Pathfinder Chronicles - Gazetteer - Asamnet

Pathfinder Chronicles
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and sought refuge in the depths of the earth, where they were
forever changed. Elves seldom speak of the drow to outsiders,
but fear of their ebony-skinned cousins underlies much of
the official policy coming out of Kyonin these days.
Lastwall
WATCHFUL BORDER KINGDOM
Alignment: LG
Capital: Vigil (9,780)
Notable Settlements: Castle Firrine (540), Vellumis (12,340)
Ruler: Watcher-Lord Ulthun II, Bearer of the Shattered
Shield of Arnisant
Government: Military Dictatorship
Languages: Common, Varisian
Religion: Gorum, Iomedae
Nearly a thousand years ago, Taldor launched the Shining
Crusade against the rising forces of darkness gathering
under Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant. For five
centuries the debased witch-king had ruled central Avistan,
unifying the savage tribes of Belkzen before claiming the
whole of Ustalav as his doom-shrouded, haunted domain.
From all provinces of the empire came warriors eager
to stem the tide of madness in the north, gathering an
immense assembly of armies and factions dedicated to
defeating and destroying Tar-Baphon. The host of foreign
soldiers commandeered the Ustalavan town of Vellumis as
a foothold against the lich-king.
Over the next 26 years, the forces of Taldor, along with
help from the dwarven kingdom of Kraggodan and the
Knights of Ozem, slowly hacked its way to the lich’s capital,
Gallowspire. Just outside the rotting city, the forces of the
Whispering Tyrant and the Shining Crusade met in a final
titanic battle. At a pivotal moment in the battle, the Taldorian
General Arnisant imprisoned Tar-Baphon beneath the
tower at the evil city’s heart, although the victory later cost
him his life.
When the Shining Crusade officially came to an end in
3828, Taldor created a permanent presence in the region
to keep an eye on the haunted ruins of Gallowspire and
to watch over the lich’s prison. It named the new province
Lastwall, the final bulwark against the greatest evil
mankind had ever known.
When Cheliax broke with Taldor, Lastwall declared
neutrality in the conf lict, citing the need to maintain its
sacred duty free from political concerns. Cheliax quickly
agreed. Taldor protested the move, but the crippled empire
had little power to take action against its faraway province.
This act officially severed all ties with foreign powers and
made Lastwall an independent nation.
Over the last 700 years, Lastwall has ruled itself through
a near continuous line of watcher-lords, stretching all
the way back to General Arnisant. Lastwall enjoys good
relations with Nirmathas, its newly formed southern
neighbor, but faces constant threats from the savage
humanoids that occupy the Hold of Belkzen and from the
undead monstrosities that still lurk in Ustalav. Watcher-
Lord Ulthun II is a young man with great ambition toward
securing these borders and perhaps even expanding them.
The unwed 19-year-old leader has already proven himself
in battle, and enjoys strong popularity among the people.
It is no surprise, then, that the line of suitors to his throne
often stretches well outside Castle Overwatch in Vigil.
Lastwall’s people are a hardy folk. Although they live
in the shadow of great evils, they are warm and friendly
to outsiders, especially those who have come to help hold
the line. In recent years, the number of knights-errant
and glory seekers visiting Lastwall has greatly diminished
due in large part to the call to arms in Mendev against the
teeming hordes of demons that infest the Worldwound.
Many in Vigil grow concerned that they might not have
the strength to hold off the orcs of Belkzen for too much
longer if this trend continues.
Linnorm Kings, Lands of the
FRIGID VIKING HOMELAND
Alignment: CN
Capital: Kalsgard (72,080)
Notable Settlements: Bildt (6,730), Halgrim (26,340), Jol
(9,900), Trollheim (12,120)
Ruler: Sveinn Blood-Eagle, White Estrid, Ingimundr the
Unruly, Opir Eightfingers
Government: Loose confederation of tribal monarchies
Languages: Skald
Religion: Erastil, Torag, Desna, Gorum
In the frigid lands north of Varisia dwell the Viking tribes
of the Linnorm Kingdoms, legendary across Avistan for
their prowess on the battlefield and upon the open sea.
The land takes its name from the four saga heroes who
command the loyalties of its warlike, storied people. As
has been the custom since the earliest days, only warriors
who have bested a linnorm in single combat can claim
rulership in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, with
the hero-hungry populace f locking to their victorious
banners. Roughly speaking, the nation divides itself into
four kindgoms loosely based near the regional capitals of
Jol, Halgrim, Bildt, and Kalsgard. The latter is the largest
city in the territory and home to Sveinn Blood-Eagle, the
most powerful of the four Viking lords.
An immense, invisible First World Rift spans the
Lands of the Linnorm Kings, resulting in a wide variety
of near-mythic creatures inhabiting the northland wilds.
Foremost among these beasts are the serpentine fey
dragons known as the linnorms, but nature spirits, weird
trolls and giants are more common here than almost