Y'bome

Y'bome is a small range of rathari located along the Shinhorn Ridge of the Escarian Mountains. Their homes are in the caves and peaks of the ridge providing excellent defense against any who would intrude on their land. The rathari maintain herds of mountain sheep as well as some agriculture and hunting in the lowlands they claim as well.

The people of Y'bome have managed to stave off conquest by their two larger neighbors, G'huis and V'eand. This fierce independence has drawn other families to this area. The head of each family is expected to defend their own territory; although the strong blood ties between the families means it is nearly impossible to attack one family and not draw in the others. This is not a isolated land, but the people strongly hold to their beliefs and independence.

• Capitol: none

  • Major Cities: none
• Official Languages(s): Ratharian
• Ethnic Groups:
• Demonym: Ysh'nan
• Government: Family Head
• Area: 43,000 sq. km

  • Approximately size of Denmark
• Territories:
• Population: 70,000
• Structures:

  • 15 Towers still active
  • 1 Tower in ruins or abandoned
• Currency: none

There have been several skirmishes between members of a dwarven trading company and Ysh'nan families. The dwarves contend they have the right to mine these mountains from G'huis, but this land is claimed by Y'bome as their range. So far G'huis has not backed up the dwarves claim with military force, but most believe it is only a matter of time.

Aside from difficulties with G'huis the families of Y'bome have been growing in number. The last hundreds years has seen a rise in both their population and those rathari immigrating. These families have begun to settle in the peaks and cave further east, pushing the land claimed as they move. Although these peaks are not has livable as the original homelands they are far richer in resources for trade.

For as long as any rathari oral history has stories they have lived in the Shinhorn Ridge. Some stories content that these mountains are their original homeland. When the rathari began to spread out to the lowlands it was only natural that some families stayed in the homeland. These families were rooted in the old ways - the hunt, rule by elders, inter-family bonds, and pairs approved by the family. The rathari of the lowlands did prosper, but they lost something of themselves when they moved.

Things would have stayed the same if not for the huis'nan, a lowlands family. They struck a bargain with the Children of the Sun, humans that lived at the very southern peak of the land. This bargain was the devil's pact for it enriched the huis'nan over all other families and they used that wealth to coerce the other families in supporting them. These families became the point of their spear to bring any family that resisted the huis'nan.

Eventually the warriors of those who fought for the huis'nan reached the edge of the Ysh'nan range. The families of the range would not be enslaved by their fallen cousins. Instead they retreated into the mountains of their homeland and fought them between the peaks. The rathari of the lowlands had forgotten the lessons of their ancestors and faced incredible difficulty flying so high in the mountains. They had grown fat and soft in the comfort of the trees and grasslands. The mountain is a harsh woman and she destroyed them.

Three more times the G'huis brought their warriors forward to drive out the Ysh'nan and each time they failed. The last effort was by many of the huis'nan themselves. These soldiers did not just try and drive out their cousins, they poisoned their waters and killed their herd. There was no intention to offer quarter - so the Ysh'nan granted none. Of the four thousand soldiers the huis'nan brought to their mountain the Ysh'nan only allowed one to go free. It would be the last time G'huis would attack their mountain cousins.

The great dwarven stronghold had sat empty for as long as any rathari lore spoke of it. Said to be blighted by some great evil that killed all dwarves who lived there - buried their secrets. The ysh'nan respected the sanctity of Firock, unlike many others. In Y 213 AH a mixed human and dwarven expedition numbering in the hundreds marched across their range and entered Firock.

This expedition did not respect the ysh'nan. They offered no gifts for the rights of passage nor even a sacrifice to The Wind. So they were hunted by the rathari and storms lashed their encampments. Dozens died on the march through Y'bome before they reached Firock, which is on the very edge of the range. After making camp they sent smaller groups into the ruins of the stronghold.

Whatever lives in there did not take well to the intrusion. Unlike the rathari it was capable of far more destruction. Fire and smoke belched out of the peak and covered the encampment in hot ash. The entire expedition was killed, but this creature did not stop with the intruders. The rathari were forced to leave many of their homes that bordered the stronghold as the ground shook and entire peaks collapsed in a landslide.

The ysh'nan lost several familes, numbers dozens of dead, before the creature again settled and The Wind stopped carrying firebrands to kill their herds. The ysh'nan now consider this land cursed and forbid any family from settling withing sight of the stronghold. Even those close shelter in caves rather than along peaks.

The Shinhorn Ridge are stark gray mountains dotted with trees and mineral streams. There is plenty of water available from springs and rainfall. The mountains hold large amounts of ore and salt deposits, most of them accessible with surface mining.

