Dellhaven
Dellhaven was recently infested with a plague of rats. They brought with them a sickness that had been written of in books, and to which people's veins went black with poisoned blood before they died. A sickness that had come four times prior to this wave. They called it the Black Death. Those who were found touched by the plague were quarantined and burned immediately. The decision was controversial, and it made many enemies for the Duc Edmond Feralius--the Gald King of the Demetian Empire. However, when the quarantine came to an end, there was simply the lowest death rate of any city that had been touched by the Black Death before. He was not celebrated, but few found it in themselves to chastise him openly. The underbelly of Dellhaven has always been active, but now it roils with the possibility of rebellion. A new figure has risen, igniting the flames of revolution in the sewers of the city. This man goes by the name of Dante the Ducless, and he claims to be risen from the dead--a specter of destruction to bring damnation to the Duc. Though his claims are beyond the realm of sane belief, there are many who have fallen in behind his charisma and undefeated combat record.
There are also two massive churches in the walls of Dellhaven, endlessly butting heads on how to rightly go about the way of God. The Zealots of God have long fought hard and with great perseverance to clear territory and claim land in the name of their God. They believe that those who do not believe in their Faith are heretics who deserve death, and it is wise not to make yourself known to them if you are not a believer in the One God. The maker of All and Nothing. However, the Blind Faith are regarded as a mostly pacifistic order, who believe that all peoples are loved by the One God, regardless of their beliefs, and that a true and righteous existence, regardless of belief or prayer is the only path to a pure afterlife. These monk-like folk can be seen wandering the streets with empty, milky eyes. They are blinded upon taking their vows as emissaries of the Blind Faith. They believe the One God has seen all they need to see for them, and he will guide them to their rightful destiny. Branches of these religions may be found throughout Bast, however, their holyland resides upon the grounds of Dellhaven.
Regardless of the leader Duc Edmond, or the powerful Religious sects that occupy the massive churches in the city--the Zealots of God and the Blind Faith--there is a third occupying force in the city. At the heart of Dellhaven is a vicious crime syndicate that pulls all of the strings. The Valkyrie run everything from behind the scenes, and they are absolutely ruthless. They run gambling rings and illegal gladiatorial matches that many of the nobles even take part in betting on. It is highly recommended to avoid their dealings. The leader of these women was once a KinsGuard, though she abandoned her calling, and nobody has returned from a mission to ask her back to the fold.
Dellhaven is located in the more norther region of Bast, and is the center state of the Demetian Empire, connecting with the northern border of the Kingdom of Raylyn, and stretching out and around its Eastern side, though their coastal control is very limited. It has more land than the Kingdom of Raylyn, but most of it is inhospitable polar lands. The winters are harsh, and the further north you travel, the worse it becomes. The summers are mild, but livable. You can walk with your clothing open to the elements without freezing, though you'll still want layers. The mountain ranges are vast and dangerous, but there are also so many untouched lands that the possibilities are endless.
