recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Castes

## Overview

Soldier, priest, smith, and noble are the upper castes. Labor is the lower caste. Uncaste are slaves.

## About the Castes

The Black Cities have a strictly regimented society, with all members of the populace falling into one of five (or perhaps six) different castes. Those without a caste are uncaste, which is just a fancier way of saying *slave*.

Of the five original castes, four are considered *Upper Caste*: soldiers, smiths, priests, and nobles. The fifth caste is laborers, who comprise most of the population.

Recently, a sixth caste has gained legal status in Nessus, due in large part to a series of extremely poor decisions by the former Duchess Arkady. They are calling themselves the Outcaste, and have created a settlement in the Wood.

Since the creation of the Outcaste, many aeronauts have begun to wonder whether they deserve a caste of their own. And if that happens, the Tankworkers, who manage the food and fuel production, probably won't be far behind.
Uther Uthersson

## Overview

Human businessman from Avernus. Frequently at odds with the priest caste.

## Biography

Uther is a labor caste businessman from Avernus. He runs a thriving import/export business which is currently suffering under Cardinal Ventros' rigid fundamentalist policies. He has been a vocal critic of the priest caste and has survived at least three assassination attempts to date.

He is known to be a cutthroat businessman and has absolutely no friends among the Aeronauts due to his habit of screwing over his business partners whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Uther was one of the main antagonists during the Avernian Civil War, and was responsible for the lynchings of dozen of tieflings and suspected tiefling sympathizers. He stood down when the newly victorious Morxes offered him a noble rank.

Unfortunately for Uther, his reign was short-lived, as he was publicly incinerated by Morxes immediately upon accepting the title. Uther's toady and right-hand-man Cyrimon was also caught in the blast and did not survive.

## Interactions with PCs

Uther provided a cover for the kidnapping of Ildos at one of Thandi's parties.

Served as an object lesson for the PCs, as well as all of Avernus.
Thandi

## Overview

Avernus smith, although it's unclear if he's ever swung a hammer. Parties constantly.

## Biography

Thandi's real name is Thandovar Thundermaul, although no one ever refers to him by that name. Given his constant state of inebriation, it's likely that it would take Thandi himself would need two or three guesses before he got it right.

Thandi's parties are a thing of legend in Avernus, and members of all castes jockey for invitations. Thandi's forges generate a substantial income for him, although his own skill at an anvil is probably nonexistent.
Addi von Deleret

## Overview

Phlegethos noble. Killed a lava wurm. Provides copper for gruel tanks of the Outcaste.

## Biography

Baroness Addi von Deleret is only living heir of House von Deleret house in Phlegethos. Despite being upper caste, Addi has several connections with the Ash, the genasi resistance movement. She is also an exceptional archer.

Several months ago, Phlegethos was plagued by an immense lava wurm which was disrupting the mining operations beneath the city. The city council decided to solve the problem by sponsoring a Great Hunt, which a prize of extensive mining rights to whoever slew the beast. With some assistance provided by the Ash and its leader, an elf named Anasterion, Addi won the Hunt and gained the mining rights for her house.

Addi also made some friends with the escaped fire genasi slaves that were hiding in the tunnels. She also seemed to have a deeper connection to the fire genasi than might be expected given her position, especially an older runaway named Croft. However, it is not clear what the nature of that connection is.

With her new windfall and the help of the fire genasi rebels, Addi has greatly improved the position of her house. However, she also made the rather questionable decision to salvage the lava wurm's eggs, intending to use the creatures to assist in mining. In addition to this being highly illegal, the larvae have turned out to be exceptionally vicious. Roughly half of the creatures were killed and eaten by their brethren as soon as they hatched, and the remainder injured several of their fire genasi handlers. Perhaps most disturbing, several of the creatures escaped and began tunneling upward, toward the city.

Addi used a mercenary force to assault House Folken after it became clear that they had been trying to frame her for lava wurm attacks on various other houses.

Her mining operations suffered as a result of Ash attacks on fire genasi work crews. However, she has recently been working with Lamb and the Procurement Office to use Avernian tiefling freemen as miners instead.

Addi has retained the services of Grag Tomekeep and Hrevik Delsworn.

## Interactions with PCs

The PCs were introduced to Addi by Anasterion, leader of the Ash. The meeting took place at an inn called the Filigree.

In thanks for their assistance slaying the lava wurm, House von Deleret is began supplying the PCs with copper for their gruel tanks.

Much of the House von Deleret's mining capacity originally came from runaway slaves, but since many of them have left for Serpent Clan and Ghal Darim, Addi's circumstances became considerably more perilous. This considerably cooled relations between her and the PCs, although the acquisition of tiefling miners has allowed things to warm up again.
Scraggle

## Overview

Low-rent bandit from Nessus. Presumed dead.

## Biography

Scraggle was the head of a small group of ruffians known as Scraggle's Crew. They were hired by  Beatriza the Harpy to attack Outcaste Tower in order to strengthen the Outcaste's legal claim to it.

## Interactions with PCs

After a brief takeover of Outcaste Tower, the PCs killed all of the crew and drove Scraggle into the Wood. He has not been seen since.
Barthos

## Biography

Barthos was a relatively high-ranking member of the Acquisitive Order of the Priest caste and lived in Dis. During the Fall of Dis, Barthos managed to escape to Avernus, but he was not accepted by the Priest caste and eventually was forced into menial labor at the gruel tanks.

