The Hellion Ascendancy

For most of Stridia’s history, the area that is now called the Hellion Ascendancy was simply called the Wild Lands by the more ignorant citizens of other nations. Tribes, clans and small kingdoms of the more monstrous races lived here in the varied landscape. Fiercely protective of their ancestral homes, they showed little interest in interacting with the growing civilisations elsewhere on Stridia. It was the Silvermask’s war that changed this, as these smaller groups and kingdoms of people were swiftly overwhelmed by the hoards of demons, monsters and undead the Silvermask controlled.

During the war, the various “Wildfolk” as they were called, met and agreed to work together and with the other nations to defeat this foe. This alliance was meant only to last until the threat was dealt with, but it was the death of the legendary hero Sir Kaldax Brighthorn, a Minotaur who gave his lift to protect the other heroes that inspired the leaders of the Wildfolk to keep their alliance in place and find ways to work together to enrich all of their lives.

The Hellion Accord was agreed and signed and the Ascendancy was formed. The tribes, clans and kingdoms would keep their lands and agree to trade and work/fight together as a unified nation, overseen by the Council of Claws made of the leaders of each group. Many in Stridia make the ignorant assumption that the Ascendancy is full of savage, uncultured, or violent monsters but this is no truer than any assumption of a nation. The Ascendancy boasts some of the oldest languages and architecture in Stridia, and were the first ones to identify the twin moons and earth as goddesses which would later inspire the Church of Three Sisters.

Dragonborn, Orcs, Minotaurs, Hobgoblin, Lizardfolk, Goblins, Aarakocra, Goliath and many Tieflings all form the Hellion Ascendancy. They provide military support that could rival the Iron Dominion, and their lands are rich in many of the trade resources prized by the other nations. The people of the Ascendancy value the earth and the path of the Druid, Ranger and Cleric are all very common, with much of these individuals favouring the Sister Who Sleeps. The Ascendancy has also folded many of it’s Shamans and Priests into the Church who have accepted some of their teachings as doctrine.