=Ietsai Quoted=

The [[Assi]] legends and rituals are oral, therefore making it difficult to find intact written versions regarding the history of their religion and any legends or myths. The bulk of the following information has been gathered from interviews conducted with several Ietsai, or Assi mystics.

"We are a people who rely on nature. Guidance and protection spring from nature. Which in turn spring from the river. The river is sacred to us as a source of life. Life is sacred, and so is death. The universe was created in an act of death, that brought forth life. Birth speaks to death, and death to birth." Life and Death are often refereed to as male and female. Generally the Assi language is thought to be limited in this area.

"Nature comes in four parts. Each equally important and each balanced by one another. Air, Water, Fire and Earth hold the universe together and make it be. We (the Ietsai) strive to keep the four elements balanced and insure prosperity. By reading the signs and omens we can tell when it is out of balance and when to perform what ceremonies to correct it."

=The Elements=

The theme of elemental balance repeats itself in [[Assi]] culture. Each season is assigned a corresponding element which is strongest at that time and weakest just before it. During that time rituals are performed to keep that element in balance with the others. Air is assigned to winter, water to spring, fire to summer, and earth to fall.

The Ietsai are divided into four specific orders, each devoted to a different element and each with certain responsibilities. Ietsai devoted to water concern themselves with agriculture. They know the rituals to bring the spring rains and keep their land fertile. They also concern themselves with the marriage rituals though any order can perform them. Ietsai devoted to air watch the skies; they concern themselves with weather and with reading the stars. They are the ones who know how to read the many signs and omens of the land, and are well known for their wisdom. Ietsai devoted to earth are skilled in healing. They know and respect the flora, and know which herbs to use to heal a variety of injuries. Ietsai devoted to fire tend to the concerns of men, they know all the battle rituals well and also serve as sacrifices (sacrifice only used in time of need such as during drought or famine). Ietsai of fire are trained to deal with death as well, and are schooled in all the death rituals.

=Totems=

The [[Assi]] do not worship "gods" or "deities" in any traditional sense but rather worship aspects or totems of creation. The male aspect of creation (fire, air, change, and death are examples of this) is commonly represented by certain animals or animal spirits while the female aspect (water, earth, creation and life for example) is commonly represented by various trees (oaks chief among them, as the river valley is dotted with them). Some common animals or spirits are: The Bear(strength), Fox(cleverness), Hare(fertility), Stag(freedom), Bull(war), Horse(endurance), Newt(change), Snake(trickery and cleverness), Beaver(creation, prosperity), and Hawk(war).

=Holy Places=

The [[Assi]] holy places are sacred amongst the tribesmen, such that they will not allow outsiders near them. They are found in two forms.

The first is a standard shrine or "Temai (TEH-my)" which consists of a several oaks growing in a small grove. These groves are and have been tended carefully for centuries and can be found near any tribe's settlement. Some scholars of the arcane believe that some sort of ley lines run through these groves. Weather the groves were placed there because of that, the ley lines were some how created, or if they ever existed at all is a hotly debated point.

The second type of holy place is something more akin to a temple. There are four of them in existence: one at the source of the Nie, one at the furthest end of the [[Assi]] lands, and on the river. They appear to be small natural bowls, with stone pillars placed around them and numerous carvings inside them. Supposedly the Ietsai use this as a sort of calendar, telling by the shadows the pillars cast what stars are in what position that night. These "calendars" are critical for the Ietsai to know when to perform specific rituals. There are also chambers located directly below these "calendars", carved out of the earth, or in caves and sheltered spots eroded by the river. Nobody has been able to get close enough to tell for sure.

=The Mystics=

All this only adds to the mystique of the Ietsai, which are pivotal figures in [[Assi]] society. Few posses the intelligence to pursue this path, and even fewer are born into it. The share the same social standing and powers as the chieftains among the tribes, and could become chiefs if they so desired. Rather than assume that role, however, they are content to advise. They share their wisdom with other tribesman, settling disputes, offering advice, and acting as advisors to chieftains. Without the Ietsai, [[Assi]] culture would almost surely perish.

Assi Religion

2012-11-14T23:20:23Z

Superry: Created page with "=Ietsai Quoted= The Assi legends and rituals are oral, therefore making it difficult to find intact written versions regarding the history of their religion and any legends o..."

=Ietsai Quoted=

The Assi legends and rituals are oral, therefore making it difficult to find intact written versions regarding the history of their religion and any legends or myths. The bulk of the following information has been gathered from interviews conducted with several Assi Ietsai.

"We are a people who rely on nature. Guidance and protection spring from nature. Which in turn spring from the river. The river is sacred to us as a source of life. Life is sacred, and so is death. The universe was created in an act of death, that brought forth life. Birth speaks to death, and death to birth." Life and Death are often refereed to as male and female. Generally the Assi language is thought to be limited in this area.

"Nature comes in four parts. Each equally important and each balanced by one another. Air, Water, Fire and Earth hold the universe together and make it be. We (the Ietsai) strive to keep the four elements balanced and insure prosperity. By reading the signs and omens we can tell when it is out of balance and when to perform what ceremonies to correct it."

=The Elements=

The theme of elemental balance repeats itself in Assi culture. Each season is assigned a corresponding element which is strongest at that time and weakest just before it. During that time rituals are performed to keep that element in balance with the others. Air is assigned to winter, water to spring, fire to summer, and earth to fall.