Barthos was considered as an elector by the Outcaste but was rejected in favor of Morxes. Soon afterwards, Barthos disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

## Interactions with PCs

Barthos was kidnapped by Yurali at the PCs request, who then interviewed him for use as an elector. Despite the fact that he would have outranked Morxes, the PCs chose Morxes instead. It seems apparent that Morxes later cleared up the potential loose end.
Outcaste Tower

## Overview

Outcaste Tower is central location of the so-called "Sixth Caste" of Dis. It was first discovered by a team of Procurement Office reclaimers looking for old world treasure. However, the reclamation team buried the body of the former owner, and in so doing, gained legal ownership of the tower, since he had bequeathed it to whoever laid his bones to rest.

The reclaimers' standing was challenged in a court of law by House Arkady, whose family had once ruled the area where the tower was located. However, the reclamation team (now calling itself the Outcaste) was represented by Beatriza Addrende, and so it is perhaps not totally surprising that their claim was unanimously upheld.

Most interestingly, the basement was found to contain a cold iron seal that had been placed there by Eren the Prophet prior to the Greentide. This effectively closed a small rift into the Feywild. Further investigation found that the tower was the manse of Tenjin, the Magician.

The basement has since been converted into a shrine, which is maintained by a sect of the priest caste known as the Seekers of the Darkest Flame. The soldier caste has established a lookout on the parapet.

## PC Activities

Keialouai the White's hatchday party was held at the tower. Lenya the Penitent attempted to embarrass the PCs by summoning a devil, but was foiled. Later, Thryxi infiltrators attempted to assassinate the PCs.

The obelisk on the Feywild side of the rift promises an exchange of pleasant dreams for a small portion of reality.
Seekers of the Darkest Flame

> *"The only true measure of a mortal is their will to power."*
>
>

## Overview

The Seekers of the Darkest Flame are a sect which teaches that all are welcome within the with the Church of Asmodeus, so long as they are ruthless and driven, in accordance with Asmodeus' will. Most non-tieflings within the priest caste subscribe to these beliefs.

## PC Activities

The Seekers are currently administering the shrine in the basement of Outcaste Tower.
Chiara

## Biography

Chiara was formerly the receptionist and secretary at the Phlegethos Procurement Office. She has since been promoted by Lamb and ran most of the humanitarian aid at the Avernus docks during the Avernian Civil War.

## Interactions with PCs

Chiara talked with Keen briefly during his visit to the office. She later provided supplies during the Avernian Civil War.

Chiara is possibly one of the names in Keen's book.
Creeper

## Details

After the Greentide, the fae lords turned the most of the world into elder forest, and altered the natural flora, making it toxic and infectious. Mortals (and some animals) who partake of the Wood's run a high risk of turning into *creepers*.

Creepers are living beings infected by some alien combination of fungus, mold, and moss. They become unintelligent, similar to the lowest forms of undead, and exist only to infect other mortals with their spores. The infection typically takes a few days or a week to fully take hold. During that time, it can be cured with an alchemical elixir that requires fresh fae ichor to produce.

As creepers age, they grow larger and more twisted.

Working for the Dust, Gordon Stonemaul created a weaponized version of creeper toxin that fully overtakes its host in minutes, rather than days. The Dust used this toxin to assassinate Nerath Reynaud, and later employed it as a weapon of mass destruction during the Green Wedding.

There are different ways to circumvent the problem of creeper toxin. The Black Cities have managed to work around the problem by alchemically processing the flora before using it. On the other hand, the Wilderness Clans have learned how to avoid contaminated food sources for the most part -- although there is still a lot of inherent risk even with proper training. Lastly, SAHM managed to alter humans and elves into morlocks and eloi who are immune to creeper venom, although that process has serious and unpleasant side effects.

## Interactions with PCs

The PCs fought off a creeper attack on the Neddis district of Nessus early in their careers, and ventured into the Wood to gather ichor for a cure.

The Wilderness Clans lured creepers to attack Outcaste Tower so they could kidnap a couple of patrolling soldiers.
Bear Clan

## About Bear Clan

Bear Clan is the northernmost of the clans, residing in largely in the mountains.

Given their environment, Bear Clan favors cold-weather survival skills and leans toward barbarians and rangers. The leader of the current Clansmeet delegation is a half-elf named Dyan.

## Interactions with PCs

Bear Clan abducted some of the Soldier caste around Outcaste Tower to fulfill a faerie obligation, leading to first contact. They have been reasonably warm toward the PCs, but still a bit cautious.
Soldier caste

## Background

In most of the Black Cities, hobgoblins make up the bulk of the soldier caste. During the Greentide, the Asmodeans contracted various hobgoblin tribes in part to provide security, but mostly because the Asmodeans knew that hobgoblins wouldn't balk at obeying bloody orders. After the founding, the hobgoblin forces coalesced into the Soldier caste.

Due to the hobgoblins' relationship with other goblinoid races, the Soldier caste also contains significant minorities of bugbears and goblins. Beyond that, acceptance into and advancement in the caste is fairly merit-based, at least compared to the rest of Black City society, so even setting aside the bugbears and goblins, it is the most diverse of the upper castes.

