Part Three : Amn'oaz

        Amn'oaz is a tropical rainforest, situated to the south-west of Tanmar and in between Mulkor to the north and the region of Sannwel to the south. All around hot and humid weather, consistent throughout the entire year, alongside with the constant, heavy downpours, contributed to the wild and exuberant growth of various plants. Flowers, ferns, bushes, bamboo and trees. Millions of trees. Palm trees, rubber paras and the largest of them all, the kapok trees. 

       This created a perfect ecosystem for the tremendous expanse of the variety of animal species. From the insects, to the amphibians and the fishes, the reptiles and the birds, all the way to the different mammals, herbivores and carnivores. Life was everywhere, from the ground, to the tallest of the treetops. This jungle was teeming.

        Epicenter of it was the Starg valley, an enormous space of open fields cutting through the thick forest. Nestled in between four rivers, Gharn, Taroin, Rouhn and Seeir, which ultimately formed four great lakes of same names, Starg was an obvious and desired location for every single tribe living in this jungle.

       Long time ago, there were over hundred of these tribes. Most of them were wild halflings, but there was also a couple of wood elf tribes. But in time they left the jungle altogether, heading south over the mountains, into a much tamer, temperate rainforest area, sitting in between Amn'oaz and the region of Sannwel, further to the south. Seemingly never ending dangers of everyday life in this place, was simply too much for them to endure.

                                            

       Contrary to them, halflings managed to adapt and overcome the dangers of the jungle. And they did it in the only way possible, by finding the strength in numbers. Smaller tribes joined in to form the larger ones. The larger tribes then absorbed the other smaller ones. The process lasted for decades, until there was five, huge tribes. They became known as Pamens, who were living alongside river and the shores of the lake Taroin. Sumens, who were wandering up and down the river Seeir. Remen tribe, which usually kept themselves around the Rouhn lake. Qimens, living on the Gharn lake. And the Tomens, the tribe of fishermen, who wandered around the Starg, looking for a catch on all the rivers and lakes.

       The tribes lived in peace for most of the time. Often trading the food and other resources. Often depending on one another, to help tackling the troubles of jungle living and surviving. Until the events that followed the Dorull Stories novella, Prisoner of the Amulet (published), and Dorull Stories short story, Servants of the Primeval Rot (published) changed the Amn'oaz forever. 

       Amn'oaz is also mentioned in Dorull Saga novels, Blood Vengeance - part one (published), Blood Vengeance - part two (wip), Frozen Tomb (wip), Secrets of the Amulet (wip), Planet of the Slaves (wip) and Dorull Stories novella, Half-blood Princess (wip).

Part Two : Chaygor

        Chaygor is a region of predominantly mixed temperate forests, intertwined with several plain areas, creating a complex ecological system teeming with life. It is bordered with Tyrsh to the north, Tanmar to the west, and Kabb'nal-An region to the south. To the east, the entire coastline is almost completely opened to the great, Eirene ocean.

Chaygor was and is the homeland of every single orc since the olden days of the great migrations. The migrations changed and reshaped other areas in various ways, especially those human ones, who until that lived a predominantly nomadic lives. Orcs on the other hand remain in this region. Staying true to their core values and principles, respecting the land and the nature. Respecting the roots and the bonds. Respecting their history. Defending it with every fiber of their beings.

       This unity was well known to every other race of Dorull. It was serving its purpose to help in keeping the outsiders out of Chaygor. And it was probable reason no one dared to venture there, let alone mount an attack, not to mention an entire invasion attempt. This enabled orcs to remain pretty much unbothered for the most of the time. And at the same time, it also helped them to hide the division between them.

        The orcs are split in three major tribes. The Bear tribe to the north, the Fox tribe to the east and the Wolf tribe occupying the west and the south-west parts of Chaygor. None of the tribes were ever in any major conflict situation. And would jump to each others help, if any foreign force was to breach their lands. But the slight difference in their beliefs and views, made them to drift apart in time.

      The Bear tribe's main principles revolve around honor, valor and pride. They are one of the biggest advocates for peace between every race on the planet Dorull. And were because of that considered as the weakest among tribes. Something which they disproved on numerous occasions. Most notably in the battle at Novil field against the ancient elemental being Badzanogh (see Dorull Stories: Legend of Roshnak).

       The Wolf tribe on the other hand is a complete opposite to the Bears. With their sights firmly set on the prospects of future conquests, expansion and strengthening their numbers and influence. With almost pack-like behavior, the Wolf tribe managed to obtain control over almost half of the Chaygor territory.

