Khardov

A vital industrial center and the seat of power for the Khardoska volozk, the city of Khardov sits atop a hive of former Orgoth mines, many of which were collapsed during the Scourge with slaves and taskmasters still inside. Today, mining for coal and iron continues beneath the city streets, and new shafts sometimes open onto older chambers filled with the bones of the dead, if not something worse. Each time that happens, the mine is temporarily sealed, and the Greylords Covenant takes over until the tunnels have been cleared of any potentially dangerous (or useful) contents.

Because of the rich Orgoth troves that still remain beneath Khardov, the Greylords Covenant has a significant presence in the city, which is ruled by Great Prince Aeniv Rolonovik, who is also obavnik of the Greylords, one of the order’s highest ranks. The organization’s stronghold lies in the shadow of a nameless Orgoth keep spared for unknown reasons from the devastation of the Scourge. This structure towers over Khardov’s industrial quarter and has remained sealed since the Orgoth’s departure.

On days when the wind is weak, much of Khardov is blanketed with a thick and toxic fog formed from the combined smoke and effluvium of the city’s industrial and alchemical districts. Most Khardovites go out in this haze only if they must, and they will not do so without protective goggles and cheesecloth masks. Despite these safeguards, life expectancy is notably shorter in Khardov than in many of the empire’s other cities. Khardov’s terrible working conditions have long made its laborers prone to unrest, and it has been the site of numerous worker riots in the years following the Claiming. All these uprisings have been put down violently, either by the olcheniy mercenaries who serve the city’s industrial concerns or, more recently, by soldiers of the Winter Guard.

Location under

Khador