The Ietsai are divided into four specific orders, each devoted to a different element and each with certain responsibilities. Ietsai devoted to water concern themselves with agriculture. They know the rituals to bring the spring rains and keep their land fertile. They also concern themselves with the marriage rituals though any order can perform them. Ietsai devoted to air watch the skies; they concern themselves with weather and with reading the stars. They are the ones who know how to read the many signs and omens of the land, and are well known for their wisdom. Ietsai devoted to earth are skilled in healing. They know and respect the flora, and know which herbs to use to heal a variety of injuries. Ietsai devoted to fire tend to the concerns of men, they know all the battle rituals well and also serve as sacrifices (sacrifice only used in time of need such as during drought or famine). Ietsai of fire are trained to deal with death as well, and are schooled in all the death rituals.

=Totems=

The Assi do not worship "gods" or "deities" in any traditional sense but rather worship aspects or totems of creation. The male aspect of creation (fire, air, change, and death are examples of this) is commonly represented by certain animals or animal spirits while the female aspect (water, earth, creation and life for example) is commonly represented by various trees (oaks chief among them, as the river valley is dotted with them). Some common animals or spirits are: The Bear(strength), Fox(cleverness), Hare(fertility), Stag(freedom), Bull(war), Horse(endurance), Newt(change), Snake(trickery and cleverness), Beaver(creation, prosperity), and Hawk(war).

=Holy Places=

The Assi holy places are sacred amongst the tribesmen, such that they will not allow outsiders near them. They are found in two forms.

The first is a standard shrine or "Temai (TEH-my)" which consists of a several oaks growing in a small grove. These groves are and have been tended carefully for centuries and can be found near any tribe's settlement. Some scholars of the arcane believe that some sort of ley lines run through these groves. Weather the groves were placed there because of that, the ley lines were some how created, or if they ever existed at all is a hotly debated point.

The second type of holy place is something more akin to a temple. There are four of them in existence: one at the source of the Nie, one at the furthest end of the Assi lands, and on the river. They appear to be small natural bowls, with stone pillars placed around them and numerous carvings inside them. Supposedly the Ietsai use this as a sort of calendar, telling by the shadows the pillars cast what stars are in what position that night. These "calendars" are critical for the Ietsai to know when to perform specific rituals. There are also chambers located directly below these "calendars", carved out of the earth, or in caves and sheltered spots eroded by the river. Nobody has been able to get close enough to tell for sure.

=The Mystics=

All this only adds to the mystique of the Ietsai, which are pivotal figures in Assi society. Few posses the intelligence to pursue this path, and even fewer are born into it. The share the same social standing and powers as the chieftains among the tribes, and could become chiefs if they so desired. Rather than assume that role, however, they are content to advise. They share their wisdom with other tribesman, settling disputes, offering advice, and acting as advisors to chieftains. Without the Ietsai, Assi culture would almost surely perish.

Assi

2012-11-14T22:38:36Z

Superry:

Assi

2012-11-14T22:35:21Z

Superry:

Assi Language

2012-11-14T22:33:03Z

2012-11-14T20:07:22Z

Superry:

Placeholder. WIP.
{{Infobox
|title =
|above = The Assi

|headerstyle = background:#C3C3C3;
|labelstyle = background:#DEDEDE;

|header1 = Racial Characteristics
|label2 = Country of Origin
|data2 = [[Arangoth]]
|label3 = Regions with Significant Populations
|data3 = [[Nie River Valley]], [[Elgar Forest]]
|label4 = Religion
|data4 = Polytheistic, Nature-based Beliefs
|label5 = Language
|data5 =
|label6 = Related Races
|data6 = [[Khalar]]
}}

=Name=

=Race Origins=

=Language=

=Appearance=

=Culture=

=History=

[[Category: Races]]

Assi

2012-11-14T19:55:58Z

Superry:

Placeholder. WIP.
{{Infobox
|title = Commonly Used or Slang Race Name
|above = The Assi

|headerstyle = background:#C3C3C3;
|labelstyle = background:#DEDEDE;

|header1 = Racial Characteristics
|label2 = Country of Origin
|data2 = [[Country of Origin]]
|label3 = Regions with Significant Populations
|data3 = [[Country or Region]]
|label4 = Religion
|data4 = [[Religion]]
|label5 = Language
|data5 = [[article|display name]]
|label6 = Related Races
|data6 = [[Related Race]]
}}

=Name=

=Race Origins=

=Language=

=Appearance=

=Culture=

=History=

[[Category: Races]]

Ruthmarna

2012-11-14T18:46:38Z

Superry: /* Related Topics */

Ruthmarna is a mountainous area that lies just north of Drache, serving as a border between the port city and land that is considered Northern Arangothian territory. It is home to the somewhat treacherous and well-traveled North-South Highway that extends from from Drache in the south, over the river Darian, and winds through the mountains to cities such as Hornath ul-Marfed and Tagrana in the north.

{{Infobox
|title = Ruthmarna
|above =

|image = [[image:Woolly.jpg|200px]]
|caption =
|headerstyle = background:#C3C3C3;
|labelstyle = background:#DEDEDE;

|header1 = Area Information
|label2 = Location
|data2 = Separates Drache from Northern Arangoth.
|label3 = Inhabitants
|data3 = Dwarves are the primary race, but other Arangothians also make their home in Ruthmarna.
|label4 = Language(s)
|data4 = Arangothian; Common.
|label5 = Ethnic Groups
|data5 =
|label6 = Religion
|data6 = Menxism
|label7 = Government
|data7 =
|label8 = Current Ruler
|data8 = King Arlok
|label9 = Population
|data9 =
|label10 = Currency
|data10 = Arangothian
}}

=Location=

This mountainous region separates [[Drache]] from the fields of northern [[Arangoth]] and is inhabited primarily by dwarves who mine gold, silver and other precious materials from deep caverns within the earth.

