Ss'thar'tiss'ssun

Ss'thar'tiss'ssun, or the City of Fountains, was once the capital city of the ancient serpent empire known as Najara. According to legend, its breadth once extended as far as Serpent's Cowl just east of Boareskyr Bridge, and villagers avoid digging cellars to avoid falling into the now-forgotten tunnels of the city. These tunnels still connect the City with Ss’zuraass’nee, and to caverns beneath Mount Hlim at southern edge of the Greypeak Mountains.

Ancient History and First Fall
The original City was built during the Days of Thunder--about -30,000 DR--by a powerful creator race called the Sarrukh. During this era, it may have been possible to travel to the City and others via Sarrukh portals. The City itself built as a temple-city by the cult of Ssharstrune, but was abandoned after their god's apparent death. This was the first fall.

The First King
In a bygone age, the slithering ophidians from the High Moor and Serpent Hills migrated to the Forest of Wyrms. Under the guidance of Terpenzi and its summoned yuan-ti nobility (see House Hss'tafi, below), Terpenzi was crowned First King of Najara. He would rule until his death in 90 DR, wherein his remains became a powerful bone naga which served the throne.

House Hss'tafi
In the Year of Netted Dreams (-320 DR), members of House Hss'tafi were magically plucked from the northwestern shores of the Lapal Sea and transported here, where they thrived as nobles of Najara, primarily administrators, merchants, and religious leaders. If legend is to be believed, House Hss'tafi survived the fall of the mighty Terpenzi and continued his legacy through his descendants, the nagara. One of their works included converting the original and ancient temple (see Ancient History, above) to the Shrine of Cowled Serpents. This underground shrine contains the legendary Naja Fountain, which was the home of Terpenzi after his conversion.

The Fall
When the city fell to the Shadowking of Ebenfar in 90 DR, Najara fell with it. Serpentfolk who survived fled to the Serpent Hills, and wards were placed by agents of the Shadowking in order to keep all serpentfolk out.

Over time, the serpentfolk succeeded in penetrating the wards to the old city in 1359 DR. The City was carefully re-explored by wizards of the Coiled Cabal from the neighboring city of Ss’kowlyn’raa, the City of Spellskins. It would eventually be built over, albeit partly, by the villagers of Serpent's Cowl.

Monsters
The ruins of Ssthar are occupied from different eons of undying or constructed guardians left to their own devices, as well as successful species brought over by the eras of serpentfolk. Sword spiders and ti-khana (hybridized) dinosaurs may make their nests here, and undead bone nagas guard treasures from every era of the city.

Notable Ruins
The Naja Fountain is said to improve arcane magics to any who bathe in it, and its waters have healing properties. Although Terpenzi is long gone, there is little chance that such a shrine is unattended.