Strath

The Land of Strath

### Major Races

Aarakocra, Bugbear, Centaur, Dragonborn, Dwarf, Elf, Firbolg, Gnome, Goliath, Half-Elf, Half-Orc, Halfling, Hobgoblin, Human, Kobold, Leonin, Lizardfolk, Loxodon, Minotaur, Orc, Tabaxi, Tiefling, Yuan-Ti Pureblood

### Major Languages

Aarakocra, Abyssal, Auran, Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Gnomish, Goblin, Halfling, Leonin, Loxodon, Minotaur, Sylvan

The world of Strath is a landlocked region, cut off from the rest of the world. One thousands years ago, a massive storm kicked up in the mountains surrounding the land of Strath, cutting off Strath from the rest of the world. In that time, Strath changed and became a very different world, adjusting to the isolation and having no contact with the outside world. That time has changed Strath, and Strath is now a rugged, tough land, where strong men die and stronger men rule.

## Languages

While "Common" the language of the Humans, is the most common language used throughout the continent, it is not universal. It largely depends on the nation or people you are dealing with, but they can largely be divided into four major groups.

1. **Human Nations**: Within Human nations, Common will be the primary language.
2. **Mixed Nations**: Nations with a wide variety of races will often times use Common as the primary language, although other races will often speak their own native languages in the precense of one another.
3. **"Common" Non-Human Nations:** Among nations where humans do not comprise any large part of the population, another language will instead be spoken. However, there are some people here who do interact with those from other nations, so there will be some that understand common. Often times, in these nations, you may be able to find translator services, though they are somewhat expensive.
4. **Traditional Non-Human Nations:** In some nations, Common is almost entirely unheard of. In some nations, it may be by choice or lack of education that they do not learn Common. In others, it is simply because there is so little interaction with other nations, or those that speak Common, that there is simply no need to know it.

## Races

There are many races in the world of Strath. Some are quite significant and have active populations. Some are relatively minor and have small, dispersed populations. Some races are known only through lore and writing, and have no active population in Strath. Likewise, some languages within Strath are almost entirely unknown, only being known in writing, or by a scarce few scholars.

### Major Races

1. **Aarakocras** are one of the least numerous of the major races. They are largely nomadic, and live up in the mountains where others cannot bother them.
2. **Bugbears** are largely concentrated within the 13th land, although it is not uncommon for them roam the forests of Strath, hunting for prey and lone travellers.
3. **Centaurs** are almost exclusively found within the Steppe lands, where they live a nomadic warrior lifestyle.
4. **Dragonborn** are widely found throuhgout Strath, but most heavily in the lands of Drakaenia.
5. **Dwarves** are widely spread out, but not to the extent of some other races. They heavily favor hilly and mountainous areas, and often favor trades such as smithing or mining.
6. **Elves** are also found throughout much of Strath, but most heavily within the Grand Concord in the northwest of Strath.
7. **Firbolgs** are a highly nomadic race that have no formal society, but can be found in large numbers in more rural or uncivilized parts of Strath.
8. **Gnomes** are found largely in the eastern parts of Strath, especially around the Eastern Sea.
9. **Goliaths** are found almost exclusively in the Northern lands of Strath.
10. **Half-Elves** are also a very common race, but are found in large numbers nearby the Grand Concord.
11. **Half-Orcs** have no nation of their own, but are instead fairly widespread. They are often viewed as a more ideal version of an Orc, having most of their strength with far less of the raw aggression and stupidity.
12. **Halflings** are found in similar ranges to the Gnomes, but tend to favor more rural lifestyles.
13. **Hobgoblins** are notably found within the Orcish lands and in one of the three warring duchies, although they are fairly widespread as mercenaries.
14. **Humans** are by far the most widespread race, being found in most every nation. However, they are most heavily concentrated in the east, similarly to the gnomes and Halflings.
15. **Kobolds** are found far less spread out than Dwarves, largely being focused around the Dwarven homelands.
16. **Leonins** are found almost exclusively in Azenkar, where they live in a warrior society.
17. **Lizardfolk** are found almost exclusively in the Southeastern swamp lands, where they have a fairly unique society, with smaller pockets around that.
18. **Loxodons** as well are found near exclusively in Azenkar, where they are often admired for both their wisdom and strength. This reputation carries beyond the Southlands, and Loxodons are a highly admired race.
19. **Minotaurs** are also found in the Steppe Lands, where they exist as a class enslaved by the Centaurs. Very few are found outside of these lands.
20. **Orcs** are largely exist in the Orc Lands. They are largely seen as being dimwitted, and used abroad for their combat skills.
21. **Tabaxi** mainly live in Azenkar although they do live abroad due to many of them being traders.
22. **Tieflings** are fairly rare and live in Azenkar Like Loxodons, they are often viewed abroad as being mysterious and foreign.
23. **Yuan-Ti Purebloods** are somewhat common, but largely found within Azenkar. They range greatly in appearance, but typically those found abroad have less serpentine features, to the point they may often be mistaken for humans.

### Minor Races

1. **Aasimars** were far more common right after Strath was separated from the rest of the world. However, due to not having their own lands, Aasimars became far less common as they often interbred with other races, until eventually their children had no Aasimar features. Aasimars, similar to Tieflings, are widely viewed as somewhat exotic and unique.
2. **Genasi** are another fairly exotic race, with no permanent populations. When the land of Strath was separated, there was not a large enough number of Genasi to sustain any long term sort of population, and early on after Strath's separation, inbreeding became quite a problem within Genasi society, leading to its collapse. Today, however, it is not unheard of for Genies to sire new Genasi into this world, though Genasi's are still incredibly rare.
3. **Kenkus** are somewhat common, but are seen as fairly shifty and untrustworthy. Many of their natural abilities make them good assassins and thieves, and due to their long history with the Order of Shadows, many people are cautious of them.
4. **Tortles** are another very rare. Their population is quite small, and they most often live out in nature, away from nations.

