ascys
fantasy au genre high fantasy, royalty keywords royalty, island, healing, magic inspired by game of thrones
› summary
on a small island a few miles north-west of lys lies the city of ascys, the valley of tears.
› details
WELCOME TO THE CITY OF ASCYS the land of the unicorns, the valley of tears, the den of blood witches
the city of ascys is situated on a small island a few miles north-west of lys. it is primarily known for being the center of medicine and medical training in the modern world. though ascys does not hold a monopoly over medicine-production, their salves, potions and antidotes are definitely the rarest, most expensive and most effective in the world. so much so that being in possession of the trademark white-crystal bottle the medicines of ascys are stored in has become a symbol of wealth.
doctors, surgeons and maesters who have trained in ascys’ school for healing and medicine, a large compound in the heart of the city called ‘The Terminal Vale,’ are held to a higher standard than their contemporaries. graduates of the terminal vale are decorated with a white pin depicting a snake coiled around a unicorn horn. royals, noblemen and peasants alike from all across the world clamor for a place in this institution as acceptance is known to be very competitive and highly incorruptible.
ascys is also known to be the only place in the world to house unicorns; beautiful white stallions adorned with a single horn on their head and magical healing abilities. they are kept heavily guarded in a sanctuary on the island. just as the targaryens are believed to be descended from dragons, the royal family of ascys, named the ascys in honor of the island that their ancestors found, are believed to be descended from a family bestowed with gifts by the magical unicorn; being able to heal themselves abnormally fast, being immune to disease, and being strikingly beautiful.
the south of the island is dedicated to housing several resorts, hot springs, healing gardens and various similar vacation spots; all of which are businesses run by locals offering many services that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. a central theme around these attractions is the utilization of unicorn tears. though the citizens of ascys, called the ascen, are generally wary of strangers and travelers, and have strict laws dictating who can and cannot enter their city proper, all tourists are welcome to sail from all over the world to flock the curious places south of the island.
(less revered stories about the valley of tears say that it is also the den of blood witches. to scare their children, parents tell stories of blood witches hiding in the mountains of ascys, waiting for the full moon to lure children and men, then devour them. however, this is mere gossip, and no accounts of blood witches on ascys have been documented.)
it has become a curiosity for even their own people that the ascen live well but do not live long, with the average life expectancy of citizens being forty years old.
for fear of offending them and losing the privilege of their business, no one dares to touch ascys or her people, which is how the city has gained fame for being a ‘safe haven’ of sorts; so far removed from the turmoil of the rest of the world that it seems as if it’s a different world entirely .
HISTORY
like most of the free cities, ascys was founded on the ashes of old valyria. however, it is a relatively new state. barely two centuries ago, a wet nurse fleeing the land of lys with a baby she had stolen stumbled upon an island thick to the brim with trees and forest. desperate for shelter with nowhere else to go, she braved the daunting woods, and to her surprise, found no signs of wildlife among the kind flora. with the child on her back, she climbed rock mountains and waded through tall grass in search of answers, and, finally, she stumbled upon a clearing beside a river.
there, in the heart of the island, the woman from lys found the most beautiful white stallions she had ever seen. they were peculiar, too; their heads adorned with one elegant, glittering horn. soon, she discovered that the water from their mouths could close old wounds, and their tears could heal the most viral of illnesses. although wildlife was nowhere to be found, the woman and her baby never starved for the beautiful horned creatures sustained them.
years later, when the baby became a boy, made strong and handsome by the love of the horned creatures that helped raise him, his mother fell gravely ill with a sickness that none of the creatures could heal. so, he left the island with promises of a medicine, and came back with a ship-full of willing witches and doctors; some eager to help, others excited by the prospect of a new life and a clean slate.
though all efforts were exhausted, the boy’s mother passed away. and in her honor, he lead the efforts of the people to build what the world now knows as the city of ascys. he became known as dongbi, the first healer, and served as the ascen’s leader until his death, at which point his eldest offspring, a daughter named hanying, took his place.
the monarchy birthed an aristocracy, the nobility made largely of the families of people from the first ship. however, the first family’s rule has continued uncontested until the present. lead now by the queen, the city of ascys continues to prosper.
