Graywall is a small city in the monster nation of Droaam. It lies on a House Orien trade road leading from western Breland, and is usually a visitor's first stop when entering Droaam. It is the second-largest settlement in the region after the Great Crag, which serves as the nation's capital. Graywall is run by Xor'chylic, its illithid mayor.[1][3][2]
History[]
Ten thousand years ago, the Dhakaani Empire built the fortress of Korash Khaar at the base of the Graywall Mountains, with the purpose of defending the valley between the Graywall and the Byeshk Mountains. The fortress stood strong for a thousand years, at least until the Daelkyr War erupted. Western Khorvaire was overrun by the daelkyr and their servants. Dyrrn the Corruptor, one of the more powerful daelkyr, set his sights on Korash Khaar. The daelkyr overran Korash Khaar, and some say that the defenders' blood was absorbed into the walls of the fortress, turning the stone to blood red. Korash Khaar fell, though the daelkyr themselves were pushed back. Many of the invading daelkyr were trapped beneath the ground, in cells in Khyber created by the Gatekeepers.[3][4]
Over the next nine thousand years, the ruins of Korash Khaar changed hands many times, with the goblins, then the gnolls, then the ogres, and finally the gargoyles all taking turns using the ruins as their home.[4]
During the latter days of the Last War, monstrous warbands were seen in western Breland, causing chaos amongst the citizens of the nation. In 987 YK, King Boranel of Breland evacuated the remaining Brelish settlements west of the Graywall Mountains. Soon after, a trio of hags calling themselves the Daughters of Sora Kell came forward, and announced possession of all Brelish lands west of the Graywall Mountains. They announced this land as a new sovereign nation they called Droaam, a nation where the unwanted creatures of the world, such as gnolls, hags, ogres, and the like can find home.[5]
The Daughters of Sora Kell established the basic feudal system that passes for government in Droaam. A rudimentary form of civilization sprang up in its wake. Graywall was one of the first new cities to be founded. Rumor has it that one of the Daughters, Sora Teraza, found one of Dyrrn's servants trapped beneath the ruins: an illithid named Xor'chylic. Xor'chylic was freed, and pledged loyalty to the Daughters of Sora Kell. Sora Teraza ordered Xor'chylic to take over the ruins, and from the ruins of Korash Khaar came the city of Graywall. Xor'chylic used the medusa masons of Cazhaak Draal, combined with brute ogre strength, to quickly build the second-largest city in the new nation of Droaam.[1][5][2][6]
Description[]
The city of Graywall.
Graywall sits at the foot of the Graywall Mountains, built atop the ancient Dhakaani ruins of Korash Khaar. While Graywall was built by the hands of ogre and goblin laborers, it was designed by the mind flayer Xor'chylic. He designed the layout of the city with subliminal patterning, which cause newcomers to the city to feel dread and apprehension. Locations are marked with basic pictorial signs, since most of the inhabitants of Graywall can't read. Buildings are designed to fit creatures both large and small. Graywall also has a network of tunnels underneath the city, called the Khyras.[2]
Layout[]
The blood sports of Graywall.
