The Hobblesand

Hobblesand is among the most treacherous lands in Moria, a nation where sprawling expanses of shifting quicksand stretch as far as the eye can see. Lethal and unpredictable, the sands form cascading pits and rivers that swallow the unprepared whole, creating a natural barrier that has long discouraged invaders. Yet what makes Hobblesand so perilous to outsiders has, in turn, made it one of the safest places to live for those who call it home. Through ingenuity and determination, the people of Hobblesand built brick roads, bridges, and fortified city walls upon the shifting earth, carving out stable havens amidst danger. Within these boundaries, life thrives humbly but securely, insulated from the bandit groups that plague the rest of Moria, for few dare risk their caravans, wheels, or steeds to the treacherous sands.
  The nation is not without its quiet wealth. From beneath the quicksands, Hobblesanders draw forth hidden jewels using specialized tools and techniques honed over generations. These treasures fuel a modest trade that sustains their merchant class, who are known more for fairness than opulence. Life in Hobblesand is simple, marked by close-knit communities and an unexpected harmony with the native cats of the region. Once creatures that survived only by clinging to rocky outcrops and avoiding the deadly sands, the cats have since integrated into human settlements, becoming companions and guardians within the towns. In this union of resilience and adaptation, Hobblesand flourishes—a nation small and overlooked, yet quietly triumphant in turning peril itself into protection.