Lenori

Lenori is a country split in two. In the west there lies the unrecognized kingdom of the orcs, called Galranok by its denizens. The rest of Lenori is populated by half-elves and humans and a mostly even distribution of other races. In the north, fey folk are more common due to the proximity to the Dreamwood. To the east and south dragonborn and descendants of old Arkhosia might be encountered from time to time. The Redgrass Forest that divides the country in two also plays host to frequent skirmishes and small civil wars between Galranok and the armies of Lenori. It is so named for the reddish tint that is common in the undergrowth after being fed by the blood of the dying for so many years. Lenori has a temperate climate and the landscape is dotted by myriad lakes and rivers, only the two largest being marked on the map above.

## Galranok

Divided between three major settlements, Astarod, Neriok and the capital, Baragorag, the orcs of Galranok live in a loosely organized tribal society. Infighting among the orcish tribes is common and is the only thing that has kept the orcs from growing powerful enough to force the rest of the free countries to recognize their sovereignty. The three largest tribes, the Stonehook tribe of Astarod led by Gesh'kah an ogre of surprising intelligence, the Duskhunt tribe of Neriok led by Lordob a well respected orcish chieftain, and the Helmsmasher tribe led by High Chief Zurgo.

While there are small bands of orcs throughout the Continent of Kings, it is only in Galranok where the orcish population is great enough for them to realize their birthright. A gift from Gruumsh they call the Gorash Malakarem, or Blood War in the common tongue. When a large enough group of orcs take a decisive enough victory in battle, or claim a large enough plunder in a raid, or a grand enough kill during a hunt, they are blessed by the fires of Gruumsh. They fall into a trancelike state of fury and begin to rampage across the land. The Gorash Malakarem spreads to the other children of Gruumsh like a plague drawing more and more members into the marauding horde. The blood war continues until their numbers are reduced below the critical point or until they take a decisive loss and Gruumsh turns his eye from them.

## Mirador

The Wardens of Mirador are the primary armed forces in Lenori. They patrol the Redgrass Forest and keep watch for bands of orcs attempting to enter the eastern parts of Lenori. Duke Roland of the Lake commands the Wardens from Mirador Castle as well as standing as the ruler of the surrounding countryside.

## The Lake Towns

Belwyn is the last major city on the road to Eldamaire, and conversely the first coming from the great kingdom. In the past it benefited from predictable and wealth trade caravans from Eldamaire, but in more recent years the caravans have become less frequent. Even with that decrease, trade between the lake city of Belltower and Sorowal to the north is still fairly regular. Less frequently trade caravans will brave the southern route from Peloran and Mordenland, bribing and fighting their way through Neriok and skirting the Blight as well as one can as they travel along the southern road through Ashford.

As the closest town in all the world to the Blight of Arkhosia, Ashford is a hard place to live. Its people are wracked with nightmares and disappearances are regular. If not for the monks of the Ashford Abbey the town would have long since been abandoned. The monks wear plain robes of rough wool and are covered from the tops of their shaved heads to the soles of their feet in ritualistic tattoos. These tattoos allow them to resist the mental incursions of the Blight and its children and imbue them with otherworldly strength to defend the town when it is attacked. Ashford was once a thriving metropolis, straddling the border between the Kingdom of Arkhosia and the country of Lenori. The ruins of Old Ashford still stand to the west, taken by the Blight.

The lakeside city of Belltower, much like Ashford, was once far more glorious. In ages past great trading ships would sail the lake and up and down the river through Arkhosia bringing goods from all across the Continent. Ships still travel the river through the Blight, but they, by necessity, are much smaller. The river passes through some of the deepest parts of the Blight and so secrecy is vital. When sailing through the Blight ships will take on a pair of Ashford monks for protection before entering. During transit, the crew is placed in a trance by the monks that makes them unaware of their surroundings and seals their minds off from intrusion. All lights are doused, sails furled, and the ship is set adrift. The monks remain seated, meditating, projecting a perception field around the ship so that they might pass unnoticed through the hateful land. Even with all this, such ships are still sometimes lost to the Blight and its horrors.

These days Belltower exists as a humbler feudal state, ruled by Lady Victoria. She is liked well enough for a royal and generally has the best interest of her people at heart. She has a close relationship with a lesser dragonborn chieftain of the Skyspire mountains and regularly trades for small amounts of Skysteel with him. These small fragments are nearly priceless and only the royal family and the highest ranking nobles receive pieces and often at great price. It is rumored that Lady Victoria was once romantically involved with a member of the Parnish family to the north but she has always fervently denied this allegation.