Deperon

Overview

Deperon is a prominent city along the Greysword Coast, infamous for being repeatedly conquered by disparate factions. A former city that was nearly destroyed by monsters and orruk warclans during the Age of Chaos, with the survivors scattering. They were eventually reunited under and ambitious leader, who managed to retake the city with the aid of the Stormcast at the beginning of the Age of Sigmar. His descendants currently rule over the prosperous hub, one of the few stable locations in the region. Deperon is thus both old and new, ancient structures and ruins from dozens of factions built atop and over each other, but new buildings and constructions is constantly undertaken as the survivors craft a new city, and hope desperately to keep it.

Emblem of Deperon

History

Origins

The origin of Deperon is lost to time. A popular legend states that a tribe of farmers called the Deperonii were wandering the wilds of Ghur, trying to find a safe location. Their leader lead them on a long journey, and finally reached the edge of the sea. There, he saw two lightning bolts pierce the sky and cut into the land, carving two small streams that flowed from the ocean. Taking this as an omen from Sigmar, the people settled, and established the city of Deperon. Multiple cities would proceed to be built over each other over the ensuring centuries.

Deperon I

Deperon I, or the First City, as it is sometimes referred to, was a simple settlement at the start, built on a rocky hill overlooking the coast, with two small streams flanking it. These would be called the Illiar and Truay. Aggressive and businesslike, the Deperonii began to expand their simple settlement, and over many generations carve out an impressive city. A firm foundation was pounded into place, and numerous larger stones were placed in concentric rings within and around the city, serving as religious symbols and cultural landmarks.

Early Deperon was ruled by a caste of priest-kings, who claimed to be the chosen of a variety of powerful storm gods, whose names have long been forgotten. Located far enough from the coast to avoid sea attacks, but close enough for trade, Deperon developed a naval economy, and went through many years of prospering.

Deperon II/Da Coast City!!

A few centuries after it was founded, the original city of Deperon was wiped out and conquered by a group of orruk marauders. While barbaric brutes, the orruks still saw the value in the city, and so established their own crude settlement, calling it the “Coast City!!”

Despite the chaotic nature of orruks, this particular batch had slightly more intelligence than other orruks, and so erected crude but effective stone and wooden walls, and even built their own palace, of sorts. The leader of the orruks took on the title of “Boss-Emprah” and ordered around his servants, retaining power so long as he was strong and capable. Making use of metal weaponry, this batch of orruks proved to be very fearsome, even taking to the seas in crude vessels as pirates and pillagers. This proved to be very profitable for the orruks, who began to bedeck themselves in golden jewelry and stolen loot.

The actions of this prospering orruk civilization led to a coalition of forces to crush the pests. The Jaidean Empire, in particular, lead the assault, utterly obliterating the orruk infestation by summoning a powerful earthquake that shattered the defenses of the orruks and lead to their massacre. The few treasures the beasts had captured was taken, and the city was left in ruins.

In the aftermath, Deperon would remain abandoned for several generations. A few nomads would pitch small tents and establish a tiny village. Unremarkable village would be followed by unremarkable village, with only a few traces of their existence remaining.

Deperon III

Eventually, new settlers recognized the location of Deperon, and settled there. These were a group of adventurous aelves, their origins unknown, had travelled from Hysh and wandered Ghur, coming to build a prosperous new trade hub on the orruk and human foundations. The aelven city was majestic, more powerful than the original human settlement, with beautiful frescoes and ornate sculptures. A large and encompassing palace was crafted from white stone, and elegant docks and ships were built to sail the Greysword Coast.

Deperon rose to incredible heights, serving as a strong link along the Riches Road, and attracting a large population of humans. Traders, merchants, and sailors from all over Panghura found there way to Deperon, where magic and aelven craft reached its zenith, becoming the leader of its own small league of city-states. Instead of writing down their oral histories within tomes and sacred books, the aelves crafted beautiful frescoes describing their history, culture, and society. These carved murals were magically imbued with spells that shaped the very stone, making them come alive and vividly portray what was depicted. However, most were destroyed by conquering forces, and almost no such enchanted murals remain today.

The powerful aelven magisters were able to marshal impressive forces that could cut down any Greenskin or monstrous incursion, but even they could not withstand the Age of Chaos. Deperon withstood for a time, the but in the end they fell. Bloodlord Horghas Vankorm, a servant of Khorne, made an alliance with Aggrob Aelf-Rippa, leader of his own warclan. These two forces assaulted the city of Deperon, wiping out the remaining aelven and human defenders. At the climax, Aggrob fought and killed Queen Galendara Brightstrider, severely wounded in the process. Her sacrifice, however, ensured that aelven civilians were able to flee, most sailing to the Jade Island.

