Place: Last Stand

This place is pivotal in not only the High King's Sword, but my never to see the light of day stories as well as the very history of Martapa. Here is where Peter and his friends started their march against the ogres. Last Stand is where Jared Swiftarrow of the Chosen finds a part of the Gift of the Gods, and here is where my troop of merry adventures in the High King's Sword find answers to more questions then they thought they had.

Last Stand originally was a farming village before Peter and his friends came. Taken over by ogres and the inhabitants made slaves, they were eventually freed by Peter. The village grew into a great trading city, being so close to the only pass viable for wagon trains in the Tsalagi Mountains. Before the Black Wizard Shaniko destroyed four of the Houses on the east side of the mountains, this city was a place of learning, housing no less then three mage colleges. Magical strides were being made, coming close to matching those of the ancient land of Janesh. But Shaniko came for them and instead of allowing the Black Wizard to claim the knowledge, many mages destroyed their research and then killed themselves. It was a dark time.

In the time of the High King's Sword, Marius Vandez rules the city as leader of the Black Wizard's of Shaniko. It is Marius which the group seeks and something he stole.

The city itself houses nearly 50,000 people. There is no wall, per say, but there are gates on all the major roads which lead into the city. Because the Black Wizard's rule, few of the Black Wizards have felt the need for such mundane defenses as walls. Anything is available for sale here, even slaves. Ogres, half-ogres, and skiegs are common sights walking around the city, many hired personally by the Black Wizards which reside there. People live here willingly, at least in recent years. Marius sees no need to put his thumb down on people. Commerce is good for the Black Wizards, after all, as it is for any city. But most people who live here willingly are exiled nobles, Black Wizards, thieves, assassins, down their luck people, and those who are always looking for a quick gold coin. There are a few honest people living here that are simple merchants and tradesmen and Marius has made it clear they are not to be harmed unless they break the law. After all, they bring in money and must needed goods for the city.

Bringing your party here is a good jumping point off into adventure. They can enter freely, as long as they don't scream "Death to the Black Wizards". The only people that may be stopped are elves. Elves are always looking to destroy the Black Wizards and player characters may have to go in as slaves if they wish to go in. Anything, I mean anything, can be bought here, but always at a price. If you want to let a PC to have it, but couldn't think of a way to get it in, this is the place. Magic is monitored, so over use of it may draw unwanted attention from the Wizards.