Voror
On the eastern side of the continent of Hr'ask'r lies a nation of minotaurs. This is Voror, a nation of hardworking folk and master craftsman unseen anywhere else on Kirris.
Structure
The people of Voror show great reverence to their elders. This isn't just a cultural quirk, but a system of government. Every community in Voror is ruled by the eldest citizen, from the smallest village to mighty Labyrinthia.
While it would seem that such a system would leave a nation far from unified, that couldn't be farther from the truth. The town elders are in frequent communication, and have a hierarchy among them. This is mostly based on age, but the elder of Labyrinthia is frequently considered their leader regardless of age.
History
According to the stories of the minotaurs, they came to Kirris from another world, fleeing a terrible being they call "The One in the Maze". Scholars of the Planes believe this to be the demon lord Baphomet. They came to their barren home and banded together for protection against this terrible creature.
Life was difficult for them at first, but when they learned to grow their moss they began to thrive. They learned to work the stones of their new homeland soon after, and built their first community. Much to their dismay, they had built it in a maze-like layout without even trying. The first minotaur builders believed this a curse of the one they had fled.
While these early settlers hated the home they had built, it was far too secure for them to give it up. They stayed in that town, which eventually became the city of Labyrinthia. The minotaurs started to grow happy and prosperous in their new home.
According to legend, the One in the Maze took issue with the prosperity of his former prisoners. He sent terrible monsters to attack the minds and bodies of the people, but they were too strong and fought the beasts off. Many scholars believe this is an account of the First Rising but no evidence of this conflict has ever been found.
After this legendary war, the civilization of bull-folk grew to spite their ancient enemy. They spread across the barrens, building settlements as they went. They spread far and wide, but no matter how far they went they stayed together as one clan. They became the nation of Voror.
This is where the story of Voror slips from myth and legend to true recorded history. As with many civilizations across the Twin Worlds, the first event of note is the Second Rising. As the mind flayers swept across the Twin Worlds, many communities of minotaurs were destroyed or enslaved, despite their admirable resistance.
Through all of this, Labyrinthia held strong. Apocryphal accounts state that even the alien genius of the mind flayers couldn't navigate the infuriating layout of the city. Scholars scoff at this notion, believing instead that the stalwart defenders, combined with an early warning made all the difference in beating the monsters back.
After the defeat of the Overbrain, the minotaurs didn't have to rebuild their capital city, but the surrounding nation was in a sorry state. They tried to rebuild, but having to fight off displaced ursil raiders made that task all but impossible.
When Cand Romerrac united his brethren in an ill-conceived attempt to conquer Hnng'yar, the Vorori put their civilization back together. The industrious folk had no trouble recovering from both the Rising and the constant raids. As it turns out, this work was finished right on time.
The Third Rising struck not long after. A repeat of history was more than a mere possibility, but the Vorori had learned well from the stories of their elders. As soon as the first communities began to fall, the rest evacuated. Most went to Labyrinthia, but the rest went by sea to Hnng'yar. When the mind flayers had retreated, it was very little trouble for the survivors to put their lives back together.
Demography and Population
Voror is not as diverse as many of the nations of Hr'ask'r, such as the Kingdom-in-the-Boughs. A vast majority of the population are minotaurs, but some tamblin exist here, as well. If members of other races are encountered they are usually visitors, not citizens.
Territories
While a vast majority of Hr'ask'r is dense jungle, Voror exists in the lands east of the Prrinic River. This is a land dominated by rocky barrens. It is a very flat land covered in small stones and constantly assaulted by strong winds.
It would be very easy to take one look at this place and assume there is nothing of value. This is incorrect, however, as the land yields a deceptive quantity of mineral wealth. It is here that the minotaurs find the metal that goes into their legendary metalworks.
As useful as it is to the land's artisans, it is far from welcoming to life. Most of the local creatures are small, with the most numerous being lizards and snakes. Beings of elemental earth also come here quite frequently, including galeb-durs, xorn, and dao.
Military
The army of Voror is particularly fearsome. Much of this is owing to the physical prowess of the minotaurs, themselves, but their training and drilling makes them quite skilled, especially when fighting together. They have had to fight off enough invasions that they have had plenty of practice.
Their tactics are mostly defensive in nature, with their heavy armor and massive shields allowing them to create very effective phalanxes. More than a few enemies have been surprised by a sudden charge, however. An entire formation of charging minotaurs is a fearsome sight, indeed.
Foreign Relations
The political situation in Hr'ask'r is far from stable. Voror doesn't contribute to this instability, but often finds itself caught up in it. They have frequently found themselves at war with Dolrar, and the Kingdom-in-the-Boughs. They are never the aggressors in these wars, however, and have never invaded their neighbors.
There are only two constants in this chaotic environment. The first is their alliance with the Republic of Hnng'yar. These consummate merchants have a long-standing alliance with all, and often serve as mediators. The second is conflict with the Yuan-ti Empire. Their schemes are a constant threat to all on the continent.
Agriculture & Industry
The land of Voror is not well-suited to agriculture. There is almost no actual soil, so the growing of plants is effectively impossible. The minotaurs have made up for this deficiency by growing fields of edible moss. It is extremely nutritious, but outsiders find it very unpalatable.
Aside from bare survival, many of the Vorori people are engaged in industry. Mining is a very frequent source of income for them, and mining into the loose stones is a very challenging endeavor. Among the most respected citizens are smiths or jewlers who put the fruits of the miners' labor to good use.
Trade & Transport
Minotaur craftsmanship is in high demand all across Kirris. Merchants come from very far away to get it. Most of these come from Hnng'yar and the Kingdom-in-the-Boughs, although sailors coming from the Giff Protectorate are surprisingly common.
They don't frequently travel, themselves, but they are more than willing to take advantage of the travelers visiting their communities. The most in-demand items include food items they can't produce themselves, and any goods made of wood.
Infrastructure
While the size of Vorori communities vary, most are quite small, as the barren landscape often stretches resources to their absolute limit. The main exception to this is, of course, Labyrinthia. The capital is one of the most impressive cities in all the Twin Worlds.
The minotaurs' engineering skills are famously impressive. With little more than pebbles as building materials, they are able to create such impressive works as palaces and cathedrals. Equally impressive irrigation systems are used in the moss fields that provide the nation its food.
Founding Date
Early 1st Age
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Demonym
Vorori
Government System
Gerontocracy
Economic System
Traditional
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
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