#BlkDragon*Inn - User contributions [en]

User:Ayanula

2019-11-26T01:14:49Z

Ayanula:

{{Infobox User
| nickname = Ayanula
| picfile = amy2.jpg
| alttext =
| caption =

| real_name = Amy
| age = 35
| location = All Over
| occupation = Other
| first_visit = 2000
| status = Player
| character1 = [[Idelle Sarault]],
| character2 = Niran DeClan,
| character3 = [[Sajaad Talaes]],
| character4 = [[Hydek Tuseell]],
| character5 = [[Aleah Dryksson]],
| character6 = [[Ren Aariak]],
| character7 = Xadim Purok
| character8 =
| character9 =
| character10 =

}}

=User Bio=

Amy here. Been involved with online chat-based Free Form Role Playing since 1994. Got my start on a now defunct ISP, following the community there until it eventually went extinct. As RP slowly trickled off on that medium, I broadened my search for other communities and found BDI in 2000. I had been RPing on and off over the course of 2000-Now.

I was upped to Operator status in 2010, along with Margo in the channel. Over the course of a year and a half, Margo, Dan, and myself began to explore a possible move to DarkMyst and the idea of re-vamping the old website into a more interactive forum to bring the community together more. After getting together with Pat, we reigned in our resources and began to bring all of our ideas into fruition in order to achieve the platform that exists today.

Since my personal life doesn't allot me the time necessary to oversee the channel as a whole, I've taken up the retired mantel of player status when time is ever available.

[[Category: Players]]

2018-05-19T06:25:22Z

Ayanula: Undo revision 8431 by Ayanula (talk)

2017-12-05T00:12:41Z

Ayanula: /* Current Campaigns */

==The Bloody Fifth Regiment==

Said to be one of the most elite Infantry Regiments in all of Arangoth the Bloody Fifth Regiment is the pride of House Dreth and the vanguard of offensive and defensive operations in the north west ( [[Minkbrantha]] ).

The Fifth is known specifically for several successful campaigns and operations, including the Garrison of Drache during the Civil War.

Their success in combat is attributed to several factors. The soldiers and knights of the Bloody Fifth are fanatical, their entire society revolves around military service and they are indoctrinated in the culture from birth. Those selected as Knights and On-Duty train from age 8 until age 16 before being sent into the regular force. Their reserves are bolstered and lead by tested veterans. Their equipment is top notch. House Dreth commands the unit directly, and all of their children are trained tacticians and strategists.

===Structure===

The Bloody Fifth is comprised of 3 components, Knights, On Duty, and Reserve.

* Knights - Selected from the Active Component. These soldiers have completed the [[Trials of the Sword]] and established themselves as particularly potent leaders or combatants during their training. To be Knighted they must have survived at least one battle. The knights serve as officers, elite guards and, during war, a 100 man cavalry company.

* On Duty - The men and women of the 'on duty' component of the Fifth Regiment also must complete the [[Trials of the Sword]], though do not score well enough, or lack the requirements to become a Knight. Instead, they serve for eight years on active duty with the Bloody Fifth. When they are not deployed forward they are routinely training. These professional, elite soldiers make up the bulk of the Fifth's regular forces. After their eight years of service On Duty soldiers are allowed to retire to the reserve and return home. Though they may stay on duty indefinitely, or until their leadership feels they no longer serve the needs of the unit.

* Reserve - The Reserve component of the Bloody Fifth is scarcely a peasant Army. Comprised of hardened veterans from the On Duty component who have retired, often serving as leaders and trainers, and those who lacked the traits to complete the [[Trials of the Sword]] the reserve can bolster, reinforce, or swell the Fifth's troop numbers quickly. They train several times per month, including 'alert' drills that allow them to maintain their rapid deployment capability. Their equipment, well not quite as modernized as the On Duty soldiers, is often from the most recent generation of equipment issue and by most standards better than the enemies.

