Tarkrath

Category	Ruins
Continent	Brucrumus
Region	Hells Womb
Founded	15 Brightstar 260 HE
Map	Lirgaza

Early in the Horgon Era's second century, the Gud-Mortoth, an orc tribe said to have traversed the four corners of Brucrumus, were dwelling on the Mortoth plain. In 252 HE, they were accused of consorting with demons. An alliance of orc tribes assembled against them, led by a legend of the Orc people, the hero Gruumush. At the time, Gruumush was still a mortal, yet renowned, with even non-orcs joining his banners. Scarred from innumerable battles and unappealing in appearance, his words and actions nonetheless inspired many. Whether this was through magical means or sheer force of character, Gruumush often found himself leading others' causes. He led the crusade against the Gud-Mortoth, a tribe said to be under the influence of Demogorgon. Defeated and fleeing southward, most of Gud-Mortoh's warriors opposed the idea of entering the Kamoni jungle. Nonetheless, orc shamans, mouthpieces for Demogorgon's very words, convinced them that Kamoni would be their new home. The tribe suffered terribly from disease, beasts, and monsters, the most problematic of which were the su-monsters.

After eight years of wandering the jungle, their numbers diminished to a mere 20% of the original, the tribe decided to settle down. Tarkrath was founded, becoming their first permanent settlement. They relinquished their nomadic lifestyle in favor of the safeguard provided by walls and fortifications. Regrettably, the su-monsters continued to pose a threat to those venturing beyond the walls. The cunning creatures persuaded some to join them in a life of banditry and mischief, while others chose this path due to a distaste for the sedentary ways of the townsfolk. Over the course of the Horgon Era, thirteen of these groups grew powerful enough to become satraps, at times answering to Tarkrath, at other times clashing with them, or even moving on to more prosperous lands.

In 265 HG, assassins in the service of Gruumush purged the Gud-Mortoth, freeing it from demonic influence. This resulted in the elimination of 21 Gud-Mortoth shamans. For Demogorgon, it constituted a tangible diminishment of his divine power.

In the Great Exodus (998 - 1017), refugees from Cal-Thaoun, fleeing the magical cataclysm in Gulimbor, arrived at the southeastern shores of Hells Womb. Initially, they were vulnerable to the native population. To the Kal-Oneans, the most perilous threat came from the Kamoni's orcs, primarily based in Tarkrath.

In the year 1036, five years into the Kamoni War, Tarkrath was seized. The Kal-Oni forces pushed the orcs further into the wilderness, where they conducted a guerrilla campaign for an additional five years.

In 1041, the orcs abandoned the jungle, migrating northward. Their numerous leaders advised them that they had consistently fared better as nomadic warriors, able to wage war as they pleased. This prolonged northward journey became known as the Arduous March (1041 - 1096).

Architecture

Tarkrath architecture is a unique blend of orc building methods and demonic influences. During its construction in the early Horgon Era, Demogorgon wielded significant influence. Through his mortal priests, the demon lord shaped the overall design, resulting in a grand citadel with towering spires, known as the aeries. While Demogorgon did not directly participate in the construction, he delegated the task to one of his demon builders, a vrock, a winged demon. Consequently, the end product boasted ornate-looking spires that the orcs viewed as lookout towers, some soaring above the jungle's treetops. These aeries featured large openings, a byproduct of having a winged architect design a structure for landlubbers. In the First Epoch, these aeries finally served their intended purpose when Ag Envok, eager to stoke tensions with the Kal-Oni Empire, opened trade with Tarkrath, supplying them with wyverns, griffons, and other winged beasts.