Segrinium

Named after the Dwarven emperor Segrinus I who conquered the province after more than a century of war, Segrinium is more commonly known by its residents as the Staglands. Formerly ruled by a coalition of halfling tribes, Segrinium is among the Dwarven Imperium's most unruly provinces

People of the Stag

In the years before Imperial rule, the Staglands' wooded hills were home to a variety of tribal halfling communities. These tribesmen were uncommonly adept gardeners and alchemists, and many Nethysian wizards still struggle to replicate the effects of halfling remedies. Every halfling village had its own herd of white deer, which were tended by designated herdrunners. While most herding cultures tend to be nomadic, the stagfolk built permanent villages, preferring to corral their herds in wide arcs around a settlement, returning occasionally to resupply or slaughter animals. At the time of slaughter, the bucks deemed healthy enough for work were blessed by the village elders and broken in for riding. Every halfling warrior of a certain age was expected to care for his own stag mount. As central as it was to the halfling lifestyle, it is unsurprising that the white deer (and the stag in particular) became a symbol of the varied cultures in the region.

This way of life changed dramatically in the late 1200s, when the Dwarven Imperium began its conquest of the Staglands. Originally believing the region to be uninhabited, the dwarves were caught off-guard when stag riders began attacking their lumber operations in the area. This began a conflict spanning three separate wars and more than a hundred years, ultimately ending with the Imperial subjugation of halfling lands and citizenry.

Legacy and provincial rule

"Excepting a few rebellious savages, Segrinian halflings have responded very well to the civilizing influence of the Imperium. They are well-known to be excellent cooks and diligent workers."- Lesser Peoples of the Empire, by Ogunum Magni

Under Dwarven rule, the stagfolk are closely watched by their imperial magisters. Most halfling warriors were taken prisoner at the war's end, and their descendants have formed a large servant class within Dwarven settlements. Those that remained in the villages were allowed to keep their white herds under very strict conditions. Most importantly, no citizen of the Imperium is permitted to ride a stag or buck, an offense punishable by death in any Imperial court. This law, along with the bloody war that preceded it, has given rise to a widespread Dwarven superstition. A deer encountered on the road is an omen of bad luck, and encountering a stag is a sure sign that danger is coming.