Xolldo, Clivilius

Origins and Foundation

The settlement that would become Xolldo emerged from circumstances both desperate and defiant in the early eleventh century. Its origins trace back to a small band of outcasts whose individual paths, marked by tragedy and betrayal, converged into a shared vision of survival beyond the reach of authoritarian governance. Founded on 21 March 1017, Xolldo's creation was not the result of a grand plan but rather the inevitable consequence of four remarkable individuals finding common cause in their rejection of conventional society.

The region that would shelter these founders was a secluded valley deep, surrounded by high cliffs that offered both protection from pursuit and concealment from prying eyes. The geography itself seemed designed for those who wished to disappear—hidden caves punctuated the cliff faces, providing natural storage spaces and defensible positions, whilst the valley floor offered enough arable land for basic sustenance. A tributary of what would later become known as the Bixbus River flowed through the valley, ensuring a reliable water source for any community bold enough to establish itself in such an isolated location.

What began as a refuge for fugitives would transform, through necessity and ingenuity, into something far more significant. The founders recognised that mere survival was insufficient; they needed purpose, structure, and the means to thrive. Their answer lay in the Portals—those mystical gateways overseen by Guardians that connected Clivilius settlements to Earth, ensuring a steady flow of supplies and resources essential for existence. The founders reasoned that if legitimate settlements relied on these Portals for their prosperity, then intercepting that flow could sustain an alternative community operating outside the established order.

The Founders

The four individuals who established Xolldo brought complementary skills and perspectives that would prove essential to the settlement's survival and eventual prosperity. Their combined experiences—of loss, betrayal, disillusionment, and resilience—formed the philosophical foundation upon which the Portal Pirate capital would be built.

Rina Aethelwulf emerged as the de facto leader of the group. Born on 12 April 998 in the impoverished settlement of Eldridge, Rina's early life was shaped by tragedy when a raid claimed her parents' lives when she was just seven years old. Forced to survive through pickpocketing and thievery, she developed an exceptional talent for strategic thinking and an ability to assess situations with remarkable clarity. By her teenage years, Rina had already made a name for herself in Eldridge's criminal underworld, her piercing green eyes and jet-black hair becoming unmistakable trademarks. Standing at five feet six inches with a lean, muscular build, her presence commanded respect even in the most perilous situations. Her charisma and quick thinking would often turn the tide in difficult circumstances, making her the natural choice to guide the fledgling community.

Kael Eldwin provided the military expertise and physical strength the group required. Born on 16 May 988 in the city of Valtor, Kael had served as a captain in the Valtor Guard, the elite force tasked with defending the city and enforcing the authority of the Council of Blades. His formidable combat prowess and towering presence made him a natural leader of men, yet his growing disillusionment with the corruption and brutality he witnessed led him to desert his post on 20 February 1013, following an order to disperse a peaceful demonstration that resulted in civilian deaths. After two years wandering Clivilius as a mercenary and labourer, Kael encountered Rina in August 1015 when she attempted to steal from him. Their brief scuffle revealed a kindred spirit, and Kael's military acumen became instrumental in transforming the group from fugitives into an organised force.

Jorn brought technical knowledge and tactical intelligence to the partnership. A former blacksmith from the settlement of Valtair, Jorn had seen his thriving business destroyed by Lord Avarus, a powerful figure who sought to eliminate competition. His broad-shouldered, muscular frame bore the calloused hands of years working the forge, and he maintained a well-groomed thick beard that spoke to his disciplined nature. Beyond his metalworking skills, Jorn possessed an analytical mind that proved invaluable for understanding Portal mechanics and Guardian schedules. His ability to predict the most opportune moments for their raids minimised risk whilst maximising reward.

Selene served as the moral compass of the group. A former member of the Dornian Rangers, the elite archers who protected her home settlement of Dornia, Selene had been betrayed by her comrades after uncovering a plot involving collaboration with bandits. Left for dead, she was rescued by Rina, Kael, and Jorn whilst they evaded Dornian authorities. Her tall, muscular frame and short blonde hair gave her a commanding presence, whilst the scar above her left eyebrow served as a permanent reminder of the betrayal she had survived. Selene's empathy and understanding of settlement dynamics ensured that the group's activities maintained a degree of conscience, preventing their necessary raids from devolving into wanton cruelty.

The Birth of Portal Piracy

Driven by the imperative to survive, the founders turned their attention to the Portals. These gateways, overseen by Guardians, served as lifelines for settlements throughout Clivilius, connecting them to Earth and ensuring a flow of supplies and resources essential for sustenance. The founders recognised that settlements had grown accustomed to stockpiling resources near their Portals for convenience—a practice that created vulnerability for those who knew how to exploit it.

