The Men of Leng, shadowy merchants with hooves and excess body hair, are a familiar yet unsettling presence in Seregon, the gem capital of the world. Drawn to the city by its abundant gemstones, these degenerate humanoid creatures have a particular fondness for rubies, which they claim are mined on the moon. Their business dealings are often centered around precious gems, but their sinister reputation precedes them—rumors of their taste for human flesh and involvement in the slave trade make them both feared and loathed. Despite this, their exotic wares and mysterious black ships continue to attract buyers from across the city’s markets.
The Men of Leng’s origins are obscure, and many believe they hail from the Dreamlands, specifically the Plateau of Leng, a mystical region that may or may not exist in this world. They serve the Moon-Beasts, horrific creatures who enslaved their people ages ago, turning them into intermediaries in dealings with humans. They come to Seregon from the Dreamlands port of Dylath-Leen, using the profits from their ruby trade to buy slaves at Elephant Island, who are then sent to the moon to work in the moon-mines. The black ships of the Men of Leng, capable of shifting between worlds, remain a mystery, as they refuse to share the secrets of how they traverse the planes.
History and Influence
Once a powerful race, the Men of Leng built the grand city of Sarkomand, their ancient capital. However, their power was broken when they were enslaved by the Moon-Beasts, and since then, they have acted as servants and brokers for these dark masters. Their connection to Nyarlathotep, the Crawling Chaos, ensures their place as malevolent agents in the mortal world. The Men of Leng also have a history of conflict with the Leng Spiders, a terrifying race of arachnids that once controlled the Plateau of Leng. Though the Men of Leng ultimately drove them back into the southern mountains, the spiders remain a constant threat, awaiting the chance to reclaim their lost territory.
In Seregon, the Men of Leng are most commonly found in the Jewel Market and the Grand Bazaar, where they peddle moon-mined rubies and other mysterious goods. However, their activities are tightly controlled by the Iron Guard, who restrict them to the Old Knot District and prevent their black ships from entering the Lula River. Despite these limitations, they continue to exert a dark influence in the city's underworld, especially through their involvement in the slave trade. They acquire slaves at Elephant Island, ferrying them back to the moon to fuel the ruby mining operations, perpetuating a cycle of misery.
Sarkomand and the Ruby Curse
The Men of Leng are infamous for their role in the bewitching of the port city of Dylath-Leen. Long ago, they brought the largest ruby ever seen to the city, placing it in the main square as a symbol of their supposed good will. However, this magical gem exerted a malignant influence over the people of Dylath-Leen, eventually enslaving the entire city. Those once proud citizens were reduced to mindless thralls, willingly boarding the black galleys of the Men of Leng, never to return. This story serves as a cautionary tale to those who would trust the Men of Leng, warning of the dangers hidden behind their precious jewels.
Restricted Presence in Seregon
While the Men of Leng are permitted to do business in Seregon, their movements are closely monitored. The Iron Guard forbids them from bringing their black ships into the Lula River, relegating them to the outskirts of the city. They are also kept under strict surveillance in the Old Knot District, where their interactions with the general populace are limited. Despite these restrictions, the Men of Leng continue to weave their web of influence through gem trading and human trafficking, operating in the shadows of Seregon’s glittering markets.
Their dark reputation does little to deter the wealthy and powerful from seeking out their wares, especially the moon-mined rubies that they bring from the Dreamlands. In Seregon’s Jewel Market, their presence is both a blessing and a curse—providing access to rare gems while reminding the people of the unspeakable darkness that lingers behind the glimmer of their goods.