Oranbega - Revision history

Blondeshell: update link

2013-10-31T03:24:49Z

update link

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:24, 31 October 2013
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	[[File:Phalanx_seal02.png‎\|left\|180px\|thumb\|{{center\|1823: Oranbegas' land has new owners: Paragon City is founded}}]]		[[File:Phalanx_seal02.png‎\|left\|180px\|thumb\|{{center\|1823: Oranbegas' land has new owners: Paragon City is founded}}]]

	But meanwhile, in the surface, in the land Oranbega had once occupied, events that would change the Oranbegans' life -or unlife, if you prefer- forever were taking place: during the 18th century there was already a quiet collection of colonial villages in the area. In the XIX century, in 1823, the village of Smithport united with neighboring comunities and became [[Paragon City]]. By the time of the Civil War Paragon become a bustling port city. After the war it became a center for industry, science and commerce in America <ref name=paragoncityfounding>[http://~~www~~.cityofheroes.com/game_info/history/paragon_city_founding_and_the.~~html~~ CoH Official Site: Paragon City: Founding and the 20's]</ref>. None of the city's inhabitants could even suspect the existence of the grim secret under their foots.		But meanwhile, in the surface, in the land Oranbega had once occupied, events that would change the Oranbegans' life -or unlife, if you prefer- forever were taking place: during the 18th century there was already a quiet collection of colonial villages in the area. In the XIX century, in 1823, the village of Smithport united with neighboring comunities and became [[Paragon City]]. By the time of the Civil War Paragon become a bustling port city. After the war it became a center for industry, science and commerce in America <ref name=paragoncityfounding>[http://web.archive.org/web/20121025125053/http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/game_info/history/paragon_city_founding_and_the.php CoH Official Site: Paragon City: Founding and the 20's]</ref>. None of the city's inhabitants could even suspect the existence of the grim secret under their foots.

	Some decades later, in the 1890’s, in England, upper class found itself amid a tremendous upsurge of interest in the occult. Most of these dilettantes were more interested in the carnal aspects of ritual magic than in any kind of true arcane knowledge. There were, however, a few exceptions…among them the [[Baron Zoria]].		Some decades later, in the 1890’s, in England, upper class found itself amid a tremendous upsurge of interest in the occult. Most of these dilettantes were more interested in the carnal aspects of ritual magic than in any kind of true arcane knowledge. There were, however, a few exceptions…among them the [[Baron Zoria]].

Blondeshell: update links

2013-10-31T02:28:18Z

update links

Felderburg: /* Oranbega */ Spelling

2012-09-08T22:41:08Z

Oranbega: Spelling

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:41, 8 September 2012
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	Among the other pantheons, the discovery, use, and teaching of magic by [[Tielekku]] became a decisive issue. One student, the god [[Ermeeth]], sought to impart these secrets to humans, who as magically empowered beings would no longer have a need for gods. A situation the other gods, naturally, deemed intolerable. Another conflict erupted, this time between Teilekku and Ermeeth. Teilekku’s faction, led by her most promising pupil [[Hequat]], managed to defeat Ermeeth in a titanic battle. With his surviving followers, Ermeeth fled towards the sea.<ref name=BeyondContact>[[Paragon Times/20050615\|The Paragon Times June 15 , 2005 : Beyond Contact: Azuria and MAGI]]</ref>		Among the other pantheons, the discovery, use, and teaching of magic by [[Tielekku]] became a decisive issue. One student, the god [[Ermeeth]], sought to impart these secrets to humans, who as magically empowered beings would no longer have a need for gods. A situation the other gods, naturally, deemed intolerable. Another conflict erupted, this time between Teilekku and Ermeeth. Teilekku’s faction, led by her most promising pupil [[Hequat]], managed to defeat Ermeeth in a titanic battle. With his surviving followers, Ermeeth fled towards the sea.<ref name=BeyondContact>[[Paragon Times/20050615\|The Paragon Times June 15 , 2005 : Beyond Contact: Azuria and MAGI]]</ref>

	Details are somewhat contradictory at this point. Some sources say Eermeth's followers used great ships in their journey <ref name=LookintoAkaristskidnapping>[[Cadao Kestrel#Look into Akarist's kidnapping\|Look into Akarist's kidnapping]] from [[Cadao Kestrel]]</ref>, while others, such as the Testament of ~~Eermeth~~ show the god leading a great exodus of people as they walk along the bottom of the sea. <ref name=StoptheRiktitransdimensionalexpedition>[[Angus McQueen#Stop the Rikti transdimensional expedition before the alternate Circle discovers our Earth\|Stop the Rikti transdimensional expedition before the alternate Circle discovers our Earth]] from [[Angus McQueen]]<br></ref>		Details are somewhat contradictory at this point. Some sources say Eermeth's followers used great ships in their journey <ref name=LookintoAkaristskidnapping>[[Cadao Kestrel#Look into Akarist's kidnapping\|Look into Akarist's kidnapping]] from [[Cadao Kestrel]]</ref>, while others, such as the Testament of Ermeeth show the god leading a great exodus of people as they walk along the bottom of the sea. <ref name=StoptheRiktitransdimensionalexpedition>[[Angus McQueen#Stop the Rikti transdimensional expedition before the alternate Circle discovers our Earth\|Stop the Rikti transdimensional expedition before the alternate Circle discovers our Earth]] from [[Angus McQueen]]<br></ref>

