Kozgomogh

Kozgomogh is one of the largest kingdoms in Andara by area, but also has one of the lowest populations due to the low fecundity of Giantfolk. Situated in the most south-easterly portion of the continent, it is a cold realm of highlands and mountains populated by large beasts and even larger people. Due to the now-deific status of their ruler, Jarfang Borrig, many liken this ancient land to the higher planes of Mount Celestia or Bitopia.

## Geography

The vast kingdom of Kozgomogh is a cold highland that stretches its way to the coastline of Akavor's Grave in the east, and is decorated with a scattering of tors and towering granite peaks in the south which separate the lands from the Ice Wastes in the south; an unforgiving frigid desert of darkness, behirs and frost giants. A second mountain range, the Mozgo Mountains, stretches north to south in central Kozgomogh. This range is home to the fabled Throne Mountain, the literal seat of power for Jarfang Borrig. Though there are no large rivers in the kingdom, glacial meltwater forms a patchwork of mountain streams, tarns and small lakes dotted throughout the landscape.

Though its southern location leads to Kozgomogh being generally colder than central and northern Andara, the kingdom does experience some seasonality in the form of warmer summers and springs, unlike its western neighbour of the Hjelkar Tundra, which exists in an almost perpetual winter.

## Settlements

There are few permanent, established settlements in Kozgomogh due in part to the nomadic nature of many giant tribes, but also due to the overall lower population. However, aside from a scattering of small towns and hamlets along the border, there are a few notable settlements within the kingdom.

### Blackmound

Of all the giant settlements, Blackmound most closely resembles what many would consider to be a 'traditional' town. Featuring houses, taverns and shops, this settlement is similar to a human town with 10-foot doorways. Blackmound was founded as a trading post to allow other kingdoms to engage in commerce with the giants, and thus a large portion of its population are a mixture of humans, orcs and elves. Situated at the foot of the highlands, it is relatively easy to access and is usually one of the first stops one will make on the way into the kingdom.

### Borrig's Holding

The capital of Kozgomogh, and also the epicentre of most giant culture and religion, the reputation of this strange settlement is known throughout Andara. The centrepoint of Throne Mountain is surrounded by a plethora of tents, huts and cave dwellings occupied by individuals from all walks of giantfolk life. It is common for new mothers from nomadic tribes to settle here in the safety of their Jarfang for a few years whilst their children grow, before moving on once more.

Throne Mountain itself was formed when Jarfang Borrig tore the top of the mountain off and used it to deal a killing blow to his rival, Akavor, by caving in his skull. Soon after, the mountain was carved out further to form the only throne that could seat their colossal new Jarfang. The clouds above the Holding circle around Borrigs head night and day, and rumble with thunder whenever he speaks aloud.

### Sørksten

This large coastal fortress is only considered a settlement by virtue of population. In reality, it is mostly the home of the monastic order known as the Knights of Norga; a millennia-old faction tasked by the Jarfang to keep watch on 'great foes from the seas'. The exact nature of these foes has been lost to time, as no such threat has arisen in centuries. However, the faction has not been without purpose in recent years, and nowadays the Knights of Norga protect the rest of the kingdom from the bulk of frost giant raids, being situated near a gap in the mountains which allows easier passage from the Ice Wastes.

## Culture and Tradition

Believed by many to be the oldest race in the known world, it is no surprise that the giantfolk sit atop thousands of years of culture, and echoes of their beliefs and traditions can be found in other civilisations throughout Andara.

### Religion

*Main article: Religion in Kozgomogh*

The giantfolk follow one of the only monotheistic religions in the known world, and exist under a theocracy, whereby their ruler is so great in power that they are considered a god-king. Despite being so central to giantfolk culture, their religion is often celebrated with surprising modesty. They do not evangelise, unlike almost every other religion, and instead keep their religion rather exclusive to their own kind.

### Marriage and Family

In such an old civilisation, it is not unusual to find that there are a number of different customs when it comes to marriage, often depending on the race of giant or their place of origin.

Northern giants tend to have marriage customs influenced by humans and elves, in that they pledge commitment to their spouse in a marriage ceremony, and will remain faithful to this partner until death. This is particularly common amongst half-giants and firbolgs, as their mixed racial heritage only strengthens their affinity for human or elvish cultural practices.

Some tribes of southern giants, particularly nomads, often engage in polygamous marriages where the men of the tribe will have a harem of around two to four wives. Practicers of this tradition claim that it allows a tribe to rebuild numbers after a clan war or frost giant raid more quickly than they could if they were restricted by monogamy.

Other nomadic tribes do not engage in marriage at all, and will drift between relationships and partners at a whim. With no little to no concept of land ownership in the south, there is usually little reason to bother producing legitimate heirs, and so a child of such tribes will be raised by a large group of motherly and fatherly figures rather than just their biological parents. Adoption of outsiders into a tribe is not much of a stretch from this familial structure, so it is common for a tribe or settlement to have one or two members with no relation to any other tribe member.

### Food and Drink

Agriculture is few and far between in Kozgomogh. Some tribes will rear herds of yak and oxen, but few will grow pastures of grain or roots. Instead, most giants will hunt and forage for their food, much like orcs. No matter how big the animal carcass, leftovers are rare due to giants' voracious appetites. As such, many will live almost perpetually on the hunt, and this is where the keeping of herds arose from as some giants preferred to have a guaranteed meal if they struggled to find wild animals to hunt.

What few grains are grown by giants, which predominantly happens in the north, will almost invariably end up as one of two things; bread or alcohol. The preferred drinks of choice are strong ales or herbal whiskeys, steeped with foraged botanicals from the highlands. Giantfolk whiskey is regarded as the finest on the continent, though some argue that this is down to the some thousand-year head start that giants had when it comes to learning the science of brewing and distilling alcohol.

## Ecology

Though Kozgomogh might seem quite devoid of life at first glance, with no large tracts of forest for beasts to hide in, it actually supports a diverse ecosystem of unique fauna. At the top of the food chain, there are three apex predators referred to as 'the big three'; dire wolves, owlbears and sabretooth tigers. As they occupy the same niche, it is not uncommon to see these three fighting amongst each other, for territory or food. These predators hunt large grazing animals such as elk, mammoth or bison. Smaller predators like weasels, foxes, raccoons and hawks either hunt hare and mice, or scavenge the carcasses of bigger animals left by the larger predators.

The highlands of the north are dominated by vast tracts of upland moors, heathland and coarse grasslands, with the occasional copse of hardy pines and birches. Further south, plant life gets decidedly scarcer, with little more than lichen growing in the furthest reaches of the kingdom.