgrimages to Niben, for it is a fire elemental saturation. Of all four of the Genie Stones, Niben is the most heavily guarded, for the lawful evil Efreet who are called forth from it are the antithesis to all that Oduma stands for.
Pebon, the Winter Stone
Gouts of cool elemental water rush forth from Pebon, the Winter Stone, located in the western foothills of Shataan. Rain, marids, and the chaotic energy of motion fall from the Elemental Plane of Water around Pebon, creating beautiful lakes and ponds collect on the ground, providing drinking water to the residents of Oduma. Masters of water magic and Undines make pilgrimages to Pebon, for it is a water elemental saturation.
Tagu, the Autumn Stone
Strange dust clouds and floating stones wink into and out of the material plane around Tagu, the Autumn Stone, located in the northern foothills of Shataan. Cracked earth and rumbling quakes foretell the arrival of the Shaitan and the stabilizing energy of the Elemental Plane of Earth. Masters of earth magic and oreads often journey to Tagu, for it is an earth elemental saturation.
The Basalt Star
A fifth stone, The Basalt Star, floats at the center of the four genie stones, high over Shataan’s caldera. This fifth stone connects the four elemental planes, and from it step forth the Jann. The god Rakma’s presence on the stone prevents its powerful distortions from tearing the city to shreds. Masters of aether magic, and suli often journey to the Basalt Star, for it is both a powerful aether elemental saturation and a massive distortion of reality itself.
Siquan, the Spring Stone
Ever present storms throw a constant veil of ash into the air around Siquan, the Spring Stone, located in the eastern foothills of Shataan. Piercing into the Elemental Plane of Air, Siquan draws the chaotic energy of the winds into the Material Plane, along with the mighty Djinn. Masters of air magic and sylphs make pilgrimages to this stone, for it is an air elemental saturation.
Niben, the Summer Stone
Flames and burning sand tumble into the Material Plane around Niben, the Summer Stone, located in the southern foothills of Shataan. Gouts of flame and vengeful Efreet fall from the sky as the destructive energy of unchecked flame surges forth from the Elemental Plane of Fire. Masters of fire magic and Ifrits make pilgrimages to Niben, for it is a fire elemental saturation. Of all four of the Genie Stones, Niben is the most heavily guarded, for the lawful evil Efreet who are called forth from it are the antithesis to all that Oduma stands for.
Pebon, the Winter Stone
Gouts of cool elemental water rush forth from Pebon, the Winter Stone, located in the western foothills of Shataan. Rain, marids, and the chaotic energy of motion fall from the Elemental Plane of Water around Pebon, creating beautiful lakes and ponds collect on the ground, providing drinking water to the residents of Oduma. Masters of water magic and Undines make pilgrimages to Pebon, for it is a water elemental saturation.
Tagu, the Autumn Stone
Strange dust clouds and floating stones wink into and out of the material plane around Tagu, the Autumn Stone, located in the northern foothills of Shataan. Cracked earth and rumbling quakes foretell the arrival of the Shaitan and the stabilizing energy of the Elemental Plane of Earth. Masters of earth magic and oreads often journey to Tagu, for it is an earth elemental saturation.
The Basalt Star
A fifth stone, The Basalt Star, floats at the center of the four genie stones, high over Shataan’s caldera. This fifth stone connects the four elemental planes, and from it step forth the Jann. The god Rakma’s presence on the stone prevents its powerful distortions from tearing the city to shreds. Masters of aether magic, and suli often journey to the Basalt Star, for it is both a powerful aether elemental saturation and a massive distortion of reality itself.
City of Steps
The city of Oduma is ancient, built into the mountainside before Shataan was known to be a volcano. The houses and buildings of Oduma are carved into basalt outcroppings or are built from basalt bricks. Houses are often topped with small gardens filled with flowers, fruit, vegetables, and carefully manicured sitting areas. On the rare day when the ash clouds do not block the sun, children can be seen running around down the mountainside, hopping from rooftop to rooftop to play in the beautiful grasses.
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This practice of sliding down the mountainside and running from rooftop to rooftop is not just restricted to children. To help traverse the steep countryside, the first Odumans created special boards called Ash Runners to help them race down the city’s steep ashen slopes.
