Seren

The large island at the northwest end of Argonnessen is Seren, home of the barbarian tribes that beart the same name. Claiming descent from humans gathered from around the world to serve as the guardians of Argonnessen, the Seren barbarians are a wild and fierce people. Some thirty tribes, each paying allegiance to a different dragon founder, make their homes on the island, the two smaller islands nearby, and the jungle on the coast of Argonnessen. The coast itself is called Totem Beach, and it is considered neutral ground by the Seren tribes, which often war with each other. At Totem Beach they set aside their differences to give their worship to the dragons.

All the Seren tribes have a similar social structure. The warlord is the mightiest warrior, but this position is based purely on skill, and any member of the tribe can challenge a weak warlord. The warlord oversees all military actions, such as patrolling the land, organizing raids, and training young soldiers. Spiritual and domestic matters are overseen by a council of dragonspeakers—mystics who use wisdom and magic to guide the tribe. Dragonspeaker is a lifelong post, and authority within the council is based on age. Despite the warlike nature of the Serens, dragonspeakers hold the final authority and can overrule the decisions of a warlord, or even force a warlord to step down.

The tribes described below are a representative sample of the variety found among the Seren barbarians.

The Bringers of Fire were founded by a chaotic evil red dragon. One of the largest and most dangerous tribes, the Bringers have been known to completely exterminate Seren clans they view as unworthy. The Bringers of Fire paint their skin red before battle and make use of fl aming oil, and they have volatile temperaments.

The White Wanderers were founded by a neutral white dragon. It is a nomadic tribe that has been charged with protecting a series of shrines. The Wanderers believe in the power of knowledge and magic, and they have a high percentage of literacy and dragonspeakers among them. As such, many explorers find this the safest tribe to approach. White Wanderers have a cold, chilly demeanor, and never let their emotions show.

The Stormwalkers were founded by a lawful evil blue dragon. One of the smallest tribes, it is nonetheless deadly in combat and therefore highly respected. The Stormwalkers have developed a monastic tradition that emulates the natural attacks of the dragon.

The Frostblades were founded by a lawful good white dragon. While they ruthlessly defend the land from interlopers, they seek to preserve the weaker tribes from the more violent clans, such as the Bringers of Fire. The Frostblade dragonspeakers have learned the secret of alchemist’s frost and use it as a weapon in battle.

The Totem Guardians are not a tribe, but an alliance of elite soldiers drawn from many tribes. These warriors defend Totem Beach and the Great Barrier of Argonnessen. Typically, a dragonspeaker priest receives a dream-vision ordering her to send a particular warrior to Totem Beach to join the order, but in a few cases dragons have personally visited a tribe to call a Seren to the guardians.