Caern Rhia

Caern Rhia is a small kingdom in the hilly area between Outer Arangoth and Zul Kiras.

Little is known about this land other than its tendency towards pacifism and the preference for wearing green hues among the royal family and its tiny defense force. Emerald-colored materials were used in the construction of its state edifices.

A group of evil knights augmented by summoned demons mysteriously appeared in Outer Arangoth in 471 and marched on Caern Rhia to either conquer or raze it to the ground. The kingdom had no one to turn to, given the strong neutrality doctrine being observed by its eastern neighbors at the time. Caern Rhia ended up asking the orcs of Zul Kiras for assistance.

Orcish War-King Vazhak Bloodhammer was only too happy to oblige, and in less than two weeks, an army from Zul Kiras had crossed the border into Outer Arangoth. The swiftness of the orcish response has made some speculate that the United Clans had already been preparing for an invasion, and Tarion's plea for help gave them the perfect opportunity. By the end of Sun's Height (July), the orcs had captured the Arangothian city of Kamhorna and liberated Caern Rhia from its otherworldly invaders.

Since that time, the orcs have laid claim to the western half of the region, and have been settling the area. Recently, there have been rumors that the orcs have rediscovered the ancient dwarven mithril mines that adventurers had been seeking for the past few centuries.

In response to the Zul Kiran occupation, Elvendeep and Arangoth have enlisted the Khalar Sherkhen and several tribes of Nimm to aid in the creation of a ranger patrol of the free half of Outer Arangoth. The March Knights of Kamhorna are composed mostly, though not exclusively, of half-elves from each of the four nations. Using Khalar ponies, Arangothian spyglasses, and Nimmish tactics these rangers criss-cross the non-orcish territory to lay claim to long-unclaimed territory.

Caern Rhia's ultimate fate remains unknown, as no contact has been attempted since the orc invasion.