Worldbuilding: The Ruins of Ateeq - The Beast of Ildenwood

They've been mentioned a few times already in the story, and while they'll be mentioned some more in the future, I wanted to go ahead and introduce the Ruins of Ateeq and their place in the world of The Beast of Ildenwood. 

My attempt at completely digital art. Line art and shading are officially out of the question until I figure out how in the world they're supposed to work digitally!

The Ruins of Ateeq are the resting place of the mysterious and powerful artifact that is unearthed prior to the beginning of the story. This artifact, called Muna, is the reason everything is taking place. There are those who theorize that the war is only a farce - a distraction the enemies from over the western seas have brought about so that they can fight their way to the peaceful and largely uninhabited Ruins of Ateeq and unearth Muna. 

Old and crumbling, the Ruins of Ateeq are also a place of great historical significance. The region does not belong to any kingdom to nation; it is a free zone where all can travel and any can enter, though over time the importance of the area in the people's collective consciousness has faded, increasingly forgotten with each passing year.

It is therefore mostly of significance to the Noble Guardians, who know what lies beneath the grounds and what manner of dangerous power can be found in this peaceful stretch of land.

Built upon the rolling hills, history speaks of Ateeq as a place of scholarly intrigue and discovery. It was here that students, researchers, and scholars of all backgrounds came to learn together. It became a hub for studying the Hundred Artifacts, a category said to encompass all of the artifacts that could be found in the world - artifacts whose origins were a mystery, but whose powers were great. Muna is one of these artifacts. 

Much of the knowledge stored within the great marble walls of the many schools, libraries, and other buildings in Ateeq can no longer be found there. With the Great Quakes, the entire region was destroyed, and while people tried to salvage as much as they could, much of what was known at the time was lost to the earth, in reaches far below what any normal person could uncover. Efforts to excavate the ruins and attempt to unearth almost five artifacts that are suspected to be lying beneath the surface were prohibited by various governments. The official reason was a possible instability in the grounds due to the Quakes, but at the time, the decision was met with a great deal of suspicion.

Mayhaps the Guardians know more about the downfall of Ateeq than they let on...