Kor Thalor

> **Demonym:** Redfolk
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> **Endonym:** Raugku (s), Raugkuz (p)
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> **Nickname:** Red Gate
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    Kor Thalor is a primarily Half-Orc city-state found on the north foot of the Red Hills. The population of the city is 65% Half-Orcs and 35% other races, usually runaways from surrounding societies such as Drow, Orcs, Gnomes, and Wood Elves as well as transient groups through the Red Hills and the Beluir Desert. The city is well known for it's willingness to house refugees as it has from its creation.

#### Politics and Economy

Kor Thalor is run by a Lord, known as the Suzerain, chosen by the preceding one from the head families within the city. Such families gain to power and prominence via the work they put into the city. Redfolk are very proud of the city they call home. The principle goods of Kor Thalor include honey, copper, and fine rock salt.

#### Monsoon Season

During Monsoon Season, a front of cool, high-pressure moisture moves off the southwestern Bariloch Range. This front is drawn over the Beluir Desert by hot, low-pressure and then moves in a counterclockwise swirl or Northeasterly, covering the Red Hills, Beluir Woodlands, and the Moorlands. The hot, summer air is trapped at the northern border of Saeria by the Bariloch Range. Monsoon season starts in the middle of Genevieve usually and lasts until the end of Titus. The rains are a respite from the sweltering heat and dust which can be felt so much by all who live in the affected areas.

By mid-afternoon in the pre-monsoon days, the sky is so laden with dust that it makes the sun seem a fuzzy blur, the muted beam of a fire in a fog of heat. The dust is borne into the city from the desert and nearby farmlands on what is called by various things in various cultures, but usually is centers around the idea of “Dragon’s Breath”, the Common translation. These hot winds precede the monsoon yearly. There is a phenomenon which is called, “pre-rain anger”—this is a translation to Common, as there are many euphemisms for it in each nation’s tongue—in which most areas see a rise in petty arguments, domestic disputes, violence, and homicide. The waiting for the relief of the rain can cause much anxiety for all, as their livelihoods and future depend upon it as the monsoon is vital to the economy.

A poor monsoon or a delay of a few weeks in the arrival of monsoon rains can make the difference between bumper crops and famine. The difference is in the irrigation that will need to be performed to provide enough for everyone. Bad monsoons also increase inflation and debt, suicides increase as well in these times. The monsoons are a time of peace since armies can’t march through the mire that is made from so much precipitation. It is said that the cloud and storm giants tread Sefyll at this time as well, clashing in their eternal battle in the skies above, never to be won. The Monsoons also stir up much art and culture. The well-known poem, attributed to the famous Ciyobetan Poet, Lyric Grahlin, is one of the most common examples of art reflecting the rainy season:

> Rain makes earth a comely courtesan
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> Attired in the green silk of grass
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> Wearing silver ornaments of sprung-up mushroom
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> Ruby of purple colored worm of moist fields
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In Kor Thalor the Monsoons affect the culture in specific ways: Titles or nicknames with "cloud", "rain", "sky", etc. are seen as very honorable. Family songs and musical compositions are taught only to special students or family members, and are used to call in the rains yearly. In Kor Thalor and Saeria both, the clouds are called “pregnant” with rain and that seed of the womb of the sky is what brings the life to the earth around. It is thought that a demon is the one who prevents the breaking of clouds and so this is extended to any would have abortions. Any who would stop pregnancy are viewed as demons and unholy as the demon who stops the spreading of the seed of the monsoons upon the earth. Many Redfolk also practice a ritual called Yagna. This is performed by chanting 10,000 times the ten mantras of Parjya Sutkara, mantras of gratitude and humility as well as by offering oblations into fire, promises of change and repentance. This mystical process attracted the powerful Devas, demigod servants of the Six. For nine days at sunrise and sunset, this orchestrated effort of the people generates a radiant energy which the Devas magically tooled into raindrops.

#### **History**

In the newly established settlements of the Orcs, many would raid travelers and other populated areas and make slaves of or traffic the prisoners. Escaped refugees from these violent Orcish societies soon began to find safety in gathering together. Through this, the Half-Orcs are responsible for the creation of Kor Thalor and the Kingdom of Gorthok.

In the 4th Century, just after the River Wars, the Kingdom of Ushat crumbled into anarchy. Many refugees fled to towns and areas in the mountains reaching all the way to Badhur, establishing the various townships presently found on in the Bariloch Range. Many Orcfolk escaped toward the taiga of Saeria, landing primarily at the northern base of the Red Hills, leading to the founding of Kor Thalor.

Kor Thalor over the years has served as a stop for travelers to and from the entire southwestern region. The city is a hub of trade and cultures from all over Merethyl. Adventurers can find goods of all regions as well as many opportunities for travel and jobs among foreign lands due to the sheer flow of people.

#### Holidays

> **The Festival of Honey:** Kor Thalor, the second week of Knile, celebrates the harvest of honey and other goods and to praise Erdra. The increase in sales of honey products is amplified by many dressing in a honey-gold color or by simply wearing ribbons and other accessories with the honey-gold color. On the 16th day Knile, the morning is spent in Temples and other holy houses praising Erdra and other gods. As the bells toll at midday, the festival begins and that night is spent drinking hearty drinks and preparing for the festivities of the following day, where all gather in squares and common areas to dance, play music and sing. The 18th is spent preparing a feast of honey products and honey-flavored goods. The end of the feast on the evening of the 18th day signifies the end of the holiday.
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