Kaesora and Xalgoz

The buried city

"In these towers and crevasses are passages, some well hidden, which lead into the buried city." The city "is of ancient Iksarian architecture, and much of its original riches lie buried and unspoiled." Source [1]

The towers were once a temple: "Originally the Five Towers of Teraaz, they were part of an ancient Iksarian temple, and were the five tallest structures of old Kaesora." They "were of equal height, and formed a giant circle around the base of the temple. Now only the very tops of four towers can be seen above ground, standing in a crescent." Source [1]

"Other entrances exist where some cave-ins have occurred. Most of Kaesora is completely dark." Source [2]

Arena and palace

Near the towers "sits a ruined arena. Among the rubble lie fallen statues of Iksarian heroes and crumbling marble pillars." Under its floor "A small network of cells and corridors lay intact", now "housing a small colony of giant spiders." Elsewhere, "Some of the buildings here still display the beautiful craftsmanship of their original inhabitants: giant Iksar statues, marble pillars and floors." Source [2]

"Most of the city generally looks desolate – except for Xalgoz’s Stronghold, formerly the royal palace, now headquarters for his undead army. Troops patrol the stronghold and the surrounding area." Xalgoz "has converted the dungeon of the old palace into a laboratory, where he is usually found researching ancient magics and resurrecting the dead to do his bidding." Source [2]

Among the ruins of the field

The Game Master’s Guide counts Kaesora among the ruins of the field where Ganak Sathir and Jaled Dar destroyed each other, a story told on the Jaled Dar page: "Among the ruins on the fields are the strongholds of Kurn’s Tower and Kaesora — both infested by undead." Source [3]

The undead army

"The Sarnak vampire’s blood is quite potent and the life-giving essence it possesses has infused these minions with unnatural strength and speed." Source [1]

"These undead creatures are being constructed for an army, "bred" with the ferocity and fearlessness of a blood-lusting hound and the steely discipline of a loyal soldier." They "will often attack in coordinated hordes – rarely will adventurers have the opportunity to engage a single enemy within the crumbling walls." Source [1]

The atlas lists Iksar skeletons, Iksar ghosts, Sarnak skeletons, Sarnak ghosts and spiders at levels 20-45, and "some snakes, spiders and other vermin have made quiet burrows here too." Source [1]

Xalgoz’s loyalty

Xalgoz is "known to be deferent to Venril Sathir." "Due to Xalgoz’ mortal heritage as an intractable enemy of the Iksar and the first Empire which spawned them, it is uncertain to what extent Xalgoz’s loyalties reach." Source [2]

"It is true that Xalgoz’s undead nature makes him a simple target for the ancient lich to subdue, but how long that hold will remain and how much of the binds’ strength is retained with each passing night is shrouded in the impenetrable umbra of the future." Source [2]

"For now, Xalgoz resides in the ruins of Kaesora, where he strives to amass an undead army under Sathir’s command. Fierce, hateful, and cunning, Xalgoz is a vile menace to the whole of Kunark." Source [2]

A stone’s throw from the capital

Daybreak’s 2018 primer for the Ruins of Kunark progression unlock placed the ruins close to the iksar capital: "Nearly forgotten, the ruins of Kaesora lie just a stone’s throw from the capital, almost entirely buried under time and sand". Source [6]

Developer Roxxlyy picked Kaesora as the one thing not to miss: "Kaesora might not have the most challenging monsters, but the dungeon’s confusing twists and turns make it a uniquely dangerous place. After you hit the bottom of the dungeon, you’ve got a long way to go if you want to find your way back out - good luck retracing your steps!" Source [6]

Treasure and truesilver

"It is rumored that treasures of the old Iksarian Empire continue to exist in the deepest recesses of Kaesora’s towers. Many groups of adventurers have emerged from successful ventures into the ruins with arms full of gold and many relics of arcane power." Source [1]

The Game Master’s Guide names one secret: "Kaesora is yet another ancient hold of the once mighty iksar. One of the magics they developed here, which might still be learned from the ghosts of that place, is the creation of truesilver armor." It "appears as normal plate-and-mail armor, but is of a bright silver color and exceedingly lightweight." Source [4]

Iksar shamans could reach the ruins by potion: the Field of Bone version of the guide’s passage potion "transports the character to the entrance of the ruins of Kaesora, near Cabilis." Source [5]