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Freedom from Chains
Oduma does not have a formal government, for the people of Oduma revere freedom and abhor the shackles of law. To Odumans, morality, righteousness and justice cannot be distilled into a set of finite rules. To have laws is to limit the scope of justice. This sentiment stands at the very core of Oduman society, and is laid down in the Code of Judges.
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“So it is commanded that you shall act with goodness in your heart and freedom in your hands. That you shall be a bringer of righteousness and an enemy of shackles. That you shall be like the winds that bend the mountain, the dragons, and the djinn. For we are born of freedom, and we shall never be chained.”
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Odumans resolve petty squabbles on their own terms. However, when a larger problem arises, the advice of the judges is sought. Self-proclaimed and venerated by the people of Oduma, the judges gain notoriety and standing from their wisdom and force of personality. To be a judge is a great burden to those who take up the mantle; to resolve disputes with dignity and grace is no small matter. The primary role of a judge is not to administer punishment, but to ensure the rehabilitation and emotional healing of all parties involved. While there are no peacekeeping forces within Oduma to ensure that a judge’s rulings are followed, to disobey is unheard of. Those who do not adhere to such a ruling are often ostracized, unable to live or speak within the city.
Rakma, Final Arbiter
The most famous judge within the city is the god Rakma himself. The Final Arbiter sits upon the Basalt Star, a rock formation with floats high above Shataan’s caldera. Those who make the journey to seek the judgement of Rakma are often rewarded with magical solutions to their problems, the healing of souls, the creation of magical items, and even the resurrection of the unjustly killed.
Rakma, Final Arbiter
The most famous judge within the city is the god Rakma himself. The Final Arbiter sits upon the Basalt Star, a rock formation with floats high above Shataan’s caldera. Those who make the journey to seek the judgement of Rakma are often rewarded with magical solutions to their problems, the healing of souls, the creation of magical items, and even the resurrection of the unjustly killed.
Guilds of Oduma
Oduma’s loose governmental structure and affinity for independently and spontaneously created organizations has led to the rise of a number of guilds within the city. These guilds take on martially _ jobs for paying customers, things like removing troublesome pests, tracking down stolen items, and even acting as bodyguards for local judges and shepherds. Groups of youngsters often start their own guilds, though many of them break down due to infighting. Successful guilds have either large numbers or a focused specialization. Guilds can range in number from as few as 4 members to as many as 200 members, though they generally contain between six and twelve members. Certain guilds frequently find themselves on the receiving end of a judge’s verdict, for freedom and power are a dangerous combination.
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Lazy rivers of lava run down the mountainside, casting a dull glow and a swampy heat over the night. A halfling sits on goatback, casting a watchful eye on a nearby herd of sheep. His catfolk companion crouches nearby, a loaded rifle trained on the horizon. A third companion, an ifrit, toys with small, conjured flames. Their clothes bear the mark of the Roughriders.
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While hundreds of guilds exist within Oduma, the following are some of the most well known:
The Roughriders
Of all the guilds in Oduma, the organization with the most members is unquestionably the Roughriders. Because of the guild boasts over 200 members, the Roughriders break themselves into adventuring teams of 2-6. These masterful militia units patrol the harsh Oduman landscape and act as bodyguards to . While the intentions of the Roughriders are generally good, they often find themselves before judges for overzealousness in their duties.
Crossing Paths
This small guild of catfolk witches and shamans are masters of divinations. Crossing Paths is often recruited when parents lose a child or when a valuable item is lost or stolen. They are elite trackers and locators, able to find a needle lost in a thousand haystacks.
The Scale Girls
A medium sized guild of female wyvarans, kobolds, and lizardfolk, the Scale Girls are masters of elemental martial combat. Often hired to retrieve items from the various ruins or bandit camps that dot the landscape, the Scale Girls use their draconic heritage to manifest amazing elemental powers.
The Roughriders
Of all the guilds in Oduma, the organization with the most members is unquestionably the Roughriders. Because of the guild boasts over 200 members, the Roughriders break themselves into adventuring teams of 2-6. These masterful militia units patrol the harsh Oduman landscape and act as bodyguards to . While the intentions of the Roughriders are generally good, they often find themselves before judges for overzealousness in their duties.
Crossing Paths
This small guild of catfolk witches and shamans are masters of divinations. Crossing Paths is often recruited when parents lose a child or when a valuable item is lost or stolen. They are elite trackers and locators, able to find a needle lost in a thousand haystacks.
