Skog

### Relevant History

Skog has always been a land of perilous maze of dense forests, swamps, and jungles for any not born to it. Local tribes, many of which remain undiscovered by outsiders, thrive in these wet environments. Most adventurers who enter Skog do not find their way out without a guide. In such a wild and territorial country precautions are a necessity.
#### The Grippli Guard

A name given, by Trylleki adventurers, to the population of Grippli that have become the gatekeepers of this land. And while a faction of the Grippli, known as ‘’The Kood,’’ wish to see civilization prosper as they've heard it does in far off lands, another faction, known as ‘’The Rav’’, will do anything they can to ward off invaders. Their lack of unity has added to the ease of the country’s colonization.
#### Colonization

*1740-Present*

Due to the mess of politics that is the Grippli Gard Tryllek has been in the process of “taming” the wilds of Skog and siphoning off its resources. According to Trylleki history, Skog was first “discovered” in 1735 by the crown’s royal cartographer, Lord Cuthbert Cartwright of Yoxell. After his discovery Cartwright spent the next five years begging the Council of Flame permission to colonize in the name of Tűz. While the first few years were as smooth as colonizing can be, the further into the jungle the colonizers dare go, the more obstacles they encounter.
Having heard news of a foreign sovereignty claiming the land to the south, the Dhubi Vizier of Defense sought the Sultan’s permission to begin a colonization of their own. If only for protection of Dhubi land, permission was granted and before long small towns began to appear on the desert side of the forests.
### Government

There is no distinct government for Skog. In the forests and swamps, tribes rule the land as they see fit. In colonized areas so too do the conquerors rule. That said, the party of the Grippli Guard which supports outside civilization has representatives that work with the local government. The local Trylleki citizens gave “easier” names to the two sides of the Grippli guard: ‘’The Hoppers’’ aka ‘’Kood’’ and ‘’The Croakers’’ aka ‘’Rav’’.
* ’’The Hoppers:’’ The Grippli political party in support of colonial development; named because they “hop to help”
	+ The current recognized “Hopper” leader is Ramadeep Singh Raajanayik aka Lord Wobbles Clawdewood to most locals
* ’’The Croakers:’’ The Grippli political party against colonial development; named as both a racial slur and a threat that all opposed will eventually croak.
	+ The current ‘’Rav’’ leader is Keechad Gautam Rakshak Defender
		- Tryllek does not officially recognize any leader of ‘’The Croakers’’

### Culture

* **Home Region** Skog; **Capital** Daladale (Trylleki Colony), Kwado Daji (Dhubi Colony); **Major Races** Human, Grippli, Tengu, Draconian, Boggart
* **Languages** Kvekke, Taal or Zinari
* **Cultural Skills** Climb, Craft (Any one), Handle Animal, Knowledge (Geography), Survival
* **Weapon Familiarity** Axe, Shortspear, Darts(blowgun)
* **Naming** Tribe, First Name, Occupation
	+ ex: Keechad Gautam Defender
	+ ex: Singh Iha Huntress

##### Cultural Philosophies

*While there are always outsiders who look down on Skog natives these are the philosophies of those closer to Skog’s nature:'*

* Respect is everything.
	+ As the wilderness is full of territorial tribes and predators, giving respect to others can mean the difference between life and death. This can be done as easily as:
		- Bowing at the head, or waist
		- Placing a hand over the heart
		- Offering gifts (food, trinkets, shiny metals, or even safely gifting the poison that some Grippli naturally excrete
			* Maintaining eye contact is imporant no matter what show of respect is chosen. If you drop eye contact some races take it as disrespect and a sign that you are prey.
* Nature Remembers.
	+ So many different races thrive in the various biomes of Skog that if one does something to disrespect nature… For better or worse one of nature’s spirits will remember

* Natives to Skog often disappear around the southern Trylleki colonies. They are often kidnapped and sold into slavery in Rombolo'k.