Page 99 - Serpent Kingdoms

REALMS

population was concentrated in three major empires, plus a host Lapaliiya
of lesser realms. The northernmost empire of the sarrukh was
Isstosseffi fi l, which lay along the western edge of what is now Capitol: Sheirtalar
called Anauroch. At that time, the Narrow Sea ran along the Population: 1,217,642 (humans 95% [Shaarans 50%, Calishites
eastern slopes of the mountains known as the Greypeaks. 36%, Tashalans 12%, Chultans 1%, Halruaans 1%], yuan-ti
Like their kin in Mhairshaulk and Okoth, the Isstossef 2%, rock gnomes 2%, wild dwarves 1%)
created many races in their own image. It was they who devel- Government: Limited monarchy
oped the asabis (also known as laertis) and stingtails, as well as Religions: Amphisbaena the World Serpent (Sseth [Set]),
other reptilian races capable of dwelling in the depths of the Bhaelros (Talos), Deneir, Chauntea, Eldath, Garl Glittergold,
Underdark. During their explorations of the Realms Below, Ilmater, Kelemvor, Lliira, Selûne, Silvanus, Tempus, Tiamat,
the Isstossef encountered such alien races as aboleths and Umberlee, Waukeen
phaerimms, although whether those races had dwelt there all Imports: Armor, beef, gems, fruit, iron, jewelry, pottery,
along or were inadvertently summoned by the Isstossef remains weapons
a matter of conjecture. Exports: Olives, pearls, roe, seafood, spices, wine, wood
The fall of Isstosseffi fi l dates back to an ancient war with Alignment: LE, NE
the phaerimms, circa –33,800 DR. In an effort to drown the
Phaerlin (known today as the Buried Realms) and dispatch their The Lapal League is a confederation of city-states along the
enemies in one masterful stroke, Isstossef wizards rerouted the southeastern shore of the Shining Sea. Loosely ruled by the
Narrow Sea so that it ran from east to west, inundating the Overking of Sheirtalar, these small realms are sometimes known
land around the chain of hills known today as the Tagorlar as the Cities of the Seabreeze, though that phrase technically
with water. Although the Isstossef succeeded in driving the also includes Narubel, Tashluta, Ormpur, and the ruins of Pro-
phaerimms deep into the Underdark, the massive ecological calith. Lapaliiya stretches from the eastern end of the Delphin
change resulting from their weavings of the Art caused their Mountains to the Sheir Peninsula, and from the shores of the
empire to collapse. Shining Sea to the northern edge of the Mhair Jungles, the
A handful of Isstossef spellcasters embraced a form of li- Great Wall of Halruaa, the western edge of the Bandit Wastes,
chdom in an effort to preserve the legacy of their empire at and the peaks of the Dun Hills.
any cost. They then retreated into the bowels of Oreme while
the empire crumbled about them. To their surprise, these few Life and Society
remaining Isstossef discovered that the phaerimms had not
been destroyed, and they were hard pressed to erect wards The inhabitants of Lapaliiya are zealous warriors and industri-
around their subterranean home in time to hold off the invad- ous merchants who place tremendous value on personal honor
ers. During all the millennia since, the sarrukh liches of Oreme and propriety. Duels and feuds over slights that folk of other
have observed the world around them, scrying on the activities lands might readily dismiss are common. Almost all positions of
of their progeny, without ever venturing from the confi nes of power are dominated by Tashalans, despite their minority status
their ruined city. They observed the rise and fall of Netheril, the in the country as a whole.
formation of the Great Desert, and most recently, the return of Ophiophobia is common here. Serpentfolk are slain on sight
Shade and the sharp check dealt to the phaerimms. It is unclear if they reveal themselves as such, and overt dealings with them
what it would take to convince the remaining Isstossef to emerge are punishable by death. Nevertheless, the serpentfolk wield
from their ancient home, but if these events do not provide suf- considerable infl uence in Lapaliiya, and offi cials routinely
fi cient motivation, perhaps nothing would. overlook suspicious dealings involving persons with signifi cant
political strength.
Plots and Rumors Each city-state in the Lapal League has a civic deity, and
its citizens discourage all other faiths. Confl ict (whether overt
The recent events in this area provide several interesting con- political disagreements or covert skullduggery) occurs more fre-
cepts for adventuring. quently within the confederation than with its neighbors. Clerics
Return of the Asabis: The defeat of the phaerimms in the and monks enjoy positions of respect and authority in Lapaliiya,
recent war with Shade and Evereska has released large numbers while arcane spellcasters are viewed with some suspicion—an
of asabis from indentured servitude. Although many of these attitude that dates back to the Rage of Wizards (1142 DR).
creatures are now seeking work as mercenaries outside of An- The dark god of Lapaliiyan myth is Amphisbaena the World
auroch, a signifi cant minority has begun migrating toward the Serpent, who has wrapped the world in his coils and is slowly
Frozen Sea. Perhaps the liches of Oreme have at last summoned crushing it into pulp as he devours himself.
home their wayward progeny, or perhaps the asabis are being In centuries past, Lapaliiya was a nation only in name, ruled
drawn there for some other reason. In either case, their activities by an essentially powerless Grand Council made up of the satraps
are likely to draw a new wave of treasure seekers to the ancient of the fi ve most powerful city-states. The union of the ruling
ruins of Oreme. houses of Sheirtalar and Lushpool in the Year of Glad Tidings

98

620_96566_SerpentKin92-135.indd 98 5/12/04, 4:11:00 PM