Xenos

Xenos is on the island of Elysium, southwest of Novia, and is a critical juncture on the Path of Truth.

The city sits on sheltered cove on the Bay of Storms. This area is important because this is where you need to hitch a ride to Artifice. But to get on board, you need to win the lottery first. So good luck!

NPCs

 * Chancellor Notus
 * Greedy Pilgrim
 * Lustful Pilgrim
 * Despairing Pilgrim
 * Envious Pilgrim
 * Kiakis
 * Faun
 * Crafting Trainer, Crafting Merchants and it looKs like most recipes
 * Alchemy Merchant
 * Fish Merchant (just fish no bait)
 * Blacksmith Merchant
 * Public Vendor where crafting stations are located up the stairs from his location.
 * Ship Captain
 * Cooking Merchant

(list needs sorting and proper linking)

Animals

 * Shepard Mutt
 * Watcher
 * Cat
 * Husky Mutt

Lore
The main attraction of the port-side entrance is the Forum of the Lottery. Here visitors to Xenos from across the world gather to participate in the Lottery in the hopes of winning the great prize, a ticket of entrance into mysterious and miraculous Artifice itself! On approach to the outer arches, flaming braziers atop stone pillars light the great statue of the Titan of Truth, which seems to welcome visitors as they enter below. Beyond those arches is a cultured garden walk, where participants and bystanders gather in conversation while awaiting the ceremonies.

Another set of inner arches, formed by the mighty bases of aqueducts that feed water into the city from the forested hills south, is topped by huge statues depicting the satyrs which are said to roam the far northern mountains of Elysium where they tend to the grounds surrounding Artifice’s magical golden entrance. Past hanging crimson banners can be seen the amphitheater of the Forum, also lit by large flaming braziers and lanterns suspended above the curving stone seats, where gathering guests will sit once the Lottery begins. This area also hosts fountains fed by water falling from draconic gargoyle heads, much like Artifice itself.

One of the first things visitors understand is the fact that the culture of Xenos is ancient, predating the cataclysm, and that many of Xenos’ structures are actually built atop the foundations of the ruins beneath. In many cases, the most glorious of these were incorporated into the more modern architecture. There are few places you can gaze that won’t hold details of the old world, both small and large. The very entrance is no exception, for across the old road from the caravans of merchants lay a ruined courtyard surrounded by columns, its original use long forgotten. Further along the path into the city proper, past tall and imposing aqueducts, grand roads lead up steep hills that wind their way through several of the richer neighborhoods, whose fantastic views are now graced with sculptured foliage, stone arches, and pillars topped with braziers. From the ground springs forth old stone retaining walls, granite stairs, and evenly-paved roads like those of ancient Pompeii. Added to that are publicly-maintained decorative flower pots, shrubs, and trees, which the proud owners of those houses enjoy gazing upon as they frame their view of the sparkling sea beyond, with the masts of tall ships rising from the harbor. At the top of this grand avenue, a partial circle of arches gloriously frames various angles of observation across the sprawling city itself. A fitting view, indeed, for those of such wealth and extravagance that can afford to live in the wondrous city of Xenos, gateway to the pleasures of distant Artifice!

Blocked off from the rest of the bay and the docks for larger ships, the Lagoon of Pleasures has as its “gates” two large arched stone bridges that allow only smaller rowed craft through, such as gondolas or punts. As a result, the placid waters of the lagoon are perfect for lovers, poets, and merry-makers as they engage in idle pursuits. The scenic shores are lined with weathered marble terraces and colonnades, stone benches, and steps leading down into the crystalline lapping waters. The stone bridges host the road leading in from the south to the “Island of Noble Heroes” of Xenos’ ancient past… Gathered around a large fountain surmounted by a statue of Boreas, multiple columns rise to frame a variety of statues made from numerous materials from different ages, each depicting a philosopher, scholar, warrior, or noble from Xenos’ illustrious ancient history. Flowering plants and tall sculpted junipers accent the rotunda, lit from above by the mighty braziers that are the signature lights of the city. On the other side of the island, lucky residents from the tallest of their windows might hope to see a grand view of the sweeping colonnades leading southward toward the Equestrian Shrine jutting out from the water’s edge. Xenos is known for its extravagant public works! The Equestrian Shrine was raised long ago in honor of the first horses brought to Xenos from far away shores. It is said that all of Xenos’ wonders rest squarely on the strong backs of the horses of ancient times, whose tireless labors brought the many stones that were later carved and stacked to create the city’s intricate majesty. Even today, the tamed horses of cart and carriage, and the wild horses that wander the Elysian Plains all trace their heritage to those ancient ancestors that crossed the seas so long ago on the ships of forgotten voyagers and traders from distant lands. Statues of gladiators stand tall on either side to guard the honor of these noble beasts. The eastern edge of the lagoon is lit by the warm glow of various lights here and there along its shore, where partygoers lay out feasts in the tents of visitors hoping for a chance at winning the lottery for entrance into fabled Artifice. Here, as dusk consumes the marble-lined shores, and the waters of the lagoon grow dark, only the idle rich can afford tents filled with extravagant dishes and fine wines,…and of course fine wooden furnishings fit for a prince! But further away, beyond the battered stone caravanserai, the murmur and laughter of the poorer visitors to the city float from the veritable town of tents that has sprung up between here and the southern exit… Perhaps one day, after they are lucky enough to find their fortunes in Artifice, they too might revel with the rich foreign visitors in tents made of fine silk and spun silver. Perhaps, as the new sun rises, Boreas will smile upon them all!

Trivia

 * Chancellor Notus mentions that he is the overseer of the Artifice Lottery and mentions Boreas.
 * When Xenos was added in Release 28, it was a clone of Solania. It was revised for Release 32.
 * Right before persistent, Xenos was uncloned and some modifications were made to it for specific plot points. A polish pass was done beginning in Release 36, and should be complete by Release 38.
 * The developed areas of the Xenos region has a “Greco-Roman” feel to its architecture. For the capital Xenos and its surrounding environs, there would also be a bit of old-world Italy in the mix, just for the sake of variety… Like Rome in our world, Xenos should evoke the feeling of new architecture have been built within and upon the ruins of the older civilization that once thrived there. Since Xenos is not quite as huge as Rome, however, additional inspiration is drawn from concepts of what Pompeii must have been like in its hey-day, before the terrible destruction of Vesuvius…