Governorate of Leng
| Old High and Ancient Llaeng | |||
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| Motto: TBD | |||
| Anthem: | |||
| Location of Llaeng | |||
| Map versions | TBA | ||
| Capital | Svralus | ||
| Largest city | Svralus | ||
| Official language(s) | TBA | ||
| Official religion(s) | Path of Night and Shadow | ||
| Demonym | TBA | ||
| - Adjective | TBA | ||
| Government | Theocracy | ||
| - Hidden Master | The Nameless One | ||
| - Timeless Shadow | TBA | ||
| - Legislature | Shadow Council of Llaeng | ||
| Establishment | prehistory | ||
| Area | ~ TBA sqkm | ||
| Population | As of 1666 AN:
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| Currency | TBA (/) | ||
| Calendar | |||
| Time zone(s) | |||
| Mains electricity | |||
| Driving side | |||
| Track gauge | |||
| National website | N/A | ||
| National forum | N/A | ||
| National animal | TBA | ||
| National food | TBA | ||
| National drink | TBA | ||
| National tree | n/a - seriously how are trees going to grow there? | ||
| Abbreviation | ICL | ||
The Hidden Masters of Llaeng arose in fury against the human population of the ice bound island plateau after Natopia and Shireroth violated the terms of Lengicon and permitted outsiders to enter the ancient and forbidden city of Zi'yeh Kla. The Shadow Warriors driving the newly arrived Shirerithian garrison back to the icebreaker from which it had disembarked, and subjecting the former slave labourers of the forbidden iron mines to a close siege.
The geography of Llaeng
Llaeng is a large, formerly volcanic island that was thrust upward some several hundred million years ago. The plateau is identified as a series of connected volcanic plugs that, thanks to erosion and siltation, have been filled in to a vast flat expanse of rock. The plateau ends abruptly near the edges of the island, thanks mostly to wind erosion. This gives the plateau its distinct "walls" of cliff face that make access to the interior of the island nearly impossible. Only in the south where the bay islands reside, and in the far southeast corner where erosion has weathered a small lowland area, do people reside. The plateau is similar in qualities to the Superstition Mountains, except for being isolated on an island in an Arctic environment.
The areas of human habitation are extremely limited. The rugged terrain allows for only the tiniest fragment of agriculture, mostly of perennial cabbages. This forces residents to rely almost entirely on fishing as a source of food and income. Mining was considered a taboo by locals, and slaves, usually prisoners of war, were imported especially to hew at the deposits of iron ore found in seams between the basalt rock. The additional impediment of the boreal climate, in which the island is locked in ice for most of the year, has further repelled any major attempts at settlement. The only two population centres of any note are Zi'yeh Kla, located on a small island, and Mholog, located at the only lowland area of the main island. Both of these remain presently under the control of a Shirerithian garrison.
Llaeng has seven islands isolated within the shelter of the Bay of Madness, named thus for the winds that whip around its semi-circular circumference. Due to this natural shelter, the bay remains primarily ice-free for most of the year. This allows the small fishing fleet of Zi'yeh Kla to capture fish and then transport them across the ice to trading ships that come from Benacia. Until the advent of ice-breaker ships, this was the only means of contact with the outside world. A single small island resides off the southeastern coast outside of Mholog, which is known as Devil's Island and is uninhabited save for local legends of sea monsters. Mholog itself is situated in the protection of a tiny lowland area of the island - the only such projection - and is literally built into the rock cliffs. The small city, although ancient and containing much strange architecture, has little to share with the outside world and trades only with nearby Zi'yeh Kla, which has become more of the "metropolitan" centre of Llaeng.
The Path of Night and Shadow
The Shadows of Leng
The religious hierarchy of the Cult of Night and Shadow, the ruling order of Llaeng that has secretly pulled the strings behind an elusive backdrop for many eons, is a system based on the fundamentalist worship of the god Sslnarthn, Lord of Shadows. All governance of the island revolves around the worship of Sslnarthn and his seers, the Shadow Witches.
The Shadow Council of Leng
The Shadow Council is the ruling body that governs the affairs of Llaeng. Like most legislative bodies, it achieves quorum by majority and approves legislation by popular vote. Each council member is a Shadow Witch who, after many years as an acolyte, is awarded the honour of sitting on the council. The Shadow Council chooses from among its members one to bear the title of Timeless Shadow, and this particular Shadow Witch is made ruler for life.
The Timeless Shadow
The Timeless Shadow is a Shadow Witch of exceptional age, skill, and power. Steeped in the arcane arts of banned Raikothin texts, blasphemous Apollantean scripts, and other volumes that remain either secret or unmentionable, the Timeless Shadow is recognised as the most powerful witch on Llaeng, and as such is granted sweeping powers. Once designated, the Timeless Shadow can overrule the Shadow Council by decree (unless they unanimously motion to remove the Timeless Shadow) and holds the right to directly rule Llaeng with absolute authority.
The Shadow Witches
Shadow Witches are a distinct ethnic group of people, different from the common Raikothin stock that comprises the peasant population. Although the first Shadow Witches were exiled Raikothin priestesses, their membership began a quick turnover when a group of Elfinshi exiles landed on the island. The exact date of their coming is presumed to date to the Conquest of Elwynn in 1488 AN. At any rate, the locals viewed the distinct characteristics of nobleness of the Elfinshi with reverence, and through manipulation the Elfinshi managed to engage several youngsters as acolytes. The Elfinshi seemed natural to arcane arts, but because of their pursuance of the dark arts they have become twisted from the dainty and sprightly sylvan Elfinshi of Benacia. The Shadow Witches became a race with dark demeanours and darker wills. The young acolytes quickly achieved dominance in mastery of the arts, and soon after mastered the council, assuming the position of Timeless Shadow with it.
The Shadow Warriors
Males of the Shadow Elfinshi that live on Llaeng are relegated to a lower but nonetheless important role in this matriarchal society; they are made warriors of the cult. They are masters of stealth and the martial arts, and excel as assassins and snipers. They are often not deployed in large groups, and the small, sparse settlement of Llaeng has made the need to do so extremely limited. The strongest warrior, known as the Shadow Lord, oversees the Shadow Warriors. In the past it has not been uncommon for the Shadow Lord to be the chosen mate of the Timeless Shadow.
