In the Asker mountain chains of the near Orientavalk a people of stone toughness and simplicity eek an existence, surrounded by ruins they themselves created without regret or sorrow for what they destroyed.
The Asker people have existed since the oldest records. Stone goliaths make the bulk of their small numbers, with lizardfolk and minotaurs being close seconds and lone aaracockras being spotted in the mountainpeaks. The average Asker is pragmatic, of few emotions and quick to take advantage of any situation or risk that offers a reward.
Many empires have tried to control them, with the latest attempt being the one of the Anatol Empire, which only managed to subjugate a small portion of their mountains. The Asker are certain that they will fail, for they have cracked open the dwarven forts that shared the mountains with them, and turned the lords of the undermountains into dust on the pages of history.
The Asker organize themselves in tribes, more often than not being of a single race. Their lands have very few major settlements, most of which are built in partially conquered dwarven holds whose halls have never been fully unsealed or untrapped. There is no true central ruler, although the greatest city is recognized to be Astarta, an almost fully taken dwarven hold that used to have some religious purposes, now turned into a fortress, river port and slave market.
Life is harsh in the mountains, the Asker never fully grasped the techniques of underground mushroom growing, so herding and hunting are the way to go. Conflicts over food and territory are common. Any deity, patron, magic or secrets that can be obtained are appreciated, with many Asker actively seeking dark pacts in exchange for power, or delving into caves in search of underground passages to lost dwarven holds and their riches.
The Asker are employed by the Anatol empire on attacks on the Istvani, a task for which the Asker empower their numbers by domesticating or enslaving other creatures. Goathounds, cockatrices, chimeras and the gigantic gergedan have all been tamed. In terms of enslaving, the Calishan, a mix between trolls and troglodytes, has proven to be a horrendous cave dwelling foe, but useful when enslaved and left to go hungry before driving towards the enemy.
Raids for slaves and goods into the neighboring nations are a favored means of thriving, though sometimes the Asker will accept serving as mercenaries as long as it is convenient and profitable for them. In battle, the Asker preffer to ambush their enemy with falling rocks, then quickly rush into melee, where their strength and brutality shines.