Ahgrinuu
The ancient Fhen Khanur homeland of Ahgrinuu.
| Regional Information | |
|---|---|
| Population | 150,686 95% Fhen Khanur |
| Capital | None |
| Government | Fiefdoms |
| Major Religions | Istemi Faith |
| Imports / Exports | Amber, ash, coal, limestone, leather goods, live animals, marble, resins, stone, vegetables, wool |
| Total Area | 1,207,500 sq. miles |
| Dimensions | Length: 1,150 miles Width: 1,050 miles |
| Elevation | Average: 5,650 feet Lowest: 5,250 feet |
| Known For | Fhen Khanur homeland, fiefdoms, plateau settlements, blue clay, Karta law, fizark axes |
| Primary Language | Fak-Chun |
Ahgrinuu — pronounced Aag-rEE-no — is Fak-Chun for Great Mother. It is the ancient homeland of the Fhen Khanur species.
Ahgrinuu occupies the northeastern portion of the Plain of the White Worm, stretching into the Ceith Mountains and abutting the black ice of Iztalik. It shares the Iron Hills in the north with Alisanos and the Benlhar Hills with Myanothia and Ta’ Kanasiti.
The land is also known as Auslachen, an upland extension of the great white plain, a plateau of dark earth set upon a thick granite base.
Overview
This portion of the Plain of the White Worm is not as flat as the central and eastern stretches. The land of Auslachen rises sharply north of the Benlhar River, climbing roughly 1,200 feet above the great plain as it ascends toward the Ceith Mountains.
The realm sits like a plateau above the plain, rising toward the north and east. Unlike most of the plain, Ahgrinuu contains a large number of lakes fed by cold snows, seasonal rains, and unseen underground springs.
Scattered across the land are irregular granite protrusions that form small hillocks and knolls. The lower portion of the realm sits just above Ta’ Kanasiti and Myanothia and encompasses the Hills of Benlhar.
Auslachen is divided into sixteen smaller fiefdoms. Each fiefdom is an entity unto itself and is rarely influenced by the affairs of the other states within the realm. While there is no true hostility between fiefdoms, these states exist to recognize the largest Fhen Khanur clans.
Each fiefdom is responsible for its members, survival, and lands. This does not mean the Fhen Khanur are inconsiderate or uncaring toward other clans. Rather, it reflects the belief that each clan must strengthen the whole of the race by being able to survive on its own.
When a clan nears collapse or becomes unable to defend itself, it is traditionally split among other clans of the same breed. The former clan’s land is then absorbed into one or more neighboring clans.
While Ahgrinuu is predominantly flat aside from the Iron Hills, the upper reaches of the Benlhar Hills, and the rising Ceith Mountains, each clan has established villages and towns suited to its lands.
Fhen Khanur who live near the Iron Hills, Benlhar Hills, or Ceith Mountains often build villages in and around large cave complexes. More central and western clans construct large towns surrounded by thick, heavy logs brought down from the Ceith Mountains. Many of these villages and towns are built around large constructed underground settlements dug out and reinforced by the Fhen Khanur.
Inhabitants
Much of the northern section of the Northern Realms is home to fewer civilized beings. Alisanos to the west and Ceithlenn to the east are the farthest human regions, and Ahgrinuu is the largest non-human nation this far north.
But Ahgrinuu is home to more than Fhen Khanur.
A great many monstrous humanoids roam the region, including firvulag, goblins, oku, ogres, sigah bhalka, and numerous swarms of zombies.
Most of the Fhen Khanur population is made up of Orias, though there are many clans of Erdo. There are also many clans of Kanus whom the Fhen Khanur of Auslachen view as allies.
The various non-human species that call the Cold Heart home include Ta’Jahu, Formorians, Atufolk, small clans of Chovah, and giant clans along the northern reaches near the Black Ice.
Languages
Fak-Chun is the primary language spoken within Ahgrinuu and its fiefs. Common, Iklahn, and Ras al Jaum are also used and heard.
Fak-Chun does not officially have distinct dialects, but each fief has added its own variation in sound, pronunciation, and new words.
Life and Society
Much of life and society within Ahgrinuu lies at the core of Fhen Khanur culture.
Within Ahgrinuu, the difference between the Erdo and Orias is glaring. Neither portrays the other negatively, but the two function as separate societies.
The Erdo prefer lives close to the natural world. They spend much of their time cultivating a life that rejects many modern conveniences. Combined with a natural distrust of magic, this places them in a unique position where they rely on the natural world for nearly all their needs.
To the Erdo, life consists of hard work and discipline. This is furthered by the Fhen Khanur expectation that they lead lives of humility, calmness, and placidity, bringing honor to the Erdo Fhen Khanur.
