...you grew up in the small but forbidding fortress city known as Luir's.
Situated in the largest gap through the
Shield Wall the Outpost is in an important strategic location for both
war and trade. To the north of the Outpost the North Road runs between
cliffs leading to both the northlands and the tablelands. To the south
the red desert is an ever-changing land of storm-swept dunes that
conceal fearsome predators and mysterious ruins.
To the southwest of the Outpost and within a score of leagues is the
best-known of the ruins. Sometimes referred to as "The Blue Caverns" or
"The Defiler's Tomb" this large area is much talked about. Explorers
mention water flowing freely, poison and blood running down the walls
and metal treasures worth a king's hoard. Quieter talk also tells of the
ghost that supposedly haunts these caves and steals the life from those
that trespass into its domain. Rumors of walls or whirling blades that
rove the caverns, seeking victims, lances of extreme cold that numb and
burn without leaving a mark and the feeling of lips sucking life-force
from those that venture there are all common.
The road leading northwards is a natural ambush site for bandits,
raiders and predators. Corpses are not uncommon, often left hanging on
outcroppings of rock, and wary travelers do not dare the pass alone. The
road leading south is patrolled by groups of fierce gith warriors who
are often organized enough to ambush small groups. Unlike the northern
road, the southern is generally kept clean of corpses both by carrion
eaters and the scouring winds. To the north east lie the Tan Muark lands,
fiercely guarded by their inhabitants, who usually provide poachers only
a single warning, if at all, before killing them.
The Outpost itself is divided into three sections. The main section of
the Outpost covers the western side from between the northern and
southern gates. Here are the barracks of House Kurac, the homes of those
who work for Kurac and the services catering to the needs of travelers.
Luir's boasts only one inn, the Storm's End, although this does have a
large stables attached. A wagon, called the Silver Wheel, houses a
gambling den and can be found just to the east of the northern gate.
The wagon, a joint venture between Kurac and the Tan Muark, is run mainly
by the Muark. A Muark sells mounts from the pens east of the Wheel.
The second and more popular area of the Outpost is the Inner Yard, a
huge open space fully contained within the walls of the Outpost. Here
are tents, pavilions and stalls from all manner of traders. House Nenyuk
has a branch here, and many of the tribes of the middle regions of
Zalanthas have traders roving this yard exclaiming the virtues of their
tribal goods. Here also tribal hunters come to barter pelts and foraged
items for luxuries not found in their harsh environment.
The third and newest area lies just to the west of the old wall of the
Outpost. In the remains of the gap buildings have begun to be erected.
These currently include both a massive and strange-looking jail as well
as a fighting pit that houses regular battles between warriors and beasts as
well as group melees including seasoned warriors.
The only real economy of the Outpost is trade. The riches of Kurac,
second-wealthiest of the merchant houses, flows back to here as does the
trade from scores of tribes. While many of the elven tribes see the
smaller elven trading post in the tablelands as their primary market,
human tribes (and many other elven tribes) sell their wares in the yard
at the Outpost. Also all trade between the northlands and the southlands
passes through the Outpost, often doing a brisk trade while resting on
their journey.
The raiders and bandits that prey on this trade also often come to the
Outpost to sell their ill-gotten gains and buy supplies and drink. As
long as they do not practice their professions too close to the Outpost
itself Kurac turns a blind eye to these people, making Luir's Outpost a
rough place where some of the worst scum of Zalanthas can be found.
House Kurac is run by a ruling Council and these also control the
Outpost. The current head of this council is Sardan Kurac, although his
advanced years make it likely that this will not continue to be the case
for long. Few outside of Kurac know who else is on this Council, and
those in Kurac will not answer such questions (other perhaps with a
sword for those overly curious).
The enforcement of the law in the Outpost is carried out my the military
of the House. They can be easily identified by their dun-colored cloaks.
Military leaders wear special leather armbands branded with the signs of
Kurac as well as patches or boards on their shoulders to identify their
ranks. It is well known that Sergeant wear patches while those higher in
ranks wear boards of various design.
The business of the House is handled by black-cloaked merchants and
agents, and those wearing more ornate cloaks (black with scarlet trims
or scarlet with black trims) are senior in rank and should be treated
with as much respect as nobles in the city states. Certainly few
military personnel would hesitate to cut down anyone insulting Kurac by
dealing roughly with these illustrious people. Those wearing robes of
embroidered grey and scarlet are family members of some note and should
likewise be treated with respect. Family members are often addressed
with the honorific suffixes -da or -di (for males and females
respectively).
The Outpost attempts to remain neutral with regards to both Allanak and
Tuluk, although alliances are often made (and just as often broken).
Known for being somewhat disreputable, the House Kurac is not truly
trusted by many although its wealth and the usefulness of its services
and goods means that it is generally tolerated.
In general common sense applies to dealings within the Outpost. Those
going about heavily cloaked or veiled when no storm blows will be seen
as suspicious and may be detained and similarly those openly wielding
weapons may be seen as potential troublemakers. In general the best
advice is to do nothing to attract the attention of the military,
especially since many of them use a variety of spices that might make
them more aggressive and less rational than the common soldier.
One law of note is that insulting House Kurac is considered treason much
like insulting the Highlord Tektolnes would be in Allanak. Other laws
come and go, and one of the best ways to learn the current regulations
is to consult Kuraci personnel in the inn.
© 2002 Armageddon Mud
Submitted by Arkon