===Current Campaigns===

{| style="float: right; border: 1px solid #BBB; margin: .46em 0 0 .2em;"
|- style="font-size: 86%; text-align:center"
| valign="top" |[[File:bufferzone.jpg|450px]] Geographical Map of The Southlands of the Tyhinn Empire, as divided upon military lines
|}

'''Operation Stalwart Serpent'''

Following the signing of a treaty between [[Asnerith Dreth]], Sithire of [[Minkbrantha]] and the Tyhenese Empire portions of the Bloody Fifth and the Combined Forces of Minkbrantha are mobilizing to conduct Area Seizure and Defense during the Tyhenese Great Canal construction. This project is estimated to take two or more years and will stretch from the Tyhenese ports of Atholu along the Bay of Tszamoor to the Naval Fort of Tilois along the Inland Sea.

The enemy belligerents in the area consist primarily of the Zul Kiran Orc tribes, however irregulars and special troops from the horse tribes may conduct raid and harassing operations.

Concept of Operations, as written by Sithire Asnerith Dreth

This operation is two phased and simple. The Bloody Fifth Regiment will function as the Command Cell throughout the campaign. During the offensive phase they will provide a Vanguard, demolishing large enemy formations and bypassing smaller units. Following the Fifth will be the Combined Forces of Minkbrantha, which will destroy the bypassed units and secure territory. Once a geographically significant section of land is taken and stabilized we enter phase two, a defensive scheme of maneuver. The Combined Forces of Minkbrantha will set up Observation Posts, Sentries and Roving Patrols to monitor the defensive line. The Bloody Fifth will establish, equip and maintain a Quick Reaction Force capable of maneuvering rapidly to engage and destroy enemies identified by the CFM. The CFM will also utilize engineer to set up fall back positions to the rear of the QRF in order to ensure a hardline of defense should the QRF fail to destroy or degrade enemy forward momentum. We will then return to the offensive phase. Supply will be provided by the Tyhenese, support by the CFM and route security by the Bloody Fifth.

[[Category: Arangoth]] [[Category: Minkbrantha]] [[Category: Government]] [[Category: Military or Law Enforcement Forces]]

2017-08-02T16:22:58Z

Ayanula: /* Roster of Magistrates */

The Magistrates of the [[Royal Chancellery]] are the judges of [[Drache]], empowered to hold trials anywhere, at any time. In Drache, it's not just a figure of speech when people say that justice carries a sword.

=Overview=

The [[Royal Chancellery]] is the judicial arm of the [[Arangoth|Arangothian]] government and is responsible for trying criminals and hearing civil suits. In addition, the Chancellery is empowered to audit other Crown officials or organizations and hear applications for citizenship. The head of the Chancellery is the [[Lord Chancellor]], who is appointed directly by the king. The Lord Chancellor in turn appoints the Magistrates. The insignia of the Chancellery is pair of golden scales over a sword, sometimes depicted on a shield with a sun rising over it.

=Trial Locations=

Since [[Drache]] is still a relatively new city plagued by frequent disasters, there is no proper courthouse in the city. Instead, Magistrates are empowered to hear cases anywhere and at any time. Trials have been held at [[Castle Black]], in the [[Podar ul-Sinetattel]] (the headquarters of the [[Sithire]] and the [[Privy Council]]), in inns and theaters, and even within the [[Royal Guard]] guardhouse's dungeons.

=Attire and Appearance=

Magistrates can be recognized by the black robes or black clothing worn while acting in an official capacity, as well as a gorget, a crescent-shaped steel medallion engraved with the insignia of the Chancellery. Many Magistrates wear plain woolen robes when out in public, to curtail the financial burden of replacing robes sliced to ribbons by swords or burned to cinders by magical fire. Many magistrates wear armor while on duty, and almost all of them carry arms in public.

=Roster of Magistrates=

The list of current Magistrates can be found on the [[Officials]] page.

[[Category: Arangoth]] [[Category: Drache]] [[Category: Government]] [[Category: Military or Law Enforcement Forces]] [[Category: Officials]]

Officials

2017-08-01T00:55:12Z

Ayanula: /* Magistrates */

Your criminal mastermind '''LordBadass''' has just committed an act of vandalism in the main channel to impress '''Princess_Starmoon''', and he's being approached by '''White_Knight123''' with demands to lower his weapon. What do you do? Is this White Knight guy for real? Does he represent the ''In-Character'' authority that has the right to challenge him on his criminal misdeeds? Well, wonder no more! Below is a handy list of crown officials, detailing exactly who has the right to wield the blades of justice. From government paper-pushers to law enforcement, this page has it all!

