Irundu

Irundu is a region within the province of Caer Oorun, located north-west of Caer Oorun’s central areas and approximately 150 miles from Arkaster. The region contains extensive pre-Confluence city ruins and serves as the crash site of the Mesektet airship.

Geography

Forest Environment

Irundu is a mysterious and deep forest, with sometimes rugged ground covered with moss and lush vegetation. There are discreet streams and valleys half-hidden by branches. Many colorful birds nest in the trees, while small animals rummage through the fern carpets.

The forest is reminiscent of Katkera and presents grueling conditions for expeditions with limited visibility of merely two meters. Parasites constantly bite and sting, creating challenging conditions even for experienced explorers. The environment is described as the most grueling battlefield encountered by some expedition members.

A great river winds through the forest, providing a navigation route for expeditions traveling to the Mesektet crash site in the valley.

Pre-Confluence City Ruins

The region contains ruins of a significant pre-Confluence city, possibly comparable in size and influence to the one that once stood where Arkaster now lies. The architecture features:

Materials and Construction:

• Red and white bricks forming pointed arch colonnades
• Reddish ochre mineral unique to the region found in brick fragments and tiles
• Paved courtyard at the city center
• Collapsed domes and slender towers
• Fragments of bricks and tiles scattered among tree roots

Architectural Style:

• Same architecture as ancient Arkaster
• Spire-like towers pointing skyward
• Pointed arch colonnades surrounding courtyards
• Evidence of sophisticated urban planning

The city’s architecture suggests it was connected to Arkaster, part of the same pre-Confluence civilization. Although vegetation has overtaken the area for centuries, the underlying structure remains discernible.

Archaeological Significance

Waru Toowoom noted there are potentially decades of excavations to be undertaken at the Irundu ruins. The site represents one of the most significant pre-Confluence settlements discovered during the Rediscovery Endeavor, comparable to Arkaster’s own ancient predecessor.

The presence of the same architectural style as Arkaster’s ancient city confirms a connection between the two settlements, providing crucial insights into pre-Confluence civilization extent and cultural unity.

392 AC - Mesektet Crash and Recovery

Crash Site Location

The Mesektet, also known as the Night Barque, crashed in a valley within the Irundu region. The vessel crashed nose-first with debris trailing along a mountainside slope. Part of the ship’s stern protruded from the mountainside, with the rest buried in vegetation. Metallic fragments dotted the scree fields, evidence of the ship’s violent descent.

November-December 392 AC - Recovery Efforts

In November 392 AC, scouts managed to reach the valley where the Mesektet crashed. Waru Toowoom decided to make the journey himself along with other Ordis dignitaries, following the great river that winds through the forest to join those from the Axiom who had already completed the trek.

The Mesektet’s Aerolith core had been severely damaged in the crash. Waru Toowoom heard the vessel was unlikely to be operational in the coming weeks and wanted to confirm this personally.

Admiral Temera Singh insisted that Waru Toowoom be accompanied by a small contingent to ensure safety during the journey to the crash site.

Expedition Leadership

Gulrang Oduro led the Ordis expedition through the Irundu forest to locate the crashed Mesektet. The expedition discovered the wreckage on the mountainside while Nosk broadcast through The Gestalt.

The grueling conditions in the Irundu forest tested the expedition members. Kojo Oduro noted the progress was almost impossible with visibility limited to two meters. The troops were dirty, sticky, and exhausted, with every step unsteady. Despite the hardship, the mission was considered more than just a salvage mission—it was about reclaiming a symbol and uncovering answers about how an Ordis flagship could fall so decisively to a Leviathan.

Priority Conflicts

Despite Waru Toowoom’s insistence on archaeological research, the efforts of Ordis dignitaries were focused on securing the wreckage of the Mesektet rather than academic excavation. Waru Toowoom understood that recovering the Night Barque was an absolute priority, though he admitted he was eager to allocate funds and resources to archaeological excavations at the site once the recovery was complete.

Relationships

• Caer Oorun: Parent province containing Irundu region
• Arkaster: Capital city approximately 150 miles to the south-east, shares architectural heritage with Irundu ruins
• Katkera: Forest that Irundu’s environment resembles
• Mesektet: Airship that crashed in Irundu valley (392 AC)
• Waru Toowoom: Led archaeological assessment and recovery coordination (392 AC)
• Gulrang Oduro: Led Ordis expedition through forest to crash site
• Tong: Associated with Irundu exploration
• Nosk: Broadcast discovery through The Gestalt during expedition
• Kojo Oduro: Participated in grueling expedition through Irundu forest
• Ordis: Faction coordinating Mesektet recovery operations
• Axiom: Faction that completed trek to crash site before Ordis expedition
• Bravos: Faction participating in recovery mission
• Rediscovery Endeavor: Expedition that discovered and explored the region