The Soldier caste uses the goblin language to communicate, and all recruits are expected to learn it, regardless of race.

In contrast to the other cities, Stygia's Soldier caste is mostly goliaths. Malbolge's Soldier caste has a fair number of orcs in the ranks, but they are still a minority.

## Interactions with PCs

Lim'dul Krazzak provides security in Little Dis. After a creeper attack, he allowed the PCs a few days to gather antitoxin rather than summarily executing the infected and potentially infected.

Colonel Al-zatara voted in the PCs' favor during House Arkady v. Outcaste.

The soldier caste has a garrison in Outcaste Tower which is headed by Lieutenant Rakh.

The PCs assisted the soldiers during the Green Wedding and the attack on Little Dis.

After killing Gordon Stonemaul and disrupting a Dust base, a nameless goblin captain expelled the PCs from Maladomini.

Dockmaster-Captain Yana made the PCs' lives difficult in Avernus when they passed through.

Kukug ignored the PCs when they attempted to parley during the Chainbreakers' Ordeal.
Ildos

## Overview

Not the delegate of Maladomini for the Papal Election any more.

## Biography

Ildos is from Maladomini by birth, and held a relatively minor position as a clerk in the library of Avernus. However, his seniority made him the presumed delegate for Maladomini in the Papal Election.

Ildos disappeared under mysterious circumstances the day before the election, and was replaced by Shalre. Ildos was eventually returned unharmed.

## Interactions with PCs

Since he was a supporter of Karakas, Ildos was kidnapped by the PCs and replaced. Luckily, Zarai had filed the proper paperwork.
Li-Uk

## Overview

An eloi who leads one of the morlock tribes in the Wood.

## Biography

Li-Uk lived for two hundred years in the ruins of Cania as one of F'Shon's lieutenants. After his death, she formed one of the three tribes that left and went into the Wood. Li-Uk is not formally intelligent, but she is exceptionally cunning and savvy, as evidenced by the fact that she has some measure of control even over a morlock as savage as Dug.

Her tribe preyed on the work gangs outside Minauros before being persuaded to leave by the Outcaste.

She and her tribe arrived at Clansmeet, guided through the Feywild by Nyll. Li-Uk has taken on one of the fey lords' tasks in exchange for clansmen to teach the eloi about the ways of the Wood.

## Interactions with PCs

Li-Uk negotiated with the PCs to stop eating work gangs and to return the ones that they had.

The PCs negotiated with Li-Uk about their participation in the Clansmeet.
Thryxi

> *"There are not five castes. There are not three tiers. There are only those who bear the blood of the infernal, and those who do not, whose fate is to serve and obey."*
>
>

## Overview

The word *thryxi* means "masters" in the Infernal tongue. The Thryxi are fundamentalists who believe that the entire caste system is heretical, and that the priest caste should be entirely tieflings, and should rule over all others.

Until recently, the Thryxi were highly secretive, and it was not common knowledge that they even existed. Those that did know of their existence often worked to suppress the truth, believing that if other castes knew that there was such a radical faction within the priest caste it would lead to civil war.

The Thryxi were revealed to the world when Karakas was questioned by Ivensir during the Papal Election, and was forced to admit her leadership of the sect and to declare its goals broadly, in public.

## PC Activities

The PCs were attacked by a Thryxi assassin disguised as a after leaving Avernus.

The Thryxi infiltrated the Knights of the Prophet and attacked Keialouai the White's hatchday celebration at Outcaste Tower.

Altair was a Thryxi operative who worked with the Dust and funneled large amounts of money to them, which suggests that the priest caste is infiltrated at very high levels. The Thryxi saw the Dust as useful puppets who served to weaken the other factions.

The PCs located the Houndmaster's lair in the catacombs below Avernus and killed him.

The PCs prevented Karakas from becoming pope and attempting to freely impose Thryxi ideals on a large scale.
Smith caste

## Background

During the Greentide, dwarves were recruited to create cold iron walls around nine refuges scattered across the continent. These fortresses were the Black Cities. Since then the dwarves of the Smith caste have provided the cities with cold iron weapons and defenses, airships with which to trade and communicate, and the artifice that allows the cities to feed themselves when the rest of the ecosystem is almost invariably lethal.

While other races can become smiths -- perhaps most notably a tiefling by the name of Altair -- the language of smithing is undoubtedly dwarven. Also unbeknownst to everyone is the name Roland Deschaines, a human who almost singlehandedly invented the field of artifice two centuries ago.

The Smith caste is also responsible for maintaining libraries, both mundane and magical. All wizards within the Black Cities far under their purview.

## Interactions with PCs

The PCs have been a part of the strange and ongoing interactions between Dolga Blighthammer, Bodok Blighthammer, and Thorinne Blighthammer nee Greyshield.

The PCs have also been in regular contact with the Iron Man, who literally invented artifice.
Noor Fairway

## Overview

Formerly merchant in Avernus Has connections. Was promoted to nobility by Cardinal Morxes.

## Biography

Noor's past and motivations are a mystery, but he is well-off and well-connected. He runs in the same circles as Uther Uthersson and Valys Butler. He was promoted to nobility after the Avernian Civil War.

## Interactions with PCs

Noor acquired invitations to one of Thandi's parties in order to influence the selection of electors.

