Built over the cascading falls of streams running off the mountains into the Ithenios River below, Iolarus rivals the Gyrian City-States for beauty. It is the only Turathi inland city-state. Underneath are buried ruins of an ancient dwarven hold. It was also the seat for the capital of the minotaur Kingdom of Thraxor and the horned gates of the city pay homage to this heritage. Lush forests and fertile orchards surround the grand city of Ialorus.
The lich queen Silvara Deathshrowd has ruled over the city for 100 years. The queen's palace (The Obsidian Bastion) and the two famed arcane academies are magnificent to behold, each perched on the western heights overlooking the city. Like the rest of Turath, magic is ingrained into the culture here and undead walk the streets not only as mindless labourers, but as Turathi undead soldiers and there are many that have undergone rituals to maintain 'life' and power.
Iolarus has an unfriendly rivalry with the nearest other city-state, Chesia, but as of yet has not been drawn into the civil war - Borion being its best trading partner and closest ally if a likely reason.
COMMON KNOWLEDGE
The lich queen Silvara Deathshrowd has ruled over the city for 100 years.
On Magic.
Arcane magic is highly integrated into mainstream society. The practice of necromancy is a common profession, as undead serves as labourers and walk the streets as citizens.
Divine magic and the worship of deities is outlawed and punishable by death.
There is little regard for primal magic, which is rarely seen in the city, but practiced by those in the woods and rural areas, particularly shifters.
REGIONAL FEATURES
Blurb
Enigma Heights
Magical academy specialising in Necromancy and Undeath. Run by House Carandax.
Etheric Observatory
Magical academy specialising in mind powers, portals and planar travel. Run by House Lytharos.
The Obsidian Bastion
The queen's palace and garrison for her undead guardians.
PEOPLE OF IALORUS
Ialorus is no backwater city-state. From the House lords of the finest estates in the city to the common folk working the orchards, the people of of Ialorus value subletly, subterfuge and status. They prefer a fine assassination or quick use of swordplay over brute force and strength.
Like the rest of New Turath, Humans and tieflings make up the majority of the population, bioth in the city, and in surrounding settlments. They work alongside each other and share a common culture that is competitive, business-savvy and mystical. The humans here are of the same racial stock as the Gyrians to the north: fair-skin, light hair, eyes of any colour with hazel and green being the most common.
The strangest folk one might find walking the streets of Ialorus are not the living residents, but those that have been risen from the dead. Undeath is not seen as a repulsive rite in New Turath. In fact, those that can prolong their life by mastering such mystical rites are often looked up to. In a similar way, lower class citizens see honor in being raised to continue to serve their House. So mindless undead often perform a lot of the menial labour in the city and even some orchards. Other intelligent undead are as free as any other citizen to hold positions of importance, emphasied by the ruling monarch.
Whilst Minotaurs live as equal citizens and have assimilated into society, most live in the tunnels in the mountains in the southwest ward of the city. Many find employment as soldiers or guards for the Houses.
Halflings are mostly found below the city on the Ithenios River waterfront. They maintain the local halfling traditions of loving music and venerating bards.
Shifters live in the woods around the city. In typical Turathi tradition, rather than being fearful of these spirit-touched beings, the shifters were welcomed and trade for the meat they hunt and hides they gather has become an industry in itself.
Xeph live in villages mostly located north of the city, but there is quite an enclave of them on the northeastern outskirts of the city, across the Ithenios River.
ADVENTURERS
Take Fighting Style Talent Trees like Unfettered and Slayer over Crushing and Cleaving.
Access to the Stealthy Talent Tree is very common (and available at character creation for any character).
Those practicing arcane magic are usually guided by the two academies. Anyone that trains at them has access to the following Talent Trees:
Enigma Heights: Arcana, Undeath
Etheric Observatory: Arcana, Delver, Mental Toughness, Psionic, Portal
GROUPS & ORGANISATIONS
Name
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