Sinking Moeras
The Empire of Moeras was in its heyday the jewel of the southern continent of Mana Jalqabaa. The empire stretched south along much of the Ofundan Ccean and controlled large amounts of territory on the eastern half of the coastline. Their overseas territory stretched into the Broken Spine, and even included a colony on the shore of Sapa-Ti.
Founded by the Hobgoblin Dynast-King Azagar the Conqueror in 3207, the Dynast-King succeeded in uniting the four great tribes of goblinkind under a single banner, and routing out resistance to his rule and founding the future capital of Hyran in 3215. On this spot the king began a dynasty he proclaimed would last a thousand years. A bold assessment which ultimately proved eerily accurate.
Over the following centuries, through diplomacy and force the empire of Moeras expanded its dominion, first with the colonial expansion and native conquest of the Dresh Plantations, which were settled as the breadbasket of the imperium, then through diplomatic integration with the kingdom of Virthal, and lastly with the taming and settling of the wild frontier known as Kabout-Ral. It created further colonies across the water, first in Sapa-Ti, and in settlement of modern day Sihir, and a brief occupation of Bartsama. The empire-built monuments to its greatness, created civic codes, and established a far reaching goblinoid culture that would serve as the identity of modern-goblin west of Tian-Xia. Yet for as proud and powerful as the empire was, it's destruction would be swift, sudden and unrelenting.
In the year 4213 the Silence struck Celasper. While other nations grappled with the silence of the gods, Emperess Berta-Marth II, known as the Oceanswept, faced a far more immediate consequence of the god's departure. Arriving through unknown means, the Kraken made it's presence known upon the shores of the Ofundan Ccean. The crews of every naval regiment were mobilized to combat the existential threat, but in the end, all were swept beneath the ocean's current. The final days of Hyran are not well documented, but it is known that late in 4215 a devastating tidal wave struck the coast of Moeras and sunk large portions of it's landmass to the bottom of the ocean. The inland settlement of Hyran was flooded and partially submerged, and a dozen villages and towns on the southern coastline were instantaneously destroyed. Several smaller floods impacted the coastline over the next several weeks, and it is estimated that the majority of the empire's population was killed during that time.
The remnants of the empire of Moeras are known today as Sinking Moeras. The ecological effect of the Kraken's storms and floods have fundamentally changed the nature of the region from fertile farmland and sweeping plains to fetid swamps and soggy pits. Where the goblinoid races once reigned, more monstrous creatures have arisen to take their place. Boggards have returned to Moeras in large numbers, attempting to reclaim the land as their own. Cults to Lamashtu, long suppressed by the Empire, are also on the rise in the region. The forces of the Kraken as well have settled large parts of the area to search and seize anything of use from the fallen empire. By far the most civilized force left in the region are a tribe of Vanara and redeemed Charau-ka residing in the ancient tree city of Far Ezoria, though even then, their numbers are not enough to stem the tide of anarchy.
Many of the survivors of Moeras and their children do remain in the marshlands, establishing tiny settlements where the former servants of goblinkind now live alongside their former rulers. In some settlements the situation has been reversed, with goblinoid races being forced into slavery from retributive servants. Chaos has overthrown the empire of Moeras, and now serves as its immortal monarch.
Culture
Before the Kraken the people of Moeras honored the principles of growth, honor, and resolve. The empire believed in constant expansion, and worked to expand diplomatically when possible, and through force when it was not. Those within the empire who participated in its expansion followed strict dictates of honor, enforced by the First Creed, an ancient dictate said to originate from the Four Goblin Heroes. The Creed served to temper Goblin upbringing, and provide philosophical reinforcement against the heresy of Lamashtu. It was customary for goblinoid creatures never to openly lie to one another, and for disputes between them to be settled publically. Resolve referred to a belief in the iron will of goblin kind to achieve it's aims. A hobgoblin would not surrender, or if they did, it would only be a temporary retreat, so was it in life, business, etc.
These cultural norms did not necessarily extend to all goblin races, with Bugbears and Goblins as likely to ignore the tenants of cultural hobgoblin upbringing as to embrace them. Adding to this, decadence was common within the imperial capital, where even the rigidity of hobgoblin society floundered against an endless stream of parties, balls, waltzes and festivals.
