Moarte¶
Moarte is the wild eastern province of Pherox, "the Moarte Wilderness, Province of Moarte, Moarte Badlands, Moarte Highlands, Moarte Plains" (S372), lying between the Draconian heartland and the Kingdom of Sulai. "Never an important province of the empire", it is contested ground among the Draconians, orc clans, Wild-Men, Centaurs and the Arachne of the Underdark (S372).
Also called: Moerte (S372, S429).
Overview¶
"Most of it is considered part of the Empire of Pherox. It is generally quite wild. There is ongoing conflict between Pherox and the Centaurs, Wild-Men, Orcs and Arachne. Pherox's strongest influence in the region is along the southern Moerte road which connects Pherox with Sulai" (S372). The Draconian governor sits in the provincial capital of Polonda, but "normally their influence is restricted to larger settlements and their immediate vicinity. The rest of the Moarte is quite wild. Small, independent settlements in Moarte are unusual due to the constant danger from Orcs, Wild-Men, Centaur and Arachne raiders" (S372). Its large beasts include boar and razorback boars, buffalo, cattle, elephants, elk, gazelle, giraffes, goats, horses, hyena, mammoth, sheep and wolves, and two that aggressively attack humanoids, the giant scorpion and the sabre tiger (S372).
Gap
Every source describes Moarte as it stood in the Age of Magic, at 3221 MA. Nothing says what became of Polonda, the province or the Arachne in the Fifth Age, when Pherox itself shrank to a Hollow-ridden homeland.
History¶
"Moarte was initially home to many centaurs, orcs and humans. Early groups were nomadic, though some of the humans began forming permanent settlements. However, most of these were conquered and enslaved by the Pheroxians" (S372). In the first millennium of the Age of Magic "the area was quickly dominated by Pherox", in the second "orcs, Wild-Men and Centaurs were pushed further east. Several wars were waged to keep the Orc population under control, as Orc raids on Pherox settlements during this period increased" (S372).
"A significant new threat emerged shortly after the campaign of King Rodruk II of Dalmar. A previously unknown race of Arachne (half spider, half human) raided several draconian settlements in Moerte from their holds in the underdark. The Arachne have proved to be a difficult foe, disappearing back into the underdark after their raids. The Draconians have led many counterstrikes into the Underdark, but have not yet identified or assaulted any major Arachne settlements there … the Arachne have shifted strategy to mostly raid caravans traveling to and from their settlements. A few settlements have had to be completely abandoned" (S372).
Peoples¶
Orc clans of Moarte¶
"At least a dozen known orc clans roam the plains of Moarte. The natural aggression of the Orcs leads them to frequent conflict with other orc clans, tribes of wild-men and the centaur. They occasionally raid Draconian settlements and caravans for food and other goods" (S372). The Orcs have their own page.1
Arachne¶
"The Arachne are a bit of a mystery, though it appears they work under a central organization. They do not occupy the surface, but tend to come out of the Underdark at night and raid on the surface. They have effectively depopulated the south-central part of Moarte … Both Draconians and Orc clans have been pushed out of the area by the Arachne. Attempts by the Orcs and Draconians to strike back have so far been unsuccessful" (S372).
Centaur clans of Moarte¶
"Only a handful of Centaur clans still roam Moarte, and mostly in the far south-eastern section. They avoid conflict where possible, but are very territorial and especially hate the Draconians. The centaur are too large for the draconians to pick up in a raid" (S372).
Wild-Men of Moarte¶
"Commonly referred to as barbarians, they organize by tribe and live in small hunter/gatherer villages. The wild men of Moarte have adapted to attacks from the air by building their dwellings underground, and by being proficient archers and spear throwers" (S372). The Wild Men are described with the other human peoples.
Places¶
Polonda¶
The provincial capital, where "the governor of the province resides" (S372).
Thermidau and the Bloodfire Chasm¶
"An important Draconian city, it fell prey to an early Arachne assault. Thermidau was located in the heart of mining operations in the Bloodfire Chasm. Bloodfire chasm provided Iron, Gold and Bloodgold to the Pherox Empire. Attempts to rebuild and fortify were unsuccessful, and the Draconians were forced to withdraw from the city, and from their mines in the Bloodfire Chasm. It is rumored that many of the mines have now been connected to the Underdark. The area is essentially under Arachne control, and it remains shunned by the other races" (S372). Bloodgold, the Mithis-infused gold also called Aurumite or the Blood of Kalar, is described with the other materials and metals.
Tsierna¶
"Once the largest Draconian city in Moarte, it was swallowed by the earth in a natural disaster in 1141 MA. Almost 80% of the population of the city perished. Only a small corner of the city remains above ground while the rest was buried in the earthquake" (S372).
Quemedava¶
"A Draconian citadel in the eastern part of Moarte, it was left with a token Draconian garrison during the campaign of King Rodruk II. The Orcs took the opportunity to assault and take the fortress. The Orcs held it for many hundreds of years until the Orc Witch Shakil-Mauhik came to control it and practiced her dark magics there. Upon her death at the hands of one of her apprentices, the citadel became cursed and the Orcs abandoned it. It has since fallen into ruin. The darkness surrounding it is palpable from some distance, and it seems to attract storms and lightning. Some refer to it as 'The Cursed Storm Citadel'" (S429, S372). The witch is among the minor figures of the Earlier Ages.