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Arak was a land in the northeast of the [[Core]] that formed in 575 BC and ceased to exist in 740 BC. At the time of its creation, northern [[Barovia]] stood on its southern frontier. In 579 BC Darkon formed on its northern frontier. A road ran between them, terminating in the south at the eastern end of the [[Old Svalich Road]] and probably terminating in the north at the [[Tempe Road]] just west of [[Tempe Falls]]. A road also ran to [[Sidnar]]. By 682 BC, if not earlier, contact with Barovia was lost, for Nova Vaasa formed on the southern frontier of Arak. In 683 BC, the [[Nightmare Lands]] became Arak's eastern neighbour. And finally in 691 BC, Tepest became its western neighbour. In geological terms, Arak lay at the heart of the [[Mountains of Misery]]. Its northern frontier cut across the northern flank of [[Mount Nirka]], its western frontier cut across the western foothills of the [[Mountains of Misery]], its southern frontier was the southern limit of the [[Forgotten Hills]], and its eastern frontier was the eastern limit of the eastern foothills of the Mountains of Misery. At its centre stood awe-inspiring [[Mount Nyid]], very likely the highest peak in the [[Land of Mists]]. Mount Nyid and its sister Mount Nirka were sprawling volcanic cones that today anchor the Mountains of Misery to the southwest and to the northeast respectively. The surface was inhabited by the Arakian, a human race that herded goats and sheep as well as mined. Below the surface dwelt the true rulers of the land, the Arak. They were [[shadow fey]] who lived in a kingdom of caves, tunnnels, and chambers, hidden from the lethal rays of the sun. | Arak was a land in the northeast of the [[Core]] that formed in 575 BC and ceased to exist in 740 BC. At the time of its creation, northern [[Barovia]] stood on its southern frontier. In 579 BC Darkon formed on its northern frontier. A road ran between them, terminating in the south at the eastern end of the [[Old Svalich Road]] and probably terminating in the north at the [[Tempe Road]] just west of [[Tempe Falls]]. A road also ran to [[Sidnar]]. By 682 BC, if not earlier, contact with Barovia was lost, for Nova Vaasa formed on the southern frontier of Arak. In 683 BC, the [[Nightmare Lands]] became Arak's eastern neighbour. And finally in 691 BC, Tepest became its western neighbour. In geological terms, Arak lay at the heart of the [[Mountains of Misery]]. Its northern frontier cut across the northern flank of [[Mount Nirka]], its western frontier cut across the western foothills of the [[Mountains of Misery]], its southern frontier was the southern limit of the [[Forgotten Hills]], and its eastern frontier was the eastern limit of the eastern foothills of the Mountains of Misery. At its centre stood awe-inspiring [[Mount Nyid]], very likely the highest peak in the [[Land of Mists]]. Mount Nyid and its sister Mount Nirka were sprawling volcanic cones that today anchor the Mountains of Misery to the southwest and to the northeast respectively. The surface was inhabited by the Arakian, a human race that herded goats and sheep as well as mined. Below the surface dwelt the true rulers of the land, the Arak. They were [[shadow fey]] who lived in a kingdom of caves, tunnnels, and chambers, hidden from the lethal rays of the sun. | ||
All life across the face of [[Arak]] was eradicated in 588 BC by a sandstorm of unprecedented ferocity that scoured the land clean in an event recorded as the [[Scourge of Arak]]. Dwarves familiar with the region maintain that an entire mountain was carried off and deposited in the newly formed domain of [[Keening]]. A century and a half later Mount Nyid, Mount Nirka, and their environs remained a blasted, rocky wasteland. At lower elevations tenacious grasses, spike plants, and low shrubs have made some inroads, but there are no trees. As for fauna mundane and monstrous, it consists chiefly of vast swarms of bats, spiders of all sizes, and ettercaps. | |||
The Scourge of Arak did not harm life far beneath the surface of the land. Yet when the [[shadow fey]] emerged from their hidden kingdom of ''Niurin Scaa'' it was to survey their loss. The surface dwelling Arakians, who had been an excellent diversion from the ''ennui'' of eternity, were no more. Fortunately, others came to the land of [[the Arak]]. There were dwarves and gnome seeking lost kin. There were looters and treasure seekers too. Those who failed to quit the land before dark risked being carried off as play things of the Arak. As the flow of visitors to Arak shrank, a visitor's risk of being buried alive under miles of stone grew. Until it became accepted wisdom in Darkon and later in [[Nova Vaasa]] and [[Tepest]] that anyone who dared the hours of the night in their unwanted neighbour would end up entombed without a trace beneath its stone. | |||
