History: Caer Tan

In the realm of Valladhel, the Graywall Mountains make up a majority of the region known as Caer Tan. It is home to the largest active volcano of Orm. The original settlers of the area were chromatic dragonborn, whose legends tell of how their goddess Tiamat carved the region from the depths of the world. The volcano is said to be the portal to her realm and is the home of the current Lord of Fire, the ancient red dragon Nergirsu.

For thousands of years, the chromatic dragons and their kin held territory within Caer Tan, but the barren land and their own selfish pursuits left them ineffective and easily hemmed in by the city-states surrounding them. Constant in-fighting and civil wars decimated their ranks and it seemed that the power of the dragonborn would diminish into nothingness.

It was then that Tiamat sent her avatar, an ancient red dragon named Nergirsu. Gifted with immense power from his matron deity, Nergirsu cast aside his chaotic nature and successfully united Caer Tan's fractured citizens. Other chromatic dragons bowed their heads to the Fire King and swore fealty, either through true loyalty to Nergirsu's cause or for their own reasons of self-preservation and power.

Once Caer Tan was united, Nergirsu established a system of government in the fortress city of Geirsteskali and placed his most-loyal lieutenants in high-ranking positions, and built his home within Orm itself. He then organized hunting parties composed of other powerful chromatic dragons backed by scores of dragonborn followers, and ordered them to track and slay metallic dragons and their kin. This great purge went unnoticed at first as individual dragons were isolated and often without contact with others.

By the time the neighboring city-states and other races noticed what was happening, it was too late. Many, if not all, metallic dragons had been killed and what metallic dragonborn survived had been scattered and forced into hiding. Thus did Caer Tan finally wage war upon the world, launching powerful and devastating draconic attacks. The skies darkened with dozens of outstretched wings, raining fire and gas upon the hapless defenders, while thousands of armored dragonborn troops marched into the villages, towns, and cities, sacking any that stood in their way.

As Caer Tan conquered more territory, other evil-aligned races flocked to Nergirsu's banner. Caer Tan's power grew exponentially with each victory, until domination of the realm was inevitable. The realm is now under control of Nergirsu and his draconic legions, a tyrannical rule subjugating its citizens in fear and compliance.

In Valladhel, dragonborn of chromatic nature are evil and serve the Fire Lord Nergirsu. There are metallic dragons and dragonborn, but they are hunted down with ferocity and those rare survivors have gone into hiding.

Caer Tan itself claims the region made up of the Graywall Mountains through the northern glacial mountain chain of Dragonspine. Nergirsu is the lord and emperor of the realm whose home is within the Orm Volcano, which constantly vents ash and magma and darkens the skies. While Nergirsu is the Fire Lord, the governance and day-to-day operation of Caer Tan is in the hands of trusted servants.

Nergirsu is served by a number of lieutenants:

* Ambuchar, the Bile of the East, is an ancient black dragon that lives in the swampy ruins north of Acfeld. He commands the ashfall regions from the Maha Waste down through The Desert of Thorns.

* Sumadea, Rime of the South, is an ancient white dragon that lives in the ruins near the southern ice cap, just east of Weebluff, City Beneath the Arch. Her region stretches from Caer Aiccan by the Sea of Steel and Caer Ilil near the Sea of Kato, through Caer Harbe along the Llandy Vale, until Tyne Vale and the Fangwood Forest, where it meets the Llino Woods.

* Alikil, Bane of the North, is an ancient green dragon. His region stretches from the Greenwyrm Vale and the lands above the Sea of Alus and the Sea of Stars, until Earntun, the City of Lamps and down to the Withered Woods. Alikil's lair is within the Cwmbrynmawr Vale.

* Marganth, the Spark of the West, is an ancient blue dragon that makes her home beneath the waves in the Sea of Shadows. She controls the main seas surrounding it and is responsible for aquatic defense. Many dragon turtles act as her enforcers below the waves, as well as a number of sahuagin and merrow tribes. Marganth is the only dragon that does not have direct contact with a surface hold; instead a roving fleet of warships act as her correspondence with the rest of the realm.

