Twin Cities of the Oases

Oasis City of Kor (#11/30; #254/365)

Oasis City of Qag (#12/30; #255/365)

"Depraved and decadent cities squatting by desert oases as a Spit Toad may squat at the bottom of a slimy pond; ancient, defiant, insouciant even, poisonous to the body, mind and soul, and infested with parasites, which in this case are the city's many and varied inhabitants."

Vade Mecum Infernum by Aughm Lightchaser (p. 33)

The twin oasis-cities of Kor and Qag sit in the western reaches of the Carnelian Desert, sprawling by great fungus-infested moisture sumps as mould sprouts from old bread. They are both ruled by Venom Demon sisterspawn; Atropoida (scarred, cynical) for Kor and Metlapila (broad, quick-tempered) for Qag, who have been feuding for centuries over insults long forgotten. With neither settlement gaining an advantage, both cities are currently stuck in warlike stasis. Which is odd given how similar the cities appear - confusing dusty windy streets whose buildings are a bizarre array of domes, hemispheres and irregular block-like tenements, and whose inhabitants span all the Demonic Planes and beyond.

Kor is the younger of the cities, a farther, more ramshackle outpost, inhabited mainly by Demonspawn, Skeletons, Revenants, and a two-headed demonic canine breed known as the Xlaia. Ruled by Atropoida and her Court of Shadows (a council of Nanka spirits), the Venom Demon schemes on traitorous alliances with the Rust Demons of the north to break the trade embargoes of her sister's city.

Qag, by dint of its closeness to great Thagwar to the south, is larger and livelier, with a big transient population of Vorpit, Fiends, and Qagdin pilgrims visiting the Shrine of the Myknotic Eye, as well as Clones, Demonlings, Ghouls and Wraiths. Metlapila rules by sole decree, her power amplified by a scuttling horde of Ishkarim in green-metal armour enforcing her edicts and proclamations. Metlapila has spies everywhere, and even knows of her sister's plans, and yet is unconcerned. For her role in the kidnap of Bisu the Maker God, she was rewarded with a powerful weapon now stored securely in the most secret treasure vault of her nacreous citadel in the exact centre of Qag.

New Monster:

QAGDIN

SKILL 8 STAMINA 6, 2 Attacks, Handaxe or Myriad Device (as per Dagger), Light Armour.

Named after the city of Qag, which appears to be an origin point and holy city for these people, the Qagdin are yet another strange humanoid race native to the Demonic Planes; not an actual Demon per se, but not too far off the basal stock as it were. In appearance they resemble large humanoid ungulatous Tapirs, with green fur and a rotund belly, their prehensile trunk (shorter than that of a Vorpit but still long and muscular) usually sheathed in a Myriad Device, from which can sprout blades (sometimes coated with fungal poisons), scissors, forceps and the like. The Qagdin wear leather harnesses and arm themselves with cutting tools such as axes, but also picks, spades and trowels.

For the Qagdin are the great fungus-gatherers of the Plane of Rust, and any other area with a similar type of vegetation. Through their augmented Myriad Devices, Qagdin are highly capable at sniffing out rare strains of fungi in the demonic wilderness, which can be used as psychotropic stimulants, rare and precious magical ingredients, and of course for the consumption by Demon Princes at their spectacular banquets.

This skill of fungus-detection (and consumption) has had several side issues. Firstly, the digestive system of the Qagdin produces a hideous stench; anyone around Qagdin without nose plugs or nose filters must reduce their SKILL by 1 due to the foul odor. Secondly, while happy to hire their skills to anybody for the glory of the Qagdin's patron deity, Myknosis the Mushroom God, some Qagdin are also occasionally kidnapped. 

For example, Morgrek of the Khulian Mage Order, once summoned a Qagdin, Kudurou, to the kingdom of Kazan to corner the truffle market. However, Morgrek was undone when the Qagdin broke free of its enchantments, fled to neighbouring Gorak, and went freelance. Now, Kudurou's Truffles are one of the largest importers along the southern trade routes while Morgrek seethes with resentment!