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===== Haderoth =====

See also [[world_lore:s1:nations_and_cultures#the_haderoth_empire|Houserules: Haderoth]].

A petty, fractitious empire of arrogant, feuding bureaucrats. Relatively young, Haderoth seems destined to burn bright and fade quickly; it is apparent to most with a clear view of things that Haderoth is an empire in decline. At its greatest extent (within living memory of everything but a human), Haderoth dominated lands from the Ghastlands to the entire Valley of Titans. Haderoth has dropped to a third of its former size in less than half a century and is set to lose more to both separatist movements at home and foreign threats. It sits West of Zakarion, across the Middlesea. It is a militant, zealous nation.

The church of the patron deity, Immotian, is infamously intolerant, and has led various genocides and wars against monstrous races (Orcs are extinct within Haderoth's borders) and followers of other deities. The church is led by the Hierophant Zakariah, a Fire Genasi Cleric 29/Hierophant 5. The Empress, on the other hand, is but a Human Aristocrat 4, and is believed by those in the know to be being manipulated by some mysterious force.

Haderoth is now sharply divided by region. The eastern half - dominated by cosmopolitan cities such as Velika and Lux Templar - is the heartland, Velika being the city-state progenitor of the Haderothi empire. Worship of Immotian is predominant, and wide plains and field and crops offer little concealment for evil. The western half is dominated by forests, and the cities are more insular and the roads more dangerous. Worship of Xel - an ancient woodland deity - is widespread, though other religions are also common. The towns and cities are only weakly controlled by the Haderothi empire, and many have at some point or another declared independence before being re-subjugated. Cults and goblinoids dot the dark forests.

Haderothis tend to have tanned skin and dark hair in the east end of the empire with lighter tones of skin and hair to the West. Most varieties of Medieval European weapons see use here, though firearms are a toy of the rich.

Haderoth has strong traditions in all major classes; the church trains many Monks, in addition to Paladins and Clerics. Druids and Rangers are more common in the forests of the West. 
((Source for this section: Drew Overworld Information document and some from Houserules.))

==== Haderothi Religion ====

<WRAP hide> Everything past the first sentence probably needs to go on its own and/or an Immotian page. I'll get to it later. Much of this is from memory or notes from voice. — Obbie. </WRAP>

Haderoth is the center of the Orthodox Immotian church, though several sects and splinter groups exist. Notable sects include the Avazdeyans; and those who worship Immotian in the guide of Amarasha, lawful guide of fire and knowledge. The Orthodox church is the largest congregation in Barrow's Maw, run by the former adventurer Flaskz, but the Avazdeyan sect((some say cult)) is not unknown... and there are whispers that the Avazdeans were connected to [[characters:s1:svenja_tegen|Svenja Tegen]], also a noted adventurer.

The typical burial rites of Haderothi churches are cremation (or a funeral pyre) followed by interment; the church in Barrow's Maw offers free cremation to destitutes. 

<WRAP hide> Immotian is generally agreed to abhor undead; however, the Avazdeyan church holds that skeletal undead whose "bones have been bleached by the sun" are allowable, and it is not unheard of to encounter a priest of Immotian in command of undead soldiers. How Immotian has not withdrawn Its grace is unknown.((There are whispers that some intermediary has interceded, and granted powers in lieu of Immotian's own...)) </WRAP>

==== Misc Lore ====

Haderoth is bounded on one side by the Great Shield mountain range. The Dwarves that live there have struck a deal with the Empire: in exchange for their own autonomy, the Dwarves guard the western passage against the Orcish hordes. Warlords have arisen even in recent memory.