	Whatever the means were, Eermeth followers eventually formed the great city of Oranbega along North America’s east coast<ref name=BeyondContact>[[Paragon Times/20050615\|The Paragon Times June 15 , 2005 : Beyond Contact: Azuria and MAGI]]</ref>. A probable explanation of Eermeth's choice of this place concretely over others is that the zone had an high concentration of Ley Lines: powerful forces of mystical energy that crisscross the planet <ref name=FaultlessMysticBadge>[[Faultless Mystic Badge]]</ref> and Nexus: meeting points of several Ley Lines which make magic stronger for miles around <ref name=MysticKingBadge>[[Mystic King Badge]]</ref>, had much to do in this: a place full of energies, for a society largely based on spell casting.		Whatever the means were, Eermeth followers eventually formed the great city of Oranbega along North America’s east coast<ref name=BeyondContact>[[Paragon Times/20050615\|The Paragon Times June 15 , 2005 : Beyond Contact: Azuria and MAGI]]</ref>. A probable explanation of Eermeth's choice of this place concretely over others is that the zone had an high concentration of Ley Lines: powerful forces of mystical energy that crisscross the planet <ref name=FaultlessMysticBadge>[[Faultless Mystic Badge]]</ref> and Nexus: meeting points of several Ley Lines which make magic stronger for miles around <ref name=MysticKingBadge>[[Mystic King Badge]]</ref>, had much to do in this: a place full of energies, for a society largely based on spell casting.

Blondeshell: fix pic link

2012-08-29T02:45:32Z

fix pic link

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:45, 29 August 2012
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	{{clr}}		{{clr}}

	[[File:~~BaronZoria1~~.jpg\|100px\|thumb\|{{center\|Baron Zoria, the Circle of Thorns "founder"}}]]		[[File:Baron Zoria.jpg\|100px\|thumb\|{{center\|Baron Zoria, the Circle of Thorns "founder"}}]]
	He was more right than he ever imagined in his wildest dreams. Zoria somehow knew that Oranbega had sunk beneath the earth tens of thousands of years ago during a war between the Sorcerer Kings of Oranbega and the Warlords of Mu. Zoria felt that if he could unlock the key to entering this lost city, untold powers would be his to control.		He was more right than he ever imagined in his wildest dreams. Zoria somehow knew that Oranbega had sunk beneath the earth tens of thousands of years ago during a war between the Sorcerer Kings of Oranbega and the Warlords of Mu. Zoria felt that if he could unlock the key to entering this lost city, untold powers would be his to control.

Blondeshell: fix pic link

2012-08-27T03:34:08Z

fix pic link

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:34, 27 August 2012
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	[[File:Lilitu 01.jpg\|125px\|right\|thumb\|The demoness general Lilitu, who still believes the contract with the Circle can be fullfilled]]		[[File:Lilitu.jpg\|125px\|right\|thumb\|The demoness general Lilitu, who still believes the contract with the Circle can be fullfilled]]

	And so Baron Zoria and his followers decided to take a more proactive approach in their own defense. They began with those initial explorers, capturing the trespassers and then supplanting their souls with the long-dead spirits of the original Oranbegans. When folks learned better than to go looking in dark caves for lost cities, the Circle of Thorns began to more actively “recruit” new members.<br>		And so Baron Zoria and his followers decided to take a more proactive approach in their own defense. They began with those initial explorers, capturing the trespassers and then supplanting their souls with the long-dead spirits of the original Oranbegans. When folks learned better than to go looking in dark caves for lost cities, the Circle of Thorns began to more actively “recruit” new members.<br>