Horghas, consumed by bloodlust and Khornate rage, lead his men into a slaughter, and killed all the orruks and most of the remaining population of humans, butchering in the name of their ever-thirsting god. Following this, Horghas established his rule over Deperon, ruling it with a bloody fist, and renamed it Vankormium.

Deperon IV/Vankormium

Throughout most of the Age of Chaos Deperon was ruled by the descendants of Horghas’ warriors. They made a mockery of the original aelven and human foundations, erecting metal walls with jagged spikes and skulls, building mighty statues to Khorne and carving large arenas and pits for sacrifice and combat. Brass citadels and fortifications were constructed under an army of slaves, captured on raids and bred for servitude, with skulls mounted into the metal walls of the city and elaborately crafted altars for Khorne’s worship.

With access to the sea, the Khornate warriors of Vankormium took the seas, building a fleet of ships that harassed and attacked any viable lands. The Skull Sails were a terror to the few sea-dwelling bastions left, marauders that murdered, pillaged, and raped their way to victory. Rulers were frequently slain by a stronger successor, and blood flowed through Vankormium. The mighty warriors of the Blood God lorded over the servile population, butchering them en masse, and for these pitiful few the only hope for a future was fighting in Khorne’s name. Only the most powerful and savage of these warriors could claim rule Vankormium, threatened by rivals to their coveted throne.

Deperon V

Deperon was finally reconquered in the Age of Chaos. The human survivors who had fled the coming of the Bloodlords had lived fleeting lives as wandering tribesmen, constantly moving to stay ahead of the forces of Chaos, Destruction, and even the wildlife. A few years after the first strikes by the Stormcast Eternals, an ambitious leader, Haukor Karborough, assembled the few Deperonian tribes together and united them under his banner. With the aid of the Stormcast Eternals, Haukor attacked the city. It remained heavily guarded, but a surprise assault by forces of the Jaidean Empire weakened the defenders and gave Haukor and his allies the chance to conquer Deperon. The Jaideans then left just as quickly as they arrived, and Haukor began the process of rebuilding.

Deperon took some time to build anew, with Haukor and his descendants seeing it rise to become a prosperous trade hub, one of the few stable locations along the Greysword Coast. House Karborough saw the development of new city centers and infrastructure, old aelven buildings and foundations restored as best that could be, while new modern styles were incorporated into the city. Impressive defenses such as mighty cannons or magical rune walls defended Deperon from the chaos of the Greysword Coast.

Corruption, however, slowly wormed its way into Deperon. Unlike other cities of Sigmar, which contend with various cults of Chaos, Deperon slowly became infested with the Soulblight curse. It began quietly at first, with the poor and destitute among the populace disappearing and new creatures taking their place. But in time the touch of the vampire Gravelords reached into the upper echelons of society in Deperon.

Deperon VI

Several generations after the resettlement of Deperon, Kreur Karborough became the ruling magnate of Deperon, but quickly revealed that he was infected by the Soulblight curse. The vampiric nobles of Deperon quickly took over the city, and just in time to face and impending assault by an orruk warclan. This all coincided with the devastating Necroquake, and the Arcanum Optimar. With external attacks and internal rebellions, anarchy brewed in Deperon, eventually leading to a dramatic conflict between arcane masters. Powerful Endless Spells were let loose, which scoured the city and reduced most of it too rubble, while summoned blood spells flittered through the streets, draining the life of most of its citizens.

In the aftermath, only the dead remained, and Kreur proclaimed himself king of Deperon, its immortal ruler for all time. The bones and corpses of the citizens were turned into Deadwalkers to serve their Gravelords of Deperon, while their spirits were cursed to defend its walls. Ambitious, Kreur rebuilt his beloved city, gothic cathedrals devoted to Nagash built over shrines to Sigmar, and shadowy towers jutting from a bone-laid wall. A shadow of undead descended upon Deperon, and throughout most of the Arcanum Optimar the vampires of Deperon would remain painful nuisances to the rest of the powerful factions in the region.

Kreur himself ran a city of death and oppression, where blood flowed freely into the mouths of his Gravelords. They remained opulent within their grim manors, and preferred their powerful new estates in Deperon, but were frequently forced to fight for their master Nagash. Kreur himself participated in many battles across the Broken Continent, leading his forces in the Great War of Undead. The end of the Soul Wars saw the death of Nagash, and Kreur fled back to Deperon, freed from the ties to his former master.