Keep in mind that almost all of these officials are actual characters, and should not be represented or played without the consent of the owner.

=Arania=

==Sithire==

TBD

==Seneschal of the Keep==
Isaacs

=Elgaria=

==Sithire==

Catherine Wisplight

=Leptatarna=

==Sithire==

Arduin ul-Marcion Tagran Aldenbar

=Minkbrantha=

==Sithire==

[[Asnerith Dreth]]

=Ruthmarna=

Korian Kadoyan

==Sithire==

=Sresaria=

==Sithire==
Palandra ul-Fendruth Nege

=Transdariania=

==Sithire==

[[Isabelle Auxerre]]

==City Council==

Floxod [[Aridia|Aridia Vloress]], representing the common people 
Annanistael, representing the Mage Guild 
Lieutenant Branth ul-Alathar Mitrod, representing the Civic Guard 
Cecilia Odenvault, representing the Adventurer's Guild 

==Law Enforcement==

===The Chancellery===

Lord Chancellor ''(Vorfon Gostnairod)'' - ''Vacant''

=====[[Magistrates of the Crown|Magistrates]]=====

The Honorable [[Aleah Dryksson]] 
The Honorable Senkessa ul-Alaford Silak 
The Honorable [[Drama]] 
The Honorable Dispater Tivaurd 

=====Clerks=====
[[Echades]] 
[[Fleur Nightingale]] 

===[[Civic Guard]] Roster===

====Captain of the Guard====

[[Brutus Sithaladar]]

====Arms-Commander/Spell-Commander====

Forban ul-Anskar Senketh (Main Garrison) 
[[Zesstra Riknueth]] (Wharf Garrison)

====Arms-Lieutenant/Spell-Lieutenant====

Branth ul-Alathar Mitrod 
Garlthik 
[[Idelle Sarault|Idelle Habri]] 
[[LayTrayin Chasingfire]] 
[[Marqhen Alajin]] 

====Arms-Sergeant/Spell-Sergeant====

Merrax ul-Oryan Ratholta 
Dietrich von Grafsburg

====Arms-Corporal/Spell-Corporal====

Niran Declan (Canine Patrol) 

====Armsman/Spellcaster====

Kothliim 
[[Reugar Maul]] 
Russell 

====Arms-Recruit/Spell-Recruit====

Zarick Galvardian 

====Administrative Duty Roster====

'''COMMANDERS:''' 

'''LIEUTENANTS:''' 

Kirin Arnise 

'''SERGEANTS:''' 

Peony Heatherdown 

'''CORPORALS:''' 

[[Iskandar Focht]] 

'''NON-OFFICERS:''' 

====[[Swift Talon]]====

The [[Swift Talon]] are specially provisioned [[Elvendeep|Elvendeepish]] aerial military unit attached to the Deepish Ambassador. A single flight of thirty six members are in [[Drache]] and rotate between providing guard duty to the Deepish Ambassador and offering aerial support to Drache's Royal Guard.

=====Captain=====

[[Nerin Selva]]

=====Lieutenants=====

First Lieutenant [[Nesira Vertal]]

=====Enlisted=====

==Treasury==

===Lord Treasurer===
[[Lord Treasurer]] ''(Vorfon Thropparponthod)'' - [[Branth ul-Alfrith Truxton]]

===Clerks===

===Investigative Representatives===

Duar`Hea Corriggio 
Kivari Na'Dash

==BlkDragon Inn==

Owner: [[Rantan]] 
Head Barmaid: [[Dulcina]] 
Barmaid: [[Faedre]] 
Barmaid: [[Saeryn]] 

==Ambassadors to Drache==

===[[Elvendeep]]===

===[[Gulanadur]]===
[[Siraz'jah Av'Zathrak]]

===[[Pentland]]===

Vilfrim Hespertide

===[[Zul Kiras]]===

[[Category: Arangoth]] [[Category: Drache]] [[Category: Government]] [[Category: Officials]]