        The Fox tribe had similar aspirations as the Wolves, in wanting to expand. Albeit for the very different reasons. Their plan to strengthen the presence of orcs in the Dorull was through the means of economical expanse. Establishing trading routes with other races and other places was, in their minds, the only way forward for orcs. With the abundance of various natural resources in Chaygor, either plant or that of an animal kind, it would also be foolish not to do so. Wood was sought after everywhere. So were plants, herbs, fruit and vegetables. The same was to be said for animal wildlife. Chaygor was teeming with it. Especially one particular animal, a wild Chaygor horse. They wanted to get their hands on them, more than anything else.

        And with a good reason. Horses were most useful, used and needed animals by far. Of course, humans bred theirs, so did elves and even dwarfs. But none of those horse breeds could even compare. Not even the magnificent Halvidar Akhals. Chaygor horses were bigger, stronger and faster, than any other breed. Finding buyers would be the easiest part of this scheme. And with the unlimited supply, it would undoubtedly lasted almost forever. But there was one problem with that. Other tribes were strongly opposed to the idea. 

        Bear tribe the most. They were the carers and protectors of those noble animals. And as such had the final word on that matter. This irreparably soured the relations between these two tribes, making the common ground for all future dealings, impossible to find. Even more so, once the Fox tribe decided to cut the direct trade with the Bears. The relations between the tribes will only worsen after the events of three novellas from Dorull Stories series: Trials of Roshnak (wip), Brothers of War (wip) and Grodish the Unwanted (wip).

Part One : Tanmar

       Tanmar is predominantly swampland area, situated at the far north of the planet Dorull. It is bordered by Chaygor on the east and Amn-oaz to the south-west, with great Kabial sea encasing the entire southern border.

           This wild inhospitable territory was the everlasting subject of dispute between the humans and the orcs. And was the central point of the Great war among these two races. The war that started because of the discovery of the riches deep beneath the mountain range of Laorn, stretching around the region from the north-west, all the way to the south-east. The war which lasted for more than thirty years. 

        The Great war ended with the battle of Tvayas hills, where human forces managed to stop the invading orc hordes, before they reached the fortress of Issurk. The victory ultimately brought the much-needed peace. And also assured humans' stay in this region, leaving the orcs to retreat to their settlements in the east. To wait for the next opportunity, which will undoubtedly arrive.

                                                                             

         And so they did, staying away on their side of Tanmar, to the east. Staying close to the border with Chaygor. Keeping the great marshlands in between them. Orcs are living in three large towns, Khoill, Zhinnaeg and Gaaran. While humans inhabited mining town of Gollvin to the north, and Vallsynk and Issurk to the south of this area. With Thirel fort, situated several hundred kilometers north of Vallsynk, build mainly as an outpost for securing the transport of ores from the north, humans practically controlled the swamp.

            

        

        Besides them, Tanmar is also a home to the goblin race. They are living in the large underground town of Nual-Deu to the south east, and in two villages, Nual-Dyluss to the west and Nual-Raond to the north-west. Goblins kept to themselves, avoiding all and every altercations. Avoiding the fights. Avoiding the war. Something which could not be said for one other race, who paid the price of their overaggressive behavior. The ogres.

        Their blood-lust, their warmongering ways, their constant need to hunt and kill, often pitted them against orcs and especially humans, for they were their most sought after source of food. Ogres preferred them to the indigenous animal species of this swamp, amphibians and reptiles. And even to the wild, mountain goats, rams and sheep, whom they couldn't even imagine to track, trap or hunt over the tall mountaintops, on the steep cliff sides and in the narrow crags, due to sheer size and stature of the typical ogre frame which reached well over 10 feet.

        Humans, orcs and especially goblins, on the other hand, had no trouble in that aspect, managing even to tame some of those animals. By doing that, they added even more use for those animals, as they started creating the concepts of farming. Which was only possible in the certain small patches of the lands in the west, north-east and south-east. The rest of the marshes were almost completely under water. Making the soil untillable, but a perfect place for the propagation of various aquatic lifeforms. 

        Tanmar is the main location of the Dorull Saga books one, two and three, Swamp of Death (published), Blood Vengeance - part one (published) and Blood Vengeance - part two (wip).

Introduction

 

Many, many years ago, when I started writing fantasy stories based around the numerous and fun D&D sessions I had with my barbarian, bard and paladin characters, to name a few, I naturally used Toril, specifically Faerun as a location for them. This lasted for a while, perhaps a good year or two. Until I decided I want to make my original stories.

And although I tried to use familiar places of the Forgotten Realms settings, ultimately I knew this meant I would need to create one of my own. So I put writing on hold, armed myself with colorful pens and piles of paper, and begin drawing the maps. 

In my head I had a vision of the entire continent. Fortunately, I decided to focus on a single, smaller region of this world. I worked on it for about a month. I went through about hundred of versions. Changing and tweaking every little detail, until I was satisfied with it. Until I knew this zone, this swamp of death, was exactly what I wanted from it.

I named the region, Tanmar.