* Kharsamsu, the Prime Minister of Geirsteskali and head of all government operations across the Empire. Few have held audience with this cold and mysterious entity, and imperial edicts are often handed down to City Governors and lesser officials for enforcement.

* Belsheshba, an unknown draconic entity rumored to be stalking the black caves of the Underdark. This being is only heard of through whispers and rumors, and little mention is ever made in any official Caer Tan proclamations.

The cities and towns throughout the realm are ruled by local governors. Many governors are chromatic dragonborn, but there are non-draconic lords and ladies that have acquired their positions through strength or were rewarded for their service to the Empire. Some areas even call monstrous creatures like beholders and giants as their rulers.

Nergirsu has appointed as his personal enforcer and primary operative the dangerous individual known as Ohm the Unnatural, who travels the realm rooting out rebellion and ensuring that the city-states and lordships maintain policies that keep Nergirsu in power. Ohm commands the Order of the Shattered Souls, the imperial military of Caer Tan. In addition to protecting Caer Tan's interests, The Order is responsible for finding and eliminating any hint of metallic dragonkind. Unlike the government of Geirsteskali or the religious heart in Olindrfell, the Shattered Souls do not have a primary base of operations. Instead, they have quasi-independent fortresses scattered throughout the realm. Comprised almost entirely of chromatic dragonborn, these champions, battlemasters, and assassins of Tiamat can be found in all cities, acting as an extension of Nergirsu's military might. Whatever guards a town may have, the authority of the Shattered Souls is enough that any of its representatives can commandeer the local militia to further their goals.

Esesuuk, the dragonborn Minister of Worship, and by extension Mammyl, dragonborn High Priest of Olindrfell, foster the worship of Tiamat. Shrines and temples dedicated to the Dragon Queen are in every city throughout Valladhel, and its clergy are not only responsible for administering the rites, but also ensuring that the populations under their jurisdiction continue to adhere to the doctrines set forth by Nergirsu and the government of Geirsteskali.

Esesuuk has been granted permission by Nergirsu to form a militia of dragonborn paladins to protect sacred sites and the clergy. Calling themselves the Thurlahvu, these fanatical warriors round up non-believers and smite down any sign of heresy. While they call Olindrfell their base of operations, the Thurlahvu can be found wherever a representative of the Church of Tiamat is present.

The jurisdiction of Olinderfell's Thurlahvu often comes into conflict with agents of The Order of Shattered Souls, as both sides believe their authority and influence are paramount to the other. In truth, Nergirsu has both on equal footing, as it helps prevent any one faction from obtaining too much power.

How do non-Dragonborn fit in the hierarchies of the Empire? Can compliant members of other races gain wealth and power, so long as their importance does not eclipse that of the Dragonborn and Dragons?

Non-draconic individuals can achieve prominence within the empire. Some may be appointed to positions of rank within the government as a reward for deeds benefiting Caer Tan. Others might run businesses or guilds that support the empire, such as shipping or mining companies. A select few may have even acquired their power through the subtle elimination of potential rivals.

Of course, the more prestige you gain in the eyes of Caer Tan, the greater the scrutiny from the Order of Shattered Souls, the Thurlahvu, or the Department of the Interior. And anyone, even draconic officials, can find themselves with a target on their back from the next up-and-coming individual with aspirations of power.

Much of the world sees enough stability to maintain a decent way of life. The dragons of Caer Tan allow the cities to rule themselves as they used to, just so long as fealty is maintained. You still have the rich and the poor, the merchants and the guilds, all trying to make the best for themselves under the watchful draconic eyes.

If anything, Caer Tan has created a greater community. It's not uncommon to find hobgoblins browsing the market stalls with half-elves or drow chefs designing a menu for dwarves. Racial and species prejudices still exist, of course, but they've taken a back seat now that the dragons are in charge.