Karrnath

Capital: Korth   Noted for Ale, dairy, glass, livestock, lumber, paper, textiles; undead, martial discipline   The people of Karrnath are stoic and grim. Karrnath is a nation of storms and long winters, and Karrns are accustomed to enduring hardship without complaint.   First and foremost, Karnath is known for its military tradition. Strength, strategy, and discipline are the core values of Karrnath. While Karrnath’s soldiers may be the finest in the Five Nations, they lack the magical support of Aundair or Thrane, which evened the odds during the Last War. Nonetheless, Karrns are proud of their martial history, and most are convinced that they would have eventually won the Last War.   Karrnath suffered a series of severe food shortages and plagues early in the Last War. This caused the king to embrace the Blood of Vol as the national religion. The priests of this faith bolstered Karrnath’s forces with undead. The current King, Kaius ir’Wynarn III, broke ties with the Blood of Vol and has stopped creating new undead, but Karrnath still has a significant number of skeletons and zombies in service. Many Karrns still follow the faith of the Blood of Vol and approve of the use of undead, but just as many feel that this disgraces Karrnath’s proud military history… and that the necromancers themselves might have been responsible for the famines and plagues.   Interesting Things About Karrnath

• Rekkenmark Academy is the premier military institute in Khorvaire; prior to the Last War, all of Galifar’s officers trained at Rekkenmark.
• The Sovereign Host has regained its place as the dominant religion of Karrnath, but there is still a strong following for the Blood of Vol. Atur, the so-called “City of Night”, is the faith’s stronghold in Karrnath.
• The Nightwood is a massive forest with a close tie to the Plane of Mabar. Monsters and undead sometimes slip out of the Nightwood to threaten the surrounding regions.
• The laws of Karrnath are harsher than those of the other Five Nations, closer to a state of martial law.
• King Kaius III is a strong proponent of peace, but many of the local warlords are certain Karrnath could and should unite Galifar, and there are whispers of a coup.

Karrnathi Characters Karrns are somber folk, and generally disapprove of extravagance or excessive shows of emotion. As you develop a Karrnathi character or NPC, consider the following.   Military Service. Karrns have a strong tradition of military service, and soldier or sailor are appropriate backgrounds for any character. The laws of Karrnath are harsh, and criminals and charlatans have a difficult time here. The Martial Adept feat is a way to give a character a strong sense of military experience.   Martial Tradition. Karrnathi tradition emphasizes teamwork, focus, and force. Heavy armor and weapons are prefered. Battlemasters and Champions are both sound archetypes for fighters, while Karrnathi wizards are typically Evokers or Necromancers. Heavy Armor Master, Sentinel, and Tough are all logical feats for Karrnathi warriors; Polearm Master or Shield Master are also appropriate, depending on personal preference.   The Dead. Undead soldiers have served in Karrnath’s armies for decades. How do you feel about the undead? Are you a follower of the Blood of Vol who considers the undead to be a practical tool? Do you have a relative or friend currently serving? Or do you despise the Blood of Vol and the use of necromancy?