The Ogre Hills

Danger right within the borders of Aruël!

by Ninodonlord via Wonderdraft

The hills northwest of Frenia house dangerous folk. Despite being surrounded by Aruëlian ground on all sides and centuries worth of attempts, this stretch of land continues to house small units of ogre tribes, which terrorise settlers in the area.

Location

The hills are relatively rough terrain, with steep inclines, natural ditches and thick foliage. Because of this, the crown has thus far been unsuccessful in establishing a strong military presence in the area. The few settlers that dare establish new villages are rewarded with property over the land they secure and a handsome payment, but are forced to build up walls and barricades, and form aggressive guards to secure their villages against potential ogre attacks

The Ogres

The eponymous ogres are tall beings with stocky builds and arms far too long for their height. They are known to gruesomely slaughter humans to feast on their flesh. The monsters are highly territorial, often marking their claims with the bones of their victims. Fortunately, they are not the most clever bunch and highly superstitious.

The Ruins

Scattered throughout the hills are remnants of an older civilisation. About thirty milennia ago, a time only the orcs and elves still recall, this land was under the control of Osylana, the half-elven kingdom. Every so often a marvelously preserved statue, building or part of a road can be found within the hills, most often made from a pure-white marble that glows under moonlight. The ogres fear these remains and often mark them with warding totems, made from bone or branches.

by Ninodonlord via Wonderdraft

The Witch

According to the locals, the hills are also home to an evil witch called Marcia. Marcia supposedly lives on the lake Voric north of Lefcian, where she plans evil and terrorizes the locals. Anyone who would dare disturb her there does not return. What the locals do not know is that Marcia holds a protective hand over her hometown Gecian and terrorizes the ogres in the northern part of the hills to such an extent that their town has even given up on walls. The villagers obviously note their safety, but associating it with the older witch has never crossed their minds.

The Grave

Hidden just east of Rowenshed, in the more mountainous part of the hills is a buried secret. There lies the hidden grave of Grivin II of Osylana, the last king before the great downfall. Osylana was systematically felled by the first incursion of the Ksrizka, and when the cult had been stopped, the Myconic Plague eradicated the surviving population. The grave is now barely even remembered but could hold the knowledge and means to avenge Osylana and save the region, should the Ksrizka ever return.