Tragedy struck the Mutu valley as a wyvern attacked the airship of racer Brock “Bandit” Yattes, sending it on a collision course with a boat of onlookers. The infamous Hedge Taverns Run, the unsanctioned club that attempts each year to beat the record for circumnavigation of the globe, had rerouted its previous course to include an airship ride through Auxientia against the protests of the city. The Parastin Order was able to recover all the spectators aboard the boat, but it is believed the Bandit perished in the explosion.
At the time the crash, newcomer racer Nelly Legbail had been spotted taking an alternative route around the valley. All racers following behind the Bandit were reportedly turning back, putting Legbail in a considerable lead when the race concludes at its traditional point in Red Ball.
Navigating the valley of Mutu’s treacherous rock formations and territorial wyverns has always proven dangerous, even for the most experienced of crews, and especially at low altitudes. While providing a natural protection from invaders for centuries, these obstacles have prevented the large-scale trade desperately needed by Auxientia with the rest of the world. Innovation giant Luciole Ltd. has thus far been unable to create a ship capable of outmaneuvering the wyvern, while Bāhira cannot craft barges large enough to transport supplies in and out of the valley.
