"The dire unease which settles at the base of the heart wells from baleful springs in Othrund. The wails of a fresh widow. The gurgling of a slit throat. The unshakable knowledge that life must terminate, and the final station is beyond control. These are the sinister philosophies upon which Galdarion built her empire." -- from the memoirs of Lewin Von Treet, Vault: the Land of Stuff and Things
Population: Unknown
Founded: 1000 (1,390 years ago)
The result of Galdarion's Exodus from Lyr'Lowain is the city of Othrund and the nation of Galdarion Forest. On the western bank of River Lyric, as if in mockery of the Elven world of Lyr'Lowain, Eve Galdarion rules a kingdom of undead and the worship of death. This practice has drawn many who are not welcome in more civilized lands, but either due to her wishing it so, or her utter indifference, such people have found a home in her forest and the city of Othrund.
In Common, Othrund means "others," especially the undesirable otherness of disagreement. It is upon this idea Othrund exists and thrives. The manner in which Eve Galdarion was exiled, or rather took her leave, had to do with her obsession with bringing back the peaceful deceased to an unsettling state of undeath. She left her home a budding necromancer, and rules Othrund as the most dangerous Lich in the known world. Her city reflects her nature and her visage. Disturbing. Dispassionate. Striking. Beautiful. Flawless. Impervious. Dangerous.
Othrund itself is run by the dead, but exists for the living. Eve has never conflated the two. The city is powered by the tireless work done by those who need no sleep and never deviate from direct orders. The undead act as servants, workers, soldiers, and citizens. They have every right a living person has, and mistreatment of the dead is met with the same penalty as mistreatment of anyone else. Undead are not abominations in Othrund. They are the people who make up Eve Galdarion's empire. And a mighty empire it is.
The stark landscape of Othrund brings to mind a midnight cemetery, the canopy of the Deadwood in and around its walls creating a dismal dark even in the middle of the day. Pillars of grey and aged stone line the streets, some crumbling from wear, while the River Still runs through canals throughout the cobblestone roads. Even the vegetation seems to have a muted filter of grey cast over it. The denizens are garbed in black, white, and varying shades in between. A fog sits heavy throughout the city, and a chill is ever present.
While Eve rules Othrund, due to her isolationism, a Parliament makes the decisions for the city. It is a group of several individuals, the identities of whom is unknown. All that is known is that they are severe, ruthlessly efficient, and rarely disagree. Their like-mindedness has created a stability most nations only dream of; though it is a stability not to everyone's liking. Those people do not last long in Othrund.
Many of the structures of Othrund are built to be open and accessible. Plazas open to the thick canopy above house many markets and services. Despite the austere nature of the city, Othrund is home to all the amenities found in any other city of its size. Additionally, though it is widely believed to be untrue, it is the case that Othrund is open and welcoming to all within its walls with the exclusion of the Elves of Lyr'Lowain.
To that end, Othrund's defenses are the greatest in all Core Vandal with perhaps the exception of Run'Thar. It's spiked walls tower in the mist, masonry impenetrable and crafted with the care of the devout. Those who keep the city safe are sleepless, ever-watchful, and steadfast. They do not tire and they do not relent. And it is known Eve Galdarion has more than the undead guarding her gates. Those who may someday breach Othrund's walls will likely wish they had not.
Those who follows the rules in Othrund can make a life of peace and solitude within its walls. Those who rebel against the strict protocal of Eva Galdarion are met with her passionless disdain. And while she is rarely seen, and is nigh unapproachable, there is never any doubt of whose will controls the fate of Othrund. And that of Core Vandal.
Acropolis: the hill upon which is built the Necropalace of Eve Galdarion and Dulce Haldev, the temple to Thrax, and the Parliament building. While anyone is welcome to the Acropolis, the Palace and Parliament are closed to all but a privileged few.
Temple to Thrax: while it pales in comparison to Ar'Vayn, the Temple in Othrund is meant to be a place the people can go to between pilgrimages south. It has additional wings for the worship of the Raven Queen and Thorgunna. Its caretakers are primarily undead, with the head priest being a Vampire and the Sorrow Mother being a Wraith.
The Panorama: an ever growing artistic rendering of the journeys and hardships of those who took part in Galdarion's Exodus and their descendants, this museum of sorts depicts the disdain the citizens of Othrund have of Lyr'Lowain, and the love they have of mortality.
Languid Halls: the incense drenches corridors within the Languid Halls can cause a person to become lost and befuddled, wandering listlessly through vast empty spaces that can be filled with one's own dread, sorrow, or dreams. Whether one is looking for answers, or dreading a question, they can find succor here.
The Stalls: clothing, food, furniture, and other necessities can be purchased and sold in the Stalls. Easily the most raucous portion of Othrund, the Stalls almost have a normal run-of-the-mill market atmosphere were it not for the looming shapes on the periphery of vision, and the restless dead meandering through the courts.
Tremorra's Library of Forbidden and Ancient Wisdom: the greatest public library in Core Vandal, this place contains books that have been locked up and considering dangerous anywhere else. Due to Eve and Parliament's hands off approach to self-preservation, individuals are welcome to delve dangerous depths as long as they harm only themselves and others, and not the books. Tremorra's is an ancient library, with many levels, and no way of knowing where certain book can be found. The silence within its walls is sacred, as are many of its texts.
To Life Abundant: this eatery and mead hall is the only festive locale in Othrund. Understanding that melancholy can be damaging when it never ends, Parliament encourages visitors and others to visit To Life Abundant to celebrate life, and perhaps discuss its fleetingness. There are many inn rooms in nearby buildings.
The School of Silence: those who would study necromancy have no recourse in Core Vandal but to come to Othrund. The greatest example of undeath mastery sits in a palace mere city blocks away, and though she does not teach, her necrotic power is enough to fuel and inspire the students of the School of Silence. It is not only necromancy taught here, though. Any magic user would consider themselves lucky to study here, where the rules and protocols of other schools are lessened, and students are encouraged to show their true power.
The Promenade: the main street of Othrund where a nightly ritual takes place, the Midnight Dance. When darkness falls, a barely distinguishable distinction in Othrund, a parade of special significance begins. Haunting music, magnificent spectacles, and myriad individuals of all shapes and sizes march the Promenade in celebration of existence, in both the realm of the living and the realm of the dead.
Eve Galdarion, the Lamentless (Legendary Being): Female Elf, leader of the undead empire of Galdarion Forest and monarch of Othrund
Dulce Haldev (Legendary Being): Female Elf, fierce warrior rumored to be even fiercer now in death, lover of Eve Galdarion, and co-ruler of Othrund
Mariaes Donovangion: Male Vampire, High Cleric of the Temple of Thrax and personal advisor to Eve Galdarion
Bathsheen: Female Wraith, Sorrow Mother for the Temple of Thrax
Parliament: Unknown, Hooded figures in shadow who decide the laws of Othrund
Cobalt Ar'Host: Male Elf, Head Librarian at Tremorra's, an excitable man who loves speaking on and spreading forbidden knowledge
Cloudthinner: Female Dragon, the only known undead dragon, Cloudthinner sits atop the Necropalace, guarding it from all enemies
Melli the Gasp: Non-Binary Elf, conductor and parade lead of the Promenade and the Midnight Dance
Pox Harbor: Male Elf, leader of the Languid Halls and purveyor of many mind-altering substances