Gate into New Kurn?

This appeared picture appeared on the Facebook page for Dark Sun.

Could this be the gate into New Kurn? It looks well defensible. Just the kind of high security area that Oronis would want.

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It’s plausible as Fort Protector, kinda like the Harpy Gate of Meereen in GoT…

I always imagined Fort Protector being at the almost the highest point in the mountain pass before you descend into the valley proper. That way the towers and structures of New Kurn wouldn’t be visible behind the walls like they are in either image.

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Slaver’s Bay in the Song of Ice and Fire setting is VERY Dark Sun. We can lift ideas from it. How about Unsullied type slave soldiers, produced in Altaruk?

Of course, it would be a bit too much to say that these slave soldiers had been gelded like the Unsullied. Perhaps they were psionically conditioned in addition to years of training?

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Gelded slaves? :scream:You’ll upset WotC with talk like that!

On a serious note though, long term psionic domination or suggestion to reinforce standard conditioning techniques could work. I don’t see them being trained at Altaruk though - not given House Wavir’s beliefs and strong support of the place. You could shunt the training site north to Ablath oasis as a possible location.

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In ASoIaF, there are lots of different kinds of trained slaves. The Unsullied I already mentioned. There are Yunkish bed slaves that are trained in the way of the seven sighs and the sixteen seats of pleasure.

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Well, since no one took the hint, here are “The Purified”, gelded slave soldiers from the Dark Sun version of Slaver’s Bay.

The Purified

“The Purified” is an acquired template that can be added to any humanoid creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature).

Size and Type: The creature’s type does not change. Size is unchanged.

Hit Dice: All current and future Hit Dice remain the same as the base creature.

Speed: The base creature’s speed is unchanged.

Armor Class: The Purified have honed their ability to use their shields in combat, receiving a +1 shield bonus to AC when equipped with a shield.

Attack: The Purified gain proficiency with shortspears, short swords, and light shields.

Special Attacks: A Purified retains all the base creature’s special attacks and gains those described below:

  • Disciplined Strike (Ex): When fighting in a formation with at least one other Purified, the Purified gains a +1 bonus to attack rolls.

Special Qualities: A Purified retains all the base creature’s special qualities and gains those described below:

  • Fearless (Ex): The Purified are immune to fear effects.
  • Unyielding Obedience (Ex): The Purified always follow the orders of their commanders without question. They receive a +4 morale bonus on Will saves against charm and compulsion effects that would contradict these orders.
  • Pain Tolerance (Ex): The Purified’s rigorous training and conditioning make them resilient to pain. They gain Damage Reduction 1/-.

Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Con +2, Dex +2.

Skills: A Purified has a +4 racial bonus on Intimidate and Profession (soldier) checks.

Feats: The Purified gain Iron Will as a bonus feat.

Environment: Any land (Esternax).

Organization: Squad (11-20), company (21-100), or legion (101+)

Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.

Alignment: Lawful neutral or lawful evil.

Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +2.

The Purified are elite warriors, molded from the relentless training methods of the city-state of Esternax, a slaving power east of the Sea of Silt. Their ordeal begins at the tender age of five, where they are carefully chosen and put through a regimen designed to forge them into disciplined, resilient soldiers.

As part of their rigorous transformation, they are made eunuchs—a purposeful action taken to purify their minds from personal ambition, honing their focus solely on their training and instilling an unwavering loyalty to their eventual masters. This attribute, coupled with their exceptional physical agility and stamina, marks the Purified as a formidable presence on any battlefield.

These soldiers primarily serve as light infantry, displaying proficiency in the use of short spears, swords, and round shields. Their training emphasizes disciplined formations and harmonized actions, showcasing their superior dexterity and resilience during combat. Fearless and undeterred, they confront formidable enemies with steadfast resolve.

Off the battlefield, the Purified are revered as exceptional guards, lauded for their discipline and unfaltering vigilance. Their capacity to maintain their posts tirelessly is a highly valued asset, earning them high regard among their masters.

Among their defining characteristics is an uncanny resistance to pain, a product of intense psionic conditioning overseen by the skilled mind-benders of Esternax. This technique heightens their combat effectiveness, empowering them to withstand injuries that would ordinarily incapacitate other warriors.

The Purified are the symbol of Esternax’s ability to produce skilled slaves. Their reputation as formidable warriors, marked by an unwavering loyalty, has piqued the interest of buyers from all corners of the known world. These elite soldiers are often sold to those seeking to bolster their military forces, their impressive discipline and battlefield competence making them highly sought-after commodities.

Their name, the Purified, reflects their unique status—cleansed of personal ambition and desire, their sole purpose is to serve. This purity of purpose, combined with the training they undergo in Esternax, creates warriors that embody discipline, resilience, and unwavering service—a shining example of martial excellence.