It’s been a while since I’ve written a real post. At least it feel that way to me. I thought providing a bit more world-building info would be a nice way to ease myself back into a more regular writing/blogging routine.

As I discussed in the last installment of this series, the peoples living in the southern half of Úr’Dan are far more diverse than their neighbors to the north.

Bargers and Tidewater Folk

The people of the Marsh and the Delta do not fit into one, two, or even several ethnic identities, with travelers coming from every corner of Úr’Dan and beyond.

However, people of this region are known for darker skin tones and almond-shaped eyes. Their hair and eye color may vary wildly. More important than physical traits are the dress and mannerisms of Bargers and Delta folk. To cope with the humid climate and water-faring lifestyle in this region, the people have taken to dressing in baggy trousers, simple slip-on shoes or sandals, and colorful beads. Bargers especially are also known for their easy-going and jocular personalities, with welcoming smiles for any looking for food and shelter.

Nól’Daní

Nól’Dan, a valley on the southwestern coast, is somewhat isolated from much of Úr’Dan. The Old Sentries to the northeast and Glómfeld to the east are natural barriers for the green hills of this country.

The Nol’Daní are similarly insular, living in small clan-based villages. These sedentary pastoralists of the huge Nól Sheep have short, stout builds, brownish hair, and medium-to-fair skin tones. The key dynamic separating peoples in this region are their can allegiances. Two major factions dominate Nól’Dan with a deep-seeded history of violent conflict.

Najín

The Najín are traders from across the south seas who have made their presence known in Nól’Dan. What attracts these sillken-robed and gold-bedazzled princes, explorers, and barons?

Crystals. The Krystal river valley in central Nól’Dan is renowned for the gemstones buried in the soft, silt-like earth. Some Najín have already staked land claims in the region and aligned themselves with some of the larger Nól’Daní clans to exploit these precious resources.

Glómfeldings

The hostile and reclusive inhabitants of the haunted forest of Glómfeld are feared by the communities surrounding them, particularly the Nól’Daní. They emerge on ominously dark nights to raid villages and capture people and animals alike

Rarely seen in the daylight, Glómfeldings are described as short and wiry in stature, with pale skin, dark hair, and light eyes that seem to glow int he moonlight. Some have even claimed that Glómfeldings are stooped and hairy like beasts, while the oldest legends tell that they can morph into wolves.

This has not been verified by any reliable source.

Southerners and Outsiders

There are many other, smaller communities living in the southern half of Úr’Dan, as well as communities built by seafaring traders and migrants. I think I’ll save these other groups for another post.

Of the communities we’ve discussed today, most of them are in direct confrontation with each other. Bargers may live at the center of economic life in this part of the world, but the Marsh, too, is full of faction vying for dominance over the rivers and canals — the lifeblood of Úr’Dan.

Steve D