Khu
Pronunciation: Koo
Map Index: F-5
Location: Northeast Beorlan
Description: The city-state of Khu, known ominously by sailors as the Black Port, stands as the infamous worldwide hub of slave trading. Governed by the diabolical V’tacan Order since the time of the Great Cataclysm, its streets bear an eerie orderliness concealed beneath an undercurrent of darkness, peril, and fear.
Situated upon a large peninsula, Khu finds itself linked to the mainland by a narrow rock causeway with steep cliffs on both sides, making the city nearly impregnable to attack by land. Lending an air of formidable might to their dominion, the rulers of Khu employ enslaved dragons as guardians and bolster that fearsome might by an elite cadre of sorcerers and wizards.
The city of Khu hugs the shoreline of a natural harbor, secure against a towering columnar basalt cliff. Constructed from the local black rock, the city exudes a dark foreboding atmosphere. Its narrow, steep streets ascend the cliffs, while at the bottom, the bustling port thrives with activity during daylight hours.
Skvros Citadel, perched across the harbor upon a steep promontory of columnar basalt, stands as the dreaded abode of the diabolical V’tacan Order. This sinister structure looms over the city, leaving onlookers with a feeling of dread. What lies behind the cruel black walls remains hidden, for few citizens who ever pass its great iron gate ever return.
The V'tacan Order, shrouded in secrecy, tightly governs Khu, instilling fear in both its citizens and outsiders alike. Often involved in nefarious clandestine plots and schemes, their motives of the order are met with mistrust by the outside world. Within the city limits, the V’tacan Order ruthlessly suppresses any signs of opposition. Spies lurk in every corner, and those suspected of disloyalty disappear within the depths of the Skvros Citadel, seldom to be seen again.
Residents: The city is primarily composed of humans, with a notable presence of half-orcs in the dock ward and smaller communities of halflings, elves, and dwarves. The human population, predominately Kishari, also contains small numbers of Arns and Movori. However, the Movori form the elite and ruling class of the city.
Primary Population: Kishari
Secondary Population: Movori
Minor Population: Chuuli, Veng
Government and Politics: The V'tacan Order, a diabolical and ruthless cabal, governs the city-state with an iron fist. Notorious for its strict authoritarian rule, the order has no hesitation with using fear, intimidation, torture, and dark magic, to maintain absolute control over the city and its inhabitants. The Order is structured in a strict hierarchy, with a central council known as the Shadow Conclave at its helm. The most influential and fearsome leaders within the V'tacan Order compose the conclave.
The Obsidian Circle, an elite order of mages within the V'tacan Order, holds the true power behind the scenes. This clandestine group, composed of highly skilled and dangerous mages, specializes in various schools of dark magic. The Circle, known for its secrecy, operates from Skvros, also known as the Citadel of Shadows. This imposing citadel, with menacing black rock ramparts and towers, lies perched atop a steep rocky promentory to the east of Khu.
Another organisation, the Inquisition, serves as a secretive and ruthless order dedicated to rooting out traitors and enemies of the V'tacan Order. Led by Grand Inquisitor Maelvor, the Inquisition operates a vast network of spies and informers that ensures no whisper of dissent goes unheard.
Khu and the V'tacan Order, feared and reviled by most of the world, find themselves almost without allies. Only the black orcs of Kraal stand as allies of Khu. In Aorlan, Khu finds itself virtually at war with all the kingdoms along the coast. Most other civilized nations object to not only their slave market but their brazen tolerance and enabling of piracy. Though detested, many sea traders from countries on the continent of Nhulokkarnum still surreptitiously slip into Khu's port to buy slaves at the market or to purchase stolen goods at a discounted price.
Economy: Khu's economy relies on its thriving slave market, the largest in the world. Brought into the city from foreign lands, slaves are sold to wealthy citizens and foreign traders. The sale of pirated goods also brings wealth to the city's merchants who brazenly sell goods stolen by pirates.
Well-known as a hub of piracy, pirates and brigands bring stolen goods into the port where they get sold in markets within the city. Besides providing a boost to the local economy, these illicit goods are subject to a special tax that enriches the city coffers. Local merchants then resell this merchandise for a profit to merchant ships who ship them overseas. Rumors say that merchants who pay protection money to Khu in advance, find themselves free to sail through coastal waters near Khu without the risk of pirate attack.
Military: The V'tacan Order commands a small but terrifying group of 6 dragons. Due to the chaos that results from a civilian population exposed to dragon fear, the V'tacan Order wisely houses these dragons on six small, towering rocky islands just across the bay from the port. Each dragon has its own cave on its own island. The order uses them as instruments of terror and war, ensuring that no one dares challenge the Order's rule.
History: The V'tacan Order has ruled Khu since before the Great Cataclysm. The city began as a small Movorian outpost for its navy. At that time, its port could not be seen from the sea, making it perfect for hiding ships used to harass traders from the Kishari Empire. The city also became a hub for spying and an elite cadre of mages were stationed here.
The port faired well during the Great Cataclym. While portions of the coast line subsided, the city itself had been constructed high enough up on a cliff that it survived intact. The mages used their great knowlege of magic to protect Khu from the worst effects of the chaos storms.
Today: Khu is a dark city that may be one of the most dangerous cities to visit on Raios. Spies are everywhere and powerful wizards maintain a very strong hold on things. While there is much illegal activity within the city, most of it is deliberately overlooked as long as it does not challenge the V'tacan Order.
