Editing D&D5:NoMansLand (section)

===The "Wild" Nations===
While it is more diplomatic to refer to the Orc, Goblin, and Lizardfolk nations by their proper names, or as the Peoples of the Land, in common usage they are referred to as the Wild Nations. They are the original inhabitants of Aukroa, along with many other across the continent, who lived there for millennia, before the refugees from the fourth continent settled in Aukroa following its destruction in the Rain of Unending Sorrow.

Sylverda, keeping with its governing philosophy of harmony with its surroundings has, in general, had better relationships with the Wild Nations than its sister cities have, but there have been conflicts.
====The Khanate of Rau====
Across the Low Mountain, in the Steppes of Rau, the Orcs, and those other peoples who dwell with them, live. Ferocity is their guiding principle, though they see it as the way they live with each other, not with other peoples, who they see as inherently weaker. They are nomadic, living and moving with their great herds of aurochs, who serve as food, mounts, beasts of burden, and weapons of war. There are eleven Clans, who are ordered from strongest to weakest. Between the Clans, there is the expectation that only the weaker may instigate hostilities with the stronger; preying on the weak is seen as disgraceful, while the weak seeking to become strong is seen as praiseworthy.

Every three years, the eleven clans come together to have a Grand Battle, where each Clan does battle with their strongest warriors, though typically not to the death. The battle begins as the last sliver of light vanishes at dusk, until the first glimmer of light at dawn. The Clan whose warriors stand within the Circle of Judgement by the time the Grand Battle ends are judged the strongest, and their leader becomes Khan of the Clans until the next Grand Battle. The other clans are judged by their performance in the Grand Battle, and a new order of strongest to weakest is recognized.

The last three battles have seen victory by the Eyeless Moon clan, led by Ravekhram the Sky-Cleaver. The Khantate is usually held by the Eyeless Moon, or their traditional rivals, the Horns of Graz, led by Vrememami the Doom-Eye.

There is a twelfth clan, the Silent Stones, who do not take part in the Grand Battle, and serve as adjudicators between the clans.

There is some mild trade between the Khanate and Sylverda, but neither has much that the other desires. Sylverda would very much like the Khanate as an ally, should war break out with the Empire again, but the Khanate's view is that only the weak seek allies. The sour note in the relations between the nations comes from encroachments on Khanate lands by settlers from Wyffleum. As Sylverda and Wyffleum are allied states, the Khan considers Sylverda to be in part responsible for restraining their fellow Allied State, while Wyffleum seeks to have Sylverda help protect their settlers from Orcish raids.

====The Darkwood Demense====
Deep in the Mother Forest, is the land of the Goblins and their allies, the Darkwood Demense. It overlaps in part with the villages of the Shadow Elves, but for the most part, their relations are good, and of all the Peoples of the Land, they have the best relations with Sylverda.

Goblins delight in cunning and trickery. They are very territorial, and anyone wishing to enter the Darkwood should try to make contact at the edge, lest they be viewed as a trespasser. People who wander into their woods without permission are likely to find themselves subjected to a series of embarrassing tricks and traps that end with them safely, if somewhat tattered, back outside the Darkwood. People who enter with hostile intent are dealt with much less gently.

To the outside observer, there seems to be very little organization or hierarchy in Goblin culture. Paradoxically, they admire both the very clever, and the very foolish, and disdain those that fall between those measures. Every trickster needs someone to trick, else the trick goes wasted. A complete fool can make a fool of the most clever goblin, and a clever person makes the best target for the most clever of tricks.

Their sense of property is communal, rather than personal, excepting what a goblin might carry on their person. Anything can be used by anybody, as long as a majority doesn't object at the time. They're aware that other cultures have a rather different view property, and generally confine their borrowing to their fellow goblins.

Their lack of hierarchy can make them difficult for outsiders to deal with, but, generally, if an outsider can get a goblin to vouch for them, and doesn't cause too much trouble, the other goblins will abide by what the the first goblins decided. A person who plays their role in a trick with good humor or wit is appreciated.

The main source of conflict are poachers in the Darkwood, for there are many creatures in the Darkwood, such as displacer beasts, that are valued for their hides or other parts. If the goblins feel the Wardens aren't doing enough to stop poachers, they may retaliate by raiding Sylverdan lands for game or forage, or by stealing from nearby settlements.

====The Queztlan Resistance====
On the southern edge of the Mother Forest, between the forest and the Lake of the Dragon's Descent, is the Marsh of the Drowned. There, the Lizardfolk and their alllies make their home. The relations between the Resistance and Sylverda can be described as tense, at best.

The Lizardfolk have never forgiven the ancestors of the inhabitants of Sylverda for driving their ancestors from their homes. What had once been a grand nation of philosopher-priests has become a nations of soldiers under eternal military rule. When The Jhorzan Empire went to war with the Allied States, the Queztlan Resistance joined as co-belligerents, forcing Sylverda to keep troops on its southern border and disrupting the movement of troops from Wyffleum marching to aid Slyverda.

The Queztlans managed to rouse the black dragon Uxetlavanku from her centuries longs slumber, and called upon the ancient pact between their ancestors and her. For a while, the Queztlans made inroads into Sylverda, but a heroic band of individuals battled Uxetlavanku to standstill, forcing her to retreat to nurse her wounds. Before she could rejoin the fight, Auraryuma entered the battle against the Empire on the Allied States side, and rather than risk conflict with her uncle, Uxetlavanku resolved to stay in her lair.

When the war with the Empire reached its current stalemate, Sylverda and it allies were able to drive the Queztlan Resistance back to their previous borders. The High Marshall of Wyffleum, LLyenne Sweynne, wanted to push on and conquer the Marsh of the Drowned, but Lady Ve'meehta of Sylverda insisted that they go no further, stating that she recognized the legitimate grievances of the Queztlan, and while she could not do much to address them, at very least she would do all in her power to not add to them.

Functionally, the Queztlan Resistance is a military dictatorship, and has been for centuries. Its children are raised on stories of their glorious past, and the crimes of the Allied States. What it lacks, are the numbers and the power to carry out their wishes. The current leader is Regent Skerk'sa (regent, because the Queztlans will acknowledge no king until they once again hold dominion over their ancient homeland).

For now, conflict with Sylverda is limited to raids and border harassment. For now, the Sylverdan leaders refuse to retaliate, but there are rumblings of discontent among the Wardens and the villages near the Marsh of the Drowned.