Yasala
Role
Personal maidservant to Princess Tascela.
Secrets
She was sent by Tascela to drug Valeria for an unknown purpose.
Dialogue
Speaks only under extreme duress or to beg for wine.
Appearance
Dark-skinned, sullen-faced, handsome girl with long lashes and black hair.
Background
A servant in the Tecuhltli quarter.
Identified
true
Motivations
To serve Tascela's cryptic and likely perverse whims.
Personality
Sullen, stubborn, and resilient under torture.
Competencies
Stealth and the use of the black lotus drug.
Plot Relevance
Attempts to drug Valeria with the black lotus, leading to a violent confrontation.
First Appearance
The throne room of Tecuhltli
Timeline
The Drugging Attempt
Sneaks into Valeria's room with a black lotus blossom to induce sleep.
The Interrogation
Captured and whipped by Valeria; she eventually agrees to talk but tricks Valeria and escapes.
Flight to the Catacombs
Flees into the catacombs where Valeria hears her scream in terror.
Explore more
Chicmec
A scout for the Tecuhltli clan whose death serves as a narrative catalyst.
Characters
Valeria Discovers the City of Xuchotl
manuscript
Plot & Structure
The Great Hall System
## Overview The **Great Hall System** is the primary architectural and navigational artery of the city of **Xuchotl**. Unlike traditional cities, Xuchotl is constructed as a single, massive, interconnected structure under one roof, with the Great Hall serving as the equivalent of a main street. ## Mechanics and Rules * **Orientation:** The hall traverses the entire city from the **North Gate** to the **South Gate**. * **Dimensions:** It is described as being of "heroic proportions," with a length so vast that its vista grows indistinct in the distance. * **Construction:** The floor is composed of square tiles of a red stone that smolders with the reflection of flames. The walls are made of green jade, and the vaulted ceiling is crafted from lapis lazuli. * **Illumination:** The hall is lit by clusters of **Green Fire-Jewels** set into the ceiling, which glow with a poisonous radiance, supplemented by crystalline skylights that allow filtered sunlight to enter. ## Narrative Significance The Great Hall represents the only major open space within the claustrophobic, palace-like city. It acts as the boundary between the warring factions of **Tecuhltli** and **Xotalanc**. Techotl notes that the city gates, which terminate this hall, have not been opened for fifty years, emphasizing the isolation of the inhabitants.
World & Mechanics