Eberron - Rising from the Last War

KARRNATH

Capital: Korth
Hallmarks: Ale, dairy, glass, livestock, lumber, martial
discipline, paper, textiles, undead
In a nation of storms and long winters, the grim and
stoic Karrns are accustomed to enduring hardship with­
out complaint.
First and foremost, Karrnath is known for its military
tradition. Strength, strategy, and discipline are the core
values of Karrnath. Karrnath's soldiers might be the
finest in Khorvaire, but 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. As a result, the king
embraced the Blood of Vol as the national religion. The
priests of this faith bolstered Karrnath's forces with un­
dead. The current king, Kaius ir'Wynarn III, broke ties
with the Blood of Vol and has stopped creating new un­
dead, but Karrnath still has a significant number of skel­
etons and zombies in service. Many Karrns still believe
in the Blood of Vol and approve of the use of undead, but
just as many feel that this practice disgraces Karrnath's
proud military history and that the necromancers might
have been responsible for the famines and plagues.

INTERESTING THINGS

ABOUT KARRNATH

Rekkenmark Academy is the premier military insti­

tute 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 the Blood of Vol

retains a strong following. Communities that practice

the faith still use skeletons and zombies as guards

or laborers.

• The laws of Karrnath are harsher than those in other
  treaty nations, approaching a state of martial law.

KARRNATHI CHARACTERS

Karrns are somber folk and disapprove of extravagance
or excessive shows of emotion. As you develop a Karr­
nathi character or NPC, consider the following:

Military Service. Karrns have a strong tradition of
military service, making soldier or sailor appropriate
backgrounds for any character. Criminals and char­
latans have a difficult time evading the harsh laws of
Karrnath. The Martial Adept fe at can give a character
a strong sense of military experience.
Martial Tradition. Karrnathi tradition emphasizes
teamwork, focus, and force, and melee warriors
prefer heavy armor and weapons. Fighters favor the
Champion and Battle Master martial archetypes, and
Karrnathi wizards choose the School of Evocation or
Necromancy as their arcane tradition.
The Dead. Undead soldiers have served in Karrnath's
armies for decades. How do you feel about the

THE KORRANBERG

CM�ON�Cll

IN THE THRALL

OF THE

VAMPIRE KING

Kaius ir'Wynarn III emerged from the shadows like a

villain in one of Kessler's plays. His guardians kept him

hidden during his youth while his aunt Moranna served

as the regent of Karrnath. So it was a surprise to many

when he burst forth to claim his crown and his power,

all the more so because of his uncanny resemblance

to Kaius I, the ruler who plunged Karrnath into the

Last War and instituted the brutal system oflaws that

bears his name.

Given the circumstances ofKaius Ill's ascension, it's

hardly surprising that the new king would face chal­

lenges from the proud warlords of Karrnath. Some ques­

tioned his lineage and his ability to command. But the

most unusual challenge came from the warlord Drago

Thul: was Kaius III actually alive? Kaius I had elevated

the Blood of Vol in Karrnath and instituted the use of

undead as weapons of war. Drago Thul asserted that

Kaius III was actually Kaius I, a vampiric monster "seek­

ing to drain the lifeblood ofKarrnath itself." This was a

serious accusation; the undead have no rights under the

Code of Galifar and cannot inherit titles or lands. Thul's

challenge spread like wildfire, only to be crushed when

Kaius III met the warlords under the midday sun and cut

his palm to show his freely flowing blood.

This should have been the end of it, but the tale of the

Vampire King has proven surprisingly resilient. Some say

that the king developed special enchantments to avoid

the effects of sunlight; others say that he has relies on

changeling impersonators to take his place in the day­

light. As for Drago Thul, he refused to stand down when

Kaius III pushed for peace and the Treaty ofThronehold.

He fled to the city ofStormreach in Xen'drik with a

small band of followers, and he continues to rally sup­

port against "the monster that sits on our throne."

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?

CITIES AND SITES

Sturdy walls surround Karrnathi communities, and

even the smallest village maintains a capable militia.

ATUR

Known as the City of Night, Atur is the stronghold of the

Blood of Vol in Karrnath. During the war, this was the

center for the production of undead, and massive cata­

combs below the city hold legions of Karrnath's undead

soldiers in case they are needed again.

CHAPTER 2 I KHORVAIRE GAZETTEER n

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