Nine Walls

Nine Walls

(Nation)

Land

Mwangi Expanse

Capital

Matakali

Source: The Mwangi Expanse, pg(s). 98–101

Nine Walls is a heavily defended nation of Matanji orcs located in the Mwangi Expanse. Its name is derived from its nine concentric cities, each ringed in tall, fortified, hexagonally shaped walls. Despite being beset by demons throughout its existence, the inner sanctums of Nine Walls are among the safest locations of the Expanse as well as some of the most cultured centers of orc civilization in the Inner Sea region.

Geography

Nine Walls is located deep in the Mwangi Expanse between the Sodden Lands and Usaro.

Each wall is warded against demons and named, and Nine Walls' major settlements are in turn named for the wall that protects them. For example, the outermost first wall is named Ukuja, as is the settlement within it; the second wall is named Kutanju, as is the settlement behind it; and so on.

The resulting nation resembles a series of densely layered ring-shaped cities many miles across, all sandwiched between and surrounding each set of walls, until one reaches the open central settlement of Matakali. It takes seven hours to navigate from outermost Ukuja to innermost Matakali by horse.

Ukuja, the first wall

Dhalla Winddancer, a member of the Council of Ukuja.

The first wall of Ukuja is a fortress the size of a city and its first line of defense. Its populace is primarily young Matanji orcs led by veterans, and its structures are dominated by watchposts, barracks, hospitals, and training grounds for more seasoned defenders. Ukuja is also a tourist destination; colorful decor, vibrant streets, and cosmopolitan experiences welcome outsiders who are allowed to visit.

Kutanju, the second wall

The second wall of Kutanju supports Ukuja's defensive role and houses its prisons and live-training grounds where new soldiers practice against weak captured demons. Its prisons also contain more powerful fiends captured while more venerable veterans research how to contain and safely destroy them.

Third, fourth, and fifth walls

Details about the third, fourth, and fifth walls of Nine Walls are not yet known.

Witanli, the sixth wall

The sixth wall of Witanli is populated entirely by dromaars of Matanji lineage, also known as Witanji. The settlement is the academic hub of Nine Walls and the source of much of its technological and artistic development. Dromaars from across the Mwangi Expanse study at Witanli's institutions, where communal housing is common and outsiders are relatively welcomed. Rainkin Academy's nearly mile-long campus, formerly known as the Academy of Ruksaw the Decapitator, dominates Witanli's academic scene.

Seventh wall

Details about the seventh wall of Nine Walls are not well known.

Yamonji, the eighth wall

The eighth wall of Yamonji surrounds a single massive farm and is relatively sparsely populated, with Yamasans and Matanji living in log cabins and markets and bazaars connected by large dirt paths. Caravans that supply the other eight walls' settlements originate from Yamonji and snake through the cities before exiting to trade with other Mwangi Expanse settlements.

Matakali, the ninth wall

The ninth wall and innermost settlement of Matakali is Nine Walls' largest, and is known as one of the Mwangi Expanse's safest locations. It contains the nation's seat of government and is populated largely by well-heeled retired veterans who now lead the nation's council. Its culture differs from the outer settlements, with its orcs assuming either a more aristocratic bearing insulated from combat or deep scars of demonic exposure.

Government

Nine Walls is the center of Matanji cultural and governmental leadership and is ruled by a council that operates from the inner settlement of Matakali. Settlement might also maintain their own councils, such as the Council of Ukuja. Leaders are selected on the basis of their demon-hunting abilities, diplomatic skills, and honor. Council members typically serve for life and are replaced by a candidate elected by their most experienced members.

History

See also: Matanji

Matanji orcs were driven out of the Darklands during the dwarven Quest for Sky in the Age of Darkness and fled to the Mwangi Expanse by raft. Many of their people died in the process, and the survivors carved out a hard-won and insular existence in the Mwangi Jungle. What is now known as Matakali started as a military camp ca. -58 AR.

Followers of Angazhan eventually encountered and battled Matanji, with those who fell being corrupted into charau-ka. The orcs, enraged by this disrespect, destroyed their transformed former kin, and rallied to drive off the Angazhani cultists and their Gorilla King. Exposure to their demonic blood only strengthened the battling Matanji to victory, and they spent the subsequent centuries hunting demons and their cultists, capturing specimens, perfecting their demon-slaying techniques, and experimenting on their own physical forms to optimize their abilities.

The first of Nine Walls' signature defences were erected in 223 AR after their camp's first encounter with the Gorilla King's minions.

People

Most residents of Nine Walls are Matanji orcs and their Witanji descendants, with a significant population of Yamasans living in agricultural Yamonji.

Relations

Most Matanji are relatively blunt and direct in speech, but also passionate and dedicated about learning new skills. They quickly forgive minor slights, and while they are engaging toward strangers, they are also wary of any who might carry demonic influence and fully trust only those whom they adequately understand.

Matanji of Nine Walls deeply value its Yamasan population, to whom they exclusively entrust their agricultural development. They also maintain good relations with all of their neighbors except for the demon-worshiping Bekyars; Bekyars likewise avoid Matanji, some of whom will kill a Bekyar in cold blood if given the opportunity.

The Maze of the Open Road terminus in Ukuja was discovered by the Pathfinder Society in 4723 AR.

References

Paizo published an article on the Matanji and Nine Walls in The Mwangi Expanse and set the Pathfinder Society scenario Ukuja, The First Wall in Nine Walls.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.