Noor has some sort of shady connection with Eb.
Wood

## Overview

In the aftermath of the Greentide, the fae lords held sway over the entire the world with the exception of the Black Cities. With their control complete and uncontested, they turned the lands into dark, haunted forests.

The only places that were spared were frozen tundra or at altitudes above the treeline. Even the coastal waters grow thick with unnatural kelp. There are also rumors of a barren swath several miles wide that seems to travel from time to time. Some scholars believe that this is the domain of Nodens, the Hermit.

All fae are at home in the Wood. However, it is far less welcoming to mortals. It grows aggressively, and is capable of overtaking a hundred yards of open ground in the span of days. Furthermore, its dense canopy actively attacks flying creatures and people. And perhaps most importantly, almost everything in the Wood is laced with creeper toxin, so that eating anything in the Wood is almost certainly a death sentence.

Due do the ancient pacts inscribed on the Concordance Stones, the Wood does not approach manses. Or at least, it doesn't approach any *known* manses.
Myrn

## Biography

Myrn is the leader of the escaped fire genasi uncaste living in the tunnels below Phlegethos. He is one of the senior members of The Ash.

## Interactions with PCs

Myrn the PCs and Addi von Deleret on the Great Hunt for the lava wurm by providing information, supplies, and a base camp.

Myrn recently sent a messenger to Outcaste Tower to ask for assistance with Addi von Deleret and the lava wurm larvae that she's been trying to train. It hasn't been going well.
Eloi

## Details

Eloi are the elven variation of morlocks. Like morlocks, they were originally survivors from the Black City of Cania. In a desperate attempt to avoid starvation, they were alchemically mutated by SAHM to resist creeper toxin. Unfortunately, the transformation had several side effects: increased body mass, loss of memory, and heightened aggression. Unlike morlocks, however, eloi retain a low intellect and are often wickedly cunning.

Like morlocks, eloi also have darkvision and a sensitivity to sunlight. Additionally, they also have extremely extended lifespans, and may be effectively immortal.

Eloi are the only species that morlocks seem to view as something besides food.

Since the death of F'shon, eloi and morlocks have left Cania and are now colonizing the Wood.

## Interactions with PCs

During their exploration of Cania, the PCs were attacked by F'shon, an eloi who had set himself up as the prophet of SAHM the Creator.

An eloi named Ktiik has joined the PCs and now resides at Ghal Darim.
Olaf Olafsson

## Overview

Barbarian axe guy. Friend of Eren the Prophet. Dead.

## Biography

Olaf was a member of Eren the Prophet's inner circle who died fighting the fae in the Battle of Barad Arran.

The Iron Man described him as being a berserker of prodigious strength and size, and that he was taller than most goliaths.

## Interactions with PCs

Olaf wielded the Inimical Axe, a magical axe with anti-fae properties. After two centuries of constant exposure to fae energies, it evolved into a quasi-artifact. The axe has since been retrieved by the PCs.
Dust

## Overview

A bunch of terrorists dedicated to overthrowing the caste system in the Black Cities.

## About the Dust

The Dust is a group of rebels intent on dismantling the caste system by any means necessary. They orchestrated the Green Wedding.

The Dust was formerly headed by Kenton. Following his death, his second-in-command Marko has taken over. Other notable members include Altair and Gordon Stonemaul. Anther major player, known as *Sasha*, remains at large.

Following the Green Wedding, the Inquisition was created to root out this sort of terrorism. The Ash, an abolitionist movement based in Phlegethos, was initially sympathetic to the Dust, but cut ties in the aftermath of the Green Wedding. Kenton was later hunted down by the Outcaste to prevent their ties to the Dust from becoming known.

Some time later, Marko came to the Outcaste looking for shelter for the remaining members, and were relocated to the Ten Treasures Casino. Unfortunately, they meddled with an artifact of Astarte, the Lovers, which subsumed them into some sort of horrific biomass. The Outcaste sealed the artifact and removed the biomass, but afterwards, there was no trace of any of the Dust.

## Interactions with PCs

The PCs made a deal with Kenton and the Dust to remove Count Reynaud, an unsympathetic noble, from the Council during House Arkady v. Outcaste. They assassinated him with enhanced creeper venom.

The Dust used Outcaste Tower as a base of operations leading up to the Green Wedding.

The PCs hunted and captured Kenton to prevent the Inquisition from finding him and revealing their complicity. Kenton committed suicide rather than be executed.

Marko extorted the PCs for a hidey-hole Ten Treasures Casino, which eventually led to their complete destruction.
Dis

## Overview

Three years ago, Dis was one of the eight remaining Black Cities. It had a reputation as bastion of liberalism and progressive thinking -- comparatively speaking. It still maintained a caste system, but the divisions were often less rigid than other cities. It was frequently at odds with the staunch conservatives of Avernus.

## The Fall of Dis

Three years ago, without any warning whatsoever, the Wood broke through the main gate and raced through the city faster than a man could run. Only those who were already close to the docks were able to get to the airships in time to escape. All told, less than two thousand managed to flee. The rest of the city was lost.

The displaced citizens caused a crisis for the other Black Cities. Most accepted only a few dozen or so, but Nessus allowed the refugees to settle outside its walls, and began construction of a new district around them.

In the confusion of the Fall, many upper caste citizens lost their position, and many Labor Caste and Uncaste were able to slip through the cracks and reinvent themselves.

