Ponderations

Legendary Item

This legendary tome penned by the equally legendary Vilimzair Aralivar, the World’s Greatest Ever Bard and Legendary Pirate Captain, has been the subject of much conjecture over the years. Said to contain a complete record of all the bard’s legendary adventures, along with his commentary and notes, the book was thought nothing more than a diary and journal. However, over the long years since Vilimzair Aralivar bestrode, swashbuckled and loved his way around the world, Ponderations has assumed near-mythical status for the sagacious life-lessons and philosophy contained within its hallowed pages.

Copied and shared by avid readers and hero-worshippers alike, many fragmentary, incomplete or inaccurate copies of the tome exist, but until recently no complete copy was thought to survive. Last year, however, the wandering half-elf Arranis Aralivar—himself a direct descendant of the legendary bard—discovered what he believes to be the original Ponderations in a far-flung jungle ruin. Arranis’s intentions regarding the book remain as yet unknown, but the lessons and teachings contained within Ponderationscould greatly benefit those following them. They might even spell the beginnings of Vilimzair Aralivar’s rise to full divine status.

See Also: Vilimzair Aralivar the World’s Greatest Ever Bard and Legendary Pirate Captain

Dread Knights

Knights

Devoted to the profane service of the Faceless Dragon, the Dread Knights are some of foul Icuthar’s mightiest defenders. Near-universally feared, this small but elite order of evil warriors, priests and antipaladins remorselessly hunts down do-gooders, blasphemers, escaped slaves and enemies of the faith. They are a questing knighthood thought to number barely a score of members and rarely gather together in one place.

Hated and feared by the populace, Dread Knights ride trained wyverns or nightmares and wield heavy, two-handed weapons such as huge morningstars, greatswords, lances and the like. As befits their allegiance, some of the knights have draconic or demonic blood in their veins. Persistent, but whispered rumours, suggest that at least some of the knights are undead. Given that most wear heavy plate armour complete with great helms that obscure their features, the truth of this is difficult to ascertain.

Mercifully, the Dread Knights are rarely encountered beyond Icuthar’s borders.

See Also: The Faceless Dragon, Icuthar

Enrys

Demons | Devils | Kingdom

Existing in a state of organised chaos, Enrys is a human realm that recognises and worships no gods. Instead, the people of Enrys—twisted and debased—worship opposed pantheons of arch devils and demon princes. Here, law struggles against chaos for supremacy, and good is but a distant, fleeting thought. In Enrys, personal might, status and power are all.

While open warfare does not rent Enrys asunder, the struggle for power between the faiths is real, ungoing and without mercy. Distracted by internal strife, Enrys is little danger to the nearby nations who, in the main, wisely leave this roiling cauldron of evil and chaos well alone.

Enrys is one of the Dusk Lands—a collection of kingdoms straddling the far north. Cloaked in darkness for months at a time, the kingdom is home—along with its human and quasi-human folk—to devils, demons and the undead. During the Long Night of the winter, vampires and other light-hating things openly stalk the streets. Suffering, betrayal and death can come quickly in Enrys.

Enrys is a cold, barren land, but it is a land with considerable mineral resources. The greatest of these gold, silver and diamond mines are controlled by various priesthoods, and the clergy use these riches to grow their power base while trading with the nearby kingdoms for the things they need. Enrys is not a well-populated land—the harsh climate and incessant internal strife conspire to keep the population level low.

The Trackless Warrens

Caves & Caverns | Subterranean

This insane jumble of twisted and broken caves and caverns runs for miles below Westerland’s Borderfell region. Several known entrances exist to the Trackless Warrens. Claustrophobic and confusing, the cave network feels like it was designed by a deranged race of insane dwarves; tool marks here and there lend credence to the theory that the caves were inhabited at some point in their long history but offer no conclusive clues as to their origin.

Ferocious, noisome troglodytes and wild, all-but blind humans dwell in and fight over the Trackless Warrens. Explorers are liable to fall prey to one or both groups, who see any intruders as handy sources of food and loot.

Some explorers who have delved into and survived the Trackless Warrens swear the caves bear the mark of intelligent design and that they were constructed to protect or guard something hidden in their depths. Wild theories often involving ancient civilisations, lost treasures and forgotten magics hang over the caves, and more than one well-equipped and well-funded expedition has disappeared into the Trackless Warrens never to be seen again.

Coupled with these dangers, the Twisted Warrens are inherently unstable; rock falls and collapses frequently occur within, rendering all but the most recent of maps inaccurate and out of date. After decades—perhaps centuries—of sporadic exploration, the mystery of the Trackless Warrens endures.

See Also: Westerland

Six Wizard’s Towers

Six Things | Urban | Wizards

Tower of Lightning: When storms pummel the city, lightning inevitably strikes this copper-roofed tower. The wizard, Jegor Nousia (male human), uses the lightning’s power to run certain experiments.
Guthrax: Named for the dwarf who built it, this tower resembles more of a squat gatehouse than a traditional tower. The wizard, Sanni Koveri (female half-elf), dwells in one wing while her servants and apprentices dwell in the other. Sanni loves comfort, and her quarters are opulent in the extreme.
Lost Soul Tower: Named for a perfidious wizard who laired here long ago, this slender black-stoned tower is the kindly Kauko Kultimo’s (old male human) home. Kauko casts masterful illusions for the local children once a week and is beloved in the surrounding area.
The Blackened Shard: This ruined tower burst into flame a decade ago. The fire burnt so hot it part-melted the tower’s stones, giving it a curious melted appearance. Superstition and rumour have kept the ruin empty and unoccupied.
Eerik’s Keep: This old, time-worn tower stands at the centre of a part-filled moat. A short drawbridge leads to the tower’s only outer door. Herein dwells Eerik Seppo (old male human). The tower leans perceptibly to one side after a collapse in its cellar (which now occasionally floods) a decade ago.
The Spire: This tall and slender tower soars seven stories into the air. It is so narrow that there is barely space for two cramped rooms on each floor. Tilda Ilmarinen (female human) dwells within; she has a good reputation with the locals, although some call her a “trouble magnet”.

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