=Behind the Name=

The name "Ruthmarna" is Arangothian for the "Mineland". The name is derived from the terms "ruthmi", which translates to "cavern" or "mine" in the common tongue, and "arna", "land" or "homeland".

=Most Noted Geographical Features=

A narrow road crosses Ruthmarna from north to south, with many sharp windings, steep precipices and precarious bridges. This road often becomes unpassable due to avalanches or other disasters, and the only inhabitants outside the dwarvish miners are the Arangothians of various races settled in mountain villages with the job of making repairs on this vital thoroughfare. The main villages along the road, from south to north, are Thraxeti Kerrat, Diggodrele, Lurintheti Netri, Quarpodar, Tisponthoss, and Bralkadossath. In the common tongue, the villages are called Diamond Creek, Hundred-bricks, Golden Axe, Black-house, The Oven, and The Height, respectively.

Ruthmarna is also home to Prakanthoss, an ancient monastery located high in the mountains. Prakanthoss has trained both human and dwarven [[Templars of Menxvan]] for centuries. The monastery's name means "the anvil" in Arangothian, and it is said to be the place where Templars are molded from ordinary people. This is usually the first place young Initiates are sent for training, where they undergo a strenuous regime of prayer and physical exertion in the cold, thin mountain air.

=History of the Area=

The dwarves were the primeval inhabitants of Ruthmarna and governed themselves in ancient times. Once humans had settled in [[Arangoth]], the dwarves and humans began trading foodstuffs for metal. Grand Duke Folvaholk of [[Leptatarna]] (Northern or Inner Arangoth) was responsible for building the north-south highway, and he also forced the Ruthmarna dwarves to swear fealty to him by threatening to obstruct their food supply. He established his son Kukarek as Grand Duke of Ruthmarna, and from that point onwards the heir to the Grand Duchy of [[Leptatarna]] always held the title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna. Later, when the Grand Duke of [[Leptatarna]] became recognized as King of [[Arangoth]], the title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna was routinely held by the crown prince and heir to the throne. Ruthmarna supplied the gold, silver and copper for the Arangothian mint, and therefore it was very well-policed while the Old Kingdom still existed.

With the collapse of the Old Kingdom, the dwarves of Ruthmarna regained their ancient independence for a brief period, but they proved unable to defend themselves reliably against bandits who flourished after the old Arangothian police disappeared. For about half a century Ruthmarna fell into a state of anarchy, the old villages along the road resembling nothing so much as towns in the Wild West. Each village established a degree of vigilante justice, and bandits who were caught were generally thrown to their deaths from various precipices. The most fearsome bandit of all was Tatarn-ul-Tarrath (Tatarn-of-the-horn) who for a while had control of several of the villages, kept most of the dwarvish miners enslaved, and burned Thraxeti Kerrat to the ground after his romantic overtures were spurned by a girl native to that village (whom he abducted anyway; she was the mother of his daughter Tarla). Tatarn-ul-Tarrath was captured and thrown to his death by a vigilante group from Quarpodar, and since then his band's power has diminished somewhat, though it has continued to be a problem under Tatarn's ruthless successors, his daughter Tarla Nixkenixe and his brother Norpovath Quar. They still controlled some of the less-accessible mines and called themselves the [[Riders of the Horn]] (Sangliodaloth-ul-Tarrath) after Tatarn's horn, their most prized relic. They terrorized the countryside at will, and periodically staged merciless raids on the gutsy village of Quarpodar to avenge the death of old Tatarn-ul-Tarrath.

When the inhabitants of Ruthmarna learned of King [[BlkDragon]] and Queen [[AngelSin]]'s arrival in [[Drache]], they sent a delegation to recognize them as rightful sovereigns of Ruthmarna and bestowed the honorary title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna on their son, Prince Orion.

The [[Riders of the Horn]] took control of Lurintheti Netri, the Ruthmarnian capital in Hearthfire of 469. They claimed to be acting on behalf of the South, since the town supported [[Arlok]] rather than The [[Raven]]. The Northern Arangothian Army, led personally by Perlim Larkspin moved against them and eventually drove the Riders out of Ruthmarna, but not before they had killed many innocent people and started a fire that burned much of the city. Palatine Larkspin declared Ruthmarna under the authority of King [[Arlok]].

The decline of the [[Riders of the Horn]] began with the death of Norpovath Quar in Hearthfire of 471 from a case of the Bloody Cough, an extremely contagious disease. His niece, Tarla Nixkenixe, took over control of the Riders, and decided to move their base of operations out of the increasingly well-patrolled mountains of Ruthmarna, into the war-torn and wild territory of Eastern [[Arangoth]]. There they preyed upon the countryside for almost a year, until a lull in the border conflict with the [[Assi]] gave the new Arangothian Army the resources to hunt bandits more aggressively. As a result, Tarla and the remnants of the [[Riders of the Horn]] moved north into the city of [[Taranor]] in Frost Fall of 472. After a few months of extorting [[Taranor]], the Riders disbanded after Tarla was eaten by her own pet Golden Sand Panther.

=Present Day=

Today, the roads in the mountainous country are safe again, patrolled for the most part by heavily-armed detachments of the Provincial Guard (a similar organization to the Royal Guard in the northern parts of the Kingdom). The hinterland, though, is still plagued by bandits, who have an endless number of hiding places in the inhospitable mountain peaks.