Officials

2017-07-26T18:51:49Z

Ayanula: /* Magistrates of the Crown */

Officials

2017-07-26T18:51:31Z

Ayanula: /* Interim Council */

2017-06-23T19:17:30Z

Ayanula: /* Economy */

{{Infobox Country
| name = Zul Kiras
| image = ZulKiras.jpg
| alt = Map of Zul Kiras
| caption =

| motto =
| capital = [[Zirak-Zan]]
| language1 = Orcish,
| language2 = other goblinoid languages
| language3 =
| race1 =
| race2 =
| race3 =
| religion = [[Zul Kiran Religion|Zul Kiran pantheon]]
| government = Confederation with elective monarchy
| ruler = War-King Krauthil Shadowspear
| population =
| currency =
}}

Zul Kiras, also called the United Clans, is an organized and militant kingdom of orcs and some goblinoids located to the north and west of [[Arangoth]]. Bloody conflicts with neighboring kingdoms have been the hallmark of Zul Kiran history, leading one famous elven orator to describe it as "a nation built from the bones of the dead."

=History=
''Main Article: [[History of Zul Kiras]]''

The kingdom came into existance in the year 109, when orcish armies led by the legendary Fenris Bonebreaker conquered the kingdom of Beren. Bloody conflicts with neighboring kingdoms have been the hallmark of Zul Kiran history, leading one famous elven orator to describe it as "a nation built from the bones of the dead." Some Zul Kirans like to counter with the observation that several of the countries conquered by the United Clans initiated the wars that led to their downfall.

==Notable Historical Figures==

'''Fenris Bonebreaker''': Founder and First War-King of Zul Kiras. Now worshipped as a god by several clans.

'''Nazad Frostknives''': An orcish wizard of the Firestorm Clan that committed the Firestorm's assitance to Bonebreaker's cause, and commanded their forces in battle.

'''Silik the Grey-Bearded''': The first chieftain of the Fading Sun. Personally forged the War-King's steel crown.

=Geographical Features=
[[file:Zkmap2.jpg|thumb|The lands of the united clans of Zul Kiras.]]
At its present boundaries, the orcish lands are approximately the same size as Arangoth and [[Elvendeep]] combined, stretching from [[Kahlahra]] in the east to the shores of the Inland Sea in the west, and from the River Deepwater in the north to the Lunit Mountains in the south. The Country's most productive farmland is located in the river valleys of the Thunder and Nez rivers in the kingdom's interior. The Great Woods is a vast forest in the central and southern portions of the country, which has been slowly expanding throughout the country's history to reclaim former farmland in kingdoms conquered by the orcish host. The land grows more arid and trees become more scarce as one moves north, transitioning to steppeland.

The capital and largest city of Zul Kiras is [[Zirak-Zan]], a name that means Blood River in the common tongue. It is located along the banks of the River Thunder in the central plains of the nation, on the site of the old Berenite capital city of Berendan. The second largest city in the kingdom is the port city of Vorschk, called the Red City because many of the city's buildings are made of a locally quarried red sandstone.

=Government and Politics=
''Main Article: [[Zul Kiran Government]]''

Zul Kiras is a confederation of several hundred clans, each having anywhere from several dozen to tens of thousands of members. The the original three founding clans were the Steel Raven, Firestorm, and Fading Sun, but the number of clans has grown as the nation expanded. New groups of orcs and other goblinoids have joined Zul Kiras as new clans, and War-Kings sometimes grant heroes who have distinguised themselves in war the right to found their own clans. Owing to their varied origins, members of different clans can vary significantly in physical appearance, cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and approaches to warfare.

Each clan has its own territory within Zul Kiras, and has a large degree of autonomy in running day to day affairs. The Clan Chieftains elect a War-King, who rules from the fortified city of Zirak-Zan on the banks of the River Thunder. The War-King serves as the supreme commander of the nation's considerable military might, settle disputes among clans, and determine policy in matters which concern the nation as a whole. Each clan sends a representative to the Council of Clans to advise the War-King, and this body has evolved over time into a quasi-legislature, passing recommendations to the War-King that are usually given the force of law by the Zul Kiran monarch.

