The Horde

The Horde is a Collection of many races seen as lesser in some standards who have collect together under one Power. Their Kingdom Originates in Tropical Rainforests where their people are most comfortable. the Majority of their people are Kobolds, Lizard folk, Lamia, and others of similar Types. With this they have a certain unity but still remain neutral to outsiders.

## History

### The Founding

Some time ago this kingdom started as a unison of warring tribes, each sought after the others treasures and lands, as each season passed the wars became more Viscous. Outsiders were slaughtered on sight between the tribes and used as food, and this carried on for a Great many years before one Tribes conquests and Line of Victories lead to the subjugation of the other tribes. During this time it was uncertain why they didn't slaughter but the leader of this tribe Saw a reason to unify them but no one knew why. After some time the tribes worked more together fixing many problems which was leading to the decline of their own, and they began accepting that they needed each other but with little trust. Their leader was seen as one Close with Dragons and only Called The "Dark One" For his midnight black Scales, Under him he founded a council of the Draconites and The order of the Wyrm. The Council would overseer The people and Handle the tribes to better make them one People, While the Order Made temples to the Ancient Dragons from long ago, Who Acted with Grace, Power, and Wisdom Beyond the ages. After sometime Their Leader sent out Envoys, With goods and Treasures to apologize to the nearby Territories, though it was lightly Accepted and heavily distrusted he wanted people to know it was safe to travel through their lands now, Without fear of being turned into War Rations.

### The First Era

A vast amount of age old Blood feuds all brought to a end by the Dark One, boundaries broken and old oaths destroyed, left with nothing but their lives and a choice. Many were hesitant but they realized that even together they couldn't stop it why not join in their Path, Chieftains bowed their heads in defeat and warriors broken and rebuilt now understood that The Dark One carried a purpose they couldn't comprehend, This purpose needed them. With all the warring ended and the new ways were founded they began seeing a future that they never knew, One that was more than just slaughter and scavenge just to survive. The first Council was made of chieftains who survived and swore to follow the dark one to the End. They accepted their task with honor knowing they will lead their people down their path, but the trial of this started sooner than they thought.

Minor factions constantly arguing and fighting over everything, These tribes resorted how they always did, trying to kill each other. Now the Council had to decide on how to handle it, The dark one Guided them lightly to the right way but they made the Leap. They began forming guards to arrest any who murder, at first they debated how to handle it next, some wanted to just kill them and get rid of the problem, but others thought that would only make the problem grow. As their debating grew, they came to safe conclusion, but were exhausted from arguing over so many different people, that they decided to find people to handle the lesser problems for them as they debate the bigger problems. This system was made bare and simple but worked efficiently, it gave them the time to solve the next problem. The Dark One wanted 15 Servants, to swear complete loyalty to Them, Which was easy except for the specifics, making sure each one matched what They needed, When they had all been Gathered The Dark One Lead them off, Claiming to need them to find a "New Home".

It was many Years before One of the Servants returned with Information, On a Place where The Dark One Wanted Many to Live. So The Council Collected people, Got them ready and head off to Where The dark One was, and Their New Home. It took months of Travel but it was deeper in The swamps than Any had been, Taking them to a Large mountain with a Valley Formed around it, This is what they were told of. As they arrived they began making their camps, soon replaced with building their homes, and finally as they were settled, building a Fortress at the Entrance to a Cave. This cave was being shaped by The 15 Servants, to what the Dark One desired, While the Fortress was Built to protect it and act center for this new Home to defend from.

The Winters Kept coming and going as Construction continued, Work they had never done before, now being taught and guided, The valley Entrances soon Blocked with Wood Gates, Newly Made but sturdy enough until they can Learn to work stone by their own skill. But these were all Trivial as the fortress was near done, when the Dark One Informed The Council they will be leaving, but Their servants will stay and help wherever they can, they had found something they call The Dragon Rock that seems to be able to help guide them with the Wisdom of the Great Wyrms. The Council was saddened by the loss of their leader but they understood, Just as They arrived, they Disappeared, Shrouded in mystery of who, or where they came from, But no matter the case, they know they have been blessed by Dragons. Now, with the embers fully ignited, they made a choice to Trust in The Dark One, and helped the Servants to Form a Group to thank The Dark One, and whoever guided them here, Causing the Birth of The Order of The Wyrm.

