Page 118 - Eberron -Rising from the Last War_Neat

KARRNATH THE KORRANBERG

Capital: Korth
Hallmarks: Ale, dairy, glass, livestock, lumber, martial C M � O N � C l l
discipline, paper, textiles, undead
T
T
In a nation of storms and long winters, the grim and IN H E H R A L L
stoic Karrns are accustomed to enduring hardship with­
out complaint.
First and foremost, Karrnath is known for its military O F T H E
tradition. Strength, strategy, and discipline are the core
values of Karrnath. Karrnath's soldiers might be the
finest in Khorvaire, but they lack the magical support VAM P I R E K I NG
of Aundair or Thrane, which evened the odds during
the Last War. Nonetheless, Karrns are proud of their
martial history, and most are convinced that they would Kaius ir'Wynarn III emerged from the shadows like a
have eventually won the Last War. villain in one of Kessler's plays. His guardians kept him
Karrnath suffered a series of severe food shortages hidden during his youth while his aunt Moranna served
and plagues early in the Last War. As a result, the king as the regent of Karrnath. So it was a surprise to many
embraced the Blood of Vol as the national religion. The when he burst forth to claim his crown and his power,
all the more so because of his uncanny resemblance
priests of this faith bolstered Karrnath's forces with un­ to Kaius I, the ruler who plunged Karrnath into the
dead. The current king, Kaius ir'Wynarn III, broke ties Last War and instituted the brutal system oflaws that
with the Blood of Vol and has stopped creating new un­ bears his name.
dead, but Karrnath still has a significant number of skel­ Given the circumstances ofKaius Ill's ascension, it's
etons and zombies in service. Many Karrns still believe hardly surprising that the new king would face chal­
in the Blood of Vol and approve of the use of undead, but lenges from the proud warlords of Karrnath. Some ques­
just as many feel that this practice disgraces Karrnath's tioned his lineage and his ability to command. But the
proud military history and that the necromancers might most unusual challenge came from the warlord Drago
have been responsible for the famines and plagues. Thul: was Kaius III actually alive? Kaius I had elevated
the Blood of Vol in Karrnath and instituted the use of
I
I N T E R E S TING TH N GS undead as weapons of war. Drago Thul asserted that
Kaius III was actually Kaius I, a vampiric monster "seek­
ABOUT KARRNATH ing to drain the lifeblood ofKarrnath itself." This was a
serious accusation; the undead have no rights under the
Rekkenmark Academy is the premier military insti­ Code of Galifar and cannot inherit titles or lands. Thul's
tute in Khorvaire; prior to the Last War, all of Galifar's challenge spread like wildfire, only to be crushed when
officers trained at Rekkenmark. Kaius III met the warlords under the midday sun and cut
The Sovereign Host has regained its place as the his palm to show his freely flowing blood.
dominant religion of Karrnath, but the Blood of Vol This should have been the end of it, but the tale of the
retains a strong following. Communities that practice V a mpire King has proven surprisingly resilient. Some say
the faith still use skeletons and zombies as guards that the king developed special enchantments to avoid
or laborers. the effects of sunlight; others say that he has relies on
• The laws of Karrnath are harsher than those in other changeling impersonators to take his place in the day­
treaty nations, approaching a state of martial law. light. As for Drago Thul, he refused to stand down when
Kaius III pushed for peace and the Treaty ofThronehold.
He fled to the city ofStormreach in Xen'drik with a
H
KARRNAT I C H ARACTERS
small band of followers, and he continues to rally sup­
Karrns are somber folk and disapprove of extravagance port against "the monster that sits on our throne."
or excessive shows of emotion. As you develop a Karr­
nathi character or NPC, consider the following:
undead? Are you a follower of the Blood of Vol who
Military Service. Karrns have a strong tradition of considers the undead to be a practical tool? Do you
military service, making soldier or sailor appropriate have a relative or friend currently serving? Or do you
backgrounds for any character. Criminals and char­ despise the Blood of Vol and the use of necromancy?
latans have a difficult time evading the harsh laws of
Karrnath. The Martial Adept feat can give a character C I T I E S A N D SITES
a strong sense of military experience.
Martial Tradition. Karrnathi tradition emphasizes Sturdy walls surround Karrnathi communities, and
teamwork, focus, and force, and melee warriors even the smallest village maintains a capable militia.
prefer heavy armor and weapons. Fighters favor the ATUR
Champion and Battle Master martial archetypes, and
Karrnathi wizards choose the School of Evocation or Known as the City of Night, Atur is the stronghold of the
Necromancy as their arcane tradition. Blood of Vol in Karrnath. During the war, this was the
The Dead. Undead soldiers have served in Karrnath's center for the production of undead, and massive cata­
armies for decades. How do you feel about the combs below the city hold legions of Karrnath's undead
soldiers in case they are needed again.

C H APTER 2 I KHORVAIRE GAZETTEER
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