The Great Crag
Following the destruction of Kodu'imp and the fracturing of the Rifaagud Dynasty, various strongholds of the dynasty held out. Of every stronghold across Noyatu, Magisaal the Stronghold of Droa Mir was the last to hold out but eventually, it fell like all the others. This left the region unclaimed for centuries, including Umbralwood, Weerlig Canyon, and the Magin'maa Peaks. Even though the Wynarn Empire expanded into Droa Mir, these regions were never fully conquered. This left both The Venomous Demesne and the ruins of Magisaal untouched by the empire. While the Venomous Demesne was controlled by the seven families of the Conclave of Shadows, Magisaal was free for the taking.
Exiled from the Feywild, the Daughters of Sora Kell sought refuge in the ruins of Magisaal. Learning of the Material Plane and an empire spread thin, they began recruiting monsters. The mass migrations to Droa Mir went unnoticed except for leading cryptozoologists and major adventuring parties. When the Wynarn family was executed and Aundair made the first strike against Breland, the Daughters of Sora Kell acted quickly. They mobilized their forces and declared the region of Droa Mir as the new nation of Droaam. They officially founded the Great Crag and now rule their new country from the city.
The Daughters of Sora Kell
The Daughters of Sora Kell is a trio of sisters born to a Count and Countess of a Court of the Unseelie. Over the centuries, if one can even track time within the Feywild, they became corrupt and practiced with dark magicks. Eventually, the sisters banded together to form a coven and sought to overthrow their parents. This failed and the hags were banished to the Material Plane. Today they rule the newly formed monstrous nation of Droaam. Through their mastery of illusions, enchantments, and mind control, the Daughters of Sora Kell ensure that the various factions of monsters remain subservient and loyal to their rule. They play off the fears, desires, and weaknesses of the monsters. Hags are notorious for making sinister deals, and the Daughters of Sora Kell leverage this skill to their advantage. They quickly established a network of alliances, striking pacts with influential monsters, corrupting leaders, and making promises that seem enticing but ultimately serve the hags' agenda. Through these bargains, they expanded their control and influence over the monster populace, ensuring their rule remains unchallenged, especially since Breland claims the region of Droa Mir. The Daughters established a powerful and loyal cadre of followers to serve as enforcers of their rule. These loyal monsters, drawn from the various factions, are rewarded with power, wealth, or protection, becoming the hags' eyes, ears, and hands in the country. Through fear and intimidation, the coven ensures that disobedience is met with swift and brutal consequences, discouraging any dissent or rebellion. To maintain their power and keep their subjects in line, the Daughters of Sora Kell established a system of governance rooted in the occult. They appoint monstrous advisers and administrators who are bound to their will through dark magic. These individuals are responsible for day-to-day affairs, implementing the hags' directives, and ensuring that the coven's influence permeates every aspect of Droaam's governance. Their reign is characterized by deception, fear, and an intricate web of control that keeps the monsters subdued and under their authority.The Ogre and Troll Enforcement Brigade
The Ogre and Troll Enforcement Brigade's (OTEB) primary mission is to ensure the safety and security of the monster community within Droaam. They strive to maintain law and order, prevent crime, and protect the rights of both monsters and other civilians. OTEB is exclusively composed of ogres and trolls, capitalizing on their formidable strength, durability, and unique abilities. The force consists of highly trained officers who understand the specific challenges and dynamics of the monster population they serve. OTEB officers are trained to handle conflicts and disputes within the monster community, employing a combination of diplomacy, mediation, and, if necessary, appropriate use of force. They strive to resolve conflicts peacefully while upholding the principles of justice and fairness. Each region of Droaam has its own piece of OTEB, each with a distinct color in the uniform:| Color | Regions |
|---|---|
| Black | Weerlig Canyon, Bosvenin Wildwood, Kaboutland, Koeivrou City |
| Blue | Vizhaw, Meermese, Port Oerwood |
| Tan | Avbal Wastes, Graywall, Waste End |
| Grey | Kruid Fields, Greywall Alps, Byeshik Mountains, Stynlan, Cazkaak Draal |
| Purple | Umbralwood |
| Green | Wesvonoos, Donhou Forest, Frijie, Perdorp |
| Crimson | Magin'maa Peaks, Ft. Fokonigs, Ft. Edgar, Green's Edge, The Great Crag |
Stone of Old and New
Given the scarcity of travelers coming into the Great Crag, most goods and adventuring gear targeted towards humanoids are few and far between. Most adventuring gear is available but with variations to the typical design as to fit the larger range of monstrous clientele. The Great Crag does export a few key items such as goods from the Feywild and artifacts from Magisaal to the Eldeen Reaches and Aundair in exchange for crops and livestock. The Varem Jump Point also sponsors trips for Strixhaven Lorehold students to learn about and explore Rifaagud ruins. Another export for the upper classes are Medusa Stoneworks, statues made by a guild of medusas who use their petrifying powers for artistic representations of the world.Monstrous Gatherings