Blondeshell: fix pic link

2012-08-27T03:29:27Z

fix pic link

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:29, 27 August 2012
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	[[File:Hequat.~~png~~\|100 px\|thumb\|left\|Mu'Rhakmet's driving force: The Goddess Hequat, sworn enemy of Oranbega ]]		[[File:Hequat.jpg\|100 px\|thumb\|left\|Mu'Rhakmet's driving force: The Goddess Hequat, sworn enemy of Oranbega ]]
	In their new city, Oranbegans lived in peace and prosperity for many years. The shaman [[Peter Stemitz]], who has the strange ability to remember his past lives, including the one he lived in Oranbega, describes it as "Sweet. Grace, tranquility, intellectual achievement: that's what it was all about". This was probably the era he lived in <ref name=alternateworld>[[Cadao Kestrel#Stop the Circle of Thorns from contacting an alternate world\|Stop the Circle of Thorns from contacting an alternate world]] from [[Cadao Kestrel]]</ref>. But that era ended with the coming of [[Mu'Rhakmet]]'s rebellion. It began small at first, with attacks on Reasoners and Philosophers, and then progressed into street riots and open conflicts. Soon, Mu'Rhakmet's followers held banners with his stern visage everywhere, demanding that the people of Oranbega return to the worship of the gods we had so long forgotten. Most still kept shrines to Ermeeth the teacher, or said a swift prayer to Tielekku before a scholarly examination, but Mu'Rhakmet demanded we return to a total subservience to the gods of the past. He gained followers among those who felt disaffected by the enlightened civilization, and among those who were disenfranchised by a lack of skill with magic. not until it was too late did the Oranbegans learn that there was another force behind them. That Mu'Rhakmet practiced as he preached, and was in truth the earthly instrument of she who had forced their ancestors across the sea: The goddess Hequat. She who had turned upon her lover, the Divine Teacher Ermeeth; she who had rallied her followers and forced them from their lands; now she had found them again and sought to undermine their society. Soon the city was engaged in a civil war for control as those loyal to the principles fought Mu'Rhakmet's zealots in the streets of the city. Ultimately, Mu'Rhakmet's rebellion failed. Oranbegan histories say that Mu'Rhakmet and his followers fled across the sea. They assumed that they had returned to the old lands of their goddess, and this assumption would lead the Oranbegans to disaster. For what they did not know was the Hequat had provided a new land for her people. An island risen from the sea, an island that she would call [[Mu]].' <ref name=DefeatInfernal>[[Magus Mu'Drakhan#Defeat Infernal\|Defeat Infernal]] from [[Magus Mu'Drakhan]]</ref>		In their new city, Oranbegans lived in peace and prosperity for many years. The shaman [[Peter Stemitz]], who has the strange ability to remember his past lives, including the one he lived in Oranbega, describes it as "Sweet. Grace, tranquility, intellectual achievement: that's what it was all about". This was probably the era he lived in <ref name=alternateworld>[[Cadao Kestrel#Stop the Circle of Thorns from contacting an alternate world\|Stop the Circle of Thorns from contacting an alternate world]] from [[Cadao Kestrel]]</ref>. But that era ended with the coming of [[Mu'Rhakmet]]'s rebellion. It began small at first, with attacks on Reasoners and Philosophers, and then progressed into street riots and open conflicts. Soon, Mu'Rhakmet's followers held banners with his stern visage everywhere, demanding that the people of Oranbega return to the worship of the gods we had so long forgotten. Most still kept shrines to Ermeeth the teacher, or said a swift prayer to Tielekku before a scholarly examination, but Mu'Rhakmet demanded we return to a total subservience to the gods of the past. He gained followers among those who felt disaffected by the enlightened civilization, and among those who were disenfranchised by a lack of skill with magic. not until it was too late did the Oranbegans learn that there was another force behind them. That Mu'Rhakmet practiced as he preached, and was in truth the earthly instrument of she who had forced their ancestors across the sea: The goddess Hequat. She who had turned upon her lover, the Divine Teacher Ermeeth; she who had rallied her followers and forced them from their lands; now she had found them again and sought to undermine their society. Soon the city was engaged in a civil war for control as those loyal to the principles fought Mu'Rhakmet's zealots in the streets of the city. Ultimately, Mu'Rhakmet's rebellion failed. Oranbegan histories say that Mu'Rhakmet and his followers fled across the sea. They assumed that they had returned to the old lands of their goddess, and this assumption would lead the Oranbegans to disaster. For what they did not know was the Hequat had provided a new land for her people. An island risen from the sea, an island that she would call [[Mu]].' <ref name=DefeatInfernal>[[Magus Mu'Drakhan#Defeat Infernal\|Defeat Infernal]] from [[Magus Mu'Drakhan]]</ref>

Firefairy: spelling and grammar corrections

2012-01-19T16:44:15Z

spelling and grammar corrections

Eabrace: fixing external reference formatting

2010-06-16T22:49:47Z

fixing external reference formatting

Show changes

Yakovlev: -wip... article finished! =)

2009-07-26T11:27:36Z

-wip... article finished! =)

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:27, 26 July 2009
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	~~{{wip}}~~

	{{spoiler}}		{{spoiler}}

Yakovlev: /* Oranbega */

2009-07-26T11:27:00Z

Oranbega

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:41, 8 September 2012
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	Among the other pantheons, the discovery, use, and teaching of magic by [[Tielekku]] became a decisive issue. One student, the god [[Ermeeth]], sought to impart these secrets to humans, who as magically empowered beings would no longer have a need for gods. A situation the other gods, naturally, deemed intolerable. Another conflict erupted, this time between Teilekku and Ermeeth. Teilekku’s faction, led by her most promising pupil [[Hequat]], managed to defeat Ermeeth in a titanic battle. With his surviving followers, Ermeeth fled towards the sea.<ref name=BeyondContact>[[Paragon Times/20050615\|The Paragon Times June 15 , 2005 : Beyond Contact: Azuria and MAGI]]</ref>		Among the other pantheons, the discovery, use, and teaching of magic by [[Tielekku]] became a decisive issue. One student, the god [[Ermeeth]], sought to impart these secrets to humans, who as magically empowered beings would no longer have a need for gods. A situation the other gods, naturally, deemed intolerable. Another conflict erupted, this time between Teilekku and Ermeeth. Teilekku’s faction, led by her most promising pupil [[Hequat]], managed to defeat Ermeeth in a titanic battle. With his surviving followers, Ermeeth fled towards the sea.<ref name=BeyondContact>[[Paragon Times/20050615\|The Paragon Times June 15 , 2005 : Beyond Contact: Azuria and MAGI]]</ref>

