Fhrolg Arc of Joining, Ring 3

Fhrolg Arc of Joining, Ring 3

Is the homeworld of Miranda Ortrok, also known as the Lady of a thousand Meadows, Garden Gaby, the Dross Mistress, Swamp Baroness, Sermon of the Swill, Grot girl, Siltic Guardian and Vinegar Wilde is a mystic within Floor 18928, a land of mountainous, rocky and inhospitable dirt and mildew. Scraping fungus from the barren fields is a living for most in this world. The prickly Jerchex cactus contains a rare juicy fruit that's only given to the wealthy, who sleep in hard cots and bare rooms barely distinguished from peasants and workers. It's within every mother's right to have 1 child, no more, less starvation overtake the walled, desolate villages atop their perched hills. 

The happy days of the Ort are when small amounts of precipitation drop from treacherous acidic rain. The two magical forms recognized are geo-purification, which change the rain into crop-usable water and hypnosis. Both are done with lyrics and song. Anyone that knows the Lady of a Thousand Meadows sees her as a boogeyman-like figure who carries an axe, said to eat children's souls and leave them as statue'd, shapely shrub bushes in the dusk. She is said to give impossibly luxurious treats, from vegetables, garden grown goods and 'lucky dirt' for small favors. Larger favors, such as potions which grant desires are held out by quests on other floors too dangerous to be carried out. With silken green hair, a 2 additional eyes on her palms, pearly scales across her breasts and body, and long shimmering velvet robes, her emerald eyes pierce into the heart of the world and are said to see into the vast realm of the future, in which she sees only lust and death. On many quests she sends others on, Miranda is known to warn others not to venture near a certain mountain pass with a massive oak-tree grown in a twisted fashion around it, laced with camps and hollow tunnels that go miles underground.

 This fully formed formation contains what are called 'Mountain Children', near-feral children dropped off by the local towns by ill-fated mothers who went beyond the single child policy. These children are born with no place and no chance, becoming of one tribe and are sentenced to an early death when thrown into the daylight cliffs. They are found reared by carnivorous sirens, Jsymphs who teach that the outside world is dangerous, and only by agreeing to be their pets and entertainers, and eventual sacrifices, can they be rewarded in a heavenly ceremony known as 'The Joyening.' 

They're reared into a spear wielding, tattoo'd ratpack that patrols the mountain pass and swings from the vines. Everynight the Mountain Children are lured to sleep with hypnosis magic and given dazzling performances by the sirens, cradled maternally in scaley arms and gripped by tight talons. The Gruella, monstrous beasts and mamons that stomp about only pass up on feasting on the children by way of the Jsymphs protection. The Jsymphs hunt the Gruella and devour them in firenight feasts, singing songs of lust and indoctrination for the lively Mountain Children. To disobey their new mothers for a child is to leave their protection. All books that teach the children to read, play games, and the way of socialization are to make the children virile. At the age of 21, the Joyening is gifted on a Mountain Child's birthday and they're rubbed with Libyrenthal, an aphrodisiac with a musky smell. The child becomes a grown adult and is surrounded by Jsymphs and ravaged for their lifeforce. 

They have sexual intercourse with their 'mothers' one after another, who in a succubus-like fashion pleasure them until they are no more. The child goes to sleep in their mother's arms. Matings occur between females and males alike without regard to gender. On a rare occasion, exceptionally gifted members of the pass are offered an opportunity, treasured for their resourcefulness and singing talent. Those offered this, are intended to become members of the draconian Jsymph horde, by a special Joyening. This enchanted orgy grafts their scales and DNA onto the young and takes them under their wing, given extra love and attention intended to transform them into Jsymphs themselves. Because Jsymphs have no name or distinct self from their kin, their former identities and species are utterly disposed of and they become one of indistinguishable carnivorous Jsymphs. Miranda Ortrok is believed to have been one such chosen, raised in the Jsymph nest. Her encounter with Ellie dates briefly before that, and due to their lengthy exchanges and interactions, Miranda chose not to join the Jsymph ultimately, if only in the intermediate of her ceremony. 

With Jsymph tongue on every part of her and scales growing down her spine, spiked shoulders and arms, the Lady of a Thousand Meadows resisted her mothers and ran astray. Ellie gifted her with a small locket and an axe, which is what she's said to have built her cabin with. The locket's Bauble and weapon enabled her to fight countless large beasts outside the fort and make her way to freedom. The first time Miranda escaped to a village, she was said to be covered with blood and dirt, holding her axe, starting the legend oft told. It is said that misbehaving and runaway children in the villages will be hunted by the axe wielding swamp baroness. Her villa, covered with antiques, endless jewels and pearly beads strung about dazzles and enchants those that walk in, and her singing is said to win the hearts of anyone who comes in. Ugly stories are widespread of those seeking favor and gifts from her, and being cursed instead. The one desire she absolutely refuses to grant wanderers is sex, the mystic finding the act and all related ideas disgusting and repulsive. Still her kiss is known to leave others quite drained. The piper's song is not one of hope, joy, nor celebration but gloom and dusk for the setting and all its melancholia.