Flinty Hills

Once loosely allied with Nyrond, the fiercely independent folk of the Flinty Hills—gnomes, dwarves, halflings, and human hillfolk—have grown resentful of the kingdom’s neglect and heavy-handed demands. Now, as they battle the relentless hordes of the Bone March and fend off encroachments from Ahlissa, many question whether their future lies beyond Nyrond’s failing grasp.

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A rugged and often embattled expanse, the Flinty Hills stretch along the southern end of the Rakers, forming a natural barrier between Nyrond and the chaotic lands of the Bone March. Though nominally claimed by Nyrond, the fiercely independent peoples of the hills—gnomes, dwarves, halflings, and human hillfolk—view the kingdom with growing distrust, resenting its inconsistent support and endless demands for resources.

Geography & Borders

The Flinty Hills rise higher and more rugged in the north, gradually descending into plateaus and fertile slopes to the south and west. The northwestern hills blend into the Gamboge Forest, a wilderness teeming with deer, game birds, and other wildlife, while the eastern frontier is a perpetual battleground, where the folk of the hills struggle to repel the ever-encroaching hordes of the Bone March. To the south, the lands of Ahlissa press upward, claiming the hills' wealth for themselves whenever opportunity allows.

A Land Divided

The Flinty Hills can be divided into four major regions:

• The Western Hills, nominally under Nyrond’s rule but simmering with discontent. The kingdom's levies and taxes grow heavier, yet when war comes, Nyrondese forces are slow to answer the call. Many settlements maintain only the barest ties to their so-called overlords.
• The Central Hills, where the gnomes hold sway in a loose but formidable network of underground strongholds. These fiercely independent folk, under the banner of Gnomeking Warren ap'Hiller, resist outside control, preferring self-rule over the empty promises of Nyrond.
• The Eastern Warfront, where the gnomes, dwarves, and their allies wage an endless battle against the goblinoids of the Bone March. Without Nyrond’s protection, they have grown hard and resourceful, forging alliances with one another and occasionally striking out at Nyrondese interests they deem exploitative.
• The Southern Reaches, increasingly influenced by Ahlissa, which sees opportunity in Nyrond’s growing weakness. Many here see trade with the south as a better alternative to Nyrond’s hollow rule.

Distrust & Isolation

Long ago, Nyrondese armies fought to keep the Bone March at bay, but those days have faded into bitter memory. Now, the kingdom demands taxes and resources while offering little in return. The gnomes and dwarves, once allies of Nyrond, now see its rulers as weak-willed and unreliable. Worse still, the Theocracy of the Pale, to the north, views their religions as heretical, cutting off yet another potential ally. Only the elves of the Gamboge Forest remain steadfast friends to the hillfolk, sharing supplies and warriors when they can.

A Land of Hard-Won Wealth

The Flinty Hills are rich in silver, iron, and gemstones, but the wealth they yield comes at great cost. The gnomes are the chief miners of silver, while the dwarves wrest iron and lead from the northern hills. Yet much of this wealth is drained away by Nyrond, leaving the miners to fend for themselves against raiders, tax collectors, and corrupt officials alike. The roads leading west to Womtham remain vital trade routes, but increasingly, the folk of the Flinty Hills wonder if their future lies outside Nyrond’s grasp.

A People Standing Alone

The Flinty Hills folk have learned a hard truth—they can only rely on themselves. While Nyrond dithers and Ahlissa schemes, the gnomes, dwarves, and hillfolk of the Flinties sharpen their blades and prepare for the battles yet to come.