Vendigroth
Overview
Vendigroth. Scourge or saviour, it is a marvel to both sides. The Great Desert is an inhospitable place for man and most beasts alike, it certainly does not seem the place to be able to support vast cities. And yet, Vendigroth stands. Founded by the mysterious Omari, from the start, Vendigroth was a place of magic. Omari claims that he discovered the magic through his own work -- some legends and stories call it a trick gift from a god. Either way, it was and is the reason that Vendigroth was built and stands now. It was constructed almost completely from magic -- the stone that forms the foundation and walls was made and shaped by magic. Magic provides the light for the city, helped shield it from the Burning Wrath, and feed the people within its walls.
Vendigroth is both a city and a nation -- the city is the capital of the nation. The nation itself is ruled by the Arcane Council, nine people altogether sitting on the Council. The leader of these men is Omari, the strongest of the known magicians. They rule by power and secrets.
In response to the growing threats of the creatures of the desert, as well as the native populations that the Empire uses as slaves, the Empire finally acknowledged the need for a force that was not dependent on magical talent; namely, a military. The first of the generals was Sareem, and he organized an organization with plenty of power, that reported directly to Omari himself. This organization was supplemented by the creation of numerous golems to assist in guard duties and brute work. The military is also responsible for a shift in constructions technique. Where previously, apart from the imposing walls that surrounded all the cities, architecture was largely for grandiose, they began a change to more functional, particularly for defense. The vast fortress at Chembar, straddling the land bridge between the wastes and the new world, is the finest example of this architecture.
Heroes
Omari is the chief among the Arcane Council, an archmage of almost limitless power. He is known as a cunning thinker, a researcher with no bounds and without par, and a ruthless leader. It would be accurate to say that he almost singlehandedly raised Vendigroth from the ground. He started the use of slavery as a workforce, he developed the special shackles for use on asherati, he created the first of the Stone Golems, and he was behind the plans for the disc ships that the Navy uses.
Markus is the commander of the Freedom of Valitos, the first disc ship constructed. A man with very little magical talent, he has a sharp mind that he can cut through new problems or situations with, to get to their core.
