Vhak

Vhak was the capital of Vhakizla. Constructed high on the slopes of Mount Zyraxes, Vhak was the seat of dragon, vampire and dracolich in the late First and early Second Ages. Known for its waterfalls, Vhak was less a population center and more an impregnable fortress.

Geography

Vhak was located at the western end of Vhakizla, high on the slopes of the looming Mount Zyraxes. Still higher on the slopes stood the Fangs, the fortified palace of the nation's undead ruler. To the south spanned foothills, vineyards and estates, many emptied by the Spoils. Following the Heartvein River east led one to Akiz, the Ghostmire and Izla, where the vast majority of the nation's population dwelled.
Waterfalls were pivotal in the city's construction, flowing from mountain springs and through the city streets. Following the Thanasian conquest, however, the rivers went still and the gushing waterfalls dried into nothing more than occasional drips.
Vhak has a number of notable districts:

• Aristo Row: Constructed along the city's highest edge, the manors and villas of Aristo Row were among the finest homes of the nobility in the city. Each of the dozen estates sought to outdo one another in extravagance. Following the conquest, however, they all sat empty. Thariza Place is one such villa.

History

First Age

Founded in 467 1A, nearly a century after the nation's founding, Vhak began as a fortress, now merely the city's gatehouse. Repeatedly hit by raiders from the north, the embattled Vhakizlans sought a place to retreat to when war loomed. Fed by the Heartvein and enriched by mining in the mountains, the city grew and grew in wealth and power until it became the unofficial capital of the nation's elite. When Vhakizla the Valiant herself rose to prominence, she made the place her seat, despite attempts to persuade her into Akiz to the east.

Night Wars

When Thanatos invaded in 899 1A, the Night Wars never truly came to Vhak. Following the dracoqueen's defeat on the field in 2 2A, all will to resist the undead occupation withered and died. The might garrison at Vhak promptly surrendered to Caliphar II when his dead hosts marched to their gates.

Second Age

Like the dragon before him, Vhakizla's new vampire lord made Vhak the seat of his power. He demolished her former draconic palace and commissioned a new fortress, in the Thanasian style, high on the mountain's slopes. The Fangs, named for both their twin towers and their vampiric patron, took a decade to complete. Caliphar II hardly spent much time here, however, preferring to mingle among the dwindling human population in Izla. Only his undead legions occupied Vhak during his brief reign.
When Vhakizla unexpectedly returned from the Sphinxes – now transformed into a dracolich – she assaulted the Fangs, collapsing one tower entirely. Caliphar II, his sarcophagus destroyed, quickly fled and disappeared from Vhak. Swiftly taking control of his undead legions, the dracolich reinstalled herself as the city – and the nation's – returned ruler.

Politics

Before the Night Wars, Vhak was home to the Vhakizlan wealthy elite, the oligarchs that served the dragon's whims. The underclass, such as it existed, were primarily servants of these nobles and dwelled in their own poorer quarters of the city.
Since much of the living population fled in 2 2A, however, Vhak boasted very little politics to speak of. During the reign of both undead rulers, it served as an effective military encampment, where the vast undead legions of vampire and dracolich were quartered. Everyone that lived in Vhak was mindlessly devoted to the rule of either Caliphar II or Vhakizla.

Economy

Much of Vhakizla's wealth – both before and after the Night Wars – came from its gem mining. Rich deposits of ruby and sapphire were found within the mountain. Mined by its citizens, they were once used to decorate the arms and throats of its aristocracy – and to line the coffers of the dragon's hoard.
Following her transition to undeath, wealth has not held the same appeal to Vhakizla. Now, much of the gemstone trade flows from Vhak and into the wider world, a tempting enticement for nations otherwise too squeamish to trade with an undead power.

Demographics

A formerly human-dominated city, Vhak boasted only undead following its Thanasian conquest. These were overwhelmingly skeletons and zombies that represented the military. A strong core of wights, to maintain the necrotyranny's bureaucracy, were also found in Vhak. In addition, a small minority of mummies and miscellaneous other undead, such as wraiths and ghouls, made their homes in the city.
This nonetheless left the vast majority of the city empty, for the dead – particularly the mindless ones – need precious little space to survive. So abandoned, the city was ghastly quiet in those days.

Culture

Once the lap of wealth and excess, Vhak was the ivory tower of Vhakizla. The landed gentry looked down upon the unwashed masses from their manors and villas. In the presence of the dragon, of course, there was also a great deal of bowing and scraping. Famed for her vanity, Vhakizla required constant praise and adulation. To the citizens of Vhak, it was always a small contest to see who could bend over backwards the furthest to heap worship upon their draconic ruler.
Following the Thanasian conquest, all trace of that culture vanished. The affected flattery was replaced by the unthinking devotion of the undead.

Campaigns

The Menagerie

• Vhakizla: The Menagerie marched through the streets of Vhak to reach their first audience with the Wyrm Returned. They subsequently made Thariza Place on Aristo Row their headquarters. (Chapter 4)

Vhak

City of Cascades

Country: Vhakizla
 Founded: 467 1A 
 Authority: Necrotyranny
Demographics: Isolated (100% undead)
Demonym: Vhaki