Tower of Swords

Capital of Caspia

Population: 2,725 people

Ruler: High King Venus Joplin II

Known For: Arena Battles, Political Center of Caspia, the Kingsmoot

In the midst of the Caspian plains, resting beside the River of Blood is a massive stone tower built to resemble a colossal sword with its blade plunged into the earth. It reaches hundreds of feet into the air, and a chain-powered lift operates an elevator which runs up the furrow of the blade. There, the court of the High King is built into the crossguard of the stone weapon, with stained glass windows like jewels decorating a hilt.

The Tower of Swords is the tallest structure in Caspia, and located in the heart of the nation. It is the seat of the High King of Caspia and the place where each Kingsmoot is decided. After a new High King is elected, the new monarch and their immediate family and retainers take up residence in the apartments built into the pommel of the blade-tower, where the yawning windows and stone balconies look out in every direction across Caspia.

The High King holds court in the Great Hall located in the crossguard of the blade. There stand statues of the six children of Rex Caspian, as well as a central statue of Rex himself with an inscription that reads “May our swords shatter the will of those who rise against the might of Caspia.” Beneath the tower is a crypt of sorts, but no bodies are held there. Instead, the chosen blade or weapon representing each High King is hung upon the wall or placed on display on tables throughout the mausoleum. A small village has sprung up around the tower, providing lodgings for royal visitors and the household staff.

No Caspians constructed the Tower of Swords, and the structure supposedly dates before even the time of the Arcane Empire. Caspians tell a story that it is in fact a titan’s blade. The fearsome creature planned to devour the people of the earth, but when the primordial monster saw the warriors of Caspia, he was so intimidated by their might he dropped his sword and fled. As with most Caspian stories, the details and timeline of events become extremely incongruent the more one thinks it through. Most Caspians get quite angry if you mention this.

Rex Colosseum

Constructed beside the Tower of Swords is a large oval-shaped arena that can accommodate nearly ten thousand spectators. The outer facade is decorated with bas-relief carvings depict ing horrific monsters being slain by Caspian warriors. Inside is a sandy fighting pit with barred gates facing each cardinal direction. Standing in the middle of the pit is the petrified statue of Rex Caspian, still holding the gorgon that petrified him in his grip. The supernatural creature is still alive, but has been unable to free itself for hundreds of years. Those fighting in the arena must be careful to avoid the petrifying fumes it belches forth.

Beneath the arena is a sprawling labyrinth of chambers, with ready-rooms for gladiators, a forge and smithy to maintain weapons and armor, a hot spring bath to relax between fights, and copious stores of meat and beer. The lower levels house various pens where animals and monsters are kept to await combat. The High King pays well for new creatures that offer unique fighting opportunities, and some adventurers make their entire careers as monster-wranglers for the arena.

The Troll’s Head

For those traveling to the Tower of Swords or Rex Colosseum, they can find accommodations at the Troll’s Head tavern and inn. Both gladiators and spectators all come to the Troll’s Head to enjoy a pint of ale and enjoy stories of great victories and bitter losses. The tavern has the mummified head of a troll on a stake outside acting as a signpost for the tavern.

Comet Smith, a member of a smaller Caspian house, runs the inn, which is actually the manor house of his family. He loves to share stories and gossip with guests, especially telling newcomers about the troll outside who tried to kill him when he was in the Trogrowth forest on a hunt. His story changes slightly every time he tells it, getting more and more heroic as time passes.