Malacor-on-the-Plains

Malacor is a towering structure of magically reinforced bone and black iron rising from the flatlands. Outside its monolithic gates, the Hollow Camp sprawls in a mess of tents and mud. Here, the living provide manual labor and maintenance in exchange for the Lich-Lord's cold protection. Within the fortress walls lies the Relic of the Fourth Seal, a pulsing obsidian shard that keeps a dark god sleeping. The air hums with necrotic energy that chills the marrow.

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Fortress

Malacor-on-the-Plains

The bone-white bastion where the living pray and the dead stand guard.

TypeFortress

Population1,500 Living Refugees, 5,000 Undead Guardians

WealthDestitute for refugees, extravagant for the Lich-Lord's inner circle.

GovernmentNecrotic Autocracy

ReadinessPerfectly alert and tireless.

“Somber, oppressive, yet strangely safe compared to the lawless plains.”

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Connections

Geography

RegionThe Ashen Steppes

ClimateArid and windy

TerrainFlat, tall-grass plains with limestone outcrops

Travel Links

The Great Plains RoadThe Void-Gate Teleportation HubThe Dust-Crawler Caravan Route

Culture

Survival through total obedience and tireless service to the eternal guardians.

Races

HumansSkeletonsDwarvesWights

Religions

The Cult of the Nine JailersThe Weaver of Veils

Arts & Entertainment

Intricate bone carving and rhythmic choral chanting during the midnight labor shifts.

History

Founded after the War of Shackles to contain the God of Rot, nine wizards sacrificed their mortality to become eternal jailers. Malacor was assigned the Shard of Mourning and built this fortress to guard it. Over centuries, the fortress became a beacon for those fleeing the chaos of the outer plains. This led to the creation of the refugee sprawl known as the Hollow Camp, where the living serve the dead for survival.

Age of BindingThe Sacrifice of the NineNine mages ascended to lichdom to seal the God of Rot forever.

Age of StrifeThe Refugee ExodusThousands fled the border wars to seek safety under the Lich-Lord's walls.

Current EraThe Silent Coup AttemptA group of living spies tried to shatter the Shard but were executed.

Government

LeaderArch-Lich Malacor the Patient

Necrotic Autocracy

Key Laws

Magic use by the living is forbidden without a permit.The Tithe of Labor must be paid by every adult refugee.Theft from the fortress stores is punished by immediate reanimation.

Problems

The Drying Wells

The underground water table is receding, threatening the living population.

Cult Infiltration

Rumors suggest a cult of the God of Rot has entered the camp.

Economy

Industries

ScavengingBone-smithingArcane research

Scarcity

Potable water and fresh green vegetables.

Wealth LevelDestitute for refugees, extravagant for the Lich-Lord's inner circle.

Exports

Enchanted bone-mealAncient scrollsUndead labor-for-hire

Imports

Fresh waterLivestockIron ore

Defenses

ReadinessPerfectly alert and tireless.

Fortifications

Bone-masonry walls with necrotic shieldingTwin Spires of Despair with arcane ballistaeA moat filled with grasping skeletal hands

The Ossuary Guard(5,000 undead soldiers)

A mix of disciplined skeletons and elite wights who never sleep or eat.

Law & Order

crime Level: Very low due to the extreme and terrifying nature of punishment.
enforcement: Undead patrols with the ability to sense life and intent.
typical Punishment: Transformation into a mindless skeletal laborer for the fortress.

Malacor the Patient

NPC

Sovereign Protector

A skeletal figure draped in heavy velvet robes and crowned with iron.

High-Overseer Vax

NPC

Labor Coordinator

A pale, armored figure with glowing blue pinpricks for eyes.

Elder Thorne

NPC

Refugee Representative

An old man with a scarred face and calloused hands.

Sister Mercy

NPC

Healer

A middle-aged woman in stained white vestments.

The Gilded Rib

Shop

General Store and Alchemist

A cramped shop built into a rib-cage-like structure near the main gate.

The Half-Life Inn

Tavern

Exhausted laborers and suspicious travelers.

A smoky, low-ceilinged building where the living huddle for warmth.

The Silent Keepers

Faction

Loyalists

The elite living servants and undead officers of the fortress.

The Rising Sun

Faction

Insurgents

A secret society of refugees plotting for freedom.

The Ash Gates

Point of Interest

Massive doors carved from the bone of an ancient dragon.

The Pillar of Martyrs

Point of Interest

A monument listing every person who has died defending the seal.

The Trench of Penance

Point of Interest

A deep ditch where the living work off their crimes.

Calendar of Events

Every 28 days

The Night of the Pale Moon

A ritual to strengthen the Shard of Mourning.

The seal occasionally flickers, allowing shadow monsters to manifest.

Secrets

The Shard of Mourning is developing a hairline fracture.

WorldAn unusual high-pitched ringing sound near the central spire.

Malacor is using the life force of the refugees to power his own existence.

RegionalRefugees who stay too long become abnormally lethargic and pale.

Rumors

One of the other eight Liches has already fallen.

There is a tunnel under the tavern leading into the fortress vaults.

The God of Rot can speak to you in your dreams if you sleep near the wall.

Plot Hooks

The Water Thief

Someone is sabotaging the camp's wells to incite a riot.

InvestigationElder ThorneA permit to use magic within the camp.

Messages for the Dead

An undead guard wants a letter delivered to his living granddaughter in the camp.

SocialValthun the ScribeAn ancient map of the plains.

The Cracked Seal

Shadow beasts have escaped the spire and must be hunted before they reach the camp.

CombatHigh-Overseer VaxA Masterwork bone-weapon.

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