Kingdom of Draioch

A land shrouded in a near constant thick fog and rain, it is a land of hardship and constant trials, beset by cursed undead.

A land shrouded in a near constant thick fog and rain, it is a land of hardship and constant trials. Rolling highlands and large swaths of forest are mixed with roving bands of undead, banshees and other strange creatures of the night. The kingdom is cursed by the death wish of a powerful necromancer, the Curse of Balor, causing all manners of havoc to constantly assail the cities and villages of Draioch. The people here eke out a bare living, not venturing far at night for fear of predatory beasts and undead.
However, there is a ray of hope, with the help with a coven of witches and some of the brightest alchemical minds, the Kingdom created a new type of monster hunter in the Order of Druth. Hunters empowered by alchemical concoctions, powerful hexes and great skill, these hunters have kept the monsters at bay for years.
The Kingdom of Draioch is a kingdom in the far north steeped with a rich history. It originally started as nomadic humans setting in the beautiful northern highlands of the old continent. Eventually, they grew into a loose confederation of clans. Conflicts erupted over things such as resources, “minor” disagreements and more. The clan leader of Clan Draioch, Dagdaran, began to unite the clans under one banner. Years later, they clans were absorbed through the Old Way by Zenith, and they lived as a vassal state for generations. Eventually the people of Draioch threw off the heel of the Kingdom of Zenith during the time of Great Secession, and returned to their freedom. Through these struggles and history, the people of Draioch are fiercely independent, and love their freedom and liberty.
However, good things must always come to an end. One of the royal apothecaries named Killian MacThall became disillusioned with the leadership of Draioch, that it was content with the lands it hand, that it didn’t want to conquer other nations or make war. He delved into dark, mysterious magics that no one should ever come to. When he emerged, he only called himself Balor. With him, came the first Strigoi Lords of Draioch. With their help, and his necromantic powers, the tide almost washed over the entirety of the kingdom.
It was only through the steadfast nature, and love of freedom of the Draioch people that stemmed the tide. Eventually bringing the undead armies to task, King Braden slew Balor in one on one combat, effectively ending the war. However, with Balor’s final breath, he put a curse upon the Kingdom of Draioch.
The Curse of Balor instantly took root. Ghosts, creatures of the night, and all manner of undead rose all over the kingdom, overrunning and corrupting farms, lumber mills small villages. The people of Draioch had to take hold in small motte and bailey fortresses, fearing the night time. From here, they began to learn a trade of monster hunting. Luckily, the undead were unorganized with the death of Balor, and remained aimless enough to not be a true threat to the Kingdom.
Through a dangerous mix of alchemy designed a coven of Draioch witches, and brave volunteers, they crafted a way to improve their own physiology in a way they could match these creatures. They created the Order of Druth, a monster hunter’s guild that promised that they could push back the curse and the creatures of the night.
Most of the time spent by the citizenry of Draioch is for survival. With attempting to repair defenses, gather what little food they can, the life of a citizen of Draioch is hard survival. However, they do not forget who they are as a people, and there are small festivals here and there, celebrating the two solstices as well as five separate holidays worshipping the five animal spirits. One thing that the Draioch people pride themselves is that they can make good ale even in a dangerous situation.
Within the past year, there have been reports of nights with no attacks. Some regions find the sun is shining brighter during the day, and crops are growing more heartily. Though the people are still beset by the undead, the situation does not see as dire as it once did. Only time will tell if the curse has been broken.
In the early weeks of the Spring of 1024, Draioch was invaded by multiple forces. From the west, fomorians poured out of the Eternalwoad, thirsty to spill blood. From the east, the Vanguard of the Iron Warlord’s new hordes began a raiding campaign. Worst of all, in the heartland of Draioch, a horde of ancient strigoi spilled forth from a series of caves, led by a pack of lamashtu horrors that had not yet been seen in the lands of Erolan. Survivors of these undead horrors claim that at their head there was an armored fae-thing with eyes pouring black smoke. This armored warrior seemed to command the horde of strigoi and lamashtu, directing their bloodlust with military efficiency.
Draioch was only saved from being immediately overrun by the quick actions of the Order of Druth. Warned by mystic portents and allies from afar, the witches of Druth and the legendary Fiadain seemed to be everywhere at once. Almost always in the right place at the right time, the Order of Druth managed to hold the line, pushing back the enemies of Draioch again and again, but at a cost of many lives. They have been giving the Draioch military time to mobilize, and may yet turn the tide against such horrifying odds.
9/1024 - Draioch has begun to mount a stable defense in the face of the multiple directional assault. The military of Draoich had fully mobilized, given time to react by the sacrifices of the Order of Druth and their Fiadain. The Fomorian attacks from the west have dwindled due to the efforts of the loyalists of the Eternalwoad and the Bhutaarian cavalry patrols. The attacks of the strigoi and lamashtu, led by the armored fae-thing whose empty eye sockets poured black smoke, continued nightly. These “shadow cursed” attacks claimed many victims, and the Fiadain’s prescient defenses were the only reason whole villages didn’t disappear overnight.
Meanwhile to the east, the Iron Warlord's armored hulks marched on Draioch’s territory. The Order of Druth and the Fiadain helped where they could, supplying healing and reinforcement to the beleaguered army of Draioch, but ground was inevitably lost. Only through intelligent feints and staggered defenses did the eastern front not turn into a full rout over the long summer. The King of Draioch began coordinating with the Crepuscule Coalition of Zenith, sharing intelligence and coordinating attacks, which helped in slowing the progress of the Iron Warlords legions into Draioch. Pressed desperately by such supernatural horrors, the people of Dairoch have recalled the horrors of the Curse of Balor, and steeled themselves for what hardships lay ahead.

Cultural Dress
Kilts with clan tartans, dark earthen tones, usually actively avoiding bright colors to avoid the attention of nocturnal predators.

Kingdom Skills
Eye of Druth: Once per day, caster knows if an object or area is vile.