Naresh
| Naresh | |
|---|---|
 Naresh, as depicted in the Chainmail Core Rulebook, 2002. | |
| General information | |
| Region: | Western Oerik |
| Government | |
| Ruler: | Priest-King Jangir |
| Government: | Theocratic Despotism |
| Alignments: | (Chaotic) Evil |
| Established: | 586 CY |
| Demographics | |
| Races: | Gnolls, demons |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Yeenoghu |
| Allies: | None |
| Enemies: | Ravilla, minotaurs, worshippers of Baphomet |
Naresh is a demonic and gnoll faction in Western Oerik.
Description
The nation known as Naresh is comprised of the lands occupied predominantly by the demonic gnolls and their demon allies who were left behind with the Abyssal armies fled at the end of the Demon War.
Following the end of the Demon War, the gnolls fought various wars with the minotaur followers of Baphomet who were once allies, as well as the elves of Ravilla. They were nearly annihilated, but managed to survive in hiding by crossing the mountains at the far eastern edge of Western Oerik and return centuries later.
In the gnoll language, "Naresh" translates as "far home".
History
More than 1,500 years ago, the story of the gnolls of Naresh began in the Demon War. Minotaurs and gnolls came through Abyssal Gateways alongside the multitude of the legions of the Abyss invading the Prime Material in far western Oerik. When the war was over and the forces of Good were victorious, the gnolls fled into the mountains bordering central Oerik.
After the Demon War, the gnolls had various engagements with their former allies, the minotaurs, on and off for years. In the end, the gnolls were victorious, but paid a terrible price for it because they had to fight the final battles against their enemies in the underoerth terrain of labyrinthine tunnels and caverns where the minotaurs lived and were stronger.
The gnolls of Naresh have had two near-extinction events in their history followed each by a period of rebuilding. The first was after the Demon War, and they rebuilt to fight the minotaurs. The second was after the minotaur war, when they rebuilt to face their ancient, hated enemies, the elves of Ravilla, who they wanted to eradicate then tear open the Abyssal gateways the elves guarded.
Because there was no primary leader of the gnoll tribes, they remained in a state of constant internecine warfare for over a century. But, when Stratis cast his weapons over the world and cursed mortals, a young child was witness to the Flail of Stratis plummeting to Oerth and found their way to Jangir within weeks of the event to give it to him as a gift or offering. It was seen as a confirmation (especially by Jangir) as divine right or inspiration for Jangir to lead. Jangir was already high priest of Yeenoghu and was already of a mind to take the tribes to war when the child came. So, Jangir took Naresh into the Godwar vying for the other pieces of the Panoply of Stratis to make them unstoppable in their crusade to tear into Ravilla and open the Abyssal Gateways.
The God War began in 1006 (586 CY), and NAresh engaged in battle with all other factions, vying to attain the divine power of Stratis and have one of their warlords claim his portfolio.
Geography
Naresh occupies the far northeastern corner of Western Oerik, barely sharing a border with the Disputed Regions. A long coastline along the Jotunheim Sea and Mare Mysticum bounds the north. The entire eastern border of Naresh is beyond the mountain range and is in contact with foreign lands. Naresh adjoins Gigantea which has "a semipermanent bridge of ice [which] connects ... Oerik proper"[1] and the polar area called Hyperboria.
The vast majority of the realm is covered by subarctic mountains. There is a comparably small, forested region in the northwestern corner of Naresh, along the western border with Ravilla.
People
For all practical purposes, there are no other inhabitants of Naresh other than gnolls and demons. There are only a few, rare exceptions to this. For example, a small number of werewolves are known amongst the armies of Naresh, as well as tieflings and other fiendish beings which aren't technically demons like Abyssal Maws, Abyssal Eviscerators, Abyssal Ravagers, and Abyssal Skulkers.
Religion
All the gnolls and demons of Naresh worship the demon lord Yeenoghu. It is widely and strongly believed though, Jangir himself would not forgo the opportunity for divine ascension by collecting all the Panoply of Stratis - " ... few doubt that the priest-king would pass up godhood for the sake of his patron."[2]
Notable NPCs
Government
Heraldry
At right is the icon used in the Chainmail Miniatures Game to identify the Naresh faction. It appears to be the hand of Jangir surrounded in flame, grasping a globe of the world.
Law and Justice
"Naresh troops know better than to disobey. To do so would be both heresy and treason, the punishments for which are lengthy and gruesome."[3]
Military
Publishing history
Naresh was only ever found in the Chainmail Miniatures Game and the Dragon magazine articles which supported it. The lore for both were written by Chris Pramas.
See also
See also: Ravilla
Gallery
-
Chainmail Starter Set, cover by Todd Lockwood (2001) -
Starter Set: Model Description Booklet, art by Sam Wood (2001) -
Starter Set: Rulebook, art by Sam Wood (2001) -
Starter Set: Rulebook, p12, art by Sam Wood (2001) -
Core Rulebook, art by Adrian Smith (2002)
External Links
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Pramas, Chris. "The Gnolls of Naresh." Dragon #289. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
- -----. Chainmail Miniatures Starter Set: Rulebook. Renton, WA: WotC, 2001.
- -----. Chainmail Miniatures Starter Set: Model Description Booklet. Renton, WA: WotC, 2002.
- -----. Chainmail Miniatures Game: Core Rulebook. Renton, WA: WotC, 2002.
- -----. Blood & Darkness: Set 2 Guidebook. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002.
- -----. Fire & Ice: Set 3 Guidebook. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002.
- -----. Shadow of the Drow Set 4 Guidebook.Renton, WA: WotC, 2002.
- Pramas, Chris, Rob Heinsoo, et al. Ghostwind Campaign. Renton WA: WotC, 2002.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naresh | Non-player character | [3e Com3], | Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e | 13, 15 |
| Sister Naresh | Non-player character | Return to the Keep on the Borderland | 28 |