## PC Activities

The PCs have not visited Dis, although several of them hail from there.

In his diary, Gordon Stonemaul suggested that the Fall may have been the result of a modified creeper toxin, similar to his own invention.
Marko

## Biography

Marko was a member of the Dust. Initially, he was Kenton's second-in-command, but he assumed leadership upon Kenton's death. Rumors that Marko had been captured by the Inquisition appear to have been false, as he turned up at Outcaste Tower and negotiated for the Dust to be able to use Ten Treasures Casino as a safe house.

At Ten Treasures Casino, the Dust accessed the central vault and open a jar of nightmares, which was linked to Astarte, the Lovers. The ... *thing* that they became was either destroyed or sealed away when the Outcaste closed the jar. It is unclear whether Marko and the rest of the Dust are truly dead, but out of the various possibilities, death is probably the kindest one.

## Interactions with PCs

Marko was present when the PCs captured Kenton in Minauros. He retreated when his only when ordered to do so by his commander.

Marko turned up in Outcaste Tower, demanding that the PCs give shelter to members of the Dust in danger of being captured by the Inquisition, or else someone might tell them something about the PCs. The PCs sent him and his followers to Ten Treasures Casino.
Serpent Clan

## About Serpent Clan

Serpent Clan is the southernmost of the clans. As inhabitants of the jungles, constrictors like anacondas are seen as symbols of strength.

They are perhaps the most spiritual of the clans, and have the most druids in their ranks. However, since half-orcs have a slightly shorter lifespan than half-elves, the genetic bottleneck that is beginning to affect all of the clans is hitting them hardest. Accordingly, they repeatedly asked the Outcaste to offer asylum to Phlegethos' fire genasi slaves on their behalf. This effort recently bore fruit, and they have adopted several dozen runaways.

Horncarver is a half-orc shaman who has been the Serpent Clan representative for the past few Clansmeets.

## Interactions with PCs

Seprent Clan has probably been the PCs greatest ally among the Wilderness Clans. They are indebted to them even more now that they have an influx of new members.
Aristide Arkady

## Biography

Aristide is the current Duke of House Arkady. He took the title from his mother following her mismanagement of the claim on Outcaste Tower. He had her executed after she illegally attempted to have Beatriza the Harpy assassinated, and was forced to give concessions to the Outcaste.

## Interactions with PCs

Aristide sued for peace and the return of his mother after she had been kidnapped during the events of House Arkady v. Outcaste.

Aristide paid reparations to the PCs after they legally assaulted the Arkady compound following the former duchess's attempt on Beatriza's life.
Catechize Saffron Coral the Thirds

## Biography

Catechize Saffron Coral the Thirds is an eladrin, a type of fae creature that is strongly aligned with the seasons. Given that Catechize shifts through all four seasons rather than just one or two, she is presumably a servant of Titania, the Empress.

Catechize appeared to the Outcaste to deliver a strongly-worded request that they begin working on one of the fae-related tasks that had been requested of them, rather than playing as ridiculous mortal politics. Among those tasks suggested was the delivery of a book to Tenjin, the Magician, which the Outcaste agreed to undertake.

Before departing, Catechize gave the Outcaste a key, which when inserted into a lock will cause the door to open into her regime.

Catechize rapidly shifts through her four personas depending on her mood.

## Interactions with PCs

Catechize appeared outside the Outcaste Tower in order to deliver Titania, the Empress' request to the PCs.
Eren the Prophet

## Overview

Saved the world from the fae, partially. His official history is at least partly lies.

## Biography

Few hard facts are actually known about Eren, although there is a rich tapestry of legend that the Church of Asmodeus has since built up around him. According to Black City histories, Eren was a tiefling knight of Asmodeus, and he customarily wore a suit of platemail with a full helmet which concealed his face.

Well before the Greentide, Eren foresaw the fae invasion and took steps to prevent it. Unfortunately, his preparations were not enough to win the war, but they bought enough time to construct the Black Cities and thus preserve mortal life in the face of armageddon.

The PCs have discovered that Eren surrounded himself with a close group of (mostly) trusted confidants whose identities had been lost to history. They were Olaf Olafsson the berserker, Bitton Nail the rogue, Roland LaChalles the Iron Man, and Inibis the priestess. Less closely associated (and less trusted) was Wim Dagus the half-orc mercenary, who eventually ended up defecting to the fae.

Eren died in a titanic battle with Ymir, the Tower, which bought enough time for Avernus to be sealed.

The Iron Man has asserted very definitely that Eren was not an Asmodean, which conflicts with the official histories. Given that his associates have also been written out of history, it seems likely that much of the official version has been ... *edited*.

## Interactions with PCs

The PCs have learned that Eren closed the manse at Outcaste Tower with a cold iron seal several years before the Greentide. The Asmodeans have since erected a shrine in the basement.

Historical documents found by the PCs have described Eren as possessing incredible drive and strength of will, which was confirmed by Wim Dagus and the Iron Man. He also seems to have been utterly consumed by hatred for the fae, and did not possess much in the way of any real leadership skills.

Eren's base of operations was converted into the city of Cania during the Greentide.
Hrevik Delsworn

## Biography

Hrevik Delsworn is Addi von Deleret's personal guardian. His name, *Delsworn*, signifies that he has made unbreakable oaths to Asmodeus to protect her with his life.