Graywall is divided into four distinct districts, with an additional two areas outside of these districts.[2][6][7]
Bloodstone[]
Called Sorghun in the Goblin tongue, Bloodstone is the largest of the four districts. The district takes its name from the crimson coloring of the stone used in many of its buildings; this stone was recovered from the shattered walls of Korash Khaar. Bloodstone is the home of the Arena, where the people of Graywall perform in blood sports every night. Inns in the district include the Hydra Halls and the Labyrinth; taverns include the Bloody Tooth, the Broken Sword, and the Venomous Voice; and the district is home to the Street of Shadows, where followers of the Shadow pay homage.[2]
The Kennels[]
Called the Calabas in the goblin tongue, the Kennels are where the non-monstrous races reside. The House Tharashk enclave lies in the Kennels, as do operations by the other dragonmarked houses. Inns in the district include the Gold Dragon Inn (by House Ghallanda), the House of the Nine (also a temple to the Sovereign Host), and the Twilight Palace (jointly run by House Ghallanda and House Phiarlan); taverns include Dorn's Flagon, the Cracked Keg and the Merry Marcher. Other locations in the Kennels include the Roar (a plaza), Vorgath's (an orc supplier), the Kundarak Vault (home to a Kundarak vault and the House Sivis enclave), Far Davandi's haberdashery, the Silenced Stage (a playhouse), Hahlo's House for healing, and Veils (a doppelganger brothel).[2]
Little Graywall[]
Called Sar Kuraath, this district is the home of the goblins and the kobolds of the city. Little Graywall is designed entirely for small-sized creatures. Most of this section comprises clan warrens, with no real businesses.[2]
The Throne[]
Also called the Karda, the Throne is home to the mayor and the Flayer's Guard. The Throne is also home to the Znir Pact, the biggest of the gnoll tribes in Graywall. The Throne is the site of the Last Tower, the courthouse of Graywall, where Xor'chylic's word is law.[2]
The Deep Doors[]
Called the Khyras in Goblin, the Deep Doors are the network of tunnels beneath the city. They weave through the old Dhakaani ruins beneath the city.[2]
The Stone Pit[]
East of the city, there are huge quarries, where miners help unearth the stone needed for continued growth of the city. Though some laborers may live within the city, most of them make their homes in the pits as well, in a tent city outside the great pit. Typical labor within the Stone Pits is done in 11-hour shifts, with an hour of militia training each day.[2]
Government[]
A map of Droaam.
For the past four years, the mind flayer Xor'chylic has been the governor of Graywall, and holds the power of life and death over its inhabitants. Though Droaam does not follow the Code of Galifar, Xor'chylic has no patience for monsters that kill without reason, and the people of Droaam know better than to provoke his wrath. Still, a large number of outlaws and exiles make their home here, and substances illegal in the Five Nations are frequently peddled here.[2]
Xor'chylic enforces his rule with the Flayer's Guard, a group of monsters with full allegiance to him and the Daughters, thanks to his psychic influence. The Flayer's Guard is led by Korgel Blackblade, and is composed of a force of ogres, orcs, and minotaurs supplemented by harpies, gargoyles, and a squad of war trolls trained by Sora Maenya. In addition, Xor'chylic can call upon the 100 gnolls of the Znir Pact stationed in Graywall, and his allies in House Tharashk to help support any defense of the city necessary. Although it has the trappings of a border town, Graywall is also a military outpost that stands ready to defend the pass against Brelish aggression, or to launch a raid, if needed. All workers in the Stone Pit undergo basic militia training and can take up arms if necessary.[2]
Religion[]
Since Graywall is one of the few locations in Droaam where the tribes of different creatures all intermingle, there is no singular religion for the city. The city's populace revere many different deities: the minotaurs have shrines to the Horned Prince; the Last Dirge harpies worship the Song of Passion and Rage while the Stormsingers worship the Stormsong and other harpy flights worship yet other deities; the gnolls raise piles of stones to reflect the idols destroyed by their ancestors; and the doppelgangers worship the Traveler.[2]
Some religions are practiced throughout the nation. The largest of these is the worship of the Shadow, whose priests and priestesses call themselves the Voices of the Shadow. These priests, primarily medusas and oni, preach that the Shadow created the monstrous races, granting them powers that Aureon and the selfish Sovereign Host denied the other mortal races. The Voices of the Shadow support the Daughters of Sora Kell, and act as the community leaders of Graywall. A smaller subset of cross-race worshipers follow the Mockery. They are known to be more violent than the followers of the Shadow, frequently inciting violence against people of the east.[2]
Most of the inhabitants are indifferent towards the Sovereign Host and their worshipers. They consider the Sovereigns to be weak and selfish gods, and will either pity or laugh at any that follow them. Some few consider the Sovereigns to be evil, seeing in their banishment of the Dark Six many similarities to the disdain with which the "civilized" races treat them. The Silver Flame, on the other hand, is actively hated in Droaam, as their crusaders have been invading Droaam ever since the Purge. Inside the city, chances are high that any obvious worshiper of the Church of the Silver Flame will be attacked on sight.[2]
Trade[]
The only major dragonmarked house with a presence in Graywall is House Tharashk, with lesser presences of House Orien and House Sivis. Other houses have a smaller presence: Deneith, Ghallanda, Jorasco, and Phiarlan.[1][2]
House Tharashk overseeing dragonshard trading in Graywall.
