Beneath the surface of Syka, partially sheltered from what would be the wraith of the Valterrian, was the heart of the old city of Pavena. Much like Marcus Kelvic's Headquarters at Ironrock, Pavena held workshops that brimmed with artisians and designers that played with the essences of magic and that of the blood of living creatures. Deemed ateliers for those reasons, these workshops consist of a huge host of underground warrens composed of different designers old locations. Some ateliers are in tact, abandoned hastily and sealed against the elements. Some are in ruins, having been more vulnerable to the shaking of the world.
Regardless, the entire atelier complex is under a foot or more of water in most places. That doesn't mean the magical workings on the walls - boards that light up and glow as someone approaches - or rooms of teaching are not intact. Some of the doors to individual areas still slide open at an intruder's approach. For the most part they are whole and viable if one could figure out a way to drain the water. And to someone studious, there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained here both in their study and exploration.
NPC
Name: Asal'Nav
Race: Velispar (Earth)
DoB: Pre-Valterrian
PoB: Falyndar
Title: Guardian of Pavena
Skills: Innumerable
Gnosis: Not Applicable
Asal'Nav does not have the years perhaps many of his counterparts do, but he has chosen to make the ruins of Pavena his home due to his fondness he had of her residents before the Valterrian. He rarely comes to the surface, but stalks the Ateliers with utter confidence having consumed the bodies of the fallen and thus their knowledge when the place was destroyed. In fact, in times long past, Asal'Nav often consumed the bodies of the fallen not as sacrifice but to become keepers of their knowledge. It was a high honor for him in Pavena and a sign of the denizen's trust of his abilities.
Though he hardly remembers, he was a gift as a violent hatchling to Myrna's people from her twin brother Marcus when a nest of Velispar hatched up near Ironrock. He was kept confined in the city for decades until he grew enough and absorbed enough knowledge to gain a sense of culture and be trusted enough to roam free. He was treated as a citizen then, welcomed freely anywhere and when he took up his self-imposed duties of tending to the dead and absorbing their memories, he became honored. There are very few secrets Pavena holds for Asal'Nav. And because he is well aged, he is now gentle and approachable. However, that doesn't mean he is not a fierce protector of Syka. And as more and more people move into the newly reformed city, the more he will have to start revealing himself if he is to continue on with his preferred duties.
