Hillmin, stout and steadfast, are the guardians of the wild steppes. They live close to the land, their skin kissed by the sun and their hearts as open as the endless horizon. They are a people of rugged endurance, who take pride in their simple, yet profound, connection to nature. With a spirit unyielding as the hills they call home, they ride across the plains with the swiftness of the wind, defending their herds and their lands with the loyalty of a mountain wolf.
Out on the expansive savanna plains, the Hillmin thrive as small, rough, and stout goblinoid people, renowned for their skills in cattle ranching and blood sports. Living in large towns among their kin, Hillmin have built extensive networks of taverns and arenas to cater to their off-duty needs, allowing them to fully focus on their primary industry during the day: meat production. Descendants of nomadic goblins, the Hillmin have settled into a more grounded way of life, exchanging raiding for labor, and becoming sturdier and broader as a result.
Standing at an average height of 4 feet 2 inches, with leaf-green skin and yellow eyes, the Hillmin are built for labor rather than hunting. Their smaller size and sharp instincts give them a distinct advantage in combat, allowing them to leave contested spaces without suffering the usual movement penalties, once per combat. Hillmin gain a +1 bonus to Strength and Wisdom, speak the languages Merchant and Goblin, have a lifespan of 45 years, and a movement speed of 25 feet.
Combined Village of Bull creek.
Formed in the year 2280 of the 2nd age to combat the expansion of the Empire of the Golden Horn. Formed out of over 200 separate settlements from hamlets to Large towns, The First Combined Council of Bull Creek was composed of the most experienced Hillmin Raiders, Heads of the Ranches, and the Largests Settlements mayors. These Hillmin created the Combined Village of Bull creek, A protection pact that should any Village, Town or other Settlement come under attack that the surrounding settlements would rally the forces they had and send them to help. Acting as though they were one village for the safety of their whole area, this treaty was put to the test not one month later when a small village came under siege by the Golden horn and the signal was given, flags were raised and for the first time the Hillmin as one went to war. Not expecting an Army from the rear and certainly not multiple from different sides of the city, the raiding force of the Golden horn was caught off guard by the Bull Creek Cavalry Charge. The fighting was brutal but by the break of dawn the raiders had been forced back and the village was relieved. From then on it was official, these settlements no longer stood alone. They were a Combined village, the Village of Bull creek.
Bull Creek has since stood as a combined village for centuries, weathering many harsh invasions and eventually pushing them out. Even slowly expanding over the years to include more settlements. The leaders change like the winds and the economy is rather isolated due to the remote nature of the nation with its only trading partners being the other Hillmin nations it's spawned and the local Goblin tribes. But it is a chief exporter of high quality beef if you can make the trip.
Combined Village of Hamerhall
Formed in the year 2405 of the 2nd Age out of an exploratory expedition sent from Bull Creek, the goal of the expedition was to find and claim veins of iron, coal, and copper for use by the Bull Creek settlements in their battle against the ever-increasing attacks from the Golden Horn. The expedition managed to find small deposits of each resource deep within the rocky Dracadorian Desert. After laying the foundations, they discovered a few more resources, and the Auroch they brought with them quickly adapted to the short, rough grass of the region, steadily growing in number.
After about a decade, as the pressure from the Golden Horn on Bull Creek lessened, five settlements had been formed under the banner of the original Hamerhall expedition. Each settlement was established as new pockets of iron, coal, or patches of grass were found.
In modern times, Hamerhall's biggest issue is the ever-present threat of livestock poaching by the Goblin tribes of the Western jungle. The region’s meat supply is so plentiful that Goblin tribes are willing to make the month-long journey from the jungle into the desert just for the chance to steal a herd. This constant threat has led to the rise of the Hamerhall Lancers, a band of mercenaries who ride Auroch and wield lances twice as tall as the Hillmin who carry them. Fast and effective, the Lancers are skilled at routing Goblin raiders before they can lay eyes on a ranch. Paid well in both meat and gold by the settlements they protect, joining the Lancers is considered the quickest path to living the good life in Hamerhall.
Combined Village of Hog’s hill
Formed in the year 2410 of the 2nd Age as a rest stop between Bull Creek and Hamerhall, Hog’s Hill has grown into a bustling hub for gathering supplies, information, and indulging in a fair amount of gambling—much of which revolves around the town’s famous arena fights—before venturing further into the Dracadorian Desert. Located at the edge where scrubland fades into rocky desert, Hog’s Hill is the only Combined Village that doesn't quite fit the name, as it has developed into a single large village, almost resembling a small city.
The settlement grew as travelers broke down and stayed to make money for repairs, or as merchants decided to set up shop along the well-traveled road. This has transformed Hog’s Hill into not only one of the largest Hillmin settlements but also the most diverse, with a high number of non-Hillmin settlers. It is not uncommon to find Elves, Dwarves, and even Undersullen living among the local Hillmin.
This diversity has allowed Hog’s Hill to boast the widest and most exotic collection of wares in the region. Whether you're looking for a rare mount, gambling on a high-stakes arena fight, or planning to wager away a fortune, Hog’s Hill is your destination.