# Legacy of Fire Background Information

Some information should be known by PCs in this campaign starting in Solku.  I have lovingly crafted this document just for those PCs.

## Solku

This isolated city is located near the Barrier Wall mountains of western Katapesh.  It has been the target of raids by gnoll slavers in the past, and for that reason it maintains a tall wall for defense, but the savagery, tenacity, and sheer numbers of gnolls means that out here far from help from more civilized regions of Katapesh the wall is not always enough to protect the citizens of Solku.

The city's ruler, Lord Hazic Kel-Kalaar, is generally known as a pragmatic and clear thinking man who thinks of the long term when making decisions about how to ensure the prosperity and security of the city.  His men coordinate with the Dawn Vigil of the Lambent Citadel to defend the city, and the two groups often collaborate on sorties sent out to break up gnoll activities in the region.

The Lambent Citadel is a sandstone structure of graceful architecture accented by beautiful windows of stained glass.  It houses the Dawn Vigil, an order of paladins of Sarenrae dedicated to the defense of Solku.  Lady Chanar Cynore, who oversees the Lambent Citadel and its contingent of paladins, disagrees with Lord Kel-Kalaar on strategy for dealing with the gnoll problem in the area.  Evidence suggests that the gnolls in the area are becoming better organized, suggesting a growing threat that she feels should be dealt with more swiftly and directly than Lord Kel-Kalaar's measured approach to destabilizing gnoll organization.

Religious pilgrims will sometimes make a long and at times dangerous journey to the Lambent Citadel.  The city of Solku itself is a hub of trade between far-flung settlements in the shadows of the Barrier Wall mountain range as well, and as a waypoint between Katapesh and the Mwangi Expanse, contributing to its size and the mercantile traffic it sees.  Depending on the season, Solku's population can swell to over 10,000 and ebb to as low as 2,000 souls.

The Breakstride, Solku's most well-appointed and prosperous inn, lies at the western edge of the city where it cannot help but be noticed by road-weary travelers coming from the direction of the Mwangi Expanse.  Breakstride often has staff at the eastern gate ready to welcome travelers from across Katapesh to invite them to the inn to rest in comfort, as well.  The city also boasts a library of tomes, scrolls, and documents looted from ancient tombs, known as the Archive of Eminent Tomes.

Only eight years ago, an army of gnolls from White Canyon laid siege to the city, in part because of the potential wealth and slaves that could be taken, but in part because of the presence of the Dawn Vigil that has been pressing the fight against gnoll slavers in the region since the order of paladins established its base of operations in Solku almost a century ago.  The siege was broken with the help of paladins of Iomedae who came to Solku to reinforce the faithful of Sarenrae, though all these paladins of Iomedae gave their lives, most of them during a decisive action known as the Battle of Red Hail.

Most of Solku's troubles come from outside the city.  It is relatively well-governed by Lord Kel-Kalaar and, in addition to that, the strong presence of the Dawn Vigil helps to ensure a low crime rate.


## Gnolls

The region surrounding Solku, and to its north along the Barrier Wall range, is home to many tribes of gnolls.  Gnoll slavers who will sell their cargo to slaver merchants bound for the city of Katapesh are common, and collecting more slaves is probably the biggest reason for gnoll raids on villages in the area.


## Battle Markets

For centuries, since the Pactmasters first arrived in the country of Katapesh, they have sponsored what have come to be known as battle markets.  A battle market village is one centered around a multi-level bazaar, typically featuring a central tavern and a small arena.  The entire thing provides a safe haven from brigands and raiders in the heartlands of Katapesh for merchants, helping to spread wealth to the common folk as well as to foster more trade.  Battle markets are, of course, typically popular places for slave exchanges and similar borderline illicit trade.


## Religion

There are more gods than these, but for one reason or another these are the options your characters are most likely to actually encounter or hear about in the context of this Adventure Path and should already know *something* about.

Iomedae, the Inheritor: She is the goddess of justice and honor, among other things, and is pretty much the stereotypical goddess served by an order of paladins.  A contingent of Iomedae's paladins came to Solku when it was besieged by the gnolls of White Canyon eight years ago to reinforce the Dawn Vigil and gave their lives to help break the siege.

Lamashtu, Mother of Monsters: Almost all gnolls at least nominally pay homage to the evil goddess Lamashtu, Mother of Monsters.  Those who are most devoted are also typically the most vile, and the most frightening to face.

Rovagug, the Rough Beast: The very personification of destruction, there is literally no redeeming quality that Rovagug can claim, and his cultists truly aspire to the same black state of perfect evil.

Sarenrae, the Dawnflower: As the goddess of the sun and redemption, her followers generally act on the principle that anyone might be redeemed, though when redemption cannot be bought for a sinner without paying too high a price Sarenrae's paladins of the Dawn Vigil are able to harden their hearts and do what must be done to combat evil.  The one notable exception to the general policy of trying to rehabilitate first, and only slay when necessary, is the cult of Rovagug.