### The Second Era

Long Past the time of founding, The Blood wars now seemed impossible to have happened, Their people worked with a new unity and belief, Many Generations Ago Dragon Rock was Founded in this valley, Many of their people lived here as it was safe and easy to defend, Proper Stone gates had been crafted at the entrances and they had even formed Ramparts on top of the Walley walls to allow Guards to watch better, inside housed all forms of life able to be fully self sufficient, which made it a Perfect Capital. Over time new settlements did form, but not many due difficulty surviving healthily outside the Capital. But they needed to expand finally as They were worried of losing their Homelands. Though the severe Grudges of the past were handled by the Second council who Made Diplomacy and gave gifts of gold and valuables from the old Ways, This allowed them to no longer be completely hated, but they were still distrusted.

The problem of expanding is that the Council was not built for it, they rely too much on hearing direct word that they needed to create a new way to handle things, the minor court was abolished and the council began forming more specialized groups, it took years of training and observing to see the best way to make it work, occasionally receiving whispers from The Keepers hidden away in the Mountain, Their wisdom helping to better form the new Eyes and ears of The Council. Once they had established this new order They sent them with enough people to key points to start reestablishing their Presence. This was not a simple endeavor as it required not only setting up a Town but also making sure it could survive, To help this they even began making paths easier for them to cross the Terrain and allow trade.

Though it was hard these minor towns soon grew enough to hold together giving home to more people and allowing them to no longer just hide away in their Home of Dragon Rock. This rise also meant it was possible to grow more, many had forgotten that at one point, their people were the beasts that dwelled in these swamps and made people fear for their lives, now new beasts had shown themselves. Dangerous carnivores, murderous Herbivores, and even plants that feed on blood of their victims, This was no longer their home territory, it was enemy land, that they must Conquer. With all this realization the Council began organizing people to fight, To Hunt these beasts and claim their homeland once again.

Winter soon came as the expeditions kept leaving and returning, in the snow, their bodies were at a disadvantage but the council inspired them, some of the leaders coming themselves to help fight off the many beasts, it showed how much they wish to reclaim this home of theirs. in due time they had reclaimed much of the places they were aiming for, now using these old tribal sites as the grounds to form new towns. They couldn't kill all the beasts obviously as many dwell within the swamps, but thanks to the regulars hunts, the beasts never came close to the new homes, But with all this something was discovered. At one of the old Tribal Grounds they found creatures that resembled horses but covered in hard hide and scales and a head like that of a wyvern. The people founding here decided to try and tame them and found new companions in doing so.

With the Discovery of the new creature they remembered one of old, a beast that has always been behind the dragon, but still majestic. The Council sent out skill people to find and claim The Eggs of Wyverns, they would be valuable in times to come, both for fighting and for companionship to feel closer to the Ancient Wyrms. It took much time and more than a few search parties but they found multiple clutches of eggs, and returned with them, a new home was prepared for them, a odd name for a place in the open, Wyvern Cavern would be the home to their flying friends, though training them will be no easy task.

With the new towns formed and a new creature found, Names the dracolisk, Due to their odd Draconic looks it made it a creature many people wanted, and with their natural strength and speed made a better way to transport cargo. They were also easier to handle than horses since they weren't afraid of their Looks, making it possible to have more than lizard folk handling them. Along with the Wyverns starting to hatch and grow, it showed a start of this Age, One that had hopes to guarantee their peoples place. With this established the council now returned to Dragon Rock properly to begin preparing proper envoys to the other kingdoms. They also prepared goods and various things to try and inspire trade between them, as though they are self sufficient Both the Council and the Keepers believe that they will need allies and gold to Guarantee their survival.

### The Third Era

Time ever passing they continued to work, Generation after Generation, Though unity is Strong, some still have discrimination thinking one race is better but this will always happen. Their system for their people now fully formed made it so no matter the race you could stand tall and even lead, this helped to handle some Discrimination but it was still there, But this was in handleable amounts as thanks to the laws it meant no one would try and go too Far. Now they move onto greater goals, planning to have a new city made. This was no normal city as they planned to allowed other races establish here to allow for more trade and attempt to better relationships with the other races.

As it as planned they had a perfect spot set up cleaned and roads cleared and even paved for trade between the neighboring kingdoms and the capital with this one point as the intersection. Many generations of diplomacy and trade has lead to this point, They placed orders for nicer materials like marble to act as the building blocks of this City, It would be unique and attempt to bring in travelers and inspire people to trust their people. But it was soon shown that some didn't agree, Sabotage, missing caverns, and frequent monster attacks, kept getting in the way and worry about the project grew. The council began searching for who would do this and in due time it was found to be one of their own, but the reason they were discovered inspired people.

