Askut (pronounced ahs-CUT) is a major city at the border between Upper and Lower Khapesh. The landscape around Askut is rather rough - the Aur River has formed a steep canyon through the sandstone, leaving little space along the river to live or farm. In part due to this, the city has grown within a network of caves and caverns, some carved by picks and others by time and water.
Living space within Askut can be cramped, but this does not much bother the largely gnomish population. Some parts of the city are above ground, notably the docks and a fort to house a small garrison, but most citizens dwell underground. The city partially supports itself with innovative aquaponic systems but relies heavily on trade to feed its population. Askut is renowned for the many clockwork inventions that are developed within its underground workshops, as well as its architecture carved into the cliffs.
City administrators are adamant that the caverns do not connect into the Darklands - however, a recent spate of disappearances in the lower levels are still yet to be solved.
Askut's patron deity is Ptah.
People and points of interest
- Bronzework Arena, the site of the Golden Gear Tournament
- Temple of Ptah
- Workshops
- City center with clock “tower”