Ruins of Martapa

Martapa, especially at the time of the High King's Sword, is a very "lived in" world. Cultures have risen and fallen, come and gone, and they have all left a foot print. Though I hint at the fact in the third book there may more civilizations across the ocean, probably my closest forgotten culture is the Janesh.

Though the Janesh influence many day to day things, and not so day to day, their culture has been forgotten. Part of the reason is their homeland was destroyed, but part was because they wanted to integrate themselves into local surroundings they could continue their lives without prejudice. But the cities, outposts, and villages they constructed still stand in many remote locations and some even have magic and ancient items in them, ready for the taking.

Ruins have to be placed carefully, because most of Western Tridon is well lived in. Places like Eastern Tridon and Western Ariella are good places to put ruins (and Janesh had places everywhere, so don't worry about going against canon) because there are few people and thus the ruins will still be intact.

These ruins should have lots mystical magic, such as ghostly servants, light sources which come on when you enter a room, or food that magical appears on tables from no where, but not magic that can really be carried off. (Perhaps they can be studied and recreated, but not carried off). Think of the Janesh as the Chinese of ancient times, only with magic. Murals should be everywhere as well as beautiful statues and rugs (some of which might still be good). There will always be libraries, but how intact they are is up the Gamemaster. The Janesh had ways of preserving their library text that if the magic in that room is not disturbed, the library texts should be good.

If the ruins are underground the tunnels have rounded ceilings (as do the rooms) and the rooms are beautifully decorated, even the eating halls. If above ground, the small villages might have magical protection barriers around them. The buildings were made of wood, though magically reinforced so some may be still standing, though they are most likely in ruins. Cellars and the like can be found, but at this point they would still be very run down unless magically preserved (which is up to the gamemaster whether or not they want this to be so).

These ruins are good places for ghosts/specters/ and other undead (since magic and tragedy tend to draw them) but humanoids may also be using them as a residence.