	Details are somewhat contradictory at this point. Some sources say Eermeth's followers used great ships in their journey <ref name=LookintoAkaristskidnapping>[[Cadao Kestrel#Look into Akarist's kidnapping\|Look into Akarist's kidnapping]] from [[Cadao Kestrel]]</ref>, while others, such as the Testament of ~~Eermeth~~ show the god leading a great exodus of people as they walk along the bottom of the sea. <ref name=StoptheRiktitransdimensionalexpedition>[[Angus McQueen#Stop the Rikti transdimensional expedition before the alternate Circle discovers our Earth\|Stop the Rikti transdimensional expedition before the alternate Circle discovers our Earth]] from [[Angus McQueen]]<br></ref>		Details are somewhat contradictory at this point. Some sources say Eermeth's followers used great ships in their journey <ref name=LookintoAkaristskidnapping>[[Cadao Kestrel#Look into Akarist's kidnapping\|Look into Akarist's kidnapping]] from [[Cadao Kestrel]]</ref>, while others, such as the Testament of Ermeeth show the god leading a great exodus of people as they walk along the bottom of the sea. <ref name=StoptheRiktitransdimensionalexpedition>[[Angus McQueen#Stop the Rikti transdimensional expedition before the alternate Circle discovers our Earth\|Stop the Rikti transdimensional expedition before the alternate Circle discovers our Earth]] from [[Angus McQueen]]<br></ref>

	Whatever the means were, Eermeth followers eventually formed the great city of Oranbega along North America’s east coast<ref name=BeyondContact>[[Paragon Times/20050615\|The Paragon Times June 15 , 2005 : Beyond Contact: Azuria and MAGI]]</ref>. A probable explanation of Eermeth's choice of this place concretely over others is that the zone had an high concentration of Ley Lines: powerful forces of mystical energy that crisscross the planet <ref name=FaultlessMysticBadge>[[Faultless Mystic Badge]]</ref> and Nexus: meeting points of several Ley Lines which make magic stronger for miles around <ref name=MysticKingBadge>[[Mystic King Badge]]</ref>, had much to do in this: a place full of energies, for a society largely based on spell casting.		Whatever the means were, Eermeth followers eventually formed the great city of Oranbega along North America’s east coast<ref name=BeyondContact>[[Paragon Times/20050615\|The Paragon Times June 15 , 2005 : Beyond Contact: Azuria and MAGI]]</ref>. A probable explanation of Eermeth's choice of this place concretely over others is that the zone had an high concentration of Ley Lines: powerful forces of mystical energy that crisscross the planet <ref name=FaultlessMysticBadge>[[Faultless Mystic Badge]]</ref> and Nexus: meeting points of several Ley Lines which make magic stronger for miles around <ref name=MysticKingBadge>[[Mystic King Badge]]</ref>, had much to do in this: a place full of energies, for a society largely based on spell casting.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:28, 31 October 2013
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	Oranbega, now an empty subterranean ruin full of incorporeal spirits and demon fiends became a legend and sunk into myth. It would take thousands of years to be rediscovered by someone.		Oranbega, now an empty subterranean ruin full of incorporeal spirits and demon fiends became a legend and sunk into myth. It would take thousands of years to be rediscovered by someone.

	But the Oranbegan legends had somehow survived. In the XVII century the legend about "El Dorado of the east coast", as some called it, was still appealing to some. The Novus Cartago Expedition in 1602 <ref name=TerraVoltaReconoissance>[[Reconnaissance Officer#Terra Volta\|Terra Volta Reconoissance officer]]</ref> wanted to find the fabled city pictured by Girolamo da Verrazano in his 1529 map of his brother’s explorations <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://~~www~~.cityofheroes.com/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.~~html~~ CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>. Landing at what we call today [[Terra Volta]] <ref name=TerraVoltaReconoissance>[[Reconnaissance Officer#Terra Volta\|Terra Volta Reconoissance officer]]</ref> they were successful in finding an entrance to the sunken city, or at least close enough to find evidences and be noticed by the still active Circle of Thorns, who ambushed and killed part of perhaps all of the expedition <ref name=Helpthesoulwithinthecrystal>[[Peter Stemitz#Help the soul within the crystal orient itself\|Help the soul within the crystal orient itself]] from [[Peter Stemitz]]</ref>.<br>		But the Oranbegan legends had somehow survived. In the XVII century the legend about "El Dorado of the east coast", as some called it, was still appealing to some. The Novus Cartago Expedition in 1602 <ref name=TerraVoltaReconoissance>[[Reconnaissance Officer#Terra Volta\|Terra Volta Reconoissance officer]]</ref> wanted to find the fabled city pictured by Girolamo da Verrazano in his 1529 map of his brother’s explorations <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://web.archive.org/web/20121025114401/http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.php CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>. Landing at what we call today [[Terra Volta]] <ref name=TerraVoltaReconoissance>[[Reconnaissance Officer#Terra Volta\|Terra Volta Reconoissance officer]]</ref> they were successful in finding an entrance to the sunken city, or at least close enough to find evidences and be noticed by the still active Circle of Thorns, who ambushed and killed part of perhaps all of the expedition <ref name=Helpthesoulwithinthecrystal>[[Peter Stemitz#Help the soul within the crystal orient itself\|Help the soul within the crystal orient itself]] from [[Peter Stemitz]]</ref>.<br>
	Whatever the result, the book "Spells Of The First Order", a tattered vellum folio rumored to be an original translation of the first spells ever taught to mankind by the gods, was written the same year <ref name=DelivertheScrollofTielekku >[[Laura Brunetti#Deliver the Scroll of Tielekku to Dr. Cheng\|Deliver the Scroll of Tielekku to Dr. Cheng]] from [[Laura Brunetti]]</ref>. Perhaps someone managed to survive the expedition and gained the knowledge, or perhaps its just an strange coincidence.		Whatever the result, the book "Spells Of The First Order", a tattered vellum folio rumored to be an original translation of the first spells ever taught to mankind by the gods, was written the same year <ref name=DelivertheScrollofTielekku >[[Laura Brunetti#Deliver the Scroll of Tielekku to Dr. Cheng\|Deliver the Scroll of Tielekku to Dr. Cheng]] from [[Laura Brunetti]]</ref>. Perhaps someone managed to survive the expedition and gained the knowledge, or perhaps its just an strange coincidence.

