The Cebir (Western Commandery)
Overview
The Cebir is a citadel in Caer Oorun within the Terra Incognita, built by the Bravos and Ordis as an outpost for re-exploring the world. The fortress was abandoned twice before being reclaimed in 392 AC.
Location
The citadel is located in Caer Oorun, west of Arkaster. Access requires sailing through increasingly cold waters filled with icebergs and dangerous ice floes, then navigating narrow fjords.
Structure
The citadel contains a common hall, inner courtyard, wooden balconies and walkways, multiple towers, and an icy bay for ship anchorage.
Timeline
327 AC - Construction
The Bravos and Ordis erected the Cebir as the first outpost in Terra Incognita. The Ordis invested significant funds and provided architects for the project.
329 AC - First Abandonment
Harsh living conditions forced the Bravos to abandon the fortress after only two years.
352 AC - Second Expedition Disaster
A Bravos Company called the Dagger of Esvander attempted to reconquer the fortress. Basira al-Arshad, then nineteen years old, joined the expedition. The group discovered the common hall had been converted into an experimentation laboratory containing esoteric diagrams, caged creature remains, and alchemical equipment. A hidden annex contained an imprisoned Chimera later identified as Kaizaimon.
The expedition was attacked by Eidolons—Mantichora and Khimaira—that killed most of the group. Basira al-Arshad freed Kaizaimon, who bonded with her as a tattoo and kept her alive in freezing waters. She was the sole survivor, rescued by an Ordis airship after two days.
392 AC - Reclamation
The Expeditionary Corps reclaimed the Cebir after 75 years of abandonment. All major factions participated: Axiom engineers inspected equipment, Muna quartermasters managed provisions, Ordis overseers cataloged resources, and Yzmir representatives including Afanas Korovinovich attended.
At the reclaimed citadel, Basira al-Arshad and Afanas Korovinovich formed an alliance to hunt the conspirator responsible for the laboratory—the Chrysanthemum Cloaked Warlock (Sylas).
The Conspiracy
The Cebir served as a base for a renegade Yzmir Initiate conducting forbidden experiments. Afanas Korovinovich, who lived at the Cebir during an earlier expedition, concluded that the conspirator controlled the Kraken and caused the 305 AC Tsunami. When Afanas summoned the scent of chrysanthemums through Alteration at the reclaimed Cebir, Kaizaimon recognized it from his torture and reacted violently.
Relationships
- Caer Oorun: Province where the Cebir is located
- Bravos: Faction that built and operates the citadel
- Ordis: Faction that funded construction and provided architects
- Basira al-Arshad: Sole survivor of 352 AC expedition; returned in 392 AC
- Afanas Korovinovich: Yzmir who lived at the Cebir and later returned to investigate
- Kaizaimon: Chimera imprisoned and tortured at the laboratory
- Sylas: The Chrysanthemum Cloaked Warlock who operated the laboratory
- Black Leviathan: Creature controlled by the conspirator
- Expeditionary Corps: Force that reclaimed the citadel in 392 AC