Kuroth
Except from the Journal of Terrence the Wanderer.
"Kuroth and Hontatha together form the largest landmass in The 9th World by far. However, since they are separated by a long chain of mountains I intend to treat them as separate entities. Their cultures are also radically different despite what some less well-travelled scholars, who shall remain unnamed, may have written.
Kuroth itself can also be quite easily divided into it's flarewise and counter-flarewise halves. While the two share a lot of cultural elements, the climates are so different that is has naturally created a certain amount of cultural drift.
The flarewise half, also known as Red Kuroth for it's proximity to the Fire gate is characterised by it's vast desert, rocky plains and harsh storms. Not just thunder, lightning and rain, but also sandstorms with wind strong enough to lift whole caravans into the air. The people who live there are consequently tough. Though I do not think their resilience is entirely an adaptation. Indeed the effects of the gate are plain to see, perhaps more obvious here than in most other cases. Many who are born in Kuroth grow to prodigious sizes or have some natural affinity for fire or lightning.
Less curious scholars have suggested that the people of Red Kuroth are unfriendly and rude. This assessment is so profoundly misguided that I am surprised that my learned colleague in Andrissa was not struck down by the gods themselves for uttering it, alas this has not yet happened. With very few exceptions, the people of Red Kuroth have showed themselves to be among the most generous and kind-hearted individuals it has been my privilege to cross paths with. It is true that they can be somewhat abrasive at first contact and have very little patience for outsiders who judge them and their land. That being said, if you open to heart them and show respect, they will take care of you as one of their own. There is a strong sense of community and co-operation along with an endearing species of stoicism.
As a result of Kuroth's position on the Disc, it's transition from summer to winter is violent and sudden. This gave rise to a fascinating aspect of Kurothi life. The people are semi-nomadic. Twice a year they migrate in anticipation of the sudden change and then return to their other homes. Many cities have a twin that is left mostly uninhabited for half the year. There are some exceptions such as Shan Fadreg which translates as "The summer-winter city" but the yearly migrations have become a staple of the local culture almost treated like a festival.
The counter-flare half, also known as Green Kuroth for it's proximity to the Life Gate, is a much gentler country. The ground is fertile and crops grow to impressive sizes in a short time. Much of the land is naturally covered by agricultural communities and forests that house huge beasts. Were it not for the beastcraft of my guide, I would surely have perished when we travelled between the major settlements. I would therefore advise any traveller to take care. This may not be Red Kuroth but it is still clearly Kuroth and should be treated with the caution and respect it deserves. The bi-yearly migration is somewhat less common here though the time of migration is still an important cultural celebration. As far as the people are concerned, they are much the same as in Red Kuroth though there are more Firbolgs than Orcs and are generally more approachable though no less generous for it.
Their language can be a little hard to pronounce for outsiders, but overall I think it is one of my favourite tongues. There is a sincerity to it that I found quite pleasing even if I could never quite get the accent right.
Conversely, the local cuisine didn't really agree with me. The flavours were intense and the food was often far too spicy for my Norn palette. I can't in all honesty say they I ever enjoyed it but I never turned it down and the friends I made here seemed to respect for me that."
"Kuroth and Hontatha together form the largest landmass in The 9th World by far. However, since they are separated by a long chain of mountains I intend to treat them as separate entities. Their cultures are also radically different despite what some less well-travelled scholars, who shall remain unnamed, may have written.
Kuroth itself can also be quite easily divided into it's flarewise and counter-flarewise halves. While the two share a lot of cultural elements, the climates are so different that is has naturally created a certain amount of cultural drift.
The flarewise half, also known as Red Kuroth for it's proximity to the Fire gate is characterised by it's vast desert, rocky plains and harsh storms. Not just thunder, lightning and rain, but also sandstorms with wind strong enough to lift whole caravans into the air. The people who live there are consequently tough. Though I do not think their resilience is entirely an adaptation. Indeed the effects of the gate are plain to see, perhaps more obvious here than in most other cases. Many who are born in Kuroth grow to prodigious sizes or have some natural affinity for fire or lightning.
Less curious scholars have suggested that the people of Red Kuroth are unfriendly and rude. This assessment is so profoundly misguided that I am surprised that my learned colleague in Andrissa was not struck down by the gods themselves for uttering it, alas this has not yet happened. With very few exceptions, the people of Red Kuroth have showed themselves to be among the most generous and kind-hearted individuals it has been my privilege to cross paths with. It is true that they can be somewhat abrasive at first contact and have very little patience for outsiders who judge them and their land. That being said, if you open to heart them and show respect, they will take care of you as one of their own. There is a strong sense of community and co-operation along with an endearing species of stoicism.
As a result of Kuroth's position on the Disc, it's transition from summer to winter is violent and sudden. This gave rise to a fascinating aspect of Kurothi life. The people are semi-nomadic. Twice a year they migrate in anticipation of the sudden change and then return to their other homes. Many cities have a twin that is left mostly uninhabited for half the year. There are some exceptions such as Shan Fadreg which translates as "The summer-winter city" but the yearly migrations have become a staple of the local culture almost treated like a festival.
The counter-flare half, also known as Green Kuroth for it's proximity to the Life Gate, is a much gentler country. The ground is fertile and crops grow to impressive sizes in a short time. Much of the land is naturally covered by agricultural communities and forests that house huge beasts. Were it not for the beastcraft of my guide, I would surely have perished when we travelled between the major settlements. I would therefore advise any traveller to take care. This may not be Red Kuroth but it is still clearly Kuroth and should be treated with the caution and respect it deserves. The bi-yearly migration is somewhat less common here though the time of migration is still an important cultural celebration. As far as the people are concerned, they are much the same as in Red Kuroth though there are more Firbolgs than Orcs and are generally more approachable though no less generous for it.
Their language can be a little hard to pronounce for outsiders, but overall I think it is one of my favourite tongues. There is a sincerity to it that I found quite pleasing even if I could never quite get the accent right.
Conversely, the local cuisine didn't really agree with me. The flavours were intense and the food was often far too spicy for my Norn palette. I can't in all honesty say they I ever enjoyed it but I never turned it down and the friends I made here seemed to respect for me that."
Maps
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Central Kuroth
Kuroth is a large continent which borders on the gate of Power, also known as the Fire gate. Central Kuroth is mostly populated by a semi-nomadic people and is regularly ravaged by both sandstorms and thunderstorms. The people have developed a strong sense of solidarity with such an unforgiving environment and tend to be distrustful of arcane magic.
The Great Cleaving is said the scar from a civil war long ago.
Type
Continent
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