### Race Relations

Due to the history of Strath, there are some instances in which certain races, either in whole or within certain areas, do or do not get along very well.

#### Positive

1. **Dwarves - Kobolds:** Dwarves and Kobolds tend to have very positive relationships, due to the fact they often reside nearby one another. Dwarves are capable of doing things on the surface which Kobolds are not, and are much stronger than Kobolds. Kobolds, however, are renowned for their industrial abilities, and Kobold tinkerers are well regarded across Strath.
2. **Gnomes - Halflings:** Gnomes and Halflings famously get along quite well. The homelands of both races are quite close to one another, and while historically, many fearsome wars occurred between the two races, their joint conquest by the Astryanian Empire, and joint rebellion against said Empire, unites to two races with a common history. On top of that, their short stature and general love of life is something which also draws the two races together.
3. **Tabaxi - Leonin:** Tabaxi and Leonin are through to be distant cousins of one another. Due to the proximity of the two to one another within Strath, the two races often treat one another as if they were their own.

#### Negative

1. **Dragonborn - Elves:** Dragonborn and Elves have had a long, bad history due to the plethora of wars which occurred between Drakaenia and the Elven Nation. As a result, within the areas around these nations, Dragonborn and Elves strongly dislike one another. Further away, it greatly varies as to whether or not Dragonborn and Elves dislike one another.
2. **Centaurs - Minotaurs:** There is perhaps no two races which hate each other more than Centaurs and Minotaurs, in regards to outside of the Steppe Lands. Due to the slavery of almost the entirety of the Minotaur race by the Centaurs, should a free Minotaur(which are fairly rare) and Centaur cross paths outside of the Steppe Lands, a fight to the death is nearly guarenteed to ensue.
3. **Humans - Lizardfolk:** Due to the history of the wars between the Astryanian Empire and Lizardia, Humans and Lizardfolk generally do not get along well with one another.

## Nations

1. **Drakaenia**- Drakaenia, formally known as the Kingdom of Drakaenia, is a highly militant power. They have historically fought many wars against the Grand Concord.
2. **Astryanian Empire**- The Astryanian Empire, formally known as the Empire of Astryania, was formerlly the most powerful nation within Strath. However, after centuries of decline, the Astyranian Empire is a far cry from what it once was. However, The Astryanian Empire is creditted with having devised the Hero System, which prompted what was have begun to call "The Era of Adventuring".
3. **Grand Concord**- The Grand Concord are the main homeland of Elves within Strath. They have historically fought many wars against Drakaenia.
4. Half-Elven Domain- The Half Elven Domain started out as a mixed nation, but overtime developed into a nation primarily of Half-Elves.
5. **Olynthena**- Olynthena is widely regarded as one of the wealthiest and most powerful nations within Strath, being rivalled only by Azenkar. It controls the Western Sea and the trade which occurs there with it's powerful fleets. It is also quite aggressive, and has recently come into conflict with nation 12 over colonizing their claimed lands.
6. Northern Lands- The Northern Lands are the most isolated part of Strath, due to monsters making the surrounding part of the sea nearly impassable. As a result, the only way to get there is by land, so little is known about the Northern Lands.
7. **Azenkar**- Azenkar, much like Olynthena, are also heavily reliant on trade. Azenkar is Strath's main source of diamonds and many other expensive spell components, as well as being home to quite the variety of races not often seen outside the region. As a result, Azenkar is viewed as being one of the richest and most powerful nations, only rivalled by the likes of the Olynthena.
8. Warring Dukedoms- The Warring Dukedoms is viewed as the most backwater and war ridden place in all of Strath. It is somewhat isolated from the rest of the continent, and since the collapse of the Kingdom, the three duchies have been at war ever since, with all three claiming to be the kings.
9. x
10. x
11. Dwarven-Kobold Nation- The Dwarven-Kobold Nation is a nation primarily stationed back within the mountains, though with control of a sizable amount of land. Here, the nation is ruled largely by 8 dwarven clans and 3 kobold clans, who elect a leader from among themselves.
12. Confederation- The Confederation is a nation of made up of a series of loose sub-nations, all of whom have their own agendas, and are loosely held together by the Confederation. The Confederation largely feuds with Olynthena, due to attempts by the trade center to colonize their lands.
13. Orc Lands- The Orc Lands are a militocracy, which prides itself on its military power. These lands are roughly held together by military might and a might makes right mentality, but it is not uncommon for infighting to occur, or for parties to branch out and attempt to seek glory for themselves.
14. **Traldaryn**- One part of the nation is run by a powerful group of merchants and traders that occupy the shore of the Western Sea, while the other is run by a society of wizards, and one that presides over the most powerful mage college in the land.
15. **Kingdom of Melenkar**- The Kingdom of Melenkar is a nation located towards the center of Strath, at the southern edge of the Sea of Beasts. Melenkar is very heavily involved with the slave trade with close ties to the Steppe Lands, making it a very wealthy nation.
16. Nation
17. Gnome Republic-
18. **Tir'Na**- Tir'Na is the primary nation of the Halflings, which rests along the Western Sea. The land is fairly peaceful, and the halflings live a carefree lifestyle. They live as a republic, in which most citizens don't particularly concern themselves with the greater politics of the nation.
19. **Steppe Lands**-
20. Human Republic