House Tharashk is a powerful force within Graywall. Under the oversight of Lord Khundran d'Torrn, House Tarashk has reached out to creatures across the town. Through his generosity and feats in the challenge rings, Kundran has also earned the respect of many of the inhabitants of Graywall. The Graywall House Tharashk enclave oversees a number of different operations, including dragonshard prospecting within the region, and employing and training monsters to serve as mercenaries and hunters to compete with House Deneith. Xor'chylic fully acknowledges House Tharashk in an official capacity, and has given Kundran police powers over the district of Calabas, where most of the non-monster races dwell.[1][2]
As for the other houses, House Orien has a small enclave in Graywall, where it oversees Orien caravans heading from Breland into the Great Crag.[1] House Sivis also has a small enclave in Graywall, where it hosts a speaking stone outpost that allows Graywall to maintain communications with greater Khorvaire.[1] While House Deneith does not have an enclave in Graywall, Deneith guards often pass through the city acting as guards to House Orien caravans. While passing through Graywall, House Deneith may try to recruit Graywall inhabitants.[1]
Notable Inhabitants[]
The Roar, within the Kennels of Graywall.
- Xor'chylic is the mayor of the city, and the most powerful creature within the city's walls.[1][2][6]
- The Flayer's Guard is led by war troll Korgel Blackblade. Other members include harpy Jalira Stormtongue and wererat Salan.[2]
- Lord Khundran d'Torrn oversees House Tharashk operations within Graywall. Other members of House Tharashk within the city include Kel'Ashta, the mercenary coordinator; Mor'Ashta, commander of the house guard; Jana d'Velderan, chief inquisitive; and Lagraa the priestess.[2]
- Jabra the alchemist is a distant relative of the Daughters of Sora Kell. She has a small shop in Bloodstone.[2]
- Zerasha is a medusa worshiper of the Shadow who oversees the Street of the Shadow in Bloodstone. She is more loyal to her queen, Sheshka, than to the Daughters of Sora Kell.[2]
- Szalas Jal is an oni blacksmith who runs Tooth and Steel, a shop in Bloodstone. He outfits the armor and weapons of the Flayer's Guard.[2]
- Kalakhesh is a goblin inhabitant of Graywall; however, he is secretly a member of the Shaarat'khesh clan of goblins of Darguun.[6]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 168. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 Keith Baker (October 2008). “Dragonmarks: Backdrop: Graywall” (PDF). In Chris Youngs ed. Dragon #368 (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 5–18.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Keith Baker (October 2008). “Dragonmarks: Backdrop: Graywall” (PDF). In Chris Youngs ed. Dragon #368 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 5.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Keith Baker (October 2008). “Dragonmarks: Backdrop: Graywall” (PDF). In Chris Youngs ed. Dragon #368 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 9.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 164. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Keith Baker (November 2008). The Queen of Stone. (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 978-0-7869-5009-6.
- ↑ Chris Sims and Scott Fitzgerald Gray (2009). Seekers of the Ashen Crown. (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 0-7869-5017-X.
Connections[]
| Cities of Droaam |
|---|
| Cazhaak Draal · Graywall · Graywall Outpost · Great Crag · Grimstone Keep · Karthoon Tor · Lost · Mordain's Hall Shaarat Kol · Stonejaw Keep · Suthar Draal · Thrakelorn · Turakbar's Fist · Tzaryan Keep · Vralkek · Znir |