Atlas Of The Middle Kingdoms VI

AtlasAtlas ofof thethe MiddleMiddle KingdomsKingdoms VIVI The Capitol

Original Documents by Lord Sid, Dean, Palomar Librarium Updated by Valedar Gonn-Maskeros of the Phaelernin Cartographic and Historical Research Society

I: A Short History

The northern most lands of Octzel are Octzel was believed to have existed in located on the Tedermisha Peninsula, a land some form prior to these events, as a upon which can be found the Veraggen remote colonial garrison for sea vessels of Mountains, the Forestlands of Andesor, and the time. During these early years, the the Capitol itself. Tedermisha, in the Middle colony was called Noenday, or "No Man's Tongue and Old Tongue, means Land." This was entirely true, for in those "homeland," for indeed the Capitol marks days, the lands of Octzel were savage, rife the homeland of most all Octzellan people. with the tribes of the Anyu, Mihidir, and more dreadful beasts. Kythians were said to The Dawn of Octzel have been more prominent as well, dwelling freely throughout any forested Octzel was founded around 500-530 by land they could claim for their own. Hyrkanian Naval forces of the time during a Fifteen hundred years ago, the most period of mass insurrection and religious advanced ships of the time were longships, conflict. It was suggested that this was a and travel southward was both costly and time marke dby the rise of the first son of dangerous. Octzel was initially founded to House Vestillios in Hyrkania, who seized support such expeditions, but was very control of the throne from Abernan shortly seen as a viable means of ridding Usyllyses II, and insitgated an exclusive the core Empire of unwanted religious policy regarding the multitudinous lesser dissidents by Vestillios I. religions and cults which promulgated the Had this not been the case, Octzel might coastlands of Hyrkania. His rulership have remained as it were, to eventually be favored the Divinate, and while war was the source of a great expansion into the initiated by the supporters,of Abernan II savage lands for the Empire. Instead, with who would not back down from the support the import of so many persecuted followers of the Sacrimori, most of the lesser cults of faith, events were set in motion that were caught in the bloody middle. This would. forever change history. conflict would eventually be resolved by the One of the most seditious and strongest likes of Hodon Systalien and Wakaris cults that opposed the Divinates' official Nebaram, but until their intervention, the status were the Followers of Enki. Their Faith Wars were truly bloody. leader was a doddering old man who took

1 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved ill and died, but in his place, a young acolyte the Empire were unable to come to a who had been so vocal and charismatic in coherent resolution, nor were they able to Hyrkania that they dared not execute him spare forces to quench the unrest and for fear of great public riots beyond revolution in Noenday. imagining, was offered, and accepted, the It is said that, years later, Venn Ta role of spiritual leader. His name was Octzel returned in disguise to the lands of Venn- Ta. Hyrkania, and walked among the people, Venn Ta spoke to the people of the penal teaching the ways of Enki and speaking of colony. He spoke of perseverance, the great new temple which was being tolerance, and the right of all men to erected to the west, at Tedermisha. worship any and all gods. The naval garrison Gradually, pilgrims would flood to the was lax in it’s efforts to quench any such western free land, to escape the oppression talk among the prisoners. They were of the Empire. employing the labor of the colony to-found Venn Ta had come to Noenday in 513. By a much larger community and to harvest 523, the Faith Wars had cooled off, as the wood of the forest lands to better use. Vestillios was deposed and revealed for the The admiral in charge was disaffected with Immortal of Chaos he was. By 527, Noenday the events of the Empire, and so there was had expanded to the size of a small city, a no perceived need to question the religious frontier fortress beyond reckoning. The first practices and interactions of the prisoners. foundations of the Temple of Enki had been Eventually, Venn Ta united all of the lain upon the Sacred Island off the coast. prisoners under his charismatic leadership. The Garrison had been converted into a They believed in him, whether they keep, from which Venn Ta's trusted followed the ways of Enki or not. Even the councilors ruled. excommunicates of the Divinate, or purists While pursuing his wanderings, Venn Ta of Slithotep who worshipped their god in came to study magic, and coupled his ways too unacceptable to the Divinate studies with the divine teachings of Enki. would stand behind Venn Ta. History does not record the name of his When at last Venn Ta decided to take teacher, but this does mark the beginning action, he was met with the resounding cry of the end for his sanity, as years later, of victory by all of the prisoners. Thousands Venn Ta would have visions which he had been deported to Noenday, and claimed were from Enki, speaking of the thousands rose up, swinging wide the gates conquest of the Holy Land. He received this to the garrison, and completely engulfing vision in 545, after having returned home the naval base with almost no resistance. from his wanderings, teachings, and The Admiral, a man named Kasyrtan, tutelage in magic. By 557, he had forged a willingly pledged his own services to Venn crude army of the most devout, who sailed Ta, swayed by the man's amazing charisma. onward to Hyrkania, and to the glory of Noenday could only grow from here. Enki's might. In the course of passage, a When word of the colony's freedom terrible hurricane struck, and decimated reached the shores of Hyrkania, reaction much of the fleet. Venn Ta himself was lost was swift on the part of refugees who overboard, never to be seen again. Some sought escape from the bloody civil war, ships that survived this saw this as a Caught up in the conflict, the two sides of warning from Enki, that Octzel Venn Ta was

2 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved misguided, and turned back. Those who rumors of extensive catacombs, secret went on were destroyed by the Naval passages, and other hidden secrets within Garrisons of Krythia, Kymir, and Kentoth. and beneath the palace walls. After his death, the supporters of Venn Ta Until 858 aw, no stone wall graced the immortalized him as a martyr, and taught Capitol. When Queen Dellon Vellos took that his lesson was one of humility and control, the wooden walls used to protect humbleacceptance of the way things are. the inner city were cast down, and great This resulted in the establishment of the quarries out of the Veraggen mountains doctrine of Enki, which is that change will were used to construct the Inner Wall of occur without the hand of man, and that all the city. This was also the time of the War things must be allowed to pass. This policy of Territory, in which countless Anyu were of noninterference on the part of the slaughtered as southern lands were church, while violated at times in the past gradually claimed by the greedy and present, has been the founding landowners, prospectors, and settlers. The element of its philosophy ever since. Savage Lands were slowly shrinking. Octzel Venn Ta was given immortality by The Great Outer Wall of Octzel was built his actions, and also by the election of his late in the history of the Capitol, by proper name to the new city. Noenday is, to Octzoron Andor. Around 2000 to 2020, this day, still used to describe the garrison Andor was the magical pawn of the section of the Capitol, but Octzel itself, as a Wizardly Advisor Quirak, who sought his name to the city, and to the nation, serves own dark plans. Fueling a great war to remind the people of the land where spawned by territorial rights, trade conflict, their roots are. and rutheless privateering, Andor, under Quirak's control, forged a powerful military The Time of Challenges and naval force. The Great Outer Wall was constructed at this time, as well, and Around 700 aw, a man named Donn- master architects crafted the immense Dadera was able to seize control of the canal ducts and parapets that stretched out Council, voted in as Elevasos by the land- to protect the city bay. While much damage holders and High Priests who had come to was done in the war, Octzel itself was never represent the land. The previous ruler, directly seiged, and the war effort cooled Queen Nemen Seia, had died with no down after Quirak was killed by Wormi identifiable heirs. Donn-Dadera was the Vellsoth in 2021. Andor, once freed of man who created the Great Palace, a Quirak's control, spent the rest of his reign fantastic structure which remains, largely correcting the damage he had done, and intact and unchanged, to this day. Donn working long and hard to make amends to Dadera was also a worshipper of Slithotep, the Hyrkanians for the damage done to the and the strange symmetry of the Castle was coastal trade lanes. maddening to some. In the centuries since his strange rule, the castle has been The Rennaissance modified quite a bit internally, but more than once, a mad king's folly has been Octzel's Rennaissance period began under blamed on Donn Dadera's legacy. the auspicious rule of King Octzoron Vellos, Furthermore, there have always been with Queen Kimote-Thon Vellos at his side.

Octzoron-Vellos was crowned king in 2068, of Octzel's lands who secretly worshipped and by 2100, he at almost seventy years the Courts of Chaos were exposed as they old, he had brought peace to the realm and were marked forever more by the Curse of a perido of flourescence in the kingdom the Sherigras. Most fo these cultists were which was sharply contrasted by the killed or hanged, but some escaped to live flagrant crusading wars of Hyrkania to the on, and carry the faith forward in to a east. Kimote Thon-Vellos was approaching dangerous era for them. fifty at this time, though she remained King Galovaros was the first ruler to see startlingly youthful. They had a single the great changes begin in the land as a daughter, Ariandra Vellos, who by 2100 was result of the Reckoning. First, the Great thirty one years of age, and would become Movement of the Purge of Man which had Queen in 2106. Queen Ariandra Vellos filled crusading warriors with bloodlust in engaged in a great deal of court intrigue, Hyrkania has not escaped Octzel. Many political maneuvering, and clever warrior companies engaged in wholesale manipulation of what was a largely geriatric slaughter of the orcs within Mitra's Forest, court at the time. Her youthful career as a much of this brought on by regional conflict troublemaker blossomed into a political at Lancaster and abroad with the Mihidir tyrant who's force of will brought about Nation (The only Trollish kingdom left after much social and political change. She was the Thargonid Empire fell in the wake of the aided by the long-standing Court Mage, Hyrkanian crusades). The religious crusade Lord Summunan, who himself had forever added a sense of rightness to the lives of looked to be ancient, over 100 years old, for many warriors, who saw their looting and as long as he served Ariandra or her father. pillaging as putting them right into the Summunan disappeared in 2172, in the Heaven of War. This wholesale slaughter of service of Ariandra's grandson King chaos-kin would free the land from Galovarus Vellos, who was a nominally concerns over these dangerous non-human competent successor who prefered hunting threats until the present day, when their and tournaments to politics and the numbers, hidden deep beneath the surface, economy. would upswell in to a horifying force of newly awakened chaos and evil. The Reckoning Expansionism In 2116, The Divine Forces of the Heavens and the Abyssal Realms once again During this period throughout the 2100's, manifested in a cosmic war, but this time much effort at expansion in to the Northern the conflict resulted in a a decisive victory Wilderness was also underway, and many for the Lords of Order, and the Courts of conflicts with neighboring kingdoms doing Chaos were smashed in to oblivion, the same ensued. The change in this event through betrayal and lack of organization. happened when the knight Margda Dan Luckily, most of the conflict manifested in Malik and the Duchess Catea Gonn Aleric Hyrkania, but the back-wash of power as discovered a western route through the the Balance swayed in favor of order Endless Oceans to the previously affected all beings of chaos and it's dark undiscovered lands dubbed Mataclan. servants. Many discreet nobles and citizens Within three decades, more than seventy

4 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved percent of all colonial exports, imports, and the Octzellan people. Although some claim development were going to this land. Even that the cecession of Valance marked the when activities dried up in the later period beginning of the Dark Ages, most attribute sof warfare, Colonial Mataclan remained it to the appearance of Valances's first strong. declared king, Mendakar Gonn Vorst, who Also during this time, forces in southern was crowned by the Order of the Southern Octzel out of Cuordos and Pheralin began Church in 2200 aw in a great ceremony. an expansionist policy into the fertile Valley Married to Calea gonn-Drakanis, a scheming of Ocentash. The regional governments, manipulator who was said by some to be lacking unification, coupled with the high the real force behind the throne, they density of Glythanyu humanoids who dwell imediately declared war against the Eastern here, made this a fierce local conflict. This peoples of the Halale provinces, unleashing did not contributed fondly to the relations centuries of pent-up agressiveness against which Jnril, either, which saw those lands the ethnically older cultural groups settled aspart of its own, even if they didn't in those regions. Meanwhile, they maintain garrisons for regular defense. continued to push for the unity of the Furthermore, the Cimmeran peoples southern territories. This was at last reacted with great anger to what they saw realized in 2,258, when all of the old as a violation of sacred territory. Lastly, the territories of Ocentash were conquered by prospectors and Mine owners of Easton Valance under Vorst's son, Baledar Vorst- actually appealed to Southern Hyrkania for Drakanis. A viscous, futile war with the aid, fearing that this was a move on the part Cimmeran barbarians, backed by Eastonian- of Octzel to seize control of the Eastonian paid mercenaries, lasts until 2274, however. Mining Guilds and their territory, which was without any argument the richest land for The Two Hundred Years' War all metals in the Middle Kingdoms. Ironically, the southern provinces of By 2,274 King Drozathon came into power Octzel formed a tentative coalition under in Octzel after managing a coup on the the rule of the Duke of Pheralin, Gonn Vellos-Aleric hold of the crown, and sought Drakanis, who in turn used his political to conquer Valance in the south. War maneuvering to declare a civil war against erupted after years of minor conflict and the rule of Ariandra Vellos on the eve of her civil war, and an innefective father's death. Though the initial civil war approach held toward reuniting the was only two years long, Valance kingdom by a series of unsuitable kings. established itself as an idependent Thus began the Two Hundred Years’ War. cecessionist state, and this would The Two Hundred Years' War was the eventually lead to the end of the lowest point on Octzellan history yet. Torn rennaissance and centuries of war. by constant internal strife, the three major factions (Royal Octzel, Valance, and Halale) The Dark Ages were also ripped with internal strife, and other territories, such as the Cimmeran The Dark Ages are marked by the arrival Barbarians, the Ocentashians, Jhkanians of war in the 18 provinces as a way of life, and even Taknonorian lands were and the continuous lack of unity between enmeshed in the conflict. Even Hyrkanian

5 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved military garrisons found themselves in provinces of the region tax relief, aid, and conflict more than a dozen times with local the recovery of territories taken by the war- agressor lords seeking to expand their weary Valancians. In 2,471, after the power across the ancient and sacred barrier coronation of Bennaras Drakanis IV in of the Nyralith Riverlands. Valance, Arvale Octzoron-Tendrosos VI sued By 2,324 a new power came in to play for peace, and Drakanis IV accepted, when Easton was conquered by Persedonia recognizing that his Valancian kingdom was and became the new Northern Capitol of on the verge of collapse from internal this southern young power. The conflict, starvation, disease, and discontent Persedonian appearance took Valance by as well as serious attrition from surprise, as a whole new warfront opened Persedonian, Jhkanian, and Galvonarian up to the distant South. By 2329, Malas fell hostilities. Halale reluctantly backed off for to Persedonian forces, and the Valancians the time being, but local grudges continued sought to gain an alliance with the Southern to threaten peace. Hyrkanian states as a mutual defense against this new threat. Fortunately, Octzel Recently Hyrkanian and Persedonian warfare deterred any Persedonian efforts to attack By 2,474, the Octzellan Kingdom was a Valance. loose alliance of the Three Great Provinces By 2,339 the war was everywhere and of Royal Octzel, Valance, and Halale. The even Jhkan's capitol, Jnril experienced it’s Royal Council is divided in to three voices, first sack and pillaging under the two- and much effort on the part of King Arvale hundred years war. Border skirmishes and is spent in keeping the unity of his war- territorial disputes in the Macabeth weary lands together. Local conflicts mountains were common, but the upstart continue to erupt, but in the agreement of Valancian Generals who tried to force Jnril unity, Valance's former king is now Regent to bow before them only forced the of his territory, and Bennaras Drakanis IV Jhkanians in to a belated alliance with Royal keeps the peace in his lands. In exchange, Octzel. the full might of Octzel's Royal Army Now fighting a war on three fronts, worked regularly to protect the southern Valance agrees to enter in to treaties of provinces from Pesedonian incursion. peace with Octzel in 2389. The treaty talks Meanwhile, the Halale provinces chose last two years, and end in a disaster as the Davin Gonn Hroder as their regent, and his territories of Halale become enraged at the task had been an onerous one, for the prospect of losing coveted land to the orcish chaos-kin of Mitra's Forest had Valancians in th agreement. The Lords of recovered their strength in the last two Halale declare official independence as a centuries, and are now said to be in thrall to result and arm themselves against the a powerful new Lord of Chaos in the city of Octzellan Royal Armies. The Two Hundred Trog, who is providing them with the Years War continues. training and resources to mount a powerful At last in 2,469 Arvale became the new army. For the last couple of years now king of Octzel. Arvale immediately sued for frequent and vicious conflicts stemmed peace and then gained fealty immediately from the onslaught of seemingly endless from the regency of Halale, granting the waves of orcish warriors led by dark

6 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved commanders and generals out of Trog. And they ascended to the celestial realms of the then, unexpectedly, everything changed. planes, became even more distant as the loss of the powers of law and chaos were Octzel Today: The Cataclysm removed from the mortal plane. The world, for the first time ever, was no longer In 2,476 the cataclysm changed tethered to the divine influences. It was everything, everywhere all at once, even in cast away on its own. lands fairly distant from the source point of In Octzel, the cataclysm had the following this great event such as Octzel. The effects: cataclysm was caused when the last vestige  Persedonians stopping being of the ancient forces which created the axis invaders and instead turned in to of law and chaos between the gods were pilgrims, refugees and settlers lost forever, and the legendary artifact  The orcs of Mitra’s Forest lost called the Orb of Oblivion destroyed the leadership, but remained strong and great god-city of Nekro’zahn and with it the hostile, and worship of a new dark Well of Creation, a gateway to the infinite god in the woods, one of the worlds. This magical cataclysm vaporized a Karakens beneath Old Chegga is said large chunk of the island of Laibros, and to have awakened wrecked through tidal waves and  The city of Trog in Hyrkania lost its earthquakes the vast bulk of Karaktu and evil overlord, who was overthrown the southern coast of Lingusia proper. It when his divine powers of chaos wiped out the Persedonian Empire and the evaporated city states of Caratea overnight. It sent the  The coastlands of Octzel suffered elvish lands of Silvias in to disarray and gave unsually turbulent activity, but were the high elves an opportunity to drive out fortunately far enough away that no the long-standing invasion force of ashtarth. appreciable damage was The celestial and metaphysical experienced repercussions of the cataclysm were felt all  Earthquakes wracked the land, over the world. The old powers of law and causing untold damage inland, chaos, already diminished with the Age of though not nearly as damaging as Reckoning, were now forever gone. The regions close to the epicenter of the world of Linguisia was held in place by a cataclysm great network of lay lines of force, which stemmed from the Well of Creation. These Despite the many upheavals in the wake ley lines were gone in an instant, and it of this distant event, the main change in turns out they were there for a reason: the Octzel has been more social and religious ancient prehuman star gods, called by than anything else. The kingdom remains scholars Krakens, were in fact held across divided in to three warring provinces. The the world in ancient prisons erected by the people remain a determined folk, as ever, gods and powered by these ley lines. but now a new sort of desperation has set Without the lines of force, the prisons in, as priests of the old gods no longer seem began to falter, and these ancient gods able to perform miracles as they should, have begun to awaken. Finally, the power and gods previously relegated to minor cult of the ancient gods, already diminished as status are suddenly becoming very popular.

It is a time of great change for the religious, members specifically. You're not going to as lesser powers, demigods and minor find a lawful good member of the Black deities who had not left the world suddenly Lotus Guild, for example! find themselves the most powerful beings Membership: The actual average number of left. Likewise, the very old, evil, and members in an organization, and its spread otherwise inimical entities called the by species. Krakens, of which at least one is known to Leader: The principle leader (and any dwell in the lower Dark beneath Octzel, special secondary leaders) of thr group. begin to attract followers, especially those Headquarters: The main building, district, races who once worshipped the old chaos or region you can expect to make contact gods. with the group. And now.... Active Power Groups in Octzel Organizations of the Capitol: As the center of sea trade and overland Black Lotus Guild commerce, as well as the political center of Group Alignment: Unaligned the land, Octzel has attracted a lot of Membership: Approximately 250 humans, attention from groups focused on change. 75 elves, 20 gnomes, 17 orcs, 10 half orcs, In terms of the city, this ranges from local about 6 ogres, and a handful of oddities groups, such as the various guilds, regional (one gorgon, a tiefling or two, some councils, and other groups which are hobgoblins, and one very angry dwarf.) primarily interested in looking out for their Leader: Colwyn Arandor (presiding); Wormi own interest and local events, to the more Vellsoth (supreme) insidious organizations and lobby groups, Headquarters: Vellsoth Estate, Tavern over such as the Fire Knives, the Order of the the Inn Blade, and the Geomancers. These are groups with greater political backing and Possibly the most infamous and powerful clout than your average craft guild, and Thieves' Guild in Octzel, this organization usually they have greater aspirations. was established around 2025 by the In an effort to provide a faily definitive legendary Sylveinurian Wormi Vellsoth. picture of the Octzellan scene, all well- Short, youthful, and clever, Wormie was known, insidious, or extremely powerful responsible in his earlier career for groups shall be discussed as follows. defeating the Magelord Quirak three times Beware this knowledge, for to speak of successively. When Quirak was finally killed certain groups in the presence of a member the pallor which had been cast over octzel could be signing your own death warrant. was lifted, and the ruling king was able to This information has been acquired from move on to other, better things. In his many different sources, and not a few lives thanks, he granted Wormie a special title, have been lost in the gathering. Vellsoth, which is a lot like "Auslander," except with an aura of dignity and respect Reading the Profile: about it. Wormie's original Einurian title in Group Alignment: This entry reflects the known only to himself, and is presumably alignment of the group as a whole, and its not used by the adventurer to prevent

8 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved retaliation for his nefarious deeds on his Guild remains a strong and loyal homeland family. In the centuries since, organization. Wormi Vellsoth himself Vellsoth has become a title unto itself retains the title of Guildmaster to the Black amongst Sylvan Elves, and there are many Lotus, but he has not been seen in Octzel in descendants of the legendary Wormi. over a century, haven taken a ship to the Wormi, with an estate and an old west across the Endless Oceans, never to be mansion, settled down in Octzel and set heard from again. In his place, Colwyn about uniting the local thieve's guilds, Arandor, said to be one of his sons, is the which previously he had been at odds with official Guildmaster. because of then Guildmaster Spleen, who The Black Lotus guild used to get much of was later found dead. Before too long, the its income from peddling the Black Lotus in three major guilds had been united, and its granular, smokeable form, to the were under the indirect influence of wealthy upper class of Octzel, but with the Wormie Vellsoth. absence of its founder, the control and Wormie struck a deal with king Octzoron trade of such hallucinatory substances has Vellos, to act as an information supplier and been lost, and lesser independent guilds are informant on illegal activities which would in control of the black lotus plant trade affect the crown. By allying his organization now. with the King's own pool of informants and The Black Lotus guild also provides spies, Wormie insured that the Black Lotus enforcement protection to local merchants. Guild would stay a permanent resident. To This process is nebulous as to the legal this day, the Black Lotus guild has nature of the racket. If you don't pay, then maintained at least a nominal allegiance your a target of robbery, but if you do pay, with whoever is in power, and has often and someone else robs you, the Guild will been seen as a sort of loose espionage track them down, bring them to justice, and service for the throne. This has almost recover your stolen goods, if possible. never changed, and on only two occasions The Black Lotus Guild has Six districts, and in the last couple of centuris have the Black while no single district has a permanent Lotus members been castigated or cut base of operations, there are four areas loose, but always to return to grace with which are known to be frequented by the the next regime. Guild. This includes The Maze in the sewers, The Guild has, because of its role as an where raw recruits are dumped for fun and information supplier, become the target of experience. There is an abandoned Bath groups such as the Fire Knives, the Black House in the Inner City which has been used Society, and the Hooded Brothers. as a gathering place for guild members. Periodically, when a regional Guildmaster There is the Vellsoth Mansion where under gets offed by some subversive group, Colwyn Arandor dwells, which is actually local turf wars flare up and all hell breaks used very infrequently by the guild, and is loose. garrisoned by forty of the meanest The Black Lotus guild has six districts, mercenaries that money could buy. Finally, which work the local territory in their own there is the place where "The Seven" meet, special way. By keeping the trust between at the Tavern Over the Inn. This is Octzell's the six guild lords and a good relationship most famous establishment, and more on it with all, the Inner Court of the Black Lotus can be found in the area descriptions.

