Palatium Krak'taris

The City of Echoes

"Palatium Krak'taris is a scholar's dream. I came to study the interaction between spectral and mortal planes, but I found so much more. It's like stepping into a living history book. The spectral citizens are more than happy to share their experiences from before the eruption. Their resilience and dedication to maintain their city is remarkable. It's a poignant reminder of the indomitable spirit of the Krak'tar. Truly, it's been an extraordinary experience to witness this spectral city."

Famed Scholar, Elara of the Quill

Palatium Krak'taris, also known as the City of Echoes, is a hauntingly beautiful relic of a bygone era. Established during the Era of Origin, it served as the grand capital of the Krak, a humble and diligent race dedicated to serving the higher powers. This city, nestled within the protective shadow of Mount Kraykaty, embodied their commitment to their divine mandate and their unwavering dedication to their role as stewards.
Crafted with an eye for functionality and regality, Palatium Krak'taris was designed as a center for training and deploying Krak in all aspects of hearth, cleaning, tailoring, and civic duties. It was built with grandeur and precision, rivaling the good-aligned cities of the Celeste Goddess of Hearth in its heyday. With its gleaming spires and meticulously designed civic structures, Palatium Krak'taris was the embodiment of the Krak's dedication to service and order.
However, the eruption of Mount Kraykaty changed everything. In the throes of Psyon’s twisted game, the City of Echoes was near-obliterated, its people caught in the high-velocity waves of gravity. While the city's architecture miraculously survived, the inhabitants weren't as fortunate. The Krak were wiped out in an instant, leaving behind a ghostly city populated by their spectral remnants.
The ghost city of Palatium Krak'taris, known today as the City of Echoes, stands as a chilling testament to a past full of dedicated service and a tragic downfall. Encroached upon by the surrounding jungle and secluded by the volcanic island's natural moat, Palatium Krak'taris now hosts its original city inhabitants - the ghosts of the Krak, who continue their lives in a cycle of perpetual repetition, living out their routines as they did before the devastating eruption.
Over the remaining 4000 years of the first age, and through the second and third ages, the true history of Palatium Krak'taris was lost to time. Most inhabitants of Konran know little of the Krak or their city. The true story of Palatium Krak'taris and its people remains largely hidden, a ghostly echo of a city and a people trapped in time. Today, tales of ghostly servants going about their tasks and spectral children playing in the streets fuel the mythos of the City of Echoes, making Palatium Krak'taris one of the most intriguing and haunting locales in all of Konran.

Inhabitants and their Ethereal Existence

Palatium Krak'taris, the City of Echoes, is a unique entity in its existence. The city is inhabited primarily by the spectral remnants of the once-thriving Krak'tar, their souls released from mortal confines by the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Kraykaty. These spirits continue to dwell within the city, their ephemeral forms tethered to the stones and streets they once called home, evoking a sense of melancholy grandeur that pervades every corner of this spectral city.
In the recent years, a significant change has transformed the fabric of Palatium Krak'taris. It is said that through persistent prayer and earnest dialogue with wandering death clerics, the spirits of Krak'tar won the favor of Krayvuk, the God of Death himself. This divine intervention permitted the inhabitants to interact with the mortal realm, previously an unthinkable phenomenon.
This unusual manifestation quickly drew the attention of scholars, necromancers, and those who study the Veil of Life, transforming the city into an invaluable epicenter of ethereal and corporeal interaction. A hauntingly beautiful confluence of life and death, the city's spectral existence has enthralled many who venture into its study, adding a new layer of intrigue and allure to this spectral city.
Intriguingly, Palatium Krak'taris has not only become a dwelling for the ghosts of its past but has also attracted other spectral entities. A diverse mix of liches, banshees, and other disembodied spirits have found refuge within the city's ghostly confines. With its silent streets and ancient structures, it offers an ethereal haven for those entities unwilling or unable to depart from the mortal realm of Konran.
This influx of spectral inhabitants has given the city a fresh lease on 'life', so to speak. It has transcended its sorrowful past, transforming from a mournful monument of a catastrophe into a vibrant, if spectral, metropolis. This spectral city now stands as a beacon for the dead who remain on Konran, a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the spirit, even in the face of absolute desolation.

Golden Age and Life After Death

In the time before its fall, Palatium Krak'taris was a thriving metropolis. It was the radiant jewel of the Krak, a testament to their values of dedication, service, and order. Bustling with activity, the city echoed with the sound of crafters at their workbenches, the chatter of marketplaces, and the harmonious hum of civil discourse. The Krak'tar prided themselves on their roles, whether it was hearth duties, tailoring, or civic responsibilities. Each citizen contributed to the harmonious functioning of their grand city, their lives intertwined in a tapestry of service and unity.
The catastrophic eruption of Mount Kraykaty that decimated the Krak'tar civilization did not annihilate their essence. On the contrary, the Krak found themselves in a unique afterlife situation. Instead of progressing to a final rest as per the usual cycle of life and death, they found themselves bound to their beloved city, the place where they had dedicated their lives.
Adapting to this spectral existence was challenging yet enlightening. Unfettered by the physical limitations, the ghosts of Krak'tar found a new purpose in their spectral state. They continued the duties they had performed in life, maintaining the city's structures, the streets they once walked, and the culture they cherished. This semblance of their former society gave them a sense of purpose and continuity, mitigating the sorrow of their untimely end.
Over time, the spectral population of Palatium Krak'taris has seen a gradual decline. Some spirits, having fulfilled their purpose or come to terms with their fate, have chosen to move on to whatever lies beyond. Yet, many remain, bound by their love for their city, their duties, or the memories they aren't ready to let go. The spectral city continues to echo with the remnants of their laughter, their chants, and their songs. The existence of these spectres serves a dual purpose: a reminder of a civilization's glorious past and a testament to the adaptability of spirit even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

