Ragna, Region of War
Scattered amidst the stony ground of Ragna are mining towns, small trading posts, and military or mercenary encampments. The shining gem of the region, however, is the Coliseum, where all of the strongest warriors and toughest fighters go to test their mettle and prove their worth to the Goddess of War, Heroes, and Self-Sacrifice. Although the Coliseum has drawn in significant wealth, the warriors of Ragna live on a knife’s edge… what Goddess will preside over the Coliseum when the sun rises? The honorable Goddess of Martyrs… or the cruel Goddess of Bloodshed?
Overview
The region of Ragna is incredibly flat with patches of stony ground jutting out from tufts of dried pale green grass. The lands become more lush and fertile around the Tuz’Haltuk River, creating prime land for small agricultural and fishing villages. There are a small handful of such villages that have developed into larger towns, capitalizing on the small, but consistent trade from the Neg’Varos Bay to the Coliseum and Oshiv’Ran. One such town is Red River, stopping point for the newly built Iron Arrow.
Where the grass fades to stone, creating a harsher landscape, mining communities have laid down their roots. The region is known for mining heavy metals that are used to forge weapons in the Coliseum or exported to the factory city of Ah’Shal to supply the manufacturing process there. Some mines harvest gems and other valuables. These villages operate on a stricter caste based structure with overseers occupying a more “prestigious” part of town as compared to the working class.
In the East, the plains begin to ramp upward into a range of Red Rock Mountains that divide Ragna from the Wasteland and the northern part of her border with Lark’Hal. The mountains also stretch upward across part of the border between Ragna and Elios, shifting to the taller, more prominent snow-capped peaks.
Basic History
The region of Ragna has always been a hotspot of combat and mercenaries. Prior to the implementation of the Calendar, the region was dominated by roving “war bands”, led by a war chief. Territories fluctuated and bloody disputes were common among the various war bands. Occasionally, the war bands would venture south into Oshiv’Ran, raiding the northern shifter clans, or into the realm of Varoona to raid small orchards and villages.
The culture of war bands persisted into the initial calendar years. It wasn’t until 137 YAR that three of the war bands united forces and proceeded to sweep across the region of Ragna, crushing any resistance they faced. The war bands were led by the orc champion Durza the Clawed Menace, the tiefling warrior Venya the Swift, and the lizardfolk fighter Kaszuk. When their conquest had ended, they established their formal ruling seat at the sight of Ragna’s old Temple along the Tuz’Haltuk River. A rule of three, however, proved to be problematic and a dispute erupted between the three remaining war chiefs in 140 YAR. In the fighting, the old temple of Ragna was blazed and burned to the ground. Blood was spilled on the soil and, in the end, Venya remained. Instead of executing the remaining members of the other two war bands, she chose to create the first Warrior Elite from their fiercest warriors while she claimed the title of Warrior Elect. This title would later be changed to Princess and Prince Elect in the next decade.
Partially in honor of her previous, now fallen allies, Venya’s first move was to begin the reconstruction of the Old Temple… using the bones of all those had fallen and what remained of the physical material of the previous Temple structure. Over the years, the Coliseum grew. The rest of the region was loosely brought under the governance of the Elect and Warrior Elite, but the war band and mercenary way of life persisted, though to a smaller degree. There are some members of the Warrior Elite who trace their lineage back to the “Big Three”.
The authority of the Coliseum attempted to restrict attacks beyond the borders of Ragna in order to strengthen relationships and trade with other regions. When the Dread King’s War began, Ragna was more than pleased to send their fair share of warriors to fight in an actual war. Prince Elect Endellion led an attack on the region of Judas, supposedly dying in the fight against the Dread King. Warriors of Ragna reinforced Varoona and arrived to defend the northern shifter clans of Oshiv’Ran. Despite often undertaken the most risky missions, their contribution is often overshadowed by the Moon Guard.
A time of peace settled over the continent after the fall of the Dread King. The Warriors of Ragna returned to enforcing their rule across the rocky ground or fighting in the Coliseum. Ragna seemed to stay stagnant compared to the rest of the continent. As advancements were made in Nacheevi, the people of Ragna were content to continue fighting in the Coliseum as they always had.
Politics
The region of Ragna is ruled by the Warrior Elite, a small subset of the population that has distinguished themselves in the Coliseum or in other military engagements. While technically anyone can become a member of the Warrior Elite, manipulation of the system has resulted in titles being passed down and maintained by wealthy and powerful “warrior” families.
Only the Warrior Elite are permitted to vote for the Prince, Princess, or Ruler Elect. This individual is elected upon the death, disgrace, or other outing of the previous Elect. An individual can challenge the Elect and, if the Elect fails, a new vote can be called forth, but this simply means any member of the Warrior Elite is up for running, not just the challenger. Unless, of course, the challenger has the power and sway of Ragna or the people of the Coliseum as a whole.
Economy
Ragna is very much a production region, specializing in metals and manpower. There main exports include laborers, mercenaries, soldiers, metals, precious gems, some agricultural and textile products. There are some smiths and forges near the border of Nacheevi and they export a small amount of weapons, armor, and tools, but the vast majority of what they produce is sent to the Coliseum or purchased by the few remaining roving bands of mercenaries.
Guards, guides, and caravan escorts are very common in towns and villages in the East of Ragna. They often sell their services to caravans that travel via land to the desert city of Lark’Hal.
People
Many races call the region of Ragna home, especially if one has any combat prowess or bloodlust. The majority of Ragna’s occupants, however, are humans, tieflings, orcs and half-orcs, lizardfolk, and fire genasi. There are sizeable minorities of dwarves (ironically), half-elves, tabaxi, dragonborn, and gnomes.
Religion
How does one worship Ragna? You fight, you bleed, you sacrifice, you serve, and you die. Dying in combat is the most honorable and noble end that a true warrior of Ragna can imagine. Outside of the Coliseum, Ragna is only loosely worshipped in her own region, though some villages still uphold the practice of sending a cohort of young men and women to compete in the Coliseum on their behalf.
Otherwise, the region of Ragna is a bit of a melting pot for religious worship. Nacheevi is worshipped in the (mostly) dwarven population near the border of Ragna and Nacheevi. There are small sects of Varoona’s worship, particularly around the Tuz’Haltuk River. The eastern region of Ragna has small pockets of Lark’s worship and the ruins of what once were small temples to Judas. Even in the Coliseum, multiple gods are worshiped: Lark (for inspiration), Varoona (for chaos), Therarask (for pleasure), and Ah’Shal (for death).
Laws
The ruling Warrior Elite generally follow a very loose code of law, but highlights include:- Cowardice – Ragna is the Goddess of War & Heroism; she does not look down kindly on cowardice... and neither do the Warrior Elite.
- Stealing – Thievery is the crime of the shadows; Ragna is a Goddess of Warriors... she does not tolerate petty thieves.
- Lying & Deceit – Ragna is the Goddess of Self-Sacrifice; she does not tolerate plots and ploys... whether the people of Ragna adhere to this rule is up for debate.
Type
State
Included Locations
The Warrior Queen, Princess Elect Ralla
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