The Longroam

## Official Description

The Longroam is a vast desert with rising hills and few water sources. It's a harsh living environment, where sandstorms are common and local dragons are dangerous. Its clan, *Sangedakru* (meaning Desert People), are ruled by Sun-Queen Videla Nzeogwu. Instead of worshipping gods, they worship the Sun. During the year 2011, the Longroam suffered droughts and attacks by wild dragons. The Sun-King at the time, Kwame Nzeogwu, believed the Sun was mad with the kingdom, and raided the other kingdoms to kidnap people to sacrifice to The Sun, earning him the name of the Mad Sun-King. Maya and Videla teamed up to take down the Mad King, with his daughter ultimately ending her father's life and reign. Now, it is a peaceful land, free of violence.

## Geography

The Longroam is a large island comprised of deserts and a few water sources. There is beach lining the cliffs to the South. There are many hills and mountains, all made of sand, making traveling quite difficult. The castle is located in Sandwhisper Valley, North of Lake Powell. There are about five lakes, providing water to the kingdom and the dragons living there. There are three storage units around the island. During the day, the sun scorches down onto the sands, and during the night, the lands become freezing cold. It's a harsh land to live on, but *Sangedakru* has managed to pull through for generations.

## History

### Red Raids

In 2011, the Longroam suffered extreme droughts and attacks from wild dragons. Sun-King Kwame believed this was a punishment from the Sun. Already notorious for his harsh treatment of his own people, Kwame decreed that human sacrifice would appease the Sun and ordered the military to raid other kingdoms for victims.

Between the months of August and December, *Sangedakru's* military descended upon other kingdoms, rounding up residents and taking them back to The Longroam, where they would be sacrificed in the Sun-Ring, killed by dragons.

High Queen Maya Prasanna, only 14 at the time, attempted to reach out to help, but was rejected due to her young age and fears of incompetence when interfering in a war.

Videla, realizing that the atrocities would end only with her father's death, fled The Longroam with a garrison of soldiers who opposed the raids, coming to Maya Prasanna for assistance. With the help of Maya and her dragons, Videla led a successful attack against The Longroam. Videla tried to reason with her father, but was forced to kill Kwame when he refused to step down. Taking the throne, Videla ended the raids. Furthermore, she sent envoys bearing messages of apology to the kingdoms that her father had terrorized and executed soldiers who had participated in the raids.

Some kingdoms did not react well to the apologies and attempted to retaliate, but Maya Prasanna stepped in with her dragons and called for a council of all 12 kingdoms to The Embrace, in which the Coalition of the 13 Clans was born, creating a promise to keep peace between all kingdoms.

## Culture

The people of The Longroam are often brave, observant, and resourceful.

The Longroam is a difficult place to live, raging with sandstorms and populated by dangerous dragons. It's because of this that most of *Sangedakru* is very brave, able to face the numerous challenges of living on such a harsh land. They must be observant to watch out for poisonous plant or venomous dragons, and they must resourceful with the little food and water they have.

Instead of All-Mother, *Sangedakru* worships the Sun. They view the Sun as their patron deity. The Sun, shadows, and the dualistic balance of the two is the basis for many of their expressions (*Eg*: "by the Sun," "may the Sun light their passing," "for every shadow, there's sunlight," etc). They call their rulers the Sun-King/Queen. The Sun played a big part in Sun-King Kwame's downfall, who was responsible for the Red Raids.

*Sangedakru* is known for its expert constructors, masons, carpenters, and architects. They excel in building construction, and are often hired by other kingdoms to help build parts of town. They use the money they get to buy food and keep themselves from starving. Many women participate in pottery making and ceramics, which also brings in money for their families.

On The Longroam, men and women are seen as equal. It isn't even uncommon for a woman to be the head of the household and be the main source of income for her family. When Sun-King Kwame ruled, sexism was quite common, and women were seen as weak. Since Videla's rule, women have risen to the same level as men, and they are respected as such.

## Layout

* Rustwash
* Sandwhisper Valley
* Sun Furrows
* Long Burn
* Sun-Steps
* Ashbone Heights
* Daybrink
* Cinnabar Sands
* Morning Light
* Lake Powell
* Broke Bone Beach

## Local Wildlife

Burrowing underneath the sands are territorial Hornsnouts, while flying over the lands are venomous Sandwings. There is no place more dangerous than The Longroam. Between the poisonous snakes, deadly insects, and aggressive dragons, The Longroam is a terrifying place to live. Only those who are accustomed to the deserts can handle living here.

## Image Sources

1. Village: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/egyptian-village