Map Index: F-5
Location: Northeast Beorlan
Description: The city-state of Khu, known ominously by sailors as the Black Port, stands as the infamous worldwide hub of slave trading. Governed by the diabolical V’tacan Order since the time of the Great Cataclysm, its streets bear an eerie orderliness concealed beneath an undercurrent of darkness, peril, and fear.
Situated upon a large peninsula, Khu finds itself linked to the mainland by a narrow rock causeway with steep cliffs on both sides, making the city nearly impregnable to attack by land. Lending an air of formidable might to their dominion, the rulers of Khu employ enslaved dragons as guardians and bolster that fearsome might by an elite cadre of sorcerers and wizards.
The city of Khu hugs the shoreline of a natural harbor, secure against a towering columnar basalt cliff. Constructed from the local black rock, the city exudes a dark foreboding atmosphere. Its narrow, steep streets ascend the cliffs, while at the bottom, the bustling port thrives with activity during daylight hours.
Skvros Citadel, perched across the harbor upon a steep promontory of columnar basalt, stands as the dreaded abode of the diabolical V’tacan Order. This sinister structure looms over the city, leaving onlookers with a feeling of dread. What lies behind the cruel black walls remains hidden, for few citizens who ever pass its great iron gate ever return.
The V'tacan Order, shrouded in secrecy, tightly governs Khu, instilling fear in both its citizens and outsiders alike. Often involved in nefarious clandestine plots and schemes, their motives of the order are met with mistrust by the outside world. Within the city limits, the V’tacan Order ruthlessly suppresses any signs of opposition. Spies lurk in every corner, and those suspected of disloyalty disappear within the depths of the Skvros Citadel, seldom to be seen again.
Residents: The city is primarily composed of humans, with a notable presence of half-orcs in the dock ward and smaller communities of halflings, elves, and dwarves. The human population, predominately Kishari, also contains small numbers of Arns and Movori. However, the Movori form the elite and ruling class of the city.
Primary Population: Kishari
Secondary Population: Movori
Minor Population: Chuuli, Veng
Government and Politics: The V'tacan Order, a diabolical and ruthless cabal, governs the city-state with an iron fist. Notorious for its strict authoritarian rule, the order has no hesitation with using fear, intimidation, torture, and dark magic, to maintain absolute control over the city and its inhabitants. The Order is structured in a strict hierarchy, with a central council known as the Shadow Conclave at its helm. The most influential and fearsome leaders within the V'tacan Order compose the conclave.
The Obsidian Circle, an elite order of mages within the V'tacan Order, holds the true power behind the scenes. This clandestine group, composed of highly skilled and dangerous mages, specializes in various schools of dark magic. The Circle, known for its secrecy, operates from Skvros, also known as the Citadel of Shadows. This imposing citadel, with menacing black rock ramparts and towers, lies perched atop a steep rocky promentory to the east of Khu.
Another organisation, the Inquisition, serves as a secretive and ruthless order dedicated to rooting out traitors and enemies of the V'tacan Order. Led by Grand Inquisitor Maelvor, the Inquisition operates a vast network of spies and informers that ensures no whisper of dissent goes unheard.
Khu and the V'tacan Order, feared and reviled by most of the world, find themselves almost without allies. Only the black orcs of Kraal stand as allies of Khu. In Aorlan, Khu finds itself virtually at war with all the kingdoms along the coast. Most other civilized nations object to not only their slave market but their brazen tolerance and enabling of piracy. Though detested, many sea traders from countries on the continent of Nhulokkarnum still surreptitiously slip into Khu's port to buy slaves at the market or to purchase stolen goods at a discounted price.
Economy: Khu's economy relies on its thriving slave market, the largest in the world. Brought into the city from foreign lands, slaves are sold to wealthy citizens and foreign traders. The sale of pirated goods also brings wealth to the city's merchants who brazenly sell goods stolen by pirates.
Well-known as a hub of piracy, pirates and brigands bring stolen goods into the port where they get sold in markets within the city. Besides providing a boost to the local economy, these illicit goods are subject to a special tax that enriches the city coffers. Local merchants then resell this merchandise for a profit to merchant ships who ship them overseas. Rumors say that merchants who pay protection money to Khu in advance, find themselves free to sail through coastal waters near Khu without the risk of pirate attack.
Military: The V'tacan Order commands a small but terrifying group of 6 dragons. Due to the chaos that results from a civilian population exposed to dragon fear, the V'tacan Order wisely houses these dragons on six small, towering rocky islands just across the bay from the port. Each dragon has its own cave on its own island. The order uses them as instruments of terror and war, ensuring that no one dares challenge the Order's rule.
History: The V'tacan Order has ruled Khu since before the Great Cataclysm. The city began as a small Movorian outpost for its navy. At that time, its port could not be seen from the sea, making it perfect for hiding ships used to harass traders from the Kishari Empire. The city also became a hub for spying and an elite cadre of mages were stationed here.
The port faired well during the Great Cataclym. While portions of the coast line subsided, the city itself had been constructed high enough up on a cliff that it survived intact. The mages used their great knowlege of magic to protect Khu from the worst effects of the chaos storms.
Today: Khu is a dark city that may be one of the most dangerous cities to visit on Raios. Spies are everywhere and powerful wizards maintain a very strong hold on things. While there is much illegal activity within the city, most of it is deliberately overlooked as long as it does not challenge the V'tacan Order.