Kunark:Introduction: Our home of Kunark is, by some considerable margin, the most dangerous, the most brutal, and the most savage of the known lands of Norrath. No where else on the globe can be found a place at such a heightened state of perpetual total war. Among the mountains and forests of Kunark countless factions battle for supremacy against not only their enemies but also against the land itself. The legends of our people tell how we once ruled all of these lands, save for the mountain lairs of the Dragons. Monumental reminders of our former glory can be found in even the most hostile territories, sobering evidence to any who might doubt the stories of our ancestors.
The Tour: Cabilis - The capital of our young empire, Cabilis has become the heart of
Iksar knowledge and culture. Our city is dominated by
canals, which are frequently
fished by locals in search of food or recreation. In the Western part of town, high in their looming
Tower of Death, the Brood of Kotiz continues its ageless tradition of
experimentation in the hopes of giving us the edge over our innumerable enemies. South of the tower we find
the gauntlet, where young warriors are free to participate in willing
blood sport. On the other end of town
Fortress Talishan stands vigil over the city’s border with the Swamp of No Hope. The luxurious home of the
Haggle Baron is located near Cabilis’
main market, while nearby the Swifttail Monks of the
Court of Pain practice their sophisticated combat arts. To the North, near the entrance to the Field of Bone, can be found the
Temple of Terror. The Temple is home to the
Hierophants of Cabilis as well as the
Crusaders of Greenmist.
The Field of Bone - The northern
edge of Cabilis borders the Field of Bone, a common hunting place for young Iksar adventurers. Though the city itself is
well-protected from the dangers of the field, any who choose to wander down its
roads take their life into their own hands. Rancid
undead are the most common danger just outside the
city walls, but they are far from your only worry.
Scorpions and
young scaled wolves also roam this area in search of prey or carrion hiding amongst the
fallen pillars. North of the
coastline here are the Broken Teeth chain of islands which sport ruins fiercely guarded by a brute known as
the Tangrin to the locals. In the
center of the field lies an
enormous pit filled with
scorpions,
undead, and
Burynai. The pit is a dangerous place, filled with death and horror, not to be explored by any but a seasoned aventurer.
Within the pit can be found the
remains of the great Dragon
Jaled Dar, slayer of Ganak.
Forgotten tombs of wealthy Iksar can be
found in the
hills surrounding the pit. Many of these tombs have been
invaded by
vermin of various sorts who
desecrate the contents within. On the Northern edge of the central pit looms
Kurn’s Tower, once a powerful symbol of Iksar might turned into a haven for tortured Iksar souls. The
ruins of the ancient city of
Kaesora can be found East of the pit,
hiding a much more powerful evil than exists in the field itself.
Kurn’s Tower - Once a stronghold for Rile’s empire named after his warlord Kurn Machta, this tower has been
overrun by
skeletal Iksar. Though the wall
decorations found
throughout the structure harken back to the glory days of the Iksar it is obvious by the
state of things that Kurn’s has been
out of our control for some time. Deep in the basement of the tower
Burynai have managed to dig into the foundation of Kurn’s and seem to be establishing a foothold against the
undead hordes.
Kaesora - A massive temple complex that once served the Iksar people, Kaesora now languishes in dust, darkness, and undeath. Descending
below the surface we soon come across the lairs of
enchanted spiders, ever hungry for their next
blood-filled meal. Deeper within we find
ravenous gnawers and the
skeletal minions of the resident lord, Xalgoz. The
pawns of this creature consist of not only of fallen
Sarnak and Iksar but even the
tormented souls of those who once lived in this place. Deep within the
ruins, beyond its
magnificent library and
battered towers, we find
the keep of
Xalgoz, a wretched vampiric Sarnak.
The Emerald Jungle - Near the ruins of Kaesora lies the Western edge of the
Emerald Jungle. A very
large cliff separates the jungle from most of Kunark allowing travelers an excellent view of the jungle’s
upper canopy. A massive set of
stairs, built on
a scale seldom seen on or off Kunark, connect the
upper plateau to the
forest floor.
Tigers and
Trakaraptors are the most plentiful danger in these damp woods, but the native
gorillas (and their strangely
undead counterparts) have also been known to be aggressive and to waylay wandering treasure hunters. The jungle is full of ancient
Iksar ruins hidden behind vines and trees. In the heart of
the forest can be found the
fallen city of
Torsis, long abandoned by the living.