The common theme among Erdo communities is plainness. They prefer clothing that does not call attention to the wearer. Most wear common Fhen Khanur garments, including knee-length dress skirts, woven cotton pants, shirts, and other simple clothing. These tend to be one or two colors and are not as romanticized as Orias fashion.
The Orias lifestyle is nearly opposite. While Orias still distrust magic and rely somewhat more on technology, they are less inclined to live in rural villages or small communities. They prefer larger towns with more convenience, trade, interaction, and opportunity.
Orias clothing still shows remnants of Erdo plainness, ranging from knee-length dress skirts to long leather or woven pants and cotton shirts. However, Orias have grown fond of flare, color, and vibrancy. They also have access to better resources, which they often trade with their rural cousins for necessary goods.
Social Customs
The social customs of Ahgrinuu are as ancient and diverse as the Fhen Khanur species itself. These customs revolve around community and the social castes that uphold Fhen Khanur society.
Most customs center on proving strength, stamina, and wisdom. These include the Pajiadum ritual, the Sudustu ritual, and many other rites.
Visitors to Ahgrinuu, and those meeting Fhen Khanur in general, should remember the importance of the ancient tradition of Labu.
Fhen Khanur closely follow the word of the Karta, which is seen as the most important stricture they observe. These laws uphold and preserve Fhen Khanur society, even in the most dire times.
Arts
Ahgrinuu’s greatest wealth lies not only in natural resources, but also in its abundance of finely handcrafted art.
Items range from meticulously detailed pottery made from a dark blue naturally occurring clay found beneath the marsh regions of the plateau. This rare blue clay is highly sought after for more than artistic value.
The clay is known to have curative and regenerative properties. It is also highly sought after by powerful undead creatures, though the reason is not entirely clear.
Literature and Education
The education of families and children is highly important to all Fhen Khanur.
Among the Erdo, education focuses on the study of nature and survival in the larger world. Among the Orias, education is more likely to include trade, practical craft, clan history, regional law, and interaction with other peoples and nations.
The passing down of cultural knowledge is treated as a duty owed to family, clan, fief, and species.
Architecture
Architecture in Ahgrinuu is simple, straightforward, and functional.
Most Fhen Khanur live in Edatu on their own land, where they build Labu-rutum in conjunction with farmland and large cave systems known as La’atu. These are usually dug out of the ground and reinforced with heavy timber and stone.
Edatus often contain several labu-rutums within a region defined by the family or granted by the fief chiefs.
Aboveground buildings are made from stone, imported thick timber, and mud for insulation. Important buildings are built from thick brick and surrounded by tall wood or stone fences.
If an edatu is not near a hillock or rise where residents can build into the earth, they will dig into the earth at the center of their labu-rutum. These spaces are used for living, avoiding raids, and storing food and items. Many la’atu are several hundred feet in diameter and 20 to 30 feet deep.
Homes are modestly adorned with enough furniture for each member of the edatu to be comfortable. Each home is roughly 50 feet in diameter, with sleeping rooms in the center and living, kitchen, and eating areas around the outer portions. Some include rooms for weapons practice or teaching.
Lifestyles
Although Ahgrinuu is “divided” into Erdo and Orias, there is a deep sense of continuity between the two. Even caste divisions have not separated or weakened the Fhen Khanur people.
These differences have helped keep the Fhen Khanur united and strong across countless ages of distrust based on their legendary beginnings, repeated attacks from monstrous hordes out of the Black Ice, and conflicts with humans of Ceithia.
Over time, Ahgrinuu has become a nation of builders, farmers, traders, and explorers. In all cases, Ahgrinuites pride themselves on simple, honest lifestyles rooted in the core Fhen Khanur beliefs of the Karta.
An average day in most Ahgrinuites’ lives begins with an early rise and a breakfast of fresh breads, ales, eggs, and fish, large poultry, great elk shanks, or pork before tending farms, forges, or shops.
Kingdom Law and Government
The cornerstone of Fhen Khanur society is its deep sense of community and family. These traditions and virtues guide everything they do.
Because of this, Fhen Khanur believe a ruler should be a father or mother to those in their care. A fief-chief should govern and discipline those under their care, including holding themselves and their people responsible for their actions. This may include disciplinary measures, but such measures are meant to be taken with care and with an eye toward the long-term health of the fief, the edahum, and the edatu.
The terms “grandfather” or “grandmother” are used to address the chiefs of each fief more often than their official titles.
Contact between fiefs is commonplace and usually follows familial connections.
Freedom is an essential part of fief thinking and of Fhen Khanur culture. They value free will above almost all other things. Each fief conducts itself by a code of conduct centered on the idea that individuals should be judged by their actions and honor.
The Laws of Karta state:
- Bravery, Honor, Strength, and Loyalty above all else.
- Clan honor above all other honor.