=Related Topics=

[[The Origins of the Kingdom of Arangoth]]

[[The Fall of Old Arangoth]]

[[The 'Alysian' Era (465-468)]]

[[The 'Arlokek' Era (469-472)]]

[[Category:Other Notable Places of Interest]]

Ruthmarna

2012-11-14T18:45:53Z

Superry:

Ruthmarna is a mountainous area that lies just north of Drache, serving as a border between the port city and land that is considered Northern Arangothian territory. It is home to the somewhat treacherous and well-traveled North-South Highway that extends from from Drache in the south, over the river Darian, and winds through the mountains to cities such as Hornath ul-Marfed and Tagrana in the north.

{{Infobox
|title = Ruthmarna
|above =

|image = [[image:Woolly.jpg|200px]]
|caption =
|headerstyle = background:#C3C3C3;
|labelstyle = background:#DEDEDE;

|header1 = Area Information
|label2 = Location
|data2 = Separates Drache from Northern Arangoth.
|label3 = Inhabitants
|data3 = Dwarves are the primary race, but other Arangothians also make their home in Ruthmarna.
|label4 = Language(s)
|data4 = Arangothian; Common.
|label5 = Ethnic Groups
|data5 =
|label6 = Religion
|data6 = Menxism
|label7 = Government
|data7 =
|label8 = Current Ruler
|data8 = King Arlok
|label9 = Population
|data9 =
|label10 = Currency
|data10 = Arangothian
}}

=Location=

This mountainous region separates [[Drache]] from the fields of northern [[Arangoth]] and is inhabited primarily by dwarves who mine gold, silver and other precious materials from deep caverns within the earth.

=Behind the Name=

The name "Ruthmarna" is Arangothian for the "Mineland". The name is derived from the terms "ruthmi", which translates to "cavern" or "mine" in the common tongue, and "arna", "land" or "homeland".

=Most Noted Geographical Features=

A narrow road crosses Ruthmarna from north to south, with many sharp windings, steep precipices and precarious bridges. This road often becomes unpassable due to avalanches or other disasters, and the only inhabitants outside the dwarvish miners are the Arangothians of various races settled in mountain villages with the job of making repairs on this vital thoroughfare. The main villages along the road, from south to north, are Thraxeti Kerrat, Diggodrele, Lurintheti Netri, Quarpodar, Tisponthoss, and Bralkadossath. In the common tongue, the villages are called Diamond Creek, Hundred-bricks, Golden Axe, Black-house, The Oven, and The Height, respectively.

Ruthmarna is also home to Prakanthoss, an ancient monastery located high in the mountains. Prakanthoss has trained both human and dwarven [[Templars of Menxvan]] for centuries. The monastery's name means "the anvil" in Arangothian, and it is said to be the place where Templars are molded from ordinary people. This is usually the first place young Initiates are sent for training, where they undergo a strenuous regime of prayer and physical exertion in the cold, thin mountain air.

=History of the Area=

The dwarves were the primeval inhabitants of Ruthmarna and governed themselves in ancient times. Once humans had settled in [[Arangoth]], the dwarves and humans began trading foodstuffs for metal. Grand Duke Folvaholk of [[Leptatarna]] (Northern or Inner Arangoth) was responsible for building the north-south highway, and he also forced the Ruthmarna dwarves to swear fealty to him by threatening to obstruct their food supply. He established his son Kukarek as Grand Duke of Ruthmarna, and from that point onwards the heir to the Grand Duchy of [[Leptatarna]] always held the title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna. Later, when the Grand Duke of [[Leptatarna]] became recognized as King of [[Arangoth]], the title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna was routinely held by the crown prince and heir to the throne. Ruthmarna supplied the gold, silver and copper for the Arangothian mint, and therefore it was very well-policed while the Old Kingdom still existed.

With the collapse of the Old Kingdom, the dwarves of Ruthmarna regained their ancient independence for a brief period, but they proved unable to defend themselves reliably against bandits who flourished after the old Arangothian police disappeared. For about half a century Ruthmarna fell into a state of anarchy, the old villages along the road resembling nothing so much as towns in the Wild West. Each village established a degree of vigilante justice, and bandits who were caught were generally thrown to their deaths from various precipices. The most fearsome bandit of all was Tatarn-ul-Tarrath (Tatarn-of-the-horn) who for a while had control of several of the villages, kept most of the dwarvish miners enslaved, and burned Thraxeti Kerrat to the ground after his romantic overtures were spurned by a girl native to that village (whom he abducted anyway; she was the mother of his daughter Tarla). Tatarn-ul-Tarrath was captured and thrown to his death by a vigilante group from Quarpodar, and since then his band's power has diminished somewhat, though it has continued to be a problem under Tatarn's ruthless successors, his daughter Tarla Nixkenixe and his brother Norpovath Quar. They still controlled some of the less-accessible mines and called themselves the [[Riders of the Horn]] (Sangliodaloth-ul-Tarrath) after Tatarn's horn, their most prized relic. They terrorized the countryside at will, and periodically staged merciless raids on the gutsy village of Quarpodar to avenge the death of old Tatarn-ul-Tarrath.

When the inhabitants of Ruthmarna learned of King [[BlkDragon]] and Queen [[AngelSin]]'s arrival in [[Drache]], they sent a delegation to recognize them as rightful sovereigns of Ruthmarna and bestowed the honorary title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna on their son, Prince Orion.