As a goliath, Hrevik is likely from Stygia, and his tattoos mark him as soldier caste. Beyond that, his past is currently a mystery. He uses a barehanded, monastic fighting style.

## Interactions with PCs

Hrevik was present at the meeting with Addi von Deleret regarding the lava wurm attacks. When Gil Crescent broke in, Hrevik immediately hustled Addi out the back door.
Birno Goschen

## Biography

Birno was formerly the manager for highly restricted Class III materials at the Phlegethos Procurement Office.

He recently died from what was presumed to be natural causes. However, an investigation of the Class III inventory showed that 120 pounds of delioise went missing sometime in the last half year, so it is very possible that someone was merely tying up loose ends.
Damivir

## Biography

Damivir is a lowly priest caste initiate who was given the unfortunate task of tailing the Outcaste at the moment that the Thryxi were attempting to frame them for the murder of Valys Butler. He was caught by the Outcaste, interrogated, and then given to Kayla for safekeeping. His testimony to Bishop Ivensir and the Unjust was later instrumental in clearing their name.

## Interactions with PCs

Damivir was caught, bagged, and interrogated by the PCs and was a witness for their innocence.
House Sohd

> ***"Know your place."***
>
>

## Overview

House Sohd is one of the most powerful noble families in Phlegethos, and currently claims the title of Duke. However, due to the loss of their third heir in the Great Hunt and their first heir to a suspicious cave-in, they are left with only their second heir, who is best described as *competent*.

Unfortunately for them, in Black Cities politics, competent isn't nearly good enough. Coupled with the huge financial loss that the house took during the Great Hunt, their prospects look extremely grim.

## PC activites

The PCs planted the lava wurm lure in the House Sohd encampment during the Great Hunt. After Sohd forces damaged the creature, the PCs landed the killing blow and claimed the prize.
Bodok Blighthammer

## Overview

Idiot heir to Blighthammer Clan. Married to Thorinne Blighthammer (nee Greyshield).

## Biography

Bodok is the eldest son of the Blighthammer Clan of smiths, and is due to inherit the title of Highsmith when his mother Dolga passes away. As such, his rank often puts him in positions of leadership.

Unfortunately, he is a complete moron. Moreover, he is pushy, intrusive, and self-important. The wall around Little Dis was nearly a year and a half behind schedule due almost entirely to Bodok's stupidity.

Fortunately, Bodok seems more docile of late, and his new wife Thorinne seems to have enough brains for both of them.

Their marriage ceremony suffered a terrorist attack commonly known as the Green Wedding.

## Interactions with PCs

At Thorine Greyshield's request, the PCs gathered ingredients for a potion of docility so that Bodok would get the hell out of everyone's way for once.

The PCs saved Bodok (along with a lot of other people) at the Green Wedding.
Arjt

## Biography

Arjt is an older dwarf male who arrived at Ghal Darim with a traveling party of Serpent Clan. He claimed to be able to grow mushrooms which are safe from fae taint, and thus far it seems to be true.

He is fascinated by the myconids that migrated to Ghal Darim from Cania, and has apparently developed a good rapport with them.

For a considerable time, he dwarf's past was a mystery. He'd clearly been living in the Wilderness for some time and is friendly with the Wilderness Clans, but he has a multitude of small burns and scars on his hands, which are a telltale sign of a member of the Smith caste. Following Yfke's disappearance, Arjt revealed himself as Yfke's father, claimed his staff, and disappeared into the Faewild to search for him.

## Interactions with PCs

Arjt arrived in Ghal Darim with a contingent of Serpent Clan who had come to investigate the stronghold. He offered his mushroom-farming services to the PCs and was accepted, despite being very quiet about his past.

Arjt is currently searching for Yfke in the Faewild.
Stygia

## Overview

Stygia is the northernmost of the Black Cities, and is located on an icebound peninsula at the edge of the ocean. It exports most of the Black Cities' salt supplies and also provides white sand for use in glassmaking. As the salt air quickly corrodes naked cold iron, Stygia has a strong trading relationship with Phlegethos to import specialty materials to retard the process.

Stygia has a high population of goliaths, and they make up the bulk of the Soldier caste, rather than hobgoblins as is typical of the other cities. Since various winter deities represent a clear and present danger to the city itself, Stygia's Priest caste is extremely intolerant of other religions, and suppresses them viciously.

The Guided Hand has a very strong power base in Stygia, and controls much of the trade into and out of the city. The criminal enterprises are divided between four underbosses, who respectively control salt, sand, slaves, and food. The current Boss White (who runs the sand trade) is a goliath named Kolai Kalathai, who is also a cleric of Auril.

Stygia is also known for its special brand of gruel, known as *skell*. As Stygia has no wood reserves, it is forced to process seaweed into gruel, and despite two centuries of innovation, the flavor remains utterly revolting. It can be generously described as 'concentrated low tide,' so there is a strong demand for imported gruel.

The people of Stygia have a complicated, love/hate relationship with Ophion, the Moon which borders on heretical. Ophion regularly sends horrific storms at the city, and the waters around it are infested with vicious monstrosties, but most Stygians feel that this adversity makes them stronger. They also have a ritual in which warriors test their skill and bravery by running the cliffs at the water's edge. Many do not make it back, but those that do succeed are given respect and admiration.

