Karkash-Zul

Karkash-Zul is a sprawling stone city strangled by ancient vines and sea spray. Massive obsidian walls protect the harbor from the prehistoric beasts of the deep woods. The architecture features cyclopean blocks of basalt and sturdy wooden piers. It serves as the primary gateway for exotic jungle goods entering the civilized world. Life here is brutal and fast, driven by the trade of ivory, slaves, and dark timber.

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Coastal Forest City

Karkash-Zul

Where the emerald canopy meets the blood-red tide.

TypeCoastal Forest City

Population12,000 inhabitants

WealthHigh but unevenly distributed

GovernmentMilitary Despotism

ReadinessHigh and constantly on alert for forest raids

“Thick with humidity and the heavy scent of cedar and sea salt.”

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Connections

Geography

RegionThe Serpent Coast

ClimateHumid and tropical

TerrainDense jungle cliffs overlooking a jagged coastline

Travel Links

The Black Road forest pathThe Southern Sea RouteGreat River barge line

Culture

Respect for raw power and the skill to keep what you take.

Races

HumansHalf-OrcsSerpent-kin (in hiding)

Religions

The Iron ApeThe Sea MotherThe Sun Stalker

Arts & Entertainment

Gladiatorial combat in the mud pits and bone carving.

History

Founded by a mercenary king atop the ruins of a pre-human serpent civilization. The city rose to prominence as the only safe harbor on the Serpent Coast. It has endured three tribal sieges and a decade of civil war. Recent expansions have unearthed tunnels that predate the city founders by millennia.

Era of TeethThe Great FoundingWarlord Karkash slaughtered the serpent-kin and built the first fortress.

Era of VinesThe Silent NightHalf the city guard vanished without a trace during a green lunar eclipse.

Modern EraThe Harbor FireA massive fleet of pirate dromonds was sunk in the bay by sorcery.

Government

LeaderOverlord Varkas the Scarred

Military Despotism

Key Laws

Sorcery is forbidden without a royal license.Theft is punished by the loss of a hand.The Overlord's word is final in all matters.

Problems

The Dockside Riots

A grain shortage is causing the lower classes to burn shipping warehouses.

The Creeping Blight

Strange purple vines are melting the stone of the southern wall.

Economy

Industries

Ivory carvingTimber harvestingSlave trading

Scarcity

Workable iron and fresh vegetables

Wealth LevelHigh but unevenly distributed

Exports

BlackwoodMammoth ivoryRare spices

Imports

Iron oreFine wineGrains

Defenses

ReadinessHigh and constantly on alert for forest raids

Fortifications

Obsidian harbor wallsMoat filled with crocodilesScorpio ballista towers

The Jaguar Guard(1,500 warriors)

Elite heavy infantry clad in bronze scales and feline furs.

Law & Order

crime Level: Moderate but violent
enforcement: Brutal and immediate by the Jaguar Guard
typical Punishment: Public execution or sentencing to the fighting pits.

Varkas the Scarred

NPC

Overlord

A massive warrior with leathered skin and a jaguar fur cloak.

Zora the Whisper

NPC

Information Broker

A slender woman dressed in dark silks with a silver dagger.

High Priest Orm

NPC

Cleric

An elderly man with tattooed eyes and a staff of bone.

Captain Horg

NPC

Watch Commander

A hulking warrior with a heavy bronze axe and scarred chest.

The Gilded Tusk

Shop

General Store

A clean shop filled with the scent of sandalwood and gold.

The Salted Limb

Tavern

Sailors and mercenaries

A rowdy tavern built over the water on rickety stilts.

The Iron Brotherhood

Faction

Mercenary Guild

A guild of hardened veterans looking for high-paying work.

The Silken Veil

Faction

Thieves Guild

A shadowy organization operating from the city's underbelly.

The Pit of Sorrows

Point of Interest

The central gladiatorial arena where fortunes are made and lost.

The Whispering Woods

Point of Interest

A section of the forest inside the walls that groans at night.

The Ivory Gate

Point of Interest

The main land entrance carved from the bones of a titan.

Calendar of Events

The Summer Solstice

The Feast of Fangs

A day of blood sports and wild animal hunts.

The animals are magically enhanced to be smarter than the hunters.

Secrets

The Overlord is not human.

RegionalScales found in his laundry.

The city is built on a giant sleeping serpent.

WorldDeep vibrations that sound like a heartbeat.

Rumors

The forest trees are moving closer to the walls every night.

The High Priest is looking for a human sacrifice for the moon.

There is a treasure room hidden behind the Pit of Sorrows.

Plot Hooks

The Serpent's Gift

Zora needs someone to steal a coded scroll from the Overlord's study.

InvestigationZora the Whisper500 gold pieces and a favor from the guild.

The Blood Tide

A sea monster is attacking the docks and Bela needs it killed.

CombatBela the BoldA magical bronze shield and free drinks for life.

Vanishing Sentries

Guards are disappearing from the South Wall without a sound.

MysteryCaptain HorgOfficial commendation and a bag of raw rubies.

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