Mortavalon

The Death City (I/6) in the centre of the Manmarch, a place where many trade routes converge (DM4/0). Mortavalon nestles in a bowl of green pastures and cornfields. The entrance to the city is through a large triumphal arch in the grey walls dedicated to a victory won by the Empire Hunters, who follow the god Moraine, against the soldiers of Fate. At some time in the last 2000 years, however, the followers of Fate smashed the power of the men of Moraine (DM4/0).

The priesthood of Death here are strong (DM4/0); the largest temple in Mortavalon is dedicated to Death (I/283), indeed the army of Mortavalon is known as the Forces of Death (V/121). A cavalry regiment in the army of Mortavalon is called the Wings of Death. Elsewhere, Mortavalon is described as ‘…one of the cities of Death’ (DM4/0). The priests do not interfere in daily life as long as the odd disappearance is ignored; they practise child-sacrifice (I/283). The high priest of Death is called Kashu (DM4/0).

The streets of Mortavalon are quiet (‘…the dead city’), but there is a rose garden and trees where a small monastery is dedicated to Kwon (I/169, III/186, III/348, III/377). The local grandmaster is named Bartok (I/221).

The Arena of Death
Merchant caravans often tarry outside the walls for here the greatest spectacle on Orb takes place; the battle for survival in the Arena (I/290, DM4/0). The Arena is a grand white building, cool and marble-floored, run by warriors dressed in blue and gold togas. There are arena games on holidays, with the chance of a fabulous fortune to the victor (I/283). Criminals are often sentenced to the Arena (I/372). Winners are showered with rose-blooms (I/272).

The original Arena was built by the followers of Moraine2000 years before the events of DM4. When they were defeated by the followers of Fate, the temple to Death took over the running of the Arena. It suited their purposes, for beside ritual sacrifice, Death enjoyed the rites of trial by combat and violent ends of all kinds. The temple grew in popularity as people flocked to the Arena, which boasted some of the most horrible denizens of Orb tearing men limb from limb on the sand or lurking in the murky pits beneath. Keepers of the Arena scoured the Wilderness at the edge of the Manmarch for powerful and malevolent beasts to which they throw innocent victims for the pleasure of the crowd. As time went by, tier upon tier of seats were added, and ever-more bloody combats enacted to sate the bloodlust of the people (DM4/0). The Arena itself seats 100 000 people in its marble tiers and is divided into four quarters by fifteen foot stone walls. At is centre is a castellated tower and at the north side of the Arena is the Imperial Box, draped in black velvet, from where the Master of the Games watches and dispenses the justice of the crowd. A defeated gladiator must cast themselves on the mercy of the crowds and beg for their life. The people of Mortavalon are fickle at heart, and if a fighter has not provided good sport they will not show mercy; the spoiling of his or her body will be public and painful. If the fighter triumphs, the adulation will ring in their ears and they will join the great Champions of the Arena of Death (DM4/0).