The [[Riders of the Horn]] took control of Lurintheti Netri, the Ruthmarnian capital in Hearthfire of 469. They claimed to be acting on behalf of the South, since the town supported [[Arlok]] rather than The [[Raven]]. The Northern Arangothian Army, led personally by Perlim Larkspin moved against them and eventually drove the Riders out of Ruthmarna, but not before they had killed many innocent people and started a fire that burned much of the city. Palatine Larkspin declared Ruthmarna under the authority of King [[Arlok]].

The decline of the [[Riders of the Horn]] began with the death of Norpovath Quar in Hearthfire of 471 from a case of the Bloody Cough, an extremely contagious disease. His niece, Tarla Nixkenixe, took over control of the Riders, and decided to move their base of operations out of the increasingly well-patrolled mountains of Ruthmarna, into the war-torn and wild territory of Eastern [[Arangoth]]. There they preyed upon the countryside for almost a year, until a lull in the border conflict with the [[Assi]] gave the new Arangothian Army the resources to hunt bandits more aggressively. As a result, Tarla and the remnants of the [[Riders of the Horn]] moved north into the city of [[Taranor]] in Frost Fall of 472. After a few months of extorting [[Taranor]], the Riders disbanded after Tarla was eaten by her own pet Golden Sand Panther.

=Present Day=

Today, the roads in the mountainous country are safe again, patrolled for the most part by heavily-armed detachments of the Provincial Guard (a similar organization to the Royal Guard in the northern parts of the Kingdom). The hinterland, though, is still plagued by bandits, who have an endless number of hiding places in the inhospitable mountain peaks.

=Related Topics=

[[The Origins of the Kingdom of Arangoth]]

[[The Fall of Old Arangoth]]

[[The 'Arklokek' Era (469-472)]]

[[The 'Alysian' Era (465-468)]]

[[Category:Other Notable Places of Interest]]

Ruthmarna

2012-11-14T18:43:58Z

Superry: /* Related Topics */

Ruthmarna is a mountainous area that lies just north of Drache, serving as a border between the port city and land that is considered Northern Arangothian territory. It is home to the somewhat treacherous and well-traveled North-South Highway that extends from from Drache in the south, over the river Darian, and winds through the mountains to cities such as Hornath ul-Marfed and Tagrana in the north.

{{Infobox
|title = Ruthmarna
|above =

|image = [[image:Woolly.jpg|200px]]
|caption =
|headerstyle = background:#C3C3C3;
|labelstyle = background:#DEDEDE;

|header1 = Area Information
|label2 = Location
|data2 = Separates Drache from Northern Arangoth.
|label3 = Inhabitants
|data3 = Dwarves are the primary race, but other Arangothians also make their home in Ruthmarna.
|label4 = Language(s)
|data4 = Arangothian; Common.
|label5 = Ethnic Groups
|data5 =
|label6 = Religion
|data6 = Menxism
|label7 = Government
|data7 =
|label8 = Current Ruler
|data8 = King Arlok
|label9 = Population
|data9 =
|label10 = Currency
|data10 = Arangothian
}}

=Location=

This mountainous region separates [[Drache]] from the fields of northern [[Arangoth]] and is inhabited primarily by dwarves who mine gold, silver and other precious materials from deep caverns within the earth.

=Behind the Name=

The name "Ruthmarna" is Arangothian for the "Mineland". The name is derived from the terms "ruthmi", which translates to "cavern" or "mine" in the common tongue, and "arna", "land" or "homeland".

=Most Noted Geographical Features=

A narrow road crosses Ruthmarna from north to south, with many sharp windings, steep precipices and precarious bridges. This road often becomes unpassable due to avalanches or other disasters, and the only inhabitants outside the dwarvish miners are the Arangothians of various races settled in mountain villages with the job of making repairs on this vital thoroughfare. The main villages along the road, from south to north, are Thraxeti Kerrat, Diggodrele, Lurintheti Netri, Quarpodar, Tisponthoss, and Bralkadossath. In the common tongue, the villages are called Diamond Creek, Hundred-bricks, Golden Axe, Black-house, The Oven, and The Height, respectively.

Ruthmarna is also home to Prakanthoss, an ancient monastery located high in the mountains. Prakanthoss has trained both human and dwarven [[Templars of Menxvan]] for centuries. The monastery's name means "the anvil" in Arangothian, and it is said to be the place where Templars are molded from ordinary people. This is usually the first place young Initiates are sent for training, where they undergo a strenuous regime of prayer and physical exertion in the cold, thin mountain air.

=History of the Area=

The dwarves were the primeval inhabitants of Ruthmarna and governed themselves in ancient times. Once humans had settled in [[Arangoth]], the dwarves and humans began trading foodstuffs for metal. Grand Duke Folvaholk of [[Leptatarna]] (Northern or Inner Arangoth) was responsible for building the north-south highway, and he also forced the Ruthmarna dwarves to swear fealty to him by threatening to obstruct their food supply. He established his son Kukarek as Grand Duke of Ruthmarna, and from that point onwards the heir to the Grand Duchy of [[Leptatarna]] always held the title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna. Later, when the Grand Duke of [[Leptatarna]] became recognized as King of [[Arangoth]], the title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna was routinely held by the crown prince and heir to the throne. Ruthmarna supplied the gold, silver and copper for the Arangothian mint, and therefore it was very well-policed while the Old Kingdom still existed.

