The Dark Age of Brythunnia
Artist: Arthur Rackham (1867-1939)
The year is 964 AC, or After the Crowning. A threat of civil war and conflict with its neighbouring kingdoms looms over the head of the Brythunnians. The old King Aedin the Second has died, and his only lawful son Duncan has inherited the throne, holding his court in the city of Lundine. But Duncan's hold on power is meagre at best, as his father left few illegimite sons and daughters, and many of his nobles would like to replace Duncan, who is thought to be more of a philosopher than a king. How will you react to the situation? Will you start playing the game of power politics, or will stand in the sidelines, compromising and adapting to the situation? The choice is yours, and yours only.
The Dark Age of Brythunnia is a character-driven RPG á la Game of Thrones, Witcher and Dragon Age, main point being realism and gritty world. I have drawn inspiration from A Song of Ice and Fire, the Witcher series and Conan the Barbarian, and slightly from real history, mainly from the early medieval Europe after the fall of Rome and before the Crusades.
There will not be much magic or supernatural elements, and if you use them, make them ambiguous and mysterious, and I would like to point out that make your characters three dimensional. I want to see some effort on that regard. Make them feel real, or at least, not boring.
If you have questions, improvements or suggestions, I'll be listening. This will be the first RP I am managing, so be straight.
Artist: Arthur Rackham (1867-1939)
The year is 964 AC, or After the Crowning. A threat of civil war and conflict with its neighbouring kingdoms looms over the head of the Brythunnians. The old King Aedin the Second has died, and his only lawful son Duncan has inherited the throne, holding his court in the city of Lundine. But Duncan's hold on power is meagre at best, as his father left few illegimite sons and daughters, and many of his nobles would like to replace Duncan, who is thought to be more of a philosopher than a king. How will you react to the situation? Will you start playing the game of power politics, or will stand in the sidelines, compromising and adapting to the situation? The choice is yours, and yours only.
The Dark Age of Brythunnia is a character-driven RPG á la Game of Thrones, Witcher and Dragon Age, main point being realism and gritty world. I have drawn inspiration from A Song of Ice and Fire, the Witcher series and Conan the Barbarian, and slightly from real history, mainly from the early medieval Europe after the fall of Rome and before the Crusades.
There will not be much magic or supernatural elements, and if you use them, make them ambiguous and mysterious, and I would like to point out that make your characters three dimensional. I want to see some effort on that regard. Make them feel real, or at least, not boring.
Attention! More details in the Timeline section!
The history of the kingdom stretches back about thousand years, starting from the Unification War from – 6 to 4 of the Calendar. During this war, King Aed united several tribes that inhabited the lands that make up the modern Brythunnia. He was crowned during the midwinter of year 0, which is held as the starting point of the Calendar. King Aed became the first Brythwalda, meaning the King of all the Brythunnians. Brythwalda has since then become a historical title used to refer to the first kings of Brythunnia. The heir apparent is called an Aedheling, meaning either a prince or lord in the Old Brythunnic tongue.
King Aed strengthened his hold of power for several years after his crowning, and founded the first royal dynasty, the House Griffind, soprting a silvery griffin on black field as their sigil. The Grffinds held power for four hundred years until the reign of the King Ulster the Red, who was known for his red face and short temper. It is said that he succumbed to madness and was ousted from power by his council members. He left no heirs, and so his council held regency for three months until the nobles of the realm had decided who should rule them. The nobles voted on Lord Rickard Mawr of Castle Stonehold. The Mawrs have ruled ever since for about five hundred years, but it seems to change in the coming days.
The history of the kingdom stretches back about thousand years, starting from the Unification War from – 6 to 4 of the Calendar. During this war, King Aed united several tribes that inhabited the lands that make up the modern Brythunnia. He was crowned during the midwinter of year 0, which is held as the starting point of the Calendar. King Aed became the first Brythwalda, meaning the King of all the Brythunnians. Brythwalda has since then become a historical title used to refer to the first kings of Brythunnia. The heir apparent is called an Aedheling, meaning either a prince or lord in the Old Brythunnic tongue.