The largest river that flows through this region. It starts as several smaller rivers eventually meeting up in three waterfalls into a basin. From the basin it runs to the lowlands in the east-northeast. The basin is both large and deep, so deep that several large cold-water fish live near the bottom.

This heavy mineral spring water runs through several cave networks until it empties through a crevice in the side of an escarpment. The crevice is covered into iron stains from years of water flowing through it. From this crevice it flows generally east until it merges into the larger Kokomoncho River.

A large river formed from dozens of smaller rivers that flow on the south side of the mountains. After winding its way through the lowlands it eventually turns north for few kilometers before the T'bliss River joins it. From this point the river flows easterly until it empties into the sea.

This large coal vein run along the western edge of the ridge. Exposed to the surface it looks like a black scar on the mountain from some legendary beast. Although the coal would be a good source of income the rathari leave the area alone. It is clear that something dangerous lives in or near the area. Any who travel to the area can sense its presence and hunger even if they never see anything. Occasionally it will catch fire, but it will never last through the night - being extinguished before the sun rises.

See also: Dakarian Fiefdoms, Dakar Shires

Y'bome is an isolationist range. They want nothing from those around them and they give nothing in return. Only the smallest trade flows between the ysh'nan and their neighbors. Occasionally they allow a very small number of outsiders into the range, but they always have twice as many rathari guarding them as they bring with them.

The Y'bome share a small northeastern border with G'huis. They have fought several wars with the Y'bome destroying those soldiers sent against them. This history of animosity and distrust means very little trade or communication passes between these two ranges.

The V'eand are far less expansive that G'huis, but that does not change the fact that Y'bome shares a much larger border with them. Tensions have arisen where both ranges claim the same territory, but it has only led to brief skirmishes. Both ranges being threatened by a much larger neighbor has calmed any dispute from flaring out of control. Most of Y'bome's trade flows through V'eand. Many of V'eands most accomplished philosophers and scholars make treks into the mountains for religious studies. The Wind is still the overwhelming belief of the rathari of V'eand; although some of its tenants have changed over the centuries.

Across the mountains lie Sithara, the lands of the Shoag. There is little direct contact because the shoag do not venture into the mountains and the range claims no lands east of the peak. There have been trades as both sides respect leaving the other side alone. These trades usually involve one or more family heads traveling to one of the shaog tribes and trading goods and information.

Each family is expected to defend its entire territory. Given that most of the families have created larger ties by pairing off sons and daughters a complex social network of mutual defense has arisen. None of the families maintain a standing force of soldiery as with other lands, but instead rely on defensive guerilla tactics. The rathari of Y'bome have no interest in conquering more lands for their range as there are plenty of unclaimed land among the peaks. The mountains and their knowledge of its land and winds means that any military force that moves against them will do so at a significant disadvantage.

There is no economy as understood among other nations. Each family is expected to tend to its own needs in regards to food, water, and shelter. The families often trade among themselves and the wide relationship of cousins means that only a osterized family is left alone in times of trouble. Bartering and communal efforts are the basis of the economy and as The Wind speaks it shall remain.

There is trade that flows to the V'eand but this is very small and only for specific goods. A family might trade a cart of hides for thirty steel knives, but then not trade again for a decade or more. Trade with other is simply a means to get one thing that is needed. There is no understanding of a continuous flow of trade goods passing between the ysh'nan and others.

The ysh'nan speak ratharian with an accent so think that even other rathari have difficulties understanding them fully. The ysh'nan claim their language is the blessing of The Wind and have no need to change things just to speak with other people.

The ysh'nan worship The Wind and all other beliefs are considered heretical. Those caught worshiping outside of the strict beliefs will be driven out of the range. In reality there are discussions and disagreements among the highly religious ysh'nan as to the exact nature and meaning of their oral traditions, but while these disagreements can become over-heated each side respects the other is only seeking greater enlightenment.

Those rathari who proclaim themselves to others will be crucified. Non-rathari will simply be driven out by force.

Any magic outside of The Wind is heretical and cause for drowning. The ysh'nan may tolerate it among non-rathari that are permitted on their range as long as they harm nothing and none while they are guests. The Wind is believed to be Aesir whose touch is both loving and demanding. Those who seek obedience within her shall always have her blessing. Those who can wield magic are held to both a higher standard and in deep regard. For those truly powerful magicians among the ysh'nan they achieve a near legendary status.

The ysh'nan of Y'bome are isolationist but not unaware of what goes on outside their range. They represent a religious minority among all rathari on Aquanius. They believe themselves to be the only followers of the true history of their people - blessed among the sheep. There is a growing sense of anger at the outsiders that have tempted their cousins away from the strength of family and The Wind, but that has only caused them to turn others away. To stop the corruption at the borders of their range.