Observing the patterns of Guardians became a skill as critical as any form of combat or stealth the founders possessed. They became shadows at the edge of light, spectres waiting for the moment a Portal would activate, heralding the arrival of a Guardian laden with goods. Their ambushes were calculated and swift, leaving little chance for retaliation. The precision of their strikes and their ability to vanish into the landscape earned them a reputation that spread across Clivilius. They became known as Portal Pirates—a designation that would come to define not just their activities but their entire way of life.

This approach to survival represented a fundamental challenge to the established order. The Guardians, who had long operated with relative impunity, now faced adversaries who understood their methods and could anticipate their movements. The settlements that had relied on predictable supply chains found themselves forced to adapt to a new reality where security could no longer be taken for granted.

Geographical Situation and Natural Defences

Xolldo occupies a strategically significant position within Clivilius, situated in a secluded valley surrounded by high cliffs that provide natural cover and protection. The settlement lies approximately four hundred kilometres upstream along the Bixbus River from the location that would eventually become modern-day Bixbus, though the river carried different names in the eleventh century when Xolldo was founded.

The geography of the area proved ideal for a community seeking concealment. The high cliffs that encircle the valley create a natural fortress, with only limited approaches that can be easily monitored and defended. A series of hidden caves, initially discovered during the founders' first surveys of the region, provided storage for plundered resources and eventually became the foundation for the city's extensive underground network. These subterranean passages allowed the Portal Pirates to move goods and personnel without observation, creating a logistics system that supported their operations for centuries.

The valley floor itself offered sufficient arable land for basic agriculture, whilst the river provided water for drinking, irrigation, and transportation. Over time, the settlement expanded to utilise every advantage the terrain offered, with structures built into cliff faces, watchtowers positioned at strategic vantage points, and escape routes maintained through the cave network for use in emergencies.

Social Structure and Governance

The founders of Xolldo established a meritocratic society where status and influence were earned through contributions to the city's welfare and success in raids. This social structure represented a deliberate rejection of the hereditary privileges and corrupt hierarchies that characterised settlements like Valtor. In Xolldo, a person's worth was measured by their actions rather than their birth, encouraging innovation and loyalty amongst inhabitants who might otherwise have had no prospects in conventional society.

Early in the settlement's history, the founders established a code of conduct for all Portal Pirates. This code emphasised honour among thieves, the fair distribution of resources, and the protection of Xolldo at all costs. The code served multiple purposes: it maintained order within a community populated by individuals accustomed to operating outside the law; it ensured that successful raids benefited the collective rather than enriching particular individuals; and it created a shared identity that bound the inhabitants together across differences in background and origin.

The Council of Shadows eventually emerged as Xolldo's governing body, a natural evolution of the founders' original leadership structure. This enigmatic council operates with the same emphasis on secrecy and discretion that characterises the city itself, conducting its affairs beyond conventional authority whilst maintaining the principles established by Rina, Kael, Jorn, and Selene.

Economic Foundation and Development

The economy of Xolldo in its early days was primarily based on the redistribution of plundered goods. Successful raids on Guardian convoys and settlement stockpiles provided the resources necessary for survival, whilst the fair distribution mandated by the founders' code ensured that even the newest members of the community benefited from collective success.

As the city grew, however, it began to develop its own industries that reduced dependence on raiding alone. The hidden caves that initially served as storage facilities were converted into workshops and forges, where skilled craftspeople produced goods for both internal consumption and trade. Most significantly, Xolldo's artisans began crafting unique artefacts that manipulate dimensional energies—items that became highly sought after across both Earth and Clivilius.

This economic diversification reflected the broader evolution of Xolldo from a band of raiders into a self-sustaining community. Whilst Portal Piracy remained central to the city's identity and operations, the development of legitimate industries provided stability and attracted individuals whose skills lay in creation rather than appropriation.

Technological Innovation

The Portal Pirates of Xolldo became renowned for their unique modifications to standard Portal technology, innovations that made them formidable opponents to the Guardians and contributed significantly to their legendary status. Where Guardian Portal Keys were designed for stability and safety with regulated travel patterns, Xolldo's technologists focused on versatility and exploitation.

Key innovations included the development of stealthier portal activation methods that allowed the Pirates to operate without alerting Guardian monitoring systems, and the creation of portable portal devices that freed them from dependence on fixed gateway locations. These technological advances drew upon the foundational work of physicist Ettore Majorana, whose understanding of Majorana particles and dimensional mechanics provided the theoretical basis for what became distinctively Portal Pirate technology.