King Aed strengthened his hold of power for several years after his crowning, and founded the first royal dynasty, the House Griffind, soprting a silvery griffin on black field as their sigil. The Grffinds held power for four hundred years until the reign of the King Ulster the Red, who was known for his red face and short temper. It is said that he succumbed to madness and was ousted from power by his council members. He left no heirs, and so his council held regency for three months until the nobles of the realm had decided who should rule them. The nobles voted on Lord Rickard Mawr of Castle Stonehold. The Mawrs have ruled ever since for about five hundred years, but it seems to change in the coming days.
Brythunnia is a coastal nation divided into several regions that are ruled by local aristocracy. In the eastern coast that ends to the Old Sea, is the Crownlands, a rich area that is held by the king, here is where the capital city Lundine, along with few minor town and the Kingswood where the king has the sole hunting right. A lot of merchant caravans and ships travel in and out of this region. Other important towns and castles include Laketown, Stonehold and Dale.
However, the honor of being the most fertile region goes to the Heartlands, located in the south and south-west to the Crownlands. It has the most farms and rivers, and has the greatest population. The sun often shines to the Heartlanders, and they often have positive attitudes. The capital of this region is the city of Whitecreek, founded on the banks of a large river known as the Milksnake Stream. Other major towns and castles include Morton, by a lake known as the Lady's Pool, Hawkfield, near the coast and Castle Greenstone, located in the centre of Whitecreek. After the Hawthorne Rebellion, the House Maddox carved a great throne known as the Rose Throne to commemorate the victory over the rebels. The Circle of Thorns was also founded to advice and help to rule the Heartlands. In the recent decades, the ruling Maddox family has gained much influence over the kingdom by holding some of the best farmlands. Combined with the power of the Vandemar and Traven families, they have woken some worries in the king and other high lords and ladies. The current high lady is Gwendolen Vandemar-Maddox, the newly widowed regent of the Heartlands.
To the north are the Highlands, a hilly region that has sturdy people and lots of sharp axes. The Highlands resisted the longest the attacks of King Aed, being the last region to fall to the hands of Aed. This mostly thanks to the renowned adventurer and warrior Hildebrand the Dragonslayer, who is said to have killed the last dragon in the world. Hildebrand was a clever tactician, but he was outmanned and outmaneuvered at last at the battle of Camlainn, where he met his destiny. The population centers Highlands are mostly castles built in the centuries after the conquest. The "capital" is Kaer Camlainn, a large castle named after the battle of Camlainn. Other major castles include Candlekeep, situated in the western Highlands near the Northwood, and Townsend Keep in the eastern coast.
In the far west are the Dragon Mountains, which are hardly passable, and serve as the western border for Brythunnia. There are a few mining towns providing the kingdom with precious gems and metals, along with much of the metalwork, mainly armor and weapons. The capital of this region is the town of Edithburg, founded by Queen Edith during the third century of the Calendar. Though the city, the great river Dragonstail flows all the way to the Old Sea. Other major settlements are Hollow Tree and Ravenholm, both situated near the mountains.
The Southern Marches has been a contested area. For centuries, conflict between Brythunnia and Rivania has molded the countryside and the castles to reflect the changing tides in the kingdoms' military campaigns. The Marches have been influenced by the Rivanians and Brythunnians alike. Brythunnia holds the northern marches between the Heartlands and the Panther River, while the Rivanians hold the southern marches beyond the river. Major settlements include Castle Osfred near an important river crossing Oxford, Fort Aren and Greyhammer.
The Panther River is the border between Brythunnia and Rivania. It's a deep river, and crossings are far from each other.
However, the honor of being the most fertile region goes to the Heartlands, located in the south and south-west to the Crownlands. It has the most farms and rivers, and has the greatest population. The sun often shines to the Heartlanders, and they often have positive attitudes. The capital of this region is the city of Whitecreek, founded on the banks of a large river known as the Milksnake Stream. Other major towns and castles include Morton, by a lake known as the Lady's Pool, Hawkfield, near the coast and Castle Greenstone, located in the centre of Whitecreek. After the Hawthorne Rebellion, the House Maddox carved a great throne known as the Rose Throne to commemorate the victory over the rebels. The Circle of Thorns was also founded to advice and help to rule the Heartlands. In the recent decades, the ruling Maddox family has gained much influence over the kingdom by holding some of the best farmlands. Combined with the power of the Vandemar and Traven families, they have woken some worries in the king and other high lords and ladies. The current high lady is Gwendolen Vandemar-Maddox, the newly widowed regent of the Heartlands.
