The Cradle

The Cradle is a group of tribes and communities that unite under a single Shaman just north of the Human Empire. This area has dispersed populations that live in communal villages, rural towns, and large ranches that cover acres of rolling hills. Many travelers do not realize they are on the lands of wealthy ranchers or merchants because of how sprawling the landscape is. These open spaces fall under the leadership of established families, with emphasis placed on agriculture and natural magic. The clan that is most recognized boasts a prominent and long-lived line of Shamans that harness the power of the Arcane Geysers. This clan is called the Runestrike Seers, the current head of this clan is Foonro Timblekeen Narveli Runestrike Seer who is well advanced in both age and wisdom. The Grand Elder is known for their intricate storytelling ability and vast memory that contains the stories and clan histories of every elder that came before him. The elders of the Clay Giants are known to have as much oral history in their memories as an ancient Dragon has gathered throughout their lifespan.   Clans in the Cradle rise and fall in prominence due to merit and performance save for the Runestrike Seers who have been the uniting clan of the Cradle for over a thousand years. Their clan has long been the historians that chart seasons, agricultural methods, weather patterns, and larger cycles of the world that go unnoticed by other species. The duties of the Grand Elder involve the preservation of the histories and practices of the peoples that live within the Cradle and those that travel through their lands. Often, even regular clan elders will participate in a ritual with newcomers and travelers that causes them to share stories and histories through a shared visual medium using the smoke from burning Arcane Dust at a low temperature. These visions create a situation where a traveler can withhold information but they cannot present falsehoods. This ritual is highly prized among the Clay Giants because they will not record nor remember a false history.   The Cradle is bordered on the south by the Human Empire, on the north by the Neither Tundra, and on the east by the sea. It extends westward to a great bay that separates it from the Elven Kingdom. They are a major travel destination from the Human Empire and the Dwarven Kingdom because of their expertise in agriculture, animal husbandry, and their numerous exports including Arcane Dust. This item is critical in the refinement of many magical objects including weaponry, armor, scrolls, and potions.   The most common species to see in this area are Clay Giants, Centaurs, Elves, Humans, and Ursakin who live farther to the north. Species that dwell primarily in the water are rare inland due to the cold winters in this part of the world. Despite the long seasons, this area receives strong winter winds and dangerously cold temperatures during parts of the year due to its proximity to the Neither Tundra. They have lax rules on who can travel through the land depending on which clan has a presence in the area. Ranchers are often fine with people passing through as long as they stick to the main roads but have been known to make those that linger move along depending upon their disposition.  

Demographics & Territory

around ranching or geyser collectors in one way or another. Settlements are generally centered around the grand house of a Clan Elder or a prominent family in an area. It is more correct to say that Clay Giant 'towns' are really just large estates and manors that have leased land to businesses. The Cradle is geographically positioned just south of the Neither Tundra, it touches the coast with its eastern edge and nearly reaches Lake Idryl with its western. The southern border touches both the Human Empire and the Great Furnaces from which they often cut timber. Despite the large amount of land, the Cradle enjoys a quieter life and smaller concentrations of population than its neighboring countries do. Despite having a coastline, they have little interest in naval ventures due to the jagged cliffs on the eastern side of the continent, necessitating most goods be shipped over land with some exotic items coming by sea through the use of pulley systems and cliffside settlements.   Taxes are not levied or annexed centrally in the Cradle. Power is held in the large ranches and homesteads that permeate the area. Some clans tax others or lease them land in exchange for a percentage of their yield from crops, ranching, or other ventures. Others become workers on these estates that can range for miles upon miles of open land and earn a good living, some taking up residence under the roof of a clan permanently. The uniting clan, the Runestrikers have dominion over laws that apply throughout their entire country and over work efforts. They can call upon a percentage of labor from an estate in an area or within the entire Cradle to make projects happen that benefit the whole of their society or summon Warriors and unite them under a common cause. Law is enforced through the honor of Clan Elders and their influence with a sophisticated system of courts, rankings, and affluence based upon the history and merit of a clan's accomplishments.   The Cradle does not have a seat on the High Council of the Arcane because their focus on magic is generally turned towards nature, the divine, and widespread atmospheric control. Despite this, they are considered the authority in their field when it comes to battlefield magic that determines not only the conditions but also the pace of battle as it unfolds over a large area. The study of magic is not common, often reserved for those aspiring to become Shamans or community leaders after a tradition in their clan. The most commonly saturated knowledge in the Cradle involves handling mounts and detailed knowledge of weather conditions along with their impacts on various activities.