The comprehensive location database maintained by Xolldo's navigators proved particularly significant. Far more extensive than those used by Guardians, this database catalogued recorded points across both Earth and Clivilius, enabling Pirates to travel with unprecedented freedom and strike at locations their adversaries considered secure. This intelligence-gathering capability required constant updating and represented a collective resource that belonged to the community rather than any individual.

Conflict and Consolidation

Xolldo's first significant act of defiance against established authority came on 7 July 1018, when Kael coordinated a precision raid on a Guardian convoy near Frostfall. The success of this operation established the settlement's reputation and provoked ongoing hostility from the Council of Blades in Valtor, who viewed the Portal Pirates as a direct challenge to their authority.

Throughout the 1020s and 1030s, Xolldo grew into a fully self-sustaining community with codified laws, trade networks, and a defence force drawn from former soldiers, hunters, and smugglers. The founders' partnership deepened during this period: Kael and Selene married in 1025, and their children—Eamon, born in 1027, and Elara, born in 1030—would grow to become respected figures in their own right, with Eamon developing as a skilled diplomat and Elara becoming a field commander of note.

Repeated skirmishes with the Council of Blades tested the settlement's resilience but ultimately strengthened its defences and resolve. Kael's military strategies ensured Xolldo's survival through each conflict, though he reportedly bore the weight of every casualty personally—a burden that affected his health and deepened his naturally reserved nature.

Cultural Traditions and the Gathering of Shadows

Xolldo celebrates its founding each year with a festival known as the Gathering of Shadows, a week-long event that honours the city's history, its founders, and the successes of its pirates. Held annually on 21 March—the anniversary of the settlement's establishment—the festival includes competitions that test the skills valued in Portal Pirate society, storytelling that preserves and transmits the community's oral traditions, and ceremonial tributes to Rina, Kael, Jorn, and Selene.

The Gathering of Shadows serves multiple functions beyond commemoration. It reinforces communal identity and shared values, provides an opportunity for the transmission of knowledge and skills between generations, and creates a regular occasion for the scattered members of the Portal Pirate community to return to their capital and renew their connections with one another.

The Passing of the Founders

The founders of Xolldo lived to see their desperate refuge transform into a thriving capital, though none achieved extreme old age. Kael Eldwin died peacefully on 12 August 1050 at the age of sixty-two, his funeral drawing hundreds from across Clivilius—including rival leaders who respected his resolve despite their opposition to his cause. He was buried in a grove overlooking the city he had helped build, his monument inscribed with words honouring him as a founder, leader, and champion of freedom.

Rina Aethelwulf, who had led the community from its earliest days, passed away on 22 October 1067 at the age of sixty-nine. Her death marked the end of an era, yet her legacy lived on in every aspect of the city she had created. The strategic thinking and tactical brilliance she had brought to the founders' council remained embedded in Xolldo's approach to operations, whilst the meritocratic principles she championed continued to govern social advancement within the community.

Relations with Modern Settlements

The relationship between Xolldo and the modern settlement of Bixbus, founded in July 2018 by Luke Smith, represents a fascinating study in contrasts. The two cities share the same river yet embody opposite philosophies: Bixbus, with its healing lagoon and university halls, represents hope through governance and innovation, whilst Xolldo lurks upstream—a capital born from desperation and sustained by cunning.

The tension between order and chaos, between those who build within systems and those who thrive beyond them, creates a complex dynamic that influences regional politics and commerce. Traders and travellers moving along the river must navigate between these two centres of power, each representing different approaches to the fundamental questions of authority, justice, and survival that have shaped Clivilius throughout its history.

Modern Legacy

Over the centuries, Xolldo has evolved from its origins as a desperate encampment into a monument to its founders' success—a city born from necessity, elevated by ambition, and sustained by the fierce loyalty of its inhabitants. The legacy of Rina, Kael, Jorn, and Selene is etched into every stone of the settlement, a constant reminder of the city's origins and the indomitable spirit of those who established it.

Modern Portal Pirates continue to operate from Xolldo, their methods refined through generations of accumulated wisdom but their fundamental principles unchanged from those established by the founders. Notable contemporary figures include Nelson Price, born in Xolldo on 22 March 1968, whose ruthless efficiency and strategic brilliance exemplify the city's values, and his partner Griffin Langley, who found in Xolldo a home that matched his restless spirit despite having been born in Cornwall, England.

The tales of the founders' exploits have become the stuff of legend, inspiring each new generation of Portal Pirates to navigate the complexities of inter-dimensional operations with the same cunning and bravery as their predecessors. Xolldo stands as testament to what can be achieved by those whom conventional society has rejected—proof that survival, when combined with principle and purpose, can create something that endures across a millennium and more.