Editing Kovorov (section)

==== Upper Roz ====
The space above ground level, upon which many thousands of tons of earth have been laid, is called the Upper Roz. At its highest foundation, the Upper Roz reaches 2,000 feet into the sky. With beautiful buildings made of marble and silver, new visitors to Karjakin are usually astounded by the splendor of the upper city.

Many nobles from around Ramesh own houses here. Karjakin’s luxury draws all with the money to afford it. Adventurers who wander the Upper Roz will see all of the continent represented. But traversing the Roz is no easy matter. Entrances to the Upper Roz are guarded at all times. Lines for entry are long, sometimes upwards of four or five hours. Entrance also requires one ofthree distinct passes.

The first pass is an owner’s pass, it signifies a person owns property within the Upper Roz. Usually these people walk to the frontline of the line or have other, secret, means of entering their abodes. The second pass is a silver pass. It is given by a property owner within the Upper Roz to a guest. On the pass is written the date and valid times of entry. The pass can be valid for no more than twenty-four hours. Many servants within the Upper Roz work under these passes.

Employment is day to day with the constant threat of not receiving a pass for the next day. Finally, there is the platinum pass. This pass gives a non-property owner full access to the Upper Roz. Platinums are extremely valuable, selling for tens of thousands on black markets. Obtaining a platinum pass is a grueling process. Guards who hold platinum passes have salaries ten times as high as those without. Merchants with platinum passes can become unbelievably wealthy.

However, if a person is found with a platinum pass that was given to another, they are publicly executed. Rumors speculate that there are other ways into the Upper Roz. The most popular is that there are gnomish tunnels that lead inside. Yet, the rumors also speak about the high price one must pay in order to purchase a ticket.

Once a person enters into the Roz, they can never see the world the same way again. There are museums and conservatories galore. Shops within the Roz sell only the finest quality items. Adventurers might be able to purchase priceless magic items, long lost books, combat treaties of legendary quality, and more. Many vendors on the streets of the Upper Roz sell their wares for free. They are sponsored by a noble within the Roz usually. The price is simply speaking the deeds and good tidings of that noble. It is a more elegant form of propaganda.

The theaters within the Roz house the finest performers. Most theater tropes keep at least two or three high-magic casters on hand to aid with shows. Performances are imbued with magic and finery. Actors fly across stage, shift forms with the whisper of a spell, and anything else a trope can conjure to excite the most powerful people on the continent.

There are also a fair number of scientific laboratories within the Upper Roz. Some nobles wish to be patrons of innovation. Thus, inventors, artificers, and other pioneers work tirelessly under their supervision. Competition is fierce but every few years a new invention is created that delights the noble populace.

One of these recent inventions is Teculite. Stronger than steel but lighter than air, this new alloy can float in the air and support one-hundred times its weight. Upper Roz scientists have begun deploying the first floating structures in Karjakin. Now, hold neighborhoods can be suspended in the air. The Czar has begun to put them under regulation but even he cannot hide his excitement. Teculite appears to be the future of Karjakin and perhaps Kovorov itself. Yet, not is all as it seems within the Upper Roz. There is a dark underbelly rarely seen. Even with so much excess, some nobles still desire more. There are secret places in the Upper Roz, back allies that come to life under moonlight, where any noble can get their fix. 

Drug dens run rampant. Those who want highs unlike any on the continent can find the finest alchemists. Each alchemist has their specific brew which are closely guarded secrets. There are a series of different depraved clubs that offer whatever a person with coin desires. Sex, torture, homicide and more are all options. Some clubs specialize in specific acts. Club Vanisssh is a hot spot for murder. Nobles routinely bring unsuspecting victims to the constantly moving demiplane. Club Vanisssh is run by Yuan-Ti and known for not leaving loose ends. Bard’s Temptation is known as the best brothel. The list goes on and is ever expanding. Some think theclubs have the guards in their back pocket while others believe that it is some of the guards who own the clubs. Yet, another mystery within the Upper Roz.

Occasionally, a necromancer will attempt to find work in the Upper Roz. Sometimes they are taken in by a club or private benefactor, while other necromancers are entrepreneurial. Some nobles crave the taboo of watching the dead be resurrected. Animals are nice, people are better, and political rivals are best. There is always the chance of a Zaklanik raid but to the nobles, that’s half the thrill. Besides, if the Zaklanik find them there, they will probably not have to worry about their future.

The underground profession that pays the best are deathmatches. Nobles pay well to see elite warriors risk their lives and fight to the death. A particularly brutal fighter can buy themself into the nobility after only half a dozen or so victories. Not many live that long, but it is the dream that fuels the fighters. It is often known that vampires lurk at these blood sport matches. Match organizers can make decent coin off selling the blood that leaks from the stage. The lazy vampire is usually more than happy to pay.

Criminal organizations have begun to spring up around these dark delights. The Stain obviously has their hands in a few areas. It is said that they own Club Vanisssh but this has never been confirmed. However, the Stain is only a small player amongst the dozens of organizations vying to be the depraved despot rulers of the Upper Roz’s underground. Currently, one of the largest players is the Flux Gang. They control a litany of clubs and dark services. Although, like any organization within the Upper Roz, their hold is tenuous at best.

But the organizations all respect each other and occasionally will aid each other. This usually occurs during one of two events. The first is if the Orics attempt to crack down on the underground. The second, is if a fiendish activity is discovered. Depravity is the dinner bell for devils and demons alike. While vile indeed, the criminal hives within the Upper Roz nevertheless seek to expel fiends whenever possible.