Areas of Myrithbenzal

Home Village

The Home Village stands at the center of the jungle valley, protected by wooden palisades, sacred stone markers, and the watchful eyes of the Clan Elders. Built between rivers and cliffs, the village survives through trade, hunting, fishing, and respect for the spirits of the land. Smoke rises from cook fires day and night while drums echo softly through the jungle after sunset.

The village itself is alive with movement. Merchants trade fruit, obsidian tools, feathers, herbs, and carved idols in the Jungle Market while warriors patrol the outer walls. Sacred fires burn near the central crystal shrine, where villagers leave offerings to maintain balance between fire, water, and spirit.

Though it appears peaceful, tension always hangs in the air. Every villager knows the jungle beyond the walls can become deadly within minutes.

Clan Elders

The stepped pyramid of the Clan Elders overlooks the entire village from raised stone terraces. Ancient carvings cover the walls, telling stories of volcanic gods, sacred rivers, and forgotten kingdoms swallowed by the jungle long ago.

The elders meet here during storms, eclipses, and times of danger. It is believed the upper chamber contains relics older than the village itself. Few outsiders are ever invited beyond the lower halls.

At night, torchlight glows from the pyramid steps while smoke from sacred incense drifts into the canopy above.

Cenote Shrine

The Cenote Shrine surrounds a deep sacred spring fed by underground rivers flowing beneath the jungle. The water is cold, perfectly clear, and believed to carry spiritual memory.

Villagers leave flowers, jade beads, carved masks, and obsidian knives beside the stone pool. The shrine is considered holy ground, and no blood may be spilled there.

Some say voices can be heard from beneath the water during heavy rainstorms. Others claim the shrine connects to tunnels deep below Myrithbenzal.

Obsidian Forge

The Obsidian Forge sits near volcanic vents where heat rises naturally through cracks in the earth. Here, blacksmiths and stone workers craft blades, spear tips, ceremonial masks, and tools from volcanic glass and dark iron.

The forge burns constantly. Smoke pours upward day and night while hammer strikes echo through the village. Many warriors carry obsidian-edged weapons created here.

The forge masters believe the volcano itself blesses worthy creations.

Spirit Gate

The Spirit Gate marks the eastern entrance into the deeper jungle trails. Covered in carvings of serpents, jaguars, and ancestors, the gate is believed to separate safe land from spirit-haunted wilderness.

Travelers entering the jungle often stop here to receive blessings or warnings from the village shamans.

Offerings of feathers and incense hang from the gate to calm wandering spirits.

Common Lodge

The Common Lodge serves as the center of village life. Hunters gather there after expeditions while travelers share stories beside large fire pits beneath the massive thatched roof.

Food is prepared here during celebrations and emergencies alike. During storms, much of the village shelters inside its reinforced wooden frame.

The walls are decorated with painted hunts, tribal symbols, and masks taken from defeated enemies.

Temple of the Jaguar

This dark stone temple honors the jaguar spirit, protector of hunters and silent killers. Warriors come here before dangerous expeditions into the jungle.

The temple interior smells of incense, blood, and rain-soaked stone. Jaguar pelts hang beside carved obsidian idols while priests chant beneath flickering firelight.

Some villagers believe the jaguar spirit still walks the jungle at night in physical form.

Hall of Masks

The Hall of Masks stores ceremonial masks worn during festivals, funerals, spirit rites, and war dances. Hundreds of carved faces line the walls, each representing ancestors, beasts, or forgotten gods.

No two masks are identical. Some appear beautiful while others are deeply unsettling.

The hall keeper claims certain masks whisper during eclipses.

Ball Court

The Ball Court is used for ritual games, public gatherings, and disputes settled through competition instead of bloodshed. The games played there are fast, violent, and deeply spiritual.

Many believe the outcome of important matches reflects the will of the gods.

The stone walls surrounding the court are marked with carvings showing victories, sacrifices, and celestial events.

Totem Grounds

The Totem Grounds stand near the center of the village, filled with carved stone pillars and towering wooden idols. Fires burn constantly around the site while priests perform blessings, funerals, and seasonal ceremonies.

The carvings depict jungle beasts, volcanic spirits, and ancient guardians tied to the history of Myrithbenzal.

Villagers rarely cross the grounds casually after dark.

Herbalist Hut

The Herbalist Hut is filled with drying plants, glowing fungi, hanging roots, oils, powders, and jungle medicines gathered from deep within the forest.

The herbalists know cures for venom, fever, infection, and spiritual corruption. They are also feared for their knowledge of poisons and visions.

The scent of herbs and smoke surrounds the hut constantly.

River Docks

The River Docks connect the village to nearby settlements through winding jungle waterways. Canoes arrive carrying fish, fruit, spices, obsidian, feathers, and travelers from distant tribes.

The rivers are vital to survival, but they are never fully safe. Large predators, mutant guardians, and hidden ruins all wait beyond the calmer waters near the village.

Mist rises from the river every morning, covering the docks in pale fog.

Serpent’s Ambush

Levels 1–2

Broken stone arches and ruined pathways line the riverbanks west of the village. Jungle serpents, giant frogs, and hidden raiders stalk the area from beneath thick vegetation.

Travelers often underestimate the danger because the ruins appear abandoned.

The river itself moves strangely there, swirling around partially submerged stone idols covered in moss.

The Forgotten Cache

Levels 1–2

This overgrown ruin lies partially buried beneath vines and collapsed stone. Once a storage temple, it now houses insects, tribal undead, and ancient traps untouched for generations.

Treasure hunters seek the cache for rumored relics hidden below the lower chambers.

At night, faint torchlight is sometimes seen moving inside despite no known inhabitants.

The Ankheg Burrow

Levels 2–3

The jungle floor near the eastern cliffs has collapsed into massive tunnels dug by ankhegs beneath the surface. Steam rises from cracks in the earth while acidic fluid stains nearby stone black.

Entire hunting parties have vanished there without warning.

The ground trembles occasionally, reminding travelers that something enormous still moves below.

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