Dur Untash (pronounced DUR un-TASH) is a set of mountain strongholds held by a sect of the church of Tarhunz. This sect covertly plans and executes assassinations around the world. Though they sometimes accept payment for their services, these Tarhunzan zealots view their activities as a religious calling and the height of service to their god.
Geography, flora, and fauna
The Untashan fortresses lie amongst the mountains of the Shields, located at easily defensible heights. The landscape of the Taizzan Expanse to the west is significantly warmer than the more temperate foothills and mountain peaks. Though an uncommon occurrence, enough rain falls in the hills to support a variety of plants and animals that are well adjusted to the arid climate.
Demographics
The inhabitants of Dur Untash hail from a variety of ancestries and backgrounds. Humans, orcs, and catfolk account for a majority of the population. Suli are quite common as well.
A very sparsely populated region, the three main fortresses are the largest settlements in Dur Untash. They are joined by a handful of small outlying villages, the inhabitants of which are friendly with the Tarhunzans if not devout followers of the gods themselves. Combined, the total population of Dur Untash is only around 7,000.
Culture
Religion
The Tarhunzans of Dur Untash see their god as the patron of assassins first and foremost. They believe planning and performing assassinations to be the highest form of prayer, somethings they take to with zeal. Methods that make their actions look like an accident are thought to be particularly holy.
Though followers of Tarhunz are largely disorganized and diffuse across much of the world, in Dur Untash they account for most of the population. Religious life is of central importance in Dur Untash, and religious services are important social occasions as well.
The Untashans are believed by many to be directly responsible for a long line of suspicious deaths across the world. When important figures die in unlikely accidents, the Untashans often fall under suspicion. For example, many believe the accident that killed much of Tirione's 95th Assembly to be the doing of Untashan cultists. To other followers of Tarhunz, the Untashans never deny their actions, though they remain reclusive from the broader world.
Languages
Common and Asharan are the most frequently spoken languages in Dur Untash. Other regional languages do not see widespread use, aside from Telan, though many members of the Tarhunzan clergy are fluent in at least one foreign tongue. Amurrun and Orcish are spoken by segments of the population as well.
Society
A significant proportion of the region's population live in the small villages and hamlets that support the residents of the imposing strongholds. The inhabitants of these communities are often followers of Tarhunz as well, though generally not nearly as devout as the cultists for whom Dur Untash is best known.
Architecture
The three mountain strongholds of the Tarhunzans are large stone edifices, heavily fortified against any attacker. They are also magically warded to further prevent any trespassers. Inside, religious art adorns all large surfaces.
Villages in Dur Untash are most similar to Mostageddan towns, with multiple stacked layers built into hillsides.
Travel
Gulkisar is built above an anchor site, though only important individuals amongst the Untashans are allowed access.
Government
Dur Untash is a militaristic theocracy. The church of Tarhunz controls political life in the fortresses, and the senior-most clerics also direct the defense of their settlements. The Untashans have gradually grown more bellicose since coming into conflict with Kudurru over their southern fortresses, and now prioritize the maintenance of a small yet professional standing army.
Relations
Dur Untash maintains no official relations with any nation. Most consider the Untashans little more than rather organized cultists.
The Tarhunzans have clashed with the orcs of Kudurru in the past, and relations continue to be unfriendly. The castle the orcs refer to as Fort Vulture was once an Untashan outpost before it was conquered in Y9539*.