Hidden deep below the sand dunes of Pteris, Merca (pronounced Mer-saah) is one of the major underground cities home to one of the largest settlements of Yuanti on the continent. Although Yuanti may be the founding race of Merca, many other races that found themselves at the mercy of the desert sun and have sought refuge and home in the city. The Yuanti outnumber all other races in the city and govern some of the highest seats of political influence.
Origins
Merca first began as just a means of survival from the harsh desert conditions. Predators that lurked at all hours of the day constantly threatened the Yuanti species so like most desert creatures, Yuanti would find shelter burrowing beneath the sand. After some time, groups of Yuanti began to band together and cross paths through these small underground networks they had created. This was the beginning Merca and creation of their most valuable skill to offer the desert of Pteris, sculpting.
The City and People
Mercans (people of Merca) are well known for their love of knowledge and drink but are coveted for one skill above all the others, architectural sand shaping. Being one of the first underground cities created in Pteris, Merca is home to some of the most brilliant minds for sand sculpting and architectural engineering (you try making a city with and under sand).
Perhaps their most famous of architectural feats is sand vaulting; in which their high underground ceilings retract and allow in natural light from the outside world. However, only a few grand places in the city of Merca is equipped to perform this ritualistic opening (The Great Openings). The main chamber equipped for the Great Openings is Moon Hall in which more than half the city could fit into comfortably and still have room to dance and sing.
Religion
The city is tolerant of all religions and practices thereof (at least the ones that do not directly threaten the structure of the city). However, specific rituals of the city pertain only to those of origin descent and therefor are only allowed to attend those specific rituals (i.e the coming-of-age ceremony).
For the most part, native Mercan’s pay homage to Selûne, the Moonmaiden of the night. According to history, in the very early stages of construction, Mercan founders would build well into the night, not knowing of course the time of day, since they were building well beneath the sand. However, a crystal was discovered while carving out the first sleeping quarters of the city which would always glow when the moon was up, even when far beneath the sand. Figuring it was a gift from the Moonmaiden herself, the founders took it as a sign of her blessing and have worshiped her ever since. The crystal turned out to be a common find after carving more of the city out and it provides much of the “natural” light for the city which explains why those who reside in the city are “nocturnal”.
The Great Openings occur 3 times a year; once for each equinox (2) and once for the start of the New Year on the eve of a new moon. While anyone from the city is allowed to partake in the celebrations during the equinoxes, the New Year Great Opening is only attended by those of founder blood (those of who have lineage dating back to the original creators of Merca).
During an equinox Great Opening, the ceiling is pulled back allowing for whatever sand above to pour into the giant chasm chamber. Offerings are then placed around the mountain of sand let in through the roof and the celebration begins. Dances, music, drink, you name it comes into the hall as all are welcome to celebrate the Great Opening. Before the moon sets, citizens push the offerings into the mountain of sand which is then torched with an immense amount of heat turning it into crystal like glass. This giant mountain of glass crystal is then smashed by the citizens who are allowed to take a few pieces home as a souvenir. However, not before the “Soak of the Moon” in which citizens walk up to the surface with their glass crystal and hold it high in the night sky aimed so that the light of the moon soaks through their crystal (as if to capture the light of the Moonmaiden herself).
It is said that those who are able to carve out an offering, while it still remains encased in the glass without cracking it, will have good luck for a year. The few that have been successful at this endeavor normally place the glass encased offering at the center of their home. Those who attempt to carve out the offerings and instead crack the glass encasing are said to receive bad luck for the year.
The Equinox Great Openings are also used as a means for allowing travel in and out of the city for those who cannot burrow well through the sand.
The third Great Opening is reserved for those of the founding blood lines. Their celebration is similar in make up to that of the Equinox opening, although travel is not permitted during this opening and the founders do not make sand crystal out of the excess sand. Instead, they unveil the “Original” Moonmaiden crystal and bring it up to the surface to receive direct light from Selûne herself.
The Political Climate
Although the origins of the exact settlement are unknown, historians of the young city believe it to be the result of a few visionary minds that first proposed the idea of Merca to a few tens of burrowing Yuanti nests.
These minds, along with a few other aids laid the foundation for the city. Within a few years, the small group of visionaries made what is now referred to as the the room of first dreams.Although fairly basic in design, it has become the most sacred of spots in all of Merca and is coveted by Yuanti and Mercans alike. This was the original spot of the discovery of the Moonmadien crystal.The room first served as a few small, safeguarded bedrooms where nests could rest peacefully. Today they are used ritual rooms for a “coming of age” ceremony in which young religious Yuanti or those of “noble” descent, sleep for a night in the room alone and choose their path in society the next day.
Those few who laid the foundation stones of sand for the city received high governing seats of power presiding over the city known as the Council of Merca (or Founders), with their bloodlines inheriting their position once they perish.
To list a few of the seats of power:
- Agriculture Development
- History Preservation
- Architectural Advancement
- Cultural Arts Association
- Health and Wellness Management
- And more...
Foreign Relations
While they are well known in the circles of underground society’s in Pteris, not many land mammals are aware of Merca’s existence. The entrances to their underground city are well hidden and requires one to be able to hold their breath for a considerable amount of time (to burrow beneath the sand). The only other way into the city would be during one the “Great Opening” ceremonies in which they open a ceiling to the night sky and allow citizens passage in and out.
In terms of other underground cities, Merca is one of the largest, but not the only city lying beneath the desert sands. Several other cities (Bellovik, and Dunjana) commonly share intellect, goods, and services with the city; with Merca almost 100% of the time sharing the architectural exploits.
One currently growing popular trade in the city came from Bellovik. In exchange for the design of a new city hall, Bellovik traded a few cultivators in the business of swarm-keeping, in which different insects are farmed and trained as another resource of food, and defense for the city.