The entire Council had gone to the Town to investigate, they were well guarded so they had no worries, except one of them was paranoid. the others attempted to comfort them but as they were a larger than normal attack happened and many guards and civilians died, during the incident the paranoid member of the council began screaming in agonizing pain as Black marks stretch across their body burning deeply in, the words Traitor Written in Draconic on their forehead. They were interrogated and their sins exposed, they cried claim they swear they saw a Dragon Looming over them, It's gaze burning into them. After much worry they Keepers released word that the Dragon Rock had Judged the Council member and Stripped them of their Position for betraying the people. This caused worry but after this, no more interruption happened as all the criminals were caught, To commemorate this realization, that the soul of a dragon Protects them, they made a Great statue in the Center of Union Pass, In hopes it will protect this place and all who travel here.

### Current Era

Many more Generations passed as they reached the Time when the rift happened, many were scared and di their best to stand strong as one, but this was beyond anyone expectations, Luckily for now things were fine but as time goes on the Council hopes to find out what is going on, and heeds the whispers of the Keepers to better protect their people.

## Hierarchy

### Social

**The Council of Draconites**: They are the head of the country never more than eight are allowed, and no less than five. They decide the path of Kingdom, sending out orders and decisions and keeping watch of the crisis's going on, all while mediating with other countries to make sure they are not targeted for resources. they carry heavy wait but they were chosen by the people and Given Grave by the Dragon stone to Lead.

**The Watchers**: The council does not have the ability to watch and judge everything that goes on across the Kingdom, So the watchers do that for them, Every city having a Council of Twenty Watchers Elected by their people for their Views and Wisdom, to carry out judgement and punishments for the crimes, along with handling the taxes and trade with nearby areas.

**The Guardians**: With The watchers giving the orders the Guardians are the Hands that carry out the Act, numbering fifty in each city these are not Guards. They have the sole purpose of Defending and Punishing as the Watchers See fit, if a watcher orders something directly a Guardian Carries it out at all costs, they are chosen by their strength and dedication and are always the first ones willing to lay down their lives for their people.

**The Gifted:** The people are the Rich ones, the ones who live in luxury now, while they have no Purpose or power like The Watchers and Guardians, they are seen as the nobles of a city as they normally have heavy responsibilities of their own, they could be anything from Leaders of a merchant company to people who raise Wyverns for the Armies. What they lack in political power they make up for in Wealth and resources.

**The Followers**: These are the common folk, they are nothing special but they are the people that do many jobs and run small business arcos the kingdom, they are easily the life blood and still a vey important part of society as a whole. Without these people there would be no Kingdom.

**The Punished**: Though this kingdom seems viscous at first, it is for their order. these are the people who have committed heavy crimes but survived their punishments, they carry a mark on their faces to show they are Criminals and the like losing all prior Privilege's they most start over and try to become part of society again, though most just run away and become Bandits.

**The Slaves**: Things can always be lower, Weather it's criminals or people who have been traded between kingdoms, these people have no Rights. Theya re no better than cattle and are only allowed to live to work, they are usually treated harshly but they are not allowed to be murdered and still are required to be feed and watered regularly, Depending on the type of slave they may even have the chance to buy their freedom, though it's usually not Cheap.

### Religion

**The Dragon Stone**: This is a Ancient Rock that seems to have Crimson liquid pour from it, Named Dragons Blood. It has a long history, but That doesn't matter, all that matters is this rock has some form of Sentience that Blesses the Keepers and The council of Draconites, and the Dragons blood is used to make Pact-Bound. All that can be said is that it's a relic of The Dark One.

**The Keepers**: There are exactly 15 keepers, They do not age nor do they leave the Great temple that houses the Dragon Stone. Their purpose is to care for the dragon stone and carry out it's will. they are also the ones who carry out the Blessing of The Council of Draconites and other special rituals they are only Whispered, meeting one is seen as a Great honor since no one is allowed in the Great Temple, Except a select few.

The **Elders**: These are the Aides to the Keepers, they watch the Gate to the temple and Deliver goods to The keepers, they also carry out their orders spreading the word of the Dragon Stone and making sure the Other Temples are following proper Guidance. they are also seen as the Blades for the Dragon Stone as they are mostly Warriors that are vastly skilled at their art, Though other religions are tolerated they keep corruption from their holy lands.

**The Guides**: These are the people who prepare the temples and give spiritual advice to those in need, many practice unique medicines as the power to channel is rare for them, and instead act as shamans. they also handle training The dedicated and even are the ones to suggest someone for The Elders, they may not be of the same authority, but they are still the ones who find those suitable to truly serve The Dragon Stone.

