A vast region of hills and knotted woodlands that stretches from the Cor’Hazen Mountain Ranges, north to the shores of the Bay of Yarree and the Sea of Majas.
Nha-Roc translates in the ancient dialect of the region to mean ‘never-dead’, which the people of Nha-Roc will say refers to the unending growth and immensity of the Nha-Roc wilderness.
There is however some debate over the interpretation of Nha, as potentially also referring to an indeterminate length of time that might be construed as ‘always’ or ‘forever’, lending a rather foreboding tone to the title. Sages that argue hence suggest that the title should be read as a reference to the seasonal sacrifices to the forests still practised in some isolated thorps and villages. Each year a large grain pie is baked with a single coin hidden inside and whoever in the town is served the slice with the coin becomes the Nha-kook (Forever Dead) for an entire year. During this year they do not have to work, are given gifts and live in relative luxury. After a year at the end of winter they are sacrificed to the spirit of the woods. Tied to a tree and the coin is placed on the tongue to pay for passage in the afterlife, they then have their throats slit in a ritual, are bled to death and their blood scattered amongst the roots of the tree.
The danger of death is a common element of life in Nha-Roc. The human population is sparse, gathered in small villages and thorps protected by wooden forts and barricades. Clans of nomadic Skaven (Ratfolk) roam the lower regions of the Cor’Hazen ranges, pillaging and killing humans, Hildiz (halflings) and Tulm (dwarves) they encounter. Long cold winters often lead to shortages of food and disease.
On the shores of the Bay of Yarree is Castle Ryre, a large stone fortress once the sovereign seat of the Kingdom of Yaemor that ruled over a large part of the northern region. The people of Yaemor prided themselves on their wealth and material gains, trading iron and steel with the Tulm of the Cor’Hazen ranges, and also raiding the borders of Lisk for gold and silver. The might of the monarchs was measured in their charisma and ability to lead military raids and claim more land and wealth for the kingdom. Wealth and the brute force of strength being the most ‘rational’ ideals anyone of Yaemor should aspire to.
The pride of wealth and strength that characterises the human culture of Nha-Roc has been slowly crushed out of the people over the last century through invasion, subjugation, disease, famine and infighting. The land has become a dismal reflection of its past, and those of sound mind have left to seek their fortune elsewhere in the world.
Well over a 100 years ago, Yaemor was the first kingdom to fall to the armies of Madawen, the monachal family and noble court were slaughtered entirely. Of the people many of them joined the ranks of the army, for the Madawen army next marched upon Lisk and also south through the mountain passes into Imlay. For many, service in the Madawen military provided a chance to earn glory and treasure, enticing many out of a life perceived as impoverished compared to Madawenese culture. With no centralised monarchy the regions of Nha-Roc were left to govern their own small territories and in due course provide tribute to the Madawen Empire when demanded.
Not long after the departure of the Madawen armies, the lycantropes emerged from the depths of the woods. Whole towns succumbed to the curse of the werebeast and Liskan generals sent armies to annihilate such towns deemed too close to the Liskan border. Many postulated that this was a parting gift of the Madawenese, a disease to ensure that the Yaemor Kingdom would never arise to power again. Others blamed the Skaven or even the Hildiz, whilst others blamed the imbalance of power in the region, the lycantropes merely taking advantage of the general weakness of humans in the region. In Castle Ryre an order of werebeast hunters was formed by those still loyal to the memory of Yaemor, called ‘The Dawn’. They remain recluse in society and lacking in numbers for fear of Madawen reprisal.
The humans of the Nha-Roc region share a similar pale pinkish hue of skin as their neighbouring Liskans, but are much larger in stature, with broad shoulders and thick set jaws. They feature hazel to deep brown eyes and thin and fine hair with shades from blonde to sandy browns. Most hair is cut very short and patterns are often shaved into the scalp with lines dyed through it in black or deep red. These patterns often feature symbols that signify family lineage or social standing.