While the rigid nature of goblin society lent it to being natural for military expansion, the theme of growth served a second purpose among its agrarian lands, with farmers using the same mentality to grow not just their fields, but to grow and maintain the natural world around them. Several sects of Bugbears and Boggards specifically guarded woads within the pre-sunken empire to facilitate harmony with nature. The harmony extended to the riding and taming of dinosaurs native to the region, with pterodactyls specifically being trained as ariel assault units in the Moerasian navy.
The elements of water and fire were extremely important to Moerasian society, with respect given for the "bleeding rivers" from the Great River Runway, and the "Ignis Fires" from within the ancient dwarven strongholds in the WyvernWatch Mountains. Fire festivals, and even great dances that extend back to the Cyclopean empire that utilized the art of fire were commonplace, and the forges and craftsman of Moeras rivaled even those of Kaz-Medeem in their time.
In Sinking Moeras today, superstition reigns supreme. Cults to Lamashtu are commonplace, and cultures can vary from village to village and bog to bog. The civility of the Creed has been replaced by a ruthless need for survival. To the extent that culture still exists, it is simply to venerate or appease the numerous monsters that have risen within the area, who are treated as demi-gods by the local populace. Strategies of leaving out a slaughtered animal, or perhaps offering treasure to these beasts growing hordes.
Assets
In the Sinking State of Moeras, the greatest asset still remaining is treasure from the sunken empire. Gold, jewels, artifacts from conquered nations are all to be found within the capital. Weapons from the ancient smithy’s and armor from the purest iron are prizes as well. Still monster hunters and rangers due value Moeras for some of it's more natural elements, specifically in the bone and hide of dinosaurs that roam Moeras in rampant numbers. Traces of water magic are also prevalent, attracting both the forces of the Kraken and mages from the old colony of Sihir.
Territories
Fang Port: A massive tribe of boggards has seized the former port city and slaughtered most of it's inhabitants. The worship of Lamashtu is open here, and many of the boggards have now been organized into digging parties. The process is slow as much of the area is severely flooded, but the dig persists nonetheless. The boggards are searching for something ancient, deadly, speaking to them from below the water.
Far Ezoria: By far the most civilized place left in Sinking Moeras is the tree home of the Vanara. These enlightened monkey-like people are the descendants of monastic traditions of the Moerasian Empire. The city of Far Ezoria sits on a series of trees, interconnected by ropes and bridges above the flooded grounds below. Shops, temples to Erastil, and even a few Pteradactyl riders remain in this isolated community. A small number of Charau-ka have resettled in this location from Usaru to the north fleeing persecution and turning away from anarchy to embrace a quieter existence. Within the greatest tree of Far Ezoria lies the "heart of the forest", an ancient and primeval structure of unknown power well-guarded by the Vanara and other survivors who sit amongst the tree tops.
Fort Maia: The remains of a naval base of Moeras stands relatively intact compared to the sinking earth around them, though there are no ships left within its port. Most of the Fort's naval armament was lost in war with the kraken, and if any supplies still remain, they are hidden from outsiders. Rumors that the naval base is haunted, and a lack of passcodes to open the main doors have deterred anyone from obtaining the forts secrets thus far.
Halberd: A tiny settlement on the far eastern shore of Moeras serves as a coastal sanctuary to survivors of the sinking with nowhere to go. Notably it is perhaps the only settlement with any outside contact with the Free Captains of the Broken Spine, with the captain of the Strix Merrill Pegsworth making infrequent stops to collect any wishing to leave the coast for a life of piracy. Not all is as it seems however, as the humanoid rulers of Halberd feel no reason to extend their sanctuary to their goblinoid oppressors, selling any goblins collected into slavery in the Emerald City.
Hyran: The massive capital of the Moerasian empire sit partially submerged. The rooftops of many great buildings remain above water while the doors at ground level and the city streets remain sunken into the depths. Of note within the city are the remains of the royal palace, and the temple of ascension where a new emperor would be crowned. The temples of the mythical four goblin heroes also exist within the cities depths, though even when in it's heyday, many questioned if the Goblin Heroes were actually buried there. The armor of the titan likely still remains within the imperial forge fires, and this may be the prize most coveted by the Kraken. A war exists on the rooftops of Moeras between the Kraken's forces, treasure hunters from the Broken Spine and Sihir, and cultists of Lamashtu for control of the city's districts. All the while the city sinks further into the depths, and more and more of the city's heritage is lost to time.
