Located near the land of Thartholan, outside the safety of the Diamond Throne, the city of Carthus has been built and rebuilt numerous times in its long history of war and peril. Hundreds of years ago, settlers discovered a unique crystal, much like the magical rock that the mysterious crystal weavers created in the ancient times. The first human settlement upon the Crystal Mountain, on the western side of the Bitter Peaks, started as a small keep. Over the years the city has grown into the massive location it is now. Four tiers of castle wall surround the main castle, each built on a lower section of the mountain face.
At the top of the mountain stands Carthus Castle, ruled by King Mica Urdirtch, 47th King of Carthus. The king is an elderly human with only one unmarried daughter. The seat to his thrown is on the line and her hand is being sought by many. His primary advisors are the Vizier, Xambier, a verrik magister, and Shar the sly, the sibeccai master of secrets.
Outside the city on one side is the Bitter Peaks, a deadly mountain range filled with dark creatures and undead, and on the other side lies the land of Thartholan, a strange land of displaced cities and creatures. This was a place of Dramojh experimentation, magical vortexes were created to force into the world creatures from other planes. Entire cities were destroyed and sent away, and replaced with odd alien locations. Many of those that remained in Thartholan went mad, and there are those that say the people of Carthus are no different. For who in their right mind would want to stay in this city, with dangers all around them?
The crystalline weapons of Carthus are known all over the lands, as are the rumors of the wealth of those who own the crystal mines. In truth, most of the cities’ population is not that wealthy, just labors who work the mines and those who travel with the latest shipment for protection. Everyone else has moved to the city for protection from the numerous creatures that roam the countryside.
You are member of the city defenses, or in some cases you work for the king’s court.
Options for characters are:
Town Guards. Agents of Shar’s network of spies. Members of the vizier’s court of magi. Members in training within the King’s Guard. Semi freelance advisors and court officials.
This game has a fair amount of combat and dungeon crawling involved, keep that in mind during character creation.
Major and minor NPC’s
King Mica Urdirtch: lord of Carthus. He has been ill for some time now and has not been seen in a few months. Many worry how much longer he has in him.
Vizier Xambier: The king’s magi, many secretly fear that Xambier has been ruling the city from behind the throne, and that he will not be willing to give up power to the rightful heir.
Shar the sly: the feared Master of Secrets. The sly has agents not only all though out the city, but in other locations with in the realm of the diamond throne, relaying information back to the sibeccai spymaster.
Sergeant Neb Tallus: a unit commander in the city town guard. This giant keeps a cool head in the face of danger and has gained the respect if his men.
Magister Fellan: More of a politician then a mage, he makes those under him feel that they are his personal servants. Not the most well liked or respected member of the vizier’s court, but for some reason he has risen above the heads of much more talented mages.
Ser Chrolis: Captain of the King’s Guard. Champion of the King. This Lithorian warrior has served the city of Carthus all his life. He is one of the most loyal and brave fighters in the city.
Radont: Not much is known of the guardsman called Radont. Found on the streets of the city, the powerful fighter had lost all of his memory and a fair amount of his wits. But the human was very large and extremely strong. One of his fellow guardsmen called him strong as a radont, and the name stuck. (note: radonts are large magical horses)
