After months of travel, the Expeditionary Corps have established their first forward outpost deep within the Tumult, approximately 580 kilometers from Arkaster and 75 kilometers from the Cais Adarra. While flying over the location, the Ouroboros identified numerous human-made structures, making the site a strong candidate for the legendary city historians have—due to a lack of better terms—referred to as the City of Scholars.

The entire location appears at first to be a tall hill, worn down by time. But after several hours of hiking across its rugged, sparsely vegetated slopes, the land dips into a vast crater, whose steep cliffs reach nearly 200 meters in height. Notably, the hill may itself be the result of Alteration—or a quirk of the Tumult—shaped like a protective dome over a massive hollow. Indeed, geological surveys have revealed no consistency in soil composition or erosion patterns between the carved-out hill and its surrounding environment. The crater itself does not appear to be the result of volcanic activity or a meteor impact.

Nevertheless, this semi-isolated biome seems to enjoy a degree of natural protection from the Tumult, making it an ideal site for a forward base. And the exploration forces were not the first to have this idea. At the base of the cliffs, within the circular basin, lie the overgrown ruins of an ancient human city, shaped like a keyhole. These structures, slowly reclaimed by vegetation, surround a massive, gaping pit at the center of the crater—aptly named the “Crow’s Eye” by early scouts.

The Expeditionary Corps have established their outpost around the entire rim of the chasm, repurposing existing structures. The Bravos cleared what appears to have once been an ancient agora to set up their mess hall on the outer edge of the Crow’s Eye. The Ordis have taken over a large esplanade that opens directly onto the abyss. Each Faction has contributed to making this semi-temporary enclave as self-sufficient as possible. Of course, this outpost is only a first step—meant as a staging ground for underground exploration. Yet, it could easily grow into a central hub from which future missions radiate outward.

Explorers refer to the Screed as the entire circular structure enclosed by the crater’s edge. Spanning roughly ten kilometers in diameter with the Crow’s Eye at its center, the Screed is an ecosystem unto itself—one that offers some rudimentary protection against the Tumult. Surveyors have likened it to a lid covering a cauldron. However, the central chasm isn’t the only way down: other access points to the depths exist where sections of the dome have collapsed or appear to have been deliberately excavated.

The Screed is a wide, walled-in expanse where nature has gradually reclaimed the land. The terrain includes former pastures, scattered woods, and terraced slopes reinforced by human hands. The area around the Eye consists mostly of gently sloping plains and low valleys. But the farther one moves from the center, the denser the vegetation becomes, especially near the crater walls. In certain areas, one can even enter thickets and small groves—early signs of a forest in the making. These woodlands will no doubt serve as a critical resource for the expedition forces. Whether in the shaded glens or the flattened outskirts of the ruined city—where the ground is bare and the flora sparse—the Screed houses a wide array of flora and fauna. A more in-depth ecological study will be essential to understand this unique biome.

If the area surrounding the Crow’s Eye was clearly developed by a human society, early excavations suggest that these outer rings served less as residential zones and more as an interface with the central shaft. The most credible theories propose that these initial circles were used to house warehouses and hangars, along with gardens and recreational spaces. The same goes for the upper levels of the abyss, where numerous alcoves were carved into the rock, likely to serve as storage areas or access chambers.

What draws the greatest archaeological and architectural interest, however, is the upper city. Built along the inner wall of the crater, it descends toward the central chasm via a series of terraces—some natural, some artificial. One can traverse it using steep stairways and narrow paths. But more than the layout, it's the architecture that stands out: all the stone blocks—polished smooth like marble—display an extraordinary level of precision, despite erosion and the passing of time. It’s clear that the inhabitants of the Screed possessed measurement and stone-cutting tools far beyond what the Axiom currently has—developed decades or even centuries before Asgartha’s own technological surge.

