Nurn

## Overview

The harsh, sandy deserts on the western side of Glaun Encaru are home to the ancient and noble Nurnians: a culture of humans that have existed since far before the first Calbournian set foot on the shores of modern day Spauria. For uncountable generations, the people of Nurn have braved and survived the harsh desert climates, and the many dangers prowling the dunes; and all while competing with savage tribes of orcs, goblinoids, and lizardfolk. This has made Nurn a strong and unbroken kingdom, skilled in the art of war, and adaptable to the most unforgiving of conditions. Thus, for over 450 years, the Spaurian Empire has been glad to be at peace with their neighbors to the east.

## Nurnian Culture

### Origins

Nurn is home to an ancient people, with uniquely dark skin, complex language, and unshakable traditions; clearly not of any culture known by Calbournian lore. Some speculate that the original settlers of Nurn were shipwrecked survivors, stranded on the shores of the vast desert, but the Nurnians themselves strongly believe that they were placed in their lands by the gods at the dawn of the first warm morning. Whichever the case, it is likely that they are the only humans ever to live in Glaun Encaru before the arrival of the Calbournians and Feflians.

### Language

The Nurnian language is old and unchanging. The importance of a strong spoken and written language is a large part of Nurnian culture, and even the lowest of the low are required to know how to read and write. The lords of Nurn and their scribes are tasked with making sure that the language is never changed, no words are ever forgotten, and no letters are ever added or taken away.

The Nurnian alphabet is not altogether different from the Common alphabet, consisting of a series of symbols, each representing a specific sound, which can then be combined to form a word. Nurnian speech itself is rich with vowels, and especially hard consonants. Ulo the Historian described the language as "a tongue that rolls like drums, and flows like the sands."

### Religion

The Nurnian pantheon consists of a few great gods, and thousands of lesser gods, devoted to various aspects of life. These lesser gods are worshiped by common Nurnians on a regular basis when needed, in addition to the greater deities, who are worshiped by the culture as a whole. Aten, the sun god of warmth and glory, is the greatest of the Nurnian deities. Under him are Nefri, the goddess of vegetation and life, and Kanon, the god of gold, jewels and wealth.

Rhatagn, the chimeric god of battle, power and brutal victory, is also a major deity, but is a sacred and "irritable" power, only called upon in times of dire war.

## Noteable Locations

Enrubu, Djan, and Sharzu are Nurn's three major cities, with each one governing different portions of the desert.

Djan is the most colorful of Nurn's cities, being the center of Nurnian trade by sea. The ports there allow Nurn coastal access to other trade ports such as Wolfwatch and Pendle. Djan has even been known to do business with distant ports such as Cejef, Vostral, and even Dur.

Enrubu is the capital city of the Nurnian lords, and is home to the famous red monolith-tomb of Pyron Mid. Enrubu is the oldest of Nurn's cities, and is said to be blessed by the gods themselves. Not far from it's borders is the sacred ground where Nurnian's believe their people awoke on the first warm morning.

In the northernmost regions of the deserts, the city of Sharzu acts as a trading bridge and military outpost between Nurn and the Snakelands.