Neighboring countries have long refused to acknowledge the orcish kingdom as a legitimate nation. The Zul Kirans for their part have had minimal interest in attempting to forge ties with other countries and reverse their status as a pariah until quite recently. Because of its political and cultural isolation from the rest of the continent throughout most of its history, Zul Kiras has remained an enigma throughout most of its existence. Most of what is now known about the orcish nation in Arangoth is due to a book written by Alfrith ul-Branth Aptentrod, a professor from the [[Royal University]] in [[Hornath ul-Marfed]] who spent a year in Zul Kiras in the company of several orcs from the Fading Sun Clan.

==Notable Government Officials==
'''Krauthil Shadowspear''': Current War-King of Zul Kiras. An orc of the Howling Wind Clan, Shadowspear was elected in the year 481.

'''Vazhak Bloodhammer''': Reigned as War-King from 470-481. Former general of the Steel Raven Clan's forces. Currently serving as the Steel Raven Clan's delegate to the Council of Clans. Oversaw the invasion and occupation of the western half of Outer Arangoth.

'''Vrugar Ghostwalker''': A wizard of the Firestorm clan. Reigned as War-King from 459-470. Oversaw the rebuilding efforts following the fourth war with Elvendeep. Currently serves as a diplomatic envoy at large for the War-King.

=The Clans=
''Main Article: [[Clans of Zul Kiras]]''

The clan system is so integral to the culture of Zul Kiras that most Zul Kirans think of themselves in terms of their clan first, as Zul Kirans second, and as their particular race third. They do not necessarily feel a kinship with other goblinoid races automatically, and will slaughter groups of orcs or other goblinoids who don't accept their ways as readily as they will enemies of other racial origins. Scholars point to the Bahrians as an example of one group Zul Kirans have a longstanding mutual enmity with because of marked differences in culture and outlook.

There are several hundred clans composing the nation of Zul Kiras, each having anywhere from several dozen to tens of thousands of members. Originally, these clans were small raiding bands consisting of a single extended family group. Occasionally, a particularly powerful chieftain might be able to unite several clans under a single banner, but these alliances invariably broke up rapidly after the death of the charismatic leader that had brought them together. This changed when Fenris Bonebreaker began building his army in the Xaad mountains, and united all of the mountain clans under the banner of his own Steel Ravens. He continued to refer to his entire army as one clan as one way of fostering unity, even though the term was now inaccurate. The practice stuck, and thus, only the smallest of Clans fit the traditional definition in present-day Zul Kiras.

Several clans have the been raised to Major Clan status. The distinction between major and minor clans is usually based on the contribution that each clan is able to make to the kingdom's perpetually active war machine. This is not simply a quantitative measure of the number of troops each clan can supply; rather, there is a certain element of subjectivity in determining how valuable a particular clan has been. The Firestorm Clan, for example, is counted a Major Clan because of their mastery of destructive magic, and the enormous influence they wield as one of the three founding clans. The Fading Sun Clan is also considered a Major Clan despite their virtual pacifism, since the other clans recognize their vital role in the orcish state. In addition, relatively small clans that produce an unusually high number of leaders, or whose forces regularly undertake more than their share of difficult tasks may also be counted among the Major Clans. Major Clans do not merely enjoy a greater prestige than minor clans, but they also have a seat on the Overcouncil, the War-King's inner circle of advisors. While not unheard of, it is rather rare for a War-King to come from a minor clan. The distinction between major and minor clans is not a fixed one, but rather is re-evaluated every few years.

=Military=

When troops are needed, there are often fierce competitions to fill the allotted levy for each clan and win a chance to go to war. Indeed, a declaration of war can touch off fierce debate in the Council of Clans about which clans will be mobilized to fight and in what numbers, since the Zul Kirans do not mobilize their population en masse and form gigantic hordes like some other groups of orcs have a tendency to do in times of war. A good showing in war can mean an increase in prestige for a clan, and a possible elevation to Major Clan status. Individual orcs can increase their standing within their own clans, and reap spoils from vanquished enemies. Owing to their origins as scattered groups in different parts of the region, many clans have distinct methods of warfare, such as the Steel Raven's infantry or the Stormrider cavalry.