This level of advancement is evident throughout the ruins: in the artifacts being studied and cataloged by the Sanctum’s historians; in the city’s transport system, with elevator carts running on monorails; and in robotic constructs whose functions remain a mystery even to Axiom engineers. Like the golem excavated from the ice, these pseudo-Automata appear to lack any central processing unit. And unlike Axiom machines, their power systems aren’t internalized—instead, energy seems to flow through channels etched across their surfaces, distributing power to all components from the outside. Unfortunately, not enough parts have been recovered to fully reconstruct a single, functional unit.

Alongside these technological relics, the upper city holds a wide variety of artifacts. Under the guidance of Leocardius Sree, archaeologists are working tirelessly to study everything retrieved from the ruins—from simple lanterns to complex instruments whose inner workings remain enigmas even to the Axiom’s brightest engineers. Yet their findings point to a visual consistency across many items: almost all bear external grooves, like the pathways of a maze. Interestingly, strange suits have been found near the chasm. These garments include valves and a vascular network that would allow a liquid to circulate within their padded lining—suggesting they needed to be filled with some kind of fluid in order to activate. Were they deep-exploration suits of some kind?

Two additional points of interest have been designated as top-priority research sites. First is the in-depth study of the frescoes discovered on homes and public buildings. While primarily decorative, they appear to tell a story—a narrative of a community that sought refuge underground, deep within the heart of a megacity. The artwork seems to recount a golden age, under the guidance of a celestial, maternal deity, during which wealth and luxury were widespread. Created using mosaics and inlaid with bands of a translucent yellow material—resembling citrine or amber—these frescoes are visible throughout the streets and even in narrow alleyways where the structures still stand. However, some other frescoes, which appear to be much more recent, are carved into black stone as smooth as obsidian. These darker depictions seem to represent the emergence of a shadowy being, one that may have brought about the downfall of this once-thriving civilization.

Second, the Axiom engineers are particularly focused on the massive rivets and cable networks—at least fifty in total, each as thick as a support tower—that crisscross or coil throughout the city. More of these gigantic cables can be found scattered in the surrounding plains and forests, now blanketed in humus or moss. It's evident that their collapse caused significant damage, leveling buildings and felling large swaths of trees. It's highly likely these metal tethers once secured something enormous above the Screed. Was it a titanic airship? Or a Leviathan? Whatever it was, it's certain that the excavations will take years before the Screed yields all its secrets. In the meantime, countless theories and speculations circulate about why the once-established population here declined—and ultimately vanished without a trace.

On the outskirts of the ruins, each Faction has built its main structure and set up camp. Every Faction has contributed, each overseeing a different aspect of life within the enclave: general administration for the Ordis, food supply and distribution for the Muna and the Bravos, and recreational affairs for the Lyra... After the trials of Caer Nilam, this much-needed respite offers the Expeditionary Corps a chance to rest and recover before venturing into the depths of the City of Scholars.

Arguably the centerpiece of the outpost's operations, the Refinery is set to play a key role, primarily by processing the Kelon deposits harvested in Caer Nilam into usable ore for Axiom machinery. The site of the Refinery was carefully selected to also serve as a secondary shaft for bringing up goods and resources recovered from within the buried city. The facility was constructed near a much smaller opening in the Screed than the Crow’s Eye, and built atop a partially collapsed annex. The Refinery quickly evolved into a city within the city, as the foundry expanded with the various buildings needed for refining and storing Kelon. Unfortunately, given the meager stockpiles recovered from the icy wastes, Axiom energy specialists fear a shortage may soon impact the technical units of the Expeditionary Corps. Beyond these concerns, Axiom researchers are studying the amber-hued liquid found in the Cais Adarra and the upper city—particularly in its murals—to determine whether it might serve as an alternative energy source for the Faction’s devices.

The temporary ban on expeditions into the City of Scholars forced the Bravos to find another way to stay busy. In true Haven tradition, the Faction decided to establish a welcoming hub for the exploration forces in the form of a canteen open to all. Centered around a main kitchen led by Hestia’s culinary direction, the Bravos brigades took on the challenge of crafting the most delicious and hearty meals, with daily cooking contests where chefs and kitchen hands compete to create the most mouthwatering menus. Each day, in this open-air mess hall lined with food stands, explorers queue up to see the day’s specials before grabbing a seat at one of the many outdoor tables. Open from dawn until late into the night, the Mess prides itself on always staying stocked, even for those struck by hunger at odd hours. Fortunately, the Bravos can rely on the steady output of the Muna Farm to keep up with the high demand. As is often the case with the Bravos, the Mess has quickly become the beating heart of the enclave, a lively hub where people gather, stories are exchanged, and vital information circulates.

