Karthspire is an independent city state in the province of Skyrim. The mountain and surrounding countryside were gifted to the Dragonborn Mattheus Valaran and the Blades in return for their service in the civil war and subsequent conflicts against the Aldmeri Dominion. At the centre of the city is the Karthspire Citadel, which contains the Spire Nest, the Dragon Palace and the Sky Haven Temple. The Temple is the home of the Blades, now an order of warrior priests in the service of the Dragon kings. They are learned in the Way of the Voice, although they don't match the skill of the Greybeards, whom they are rivalled with, and act as priests of the Nine Divines. The Karthspire Guards are superficially identical to the guards of the nine holds but wear heavier plated armour and have black tunics, their shields bearing the Akaviri symbol for Dragonborn and always equipped with swords similar to those used by the Blades. The Warden of Karthspire, acting as the commander of the guard, wears armour similar to that of the Blades, but more stylised and ornate. Most of Karthspire's citizens come from the Western Reach, where the conflict with the Forsworn has made life untenable for some. Karthspire has resisted invasion before, particularly from the Forsworn and the Thalmor, but unlike the Greybeards, the Blades are more than willing to use the Voice to protect Karthspire. Many outsiders are as a result fearful of the Blades, but the citizens never doubt them and are very grateful for the protection they are able to offer. The current king of Karthspire is Ezira Valaran, the grandson of the city's founder.