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	Some decades later, in the 1890’s, in England, upper class found itself amid a tremendous upsurge of interest in the occult. Most of these dilettantes were more interested in the carnal aspects of ritual magic than in any kind of true arcane knowledge. There were, however, a few exceptions…among them the [[Baron Zoria]].		Some decades later, in the 1890’s, in England, upper class found itself amid a tremendous upsurge of interest in the occult. Most of these dilettantes were more interested in the carnal aspects of ritual magic than in any kind of true arcane knowledge. There were, however, a few exceptions…among them the [[Baron Zoria]].

	The charismatic Zoria came to England in 1890, allegedly from Russia. Some said his mentor was Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin no less, though there is some doubt as to whether they had ever actually met <ref name=TheHammeroftheWorld>[[Paragon Times/20041027\|Paragon Times, October 27 , 2004: The Hammer of the World]]</ref>. Zoria quickly developed a reputation as a fanatic, outré, and decidedly unpleasant figure. Despite (or perhaps because of) this reputation, the Baron managed to acquire a small circle of devotees. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://~~www~~.cityofheroes.com/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.~~html~~ CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>		The charismatic Zoria came to England in 1890, allegedly from Russia. Some said his mentor was Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin no less, though there is some doubt as to whether they had ever actually met <ref name=TheHammeroftheWorld>[[Paragon Times/20041027\|Paragon Times, October 27 , 2004: The Hammer of the World]]</ref>. Zoria quickly developed a reputation as a fanatic, outré, and decidedly unpleasant figure. Despite (or perhaps because of) this reputation, the Baron managed to acquire a small circle of devotees. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://web.archive.org/web/20121025114401/http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.php CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>

	Zoria’s burgeoning cult focused most of its energies on searching for signs of the long lost city of Oranbega. Although most people believe the mythic city was “invented” by Girolamo da Verrazano in his 1529 map of his brother’s explorations, Zoria believed the ancient underground city to be a real place.		Zoria’s burgeoning cult focused most of its energies on searching for signs of the long lost city of Oranbega. Although most people believe the mythic city was “invented” by Girolamo da Verrazano in his 1529 map of his brother’s explorations, Zoria believed the ancient underground city to be a real place.
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	Rather than mounting archeological expeditions or combing through dusty archives, Zoria chose a more direct approach. He set about contacting the spirits of the dead Oranbegan Sorcerer Kings. Apparently he was successful, for in a ceremony on the winter’s solstice of 1898, the Circle of Thorns was born (at least for the people of XIX century).		Rather than mounting archeological expeditions or combing through dusty archives, Zoria chose a more direct approach. He set about contacting the spirits of the dead Oranbegan Sorcerer Kings. Apparently he was successful, for in a ceremony on the winter’s solstice of 1898, the Circle of Thorns was born (at least for the people of XIX century).

	Zoria and each of his followers took a strange thorn, given to Zoria by the Oranbegan spirits. They simultaneously drove the bizarre spines into their chests, sinking them straight into their own hearts. The wounds closed as quickly as they had opened, sealing the enchanted thorns deep in their bodies and imbuing each with unique magical powers beyond anything they had ever possessed. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://~~www~~.cityofheroes.com/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.~~html~~ CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>		Zoria and each of his followers took a strange thorn, given to Zoria by the Oranbegan spirits. They simultaneously drove the bizarre spines into their chests, sinking them straight into their own hearts. The wounds closed as quickly as they had opened, sealing the enchanted thorns deep in their bodies and imbuing each with unique magical powers beyond anything they had ever possessed. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://web.archive.org/web/20121025114401/http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.php CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>
	In 1914, as war broke out on the continent, the Circle of Thorns left en masse for the United States. Varrazano’s original map had located an entrance to Oranbega on the east coast of North America. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://~~www~~.cityofheroes.com/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.~~html~~ CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>		In 1914, as war broke out on the continent, the Circle of Thorns left en masse for the United States. Varrazano’s original map had located an entrance to Oranbega on the east coast of North America. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://web.archive.org/web/20121025114401/http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.php CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>

