 HeroQuest
 Copyright © 2005 |
Indigo MountainBy Russell
Cole
Yoooz in Uz lands hooman! You got friends hear, or are you for da bag? The Indigo Mountain tribe inhabits the Great Caves, the Zanthali Hills and the valleys and caves of the Indigo Mountains and foothills. The centers of population are the Redstone Caves (pop. 4000) and the Sentry Mountain (pop. 1500) with a further sizable town at Beetlestop (pop 800) in the foothills South of Redstone. The remainder of the population is dispersed throughout the tribal lands including many who live in the Great Caves, which unknown to most non-Uz are vast and spread throughout the Indigo Mountains. The total population is in excess of 11,000 of whom around 3500 are Uzko. As is the norm with Uz tribes, the ruling class is the female hierarchy of the cult of Kyger Litor. It is said that the tribal council even includes two of the Mistress Race, who were born before the exodus from Wonderhome, but if this is the case they have not been seen by outsiders for many centuries. Menial work is carried out by the pathetic Trollkin (Enlo) sub-race, who work as slaves for their more intelligent and powerful Dark Troll (Uzko) masters. The tribe is one of the most powerful and ancient in Dagori Inkarth and is by Troll standards civilized and well organized. Around half the adult Uzko are hunters and they are renowned for their ability to survive on the surface world even in the harshest of mountain conditions. As well as mountains, the hunters have the benefit of the relatively rich pickings available on the edges of Uz lands, such as in the Nighttime Woods (Humans name them the Daytime Woods) and the Bison Plains. Second to hunting in terms of numbers are the warriors of the tribe, a group both respected and seen as crucial in the survival of the tribe in this dangerous frontier area. Unlike human warriors, Troll warriors are expected to scavenge for food when on patrol and are seen as providers within the tribe rather than a drain on resource as is the case in some human societies. Tribal wealth is generated through trade with other tribes, especially in funguses and insects both of which are farmed in the Great Caves and elsewhere. The Uz city in Redstone is home to a multitude of crafters including metal workers and is often visited by Uz from smaller clans wishing to purchase well made goods unavailable elsewhere. Due to the location of tribal hunting lands is that there is a relatively high level of contact with humans on the area, with whom relations are generally cold if not hostile. The exception to this are the fire worshiping Alda-Churi tribes, with whom contact invariably means battle. The Major Clans
Military Each clan will have a number of full time warriors, often in their own wargangs, but in addition there are a number of standing tribal wargangs to which the clans are obliged to supply warriors under order of the Queen. In times of war the tribe can muster around 4250 trolls in military units, many of whom will be Zong hunters used as skirmishers, missile troops or guerrilla fighters. Elite Killers (160 Uzko/350 Enlo) The standing wargang of the tribe based in Redstone and taking members from a number of clans. This is a Karrg run wargang and although not particularly elite is well trained and adequately equipped. As the tribe’s ‘standing’ army they are lead by the famed Karrgs Son, Uzghat Leadeyes who is renowned for his ability to predict his enemies tactics and who is loyal to the Queen above all others. In times of war this wargang will grow considerably in size as additional warriors are released to it from the various clans. Murderous Flyers (80 Uzko/250 Enlo) A wargang consisting mainly of Gorakiki worshippers from the Great Caves. There are some insect riders amongst the Enlo who are utilized in patrolling tribal lands watching for intruders. Most of the wargang are actually missile troops and insect herders who fight behind great swarms of insects including beetles, stingworms, hornets and other nasties, these ranging from normal to giant in size. Byls First Regiment (60 Uzko/140
Enlo) Byls was a famous mercenary during the chaos wars who later settled down and became war leader of the Indigo Mountain Tribe. Ever since then the Byls First Regiment has served as an elite force within the tribe under the direct command of the Queen. All members are experienced warriors, only admitted if of proven valor and skill. The Flaming Skulls (80 Uzko/20 Uzdo/150 Enlo) Based at the Great Zorak Zoran temple of Redstone this bloodthirsty wargang are feared by all for their unpredictability on and off the battle field, but are accepted as being the deadliest warriors of the tribe. As well as the Uz themselves this wargang is known to field Zombies and skeletons and has historically been supported by a horrendous mix of Demons and Hell Spirits. Currently they are led by Xixabog Gorehand, who unusually for a Death Lord is a shrewd tactician excelling in ambush and surprise attack. Homeland Keyword
OriginBefore time the children of Kyger Litor led contented
lives in the dark underworld, known by them as wonderhome. When
the Butcher Sun invaded the Trolls and their darkness allies were
forced to flee or be burned. Many groups escaped to the surface
world which they call Komor or Hurtplace, one of the largest groups
being led by the heroes Gore and Gash who settled in Dagori
Inkarth. Amongst the leaders of this group was Tavtoki Blue who
settled with her tribe in the Indigo Mountains to the South of the
Castle of Lead. Tavtoki is probably best known to outsiders for
the bet she won with the Great Imp which allowed her to see the colour
blue. Many of her descendents still make the dangerous journey to
the Great Imp’s cave to rediscover this secret, as they say it helps
them to hunt better in the surface world. Like all of their kind the Indigo Mountain tribe have
experienced a turbulent history since the dawn, with times of good
feeding intermixed with disasters and treachery by other races.