Personalities: Vytaria (Human woman Level 10 Rogue, Colwyn Arandor (Half Elf Rogue-Wizard unaligned) is the mistress of the Red Light 12, unaligned) is one of Wormi's many District. Within the "Dark Town" of Octzel, sons. Born of Lady Grisaudia, a barmaid as that section is called, the delights of man Wormi once fancied, Colwyn was their only and woman alike can be found. Vytaria's son, and was largely raised by his mother women still peddle the black lotus, and her while seeking to become like his father. He call girls work the streets for both cash and is almost 150, and is three quarters elf information. Unlike her predecessors, (Grisaudia was half-elf herself). He send Vytaria is not truly insane, but she cares several years as a mercenary under the little for right or wrong, and delights in Employ of the Caperishus Trade Company in murder when given the opportunity. She Hyrkania, and is said to have once been has been known to instigate a street war offered a princess' hand in marriage in the with other guilds, especially the Fire Knives, northern kingdom of Zymhar. Colwyn is on more than one occasion. much like his father, but perhaps slightly Rancor Madagsen (Half Orc, Level 12 more dour and disposed to frequent Fighter-Rogue, chaotic evil) is the product wanderlust. He has considered following his of an orcish mother and a human father, father to the west, but loves his native which is a really rare combination, if you lands too much. catch my drift. He is the purveyor of the Wormi Vellsoth (Sylveinurien, Level 20 Mercenary District, and is often called upon Rogue-Wizard, unaligned) is a legendary by the other five guild districts to provide personality of Lingusia. He was the muscle in times of need. Rancor is arguably controller, founder, and backer of the Black the most legal proprietor of all guild Lotus Guild. More than 500 years of age, operations, as his enforcement actions are Wormi was one of the few Sylvan Elves who really nothing more than hired blades never recovered from their youthful working for someone who pays the right wanderlust, and he has been to almost price. The difference between his every corner of the world. Presently, organization and, say, the Heroskod Wormie is known only to have travelled to Company, is that his Blades will work for distant Mataclan and beyond. No one in the anyone, perform any task, no matter how Guild has heard from him in over a decade. illegal. Gabrios Celoth (Human Level 8 Rogue, Damien Cordellos (Human Level 9 Rogue, evil) is the Guildmaster of the Black Lotus evil) is the Guildmaster of the Docks Slums District. Gabrios has led a hard life, District, and runs all of the seaside rackets. and his cunning mind was stunted by Damien is a Captain of the Royal Navy, and terrible looks from leprosy, caused by an sails on the Royal Naval Ship Goldensky. ancient curse his family suffers from going Damien was once a well known pirate, but back to his ancestor, Jensturn Celoth. in his capture, he was granted privateer Outcast from society, Gabrios loves to lurk status for his Black Lotus connections, and like a haunting spectre in abandoned he later assassinated the former dwellings and ruined remains. He is very Guildmaster of the Docks District to achieve clever and capricious, and vindicative to his his new position. Damien is untrested by al enemies. of his fellow guildmasters.

Brutus Kanorn (Half Ogre Level 8 Rogue- lords, a lich or two, 25 or so lycanthropes of Fighter, evil) is the guildmaster for the all types, and a medley of truly spooky Market District. He runs operations with a oddities. tight hand, and is a ruthless abuser to his Leader: Esidria Elas Phalliskoskis men. The other members of The Seven have Headquarters: Lady Phalliskoskis' estate in come at odds with him more than once, but the Inner City, or House Markovin. Brutus still runs things in good order, and If there were an award for "Most never challenges anyone's authority except Villainous Organization of the Millenium," in the market District. He brings in a lot of the Black Society would get it. The name is cash from enforcement rackets, and runs informally used to refer to the elite core the best casinos in the City. group, which marks its private covens with Shadditha Elas Lenorn (Human Level 14 two ancient cuneiform runes from the Warlock-Rogue, unaligned) is the only Prehunate Script, meaning "Black, Dark, noble member of the Seven, and is the Dreadful,," and "Society." These two guildmaster of the Inner City district. She is symbols, when found together are a clear a specialist in spying, court intrigue, gossip, sign that the unwary or unprepared should and blackmail. Her select and small staff of turn and flee, lest his life be forfeit. ladies and gentlemen act as professional The Black Society has grown up over escorts to unwed or widowed nobility, and several centuries, and has spawned out of are the principle source of information the lonely interaction of outcasts, the which Shadditha relays to her royal Damned, and victims of magical disease. As contacts. Shadditha is considered Colwyn's Octzel grew to its vast and bloated size, right arm, as she is arguably the most more and more such kindred of the night powerful member of the guild outside of were attracted to its walls, as they found him. that in the immensity of the city, it was easy There is a rumor amongst certain factions to prey off of the weak and the unwanted. within the guild (started, probably by Ironically, when the Time of the Rancor Madagsen who has a grudge against Reckoning struck, the Black Society was Shadditha for being spurned one too many largely unaffected. A few members went times) that she has employed a band of made, some were changed horribly or assassins to track down the errant lord turned to stone, and still more simply Vellsoth and have him killed. No one passed on, their immortal souls of chaos worries too much about this, however, As destroyed and sent to oblivion. Alas, far too Wormi Vellsoth is widely regarded as a many such beings were not of a chaotic near-immortal in the eyes of his fellow origin, and in the wake of the Reckoning, guildsmen. Even his years-long absence many cursed being, Sharigras especially, doesn't dissuade their faith in his presence would come to cause the ranks of the Black throughout the world. Society to swell to new heights. The Black Society is also filled by the ranks Black Society of a special group, led by members who Group Alignment: evil seek a cure to their affliction, or some form Membership: A very mixed compliment, of of pennance that will release the curse the about 70 or 80 undead (vampires, ghouls, gods have placed upon them. Such and wights, mostly), a couple hagarant members are more honorable and

11 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved trustworthy than others, but beware! They The majority of the Black Society appear still suffer from their natures, and there are to have a vampiric origin, and only those among the Black Society who prey thelycanthropes seem to come in at a close upon even them, seeing these members as second. There are three known ways to hopeless romantics who fail to embrace the become a vampire, according to those true nature of their abominable existence. specialists who are necromantic students of The Black Society also has links to the the undead. First, followers of Set who Order of Set which is sponsored by House betray the dictates of their accursed god Markovin, a noble clan which has a legacy can be damned with Setitic Vampirism, of vampirism. This branch of the Black which has been seen in the Serpent Mage Society has come to clash with the Karukithyak and his followers (See the hardliners of the inner group, led by Lady section on Galent and Old Chegga for more Phallikoskis, which seek political power on details). Vampirism can be brought down the High Council, to better their dark on someone who was so evil and villainous machinations. in life that they are grabbed by Devonin and The Black Society has several locations offered a second chance to walk the land of which are likely to be inhabited by their the living, as a stalker in the night. Usually, kind, or which are used as places of such vampires are less potent than the ones gathering. The manor house of Lord Castor cursed by Set, and are often tricked by the Markovin is where his own faction gathers, Devonin into accepting their resurrection. and it is located outside the Inner City, in When they return and experience their the south section of town. Lady Phallikoskis new, beastly life, they are either terribly and her brood have an ancient mansion repentant, and seek to end their affliction, which is located in the Inner City, and is or driven mad. A few, like Lady Phallikoskis surrounded by its own vast wall. This and her brood, embrace their horrifying mansion borders the Inner City Mausoleum, nature and revel in it. Finally, a vampire can coincidentally, which is another favorite be created when they bite a mortal and hang out. The Royal Gardens have long share blood, rendering the blood of the been a romping ground for loose Loup mortal impure. This is not always effective, Garou who dare to trod upon the sacred and the process creates a special master- gardens of the Geomancers in search of servant bond between the vampires, which young lovers out for an evening's walk. The has such psychological ramifications that it Biles, as they are called, where the Garbage is done rarely. Old vampires who have dumps are located, are said to be crawling traveled the land for centuries often have with the Lycanthropic Ratmen. In the as many as two dozen vampiric spawn they northern quarters of the Inner City is the have created. nearly vacant Mansion of House Dadera, While more about vampires and other the last remnant of the fallen family which creatures that belong to the Black Society worshipped Slithotep. Its dreadful crew are can be found in the Bestiary of Lingusia, the said to have followed and served Quirak relevant details of their appearance in the when he was alive, and to now reside Capitol and connection to the Black Society within the mansion and even Quirak's tomb can be found here. As such, Lycanthropes, as part of the Hagarant Lords, the undead another ancient magical curse that has sorcerers who live only on hatred.

12 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved afflicted man since time immemorial, have An Ashtarth Vampire, the lucid Shadow of a also come to belong in the society. man ,who prowls the abandoned watch While the lycanthropes are not immortal, tower on the Fifth District Wall, and the it is suggested that they are part of the changeling son of a noblewoman who was society to serve as lackeys, assassins, and spawned from the loins of a devonin high warriors for the vampires, who often lord, and claims his "father" tells him to do display impressive mental control over the horrible acts, are all examples. shapechangers. There are believed to be Personalities: over forty Ratmen in the Biles of the city Esidria Elas Phallikoskis (Vampire Level dumps, and at least fifteen loup garou can 14 Wizard, evil) is The Queen of the Black be accounted for. Certainly, there are more Society, and is over seven centuries old. She beyond the city, dwelling in seclusion or as has a brood of dozens of vampires, ratmen, hidden murderers among man. All and loup garou which she calls upon to lycanthropes are somehow bonded to the enforce her control over the Black Society. moon, of course, and some speculate if they She dabbles in necromancy and divination, are not linked also to the divine relationship as well as thaumaturgy. Lady Phallikoskis is of Selene, the Moon, and her son Slithotep, also known to have had relations with madness. Quirak, although the nature of their affair is The third major party of evil in the Black undetermined. She once worked with the Society is the Hagarant Lords. These are the Hagarant lords to attempt to resurrect descendants of House Dadera and otherevil Quirak from the grave, with partial success. people who, in their corruption, lost their Thanks to her, Quirak secretly live son as a souls entirely to the temptations of chaos possessing spirit, and has been responsible and evil. Now, they are undead husks of the for many tragedies in the last few centuries. people they once were, lurking in the Castor Elas Markovin (Vampire Level 13 shadows of the dwellings they once owned Fighter-Wizard, unaligned) not as bad a guy or places they frequented, thriving on as one might think, but he is remarkably corruption, evil, and hatred. They are clever. Markovin has connections with the psychic vampires, after a fashion, for they Circle of Necromancers, and is directly tied must feed on these dark emotions in order in to the Order of Set which operates within to fill their empty selves. Though it is this region. He seeks, some believe, to unknown if they would wither and perform an act which will grant his family disappear if they were kept from human freedom from the curse which Set has contact, it is clear that they can survive for placed upon him, although the nature of his centuries at a time in isolation. The curse and its origins are lost in time, and Hagarant are also attracted to people of only he knows. Some suspect Markovin to great evil, basking in their nature. It is for be as old as Octzel itself, but that is this reason that they follow Lady unproven. He has a core group of thirteen Phallikoskis, and that others followed and highly loyal vampires serving him, and two worked through the decades to try and Vessilante, the Death Guardians, stand resurrect Quirak from his mysterious grave protectively in front of his manor gates. He (See Plot Lines for some ideas). is the sonof his tragic father, Tevel Other dark kindred belong in the Black Markovin, who was destroyed in the Society, but are almost always a minority. machinations of Catea Gonn Aleric, who

13 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved unleashed the Reckoning upon the world in Headquarters: An anonymous guild hall in her attempt to steal the Orb of Chaos from the Guild District Mataclan. The Fire Knives are an international Moria (Ashtarth Vampire Level 9 Ranger- organization of illuminated conspirators Rogue, unaligned) is the ashtarth vampiress who have supporters within Hyrkania, who has fled to distant Octzel from her Octzel, and Jhakn. Rumors indicate that. homeland, where she was cast out of Dahik There are even members operating within for her curse. She is a mistress of insects, the empires of Galvonar to the south. The and commands a horde of giant spiders, Fire Knives are a vicious predatory political venemous centipedes, and black scorpions organization, motivated less by religious or which guard her catacomb lair beneath the moral principles than they are by political graveyards in the Royal Gardens. Moria gain. The mysterious Council of Thirteen are holds no personal allegiance, and goes with an unknown council of dissident political whatever side she sees fit to serve. Her radicals from across the Middle Kingdoms curse is a mystery, for she is not known to who Work together to maintain long have worshipped Set, but some believe that distance ties and support. Their agendas are she was bitten by a Setitie Vampire who many and varied. Some employ magical once served Karukithyak, and for such prowess which is often learned from the shame, she was forced to leave her Cabal of Southern Hyrkania, while others homeland. practice bastard magic, culled from the Grath Donn Hashanak (Human werewolf, books of Blue Robes and Geomancers who Level 8 Rogue, good) is an unwilling dared to cross their path. Most members of werewolf who was cursed in a bloody back- the guild are common men and kindred folk alley brawl with some werewolves looking who rely on stealth and swift assassination for dinner. He has since been indoctrinated to accomplish their nefarious deeds. into the lower ranks of the Black Society, At its roots, the guild looks like some sort and made friends with Moria. Unbeknownst of thug-enforcer type of thieves’ guild that to the Society, he is also connected to Kavar seems to have little direct connection to Elabam, The King's Mage, and feeds the their action. In some cities, such as Octzel, Wizard information on the movements of their movements are silent and unobserved the dark kindred. Grath hopes this will by most people. In Krythia, they wear their make up for the wanton acts of evil he has shield of stars surrounded by weapons committed under the full moon, when the symbol proudly, and are believed to be a change takes his body and the beast mercenary's guild by most people. In Jhakn emerges. the existence of the Fire Knives is unknown, as their movements are go carefully Fire Knives concealed and hidden that not even close Group Alignment: Neutral Evil. allies. know who they are dealing with. Membership: approximately 200 humans, Allies of the Fire Knives include the Riders 30 elves, 40 ashtarth, 60 orcs, 30 half orcs, of Ocentash and the Tower of Macabeth in 10 trolls, 8 ogres, 5 gnomes, 10 lizardfolk, Jhakn it is believed that the dissident heir to and a handful of others. This is only the Takonor is a member of the Thirteen, as is Octzellan membership. Macabeth II himself. In Octzel, they have Leader: Minaria Augustus-Sorinos few allies and many enemies, with

14 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved numerous competitive skullduggerous Knives in Hyrkania such as Dame Magna guilds such as the Black Lotus Guild and the Mordent say that there is a member of the Guild of the Spheres. The Order of the Blade Thirteen in Octzel, then who is he or she, is also a direct competitor, but in a neutral and what are they planning? and friendly way. Halshaggin's raiders claim Personalities: to have several members who are or were Minaria Augustus-Sorinos (Human Level Fire Knives, but their true relations to the 19 Rogue, evil) is queen of the Octzellan guild are unknown. Fire Knives, who despises the clamp of the The Fire Knives have the primary support Black Lotus guild and the meddling of the of three Barons, and possibly other nobles, Guild of the Spheres in her own businesses, in Octzel. House Boron, House Killaman, which are already semi-legal at best. She and House Agrapor are the primary backers. backs slavers, imports dangerous and House Boron, of the Merchant Lord sedctive foreign drugs, and her husband is a Shadulos Elas Boron, and his wicked member of the Society of Necromancers. daughter Teylayurana Sorinos are the most Minaria's heritage comes from great Fire dangerous members. Hallergan Blacknails is Knife blood, and it carries on to her own another famous Anyu assassin. daughter, who is the most famous assassin Beside the illegal and secretive activities in the city, and is feared and respected by which likely take place in the shadowed all. chambers of the manors of each noble Kristos Admandar-Sorinos (Human Level house, the Fire Knives own property 8 Necromancer-Rogue, evil) is the aging through indirect channels throughout the necromancer husband of Minaria who city. They own a trade and import shop in dabbles in necromancy and thaumauturgy the Marketplace which leads to a secret to try and extend his own life. He is a meeting place. They own a Guild Hall that is villainous cur, and the marriage between rented out regularly, except on dark, the two has been formal only for better moonless nights when they convene for a than a year now. Still, they respect each recap of their actions. They own other, and assist each other on dark warehouses by the docks, where imports of ventures periodically. special relation are often kept, or where Talia Augustus-Sorinos (tiefling Level 13 bodies can safely be dumped. Members of Rogue, chaotic evil) is the illegitimate the Fire Knives learn as much as they can daughter of Minaria, born to her after a about the back alleys, secret passages, liason with a summoned infernal being. sewers, and catacombs beneath the streets Talia was nurtured and cared for by her of Octzel. mother, until she was taken away by Fire Some would say that the Fire Knives go Knives to be put through such severe beyond being a society of political training, insuring that she was physically assassination and into the realm of a secret and emotionally scarred. She became the society for the sake of secretiveness. Much guild's premiere assassin in Octzel. of this is due to the fact that the three Hallergan Blacknails (Blyskanyu Orc Level barons behind the house lack the backing or 10 Fighter-Wizard, chaotic evil) is Minaria's funds of a major political interest, and it is right-hand man. He is an accomplished believed that none of them belong to the mage, a tough fighter, and a tricky devil. Thirteen. Yet, since some claim that Fire Hallergan is approaching middle years, but

15 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved has worked hard to keep a lean figure, and cursing, spastic beggar who spits on you avoid the bloatedness so characteristic of and runs into the darkness of an alley is his people. His snout is stubbier than usual, probably touched by Slithotep and finds his perhaps due to some forgotten human only moments of lucidity when he worships blood in his ancestry, and he will often pass the dark god. The wicked old merchant who without question in the city streets if he beats his servants, rips off his clientele, and wears heavy robes like a priest. He is a kicks puppies probably harbors a secret master tactician when it comes to weaving enclave beneath his home from which his magic, and he can bring down some dreadful practices are performed. rather impressive foes with little difficulty. Slithotep's devout followers are sociopaths, madmen, and nihilistic murderers dedicated to extremes of Cult of Slithotep depravity. Group Alignment: chaotic evil Within Octzel, Slithotep's worshippers Membership: A handful of evil agents, have a long and secretive life. They are about 50 humans, 30 Sherigras, and 20 disconnected, with the broad scheme of the ashtarth, along with a handful of plane- Cabal and the Black Circle of Hyrkania, trapped devonin, tieflings, and hyshkorrid. which are powerful organizations that hold Leader: Kalus Elas Ansevernorn Slithotep among the Lords of Chaos which Headquarters: Various, including the they worship. Rather, the Octzellan catacombs, sewers, and especially the worshippers are culled from the exiled Maze. dredges of the ancient past, and can find Slithotep is the god of madness, insanity their earliest worshippers in the form of the in all forms, and is the patron of schemers, Dadera family and kin who were pivotal in destructive spirits, arcane power, and the the early stages of Octzellan history. will of the Id in the mind. The followers of Although the legacy of the Daderas has Slithotep in Octzel embrace all of his since fallen to their descendent Hagarant darkest qualities and participate in devious Lords (see the Black Society for more games of life with the unwitting populace details), the followers of Slithotep who and themselves. were first united under their banner of evil Slithotep was dwelling in the mortal and madness continue to prosper in the plane, actually as a living fortress-temple nooks and crannies of society to this day. deep in the Hyrkanian Deserts, when the The Daderas came to Octzel because they cataclysm struck the world. He is now one were fleeing from the tyranny of a united of the few elder gods to still dwell in the Hyrkania backed by the Church of Naril. mortal plane, and has gained a strong surge They also fled because they were exiled of followers amongst former chaos cultists from the Cabals of the north for performing as a result of this. magics and acts too heinous to be allowed, Slithotep is worshipped in secret because even for the chaos priests of Hyrkania. This of the purile and horrifying nature of occult is a hard thing to imagine, for the society practices related to him. The people who from which they came advocates total see Slithotep as the embodiment of their corruption, acceptance of evil, random acts souls are usually sick, twisted, and prone to of violence, self mutilation, baby sacrifice, all forms of madness and dementia. The and other terrible things.

But the Dadera family had a source of evil understands the need to rid the world of which they worked from, an ancient Codex the book. Ansevernon, in Octzel, is believed which was said to have been written even to have had a partially complete copy of the before the first Idean Codex was thought of. book, and rumors of an almost complete, This tome, in its modern title, is called the intact original from centuries earlier have Inferus Maelificum, and it was supposedly surfaced in the southern province of Rithias. written by the first true follower of Only time will tell what comes of these Slithotep, over six millenia ago. The few rumors. people who even know of this codex claim The priest of Slithotep practice chaos that within its ancient sheets, there are magic, thaumaturgy; and are masters of three languages, including the cuneiform of demonic lore. They are usually able to the ancient tongue, the glyphic symbols of harness devonin and other more dangerous an ancient empire far to the east which has demons to guard and protect their been dead so long it is forgotten to domains. Within the Capitol, there are at memory, and most important of all, it holds least three meeting areas, and a handful of a strange, almost undecipherable script perhaps a hundred worshippers. The first which is rumored to be the original writings meeting site is located north of the city, of the Prehunate civilization. The thought about forty miles or so, on a secluded beach that even one volume of writings speaking where nine ancient standing stones have of Prehunate magical secrets might exist is stood the test of time. Each stone was a thought too horrifying to imagine. The placed to represent a different gate into the highest priest of Slithotep Kalus Abyssal layers,, and the terrible demon Ansevernorn, claims that the scribe of this lords who rule within. The second site is in a book, who's name is never mentioned, was portion of the old catacombs of the city, not the first worshipper of Slithotep as that run beneath the docks. Here, it is some claim, but the last Prehunate follower believed at night the worhippers to survive the apocalypse which the gods occasionally commune in terrible, charnel rained down upon ,the heads of the ancient rituals with the Kraken race beneath the sea prehuman empire. (more on Krakens in the Bestiary). Finally, If this is true, then it is small wonder that within the twisted maze of the slums, the Octzellan cult is to be feared and seen several abandoned or little used buildings as-far worse. While it is suspected that the have been the site of sacrificial worship on Dadera family might well have been able to the Warding day, when the followers of decipher some of the oldest writing in the Slithotep seek to call down the power of codex, it seems that the modern cultists demons to run amok in the city. have only managed to glean information The cult is not affilated with any other from the more recent ancient languages group, and it is at odds with many. The transcribed therein. Black Society is opposed to he cult of The Infernus Maelificum has been copied Slithotep, which seeks to capture vampires several times, and the original codex was so that they may cull strange potions from damaged, part of it being lost in an early their blood. The lycanthropes of the society conflict between cultists, while other panels are neutral, however, and some members have been destroyed by priests of Naril, of the cult are also lycanthropes, seen as Enki, or anyone else who simply gifted by the dark god. These are the Most

17 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved dangerous of the weres, for they revel in Group Alignment: Neutal evil, Lawful evil their bestial nature. The Hagarant Lords Membership: About 100 humans, 60 orcs, have worked with the cult on occasion, but 20 elves (some Naelythian), 20 or more the ones allied with Lady Phallikoskis will Black Shambler enforcers, 10 gnomes, and a not. The Order of the Blade is aware of the small body of golem laborers and enforcers. cult, and seeks to stop it whenever possible, Leader: Lichelord Krenkin as do the Sentinels. The Black Lotus guild Headquarters: An office in the warehouse simply wont deal with them, and the Fire district, a secret hall in the sewers Knives could care less. When the Guild of the Spheres first Personalities: appeared in Octzel over three centuries Kalus Elas Ansevernorn (Human Level 16 ago, it sent shockwaves through the Cleric of Slithotep, chaotic evil), commonly criminal underground. The Sphere was fast, seen as a scheming socialite in the circles of efficient, resourceful, and somehow always the aristocracy, is a baron who owns a fair managed to cut a better deal than the local amount of property within the city walls.' criminal guilds. A turf war erupted and for a While it is unknown to all, he is an time, the rogues and scum of Octzel were illegitimate descendant of old Gonn- close to wiping one another out. Dadera, who was responsible for the The war ended after about a decade, but construction of the palace. mostly because the Guild of the Spheres Ansevernorn became obsessed with his faded in to the background and seemed to family history and learned of his ancient lose some of its potency, though no one connections. He spent years searching for outside the guild knew why. It’s members more knowledge, and eventually found a who were present in the city continued on, copy of the Infernonomicon in the library but seemed to become just another of a scholar in Hyrendan. He killed the member of the pack. After a time, the guild scholar and took the book, to learn of the disappeared entirely, and only dusty, teachings of Slithotep. He eventually encrypted logs of its presence wee left in became aware of the cult in the Capitol, hidden Black Lotus Guild archives. and managed to gain control over it in short Now, several centuries later, things seem order. Now, he is one of the most skilled to be heating up again, and old faces and terrible followers of the dark god since thought long dead have returned. No one Bellasco Strallikus in the Hyrkanian war of knows for sure just why they’re back, but strife. the Guild of the Spheres is definitely up to Ansevernorn has learned of the secret their old tricks again... passages and catacombs which his ancestor Rumors abound that the old crime lord, a built into the palace, and has established a being called Halistrak, has disappeared. In network of his own spies to prey upon his place, his former lieutenant, a scalawag unwitting nobles. His exact motivations are mage named Krenkin, is now the boss. He unknown as yet, but dire results could come has assembled a new crew to work for him, about if he chooses to take action against and once again the streets are filled with the King. odd folk and the occasional Black Shambler. Too, stars in the night sky once again fall from the heavens, and occasionally, rise up Guild of the Spheres to meet them, too.