A Haven for Ethereal Entities

In the wake of their spectral transformation, the ghostly inhabitants of Palatium Krak'taris have opened their city to other ethereal entities. Recognizing the shared experiences and unique struggles of disembodied existence, the city has become a sanctuary for spectral beings of various kinds.
Banshees, renowned for their heart-wrenching cries, have found solace in the ghost city's tolerant and understanding atmosphere. Unjudged for their mournful natures, they've added a hauntingly melancholic note to the city's ethereal symphony.
Poltergeists, often misunderstood and feared for their chaotic natures, have also found a home within Palatium Krak'taris. With the Krak'tar ghosts' guidance, they've learned to channel their energy into constructive endeavors, adding a dash of unpredictability to the city's spectral rhythm.
Other entities, from wraiths to spectres, have been welcomed into the spectral society. Each new arrival, while retaining their unique traits and abilities, contributes to the vibrant ethereal tapestry of Palatium Krak'taris. The city's spectral diversity has become a defining feature, fostering an unprecedented convergence of spectral cultures and histories.
This welcoming policy has made Palatium Krak'taris a refuge for the lost, the misunderstood, and the restless. Here, they can find a sense of community, purpose, and a chance to partake in the city's spectral legacy. This has added a new layer to the city's identity, transforming it from a monument of Krak'tar's past into a haven for the ethereal entities of the present.

Children of the Echoes

The children of Palatium Krak'taris, as mischievous in death as they were in life, are a constant source of joy and entertainment. They are often seen frolicking around the city, playing their age-old games and contributing to the city's lively spirit. Their favorite haunt is the Deathcoil River, where they come together to sing "The Dance of Pzyrate," their spectral voices reverberating through the silence of the night.
The song, an ancient rhyme tied to the city's history, is sung in an effort to startle and tease the living, especially the rare travelers who dare to visit the city at night. This harmless prank provides them with amusement and serves to keep the legend of their city alive in the minds of the living. The ethereal music, while eerie to some, is a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the Krak'tar and a testament to their indomitable spirit, even in the face of death.

Isolation and Resentment

The catastrophic eruption of Mount Kraykaty marked a significant turning point for the Krak'tar. As they witnessed their city reduced to ruins and their people transition into spectral existence, a sense of abandonment crept in. The spectral Krak'tar felt left behind by the world of the living, fostering a deep sense of resentment.
In their minds, the disaster could have been averted had Krak'tar, not humans, been managing the lands around Mount Kraykaty. They perceived the human administration as negligent, prioritizing profits over safety. This belief deepened their resentment and solidified their resolve to seclude themselves from the mortal world.
Despite their isolation, the Krak'tar continued to care for their city diligently. Using their spectral abilities, they preserved the city's ancient structures, ensuring the streets remained clean and the gardens were well-tended. This act of preservation is a testament to their dedication and love for their city. In their spectral form, they serve as custodians, safeguarding Palatium Krak'taris and its history for future generations, both living and dead.

Interaction with Mortals

A visit to Palatium Krak'taris is an unforgettable experience for mortals. The spectral inhabitants of the city, eager for contact with the living, go to great lengths to ensure the comfort and entertainment of their guests. Despite their ethereal nature, these spirits carry an air of hospitality that rivals that of any mortal settlement.
Visitors are often regaled with ancient tales and the echoing music of spectral children, while scholars can engage in deep philosophical debates with the wise elder specters. As they are bound within the city, the Krak'tar view visitors as a precious connection to the world beyond their borders, cherishing every news and story brought by these wayfarers.
The Krak'tar are especially interested in travelers who might have insight into their confinement within the city. Despite the Kray providence being under the domain of death, a domain they naturally belong to, they are inexplicably unable to traverse beyond their city's boundaries. The reasons for this remain a mystery, one that the spectral inhabitants are keen on unraveling.

The Bound Spectral Enigma

For centuries, the spectral inhabitants of Palatium Krak'taris have been bound within the city. Despite their attempts, they cannot wander past their city's borders. This has been a source of much consternation and perplexity for them, as the Kray providence, a region strongly associated with the domain of death, should logically be accessible to them.
Many theories have been proposed, from ancient curses to divine will, but none have been conclusively proven. This mystery has led to a standing request from the city's spectral population to any adventurer or scholar who comes to visit. They ask for aid in investigating the strange force that seems to bind them, hoping to one day be free to wander the entirety of the Kray providence.
Visitors willing to help are welcomed with open arms, and the spectral Krak'tar offer their assistance, guidance, and knowledge in return. Many have tried, and while the answer remains elusive, the combined efforts of the living and the dead continue, sustaining the hope that the answer will eventually be found.

Palatium Krak'taris - City of Echoes

Overview

Location: Kray Providence

Province: The Expanze

Known As: The City of Echoes

Population: Incalculable (Spectral)

History

Founded: First Age

Destroyed: During the Eruption of Mount Kraykaty

Restored: Ghostly Continuation in the Third Age

Key Features

Ghostly Inhabitants

The Obsidian Maw

The Deathcoil River

Major Events

The Eruption of Mount Kraykaty

Spectral Binding Phenomenon

Attractions

Haunting Nightly Performances of "The Dance of Pzyrate"

Mystical Interactions with Ghosts

Investigations into Spectral Binding Phenomenon

Resident Spectral Entities

Krak'tar Ghosts

Liches

Banshees

Poltergeists

Other Disembodied Spirits

Type

City