Hadlow

The Sacred Alluvial Lands of Hadlow (Oruk-Hadl: Hadlow n'Melthrune [hɒd.lo nᵊ.mɛl.θɹ̠ʉ.nə]), commonly referred to as Hadlow, is a tribal confederation of city-states that inhabit the Caledon (Oruk-Hadl: Zalsee) river delta, which cuts across the arid steppe lands of Orbesti. Hadlow was founded in 11760 QC by the High Priestess Leocor Hadlit, after leading several members of the Oruk-Mai and Oruk-Fala tribes southward from Red Lake (Oruk-Hadl: Orsee) following the destruction of the Mai Empire. Hadlow remained a relative technological backwater and political unknown until the area was explored and claimed by the Britannic Empire in 14347 QC, who renamed the Zalsee delta as the Virgin Islands. Britannic, and later Nova England and Hamland influence in the region did not last, however both of these nations opened up Hadlow to the wider world and introduced the heavily agrarian tribes to modern technology and international trade. The modern state of Hadlow has struggled to find a balance between such rapid change and maintaining their traditional Oruk culture, an issue the people hope will be solved by their new head of state, High Priestess Suzukit.

Etymology

Hadlow n'Melthrune is named after the former High Priestess of Neneveh, Leocor Hadlit (IPA: [li.o.koɹ̠ hɒd.liʃ]), who lived between 11721 and 11778 QC, and is generally credited with leading the Zalsee Migration from the Orsee (Red Lake) to the Zalsee (Caledon) river delta. The Oruk-Hadl term n'Melthrune (IPA: [nᵊ.mɛl.θɹ̠ʉ.nə]) is a pairing of the words melth and rune. Melth refers to a type of red alluvial soil that is rich in nutrients and produces bountiful crops. Melth is deposited in the Zalsee delta during the annual flood season, an event considered crucial to the survival of the Oruk-Hadl people and their agrarian lifestyle. For this reason, melth is considered sacred and is associated with the goddess of agriculture and fertility, Gaya. The Oruk-Hadl term rune literally translates to "can be found," and is generally used in reference to the location of a commodity or people. n'Melthrune would then approximately translate into English as the "Sacred Alluvial Lands," with the preposition n being a plural indicator.