Most of the southern part of the continent has been spared the fury of the United Clans, as the mountains bordering their territory severely limit their inroads into the south. The only nations they may directly invade are Kahlahra, Elvendeep, and Outer Arangoth. Outer Arangoth, while of little economic value to most individuals, is in a strategically vital location. Capturing that province would give the Zul Kirans a path into Caern Rhia and Leptatarna, and back doors into Elvendeep and Kahlahra. The Order of the Beady Eye's fortress of Hornath-ul-Dinthoss was built at the mouth of the pass through the Skull Teeth into Zul Kiras, and was successful in repelling several invasion attempts before it was finally taken by storm and leveled in the year 423. The orcs then swarmed across the province and laid siege to Kamhorna, then the unofficial capitol of the Beady Eye in Outer Arangoth. An outbreak of a plague (probably Khtarpan Fever) devastated their armies and forced them to withdraw. Nevertheless, this was more than enough to convince the Order of the Beady Eye to withdraw from Outer Arangoth and leave the remaining people on their own.

The orcs invaded a second time in 441 and succeeded in taking Kamhorna, which was at that time in the hands of bandits. They were in the process of preparing for an invasion of Caern Rhia when Elvendeep, fearful of the prospect of Outer Arangoth remaining in orcish hands, attacked Zul Kiras and precipitated the Fourth Elven War, which lasted until 459. This bloody and protracted war had no clear winner, though cases can be made for either side. In the long run, however, the war may have been more costly for the elves, since it will take much longer for them to recover from the loss of life.

Zul Kiras had been quiet while they recovered from their most recent war with Arangoth until Mid Year of 471, when War-King Vazhak Bloodhammer launched a third invasion of Outer Arangoth at the behest of Prince Tarion of Caern Rhia to defeat the Knights of Takhisis and liberate Caern Rhia from its otherworldly invaders. Since that time, the orcs have laid claim to the western half of the region, and have been settling the area.

=Religion=
''Main Article: [[Zul Kiran Religion]]''

The orcish religion is extremely polyglot as a natural consequence of the far-flung origins of the component clans of Zul Kiras. Clans that lived in closer geographic proximity to one another before their entrance to the United Clans tend to have greater similarities in mythology and religious practices. Many clans have almost entirely different pantheons and hierarchies of gods, however, and have different ways of venerating their gods. Some clans also practice ancestor veneration, and still others give honor to numinous spirits that protect and govern various places and activities. The Black Bull Clan was formed from various priests and other religious leaders from the United Clans to ensure that all of the gods receive the proper worship due them. Over the years, the Clan's priests have made impressive strides toward creating a unified mythology, though a complete harmonization of all the disparate elements seems a nearly impossible task. The clan has weathered its share of religious disputes throughout the years, and is not free of internal tensions even now.

One of the few unifying threads among all clans is the worship of Sek, the Orcfather. Among non-orcish clans, he is also referred to as the Goblinfather, Trollfather, or Ogrefather, etc. Sek is the undisputed chief deity in the Zul Kiran religion, though the pantheons that serve him can vary widely from clan to clan. The Zul Kirans believe that Sek rules from his hall of Tanuruzdan, where the souls of the dead are brought before him for judgement. Those found worthy live in his hall and do battle against his enemies, while those found unworthy are cast into a dark and shadowy place called Nnetharr, where they are forgotten. The especially odious might be fed to one of Sek's monstrous pets, or otherwise condemned to an eternity of suffering. Oaths sworn in Sek's name are considered legally binding, and violating such an oath can have grave consequences.

=Society and Peoples=
''Main Article: [[Zul Kiran Society]]''

In many ways, Zul Kiras is culture in the midst of transformation. It is an oft-uneasy balance between tradition and change that has been occurring by degrees over the years. Like the evolution of the government of the United Clans, this change has not been occurring according to some master plan, but rather as a consequence of the wars of conquest and their aftermath.

The first of these changes can be traced back to Fenris Bonebreaker himself, who was the first to reject traditional modes of warfare. He realized that as individuals, the warriors of his clan had few equals, but a collection of skilled warriors does not make a powerful army. Instead, he utilized what he had learned as a mercenary in foreign lands and reorganized his clan's forces, and retrained them with an emphasis on discipline and acting as a cohesive unit. While this was at first resisted vehemently, the Chieftain eventually prevailed by force of will.

