Shattered Kingdoms: The World of Karis

[MittenNinja]

This is the thread that will contain all information pertaining to the Shattered Kingdoms Campaign setting. This thread is only for said info, if you would like to comment/suggest/question anything here please either PM me or direct your response to the Shattered Kingdoms Discussion Thread.

 [ic=Introduction]The Shattered Kingdoms Campaign Setting takes place on the world of Karis, a large and diverse continent that stretches from one arctic circle to the other. The land is currently recovering from the Abyssal Wars that ravaged on the material plane for hundreds of years, destroying countryside, hamlet and kingdom alike. Among the hundreds of principalities and kingdoms that once spanned the land only ten remain standing. These ten cities are the last ten beacons of hope for the people of this land to regain the glory that they once had.[/ic]

[MittenNinja]

[ic=The Ten Pillars of Karis]"I have seen the kingdoms fall over the years, but with each fallen kingdom the strength of the Ten Pillars became even more apparent. Through hellfire and decay, ravage and ruin, these ten cities survived. Do not think of them as just communities of survivors, they are the true champions of this land." - Elegard Whisperthorn, Elven Abyssal War Veteran.

Xian, City of Dragons: Led by a powerful sorceress of draconic ancestry, Xian is a safe haven for many of dragon lineage. Throughout the Abyssal Wars all of dagonkind was welcomed within the great walls that protected this metropolis and to this day continues to house a majority of dragonkind on the continent.

Lea Monde, Star of the West: By far the largest city to survive the Abyssal Wars, Lea Monde also houses the largest standing army in all of Karis. It's government is run much like a military group. While there is a king at the head of the kingdom, he is backed by a council of highly respected admirals and generals. The people of Lea Monde are proud of their heritage and their achievments, they are a people truly devout to their kingdom.

 Ceros, Jewel of the Desert: During the wars the people's of the desert would have stood little chance against the hellish armies if they had stayed in their small nomadic groups. With a near apocalypse looming over them they banded together to create the principality of Ceros. Taking the ruins of an ancient city buried by years of sand as their capital they discovered ancient texts describing the methods of harnessing the powers of one's inner self (psionics). Thus Ceros is the "birthplace" of sorts for psionics in Karis.

Talos, Temple of the Four Winds: Talos is a port city nestled among the Kalishtar Jungles founded by a group of fishermen who settled near the Temple of the Four Winds. The temple is the home of the Talos Monastery, a school of learning for exotic martial arts and spiritual contemplation in the humid climate. Though settled for thousands of years, the dungeons of the temple have never been uncovered because of the monastery's strict rules.

the 5th pillar city

the 6th pillar city

the 7th pillar city

the 8th pillar city

the 9th pillar city

the 10th pillar city

 [spoiler=Xian, City of Dragons][ic=Xian, City of Dragons]"Watch your step here young ones. You walk the streets with the oldest and most powerful creatures in all the land." - Karth Ebonflame, Xian Dragon Guard

Metropolis: Magical; AL LN; 100,000gp limit; Assets 239,317,000gp; Population 83,642; Mixed (66% human, 14% dragon, 6% halfling, 4% elf, 4% dwarf, 3% half-orc, 3% gnome). Regional Favored Classes: Bard, Fighter, and Sorcerer

Xian has always had a long tradition of draconic heritage in it's history. It's royal bloodline is thick with dragon ancestry and has had many (and up until recently, exclusively) true dragons as it's lord. Lady Elsa however, is the first non true dragon to ever hold the throne. If it weren't for the fact that she is a direct descendant of Abalax, one of the greatest rulers in the city's long history, the skepticism of her taking the throne would have easily led to her demise.

Architecture:
The great dragon city is truly a sight to behold for those who look upon it. Beyond the gold and red walls and majestic standards over the golden gates that protect the city from the ravages of the Wasted Plains lie hundreds of sparkling spires with grand walkways connecting them to one another. Throughout the entire city there is hardly a structure that isn't directly connected with another nearby via walkway. The most impressive structure (and one of the few without direct access to surrounding structures) is the Maw. The Maw is the great towering palace where Lady Elsa and the other royalty reside. Atop the Maw resides it's most dominant feature, a large smokestack or sorts that is constantly bellowing out green gases which are vented from the Maw's alchemy labs (known as the greatest in all of Karis).

