## Karudasos – The Dark Lands ### Overview Karudasos is a land of rugged mountains, expansive plains, and shattered coastlines. Long the homeland of the orcs, it is often misunderstood by outsiders as a place of savagery. However, beneath the surface lies a civilization with rich traditions, powerful warlords, and enduring cultures forged through war. The continent is divided into two major regions: - **The North:** Dominated by the warlike Kingdom of Krakasha under King [[Gordam]] the Tyrant. - **The South:** Home to the Orc Union of Olgrug, a disciplined coalition of orc kingdoms led by King [[Otubog]] the Unifier. --- ## Major Regions of Karudasos ### The Kingdom of Krakasha (North) – The Empire of Blood and War - **Ruler:** King [[Gordam]] the Tyrant - **Key Features:** - **The Burning Belt:** Volcanic mountains encircling the hidden capital. - **The Scorched Red Lands:** Perpetual training grounds for orc warriors. - **The Warlord’s Seat:** A fortress built upon the bones of challengers. **Lore:** War is life in Krakasha. Orcs here are trained for conquest from childhood, often clashing with southern kin and dreaming of expansion into [[North Angoria|North Angoria]] and Lialandra. **Famous Orcs:** - King [[Gordam]] the Tyrant - Urzok the Bladed Maw - Vhaskara the Blood Prophet --- ### The Orc Union of Olgrug (South) Formed by King [[Otubog]] the Unifier, this region values control and long-term power over wanton conquest. **Philosophy:** - Strength lies in control, not destruction. - War is a tool, not a way of life. - Conquered lands are held and fortified. **Capital:** - **Olgrug** - Size: ~450 miles in diameter - Population: 1.3 million (Orcs, Half-Orcs, Hobgoblins, Ogres) - Economy: Smithing, shipbuilding, agriculture, and trade - Government: Warlord Monarchy - Religion: [[Gonosh]], Ancestor Spirits, and the Blood Tide (sea god) --- ## Valley of Ketaca – Heart of the South ### [[Kadh Vrbuz]] – The Seat of Orc Civilization - **Key Features:** - Great Hall of Warlords - Orcish Bazaar - Temple of [[Gonosh]] - The Siege Walls **Famous Orcs:** - King [[King Gorath|Gorath]] the Ironclad - Sister Tharza the Ashborn - Gorzan the Blackened - [[Agulmara]] (Orc Master of [[the Wizards Conclave]]) - [[Grishna]] (Grand Shaman of [[Gonosh]]) --- ### The Fractured Pinnacle – Border of the Giants’ Lands - **Features:** - Jagged Spire of Stone - The Frosted Glade - Realm-Shattering Energy **Famous Orcs:** - Varok the Dream-Touched - Elder Vezka the Serpent-Tongued --- ### The Burning Waters – Land of Fire and Fury - **Created By:** Xalthragon the Molten (Red Dragon) - **Features:** - Great Dragon Mountain - The Lava Veins - The Shaman’s Stone **Famous Orc:** - Morgul the Flameforged --- ### The Spikes – Forged in Divine War - **Features:** - Jagged Maw - Ruins of Elders’ Echo - Spike of the Gods **Famous Orc:** - Zarakh the Hollow-Eyed --- ### Tower of the Faceless – Cursed Arcane Ruin - **Lore:** - Haunted by Altharos the Faceless, who sought immortality. **Famous Orc:** - Varsha Doom-Eye --- ### Ruins of the Dead – Lost Orc Civilization - **Lore:** - Once a mighty empire, now cursed and haunted due to a failed dark ritual. **Famous Orc:** - Sister Tharza the Ashborn --- ## Olgrug – Capital of the Southern Orcs **Military:** - **Crimson Fang Legion:** Largest, most structured orc army. **Culture:** - Warrior honor and strategy - Religion focused on [[Gonosh]] and ancestral worship - Major festivals include: - **War Trials** - **Blood-Forging Ritual** - **Ancestor Night** ### Major NPCs: 1. **King [[Otubog]] the Unifier** – Fighter / Champion 2. **Warchief Korgal Ironfang** – Fighter / Battle Master 3. **High Shaman Xargul Bone-Eater** – Cleric / Druid 4. **Varsha Doom-Eye** – Rogue / Assassin 5. **General Zulgar Stormbrand** – Barbarian / Fighter --- ## Other Major Cities of the South ### Kron – Shield of the Isles - Titan’s Walls, Bloodforged Keep, Iron Academy ### Vil’Degga – City of Ancients - Pillars of Elders, Shaman’s Seat, Echoing Sanctum ### Ig’Vul – Freeport of the South - Smuggler’s Market, Gilded Harpoon, Dagger’s Den ### Oruz – The Forbidden Isle - Black Ruins, Shadowed Keep, Pale Cathedral --- ## Key Powers and Factions - **Crimson Fang Legion** – Olgrug’s military might - **Black Talons** – Espionage network - **Stormforged Fleet** – Naval force - **[[Shadowspire Dominion]]** – Goblin kingdom of industry and ambition --- ## Clan Ironfurrow – Orc Farmers of Ketaca - **Motto:** "From Soil and Storm, We Endure." - **Symbol:** Broken plow reforged into a battleaxe - **Colors:** Deep green and black, accented with silver-gray - **Homeland:** The Ironfields **Role:** - Providers of food and infantry for the South’s armies - Known for endurance, loyalty, and quiet strength --- ## Threats to the South ### [[Ironhide Clan]] - **Leader:** [[Drazkul]] the Iron Wolf - **Philosophy:** Raw strength and conquest over civilization - **Base:** Frostcrag Bastion in the Bloodcrag Mountains - **Conflict:** Active war with [[Kadh Vrbuz]] and Olgrug ### The [[Pale One]] - A mysterious entity stirring beneath Oruz ### The [[Shadowspire Dominion]] - **Ruler:** [[King Grusdak]] - A rising goblin power with advanced technology and magical factions: - **Flameforged Assembly** (Tech/Industry) - **Bloodclaw Covenant** (Warriors/Tradition) - **Veilshard Council** (Magic/Espionage) **Internal Tensions:** - Technologists vs. Traditionalists - Shadow factions undermining governance --- ## Final Thoughts Karudasos is a land forged in conflict and reborn through control. While the Orcs of the South seek order and strength through discipline, their future remains uncertain as ancient powers awaken and old ideologies refuse to die. > “In the Valley of Ketaca, the heart of a new age is forged.”