Next, Bonebreaker made the shocking move of concluding a secret alliance with the Fading Sun Clan. The Fading Sun had long been shunned by other clans for their radically different worldview and culture--it was the opinion of most that the Fading Sun had become soft and too humanlike. Indeed, the pacifistic philosophy of the Fading Sun had led them to be reduced to a state of virtual slavery by the kingdom of Beren, a status other orcs found disgusting. Still, Fenris is said to have been a pragmatist above all else, and he recognized the value of their aid. Once the humans in the area had been dealt with, the Steel Raven clan would have control of the farms and mines of southeastern Beren, and would have allies supplying them with food and weapons, allowing them to focus exclusively on conducting the war.

After Berendan was destroyed by a combination of Steel Raven might and Firestorm magic, the orcs were presented with a novel situation: they were no longer aliens within another kingdom, or forced to live on the outskirts of other nations. They were the masters of their own land, and needed to figure out what to do with it. As most orc clans based their economies on raiding supplemented by herding, the usefulness of the Fading Sun clan could not be overlooked. They knew how to farm the land and bring forth iron from the ground; they knew how to forge iron into steel and create weapons and armor superior to that of any other clan; they knew how to make great buildings of stone; they knew the human secrets of reading and writing, and a thousand other useful things. In such a situation, the newly crowned War-King could easily have reduced the Fading Sun to slaves once more, but did the unthinkable once again and settled them throughout the new kingdom and bid them to share their knowledge with the other clans. At this time, he created the first new clans from the families of his officers, and also sent word once again to the various goblinoid clans and tribes throughout the region, inviting them to join him. By degrees, more came to settle in the new lands and came to be influenced by the Steel Raven and Fading Sun's new ways.

==Zul Kiras Today==

These new ways were not accepted by all, and still have not been, though they slowly have been becoming more widespread as the years progress. As the territories of Zul Kiras have continued to expand, raiding has increasingly fallen out of practice. This has occurred for the simple reason that for most clans, there are no neighbors to raid within hundreds of miles, and so other ways of providing become necessary. Today, many orcs farm, raise flocks or herds, or work as tradesmen within their own clan's lands. The most striking examples of clans refusing to adopt the new ways are the Onyx Viper and Razortooth clans. Both clans have largely retained their ancestral practices, though for different reasons. The Onyx Viper have always been forest dwellers and nomadic hunter-gatherers, and with the size and abundant game of the Great Woods, there has been no reason to do otherwise. The only group of Onyx Viper orcs that became acclimated to urban dwelling became the nucleus of the secretive and feared Twilight Blade, and their example is taken as a warning by the rest of the clan about the evils of cities.

The Razortooth clan, however, has been both outspoken and ostentatious in their maintenance of their old ways, even taking barbarity and savagery to lengths that unnerve other clans on occasion. Despite this, there has been no widespread desire among Razortooth orcs to separate from the United Clans, nor do the other clans wish to drive them out. Rather than force the Razortooth clan to stop raiding neighboring nations, the United Clans have more than once shifted Razortooth lands nearer to the frontiers of Zul Kiras. Despite the possibility for straining already poor relations with other nations, the United Clans are rather confident that most nations would rather tolerate a certain amount of raiding than risk incurring the full fury of the United Clans.

Ironically, the orcs who are truly the closest practitioners of their ancestral ways are the bandit gangs living in remote areas of Zul Kiras, raiding for a living. Some of these raiders are descended from orcs who decided that they disliked Bonebreaker's new order, while others are simply the sort who would rather steal from others than work for a living. Bandit hunting is a common peacetime occupation for Zul Kiran soldiers, and they tend to be especially ruthless in their work. These bandits are considered not just criminals, but enemies of the War-King for preying on Zul Kirans. There are persistant rumors that some of these bands of raiders are humans, remnants of conquered kingdoms scratching out a living in isolated areas. These rumors have not been substantiated, however, and may simply be the fabrication of individuals wishing poetic justice on the orcs.