	Although later copies of the map showed the city in New England, Zoria believed this to be a deception. His own communion with the spirits pinpointed the location as being beneath the burgeoning metropolis that we know today as Paragon City. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://~~www~~.cityofheroes.com/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.~~html~~ CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>		Although later copies of the map showed the city in New England, Zoria believed this to be a deception. His own communion with the spirits pinpointed the location as being beneath the burgeoning metropolis that we know today as Paragon City. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://web.archive.org/web/20121025114401/http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.php CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>

	Throughout the next six years the Circle of Thorns disappeared from view. Many in Europe thought that some no doubt well-deserved occult disaster had befallen them. In fact, Zoria and his core membership were busy searching for a physical entrance to Oranbega. To hear them tell it, they were successful. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://~~www~~.cityofheroes.com/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.~~html~~ CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>		Throughout the next six years the Circle of Thorns disappeared from view. Many in Europe thought that some no doubt well-deserved occult disaster had befallen them. In fact, Zoria and his core membership were busy searching for a physical entrance to Oranbega. To hear them tell it, they were successful. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://web.archive.org/web/20121025114401/http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.php CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>
	{{clr}}		{{clr}}

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	Knowing full well what would happen to him, the Doctor gathered about him a group of civic-minded magicians, occultists, and scholars to help protect the city against future threats from the Circle of Thorns. He called this group the [[Midnight Squad]], and the organization persists to this day as one of the premier superhero organizations in Paragon City.		Knowing full well what would happen to him, the Doctor gathered about him a group of civic-minded magicians, occultists, and scholars to help protect the city against future threats from the Circle of Thorns. He called this group the [[Midnight Squad]], and the organization persists to this day as one of the premier superhero organizations in Paragon City.

	Over the next few decades, the Circle of Thorns and the Midnight Squad continued to skirmish back and forth. Unfortunately, since only the Circle knew how to enter the lost city of Oranbega, they always had a safe and secure base to retreat in when matters grew desperate. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://~~www~~.cityofheroes.com/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.~~html~~ CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>		Over the next few decades, the Circle of Thorns and the Midnight Squad continued to skirmish back and forth. Unfortunately, since only the Circle knew how to enter the lost city of Oranbega, they always had a safe and secure base to retreat in when matters grew desperate. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://web.archive.org/web/20121025114401/http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.php CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>

	Despite the blunt end to their golden age and their unfinished business with the Midnight Squad, in the following decades the Circle of Thorns kept sending spies to the surface to know what was happening, or at least it did once: in the 60s the Circle of Thorns mage Dyaomesk was ordered to observe the outside world, and he stumbled onto the Cold War. He met [[Roger Vrabel]] himself somehow, and learned of his Titan Project. He came up with a plan and got approved by the Circle: He took a body and offered his services to help him hunt down other mages for this group. He intended to provide Vrabel the average and funnel the best along to the Circle for their own use, all the while working to indoctrinate Vrabel into the Circle's service. Sadly for him, Vrabel could not be subverted, so Dyaomesk falsified his own death and returned to the safety of Oranbega. But the Circle kept sending him out on missions. Much later, after the [[Rikti War]], Vrabel's associates, the [[Malta Group]], learned of him and tried to hunt him down, which has forced Dyaomesk to cooperate with government agencies in exchange for protection <ref name=CircleofThornsinformant>[[Crimson#Extract the Circle of Thorns informant\|Extract the Circle of Thorns informant]] from [[Crimson]]</ref>.<br>		Despite the blunt end to their golden age and their unfinished business with the Midnight Squad, in the following decades the Circle of Thorns kept sending spies to the surface to know what was happening, or at least it did once: in the 60s the Circle of Thorns mage Dyaomesk was ordered to observe the outside world, and he stumbled onto the Cold War. He met [[Roger Vrabel]] himself somehow, and learned of his Titan Project. He came up with a plan and got approved by the Circle: He took a body and offered his services to help him hunt down other mages for this group. He intended to provide Vrabel the average and funnel the best along to the Circle for their own use, all the while working to indoctrinate Vrabel into the Circle's service. Sadly for him, Vrabel could not be subverted, so Dyaomesk falsified his own death and returned to the safety of Oranbega. But the Circle kept sending him out on missions. Much later, after the [[Rikti War]], Vrabel's associates, the [[Malta Group]], learned of him and tried to hunt him down, which has forced Dyaomesk to cooperate with government agencies in exchange for protection <ref name=CircleofThornsinformant>[[Crimson#Extract the Circle of Thorns informant\|Extract the Circle of Thorns informant]] from [[Crimson]]</ref>.<br>
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	Robe-clad cult members have been seen on the surface in several locations. Strange new social clubs and cults have popped up in many neighborhoods, espousing beliefs very similar to those of the Circle, and many of these have turned overnight from simple spiritual movements to murderous cabals.<br>		Robe-clad cult members have been seen on the surface in several locations. Strange new social clubs and cults have popped up in many neighborhoods, espousing beliefs very similar to those of the Circle, and many of these have turned overnight from simple spiritual movements to murderous cabals.<br>

