Cazhaak Draal

Population: 3,300

Cazhaak Draal is the ruin of what once was a vast Hobgoblin metropolis of a City located in the Stonelands of Three Falls.

The city was overrun by the Daelkyr during the Daelkyr War, and all of its inhabitants were turned to stone. Weathered goblinoid statues litter Cazhaak Draal's streets to this very day. The city remains remarkably well-preserved, perhaps as a side effect of whatever magic was used to petrify its inhabitants.

In 4778, a group of Medusas, Gargoyles, and Basilisks trained for war emerged from the Underdark.  The medusas laid claim to a small section of the ruins.

The medusas remain under the leadership of Sheshka, the Queen of Stone. At any point in time most of Three Falls's medusa population can be found here.

Cazhaak Draal is directly connected to the Underdark and many fearsome creatures crawl up into the city from its depths.

According to the lore of the Kech Volaar, great treasure is hidden within Cazhaak Draal; however, the medusas have likely found some of it within the small portion of the city they inhabit, and the presence of the Underdark's monstrosities must dampen the resolve of even those brave enough to sneak around the medusas' domain.

Population

The population of Cazhaak Draal is almost exclusively Medusa. The ruined city beyond the small inhabited part of the city does have other creatures but they are little threat to the Medusa who rule the area. 

Government: Monarchy

The medusa are ruled by an absolute Monarchy, which is currently Sheshka, the Queen of Stone. Sheshka is the latest in a line of monarchs that have ruled the medusa here. One of the reasons her family has been able to rule for so long is due to them being the most powerful medusa, with power over petrification that other medusa do not possess. 

Defense

Cazhaak Draal was once a Dhakaani metropolis with massive defensives, however, these took a great deal of damage during the war with the dealkyr and the millennia since have not been kind. The medusa constructed a solid wall around the part of the city they inhabit to help protect themselves from the less friendly monsters that might come into the ruins; however, the ruins themselves also act as a shield for those that live within them. The medusa know every inch of them and an army will be hard press to easily make their way through the ruins towards the Queen of Stone’s seat of power. 

Commerce

The three biggest exports from the city are stonework, Dhakaani artifacts, and the medusas themselves. The area around Cazhaak Draal is called the Stonelands for a reason and the medusas that live here are excellent at mining it and carving it. Sculptures from the city have started to come into demand within the rest of Argones and worked stone for building is always in supply as Three Falls continues to grow. Medusas skilled in architecture and with a mind for administration are also in demand throughout the Kingdom, as its settlements are starting to develop. Thus, a small group of Medusas can be found in the Great Crag and Graywall. Being a former Dhakaani city, the treasures from the empire are not hard to find and the medusa have allowed some to explore their ruins for a price. The Medusa also have outline estates that produce the food they need to live though it is not enough where they would export. 

Religion

The dominant religion in the city is that of the Dark Six under the Cazhaak Draal creed. Arguably the biggest temple to Vecna on Lonn, called the Midnight Temple, is located within the city. The medusas of Cazhaak Draal are considered the leading priests of the Dark Six and to Vecna in particular. 

Factions

Anti-Daughters - One of the two factions that dominate the court of the Queen of Stone. These medusas do not trust the Daughters of Sora Kell. Although the Daughters might have brought order to the region they believe, it is only for their own ends. They would like independence from the Daughters. Members of this faction refuse to go in service for the Daughters or into the growing settlements of Three Falls. 

Droaamites - The other faction within the court is those that believe in Three Falls and see the benefits of the rule of Daughters has for their fellows. They are loyal to their Queen but believe that Cazhaak Draal should remain part of Three Falls rather than an independent state. This faction naturally has a larger network in Three Falls than the other. Many of the medusas that have gone into service are supporters of this faction. 

The Queen of Stone currently balances between these two factions. She is wary of the Daughters as well but she sees the benefits of their rule for the region and her people. 

Notable Personas

Sheshka, the Queen of Stone

Lord Marlos Urnrayle: Leader of the Droaamite Faction

Lady Vraska the Unseen: Leader of the Anti-Daughter Faction

High Priestess Pharika