Kho

From PathfinderWiki
Location of the Ruins of Kho in the Barrier Wall mountain range.

The ruins of Kho were once the first flying city of the Shory Empire.12 Located in the Kho-Rarne Pass of the Barrier Wall Mountains between the Mwangi Expanse and Osirion, the former Shory capital fell to earth millennia ago.3

History

Kho was once a true wonder to behold held aloft by magical engines that carried it through the skies. Built as the first of the Shory flying cities in -2323 AR, the city was a utopian blending of technology and magic.45

In -632 AR, Kho was attacked by the Spawn of Rovagug known as Tarrasque, who caused the city to come crashing down into the Barrier Wall Mountains before finally coming to rest on its side in a narrow canyon.6 Thousands died in the attack, and the few survivors quickly fled into the jungle and perished, taking the mysteries of their mystical homeland to their graves.37

The ruins today

Exploring the Ruins of Kho.

Today, Kho is a strange and disturbing place that howls with the dying sputters of unknown magics. Those Mwangi spellcasters who possess the ability to tap into the latent spiritual energies of Mwangi ruins say that the ruins of Kho are the most potent of all the Expanse's many ruins.8 The ruins are claimed by faydhaans9 and other outsiders who were bound there by its creators thousands of years ago. They fight for control with morlocks and other creatures from the surrounding wilderness.7

Most who seek to plunder the ruins do not survive the attempt, and those who do are plagued by bad luck, with most dying within a couple of years.10 Evidence of the Tarrasque attack can still be seen on some of the larger ruins, in the form of huge claw marks.1

Several Uomoto villages can be found near the ruins, their inhabitants nearly indistinguishable from the other lowland Mwangi tribes. The unusually high percentage of adepts and sorcerers claim their powers come from the ruined city. Although approaching Kho carries a high cultural taboo for these people, they can occasionally be convinced to lead strangers there.3

Places of interest

Notable inhabitants

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.

  1. 1.0 1.1 James Jacobs, et al. The Inner Sea World Guide, 129. Paizo Inc., 2011
  2. Erik Mona, et al. “Chapter 5: The World” in Campaign Setting, 201. Paizo Inc., 2008
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Amber Stewart, et al. “Lost Kingdoms” in Heart of the Jungle, 53–54. Paizo Inc., 2010
  4. Erik Mona, et al. “Overview” in World Guide, 7. Paizo Inc., 2019
  5. Paizo Inc., et al. “Geography” in The Mwangi Expanse, 169. Paizo Inc., 2021
  6. James Jacobs, et al. “Regions of the Dragon Empires” in Dragon Empires Gazetteer, 16. Paizo Inc., 2011
  7. 7.0 7.1 Erik Mona, et al. Mwangi Expanse” in World Guide, 93. Paizo Inc., 2019
  8. Erik Mona, et al. “Chapter 2: The Inner Sea” in Campaign Setting, 107. Paizo Inc., 2008
  9. Paizo referred to faydhaans as marids until the publication of Rage of Elements. See Rage of Elements pg. 3 and Pathfinder Core Preview pg. 2.
  10. Erik Mona, et al. “Chapter 5: The World” in Campaign Setting, 205. Paizo Inc., 2008
  11. Paizo referred to nobles of each type of genie by different titles until the publication of Rage of Elements, which refers to genie nobles of all types as shuyookhs. See the genie articles in Rage of Elements and Pathfinder Core Preview pg. 14.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Tim Hitchcock, et al. Kho” in Lost Cities of Golarion, 17. Paizo Inc., 2011