Asarand
ASARAND
The Grand Herzog Rhallar Korxalg, Ruler of Asarand, Lord General of the Armies
Capital: Sklaros (Metropolis, pop. 45,000)
Population: 1,600,000 (40% hobgoblin, 30% goblin, 30% other)
Major Cities: Tarkos (Metropolis, pop. 33,000), Dagos (Metropolis, pop. 30,000)
Government: Militaristic dictatorship
Arms: A tawny saber-cat on a red field
Resources: Black Market Goods: slaves, opium; Mercenaries; Armor; Foodstuffs: grain (wheat, oats); Foodstuffs: meat (fish, beef, pork); Trade goods; Craft items: furniture, artwork, sculpture; Exotic Goods: Tea
Predominant Alignments: LE, NE, LN, N
A large nation on Ailioth’s eastern coast, Asarand is located between the Strait of Varadunn and the Sunbirth Sea. The realm encompasses the whole of Sevensmoke Bay, its southern border being the river Atragond. Most of the region is relatively flat and fertile, nestled on the eastern side of the Malachite Mountains. The climate is fairly moderate, with pleasant weather patterns off the Strait of Varadunn. Summers are warm and humid, winters cool and wet. Snow is not unheard of, but it is rare, especially in the lower elevations.
Asarand is the realm of the Hobgoblins, though others races can find a home there, as long as they are able to prove themselves worthy. Normal goblins are commonplace, but serve as an underclass, forced to do menial tasks and physical labor, or serve as cannon fodder in the Asarandi military. They are often found living in slums and shanties on the fringes of the great hobgoblin cities, outside the walls where the hobgoblins don’t have to see them on a daily basis. While they are technically free, they are little better than slaves. And slavery is legal, the Asarandi employing such slaves for most menial tasks. Asarand depends upon slavery for a large portion of its economy, and the realm’s reputation for quality slaves is known far and wide.
Asarandi society is built around the concept that one’s rights are based upon one’s merits. Honor and respect are accorded based upon one’s deeds and virtues, and one’s contributions to society. Order, discipline and hard work are prized, while laziness and bellyaching are deemed unworthy, signs of deep character flaws. The Asarandi take even the most trivial tasks quite seriously. It’s not that they are necessarily dour and humorless, but that they are very conscientious of being part of a team, adding value to their society, and of doing fine works. They have ancient codes of honor, both for the family, the clan, and the individual, and obedience to and honoring of these ancient traditions is very important. The Asarandi have low opinions of any creature that they view as weak or as having no honor. Asarandi have a love of duty and discipline. A deep sense of love and responsibility for spouses, children, and family is commonplace. Their sense of empathy is limited to their own kind, of course; Asarandi show nothing but contempt for those they perceive as weak and without honor, showing these types no mercy or pity.
Hobgoblins take great pride in all of their workmanship, in whatever craft or skill that they have talent in. Many families pursue crafts from generation to generation. Thievery and other common criminal activities are frowned upon, and dealt with by restitution systems adjudicated by various councils of elders and often presided over by a clan chieftain, a ranking priest of a prominent religion, or even the Herzog himself in extreme cases. Serious offenses are usually dealt with by swift and harsh execution, with some few offenses meriting exile. Hobgoblins are well known for honoring trade agreements and alliances. In all cases, Hobgoblins have a passionate hatred of elves and orcs. Some other races though, such as Humans, Giants, Taramarri, and Uldarri, often have various levels of good relations with the Asarandi.
Hobgoblins may have monogamous marriages, as in one wife, or they may take multiple wives. This is usually dependent upon clan tradition and individual wealth. Hobgoblins are extremely loyal to their spouses and would be shamed to be involved in any sort of extra-marital relationship. Children are raised from their earliest years to work with weapons, and to be agile and athletic, and discipline, duty and loyalty are instilled deep into their being.
Clan leadership is reserved for males. However, in governing and advisory councils, females can participate equally. In addition, the various professions and crafts throughout society are equally available. By ability and inclination, there are comparatively fewer females serving in a military capacity. Should the need arise to defend the community, all able Asarandi would be mobilized. Should individual female Hobgoblins prove themselves, they are admitted into the ranks of the army as peers with their male counterparts. In some instances, these females can prove to be quite formidable in physical combat. In many ways, Asarandi culture promotes more equality between the sexes than many human cultures.
While Asarandi worship many different deities, it is Skorm (tyranny, subjugation), Vorlauth (order, discipline), Kehydrius (victory, slaughter, plunder) and Drazor (war, warriors) that receive the most attention in this aggressive, militaristic realm. Maglubyet, who is worshipped as a dark aspect of Drazor, is also quite popular among the Asarandi. Every city in Asarand has great and elaborate temples dedicated to these deities. Hobgoblin clerics are well-respected, and clerics of sufficient rank are afforded respect equal to a clan lord.
Hobgoblin military forces are highly disciplined, and well-trained. They are usually very well equipped, with the best in armaments highly desired. However, the Hobgoblins make good use of goblins and slave races as cannon fodder, throwing them against the enemy with little thought to tactics or casualties. This changes completely when Hobgoblin forces are used, though. Hobgoblins practice a wide range of tactics, and work to improve their skills in war on a regular basis, seeking to take advantage of any effective or unusual tactics encountered by enemies. Hobgoblin archers and swordsman are known continent wide for their incredible skill, and often find work as mercenaries outside of Asarand.
Asarandi usually build large circular homes that are domed, and typically two stories high, approximately thirty to forty feet in diameter. They include, where practical, a complete cellar as well. Wooden partitions are moved about the main floor as needed to form rooms, or cleared away to create a large open space for celebrations and family gatherings. The upper floor is segmented by permanently established walls, with the master bedroom and suites for the parents, while children are only accorded their own chambers upon reaching adulthood, if still living at home. Until then, sharing rooms with siblings is commonplace, and seen as good for the social development of young Asarandi. Adult couples share rooms, and should a Hobgoblin male have multiple wives, they are accorded individual rooms as can be afforded. When necessary or desired, Hobgoblins can build an additional circular house, and attach it through a “breezeway”, thus forming two circular houses that intersect at an appropriate point. Especially wealthy Hobgoblins may have a complex of three or four such circular houses, all inter-connected, and some build there homes up to four or even five stories in height. Windows are carefully shuttered with wooden slats, and strong, decoratively carved stairways are added between floors. Doors are usually of reinforced wood, and furniture is generally of highly quality. Finely carved armoires, cabinets, and richly inlaid tables are all highly desired and sought after, as are plush carpets, rugs and tapestries. Most Asarandi disdain the use of chairs, and instead sit upon furs and cushions laid out upon the floor; ornately carved chairs are reserved for the elderly, or for formal or special occasions. Otherwise, sitting upon the floor in repose with furs, pillows, and low-set lamps are the norm.
(A special thanks to Shark from EN World, as I modeled much of the Asarandi culture upon his Hobgoblins.)