Lavello

62% Humans, 23% Giants, 9% Goliaths, 6% Other Races

---

Between the imperialistic northern nations and the gentle halfling lands to the south lies the valleys of Lavello, where giants have held claim for centuries.

Old Claims

The rolling fields of Lavello might seem from either side like an unclaimed frontier, but after watching long enough, you may see an enormous figure dozens of miles away, descending from the mountains or corralling herds of aurochs. On a much larger scale then mortal kingdoms usually deal with, the giants who live in Lavello have their own agreements over who uses the land and when. The giants are mostly solitary creatures, and their homes are concealed, either high in the mountains, hidden amongst the trees, or dug into foothills. They work together when they need to, but otherwise they are largely isolated.
The residents of Lavello aren't implicitly hostile toward travelers, but they will be stopped by the giants whose territories they are in, and there's every possibility they will take issue with the intrusion. Some can be quelled with a gift, some will attack anyway, and still others have little issue with lone travelers or small caravans. There are humans who live in Lavello, but they don't have permanent settlements. They are nomadic hunters, and they have their own arrangements with the giants which mostly revolve around tributes to be paid by the humans.

Empire's Folly

Lavello's name is a recent addition. For time immemorial, the region was simply recognized by most as a no-man's land where travelers were not welcome and settlements were not made. In its imperial age, Zaratka began to push into the area, laying claim to it and putting up heavily guarded settlements. The more military they employed, however, the more attention they drew form the giants, who repeatedly destroyed the villages on their land. In the end, Zaratka decided to "give" the territory to the giants as a show of good faith, and they called it Lavello on their maps. The idea was ridiculed, but the name stuck.

Pictured: an old battleground in the Kras'kora foothills; perhaps one of the reasons there are so few giants in Lavello.

Languages. Common, Giant

Government. There is no government among the giants. The nomadic people of Lavello don't generally declare leaders, but turn to their trusted when decisions need to be made.

Demographics. There are actually more people than giants in Lavello, but the land is still extremely sparse. While there may not be many giants, they have a commanding presence, due in no small part to the fact that protecting their territory is quite easy for them.

Military and Defense. There is no formal military in Lavello, but the nomads are mostly hunters, and they can defend themselves when they need to. The giants don't need help protecting themselves from lone attackers, but if a military threatens them, they band together—not necessarily to protect each other, but to protect their claim over the land as a whole.

Economy. Money doesn't move in or out of Lavello. Its residents are willing to trade, but they will only accept exchanges, not coin. The giants and the nomads have their own systems in which they help each other, which vary from group to group.