The Lands of Relan Ashak

Halken
Etymology

Relan Ashak is home to the Halken (pronounced HAL-ken), a nomadic mountain people inhabiting the lower ranges of The Towers Mountain Range. They are renowned for their endurance and their connection to the migrating beasts that live in the plains and mountain steppes of the region. The Halken do not have permanent settlements and instead follow the seasonal migration of the herds and live in small family caravans each with their own traditions and stories. The Halken participate in trade and information sharing between caravans while very rarely war breaks out among neighbouring families. The area of Khar Mavak is a great spiritual location where the ancient beast known as Kuzzah fell, its skeletal bones reach high into the sky and many traditions and ceremonies are performed on the site.

The term Halken is derived from their own tongue, meaning "Beastkeepers." To outsiders they are known as Greyfolk, Eastlanders or Beastfolk. The people of the area refer to themselves as Halken which is the name used amongst all families in the area.



The Highest point in Relan Ashak is Haldrith's Fang sitting at 4,591 metres. On top of Haldrith's Fang is saig to be the Axe of Yuldrapid an ancient weapon held by the Shaman Yuldrapid. It is said to call the wind to aid the wielder.

The Halken inhabit the foothills of the towers and the plains surrounding the Wild Coast. Much of the flat land away from the mountain is grassland perfect for animal grazing with the majority of the lowland beasts being grazers. To the north are Ridge, large bi-horned creatures with a large head for display and combat. There are the more nimble Caribex to the South which also have two horns used for display and combat. These herds usually stay clear of each other where the Ofaxe prefer the tougher vegetation of the mountains Caribex prefer the lush vegetation found in the lower grasslands. Ofaxe has few predators though are known to be hunted by trolls and mountain Drakkels. Caribex have a few predators like the Maned Heerk and the Teboora.

   

Caribex

Ofaxe