Deperon VII

Deperon was finally freed from the clutches of the undead with a strange alliance. Clarissa Karborough, a descendant of one of the few Karborough’s who escaped Kreur’s takeover, rallied the forces of Fort Alba for a Dawnbringer Crusade, except in this case to retake and resettle Deperon. They were aided in this task with by the Daughters of Khaine from Khai Refag.

Clarissa, a master duelist and warrior, lead the Crusade towards Deperon, paying a small group of Kharadron Overlords to bombard the undead from the skies and shatter their walls. Thanks to the aid by the Daughters of Khaine, the forces of the Crusade were able to match the undead legions and the Soulblight Gravelords. Clarissa herself cut through her Kreur and severed him in half, ending his un-life and paving the way towards victory.

Since then, Deperon has been reclaimed once more, with the Khai Refag coven demanding and granted control over the entire underbelly and subsurface regions of Deperon for their own.

Notable Conflicts

• Haukor’s Siege – Haukor Karborough led an alliance of surviving humans and Stormcast Eternals against the forces of Vankormium. After starving out the Chaos forces, the Khornate warriors launched a surprise assault upon the Order camp, but the arrival of a fleet of Jaidean warriors turned the tide. Haukor led his people into the city and purged it of Khorne’s influence.
• Night of Blood – Kreur Karborough, upon his coronation, began a sudden coup of all opposing factions, with numerous nobles having turned into Soulblight Gravelords. An orruk warclan attacked the city as well, all while magical duels were undertaken with the unveiling of the Necroquake. By the end of the long night, only the dead remained in Deperon.
• Rout of the Greygores – During the early Age of Sigmar, when Deperon had been reconquered by the forces of Order, a warherd of beastmen assaulted the city, threatening to overtake their walls. Recently depleted by plague, the city was on the brink of being overrun, when the Broken Angel arrived. He personally slew the beastman leader that was attacking Deperon, and with the city’s defenders drove away the beasts, before disappearing once more.
• Black Fowl Massacre – Not long after the reconquest of Deperon, a group of Tzeetchian disciples known as the Black Fowls orchestrated an assault from within Deperon, intend on wiping out the city before it grew too large and powerful. They intentionally released powerful Living Spells to destroy the city. Luckily for Deperon, Fyrequeen Valaka and a retinue of Fyreslayers were close by, and with their paid help the Black Fowls were massacred and the Living Spells destroyed, though it cost Clarissa her life and destroyed much of the city. Honoring the sacrifice of Deperon, Valaka promptly ordered an army of workers and craftsmen to help rebuild Deperon.

Current Status

Deperon has so far remained a powerful trade location and shipping port, but there is still rebuilding underway, and much remains lost or abandoned. House Karborough still rules over the city, with the current matriarch being Olianna Karborough, granddaughter of the legendary Clarissa Karborough. Many new defenses and structures built over the remains of the previous undead architecture of Kreur’s reign. Deperon is small, but growing, fast becoming a new sizeable beacon of stability within the Greysword Coast.

Homeland

Deperon is based in the Broken Continent, on the northwestern area in a region called the Greysword Coast. A generally treacherous region, Deperon borders a long bay that leads to the sea, and is one of the few safe harbors for sailors. It is bordered by large hills, plains, and forests, where various pockets of orruks, gits, and human tribes still reside. The Foul Spires guard against the Maggotkin of Nurgle, and the neighboring Stormcast of Fort Alba provide protection when needed. Miria lies to the north, and Deperon sits as local trading center for the area.

Government

Like most Cities of Sigmar, Vanderhal is organized under a Grand Conclave, which govern everyday affairs. However, very powerful merchant-houses, some old, but most new, wield enormous sway over political affairs. House Athor, for example is a prosperous trading house that has good connections with the up-and-coming House Alcester famed for its monster hunters. Above all the houses, however, House Karborough has been granted special rights as the official rulers of Deperon, with a member of their family acting as High Lord or Lady over the city. The High Lord or Lady can select their own council of oversees from among the new powerful houses in Deperon. Among the ruling council is also the High Arbiter, who oversees laws and justice, the High Architect, the High Artisans, and the High Magister who oversees all magical affairs.

Military

Deperon has a relatively small military, still working towards rebuilding its strength. It relies partially on a network of allies for protection. Numerous treaties and pacts with local factions provide some security. Much of Deperon’s strength comes from its trade networks, and while its main military force might be small, the rich merchants and traders often highly extremely skilled professional soldiers. Pooled together, these are elite fighting forces that can be very effective in the right conditions.

Stormhosts

One of the key components keeping Deperon safe are the Stormcast Eternal of the Aureate Guardians Stormhost. They only recently built their own Stormkeep, and while small in number have been vital in defending the city.

