Zhakhustra

Fear is probably the most common currency in Zhakhustra. The Empire of Zhakhustra is arguably the most difficult civilized nation to live in, although its citizens don’t seem to mind. Possibly this is because a frightening number of its citizens aren’t actually alive. They say power corrupts, and in Zhakhustra, absolute corruption means absolute power.

The empire is often referred to as the Shadow Lands, after the shadow cast over all the empire by the Monolith. It is also sometimes referred to as the Death Lands or the Empire of the Undead.

Lord Emperor Drasik Zorstrarus (LE male human, cleric? 20) wields absolute power with terrifying ruthlessness from his seat of power at the Monolith, an obelisk-shaped tower made of obsidian. Although a frightening sight, the Monolith pales in comparison to the sheer grandiosity of Granditore’s Spire. Still, where dissidents would disappear from Granditore’s streets silently, the streets of Zhakhustra are filled with their screams. Weekly purges keep the peasants on their toes.

Industries

The industrial might of Zhakhustra is built on the backs of its nearly endless supply of undead and slaves. Forges and mines are worked day and night. A common saying about the undead workers is that, compared to the living they eat and complain less.

Life and Society

Life is harsh for the living, though most have never known any better existence. The undead toil without thought, and without tiring.

The society of Zhakhustra is heavily stratified, and built around a complex caste system that keeps those in power on top of things. The upper castes, controlled mostly by the Imperial Houses, are filled with intrigue and corruption. The Houses consist mostly of families of prominent figures who were loyal to the first emperor, or some subsequent emperor who gave them power.

A great deal of internal strife between the Houses is a regular occurrence, and many a noble House has been backstabbed and utterly destroyed with the whispered blessings of a whimsical emperor. Ultimately, it is a system where only the strong survive. The rest are turned into undead.

Government and Politics

The laws of Zhakhustra originate from the Decrees of Zenstrumesa. The penalties for most crimes range from slavery for minor offenses, to dismemberment for thievery, to death for murder, and in some cases death is followed by permanent servitude as an undead. In practice however, bribery is the most effective means of twisting the law in one’s favour. Court verdicts are usually decided by a single judge.

Power Groups

One of the more influential of Zhakhustra’s citizens is Israkhan the Liar (LE female dhemonhite, rogue 5/cleric 10), although no sane humanoid would ever call her that to her face. She has been seen on many occasions to wield powerful evil divine magic, though no one has been able to discover exactly to whom she prays. Known as the Mistress of the Underworld, it is said that any criminal activity in the world can be traced to her desires, or at the very least will become a part of her vast knowledge of secrets. From her can be obtained any item or secret, and it is widely understood that she traffics in lives. It is rumored that she leads the infamous Shadow Society.

The Zhakhustran military is heavily augmented by an essentially inexhaustible supply of undead. In terms of sheer numbers, it is the largest army in the known world. Its Imperial Cataphracts and Skeletal Legions are feared. The military is heavily based on a mix of forced random conscription and mercenaries. Much of Zhakhustra’s seemingly inexhaustible resources are spent on the war with Athaeria.

Be especially wary of the Obsidian Legion, Zhakhustra’s most elite military force. Unfortunately no one has survived to actually describe the effectiveness of the Legion, but I suppose that speaks for itself. General Dunkhirk Vandastal (LE male human, hexblade 7/black guard 10) currently commands the Legion.

Among the most notorious of the Obsidian Legion’s most skillful assassins is Centurion Arkhas Jaydn (LE male half-elf, fighter 5/exotic weapon master 3/pious templar 4). A severely devout worshiper of Hextor, most recognizable by the Unholy Symbol of Hextor tattooed upon his head, this is one assassin you don’t want to ever meet. Accused of assassinating probably every significant figure in the last twenty years to die under suspicious and generally violent circumstances, Arkhas Jaydn has acquired quite the reputation. He has even been suspected of killing St. Aylia on the day of the Awakening, though that fact has never been proven, and some believe he is too young to have been around to commit the crime.

Of course, everyone knows that the single most feared entity in the Obsidian Legion is the Knightmare. Enough children’s stories tell of these champions of darkness, said to be half human, half fiend felsteed riders, who’s very glance can turn flesh to dust, that one doesn’t need to recite them all.

Zhakhustra has less airships than the other two empires, but almost make up for it with their powerful Landships, such as the Juggernaut, a massive, slow moving ground fortress.

Religion

The official state religion is the worship of Oniheilion (LE), although various other evil cults are humored and ignored so long as they don’t become too visible. Otherwise, purges are a common phenomenon. Attempting to worship a good or neutral deity for any length of time increases your chances of being kidnapped and/or sacrificed.

Major Settlements / Important Sites

Obsidian: The capital of Obsidian is a city of many layers, all overshadowed by the Monolith.

Vanskrieg: The citadel of Vanskrieg, is a veritable fortress on the western border facing Athaeria.

Telerminsk: The gateway to the north. This city sees snow all year round, even though it shouldn’t at that latitude.

Monolith: The Monolith possesses several powerful abilities similar to the Argent Tower and the Adamantine Spire. The current Monolith is in fact the fourth incarnation of the structure, as previous wars and incidents led the destruction of the previous three for various reasons. The first Monolith was built by Emperor Allik Zenstrumesa, the founder of Zhakhustra himself. It was to be his towering glory, a massive magical energy focus that could magnify the power of spells by magnitudes of thousands or greater. It was to be able to for instance, deliver a Dominate spell hundreds of miles away, and upon thousands of unsuspecting innocents, or even cast a fireball thousands of miles away with a radius of a hundred miles and a power that would truly be terrifying. Luckily for most of us, a certain Holy Knight named Athaerius managed to stop Zenstrumesa, the duel of the century was fought atop the incomplete Monolith, and it ultimately came crashing down.

Subsequent attempts to rebuild the Monolith on even grander scales have always been met with resistance. The second Monolith paled in comparison to the first, but was sufficiently dangerous to be the target of Athaerian saboteurs just before its completion. The third Monolith was built in complete secrecy by magical means and revealed right in time for a massive Zhakhustran military invasion. It was inevitably destroyed by heavy airship bombardment during a daring joint offensive by Athaeria and Granditore.

The fourth Monolith was agreed to in the treaties of the Pax Imperium. The fourth Monolith however was to be built without its devastating abilities and constructed as a symbolic structure, an edifice of Zhakhustran power and history. Though inspections from the Mages Guild are supposed to make sure Zhakhustra adheres to the treaty, some speculate the Monolith may not be merely symbolic. As the treaty only prohibited the magical focus device, it is believed the Monolith contains other powers, such as a magical ray of death (ammunition: souls) that is delivered from its tip, although the range is believed not to exceed 10 miles, and its accuracy is doubtful beyond the first mile. An aura of desecration known as the Shadow of the Monolith covers a radius of about 50 miles.

Adventuring In Zhakhustra

The black market in Zhakhustra can get you almost anything. Rumour has it that they even have ties with the Vespician underworld.

Always watch your back. Though the laws are enforced harshly up on the surface regions, the undercity slums are often lawless, cutthroat places where might makes right.

Corruption is everywhere. Most guards and officials are bribable if you can do it discreetly.