In the first age with the Uz strong and Zorak Zoran popular amongst the
race, the clan was respected and feared for its berserk warriors who
sallied forth from the Great Temple at Redstone. With the onset
of the Gbaji wars, there was great hardship and tragedy resulting in
the deaths of many noble Uz. During this period Redstone itself was
nearly overrun by a combined army of Krarshtkids, Dwarves and Elves,
before a counterattack with help from the Castle of Lead drove them
off. Many of the Tribe’s warriors later joined with Arkat and
marched with him to victory and death in Dorastor. The start of the Second Age was a time of relative
peace, but the Trollkin Curse was now upon the Uz and recovery was
slow. Apart from raiding by the Praxian nomads the tribe was
relatively untouched by outside events during this period. This
changed in 976 when the Queen ate the ambassadors of the EWF, who had
requested she handover some Zorak Zorani raiders. Retribution was
swift and nearly the whole of the Redstone complex was cleared by a
Dragonewt army led by fire breathing Wyrms. After the Dragonkill
war of 1100 Dragon Pass, now cleared of humans made good hunting
grounds and with food aplenty the tribe prospered. Since the repopulation of Dragon Pass by Humans the Indigo Mountain Trolls have on the whole kept to themselves, with military action restricted to raiding and skirmishing. The only exception to this is when a large force of tribal warriors accompanied Gerak Kag and his army in the invasion of Pavis in 1240. Even today the tribe has links with some of the Rubble Trolls with whom occasional trade occurs. It is said that this time of relative peace is all part of the great plan of the Eldest Kin, which will come to fruition during the Hero Wars and which will see the Uz return to greatness. Common ReligionsThese are common charms provided to Trolls by one or other of the Scared Ancestors. For example charms against chaos generally come from Boztakang and charms to help in child birth will come from Korasting. Sample Charms: Hurt Chaos, Escape Pursuit, Find Mountain Path, Darken Shadow, Ease Childbirth, Be Still, Find Food, Sense Bad Spirits, Resist Cold, Jump Far, Sense Chaos, Listen Hard Specialized Religion - Darkness PantheonAll accept that Kyger Litor is mother of Trolls and even those who worship other darkness gods maintain a link with her or risk becoming something less than Uz. Kyger Litor is too great a being to be worshipped directly, so instead she is worshipped through her children the Seven Sacred Ancestors:
Uz make little distinction between spirits and gods and some of their ancestors are worshipped in theist fashion, whilst others are worshiped in animist fashion through the Korasting tradition and the various practices within it. Other gods of the Darkness Pantheon include: Zorak Zoran the Dark Hater, Zong The Hunter, Gadblad the Great Smith, Gorakiki Mother of Insects, Argan Argar God of Surface Darkness, Xiola Umbar Solace of Darkness, Subere Goddess of the Deep Dark Within, Himile God of Cold and Xentha Goddess of Night.
Sample Deities of the Darkness Pantheon Warrior: Karrg Master of Weapons Warrior: Zorak Zoran the Dark Hater Hunter: Zong the Hunter Merchant: Argan Argar God of Surface Darkness Shaman: Jakaboom Practice - The Dancer in Shadows Insect Herder: Gorakiki Mother of Insects Nurse: Xiola Umbar Solace of Darkness Reasons to Have Left HomeYour mother died and you were victimized by the other families who wished to take advantage of your weaksocial position. You have decided to leave in search of adventure and hope to eventually return when you are powerful enough to demand respect.
|