=Economy=

Many wild orcish clans will raid and plunder an area until they have taken every last scrap of valuable material, and then move on to another area, leaving a swath of destruction behind them. This is not the case in Zul Kiras. The reason for this shift in attitude stems from a combination of Fading Sun influence, and Fenris Bonebreaker's method of doling out conquered lands to his army. He emphasized that the land was now theirs, to be passed down through the family until the end of time. Now that some clans have deified the first War-King, his dictates have the force of divine mandate, further reinforced by the peculiar system of family property ownership in Zul Kiras.

Herding is a fairly common occupation among the orcs, as is fishing and raising livestock, since orcs require more meat in their diet than do most other races. Zul Kiras also has no shortage of farms, especially in the lands of the Stormrider Clan, who raise grain to feed their mounts. The Fading Sun have had mixed success in imparting their agricultural knowledge to other clans, however, and most Zul Kiran clans have a limited interest in the subject. Most orcish farms either raise fodder for livestock, or cultivate crops that will eventually be brewed or distilled into alcoholic beverages.

The true wealth of Zul Kiras, however, lies in its mineral resources. Orcish mines are rich with iron, copper, tin, zinc, silver, and coal, and have one of the only deposits of platinum in this part of the world.

Due to the understandably poor relations between Zul Kiras and many of its neighbors, there is very little in the way of foreign trade. Most nations have opted to find new trading partners, rather than continuing to deal with the orcish nation that replaced a number of old kingdoms. As such, many nations are willing to undertake much longer voyages than they formerly would have to avoid dealing with the orcs, much to the benefit of the merchants in the southern and eastern portions of the continent.

What commerce that does take place in Zul Kiras comes principally from two sources: the [[Khalars|Khalar]] tribes, and the [[Korthai]]. While both these groups are considered wild and uncivilized by many other human nations, most orcs esteem them of examples of what humans should be like. The ritualized skirmishing between Kahlahra and Zul Kiras has fostered a healthy mutual respect among both peoples, it is not at all uncommon to see Khalar horsemen wielding orcish scimitars or lances, nor is it unusual to see orcish cavalry astride Khalar steeds.

The trade with the Wolves of the Sea is a result of the Korthai willingness to deal with anyone that might want to buy or sell something. After the fall of Rindona and the founding of Vorschk in its place, Korthai ships docked in their usual place in the harbor as if nothing had changed, and set up their trading tables on the docks without once stopping to debate whether they should be trading with the orcs or not. The Korthai currently have a de facto monopoly on sea trade with Zul Kiras, as ships from most nations wouldn't voluntarily put into Vorschk's harbor to weather a storm. The United Clans have no naval strength to speak of, and are still making their first experiments in seafaring.

As such, goods exported from Zul Kiras are distributed through the Korthai, who generally do not reveal the origin of the goods unless it is in their best interest to do so. Particularly interesting in the Orcish-Korthai trade are the matter of platinum, and of the products of the [[Weeping Queen]] plant. Zul Kiras is one of the few known sources of platinum, which is in great demand in southern Arangoth due to the number of Pallodain worshippers who buy religious objects fashioned from precious metal. A substantial amount of the platinum that makes its way into the hands of Arangothian jewelers ultimately comes from orcish mines. Similarly, the [[Weeping Queen]] is a species of indigo plant which grows wild in certain parts of Zul Kiras which is used for making rich purple dyes. While the United Clans make use of the dye for both clothing and manufacturing tattooing ink, the high prices it can fetch in other lands have led to some intentional cultivation of the plant. It is certainly not inconceivable that a noblewoman in Arangoth could own furs from animals trapped in Zul Kiras, a dress dyed with dye produced in Zul Kiras, and a platinum dragon necklace made from metal mined in Zul Kiras.

In recent times, the cultivation of agave in the far-western regions of the country have yielded a unique, alcoholic concoction known as "Orquila." The semi-arid conditions make it ripe for growing blue agave, which has spread quite rapidly in popularity amongst Southern Veth. Of course, one of the defining features of it's bottling is the inclusion of a leech, which sinks to the bottom and remains dormant.

[[Category: Countries]]