The Vast

Dragon Population: Varies (approximately 4,000). Nondragon Population: 142,900 (21% human,17% goblin, 12% orc, 11% dwarf, 10% shifter, 9% stone giant, 3% yuan-ti, 3% changeling, 3% halfling, 3% gnome, 8% other). In Draconic, this territory of Argonessen is called Dja 'Valarach. In Common, it is typically translated as “the Vast,” interpreted as a great void or open space. But to a dragon, the word holds far deeper meaning. It is the space around a dragon in flight. It is the freedom to move in any direction. It hints at the infinite possibilities of the future, unbound and vast. That is what the Vast represents to the dragons of Argonnessen—freedom and uncertainty. It is a land without rules, where dragons are free to exult in their power and might, to match wits with other dragons and to rule over lesser creatures. First and foremost, the Vast is a proving ground. When a dragon of the Thousand becomes an adult, he is given the choice to serve the Light of Siberys or to find his own way in the Vast. Those who go to the Vast must remain there for at least fifty years; those who survive to become older adults might return to the Thousand and claim a lair within the dominion of their flight. However, some choose to remain in the Vast. These dragons prefer the challenge and uncertainty of life in this land. Life in the Thousand is stable, but stagnant. In the Vast, a dragon can be a conqueror, a tyrant, or a defender of the innocent. Every day could end in a life-or-death struggle, and for many dragons, that thrill is worth the risk. The dragons of the Vast are free to do whatever they want. Life is a deadly game, with living creatures as the pawns. A dragon can take any land that he can hold, and any other dragon can try to take it from him. Gold, treasure, slaves—all these are part of the game of power, the never-ending struggle for status. Some dragons revel in the violence and spend their days hunting the most challenging prey that they can find. Some live in hedonistic splendor among nondragons who worship them. A few actually enjoy protecting lesser creatures; they take pleasure in defending their subjects from the depredations of cruel ravagers and rulers. The dragons of the Vast relish their conflicts with other dragons. These contests can be drawn out over months or years. A victorious dragon often spares his victim in their first battle, to give the loser time to contemplate the loss and prepare for his final defeat. Although some ravagers thrive on blood and rage, for most dragons, the game is more satisfying than the actual victory. The conflict, not the resolution, is the event to be savored. A dragon who establishes and holds a significant area in the Vast is known as a dominion lord. His status in the eyes of the other lords is based on the size of his domain, his hoard, the number of nondragons he commands, and the number and nature of dragons he has defeated. Though age is typically a factor, achievement is just as important in the Vast; if a young dragon can consistently defeat his elders, he will gain respect—and become a target for others. Many dragons leave the Vast after becoming adults. Many more do not survive to adulthood. But some remain in the Vast for their entire lives. These elder dominion lords rarely challenge the young; slaying an adult black dragon provides little challenge or satisfaction for a gold ancient wyrm. These elders continue to play their games with others of similar age, but they also work to maintain the Vast. They import new monsters to replace those slain in battle. They do what is necessary to keep the nondragon population within manageable levels, and restock the supplies if the population falls too low. And they represent the Vast in the Conclave of Argonnessen. They rarely speak with one voice, but they defend their way of life and the importance of this free realm. Although no industries span the territory, many dominion lords force their subjects to mine for ores and precious gems, and to produce goods worthy of a dragon's hoard. A dominion lord might use these goods to barter with other dragons, potentially trading treasure for slaves as a human might purchase livestock, or offering tribute in exchange for a temporary alliance against another dragon. The Vast also trades in nondragons. In addition to “importing” creatures from other continents, dragons of the Vast are the primary source for the nondragons found in other territories. A dragon who returns to the Thousand could bring retainers with him, while a dragon of the Tapestry might recruit research assistants from Io'lokar. The Vast has the highest nondragon population of any of the territories. These lesser races have been brought to Argonnessen over the course of a hundred thousand years. Hobgoblins, whose ancestors were saved from the downfall of the Empire of Dhakaan at the hands of the daelkyr, still sing the songs of the duur 'kala—the Dhakaani dirge singers. Elves, whose ancestors were brought from the shores of Xen'drik long before the Elven Uprising against the giants, know nothing of the Undying Court or the Tairnadal. There are nondragons never seen in Khorvaire, members of races that were exterminated by the giants or the daelkyr. The range of communities that can be found are dizzying. Some are metropolitan, with members of a dozen races living under one roof. Other communities are racially isolated, steadfastly preserving secrets of their forgotten cultures. Of course, all these creatures have one aspect in common: They live beneath the shadow of the dragon overlords. To a dominion lord, nondragons are an extension of his hoard. Other dragons might try to steal creatures from his domain, or just slaughter his subjects; life is always uncertain, and an attack could come at any time. Two dominion lords could have completely different styles of rule. Some make frequent shows of force and often require living sacrifices. A few demand worship, and in some cases, their subjects truly believe that these dragons are deities; a few of the oldest dominion lords have developed cadres of fanatical soldiers ready to die for their dragon masters. Life in the Vast can be brutal and short, but the people of this land know little else.

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