Mallos: Little more than a tower jutting out of the water, and a few nearby buildings on hills, Mallos is a tiny settlement home to a ragtag group of goblins attempting to wade their way through the storm. The streets below sunken into the water hold numerous treasures, as Mallos was once a thriving city and the Hundred Swords Consortium was once based here, but accessing them proves difficult. A few recent arrivals from Sihir have promised the goblins salvation in exchange for help exploring the ruins, creating diving suits and crude submersibles to explore the city streets, but the efforts are slow, and constantly hindered by the Kraken's forces beneath the waves, and constant monster attacks from the nearby swamp.
Penras: The few survivors left in Penras have turned to Lamashtu, and have become increasingly insular. Whispers speak that the survivors have made great and terrible sacrifices to the "gods" of the swamplands to keep themselves alive, and strange glows can be seen coming from the village at night.
The Dynast-Halls: When an emperor or empress of the Moerasian empire was buried, their remains were placed within the hallowed Dynast Halls, deep below the earth. Enforced with magics from Sihir, guardian dinosaurs trained by the Virthalian Silver Rangers. and even the immortal remains of the emperor's bodyguard, the message the Dynast-Halls presented was simple. The ruler of Moeras is dead, but their power remains. At the deepest level of this vast necropolis remains the tomb of the first emperor himself, as well as the relics of his rulership. Beyond this, the site was chosen so the Oracles of the Creed say, due to its relationship to the Titan of Goblinkind, implying that an even older tomb may remain at the bottom of the Dynast-Halls. Naturally, the Kraken's forces are keen to discovery it's secrets, but they are not alone. Organized bands of warriors of Lamashtu have sought to infiltrate the underwater tombs, and have fought the forces of the Kraken to a standstill to do so. To complicate matters, the magic radiating from the Dynast-Halls has revived several ancient and terrible monsters out of pre-history, slain and buried with their original killers, the rules of Moeras. These awakened nightmares now rise to defend the tomb from all who trespass, be they cultist or Kraken-born.
The Pinnacle: Once a great monument to the Godclaw built by Emperex Ravarian IV, the great ziggurat has fallen into disrepair with the coming of the Kraken. Now partially submerged, it has been occupied and desecrated by Lamashtu cultists, who have been granted a revelation that not even Ravarian was aware of, the Ziggurat sits upon a far more ancient structure, built by the Goddess Lamashtu herself when she walked upon the earth. If there is to be a resurgence of the mother of monster's worship on Celasper, it shall begin here, and if her cultists are successful, she may once again walk the plane.
Trinia: The ruined city of Trinia is largely abandoned by the living, and is now the sight of a great and terrible necromancer known as the Ghost Lord. This druidic abomination has turned the nearby wildlife to his will, and plunged numerous dinosaurs in the area into undeath. The reason for their rage is unclear, and no one has been foolish enough to enter into the city's heart to attempt to learn them.
Ygaro: In the time before the empire's collapse Ygaro retained an unusually strong military presence, for reasons that could not be determined. Unusually as well, the people of Ygaro were not allowed to leave for a period of 5 years once they entered into the structure by order of the Moerasian government. All of which is now a moot point, as the Moerasian government has been replaced by the legions of the Kraken, interested in investigating the mines near the old village, and the unusual amount of aquan magic radiating from the area.
Political Influence & Intrigue
While Moeras maintained no official religion, the worship of Lamashtu was outlawed. The territory of Moeras is said to be the home of some of Lamashtu's most sacred sights upon Celasper, and government officials spent large portions of their time undoing and routing out these heretical organizations who settled them. The government of Moeras considered the worship of the demon mother seditious and dangerous to the power of the state, yet despite their efforts, the church of Lamashtu remained a strong minority amongst the population.
Other minor religions included the worship of Asmodeus, Aroden, Iomadae, Torag, and Irori, known in some circles as the Godclaw. While religious worship was not encouraged, it was a matter of practicality for military officers and even public officials to look towards the Godclaw for lessons in strength and discipline to maintain a nation.
Grow, Honor, Resolve
3207 - 4215
Alternative Names
The Empire of Moeras, The Kraken Coast
Demonym
Moerasians
Founders
Government System
Anarchy
Parent Organization
Subsidiary Organizations
Neighboring Nations
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