Like any city, the Great Crag has a variety of organizations and guilds within its bounds but a few stand out among the rest. House Tharashk is the only Great House of Noyatu with any presence in the city. This gives the house a larger sphere of influence within Droaam and better connections with the Daughters of Sora Kell. OTEB's presence in the city goes beyond protection and service but acts as the most active eyes and ears for the Daughters of Sora Kell. Their leader, Commander Grommash Ironhide, was a Wynanr veteran who betrayed the empire when the revolution broke out. He is known for his strategic thinking, bravery, and ability to bridge gaps between different species. In terms of commerce, the Serpent's Chisel Guild is the largest organization of craftswomen and artisans. Medusas have a natural ability to petrify with their gaze, but in the guild, they undergo extensive training to control and refine this power. Through careful instruction and discipline, the medusa stonemasons learn to channel their gaze selectively, ensuring they can focus on their work without inadvertently turning others to stone. This controlled gaze allows them to visualize and bring their artistic visions to life while maintaining the safety of those around them. Many dwarven stonemasons across the continent admit that the work is beautiful but are disturbed and disgusted by the process.Worship of the Sovereign
The Dark Sovereign are a taboo throughout most of Noyatu, however, denizens of the Great Crag open their doors to those who worship the evil gods. Bane has the largest following and the Church of Domineering Faith is packed tightly with people wanting to hear the word of the Most Reverend Amir Von Stein every Da'leysen. Lolth also has a decent group behind her as the Great Crag has an opening to the Underdark within the ruins it stands atop. The Sanctum Aranea of Droa Mir is headed by Priestess Maela Ro'nwen. Tiamat, one of the Triad, finds her temple at the Obsidian Veil with Deaconess Anya Tiadottir giving services. The Whispered One, Vecna, can be found worshiped in the Cryptic Covenant. Here curious individuals can find Lore Priest Gareth Brynmor studying the many forbidden texts that Vecna collected before his rise to godhood. While the Dark Sovereign have a large majority of worship within the Great Crag, Phenax the Deceiver, also has a following. Many lycanthropes follow the tenets of the god of night and congregate at the Twilight Sanctuary of Phenax where Priest Alexis Katsaros gives his readings. All of the various churches vie for followers and power but the Dark Sovereign congregations target Phenax's downfall more regularly. The religious figures of these churches see his followers as traitors and a threat to their religion.Droa Districts
The Great Crag was built atop the ruins of Magisaal and the city's districts are divided by ancient bounds. The district of Siltborough is a goblinoid-dominated area that was built over the outskirts of the ruins. It creates a ring around the city, standing as the first line of defense if a force ever attacked the Great Crag. In what is believed to have been the religious ward of Magisaal, Giant's Landing stands as the neighborhood for larger creatures like trolls, ogres, and minotaurs. The newer architecture reflects the denizens of the district with taller doors and ceilings, tougher materials, and wider streets. All of the Great Crag's temples are also found here, respecting the traditions of the monstrous ancestors who lived here. Clawfang Enclave is a neighborhood dedicated to orcs, gnolls, and other nomadic peoples. The district is characterized by its tent structures and availability of resources from the Avbal Wastes and Weerlig Canyon. Shadowspire Square is the bureaucratic center of the city as well as the home of the Daughters of Sora Kell.Population: 91,810 (55% goblinoids, 15% trolls, 10% ogres, 10% gnolls, 5% minotaurs, 5% other races)
Government: Daughters of Sora Kell
Defenses: Fey magic, The Ogre and Troll Enforcement Brigade
Hallmarks: Fey magic, ancient ruins, monstrous culture
Daughters of Sora Kell
People of Interest
- Sora Katra (Green Hag)
- Sora Maenya (Annis Hag)
- Sora Teraza (Dusk Hag)
- Commander Grummash Ironhide (Male Ogre)
- Elder Viperia Papadakis (Medusa)
- Agent Maliac Aashta of House Tharashk (Male Half-orc)
Places of Interest
- Lithos Sanctum - Home of the Serpent's Chisel Guild (Giant's Landing)
- The Black Halberd - High-end tavern (Shadowspire Square)
- The Ghost Tiger - Mid-range tavern (Siltborough)
- The Relieved Shield Inn - Poor inn (Clawfang Enclave)
- Titan's Watchtower - Ogre and Troll Enforcement Brigade headquarters (Shadowspire Square)
- Varem Jump Point - Main entrance to underground ruins and dungeons of Magisaal (Giant's Landing)
Droa Attitudes
Outsiders are allowed into the Great Crag, but locals will approach them cautiously and hesitantly. This drastically increases if individuals outwardly present themselves with ties to Breland. It is rare to see non-Droa within the Great Crag so OTEB officers are likely keeping tabs on outsider whereabouts. Outsiders from Droaam, of monstrous or fiendish lineage, and members of House Tharashk are more welcomed but still don't get the same fair treatment as locals.
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