DARKTIMES: The Low Places
A region of misty marshes, maze-like waterways and mysterious barrows, the Low Places are generally avoided by those from the other six realms.
This is mainly due to the numerous tales of those who went into the area and never came out. But while it is true that the geography makes navigation difficult, the people that dwell permanently in the Low Places have thrived for centuries.
The people call themselves Sythi, meaning ‘of the water’. While some survive on the land, most live a transient existence. They are masters of small, manoeuvrable vessels and sustain themselves through fishing and keeping modest herds of sheep and goats well fed by lush meadows. While most stay on the move (camping on riverbanks or on their boats) some form small settlements, often composed of structures on stilts.
The only occasions that bring large numbers of Sythi together are the muster markets, which are held every one hundred days. Here, goods are exchanged and herds are counted. If there is inclement weather, the site sometimes changes but the most usual location is Cray’s Hollow. Here, thousands of timbers have been put down to provide stability, even during the rainy season.
Close by lies another place of enormous importance to the Sythi: the Glade of the Gods. It is said that this was where the two deities of their pantheon first revealed themselves. The mother goddess, Xara, is said to govern everything on earth and in the water. The father god, Xarod, governs the sky and the weather.
Though the landscape has generally provided a stronger defence than most armies, The Low Places have occasionally been targeted by neighbouring peoples.
Four centuries ago, war in the Vymar Delta forced fleeing folk inland. Hoping to escape the conflict and carve out their own existence, their arrival caused the forming of The Eye. This is an informal militia group raised by the Sythi when necessary.
During this conflict, its numbers swelled to over two thousand. These warriors employed curved knives, bows and nets. To this day, anyone between the ages of sixteen and thirty-six is eligible to be called up to The Watch. Youngsters must report for two months of training in Crays’ Hollow — in the summer of their seventeenth year.
Here, they are trained in the use of blade and bow but it is the net that the Sythi have truly mastered. Not used merely for fishing, the Sythi employ various designs and types of nets to catch birds and animals. In combat, they use it to distract opponents and ensnare both them and their weapons.
They often use weighted nets which are ideal for tripping opponents. Many an enemy has laughed at this slight piece of equipment, only to soon find themselves on the ground and at the mercy of a curved blade honed to the sharpest edge.
It was only fifty years ago that the Sythi found themselves fighting the powerful Kylings, who reside on the coast to their west. Typically sea raiders, the Kylings ventured this far inland due to the actions of a rogue Sythi by the name of Heregard. Widely considered to be insane, this character shunned the peaceful teachings of Xara and Xarod and established a cult devoted to the moon.
This bloody sect sacrificed men and women to their moon-god, believing they would be granted eternal life in return. It was an expert commander by the name of Eris who banished Heregard from the Low Places. Unfortunately, the cultist and his gang then began to take Kylings, provoking a furious response that dragged the whole Sythi people into war, even though Heregard was killed early on.
After months of battle, a resourceful chief named Smerik offered their new enemy a settlement. In return for permanently eradicating the moon-cult and securing the borderlands, the Kylings would leave the Low Places and respect previous borders. Smerik added two hundred prime sheep, two hundred prime goats and three boats full of silver salmon to sweeten the deal. The powers that be in Hornburg accepted his offer and there have been only a few limited skirmishes since.
Among the peoples of the Seven Realms, none are better herbalists than the Sythi. For all the many dangers in their midst — including poisonous fauna and flora too numerous to mention — there is a wide variety of medicinal plants.
Thanks to centuries of experimentation (and the odd inadvertent death!), the Sythi have created the precious songs of healing. Sung in order to aid memory, these melodic verses list ingredients and describe preparations for common ailments such as coughs, fevers, headaches and stomach aches. There are also a few advanced healers who can address more serious health issues.
Some of the more enlightened travellers in other realms are known to travel to the Low Places, for they know of the Sythi’s wisdom in this area. Most warriors carry pre-prepared treatments for wounds that aid tissue repair and fight off infection. As far as the Sythi are concerned, these are all gifts from Xara.
The vast majority of those in the Low Places conduct daily prayers to the mother and father gods. They hope for good fortune, whether that be a generous yield of fish or wheat, perhaps good health for their children. Recently, some fear that Xara and Xarod are angry, for there is trouble to the east.
Separating the Low Places from The Darklands are the Reaches, a bleak, lifeless area of grey mud, black trees and deadly bogs. Stationed near to it, Commander Jann Slaykin is in charge. He seldom sends patrols into the Reaches but there have been reports of strange creatures abroad. One soldier on patrol claims to have seen two odd figures lurching through the trees, emitting bizarre wails and groans — unfortunately he couldn’t get close due to difficult terrain.
Only days ago, a wanderer emerged from the Reaches. He reported that the usually chaotic Darklands are now under the control of something called the Red Order. They have sent out a call for warriors; those who seek honour, glory and reward are invited to take part in competitive battles. When Slaykin discusses this with his men, some dismiss it out of hand. Others seem rather interested…
Times are changing ⏳
