Men of the Mountains

**The Men of the Mountains**, also known as the **Mountain Clansmen**, the "**Barbarians**", and more recently as **The Condorians**, are a group of indigenous people native to the Blackwall Mountains in the middle of Tirrenor.

Words like "Barbarians" & "Savages" are used to describe them by Tirrenians, who have long been at odds with them.

Because of the Clansmen's strange language, culture, and heathen religion, combined with longtime rivalry with the Tirrenians, little is truly known of them. What is known is that they are physically of shorter stature, averaging about 5' - 5'4''. They are easily identified by being draped in animal furs combined with the warpaint the men wear on their face to denote clan affiliation.

## History

The Mountain Men are the historical inhabitants of the Blackwall mountains, and have clashed with the civilization of Tirrenor throughout history. They were largely ousted from the mountains throughout the 300's. Much of Blackwall Hold stands on ground formerly belonging to the mountain clans and the city of Stoneshade was originally a Mountaineer settlement.

Some of the mountain clans decided to move east instead of fighting for their homes, and now inhabit the unorganized territory of The Verge. Others remain in the Blackwalls living a hidden low-key nomadic lifestyle to prevent their discovery and destruction by the Tirrenians.

Some mountain clans played a major role in the Great Blackwall War, having carried out a brutal assassination of Thane Gerald Straton, his children and other members of the Straton family while they were on their way to the capital of Tirren for a royal funeral service. This act of aggression, believed to be in collaboration with the nation of Yuricaz, triggered the Barbarian Uprising of 492. The void of power left behind by the assassination led to the War of the Three Thanes.

## *The Crimson Mountains* (546 ACR)

Reports surfaced that the Mountain Men were attacking mines, villages, and encampments sporadically throughout the Blackwall region. In response, Thane Kain Kallistratos II hired a large mercenary force from The Verge, the Sons of Aquinas, to deal with the issue and prevent another widespread uprising.

It was revealed that the Mountain Clans were united by a foreign warrior called *The Condor*. Formerly a Bruxian warrior who came to Blackwall as part of the Bruxian Foreign Legion to conquer the Yuricans, she chose to stay in Blackwall and venture into the mountains. Over time, The Condor used her charisma, intellect, and heart to learn the language of the Clansmen, earn thier respect, and lead them into a new era. United, The Condor served as their bridge to the outside world.

The Condor was responsible for the recent attacks. It was revealed that she temporarily allied with Mikael Asterius to arm her people with modern weapons in return for attacking Tirrenian mines. The Condor struck a deal with Thane Nilos Kallistratos to allow her people amnesty, and led her followers to proclaim peace with the Tirrenians.

## *The Final Will* (553 ACR)

Keeping thier word, the Clansmen have remained peaceful in the time since the last uprising. The legend of The Condor spread, leading many to refer to them as the Condorians.

The King of Tirrenor and the Archons still consider them enemies of the Crown & Creed.