**The Dedicated**: These are people who take the religion dear to their hearts, mostly common folk and such, they are the worshipers who practice in their own right, either at their homes or at the temples. They are not as driven as the others, but they hold it dear to them as a guiding light.

**The Bounded**: Being a slave is never a kind thing, but at least if you're a slave for the temple you are treated better, though they are not allowed to speak. They handle the cleaning, Cooking, and any other chores, along with acting as someone people can speak to with the certainty no one else will hear of it. The most unfortunate part, is the fact the Bounded are bound for life to Serve to make sure they keep their secrecy.

## Laws

Their Laws Set the boundaries for their way of life and have existing since the founding of The Council of Draconites, To them it is as Old and True as Dragons. Break their laws and the punishments will carry the weight of Dragons with it.

### Pact-Bound

Pact-Bound have been blessed by the council to have special rights within the Kingdom. these privilege's are a reward for doing something truly special for the kingdom as a Whole. This is a unique magic marking on the person made from the blood of a Dragon, no two markings are the same, as it is a testament to the person. This cannot be remove but bringing harm to the kingdom when you carry the mark can turn it to a Curse.

1. Killing must have a justified reason but is accepted as you delivering Judgement.
2. Theft must be repaid in full or your mark will cause pain till you do.
3. you are allowed into the very catacombs of the Temples and even welcomed into the Great Temple, along with being able to talk Freely.
4. Your weapons are never questioned though try not to scare people.
5. Forced "Actions" against peoples will, will result in burning pain in your body and a Duel against a Punishment the mark has deemed Proper.
6. If accused of Crime, it is sweep aside normally and very careful checked. if you had nothing to do with it the mark proves it for you.
7. You are welcomed into most homes so trespassing rarely happens but as long as you aren't a hindrance or threaten them, you are innocent
8. No violence is undue as long as you have a proper reason, it is carried out as judgement. but if it is without reason wounds you cause will be return to you in searing pain.
9. Your Duels are seen as Duels watched by the The dragons and carry a heavier weight to them, Still must have reason to challenge someone to a duel.

### Welcomed

After some time, or proving themselves welcomed have more privileges' and can be allowed to even take place in Trials and such to Judge a Crime if it is Deemed necessary. You receive a Earing as proof which can be taken away if you commit a crime suiting the punishment. This is also the rights for normal Citizens

1. No Killing inside of City or town territory, Outside of Duels of Order.
2. Theft is punished by being locked away for 30 day and 30 nights minimum and extended based on the worth, but may be waved depending on the reasoning
3. You are allowed to enter the Temples of the Order of The Wyrm but must remain silent unless spoken to. (may be changed if you become a priest or welcomed by the order more)
4. you may keep your weapons on you in the towns, but are to keep them sheath and hands away unless threatened
5. Forced "actions" against peoples will, will be judged by a council to decide your opponent for a Duel of Right
6. If accused of Crimes without proof you have the chance to prove your innocence and explain things, along with produce your own proof along with whatever they find.
7. Trespassing will have you Questioned and Locked up depending on your reasoning for why, and if you were threatening to the people.
8. Undue violence will have your taken to the council to hear your reasoning and decide the severity of your punishment.
9. you may challenge others to Duels within Reason, and may decide Council judgements by fighting a Defender of their choice.

### Outsider

All outsiders are allowed in their territory but have many stipulations and cannot interfere with Their ways.

1. No Killing inside of City or town territory, Outside of Duels of Order.
2. Theft is punished by a Duel of Right, Fought by Either a suitable warrior of who you stole from, or a appointed Warrior of the People
3. You are not allowed within Temples of The order of The Wyrm
4. Hostility will have you Thrown out of the town
5. weapons are to Remain in your Cart or Tavern room unless Entering or leaving, or For a Duel
6. Forced "actions" against peoples will, will have your through in the Wyverns Pit covered in Fresh Blood from Cattle Unarmed and left to your fate.
7. If accused of a crime but without proof you will be brought to a council to decide your fate, they are normally Fair unless you have proven Troublesome.
8. Trespassing will have you locked away for 20 nights and 20 days, no matter the reason
9. undue violence will have you beaten by the guard and locked away for a time depending on Severity.
10. you may not challenge another to any for of duel.

## Places and People

### Settlements

1. Dragon Rock
2. Wyvern Cavern
3. Rough Range
4. Union Pass

### Other Notable Individuals

1. Ignore Me
2. Ignore Me
3. Ignore Me
4. Ignore Me