The Gates of Capitol and the Krada Mines

The First Gate is said to be deep below the Imperial Palace and the reason for the location of the palace itself. According to this claim, the palace is intended as a sort of guard tower to keep The First Gate protected and ensure it stays closed. Others claim the idea of the palace as a fortress to protect such a portal as the utmost absurdity. Those that believe in the gate’s existence claim that it is deep. 

The Second Gate is also known as the Lost or Holy Gate. The so-called Second Gate because it is believed to be the second deepest of the three subterranean gates. Since this gate has been lost, the position of Archbishop of the Gate has been vacant thus making the Archbishop of the Holy City the supreme religious authority in the empire. If the gate were to be found, most expect the required quorum of the three city lords to quickly convene and install an Archbishop of the Gate. Such an action would greatly reduce the power of the Archbishop of the Holy City. It would also be an important step towards the coronation of the Regent as Emperor as two Archbishops are required. However, if the new Archbishop stood in opposition to the Regent, which is likely the case, there would be the potential for a civil war within the Empire. 

The Third Gate is the deepest and, in some ways, the strangest. The Third Gate is known to be located far below the Holy City and is said to feed the hot springs of the city and the many vents of the Krada Wastes. The Gate is surrounded by a massive fortress built by an exiled clan of Fire Giants. They dutifully guide the gate waiting for an apocalyptic battle in which they will earn redemption for long forgotten transgressions. Some claim to have seen the fortress and claim it is an overwhelming masterpiece of Fire Giant workmanship.

The Krada mines are so ancient that some claim the mines were worked by the gods themselves. The mines extend to unknown depths. Over the ages, countless battles have been fought above and within the mines themselves. It is said that during one of these battles powerful magic was unleashed of such power that the mines collapsed. The mines are well built and sturdy. Even thousands of years without maintenance has done little to degrade their structural integrity. Truly powerful forces would be required to cause the damage as seen in the Krada Wastes.

Ardeullaire - The most spledid and sublime incorruptable mortal instruments of divine favor and will.

 

Ardeullaire is a contraction formed from the words from the ancient ecclesiastical language roughly meaning "infallible servants of the divine" or as they often like to call themselves, angels of the land. The black on their coat of arms represents the void of boundless faith, the blue represents service to fight mortal suffering and the white represents their infallible purity of deed.

 This small fighting order of clerics and paladins is less than a hundred years old and yet seems to be well funded. A common theme is utter arrogance and incompetence throughout the membership. However, their dedication and piety is beyond question. They also seem to be protected by some kind of divine fortune. They are renowned for their incredible luck as much as their arrogance and incompetence.

 The order's small fortress temple monastery is based in the Land Trade City with approximately 30 order members and at least twice as many followers and attendants. The order does a great deal of charity work and is very popular in the shanties.  

The Regent and Four City Lords of Capitol

 

The Regent of the Empire, Borga Varr, is also the patriarch of house Kormarr. Once a Grand Duchy, Kormarr was demoted to a Barony when Borga's ancestors first took the Regency over a thousand years ago. Several attempts by former regents to ascend the Imperial throne have ended in disaster. Still House Komarr plots to crown one of their own as emperor. Borga is a politician rather than a warrior and this earns his much contempt among the generals. However, he is adept at playing his political foes against each other to his benefit.  

The King of the Old Capitol, Agamur Svildar, is a well respected warrior and far to blunt to be politically effective. He values honor above political expediency and the Regent often uses this against him. He has no desire for the Imperial crown, but there are those that see him and his kin of House Anduster as the rightful heirs to the throne.   

The King of the Land Trade City, Arnad Karbiston, is a true barbarian of the plains. His family and their allied clans have fought for generations to secure caravan routes and trading posts throughout the empire. Often called the caravan clan, but offically recoginized as House Karrigmur, they are constantly at war with raiders and brigands. In recent years, an uneasy truce with the Sea Trade City has resulted in very prosperous trade. no one knows how long this can continue.