## PC Activities

The PCs first went to Stygia to secure a supply of white sand for use in their gruel tanks. They had a brief but contentious alliance with Kolai Kalathai before he was Boss White.

After the death of Kenton, the PCs headed to Stygia to lay low for a few days.
Applecore

## Biography

Applecore is a smart and capable fae, and a high-ranking member of Oberon's court. Like other summer fae, Applecore cannot be permanently killed. If she should die, she will be reborn the following spring.

In at least one incarnation, Applecore was romantically involved with Mustardseed.

## Interactions with PCs

When the PCs crossed the Shimmering Sea, Applecore was the pirate queen of the outlaw haven.
Unjust

> *"There is no justice. There is only law."*
>
>

## Overview

The Unjust are a sect of the Church of Asmodeus which believes in strict adherence to Asmodean law. Their members are mostly paladins, and their willingness to dispense indiscriminate justice often puts them in conflict with the Soldier caste.

In Avernus, the Unjust have conscripted all priest caste children that they have been able to locate, in order to keep them out of harm's way.

## PC Activities

Bishop Ivensir supported the PCs claims of innocence in the murder of Valys Bulter.

Ivensir also worked to expose Karakas during the Papal Election.
House von Deleret

> ***"With fire and fury."***
>
>

## Overview

Until recently, House von Deleret was on the decline. However, the last heir of the bloodline, Addi von Deleret, won a Great Hunt, earning her extensive mining rights in the caverns below Phlegethos. The house is currently trying to reestablish itself, which is no small task given the Black Cities' cutthroat politics.

House von Deleret has the title of Baron.

## PC activites

The PCs have close ties with Baroness Addi von Deleret.
Reversek Chalice

## Overview

A half-elf who is (or was) more than he seemed.

## Biography

Some time after the Outcaste took control of Outcaste Tower, Reversek presented himself at the docks, purporting to have a great deal of scholarly information about the fae. He claimed to be the bastard son of a famous researcher from Avernus and an elven Uncaste, although research by Albrecht has shown that this story was almost certainly fabricated.

Reversek was last seen being dragged away by Rhadamanthus, the Justicar.

## Interactions with PCs

Reversek's information about the fae has been more or less confirmed by other sources, including the Iron Man.

After being dragged into Ghal Darim by the PCs, Reversek feigned death before his capture. Rhadamanthus seemed to know Reversek. When questioned about this, the lord said, **"HE IS NOTHING."**
Knights of the Prophet

> *"Eren protect us. Eren guide us. Eren smite the unbeliever and the fae."*
>
>

## Overview

The Knights of the Prophet believe foremost in the divinity of Eren the Prophet. They venerate any artifacts associated with him, and preach a militant approach to the fae.

The head of the Nessus faction of the Knights is Lenya the Penitent.

## PC Activities

The Knights of the Prophet initially managed the basement shrine in Outcaste Tower. However, they were ejected and replaced with the Seekers of the Darkest Flame after they attempted to publicly embarrass the Outcaste following a dispute over a statue of Auril.
Shalre

## Overview

Delegate of Maladomini for the Papal Election. Dedicated alcoholic.

## Biography

Shalre is a priestess from an old Maladomini family, but her raging alcoholism proved an embarrassment to them. She was shipped off to Avernus, where she spent most of her days on a barstool and her nights in a gutter.

After Ildos' disappearance, she became the delegate for Maladomini in the Papal Election and voted for Inibis of Cania. Following that, she relocated to Nessus and spent her days on a barstool at Morxes' and her nights in the gutters of Little Dis. Eventually, she drank herself to death.

## Interactions with PCs

The PCs had Cyrimon locate Shalre and sober her up. They paid her tab at Morxes' bar, up until her (un)timely demise.
Cyrimon

## Biography

Cyrimon was a Labor Caste human who specialized in law. While he was unquestionably a good lawyer, he was also an opportunistic sleazeball. During the Avernian Civil War, he threw in with Uther Uthersson.

Cyrimon was executed by Cardinal Morxes during his ascension speech.

## Interactions with PCs

Cyrimon is defended Aemon at the PCs' behest. Valys Butler referred the PCs to Cyrimon as a way to distance herself from the case.

Cyrimon referred Kurzon to the PCs when they inquired about the catacombs.

Cyrimon located Shalre in time for the Papal Election.
Rogar

## Biography

Rogar is the son of Olivar, chief of the Wolf Clan, and is heir apparent to the title. He's a shrewd politician and manipulator, although not on par with the Asmodeans of the Black Cities.

## Interactions with PCs

Rogar manipulated the PCs into taking on a fae task during their first Clansmeet, and into accepting a Rat Clan banner during the second.
Avernus

## Overview

Avernus is the most central of the Black Cities, and is the seat of the Pope of the Flame. As such the Priest caste holds almost all the power within the city.

However, Avernus is also the central hub for all airship trade among the Black Cities, and the free spirit of the traders is in strong opposition to the conservatism (and in some cases, fundamentalism) of the Priest caste. Conflict seems almost inevitable.

Avernus is built on a plateau, which is laced with leagues of twisting catacombs. The city itself is divided roughly into two halves. The southwestern section is for the Labor caste and the Trade District, while the priests reside in the Abbey, to the northeast. The other upper castes live on the edge of the Abbey, outside the Abbey wall.

