CITY STATE OF DARKRIDGE
Founded: 2853 CA (Cyclopian Age), 13,447 AT (All Time)
In the darkness of the night, the fog from the bay moves through the warrens of the great city. Through the shadows of the alleyways the rogues who prowl these street scrape a living through theft, deceit, sorcery, and steel against the established great Guilds, the dominating Abyssal Church which enforces the worship of the demonic pantheon and the ever present authority of the Vampire Lords. Founded: 2853 CA (Cyclopian Age), 13,447 AT (All Time)
Our heros, donning the cloaks of night and the faces of guile, seek riches and power through locked doors, magical wards, enchanted creatures and deadly traps. This is the Vampire city of Darkridge. Built in such a way and place that the mountains surrounding it forever block out the sun. With the rest of the city eternally cast in the shade.
The Vampire city of Darkridge has existed for many centuries building on top of the remains of an ancient Overnan stronghold. After the Overnan empire fell to rebellion, it was through the Crusaders of Kyros that the city was invaded and secured under the control of the Vampire Overlords. The Abyssal Church established itself as the main religious order building over monuments and shrines of deities past.
The Overlords, under very wise rulers, encouraged economic growth in the city. The city expanded outward and seized the land of the pagans, forcing them to integrate into the city to access their sacred lands and keep their traditions alive. Lands outside the city became great fields of grain that would become the cities main export to the world market. As the trading to other cities expanded the Guilds rose to power and influence over the city.
The city is now host to some of the richest merchants and lords. Working in the shadows, the Thieves Guild has also rose to prominence by the guile of it’s leaders in the early days. Today, the guild is run more like a business with bureaucratic meddling and excessive taxation. The guild’s oppressive rules make it difficult for a hard working thief to make a living.
It is no wonder that the next generation of thieves have found it so much profitable to run freelance no matter how dangerous it might be. This is the story of such individuals and their exploits through the maze of streets, intrigue and riches. But soon they will find powerful and dangerous foes plotting it’s destruction. It is through these enslaved human heroes that the inhabitants of the city must look to for it’s salvation.