In the heart of Iryndor, nestled between towering peaks and winding trade roads, lies Emberthrone – a city of stone, steel, and shifting power. Once the glorious seat of House Aylmuth, it stood as a beacon of wealth and military might, controlling the flow of goods and governance across the province. But empires fade, and fortunes turn. Now, Emberthrone is a city at a crossroads, torn between its storied past and an uncertain future.
With its once unshakable nobility in decline, new forces rise in the shadows—merchant guilds hungry for dominance, ancient orders guarding long-buried secrets, and criminals eager to claim a piece of the city’s legacy. Political alliances are as fragile as the weathered stones of its walls, and every faction sees an opportunity to shape Emberthrone’s fate.
Geography & Layout
Emberthrone was once the heart of Iryndor, a seat of power and influence under House Aylmuth. Still residing in the central keep, the noble house may have fallen in stature but the city remains a great fortress and a testament to its past.
Districts in the city reflect its history and priorities: the nobles reside in a walled keep within the city while merchants and the wealthier supporters reside inside the main walls. Farmers, miners and the less well off reside outside of the main gates.
Proximity to the Spires of Aeltharis has a major impact on the climate of the region which sees ample rainfall during mild summers. In addition they create a natural defensive barrier blocking any major attacks from the north. Expert masons, building with quality stone from nearby mines, have built Emberthrone into a formidable defensive structure that has withstood the tolls of time.
History & Politics
As a once glorious capital on Iryndor, Emberthrone is now in the sway of a power struggle as House Aylmuth tries to rebuild their legacy and fortune. Established as a strategic waypoint for trade, it flourished with the rise of House Aylmuth becoming an economic and military power. As their grip waned and trade routes shifted, so to did the importance of the city. Now a few key factions remain looking to take the fortress as their prize and restore it to prominence.
House Aylmuth remains a presence in the keep despite internal strife and external pressures. Many smaller houses challenge them on the political stage attempting to wrest control through political channels. Keen diplomatic minds have kept Aylmuth in control, although fickle alliances could see to the occupation of their familial holding.
Religion and economics also play a major role in the political landscape. Budding merchants still see value in the old trade route and have a comfortable place in the markets within Emberthrone. Although a difficult coup, some power hungry merchants have attempted to seize economic control over the city forcing out the ruling nobility.
Economy & Trade
The once booming economic hub of Emberthrone is no longer at the forefront, yet remains important to all of Iryndor. The flow of natural resources from Lyranthia still make their way through the mountains and along the trade routes to Emberthrone. With ready access to woodlands, the city also supplements incoming timber to supply the rest of the province.
Even with the Mines of Finger Peaks now closed, prospecting and mining still yields high quality product, albeit at a much higher cost. Nearer to the mountains, gold has even been found in the Emberthrone River attracting a modest number of gold panners coming to look for their fortunes.
Where House Aylmuth once dominated the markets, smaller merchants are now able to gain a foothold in the market. In this way, the fall of the house has been beneficial to the area. While the larger guilds and noble houses fight for overall control of the city through economic channels, the door has opened for new players to enter the game.
Conflict & Intrigue
Emberthrone remains a city at a crossroads. While House Aylmuth works to restore it to prominence, other forces work to wrest control from them through various channels. There are others still that work to undermine the house – not for their own benefit but rather just to see the noble house collapse entirely.
The House is now facing pressure mainly on two fronts. Upstart merchants are attempting to align with larger guilds to assert an economic advantage to gain control. Returning to more prosperous times is a tempting thought, and one that way sway all but the most loyal to House Aylmuth. The other pressure comes from the Order of the Silent Flame. Although they have not made any direct moves against the house, the abbey has long been a centerpiece of the city. Elder members of the order no doubt have secrets from the past that could bury the family and send them into irrelevance.
Emberthrone is more than just a city of fading glory – it is a stage for ambition, where the powerful scheme, the desperate struggle, and the bold seize their chance at greatness. Whether you walk its streets as a noble scion, a merchant prince, a lowborn cutthroat, or a seeker of forgotten knowledge, one thing is certain: Emberthrone will change you.
Will House Aylmuth rise from the ashes, or will a new dynasty carve its name into the city’s history? Will the merchants bend the city to their will, or will the Order of the Silent Flame unveil a truth that shatters everything?
If you would like to bring Emberthrone to life in your game sessions, take a look at our Emberthone map and city guide. There you can find more information about key locations and adventure hooks to integrate the city into your campaign. The stage is set for you and your play group to add your own ideas and craft the fate of Emberthrone making it uniquely yours.