How Would You Hide Your Secret Necromancer City in The Swamp?

[GravyFingerz]

Ok, here is the deal. In my home brew world, I have a city of necromancers in a great swamp. During the building of the city, the original necromancer who founded the spot for the city created an epic spell which would block the city from divination attempts. Well, so far, thats what I got.

Another idea I had is necromancers of the city casting insanity on people who displease them in some way or another. It would give to rumors of people entering the swamp, and some coming out insane.

For the most part, the city is deep in the swamp, but that wont save it from adventuerous intrusion.

The city is called Valar'Kahl, and is regarded as a myth by most people.

 

[Phowett]

Heh, I had a similar thing in my setting. Where did I hide my city? Under the murky water, of course. The city was surrounded with a magical "bubble" and would surface from time to time.

 

[GravyFingerz]

Heh, I had a similar thing in my setting. Where did I hide my city? Under the murky water, of course. The city was surrounded with a magical "bubble" and would surface from time to time.

I like that idea.

I'd like to get more responses and see what people think and if I can reap some good ideas, and this is one of them.

 

[Crothian]

How big is the swamp? And why do we all have necromantic cities in swamps? Well, the one I use is in ahuge swamp, we are talking 100,000+ square miles. So, there are many cities inhabited by undead and Necromancers, but only one is the true city.

 

[GravyFingerz]

How big is the swamp? And why do we all have necromantic cities in swamps? Well, the one I use is in ahuge swamp, we are talking 100,000+ square miles. So, there are many cities inhabited by undead and Necromancers, but only one is the true city.

Swamps are popular vacation spots?

I'm not sure how large ... probably an area around 100 or so square miles ... may increase as this world is in its basic stages

 

[jgbrowning]

well

i'd make all the necromacers undead and put the city UNDER the water. heh

joe b.

 

[Xarlen]

I did the same thing, but I put the Bleak Academy (from T&B) Into the Mere of Dead Men.

Frankly, I would fill the swamp with so much horrid critters, that normally people wouldn't go in there *period*. Rumors that it's filled with assassin vines, fierce animals, monsters, undead, and thus thus, not to mention the lair of a black dragon or two (In FR there were a pair of Twin black dragons in there).

Otherwise, yes, likely under water. Also, if you used an Epic spell to protect it, then I imagine you could also use an Epic spell to do something like twisting the landscape. People who enter the swamp, and get close to the city, get all turned around and lost; like stories, the landscape twists and confuses those who enter it. That way, anyone who Does enter never can tell them how to get to the city.

 

[enrious]

Hmm...let me guess, the chief necromancer is a bald man named Lex, the fortress looks like a metallic skull, and their main nemesis is a party called the Superfriends.

 

[GravyFingerz]

I did the same thing, but I put the Bleak Academy (from T&B) Into the Mere of Dead Men.

Frankly, I would fill the swamp with so much horrid critters, that normally people wouldn't go in there *period*. Rumors that it's filled with assassin vines, fierce animals, monsters, undead, and thus thus, not to mention the lair of a black dragon or two (In FR there were a pair of Twin black dragons in there).

Otherwise, yes, likely under water. Also, if you used an Epic spell to protect it, then I imagine you could also use an Epic spell to do something like twisting the landscape. People who enter the swamp, and get close to the city, get all turned around and lost; like stories, the landscape twists and confuses those who enter it. That way, anyone who Does enter never can tell them how to get to the city.

Developing an epic spell is a definite possibility, once I delve further to achieve the desired effects.

Lots of monsters is a good idea. It also provokes the question of how do the necromancers fend off such beasts? More stuff to contemplate.

 

[Nifft]

Permanent Darkness around the city's perimiter, along with permanent Fog Clouds, Solid Fog and a thousand Ghost Sounds of faint voices begging for help in the distance.

Around the city:
- Sympathy: Spiders
- Sympathy: Snakes
- Sympathy: Stirges (!!!)

Giant underwater skeletal alligators.

The necromancers are allied with evil Lizardman clerics... who have permanently Unhallowed the area, and Desecrated it too (if those stack).

Necromancers love slaves (literally -- the city has to re-populate somehow). Some male children who show promise are kept & trained in the Dark Arts. Old females and failed mages are fed to the lizardmen, then re-animated as skeletons. What party won't be demoralized by an army of baby skeletons?

Iron Golems made to look like skeletons. "I rolled a 20! How many did I turn? NONE?!?"

Vampires patroling at night in gaseous form.

Black Dragon Druid + Awakened Half-Dragon Dire Alligators.

Ghouls who have been imbued with permanent Silence and Obscuring Mist spells.

-- Nifft