Fiction:The Firmament/Skitterfall

"Have seen, rise of clans. Have seen, rise of armies! Rise of beasts, of slaves, of pestilence... Have seen, rise of children of the Rat King! Children who will-will devour the world, hyahahahahahaha!"

- Vetch of Ten-Thousand Plagues, Lord-Seer of Clan Pestis

Skitterfall is a country located in the central western portions of the continent of Dryadala. The vile empire of the rakash, they dedicate themselves to the domination of the surface world, destroying and enslaving all those in their path. Under the guidance of the demon lord Skanqrak, Skitterfall has become one of the largest threats to civilization in its home continent and indeed, the entire world.

Geography
Skitterfall is largely located underground in immense subterranean tunnels, where the majority of their populated centers are located; the vile ratmen originate from the depths of the World's Pinnacle Mountains and have spread to most of Dryadala. Many of these tunnels were originally created by dwarves, but have been taken by the rakash over the course of their conflicts.

Government
Skitterfall is ruled by the Council of Clans, a five-seat council made up of the lords of the four greatest clans, plus a fifth seat dedicated to Skanqrak himself for when his involvement is necessary. Clans earn prestige by having access to the greatest populations and resources, and often have a number of small thrall-clans under their direct control. Due do the treacherous nature of the rakash, who holds power over a clan or region tends to change often and quickly, though the Council of Clans is generally considered untouchable to most of the lower castes.

The great clans of Skitterfall are:


 * Clan Gladius - Considered the military bulk of Skitterfall, Clan Gladius is the largest supplier of arms and soldiers, and is considered to have the finest warriors the rakash has ever produced. It is led by Kaltretch Thane-Slayer, who earned his name by the many dwarven thanes he has slain over the years.
 * Clan Pestis - The religious leaders of the rakash, Clan Pestis preach death and disease through its Rot Priests, the clerics of the Rat King. It is led by Zhakch the Plaguelord, one of the most powerful skitteran spellcasters in recent history and the self-proclaimed high prophet of Skanqrak.
 * Clan Chemicus - Holding the power of technology and alchemy, Clan Chemicus is responsible for the creation of Skitterfall's monsters and is always on the look for new plagues to use against the surface races. It is led by Xuk Verminbone, a particularly cruel rakash who delights in the corruption of humanoids.
 * Clan Shivus - Skitterfall's greatest rogues and assassins, Clan Shivus is mysterious and obscure, offering their services to the highest bidder. It is led by Skialk Shadowmaul, who longs for the opportunity to hunt down innocent manlings as opposed to sitting around in a council.

The thrall-clans include, but are not limited to:


 * Clan Marinus - The sea-farers of Skitterfall, this thrall-clan of Clan Gladius is tasked with creating a navy to the Under-Empire, so they may expand to other lands. They are known to have reached Khiiratsuna and Ruchera.
 * Clan Drakius - A thrall of Clan Chemicus, Clan Drakius has the most pus drakes out of all clans and values itself as some of the Under-Empire's greatest beastmasters.
 * Clan Valtas - A thrall of Clan Gladius situated in dwarven ruins beneath the city of Innshelm, Fiction:The Firmament/Volkland. Led by late warlord Snet Barbfinger, defunct as of 2686 AL.

Religion
Religion is one of the most important aspects of Skitterfall society. All rakash, from the lowest of slaves to the council-lords, worship the demon lord Skanqrak as their mighty patron and only real god, greater than all the other stupid fake surface gods. His worship is a mix of awe over his god-like powers and awesomeness, hate due to general ratman jealously, and fear of his wrath, and is coordinated by the priest caste, known as the Rot Priests of Clan Pestis. These horned white rats preach the words of rakash in holy sites (most usually located in ruined settlements of other races as an assertion of dominance) to the populace, and is one of the few subjects where the high and low castes agree with and remain in (relatively) peaceful terms. Heresies to the Rat King, such as the worship of any other gods or the forsaking of his word, are often responded very violently, with the suspects often butchered and devoured by their peers without hesitation.

Inhabitants
Skitterfall is exclusively inhabited by the rakash, their war monsters and their slaves. Anyone who attempts to enter the area is either devoured or enslaved before they have the chance to retaliate.

Relations
Skitterfall is one of the civilized world's greatest enemies, and are at open war with most civilizations of the eastern continent. They hate no race more than the dwarves, their ancient foes and greatest rivals, though their sheer age means they have fought practically all major nations at least once. They retain little contact with civilizations of other continents, but would no doubt attempt to conquer them if they had the chance.


 * Positive relations
 * N/A


 * Ambivalent relations
 * Mirseleth - With flattery and gifts, the rakash hope to use the dark elves as a means to finally gain a naval force.
 * Ogrelands - Clan Gladius has been dealing with the Starcrusher tribe in slaves and weapons in recent years.


 * Negative relations
 * Aynach - Ratfolk have plagued Aynach since its inception, and that land has good reason to fear them.
 * Duskwood - The rats have attempted to wrestle control over the cursed land of the vampire for centuries, desiring it for their own nefarious purposes.
 * Eryliana - Due to their proximity to Skitterfall, the Ashen Elves are easy prey to the ratmen.
 * Khargramnir - The arch-enemies of ratkind, the war between them and the hated dwarf-things has lasted over 7,000 years.
 * Confederation of Lechner - The ratfolk are fond of terrorizing the Lechnerians, and large hordes prowl their subterreanean regions.
 * Merovaren - While not fond of the desert, the rats have spread to Merovaren, causing many lizardfolk caravans to disappear.

Notable skitterlanders

 * The modern Council of Clans
 * Kaltretch Thane-Slayer - Great Warlord of Clan Gladius
 * Zhakch the Plaguelord - Arch-Pestilent of Clan Pestis and the Rot Priests
 * Xuk Verminbone - High Alchemist of Clan Chemicus
 * Skialk Shadowmaul - Duskmaster of Clan Shivus


 * Individuals of esteem
 * Khrat Skull-Splitter - Warlord of Clan Gladius, right-hand man of Kaltretch Thane-Slayer
 * Kril Skullgazer - Ambitious Rot Priest of Clan Pestis who skulks the outskirts of Volkland
 * Vetch of Ten-Thousand Plagues - Lord-Pestilent of Clan Pestis, the oldest living ratfolk of all time


 * Historical figures
 * Chant Spittlespark - Warlock Alchemist of Clan Chemicus, poisoner of Kharaz-Thalmur
 * Terefah Crestshriekeer - High Alchemist of Clan Chemicus and usurper of Skitterfall City during the Great Rat Civil War