Togloddeer

Togloddeer (/ʈɒɡ:loʊ:dɪɹ/, tog-low-deer) is the home city of the Firbolg, a race of cow-like humanoids who revere and care for the land and natural order thereof. Though the Firbolg have lived in the general area of Togloddeer, from the surrounding river and birch forest to the sands below the Togloddeeran plateau, the city itself is relatively new.

## History

Originally a nomadic group of people, the Firbolg clans settled a large swath of southeastern Mithja, with lands claimed spanning up to an eighth of the entire continent's area. Throughout centuries of nomadic survival, Firbolg camps banded together, slowly amalgamating into large, tented villages. Though there was not a single, specific event that led to the creation of Togloddeer (much to the chagrin of a few conquerors/self-proclaimed "uniters"), historians attribute the city's founding to the date of Yames 6, -724 on the Official Conglomerate Calendar. On this date, a group of village elders codified, in writing, a rudimentary system of governance that has, over the years, been expanded upon and turned into the law of the land.

Originally, the settled lands were an immense and densely-populated oak forest. However, quick bursts of natural disasters, from monster rampages to drying riverbeds, have pushed the forests back away from the now-desert area. The Tabaxi, who inhabit the northern forests, came into conflict with the Firbolg, as both races battled over control of the woodlands.

The Fibolg's attunement to nature has brought them into conflict with the native beasts and monsters that roam the land. As a result, many large and ferocious animals are drawn to the city, and have historically caused large-scale destruction and mayhem. Three hundred or so years ago, to combat these disasters, a group of elders founded the Trailward Rangers. The Trailwards are dedicated to exploring, communing with, and studying natural occurences with the goal of protecting Togloddeer and its inhabitants as best they can.

It was the Trailwards who first contacted the other races on the continent. When The Conglomerate's founding was underway, elders sent a cadre of rangers to Halvard's Crossroads in an attempt to come to terms with the Tabaxi. The diplomats reached a compromise that allowed free passage of Firbolg through the forest, though technically the Tabaxi still claim dominion over the land. In addition to settling wars, they believed that joining the country would aid in the protection of their people from natural disasters, and the other races were happy to have such skilled rangers, druids, and farmers on their side. The ranger coterie reported back to the village leaders, who agreed to join under mutually beneficial terms.

## Government

The Firbolg's tribal nature remains evident through the centralization of these people. Togloddeer is led by a council of elders who provide guidance and wisdom to their citizenry. The elders do not directly control the coin flow throughout the city, as most Firbolg do not value material possessions and wealth like other races might. Most Firbolg are raised at home to be smart and independent, so there is not much need for institutional schooling. Small organizations of healers do exist to provide medical care. Most Firbolg do not need the government to provide for them, as they can, for the most part, care for their own basic needs.

Many Firbolg look up to the Stenfist priests, who also provide guidance and an insight into the happenings of the natural world. These priests reside in large tents throughout the city. Many social gatherings take place in these religious buildings.