The Ataphads are the descendants of some corrupted members of the ancient baklunish empire which had been seduced by the power of Elemental Evil. The magic of elements and genies reached its highlight in the last centuries of the Empire. In spite of this success, powerful elemental wizards were attracted by the power which was promised to them by the ancestral elemental EYE. However, the majority of the baklunish wizards resisted the temptation and discovered the corruption which invaded their art. In order to keep intact the purity of the art, they waged war against the corrupted mages. These were unable to resist for a long time and fled away far in the North, on the Ataphad islands. These islands were out of reach the Empire and the Elemental Evil was able to develop, shielded from attacks.
The corrupted mages were later joined by the Ur-Flannas, essentially dark necromancers. In fact, it is possible that the Ur-Flannas lived in the Ataphad islands before the arrival of the corrupted baklunish. The question of the anteriority of some or the others is not resolved.
The conjunction of the necromantic knowledge of the Ur-Flannas and the malefic elemental magic of the Baklunish facilitated the development of diverse branches of black magic. Numerous evil experiments were led on the islands, especially the crossing of human beings with all sorts of aberrations and monstrous creatures. Nowadays most Ataphads still show stigmas of those experiments.
The most powerful servants of the Elemental Evil discovered, in one of the central islands, a powerful source of malefic power. At the same time, they discovered that the ancestral elementary EYE was in fact the eye of the god of the eternal Darkness. Over this source of dark power, they founded what is today the most powerful and most feared of all ataphad cities, the terrific and evil city of Kazurka. It is in this cursed place, that takes place the abominable rite of the servants of the Eternal Darkness which affixes the mysterious pale mark on the flesh of the followers. It is also in Kazurka that the dark market of the Worlds takes place, where the creatures of the lower plans come to trade with the initiates of the Eternal Darkness, and where everything is settled in slaves, in souls, in bond elementals or in a strange currency dedicated to the dark god. Illithids and dark elves come to trade too in this abominable market. It is very difficult to get into Kazurka because, with very few exceptions, only those who wear the subtle mark of the eternal Darkness can enter it. The lighthouse of the port of Kazurka is, during day, a lighthouse of darkness, and covers all the city in an eternal dusk. It is finally in the black Haven, the harbour of Kazurka, that is anchored the terrible fleet of the purple Sails which makes the terror reign in all the Dramidj ocean.
Kazurka exercises its suzerainty over the other ataphad cities which pay a levy. The captain of black Haven, supreme lord of Kazurka, lives on an island of basalt in the middle of the port. The dark lighthouse stands on this island. The supreme Lord imposes the law of the Servants to all those who come to trade in his markets, wether they are are human or demonic. The lord of Kazurka proclaimed himself - Prince - of the Ataphads. His intention is to dominate all the Dramidj ocean and the surrounding lands, by establishing a kind of evil Caliphate. In a sense, he is the anti-caliph, the supreme enemy of Ekbir. His power is colossal. However, a thousand years ago, the Lord of Kazurka of this period has been overcome by the High Priest (Al'Akbar) himself. The fight took place in the country of Dezbat (in Ekbir). So the holy power demonstrated its superiority over the corrupt magic. {May we follow this example !}
Kazurka is allied with the Nine Hells of Baator. The mark of the archdevil Geryon, former prince of Stygia, the fifth circle of the hells, was discovered many a time in relation with the ataphads' machinations. And, it is known that Geryon is the most loyal servant of Asmodeus, the supreme master of the Nine Hells and prince of Nessus, the ninth and last circle and home of the most redoubtable Pit Fiends. {I have acquired the certainty that} one of them operates in the region of the Dramidj. His name is Faarzephon. Mighty is his power. It is a dark presence which threatens us all. {May Al' Akbar helps us to unmask and to overcome him !}
Other ataphad cities are governed by a Lord versed into such or such branch of wizardry. So Atios is dominated by the power of the blood, while Gorshareb is the island of the necromancy and of the undead.
Thanks for posting this! There's some really interesting stuff here; I love the idea of an "anti-caliphate" in the Dramidj Ocean, diametrically opposed to Ekbir's goodness and dedicated to elemental evil.
Yes, indeed. Very interesting. I hope that Crag can find a way to incorporate this information into his current project. Sounds like another Horned Society in the making. _________________ Mystic's web page: http://melkot.com/mysticscholar/index.html
Mystic's blog page: http://mysticscholar.blogspot.com/
The fact is, that it is very plausible that some surviving hierach might have fled to the Ataphad islands. _________________ Armenfrast, Sage d'Ekbir<br />aka Belvor_x (Greytalk / AOL 1995-1999)<br />aka 100523.157 (Compuserve 1994 - 1995)<br />http://www.greyhawk.fr
I speak for those mono-lingual people that appreciate the translation.
For those like mystic rest assured I will incorporate the information into the manuscript and reconfigure the regional map to coincide with the material. Though it will take some effort but not as much at first blush as I envisioned the ataphads as a trio of necromancer city states.
As the Ataphad Isles need some more detail; I thought we all could help.
Name of the Princes of Kazurka and Gorshareb
Also a chilling but dramatic name for the fortress of Kazurka.
We should be able to come up with some suggestions
As the Ataphad Isles need some more detail; I thought we all could help.
Name of the Princes of Kazurka and Gorshareb
Also a chilling but dramatic name for the fortress of Kazurka.
I am in contact with the ex head of the Ekbir's Triad, and he will see if he can find more information in the notes, projects and emails he has accumulated over 8 years. _________________ Armenfrast, Sage d'Ekbir<br />aka Belvor_x (Greytalk / AOL 1995-1999)<br />aka 100523.157 (Compuserve 1994 - 1995)<br />http://www.greyhawk.fr
Although I am confused the notes seem to speak of Kazurka including several distinctive structures such as the Lighthouse of Darkness and Black Haven Harbour.
However the map is titled La Ville D'Atios.
1) A simple misprint and it is Kazurka
2) Atios has a Lighthouse too
3) I have misinterpreted the french legend.
The map is the map of Atios, and Atios also has a special Lighthouse, but this one is slightly different (or perhaps weaker).
The fact is that the light emitted by day by the Lighthouse, is a red (scarlet) light, and amongst other effects (not described) it allows Vampires to circulate in the city even by daylight (however the contact with light is still uncomfortable, not to say slightly painful)
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