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Context

The World

The world is a fork of Tolkien's Middle Earth. Set in the 4th Age, centuries after the rule of King Elessar in Gondor.

Rhûn

See video about Rhûn

An expansive region east of Rhovanion and south of the Iron Hills, inhabited by Easterlings. Easterlings, Rhûn's main inhabitants, are known to have various tribes with their own cultures, often portrayed as adversaries to the Free Peoples of Middle-earth during earlier Ages.

4th Age

Following the defeat of Sauron, King Elessar (Aragorn) establishes peace and seeks to heal and unify Middle-earth. However, this peace may not fully extend to all regions, especially those far from Gondor's influence. After the Elven migration, there is hardly Elves in Middle Earth. Some Half Elves still exist.

Ryxgla Gruk'mog

  • Names: The Watcher in the Deep, Ryxgla Mb'hoth was the name given to this ancient evil. Among the orcs, it is known as Ryxgla Gruk'mog, a name derived from the words "Gruk" (knowledge and mind) and "mog" (greatness).
  • Origin: Ryxgla Mb'hoth, the ancient evil, is an ancient entity worshipped by the early men of the east. It resided in the deep caves of the Ryxgla Mountains, revered as a god.
  • Appearance: A monstrous, toad-like creature with great horns. Its presence is marked by a chilling cold, and it is first seen by its gaping, gasping mouth.
  • History: Once worshipped, Ryxgla Gruk'mog was abandoned after wars drove out its followers. This abandonment filled it with a deep hatred for the invaders, particularly the Elves and Men who settled the land.
  • Legacy: In the northern Ryxgla Mountains, a cave bears the inscription of Alegorn's sacrifice, a reminder of the entity's past banishment but not its complete destruction.

Sea of Rhûn

The Sea of Rhûn was located in the west of the land of Rhûn, which was east of Rhovanion and north of Mordor. The sea also contained a wooded island within the Sea.

There were unnamed highlands on the southwest side of the sea and a beech-forest known as Neldoreth on the northeast side. Northwest of the sea was Dorwinion, a land of great gardens, vast vineyards and renowned wines. The Kine of Araw, wild, white cattle, were known to live near the sea's shores.

Major geographical features

  • Ryxgla: mountain chain in the Southwest, home
  • Neldoreth: beech forest in the Norteast
  • Sea of Rhûn: inland see
  • Aldalondë: Wooden island, ancient megaplex structure within the inland sea
  • Gardens of Dorwinion: farmland in the Nortwest
  • Rhûn's Pit: orc made pit / badlands in the East.

Major nations or groups

  • Valishar (Triumph & Justice): Under the banner of Gondor/Rohan.
    • Valishar has been flourishing in the Gardens of Dorwinion since the defeat of Sauron.
    • Gondor established institutions focused on justice and righteousness, such that the society’s laws and values are fairly and even-handedly enforced.
    • Location: Gardens of Dorwinion, in the West of the region
    • Historical events:
      • The group adopted many customs from their neighbours and many exiled Easterlings joined the group.
      • The group’s former ruling dynasty was recently replaced, through intrigue.
      • New institutions and groups seeking to exploit the rewards of the newfound peace.
      • Righteous crusaders for the cause expand eastbound.
  • Lôthregars (Exhaustion / Ignorance): Strong influence from the dark lords, mostly bad clans.
    • The region was depleted by Sauron's armies: spent rivers, barren fields, cut-over forests, and shorn hillsides.
    • The sparse nation that remained is an ignorant one, still believing in Sauron's return.
    • Location: Inhabit the South of the region.
    • Historical events:
      • The region is full of vast military estates, where most of Easterlings military prowess was developed. Now all lay in abandon.
      • A vast resource of Morgûl Tar was recently discovered in a collapsed bunker, and they have been trading it with other peoples.
      • They’re suspected of backing Kazadorns assassinations.
  • Vashnars (Enlightenment / Precarity): Hardly any influence from the dark lords left, some are good and were good men. They were mostly inspired by the Blue Wizards.
    • A genuine love of knowledge imbues the nation, such that academies and schools have an important role in social and political life, and a good education is considered a hallmark of gentility.
    • Due to the quality of life that Vashnars have achieved now, Kazadorns are migrating heavily. Societal structure is not appropriate to receive so many migrants.
    • Location: Inhabit the North of the region.
    • Historical events:
      • Vashnars conceived a strong distaste for Kazadorns people and their customs.
      • Soldiers or guardsmen in service to the ruler ended up becoming the ruler’s electors or deposers.
      • Luxuriance has left the nation’s coffers bare with the growing migrant population.
      • The king married a descendent of Valishar.
  • Kazadorns (Oppression / Violence): Still have lingering influence from the dark lords, some are good and were good men. Made up of a multitude of tribes, with one warlord elected though challenge.
    • Tribes are cruelly oppressed by other tribes. Intra tribe oppression is accepted as a commonplace.
    • The nation is a bloody one, with human life held cheap and death a commonplace. This may be the result of incessant warfare.
    • Location: Inhabit the entire East of the region.
    • Historical events:
      • Warlords are always embroiled in assassinations, petty wars, and mutual struggle
      • A trade tribe from southern Kazadorn is allied with the Lôthregars, and are winning privileges.
      • An outside power is backing internal strife.
  • Blacklocks (Poverty / Unity): Eastern Dwarves (Blacklocks) that migrated to the West, and then came back and reestablished in the Ryxgla mountains
    • The nation is poor. Even aristocrats might not be assured of the necessary staples of life, or basic resources might be constantly threatened by the depths of the mountain, warfare from the East and diseases.
    • Powers and groups within the nation are highly united in their goals and sense of fellowship.
    • Location: Ryxgla mountains, in the Southwest.
    • Historical event:
      • The Eastern part of the mountains, richer, unsuccessfully tried to secede from the main nation.
      • Resource collapse such as water and food.
      • Dark cults for Ryxgla Gruk'mog are attracting the ambitious
  • Orcs (Decadence / Despair): not a nation, but an important antagonist group.
    • Orcs are voluptuously cruel, indulgent, and indifferent to the prices it pays for its pleasures.
    • They accept evils and sufferings as inevitable, and the natives will do little to rebel, resist, or defy their unhappy fates.
    • Location: Live in Rhûn's pit, in the Southeast, but also on tunnels and caverns under the entire region.
    • Historical event:
      • Rulers change very frequently.
      • A powerful new religion arose among the group, the followers of Ryxgla Gruk'mog.