Aarnak, also called The City of Prisons, is a Darklord city, the largest fortress of Iznogdazokim, and the third-largest fortress-city within the Darklands. It was also the only port within the Darklands (until the construction of Argazad).
Appearance[]
From the outside, Aarnak is a mass of huge steel buildings around the Aarnak Estuary. It is surrounded by a ring of spike-topped earthworks. The air is thick with corrosive steam from black water streaming across the ground.[1]
The city is a maze of garbage-choked streets, where slaves live in squalid, dangerous conditions. Darklord Unc setup arenas for slaves to fight for his bloodthirst, as well as other buildings to satisfy his other perverted pleasures. Those who escaped his attention were forced to work, predominantly to mine and transport huge amounts of ore, destined to fuel the furnaces of Helgedad and Kaag, with the outskirts of Aarnak gouged with scars due to deep mining. Lajakeka are responsible for the transportation of this ore, with a continuous stream of ore between Aarnak and Helgedad.[2]
In the south of the city lies a heavily-defended citadel, built by Darklord Haakon, housing thousands of Mountain Giaks, Doomwolves, Kraan, and Xaghash. Darklords Unc and Zhanshal also possess palaces, but are far less impressive. Unc's palace is a large (but not tall) crumbling hexagonal building that serves as the largest arena in Aarnak, and also filled with food and Kika, satisfying Unc's decadence. Zhanshal's fortress lies in the north, towering the Aarnak Estuary, with secret access to the sea, where Xargath were first released into the Dejkaata.[2]
At the centre of Aarnak lies the Tower of the Slavemaster, a giant imposing tower that has somehow escaped the decay that plagues the rest of Aarnak. It is ruled by a Slavemaster, who is responsible for all the slaves, Giak overseers and thus the entirety of the ore production of Aarnak.[2]
The port of Aarnak is active during the summer, when the ice of the Dejkaata melts. However, the vigilance of Sommerlund prevents any notable secret trade from occurring.[2]
Drakkarim are rare in Aarnak, as the atmosphere is hostile to humanoids.[1]
History[]
During the time of Archlord Zagarna, Aarnak was ruled by Darklord Haakon, with Darklords Unc and Zhanshal ruling smaller parts of Aarnak. The ambitious Haakon, however, increasingly spent time in Helgedad to build up his power base, and delegated most of his power to the Slavemaster.[2][3]
After Haakon's death in MS 5055, Unc used the considerable resources of Aarnak in an attempt to seize the throne of Helgedad, opposing Darklord Ghurch. However, this contest was orchestrated by Darklord Gnaag, who destroyed both contenders with a demonstration of his true power.[2] Gnaag then took control of Iznogdazokim,[4] and granted it to Darklord Zhanshal,[5] but later forced Zhanshal to employ Kadharian as its Slavemaster to run the mines of Aarnak.[6]
In MS 5070, during the events of The Masters of Darkness, Lone Wolf infiltrated Aarnak and contacted the Slavemaster, calling in this favour. The Slavemaster helped Lone Wolf infiltrate Helgedad, who then slew Archlord Gnaag and destroyed the Transfusor, decisively ending the Darklands War. The Slavemaster escaped Aarnak with the Elder Magi's aid, eventually becoming the first President of Magador after overthrowing King Vanagrom VI, a puppet of the Darklords.[7]
Politics[]
Aarnak is ruled by a Darklord, although in practice, day-to-day control is run by a Slavemaster, appointed by a Darklord of Aarnak. However, each Slavemaster is seen as disposable, with Unc known to have killed multiple Slavemasters after they gained too much favour with Haakon.
List of rulers of Aarnak[]
- Darklord Haakon (during MS 5000–5055)
- Darklord Unc (MS 5055–5058)
- Darklord Gnaag (MS 5058)
- Darklord Zhanshal (MS 5058–5070)
List of known Slavemasters of Aarnak[]
- Jorr (during MS 5000–5010)
- Kadharian (unknown–MS 5070)
In the gamebooks[]
In The Masters of Darkness, Lone Wolf infiltrates Aarnak using Darklord Kraagenskûl's Zlanbeast. This is the only notable case in the gamebooks where Aarnak is visited.
Design[]
In the first edition of The Darklands, Aarnak was the capital of Orlo Taanak.[8] This was retconned in the second edition, with the realm being renamed Iznogdazokim, with both domains being similar in character. Of note is that Aarnak in the first edition is noted to be covered in an Aura of Hopelessness, making slaves more pliable — this Aura is not present in the second edition.[8]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Masters of Darkness: §10
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Hahn, August [2004] (2011). "Darklands Geography: Iznogdazokim — The Province of Black Ore", The Darklands, Dever, Joe, Second Edition, Mongoose Publishing.
- ↑ Dever, Joe [1985–1995] (2015-11-16). "New Year's Special 1987", Lone Wolf Club Newsletters, Internet Edition, Project Aon, p. 122.
- ↑ Jonathan Stark and August Hahn (2023-12-??). Episode 13: The Darklands War (Part 1 of 2). Journeys Through Magnamund. Holmgard Press. Timestamp: 11:36
- ↑ Ozvath, Jared. The Magnamund Sourcebook, Dever, Joe, SubSe7en, p. 57.
- ↑ Jonathan Stark and August Hahn (2024-01-04). Episode 14: The Darklands War (Part 2 of 2). Journeys Through Magnamund. Holmgard Press. Timestamp: 12:32
- ↑ The Legacy of Vashna: §315
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Hahn, August [2004]. The Darklands, Dever, Joe, First Edition, Mongoose Publishing, p. 16.
| Archlords | Vashna • Zagarna • Haakon • Gnaag |
| Darklords | Chlanzor • Dakushna • Ghanesh • Ghurch • Gnaag • Haakon • Khatellu • Kraagenskûl • Menashga • Mrugor • Nhorg • Shebnar • Slûtar • Taktaal • Tomogh • Unc • Vashna • Xog • Zagarna • Zhanshal |
| Domains (and capitals) within the Darklands | Helgedad • Aargataag (V'taag • Argazad) • Dajaraa • Dajdorza • Ghargon (Gournen) • Gourizaga (Gourzaa) • Hourdast • Iznogdazokim (Aarnak) • Jegdazok (Dugazogak) • Kagzizad (Nadgazad) • Luurvad • Maarkaag (Kaag) • Northern Skaror (Gazad Helkona) • Tar Ogashaar (Ogvast) • Yr-Naoga (Naargarod) • Zutzinozaga (Mozgôar) |
| Media | The Darklands • Terror of the Darklords |