Zurogh and its surroundings have been the territory of the Falling River tribe of hobgoblins for decades, if not centuries. When the soldiers of the Empire arrived and took control of the town, some of the local Falling River tribesfolk fled to further flung territories, but most were unwilling to leave. The Falling River tribe in particular seems to have a close connection to the land, and many find it unthinkable to leave a place so sacred to them. Others see opportunities in treating with the invaders, while still others have resigned themselves to the fact that they could not win in an open conflict with the empire. Relations between the native hobgoblins and the Stormfist soldiers are tense, however. Many of the Empire see the tribesfolk as backward savages who impede the Empire's interests, while many of the Falling River consider the foreigners to have stolen their lands for plunder and resources. Thus far, cooler heads have prevailed, but how long they will continue to do so is anyone's guess.
To the southeast of the Zurogh region are the lands of the Clearwater Tribes. The Clearwaters have long been one of the largest orcish tribes north of the Dusk Line. In recent years, the tribe has splintered into (sometimes hostile) factions. One of these, derisively called "The Memorialists" by some, seek to uphold the lineage and high standing of the Clearwaters despite the pressures upon them from the invading Stormfist Empire. These tribesfolk have claimed the portions of the tribal land south of the Serpentine as their own. In contrast, the other major faction of the Clearwaters is more accepting of outsiders, seeking to strengthen the tribe by bringing foreigners of like minds into the tribe. These tribesfolk, old and new, claim the northern reaches of the Clearwater lands.
The land of the Zurogh region is rugged, located as it is amongst the foothills of both the Gates of Exile and the Spine of Korthag. As the mountains give way to the foothills, great and ancient forests of both of beech and mixed podocarp and araucaria blanket the land. Further from the mountains, these give way to open rolling grasslands. Here, too, are the headwaters and tributaries of the great Serpentine.
Located above the Dusk Line, the Zurogh region experiences day and night throughout the entire year. The climate is cool and wet, with prevailing winds from the west. Although far from the sea, the Serpentine allows ship traffic to the area, bringing goods from further south and taking wood, stone, and ore back to the Empire.