Demographics:
Xian is the only city in Karis where you are likely to ever run into a true dragon walking down the street browsing through the wares being sold in the market. For the most part all the true dragons that reside within the walls keep to humanoid forms as to not intimidate the smaller folk of the city. Humans make up the largest group of Xian's populace, but even so a large portion of them can trace their ancestry back to draconic roots. No race is shunned from the city and (especially since the Abyssal Wars) many people who originally lived in the surrounding areas flocked to the great city.

History:
Originally founded three hundred years before the start of the Abyssal Wars, Xian was a small merchant village populated by many individuals with ties to the draconic world. However, the villagers had unintentionally settled within the hills of Abalax's liar. Abalax was a great bronze wyrm who ended up taking interest in the dragon bloods that now inhabited his realm and offered his services as a protector in exchange for a small yearly tribute in wealth. Not willing to pass up the protection of a powerful dragon the citizens of Xian quickly accepted.

Through the years Xian's populace grew, and so did the city's draconic influence. Within 50 years of it's founding, Xian already had 8 true dragons among it's citizens. The city was gaining popularity as a gathering place for all those with draconic heritage. Dragons of all walks came to share information with their peers (and barter their services for tribute to those who would seek them out).
At the start of the Abyssal Wars Abalax was now the first Lord of Xian, and as the infernal armies marched he personally led the defense of his people. Abalax managed to fend off the forces of three abyssal lords before his life was taken in the midst of battle. After seeing their lord fall to the powers of the lower planes, Xian's forces rose with a vigor unseen by man, they held the lines for two solid weeks while reinforcements were en route. After hearing of Abalax's fall, dragons from all walks came to Xian to help rid the city of the plague that had arrived.

The years of the war were long and hard, 21 lords and ladies of Xian fell to the hordes of the abyss during the 100 year siege of the city. The 22nd Lord of Xian, Carrick the Vigilant, a silver dragon of immense valor saw the city through it's final days of war. Carrick then saw the city through it's regrowth. Conscripting the building of many of the structures that are present to this day, including The Maw. After the city was rebuilt in all its golden glory Carrick stepped down from the throne knowing that he was a leader of a warring nation and not a lord for peaceful times. He handed the throne to Lady Elsa, a human female directly descended from the first Lord of Xian, Abalax.

 [spoiler=A Note on Dragons]Dragons in the Shattered Kingdom do not have the same alignment restrictions as the chromatic and metallic dragons normally have. It is not uncommon to find a lawful good red dragon, or a chaotic evil gold. Dragon alignments vary just as much as humans do.[/spoiler] [/spoiler]
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[spoiler=Lea Monde, Star of the West][ic=Lea Monde, Star of the West]"Always on your guard travelers, you never know when danger will rear it's head again." - Lieutenant Darvis of the North Wind Guard

Metropolis: Military; AL LG; 100,000gp limit; Assets 186,749,000gp; Population 120,723; Integrated (48% human, 38% dwarf, 6% halfling, 6% gnome, 2% other). Regional Favored Classes: Cleric, Fighter, and Paladin.

Faith, perseverance, pride, honor, all these are the qualities of a true man of Lea Monde. This noble kingdom has always held true to the values that their forefathers held most dear. King Leold has the faith and backing of his citizens without question, and for just cause. During the years following the end of the Abyssal wars Leold was a pillar of strength for his people, standing firm against an ever growing world of darkness as a lone beacon of light. The arcane arts are not widely accepted within Lea Monde. While they are not forbidden by any means they are looked down upon. Divine magics show more discipline and strength of heart to grasp and thus are more widely practiced.

Architecture:
Walking along the cobblestone streets of Lea Monde underneath the shadow of the Gallion Mountains one realizes the dedication required in constructing a city of this magnitude. Stone buildings trimmed with wood and roofed with thatching sit three to four stories high, surrounding Folly's Hill like a group of traveller's around a campfire in the night. Atop the hill sits North Wind Keep, the center of law and order within Lea Monde with the royal palace just within view to the south. Bonfires are constantly burning at each tower along the city walls day and night making the city appear as a ring of fire from a distance.

Demographics:
While the most comm race within Lea Monde is human, the dwarven people have strong ties to this land. To the north among the Gallion Mountains lie the ruins of Ironridge Keep, an ancient dwarven city that was overrun during the Abyssal Wars. The dwarves were driven out of their homes and came to Lea Monde for refuge. The people of Lea Monde shared the dwarven principles of duty and faith and thus welcomed them into the city without hesitation.

More to come...[/ic]

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