With the collapse of the Old Kingdom, the dwarves of Ruthmarna regained their ancient independence for a brief period, but they proved unable to defend themselves reliably against bandits who flourished after the old Arangothian police disappeared. For about half a century Ruthmarna fell into a state of anarchy, the old villages along the road resembling nothing so much as towns in the Wild West. Each village established a degree of vigilante justice, and bandits who were caught were generally thrown to their deaths from various precipices. The most fearsome bandit of all was Tatarn-ul-Tarrath (Tatarn-of-the-horn) who for a while had control of several of the villages, kept most of the dwarvish miners enslaved, and burned Thraxeti Kerrat to the ground after his romantic overtures were spurned by a girl native to that village (whom he abducted anyway; she was the mother of his daughter Tarla). Tatarn-ul-Tarrath was captured and thrown to his death by a vigilante group from Quarpodar, and since then his band's power has diminished somewhat, though it has continued to be a problem under Tatarn's ruthless successors, his daughter Tarla Nixkenixe and his brother Norpovath Quar. They still controlled some of the less-accessible mines and called themselves the [[Riders of the Horn]] (Sangliodaloth-ul-Tarrath) after Tatarn's horn, their most prized relic. They terrorized the countryside at will, and periodically staged merciless raids on the gutsy village of Quarpodar to avenge the death of old Tatarn-ul-Tarrath.

When the inhabitants of Ruthmarna learned of King [[BlkDragon]] and Queen [[AngelSin]]'s arrival in [[Drache]], they sent a delegation to recognize them as rightful sovereigns of Ruthmarna and bestowed the honorary title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna on their son, Prince Orion.

The [[Riders of the Horn]] took control of Lurintheti Netri, the Ruthmarnian capital in Hearthfire of 469. They claimed to be acting on behalf of the South, since the town supported [[Arlok]] rather than The [[Raven]]. The Northern Arangothian Army, led personally by Perlim Larkspin moved against them and eventually drove the Riders out of Ruthmarna, but not before they had killed many innocent people and started a fire that burned much of the city. Palatine Larkspin declared Ruthmarna under the authority of King [[Arlok]].

The decline of the [[Riders of the Horn]] began with the death of Norpovath Quar in Hearthfire of 471 from a case of the Bloody Cough, an extremely contagious disease. His niece, Tarla Nixkenixe, took over control of the Riders, and decided to move their base of operations out of the increasingly well-patrolled mountains of Ruthmarna, into the war-torn and wild territory of Eastern [[Arangoth]]. There they preyed upon the countryside for almost a year, until a lull in the border conflict with the [[Assi]] gave the new Arangothian Army the resources to hunt bandits more aggressively. As a result, Tarla and the remnants of the [[Riders of the Horn]] moved north into the city of [[Taranor]] in Frost Fall of 472. After a few months of extorting [[Taranor]], the Riders disbanded after Tarla was eaten by her own pet Golden Sand Panther.

=Present Day=

Today, the roads in the mountainous country are safe again, patrolled for the most part by heavily-armed detachments of the Provincial Guard (a similar organization to the Royal Guard in the northern parts of the Kingdom). The hinterland, though, is still plagued by bandits, who have an endless number of hiding places in the inhospitable mountain peaks.

=Related Topics=

[[The Origins of the Kingdom of Arangoth]]
[[The Fall of Old Arangoth]]
[[The Arklokek Era

[[Category:Other Notable Places of Interest]]

Ruthmarna

2012-11-14T18:40:11Z

Superry:

Ruthmarna

2012-11-14T18:39:02Z

Superry:

Ruthmarna is a mountainous area that lies just north of Drache, serving as a border between the port city and land that is considered Northern Arangothian territory. It is home to the somewhat treacherous and well-traveled North-South Highway that extends from from Drache in the south, over the river Darian, and winds through the mountains to cities such as Hornath ul-Marfed and Tagrana in the north.

{{Infobox
|title = Ruthmarna
|above =

|image = [[image:Woolly.jpg|200px]]
|caption =
|headerstyle = background:#C3C3C3;
|labelstyle = background:#DEDEDE;

|header1 = Area Information
|label2 = Location
|data2 = Separates Drache from Northern Arangoth.
|label3 = Inhabitants
|data3 = Dwarves are the primary race, but other Arangothians also make their home in Ruthmarna.
|label4 = Language(s)
|data4 = Arangothian; Common.
|label5 = Ethnic Groups
|data5 =
|label6 = Religion
|data6 = Menxism
|label7 = Government
|data7 =
|label8 = Current Ruler
|data8 = King Arlok
|label9 = Population
|data9 =
|label10 = Currency
|data10 = Arangothian
}}

=Location=

This mountainous region separates [[Drache]] from the fields of northern [[Arangoth]] and is inhabited primarily by dwarves who mine gold, silver and other precious materials from deep caverns within the earth.

=Behind the Name=

The name "Ruthmarna" is Arangothian for the "Mineland". The name is derived from the terms "ruthmi", which translates to "cavern" or "mine" in the common tongue, and "arna", "land" or "homeland".

=Most Noted Geographical Features=

A narrow road crosses Ruthmarna from north to south, with many sharp windings, steep precipices and precarious bridges. This road often becomes unpassable due to avalanches or other disasters, and the only inhabitants outside the dwarvish miners are the Arangothians of various races settled in mountain villages with the job of making repairs on this vital thoroughfare. The main villages along the road, from south to north, are Thraxeti Kerrat, Diggodrele, Lurintheti Netri, Quarpodar, Tisponthoss, and Bralkadossath. In the common tongue, the villages are called Diamond Creek, Hundred-bricks, Golden Axe, Black-house, The Oven, and The Height, respectively.