- Honor all beings as equals.
- Secret charity is considered grand valor.
- Speak honestly and preserve your honor and valor.
The fiefs live by these codes in nearly every aspect of Fhen Khanur life. While each fief interprets the code and laws differently, all agree that preserving Fhen Khanur society, culture, and future is the highest priority of every individual and clan.
Technology and Crafting
By their nature, Fhen Khanur have difficulty designing or building technological items, but they are well known for crafting stone and wood items that enhance daily life, weapons, and armor without relying on Aradgah.
One of their more ingenious items, though not necessarily used by all Fhen Khanur themselves, is the lightweight steel expanding staff known as the Turqu Staff.
| Turqu Staff | |
|---|---|
| Type | Lightweight steel expanding combat staff |
| Base Damage | 5 |
| Fatigue Damage | 20 |
| Known For | Easy storage, favored by monks and martial artists |
Fhen Khanur are also known for crafting the infamous Fizark Axes, which they wield with deadly force and accuracy.
Features and Important Sites
Major Fiefdoms
Ahgrinuu is divided into fiefdoms based on the largest Fhen Khanur clans. Each governs itself while remaining culturally tied to the wider survival and honor of the species.
Bauh Raok
Bauh Raok is the largest and most powerful of the Fhen Khanur clans. The Bauh Raok clan dominates a large region of the central portion of Auslachen.
Several large villages, built mostly of stone, follow a small rise of knolls within the central plains. Its largest village, Veresk, is a traditional trade center for all of Auslachen.
Veresk lies in a bowl-shaped valley surrounded by open grasslands to the south and rising knolls to the north.
This fief is led by Bretoch Deepstone, a large and powerful Orias Fhen Khanur. It is home to the clans Terra, Darkstone, Deepstone, and Huitha.
Gokru Bagh
Gokru Bagh dominates the lower slopes of the Ceith Mountains. It is the second largest Fhen Khanur fiefdom and has developed many forging smithies known throughout the north for finely crafted weapons and armor.
The lower slope is filled with several hundred mines that delve deeply into the roots of the mountains.
Gokru Bagh is ruled by a council of three known as the Githik, made up of three of the eldest matriarchs from the various clans.
Khag Urin
Khag Urin controls most of the lower horn of Auslachen, bordering Alisanos and Myanothia.
The fiefdom is best known for its trademoots held throughout the year.
Khag Urin was originally founded by only two Fhen Khanur clans: Deepheart and Greyclouds. Over the centuries, it has welcomed an additional thirteen clans to occupy the land.
Most Fhen Khanur of this fiefdom are known for agricultural and farming skill.
Jal Thagh
Jal Thagh borders Ceithlenn at the head of the Asloc River. It is the fourth largest fiefdom and is responsible for the lower defense against the barbarian hordes of Ceithlenn.
Jal Thagh is known for extensive military training.
Mul Uragh
Mul Uragh controls most of the Iron Hills bordering Iztalik.
The majority of its clans are Erdo Fhen Khanur. While most fiefdoms of Auslachen are open and friendly, Mul Uragh is shrouded in darkness and superstition.
This has caused the fiefdom to become nearly xenophobic toward other races, including other Fhen Khanur. The Iron Hills heighten this darkness and superstition, shaping the encounters others have with the Fhen Khanur of Mul Uragh.
Organizations
Dark Axes
Dark Axes, known in Fak-Chun as Beru Lasu, is a large organization that patrols the known region of Auslachen. Its members are dedicated to removing giants and their kin from the region.
The Dark Axes view giants and their ilk as vermin and abominations that should be eradicated by any means necessary.
The organization is cellular in nature, with each cell operating independently. While all cells work toward eliminating giants, their rules and methods differ.
Council of Magic
The Council of Magic, known as Rasum Ma Damu, exists because of the long Fhen Khanur distrust of magic.
It is not a council for magic users or spellcasters. Rather, it is a group formed specifically because of this distrust.
The Council is directed by the fiefs to ferret out the use of magic that could corrupt the Fhen Khanur as a whole. While Fhen Khanur are generally distrustful of magic, it is the use and misuse of magic that concerns them most.
The Council is responsible for discovering misuse of magic and identifying those who would use it to harm Fhen Khanur. While the Council does not usually engage foes directly, it is known to hire or assemble groups to handle such threats.
Company of Kadish
The Company of Kadish, known as Baslu Ma Kadish, is a monastic group of Fhen Khanur devoted to the learning and practice of Jinhu.
They adhere to the practices of the ancient lost order of the Tishra Qal and spend their lives pursuing the ancient knowledge and tenets of that organization.
Major NPCs
The following is a brief introduction to some of the major people of note within Ahgrinuu.
