Kaspax

Kaspax, once a slumcity in the frozen wasteland of the Whispering Alps, was established as a temporary refuge for the displaced Aasimar after they were forced to flee Auriglim, their once-golden city. In the centuries since, the city became a shadow of its former self after the Aasimar returned to their celestial homeland, leaving Kaspax abandoned. However, the Duergar and Deep Gnomes have recently begun to restore it, seeing its strategic importance due to the Vaults of the Ordning, ancient giant vaults hidden beneath the town and containing untold treasures gathered from the shattered realms of Realmshatter.

Demographics

Duergar: 40% Deep Gnomes (Svirfneblin): 35% Kender: 5% Other races (merchants, adventurers): 20%

Government

• Kaspax is governed by a council of elders consisting primarily of Duergar and Deep Gnomes, with a singular Kender representative for their small population. The council focuses on maintaining the safety and security of the Vaults of the Ordning while also supporting trade and restoration efforts. Law enforcement is handled by Duergar soldiers, while the Deep Gnomes manage the town’s infrastructure and vault security.

Defences

Kaspax is heavily fortified to protect both its people and the giant vaults below. It is surrounded by towering ice walls that are reinforced with Duergar iron and defended by a combination of Duergar soldiers, magical wards, and deadly traps set by Deep Gnome engineers. The Coldsteel Keep: The military fort that houses the bulk of Kaspax’s defensive forces. Geothermal Wards: Magical wards that harness geothermal energy to protect the city from both magical and physical threats.

Industry & Trade

Kaspax’s economy is driven by treasure-seeking adventurers and vaultkeepers, who mine the riches of the ancient giant vaults and trade them for supplies. It also produces high-quality cold-resistant weapons, enchanted tools, and rare magical artifacts recovered from the vaults.

• Primary Exports: Cold-resistant weapons, magical artifacts from the Vaults, enchanted tools, and rare minerals.
• Primary Imports: Food, warm clothing, and advanced magical components not available locally.

Infrastructure

Kaspax's architecture reflects its history as a hidden settlement beneath the frozen Alps. Buildings are low, squat structures built to withstand the relentless snow and wind, made primarily of thick stone with slate roofs. Deep tunnels connect much of the city underground, providing warmth and access to vital resources. Water Supply: Meltwater from the snowcaps, carefully channeled through underground reservoirs. Power Supply: Geothermal vents beneath the town provide heat and limited energy for the settlement. Roads: Most roads are snow-covered or lined with packed ice, with underground tunnels serving as the primary transport routes for the residents.

Districts

1. The Ordning Vaults District The central district of Kaspax is dedicated to guarding the Vaults of the Ordning, a vast underground complex filled with the treasures of the giants. These vaults are hidden beneath layers of ice and stone, accessible only to trusted guilds and vaultkeepers. Many come to Kaspax to trade, gamble, or attempt to gain entry into these fabled vaults.
2. The Ironspike District Named after the Duergar fort that anchors it, this district serves as both a defensive bastion and the heart of military activity. The Duergar train here and also oversee the city’s defenses.
3. The Svirfneblin Tunnels The Deep Gnomes have restored and expanded an elaborate network of tunnels beneath the city, which are used for trade, transportation, and security. Many residents prefer the warmth of the tunnels over the freezing temperatures above.
4. The Kender Quarter A small, lively district where the few Kender that live in Kaspax reside. It’s known for its vibrant, colorful markets where all kinds of trinkets, magical items, and adventuring gear are sold.

Assets

• Blacksmiths and Armorers: Several blacksmiths specialize in creating enchanted cold-resistant weapons and armor, as well as tools used for tunneling and vault exploration.
• Vaultkeeper Guilds: Several guilds are dedicated to the upkeep, protection, and exploration of the Vaults of the Ordning, employing adventurers, locksmiths, and magical experts.
• Apothecary: Provides remedies for cold-related ailments and supplies adventurers with healing potions and other magical consumables.
• Magic Item Vendors: Specialized stores that sell artifacts and trinkets recovered from the vaults, many of which possess strange giant-based magic.

Guilds and Factions

• The Vaultkeepers’ Guild: The most powerful faction in Kaspax, responsible for maintaining and protecting the Vaults of the Ordning. They hire adventurers, magical experts, and locksmiths to help recover treasures and ensure the vaults' safety.

• The Ironclad Enclave: A militaristic faction of Duergar soldiers and smiths who focus on the defense of Kaspax and the surrounding territory. They also produce the city’s cold-resistant weaponry and armor.

• Svirfneblin Tinkerers’ Consortium: A group of Deep Gnome engineers and magicians responsible for maintaining the city's underground infrastructure and setting traps to protect the vaults. They also specialize in magical and technological innovations.

Points of interest

• The Vaults of the Ordning: These massive underground vaults are the crown jewel of Kaspax, filled with the wealth of the ancient giants. They are a source of both great wealth and peril, as many are still trapped and guarded by giant constructs and magical wards.
• Coldsteel Keep: The Duergar military stronghold, where the town's defenses are coordinated and elite soldiers are trained. It also serves as a trading post for cold-resistant gear.

• The Frostspire: An ancient Aasimar tower now repurposed as a magical observatory. It stands as a reminder of the Aasimar’s presence, and magical scholars often study its arcane wards.

• The Deep Gnome Tunnels: A vast network of tunnels that crisscross beneath Kaspax, providing warmth and transportation. Some of the deeper tunnels are rumored to connect to other hidden locations in the Whispering Alps.

