The cryptically Named, Cold Dish is a society of restorationist Scavians who dominate, and effectively control, the village of Wake. The society was founded in the latter days of The Scourge when the kaer of Dead Man's Gullet was in its final days and Scavians in their droves fled from the accursed place. A number of Scavians, mostly members of the crumbling Imperial Guard and other survivors of the Retribution, decided to remain at the site of their kaer. Their goal was to preserve the memory of their fellows who had died in defence of their people and turn Dead Man's Gullet into a place of sanctity and memorial for Scavians. In time the Cold Dish has refined its goals and seeks to:
In achieving these goals the Cold Dish frequently has to take draconian measures against explorers and will take any action, up to and including fatal force but only as a last resort, to preserve powerful Scavian knowledge and prevent "sacred" items from being taken away from Dead Man's Gullet.
Though only a small group, the Cold Dish hold virtually all the cards in Wake. Firstly, they are a small but powerful group consisting mostly of adepts covering a broad range of disciplines. As a group they hold much power in the form of unique spells, thread items and arcane secrets that have been retrieved from the kaer. They also have access to pattern items for Wake, Dead Man's Gullet and for the Scavian kaer below Wake.
Secondly, the Dish has made strong links with a number of the obsidimen liferocks that pepper this region. The obsidimen of this region are not as peaceful as others, they have too much of the region's volcanic earth in their make-up. Many obsidimen adepts spend time helping the Dish who are wise in the way of elements and elemental spirits.
Thirdly, the Dish has control over the only source of fresh water in Wake and for many days walk around. The fire eagle fountain is a magical device that produces fresh water when operated in the correct way. Only a few members of the Dish know how to operate the statue. Usually the Dish provides as much fresh water as needed to any that ask but when necessary they will refuse to supply water. This may not have much sway over well prepared adepts keen on escaping the scene with a swag bag full of treasures but does have a profound effect on residents of Wake and airships that frequently stop to obtain water from the Dish's fountain. All who know Wake know that crossing the Dish will mean no more water, no more water means its time to go home and stop trading.
All who arrive at Wake are soon greeted by members of the Dish who politely invite new arrivals to share food and water at the fountain and quietly insist that the travellers tell why they have come to Wake. Anyone seeking to enter the kaer is advised to consult the Dish as they have the most knowledge of the kaer's layout and the dangers that lurk below. The Dish also learns very quickly (too quickly some say) what is brought out of the kaer. The Dish reserves the right to prevent any item or piece of knowledge retrieved from being removed from Wake. Those who refuse the requests of the Cold Dish may find getting out of the area very difficult. Any who succeed in stealing from the kaer will ultimately find out what sort of meal revenge really is.
The leader of the Dish is a charismatic Scavian human Named Rickard Rockman. Rockman is an elementalist adept and had used his versatility talent to learn several other elemental related talents. A tall beanpole of a man with deeply dark hair and equally dark eyes, Rickard is devilishly handsome and a natural leader. The elementalist has a dark side to his personality and perhaps has been exposed to too much Horrific knowledge of what happened and what still remains in the Scavian kaer.
