Although this is not true today, as Setessa's influence has shrunk, this entry includes the entirety of the Nessian Wood.
Setessa is the favoured polis of Karametra and Nylea. Karametra is the true queen of Setessa, but a five-member council attends to the daily tasks of leadership.
The actual city's buildings blend into the forest, incuding being built in the massive trees at its centre.
Setessa is described in Mythic Odysseys of Theros, p93.
COMMON KNOWLEDGE
The people of Setessa live in harmony with the forest. Settlements are surrounded by terraced farms and filled with all sorts of trained animals.
There are few males in Setessa. Most of them go on a journey (peregrination) and if they return most live in Amatrophon training animals. Women comprise the bulk of the population and hold the leadership roles in the polis. Children have a very sacred place in Setessa and visitors are often surprised to see them running wild throughout the polis and surrounding woods.
Likewise, as a tight-knit, but very open society, property is usualy viewed as commonly owned by all. There is no mariage and ancestry is traced matrilineally.
REGIONAL FEATURES
Amatrophon
A forested region in the northwest with several settlements where men and women live alongside each other equally. This region is mostly known as a training ground for the many domesticated animals found throughout Setessa. It is home to some of the best animal trainers in the world. Especially renowned are the horse and falcon trainers, but others work with pegasai, lions, wolves, sables, deer and more.
Bassara Tower
Tower of the Fox.
One of the Four Fortress Towers. Near the Summer Nexus and guards against interlopers and raiders in the Nessian Wood.
Hyrax Tower
Tower of the Falcon.
One of the Four Fortress Towers. Lies on the ridge above the Autumn Nexus.
Leina Tower
Tower of the Lion.
One of the Four Fortress Towers. Stands near Karametra's Temple in the heart of Setessa.
Nyancos
Small forest settlement on the edge of the Amatrophon region of the Nessian Wood. This small village draws pilgrims to its Karametra Heart Tree - a large white oak rumoured to produce silvery-red, magical fruit once every 2-3 generations.
Ophis Tower
Tower of the Serpent.
One of the Four Fortress Towers. In the centre of Setessa.
Setessa Polis
It is hard to tell where the forest ends and the polis starts, the two are so wonderfully blended together. The polis extends from a huge tree at its centre. A dense circle of vegetation forms the city's outer wall.
PEOPLE
Humans make up the majority here and Setessa does not generally welcome outsiders, though it does take in orphans of any heritage. The people here are more likely to reject humans (especially males) from other poleis over stray non-humans. A few Lagonna centaurs, leonin and satyrs have earned the right to live in Setessa. Dryads and naiads of the Nessian Wood often interact with the people of Setessa too.
ADVENTURERS
GROUPS & ORGANISATIONS
Below are many of the factions of Setessa. Use these to put Faction Specialty dice in on your character sheet.
To roll one randomly.
| Roll d6 | Faction Type |
|---|---|
| 1 | Army |
| 2 | Community |
| 3 | Religion |
| 4 | The Ruling Council |
The Army
Setessa's military is organised into major regiments, each associated with one of the Four Fortress Towers.
1. Bassara Tower Regiment. The Tower of the Fox. Troops focus on archery and guerilla tactics. Leader is Niketa.
2. Hyrax Tower Regiment. Tower of the Falcon. Excellent scouts and falconers. Leader is Phaedra.
3. Leina Tower Regiment. Tower of the Lion. Soldiers are in charge of defence of the polis itself and the training and education of the youth. Warriors of the Lion Tower favour double-edged axes.
4. Ophis Tower Regiment. Tower of the Serpent. Warriors that wander the world looking for orphans to resue and return to Setessa.
5. Other Local or Specialised Unit. Feel free to develope other units of hoplites for surrounding lands, serving other deities or performing a special service.
Community
See the Regional Features above for a community or region that you have formed a bond with. You might be a local hero that did a great deed or a villain banished from the community.
Religions
Karametra and Nylea are the two main deities of Setessa. They, and other gods, are worshipped at four holy sites known as the Nexuses of the Seasons, where the veil between Nyx and the mortal world is thin.
1. Karametra. Considered the actual queen of Setessa. Her great temple is in the heart of the polis and the Spring Nexus is located within a lavish garden behind the temple.
2. Nylea. Almost as poplular as Karametra in Setessa and even more so in outlying settlements. Setessans only construct buildings that are completely necessary out of deference to Nylea. She is also commonly venerated at the Summer Nexus.
3. Other God. The other gods are still venerated in Setessa. Iroas worshippers often gather at either the Summer or Autmn Nexus. The Autumn Nexus keeps a continual flame burning to honour Purphoros and Mogis is sometimes worshiped here too. Setessans travel to the cave that is the Winter Nexus to honour the dead, keep death at bay and whisper words to Pharika and Erebos. Of course, Pharika also has many followers among the Ophis Tower Regiments too.
The Ruling Council
A group of five councillors that govern the polis, one from each of the Four Towers and an oracle from one of the Nexuses of the Seasons.
Individual members of The Twelve include:
1. Anthousa. Karametra's closest ally and de facto ruler of the polis. Commander of the Leina Tower and recognised local hero.
2. Phaedra. Of the Hyrax Tower. A 19-year-old master falconer and orphan of Melitis (rescued by the Ophis regiment).
3. Niketa. Of Bassaran Tower. A woman in her fifties that spends most of her time in the tower since parting ways with her dryad partner.
4. Kallias. Of Ophis Tower. Rescued by the Ophis Regiment after being sold into slavery. Lost and eye and several fingers before being brought to Setessa. They are very passionate about rescuing other slaves and abandoned children.
5. Silverbrow. Centaur oracle who reads the Kelema Veil at the Nexuses of the Seasons and advises actions based on her visions.