Parlainth

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Parlainth is a fictional city in the role-playing game Earthdawn.

Parlainth was the administrative center of the Theran Empire in the north-east corner of Barsaive before the Scourge. It was a marvellous great city built of white shining stone that shone far in the distance.

[edit] History

When they heard of the coming Scourge, the rulers of Parlainth decided that the protections offered by Thera weren't enough. Rather than build a kaer or citadel - the more common forms of protection against the Horrors - the Theran magicians cast a powerful spell that moved the entire city to a pocket dimension. To ensure that the Horrors didn't find their way to Parlainth, the Therans attempted to remove all memories of the city from Barsaive. The spell was successful, and removed not only all recollection of the city but also every record of it. As far as the people of Barsaive knew, the city had never existed.

Unfortunately, it was not enough. The Horrors found the city and broke its defences, but became themselves trapped within the city for the durration of the Scourge, growing increasingly frustrated and mad.

[edit] After the Scourge

When J'role, the honorable thief, found the city again after the scourge it had grey walls almost fully destroyed and what was left was in ruins. The lure of treasure brought others to the ruins, but the ruins, packed with both Horrors and the deadly playthings the Horrors created to stave of boredom during the Scourge, are a lethal and often-time terrifying place.

One group of adventurers eventually decided that more money could be made from creating a safe haven for adventurers then from venturing inside. They cleared out a small corner of the city and founded the town of Haven, so far the only safe place within the ruins.

Despite the dangers, Parlainth remains a tempting destination for adventurers. It is full of treasure, some of it hidden for hundreds of years, and some of it brought by other, less fortunate adventurers.