Ruthmarna is also home to Prakanthos, an ancient monastery located high in the mountains. Prakanthos has trained both human and dwarven Templars of Menxvan for centuries. The monastery's name means "the anvil" in Arangothian, and it is said to be the place where Templars are molded from ordinary people. This is usually the first place young Initiates are sent for training, where they undergo a strenuous regime of prayer and physical exertion in the cold, thin mountain air.

=History of the Area=

The dwarves were the primeval inhabitants of Ruthmarna and governed themselves in ancient times. Once humans had settled in [[Arangoth]], the dwarves and humans began trading foodstuffs for metal. Grand Duke Folvaholk of [[Leptatarna]] (Northern or Inner Arangoth) was responsible for building the north-south highway, and he also forced the Ruthmarna dwarves to swear fealty to him by threatening to obstruct their food supply. He established his son Kukarek as Grand Duke of Ruthmarna, and from that point onwards the heir to the Grand Duchy of [[Leptatarna]] always held the title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna. Later, when the Grand Duke of [[Leptatarna]] became recognized as King of [[Arangoth]], the title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna was routinely held by the crown prince and heir to the throne. Ruthmarna supplied the gold, silver and copper for the Arangothian mint, and therefore it was very well-policed while the Old Kingdom still existed.

With the collapse of the Old Kingdom, the dwarves of Ruthmarna regained their ancient independence for a brief period, but they proved unable to defend themselves reliably against bandits who flourished after the old Arangothian police disappeared. For about half a century Ruthmarna fell into a state of anarchy, the old villages along the road resembling nothing so much as towns in the Wild West. Each village established a degree of vigilante justice, and bandits who were caught were generally thrown to their deaths from various precipices. The most fearsome bandit of all was Tatarn-ul-Tarrath (Tatarn-of-the-horn) who for a while had control of several of the villages, kept most of the dwarvish miners enslaved, and burned Thraxeti Kerrat to the ground after his romantic overtures were spurned by a girl native to that village (whom he abducted anyway; she was the mother of his daughter Tarla). Tatarn-ul-Tarrath was captured and thrown to his death by a vigilante group from Quarpodar, and since then his band's power has diminished somewhat, though it has continued to be a problem under Tatarn's ruthless successors, his daughter Tarla Nixkenixe and his brother Norpovath Quar. They still controlled some of the less-accessible mines and called themselves the [[Riders of the Horn]] (Sangliodaloth-ul-Tarrath) after Tatarn's horn, their most prized relic. They terrorized the countryside at will, and periodically staged merciless raids on the gutsy village of Quarpodar to avenge the death of old Tatarn-ul-Tarrath.

When the inhabitants of Ruthmarna learned of King [[BlkDragon]] and Queen [[AngelSin]]'s arrival in [[Drache]], they sent a delegation to recognize them as rightful sovereigns of Ruthmarna and bestowed the honorary title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna on their son, Prince Orion.

The [[Riders of the Horn]] took control of Lurintheti Netri, the Ruthmarnian capital in Hearthfire of 469. They claimed to be acting on behalf of the South, since the town supported [[Arlok]] rather than The [[Raven]]. The Northern Arangothian Army, led personally by Perlim Larkspin moved against them and eventually drove the Riders out of Ruthmarna, but not before they had killed many innocent people and started a fire that burned much of the city. Palatine Larkspin declared Ruthmarna under the authority of King [[Arlok]].

The decline of the [[Riders of the Horn]] began with the death of Norpovath Quar in Hearthfire of 471 from a case of the Bloody Cough, an extremely contagious disease. His niece, Tarla Nixkenixe, took over control of the Riders, and decided to move their base of operations out of the increasingly well-patrolled mountains of Ruthmarna, into the war-torn and wild territory of Eastern [[Arangoth]]. There they preyed upon the countryside for almost a year, until a lull in the border conflict with the [[Assi]] gave the new Arangothian Army the resources to hunt bandits more aggressively. As a result, Tarla and the remnants of the [[Riders of the Horn]] moved north into the city of [[Taranor]] in Frost Fall of 472. After a few months of extorting [[Taranor]], the Riders disbanded after Tarla was eaten by her own pet Golden Sand Panther.

=Present Day=

Today, the roads in the mountainous country are safe again, patrolled for the most part by heavily-armed detachments of the Provincial Guard (a similar organization to the Royal Guard in the northern parts of the Kingdom). The hinterland, though, is still plagued by bandits, who have an endless number of hiding places in the inhospitable mountain peaks.

=Related Topics=

[[Category:Other Notable Places of Interest]]

Ruthmarna

2012-11-14T18:35:28Z

Superry:

Ruthmarna is a mountainous area that lies just north of Drache, serving as a border between the port city and land that is considered Northern Arangothian territory. It is home to the somewhat treacherous and well-traveled North-South Highway that extends from from Drache in the south, over the river Darian, and winds through the mountains to cities such as Hornath ul-Marfed and Tagrana in the north.

{{Infobox
|title = Ruthmarna
|above =

|image = [[image:Woolly.jpg|200px]]
|caption =
|headerstyle = background:#C3C3C3;
|labelstyle = background:#DEDEDE;

|header1 = Area Information
|label2 = Location
|data2 = Separates Drache from Northern Arangoth.
|label3 = Inhabitants
|data3 = Dwarves are the primary race, but other Arangothians also make their home in Ruthmarna.
|label4 = Language(s)
|data4 = Arangothian; Common.
|label5 = Ethnic Groups
|data5 =
|label6 = Religion
|data6 = Menxism
|label7 = Government
|data7 =
|label8 = Current Ruler
|data8 = King Arlok
|label9 = Population
|data9 =
|label10 = Currency
|data10 = Arangothian
}}

=Location=

This mountainous region separates [[Drache]] from the fields of northern [[Arangoth]] and is inhabited primarily by dwarves who mine gold, silver and other precious materials from deep caverns within the earth.