Tourism

While Kaspax isn’t a popular tourist destination, it draws adventurers and treasure hunters looking to explore the vaults or test their luck in recovering giant artifacts. Some scholars visit to study the ancient Ordning civilization and the unique magical properties of the vaults.
Celebration Vaultwatcher’s Vigil Date: 1st Lumisara
Overview: Vaultwatcher’s Vigil is a solemn yet festive holiday that honors the past struggles of Kaspax while celebrating its future. It was originally established by the Duergar and Deep Gnomes to commemorate their successful reclamation and restoration of the city after the Aasimar's departure. Today, it is a symbol of Kaspax’s resilience, focusing on the defense of the Vaults of the Ordning and the unity between its current inhabitants. The festival is held on the longest, darkest night of the year—the Winter Solstice—when the frigid air grips the town most intensely. Despite the cold, the people of Kaspax gather to light the Watchfires, sing ancient vaultkeeper songs, and share in the communal experience of guarding their home and its treasures.
Traditions:

• Lighting the Watchfires: As dusk falls, enormous bonfires called Watchfires are lit around the perimeter of Kaspax and near the entrances to the Vaults of the Ordning. These flames, infused with protective magic by the Deep Gnome Tinkerers' Consortium, serve as both a source of warmth and a symbolic beacon, warding off intruders and malevolent forces. The fire represents both the vigilance required to guard the vaults and the warmth the town provides to its people.

• The Vigil of the Vaultkeepers: Citizens gather in the Ordning Vaults District, where the most experienced vaultkeepers lead a ceremonial guard of the vault doors. Adventurers, Duergar soldiers, and Svirfneblin engineers take turns maintaining the Vigil, standing watch over the entrance to the ancient vaults through the long night. It is a time of reflection, silence, and focus, representing the eternal duty of Kaspax to protect these powerful treasures. Those who complete the Vigil are honored with a special Vaultkeeper’s Sigil, a token of their commitment to the city.

• Tales of the Frozen Whisper: As the Vigil progresses, elders and historians tell tales of Kaspax’s history, including the hardships faced by the Aasimar, the rediscovery of the vaults, and the eventual restoration of the city by the Duergar and Deep Gnomes. These stories, known as the Frozen Whisper, are passed down through generations and teach the importance of perseverance and unity.

• Gift of the Magmahearth: Throughout the night, the people of Kaspax gather around geothermal hearths known as Magmahearths, where food and drink are shared. In these small communal groups, gifts are exchanged—usually handmade items, enchanted trinkets, or artifacts recovered from the vaults. The exchange of gifts symbolizes the warmth and protection Kaspax provides to all who reside within its frozen walls.

• Frostbound Feast: A grand feast takes place at Ironspike Keep at midnight, where Duergar and Deep Gnome delicacies are served alongside imported goods brought by traders and adventurers. Special dishes are prepared using ingredients from the deeper tunnels, such as frostmoss stew and magma-roasted meat.

• Kender Lantern Procession: The small Kender population plays a special role in the holiday by leading a Lantern Procession at dawn. Each Kender crafts an intricate lantern that symbolizes hope and curiosity. As the sun rises, they walk through the snow-covered streets, lighting the path with their delicate lanterns, signaling the end of the Vigil and the promise of a new year filled with discovery and adventure.

Symbols of Vaultwatcher’s Vigil:

• Watchfires: Symbolize protection, vigilance, and warmth.
• Vaultkeeper’s Sigil: A badge of honor awarded to those who participate in the Vigil, representing their dedication to guarding the vaults.
• Magmahearths: Hearths used for communal gatherings, representing unity and shared survival.
• Frostmoss: A local plant used in many traditional dishes, symbolizing resilience in the harsh climate.

Significance: Vaultwatcher’s Vigil emphasizes the duty of Kaspax’s people to safeguard the giant vaults beneath their feet, while also celebrating the town’s ability to thrive in harsh conditions. It’s a holiday that blends solemn responsibility with communal joy, strengthening the bond between the town’s different races and reminding them of their shared mission to protect Kaspax and its riches.
Tourism: Adventurers and scholars are often drawn to Kaspax during Vaultwatcher’s Vigil, intrigued by the tales of the Ordning Vaults and the chance to participate in the city’s ceremonial guarding of the ancient giant treasures. Some brave souls come in hopes of receiving the coveted Vaultkeeper’s Sigil, which marks them as honorary guardians of the vaults.

Architecture

Kaspax’s architecture is functional and fortified, built to withstand the harsh weather conditions of the Whispering Alps. The structures are made from thick stone with reinforced iron supports, with most of the living spaces located underground to avoid the freezing cold. A few Aasimar buildings still stand, with domes and spires now coated in frost, remnants of their celestial-inspired design.

Geography

Located at the base of the Whispering Alps, Kaspax is surrounded by jagged, snow-covered peaks. Beneath the town lies a vast network of tunnels and vaults, many of which have yet to be fully explored.

Climate

Kaspax experiences relentless snowstorms and freezing temperatures, with sleet and thick snow covering most of the town. The underground geothermal vents provide warmth, but life above ground is harsh and unforgiving.

Natural Resources

Geothermal Energy: The town is heated and powered by the geothermal vents beneath the Whispering Alps. Giant Artifacts: The Vaults of the Ordning are filled with rare artifacts, many of which possess powerful magical properties. Minerals: Kaspax is rich in rare minerals and precious metals, often found in the deeper vaults or unearthed during mining.

Founding Date

174AD

Founders

• High Archon Kaspiel

Type

Outpost / Base

Population

~2500

Characters in Location

• Earthshaper Nali Stoneshade