Introduction: The Cephalus Mountains include the most northern point of the largest landmass of Tero, making them a generally cooler environment that can see snow-capped peaks into mid-summer. Most of the range is densely forested with coniferous trees, although deciduous trees can be found at lower elevations. The entire area is considered the domain of the kobolds, although there have been several waves of attempted human colonization over the last couple thousand years.
Geographic History: The Cephalus Mountains are primarily volcanic, forming near a fault line which encircles the north pole of Tero. The fault is not particularly active in the Cephalus Mountains these days, but there are still plenty of active volcanoes and hot springs throughout. Earthquakes are also somewhat common in the region, often resulting in landslides.
The Kobolds: The kobolds are two feet tall, furry, bipedal, and look like an unholy mixture of a dog and a rat, but they are also the native inhabitants of the Cephalus Mountains, as well as the reason why the entire area as well as the plains directly to the south are sometimes known as the Kobold Lands. The first intelligent kobolds evolved in the central part of the mountain range several million years ago, but did not develop beyond simple hunter-gatherer societies until 3,000 years ago with the invention of digging techniques which allowed them to begin building stable underground settlements, leading to the creation of city-states. These cities were generally situated at the tops of major river valleys and could control several miles downriver as farmland and hunting grounds. The governments of the cities were universally authoritarian and collectivist. Individuals had no rights to private or personal property and were required to fulfill whatever role was required of them by the commands of their overseers. While generally harsh, the kobolds doing all of the work believed that it was worth it to repay their debt to society for the resources they used as infants and that they would use when they became too old to work. Due to the recent waves of human colonization, some of these ancient cities are in a state of decline. About half of the river valleys that once supported significant kobold cities have had their kobold populations exterminated or evacuated, the valleys now supporting meager numbers of humans after the armies that did most of the actual conquering have moved on. After several decades of recovery, the displaced kobolds have realized that the humans assume them extinct and are now plotting to retake their valleys. The city-states that never fell also have their eyes on the conquered valleys, hoping to wipe out the humans and colonize the valleys in the names of their cities. These modern city-states are more or less the same as they were 3,000 years ago when they were founded.
Human Settlers: The most recent wave of human settlement was about 250 years ago and involved the hiring of a large army to escort settlers into valleys, force the local kobolds out, and then have the army move on to the next valley, leaving a group of settlers behind. While this was effective, it means that the humans living in these valleys are unable to muster the same amount of force that was needed to take over the valley in the first place. Most humans living in these valleys believe the kobolds to be either extinct or too weak to get their territory back. The human villages support their populations by trading goods found in or derived from the local environment. Each valley seems to have its own unique resources for the humans to exploit. Despite being there for a while now, most humans still see themselves as invaders occupying the Kobold Lands with no strong connections between villages. Each village has needed to figure out its own form of government and industry, leading to many unique settlements and cultures. Technology levels vary, but the closest parallel to the real world would be that of the English colonies in North America during the 17th century. The settlers are often too busy trying to make a living to worry much about religious practice. Although there are several religious orders and many cults found in the Cephalus Mountains, they do not have much affect on the average person's life.
Rough Timeline
3,000 years ago- The kobolds discover how to dig fairly stable tunnels in the rock and this triggers the development of kobold city states
2,000 years ago- the first wave of human colonization in the area meets an immediate, bloody end at the hands of the kobolds
250 years ago- the second wave of human colonization is able to establish settlements in about half of the valleys with pre-existing kobold city-states, although these human controlled areas are still referred to as "Kobold Lands"
Major Factions
Human Settlements- The descendants of the humans who colonized the Cephalus Mountains 250 years ago. These humans are somewhat aware of the danger posed by both the displaced and settled kobolds and generally maintain some kind of defenses. Each settlement is very different from the next, contributing to the lack of cooperation between villages, but they are all united in making meager livings by exploiting the unique resources of the Cephalus Mountain valleys.
Merchants- Merchants travel the Cephalus Mountains, going between the villages trading important supplies for the unique products of each town. They take their goods to ports of trade to sell or trade for new hauls of supplies and begin the cycle again. Their livelihoods are based on the continued productivity of the human settlements so they can usually be convinced to take actions to assist communities.
Settled Kobolds- Settled kobolds are the kobolds that continue to live in the 3,000 year old cities that their people have lived in since they learned how to build them. These kobolds are extremely communal in everything they do with a strict hierarchy with one kobold in charge of everything. The leaders of the city-states see the general weakness of the human settlements and displaced kobolds as an invitation to retake the valleys as colonies of their respective cities.
Displaced Kobolds- The displaced kobolds are the descendants of the kobolds that were removed from their city-states by the most recent human colonization efforts. While they are still considerably weaker than they were before being displaced, they have gained enough strength to make serious attempts at driving the humans out of their ancestral homelands. In most cases, the underground cities they once called home have either decayed beyond usability or were destroyed during the conquests 250 years ago. Regardless, each group of displaced kobolds is doing its best to maintain the traditions of their city-states until such a time as they are able to restore their ancestral homes.
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