	Now the Midnight Squad is busy trying to put a stop to this burgeoning occult threat, but the more problems they encounter in Paragon City, the harder it is to find time to search out entrances to lost Oranbega. Which is, no doubt, just as Baron Zoria intends… <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://~~www~~.cityofheroes.com/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.~~html~~ CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>		Now the Midnight Squad is busy trying to put a stop to this burgeoning occult threat, but the more problems they encounter in Paragon City, the harder it is to find time to search out entrances to lost Oranbega. Which is, no doubt, just as Baron Zoria intends… <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://web.archive.org/web/20121025114401/http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.php CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>


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	~~'''SOURCES'''~~		== References ==

	<references />		<references />

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:44, 19 January 2012
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	That night in 1933 was the end of the Circle of Thorn’s existence as a public organization. Baron Zoria and his followers literally fled into the underground, allegedly taking up quarters in the dank and dangerous ruins of Oranbega. Their first order of business was taking vengeance upon the man who had ruined them: The Dream Doctor.		That night in 1933 was the end of the Circle of Thorn’s existence as a public organization. Baron Zoria and his followers literally fled into the underground, allegedly taking up quarters in the dank and dangerous ruins of Oranbega. Their first order of business was taking vengeance upon the man who had ruined them: The Dream Doctor.

	Knowing full well what would happen to him, the Doctor gathered about him a group of civic-minded magicians, occultists, and scholars to help protect the city against future threats from the Circle of Thorns. He called this group the [[Midnight Squad]], and the organization persists to this day as one of the ~~premiere~~ superhero organizations in Paragon City.		Knowing full well what would happen to him, the Doctor gathered about him a group of civic-minded magicians, occultists, and scholars to help protect the city against future threats from the Circle of Thorns. He called this group the [[Midnight Squad]], and the organization persists to this day as one of the premier superhero organizations in Paragon City.

	Over the next few decades, the Circle of Thorns and the Midnight Squad continued to skirmish back and forth. Unfortunately, since only the Circle knew how to enter the lost city of Oranbega, they always had a safe and secure base to retreat in when matters grew desperate. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://www.cityofheroes.com/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.html CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>		Over the next few decades, the Circle of Thorns and the Midnight Squad continued to skirmish back and forth. Unfortunately, since only the Circle knew how to enter the lost city of Oranbega, they always had a safe and secure base to retreat in when matters grew desperate. <ref name=the_circleofthorns >[http://www.cityofheroes.com/game_info/know_your_adversary/the_circle_of_thorns.html CoH Official Site: Circle of Thorns]</ref>

	Despite the blunt end to their golden age and their unfinished ~~bussiness~~ with the Midnight Squad, in the following decades the Circle of Thorns kept sending spies to the surface to know what was happening, or at least it did once: in the 60s the Circle of Thorns mage Dyaomesk was ordered to observe the outside world, and he stumbled onto the Cold War. He met [[Roger Vrabel]] himself somehow, and learned of his Titan Project. He came up with a plan and got approved by the Circle: He took a body and offered his services to help him hunt down other mages for this group. He intended to provide Vrabel the average and funnel the best along to the Circle for their own use, all the while working to indoctrinate Vrabel into the Circle's service. Sadly for him, Vrabel could not be subverted, so Dyaomesk falsified his own death and returned to the safety of Oranbega. But the Circle kept sending him out on missions. Much later, after the [[Rikti War]], Vrabel's associates, the [[Malta Group]], learned of him and tried to hunt him down, which has forced Dyaomesk to cooperate with ~~governmet~~ agencies in exchange for protection <ref name=CircleofThornsinformant>[[Crimson#Extract the Circle of Thorns informant\|Extract the Circle of Thorns informant]] from [[Crimson]]</ref>.<br>		Despite the blunt end to their golden age and their unfinished business with the Midnight Squad, in the following decades the Circle of Thorns kept sending spies to the surface to know what was happening, or at least it did once: in the 60s the Circle of Thorns mage Dyaomesk was ordered to observe the outside world, and he stumbled onto the Cold War. He met [[Roger Vrabel]] himself somehow, and learned of his Titan Project. He came up with a plan and got approved by the Circle: He took a body and offered his services to help him hunt down other mages for this group. He intended to provide Vrabel the average and funnel the best along to the Circle for their own use, all the while working to indoctrinate Vrabel into the Circle's service. Sadly for him, Vrabel could not be subverted, so Dyaomesk falsified his own death and returned to the safety of Oranbega. But the Circle kept sending him out on missions. Much later, after the [[Rikti War]], Vrabel's associates, the [[Malta Group]], learned of him and tried to hunt him down, which has forced Dyaomesk to cooperate with government agencies in exchange for protection <ref name=CircleofThornsinformant>[[Crimson#Extract the Circle of Thorns informant\|Extract the Circle of Thorns informant]] from [[Crimson]]</ref>.<br>
	Though it didn't work against Vrabel, the degree of infiltration the Circle and Oranbega gained in the Malta Group is unknown as of today.		Though it didn't work against Vrabel, the degree of infiltration the Circle and Oranbega gained in the Malta Group is unknown as of today.

