al-Kathos - The Land

by Gomez

- Index - Maps - The Land - The Folk - The Law - Encounters -

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The Land

Al-Kathos, the Land of the Fated, is an enormous domain, easily dwarfing Darkon or indeed most of the Core. It is over 160 miles long and 120 miles wide, though nobody ever managed to accurately measure the domain, as its borders are hard to define.
al-Kathos map The eastern part of the domain is covered in jungle. Oppressive heat, combined with the moist air makes these areas a burden to live in. They are the least of one's problems, though, as the jungle is teeming with strange beasts, and also serves as the hunting grounds for the jackal headed priests of the rotting gods, who hide out in the lost ruins of the City of Despair. The only residents here can be found in the small city of Maghadahly, named the City of the Lost. The city lies to what appears to be a large bay, though the locals refer to it as the Sea of Strangers. It is the only sizable amount of water in the domain, and stretches on to the east, eventually giving way to the mists. Magadahly's population of only 2,500 souls maintains most of its life in fishing and pearl diving, and trading these rare goods with the other settlements. A few dare to travel beyond the boundaries of the domain, and occasionally end up in the Nocturnal Sea, or, on occasion, in the domain of Saragoss.
Most people do prefer the Wastes of the Jann as their habitat. The gateway to this large desert is the City of Wanderers, Saru, holding 13,000 people. This desert spreads out towards the west of the domain. It is not actually bordered, and believed to go on forever, but there are three distinct landmarks that serve as the domain unofficial boundaries.
The first is a ridge of mountains, called the Lost Mountains, that rise up from the sands in the west of the domain. Behind the mountains lie the Borderlands, where, so rumors say, the dead dwell.
Two cities are build on this boundary : Mamat, the Maimed City, population 18,000, and Alabadiay, the City of Souls, which has a large oasis and holds 6,000 people.
The latter touches the second border, a wasteland known as the Shifting Sands. This area is actually quite rocky, though covered with fine sand, which shifts into dunes that constantly change the landscape. This area is haunted by the Sand Singers, ghostly beings that prey on the living.
The third, and arguable the most dangerous border is the Ridge of the Fallen. This rocky wasteland, which has a small mountain ridge, is believed to be inhabited by horned beasts called yakman, who carry away all trespassers for their horrible experiments. No people live on this border.
Central in the domain - at least seem from the perspective of the natural borders, lies the Burning Citadel. This enormous place, fortified by obsidian walls, is the seat of Malbus, the ram-horned abomination. It's population of 25,000 souls consist primarily of a large army, that work hard to please their lord.
There are no other landmarks in al-Kathos. Some oasis exist, but these are mere water holes and do not generally shelter any people, except for the tents of the traveling tribes that roam the desert.
Those who travel beyond the natural borders will be sorely disappointed. The desert there seems to carry on forever, and nothing can be found there.

Cultural Level

Medieval. The City of Wanderers has a chivalric culture, while the Maimed City is Classical.

Comments and suggestions regarding this site be sent to:
gomez@gryphonhill.com

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