=Behind the Name=

The name "Ruthmarna" is Arangothian for the "Mineland". The name is derived from the terms "ruthmi", which translates to "cavern" or "mine" in the common tongue, and "arna", "land" or "homeland".

=Most Noted Geographical Features=

A narrow road crosses Ruthmarna from north to south, with many sharp windings, steep precipices and precarious bridges. This road often becomes unpassable due to avalanches or other disasters, and the only inhabitants outside the dwarvish miners are the Arangothians of various races settled in mountain villages with the job of making repairs on this vital thoroughfare. The main villages along the road, from south to north, are Thraxeti Kerrat, Diggodrele, Lurintheti Netri, Quarpodar, Tisponthoss, and Bralkadossath. In the common tongue, the villages are called Diamond Creek, Hundred-bricks, Golden Axe, Black-house, The Oven, and The Height, respectively.

Ruthmarna is also home to the

=History of the Area=

The dwarves were the primeval inhabitants of Ruthmarna and governed themselves in ancient times. Once humans had settled in [[Arangoth]], the dwarves and humans began trading foodstuffs for metal. Grand Duke Folvaholk of [[Leptatarna]] (Northern or Inner Arangoth) was responsible for building the north-south highway, and he also forced the Ruthmarna dwarves to swear fealty to him by threatening to obstruct their food supply. He established his son Kukarek as Grand Duke of Ruthmarna, and from that point onwards the heir to the Grand Duchy of [[Leptatarna]] always held the title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna. Later, when the Grand Duke of [[Leptatarna]] became recognized as King of [[Arangoth]], the title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna was routinely held by the crown prince and heir to the throne. Ruthmarna supplied the gold, silver and copper for the Arangothian mint, and therefore it was very well-policed while the Old Kingdom still existed.

With the collapse of the Old Kingdom, the dwarves of Ruthmarna regained their ancient independence for a brief period, but they proved unable to defend themselves reliably against bandits who flourished after the old Arangothian police disappeared. For about half a century Ruthmarna fell into a state of anarchy, the old villages along the road resembling nothing so much as towns in the Wild West. Each village established a degree of vigilante justice, and bandits who were caught were generally thrown to their deaths from various precipices. The most fearsome bandit of all was Tatarn-ul-Tarrath (Tatarn-of-the-horn) who for a while had control of several of the villages, kept most of the dwarvish miners enslaved, and burned Thraxeti Kerrat to the ground after his romantic overtures were spurned by a girl native to that village (whom he abducted anyway; she was the mother of his daughter Tarla). Tatarn-ul-Tarrath was captured and thrown to his death by a vigilante group from Quarpodar, and since then his band's power has diminished somewhat, though it has continued to be a problem under Tatarn's ruthless successors, his daughter Tarla Nixkenixe and his brother Norpovath Quar. They still controlled some of the less-accessible mines and called themselves the [[Riders of the Horn]] (Sangliodaloth-ul-Tarrath) after Tatarn's horn, their most prized relic. They terrorized the countryside at will, and periodically staged merciless raids on the gutsy village of Quarpodar to avenge the death of old Tatarn-ul-Tarrath.

When the inhabitants of Ruthmarna learned of King [[BlkDragon]] and Queen [[AngelSin]]'s arrival in [[Drache]], they sent a delegation to recognize them as rightful sovereigns of Ruthmarna and bestowed the honorary title Grand Duke of Ruthmarna on their son, Prince Orion.

The [[Riders of the Horn]] took control of Lurintheti Netri, the Ruthmarnian capital in Hearthfire of 469. They claimed to be acting on behalf of the South, since the town supported [[Arlok]] rather than The [[Raven]]. The Northern Arangothian Army, led personally by Perlim Larkspin moved against them and eventually drove the Riders out of Ruthmarna, but not before they had killed many innocent people and started a fire that burned much of the city. Palatine Larkspin declared Ruthmarna under the authority of King [[Arlok]].

The decline of the [[Riders of the Horn]] began with the death of Norpovath Quar in Hearthfire of 471 from a case of the Bloody Cough, an extremely contagious disease. His niece, Tarla Nixkenixe, took over control of the Riders, and decided to move their base of operations out of the increasingly well-patrolled mountains of Ruthmarna, into the war-torn and wild territory of Eastern [[Arangoth]]. There they preyed upon the countryside for almost a year, until a lull in the border conflict with the [[Assi]] gave the new Arangothian Army the resources to hunt bandits more aggressively. As a result, Tarla and the remnants of the [[Riders of the Horn]] moved north into the city of [[Taranor]] in Frost Fall of 472. After a few months of extorting [[Taranor]], the Riders disbanded after Tarla was eaten by her own pet Golden Sand Panther.

=Present Day=

Today, the roads in the mountainous country are safe again, patrolled for the most part by heavily-armed detachments of the Provincial Guard (a similar organization to the Royal Guard in the northern parts of the Kingdom). The hinterland, though, is still plagued by bandits, who have an endless number of hiding places in the inhospitable mountain peaks.

=Related Topics=

[[Category:Other Notable Places of Interest]]