HOUSE ASCYS
THE ROYAL FAMILY THE HEAD OF A UNICORN "MIND, BODY, HEART AND SOUL"
the ascys have been the ruling family of ascys since the land was discovered. their ancestors are believed to be blessed by unicorns. similarly, their predecessors are believed to have inherited that same magic in their blood, with some members of the family having abilities such as regenerative healing, immunity to disease and god-like beauty. most of the ascen have a reputation for being snobby and close-minded to foreigners and the unfamiliar; most members of this house exemplify these traits. house ascys' sub-plot the queen (f, 25-27) rules the city today. for a long while, many thought her to be the sole heir to the throne after her elder brother, the prince (m, 28-30), mysteriously disappeared when he was only ten years old (many believe he was stolen by blood witches and hidden in the Mountains of Ravine; also called the blood mountain.) although the prince has returned and has been back for nearly a year, he is much changed; locked in his room for days at a time with his nose buried in books, some even say he's practicing blood magic that he learned from the witches who stole him. many consider him unfit to rule. afraid to face the possibility of an empty throne, the queen is being pressured by the court to birth many heirs. though it is the ascen's tradition to have only one ruler, with heirs being birthed through the union of the ruling monarch and their chosen member of the kai, it is considered the ruler’s prerogative to indulge their chosen affairs. and so, for years, the sun (from nobility) and the soldier (the queen’s chosen member of the kai) have battled for her affections. the queen is constantly seen visiting the terminal vale where her closest friend, the healer, studies the medicinal arts.
HOUSE EOS
NOBILITY — ALCHEMISTS AND HEALERS A GOLDEN TREE "ASHES TO ASHES"
descended from a talented wood witch that came from the first ship, those belonging to the house of eos find themselves inexplicably drawn to nature. they are a large family consisting of some of the island's most talented alchemists, and they are credited for keeping the practice of herbalism alive in ascys. they gained power and influence after leading the efforts to make unicorn tears ascys' primary export product. they are tasked with guarding the unicorns' sanctuary, and many of them teach at the city's famed school. there are rumors that some members of this family have been gifted (or cursed) with immortality. house eos' sub-plot it's one of the island's greatest secrets that the caretaker (m/f, any age) is the true face of the songs and legends; an alchemist gifted with immortality. it is said that they have been present since the arrival of the second ships. at first, healers thought them to be afflicted with an incurable disease, but now, they remain youthful when they should have long since turned to ash. no one knows that the caretaker is real except for the healer (m/f, 18-25), who is thei grandchild, closest confidant, as well as the queen's closest friend.
HOUSE AURIS
NOBILITY — MERCHANTS AND SAILORS A RED SUN BEHIND A BLUE WAVE "LET THE SUN MEET THE SEA"
descended from the captain of the first ship, an experienced pirate, house auris is said to be the wealthiest family in ascys. they are tasked with the import and export of products, and are known for their silver tongues. they say an auris can sell you the very air you breathe. they are charismatic and courageous. house auris' sub-plot house auris' legacy is carried by the shoulders of the eldest twins: the sun and the sky (m, 21-27). they are famed for their adventures, stories and good looks. in addition, the youngest of the auris siblings, the star (m/f, 18-25), has reached early fame for being one of the most beautiful citizens and one of the most talented artists that the island has ever seen. because of their talent and good looks, the three auris siblings have been called the holy trinity or the three god-sends, and many have said that the auris' golden age has arrived.
THE KAI
THE KNIGHTS
the tradition of knighthood was brought to ascys by the third king who learned of this tradition from his encounters with the westerosi. ascys' order of knights is called the kai, and knights are called kai. the men and women of the kai are traditionally offered up by families from the lower class when they are seven years old. from there, they are trained rigorously to become human shields and weapons. they are kept away from their families for the duration of their training, then when they turn eighteen, they are either sworn into the order, gifted to noble families, or returned to their own families—depending on the level of skill they've achieved. being accepted to be trained by the kai is an honor and a sign of good family blood, as the order only takes in young boys and girls who are of good health. the kai are tasked with guarding the royal family, the citizens and the unicorns; and with providing heirs to the throne. they are married to the order, forbidden from fornication with anyone but the members of the royal family that call for them, and are sworn to surrender their children to the royal family.
THE HEALERS OF ASCYS
FROM THE TERMINAL VALE
trained in the terminal vale, the world's most well-known and well-respected institution for medical arts, the healers of ascys are tasked with serving both the city of ascys and the rest of the world. they are among the most well-respected citizens of the city, decorated with a white crystal pin depicting a snake coiled around a unicorn horn. though it is difficult to get into the terminal vale for citizens and foreigners both rich and poor, becoming a healer trained in the city of ascys carries a weight that assures income and respect anywhere in the world.