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	They excavated more rooms as they needed them, using a variation on their portal technology. Apparently, the magical runes and protection spells hiding Oranbega from the rest of the world had no effect on technology from another dimension. The [[Rikti]] had accidentally discovered the vast underground lair of the Circle of Thorns.<br>		They excavated more rooms as they needed them, using a variation on their portal technology. Apparently, the magical runes and protection spells hiding Oranbega from the rest of the world had no effect on technology from another dimension. The [[Rikti]] had accidentally discovered the vast underground lair of the Circle of Thorns.<br>

	Although most of the city’s heroes are ~~loathe~~ to admit it, this unintended revelation may well have played a key role in turning the tide of the Rikti War. The Circle, long dormant, was not nearly as dead as many had imagined.		Although most of the city’s heroes are loath to admit it, this unintended revelation may well have played a key role in turning the tide of the Rikti War. The Circle, long dormant, was not nearly as dead as many had imagined.
	The aliens found themselves not only fighting super powered heroes on the surface, but magic wielding, demon summoning fanatics down below. The now quite aged Baron Zoria himself led the charge at the head of his elite Thorn Wielders against the aliens, pushing them out of Oranbega and the surrounding caves.<br>		The aliens found themselves not only fighting super powered heroes on the surface, but magic wielding, demon summoning fanatics down below. The now quite aged Baron Zoria himself led the charge at the head of his elite Thorn Wielders against the aliens, pushing them out of Oranbega and the surrounding caves.<br>
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	The city and its ~~inhabitans~~ are known for its extensive use of crystals, which can be found almost everywhere inside: some can revitalize those near them, others can heal, and some others even ~~eminate~~ deadly, ~~harmful energies~~ causing ~~phisical~~ pain.		The city and its inhabitants are known for its extensive use of crystals, which can be found almost everywhere inside: some can revitalize those near them, others can heal, and some others even emanate deadly energies, causing physical pain.


	[[File:Mystical Construct Portal 2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|200px\|Summoning Portal. Oranbegans are well known for their demon summoning skills]]		[[File:Mystical Construct Portal 2.jpg\|left\|thumb\|200px\|Summoning Portal. Oranbegans are well known for their demon summoning skills]]
	The city also has portals, some of which can reach places such as far away as the strange Shadow Shard. Oranbega has many summoning chambers, as the Circle is adept at summoning and binding of extradimensional demons: the Circle is well-known for its mastery at summoning fiends, some as powerful as [[Envoy of Shadows\|The Envoy of Shadows]] or Lilitu herself. The city is also known for its vast magical libraries: Among the tomes you can find there are The Translation Stone, Spells Of The First Order, Lost Tongues of the Tower Makers, Of the First Ones, The Red Dust Tome, The Obsidian Libram <ref name=DelivertheScrollofTielekku >[[Laura Brunetti#Deliver the Scroll of Tielekku to Dr. Cheng\|Deliver the Scroll of Tielekku to Dr. Cheng]] from [[Laura Brunetti]]</ref>, the Tome of Tormvodel <ref name=TomeofTormvodel>[[Ghost Widow#Get the Tome of Tormvodel\|Get the Tome of Tormvodel]] from [[Ghost Widow]]</ref>, and, of course, the Tome of Bloodlines, and any others the Circle can acquire as well. Not surprisingly, Oranbega's language used by the Circle to record their books its called just Oranbegan. <ref name=PreventCirclefromControllingBatZul>[[Virgil Tarikoss Strike Force#Prevent Circle from Controlling Bat'Zul\|Prevent Circle from Controlling Bat'Zul]] from [[Virgil Tarikoss]]</ref>		The city also has portals, some of which can reach places such as far away as the strange Shadow Shard. Oranbega has many summoning chambers, as the Circle is adept at the summoning and binding of extradimensional demons: the Circle is well-known for its mastery at summoning fiends, some as powerful as [[Envoy of Shadows\|The Envoy of Shadows]] or Lilitu herself. The city is also known for its vast magical libraries: Among the tomes you can find there are The Translation Stone, Spells Of The First Order, Lost Tongues of the Tower Makers, Of the First Ones, The Red Dust Tome, The Obsidian Libram <ref name=DelivertheScrollofTielekku >[[Laura Brunetti#Deliver the Scroll of Tielekku to Dr. Cheng\|Deliver the Scroll of Tielekku to Dr. Cheng]] from [[Laura Brunetti]]</ref>, the Tome of Tormvodel <ref name=TomeofTormvodel>[[Ghost Widow#Get the Tome of Tormvodel\|Get the Tome of Tormvodel]] from [[Ghost Widow]]</ref>, and, of course, the Tome of Bloodlines, and any others the Circle can acquire as well. Not surprisingly, Oranbega's language used by the Circle to record their books its called just Oranbegan. <ref name=PreventCirclefromControllingBatZul>[[Virgil Tarikoss Strike Force#Prevent Circle from Controlling Bat'Zul\|Prevent Circle from Controlling Bat'Zul]] from [[Virgil Tarikoss]]</ref>


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	Though magical runes and protection spells used to hide Oranbega from the rest of the world, all that ended with the Rikti War and now anyone who finds a phisycal entrance may reach the sunken city... if he's brave or foolish enough to do so.		Though magical runes and protection spells were once used to hide Oranbega from the rest of the world, all that ended with the Rikti War and now anyone who finds a phisycal entrance may reach the sunken city... if he's brave or foolish enough to do so.