Freeguilds

Only three Freeguild exist within Deperon due to its small size. Some considerably smaller than others. Each generally serves as both the main policing force of Deperon, city watch, and main defenders of Vanderhal. Known Deperon regiments are the following:

• The Coastal Raiders – A largely sea-bound privateer Freeguild that is sponsored by Deperon. They frequently raid and attack enemy ships and fortifications. While predominately located on the ocean protecting Deperon’s trading interests, they can be called in whenever necessary and keep a reserve of infantry within the city.
• The Alabastrine Reserves – A corps of reserve infantry, the Alabastrine Reserves are made up of ordinary citizens that are specifically trained and equipped in case of attack, called to defend Deperon in times of need.
• The Lunar Wardens – The main Freeguild of the city. The Lunar Wardens are the frontline defenders who face the enemy head-on. They are signified by their crescent heraldry and dark blue and white clothing.

Royal Guard of House Karborogh

The ruling House Karborough maintains its own paid corps of mercenaries, who are paid extremely well and are very effective and skilled soldiers. They specifically serve the interests of House Karborough, and are used in extreme cases when lethal and professional force is needed.

Locations

Deperon was originally built between two small rivers that flowed out from the ocean, but previous calamities has utterly erased these landmarks, leaving only a few traces of their existence. Most of the old city is built layer upon layer over each other, with ancient structures undead levels of dirt and concrete, each conquering force building over the previous. The original hill Deperon was built on has hallowed away over the centuries, but the core of the city is still elevated and more easily defended.

Districts

Deperon is divided into various small districts, each with its own unique culture and design.

Military District

The Military District is home to most of the military forces of Deperon, where their armories and equipment is stored, and from where the Lunar Wardens are based. Many members of the Alabastrine Reserves live here with their families, always ready to quickly arm themselves and march to the walls of their city.

Docksward

The trading core of Deperon, Docksward is the hub of mercantile activity in the city. Trading ships and sailing merchants move in to sell their wares, only to depart for foreign lands. Docksward is the central locale for most of the non-human species, such as the local duardin of Barak-Rysa that maintain a small trading outpost in the area.

Docksward is where the true economic power and center of activity lies. The city might boast a small population at the moment, but the constant moving and influx of traders and sailors means that the city is always full and filled with new faces. Trade deals, bartering, open markets, and all manner of activity can be found in Docksward during the day, while at night more illicit deals take place.

Old Bronthaweark

One of the older portions of the city, Old Bronthaweark is has seen extensive damage over the years, and if any district is going to be attacked its this one. Many crumbling and shambling buildings still remain in Old Bronthaweark is a more rundown region of Deperon, although many wealthier families have begun to move into and renovate the region. Lady Olianna has issued numerous reforms in order to help tear down and rebuild the district.

Duskgate

One of the smaller districts, Duskgate is the home to the wealthier elite and one of the most renovated portions of Deperon. Duskgate is located on the southwestern corner of the city, and built over many of the manors of the Soulblight gravelords who once ruled Deperon. There are many gloomy stories and ghost tales associated with the district, with sightings of the restless dead still common and occurring.

The Bowl

The Bowl is a small shantytown that is rapidly expanding on the outskirts of Deperon. With the rise of the city, Deperon has proven to be very attractive for many local human tribes that have long struggled to survive, and so these Reclaimed have settled into the outskirts of Deperon. The Bowls is a gritty and poor area with little intact buildings, mostly pitched tents and simple homes built out of the old ruins of the ancient city. These slums are often areas of high criminal activity, and the residents are often the first to be attacked by any invading force. The residents of the Bowl are very anti-aelf due to many “disappearances” suspected to be the actions of the Daughters of Khaine.

As Deperon grows, efforts have been made to reform the Bowl, but these have been only mildly successful. In addition, many more tribes and peoples have begun to settle around the city, creating smaller “Bowls”

The Khainite Labyrinth

The Free Peoples might control the top of Deperon, but per an old agreement, the aelves of the Khai Refag coven have unlimited rule over the vast underground complexes of Deperon, Deperon is an old city, repeatedly conquered and rebuilt, and a vast network of ancient ruins and buried structures remain entombed beneath the city. The Khai Refag have explored and excavated these ruins, discovering many ancient secrets and artifacts, and the Khainite Labyrinth has become their personal underground domain where they may do as they please. Here, they may do as they please, hosting gladiatorial battles in upper levels, but few know what goes on in the lower winding depths. Very few dare enter the darkness where the Daughters of Khaine reside, and none return. The officials of Deperon are willing to leave the Khai Refag alone so long as they stay to the shadows, as the only time the Daughters of Khaine emerge en masse is when battle takes place.

