Ortus Mallum
Ortus Mallum is a fortified hilltop village located in the northwest region of Oldeshire, directly south of Exzoa and east of Whitevale. Founded by AstriaPorta and FanaticApe, the village serves as the ancestral home of the Ori people—a small, insular community known for their medieval aesthetics and traditions.
Although modest in scale and only partially developed, Ortus Mallum is distinguished by its towering palisade. The name, which loosely translates to “Birthplace of Evil” in an ancient tongue, hints at either dramatic myth-making or playful hyperbole.
Geography & Setting
Ortus Mallum is built on a lush, green hillside with rolling elevations and sparse tree coverage. A narrow, elongated pond runs north to south across the village, bisecting the small settlement and adding a tranquil feature to the rugged, fortified environment.
Defenses & Walls
The most striking feature of Ortus Mallum is its massive timber palisade, which forms a roughly circular enclosure around the village. In some sections, the palisade rises to over 25 meters, creating a visually imposing barrier uncommon among similar-sized settlements. A single fortified gate on the western wall serves as the only official entrance and exit.
Village Structures
Despite its fearsome perimeter, the interior of Ortus Mallum is relatively humble. The village includes a small assortment of medieval-style buildings constructed of timber, stone, and wood-shingled roofs. Key features within the walls include:
- A central open-air market
- A traditional Inn
- A fletcher’s workshop
- Several modest homes and cottages
- A horse stable
- A 50-meter tall wooden watchtower, offering sweeping views of the surrounding terrain
Castle Foundation & the Chamber Below
On the eastern edge of the village stands a high stone foundation intended to support a future castle. The platform is flat and grass-covered, with no superstructure currently built upon it. The intent behind this empty stage remains unclear— perhaps it was an abandoned project or a symbolic placeholder for future grandeur.
Beneath this castle base lies Ortus Mallum’s most cryptic element: a small stone-walled chamber accessible only via a narrow storm drain. Inside, a single inscription adorns the wall:
“Like Mars, we will be the bringers of war, the heralds of death and suffering – God’s instrument to destroy the wicked and vanquish the unworthy. Ortus Mallum, the birthplace of all evil.”
Though dramatic in tone, this message is likely ceremonial or satirical in nature, a relic of early ambitions or roleplay by its builders rather than a declaration of real power.
Despite its relatively small footprint, Ortus Mallum continues to attract curiosity for its history, stark visuals, and sense of purpose far exceeding its physical scale.