Umgaran

*"The best humans around."-Rumzakk The Wild, orc warboss.*

*"The only warrior that can match our raiders is one of those barbarians,"- Ivar Douglas, Delorgan reaver.*

*"They truly live life! Taking what they want! If only our lost kin understood what we know!"- Roaring Tiger, wild elf barbarian.*

## Physical Description:

Umgarans are a savage people, tall and strong. They are ruddy of complexion, with long flowing hair and beards. Men and women are both equally muscular but most are attractive in a brutal way. Even many of the pure-blooded humans have some orcish blood way back in the family tree and the occasional Umgaran is born with tusks, pale grey skin or piggish noses though this is far from common. Umgaran dress is practical, with many wearing simple homespun clothes, animal pelts or pants and cloaks. Looted jewelry is popular with both sexes, notably armbands, torcs and necklaces. Tattoos, piercings and ritual scaring are all popular forms of self decoration, with most carrying a personal or spiritual significance.

## History:

Umgar is named in honor of Umgar the Great, legendary son of the equally legendary Shimira. Shimira, aside from being one of the Five Legendary Companions of Latrell was also famous for being his lover. The half-orc woman bore a half-orc son, Umgar, who many believe was the son of Latrell himself. Umgar and Ramus had a legendary dislike of each other which was never resolved. When Shimira died, her band of raiders followed Umgar, who took them south into the rolling lands which would soon bare his name. Umgar practiced leadership by strength and was soon High Chief over his own followers and the various local barbarian tribes.. He was gracious in victory, sparing those chiefs who pledged loyalty to him. Most did, save some of the southern bands which, to this day, remain a threat to both Umgarans and travelers.

Laws were simple but effective and it proved enough to keep the barbarians in line. The Umgarans lacked farming instincts of their northern neighbors and so turned to raiding. Various religious disputes combined with hot orc blood boiled over and soon Umgar and Latrellus found themselves in near constant war. The Umgarans believe that Latrell was a half or full blooded orc as opposed to a human and that he valued strength over order. Latrellus was encroaching and so the barbarians returned the fury tenfold. These skirmishes were mostly stalemates without either side gaining or losing much territory. Today, Umgar remains a bastion of independence and its raiders are common along the borders of Latrellus, Astanna and Taskanda. Still, the barbaric code left behind by Umgar the Great keeps them far more civilized than other raiders and some farmers count their blessings that the Umgarans aren't ogres, trolls, or far darker things.

## Geography:

Umgar is a temperate land, though the soil is poor and not suitable for farming, meaning that almost all local food is herded goats, ship or pigs. Smaller hills and dales dot the southern portions of the nation as do several small lakes. Trees are scarce in Umgar but they do exist in small patches.

## Personality:

Umgarans are a strong people who do not allow for weakness. Like the orcs they share their nation with, they are tribal, led by strong chiefs and wisemen. They do have a code of honor, ensuring they aren't savages, which forbids the slaughter of "the weak," encourages the use of honorable tactics and straightforward battle. Umgarans take this to heart and strive to be the strongest warriors they can, in the eyes of the tribe and the nation as the whole. They maintain a fierce freedom, loving independence and cannot abide the idea of a king who cannot best them in combat. Might makes right for them. Umgarans enjoy actives such as dancing, feasting, singing, telling stories, wrestling and brewing. An Umgaran is overwhelmingly affectionate with his family and respectful to his chief. He shows mercy to those too weak to defend themselves and those who fight honorably.

## Society:

Umgarans live in extended family units of blood relatives and most members of the tribe can trace their linage back to a common ancestor. Because humans, orcs and half-orcs are all common in Umgar many tribes are a mix of all three though some tribes are more homologous. Most couples are not married and partners change near constantly. A strong warrior is expected and encouraged to have many partners so she or he can produce strong children. Children are raised by their blood parents primarily but also by the tribe as a whole. An Umgaran takes what she wants including food, treasure or a man (and vice versa for men) unless she can be beaten in battle. Chiefs thus maintain possession of the tribe by strength. These chiefs, in turn, have loyalty to the Great Chief, the title given to the descendant of Umgar who currently sits on the mammoth throne. No Great Chief gets this title merely by blood however, he or she must prove themselves worthy of this respect by strength of arms and deed.

A small sub-culture of Umgarans exists in the southern foothills which border Astanna. These cannibalistic raiders are savage and merciless. Half-crazed cultists in league with dark gods, these raiders have no honor, loyalty or nobility. They pillage from hidden strongholds, carrying off thralls for sacrifice and consumption. The Great Chiefs historically have tried to exterminate the southern tribes, all without success.

## Religion:

Gruumsh is worshiped by humans and orcs alike in Umgar, though they seem him as a God of strength and personal growth, rather than a bloodthirsty murderer and Umgar clerics of Grummsh can be chaotic neutral or even chaotic good. Emdera Ruggedfist is also worshiped by many Umgaran humans who are unwilling or feel unworthy of praying to Gruumsh. Thydita is also oddly popular as a luck Goddess and her symbols are often tattooed on Umgaran warriors. A few venerate The Green Lord due to his proximity to nature. The dangerous southern cannibal tribes are known to worship the Elder Gods, Burtix and other, darker, powers.

## Alignment:

Chaos is in the heart of every Umgaran but the code of Umgar the Great keeps most from being evil. Indeed most are chaotic neutral but chaotic good Umgarans are far from uncommon. The exception to this are the southern hill tribes, bordering Astanna. These chaotic evil, cannibal savages, are the bane of many a nation.

## Relations:

The Umgarans have few allies. The wild elves are one, as are the odd porcine tribe. Half-ogres are common as they are known to be better treated in Umgar than other lands. Mallatoxs, despite their dwarf blood, are also welcomed into tribes due to their strength and endurance. Pipers because of their great beauty and musical talent can often do well among the Umgarans. There is a grudging respect with the Delorgans and both sides take and exchange prisoners when rival warbands meet. Most other people or nations are enemies of the Umgarans but special enmity is reserved for the Latrellites and the Taskandans, who are often subject to raids and counter-raids.

## Language:

Umgarans all speak Umga and orcish. Umga is a crude language that smashes orcish and common together. Anyone who speaks either language can piece it together with a successful speak language check. Those with both languages automatically understand it. Most adventurers also speak common.

## Adventurers:

The quest for fortune and glory drives many Umgarans to find battle across the lands of Apia and many become adventurers to seek out further glory. Others are survivors of failed raids or battles and, finding themselves alone, take up a new "tribe" of adventurers. Heroically inclined Umgarans can ultimately become great heroes and champions of the oppressed as their drive to seek out great foes can slay many a dangerous monster.

### Names:

Umgaran names tend to be short. A single name is often enough for them though some also use a tribe name. Orcish names are also common on Umgarans.

**Example Male Names:** Rex, Graf, Rolf, Staga, Skall, Crom, Corar, Graf, Skalflok

**Example Female Names:** Shev, Sonya, Grela, Grelka, Vex, Ves, Rull, Bertha.

## Traits:

Identical to human traits on page 19 with the following exceptions:

+2 Con, -2 Int. Umgarans are hardier than most humans, but lack formal bookish education.

Umgarans are illiterate unless they spend two skill points to learn how to read.

Automatic Languages: Common, Orcish, Umga: Bonus Languages: Latrellan, giant, goblin

Favored Class: Barbarian. The vast majority of Umgarans are barbarians.