Great Burning

The Great Burning was a cataclysmic fire that raged across Surket in the year 461 AA. The fire started in the evening in late summer and lasted 54 days, only being put out once and for all by a 4 day rain, flash flooding, and the intervention of the Aquian military. It is estimated that as many as 100,000 people died.

The Great Burning was caused by excessive drought and possibly arson. The city was being laid siege to by Pharaoh Celestia in the War of the False Pharaohs, and one of the things she did was dam up the Crimson River. With no access to fresh water and an even drier summer than normal, the city became extremely at risk for a fire. People were dying in the hundreds each day in the week before the fire began from thirst alone as the city was besieged.

It is unclear what started the fire. Some will say it was simply an accident that was the result of how high the chances of a wildfire were. Others say that the fire was started by Celestia and her forces. Whatever the cause, it began in the Gardens and quickly spread to the other parts of the city, engulfing the whole thing in a matter of days. The fire raged for 54 days and nearly half a million people would lose their home. While many structures were destroyed utterly, some dating back to the founding of the city in 4000 BA, many of the iconic structures found within Surket survived. The Citadel remained relatively untouched and the Temple of the Sun melted on the outside, but also remained in tact. The fire could supposedly be seen from 100 miles away at night.

After 54 days, there was a storm that caused it to rain for 4 days straight. It is well documented that, as this storm began, the wind created a massive fire tornado that rolled out of the city and dealt a considerable amount of damage to the Aquian forces. The storm caused heavy flooding and the dam to the Crimson River was broken, either by Aquian forces purposely or as the result of the flooding. After the massive flood, a huge sandstorm blew through and put out any remaining fires, though Aquian accounts say that the army had to finish putting out many of the fires as well.

It took the city nearly 50 years to completely rebuild. Instead of clearing the rubble, much of the city we see today was simply built right over top of the burnt wreckage. The disaster caused significant economic strain and is considered by many experts to be one of the things that helped to trigger the decline and fall of the Aquian Empire. Many stories and plays from this time exist today, possibly the most famous example being the story of the Queen in Rags. The Undercity of Surket also owes its existence, at least in part, to the ruins that now lie one level down.