Itocapehua Ruins

Itocapehua Ruins

The Itocapehua ruins are located in the Jungle of Spiders, and it was inhabited by many races bringing change to the ruins. Long ago, these ruins were inhabited by the Itocapehuans or lizardmen. The ruins are named after the first and original race that lived there. Later in the Age of Enlightenment, the Azari'cerr explored and expanded a lot on their home territory of Myln Arbor and inhabited these ruins. Now they are home to giant spiders, trolls and other vermin and humanoid creatures. The stone ruins were presumably created in a fashion that served as protection and worship over actually living inside the ruins. The main building of the ruins is a half-pyramid shape with a prayer room at the top. This building seemed to have served a crucial purpose in Itocapehuan life. The structure seems to provide natural cover and protection from the dangerous creatures lurking in the jungle at that time like the giant spiders or the now-extinct jungle dragons. Many of the lizardmen are suspected to have lived in wooden huts or makeshift tents as there are very few ruins of house buildings around but the lack of trees in the area shows that they were systematically removing the trees from the area to the point where the natural cycle of reforestation had stopped. This wood would have been used to create these primitive structures. After the decline and demise of the Lizardmen, almost all traces of this place have been lost to time and most indicative traits of habitation are no longer of the original occupants. Such as small campfires with empty bottles littered around.

Itocapehuans

The Itocapehuans or lizardmen were lizardlike humanoids that have now been extinct for a long time. They might be the oldest known race in all of Eden and they build their mighty city which is known as Itocapehua to the races that live in Eden now. The lizardmen had hard skin on their legs and arms, but they were very sensitive in their stomach. Thus in their city, they would wear a cloth wrapped around their torso. This cloth would almost always have a red or yellow color. They wore these colors because of their favorite appetites and fruits. The yellow resembled their favorite fruit, the banana while the red resembled a rare pepper that grew in the jungle. They would also trade these delicious fruits to the other, ancient nations that were present at that time. Due to unknown reasons, they eventually died out and the city became a mere ruin. Revealing their torso or wearing leg clothing like pants was seen as uncultured and disrespected by many. Headpieces would only be worn by high-ranking Itocapehuans, that belonged to some kind of crucial political institution. This would be done so they could separate the peasants from the important political people. The lizardmen didn't have a certain religion for any gods, but they did have their cultural ideas and formed a cultural society. Females were bulkier and stronger than males. They were seen as better warriors and fighters. Strength and physique were the most important aspects of survival because Eden was roamed by dragons and other dangerous creatures back then. Thus they were fitter to be leaders due to their advanced physique and only females were fit for the highest political positions.

History of Occupation

Itocapehua is considered one of the first known civilizations of the inhabitants of Eden. When the current races arrived in Eden, the city was already abandoned and no sight of the inhabitants was ever found. The ruins had become a breeding ground for all kind of vermin that was living in the jungle or roaming beasts that outgrew the smaller trees in the area and started taking up the open space. During the Age of Enlightenment, the Azari'cerr or wood elves expanded their empire greatly. After occupying their homeland of Myln Arbor, they expanded to the Dragon Isles and many other islands and, eventually, some reached the Jungle of Spiders. During this time two religions would rival each other in Myln Arbor; the Pantheon of the Phoenix and Feaeism. The Pantheon grew in popularity and eventually started disrespecting those that followed Feaeism. Some followers agreed to turn to the Pantheon and leave most ideas of Feaeism, while a small group ventured outwards, far south to continue their religion. There they came across the ruins of Itocapehua. The wood elves that found these ruins continued their religion of Feaeism. Inside the ruins they built statues of their Great Spirits and they greatly believed and honored the jungle and nature. They wore thin, silk dresses in blue, white or green and they used leaves and flowers to decorate their clothing. But it is said a great evil came upon them. The ruins were overrun and the wood elves occupying the city were never heard of again and they disappeared. Now the ruins are inhabited by an alliance of giant spiders and menacing trolls, which have taken up after the wood elves. Around the ruins, signs of an extensive fight can be found and most likely this alliance was what drove the wood elven settlers to their demise. Sometimes societal outcasts or adamant explorers find their way to the ruins and tragically disappear.