Being
deprived of my weekly game by the craptastic internet connection here at the
beach house on the lovely Redneck Riveria (oh first world problems). I have
nothing to do but write and design more for the campaign. Here is part three of
our Great Tour of Kezmarok. See parts one and two here and here.
Organizations
Political
jockeying and philosophizing (abstract theory always trumping praxis in the
city) is a full-time spectator sport for the shabby
gentility.
The Great Path of Restoration. This league seeks to restore
the absolute power of the city’s traditional ruler, The Golden Evexrator. Wracked
with internal disagreements over length of the ruler’s term and method of
ritual disfigurement for the deposed. Popular with the shabbiest of the
impoverished aristocracy.
Illuminated League of the Refoundation. Local citizens who recognize
the deep decline of the city and seek to formally divest the city-state of its
(long lost) maritime empire. Shockingly the most radical elements in the league
seek a settlement with the Turko-Fey sitting outside the gates. A small minority if well-organized faction.
Wellsprings of the Crowd. An “astroturf” organization
funded and maintained by the Council of Autarchs to bolster their political
clout.
Banners of the Five. A small militaristic party
popular with native junior officers. This dangerous and crazed radical party
seeks to break the five-century military deadlock and defeat the besieging
host. The name is a reference to five semi-mythical Kezmaroki hero-generals.
Local Religions
Ultra Orthodox Synod of the
Sun Lord. Despite
its name and hidebound observation of the oldest, strictest and most absurd
ritual practices of the Sun Lord’s supernal temple, a reasonably tolerant sect.
Shockingly other faiths are allowed to openly practice their religion in
non-hidden places of worship. Apostates are however heavily taxed and required
to wear indigo wheel badges.
The Minyaan of the Silent God. Not much is known about the
tight-lipped, low-key local practioners of this faith. Their prominent
hexagonal fane has no windows and only a single, low sunken door as an
entrance.
The Grand Church of
Latter-Day Hyperborea.
Small, mystical order practicing “neo-Hyperborean” religion. Known to annoy
locals with their drum circles, toad and elk-head costumes, and dervish-dancing.
Temple of Svatek the
Crocodile Godling.
This tiny, somewhat sleepy sectlet worships a local demi-god of vigilance. A number
of local worshippers were arrested en masse recently after leading an inexplicable
riot in which they rushed around beating outlanders from the Hill Cantons with
sticks.
Notable Personages of
Kezmarok
The Ur-Patriarch, Ummas the Unctuous. Jaded, bored head of the
Ultra Orthodox Synod of the Sun Lord.
The Golden Evexrator,
Decade-King of all Lands Kezmaroki on the Rock and Beyond. The head of state--at least
nominally. Serves for 10 years before being deposed, blinded (humanely as
possible) and boxed on the ears.
Vorish Kohniun,
Captain-General of the Great Rock. The functional ruler of Kezmarok. Heads
the Council of Autarchs, a beancounting and officious ruling council.
Gabrous Swelter, Chief
Gaoler, and Torture-Aesthete, of the Pits Below.
Galldred the Scabrous,
Merchant Prince of the Trader’s Ward.
(Colorful
characters of Kezmarok and Sites of Interest coming next.)
"here and here" are missing links...
ReplyDeleteNice.