Origin: Klesh

Kleshites are native to the Jungle of Klesh and the coastal regions surrounding it. Kleshites possess dark complexions, hair, and eyes, and are renowned for their craftsmanship. The wealth of Klesh lies in the natural resources such as mahogany, ivory, gemstones, and gold found in great abundance in that region. Unfortunately, some Kleshites also prey on their own people, enslaving and selling the less fortunate to the ever-hungry slave markets of the Inner Sea that foster this horrific trade.

This country lies south of Quarmall on the coast of the Outer Sea. A land of tropical jungles between the coast and the vast inland deserts, Klesh is inhabited by dark skinned humans who worship Newhon’s Earth God.

Very little about Klesh or its mysterious people is known by the outside world. Ivory, rare spices, and tobacco are exported from Klesh to the rest of Nehwon. Although the only Kleshite communities seen by outsiders are isolated fishing and trading villages along the coast, rumor tells of several fabulous cities of rare beauty and ancient architecture within the impenetrable Kleshite jungles. No expedition into the interior of the country has ever returned.

The dark-skinned southerners that travel north to Lankhmar originate in the thick and mazy jungles of Klesh, which completely dominate the southwest of the continent. Unlike the so-called barbarians of the savage Mingol tribes, the Kleshites that dwell far removed from civilization and its accompanying decadence are rarely motivated by war. Klesh as a jungle nation has never opened its borders to outsiders but much of the reason it remains mysterious and exotic is because of its distance from all other significant Nehwonese nations.

Trade is sedate but not nonexistent between Klesh and the rest of the world. Ivory, tobacco, jungle spices (for both foods and teas) and several rare herbs used for poultices in healing various ailments, which bleed north in a steady trickle of trade, are all found in Klesh. The trick for enterprising merchants is to find a commodity that the Kleshites need, for they are a remarkably self-sufficient and admirably independent nation. The Grey Mouser has discovered that ambergris is more valuable in Klesh than rubies and profits accordingly. Similar discoveries no doubt await enterprising players with mercantile characters.

Metal weapons are received halfheartedly and reluctantly here, almost as if such inventions were below Kleshites’ notice. With Kleshites rarely going to war and their own handcrafted weaponry serving well enough in the jungles, this last assumption is probably true. Weapons of war are only of use to warriors.

A popular tale told of the black skinned southern folk is that they hoard incredible reserves of gold beneath the jungle canopies, which the right trade offer (or the right army) could ‘entice’ the Kleshites into sharing. The merchant and explorer expeditions that have left to learn the truth of this matter have never returned. Some say this is because the Kleshites are a secretive and private people, killing all intruders found deep-walking in their jungles. Others state that because Kleshites are largely peaceable folk, it is much more likely that these foolish entrepreneurs were lost in the alien southern jungles and killed by the-gods-only-know what creatures living there.

Klesh is not depicted in this map.