Following the Papal Election and the exposure of the Thryxi sect within the Priest caste, Avernus is in a severe state of civil unrest.

## PC Activities

The first time the PCs stopped in Avernus, they were not made to feel welcome. They also picked up a Thryxi assassin, so there's that too.

The PCs were present during all of the activities leading up to the Papal Election, including the assassination of Valys Butler, the exploration of the Thryxi base in the catacombs, the ousting of Ventros as Cardinal, the exposure of Karakas as a Thryxi, and the election of Inibis of Cania as the Pope of the Flame.
Tatum

## Overview

Former mercenary mage. Now employed by the Outcaste.

## Biography

Tatum is a hedge wizard from the city of Phlegethos. He is a reasonable enchanter, although he has little if any formal training.

He worked as a mercenary in Phlegethos, at one point associating with the Iron Alley Cutters, making highly illegal fire gems for House Folken. He now works for the Outcaste.

## Interactions with PCs

Was discovered trying to plant a fire gem in Crescent Manor. Escaped, but was eventually tracked down, captured, and made an offer he couldn't refuse.
Church of Asmodeus

## History

There is one official deity in the Black Cities: Asmodeus. The priest caste is wholly Asmodean, and almost every member of the upper castes worships Asmodeus.

The reason for this is historical. During the Greentide, followers of the other religions tried to fight the fae. The Asmodeans saw that these efforts were doomed to failure, so they chose a different path. They chose to save themselves.

It was a terrifyingly cold and pragmatic decision, since it meant sacrificing the majority to save only a few. But the worldview of Asmodeans is nothing if not cold, pragmatic, and utterly self-interested, and they made the decision without any qualms whatsoever. They recruited hobgoblins to provide security and dwarves to build walls of cold iron.

Thus the Black Cities were created.

## Modern Asmodeanism

In the Black Cities, other religions are not suppressed -- at least not officially. But they are in a higher tax bracket, and their worshipers often find themselves discriminated against in subtle ways that have no legal recourse. In the two centuries since the Greentide, other gods have seen their worshipers slowly eroded away until almost nothing remains.

The absence of competing gods has allowed the Asmodean religion to grow in interesting ways. A multitude of sects have arisen within the religion, each with its own precepts and goals. With them, they have brought domains previously claimed by other gods. Before the Greentide, Asmodeans focused on the principles of Law, Darkness, Flame, and Tyranny. Now there are Asmodean clerics who espouse Trickery, Light, Arcana, Forge, and War -- among countless others.

Officially recognized sects within the Asmodean Church include the Knights of the Prophet, the Unjust, the Acquisitive Order, the Three-in-Five, and the Seekers of the Darkest Flame.

## PC activites

The PCs have uncovered evidence of a secret order of tiefling supremacists within the Church.
Bitton Nail

## Biography

As the Herald of the Fae Lords, Bitton was a nine foot tall suit of living wooden armor. He served as the mouthpiece of the fae lords when they needed to communicate with mortals, such as delivering their yearly demands to the Wilderness Clans during the Clansmeet.

When asked if he was mortal, the Herald replied, **"ONCE."** He was an unwilling servant of the fae, and the armor is his prison. The Herald further said that his torment will endure so long as he has no name, no grave, and no one to weep for him.

According to Wim Dagus, the Herald's true name was **Bitton Nail**. At the time of the Greentide, he was a halfling rogue in his mid-to-late teens, originally from the lands where Cania once stood. Despite his young age, he was a part of Eren the Prophet's inner circle, until he was captured in a battle outside Maladomini.

Bitton's curse was eventually broken by the Outcaste. Attiesta has since assumed the role of Herald voluntarily, and does not wear the cursed armor.

## Interactions with PCs

The PCs first encountered the Herald during the Clansmeet, when he delivered the fae lords' demands to the Wilderness Clans.

He later appeared to the PCs at Merrow Fen, to inform them that Nyx's task had been completed.

In the ruins of Cania, the PCs discovered a tearstained letter written by his mother, Geledda Nail. Along with his name a nd a freshly dug grave, this allowed the curse to be broken.
Folwin

## Biography

Folwin is a young half elf from Eagle Clan. Several of the fingers on his left hand are crippled, so that he cannot effectively fire a bow. This infirmity strongly diminishes him in the eyes of his clan, who have a strong archer tradition.

Folwin was given to Ko Chun, the Wheel of Fortune for 777 days, as part of the services that the fae lords demand of the Wilderness Clans. He was sent to the Ten Treasures Casino, where he operated the machineries of the gremlin death maze, as it needed a mortal hand to be random and interesting.

Folwin waited out the term of his service even after the Dust were corrupted by Astarte, although the ordeal exacted a heavy toll on his sanity.

## Interactions with PCs

Folwin's take on the PCs was cautiously optimistic. Since his experiences in Ten Treasures Casino, he hasn't been the same, and may never be again.
Estovion Lozarov

## Biography

Estovion is an upper manager at the Phlegethos Procurement Office. He was formerly in charge of the moderately restricted Class II materials, but with the death of Birno Goschen, it appears he is now also responsible for highly restricted Class III materials as well.

## Interactions with PCs

At Keen's urging, Estovion discovered the theft of approximately 80% of the stock of delioise, a material used in the construction of fire gems.