The Grand Alderman of the Sea Trade City, Kalvis Audris, is unique among all the city lords as the only one elected for a term. The eight great merchant houses of the Sea Trade City elect a Grand Alderman for a term of 8 years. The term is automatically extended an additional 8 years unless the houses unanimously vote for removal. of all the City Lords, The Grand Alderman is the least powerful.

The Arch Bishop of the Holy City Satta Cedorea, Shenda Mar VI, is a difficult man to understand. He has appointed Kufus as High Inquisitor causing untold misery throughout the shanties and then spends days going through the same shanties healing and feeding the poor wretches. He has also been known for sqeezing every penny out of pilgrims one moment and then presenting pilgrims with lavesh gifts the next. Many claim he is embroiled in a secret war with the snake cult and the Yuanti. Some say this war is secretly sanctioned or even includes forces from the land trade city.   

The High Inquisitors of Capitol

Outside of the city walls there is no law except that provided by the High Inquisitors. In some cases, they are no more than the evil creatures that prey upon the weak. However, they are the only hope and protection for the wretches of the shanties. Each City Lord appoints a single High Inquisitor that roams the shanties and wastes enforcing order and slaying creatures that prey upon the helpless. They perform their duties as they see fit and are answerable only to the City Lord that appointed them.

Kufus, High Inquisitor of Holy City Satta Cedorea. He is known to cull the shanties as well as the creatures attacking them. This chaotic evil half ogre is a favorite of the Arch Bishop of the Holy City as he generates great wealth by enslaving the portions of the shanties he controls. He is most active in North and South shanties and some claim he has unspeakable dealings with the Temple of the snake. Many claim Kufus roams the shanties and the Krada Wastes in search of something. Exactly what he seeks is unknown.

Cordo, High Inquisitor of Trade City MonTakash. He is famous for his unusual crossbow work and for being an honorable protector of the people. He is an often rival of Kufus and ally of the other High Inquisitors. He is a close friend an ally of the Count of Krada. Cordo is based in The Rondt and is most active in West Krada Shanty and West Shanty. He often is plotting covertly and openly against Kufus in North Shanty and in the Krada Wastes.

Medda, High Inquisitor of Trade City Habak Sadah is the least experienced yet most flamboyant of the High Inquisitors. Arrogant and always projecting a holier than thou attitude, this young Paladin lacks the experience to fulfill his duties as a High Inquisitor. However, he is popular among the people of the shanties and he is always quick to take credit for anything good. He is often seen riding his warhorse all over the wastes for no apparent reason other than to be seen. He is the most prominent member of the Holy order knows as the Ardeullaire.

Ranmakorismoranian “Firebrand”, High Inquisitor of Capitol. Firebrand is a firm believer in order but is dispassionate regarding those he protects. He protects the Shanties simply because he is ordered to do so. When a Shanty needs to be destroyed due to plague or any other reason, the order always comes from the Regent and is always executed by Firebrand. He disapproves of Kufus only due to Kufus chaotic nature. Firebrand considers Cordo and the Count to be reliable and competent allies. He considers Medda an incompetent waste of time. He is based in the Imperial Graveyard and is most active in the Hamdarlia Shanty or North Krada Wastes. Some claim he is a Vampaire due to his pale complexion and preference for nocturnal activieites, traits shared with his entire house. However, like other members of his house, he has seen in broad daylight and in the midst of good clerics. The false rumors continue.

The Count of the Krada, High Inquisitor of Old Capitol fights for the downtrodden and those that can't fight for themselves. He is known to be ruthless against those that prey in the shanties. He mostly works from the shadows. The Count looks down in disdain on Kufus as a bully and has openly condemned his actions. Cordo a friend and ally. The Two treat each other as equals exchanging information and tactics. Medda is tolerated like a toddler and treated as such. Firebrand is treated with conditional approval due to his staning with Kufus and cooperation with Cordo, however his lack of sympathy to shanty populace angers the Count. There are rumors in the shanties that the Count patrols in disguise as a mysterious stranger handing out coin or treats to children as he passes by. The children wont divulge seem unusually loyal to whomever this may be. The Count is treated with respect and a little fear due to his notoriety, but the people know they can approach him if help is needed.