The Lyra have taken on a mission of great importance—because in their view, it's not enough to feed the body; the spirit must be nourished as well. After months of hardship, morale among the Expeditionary Corps had hit a low point, and that was something they were determined to fix. To that end, the Faction set up a mobile stage designed to host all kinds of performances: theater, altavista skits, one-woman and one-man shows, and of course, concerts. The Stage, crafted in the shape of a flying beetle with vibrating wings, is the hub of entertainment, equipped with everything the Axiom could provide—giant screens, spotlights, blazing neon lights, and even pyrotechnic gear. Like a parade float, the Stage can glide above rooftops to shift locations, its insectoid silhouette drifting across the outpost—sometimes to the annoyance of those trying to sleep. After appearances by Kasirga acrobats and Jack Frost’s ice sculptures, upcoming acts include Nyala, Auraq, and the renowned band BLISS!

To keep the Mess well supplied, you need quality ingredients—and plenty of them. That’s the primary goal of the Farm. The Muna established this structure by entwining it with the largest tree in all of the Screed: a massive willow whose drooping branches sway lazily in the breeze. Under the patronage of Gran Bwa, the surrounding area has been transformed into golden wheat fields, vineyards, orchards, and vegetable gardens. In addition to providing the fruits, tubers, and legumes essential for the Mess’s daily meals, the Faction has built granaries and silos on-site to store reserves for the journey ahead. But agriculture isn’t the Farm’s only focus—though maintaining high yields remains its top priority. Alongside its food production, the Farm also hosts botanical workshops tasked with analyzing the properties of newly discovered plant life. Medicinal herbs, toxic shrubs, edible berries… In coordination with the Axiom, the Ordis, and occasionally a few Yzmir, the Muna are compiling a herbarium to catalog and document the traits of all unknown flora. More recently, the Farm has added an annex to house the Expeditionary corps’ pack and livestock animals, which until now were confined to the Ouroboros. As a result, the plains of the Screed have gradually filled with flocks of sheep, tended by their shepherds.

While the town hall—also known as the Corolla—handles all matters of oversight for future expeditions and the day-to-day administration of the outpost, the Ordis also manage the central plaza located directly in front of this administrative hub. This open forum is where major legislative decisions are announced to the rest of the Expeditionary Corps. To reduce delays in processing the numerous requests from explorers, a host of clerks have been assigned to collect petitions and provide answers to common inquiries. And the list of requests is long: securing additional gear, sending messages back to Asgartha, reserving supplies from the Farm, picking up tickets for performances at the Stage… It’s also not uncommon to see Aegis contingents emerge from the west wing, where the garrison and barracks are located. They often parade through the plaza or carry out training drills there while onlookers gather—waiting for the moment they’ll be deployed into the depths.

With the aid of powerful magic, the Yzmir transported bark fragments from the fallen World Tree to construct their structure, earning it its poetic name. Studying the Tumult currents remains a top priority for the Faction’s members, especially to prevent further mishaps like the one that occurred during the Storhvit exploration. Part observatory and part weather station, the Nilam Spires house the Yzmir’s foremost Tumult theorists and climatologists. Through their research, the leading minds of the Horomancy Sphere hope to predict the evolution and trajectory of the mutagenic flows, and identify potential singularities long before they appear. Beyond these safety concerns, the Spires also contain numerous magical laboratories where Initiates can pursue their esoteric studies. A special focus has been given to the study of Mana Moths and their intrinsic duality—hovering at the boundary between reality and illusion. Inside the Vivarium, an artificial habitat crafted from Nilam bark and branches, swarms of Mana Moths are carefully raised by teams of entomologists under the joint supervision of Moyo Chibuye and Saskia Averina.