Jchläjək Arc of Reversal, Ring 5

Jchläjək Arc of Reversal, Ring 5

Located on Floor 91820, this room is designated as the domain of the self-proclaimed evil queen of the underworld, Mzar Risetta läpələs. The Mzar, from archaeological investigation was initially believed to be the title of an ancient respected ruler in the ancient Jchläjək kingdom from which the domain is built. Risetta's 'rulership' seems to be over little but cavesets, several priestesses who often glow and float in the air with their wings, and a population of thousands of finned, amphibious servants capable of gilled, underwater navigation, ultrasound echolocation and ultraviolet vision, noted by their bright purple eyes over black sclera, webbed finned hands and teal skin. Significant to their anatomy, is a lack of legs, long back tailfins, and high-amplitude vocal chords built into their gills. Mzar Risetta claimed the role of Mzar by birthright and put her significance as divine, sourced from 'gods from the above world', a tale as old as time. Ruins further studied along the way and linguistic improvements have determined this to be an interpretative misdemeanor, as the Mzar was little more than a symbolic, if esteemed figure whose role was charmed in family, prophecy, and harvest. Hardly any evidence suggests Mzar held legal or political power.

The blunder aside, Risetta took on the role of Mzar whether she was ignorant of this fact or not. Risetta presents herself as a woman of divine importance, being 12 meters Tall with long silken white hair, iced smooth, pale crystalline skin, scales along their wrists and ankles, and large red feathered wings with matching talons. Our interpreters would often have to stop for long periods of time while she sipped from a glass chalice, her stern and cold disposition looking with disdain at our recording crew. The caverns that remain of the kingdom ruins are filled with the source of their food, a greenish-blue slime they call a rough translation of 'rewind nectar', believed by the Merrow to prolong life and allow one immortality. This slimemold, made from mana-rich algae that form from moss along the ruins, has been chemically analyzed to contain no extra life-enhancing properties, in fact seems to be laced with high doses of toxicity for the Merrow species. Staff reported the need to wear Hazmat suits when examining this strange biological gel. Although, the Mzar and her head priests (believed to be her daughters) appears to have adopted their physiology to this substance.

Merrow spend every waking hour of their days swimming in the caverns and scraping this slime, gathering it from the source in cups and lining up to feed the Mzar. Due to the toxicity, life expectancy is noted to be significantly shortened and stopped short from the horrific insensitive treatment, farming labor and harvesting of the slime that is effectively poison to them. Risetta often told them the Merrow were demons, created and punished to serve her. Ancient transcriptions in the ruins declare them as "guardian angels for magic witches", whatever that means. Merrow-1, who for her own de facto still refers to herself as Merrow, was born as other Merrow, a servant of the Mzar. Merrow are born in a small cave-bound penthouse, and fed mostly shroom tonic, analysts will note this tonic contains insufficient calorie intake for their species growth. At a young age, Merrow-1 was fed small microdoses of rewind nectar in their tonic, building up a tolerance and making them immune to its toxicity. Their mother, we'll refer to as Merrow-0 appeared knowledgeable of ancient ruins, from Merrow-1's point of view, as well as reading, writing, technological prowess, physiology, magical craftship and ancient kingdom culture.

Of note, she also appeared to possess a level of martial arts from her ancient homeland, which she passed down to her kin. As a baby Merrow-1 had a defective fin. Unable to walk or even swim properly at birth, they were assigned to fanning duty. Priestesses, they report, often whispered when in her presence. All Merrow show no significant individuality or personal differences in behavior, custom, but this appears more to do with cultural suppression than their limitations or dispositions. Of critical importance to Mzar, was they learn the 'Song of Sin', a melodic series of notes only the Merrow can vocalize in harmony, said by the Mzar to be the penance for the  tale of the "the Murdering witch" and role Merrow were supposedly assigned in the destruction of the ancient civilization, said to be servants of the Mzar as punishment for past personal gain. Further ideology taught seems to suggest the Merrow believe bipedal organism to be divine in origin- clumsy reverent encounters at first required the difficult arrangement of Taur-phenotype employees exclusively.

The source of these beliefs stemmed from Mzar Risetta and her priestesses, whom possess two legs and often encourage in treasure, luxury and rewind nectar in the holy monastery. When Marrow-1, believing she could use her mother's teachings to ascend her place in the hierarchy used her engineering prowess (a project started by her mother and finished by her)- a steaming, hydraulic powersuit covered by thick Merrow leather (Their species shed every 3 months, suggesting the material required 12 years worth) with two artificial legs, her fin tucked away into the back cavity. To properly power this suit, a large supply of rewind nectar was stolen for the ethanol content contained within its biomass. When Merrow-1 explored the surface of these caverns, she found out the upper floor contained the true destroyers of the ancient civilization, large chimeric creatures hundreds of feet tall who roamed the land in endless rampages.

Ellie, having fallen into a 'portal to the underworld' saved Merrow from one such avian creature by simply instructing her to sing. Merrow's harmonic voices and distinct tone, it seems served a similar function as bright colors on toxic frogs or salamanders- it dazes the monstrous creatures and creates a sensation of 'head on fire', being in a lot of pain until they retreat. Mzar Risetta and her ilk used effectively an entire enslaved race of them as a deterrent, her true feelings rather malaligned towards them. During their following conversation Ellie got directions. She followed Merrow-1 back who attempted to tell the truth to her kin, only to be captured and tried as a traitor to the Risetta Dynasty. Despite her best attempts of persuasion, and insistence there were portals to other dimensions and floors the Merrow could follow and live elsewhere in, the problematic ideals Merrow-1 put forth were said to be heretic by the Mzar. Risetta spoke of one of her seers predicting such an event, and that one Merrow  "May possibly, potentially one day bring ruin and destruction to the Mzar kingdom."

In a desperate ordeal, Merrow used songs and vocal ranges unknown to other Merrow, summoned from the upper floor forth massive moles, pelicans and weasels with high thermal plasma explosions flowing from their breath. These creatures, obliterating much of the royal monastery and rescuing Merrow-1, also destroyed her powersuit and mechanical 'legs' in the process. Merrow-1 begged her sisters and kin to come with her, knowing they could vanquish the creatures' will with their voices, but was unable to convince them. Her last remark was the Mzar's seer being an idiot on claiming she might bring them ruin- as she assured, that she would most definitely be their destruction. Mzar Risetta läpələs was swallowed by a large pelican, and the other creatures left. The Merrow, refusing to leave and confused, immediately began a coronation nonchalantly of the nearest priestess, deifying them as their next queen and leader. With her hopes dashed, Merrow-1 briefly celebrated her victory, escaping and was teleported with Ellie onto another floor. The two spent about 3 days together, of which Merrow was shown to a technologically advanced sect capable of repairing and upgrading her powersuit substantially, of which she could not walk on the land-based floors elsewhere. Ellie declared the Merrow unshackled from her birthplace, and announced her freedom to explore and go wherever she pleased. "Smiling at last, soul set free.. or something like that."