Page 38 - Wayfinders Guide to Eberron

ZILARGO message—that’s what they’ll do. But the Trust
Capital: Korranberg
Noted for /VWUM[ ITKPMUa ML]KI\QWV
elemental binding, entertainment, precious stones
Zilargo is the homeland of the gnomes, and
I\ ÅZ[\ OTIVKM Q\ IXXMIZ[ \W JM I XIZILQ[M <PM
streets are bright and clean. The universities and
TQJZIZQM[ IZM \PM ÅVM[\ QV 3PWZ^IQZM -^MZaWVM
seems happy and helpful, and crime is all but
]VPMIZL WN *]\ BQT [WKQM\a Q[ ÅTTML _Q\P TIaMZ[
of intrigue and blackmail that are often invisible
to human eyes. And below that lies The Trust,
a ruthless secret police force that eliminates any
threat to society.
Zilargo isn’t a tyranny. Each major city has a
democratically elected ruling council and a seat
on the Triumvirate that governs the nation; the
Trust reports to the Triumvirate. The Zil gnomes
built this system, and they are quite happy with
it. Their streets are safe, and as long as you play
by the rules of the game, the Trust won’t target
aW] 7]\[QLMZ[ ÅVL \PQ[ KI[]IT IKKMX\IVKM WN
preemptive assassination to be terrifying, but the
Zil actually trust the Trust.
Every Zil gnome is in a web of intrigues. This
is condoned by the Trust, as long as no laws are
broken and the state itself isn’t threatened. It’s
ÅVM NWZ I OVWUM KPIZTI\IV \W KWVVQ^M IVW\PMZ
gnome out of a jewel mine—as long as this is
accomplished through cunning, negotiation, or
deception rather than violence or outright theft,
and as long as the mine stays in Zil hands. The
same applies to adventurers planning schemes
in Zilargo: violence will get one targeted by the
Trust, but intrigue is perfectly acceptable.
The Trust itself is a network of spies and
assassins. Most agents of the Trust simply pass
information through dead drops; some estimate
that a third of the nation works for the Trust
QV \PQ[ KIXIKQ\a ?PMV \PM <Z][\ QLMV\QÅM[ I
threat, it acts preemptively. If a problem can be
solved without violence—by sharing a piece of
information, or a whispered warning sent via
38 +0)8<-: d B14):/7
won’t hesitate to eliminate a threat, whether with
poison, spell, or a blade. Typically, a target will
never even see the agent that kills them.
INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT ZILARGO
• The Library of Korranberg is considered to
JM \PM ÅVM[\ ZMXW[Q\WZa WN SVW_TMLOM QV ITT
of Khorvaire.
• The Korranberg Chronicle is the leading
source of news in the Five Nations, and
gnome chroniclers travel across Khorvaire
in search of stories.
• The major cities of Zilargo have temples
and shrines dedicated to every religion.
5W[\ BQT M`XTWZM I NM_ NIQ\P[ JMNWZM [M\\TQVO
on one; others practice multiple religions.
ZIL CHARACTERS
As you develop a Zil character, consider the
following things, along with the suggestions in the
/VWUM [MK\QWV QV KPIX\MZ
Family Ties. In a nation shaped by intrigue,
aW] PI^M \W PI^M [WUMWVM aW] KIV ZMTa WV°
and for the Zil, that’s family. Unless you’re an
orphan, discuss your family with your DM.
What’s their business? Who’s your favorite
relative? Are you currently involved in any family
schemes? Family members may call on you for
help over the course of your adventurers, but
they can also be a resource for you.
Knowledge and Power. The Zil prize
knowledge above all else. Sage is a suitable
background for any Zil; charlatan and spy are
IT[W IXXZWXZQI\M ZMÆMK\QVO \PMQZ TW^M WN QV\ZQO]M
Classes that specialize in melee combat are rare
among the Zil. Rogues, bards, wizards, and
IZ\QÅKMZ[ IZM \PM [WTLQMZ[ WN BQTIZOW
One unusual option is to play a warlock whose
pact is with the Trust itself. You receive your
orders telepathically. Your class abilities can
ZMÆMK\ [XMKQITQbML \ZIQVQVO WZ OZIV\ML IJQTQ\QM[¸
the magical equivalent of super-spy gadgets!