The Eldritch Citadel

The central spire of The Eldritch Citadel, though there are hundreds that connect to the tunnels below.

## Society

### Rulers Court

Ragnar The Black, The Demoralizer, Molror, Vigori

## History

### Date Created

9000 BTG

Located west of Veiltouria, across The Sons Sea, The Eldritch Citadel and its surrounding lands are a barren, dreadful region. Filled with creatures of darkness and evil, a permanent spell renders the terrain all but obscured from the sun.

## History and Culture

A massive spire of bone and rock, The Eldritch Citadel is ancient beyond compare. Home to hives of ghouls, it is surrounded by harsh and desolate land, sitting on the coast of The Sons Sea. For centuries, The Eldritch Citadel has been the ancestral home of the ghouls. Despite countless attempts to wipe them out, the ghouls persevered and endured. No force had ever had the ability to conquer or wipe them out.

That is, until a lone Kenku assassin pledged himself to Edwardius. Shanks, a former companion of King Bill, seized control of the Ghoul Kingdoms through a combination of luck, will and magic. Using a Ring Of Wishes to maneuver The Nine Keys of Anvilguardius into one location, Shanks then assumed control of the combined armies of the Ghoul Kingdoms and proclaimed himself King.

### Life within the Citadel

The Eldritch Citadel is home to thousands of Ghouls and undead creatures. It stretches deep into the earth, with some passages reaching all the way into the Underdark.

Ghoul society is in a constant state of chaotic balance. Unable to grow produce or create tools themselves, ghouls are forced to pillage and hunt for supplies. They create raiding parties, stealing from and conquering villages and travelling groups so as to return their stolen goods to the Citadel. Without these raiding parties, the entirety of ghoul society would collapse.

Though not typically religious, the Ghoul Kingdoms do pray to Edwardius in an animalistic and fearful way. They believe that by raiding and securing the biggest haul of supplies for their people, they gain their gods favor.

### The Ghoul Queens

Within the lower levels of the Citadel rest the Ghoul Queens. Mystical witches, the Queens are the core of ghoul society. Where the Knights of Edward and the King control the forces and plans of the Ghoul people, the Queens are the spiritual leaders and birthers of all ghoul children.

Directly in communication with Edwardius himself, the Ghoul Queens spread the Gods word to their people and reinforce the Kings rule. Surrounded by Ghoul Ogre praetors who carry the rotund queens around, they are well guarded. Very rarely leaving the lower levels, they will only ascend if it is the direct will of Edwardius himself.

Unknown to many, it is only female Ghouls that are blessed with the ability to control and channel magic. They can bestow this ability on any male they choose, but the power is never truly the male ghouls. Through dark magic, the Queen binds her soul to that of the warrior. This is a risky bargain, for every male that is bound to a queen that dies, she loses a piece of herself.

## Forces of The Citadel

The Ghoul Kingdoms are filled with many misshapen monstrosities, though there is some form of synergy in their hierarchy.

### Ghouls

The base foot soldiers of the Ghouls are the common Reavers that plague the south. Human sized, these Ghouls charge into battle with bones and ransacked weaponry. Covered in rusted metals and chains, they throw themselves into battle without thought for their own safety.

The other primary weapon of the Ghoul Kingdoms are the Ghoul Ogres. Hulking monstrosities, Ghoul Ogres roar into battle like juggernauts. Tearing their victims apart with their bare hands, Ghoul Ogres are the shock troops of the Ghoul Armies.

### Undead Dragons

The secret weapon of the Ghoul Kingdoms, their resurrected zombie dragons are a force unlike any other. Winged horrors of death and decay, the undead dragons are engines of pure destruction.

Fueled by necromantic energies, the dragons are incredibly difficult to put down. Their fangs rot with infectious diseases and their claws carry poisons that do unspeakable horrors to the mortal form. Their decaying wings no longer have the muscle or membrane to hold them aloft. Instead, they fly through a combination of noxious gasses and dark magic gliding through the air with the power of death itself.

Now serving under Shanks, the dragons have become weapons of anarchy, tearing cities and the countryside itself to pieces. It is not known how the forces of the Eldritch Citadel will have their rampage stopped, but however it happens, it would seem clear the zombie dragons must be destroyed before any hope of peace can be achieved.

## Commanders

Besides the Eldritch King himself, the Citadel falls under the command of his personal aids and advisors. Most significant of these are:

### Ragnar The Black

A black dragonborn berserker, Ragnar is Shanks' main enforcer. A cunning warrior and survivor, Ragnar has proven almost impossible to truly kill.

### The Demoralizer

Arguably the cause of Shanks' fall into Edwardius' grasp, The Demoralizer has a symbiotic bond with Shanks and cannot die so long as The Eldritch King live.

### Molror

An undead Black Dragon, and personal steed to Shanks, Molror is a wrecking ball of rage and death.

### Vigori Rok-Oz-Mod

A dwarven shade, initially serving Amon Mordai, who following his death and resurrection has a burning hatred for his former master. Now serves as Shanks' main assassin and commander of stealth operations.

### Tuck

Former member of The Sea Wretches, the half-elf pirate named Tuck left his allies and joined Shanks' forces after his ship and hundreds of his crewmates were killed by Jaeger Flamefeather. He now serves as Captain of The Dread Fleet.