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Watchful from the Atalan Mountains, the wealthy Arabyan city of Martek stands with sovereign power over the desert sands. It is ancient, as ancient as Araby, and the power and wealth of its Sultan are unimaginable.[3a][11]

History[]

Martek stands among the cliffs and plateaus of the Atalan Mountains, sheltered from the terrible winds of the desert. The mines of salt, gold and other materials produce wealth in abundance, driven by slave labor. That is why Martek maintains an incalculable horde of slaves, many of them suffering a dire fate.[3a][7a][12a]

Dark powers rise above Martek, and any foreigner who reaches its borders will feel it instantly. The city was built on Lake Fazoth-Ar, from which it gets much of its water. It is said to be a bottomless lake, with dark and sinister forces hiding in it. Among the common people, there is a dark legend that tells how, in the dark moonless nights, hairy humanoids with rat faces spring from the ground, and carry away drunk and lost passers-by, to disappear again into the darkness. The clan with the greatest presence in the region is the Clan Skully.[10a] Strangely, and much to the fascination of travelers, magic carpets are common on Martek.[8a] Of course, the dark forces plan over this city, which so jealously guards its secrets.[3a]

Its location causes Martek to be surrounded by the beasts of the mountains, which can be both its blessing and its curse. Suffering the attacks of these beasts is a constant concern, but many nobles invest a great amount of resources to capture them. Beasts like Giant Vultures, Radiant Pegasus or a herd of Panthers are fierce and exotic creatures, fearsome on the battlefield, and highly valued in the markets. Poisonous scorpions, snakes, and beetles are exceedingly common on Martek, attracting alchemists and poisoners from all over the world. The fauna is very diverse in the city, and the Sultan has been in charge of collecting as many species as possible for his private zoos.[3a][4a][9a]

The city of Martek was taken by those loyal to Jaffar, joining his little empire, thus financing his military campaigns. After the fall of the tyrant, the crusaders decided to besiege Martek, thus ending the power of the evil sultan. But they were never able to take Martek by force, only surrender could open the doors of Martek. After the crusades, the city returned to normal, although with certain economic problems, as many slaves, mostly old-worlders, were freed by the crusaders.[1a][2a][6a]

Centuries later, Scurio, a Morr priest from Remas, was captured by corsairs and taken to Martek, where he was subjected to constant torture for months. He managed to escape from the terrible grottoes and caverns of the Caliph of Martek’s dungeons. But his mind was broken, and, desperate, surrendered to Khorne. Once back in Remas he tried to live a normal life, but his experiences in Araby were so stark that he cannot refrain from killing when the influence of Khorne grasp his soul.[5]

Sources[]

  • 1: Warhammer Armies: Bretonnia (5th Edition)
    • 1a: pg. 13
  • 2: Warhammer Armies: Bretonnia (6th Edition)
    • 2a: pg. 33
  • 3: Warmaster: Armies (2006)
    • 3a: pg. 48
  • 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Salvation (RPG)
    • 4a: pg. 200
  • 5: Blood and Steel (Novel) by C. L. Werner
  • 6: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Children of the Horned Rat (RPG)
    • 6a: pg. 35
  • 7: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
    • 7a: pg. 105
  • 8: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3nd Edition: Winds of Magic (RPG)
    • 8a: pg. 26
  • 9: Storm of Magic (supplement)
    • 9a: pg. 96
  • 10: Uniforms and Heraldry of the Skaven (Supplement)
  • 11: A map of The Land of the Dead and Araby
  • 12: Warhammer Fantasy: Rulebook (6th Edition)
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