The Scale Girls
A medium sized guild of female wyvarans, kobolds, and lizardfolk, the Scale Girls are masters of elemental martial combat. Often hired to retrieve items from the various ruins or bandit camps that dot the landscape, the Scale Girls use their draconic heritage to manifest amazing elemental powers.
Races
Oduma is a free city, not subject to the restraints of immigration quotas or citizenship laws. While many races make their homes within the city, there are a few races with a large presence in Oduma. Above all else, Odumans value freedom and the brotherhood between neighbors that allows a free society to function. Of all the races of Almira, no one embodies these traits more than halflings, catfolk and shifuni. These three races make up the majority of Oduman society.
Halflings: Modest and friendly, Almira’s halflings find themselves quite at home within Oduma. Often working as shopkeepers, shepherds or goat herders. Halflings who take up arms often train goats as mounts, gaining excellent mobility at the cost of the smaller sized mount. The most common martial form of this ability is that of the Springing Skirmisher.
Shifuni: Oduma’s shifuni are well at home in their role as craftsmen and cooks. The shifuni-made parts such as wagon wheels, nails, and barrels are coveted by tradesmen across Almira. The humble workmen and women are insistent that these items are simply the result of patience and practice, and refuse to price their items highly.
Catfolk: Proud and free, catfolk are natural additions to the community of Oduma. Many catfolk make their livelihoods as hunters, scouts, or message runners. The a large number of catfolk also find themselves drawn to the ranks of the Roughriders, finding the life of a solitary guard for shepherds or judges fits their antisocial tendencies.
Geniekin
Because of the power and presence of the Genie Stones, geniekin often feel a powerful connection to Oduma. Undines are often uncomfortable in the dry heat of the city, but sulis, oreads, ifrits, and sylphs are a common sight within the city. Sylphs are especially populous, as both they and their djinni forebears embody the freedom and righteousness of Oduman society.
Sylph: There is no element more free than the winds, no force that seeks to escape capture. The sylphs of Oduma are as the winds, as the djinn, as the breezes filling sails off the Amiran Coast. Benevolent and free-spirited, sylphs often find their personalities lend themselves to being judges, and often collect followers who seek out their help. Oduma’s sylphs also share the connection of their djinn forebears to brass dragons, becoming incredible dragon callers.
Ifrit: The Efreet forebears of mortal ifrits are a tyrannical lot, opposing Oduma’s alignment on both fronts. As such, ifrits are looked upon with suspicion within the city. Strong of will and arm, ifrits are often content to pursue professions as manual laborers, building houses, mining stone, and assisting in the creation of roads. Ifrit often attempt to do good deeds in order to counteract the taint of their lineage.
Undine: Just as the river bends around the mountain, just as the rain falls to collect within the deep earth, the Undines of Oduma do their best to fit into a hostile landscape. Undines are few and far between in Oduma, as the searing heat is ranges from uncomfortable to harmful, depending on the day. Those undines who remain learn to adapt and thrive, often using the heat to master the art of steam magic.
Oread: Though oreads are as solid as stone in the face of adversity, they are few and far between in Oduma, the city’s chaos often at odds with their strict sense of law. Those oreads who do live in Oduma often do so out of stubbornness and spite.
Suli: Borne from the 4 elements in equal measure, sulis often find their sense of balance to be a voice of reason that lends itself to judgeship. Oduma’s suli who train in the ways of their Elemental Assault often favor fire and lightning.
Dragonkin
With brass dragons soaring through the sky, kobolds and wyvarans feel their draconic blood resonate within Oduma.
Kobold: When trouble calls, a surge of kobolds can often be seen running to the city’s defense, intent on proving their prowess in combat. Kobolds who can gain the discipline learn the ways of the samurai, often following the Cockatrice, the Dragon, or the Flame.
Wyvarans: Wise and honorable, the wyvarans of Oduma are well attuned to the ash and rock of their homeland. Though brawny and lithe, these draconic creatures tend to eschew physical combat and favor more spiritual practices. Wyvaran often train the shamanic arts or devote themselves to reverence of a deity or nature. Wyvaran have a powerful presence, and often gain a reputation as spiritual leaders. Wyvaran are often consulted as judges, especially on religious matters.
Halflings: Modest and friendly, Almira’s halflings find themselves quite at home within Oduma. Often working as shopkeepers, shepherds or goat herders. Halflings who take up arms often train goats as mounts, gaining excellent mobility at the cost of the smaller sized mount. The most common martial form of this ability is that of the Springing Skirmisher.
