CAISTER

Caister is a city state and the orc capital of Dreamer's Respite. It is a gathering point for all orcs, a brutal place based on merit and honor.

## Caister

### Demographic

* 75% Orcs
* 17% Goblins
* 5% Half-Orcs
* 3% Others

## History

Caister has had a rocky past with its neighbors. A few years before the Great Merge, the tribe of Caister, led by the shamanic cult of the Mage Devourers sent a massive assault upon the magic city of Halcyon. The shamans wanted to capture as many mages as possible to "eat" their magic in order to become more powerful themselves.

Luckily, with the help of the previous adventurer's guild the orcs were defeated and Halcyon was saved. After this crushing defeat, the orcs numbers were depleted and they went back to Caister, tails between their legs.

It is just a few years later, during the Age of Scarcity, that diplomats from the newly formed nation of Charon came to Caister. They proposed an alliance to the orcs. Due to their weakened state at the time and the more level-headed attitude of their leader back then, they accepted.

The nation of Charon sent gifts and materials to help the orcs rebuild. Many of them were pleased to have their standards of living being improved. However, they also understood that in this state they were nothing more than vassals to them. They had neither the political strength nor the military to be their equal. This meant that whatever Charon wanted, they had to oblige.

This led many orcs to flee the city of Caister and form small tribes or groups of mercenaries and bandits as they couldn't stand the unfairness of this treaty, or even how "unnatural" it was.

To this day, the population of Caister is still split between those who believe the alliance was a good thing while the others wish to go back to the old days.

## Culture

Caister is centered around the values of meritocracy and strength. To succeed in this environment, one must either have the strength to pursue their goals, or the guts to do whatever necessary.

It is a brutal and isolated faction, but they are not without honor. Centuries of trade and peaceful relation with its neighbor has softened the attitude of many. While the majority of its population are orcs, members of other races may live in the city like goblins, hobgoblins, ratfolks and even kobolds. It is near impossible to climb the social ladder when you are not an orc however, unless one shows exceptional strength and determination.

The thought about the treaty with Charon is the most divisive element of their culture. Public opinion is split in two: the Trevaks who welcome the alliance and seek to benefit as much as possible from it and the Mahraks who despise the idea of the alliance and seeks to have it break. A competent leader will try to satisfy both sides as much has possible. The most radical Mahraks go as far as paying wild orc clans to steal ships and attack the coast of Charon.

Humans elves and dwarves aren't welcome in Caister. Any trade or diplomacy will be held outside of the city, usually on the shore. This is mostly a matter of security as most Mahraks and even some Trevaks dislike these races with passion and would assault them if the occasion presents itself.

## Religion

There aren't many churches on the island but the orcs have gods and beliefs.

The majority of orcs and goblins follow the orc pantheon, like Sezelrian, Zagresh and Dretha. Some of the more open minded orcs also worship Gorum.

## Relations

While there is a fragile alliance with Charon, the two nations have been on cordial terms for centuries now. The people of Halcyon have almost forgotten the attack of their city and they are always given the benefit of the doubt. The current ruler, Fanroll Strongblood, is a fervent Trevak and as such tries to maintain the stability of the alliance as much as possible. However, he is very old and new contenders are starting to floc, ready to take his place.

With the recent surge in magic, some orc clans have become arrogant and are trying to threaten peace. But despite that, The Adventurer's Guild still sent invitations even in Caister in an amicable sign.

Caister is not really on the map for any of the other big nations. Its small power and lack of real ships makes travelling in and out without passing by Charon almost impossible.

## Landscape

Caister is a temperate place with vast plains and tiny mountains. It can be pretty hot in summer and the vegetation is mostly grass and bushes. Many large animals and other creatures live in its largely unexplored island. The Blue Lake in particular is a massive lake the size of a hundred cities and is thought to be almost as deep as it is wide.

## The city of Caister

Caister itself is a primitive looking city built with wood, stone, bones and hides. Anyone can build their own house or shop with no regard to any distinct aesthetic. This makes the streets and districts look like mismatched patchworks but it gives it a certain charm.

It is build on top of a hill along the Krog river and towers over the region, which is mostly composed of grasslands and pastures where the citizens herd cattle.

## Locations

* Krog River
* Blue Lake