The mystery ships which once again sail in lights which compose the constellation of to port after a night of shooting starts carry Set. strange and desirable cargo, including Personalities: drugs, slaves, and masterwork weaponry of Grendak (Level 17 elite Adamantite Golem, high quality, along with the odd black unaligned) Krenkin’s personal enforcer is a market magic item. The Guild of the monstrous golem which annihilates Spheres seems especially interested in whatever he sends it after. Grendack is acquiring mithril, as well as specific rare implacable, and seems to have a magic items. They are also prone to picking personality, although this is in fact a magical up great amounts of imported spice, opium, perturbation, a homunculi, hiding within his and both black and blue lotus powders. form. The harbormaster and the taxmen love Drosis Kar Nedan (Doppelganger Level 10 these arrivals, for they briefly provide an Rogue, evil) Krenkin’s right hand man and amazing boost to the economy, but the city negotator is a tricky shapeshifter. Drosis is a officials despise them, for they flagrantly Doppelganger, and has already been used purchase illegal and exotic goods, which at least twice to forward a local deal or they then try to smuggle by to avoid agreement by replacing the disagreeable confiscation of goods through odd tariff party. Drosis does not work for cheap, laws. The rival guilds are angry, because however, and Krenkin knows he’s not too they see the Guild of the Spheres as trustworthy, so he keeps a careful eye on hogging a specific market, and often, the him. product being transported on to these ships Lich lord Krenkin (Human Level 23 Wizard, were ripped off from their own black evil) Krenkin began his career as a rogue market stock. who had a promising talent which was The Guild of the Spheres works out of the nurtured by the arcane liche Halistrak. He merchant district, primarily, and is said to became an Ether Mage, a practitioner of own several warehouses, and now some of divination, ethermancy, and traditional the run of the sewers and catacombs for sorcery, and a lieutenant in Halistrak’s their own use. They are believed to also army. Krenkin helped found the Guild of the own warehouses in Drama, where the odd Spheres, and used it to provide valuable ships have also been seen. resources to Halistrak’s interstellar empire. The Guild of the Spheres also is small in Then, one day something happened to number, but has access to immense Halistrak (no one knows what) and the humanoids that have been nicknamed Black empire fell. Krenkin was eventually able to Shambers, due to their slow, rambling walk. make his way to Halistrak’s distant These giant thugs are believed to be stronghold on the seventh planet of the magical constructs, huge ebony men that system and broke in to his vault of secrets, seem to be covered in black ichor, with where he learned much about magic, and corded muscles that can break a man in how to prolong his life as a liche. Centuries two. When killed, the dissolve into black later, Krenkin has returned to Lingusia, tar. Krenkin claims they come from a realm undead and scheming to start a cosmic called Canopis,a land which hovers in empire of his own. darkness, and makes up one of the shining Krenkin is a follower of Set, and revels in evil, lies, and deceit in all forms. He is the

19 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved one who controls and orders the Black implicated in the actions of these Shamblers, and his ultimate control over anarchists, therefore being condemned to them insures that none will ever mess with death rather than imprisonment, hard him. Krenkin insures this control through labor, or something less permanent. the use of Black Bane, a special substance The Hooded Brothers are so widespread, which is culled from alien plants of an having appeared in other provinces as well unknown system. The Black Bane, a sticky as the streets of Octzel, that they are black paste, is fed to the Shamblers to believed to be funded by a prominent noble insure their obedience. It can also be fed to who seeks ends antithetical to the current prisoners and enemies of the build, or regime. Others speculate that the Hooded applied to a wound. The effects on humans Brothers are backed by foreign powers, and and humanoids is such that they become point to the desperate lords of Ocentash, or Very susceptible to suggestion, lose violent even Southern Hyrkania. A few have even impulses, and forget to restrain themselves noticed a possible connection to the Fire in their speech (by speaking honestly, Knives, and think that the mysterious, without lies). Only Krekin can make the unidentified member of the Thirteen might Black Bane. be behind their actions, as well. Whatever their underlying scheme, the Hooded Brothers Hooded Brothers, at the front of the Group Alignment: chaotic good, unaligned, conflict, are desperate men and women, but any who have been wronged.. usually convicted criminals who have Membership: varied, but about 500 or somehow evaded a death sentence, or more humans are dedicated to the cause, political dissidents who have been wronged along with a handful of elves, half orcs, by the policies of the High or some senator gnomes, and other kin, including some and now seek revenge. They are as likely to centaurs driven from the Verraggen region. be found speaking of treasonous concepts Leader: Gustavo Athenar in darkened, radical pubs as they are to be Headquarters: Never the same place twice setting fire to military wagons, or tossing While there are many politically plague-ridden dead cats into the office subversive groups and individuals in Octzel, windows of the City Guard. They have no the Hooded Brothers are not merely active single, permanent base of operations, but within the city, but abroad, throughout the move fluidly through the city to avoid being land as well. They are branded outlaws and pinpointed. No one knows how many there thieves by the common man and the City are, but the order of the Blade suspects Guard, but the Order of the Blade knows there may be thirty or forty such members that they are really desperate men and in the Capitol alone. The few who have- women who have bought into the idea of been captured speak nothing of their anarchism and the overthrow of the king. brethren, and accept the torture and death Admitting or being identified as a member they receive at the Gallows and the Tower of the Hooded Brothers is an instant death of Inquiry. warrant, and the members of this society Personalities: are hunted by bounty hunters with great Gustavo Athenar (Human level 7 Fighter fervor. Other outlaw bands dislike the unaligned) Gustavo is as radical as they Hooded Brothers because they fear being come, and he is driven by the death of his

20 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved family by a cruel lordling named Castaran. and persuasion claim immediate Castaran rules from a small castle to the membership in the North Sea Pirates union. north, near the channel that runs between Leader: Captain Draskos the mainland and Picadore, and when his Headquarters: Draskos sails on the Merry taxmen went to collect, he doubled the Dogs, a great galleon armed with dwarven expected taxes from those who had cannonshot. particularly good harvests. Gustavo refused The so-called North Sea Pirates are to pay, unable to produce the money or actually an informal coalition of senior goods to make the tax, and Castaran had his captains and scurvy dogs of great repute, family beaten. The men who did the deed who earned their fame and fortune by were overzealous, and killed his family plundering the sea lanes, either for the before his eyes. Gustavo killed the men, and empires, or against. slew Castarn, and was later taken prisoner The North Sea Pirates are regarded as a and brought to the capitol for sentencing by mobile, yet significant political force within the grand justicar. While held in the Tower Octzel and its coastal cities principally of Inquiry, sympathetic aristocrats who because by far over two-thirds of the despised Castaran freed him, and he fled coalition are Octzellan in descent. into the slums. Eventually, a mysterious Furthermore, many of them, such as man approached him about joining the Captain Draskos, have sworn fealty to the Hooded Robes, and he signed on. Since kingdom and pursue treacherous piracy in then, he has come to be their leader in the Hyrkanian of Jhaknian seas. As a result, it is Capitol, and he still communicates with the very likely that mysterious man who brought him in to the roving adventurers who get involved with fold. famous, independent-minded captains Alista Krone (Human Level 3 Rogue, good) might in fact be dealing with members of is, like Gustavo, a woman wronged by the the North Sea Pirates. system. She was wrongfully accused of Personalities: diabolism, and was tortured extensively by Captain Abelman Draskos (Human Level 7 agents in the Tower of Inquiry before Rogue-Fighter, evil). Draskos is a scurvy Priests of Enki arrived for a testimonial, and dog, a worshipper of Set and Haro, and discerned through their divine magic that consorts with the Black Society (through he, she was free of the taint of chaos. She was in fact, is not in any known way released, but no recompense was given. supernatural). He is a principal supplier of Since then, her beautiful features were the Pirate Coves in the Northern wilderness forever marred by the tortures of the Tower coastlands, and knows more about the of Inquiry. She has fallen in love with coasts of the north Baldric and Endless Gustavo and works with him and his crew to Ocean on up to Autrengard than anyone. bring anarchy to the system. He is a daring, chivalrous sort of fellow, until you get to know him real well or find North Sea Pirates yourself on the opposite side of a conflict. Group Alignment: plenty of evil, chaotic of Draskos maintains a manor house and all sorts, neutral evil especially. small amount of land in which his wife, Lady Membership: very mixed, perhaps as many Estrela Huvirian-Draskos resides (Human as a thousand different pirates of all types Level 7 Rogue-Warlock, evil). She was a

21 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved famous piratess who wooed him into cup of tea. This knighthood serves to allow marriage and retired after a conflict with adventurers a chance to get into the thick Hyrkanian bounty hunters left her crippled. of the plots and deviltry, and do something Her reputation preceded her, and the about it, all in the name of the King. Curatorium of Hella refused aid. She is a Advancement and rewards can be strong, minor practitioner of divinitism and too, for those who uncover really deadly necromancy through the worship of Set. schemes. Personalities: Order of the Blade Herod Dann Morn (Human Level 10 Group Alignment: Lawful good, neutral Fighter-Rogue unaligned) is the most Membership: 300 soldiers, 60 officers, famous of the Blades. Morn personally mostly human, some elves and half elves tricked one of Valance’s staunchest Leader: Herod Dann Morn supporters and generals in to a one on one Headquarters: The Tower of Inquiry (active duel, after slipping behind enemy lines, and investigations), The Military Garrisons slew the man, thus forcing Draskis to (standing duty, main forces). consider suing for peace. Morn started as a Long ago it was realized that a powerful palace guard, who accidentally uncovered kingdom required a powerful fist, an an assassination plot against the queen. His organization which could do the dirty work efficient means of handling the situation necessary for the King without brought him into the Order of the Blade, compromising his majesty in the process. and from there, he has managed to earn Founded to be the key espionage service of the ire of almost every thieve's guild, the throne, this special Knighthood is brotherhood of assassins, political dissident, known as the Order of the Blade. and supernatural being in the city. Located in the Military Garrisons (training Morn maintains a contact with the local grounds) and the Palace (Offices), the thieve's guilds, but does not enjoy relying Blades are a selection of handpicked men on the information net of the Black Lotus under the control of Herod Morn. His duty gangs. to the King has been to keep the order in top running condition, and to serve as the Order of the Crown hub of the King's own spy network. The Group Alignment: lawul good, neutral military aspect of the order, in the form of Membership: 2000 soldiers, 600 elite fifty highly talented knights who are often cavalry not suspected of belonging to the order by Leader: The Chief General (Dalus Gonn commoners and nobles, used to assault the Mastakar, presently) enemy whenever a chance arises. The web Headquarters: The Military Garrisons, and of intrigue in the palace is immense, and for abroad, as well as a station in the Castle. its own purposes, the Blades serve as both The Order of the Crown deserves information gatherers and an immediate, mention, for while it is not a motivating personally directed fist from the King. organization, it is the most powerful branch A group of adventurers looking to of knights under the King. The Danns of the participate heavily in city affairs, politics, Crown are all dedicated to the King, and to and schemes, yet who are noble of heart, a lesser extent the Appointed Chief General. might find the Order of the Blade just their They have sworn a code of chivalry that

22 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved requires they partake in very customary Membership: about 12-15 members activity on the battle and in combat, and Leader: Cuthan Dann Melidor is meeting that they uphold truth and justice in the oranizer name of the King wherever they travel. The Headquarters: They meet in the Librarium services of a Knight of the Crown are highly of the Capitol. prized by greater nobles everywhere; many Also called the Eternal Order, the Eternal such knights will seek a time of wandering Seekers are a special knighthood which is in the land, acting in the best interests of principally located in Midas. However, whatever region of the kingdom they are several members of the order dwell within passing through to resolve disputes. They the Capitol, and carry out the dedicated are regarded as the equals of the senate pursuit of knowledge that their kind are Justicars with regards to their rights to known for. For more on the Eternal Seekers, dispense justice, although this liberty is look in the Atlas section under Midas. This generally only granted to senior knights of information will provide you with the the order (Level 6 or better). specific members of that order that are There are four hundred such knights that relevant to the Capitol. form the core of the mounted cavalry of the For now, realize that the Eternal Seekers King's armies, and there are two-thousand are a rather secretive collage of different additional warriors who are part of the men and women who have discovered general mounted cavalry units that have unusual or new information, either on been trained as Knights of the Crown. They, people, places or things, which has had an above all else, are one of the principle effect on the world at large, or might been reasons that the Capitol has not been seen as having a long term effect. The sieged in centuries. founding member of the order, the late but Personalities: revered Lord Sid was reknowned for his Castelus Dann Kastrad (Human Level 9 lengthy roamings across the Lingusian Warlord, lawful good) is a wandering continent, and his lengthy accounts of the knight, who dedicated himself to the Crown lifestyle of the Karaktuan empires. within years ago, but has traveled through many the Capitol, it is rumored that Wormi lands and been on many adventures. His Vellsoth is a member (or was approached), personal wisdom is suspect however, as he and it is believed that other famous has a deeply troubled spirit from a mission adventurers have been asked to join. he failed years ago, in which many Personalities: innocents were killed by mihidir trolls. He Cuthan Dann Melidor (Human Level 9 has not, as yet, found forgiveness in his Wizard-Rogue, lawful good) is an aging heart through his current actions, though scholar who served many years in the he tries. Castelus most recently aided in Octzellan Navy and saw a great deal of the repelling a fleet of privateers hired by the far east. His experiences and careful diaries Persedonians which tried to bombard have earned him a place in the Eternal Porondor Isle. Seekers. He is now retired, and works in the Librarium of the Capitol, where meetings Antiquarian Society, The Order of the between the dozen or so members of the Enternal Seekers order meet to discuss new finds, argue over Group Alignment: varied, but mostly lawful old ones, and speculate about what is to

23 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved come. He is a great source of information, Gonn, and also dedicated to one of his especially about the Far East, for interested vassals. According to court records, there adventurers. are a total of sixty-five hundred Knights of On occasion, the order will become fairly the Land within the province of Rishaad obsessed with some bit of knowledge or alone, of which four thousand are lore which is escaping them, and will usually dedicated to members of the High Council take time to pool some resources together who hold property interests within the to hire and equip a part of adventurers who Capitol or its province. When assembled, can secure the desired knowledge, artifact, the Order of the Land can mount an army of or tome for them. These often result in over fifty thousand man in two weeks time. some enormously long treks, but the Personalities: handful of men and women who have taken Bregor Dann Astarik (Human Level 12 such jobs become very well traveled, Warlord, lawful good) is the senior indeed. commander of the forces pledged to protect the lands owned by House Dor, a Order of the Land staunch supporter of the King. Astarik is a Group Alignment: lawful dedicated man, who is content with his Membership: 50,000 total throughout the position, even if he is unhappy with the lack land, 6,500 within the capitol province of action seen by his troops in recent years. Rishaad Damios Gonn Dor is a pacifistic man, and Leader: Brego Dann Astarik, others while he has insured that his troops are in Headquarters: varied, chapters at every total service to the King, they are rarely major keep and holding. ordered into action for anything else. This knighthood is seen everywhere, for Astarik periodically will personally oversee they are part of the Provincial Militia, and the votary activities of the local villages and those landless knights who have sworn farm communities in the north-coast fealty to the regional barons, dukes, and region, or accompany tax ventures, just to other varying powers of the provinces. The alleviate the boredom. The rural lands of order of the Land is seen as one large entity Gonn Dor's duchy are empty of any real with many different heads by the High threat, however. Council, and this is partially true. The order is actually broken up into dozens of local Order of Set chapters, with their own prescriptions on Group Alignment: lawful evil the code of the warrior, treatment of the Membership: unknown; perhaps as many peasantry, and so forth. They do not have as a thousand cultists of all sorts hidden in the power of a justicar until quite late in the city their career (level 10), so only the oldest, Leader: Skiskatitkan wisest Knights of the Land are given to Headquarters: old mansion in the slums, a legally executing legal matters. temple in the catacomb sewers Within Octzel's Capitol and its province, Set is an ancient god, a corruptor and the there are at least thirty chapters of the embodiment of the serprent, which holds a knighthood, each one sworn to a different special place in Middle Kingdom's major noble. Some chapters are composed symbolism. His followers are those who of several groups, all dedicated to one become entranced with the idea of power

24 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved in the mastery of lies, deceit, and Within the Capitol, there is a small, corruption. They are dedicated to the seemingly loose sect of the Orders of Set, articulation of the power they see as which have three principle followers. inherent in their corrupted beings. To this However, it is in the interests of the cult to end, they seek spiritual, necromantic, and look small, and conceal its true size. In fact, political vessels by which to execute their there are far more tendrils of the cult firmly desires. entrenched in other groups and areas of the The Order of Set is long-established in City than anyone could dare imagine. The Octzel, as some of the city's earliest Necromancers Society, The Black Society, occupants were worshippers of the evil god, certain members of the Fire Knives, and sent here under the guise of being more indeed everywhere else, cultists of Set lurk benign pilgrims. They are a cunning, patient in the shadows. lot, and are willing to work through multiple While it is unknown what the total goal of generations, if necessary, to achieve some the cult is, each of the three main leaders distant yet highly desired end. They are also have seperate interests. There is also heavily involved in the preservation of the believed to be a higher order of leaders immortal soul from its entrance into the within the cult, although it is unclear if Realms of the Dead, and utilize devices these mysterious figures dwell within the called spirit traps to harbor their souls until City, or in the countryside, near the Arellian they can one day regain their lost body or Hills, as some have claimed in the past, possess a new one. based on the ancient Tomb-Complexes A modern day cultist of Set is likely to found in that area which have the mark of have many spirit jars, containing the Set upon them. Only dedicated, foolish warlock and witch ancestors of his family adventurers are likely to discover the truth! that have pursued the worship of Set. Personalities: Similarly, there are always hidden Skistatikan (Setite serpent-man Vampire graveyards and catacombs, secreted in Level 9 Necromancer-Cleric of Set, evil) is a unexpected and carefully hidden places former follower of Karukithyak and a where cultists bury their dead, carefully tortured soul. Banished from Hazer-Phennis embalmed and wrapped to insure the underworld empire of the Setite mummification. Thus, should Set come to serpent men, he fled a decade ago to the rule, or new dark magic be discovered, the Octzellan lands, and eventually found his bodies of the servants of Set will arise once niche within the Capitol. He is a dedicated more. Such places are often rife with servant of Set, and does not understand undead as it is; restless spirits will inhabit why he was transformed into a vampire by the bodies, and become trapped within the his god. He believes that if he can find the confines of their mortal shell, doomed to duty that Set wishes him to ultimately roam the location of their burial. A hasty perform, then he will be relieved of his spirit seeking return to its body, freed from symptoms. In the meantime, he has a spirit jar, will also become covetious and adopted a cunning and vicious lifestyle, predatory toward the living, or its buried dwelling out of an old, gutted mansion in treasures, and seek to slay any threat, while the slums of the old city, and has concocted coveting those who have what they do not. an elaborate place of worship in the catacombs he found beneath. Dark horrors

25 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved serve his beck and call, and many unwitting followers are also his victims. He employs Overguild of the Merchant Societies discreet mercenaries to search for signs of a Group Alignment: unaligned cure, or the key to his great deed, within Membership: at least 1,200 individual the ancient tomb-complexes of Set in the merchants, 15 merchant houses, and over Arellian Hills. 13,000 laborers belong to the overguild Aloron Dann Castik (Human weresnake Leader: Guildmaster Corden Elas Masakor Level 8 cleric of Set, evil). Once a young, Headquarters: chief office in the guild professional warrior of the Crown, Castik district was riding through the badland trails of the The Overguild of the Merchant Societies is Arellian hills when he discovered a small, a master guild of sorts, which oversees the unnamed community of farmers that had fair trade policies that have been agreed been plagued by evil serpents. He upon by the primary guilds of the city. It is discovered the source of the evil in a tomb considered by some to be an informal of Set which had been disturbed, but inside, extension of the royal government, and by the vengeful spirit of the forgotten priest others to be a sort of ultimate racketeering Kathakul possessed him, and corrupted his guild, with the power to bring pressure of mind. Since that time, Castik has been in a magnanimous proportions down on anyone terrible mental struggle with the possessor, who strays from its chosen path. The guild who generated within his body the has numerous office locations throughout lycanthropy of a serpent. Dwelling in the city, as well as the country side estate of comfort, disguising himself as a public its current senior head master. servant and man of good, Kathakul uses Castik to work on generating a new body Personalities: for himself, and establishes his power base Guildmaster Corden Elas Masakor (Human within the city's cult network. Level 7 Rogue, unaligned). Corden is a Jydaeth Moristone (Human Level 12 dedicated man who is, if anything, a fair cleric of Set, evil) is a cruel priestess man with an honest dedication to fair trade. dedicated to Set. She dwells in a tower He is a known nemesis of both the North about fifty miles south and east from the Harbormaster Lithadros, who Corden has Capitol, in the forest lands, where-her had under investigation twice for bribery people live in shunned horror of their and racketeering, with no proven crimes mistress. Jydaeth is not a creature of the revealed. Corden is an honored member of night herself, but many follow her the Royal Court, and has been invited to obediently, created through her Setitic several High Council meetings. The power magic. She is deeply interested in Octzellan of the overguild is purely political, and the politics, and dreams of one day ruling the need for military service has rarely arisen, throne. He activities in civic matters keep although many investigators are employed her living in the city, within a mansion and to look into the accounts and affairs of estate just outside the outer gates, most of those who are suspected to be in violation the time. When she is not here, her dark of trade or tariff laws as established by the servants prowl the mansion's halls, and merchant houses and trade guilds. periodically escape to commit murder if Adventurers might well be appointed the they think they can get away with it. task of investigator, or they may be hired as

26 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved bodyguards if the possibility of violence is undying charisma and promising diplomatic foreseen. talents. He is respected in the Royal Court, and is believed to be a fine choice by the Rillian Mining Guild five primary guild members. Kolhuan is, of Group Alignment: lawful his own purposes, out to satisfy everyone Membership: about 40 merchant house and collect as much personal gain as he and a laborer membership about 10,000 possibly can on the side. When he is not strong biribing oficials, playing lobbyist, and Leader: Rodvis Elas Kolhuan getting away with murder, he is known to Headquarters: head office in the Inner City pay good money to hire adventurers to do The Rillian Mining Guild is perhaps, next uncouth but necessary deeds for him to to the Spice Guild, the most powerful single benefit his guild. merchant enterprise in the entire city, let alone the province. Even the timber Slaver Societies industry of the Capitol Province is not as Group Alignment: unaligned and evil influential as the Rillian Mining Guild. Membership: mixed, probably about 600 The Guild maintains offices in the Capitol, active slavers in the region out of which vast quantities of records are Leader: no unifying leader kept, orders are issued, and decisions Headquarters: no central headquarters regarding the mining activities of the guild The Slaver Societies are not organized are made. It coordinates for more than fifty into guilds, or even recognized as such by different affiliates in the Guild, all of whom the law enforcers of the city or the Thieve's rely on the Rillian Guild to insure fair trade, Guild. Rather, they are independent work relations, and legal regulation. The operations which are usually funded by Guild keeps its member s happy by insuring foreign interests or local profiteers seeking that the authorities almost universally to get a hefty foreign profit. The core overlook the issue of slavery or the abuse of leaders of these different slaver groups indentured servitude with regards to the periodically meet in informal gatherings, in larger operations, and that all of the which they cautiously assess the progress of principle owners of a given business their peers and trade information that will venture, as well as the guild itself, get the be of mutual benefit. More than one such best possible cut from any valuable cache. meeting has erupted into conflict, and the The Rillian Mining Guild is dominated by slavers have almost universally proven to be five major operations, which are all incapable of the sort of unity seen in the principle suppliers to the realm, and as such Black Lotus Guild. tend to got the greatest return on their product. Smaller operations within the guild Personalities: are generally directed toward public market Regenak Altair (Human Level 5 Rogue, evil) affairs, which have never paid as well as is a native who owns his own galleon and noble purchases. works with the Fire Knives periodically. He Personalities: sells slaves to foreign interests in southern Rodvis Elas Kolhuan (Human Level 3 Jhakn and further on down, to as far as Rogue, unaligned) is the current Galonia, where he gets the greatest profit. representative of the Guild, chosen for his Regenak has a company of dedicated men,

27 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved many of whom were Galvonarian spice traders, they tend to be secretive Mamalukes whom he purchased and then about it and work to avoid letting anyone freed, offering them good wages for utter else in on the deal lest they have to share loyalty Some of. his men have gotten quite the profits. rowdy during shore leave, however if a man Personalities: gets in terminal trouble with the law, he will Esedria Moonstar (Human Jhaknian Level 4 abandon them, or even have the audacity Rogue, evil) is the present spokeswoman of to attend the hanging, shouting with the the Guild. A Jhaknian, she was a primary crowd. This cold-heartedness serves to dealer for the Moonstar Trading Corp, run remind the crew that they are still his men, by her father out of Jnril. Her consistent even if not war slaves. reliability, goodwill, and amazing charisma earned her the respect of her peers, and Spice Traders Guild she was voted to replace the aging former Group Alignment: lawful spokesman. Unfortunately, this is all a Membership: 70 merchant houses, clever act, and Esedria is planning to scam approximately 22,000 membership in as much money from the business as she merchants and laborers can and funnel it in to illicit activies. Leader: Esedria Moonstar Headquarters: chief office in the guild Velvet Blades district Group Alignment: neutral The largest and most prominent import Membership: 50 humans, 14 half elves, 2 guild is the Spice Traders, Guild. With more elves, 4 gnomes, 3 half orcs, 3 nymphs, 1 than seventy different members, it is ashtarth arguably the largest mercantile force in the Leader: Mindara Nestros city, let alone the Headquarters: The Velvet Blades Brothel rest of Octzel. Many of its members are The Velvet Blades are an escort and foreign interests, who import to Octzel bodyguard service of professional mantyr spices and other rare goods that are (emancipated) women who are blades and unavailable save through their channels, militant sorceresses. They are principally and these interests use their power hired by nobles seeking the company of a through the guild to squelch the possibility lovely woman without the burden of burly of competition, or to at least moderate guards accompanying him for a night out on what competition would dare to tread upon the town. The Velvet Blades are, though their territory. small in number, all highly proficient in both While one might imagine that the cut armed and unarmed combat, while throat import business would reflect its vile remaining courteous and lady-like. nature in the guild, the Spice Traders Guild Personalities: is alarmingly neutral and fair-minded, Lady Mindara Nestros (half elf Level 7 keeping well within legal and morally Rogue, good). On the side, several acceptable parameters. This might well members of the Velvet Blades, including have a lot to do with Mitraic influence from Lady Nestros, the leader of the group, the church among core guild members, and participate in a certain amount of thievery it may also have to do with the fact that and smuggling, especially with connections when it comes to 11legaI trade among the

28 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved held in the city of Urlu and Midas to the south. Mistress Kamina Entenere (human Level 9 Rogue, unaligned) is the main agent for these purposes, especially when it comes to the import of opium and hashish from Galvonar and the southlands, which the Blades will also supply to interested parties.

even by modern day Earth standards. There Locations in the City are yet again those numbers of people dwelling throughout the province of of Octzel Rishaad.

