The Ratlands

### **Overview:**

The Ratlands (referred to by the Ratkin within as the Hanozay Vana), is a nation-state of Ratkin toward the eastern coast of Murdova. It is an agrarian community of towns and burrows.

### **Brief History:**

The origins of The Ratlands comes from a migration of discriminated Ratkin from Teiros through tunnels in the eastern mountain range. Reaching the outer edges of The Hanozay Vana, ex-arcanum student Tarmo Sej-ko led an expedition group into the forest, reaching a magical glade with a living tree at the center called the Vana Alij. After a seance, Sej-ko and the rest of her party gained ancient insight into druid magick referred to as the Truth of the Alij, in exchange for a vow to protect The Hanozay Vana while following druid ideals. The Hanozay Order was formed, and The Ratlands started to develop as an isolationist chiefdom based on clans, referred to as Shirs by the Ratkin, led by the family of original members of The Hanozay Order: Sej-ko, Kuz, Zeva, Dar'atha, and Mibek. Tarmo Sej-ko became the first life-long Arch Druidess of The Hanozay Order, leading a precedent for future members.

The Ratlands primarily used their druid magick to grow crops, build animist infrastructure, and to defend The Hanozay Vana from outside poachers and settlers. Mobility of residents was not restricted, but most residents often stayed within The Hanozay Vana due to the protection, wealth, and privacy that it provided. A period of peace referred to as Pihalko begins in which mass expanse and development occurs within the Hanozay Vana under the leadership of the Hanozay Order. The second Arch Druid Khedun Sej-ko spearheaded a joint relationship with the Barsukjan badgerkin, despite the objections from Shir Kuz and Shir Dar'atha.

Eventually, alongside the Murdovan Expansion, battles broke out between the Featherguard and Hanozay Vana druids, leading to the growth of nationalism, xenophobia, and hostility within The Ratlands. The Hanozay Order began to schism due to differences between the Shirs on how to proceed. The previously pacificist and animist city-state began to turn jingoistic and militaristic. This would reach a breaking point when the last Arch Druid Halthu Kez was appointed, advocating for an adoption of lethal defenses and attacks.

Due to the loss of principle, the Vana Alij and its influence began to wane, causing a rapid decline in defensive and offensive capabilities. With no other choice, The Hanozay Order formed an agreement with the Featherguard to use their relationship with the Barsukjans to stage an unprecedented ambush. This became known as The Siirto Huna Massacre, as most of the Barsukjans were brutally outflanked and slain. This also led to a supposed betrayal from the Featherguard, in which The Hanozay Order were forced to become integrated as a nation-state within the larger colony of Murdova. News of this resulted in the dissolution of most of those in The Ratlands, also leading to the radical dissolution of The Hanozay Order.

Eventually, The Ratlands reformed as a trade hub and agricultural center for most communities around Murdova, being led by the confederation of democractic districts referred to as The Vasashana. Neutrality among international/intercity relations is maintained as a tradition of The Ratlands. There is a minor criminal element within The Ratlands in the form of Whisker Crew that inhabit old defensive tunnels built during the Murdovan conflicts, operating smuggling routes past the western Featherguard sentinel on the eastern mountain range.