Khellador

The Blood Marshes

Khellador is a sprawling wetland with thick, tall reddish grass painting the landscape the color of blood, not quite that red, but that's what it has been named. The marshes are interrupted by large rivers and lakes. The lands closer to the mountains are slightly higher in elevation and have much less lakes, and the thick grasses make way for shorter, kinder variants of red grass, this is the more arible land, so here is where the majority of Khellans live.

Society

The marshes are a vast area of land, but most of it is not very kind to its inhibitors, the famable heartland, called the highlands because of their proximity to the red mountains, is home to two thirds of the total population, despite making up a less than a quarter of the nations land area. This has caused the Khellan people to grow very independent and self-sufficient, as for most of the the king is a distant figure. Much more important in Khellan society are the tribes, and the tribal leaders, who lead their people as best they can, with the aid of their shamans. Due to such geographical separation, there are a number of distinct Khellan populations.
Khellador has a king, which is the tribal leader of the largest tribe in the highlands, this king mostly rules over the highlands, but is acknowledged across the nation as the supreme ruler, although many don't pay him any mind. These kings have often attempted to cub Yenoees influence in the region, but alas, the highlands are easily invaded, and while the Khellans are tough warriors, there are a lot more Yenoees soldiers, than there are Khelland people in general, which is why the king of Khellador is to this day forced to pay a yearly tribute to the emperor of Yeno.

Regions

Khellador’s ethnic regions, known as communities, are distinct in language and cultural traditions. Each has its own unique garb and dialect, though these differences are small enough that they can still communicate with one another. All communities follow the same branch of human paganism, uniting them under a shared spiritual framework.
The Highland Communities
The highlands are the most populated region of Khellador and the area where the king’s influence is strongest. These communities are centered around larger settlements, where multiple tribes often coexist. Over generations, they have migrated closer together, seeking the most fertile lands for farming. One part of the highlands, known as The Strip, was particularly prized for its fertility and strategic importance in continental trade. However, it was recently seized by the nation of Isich, displacing many Khellan families. Refugees have spread across the remaining highlands, though some chose to remain in The Strip, now under foreign rule.
The Lake Communities
The Lake Communities thrive on the water, where the thick red reeds grow as tall as trees. Using these reeds, they construct vast rafts that serve as floating homes, from which they fish and hunt on the water. Although these lands are entirely unsuitable for agriculture, the abundance of fish, birds, and other wildlife ensures that few go hungry. Permanent villages exist on the higher ground away from the water’s edge, as the wet season causes the water levels to rise dramatically, often flooding anything built too close. The muddy shores of the lakes and rivers contribute to making traditional construction impractical. The villages that do exist on land are built on poles hammered deep into the soil for stability, and raising them off the ground for flood protection. The Lake Communities are divided into eastern and western groups, separated by vast stretches of dense swamp. Despite their shared way of life, this geographical barrier has created distinct cultural differences between the two.
The River Delta Communities
The River Delta Communities are the most distinct and isolated of Khellador’s regions. Situated at the mouth of the great rivers, far away from the rest of the Khellan communities, they are the only communities to live by the sea. These people ventured beyond the traditional hunting grounds of the lakes, or the farms in the highlands, adapting to a life of sea fishing. Though fishing the ocean is no more efficient than in the lakes, it brought new opportunities for trade—and piracy. Over time, the delta settlements have grown into two bustling cities, renowned for their ales, exotic trade goods, and fearsome reputation as havens for pirates. The sea they inhabit is one of the most dangerous in the world, plagued by marauding ships that call these cities home. Their distance from the king’s influence is exacerbated by many residents of these two cities being retired pirates from foreign lands, who care little for Khellador’s king over years of growth, these cities have become the second most populous community of Khellador, and also the most independent.
No Man's Land
The lands in between these communities are the most inhospitable they are swampy plains, covered in dense red grasses, that make moving around here very difficult. There are many dangerous animals that live here, such as various snakes, birds of prey, and big cats. There are tribes who roam the no man's land, but they are few in number, and most of them make contact with other tribes only once every few years. These are the toughest and strongest of all Khellans, being masters of this most dangerous of environments.

Status:
Tributary of Yeno Impirium

Neighboring Nations:
Yeno 
Maritime Border:
Isich 
Enyanin 

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Religion

The people of Khellador follow a branch of Human Paganism, one that focuses on their gods, and they lean heavily on their shamans, who have a lot of power in their society. They believe that strength, courage, and honor brings you closer to the gods.
Read more about Human Paganism

Hunters

These people rely heavily on fishing and hunting to eat, even if there are farms in the north, most of the marshes do not allow for agriculture.
The marshes are very rich in wildlife tho, and much of this wildlife is not that big, and easily huntable, however, there are also a number of very large, very dangerous beasts here, that would give even the Ynue nightmares.
Most notable of these are the Hippo, huge musclebound murder beasts with a knack for wanton destruction and death, their thick skin makes them nearly unkillable, and the smart will avoid them whenever possible. They generally avoid the lakes, but they love lounging in rivers, making some of these completely impassable over water.
There are also a variety of killer fish, and especially the lakes are home to lake sharks, which can grow up to four ers in length, a most hearty meal, if you can catch it.
The most beloved hunting target, however, is the Alligator, and their meat is considered a delicacy.
Read more about Khellan Culture here: Khellan