Octzel is huge and ancient. It has a history Area A: The Bay and Expanses dating back to the first colony, Noenday, and like all great and ancient cities, its The ancient Bay of Octzel was chosen in character is one of antiquity. People have the founding days of the city for its lush, been living on this same site for almost two deep waters and ease of access to land. It is thousand years, and the city has weathered also a magnanimous location for fishermen. countless conflicts, storms, earthquakes, Even in the present, Octzel's bay is choice eruptions, insurrections and sieges. for seamen. Through it all, Octzel has stood firm. The bay itself has been protected by the Because of this antiquity, describing construction of extensive balustrades built Octzel is not merely about letting you know on running piers out into the central where all of the good taverns and weapon opening of the bay. At the center of these shops are to be found. There are ancient great walled piers are the Sea Gates, mysteries, forgotten districts filled with through which all ships must beg for haunted ruins and undiscovered treasures, passage before being allowed entry. In and even stranger things to be found within theory, these great walled defenses will it’s great walls. The city is populated by all greatly facilitate the defense of the city sorts of heroic and villainous people, as from sea in the event of a conflict. likely to be allies as enemies of any visitors. Some are new arrivals; many have a Encounters heritage going back countless generations. Characters in the bay are on a ship or One thing is certain, however: adventurers boarding a boat to sail ashore. The only have been getting in to all kinds of trouble encounters they are likely to have is with on the streets of Octzel for centuries now, neighboring vessels seeking passage in or and there’s no end to the mischief to be out, and the Harbor guard, which would had. flag-signal or lamp-signal for identification Each section of the city is divided into a and intent of approaching vessels. major district, and each district has a number of interesting locations described A1. Isle of the Grand Temple of Enki regarding it. Suggestions for random or Twelve miles from shore is a small island planned encounters will be provided, and on which the Grand Temple of Enki has specific entries will include background been built. This immense, towering information and suggested NPC encounters structure to the goddess serves as a major you can employ as you see fit. Keep in navigational point for sailors, and is an mind, however, that for every described architectural marvel to behold. The location or NPC, there are a dozen nearby priesthood treats it very well, and the island about which nothing is known; Octzel has a itself is a special retreat for the holy men population of close to half a million citizens and women of the faith. within the city limits, so it is a large city

The Church of Enki The church-was founded on a principle of Group Alignment: lawful good non-interference, but that principle would Membership: 2,500 strong, mostly human seem to have been violated time and again, Leader: Kistennia Delevaris as the Church of Enki is closely involved in Headquarters: The Temple Island of Enki the affairs of the High Council and all The Church of Enki is without a doubt the Provincial Councils. heart of Octzel. More than seventy percent The Church has a major temple that is of the citizenry follow the teachings of the beautiful to behold on a small island twelve church, and at least fifty percent follow miles from the coast of the Capitol. It is Enki's path to the exclusion of any other used as a navigational reference at sea, due god. The church is about sixty percent to its towering spires and flags, and is a women, as Enki is still recognized as a welcome sight to weary seamen who've fertility goddess. The church is a passive been away from land too long. Enki is a organization, and no member of the church goddess of the waters, and is therefore belongs to any sort of established militia. revered by most all seafarers. The church advocates a process by which On land, the church has a smaller temple acolytes go through a period of rigorous in the Inner City, and numerous local training to enforce their piety and increase temples in each district. The local temples their knowledge, after which they learn to act as places of learning, and common appreciate the goddess as missionaries. The knowledge is dispersed from here by the length of time which a missionary is allowed priests to anyone they can get to attend. It to wander depends on two things, being the is considered the law by writ of Octzoron faith of the acolyte in his or herself, and the Vellos that the children of all freemen and desire of the acolyte to settle down or journeymen attend at least five years advance in the church. Many missionaries tutelage in a teaching house of Enki. Many eventually join regional churches, or found of the priests and missionaries strive to their own church in the kingdom and bring knowledge to the commoners and abroad, once they have completed at least servants, as well. five years wandering. Some missionaries are While it is true, what was said earlier, that out there forever, and have to be found and the church is non militaristic, there is a told to return to their studies, and to impart special temple, located in Midas, which their knowledge to the next generation. teaches defensive combat to missionaries Aspiring missionaries return to become part who feel they need it. At least two such of the inner clergy, and work their way up teachers dwell in Octzel, and offer their the social ladder of the ecclasia. knowledge to priests or anyone who would There are more trivial, specialized- ask for it. purpose ranks than anyone can imagine in Personalities: the ecclasia. Someone working their way up Kistennia Dalevaris (Human Level 16 the ladder of the church has a long climb Cleric of Enki, lawful good). Kistennia has ahead. This organization keeps the High become the High Priestess to represent the Priests of the church safe and secure in Church on the High Council, in the wake of their positions, which are granted by their several members being demoted due to own personal wishes, alld not the system of scandal involving the support of armed achievement. conflict to protect church lands in the

31 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved region of Halale. Instead, she has charged In the bay of Octzel, about midpoint from that Knights of Halale who wish to petition the towers to the docks, is a navigational Enki for the divine right to defend her lands hazard. The reefs of the bay are sparse, but may do so, but no priest shall spend the guideships lead larger vessels through. One church's wealth on a standing army. Her vessel, about twenty years ago, sank below conviction to the doctrine of Enki has the waters after running astray and insured that the church will remain on its scraping her bottom off on a reef. The ship, advisory, non-action oriented course. the Old Mariner, sank below waters, then Benhurst Dann Malkor (Human Level 19 dislodged and sank three hundred feet to Paladin of Enki, lawful good) is the most the bottom of the bay. Salvagers worked famous of the masters of defensive combat. hard to try and get what they could, but it He has settled down to retire in the capitol, was far too deep to easily get to, and water but will teach any who come to him and are pressure was too much for deep divers. worthy. He is the master of the pole-arm, Some claim that there was a king's ransom trident, and has studied and perfected his in gold on the Old Mariner, and that the own version of Nakamuran fighting captain, who disappeared had a way of techniques. He specializes in tricks like retrieving the wealth after the vessel had disarming a foe with a dagger or sword sunk. The truth remains unknown as yet. using only a silk cloth, and how to turn your opponent's attacks in on themselves, using The Secret Entrances into the Old Grottos their own force against them. For all of his Along the coast land and at one point knowledge, he is a surprisingly gentle man, beneath the docks are small caverns and he is a friend of the Geomancers, burrowed from the earth by splashing where he periodically spends time assisting waves that lead into the many grotto in the gardens. He has no monetary networks of the cost land. Children often worries, for the stipend from the church find these networks and explore them, but and the King (he was knighted to the occasionally one does not return, and Crown) keep him in plenty. He is Kistennia's superstitions about primal fish-men who most fervent ally, and will train any young live in the grottos keep old sea dogs from knights who come to him in the ways of searching them out. Ancient markings have Paladinhood to Enki. been found on the walls of some explored grottos. Some secret societies use them for A2. The Sea Gates and the Watchtowers meeting places. The Sea Gates are the several-hundred yard expanse through which ships must Area B: The Rural Expanses pass to gain entry to the Bay of Octzel. There are two main entry points, and no Beyond the great outer wall of Octzel can ship can pass through without coming in be found the vast expanse of rural farms range of the heavily-fortified watchtowers, which comprise the estates of the king and which are said to pack enough firepower in his immediate dukes. Boundaries in the arbalests, ballistae, and bombards to form of county regions are complex and decimate any rogue vessels. intermixed, so defining the property of the high lords in no easy task. A3. Wreck of the Old Mariner

In this region, farmers, herdsmen, local craftsmen, and other jobs of a rural nature B4. Mansion of House Zellman abound. One! of the most wellknown Several miles from the capitol is the businesses to craft carriages is stationed famous mansion of house Zellman. More outside the city, about a quarter of a mile about this location can be found in the away, and designs carriages by comission description of the province of Rishaad. only. Encounters Farmers, pilgrims, traveling merchants or caravans peddling B5 The Temple of the Golden Seeker and entertaining the rural folk are common This is another esoteric religious order encounters. Avernan nomads, who never located beyond the outer walls of the make camp any closer than this to the city, Capitol. Dedicated to the strange and little can also be found encamped out here. known god Huuarl, the lord of time and So close to the city, few dangerous change, the order follows a series of encounters occur, but bandits, members of Codices that are unrelated to the codices of the Hooded Brothers, insane mendicants, or Hyrkania, and which are said to predate very brave wolves seeking sheep are these codices by many centuries. They are possible encounters. highly reclusive, and all the priests or being the most proficient astronomers land. Some B1. The Keep of Lellard Gonn Vinosi traveling priests of the order forty members Lellard Vinosi (Human Level 5 Warlord, of the order) are contracted caravaneers for lawful good) is duke of the rural estates, their services. Others are prophecy the King's personal manager of all royal concerning the stars. The temple includes a properties. Vinosi is also the head of the celestial observatory from which the stars Regional Council for Rishaad, and a member can be observed with magical implements. of the High Council. His keep, which is a It is rumored that certain members of the large castle that is heavy understaffed most Guild of the Spheres have approached the of the time, is also used as a meeting place temple for advice or information from time for the Regional Council of Rishaad. to time, but there seems to be no direct connection. B3. Vellsoth Manor The temple is also known for an immense Wormi Vellsoth, the secret leader of the golden statue of their god, which has never Black Lotus Guild and an adventurer been stolen, although rumors of bandits extraordinaire, was granted this estate by who plotted to do so and then befell a the late king of the realm, and he continues horrible death abound. The temple is a to use it as a base of operations. The small affair otherwise, but has a private Mansion is almost a fortress in its own right, library and a retreat into which all good and and is protected by a garrison of loyal learned souls are welcome. Only thirty or so mercenaries and thieves. There are rumors priests belong to this order, with a few on of catacombs and dungeons used for dark leave to travel as missionaries in distant plots beneath the mansion floors, but no lands. one knows for sure. The mansion itself is The Oder of the Golden Seeker located up on a hill, in a very defensible Group Alignment: lawful location that is hard to approach without being spotted.

Membership: 18 priests of mostly human Recently, Ambor has been receiving origin, and a couple of unknown species strange visions of an apocalyptic scene, a Leader: Ambor Liselin city being destroyed by a leviathan of the Headquarters: The Golden Temple sea. oddly, the city of his dreams is no This is another esoteric religious order coastal community he has ever visited, but located beyond the outer walls of the the sense of urgency he feels about finding Capitol. Dedicated to the strange and little out what city is imperiled is great, and he is known god Huuarl, the lord of time and tempted to hire adventurers to escort him change, the order follows a series of on a quest to learn the true meaning of this Codices that are unrelated to the codices of vision. Hyrkania, and which are said to predate these codices by many centuries. They are highly reclusive, and all the priests or being Area C: The Residential District the most proficient astronomers land. Some traveling priests of the order forty members More accurately thought of as the rich of the order) are contracted caravaneers for and wealthy district, it is here which the their services. Others are prophecy men of power and money dwell in the concerning the stars. The temple includes a Capitol. Bordering and overlapping the great hippodrome from which the stars can markets and Inner City, the residential be observed with magical implements. It is district is one of the most highly patrolled rumored that certain members of the Guild regions. of the Spheres have approached the temple Businesses in this area cater to the for advice or information from time to time, inhabitants, and include public bath houses, but there seems to be no direct connection. tailors who specialize in ballroom Personalities: adornment, and housekeepers of all sorts. Ambor Liselin (Human Level 8 Cleric of Offices dedicated to medicinal healers, Huuarl, unaligned) is the leader of the private alchemists, and scientific temple. He is a quiet man with little interest researchers are also found in this upscale beyond his studies of the stars, and rarely region. Encounters enjoys being bothered. He does have a kind Aristocrats of all sorts, dandies out on soul, however, and will take pity upon the stroll, young women of the evening hoping needy. to catch a gentleman's eye, and large, well- Adventurers looking for a means of armed city guardsmen are all likely to be traveling in to Etherspace can approach seen here. In spite of the city guard, Ambor for information. He is well- muggers will make there way into the researched on the matter, and can speak of residential district to stake out alleys and known instances when such magic has been other sites, hoping to catch a foolish man performed successfully. He will usually with a fat purse. point such curious folk to tomes discussing the golden age of ancient Hyrkania before C1. The House of Grand Justicar Vindella the War of the Gods, the ancient This is the stately mansion of the Grand Kadantanian Empire of the Amechian Justicar of the city. His estates are walled in region, and other such lost knowledge. by thick iron bars and are heavily guarded,

34 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved as he is not a popular individual with some people. C6. The Temple of The Middle Church A temple of the Middle church is located C2. House of Xarbos in this district, with a conservative Xarbos (Human Level 9 wizard NG) is a aristocratic priesthood that insures all practitioner of sorcery in all forms, and services offered here are oriented toward offers, his services, usually as a diviner, to the nobility alone. The temple also includes the aristocracy. His astrological readings a quiet hall, for use by any who wish to and personal divinations are highly prized, study and utilize the private library of the and his strange mansion, full of exotic middle church. artifacts and strange paintings are a The Church of the Middle Gods is found tantalizing site to the youth of nobility. throughout Octzel and abroad. In a way, Octzel's founder was responsible for the C3. Merchant Houses, Houses of Wealthy success of this church as much so as he was Midan for the Church of Enki. The priesthood of There are literally dozens of houses for the Middle Gods was founded on the each street in this district, and each one is principle of tolerance and the equality of immense, belonging to a sing wealthy faiths. All beliefs are tolerated within the family of Kelan or very prominent Midan halls of the church, save for those which status. Commoners who can get permission defile the others. to pass through this area without being The church has three small temples in the hassled marvel at the wealth and prestige city, including one Ancient temple in the involved in belonging to the upper class of Inner City, and a fairly large monastery, the Capitol. located at the base of the Veraggen Mountains. This monastery has about a C4. The High Teaching Temple hundred holy men engaging in personal The High Teaching Temple is a major worship, scriptural duties, or other minor school in which most noble children are ecclesiastical matters. At least fifteen such sent to study until their teen years. it is priests are sent into the city monthly to segregated, and is extremely strict, but maintain the temples and offer worship imparts a rich services. education to those who attend, one which The church of the Middle Gods recognizes makes the teachings of the lesser schools to the many different deities of the Pantheon the commoners look like drivel. of the Codices, and its members are on good terms with both the Church of Enki C5. The Third Temple of Enki and the priests at the Temple of the This temple is the favored location for the Codices. Interestingly, no relations exist pious aristocrats who want to avoid dealing with the Temple of the Golden Seeker, with common folk when attending prayers which itself worships Huaarl, who is and ceremonies. It is a clean, extravagant undescribed in any of the common codices. temple that was built less than fifty years Estarlun, the Senior Priest of the monastery, ago, and much of the interior mimics, in knows that Huaarl is mentioned, in the smaller scale, the Grand Temple. Behind codices found in Hyrkania under care of the this temple i's a small rectory. church of Naril, but that the Golden Seeker

35 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved is spoken of as being a Prehunate, of the ancient order of prehuman sorcerers. Estarlun (Human Level 9 Cleric of Naril, lawful good) is formerly of house Random, and was a Baron before renouncing his rank and willing his holdings to his brother. Estarlun took up the path of enlightenment, seeking the teachings of the Temple of Naril in Hyrkyskos, where he studied for eight years before growing discontent with the intrigue and political maneuvering of the church. After three years in a remote monastery to the esoteric order of Nistur in Hettanar, he returned to his native land, where he joined the Church of the Middle Gods. Here, he studies as he wishes, and extends his beliefs beyond that of any single god in the pantheon. In spite of at least two times in which he has had to assist or deal with trouble caused by his younger brother, Estarlun leads a peaceful life. He is a friend, also, of the Dabblers of Devilspire, and communicates with them through letters. He is also in good standing with the Order of the Eternal Seekers in Midas.

guild status, they are recognized as a small Area D: The Fish Markets but noteworthy sorcerous organization. The Lords are located in a three-story The fish markets are technically a part of building which they own in total in the Dock the dock district, but they have been so District, near the Southern Gates. There are long of such a particular character and perhaps five students of the art, and all nature that they are now considered a seek the wisdom of Three old men, who district unto themselves. The fish markets study tirelessly and without a moment's are marked by the vast quantities of pause on translating the Southern Tongue fishermen who drag in their catch of the script of Galvonarian, Galonian, and day, then sell them off in a flurry of furious Karaktuan tomes into the, Middle Tongue bickering with tavern owners, family cooks, for The Grand Librarium. The Palomar housewives, and store proprietors. Librarium in Midas also benefits, once the Numerous businesses here specialize in the copies have reached the Grand Librarium. making of all sorts of pemmican, to be sold In their spare time, the three old masters locally or shipped abroad. Businesses will stop, take a moment to teach catering to the well-to-do fisherman or something of vague importance to their fisheries offer products (nets, line, hooks, apprentices, and then move on to more boats, manpower, etc.) or advice (diviners scribal work, esoteric studies, or such. or charmers who claim their magic will These are hard men to gain knowledge improve one's catch). Fishing is big business from. in the Capitol. The Elemental Lords will also periodically inscribe sorcerous enchantments upon Encounters scrolls for sea captains. Such enchantments So close to the docks, you can have a lot allow the appearance of a strong wind, the of strange encounters here. Sailors, control of that wind, or the combating of fishermen, hucksters, customers of all sorts, encroaching storms. swindlers, foreign merchants purchasing While they do not belong to any particular pemmican or pickled sardines, and the guild or society in Octzel, the Elemental cooks of noble families buying dinners are Lords and their select students are still all possibilities. considered a group for purposes of identification. They have been known to D1. The Fisheries attend Council meetings, and are friends Worth mentioning in and of themselves, with Lord ' Summunan and other mages because there are so many of them along about town. Their service of transcription of this area, and because the stench from this Southern texts are also invaluable, adding cluster of businesses far outdoes the fishy an immense body of knowledge to the stench anywhere else. Grand Librarium. Resoras, Lendenestar, and Abshiran, all D2. The House of the Elemental Lords of Clan Puthkin (Human Galvonarian Level Within Octzel there is no formal Guild of 15 Wizards, good) are a most curious lot. As Magic which stands out, but rather, described above, they are ultimate scholars, numerous smaller guilds. While the and while likely to have valuable services or Elemental Lords are not known to have knowledge, direct aid is unlikely. They

37 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved specialize in elemental magic. All three belong to the same Galvonarian clan, though their father was Octzellan. They are members of the Galvonarian Sarakani, and make return trips to their homeland once every two years. During this time, it is likely that an adventurer could find employment as a body guard with them.

D3. Tavern of the Stonymen Barrens The rough, rowdy tavern frequented by fishermen and others in the business. The name comes from a legend, of an ancient string of Islands that some claim sank beneath the seas long ago, on which sailors were killed and turned into statues by ,A gruesome basilisk. It hardly matters, however, and the proprietor, Jorlon Wells, has no personal connection to the myth, and bought the business five years ago when the older keeper died. Expect a fight to break out in this tavern at least once a week, and expect a lot of drunk and rowdy fishermen most of the time. The Barrens also sells its liquor bulk.