In 740 BC as part of the [[Great Upheaval]], ''[[Niurin Scaa]]'' and the ''[[Sneeuane Feallagh]]'' were dragged away to the southwest by [[Gwydion the Sorcerer-Fiend]]. The land of Arak ceased to be and the [[Land of the Mists]] tore open beyond Tepest. The [[Shadow Rift]], sealed by roiling black mist, was the new land of the Arak. The old land of the Arak was annexed to Darkon, a fact of which perhaps only its [[Darklord]], [[Azalin Rex]], was initially aware. But the consequences could not go unnoticed for long. Desperate men discovered that to spend the night in the Mountains of Misery was dangerous but no longer tantamount to suicide. Individuals who returned told tales of having been beset by things other than fey creatures. Shadow fey incursions into the countryside beyond the frontiers of their former home all but ceased, which did the Tepestani no good at all for the most trustworthy [[fracture]] from the [[Shadow Rift]] proved to be in [[Tepest]]. The reputation of the [[Mountains of Misery]] for being haunted by the [[fey]] was gradually eclipsed by a reputation for being haunted by the dead. The bravest of dwarven and gnomish miners return to Mount Nirka. Darkon began work on the [[Strigos Road]] which will start just east of [[Tempe Falls]], cut through both the Mountains of Misery a little southwest of Mount Nirka and the [[Forgotten Hills]], and reach its terminus in [[Liara]]. The [[Forgotten Hills]], in particular, became a hideout for intrepid or desperate bandits, arguably making the northern frontier of Nova Vaasa a more dangerous place, especially along the [[East Timori Road]] and the [[Vaughn Dnar River]] from the [[Tepest]]ani frontier to the [[Trished River]] and even beyond. And Darkon could begin work on the [[Strigos Road]] which, when completed, will join the [[East Timori Road]] at [[Liara]] in Nova Vaasa to the [[Argenteus Road]] and the [[Tempe Road]] just east of [[Tempe Falls]]. The new road follows the course of the old. | |||
In 750 BC, Mount Nirka and Mount Nyid became active once more. | |||
==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue== | ==Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue== | ||
Revision as of 03:51, 19 January 2010
| Arak (Domain) | |
|---|---|
| File:Arak.png | |
| Culture Level | Medieval (7) |
| Ecology | Full |
| Climate & Terrain | Mountains, Hills |
| Year Formed | 575 |
| Population | 24,000 |
| Races (%) | Arak 40% (teg 7%, powrie 7%, brag 7%, muryan 6%, shee 4%, sith 4%, alven 2%, fir 2%, portune 1%), changelings 25%, other 35%. |
| Languages | Arak, Sylvan, Balok, Darkonese, Mordentish, Tepestani, Vaasi. |
| Religions | Church of the Spider Queen (extinguished in 588 BC) |
| Government | Hereditary aristocracy |
| Ruler(s) | Maeve the Faerie Queen and Loht the Prince of Shadows |
| Darklord(s) | Gwydion the Sorcerer-Fiend |
| Nationality | |
| Analog | |
| Related Categories | |
| Locations in Arak (Domain) | |
| Transportation in Arak (Domain) | |
| Inhabitants of Arak (Domain) | |
| Former Inhabitants of Arak (Domain) | |
| Flora of Arak (Domain) | |
| Fauna of Arak (Domain) | |
| Native Monsters of Arak (Domain) | |
Arak was a land in the northeast of the Core that formed in 575 BC and ceased to exist in 740 BC. At the time of its creation, northern Barovia stood on its southern frontier. In 579 BC Darkon formed on its northern frontier. A road ran between them, terminating in the south at the eastern end of the Old Svalich Road and probably terminating in the north at the Tempe Road just west of Tempe Falls. A road also ran to Sidnar. By 682 BC, if not earlier, contact with Barovia was lost, for Nova Vaasa formed on the southern frontier of Arak. In 683 BC, the Nightmare Lands became Arak's eastern neighbour. And finally in 691 BC, Tepest became its western neighbour. In geological terms, Arak lay at the heart of the Mountains of Misery. Its northern frontier cut across the northern flank of Mount Nirka, its western frontier cut across the western foothills of the Mountains of Misery, its southern frontier was the southern limit of the Forgotten Hills, and its eastern frontier was the eastern limit of the eastern foothills of the Mountains of Misery. At its centre stood awe-inspiring Mount Nyid, very likely the highest peak in the Land of Mists. Mount Nyid and its sister Mount Nirka were sprawling volcanic cones that today anchor the Mountains of Misery to the southwest and to the northeast respectively. The surface was inhabited by the Arakian, a human race that herded goats and sheep as well as mined. Below the surface dwelt the true rulers of the land, the Arak. They were shadow fey who lived in a kingdom of caves, tunnnels, and chambers, hidden from the lethal rays of the sun.
