Emberfall

To the Northeast of New Meritta lies the kingdom of Emberfall. Long ago it had been the home to a great army of evil creatures and their human slaves, but the great volcano cleansed the land with fire and lava. Many saw the volcano as a sign of Oliander wiping away the corruption the evil denizens brought to the land. Others thought it may have been the result of a dark ritual the creatures were performing that backfired. Regardless, new life sprouted up from the ash fields at the base of the mountain. Now the land is populated with buildings made from volcanic rock. The ash has given way to verdant fields of plenty. While the volcano has lain dormant, great caves still filled with lava dot the base of the mountain. Some of the greatest smiths in the land seek out these caves to make great forges for smelting and shaping steel. The most beautiful and deadly weapons are crafted here and the most ornate suits of hardened armor as well. Emberfall has become prosperous and powerful, but the ever present volcano looms overhead, like a cog-work clock ready to explode at any moment.

Ruler

King Callien Garhand has traveled all over the world, and has the scars to show for it. Callien started his life as an adventurer, fighting back the forces of darkness. He battled creatures in every kingdom in New Meritta, and in lands beyond. When he returned home, he was seen a hero. Of all the lands, Emberfall faces more creatures of darkness than any other. They face constant threat from monsters pouring out of the forest to the Northwest and monsters crawling out of the endless caverns underneath. The last king, Markus Mordhein appointed Callien Garhand as his strategic adviser to deal with the constant threats. Over their time working together, Markus and Callien grew closer. Three days after the announcement that Callien was the new King Regent, Markus Mordhein was found murdered in his bed. Peacekeepers suspected Callien was the murderer but they were unable to prove it, and Callien took the throne. Under him, the kingdom has made a lot of money, but the quality of life in the kingdom doesn’t seem to have changed. Many of the citizens fall in line due to fear, rather than respect, but fear can be a powerful motivator.

Capitol

On the side of the volcano, overlooking the kingdom of Emberfall, a great observatory was built. Initially this was built as a symbol against fear. The king of Emberfall could stand ever vigilant over his people, and would stand fearlessly on the side of the mountain, so that if it were to erupt he would face its wrath head on. The Ashen Observatory stands to this day as the home of the Emberfall king. It stands as the only castle not surrounded by a capital city.

People of Emberfall

Years ago Emberfall was filled with craftsmen and survivalists. Hearty people who lived among ash and lava. In recent years, the type of people who live in Emberfall has been changing. Instead of hard working artisans, more and more of the residents of Emberfall have become thieving bandits looking for a safe place to hide out. Emberfall under the new king has very strict property right laws, and possession carries more weight than anything else. It has become a home for lowly criminals and crime bosses alike. A safe haven for the scum of the kingdoms. There are still many of the old guard that live in Emberfall, crafting in the forges and protecting the world from the darkness, but when they look around them they see their home changing before their eyes. Emberfall isn’t exactly a welcoming place to outsiders, or even those who have lived there in the past; however, coin is always appreciated in Emberfall and will get you quite far with the locals.