A Brief History of Ald’Hin
Mathematicians, Architects, and Mercenaries.
The City State of Ald’Hin was once a vast plain of swamp-land, flooded forests, and sinkholes. These swamps were patrolled by large, vicious, serpent-like fish with mouths of razor sharp, steely teeth. Explorers of old chronicled many tales of encounters with these fish, which were so aggressive, and so dangerous, they would happily tear holes out of any ship that dared pass through their waters.
In an old Abunese dialect, these terrifying creatures were known as the Althin, and were believed to be the lost spirits of the wicked.
Legends speak of mysterious travelers who dominated the Althin, and who constructed the first of the Great Pillars.
From a faraway land came a ship constructed from exotic metals, impervious to the hateful jaws of the Althin. The ship sailed, unimpeded, towards the flooded forests.
When the travelers reached the center of the flooded forests, the crew used the trees of the forest to construct a massive scaffolding around their ship, and over the centuries, the ship became the center of a massive city, and the first of the Great Pillars. The city came to be known as Ald’Hin, after the monsters which once ruled over the waters.
Or so the legends say. The Aldites are curiously hesitant to delve into their own history, especially around outsiders.
The Great Pillars were constructed over the few areas of solid ground, and to the present day, they are the central hubs of Ald’Hin. The rest of the city is built outward from the Great Pillars in accordance to the “Sacred Equation”
. Because constructing any sort of building in Ald’Hin must be done over an unpredictable foundation, builders, architects, and mathematicians quickly became the most valuable members of society. Those skilled enough to be appointed as master builders are capable of building framed fields in which local plant life can be cultivated for crops. They are able to design structures which stand sturdy and strong in the swamp. And, most importantly, they respect the Sacred Equation.
The Sacred Equation is more or less equal to the Fibonacci Sequence as it is known on earth. Aldite culture observes that this equation is prevalent throughout all of nature, and thus, must be mandated by the gods. Furthermore, many other aspects of both humanity and nature could be understood through an equation, so mathematics itself is considered holy.
Sacred Equation aside, the people of Ald’Hin are well known for their mathematical prowess in all areas, and they are valued abroad for these skills.
\Of course, the Aldites aren’t always builders. Their society fosters an analytical, professional mindset that makes them ideal mercenaries as well. One wonders, sometimes, if they only take payment so they can enjoy counting and organizing it.
