Harrison DeVries Writing

Kaboutia is a mountainous kingdom that lies to the south of Hailgalad. It is a vast region filled with many grand cities of the Kaboutian people who have dwelt here as long as their history has been recorded.

It is said that deep in the bones of the world, their deity, Kimbaldo, crafted their kind. Under the light of an underground lava river they call Druilflow, he worked to make a people in his image. 

The Kaboutians rose to life and began delving halls of stone. Before long, they created their first city, Harunifeld, which can be translated to Hallowed Halls. It is a vast city that stretches through a lush valley in the mountains known as the Trimblevale or valley of many trees. Another half of the city is built under the mountain Vrothgarn. The mountain was named this because it was the place where the Kanoutian people vowed to remain true to their following of Kimbaldo.

Their monarch, who is voted into power by the five lords of Kaboutia, lives in this capital. In the present days, their capital is larger than any city in Hailgalad and it produces more smithed and enchanted works than any other settlement in the world. 

The other incredible stone cities are cradled amongst the bountiful valleys of Kaboutia. Many of these extend deep into the mountains, much in the fashion of Harunifeld. The Kaboutian people can spend prolonged months under the rock of their lands mining and exploring the great expanses of caverns and minerals, but they primarily live in homes that are above ground.  

Kaboutians are shorter than the average human, but stockier in build. They are skilled craftsmen in forging and enchanting weapons and other items. One interesting fact about them is their appearance can vary depending on their tasks. For instance, families who work as miners for generations often have lighter hair and a darker grey-blue skin. Others who work on the mountains above the ground have longer limbs to help with climbing. These various attributes show the diverse landscape the Kaboutians live in and how their kind has evolved to flourish in these lands.

The area of Kaboutia is inhabited by more than just the Kaboutian people. Many other groups occupy the untold number of hidden valleys throughout this rugged landscape. Some are humans that simply live in the lands. Many of them pay tribute to the Kaboutian people for protection and recognize them as the rulers of the mountainous region. Others are groups of bandits and plunderers that look to make a living from stealing from the vast riches of the Mountains.

Many Kuinan people live here as well. They are the same size as a normal human, but have a grayish blue skin and white hair. Much in the fashion of the Kaboutians, they are great miners and craftspeople. They differ from their neighbors in their affinity for using magic and stealth. While Kaboutians have been known to use magical energy, these Kuinan people are well known for these skills. Some even work as mercenaries across the continent.

Lastly, there are creatures that roam these areas as well. Colonies of goblins and trolls are not an uncommon sight in Kaboutia. Some even say that great worms and dragons still live in deep holes in the ground. What can be said for certain is that it is a difficult landscape with endless lands to explore.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: The inspiration for the Kaboutian race derives from the published work Dutch Fairy Tales for Young Folks by William Elliot Griffis. In this work, there is a story called The Kabouters and the Bells which refers to the Kabouters as the dark elves who live in forests and mines.

Source: Library of Congress