Heriot

Heriot is located southwest of Talinor and east of The Golden Empire. Heriot extends from The Vass Sea, in the north, to The Serene Deep to the south. It’s capital, and only city, is Darkhan, located in the center of the country. The climate of Heriot is mostly desert steppe with the north being slightly more moisture rich than the south. Heriot is almost completely cut off from other countries due to the large mountain ranges that ring the country.
Heriot has been in a constant state of war since The Sundering. 5 major clans have risen to rule the country since that cataclysmic event. With the aid of the natural barriers between them and other countries the country was easy to settle. They would be a formidable foe should the clans ever be united under one ruler.
No one person or group of people rule the entirety of Heriot. Instead 5 separate clans each claim part of the nation to rule over. The only truly neutral place is Darkhan, the capital, and home to the Night Callers and their students.
Dry steppe (too dry to support a forest but not dry enough to be called a desert). Lots of short bushes and grasslands with few and far between trees.

History

Heriot as it is seen today developed out of the destruction of The Sundering. Those that survived the cataclysmic event had to fight and claw for every inch. The peoples divided themselves into clans and fought with one another over resources. This fighting continues to the present day. There have been multiple attempts throughout the years to bring the clans together and to form a more “civilized” society in Heriot. All have failed, though a few have come very close.
One of only two physical structures to survive The Sundering, the Tower of Darkhan, now forms the foundation of the only permanent city in Heriot, Darkhan. It is considered the single most sacred place in the entire country and thus, no killing is allowed within it’s walls unless in direct challenge or officially sanctioned by the Deepest Night Caller. No single clan may lay claim to Darkhan unless all the clans are united.
There was another city that had partially survived but it was completely destroyed over 30 years ago by and unknown force. It was held in a mountain valley close to the border with Talinor.
In recent years a new figure has emerged as a contender to unite the clans of Heriot. Known only as The Unbreakable Warlord, three of the 5 clans are now under her domain. Along with her originating clan of The Crimson Runners, the Earth Shapers clan and the Soul Eater clans have both been taken over as well. The remaining clans have banded together and have been holding off the combined might of the other clans. It seems inevitable that they will eventually, fall. It’s really only a matter of time.
These two hold out clans are those that hold the land closest to the Talinor border and so are very important for the continued stability of that country. No outward support has been seen but it is speculated that Talinor is secretly helping the two remaining clans, hoping that the Unbreakable Warlord’s rule will soon fall apart as have so many others.

Demography and Population

Most of Heriot is humans with or without a large amount of elvish in their lineage.
The elves in Heriot have been almost completely wiped out. A large campaign of ethnic cleansing has seen the native homelands of the elves complete destroyed. The population of full bred elves is a minor speck though there is a large portion of the population that have a trace of elvish blood back to when the war began.
There are a few dwarves of every subrace, including the duergar.
Gnomes are pretty much non-existant along with Halflings who prefer a much more peaceful life. Though again, there are always exceptions to the rule. Gnomish technology has not been shared with the clans of Heriot unlike in Talinor where such things are becoming more common place.
Tieflings, while still shown some fear, are welcome in the army for the same reason: people are afraid of them.
Goliaths are known to roam the mountains and most have joined a clan.
Dragonborn are seen as a great assets and are treated very well by the clans for they are rare but most either prove to be great fighters or strong slaves.
Other races, including those considered monstrous, can be found throughout the armies. If you have a use then they will take you in.

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Capital

Darkhan

Government System

Tribalism

Economic System

Barter system

Neighboring Nations

• Talinor
• The Golden Empire