Lethis
Lethis, or the Raven City, is a City of Sigmar that was built on the shores of Lake Lethis within the underworld of Stygxx in the Realm of Shyish.[1][3a]
It is dominated by the Stormkeep of the Anvils of the Heldenhammer and was a critical strategic link for the forces of Order between the Realms of Azyr and Shyish. [3a]
From it one can see the Deific Mons as an immense silhouette.[2]
History
The region around Lake Lethis was controlled by a powerful Chaos warlord known as the Great Pretender who believed himself to be the reincarnation of Slaanesh. In the aftermath of the Realmgate Wars the Anvils of the Heldenhammer attacked the Chaos forces and defeated them in the Battle of the Screaming Shore. The Great Pretender and his forces retreated to fortresses in the southern lands of Bacchanalia. Upon this land the city of Lethis was founded and the Anvils built a Stormkeep in it.[4a]
Following the Necroquake, Nagash discovered the hidden stormvault and enraged, sent vast armies to break into and release the imprisoned entities and reclaim the artefacts within. Despite the formidable defence of the city which even saw the Celestant-Prime manifest to aid them, the city was stormed by the Nighthaunts under the command of the Mortarch Lady Olynder in what would be known as the Siege of Sorrow. They are aided by the Fyreslayers of the Greyfyrd Lodge who switch sides and open the Onyx gate due to unpaid debts owed by the city. The Midnight Tomb was then breached and a ancient and powerful being released to cause further massive death. [3a][4]
Defences
Much of the city's defenses were designed and created by Lord-Ordinator Clavos Arthreus, consequently the city was very heavily defended with many Celestar Ballistas and other war machines, hexagrammatic walls together with raw Celestium running through complex sluiceworks. [3a]
Society
Lightning engines and starwater mills provide light and energy to the noble quarters but the main energy source that powers the city's industry are the Everwheels beneath the city, immense churning treadmills connected to waterwheels, furnaces, grain-shredding blades and other important infrastructure. These are driven by thousands upon thousands of mortals the vast majority of which are criminals and prisoners of war but some volunteer in return for an assurance that upon death their bodies will be interred and blessed by the Raven Priests so they can avoid the risk of an eternity of servitude under Nagash.[8b]
Religion
The Free City of Lethis, like all Free Cities, is a staunch bastion of the Sigmarite faith. However, the people of the city also worship Morrda, a death god who the city's Raven Priests claim managed to escape and defy Nagash. Many sepulchres and shrines dedicated to Morrda are found all across the city, and Lethis's unique funerary rites and warding rituals are dedicated to this god.[7a]
Economy
The economy of the Free City of Lethis is centred on two main industries, the creation of Talismans of Morrda and the creation of peacewater. Of these two peacewater serves as the driving industry of the city, though the creation of talismans is the most prevalent.[7a]
The city boasts at least two local currencies including coins made from ivory and charm-silver, bits of bone shaped into crescents made by the city's charm-makers and bearing their hound-head sigil.[6b][9a]
Water from Lake Lethis is also traded to far off Thanator's Manse for warding crystals and enchanted rings.[8a]
Trade often leaves the city through the Southern Gate via the Southern Tradeway, which extends all the way to the coast of the Dwindlesea. The route is considered fairly dangerous and going along it on foot is not recommended.[6b] Lethis also has trade connections with the Free City of Excelsis, in the Realm of Ghur, trade fleets from the City of Secrets pass through the Lixian Realmgate into the Realm of Shyish. These fleets bring augur-stones with them and the full journey takes longer than a season.[5a]
Military
The Free City of Lethis goes against typical Azyrite tradition and fields only a singular Freeguild, the Blackshore Guard, though they are comparable to several minor guilds in size. They are known for their uniforms which are comprised of black greatcoats and silver breastplates, they also carry many charms dedicated to Morrda that ward against the undead. [4a][8b]
Locations
- Centrellum: A facility connected to the Collegiate Arcane.[5a]
- Grand Necropolis: The Stormkeep of the Anvils, a forbidding tower that looms over the city. [3a]
- Sephulchral Gardens[3a]
- Midnight Tomb: Hidden beneath the gardens was a huge Stormvault, guarded at all times by the Sempiternals Sacrosanct Chamber. [3a]
- The Veil: Prime Realmgate of the city, leading to the Realm of Azyr or other places depending on the phases of the celestial bodies. [3a]
- Silvermoon Tavern: A gloomy but finely furnished drinking establishment, black wood walls and furniture with many hanging charms and trinkets, all lit by whale tallow lamps. [4a]
- Olair's Mount: A large hill that overlooks the city. The gatehouse sitting upon it leads to the infamous Black Pit gaol. A road extends from it all the way to the harbours.[6b]
- Black Pit of Lethis: The Black Pit serves as the prison, or gaol, of the Raven City. It is a massive pit, that spirals down into the darkness. It is divided into circular levels, each containing cramped cells. The prison guards, also referred to as the gendarmerie, wear black smocks and leather masks.[6a] A stone pier hangs over the Pit, the carriage attached to this pier can be raised or lowered from one level of the prison to another, allowing the transport of guards and prisoners.[6b] The inner courtyard of the prison surrounds the pier and a heavily defended gatehouse serves as the main exit.[6b]
- The Southern Gate: This impressive iron gatehouse is built into the city's perimeter wall. It is covered in sacred Azyrite script and rune wardings.[6b]
- The Southern Tradeway: This road extends from the Southern Gate into a vast scrubland. It extends all the way to the bluffs and cliffs of the Dwindlesea. Travelling the length of the road on foot is considered dangerous, travelling on foot anywhere across Stygxx is foolish, and even travel on mounts can take several long days.[6b]
Inhabitants
Organizations
- Ivory Circle: An organization of merchants, known to be shrewd and skilled.[5a]
- Order Posthumous: A powerful organization headed by the followers of Morrda. They provide powerful blessings and funerary rites, which can protect both body and soul from Necromancy, in exchange for treaures that are rarely found in Stygxx.[8a]
Notable
- Phylebius Crade: A former High Thaumaturge of the city's Collegiate Arcane, one of the most powerful men to hold that office. [5a]
- Rhodus Blithe: A member of the Ivory Circle.[5a]
- Quentelm Boros: Master Tinkerer and advisor to Lord-Ordinator Pharyus Voltis.[6b]
Quotes
| Tear open the vaults of Lethis and bring me what is mine. Let every mortal soul within the city feel the deepest despair before they perish.
~ Nagash .[1a] |
Sources
- 1: White Dwarf June 2018 Poster Map of the Mortal Realms
- 2: Tales of Forbidden Power - Cursed Waters
- 3: White Dwarf Vol 3 No 36,
- 3a: Tome Celestial: The Sempiternals pg. 18-35
- 4: Age of Sigmar: Forbidden Power
- 4a: Stygxx, pg. 24-30
- 5: Inferno! Volume 4
- 5a: The Manse of Mirrors, pg. 347-378
- 6: Thieves' Paradise (novella)
- 7: Soulbound Champions of Order
- 7a: Chapter Three: Archetypes, Lethis, pg 32
- 8: Age of Sigmar: Core Book (3rd Edition)
- 9: Hollow King (Novel)
- 9a: Chapter Four