D4. The Orlon Gambling Halls The gambling halls of Delos Orlon are some of the finest in the city. Orlon is a trustworthy man, and is firmly against cheating. A priest of Mitra, Orlon is part of that most secretive and rare brotherhood, and. his aknowledgement of that fact to his patrons leaves them with confidence of a fair deal. All sorts of sports, all legal, are available here, and thirty men and women are employed behind the tables or as arbitrators. he city guard rarely has to come here due to rowdiness, even though plenty of drink is served, as Orlon keeps three members of the Heroskod Company on regular employment.

independent, take advantage of this to rob Area E: The Open Markets the innocent and confused. Con men are also frequent, and sideshows are The open markets, ringing the Grand everywhere. Roadside bards who seek to Avenue of Octzel, are the core of the gain a large enough audience to gain merchant activities and the hub of all city sponsorship in a taven sing their tales of business on a day by day basis. The open adventure and love Call girls who feel markets are divided out in terms of the themselves too good for the dark town nature of their establishments, and Come out in the evening and lurk about the according to Guild Writ, all like businesses taverns, seeking honest and wealthy men to must convene business in areas close to one snag. another, to insure that there is no favoritism in terms of location or Encounters advertising. Many have already been named. Thieves, What this grouping results in is a process merchants, beggars, bards, mendicants, by which an entire street will be the confused visitors, con men, sideshow "Leatherworking District" or the artists, thugs, peddlers, city guardsmen, and "Freemason Lodges," and those just about ay other encounter in such a businessmen true to the spirit of the Guild metropolis can be encountered right here in Writ will actually turn down a customer and the open markets. send him or her to a less fortunate guild partner if business has already been E1. The Tavern Over the Inn favorable for that day. This doesn't happen This is the place to go if you are seeking that often, however. employment as an adventurer of any sort. Non-guild regions of the open markets are Now into its 485th year as an rife with competition between the few establishment, the Tavern over the Inn is a businesses of like nature, and crowded with favorite place for thieves, mercenaries, and establishments of all types and varieties. eccentric people to gather and drink. Many specialized shops are supported in Walking into this tavern, you are likely to Octzel, due to the enormous wealth of the see a coalition of infamous thieves from the aristocracy and the influx of foreign trade. Black Lotus gang kicking back for a drink As a result, dwarven watchsmiths, ornate and a game of darts, while plotting their armorers who specialize only in metal next evil deed in some strange thief's cant. engraving, toy shops, shoe shiners, Nearby, a band of orcs stir their grog and glassblowers and all sorts of sevice oriented chat with a recruiter from Halshaggin's and specialized business abound. Raiders, who has just about convinced them The open markets and Grand Avenue are that the mercenary guild can offer them as usually the first sight to be seen by a much violence as they crave. Adventurers newcomers traveling overland to the rest in another corner, surrounded by a Capitol, and they are readily acessible from crowd of urchins who listen to their tales of the docks, so the impact of this wild, discovery from a journey to the Chaos seemingly insane mess of businesses and Mountains and the gold sought therein. A customers can easily overwhelm a first time one-eyed ogre rests in another corner, visitor. Many thieves, guild-sponsored and eating an entire roast mutton for himself. A

39 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved serpent man surrounded by guards eyes stablehands in the city. Furthermore, no everyone else warily in another corner. theft has ever transpired in the stables, as it Patrons, desperate for help, rest at different is protected by Gin Dranos' secet surpise, a tables as they try to recruit someone with guardian Djinn names Kalos which he the answer they seek. And when you finish acquired in a game of chance. It lives in his your drink and stew, you find that your jeweled ring, and serves as permanent purse is missing all of its gold.... guardian of the stables. The Tavern over the Inn does, indeed, The owner of the tavern is a kythian have a wealth of comfortable rooms, and a woman named Grisaudia (Kythian Level 8 common room to crash in if you're feeling Rogue Level 16 Expert LN). Grisaudia was cheap. The tavern itself is a one-story affair; involved with the bar in its youth, and was and the basement contains the forty two willed it by the former tavernkeep. Now, rooms of the inn, said to have been built she has turned it into a major and highly out of the sub-basement of and old profitable business enterprise. She is warehouse that burned down more than a affiliated with the Black Lotus Guild, and century ago. The reconverted basement lets them participate in meetings here. She rooms are cool comfortable, and charge up was also known to have liasons with Wormi to 9 gold for the finest suite (or a silver for Vellsoth and soem say she is the only one in the common room). Octzel who knows where he now is. The secret truth of the basement rooms Grisaudia no longer handles the business went to the grave with the original tavern directly. When she is not living in her keep of the establishment. They were there palatial country estate, she is touring the long before the old warehouse burned kingdom in her private coach with her down, and even before that, they had been personal guards. around for centuries. old runic script in the old Tongue marked them for catacombs to E2. The Alchemist's Guild worship Slithotep. Followers of that dark The guild of the Alchemist's operates from god have been known to come here to here, which serves both as an office perform rituals, and pay healthy sums of location and as laboratories for the money to gain private access to rooms with members of the guild. They own some no questions asked. warehouse property and private land Several maidens and a few burly men are outside of the city as well. The guild the servants of the tavern. Two large half- operation allows for community property ogres, named Oberos and Glimmer, are on use among guild members. permanent staff as bouncers. Ogrish The Alchemist's guild centers its bouncers have been a long-standing opeations in the Open Markets, where the tradition at the tavern, and the two new Laboratories have been recently brothers faithfully carry out the tradition. constructed, and out of which most In the rear of the upper quarters are apprenticeship teachings occur. A spacious stables to accomodate even the neighboring office and storefront hold most most delicately preened steeds. The records and account. Once, the Alchemists stablehands, a handful of young boys and had offices abroad through the city, but too the elder stabelmaster Gin Dranos (gnome many unfortunate accidents prompted commoner 6, NG) are considered the finest them City Watch to cite them for fire risk

40 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved violations and they had to move to the which he has a private mansion, and a Open Markets. noteworthy body of serfs to till local fields. The Alchemist's guild is not the seething His lust for alchemical -knowledge prevents center of magical goods that a roving him from exploiting his more natural adventurer would like it to be. By far, the sorcerous talents. majority of Alchemist's studying here are Dalen Kor (Human Level 3 Wizard, good) seeking clinical solutions to problems they is a bumbling alchemist who operates at the are employed to solve, or driven to solve by front desk of the Inner City offices. He is greed. The Rillian Mining Guild, for said to have been homeless for two years example, has long been a major purchaser now, since burning his house down in a of magic smoke powder from the failed experiment. He's a nice kind of fellow, Alchemist's guild, utilizing it in their mining but lacks coordination and common sense. ventures in the Verragen Mountains and He's likely to give adventurers the run Loroden Hills. The Guild has in its employ a around who approach the guild about number of silver dwarven artificers. special projects, or offer to do it for them at Alchemists with sorcerous knowledge little or no cost, if he's personally intrigued. tend to specialize in the brewing of potions Adventurers who foolishly take him up on and concoctions for purposes of divination, their offer will suffer the consequences general sorcery and artificing. They have when it blows up in their face! produced, for example, a liquid which, culled from the spittle of a dragon and E3. Murmering Inn mixed with meteoritic ore, then forged in An inn which specializes in fine food and dwarven fires for hours and folded over on good wine, the Murmering Inn attracts a itself a thousand times produces a flaming wealthier clientel than usual. It is a fairly sword of terrible magnitude. However, only boring place with regard to events of one such weapon has been crafted to date, interest, but to eat here is a sign of prestige. by the Enigmatic Lord Dablios Random, Galon. Kenarnos, the-owner, hopes one day since he has been the only one gutsy that his Inn will be as popular and enough to ride into the den of a dragon and prestigious as the Royal Crown Inn. cull some spittle. There are nine old masters who run the E4. House of Augustus-Sorinos guild, and a body of eighty students, of Minaria Augustus-Sorinos (see whom less than a tenth are likely to excel organizations on Fire Knives) dwells within a with their masters. Of these nine old walled, fortified estate in the open market masters, only two ever show any interest in district, and operates her numerous publicity or representing the guild, as the business interests directly from here. others are lost in study, trying to convert Minaria and her other family members are lead to gold and what not. Fire Knives, and beneath her estate are Nalar Navornin (Human, Level 15 catacombs that serve as meeting halls for Alchemist, lawful good) is the principle the political assassins. Minaria is a ruthless speaker of the Alchemist's Guild, and assassin as well as a member of the guild, represents it when necessary at the High and the bulk of her business activities have- Council meetings. He owns most of his land earned the hatred and fear of many in about 100 acres of suburban property, on suspecting merchants in the area.

Illegal slavery, in which servants are E7. The Nevill Bodyguard Service bought in the city and then shipped out to Founded long ago by two ogre brothers, lands such as Galvonar or Hyrkania as The Nevill ogre clan has been offering their permanent slaves are also carried out here remarkably civilized coutenances for and in several neighboring buildings, also protective service now for as long as owned by Minaria. While she has never anyone can remember. The original been directly implicated in the slavery rings, brothers came to Octzel when the Agency Minaria is suspected by the Order of the of Bargan was established. They eventually Blade. realized their true worth as bouncers and The mansion itself is a true fortress with enforcers, and left the agency to become many armed troops of great skill, willing to their own bosses in the city. They invited throw their lives away for the family. many comrades from their homeland to Penetrating this structure would be a join them, and also met with the few monumental task. disparate half-ogres of the city, mostly living in squallor and under persecution of their E5. Teaching Temples natures. Several teaching temples of Enki, aimed at The service is currently operated by the Midan, are located in the open market Smiglar Nevill (Ogre Level 13 fighter region. These temples usually have a small unaligned), a descendant of the original rectory with them as well, and the temple brothers. Smiglar offers the meanest halls serve as local places of worship as well looking, strongest, most fearful hired blades as teaching. It is difficult, without the in the city, including a couple minotaurs, cooperation of Midan families, to get the half ogres, a squat hill giant, and several children and urchins of the city to attend, bugbears. The Nevill Bodyguards have but every morning the halls are full, even if thwarted extortion efforts against the priest-scholars don't always see the merchants on several occasions, and this same child present more than a few times a has earned them some enemies among the week. organized thieves of the city. Unbeknownst to many, Smiglar is actually a member of E6. Szymalyn’s Opium House the Order of the Blade, and his position as One of many opium dealers in the city, head of the bodyguard service is used to Szymalyn (Haikyndyr lizard man, Level 7 deter the various protection and extortion warlock, good) sells his wares from a smoke rackets that the many thieves of the city try house, where people come not to drink but to carry out. to inhale the opium. It's at expensive place The price of a bouncer is usually 5 gold for to get into, but the most decadent of two day's services, more if the place as a Octzel's social circles frequent this place reputation for rowdiness. Their bodyguards often. Szymalyn himself sells opium to any go for as much as 30 gold a day. To get who will buy it, and espouses it as an Smiglar himself is 100 gold a day, flat rate. excellent cure for screaming children. It is packaged in small ceramic vessels shaped E8. The Merchant House of Brutus Kanorn like poppy seeds, and is imported from Brutus Kanorn is one of the ringleaders of Galvonar and Argosea. the Black Lotus gangs (see organizations section), and he operates his extortion

42 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved rackets from this seemingly innocent peasants, drunken sailors, birds stealing establishment. The business front is a crops, urchins, ratmen or other horrors glassblower, and the operation is real, but from the sewers. behind closed doors on the second level, Brutus and his cohorts work to extort as F1. The Farmlands much money and servitude from the The eslas of this region are a sullen, merchants as benefits them, while trying to reclusive lot, and are removed from much elude and outwit the City Guard, the Order of the inner city activities. Many of them of the Blades, and other rivals. More about are here because they had no choice, and Brutus and the Black Lotus Gang can be the environment of the dikelands is found under organizations. miserable. Many commute from work to their homes in the slums. The rich and Area F: The Dikelands wealthy are not welcome here.

Rising tides and the need for more local E2. The Entrances to the Inner City Sewers farmland in the face of escalating The city sewers were built by long dead populations, as well as a touch of madness, genius architects who took such liberties in provoked the old king Andor to decree that their designs that no map today of the great dikes wall up the dikelands area, sewer foundations really matches with which was subsequently drained through what is down there. Built in the eleven the channel drainages already used to hundreds, the sewers were a welcome dump the sewage of the Inner City into the addition to the growing inner city problem outer bay areas. The result of this of human waste, and they were extended monumental task was a large, fertile area of into much of the wealthy residential area sandy soil used to grow root and tuber during the sixteen hundreds. No other crops. region of the city has a proper sewage The dikelands are actually an example of removal system. gross High Council spending to no good Many areas of the city open up into the purpose, but they did prove that it could be sewage canals, but this location in the done, as dikes of this size had never been dikelands is where it all runs out. The built before. this knowledge has benefited sewers themselves were largely covered, other cities since,' which risked losing and while many tunnels are too small for valuable land to the slowly rising tides (tide men to fit through, most of them are at levels have risen an two and a half inches in least big enough to enter crouched. Some the last century, but no one can account for areas open into wide and tall tunnels, and this). some are said to border or even break into The dikelands are now filled with root old burial catacombs or the grottos along farms manned by eslas who hold fealty to the coast. Somewhere in these regions are the king's noble court, and the channels meeting places for both the Fire Knives and which carry both sewage and water out to the Servants of Set. sea. F3. The Biles Encounters

The garbage of the city gets dumped here, Fishermen, vendors, dealers trying to in the biles, where some of it gets churned hock wares or other valuables fresh off the into the land, and most of it sits and rots. in-port ships, drunken sailors, naval men on The biles are a horrible place, and only the patrol or leave, fishermen back fro a rathe are given the task of garbage men. successful or big catch, wealthy patrons There are valid rumors of lycanthropic preparing for a journey or arriving from wererats living in communal nests in the one. Biles. G1. The Naval Yards F4. The Abandoned Watchtower The naval yards are considered the pride In the crumbling northern walls along the of the city by many individuals who have Dikelands is an abandoned watchtower heavily invested in the efforts of the which is said to be haunted by anancient Octzellan sea trade. The naval forces of Ashtarth spirit. on certain dark nights, some Octzel secure the authorized trade routes people can claim to see the ghost flittering from pirates and foreign influence. They are back and forth along the ramparts. considered honorable and dedicated men, all of the highest dedication to the land and Area G: The Docks the king. The officers of the navy certainly The Docks are more than just the fit this description, but save for those who shipyards, naval docks, and bay-side are part of the officers candidate school stretches which cater to the constant located in the most pleasant section of the business of a major port such as the Capitol. fairly expansive naval yards, most of the It includes the stretches of local property men you will meet in this region are vicious owned by interested lesser nobles and salty sea dogs of astounding disrepute. Cut- principally used for small businesses, throats who sought mamaluke slavery in peasants and barons in the sea trade, and the naval militia, viscious, predatory warehouses. seamen who found the uncertain life of the The docks are arguably the most colorful pirate too risky for their sensibilities, and region of the city, next to the foreign any number of desperate men (with a very quarter, but beside the temporary foreign rare woman of the Manatyr status who has sailors who frequent the region on business joined the ranks of the Navy's sea bitches) or pleasure, it contains one of the oldest all compose the real Navy of the land. expanses of true Octzellans. The fishermen Nonetheless, stern officers and hardened are the heart and soul of the Octzellan task masters who use the whip as well as community, and are rigidly given to the the cutlass keep the navy in order. preservation of antiquated or highly The Naval Yards are principally training traditional ways of life. These families, and maintenance grounds. There is a large along the Docks, are at once exposed to the open area for royal receptions of various greatest influx of foreigners and react with sorts, and there are four major lords of the a closer dedication to their own values than realm in this area which have a principal any other portion of the expansive city. vested interest in the fighting power of the navy. They all have estates nearby, in this Encounters district. Most famous among them is Hederos Gonn Palador (Human Level 10

Warrior Professional), an esteemed admiral should be seen as outstanding profiteers who earned his reputation through the who utilize the judicial and legal system of point of his sword and the wit of his word. the land to their utmost effect. They also manage to profit a great deal from the G2. Office of North Harbor master exploitation of foreign trade and tariff- Lithadros enforcement. They might, for example, The harbors are so large and rife with the allow certain trade items from the east into private industries of both dock owners, the port, provided they gain some sort of shipbuilders, and specialized mercantile return, or a cut on the take for the product companies with over sea interests that they once it is sold in the city. They engage in a are certain amount of selective trading, and are divided into two areas of control. In the more than acquiescent to bribery from north quarter, bordering the Naval Yards mercantile companies seeking to increase are the elegant and artfully decorated the harassment of rival companies. This sort offices and estate of Baron Lithadros, the of inter rival encouragement has made North quarter Harbor master. Lithadros is Lithadros excessively rich, as he and his an old man, and is aided to a great extent cohorts prey off of the foolish efforts of by his younger, inestimable companion competitors to affect each other's business Matapan Kelevornin, who has made interests. obvious his intentions to succeed the North Quartermaster in his duties after death. G3. Shipwright Yards Both men are in fact good friends, even The shipwright yards along the docks of though their public displays are often Octzel are plentiful, and the majority of argumentative and disagreeable. This public them are officially sanctioned by the King's display is easily mistaken for disharmony, decree. Those which are operating without but in fact is considered friendly disputation sanction are usually small affairs, and have among the two men. Lithadros intends to often gained a temporary Pardon from make certain, through bribery and favor, whichever dock master they operate under, that Kelevornin succeeds him. until their business has become prominent In truth, this bond between the two men enough to validate authorization. is also shared by their staff and their private Shipwrights who specialize in building the guards, all hired on a private basis, and great galleons of the sea are few, including commissioned for contracts five years in only six major producers, all of which are length. The nature of their contracts insures located in the region of the north harbor, secrecy in all matters conducted by the save for one. The exception is Paladom North Quartermaster, and those who are Ships and Woodcraft, operated by the privy to Lithadros, inner council will soon Suethendur craftsman Gengard Hambrose, learn why. who is a noted friend and confidante of In fact, Lithadros runs his own South Dockmaster Sevenfingers. As such, he racketeering scam, and does so with great is considered an ally or even and member of and secret efficiency. He avoids any sort of the Black Lotus Guild by some, but is in fact labeling, and works hard to eliminate any a neutral party who simply holds strange identification as a guild, organization, or relations. society. Rather, Lithadros and his men

G4. Seaman's Respite: The Sailor's Way them are friends or acquaintances of Within the walls of this salty old tavern Kalwart. are a collage of the most interesting, long- The tavern is very safe to conduct private lived and audacious storytellers of the sea business, unless it involves the thieve's to be found in any portside city. The tavern guilds, in which case Kalwart will pull out his itself is a quaint and gloomy locale, with heavy crossbow and threaten to plug the seating enough for no more than forty or conspirators with it. There are rumors that so, all very compact and personal. The Lithadros and his crew have been known to barmaids are by no means pretty or young, come drinking here on occasion, but never but all have a certain kind of misbegotten to discuss business. charm about them that brings back the predominantly older and retired clientele G5. Selenic Temple time and again, to flirt endlessly with Selene is a goddess of the sea in these Grisma, Deledina, and Myraki. Myraki is an lands, with only minor import among the especially appealing sort, for while she is Church of the Middle Gods with regards to not especially beautiful, she is light blue in the keeping of time and the seasons. the tone of her skin, with opalescent eyes Among the sailors and shipmen of the marking her for elvish kindred. Her skin Endless Ocean, however, she is a symbol of tone, some suggest, places her with the good luck, a guide for navigators, and the merfolk of the sea, said by some to be the keeper of time. Selene is therefore given to most magical of the elvish races. Myraki a small but impressive temple with over speaks little of this, however, claiming only thirty priestesses, half of which are either that her mother and father believed her to einurian or can claim some descendant be a changeling, and that she was deposited Kythian blood. The nature of the templ~e is at the Church of Enki to be cared for when such that anyone can enter and worhsip, young. A sadistic priest of the order scarred but only the navigators and the helmsmen her face at an early age, reducing what of the seaside ships docked in this area tend might have been unfathomable beauty. to appear, usually to prostrate themselves Myraki feels no anger or regrets, however, before the goddess and beg for advice or and prefers to talk about other stories. pennance. "Such tales of my youth are long forgotten The matriarch of the temple is a half- in the past," she says. "I will not keep them kythian woman named Pestereba alive." Dindovoron (half elf Level 12 Cleric of The proprietor of the tavern is a hulking Selene, unaligned), a stern task mistress old man named Kalwart (human Level 7 who sees to it that the temple and the small Rogue Level 3 Expert LE), who gives no last retreat behind it are kept in fine running name and bears scars where a tattoo condition. She is a rigorous adherent to the marking him a criminal might once have Process of Prayers, as described in the been located. He established the bar fifteen Idean Codices, and has an accurate copy of years ago when the former owners died. It the particular codex which details all myths was a more popular Inn for dandies back and processes of worship for the moon then, seeking pleasure and fun along the goddess. wharfs. Now, only the scurviest sea dogs Recently, Pestereba has received visions, and naval personnel hang here, and all of which she has transcribed from her dream-

46 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved states into a new text, called the Codex Near the Naval Yards can be found the Infinitus Selenium. These dream states have warehouse district. District of Flames is a revealed to her obscure and mysterious name some might hear this region called by implications of the New Moon in the sky, the sarcastic locals, for it is true that more described by most as Selenius Minor. Some fire .have been started in this area than any of the women in the priesthood suspect other. Carelessness, rivalry, and fraud have that she is the receptacle of visions for the all contributed to the destruction of voice of the new god, and that she may well storehouses and loss of property. There are be chosen to walk the land as a new sort of also many great stretches of housing in this prophet, bringing area, much of which is substandard and forth the word of the newly born god. owned by the baron Gemnor Markovin, a relative of Tevel Markovin, which have been G6. Office of South Harbormaster Damien intentionally withheld from use by the Cordellos commoners for mysterious purposes Damien Cordellos (see Black Lotus Guild in Rumors of ocult practices within these Organizations) has long been famous as the abandoned structures abound, and the South Harbor master of the Naval Yards. though of macabre practices are a common Cordellos’ own establishment is the tale to scare people with among the domicile out of which he both lives and inhabited quarters .of this area. secretly operates his sideline gambling The warehouse district is also the center operations. His personal involvement in the of much common activity, as the majority of affairs of the Guild are actually quite great storehouses are owned by private minimal compared to other members of the merchants or trade companies, and are Seven. He also carries out a lot of side deals often used for great auctions and markets, with mercantile companies, usually those as well as storage. Mercenaries from every who have been screwed over by the North company and plenty of private institutions Harbormaster Lithadros. He and Lithadros abound, as they keep careful watch on the are unpleasant bedfellows, and dislike wares of their masters. having to maintain professional public relations. Encounters Cordellos’ own confidante and bodyguard Suspicious locals, warehouse guards, is an ogre named Galathos Rorn (Ogre Level strangers among the abandoned quarter, 10 Ranger NE). Galathos is a magically dock workers hauling product, and thew mutated monstrosity with gargoyle-like skin occasional cultist are all possible likely and a penchant for crushing his enemies' encounters. heads with his bare hands, but he is also an accomplished hustler and deeply enjoys H1. The Temple of Akuuris reading imported Aljhirian poetry. He can This strange temple is certainly not play the lyre as efficiently as he can kill with welcome anywhere else in the city, and it his massive two-handed cleaver. has found its peculiar, unadvertised home here, within the desolate warehouse Area H: The Warehouse District region. The priests of Akuuris are a strange and often foreign lot. They are periodically given to receiving visitors who have

47 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved traveled neither by foot nor by sea to reach great hall, many cubicles for the priestesses this destination, but have instead as well as an ancient library of arcana that participated in the complicated ritual of can be found nowhere else, dealing dreamwalking through Ethenur (about exclusively with the annals of the church. which more can be learned of in the Tales The faith of the benevolent goddess Hella of the Bloodsea Avenger). is widespread throughout the land, and The two guardians of this ill-advertised while many smaller temples of devotion can den of mystery are two of the immense be found across the Middle Kingdom, only Tenatai, humanoid insects from the distant four great temples, called Curatoriums, domain of Karaktu. The Tenatai, seen only have been constructed to honor the by those who penetrate the inner demense goddess. The other three are in the Capitol of what would seem to be an abandoned of Hyrkania, Krythia, and Jnril. The fourth is slum on the outside, are fearsome four here, in the Capitol of Octzel. armed, twolegged Thri Kreen with fighting About nine hundred years ago, the faith prowess to rival the fiercest Hyrkanian of Hella was limited to small enclaves of gladiators. women who dwelled in nunneries in The lord of this priesthood is named Hyrkania, with one located in Octzel. Their Marakan, and he is a mysterious man who faith was quiet, withdrawn, and esoteric, cloaks himself in darkness and secrecy from but people knew that the goddess granted his followers, so that not even his race is miraculous healing powers to her followers, known. Some believe him to be a Beast and leprosy victims who forswore Lord of the Amechian lands, but even this is debaucherous and uncontrolled lives were uncertain, as other speculate his powers of granted asylum and treatment by the illusion. What is clear is that Marakan's nunneries. Eventually all of that changed control over the dreamlands is staggering, with the first of the great plagues. and he has been known to inflict crushing Hella is an eccentric goddess, who nightmares on his enemies. oversees the dualistic nature of peace and suffering, and sees to it that a balance is H2. The Curatorium of Hella forever maintained. Her priestesses are The Curatorium of Hella in the warehouse benevolent pacifists, nonviolent in the district is sometimes referred in derogatory extreme, who learn to defend themselves fashion as the "Little slum," for it is true with their bare hands and staves. Whenever that the deviants and transients of the city the plague breaks out and spreads across cumulate in droves around it, seeking the the land like wildfire, people come to the kindness of the priestesses within. nunneries in droves, begging for a cure. The Curatorium itself is a single massive The Curators of Hella do, indeed, offer a great hall, stretching for several, hundred cure, and administer to the ill and dying, feet like some ancient bunker or long house treating the terrible, bleeding boils that of the past. With great arched walls cover the plague victims. The plagues, depicting the seraphs of Hella in their quest usually spwned of chaos, are believed to be to allieviate the suffering, the halls are unnatural, caused by minions of chaos such always busy with the caretaking efforts of as the Sherigras, who are said to be carriers, the priestesses. The Curatorium itself if not themselves affected. contains, in the rear chambers beyond the