All life across the face of Arak was eradicated in 588 BC by a sandstorm of unprecedented ferocity that scoured the land clean in an event recorded as the Scourge of Arak. Dwarves familiar with the region maintain that an entire mountain was carried off and deposited in the newly formed domain of Keening. A century and a half later Mount Nyid, Mount Nirka, and their environs remained a blasted, rocky wasteland. At lower elevations tenacious grasses, spike plants, and low shrubs have made some inroads, but there are no trees. As for fauna mundane and monstrous, it consists chiefly of vast swarms of bats, spiders of all sizes, and ettercaps.
The Scourge of Arak did not harm life far beneath the surface of the land. Yet when the shadow fey emerged from their hidden kingdom of Niurin Scaa it was to survey their loss. The surface dwelling Arakians, who had been an excellent diversion from the ennui of eternity, were no more. Fortunately, others came to the land of the Arak. There were dwarves and gnome seeking lost kin. There were looters and treasure seekers too. Those who failed to quit the land before dark risked being carried off as play things of the Arak. As the flow of visitors to Arak shrank, a visitor's risk of being buried alive under miles of stone grew. Until it became accepted wisdom in Darkon and later in Nova Vaasa and Tepest that anyone who dared the hours of the night in their unwanted neighbour would end up entombed without a trace beneath its stone.
In 740 BC as part of the Great Upheaval, Niurin Scaa and the Sneeuane Feallagh were dragged away to the southwest by Gwydion the Sorcerer-Fiend. The land of Arak ceased to be and the Land of the Mists tore open beyond Tepest. The Shadow Rift, sealed by roiling black mist, was the new land of the Arak. The old land of the Arak was annexed to Darkon, a fact of which perhaps only its Darklord, Azalin Rex, was initially aware. But the consequences could not go unnoticed for long. Desperate men discovered that to spend the night in the Mountains of Misery was dangerous but no longer tantamount to suicide. Individuals who returned told tales of having been beset by things other than fey creatures. Shadow fey incursions into the countryside beyond the frontiers of their former home all but ceased, which did the Tepestani no good at all for the most trustworthy fracture from the Shadow Rift proved to be in Tepest. The reputation of the Mountains of Misery for being haunted by the fey was gradually eclipsed by a reputation for being haunted by the dead. The bravest of dwarven and gnomish miners return to Mount Nirka. Darkon began work on the Strigos Road which will start just east of Tempe Falls, cut through both the Mountains of Misery a little southwest of Mount Nirka and the Forgotten Hills, and reach its terminus in Liara. The Forgotten Hills, in particular, became a hideout for intrepid or desperate bandits, arguably making the northern frontier of Nova Vaasa a more dangerous place, especially along the East Timori Road and the Vaughn Dnar River from the Tepestani frontier to the Trished River and even beyond. And Darkon could begin work on the Strigos Road which, when completed, will join the East Timori Road at Liara in Nova Vaasa to the Argenteus Road and the Tempe Road just east of Tempe Falls. The new road follows the course of the old.
In 750 BC, Mount Nirka and Mount Nyid became active once more.
Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue
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Secrets of the Dread Realms - pp33-34 | |
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Realm of Terror - poster map |