Atmius Hazhi
Atmius Hazhi was orphaned as a toddler when a harsh winter and attacks by worgs left him alone, at least as he tells it.
He has also encouraged the rumor that he is a demi-god and the adopted son of Armazda Darkoak. Whatever the truth of his backstory, Atmius appears to possess a divine or supernatural aura.
He is larger than most Fhen Khanur, with many believing his lineage is closer to giant-kin. He is boisterous, gregarious, and mischievous.
Atmius carries himself with confidence born from his massive physique. He stands just under 12 feet tall and weighs nearly 1,000 pounds.
He is widely regarded as a clever trickster, though he can appear arrogant and pompous. Beneath that veneer, however, he is selfless and brave.
Hidua Rhagurri
Hidua Rhagurri is the granddaughter of the Chief of the Rhagurri Fiefdom. As the chief’s granddaughter, she knows she may one day lead the fief and her clan.
Her Mirguhabbur has described her as an eagle that must fly on her own accord.
Hidua is headstrong, strong-willed, nearly fearless, and physically fit for one so young. She has great pride in herself, despite youthful moments of self-doubt.
Like many Fhen Khanur, she is stubborn and takes everything she does with utmost seriousness. She will stand her ground and fight for what she believes.
Khyr Ang
Khyr Ang grew up resentful of his older siblings. Small for a Fhen Khanur, standing just over 6 feet tall, he was often teased for his stature and bullied by larger cousins.
Where he lacked strength and stamina, he compensated with willpower and intelligence. Khyr left his edatu to pursue magic in an effort to make up for his perceived lack of “Fhen Khanurness.”
His pursuit of magic has cost him dearly. He now suffers from near-debilitating addictions to herbs and to the magic that can heal him. It is believed he has made pacts with outer planar beings for access to supernatural powers.
Khyr is sarcastic, ambitious, and deeply arrogant. He believes himself smarter than everyone else and looks down on others because of this.
He has truly become a Shuezu, an outcast.
Cities
While cities are not foreign to Fhen Khanur, many find them too confining and claustrophobic. There are only three permanent cities in Ahgrinuu.
Gishga
| City Information | |
|---|---|
| Name | Gishga |
| Population | 57,850 |
| Government | Chieftain Halkdhor Mhangnam |
| Major Religions | Istemi Faith |
| Imports / Exports | Alchemical components, books, coal, coffee, glass, linens, organic chemicals, precious stones, silver, slag |
| Known For | Bauh Raok fief, Greydawn Hills, white stone, limestone caves, erdo community protection |
Gishga is located at the southern edge of the Bauh Raok fief. The small city rises in the Greydawn Hills.
While not as large as Rhagurri, Gishga provides a sense of security for outlying Erdo communities within the fief.
The city sits upon a white rocky hill, from which its walls and most of its buildings are constructed. More than half of Gishga is built into the caves and limestone depths of the hills.
Bhalashi
| City Information | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bhalashi |
| Population | 103,451 |
| Government | Chieftess Soar Aradhegi |
| Major Religions | Istemi Faith, Gishra |
| Imports / Exports | Amber, ammunition, animal fats and oils, books, cattle, coffee, copper, Dark Dust, dyes, hemp, mercury, precious stones, silver, silk, timber, tin, wool |
| Known For | Hills of Augur, augutors, white limestone walls, mixed Erdo and Orias population |
Bhalashi is situated near the center of the small rise of hills known as the Hills of Augur, named for the large number of draconic wyrms known as Augutors.
Bhalashi rose, as many cities do, as a place of communal protection. It consists of a large number of Erdo and Orias living in close proximity.
The city is the second largest in Ahgrinuu and sits at the bottom rear region of a gorge nearly 3 miles wide. The area above the city is protected by large white limestone walls and towers occupied by Bhalashi watch forces.
Rhagurri
| City Information | |
|---|---|
| Name | Rhagurri |
| Population | 150,752 |
| Government | Chieftain |
| Major Religions | Istemi Faith, Akiri, Gishra |
| Imports / Exports | Alchemical components, amber, books, cotton, dyes, fabrics, fish, glass, hemp, ink, limestone, precious stones |
| Known For | Largest city north of Panthais, main trade location of Ahgrinuu, massive construction, open markets |
Rhagurri is the largest city north of the Kingdom of Panthais and rivals the population of Inthiel, the capital of Alisanos.
It is one of the largest constructed cities in Ta Los, not because of its population alone, but because of the size of the Fhen Khanur and the region’s desire to showcase both Orias and Erdo cultural ideals.
The city is nearly 12 miles in diameter. Its central 1-mile district is surrounded by a 40-foot-high, 30-foot-wide wall of gray-blue granite stone.
Rhagurri is the main trade location for all of Ahgrinuu and has numerous open markets throughout the city.
