Troll Wastes

The **Troll Wastes** are a region located between  Fûrlaniya and Azan. The wastes have been tied to Fûrlaniya for a long time, with the arid north serving as a place for exiles and outcasts. The area became a den of crime due to its economic woes and lack of oversight. However, during the Witchelven War, the authorities hired troll and ogre mercenaries to defend the main fortresses, and their tactic became quite successful. The trolls' population grew over time, and they became the ruling authority during the Gomorrah Breach. The human inhabitants now pay the trolls to keep them in line, and Fort Pharoth serves as a commercial hub for the towns near the Timavo River.

## The Troll Wastes

The history of the region began around the 15th century BBE, when Azanese settlers began exploring the region in search of useful resources. The southern half of the region was blessed with the Marble Mountains, the birthplace of many of the rivers that fed the lands of Fûrlaniya, whereas the north is a dry and arid land, only really workable in certain isolated spots, mostly near the Southern Dragon Lage. The region was historically tied to Fûrlaniya for a long time, with the arid north serving as a place where many exiles and outcasts were sent, especially running away from the familiar feuds of the south. The local authorities tried to push the economy of the region by building many roads to connect the populations to the richer lands of the northwest, but with little result. Thus, the area became a forgotten part of the empire, which worsened the economic woes of the population. This turned the area into a den of crime, since the authorities were busy keeping actually important areas in order, plus the presence of a considerably efficient road system helped the bandits to move rapidly. This situation was maintained until the **Accords of Liussul** around the 800 ABE, where new efforts to recolonize the regions north the Marble Mountains doubled the population. This created a lot of conflict with the locals, many of which enjoying their isolated lives with little to no oversight.

The region suffered greatly during the Witchelven War. Due to lack of defenses and troops stationed in the region, the Witchelven managed to raid the region to a point of nearly depopulating it. The Azaneese authorities realized that this massive empty space represented a hole in their defenses, with the potential of dividing the Azaneese territories in two. The Azaneese army began building many fortresses along the roads, but the longer the war dragged on, it became apparent that the lack of manpower was a critical weakness of the region. Desperately needing the aid of the army elsewhere, the authorities decided to take an unorthodox approach. They hired many troll and ogre mercenaries to defend the main fortresses, dissuading the Witchelven to continue their advances through the area. This tactic became quite successful, even with a small number of mercenaries staying in the region. And while the ogres left in search of other battlefields, a small number of trolls stayed. Their population was quite small, nothing that the human population could not handle, though it did grow overtime.

In 2.191 ABE, the Gomorrah Breach began opening, causing quite a lot of damage to the regions nearby. Still recovering from the effects of the Azaneese Civil War, the Azaneese armies was in no shape to defend the region, much less an area with such a little importance. Once again, the local authorities made a calling for mercenaries; this time trolls specifically, since the authorities believed that decades of interacting with the remaining trolls had taught them how to deal with them. However, this time the flow of troll mercenaries was much higher than usual. Since their region was in upheaval since the end of the civil war, the tribes most loyal to Azan went in droves, with entire clans moving to the region to defend it. This proved quite effective as a defense against the succubi, but now the authorities became overwhelmed with the trolls, who effectively became the ruling authority.

The human inhabitants now pay to keep the trolls in line. In exchange for foodstuffs and some payments in gold to the chieftains, the trolls keep the entire area protected from the succubae. Human populations still live in the area, now mostly centered around the **Fort Pharoth**, the biggest fort built during the wars with the Witchelven, and that now serves as a commercial hub for the towns near the Timavo River. The human authorities in Fort Pharoth are the theoretical rulers of the wastes, but their control over the troll clans is limited at best. Still, many consider the presence of the trolls as beneficial, since they tend to keep to themselves for the most part, and don’t mind to live in the most arid and dangerous areas of the region. Two times a year, the farming towns bring their offerings of foodstuffs to the Fort Pharoth, from where the products are then sent to the different clans “as a sign of friendship”.

In 3.111 ABE, the Mostnobles Noble Kingdemocracy of the Civilized Trolls was born, with warchief Kin'glar of the Rock Clan becoming the first “monarch” of the nation. This has made the human populations worried that the trolls from the wastes could imitate their southern cousins and fully become the rulers of the land, but for now the trolls seem content with their current situation.

## Government

The Troll Wastes are, in theory, ruled by the authorities at Fort Pharoth, which even though was built by Azan during the Witchelven wars, grew in size and stature thanks to support and financial aid from the Fûrlaniyan states.

Even though Pharoth is now independent from Fûrlaniya, many of Pharoth's guilds, tower houses and business are owned by individuals from Murize, Manzan, Azan and various Dwarven mercenary groups. Its control over the region is limited to the fort itself and the surrounding towns near the Timavo river's shores. The rest of the countryside is inhabited and effectively ruled by several troll clans, who not only seldom pay any taxes to Pharoth, but are the recipients of offerings by the humans instead.

## Fort Pharoth

Pharoth was initially built as a small fortress around river Timavo, using the marble from the surrounding quarries as the primary material. The subsequent centuries and changing of hands are evident in its architecture; both Azaneese and Fûrlaniya styles are present at the same time. Over the years, Pharoth evolved into a bustling fortress city, built upon many layers, each one separated by walls, providing the city with a ringed shape.

Pharoth is most famous for its dozen tower houses, which dominate its skyline. Each tower house was built by and belongs to prominent Azaneese, Dwarven or Fûrlan families. It's surrounded by fertile plains, which is evident by the numerous farms outside its walls. Pharoth's main trading partners are the Fûrlan states and Changrila.