Draeton

**Draeton** is the volcanic island province of Jibra'il in the Tropic Abyss.

## Geography

This island is in the Tropic Abyss, home to the massive volcanic mountain range known as Atijour */Ah-tee-joor/*. For the most part, the land of Draeton is unfit for massive fields of agriculture due to the rocky, precipitous slopes and mostly gravelly soil. However, some hill slopes have been converted into terrace farms to allow a few forms of farming, utilizing the nutrient rich soil around the hot springs. Also around the hot springs, several guest cottages and spas have been built for tourists seeking out the rejuvenating waters of Draeton.

### Climate

The average temperature on the coasts is about a high of ~28°C (83°F), and a low of 20°C (68°F). Temperatures also vary as altitude increases, increasing to upwards of ~53°C (128°F) towards the summit of Mount Acrimony. Draeton is also an active geothermal area with hot springs emerging at ~92°C (~198°F) (the boiling point of water at Draeton’s mean altitude) and steam vents reported as high as 135°C (275°F).

## Wealth

Draeton is a very wealthy nation, grossly in part by their exports of masterworked weapons, armor, jewelry, along with raw ore and material. As one of the main sources of forging and mining for the Empire as a whole, the economy favors those that are blacksmiths, metalsmiths or artisans capable of working the durable materials and gems mined from the Atijour Mountains. Recently, Draeton has begun production in magically infused geothermal crystals, Lyrium, that can hold hours to days worth of arcanic energy within them- exclusively with the Empire’s military.

## Culture

Because of the sheer cliffs, extreme tempertures, lack of hospitible land and overall dangerous nature of the Atijour Mountains, there is only one major city in the country, while the remaining habitable areas consist of smaller villages and hamlets dotted along the foothills and around the hot springs. Due to the extreme nature of the island, most if not all residents have grown some level of strength and ego to better adapt to the environment both mentally and physically.

To help curb the occasionally high tensions of the citizens, during the time of Yuletide, Draeton instead celebrates *Takanakuy* which in common translates to “when the blood is boiling”. On this day, people are encouraged to confront social tensions, get everything out in the open and let their aggression out -- once and for all.

The fights themselves are relatively civil, bearing closer resemblance to martial arts sparring than uninhibited brawls. The matches are fully organized, with referees standing by to intervene at any sign of misconduct, and there are rules, such as no biting or no hitting someone when they are down. Each fight is typically very quick, sometimes lasting less than a minute. And, reflecting the intention of Takanakuy, each fight begins and ends with a hug or a handshake. And every two years Draeton holds the *Festival of Fists*: a country-wide, week-long festival of strength, organized fighting with similar rulings as on *Takanakuy* and food beginning on the day of the summer solstice.

## Military

On a “Special Need” basis. All residents, even children from the age of 10, follow the “Sterkast Law''. Because of this, Draeton is the only known nation without a city-sanctioned guard in place. Even though there is not a city guard, there are still the Paragons (the Royal Guard) who protect the ruling family, and the Kal Dakkun (Draeton’s shadow militia)

If one were to manage in calling the Kal Dakkun out into action would find that the mass majority of the forces are Giant or Giant-kin, the epidomy of “Fuck Around and Find Out”.

### Paragons

The Paragons are the hand-picked guard to the Bergentrückung. Typically these members would be chosen from the ranks of the Kal Dakkun, however there are rare occasions where Paragons are chosen from outside of the Kal Dakkun. The most notable was an orcish woman by the name of Shagar the Merciful.

### Kal Dakkun

The Kal Dakkun are the main force of military might for Draeton. Most enlisted were chosen for their skill and power while others are from prominent bloodlines that have had soldiers in the Kal Dakkun for generations. The bulk of this force consists of those with giant’s blood in them, however there are a variety of dwarfs, gnomes, tieflings and even genasi in their ranks.

## Appendix

* Sterkast Law: Every able-bodied man, woman and child from the age of 10 years and older shall be trained in martial combat. Any disputes between residents or outsiders shall be resolved in bouts of combat until submission or death.