Short Description:
In the Alaato Valley, three cousin-nations face an impending threat from the cruel conqueror Aurick Sobaa. The Ulodume, Hundi, and Sarkanites have lived peacefully for generations, sharing a resource-rich land protected by mountai...
The Three Nations share one large piece of resource rich land west of the Manlabaan Mountains and split down the middle by the ancient Li'Ehto River that springs from that very same mountain rage and continues a, nearly straight, 80 km path to the Ingaweh Sea coastline. Protected by sea on the west end and vast peaks on the east end, the nations have lived in relative peace for generations.
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The Three Nations
The Ulodume
The Ulodume, led by General Mikango, are a difficult people to read. They are the oldest of the three nations and are not long in any conversation from reminding the other two nations of this fact. They live nearest to the Manlabaan Mountains in the northwest region of the valley. They have made themselves quite elaborate homes and town centers in the hilly, rock-filled landscape at the foot of the mountains. The Ulodume have been known to host and entertain on many occasions, yet they remain well guarded socially and militarily. Their trust must be earned through time and actions. Being the furthest from the coastal ports of their brother nation, the Ulodume have traditionally be the last to encounter newcomers and maintain a natural distrust. As a result, Ulodume trust, loyalty, and devotion is rock solid and is truly to be mourned if lost because they fight very well...and even better if they have a score to settle.
The Hundi
The Hundi, spearheaded by General Chokri, are a boisterous people given to the wooded central area of the valley. They are extremely festive and look forward to any opportunity for revelry and can often be heard celebrating from long distances...extremely long distances. The Hundi are the de facto "hosts" for the three nations. They welcome everyone with open arms and, as such, have hosted many of the sodality's events & peacemaking scenarios. While extremely welcoming, the Hundi do no forgive transgressions easily and will quickly engage if adequately offended. A group well-versed in close quarters combat; they are experts at traversing their wooded homestead largely undetected. It is not accidental that you may find yourself surrounded by a squad of Hundi fighters having seen & heard nothing. The Hundi may be the rowdiest of the three nations, but they are thoughtful, observant, & not above admitting their mistakes if peace is to be maintained.
The Sarkanites
The Sarkanites, mentored by one Mediator Sipho, are an unnaturally calm and relaxed people who call the coastal plains that touch the Ingaweh Sea home. They are the most spiritual of the three nations and strive to be one with all things surrounding them. Derisively referred to as "wavers" by some neighbors, Sarkanites espouse a willingness to simply 'move as the waves do' regarding circumstances in their immediate presence. Although Sarkanites will often angle for peace long past the point of necessity, they are not to be taken lightly in battle. Their long-range fighting skills, coupled with their proficiency with any staff-like weapon is legendary. This nation is easily the most open and friendly of the trio. Being open and welcoming is very much in the Sarkanite character, however, this fact also lures adversaries into a false sense of security. Thinking the Sarkanites to be "soft" or "naive" is often a fatal mistake for newcomers to the Valley of Alaato.
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A thousand years of peace between the three nations has only been broken by short lived squabbles between neighboring towns who briefly forget their shared history. The truth is, these nations all stem from a shared origin and a family bond not easily broken. The legend of their people speaks of three brothers bound by blood, yet driven by independence. This historic account, or fireside tale is, unironically, the manner in which the three nations exist to this day.
As a distinct display of the nations' long standing mutual respect, by law, disputes between factions must not be fought with lethal weaponry. Combatants between families, or even towns, must battle to disable or disarm their opponent so they live to be called upon should the entire valley come under attack from a foreign entity. Make no mistake, each nation is well-versed in battle with sharpened weapons. However, their dull-ended counterparts are brought to bear when faced with local disagreements. As a result, battles within the shared arena of the Alaato Valley rarely end in death. As a matter of course, deaths are not only unexpected, they are summarily frowned upon. Deaths resulting from fixed combat between the nations are so abhorred, the punishments range from permanent banishment to immediate execution. The message is clear. They are separate, yet one.
Combined, these three nations have thrived relatively untouched by the economy, politics, and even wars of other nations because their home is home to a vast array of natural resources that allow them to lead nearly self-sufficient lives with plenty for each nation. The second major advantage to their millennia of existence in this valley is the natural build of the valley itself. Protected by the Ingaweh Sea on the western coast and shielded by the sheer height and treacherous terrain of the Manlabaan Mountains to the east, The Valley is a strategic advantage unto itself. The handful of instances throughout their shared history that an invader has dared to attempt invasion have ended in swift and embarrassing defeat for any commander looking to take a well known, yet extremely well defended location.
Friends are welcome. Enemies suffer a swift expulsion.
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The three nations of the Alaato Valley have lived in relative peace for much longer than three closely related peoples sharing a resource rich and naturally defended territory should have ever expected.
Until now.
The world is vast and without a doubt the tales of great accomplishment make their way to the ears of peoples far and wide. Yet one individual, his army in tow, has traveled the world in the way no man should...following the point of his sword. The name Aurick Sobaa has been spoken from the central deserts of the Almeaan continent all the way to the southern marshes and not for being a boon to the advancement of human kind. Sobaa is the opposite. He is the bi-pedal embodiment of a sickness ravaging its way through the civilization set before him in an effort to strengthen one power base...his own.
Sobaa is the kind of cruel that gives you two options 'surrender or be absorbed through death.' In reality, either option results in the deaths of scores of innocent people whether they have chosen surrender or not. The path he has cut across the known world has been filled with blood and terror. The messengers of his coming are those fortunate enough have escaped with their lives only to tell others of the approaching doom.