The Curatorium in Octzel is a large, semi- servants are not drained in maintianing oval building with an immense arched roof constant large standing armies, and in the that is ornately decorated with stained old days, mercnary bands were often glass depictions of the saints, avatars, and formed by nobles themselves, working for servitors of the goddess. It is arguably as profit in other lands, or even other beautiful and well-crafted as the Temple of provinces. Enki, and built in a comparable architectural Today, mercnary bands are limited by style. Behind the main temple is a nunnery king's decree to no more than 500 men in in which the studies of the Curators are an order. The rule was established during a ceaseless, and the treatment of the pious period in the Two Hundred Wars when and sick unending. some mercenary companies were doing a The presence of the Curators in the little too well, with armies numbering in the Capitol means that disease, pestilence, and thousands, and troops paid very well in loot sickness are not so widespread as they are and plunder. To avoid the threat of a in other lands and cities. Those who are mercenary general becoming too cocky, a willing to foreswear the freewheeling decree at that time forced the larger orders lifestyle of the city and adopt pious values to break up in to smaller units, and those can receive treatment, and tithings are that did not comply were shattered in especially expected of the wealthy. Many battle. people are turned away, however, for Now, the heritage of a milennia of reasons having to do with the cosmic warfare has made the Mercenaries' District balance, and while the curators can heal the a popular place for aspiring hired blades. As injuries and sickening spirits of people, they the time of warfare in Octzel seems to cannot undo the scars or regrow lost limbs receed, the use of such bands for low-level resulting from such maladies and wounds. conflicts in place of local forces is remaining Priestess Deneba Moors (Human Level 14 a steady source of work. Increased tension Cleric of Hella, good) is the elder curator of along the Jhaknian borders, threats of new the Temple. She is a shrewd, taciturn orcish war bands emerging from Mitra's woman who's scrutinizing eye can Forest, and rumors of strong military build- penetrate the soul and read volumes about ups in other lands such as Persedonia and the true nature of anyone presented to her. the Hyrkanian Chaos-State of Trog are She believes in orderly conduct, and runs practically guaranteeing good work for the curatorium in the strictest fashion. Her hired blades. priestesses are almost all last-born noble daughters, or the finest women of the Encounters commoners. She and her curators also run Roving bands of young men who are in the Orphanage. training, on leave, or looking to get hired are not uncommon here. A lot of bar fights Area I: Mercenaries' District in this area erupt in to violence. Occasionally, press-gangs can be found Since time immemorial, warfare in Octzel looking for easy marks to roll in to some has been very martial to the use of service (although this is supposed to be mercenary companies. Such organizations illegal). A lot of illegal slave trade is carried insure that the coffers of the king and his out in this district, as well.

handful of mounted riders, an army of ill I1. Halshaggin's Raiders equipped foot soldiers, and a lot of guts to The company headquarters of the Raiders siege a heavily fortified castle--and win--is is a patchwork affair, a building which has considered legend among military circles. been gutted by fire several times in the past The Raiders are an expansive military due to strange conflicts from within, only to organization, and they are considered for be rebuilt anew. The building stinks of practical purposes to be part of the King's sweat, leather, and grease, and no one own militia, as no one doubts that in any inside looks like anything less than a rough fight, the Raiders will always back the royal desperado. army. However, the Raiders have hired out For centuries, Halshaggin's raiders have to provincial lords in numerous civil been the fiercest, most despicably bunch of conflicts, and are most famous for the bloodthirsty curs that the provinces have battles they have fought both for and ever known. Human, orc, ogre, troll, and against the orc Tribes along the main roads half breeds are all part of this legendary, near Mitra's Forest. Cord and his crew were highly mobile and utterly ruthless most famous for the Recapture of Dagger mercenary company. Falls in the turn around of the Two Hundred Halshaggin's raiders are almost seven- Wars. Their successful actions in Dagger hundred strong, and Cord Halshaggin Falls vindicated them of previous crimes in himself, direct inheritor of the company, the sacking of Pelsetern, where they backed has been known to raise as many as fifteen the troops of Halale who were trying to hundred militiamen from little more than a repel Valancian occupying forces, but few coffers of gold. The core of the managed to rack up a high civilian body mercenary group is about ninety die-hard count in the process. veterans of bloody combat, who have plied The Raiders employ a large number of their services across the provinces and even indentured servants, prisoners, and foreign into southern Hyrkania and Easton. Cord mercenaries as well. These men are offered himself maintains a small estate, a chance to prove themselves on the bloody recruitment office, and training ground in battlefield, and earn their freedom in doing the suburban expanses of Octzel, a so. testament to his cumulative wealth over Cord Halshaggin (Black Orc, Level 19 the years. Fighter unaligned) is an industrious and Cord, and his crew have been branded potent fighter, a worthy heir to the legacy outlaws in some provincial regions, heroes of his kin. He is the twentieth commander in others. His close connection to the High to bear the Halshaggin name, and is a direct Council and the King has been decried by descendant of the original Halshaggin, who those who would have his head, and is believed to have died on his final quest in commended by admiring generals of many to the kingdom of Hotepsala to steal from a regional army. In the Manuals of Tactical the Fountain of Youth about a century ago. Warfare, where the company’s founder, the Cord is respected for his cunning, vicious great-great-etc. ancestor Halshaggin is mind and his mercenary attitude towards quoted numerous times, and is the author life. Like all members of his family, he was of one of the volumes, and Cord has born of the Black Asp tribe in the region of memorized it. Cord’s ability to take a the Umian Hills. Cord has been serving as a

Raider since he was six. Now, at the age of 3, he’s considering following his ancestor on I3. Heroskod Company a quest to Hotepsala. The Heroskod company is a mercenary company with a lengthy history, much like I2. The City Watch Tower of Inquiry the Raiders, but with a flowing chain of The city guard is a constant presence in command that holds its founder, Heroskod, Octzel. The City Watch is charged with the in honor without really remembering who duty of keeping the peace and insuring the he was or what he did. Herosokod Company safety of the city’s citizens. Most of it’s was pronounced an independent militia five members are on rotation from the militia, centuries ago, and became famous during and in some circumstances it works with the Two Hundred Wars. Heroskod himself the Order of the Blade. The City Watch is was spoken of as a great tactician, and he, not uncorruptable, and there are plenty of too, has been quoted many times in the guardsmen who have been bought off by Books of Tactics in Warfare. one criminal syndicate or another. The City The company specializes in escort Watch operates out of two principle services, and provides limited units to locations, being the Twin Towers of the special interests, such as a town which has Inner City, where the officer’s garrison is been assailed by hostile orcs, and which is located. The central prison for noted not able to generate its own militia but can criminals and nobles who have been afford to pay for one. Caravans, including sentenced to imprisonment, in the the Caravaneer's Guild, seek out the service Mercenary District is the famous Tower of of the Heroskod company with great Inquiry. Here is where political prisoners are frequency. Men and women who served held, and where torturings, confessions, and were discharged for dubious reasons and executions are handled. The garrison at from the Royal Militia or, provincial militias the Tower of Inquiry are a scary and sadistic will seek out Heroskod Company if they lot. want to continue military employment. the The average city guardsman is armed with Company will take any able bodies. a lamellar suit, broadsword, dirk, buckler, Heroskod Company is responsible, lately, short helm, and ceremonial cape. Most for the supply of men to Lord Vethroven, an patrols also carry crossbows. Patrols are in entrepeneur who is forging a new colony in groups of 2 to 8, and are usually mounted the Northern Wilderness. This has proven a when on a task or trying to show off. Foot costly affair, however, and Captain patrols are usually most common in Gustavor has made efforts to see to it that merchant districts. only the least valuable men are shipped to Bender Gown (Half Orc Level 13 Fighter Vethroven. Heroskod Company is also the evil) is the Captain of the Watch in the primary contractor for the Spide Traders Tower of Inquiry. He is a brutal man, who Guild, and receives many lucrative contracts started his career as a watchman but from the guild’s affiliates and members quickly became chief executioner and every year. eventually captain of the tower. He Captain Gustavor (Human, Level 10 operates on the principle that everyone is Fighter, good) is the archetypal myrmidon, guilty until proven innocent, and teaches an efficient and responsible warrior who is that credo to his operatives. filled with a strong sense of duty. He was

51 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved brought into the company after he was and worship Naril and the Lords of Order in discharged from the Midas Militia for a fashion typical of that eastern kingdom. sleeping with the commander's wife. He has Their worship is modest and oriented since made a formidable name for himself toward benign and nondescript activities. in the company. Gustavor will usually send Several member of the order do practice sub-commanders out on minor jobs; getting templar-like military skills, and perceive him to participate is expensive. themselves excommunicate Solarians, belonging to the esoteric Order of the I4. Blades For Hire Excommunicates. The Mercneries' Guild of the Blades for Personalities: Hire is also a hidden front for Black Lotus Golan Mar (Human, Level 3 Paladin, Gand activity. Here, Rancor of the Black good) is one of the warriors of this peculiar Lotus Guild maintains his offices and small order. He is a passive man, but well known garrison of professional thugs, who hire out for his combat prowess which he has regularly to merhants looking to scare the displayed in certain public contests when competition. On the surface, they try to challenged. He is highly regarded among keep the operation legitimate, but behind this tiny priesthood. It is believed he was the scenes, a lot of skulldugery is going on. excommunicated from the Hyrkanian The Fire Knives know this is a Black Lotus Church for dereliction of duty, but does not branch, and have attacked it on more than elaborate on why. one occasion to send a message to the Pentaran Moore (Human Level 6 Cleric of Black Lotus Guild. Rancor likes it that way, it Naril, lawful good) is the principle priest keeps things interesting. and scholar to support the church. A modest middle-aged man, he is a wealth of Area J: The Seaside Barrios esoteric and blashphemous information 1 The Hyrkanian Consulate about Hyrkanian religion and politics. He 2 Mansion of the Hyrkanian Consul loves to discuss the subject, and is highly Magistrate critical of the entire Hyrkanian ecclasia, 3 The Jhaknian Consulate both the Sacrimori and the Divinate. 4 The Tai'Kong Consulate Moore also maintains an obsessive 5 The Aljhirian Consulate interest n collecting copies of the complete 6 The Zuedian Consulate Idean Codices. He presently has nineteen of 7 Coristan Spices the books in a near complete state. 8 High Pier Imports 9 The Argosean Consulate Area K. The Inner City 10 The Temple of the Jade moon The Inner City is the oldest core of the J11. Temple of the Solar Codices great Capitol, surrounded by the original This modest religious order with a very wall built almost a thousand year ago. small, non-descript temple is a dissident Within these walls can be found the branch of Narillian followers who are no wealthiest quarter of the city, as well as the longer part of the Sacrimori Church as it haven of the decadent rich. The palace, the exists in Hyrkania, yet continue to follow royal gardens, and the most antiquated

52 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved great structures are ail prominent sights Probably the greatest supernatural when traveling through the Inner City. attention in the city has been concentrated Were an adventurer visiting this city to in the vicinity of the Royal Gardens. Long travel to the Tavern Over the Inn, and ago, in the founding of "Noenday," the inquire about where, in this city, one could region where the gardens now lie was once find the most possible adventure for the a sacred grove containing stone altars of least amount of effort in searching, he the Geomancers. Here, they conducted the would undoubtedly be pointed in the rituals of their ancient people under the direction of the Inner City. It is here that the solstice and equinal moons, and other Black Society is known to hold its dark particularly special astronomical moments. meetings within the mansions of its Throughout time, and in spite of the efforts greatest members. The great tower of of many foreign influences, these original Quirak once stood in the heart of the Royal stones, or new ones have been maintained Gardens, and now only crumbled remains in the same spots throughout the gardens and the tomb of the ancient sorcerer can be for centuries; you just have to know where found. The catacombs of the city are said to to look. have the greatest number of entrances The gardens themselves weave through a here, and some are even said to lead into bewilderingly lovely sylvan setting, with the forgotten network of tunnels to the flora and fauna to accompany it. The palace. Toward the heart of the city, around lushest, most splendrous and pleasant the palace, security is tight, and the royal region is in the west and outer perimeter, guard will readily detain, incarcerate, and and is referred to as the Outer Gardens. The harass anyone who does not have sufficient inner circle, closer to the section where cause to be there, or meet the profile of the Quirak's castle once stood, is overgrown area. with weeds, darker, and less hospitable to young lovers on a day's jaunt. The Inner Encounters Gardens, as these areas are called, have Nobles, dandies, high-priced consorts, been the site of many murders in the last bards, and the city guard are all readily few decades, and many chalk it up to the encountered at night on the streets of the restless spirits of the earth which lie buried Inner City. By day, merchants on their way in the cemetary. Others note the canine to petition the palace or dole out taxes are nature of at least three recent murders and all over the place, carriages and guards of cry lycanthropy. They're all right. the aristocracy travel about, and large units of the royal guard march K1a. The Geomancer's Retreat through the streets on parade. Encounters The Geomancer's Retreat is, in fact, in the Royal Gardens become more sinister, considered one of the most pleasant as haunting creatures emerge by night, and regions of the woodland gardens, filed with by day the the finest sculpted terrain and gardening Geomancers maintain the gardens with the imaginable. The outer court is a great maze strictest care. in the sculpted gardens, formed over the centuries by the Geomancers, and seeming K1. The Royal Gardens to forever change shape. Young aristocrats delight in learning what strange new,

53 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved magical direction the mazes have twisted prisoners would arrive, to dispense their and turned each year. human cargo upon the shores of Noonday. The heart of the gardens are laden with The soldiers would escort them out, and ancient stones and sculptures, carefully geomancers would see to their comfort, shaped by the geomancers over the years saddened at the coming days of hard labor with their earth magic The newest stones for these faithful folk," and an earlier are rough'; unformed, or simple geometric reference, "The soldiers relied heavily on distortions, while the oldest are superb the compassion and good relations which sculptures of human, animal, and unknown the geomancers had long had with the form. Three of the most popular such beastly men of the forest, these orcs. sculptures are "The Dragon," "The Fox," and The argument is that many early "The Nymph." There is a story behind each references to the geomancers not only one, held forever in the runic writing of the indicate they were there when the colony geomancers at the base of each stone. Each was founded, but had been there prior to such sculpture was crafted over the the construction of Noonday, and had centuries a bit at a time by generations of established relations with the local geomancers. blyskanyu orcs. Sadly, the early accounts do The Retreat itself is a fine pallisade with a not speak of the initial construction of great auditorium, surrounded by a cluster Noonday, or what was found there when of smaller marble houses. Here the the soldiers arrived. The earlier accounts of practicing geomancers, the elders and explorers And/or and Cordon do make promising younger generation of the clans, some references, however, to men who meet to perform their arcane magic and dwelled along the coast, in harmony with learning. Many strange and wondrous tales the goblinoids, but they apparently spent and pieces of knowledge are spoken of each little time with them, having already made day, and all are welcome to join in the enemies of the orcs. If this is true, then the auditorium to listen. When guests are geomancers are Octzel's oldest citizens, and present, most of the day's lessons are date to a time when they were either some imparted in the Middle Tongue, but when mysterious forgotten tribe of man, or were none are about, the speak in their own the descendants of even earlier people who special dialect. came to the shores of the Tedermisha Order of the Geomancers peninsula before Hyrkania was united Group Alignment: unaligned enough to send out explorers in the savage Membership: About 80 mixed humans, lands of the time. elves, half-elves, gnomes, and some The geomancers of the present are a oddities (dryads, satyrs, a nymph, some society of sorcerer priests, who practice centaurs) elemental magically. especially those Leader: Maharius Netsapor dealing with the earth, and carry out a Headquarters: In the Royal Gardens quiet, ancient practice of worship to Some people claim that the Geomancer Ga'Thika, the earth goddess who is said in were here before even Noonday was built. the Codex of Creation to be the founding Scholars who study the ancient records of mother goddess, and the embodiment of the founding regime cite references such as, the world. The geomancers worship her "Thrice a month, long ships laden with through quiet practice, meditation, and the

54 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved maintenance of the Royal Gardens. There find a representative to assist in healing are no more than three hundred such kin, damage done, and preventing further harm. and they have a special section in the Inner Personalities: City called Charisma, which is their own Maharius Nestapor (Human Level 12 Druid- personal district. The people of the Wizard, unaligned) is a potent geomancer geomancers are close nit, live their lives in who has been said to lift great waves of isolation, and almost never marry out of earth into the form of a house, giant, or their own family groups. As a result, their other mobile form. He is the current lengthy heritage has been preserved. spokesman of the geomancers for the High The people of the geomancers are said to Council, and a close friend of the King. have a different language of their own kin, Sendra Peridas (Human Level 4 Druid, which none have ever studied, nor has it good) Sendra Is a young member of the ever been written down. They learn this geomancers, who at twenty has learned language in their own households as much about the art already. She is tempted children, and learn the language of the often, however, by the expanding world, middle kingdoms when dealing with those and seeks to gain the permission of outside of their community. While they are Maharius to travel for a time. She is being tutored by their own sages and learned kin, courted by a dandy named Cale Windar they do also attend the temple schools of (human aristrocrat 3, LN) however, who Ink. All teachings in the community are oral, does not want her to go. and they hold no written language. The geomancers pass their knowledge down K1b. The Graveyard through oral tradition, and none other. This Some unlearned sods might suggest to is why so little is written about them. you that dread Quirak built his immense, There are about forty older men and octagonal keep with only four windows women who study the path of geomancy in atop the gardens, and that when it their temple at the Royal Gardens. Their crumbled to dust, they buried the dead duty is the maintenance of the gardens, and bodies found within on the same land, and some also believe they seek to purge the so the cemetary came to be. The truth is land of magical scars, caused by the that Quirak himself built the keep over a centuries of evil actions from Quirk and his much older graveyard, which had been used followers. they are devoted exclusively to by orcs countless millenia ago, and later by the King of Octal and have always served the geomancers and then the colonists. The the ruling lord, even when they felt he was necromantic energy was immense, and wrong. The eldest spokesman for the deep beneath the catacombs of the land people attends High Council meetings, if were the remnants of the Hagarant lords, infrequently. dark and cursed minions of Slithotep who Periodically, geomancers have taken had once belonged to dread House Dadera. action if something terrible called for their The Hagarant lords and their undead ilk attention. The event must be harmful in the were highly receptive to the freedom extreme to the land, the people, or the Quirak offered in exchange for unwavering fabric of the cosmic "lance. It is then that loyalty and dedication. the geomancers will look to themselves to When Quirak's domain was destroyed and Lord Vellsoth of the northern property and

55 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved king of the Black Lotuses became a solitude the region brings, enough so to risk permanent and noble resident of the city, the tales of vampires and werewolves and all believed Quirak dead. He had been killed ghoulish sub humans Still others might twice, Wormi was heard to say, by his own indeed be these very beings, coming from blade. The first time, he had the audacity to the Black Society. Some also come, claiming return from the Abyss on the lifeblood of that there are certain graves which lead his own dread followers, a spectral master into older catacombs that in turn open up of evil. The second time, Wormi mused, he into the mazelike city sewer and water duct must have destroyed the body, but not the system, which is a complicated, over-built corrupt spirit itself. The third time, Wormi mess. learned just what dreadful energies were keeping the sorcerer alive, and found it to K2. The Wall of Dreams be a pact with Koschtie, whom Wormi When visitors arrive at the Wall of Dreams bribed with diabolic knowledge and freed in the Inner City, they are greeted with one from Quirak's control, allowing the Devonin of the greatest works of modern and monster to unleash its fury on the wizard, antique art that the Octzellan people have and bring down the keep as it did so. But it to offer. The Wall of Dreams is a great didn't kill Quirak, so much as rip his spirit ballustrade separating the richer quarters of asunder and banish it to Limbo, a hellish the Inner City from the Common Quarters, purgatory which even demons feared. The and along its great wall is a plethora of rip in space which Koschtie left behind hung murals done in relief depicting the life of menacingly in the middle of the ruined the common man in contrast to the castle. aristocratic rich. The murals are strange, In answer to this, the architects of the sometimes surreal, and other times city, comissioned by the Elemental Lords startlingly life-like. New ones are and the Alchemists Guild under direction of periodically added over the remnants of the king, sealed the entrance into Limbo older works that have been destroyed by away, within the tomb of Quirak, and vandals, and the Guild of Fine Artisans are disposed of all relevant body parts and paid a healthy sum by the City to maintain pieces as the could speculate might have the wall and its depictions. been his within. Additional tombs and Some people claim that Destellan, one of mausoleums were erected to restore the the original artists of the wall some four disturbed dead to their natural resting centuries ago, was mad, and a secret places, and the Hagarant Lords were forced worshipper of Slithotep, and that if you can back into their darkened subterranean locate or uncover some of his murals, they chambers and sealed away from humankind hold strange and horrifying secrets, clues to again, if not forever. the darker nature of the city hidden within Since then, disturbances have come from the otherwise brighter, cheerier depictions the site of the graveyards, and even under he was known for. The purpose of these daily watch and the scrutiny of the revelations was unknown, but in the text of geomancers, strange things happen. Most the period called "Falling Men," by the people avoid that small but devilish section author and scribe Manascris Gonn Lenhon, of the gardens, and wisely so. Most who do he suggests that Destellan used the lurk about might be desperate for the paintings as an unconscious release of the

56 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved dreadful knowledge he knew, and that rooms for the handful of priests who ply certain cultists of Slithotep claim he still their unsavory trade here in the upper lives on, in some other-worldly state, in his levels, though it is said that many rooms in own murals. At least one or two acts of the complex are empty or sealed forever. vandalism are attributed to chaos cultists The Walkers of Final Night seeking to reveal the hidden, older Group Alignment: Neutral paintings of Destellan in an effort to free his Membership: 50 humans, 5 half orcs, 3 mad soul. sherigras, and a handful of others Leader: Benelar Elas Greylore K3. Urian Row Headquarters: Temple of Final Night The oldest and greatest of the Inner City The Walkers of Final Night are the elite roads, Urian Row is the through-way by order of the Pantheon of the Dead in which the outer and inner cities are Octzel. They are dedicated to the full range connected. It runs through the heart of the of the gods of the dead, and in the Eighteen wealthy quarter, right up to the Wall of Provinces, it is their duty to preside over the Dreams, and continues on to the heart of burial and mourning process of lost ones. In the old commons and the Fountain of Octzel, death is a process which is seen as Urian. the transformation of the soul into the next The antiquity of Urian Row is easily felt, world, where it will go on to a new meaning and anyone passing through might well be and a new beginning in another domain, able to tell by the nature of old storefronts and the gods of the dead are there to that the Row was once the hubbub of the preside over this transition. Symbolically, city, the center of ail trade and commerce, the priests do the same, overseeing ritual both legal and illegal. Now, it is a curiosity, mourning and inhumation. The priesthood and a place by which the commoners can is structured, and some priests are watch the nobles go about their business. dedicated to common burial practices, The Beggar's Guild love to work the Row. while others specialize in elite burials. The Walkers of Final night worship The K4. The Walkers of Final Night Nameless One, Kavishkar, Karsyllym, Octzellans do not like the dead. Too often, Herme, and certain other less well known as is the case throughout the Middle demigods. Each member of the order tends Kingdoms, the dead get restless and return to focus on a specific deity and orients his to haunt the living. As such, even in a land studies towards appreciating the aspects of that is favored by the benevolence of Enki, the dead that that deity presides over. there is a need for theworhsip of Death. Thus, a priest focusing on the Nameless One The Temple of Final Night in the Inner City is likely to oversee the burials of warriors, is built atop the primary entrance to the old while one who observes Karsyllym will catacombs, and it is said that many magical oversee women, children, and victims, and wards are in place to guarantee that the old one who serves Kavishkar will oversee catacombs are never disturbed again. The executions, and those who are justly temple is a somber affair, reminiscent of a brought to death. classic mortuary, and is curiously absent of Personalities: garish or exemplary decoration for a Benelar Elas Greylore (Human Level 7 temple. The multistory affair includes cleric of Kavishkar, good) is one of the

