Darguun

Structure

Darguun is a young and volatile nation, ruled by Lhesh Haruuc Sharaat'kor. Haruuc remains a brilliant strategist and tactician, but many wonder whether he can maintain the web of alliances that hold the Zaraash Empire together, and whether he and his people will be content to abide by the terms of the treaty. Other goblinoids still hidden in the mountains, upstart Goblinoid clans, or even renegaid elements of the Zaraash military could still pose a threat to the tentitive peace of the Five Nations.

History

The land now called Darguun was once a contested part of Cyre and Breland. The hobgoblin clans known as the Ghaal'dar were based in the Seawall Mountains, but during the war, the demand for mercenaries drew an ever-increasing number of goblins out of the mountains to fight for Cyre and Breland. Late in the war, a brilliant hobgoblin named Lhesh Haruuc Sharaat'kor recognized that the goblins had become the dominant military power in the region. Uniting the Ghaal'dar under his banner, Haruuc seized the territory he was supposed to protect and founded the Zaraash Empire. The Five Nations were unprepared, and Breland quickly negotiated an alliance with Haruuc to secure the border. Cyre fought the goblins until the Day of Mourning, but the majority of delegates involved in forging the Treaty of Thronehold chose to recognize the new nation of Darguun to ensure peace.

Religion

Traditionally, the Ghaal'dar worshiped a form of the Dark Six, and while the Zaraash Empire have not named it as a nationally supported religion, worship for it is still strong. House Deneith introduced the Sovereign Host to the region, and some goblins have embraced this faith, especially the gods Doi Dorn, Doi Arrah, and Balinor.

Capital: Rhukaan Draal
Hallmarks: Dungeons, goblinoid mercenaries, ruins

Points of interest:

• House Deneith has a strong presence in Darguun. No one will employ goblin armies in the wake of Haruuc's betrayal, but security forces value smaller units of goblinoid mercenaries for their ferocity and skills.
• Darguun is a frontier nation. Although recognized by the Treaty of Thronehold, it doesn't abide by the common laws of the treaty nations, most notably the ancient Galifarian edict banning slavery of sentient creatures. Law enforcement is unpredictable, and acts considered criminal in other nations are part of life in Darguun.
• A number of bugbear-dominated clans known as the Marguul inhabit southern Darguun. Some of the Marguul refuse to acknowledge the authority of the Zaraash Empire; these clans are especially dangerous and violent.