Blackscar Mountains

Common Knowledge

The valleys of these mountains operate as a borderland between the Magocracy of Kodo and the wilderness of the high mountains and Tarangoni Jungles beyond.
Akado humans that fled their magic-wielding brethren established a strong warrior and honor-based society in these massive wooded valleys. Elves are aplenty in the forests and many enemies, such as orcs, goblins and gnolls, dwell all around the settled areas. Wandering dragonborn roam through the valleys and are respected by the local people (most settlements having a dragonborn compound). Halfling barge-folk bring trade goods from Kodo up the many big rivers that begin in the Blackscar Mountains. Andaran humans have been long allies of the people of the valleys, since they brought their steel with them a few centuries ago. Several settled here over the years and many more refugees have flocked in since the fall of their own kingdom one year ago.
Most people of the valleys know little of what goes on outside their valley, let alone in surrounding lands.
Most valleys have a small feudal government with a lord called a mwene. Occasionally a mupata ('king') will rule over several valleys, like the current Mupata of Mgini in the far west. 70 years ago, a ‘High Mupata’ united all of the valleys and for 50 years the people were united, but the last High Mupata, Wakumo of The Valley of Frogs, was assassinated in his sleep 20 years ago and the valleys have remained local fiefdoms since.

Regional Features

Mounchili Village

A tiny village situated in the southwestern Andrall Forest (in the northern Valley of Obelisks). Mounchili is organized around several extended Akado families, though there is a clan of agogwe and a changing population of dragonborn. A typical family clan consists of a patriarch and his wife or wives, his unmarried sisters, his brothers and their wives, the unmarried daughters of the patriarch or his siblings, the sons of the patriarch or siblings, the wives of those sons, and the children produced by those marriages. Since the average Akadoan woman will have between four and eight children in a lifetime, these extended families can be quite large.
Each family lives in its own compound, surrounded by a wall of cut stone. This wall keeps any livestock in, intruders out, and turns each family compound into a self-sufficient thorp, each with its own well. A council of elders, with a representative of each family, is responsible for running the community as a whole, and the council elects a chief to oversee the defense of the village. They have an agreement with the ingogo of the forest to not harm each other, but due to this, are shunned by the Druids of the Red Rock.
Though there are few dedicated businesses, the town has a small market where the various clans trade with one another and sell their wares to any strangers who pass through. There are no inns or taverns, but some of the families are willing to put up strangers for a few nights in exchange for a small fee, help with the chores, etc.

The Valley of Obelisks

This valley is under the control of the Mupata of Mgini (the next valley to the west). Several mgene control parts of the valley, the most influential being Batomo ka Guedado of Sumberton, the only city in the valley. Batomo is an aging, harsh ruler and cunning diplomat that is training his two sons (Jarrik and Thrann) to finally take over the mantle.
The valley contains many giant shining black obelisks. Smaller shards of the same material called ‘demon rock’ are ‘mined’ in several places throughout the valley. It is reported this material gets its name from an ancient time when the obelisks helped to send a demon lord back to the Abyss. In any case, following a simple ritual, a single shard of demon rock does have properties that protect a wearer from demonic magic. (Though, with no known portals or demonic activity in years, demon rock is not a much sought-after resource within the valley).

Races

Humans (Akadoans)

The dark-skinned inhabitants are the decedents of the people that fled north from Kodo. Their ancestors were militant and had a distrust of arcane magic - traits they have maintained through the ages. The Akadoans here have been heavily influenced by the Andarans and now use steel and have abandoned The Overpower to worship a pantheon of gods. Model Cultures: African-styled (use the Hutali from African Adventures) but heavily influenced by standard (European medieval).

Elves

There is a large population of elves, but they mostly remain isolated in the valley forests. There is very little interaction between the humans and the elves, but relations would be considered cordial in most parts.

Tasloi

Most of these are refugees that have fled south from the from the northern jungles over the last five years. They now live in several smaller forests not claimed by the elves. Tasloi are not welcome and are killed on site.

Humans (Andarans)

Whilst their numbers were low, the few pale-skinned humans that came to the valleys had a huge influence on the Akadoan people that lived there, and they still do to this day. In fact, there has been a sharp increase in the number of Andarans, as they seek new homes outside their conquered realm. The Andarans are intermixed with the local Akadoans.

Gnolls

Gnolls are regarded as enemies. They have always wandered amongst the valleys and they continue to do so. Due to their nomadic nature, they are hard to defeat; after a force has gathered to strike at the raiders, chances are the gnolls have moved on.

Goblinoids

Goblinoids are also enemies of the free peoples of the Blackscar Mountains. Hobgoblins have lived in the valleys as long as humans and the two have always competed. Conflict with the elves has been even more brutal, with a bitter hatred the norm between the two races. Hobgoblins are more numerous in the west; goblins can appear anywhere.

Orcs

Orc tribes are scattered throughout the mountain ranges of the region. No community wants a tribe of orcs nearby and they are disposed of or forced to move on at every given chance.

Halflings

Halfling traders ply all the major rivers. They trade wares from the south and are considered intermixed. They tend to get along well with the humans (and even elves). Clans typically are named after a type of fish native to their spiritual river. Sometimes the name of a type of bird or other beast encountered along the river is used also.

Brayhan

Brayhan live in isolated mountains and hills and do not recognise Akadoan, elven, orc, goblinoid or any other rulers. They fight to remain independent when necessary, but they are rarely encountered and keep to themselves mostly.

Half-Elves

Unions are rare, but they do occur. Half-elves of the valleys typically act as intermediaries between the humans and elves.

Dragonborn

The dragonborn that have wandered into these lands from the west, enjoy the company of the honorable, warrior humans found here. Word is spreading, and it is likely that more will journey to the valleys in the coming years. The locals value the presence of the dragonborn as they join in (and seem to enjoy) the hunting of the evil races present here. More than anywhere, dragonborn are starting to feel like they have a home here in the high valleys.

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