Page 132 - Eberron -Rising from the Last War_Neat

Zil gnomes live within a web of intrigues. The Trust agent, the agency recruits characters of every class
condones their actions, as long as they break no laws and background. Your class abilities reflect special­
and don't threaten the state or the status quo. A gnome ized training and granted abilities-the magical equiv­
charlatan can connive to steal a jewel mine from an­ alent of spy gadgets!
other gnome-as long as the charlatan accomplishes the
deed through cunning, negotiation, or deception rather C I T I E S A N D SITES
than violence or outright theft, and as long as the mine The gnomes of Zilargo place a high value on appear­
stays in Zil hands. The same applies to adventurers ances. They design beauty into their architecture,
planning schemes in Zilargo. Violence draws attention featuring delicate carvings, elaborate railings and bal­
and deadly consequences from the Trust, but intrigue is conies, and lavish gardens. Every community contains
perfectly acceptable. murals and statues scattered throughout. Most fixtures
The Trust is a network of spies and assassins. Most and buildings are designed for those of small stature,
agents of the Trust simply pass information through but buildings constructed for taller folk also exist. The
dead drops; some estimate that a third of the nation Zil have a talent for illusion and for binding elementals,
works for the Trust in this capacity. When the Trust and they incorporate both of these forms of magic into
identifies a threat, it acts preemptively. Trust agents everyday life.
prefer to solve a problem without violence-by sharing a
piece of information or a whispered warning sent via a KORRANBERG
message spell. But the Trust won't hesitate to eliminate Nestled against the base of the Seawall Mountains, Kor­
a threat, whether with poison, spell, or blade. T y pically, ranberg is the oldest city in Zilargo. Many aristocrats of
a target never sees the agent of their demise. other nations come to study in the famous library and
the gnome colleges of Korranberg. The ancestral cita­
I N T E R E S TING THI N G S del of House Sivis is located here, as well as a host of
Z
ABOUT I L ARGO temples including the Codex Vault, Khorvaire's largest
---- shrine to Aureon.
• Most consider the Library of Korranberg the finest
repository of knowledge in Khorvaire. ThURIMBAR
The Korranber g Chronicle is the leading source of This port city draws musicians and artists from across
news in Khorvaire. Gnome chroniclers travel across Khorvaire. It addition to its legendary clubs and schools
Khorvaire in search of stories. of music, Thurimbar is on the cutting edge of arcane
• The major cities of Zilargo maintain temples and sound-the use of illusion magic to generate music. En­
shrines dedicated to every religion. Most Zil explore a tertainers flock to Thurimbar to share their music and
few faiths before settling on one; others practice mul­ immerse themselves in its rich musical culture.
tiple religions.
TR.OLAN PORT
Z I L C H ARACTERS With its crisscrossing canals and flooded streets, the
As you develop a Zil character, consider the follow­ capital of Zilargo serves as the center of the gnome ship­
ing factors: building industry and a nexus for trade. Scores of ships
make port here daily. Among the many beautiful things
Family Ties. In a nation shaped by intrigue, you need the city is known for are its spectacular coastal thun­
someone you can rely on. For the Zil, that's family. derstorms. Crowds gather on balconies and verandas to
Unless you're an orphan, discuss your family with watch these awesome displays.
your DM. What's their business? Who's your favorite The Tower of the Triumvirate rises over the central
relative? Are you currently involved in any family portion of the city. House Kundarak, House Sivis, and
schemes? Family members might call on you for help House Cannith maintain outposts in the city, and the
over the course of your adventurers, but they can also other dragonmarked houses station agents here as well.
be a resource for you.
Knowledge and Power. The Zil prize knowledge above ZOLANBERG
all else. Sage is a suitable background for any Zil; Hidden high in the Seawall Mountains, Zolanberg lies
charlatan and spy are also appropriate, reflecting at the heart of a network of jewel mines. These mines
their love of intrigue. Classes that specialize in melee face attacks by kobolds living in the mountains, as well
combat are rare among the Zil. The soldiers of Zilargo as goblin raiders from Darguun. Gnomes and dwarves
include rogues, bards, wizards, and artificers. inhabit the city. House Kundarak maintains a great vault
The Trust. In creating a Zil character, consider whether here while House Tharashk has completed construction
you have any ties to the Trust. A vast number of of a large hall for the Prospectors Guild.
gnomes serve as the eyes and ears of the Trust, re­
porting interesting information to a Trust handler. AFTERMA H OF H E LAST W A R
T
T
As an active agent, you could receive missions tied to
your current adventures. If you and your companions Walking the streets of Korranberg, one might never
are fighting the Emerald Claw, you might have a sec­ know that the war occurred. Zilargo avoided most of
ondary assignment to eliminate a specific Claw agent the violence of the Last War, and cosmetic magic and
or acquire a particular object from their base. While illusions were employed to repair the few cities that
the spy background is a logical choice for a Trust suffered damage. Many Zil prefer to ignore the war

C H APTER 2 I KHORVAIRE GAZETTEER
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