57 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved principle leaders of the church in the and a popular site for star crossed lovers to Capitol. Benelar is a proud and arrogant visit. man who focuses on his god Kavishkar, Protectorate works closely with the City Guard in the Group Alignment: good Watchtower, and has the full status of an Membership: approximately 30 elves and honorary Justicar. half elves Benelar has an unsavory sense of humor, Leader: Coradus Redlord and is rarely invited to any formal matters. Headquarters: Einurian Embassy He always insures that he reminds those As a by-product of the four hundred and who come to him with deceased loved ones seventy year old trade alliance with the to tithe generously. nation of Silvias along the southern coast Recently, Benelar has discovered that off the Iron Sea, the Einurians were granted several wards in the catacomb entries have land and an embassy, with the right to failed, and he has sought out mercenaries maintain their own sovereignity on this soil to guard the entrances while he looks for a for purposes of conducting just and proper new wizard of sufficient skill to aid in affairs with the Kingdom of Octzel. While resealing the entrances with new magic. the embassy of the Einurians remains a truly political affair, there are a handful of 4 The Royal Crown Inn agents who were later sent here, and who 5 The Palace have since increased in number at the 6 The Tower of the High Blades request of the Order of the Blade. Officially, 7 The Halls of Justice these elves are considered bodyguards and 8 Mansion of Gonn Aleric enforcers to the magistrate of the embassy, 9 House of Tevel Elas Markovin but within their unofficial capacities they 10 House of Lady Phallikoskis are honored guests of the highly secretive 11 The Grand Librarium and extremely elusive Protectorate. Dedicated for millennia now to the a The Spiraling Watchtower extermination of the Chaos which seeds the 12 Abandoned Bath House (Black Lotus land in many different forms, the Front) Protectorate consists of specialists in divine 13 Royal Bath Houses and sorcerous evil. The value of such agents 14 The Royal Crown Inn in Octzel was seen early on, and while the 15 The Mausoleum protectorate consists of only a handful of 16 Ruins of House Dadera very specialized Einurians, they have proven 17 The Twin Towers more than effective in aiding the fight against the corrupting evil which lies in the K18. Embassy of Silvias, and Headquarters deepest catacombs and darkest slums of of the Protectorate Octzel. The embassy of Silvias is organic, a rustic Personalities: villa overgrown with naturaly sculpted Coradus Redlord, (Elnurian Level 7 gardens and beautful abstract sculptures Fighter-Wizard, lawful good) along with grown from organic crystals. It is Pristia Golam (Half Elf Level 6 Fighter- remarkable to behold in it’s uniqueness, Druid, good) and a handful of agents are

58 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved working vigilantly to expose and destroy the L3. Caravaneers' Guild Black Society. The Caravaneer's Guild is the sponsor and representor of all major overland trading Area L: The Guild House District companies which seek representation before the High Council. Overland travel L1. Beggar's Run and trade is an important commodity to Located along one of the busies street Octzel, which is predominantly an inland sections on Octzel, the infamous Beggar's kingdom. The Caravaneers' Guild seeks the Run has become the home of countless betterment of road warden protection for professional peddlars, entertainers, and the safety of the caravans, the lessening of simple peasants seeking a hand out. Day by inter-provincial taxes and restrictions, and day they pour out of the slums and the the funding of mercenaries and militiamen Maze, coming here to seek a pittance for to take back the lands around Lancaster some trick, offer of service, or just plain from the Mihidir Nation. kindliness. It works, at least often enough The Carvaneers' Guild is a major building that they come again and again, and over located in the Guild District at which local time, a crude sort of Guild of Beggars has representers meet constantly to discuss arisen, headed presently by the best of matters. Trading Companies which rely on them all, the so called Beggar King Ton the caravans for overland distribution of Vodos (Human male Rogue 5, TN) a man imported goods from sea are also part of who tries to keep the beggars under some the guild. control, to insure that they aren't overstaid There is a large, hundred-acre area of flat in welcome and run out, and that no one land outside the city walls which is owned hogs the wealth. He also deals with the collectively by the guild for the use of their thieve's guilds, as both the Spheres and the caravans, distribution of imported wares, Black Lotus are known to try and roll the and the establishment of temporary Beggar's Guild on occasion. marketplaces to display wares direct from the caravan. This plot of land is also rented L2. Bath Houses out to interested parties, including nonguild The Bath Houses are an open institution caravans, Performance Troupes, and in theory, made available to the public for Mercenary Companies. any who wish to bathe. The common area is Kestron Kelan Medashir (Human Level 7 truly open and enjoyed by all, but a special Rogue, unaligned) is a portly, large man quarter of the houses is offered only to the with an expensive appetite. He is the Voice rich and noble of the community. The bath of the Guild, and is the man with whom any houses are a place in which illicit affairs can adventurer worth his weight in salt should be conducted, business deals managed, approach regarding jobs or information. If social events are held, gossip is passed you can get on his good side, then he's about wildly, and occasionally one even more than likely to give you first shot at the takes a bath. The steam rooms are really cushy or interesting caravan jobs. The especially popular, but a charge of one gold Guild has always maintained an open- is placed on entrants, so it is usually only market attitude toward hired hands and frequented by the upper class. protection for caravans, refusing to cater to

59 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved any single locate mercenary company or reputation as a meeting point between guild. criminal guilds, usually to contest one another in turf wars. Now, it’s a quaint L4. Craftwork Guild Societies bistro that caters to the local wealthy The Craftwork Guild Societies is a mega- clientele, and provides a comfortable place guild, which serves to represent the in which to discuss business. interests of craftsmen and artisans The bistro is is run by Measkar Dormin throughout the city. The guild elects new (Mishrag Minotaur Level 6 Expert LG), a speakers every six months to present the retired mercenary who made a fortune in requests and desires of the unified guilds spice investments and decided he was and societies before theHigh Council. through with fighting. Measkar can claim to Each guild or society which belongs to the have served under both Ashtarth and Silver Craftwork Guild has its own meeting hall in Elf employers at one time or another, and the Guild District, the Warehouse district, or has some amazing tales to tell. He is a whatever Commoners Hall is available for senior member of the Spice Traders Guild, rent if they're not that fancy or wealthy. and get a lot of business from his fellow The difference between a society and a merchants. guild here is that a guild represents common interests based on profession L6. Necromancer's Guild (Shoemaker's Guild, Leather Tanner's Guild, The hall of the Necromancer’s Guild is etc.) and the societies reflect the groups sandwiched between the Tanner’s who have special lobbying interests or long- Guildhouse and the monthly meeting site of term goals that extend past profession the Sail Maker’s Guild. t is unadvertised, (Society for smaller Leather Taxes, Society and highly nondescript, as befits it’s for a Safer Warehouse District, Society of inhabitants. Unknown to most, the guild Retired military men who are now house contains an entry to the sewers, and merchants, etc.). from there in to the deeper catacombs and The Grand Guild Hall, largest of all halls, grottos beneath the city. and available for rent to all members of the Within the aristocracy of Ocztel is a small, Craftwork Guild Societies, is located in the secretive coven of women and men who center of the Guildhall District. practice necromancy. Their aims are all As there is such a frequent turn-over of unique, and their hearts are all dark. They representors, it is suggested that whomever are almost always political schemers, and the adventurers meet, should they have a some have a connection to the Black strong cause, be a fairly self-interested Society. None of these cabalists are nice lobbyist type who boasts of his concerns for people, but they're not necessarily villains, the common man and the decadence of the either. High Council, and ooze the feeling of The necromancers are presided over by corruption or greed (or both). He will then their elder magician, Trebiha Gonn try to squeeze the PCs for all they're worth! Chastetor. She utilizes necromancy and scapulimancy from arcane texts for L5. Thief’s Point divinatory purposes, and as most of the Once, long before the Guild District was knowledge of her students come from her cleaned up, Thief’s Point had a bad teachings, their foci are similar.

The necromancers usually meet in competition would dare to tread upon their spatious yet private rented halls in the Guild territory. District or at the Royal Inn, where if you pay While one might imagine that the cut for discretion, you get it. The members of throat import business would reflect its vile the aristicoratic cabal are better thought of nature in the guild, the Spice Traders Guild as participating in a devious little social club is alarmingly neutral and fair-minded, rather than movers and shakers. keeping well within legal and morally Trebitha Gonn Chastetor (Greater acceptable parameters. This might well Mummy, Level 18 Necromancer NE), an have a lot to do with influence from the ancient woman who owns fully one third of church among core guild members, and it the warehouse district and almost ten may also have to do with the fact that when thousand acres of land in the Smalton it comes to legal trade among the spice community to the south, Trebitha is a great traders, they tend to be secretive about it schemer, but does not seek power, and work to avoid letting anyone else in on eventhough she could take it if she wished. the deal lest they have to share the profits. Trebitha cheated death long ago, after Esedria Moonstar (Human Jhaknian Level dying, by returning as a greater mummy. 4 Expert, LE) is the present spokeswoman of She has taken many pains to enact free will the Guild. A Jhaknian, she was a primary and mobility on herself, and to keep herself dealer for the Moonstar Trading Corp, run disguised for polite company. Only a by her father out of Jnril. Her consistent handfulof her disciples know the truth of reliability, goodwill, and amazing charisma her condition. She sees her coven of earned her the respect of her peers, and necromancers as useful pawns. she was voted to replace the aging former spokesman. Unfortunately, this is all a L7. Spice Traders Guild clever act, and Esedria is planning to scam The greater portion of this city block is as much money from the business as she composed entirely of the vast, multistory can and funnel it in to illicit activies. network of offices, meeting halls, and warehouses belonging to the numerous L8. Rillian Mining Guild Headquarters clients and members of the Spice Traders The Rillian Mining Guild is perhaps, next Guild. Regular protection is offered thanks to the Spice Guild, the most powerful single to the paid services of the Heroskod merchant enterprise in the entire city, let Company, and this is widely regarded as a alone the province. Even the timber safe haven for spice traders everywhere. industry of the Capitol Province is not as With more than seventy different influential as the Rillian Mining Guild. members, the Spice Traders Guild is The Guild maintains offices in the Capitol, arguably the largest mercantile force in the out of which vast quantities of records are city, let alone the rest of Octzel. Many of its kept, orders are issued, and decisions members are foreign interests, who import regarding the mining activities of the guild to Octzel spices and other rare goods that are made. It coordinates for more than fifty are unavailable save through their channels, different affiliates in the Guild, all of whom and these interests use their power through rely on the Rillian Guild to insure fair trade, the guild to squelch the possibility of work relations, and legal regulation. The competition, or to at least moderate what Guild keeps its member s happy by insuring

61 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved that the authorities almost universally Guildmaster Corden Elas Masakor overlook the issue of slavery or the abuse of (Human Level 7 Merchant Professional) is a indentured servitude with regards to the dedicated man who is, if anything, a fair larger operations, and that all of the man with an honest dedication to fair trade. principle owners of a given business He is a known nemesis of both the North venture, as well as the guild itself, get the Harbormaster Lithadros, who Corden has best possible cut from any valuable cache. had under investigation twice for bribery The Rillian Mining Guild is dominated by and racketeering, with no proven crimes five major operations, which are all revealed. Corden is an honored member of principle suppliers to the realm, and as such the Royal Court, and has been invited to tend to got the greatest return on their several High Council meetings. The power product. Smaller operations within the guild of the overguild is purely political, and the are generally directed toward public market need for military service has rarely arisen, affairs, which have never paid as well as although many investigators are employed noble purchases. to look into the accounts and affairs of Rodvis Elas Kolhuan (Human Level 3 those who are suspected to be in violation Expert LN) is the current representative of of trade or tariff laws as established by the the Guild, chosen for his undying charisma merchant houses and trade guilds. and promising diplomatic talents. He is Adventurers might well be appointed the respected in the Royal Court, and is task of investigator, or they may be hired as believed to be a fine choice by the five bodyguards if the possibility of violence is primary guild members. Kolhuan is, of his foreseen. own purposes, out to satisfy everyone and collect as much personal gain as he possibly M. Dark Town, The Red Light District can on the side. M1 The Velvet Blades L9. Headquarers of the Overguild of the Nestled within this large, run down Merchant Societies building lies the first brothel to covert to a The Overguild of the Merchant Societies is mercenary company. The Velvet Blades a master guild of sorts, which oversees the became registered mercenaries of the king fair trade policies that have been agreed two decades ago, and have been a popular upon by the primary guilds of the city. It is resource for nobles and wealthy visitors considered by some to be an informant seeking escorts who double as entertainers extension of the royal government, and by and bodyguards ever since. others to be a sort of ultimate racketeering The Velvet Blades are an escort and guild, with the power to bring pressure of bodyguard service of professional mantyr magnanimous proportions down on anyone (emancipated) women who are not only who strays from its chosen path. The guild courtesans, but talented blades and wizards has numerous office locations throughout as well. Most of the women who join are the city, as well as the country side estate of commoners seeking a better life, often with its current senior head master, but it’s a talent for arms or magic that they could central headquartes contain the office of not find proper tutelage for elsewhere. records, the Master Bursar’s Office, and Services at the Velvet Blades are charged Employment Offices. by the hour, and the rates are based on the

62 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved skill of the escort and the risk level of the client. Typically, 100 gold will get you an M3. The Torchlight Tavern evening’s escort for fairly mundane duties, Among the brothel-taverns of Dark Town, of two or three levels of experience. The the Torchlight Tavern is regarded as the most expensive escorts include Lady most friendly and charming. The women Mindara Nestros (half elf Level 7 Rogue, (and some men) of this huge old Level 8 fighter GOOD), who is the Madame gaminbling-hall turned brothel are well- of the Blades. Lady Nestros is also known to paid, live in luxury compared to the sort of dabble in a bit of smuggling, especially with grime they might one have been used to, her connections in the city of Urlu and and are offered medical services by Midas to the south. She is a good friend of Honsable just down the street. The many of the City Watch. Torchlight is also a secret temple to Mistress Kamina Entenere (human Level Phonatas, the goddess of love and ecstacy, 9 expert courtesan, Level 6 fighter NG) is and in the inner courtyard rests a beautiful the most desirable and popular member of fountain of worship to the benevolent (but the Velvet Blades. She does not come sacrilegous) goddess. The matron of the cheap, and one evening of her escort house is Amania Verasada (Human female, services can cost upwards of 1,000 gold Cleric of Phonatas 7, Rogue 3, GOOD), a pieces. very giving and kind woman who's religious philosophy is very permissive and giving. M2. The Inn of the Golden Succubus She seeks to reform the more troublesome Another brothel, this one famous for it's and risky elements of Dark Town's brothels, oracular golden statue of a succubus. The and has earned the ire of some other rvials beautiful statue is said to have been stolen (especially Ryddera Sitor of the Golden from the Abyssal realms, and that it is Succubus). actually a polymorphed succubus who seeks escape. Men come here to pay homage to M4. Honsable the Chirurgeon the statue with coin and prayer (a If you've got a broken limb, sword cut, sacriledge and a scandal if they are caught!) impaling wound, or anything else that's and in exchange the succubus grants them a going to kill you if you don't get treatment, vision of the woman they seek, and the key and you can't seek out the Curatorium or a to finding her. More pedestrian customers legitimate healer, then Honsable is where simply partake of the lovely ladies who run you go. Creverlan Honsable (Human male, the institution, who maintain a demonic Wizard (Necromancer) 10, Rogue 2, LE) has motif to their establishment (which has been running his business for decades, and been raided by the City Watch more than he's a fine man, but people who get to once for illegal activities). The lady of the know him too well notice he's got a bit of a house is Ryddera Sitor (Tiefling female, mad streak. Honsable charges modestly for Sorcerer Level 4, Rogue Level 3 LE), a self- his services, but he's not the most efficient serving mistress who may or may not have chirurgeon when it comes to difficult actually stolen the golden statue. Ryddera injuries; an alarming number of his patients has been known to hire some of the best lose limbs, and he seems powerless against body guards in town when traveling abroad, gangrene. out of fear of assassination.

Unfortunately, Consable has a hidden M6. The Charnel Pits element to his business. He belongs to the The source of illegal pit fighting is the local Necromancer's Guild, as well as the Charnel Pits. Here, captured or summoned Grand Fraternity of Necromancers, an wild beasts, professional gladiators, and international order of wizards who seek to desperate bravados gather to fight for big illuminate the dark arts, and some claim he money. Many are sponsored, and some is descended from the dread necromancer come alone, but all agree to the one rule: of the Chaos Mountains. Either way, Once you get in the pit, no one gets out Honsable practices his art in his complex until only one man is standing. beneath the city in a section of the sewers The fights are brutal, no holds barred, and which his undead minions have rebuilt. He sometimes either rigged or altered at the is especially fond of flesh golems, and whim of the Pit Master Jendargan Los custom builds them from "left-overs" of his (Dwarf male, Fighter 13 Rogue 4 NE) and his patients. He employs Grafkin (goblin male, chief ally Krabback (Fiendish Orc Male, Rogue 5, NE) to work as his grave robber. Fighter 6 Sorcerer 8 CE), an orc with Grafkin is an exiled goblin, once of Mitra's devonin blood from a bastard union Forest, but branded with a permanent scar between his father and a summoned of exile on his forehead. Honsable offers succubus. him safety for work. Together, Jendargan and Krabback send out parties far and wide to import deadly M5. The Esderlen Casino animals, recruit famous warriors, and The grand halls of the Esderlen Casino sometimes dabble in slaves to spice things (named after it's long dead founder) are the up. They are known to pay the City Watch stomping ground of Vytaria, mistress of for prisoners from the dungeons who would gaming and member of the Black Lotus otherwise become lost in the sometimes Guild. Vytaria runs the casino as a cruel prison system for an even mor legitimate operation, but also has an active inglorious death at the hands of wild beasts. high-profile prostitution ring which caters The Charnel Pits have been raided and to the discreet rich. The front of her casino shut down on occasion. Each time, its helps keep her clientele feeling legitimate. proprietors make good an escape and then Some of the gambling events here have move to another location where they can been known to be illegal, however. Private refurbish a warehouse or open up a section fights (usually brawling combat, which of the sewers to continue their deadly requires no lisence) are sponsored, and the sport. occasional duel of honor is conducted here with bets aplenty. N. The Caravan District The most famous lady of the evening at N1. The Arena Pits Esderlen's Casino is Dromari Lahanne (half N2. Carnival and Parade Grounds orc, half elf, half human female, Rogue 3, N3. Militia Barraks and Training Grounds Expert 4, GOOD) an exotic beauty of truly N4. Auction House unusual looks who's half orc father and half elf mother are perhaps a unique O. The Slums circumstance. 1. Collection House of Richtaven 2 Temple of the Middle Gods

3 Opium Houses in the complex to people willing to pay 4 Street Gang Turf good money to sleep in a lousy place, and 5 Humanoid Barrios pockets the extra cash. He is a great spokesman, and is periodically approached O6. Agents of Bargan by commoners to speak for them at local The commercial-minded agents who council meetings for the district. He is older, represent the Underworld city of Bargan and bloated, much like most orcs get when are minor but still influential lobbyists who middle age hits. He has seen many have worked hard to gain decrees from the professional chirurgeons in the land to Council forbidding the unjust taxation of the straighten his naturally crooked teeth, until humanoids at Bargan, or the levying of they now line up perfectly, a smiling set of unfair taxes against their exports. Bargan is white choppers. responsible for the exportation of rare silk Managan employs eight Thyzzakoni products that are spun from the abdomens understudies whom are also from Bargan, of the Great Wyrms, which dwell in and are all eager to serve him (all are Level blindness beneath the southern lands of 1 or 2 warriors). He also receives periodic Mitra's Forest. The entrepeneurial orcs and visits from Kesselanta Mynorn (Ashtarth Ashtarth who have collectively turned this Level 3 Warrior Level 3 Sorcerer, LE). She is into a vast money-making venture under one of the major sales representatives of the just and intelligent leadership of the the Wyrm Silks of Bargan, as well as a Wizard Geblos Donn Bargan have managed covert supplier of poisons to the Fire to integrate their cloth-wares into the Knives. She passes through Octzel at least Octzellan lifestyle. As a result, their safety, four times a year, and has tempestuous even in the face of the new risk of war relations with Managan. She specializes in against the Chaos Tribes of Mitra's Forest, is Divinational magic, with a smattering of guaranteed by Octzellan decree. Chaos Magic. Bargan also produces strange, potent venons from the spider-kin of the O7. Entrance to the Maze underworld, and harvest this for the seedier The Maze is the terms coined by the groups of Octzel. This insures that they will streetwise to refer to the vast slum district be supported by such groups, and gives which inhabits a fair portion of the Outer them some indirect contacts to call upon City. Here, the downtrodden, homeless, should the need arise. The Fire Knives are a desperate, and downright dangerosu all major purchaser of these goods. Members gather to engage in illicit acts, larceny, of the Black Lotus also come to them. gambling, bootlegging, drugs, murder, and Finally, the Agents of Bargan are registered even plain old survival. The Maze is an and belong to the Craftwork Guild Societies, inhospitable land. The City Watch avoids it, as a charter Society member. as no tax-paying citizen can be found Baskyrd Donn Managan (Thyzakkoni half within. The thieve's guilds see the Maze as a orc, Level 6 Warrior, Level 6 Expert, LN). tool to be used, filled with cheap bravaods Managan is the Voice to the Grand Council for hire, easy marks who spend money when Bargan needs representation. He faster than they make it, and urchins ripe operates in the Slums out of a renovated for recruiting. The Black Society's members two story house. He rents out other rooms prey upon the folk within the Maze, as they

65 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved know that no one will be missed who enters This is the territory of the poor quarter the Maze. The Maze is the center of protected by the Black Lotus Guild (see lawlessness within the city. their Order entry for more on the Guild). The construction of the Maze is likewise a They have fought many turf wars here, and mystery, for the getto of Octzel has a have long established their residence here. seemingly unique life all it's own. The Within this poor quarter (which is near the buildings seem to violate contruction laws Maze, but not a part of it's dark influence) as a rule, either being to dangerous, too are the underground Guild Hall of the Black tall, or too narrow for common sense. Many Lotus, as well as the section of the sewers buildings are ancient, and have been here which have been turned in to a Thieve's since the time of the mad ruler Donn- proving ground, a venerable tradition going Dadera. It is a little known fact that the back the founding of the gang many heart of the Maze contains a Temple of centuries ago. Thieves which fail to pass the Slithotep, the mad god, operated by a test of the thieve's run are never allowed terrifying priest named Xig Yon (Hyshkorrid, entry in to the inner circle of the Black Sorcerer Level 8, Cleric of Slithotep Level 12 Lotus. CN) who was once a favored pet of the forgotten mad king. Xig Yon has managed O9. Dagger’s Rest this ancient temple nearly two thousand A famous bar and soup kitchen where the years now, and has trained many selective down and out gather to tell each other tales followers in the secret arts of the of woe and horror, Dagger's Rest is priesthood. This is perhaps one of the managed by Kaleen Drimari (Half Orc greatest secrets of the Maze, and also one female, Expert 6 Cleric of Hella 1, NG) who of the reasons it persists, with no hope of operates the joint as a sort of half-way development or redemption. Xig Yon house, soup kitchen and bar all rolled in to appears in public as Draevus Elas Tospalar, one. She receives much of her support from a human sorcerer and elder land holder of anonymous donors, usually wealthy seemingly limitless financial means, and socialites who once fell from grace and greatest property owner in the slums. He found Kaleen to be a helping hand. Kaleen uses his powers to insure that no one tries herself was once a priestess of Hella, but to reform or tear down the Maze, and could manage only the rudiments of the instead uses his resources to continuously divine art, and so decided to turn her tear down and rebuild substandard and interest in aiding others to a more practical dangerous housing himself. means. Xig Yon employs the mihidir trolls which dwell in the city sewers as his personal O10. Stronghold of the Slaver Societies enforcers. He will send them out to rough From the outside, this collection of someone up or make them disappear if he shoddy complexes appear to be nothing feels threatened. The trolls, having the run more than another wing of the slums, but of the sewers, can appear just about once you wind your way inside and past the anywhere in the city. foul guards, it becomes evident that this is a bastion of evil. Here, thanks to the constant O8. Black Lotus Turf need for slaves in other lands, rests the black market for human flesh.