Shifuni: Oduma’s shifuni are well at home in their role as craftsmen and cooks. The shifuni-made parts such as wagon wheels, nails, and barrels are coveted by tradesmen across Almira. The humble workmen and women are insistent that these items are simply the result of patience and practice, and refuse to price their items highly.
Catfolk: Proud and free, catfolk are natural additions to the community of Oduma. Many catfolk make their livelihoods as hunters, scouts, or message runners. The a large number of catfolk also find themselves drawn to the ranks of the Roughriders, finding the life of a solitary guard for shepherds or judges fits their antisocial tendencies.
Geniekin
Because of the power and presence of the Genie Stones, geniekin often feel a powerful connection to Oduma. Undines are often uncomfortable in the dry heat of the city, but sulis, oreads, ifrits, and sylphs are a common sight within the city. Sylphs are especially populous, as both they and their djinni forebears embody the freedom and righteousness of Oduman society.
Sylph: There is no element more free than the winds, no force that seeks to escape capture. The sylphs of Oduma are as the winds, as the djinn, as the breezes filling sails off the Amiran Coast. Benevolent and free-spirited, sylphs often find their personalities lend themselves to being judges, and often collect followers who seek out their help. Oduma’s sylphs also share the connection of their djinn forebears to brass dragons, becoming incredible dragon callers.
Ifrit: The Efreet forebears of mortal ifrits are a tyrannical lot, opposing Oduma’s alignment on both fronts. As such, ifrits are looked upon with suspicion within the city. Strong of will and arm, ifrits are often content to pursue professions as manual laborers, building houses, mining stone, and assisting in the creation of roads. Ifrit often attempt to do good deeds in order to counteract the taint of their lineage.
Undine: Just as the river bends around the mountain, just as the rain falls to collect within the deep earth, the Undines of Oduma do their best to fit into a hostile landscape. Undines are few and far between in Oduma, as the searing heat is ranges from uncomfortable to harmful, depending on the day. Those undines who remain learn to adapt and thrive, often using the heat to master the art of steam magic.
Oread: Though oreads are as solid as stone in the face of adversity, they are few and far between in Oduma, the city’s chaos often at odds with their strict sense of law. Those oreads who do live in Oduma often do so out of stubbornness and spite.
Suli: Borne from the 4 elements in equal measure, sulis often find their sense of balance to be a voice of reason that lends itself to judgeship. Oduma’s suli who train in the ways of their Elemental Assault often favor fire and lightning.
Dragonkin
With brass dragons soaring through the sky, kobolds and wyvarans feel their draconic blood resonate within Oduma.
Kobold: When trouble calls, a surge of kobolds can often be seen running to the city’s defense, intent on proving their prowess in combat. Kobolds who can gain the discipline learn the ways of the samurai, often following the Cockatrice, the Dragon, or the Flame.
Wyvarans: Wise and honorable, the wyvarans of Oduma are well attuned to the ash and rock of their homeland. Though brawny and lithe, these draconic creatures tend to eschew physical combat and favor more spiritual practices. Wyvaran often train the shamanic arts or devote themselves to reverence of a deity or nature. Wyvaran have a powerful presence, and often gain a reputation as spiritual leaders. Wyvaran are often consulted as judges, especially on religious matters.
Guns
CW: This section contains references to domestic violence
Oduma’s shifuni are skilled not just with the creation of mundane equipment but also with the innovation of new tools. The first firearms in Almira were created by Oduman shifuni and the art of creating firearms is still studied here. However, the judges of Oduma see firearms as a powerful weapon and the sentencing of most domestic violence abusers includes barring the use or purchase of any gun. Those who attempt to ignore the ruling of judges are always ostracized, but abusers who attempt to skirt gun bans can often be found dead, killed by the victim’s families.
Oduma’s shifuni are skilled not just with the creation of mundane equipment but also with the innovation of new tools. The first firearms in Almira were created by Oduman shifuni and the art of creating firearms is still studied here. However, the judges of Oduma see firearms as a powerful weapon and the sentencing of most domestic violence abusers includes barring the use or purchase of any gun. Those who attempt to ignore the ruling of judges are always ostracized, but abusers who attempt to skirt gun bans can often be found dead, killed by the victim’s families.