Notable Locations

• Krryth of Vanderhal – The local krryth for the cat-like thylons. The Deperon krryth is very small, with many more thylons independent and residing elsewhere across the city.
• The Stone Mermaid – Commissioned by Valliol Karborough during the golden age of Deperon V, the Stone Mermaid, is one of the few intact sculptures that has survived to the modern day. It is located on the shores of Deperon Bay.
• The Forum of Caysius – A popular forum and meeting place, it was named after Caysius Mauldrek, a close friend to Clarissa Karborough, who gave his life in retaking the city.
• The Forum of the Fallen – Erected atop Kleaur’s ruined fortress, it is a mural with simple statues and effigies showing the great heroes who defended Deperon and lost their lives.
• Greengrots Bank – Greengrots was supposedly founded by a group of clever grots centuries ago, but regardless of origin has been the foundational part of Deperon banking and trading infrastructure. Virtually everyone has some account with the bank, which handles a vast loan and moneylending network that extends beyond the city and into other parts of the Broken Continent.
• Karborough Keep: The manor of House Karborough, one of the finest buildings within Deperon. It serves as the de facto headquarters and central building of the city.

Culture & Society

The population of Deperon is still very small, and many of its inhabitants can are either second or third-generation citizens. Many elder folk can recall the battle to reclaim the city, and so due to its younge age, Deperon has yet to truly differentiate itself from other cities of Sigmar. Most of the citizens came from Vanderhal, sharing similar views and believes with the people from that city.

The population is largely human, though aelves and duardin do compose a sizeable minority. Many Deperonii are known for being mercantile and good bargainers, and thanks to their naval connections most are sailors or traders of some kind. Due to the historic precedence of someone constantly conquering the city, the citizens are all trained in some degree in warfare or military training, able to provide a service of some kind in case of attack.

Economy

Deperon sits at on end of the profitable Riches Road, where travelling merchants might finally rest and sell their goods, or buy what has just been sailed in. This provides the city a thriving economy, which uses the gold skiris coin for currency.

Notable Individuals

• Sparza “Granny” Achillector: An old female dwarf who’s been around for centuries, residing in Deperon, and having lived through its first and later second reconquest by the forces of Order.. She’s served as the de facto leader for a period, and commands the military defenses. Very old, very tough, and very snarky and bitter, with a rough attitude she takes out on the enemies of Order. She lost her hand and her leg, and is wheelchair bound, but doesn’t let that stop her. Covered with scars and streaked with white hair, marking her age.
• Lady Olianna Karborough: Granddaughter of Clarissa Karborough and current ruler of the city. She is a young and beautiful woman, but with enormous weight on her shoulders. Known for her tactical skills and economic planning, she has enacted numerous laws and reforms to better the city and encourage growth. Olianna works tirelessly towards organizing further military advances in the region in a bid to stabilize the Greysword Coast for future conquests.
• Calen the Pure – The half-brother to Olianna, he was raised alongside her despite being illegitimate, but eventually chose to devote himself to a life of piety as a warpriest of Sigmar. He wears a simple white and golden robe, and protective armor on his ankles and arms, relying largely on the power channeled by his faith. Calen is widely revered, the mere sight of him inspiring hope and devotion among troops. He is often employed by Olianna in her campaigns, wielding the mythical Sword of Many Names.
• House Alcester – A rich merchant family that helped establish Deperon with Clarissa Karborough.
  • Althuan – Trained as a mage, Althuan is a skilled spell-caster. He has a deep love of knowledge and history, and follows a very specific code of honor. He is best friends with Horam Athor, the heir to House Athor.
  • Avya Aelfborn – The eldest of the Alcester children, she was found by Lady Vaita, and adopted by them. Avya possesses the quickness and natural grace of an aelf, and is a skilled archer and swordswoman.
  • Araka – The eldest trueborn child of the Alcesters, she is an expert horse rider and trainer. Araka loves her horse, Sigilmar, and the two form a ferocious pair. She is a talented archer and well-known for her cooking skills.
  • Averan the Bold – The youngest child of the Alcesters, Averan is a young knight, whose sole ambition is to face the forces of Chaos. He honors his knightly vows and oaths, and hopes to one day face and slay a dragon.
  • Grandmother Hisha – A wise old woman who ahs seen much and is in the habit of telling stories, still retaining her adventurous spirit of her youth.
  • Lord Evick – The patriarch of House Alcester, and former dragon slayer. Originally a knight, he was the youngest of his family, but following the death of his brothers had to accept the burden of leadership of his house, marrying Lady Vaita.