Karaad

### Demographics

human (65%), khenra (8%), tabaxi (7%), aarakocra (4%), kenku (3%), tiefling (3%), other (10%)

### Government

governed by a lord or lady appointed by the Alviren Empire

## Synposis

Karaad is a coastal desert town, located in the far eastern reaches of the Alviren Empire mainland. It is a hub for trade and sea travel, famous for its entertainment venues and exotic trade.

## Leadership

Karaad is governed by Lord Goernak Seastride, who was appointed by the Alviren Empire. Much of Lord Seastride's attention is dedicated to the operation of the city's docks and ports, and the day-to-day administration of the city is often delegated to Senator Leaf.

## Notable Locations

### The Businesses of Baron Watts

Baron Millan Watts is an entrepreneur who owns several high-end businesses throughout Karaad, all of which are operated by his trusted employees:

* Bordello Mariposa is a high-end brothel operated by Lane Coronato, where XVIII worked.

* Hotel Baileya is a luxury hotel operated by the Baron's son, Silas Watts.
* Chuparosa Casino is a casino operated by the Baron's employee, Olivia Merritt.
* The Altheaefolia is a luxury spa and bathhouse operated by the Baron's employee, Dominic Merritt.

### The Villa of Baron Watts

Baron Millan Watts's residence is a luxurious estate at the heights of Karaad's upper-class district.

### The People's Pit

The People's Pit is an open-air fighting pit in Karaad's northwest corner. It has been a fixture of the city for centuries, and is a common place for public disputes to be settled in the "old fashioned" way. Though somewhat archaic, the system has served to reduce the administrative workload of the city, and is well-liked by the public.

Betting is commonplace by spectators at the People's Pit. Occasionally, publicized events are held in the pit; however, the majority of the time, the fights that take pace are impromptu and sporadic. Fights at the pit are strictly non-lethal, and generally take place with previously agreed-upon terms based on the outcome. Once a legal matter has been resolved in the People’s Pit, the outcome is final, and the state will hear no arguments on it.

Baron Millan Watts owns a private luxury suite for spectating events at the People's Pit, called the Suncup Suite. It is operated by his son, Silas Watts.

### The Temple of the Glacier

The Temple of the Glacier is a holy site dedicated to a massive ice crystal that endlessly emits a constant flow of ice-cold water. This water is delivered throughout Karaad via a series of wells, providing the city with a plentiful water supply.

Though the temple has been repurposed as a place of worship to Melora, in truth, the Glacier was originally created and installed by Asmodeus, as a memento of the imprisonment of the archdevil Levistus. A tiny effigy of Levistus can be seen deep within the ice.

### Fort Inferna

Fort Inferna is the political capitol of Karaad. It houses the residences of Lord Goernak Seastride and Senator Leaf, as well as military barracks and a jailhouse dungeon. It is also home to the Weavers Conclave’s local office.

### The Sunbearers' Guild Hall

The Sunbearers are Karaad's local adventuring guild. Their guild hall is a relatively small tower located near the People's Pit, where they recruit new members and deal in magic goods and adventure leads. They are led by Medo Nazari.

### The Pathfinders' Alliance, Karaad Chapter

The Pathfinders' Alliance operates a local chapter in Karaad, with a guild hall near the docks. Despite only being a local chapter of their parent organization, their operation is still larger than that of the Sunbearers. They are led by Araceli Medin.

## People of Interest

### Goernak Seastride

Goernak Seastride is the Lord of Chwaka and Karaad, and the city's highest authority.

### Floating River Leaf (a.k.a. Leaf)

Senator Leaf is Chwaka's representative on the Senate of the Alviren Empire, and handles the affairs of Chwaka and Karaad with regards to imperial business.

### Baron Millan Watts

Baron Millan Watts is a land baron, and owner of several of Karaad's most lucrative businesses. He is the wealthiest individual in Karaad, and a household name throughout the city.

### Lane Coronato

Lane Coronato is an employee of Baron Millan Watts, responsible of the operation of the Bordello Mariposa. He is also the estranged father of Malkoth.

### Silas Watts

Silas Watts is the son of Baron Millan Watts, and his business successor. He operates Hotel Baileya and the Suncup Suite at the People's Pit.

### The Merritt Twins

Olivia Merritt and Dominic Merritt are two employees of Baron Millan Watts, who operate the Chuparosa Casino and the Altheaefolia, respectively. Though he has disowned them, they are secretly Watts' children.

### Araceli Medin

Araceli Medin is the prefect of The Pathfinders' Alliance's Karaad chapter.

### Medo Nazari

Medo Nazari is the president of the Sunbearers, Karaad's local adventuring guild.

## Notable History

During the Age of Divinity and the Age of Arcana, Karaad and the surrounding regions were home to a great deal of infernal influence. Asmodeus himself called Karaad his home on the Material Plane when the gods still walked Materi, and during the Gods' War, his followers built their support for him here. Though that era has long passed, the infernal influence can still be seen in Karaad. Tieflings are far more prevalent here than anywhere else in Materi, and stories abound of devils who live secret lives in the city.