Belkzen

Location overview

Belkzen is a rugged badlands nation in northern Avistan, home to numerous independent orc holds. Orcs first reached the surface here after being driven from the Darklands, and the nation has spent generations rebuilding its own identity and reputation. Its capital is Urgir. Belkzen’s flood truce occurs in late spring and early summer when melting snow from the Tusk Mountains transforms the Flood Road into a riverbed. Explosive plant growth attracts aurochs from their wintering grounds, prompting dozens of holds to establish camps for gathering meat and hides while avoiding open conflict. Delegates from several holds, outsiders, hobgoblins from Oprak, and a Knight of Lastwall attended Ardax’s gathering at Torrentmoot after the camp was established. Ardax aimed to forge deeper alliances between the holds. Guests participated in strength challenges and made introductions before Bonesnap led The Party along the Flood Road to hunt aurochs. After surviving an attack by burrowing creatures, they located a herd, completed Bonesnap’s challenge, killed two aurochs, and began the return journey to Torrentmoot.
Belkzen is a land of Orcs where strength and might are needed to survive. Its Orcs have done more in recent years to stop the Whispering Tyrant than the Knights of Lastwall, though the former Knights of Ozem had become enemies of Belkzen’s Orcs and neglected Gallowspire. The Burning Sun Hold has long maintained friendship with Lastwall. At Torrentmoot, Ardax sought ways for Belkzen’s holds to build relationships with neighboring peoples without rejecting the outside world or again becoming Tar-Baphon’s pawns. The Group proposed sharing orc culture, recording its lore, spreading songs and heroic tales, trading, and sending trusted orc adventurers to aid others. Ardax approved these ideas and considered fostering only after sufficient trust. Perytons were common around Broken Spears, a badlands region of rock spires in Belkzen.
Gurnak regarded Belkzen as home, though he had spent much of his life away. Davor said Belkzen called to Gurnak's blood, and Gurnak agreed that it still felt like home. Gurnak expressed that Tar-Baphon threatened Belkzen and the surrounding countries. Ardax spoke of Belkzen’s unexpected challenges and the strength gained by overcoming them. Recently, Belkzen's countryside has begun filling with undead, and other dangers persist. Ardax the White-Hair warned that returning to Urgir with a large group was risky. He departed for Urgir to raise the alarm while some of his warriors escorted the main caravan toward Cleft Head Hold. Solara, familiar with the battlegrounds within Belkzen, understood the location of Cleft Head Hold’s strongly defended fort near the Ustalaf border and expected the journey to take about four days if nothing stopped the caravan.