Varastok

Varastok
Capital	None
Ruler	Multiple chieftains
Government	Tribal chieftans
Demonym	Varokian
Adjective	Varok
Languages	Draconic, Undercommon, Common
Religions	Salavaxir, Dahak, Apsu

Varastok is a kobold realm deep within the Zabros Range, hidden from the outside world by its remote location. The few who have visited report surprisingly advanced and grand underground cities, built by the kobolds under the direction of a mysterious benefactor they know as Salavaxir.

Geography, flora, and fauna

Far beneath the Zabros Range, well within the Darklands, the kobolds of Varastok have made their homes. Many cave systems wind through the rocks beneath the surface, sometimes opening up into larger caverns. Tunnels dug by the kobolds connect many of these caves, allowing for easier travel than would otherwise be possible.

The Kirak River runs underground beneath the Zabros Range. Snowmelt from the mountains above makes its way down through waterfalls and cave systems, eventually forming a fast-moving torrent of water. The Kirak flows west, eventually into the vast underground Sea of Irkalla beneath Ishtar. The kobolds of Varastok sometimes fish in the calmer parts of the river, though they are not the only creatures to have such an idea.

As with much of the Darklands, many magical beasts and aberrations live under the mountains in places few animals could survive. Most of these are highly unpleasant, and any travelers passing through the area should take care in who, or what, they run into.

Demographics

Varastok is inhabited almost entirely by kobolds, mostly those of blue- or white-scaled heritage. Some mongrelmen live under the mountains as well, in small settlements apart from Varokian society.

Culture

Religion

See also: Salavaxir

Most Varokians worship Salavaxir above all other gods, even draconic deities like Dahak and Apsu. Prior to Y6595, both Apsu and Dahak had large followings in Varastok, with endless wars between tribes aligning themselves on religious lines. Today both gods still retain some devotees in Varastok, but the conflicts of the past no longer matter as the kobolds now have new purpose.

Akki the Truth Teller, the first prophet of Salavaxir, arrived in Varastok in Y6595. An unusual looking kobold with translucent scales, Akki came up from the depths near Lohik displaying great power and magical abilities he attributed to his god. Though many resisted the newcomer and his teachings, news of Salavaxir soon spread across the communities of Varastok.

Since Akki, other kobolds have become prophets of Salavaxir as well. Those that are granted divine favor almost always receive this boon after becoming lost in the depths of the caves far below Varasok. Some kobolds have taken to suicidally venturing into the lower levels of the Darklands underprepared and underequipped in hopes of becoming a new prophet. Every time a new prophet appears, they display previously unrealized magical abilities and bear commandments from Salavaxir as to how he should be worshiped; usually this involves massive mining and construction projects or offerings of vast amounts of refined minerals to be deposited in remote caverns.

The exact nature of Salavaxir is unclear. The Varokians refer to him as a god or a dragon interchangeably, but it is unclear if those are separable ideas to the kobolds. Salaxavir has only revealed himself to those chosen as his prophets, remaining hidden from the broader population. Varok clerics seem to be granted limited divine spells, proving there is at least a spark of the divine involved.

Society

Following the commandments of Salavaxir, the kobolds of Varastok have abandoned their dens and snarls for magnificent, well ordered cities carved out of the caverns below ground. The large thoroughfares and edifices of these cities are highly unlike the communities usually built by kobolds. Followers of Salavaxir insist these cities and their often idiosyncratic features are built to the requirements of their god, and are intended more as temples in which the kobolds also happen to reside.

Under Salavaxir's influence, the kobolds have changed from being suspicious of outsiders to outwardly hostile to those that would seek to visit their realm. As a result there is little known about much of the goings on of Varastok, mostly limited to knowledge imparted by the rare kobold who leaves the cities under the mountains.

Languages

Effectively all Varok kobolds speak Draconic as a first language - for many, it is the only language they understand. Others may know Undercommon, Common, or languages of other denizens of the Darklands.

In the tunnels and caves away from their homes, the kobolds often communicate by banging on the stone walls and floors with specially crafted bone clubs. The patterns in these noises can quickly convey simple meanings, though the method falls short when it comes to more complicated ideas. These sounds can carry for quite a distance, ideal for alerting others of danger or valuable resources.

Food and cuisine

Even so far underground, the kobolds find plenty to eat. Varok kobolds farm mushrooms and other fungi, as well as scavenge those growing wild. Fish are caught from the Kirak River and its tributaries, supplemented by meat obtained by hunting underground creatures.

Some animals, like slurks, giant bats, and giant ants, are used by the Varok kobolds as pack animals or mounts.

Government

Tribes of kobolds in Varastok are led by chiefs, who are usually particularly powerful and adept sorcerers. Clerics are usually high ranking figures in Varok society as well, as are particularly skilled builders. These tribes are hierarchical, though leadership is not hereditary. Instead, chiefs are usually simply those that can muster the force to back up their claim, whether that be through shrewd diplomacy or, more uncommonly, violence. Most Varok tribes recognize Salavaxir as their ultimate ruler, with the chieftains simply serving as intermediaries so the god doesn't have to concern himself with the trivial details of kobold life.

Economy

The kobolds tribes of Varastok are highly communal - possessions beyond what can be carried on one's person are uncommon. Instead, all resources and items are used to ensure the continued survival and success of the tribe.

Relations

Occasionally kobolds from Varastok venture out of the mountains to steal from the communities of Ishtar and New Sotosa. This used to be a relatively common practice when the kobolds' territory reached further south, but since the worship of Salavaxir began is now only done for special objects their god's prophets say the deity requires.