North Hithanon
- Area Square Miles: 100,000
The rough area in square miles of that nation. - Population: 350,000 (3.5/sq. mile) The total population, including all significant humanoid races, plus the average population per square mile.
- Racial Balance: Human (34%), Orc (30%), Goblin (20%), Half-orc (9%), Mongrol (2%), Ogre (1%), Other (4%) The details of all the major races of that country, as a percentage of the total population.
- Capital City: Tower of Nemeth (pop. unknown) The capital city of that country, if it has one, along with its population.
- Government: See below The political structure for that nation, if any. This will be one of: autocracy, confederation, democracy, despotism, dictatorship, imperial, monarchy, oligarchy, republic or tribal. By far, the most common form of government is monarchy.
- World View: See below The attitude of each nation toward its neighbors (passive, defensive or aggressive) and a number of terms that best sum that nation up (ie agricultural, nomadic, seafaring, wild, etc). Each nation can have one or more such terms, but will only ever have one attitude.
- Religion: Hith; Ragmannon, Xagraxsus; Babbarax, Gygafrak; Naberru The main gods esteemed by that nation. The list reflects the racial balance statistics (see above); so if humans are the largest racial group in that nation, followed by elves and dwarves, the list of deities follwed by humans will be first, then elves and dwarves. Within this context, they are listed alphabetically. No deity is listed more than once, even if more than one racial group prays to that god (for instance, both elves and gnomes are likely to follow Ky, but it will only be listed once nonetheless).
- Languages: Rhuven, Yait The main languages spoken by the people of that nation, listed alphabetically.
- Climate: Temperate The climate of that nation, from: arctic, continental cool summer, humid subtropical, subarctic, subtropical, temperate, tropical, warm temperate.
Overview
North Hithanon once defended the Land of Hith from the Karnish forces mustered in Vidor, but now finds itself performing the same role against the new threat of Zykerathox and the lands that fell to him, now commonly referred to as The Fallen Lands. At the heart of this defense is Echopass, a rugged and dangerous pass through The Great Barrier Mountains where fortresses and towers are common and battles almost a daily event. It is a place where the blood of many has been strewn and many regard it as haunted with the spirits of the fallen. Although the lands of North Hithanon are still largely lush and mostly untouched, they are populated with Hith's minions and slaves. Barbarians, orcs and half-orcs can be found in large numbers in camps located primarily towards the northern reaches of the lands, where they muster before making the journey through the Pass to join the war in what was once Vidor. But much more powerful beasts can also be found here, including ogres, giants, trolls and even dragons, all of whom serve their evil master.
Two nightmarish towers - the Tower of Nemeth and Quen-Gul, populated with the most powerful of Hith's servants, dominate the landscape. At their base, large numbers of humanoids have congregated, forming a writhing mass of sinister life which is as might be expected; a rough, chaotic place where violence is the norm and tribal loyalties and rivalries form the boundaries within the community and the principle political structure. It is from these towers that the commands of Hith are executed and it is the powerful servants that dwell there that maintain, through a reign of terror, any semblance of order and co-operation between the rival factions.
From the bases in the north, attacks against the forces of Zykerathox are launched, with large numbers of goblins and orcs making the journey deep into The Fallen Lands. The lands once known as Vidor are filled with Hith's minions, forcing Zykerathox to delay his war with Karnish. Although there is no front-line, with battles and skirmishes occuring wherever the soldiers meet, Echopass has seen the worst of the fighting, where the two armies stand against one another, countering one another's moves, and where battles and open warfare are most common. It is here that the largest numbers of Hith's armies can be found, infesting the lands and mountains with their foulness. The Great Barrier Mountains are home to thousands of orcs, who constantly attack and harrass Zykerathox's forces from their bases in the caves and crevices and crags.
North Hithanon is a violent place, with tribe often set against tribe and enslavement of the weak, who are often used as fodder in the war with Zykerathox. Slaves are also brought in from the tribes of Jerad and The Great Forest and forced into manual labor or as more fodder, to be hacked down by a blade or pierced with a poisoned arrow. Fear, oppression and death dominate the psyche of those that live here, who serve their evil and all consuming lord, Hith. The Black Undeath has also emerged here, with troops carrying the plague back with them and many have already died from it's affects. Much of the northern land is awash with undead, but Hith has been quick to use this to his advantage, with his powerful undead minions gathering them under their wings and leading them to war against Zykerathox, much to his anger.
Brief History
See The Land of Hith for the brief history of North Hithanon.
The Major Towns and Cities
Nemeth: (pop: unknown) Nemeth, like so many of the settlements in North Hithanon, is an unofficial place that has grown around the base of the brooding Tower of Nemeth, which dominates the skyline. It is a filthy, violent shantytown, where ramshackle buildings are made of scrap materials and covered in grime. The streets are tightly woven and filled with filth, vermin and disease, and life is a constant struggle. Most of those heading to the frontline will pass through Nemeth, where conflicts between rival gangs and tribes are a fact of life.