Nephidia was once a peaceful land, populated by a people that wished only prosperity for themselves, and held no aspirations to war.  That is until the Lich King took power.  The Lich King was, in life, the brother of King Bernal Raran II, ancestor of the current King of Raran, and as such saw the Kingdom of Raran as rightfully his.  No one knows what caused it, but the two brothers had a falling out.  Some say it was over wealth, others say a woman.  It is known that the Lich King went into hiding as a man, and emerged 50 years later as a Lich of extreme power. 

 

Quickly taking over the land and renaming it Nephidia, the Lich King subjugated all that stood before him, consolidating power unto himself and his undead generals.  Those living souls that remained either had hearts black as coal, were unfortunate poor who could not escape, or slaves. Nephidia’s day-to-day operations are seen to by the Cabal, a group of powerful spellcasters with evil in their hearts, greed in their souls, and hatred imbedded in their very bones.  The Viziers, as they call themselves, are constantly at odds with one another, each seeking to ascend to the throne that the Lich-King holds and spread his or her influence across the face of Aver.  By treaty, each Vizier is defended by a Cadre of their own training and loyal only to themselves.  These Vizier’s Cadres consist of 500 soldiers and 20 mages and/or clerics each… no more… no less.  All other troops of the Nephidian Empire fall under the command of the entire Cabal and take a majority vote to commit to any action, unless the Lich-King gives a direct order. 

​

NECROPOLIS

Necropolis is the abode of the Lich-King, though no one has been brave enough to venture within.  Once approximately 50,000 troops garrisoned the place and another 50,000 citizens and slaves lived within.  However, since the Lich-King has become Undead, no living being reside within the Necropolis.  All who were living before were turned to Undead upon his ascension to Lich status.

​

 NORTH RETANA

North Retana is a large city of merchants, craftsmen, and slaves.  It is here that many of the trade goods produced by the Nephidian Empire are made and it is here that most merchant houses (with their various Vizier backing) make their homes.

• Leadership – Vizier Pharthan Ra rules North Retana, is a former apprentice of the Lich-King, and now a member of the Cabal.

• Population – 275,000 people live and work in North Retana (180,000 of which are slaves).

• Shops – Extensive.

• Defense – 10,000 troops garrison North Retana, augmented by the Vizier’s Cadre.

• Local Lore – It is said that the Viziers of North and South Retana are lovers, but no one knows for sure… and none are brave enough to try and find out.  Vizier Ra’s temper is a thing of legend after all.

 

SOUTH RETANA

South Retana serves the Empire by being the breadbasket of the realm, containing most of the State Owned farms of the Empire.

• Leadership – Vizier Phadra Zun rules South Retana and is a member of the Cabal.

• Population – 120,000 people live and work in South Retana (80,000 of which are slaves).

• Shops – Average.

• Defense – 5,000 troops garrison and patrol the farms of South Retana, augmented by the Vizier’s Cadre.

• Local Lore – See North Retana above.

​

GOLDEN PICK

Golden Pick is to Nephidia what Miner’s Rest is to the Kingdom of Raran, serving as the primary source of wealth and metal for the Empire. Unlike Miner’s Rest however, the majority of those that reside in Golden Pick are slaves forced to work the mines and bring wealth to the Cabal.

• Leadership – Vizier Jimus Kol rules Golden Pick with an iron fist.  He is also a member of the Cabal.

• Population – 150,000 live and work in Golden Pick (100,000 of which are slaves).

• Shops – Partial.

• Defense – 5000 troops garrison the city of Golden Pick, augmented by the Vizier’s Cadre.

• Local Lore – It is rumored that the Vizier is served by foul demons or devils, having made a pact with them of some sort to ascend to the position of power he now holds.  Anyone that runs afoul of his laws are never heard from again, so the rumors cannot be verified, but it seems most likely true as the Warlock commands powers of hellfire.

 

THORIS’ DEN

Thoris’ Den is a place much like Ice Shoals in that the people are private and the streets are mean.  Serving as the primary point of slaver activity, Thoris’ Den is wealthy, and knows it.

• Leadership – Vizier Yir Thoris rules Thoris’ Den without contest.  He is also a member of the Cabal.

• Population – 210,000 call Thoris’ Den home (110,000 of which, easily, are slaves).

• Shops – Full.

• Defense – 10,000 troops garrison the city of Thoris’ Den, augmented by the Vizier’s Cadre.

• Local Lore – It is rumored that the thieves’ guild responsible for so much in the Kingdom of Raran got its start in Thoris’ Den, and ventured to Raran at the behest of Vizier Thoris himself.  If this is true, no one has been brave enough to confirm it.  One cannot be too sure that their confidant is not in fact controlled by the Vizier after all.

 

NEPHIDAL

Nephidal is responsible for the naval security of the Nephidian Empire, serving as the place where most ships are built (magically) and most of the privateers, pirates, and sailors of the Nephidian Navy are trained.

• Leadership – Vizier Aquanis rules Nephidal and is a member of the Cabal as well.

• Population – 185,000 people live and work in Nephidal (55,000 of which are slaves, the only city in the Empire with more free people than slaves).

• Shops – Full.

• Defense – 1000 troops garrison the city, augmented by the Vizier’s Cadre.  In addition, some 30,000 sailors, privateers and pirates call Nephidal home and answer to the Vizier.

• Local Lore – It is rumored that a vast underground lake, accessible only by mystical means, lies below the city, and it is here that the Vizier keeps a secret army.  Most people discount this as rumor and codswallop, but one can never be too sure when it comes to a Vizier.

 

HALLOWED KEEP

Hallowed Keep serves as the headquarters of the Knights of the Sword, and the training grounds of most of the Nephidian Empire’s soldiers.  There is no city to speak of at Hallowed Keep, only barracks, training grounds, a large festhall & tavern, and the Keep itself.

• Leadership – Knight Lord Marn rules Hallowed Keep with a steel whip.

• Population – Only 4,000 slaves reside in Hallowed Keep, the rest of the population is made up of the soldiers and Knights.

• Shops – None.

• Defense – 12,000 troops and trainees garrison Hallowed Keep, augmented by the Knights of the Sword that reside there (approximately 200 of them).

• Local Lore – Below the waters off the shore is rumored to be a great sunken city of the ancient people of Aver.  Few venture out to discover the validity of these rumors, but those that do often return with a carving, piece of art, weapon or coin of the ancient civilization, fueling rumors of vast stores of magic hidden away under the waves.