The Slaver Societies are not organized freed, offering them good wages for utter into guilds, or even recognized as such by loyalty Some of his men have gotten quite the law enforcers of the city or the Thieve's rowdy during shore leave, but if a man gets Guild. Rather, they are independent in trouble with the law, Regenak will operations which are usually funded by abandon them, or even have the audacity foreign interests or local profiteers seeking to attend the hanging, shouting along with to get a hefty foreign profit. The core the crowd. This cold-heartedness serves to leaders of these different slaver groups remind the crew that they are still his men, periodically meet in informal gatherings, in even if not war slaves. which they cautiously assess the progress of their peers and trade information that will P. Sprawl of the Commoners be of mutual benefit. More than one such meeting has erupted into conflict, and the P1. The Commons slavers have almost universally proven to be The great commons is a twisted network incapable of the sort of unity seen in the of lamp-lit streets, looming multi-story Black Lotus Guild. tenament complexes, and periodic homes Slavers in Octzel are marked men, for it is of the slightly more well to do, jumbled a forbidden trade. Unfortunately, Octzellans together in a great suburban sprawl. Most still adhere to the lowest class, the rathe, people of the commons would be which are lower than peasants. Rathe are considered nominally well-off, but far more convicted criminals, men who have fallen in often than not, it is an illusion produced by to severe debt and cannot pay, women who the persistance of its inhabitance, who have been estranged by family and friends, struggle daily to maintain their tenuous and other luckless people who are unable connection to wealth and affluence. A to repay their losses to recover their rights. merchant might have a nice house one day, As often as slavers seek out these people, and go bankrupt the next. The commons these same people willingly come to the are simply a stepping stone for most to slavers, offering themselves to indentured either wealth, or more often poverty. servitude in the hopes of a better life when Some local gangs are known to roam they’ve served their time. Through this through the commons, trying to make a manner, the slavers find a loop hole that name for themselves. Usually, the best of lets them operate legitimately, but all too these young gangs get recruited in to the often those same rathe are shipped off real thieve's guilds, but some thrive in the shore to lands where they never see commons and lurk here, dealing in illicit freedom again. goods, roughing up local shopkeeps or Regenak Altair (Human Level 5 Rogue, otherwise innocent citizens for money. The NE) is a native who owns his own galleon most famous of such punks currently is and works with the Fire Knives periodically. Grole Durm (half-orc Level 4 Rogue, NE), He sells slaves to foreign interests in leader of the Maple Avenue "Fists." At 19, southern Jhakn and further on down, to as he's getting a bit old for the role of ganger, far as Galonia, where he gets the greatest but his last petition to the Black Lotus Guild profit. Regenak has a company of dedicated was rejected when he failed, miserably, men, many of whom were Galvonarian their entry test. Since then, he's been taking Mamalukes whom he purchased and then

P2. Affluent Neighborhoods P4. Mainland Temple of Enki The Affluent folk are really not far Not all men can afford to take a weekly removed from the commons; they just pilgrimage out to the Island Temple of Enki, happen to be able to afford a personal and so the temple of the mainland serves as guard or two, some gates and fences, and a the religious center for most common men few servants. In spite of such wealth, they and lesser noblity. Daily ceremonies are are still struggling, mostly wealthier conducted here, and major holiday events merchants and lesser nobles trying to are centered around the temple. The insure they don't go too deeply in to debt temple grounds contain the seminary and end up living in the commons (or where a generation of young priests learn prison), all while trying to get truly the sacred teachings, and the complex also successful, enough so to make their way in houses the school in which the children of to the Inner City. Octzel's upper class receive tutelage. Most wizards, merchants, and specialists Bimara Elas Vesada (human female, Cleric in the city are likely to have a residence or of Enki level 12, LG) is the High Priestess of private shop in the affluent neighborhoods. the mainland temple. She is elderly, at least Any number of wealthier middle ot upper 70 years of age, and revered by all who class encounters can spring from this area. know her. She is known for her generosity, and an eternal optimism. Bimara P3. City Watch House encourages all of her priestly understudies The City Watch House is the center of the to seek out their own path, and to do Watch Guard for the Capitol, in which the missionary work as a form of learning standing militia and constabulary for the experience. region work to keep the peace. During times of war, the City Watch is filled with Q. Fort Noenday recruits and training activities are a regular event. During times of peace, they tend to Q1. Training Grounds be short staffed, overworked and On any given day, hundreds or even underpaid. thousands of troops in the King's Armies Cassios Dan Verok (Human Fighter 4, can be seen training here. Most young men Ranger 1, Rogue 2 LG) is the current Captain of Octzel spend two years in the King's of the Watch, and a devoutly lawful man Army as a matter of course; unlucky ones who seeks to maintain the peace of the city. spend two years in the Royal Navy. All of He is also well known for his investigative them pass through here for basic training at talents, and has made a name for himself some point. over the years by solving some high profile During times of peace, few soldiers are in murders, including the case of Gamos, the training. In times of war, this is where you serial-killer werewolf with a taste for young go to see where all the able bodied young elvish women. Cassios has gotten men in the city are located. dangerously close at times to exposing elements of the Black Society, which reviles

Q2. Officer’s Camp who reach age 14-16 in Octzel are expected The officer's camp is a fairly pleasant to serve in the standing army, and this neighborhood of housing for the lesser requirement is only relaxed in times of nobles, knights, and officers who remain a peace (which has been rare of late). part of the standing army or have chosen A special barracks exists in the stockade the military as a career. Most any officer of for the manatyr (emancipated women) who the Crown may be found holding residence join the army, and who are part of their here. own unit. Additional specal barracks are available for recruits of orcish descent, Q3. Keep of The Order of the Crown garrisoned mercenary forces under the The Order of the Crown (see the entry on king's employ, and foreign troops who have this order) holds headquarters here, and it come under the banner of the king for is presumed that most members of this elite some reason or another. order will pass through it's gates sometime duringthe course of a year. While many members of the order are always on special A Traveler’s Guide to the assignment or abroad, a standing garrison of forty men, as well as senior members Kingdom ofOctzel who now participate in strategic planning and tactical studies are always stationed here. The Northern Province: Rishaad The Captain of the Garrison is Golan Dann Vagerosos (Human male, Fighter 6, Paladin Rishaad is the heart of the Kingdom of 2 LG), a warrior in his mid-fifties who was Octzel. Consisting primarily of the once a Paladin of Enki. He resigned his Tedermisha Peninsula and the island chains Paladinhood in his early years when he north of it, Rishaad has long been regarded suffered a nealry crippling blow while trying as one of the most fertile regions for to defend a community near Lancaster from farming and produce. The expansive Mihidir Trolls. Only a handful survived, and Andesor Forests, Veraggen Mountains, and he felt too shamed to continue as a paladin. large northern isle of Picador are all part of He later joined the Order of the Crown its lush bounty. when his singular talents were exposed Rishaad's lush farmland is its principle during the Siege of Midas, and he managed resource, but its major secondary resources to lead an elite team behind enemy lines to include the mines of the Rillian Mining detonate all of the black powder in the Operations in the Veraggen Mountains, the hands of the enemy in their camp. Golan prospector mines on Picadore, the major walks with a permanent limp due to his not- fishing operations along the coast by local quite healed leg. fishing villages, the logging trade from Andesor Forest, and the bustling sea port of Q4. Primary Stockades and Q5. Barracks the Capitol itself. The stockades are the heart of the King's Army, where the standing troops are Capitol Octzel garrisoned day to day. Most young men

By 2476, Octzel is one of the ten largest The King's Retreat and the Royal Hunting metropolises in the world of Lingusia, with a Grounds population of nearly 500,000 diverse East of the City, about thirty miles or so, is beings. It is a center of wealth and the palatial Retreat. It is a beautiful castle, commerce, and has a two thousand year small in scale, that was first built by the legacy to lend to it’s immense antiquity. roving king Gremna-Lubidosi, in 1420. The Octzel receives it’s own special treatment in castle walls hold a finely constructed the section on the Capitol. manor, which contains elements of elvish The countryside beyond the limits of the engineering, archaic architectural styles Great Wall are a slowly expanding expanse that reflect the palaces of the ancient of urban blight running in to the rural empire of the Fertile Lands (as seen in the farmlands and pastures. Dotted throughout texts and codices preserved from that age), this great mass of habitation are a variety of and more modernistic styles of the period, wealthy country manors and estates which from that type were startlingly belonging to the wealthier citizens of the baroque. Capitol, both nobles and businessmen. Some of the more interesting estates shall The Retreat is where the King goes when he be mentioned below. wishes a respite from his duties to the land. The huge towers with multiple spires house Mansion and Estate of House Zellman a constant garrison of the finest soldiers the A stately manor house on three hundred royal army has to offer, and these in turn acres of farmland property, just ten miles are kept in order by a garrison of dedicated south and east of the Capitol. Randolf Knights of the Crown. For forty miles Zellman (Human Level 9 Summoner NG) is around the estate in the forests of Rishaad, the latest in a long line of mages to lord the land has been declared Royal Hunting over the household. He is an accomplished grounds, and is protected by foresters from practitioner of summoning magic, and poachers and anyone who would dare cross belongs to the Guild of the Blue Robes. into the private lands of the King. Zellman has continued his family’s pursuit The wildlife is, indeed, plentiful here as of lost knowledge, and is considered one of well. Geomancers have, by request of the the foremost authorities in the world on King, maintained permanent residence here lost civilizations. It is said that he uses his to tend to the estates and serve the land. familiarity with outsiders from other The need to protect the retreat from dimensions to aid in his quest for forgotten poachers and other brigands is great, and lore. mercenaries are sometimes hired to do the The Zellman estates are rife with job which would sully the hands of proper hauntings, and in fact a well-known devonin nobles and true warriors. has prowled the fields and moors of the The Keeper of the Estate is an old baron region for centuries, released by one of by name of Jonin Elas Haskor (Human Level Randolph’s ancestors long ago. It becomes 12 Warrior, LG). Jonin is an old forester of most active in the month of Lashiden the land, who knows the terrain better than (during the festivals of the dead) and seems anyone. He has roved through the forests of inimical to all communication. Andesor longer than anyone, and knows its secrets like the back of his hand. He has a

70 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved son, but the son is disinterested in his and came back with this knowledge. Both father's life and pursues a court life in the explorers named forests after themselves, Capitol. As a result, Jonin has worked hard and when, centuries later, colonies were to impart his knowledge of the land to the constructed, the leaders of these Knights of the Crown who serve under him, expeditions relied on the discoveries of and seeks to discern which among them will these earlier travellers. make the next good keeper of the estate. Andesor forest is not a particularly dangerous place, but it does hold at its Andesor Forest heart the rocky Veraggen Mountains, and Andesor Forest is not particularly large, that's where adventurers want to go. Also although it used to me. Once a great, within Andesor is the town of Bethlow, expansive land of green stretching out over described below. the low-lying foothills leading up to the Veraggen Mountains, the forest has been Bethlow plied for the timber trade for seventeen Bethlow is a logging town which plies the hundred years, and that has had its effect. northern forest lands for the finest , most Picadore island, bare of trees, the northern ancient wood with great strength to it. stretches of Loroden Hills, and the valley of Bethlow has about a thousand people Lancaster, all barren grasslands due to the dwelling in and around the town core. It's centuries of logging. location is primarily a matter of The once vast Andesor Forest suffers from convenience, to exploit the Kelred river that the fact that the fast-running Shallink River flows from the mountains and carries runs in its midst, and provides a quick and lumber out to sea where waiting barges at a ready means for transporting logs. While nameless riverside much of the southern loging trade has dried installation can tow the wood to the Capitol up and concentrates on the eastern or beyond. forestlands now, it is still a fact that any Bethlow's main source of law is the Baron hardworking commoner who wants to forge Kestral (Half Kythian Level 5 Warrior, LN). his own house is most likely to come here Kestral is a quiet man, who is studied in the for his timber. ways of forestry. Kestral is preoccupied with Andesor Forest is named after a man who the forest lands near the mountains, lived more than nineteen hundred years seeking signs of the last of the Kythians to ago, although only the most studious of dwell in the forest. His father was a ancient scholars could tell you this. mysterious Kythian who wooed his mother, Andesor's name went down in history when and Kestral has sought out the identity of he sailed westward on behalf of one of the his father for some time. He now fears that ancient Hyrkanian kings and saw fit to land the Kythians of the forest have finally left, in the inviting bay where Noenday and later perhaps to the south, and maybe to the Octzel would rest. His treck inland cost the east, due to human encroachment. lives of many hirelings, and he discovered Kestral lets most of the decisions of his the ferocious, protective lands of the small domain go to the Justicar Tramondin Blyskanyu tribes. In his quest, however, he (Human Level 7 Expert, LG) who has been and his companion Kedrion charted much appointed in the same position for thirty of the coastland of the then Savage Lands, years now by popular demand, and the

Warden Crevestar (Human Level 4 Warrior, the mining companies. These tunnels LN). Crevestar is a rough and tumble man stretch into caverns that were once who can handle the loggers woodsmen of inhabited by the orc tribes as their principle the area with no difficulty. Together, they homelands. The tribes, now utterly make an impressive team to manage the exterminated or driven south, have left the rowdy, independent logging community. legacy of their people behind in these cavernous mausoleums. Adventurers are Veraggen Mountains periodically employed to explore and chart The Veraggen Mountains were an early the passages of newly uncovered passages. attraction to settlers of this land. The fight Many of these sites open into natural to exterminate or drive out the Blyskanyu caverns with fantastic natural formations tribes was driven largely by the discovery of that are meticulously exploited by the intense concentrations of gold in these mining companies for the minerals and mountains. Centuries later, the lands have crystal formations. Culled into jewelry, been conquered, and the mining guilds these products have a high sale value have discovered that the gold was not as among the elite of the provinces. plentiful as everyone thought. Rather, iron There is a legend among local folk which ores and other useful metals have been is usually believed by some miners, that the found in quantity here. Veraggen mountains do, indeed, contain The mines of Veraggen stretch hidden gold veins which are incredibly everywhere. You can't really go more than a valuable, but which lead to the lair of the few miles before bumping into a prospector guardian of the mountains. This guardian is or an active operation. Most mining an immense dragon, which is said to have operations consist of hearty digging crews, been sighted in 1230, and again in 2114. which are either cheap labor or slave teams The tales say that the Queen of the realm at from the Royal Prisons. Many private that time, Emeni-Vellos, was a worshipper mining groups actually purchase slaves or of the Devonin who called upon a dreadful, indentured servants from the prisons. While dark-red dragon that had crystals encrusted slavery is illegal in the provinces, this is across it's metal scales. The dragon told of usually overlooked with regards to the in the history records matches the mining guilds. description. It supposedly appeared and The recent development of gunpowder destroyed towns and castles which opposed and its application in mining has led to a her rule, and was said to have returned to frenzy for the he stuff. The only current its lair, mortally wounded, when supplier of the still enigmatic product in all insurrectionists rose up to drag the queen of the eighteen provinces, however, is the from her throne and burn her at the stake. Alchemist's Guild of the Capitol (see their Then men who fought the dragon were entry in organizations and groups for more). almost all killed, and no account from these The King has sanctioned the use of the men is ever given, though any number of powder to the Rillian Mining Corporation, local folk in the mountains will claim they and other independents must apply for had an ancestor there, who usually survived purchase rights. with a missing limb or toasted complexion. There are also ancient tunnels that have Whether or not the legend is true, and been found and periodically exploited by whether or not the dragon spoken of in the

72 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved history records still exists, it is a rumor establishments are suspected to be run, or which keeps miners on their toes, and ever at least dominated by the Black lotus Build. wary of any rare gold veins they find. Mercenaries who work to protect valuable Beside the prospecting and mining, there mines are usually members of the Guild of are four interesting locations about the the Blade, though there are three other mountains. This includes Mendeshore, local companies who do so as well. Devilspire, the Lake of Woes, and the Monastery of the Middle Gods. The Lake of woes Crytosar Burnistis, a sage from Midas, Mendeshore once said this about the Lake of Woes, In the ring of mountains, at the shores of "Were I to set eyes upon, dwell close to, or the Lake of Woes, is Mendeshore. This is a even think about this sordid lake, I too rowdy mining community, which reaps the would be filled with woes!" He's right. The profits of wealthy miners, trappers, and lake is filled with the garbage and debris of loggers who are looking for a good time but miners along the edges, and the water is don't want to make the two-and-a-half day uncharacteristically dark. This his is actually trek to the Capitol. Mendeshore is filled because of how deep the lake is in the with gambling establishments, pubs, inns, middle. It actually drops almost seven three houses of prostitution, and two hundred feet down at the center! This is temples, one to Herme, who is seen as a immensely deep, and while no one yet patron of miners, and the other to Mitra, knows this fact, the sage Crytosar who is seen as the patron of hidden wealth. attempted to determine the depth with Mendeshore has a local Warden and rope and anchors on a sailing boat, and Justicar who are recognized as official, but discovered only that he couldn't buy are paid for by the Rillian Mining Company enough rope to do it. to enforce law in the town. The justicar is Over the centuries, rumors of lake Goran Redspeed (Human Level 4 Warrior, monsters have abounded, but in recent Level 4 Rogue, NE), a salty dog who retired years, the occasional miner who turns up a few years ago from the navy and now missing is thought to drown and sink bashes heads with his mallet. He's a beneath the waves. Local fishermen and ruthless guy who's easily bribed if you give lake dwellers say they do see sea serpents, him good reason to accept your offering. and that these are the spawn of the dragon His warden is Kolan Macdagor (human of Veraggen. level 3 Warrior Level 2 Rogue, CN), a beastly man who once served as the Devilspire executioner of Boloron before he got bored The tallest mountain of the ring is called and decided to move on to better things. In Devilspire, for it is at the top of this great Mendeshore, he is a veritable tyrant, and mountain that the ancient castle of House refers to himself as baron of the land. Karo is built. The castle soars into the sky, Goran tolerates him, as long as he gets the and is a mass of towers clustered around a job done. Both are Rillian stooges. central round body. It is almost impossible Finally, both the Black Lotus guild of to siege, though angry miners once thought Octzel and the Guild of the Blade are said to about using dynamite to blow the thing off work within Mendeshore. The gambling of its perch. In any case, the castle is nearly

73 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved magical in its construction and placement, This is a small logging town of little real and the Geomancers are said to have been import. It is built near a fair sized river involved in building it. opening, and as often as six times a year, The Karo family is hundreds of years old, ships stop and cast anchor. The town no and is a long line of scholars, lorists, and longer serves as a major source of logging mages who provide divination and advice to exportation, although this is still major the desperate. The current member of the trade of the town, but competition from family to dwell here is Artonian Karo, the Bethlow has made things tough around Dabbler on Devilspire (Human Level 10 here. Sorcerer, Level 2 Aristocrat, NG). He is a The town has a prominent baron named riddler, a poet, and a practiced magician Bendesar (Human level 1 Warrior, LN). who will occasionally grace the shining Bendesar is a nondescript man who lets the courts of the Capitol and woo the ladies. people do as they will, Find relies on the He's said to be a friend of Wormie Vellsoth. trickle of logging product to keep him In either case, Karo is opposed to any satisfied. He spends much of his time mining on Devilspire, and will send troops travelling to Chudeza, where he is a well from his small garrison to beat errant known carouser. During these times, the miners into submission. The local people of keep is left in the hands of his Warden, the lake see him as strange, but appreciate Krenan (Human level 2 Rogue, LE), a real his stand on the miners, as it makes the scurvy dog who likes to push people east side of the lake more tolerable. around.

The Monastery Three miles down the coast of Morson is a On the outer, western edge of the small bay which is partially hidden from the mountains is a walled, stone and wood villa sight of the sea. This bay contains the which houses the monastery dedicated to remnants of a ghost town called Benor, the Church of the Middle Gods. Two dozen which long ago dried up and was followers work within these halls, serving abandoned when the loggers moved the interests of many different compatible elsewhere. To this day, pirates have been faiths. More about the monastery and its known to maneuver their ships into the leader can be found in the section on cove to hide from pursuers or to rest and Organizations and Groups in the Capitol, as recuperate. They usually make the three this establishment is closely tied to the mile trek to Morson during this time, and church affairs in the city. that is when things get exiting for the town. The monastery does not have any Beyond Morson are about a dozen or so defenses beyond its stockade wall, and its communities of fishermen, foresters, and men are all highly monastic, seeking their farmers, stretching out along the coast and own quiet studies. They participate in into the forest. Morson itself has a scribal pursuits, and the monastery is population of about eight hundred, and believed to hold a great trove of previously there are perhaps another six hundred unseen texts of religious import. people along the coastland.

Morison Firegrove

Picadore island is a heavily exploited Chesterlun chunk of land. Mining operations in the Sitting between Picadore and the mountains of Picadore search for the mainland is Chesterlun, tightly squeezed in. occasional rare or valuable vein. The forests This rocky little island is nondescript and have all been cut down, and three major holds no life save for that of the watchman cattle barons let livestock roam free. In fact, and the light tower. This great beacon was Firegrove is the primary source of beef for built to assist ships in navigating through the Capitol. the waters of the channel between the With a population of eight thousand, island and the mainland, which cuts about a Firegrove is nothing to laugh at. The land is day off of travel time by sea. It also guides rich with farms near the town, and beyond many fishermen who ply the channel for that are the cattle lands, running up into product, and the barges which haul wood the mountains. Ranchers --spend a fair from the river mouth the comes from amount of time protecting the cattle up Bethlow. there, as ogres still dwell deep in the The keeper of the light tower is Reves highest peak, and prey upon livestock. How Anderon (Human level 1 Expert, LG), a these ancient humanoids have survived so youthful man who earns his living by fishing long in the heart of man is anyone's guess, and drying the product for pemmican. He but they manage. knows a lot of interesting tales about the Stealing cattle is a problem on Picadore, two islands of the coast, and has seen a lot which is usually caused by pirates. In fact, of strange things in his time. He has a hobby the local militia are specialized in dealing of star watching, and has documented with pirates. Three drakkhars are kept to many interesting phenomena that have dispatch the small but efficient militia if crossed the night sky, including a meteor pirates should attack. which fell into the channel about three There are a number of barons on the years ago. island, but the major barons include Kasador, Roman, and Belegan (the cattle Smalton barons), and in the city rules Lord Manshin, This is an insignificant community. In the with a number of baronets beneath him. area of Smalton over a thousand farmers, Firegrove gets its name from the dusky fishermen, and herdsmen dwell, but in the red grass that covers much of the island. so called town itself, only Maluk Colman This grass, green with firey red stripes, (human level 1 Expert, TN) resides. Maluk creates almost red fields from its beds, and is the sole occupant of the town. He's not is a curiosity to the island. Removing the even a nobleman. grass to try growing it elsewhere has been Maluk operates the Smalton Inn, a bed unsuccessful, and the Geomancers claim and board establishment that is quite nice, that the island has special properties which though it can't handle more than ten guests allow the grass to grow. This might have and twelve horses at a time. He employs something to do with the volcanic nature of some local youths to perform chores for the mountains, and the vast amount of him, and Maluk himself is proprietor and basalt and volcanic soil which the grass cook. grows in. About once a month, Smalton is invaded by debutantes and bored young nobles

75 Copyright 2008 by Nicholas Bergquist, all rights reserved looking for something fun to do, so they wizard, NG) is the last line of the family, take a day's journey on he cobblestone road and he has traveled far and wide in his time, south to Smalton to get away from the city. bringing back tales from lands as distant as Maluk has gotten to where he can predict Tai'Kong. He preserved his life through their visits, and hires extra help at that undeath, though he hides this fact well, and time. remains a quiet scholar and alchemist, The nobles spend their time in the late pursuing planar discoveries and evening by the sea shore, looking for signs unfathomable secrets. He is known to hire of mermaids and other marvelous sites, adventurers to recover obscure tomes and which in stories spread along the coast are artifacts. said to appear here on moonlit nights. While it seems that no noble visitor has yet Stetson glimpsed them, Maluk knows this to be Were Stetson and Indor placed side-by- true, having seen creatures emerge from side, they might disappear into a single, the waves more than once. However, the slightly larger entity. Stetson is a beings that appeared were not gentle community of about three thousand, mermaids, but terrible, fish-like humanoids spread out over a large area. The local who left massive tracks on the upper shores community is dominated by fishing, of the beach. Their saucer eyes reflected farming, and vineyards. Unlike Indor, there the moonlight, and when they spotted is no noteworthy family dwelling here, and Maluk, they chased him for a mile before he it is ruled by Baron Krestos (Human level 5 got away. Now Maluk wonders and worries Fighter, LG), a stalwart man who served as about what will happen when his naive a commander in the Kings armis for years, guests finally do see creatures from the and waits for the chance to do so again. He water. has many stories to tell those who are interested, and in hi's youth, he fought the Indor Agents of Set that dwell in the Southern Another community of farmers and Loroden Hills. fishers, Indor is also wellknown for its Krestos dwells in a stately manor wineries, which cull the finest wine in the decorated with military symbolism atop a land from grapes of its own fields, and plateau at the outskirts of Stetson. Once imported from Diom and Locknor, Indor is a adventurers get past this, they will community of about twenty-two and is encounter a guard house along the ruled principally by baron Koget, a mild cobblestone road running south along the mannered man who leaves most of the coast. Here, caravans are checked for governing to his gossipy wife, Flores. proper records and evaluated for taxes for Indor has never been known for much in any owed taxes according to Rishaadian its life beyond the vineyards, but it is the law. A few miles south, and the borders of place of residence for the family Perilan, the province await. There are four wardens which dwell in a manor outside town. The employed by Krestos to patrol the hill-lands family of Perilan is looked at suspiciously by to the east, and to see if any Caravans are the locals, for they are known sorcerers. seeking to avoid the guard station. Arcus Tallus-Perilan (human liche level 25