“Several anchors placed around . . . bind the great working. . . . False anchors . . . confused and mislead . . . lock doors. . . . prevent invasion or crossing for many millennia. . . . Keep children from repeating . . . Protect entire world . . . families appointed to watch, guard, and care for . . . for all time, lest the great working fail or diminish.”
So say the surviving fragments of Stirling document Shao.17.X, roughly translated from the ancient Egyptian. Unfortunately, the document has not survived well, being made of papyrus and having been brought to Scotland sometime in the 14th century. As we know, damp and papyrus do not mix well, especially with cold. It was not until the 16th century that the fragments had preservation spells placed on them.
These bits and pieces are the basis for many people’s claims that the Nine Cities hold a greater purpose, beyond being our havens in times of trouble. Some also believe the fragments refer to the so-called First Families.
As we can see, both interpretations are possible, but not explicit or necessarily true based on the available information. Moreover, Stirling Shao.17.X is the only record we have of such claims. It is not corroborated by any other independent extant texts. Given its origins, it seems more likely to be a great spell planned in Egypt, one that clearly failed or did not persist as long as anticipated.
-Darius Carter, Magister of History, Hollyoake College
In the first age, when humanity was young and lived in a time of legends, there were nine great cities. You will find no direct mention of them in the histories of normal humans. But, there are hints and echoes in their myths and legends.
The oldest tales say the Nine Cities were created by the First Families as their homes, strongholds, and centers of rule. Later stories attribute the cities to divine or other extraplanar origins. The fact that the six surviving ones all reside on pocket dimensions today seems to support that theory.
Our historians, however, believe that ancient magicians worked together to bring about the Nine Cities. They say the shift from our world to their current resting places was accomplished by means of massive circles of magicians working as one and supported by powerful artifacts.
This may be true.
But, the legends of the First Families founding the Nine Cities have deep roots in the magical community. They appeal to our sense of self and our desire for an ancient Golden Age. They connect with our desire for meaning. It is said that the Nine were created to serve as anchor points for great wards that encapsulate the entire world and plane.
The legends may even be true, despite the fact that no one has ever found signs of these “great wards”. That part need not be true for the rest to be valid.
No matter their origins, the Nine Cities have been integral to the magical community and its history. They have been safe havens, anchors for culture, refuges in times of trouble, vacation and field trip destinations, and socio-political strongholds for millennia.
Knowing at least a little about the Nine is essential for all persons in the magical community.
First, and arguably oldest, is Usaad, the City of the Dead. In this compact city of sandstone and marble, the spirits of the dead can easily cross the veil between worlds. They walk or drift among the living through powerful necromantic wizardry. Understandably, Usaad is home to many of the world’s most accomplished necromancers and the best schools of necromancy.
Arsalah, the City of Shadows, is next in age, or perhaps older. Even when it was on Earth, Arsalah never saw a sunny day. The city is perpetually cast in enough light to determine day from night, but never enough to ensure no shadows are cast. Or to harm the Shadows, who govern the city. They say that Arsalah was once in the Fertile Crescent and was given to the Shadows so they would have a place to hide from the sun.
The most famous of the Nine is Nimreh, the City of Towers, source of many legends and myths of mundane society. Many believe tales of Irem and Babel were inspired by Nimreh. It is said that the normal human desire to construct skyscrapers is an echo of Nimreh’s soaring spires. Whether truth or speculation, it is unarguable that the city is home to the most beautiful and stunning towers in the world.
The City of Trees, Larre, draws the shifters and gargoyles, it is said. In truth, there are as many shifters in Akkare and as many gargoyles in Nimreh, as in Larre. Still the city built of, around, and within the living wood is a sight that all must see before they die. As one would expect, Larreans greatly respect witchcraft and sorcery, more than any other magic.
That magic leads to Akkare, the City of Wonders, a most innovating and inventive city. It is said that all the greatest magical inventors of Earth either lived or studied in Akkare. Its schools of magic are considered the best of the best in the magical community, regardless of city or tradition.
While the Akkareans study and invent, the residents of Cuthar, the City of Doors, travel and explore. Some say that they explore too much, and that it will be Cuthar’s downfall. They believe this because the city’s doors lead all around Earth and to the six extant of the Nine. They also, it is rumored, lead to other dimensions and alternate universes. And the Cuthari love to explore and discover, often without thought for safety or consequences.
Which leads to Mahuran, the Locked City. No one is certain what happened to the city once known for its gardens, but all known portals to Mahuran, even those in Cuthar, were closed over a millennium ago without warning. Speculation has, of course, been extensive and outlandish. The most likely appears to either be a disease with self-imposed quarantine, or that the residents simply closed the doors and became isolationists.
Either is better than the fate of Bisiah, the Lost City. Once noted for its snakes, cats, and healers, Bisiah vanished without a trace over 1500 years ago. It became immortalized as Lornadoone in stories. Some think Avalon was inspired by Bisiah, as well. No one knows why it vanished or how, but even the locations of portals to Bisiah have been lost.
Last is the Forgotten City. None know anything of this city, not even its name. No one is certain what happened to it or when. Even the ancient texts simply refer to a nameless city that is one of the Nine, but has no location or other information.
Those are the famous Nine Cities. Only six remain today. Hopefully, if the stories are true, those six will be enough to maintain the great wards said to protect the world.
-Elaine Barkley, ThD; history lecture at Hollyoake College
worldsinthenet 