To the north are the Highlands, a hilly region that has sturdy people and lots of sharp axes. The Highlands resisted the longest the attacks of King Aed, being the last region to fall to the hands of Aed. This mostly thanks to the renowned adventurer and warrior Hildebrand the Dragonslayer, who is said to have killed the last dragon in the world. Hildebrand was a clever tactician, but he was outmanned and outmaneuvered at last at the battle of Camlainn, where he met his destiny. The population centers Highlands are mostly castles built in the centuries after the conquest. The "capital" is Kaer Camlainn, a large castle named after the battle of Camlainn. Other major castles include Candlekeep, situated in the western Highlands near the Northwood, and Townsend Keep in the eastern coast.
In the far west are the Dragon Mountains, which are hardly passable, and serve as the western border for Brythunnia. There are a few mining towns providing the kingdom with precious gems and metals, along with much of the metalwork, mainly armor and weapons. The capital of this region is the town of Edithburg, founded by Queen Edith during the third century of the Calendar. Though the city, the great river Dragonstail flows all the way to the Old Sea. Other major settlements are Hollow Tree and Ravenholm, both situated near the mountains.
The Southern Marches has been a contested area. For centuries, conflict between Brythunnia and Rivania has molded the countryside and the castles to reflect the changing tides in the kingdoms' military campaigns. The Marches have been influenced by the Rivanians and Brythunnians alike. Brythunnia holds the northern marches between the Heartlands and the Panther River, while the Rivanians hold the southern marches beyond the river. Major settlements include Castle Osfred near an important river crossing Oxford, Fort Aren and Greyhammer.
The Panther River is the border between Brythunnia and Rivania. It's a deep river, and crossings are far from each other.
To the south is the Kingdom of Rivania, a rival nation to Brythunnia. It is a monarchy, and I hope make a short summary of it in the coming days. The main focus will be in Brythunnia, but Rikain will make at least cameos and provide an outside threat for Brythunnia in the form of invasion, similar to the Norman Conquest.
To the north is the Kingdom of Nordland. It has caused trouble to southern nations by raiding coastal regions and pirating their ships.
To the north is the Kingdom of Nordland. It has caused trouble to southern nations by raiding coastal regions and pirating their ships.
The forum rules apply. Be a friendly person and keep me informed of your activity, and we will come along just fine.
The regions are ruled by a select few of people, and the first come, first serve. If you want to make a character that rules a certain region (Heartlands, Highlands, Southern Marches and Dragon Mountains), then be quick about it. You can also make a minor noble who just rules a castle or a town in a certain region.
Some thoughts concerning soldiers: the armies in Brythunnia are sized from small to medium. The nobles have guard units of veteran soldiers who have good equipment, and a larger levy comprised of conscripted peasants, who often are poorly equipped and hardly trained. We will not see Grande Armées, but armies a few thousand strong at most.
Also, social connections, such as marriages between families and friendships, are important tools to gain influence in a feudal society.
The Three Commandments
One: "I am the Game Master, your greatest fear and smallest hope, but I am not without mercy. Consult me when thou have questions."
Two: "Thou characters mustn't be OP. Valar Morghulis."
Three: "Thou shan't kill other characters at a whim without other players' consult and permission."
Four: "Thou shall and can help in the shaping of the world. Just mind to tell the Game Master about it first."
The regions are ruled by a select few of people, and the first come, first serve. If you want to make a character that rules a certain region (Heartlands, Highlands, Southern Marches and Dragon Mountains), then be quick about it. You can also make a minor noble who just rules a castle or a town in a certain region.
Some thoughts concerning soldiers: the armies in Brythunnia are sized from small to medium. The nobles have guard units of veteran soldiers who have good equipment, and a larger levy comprised of conscripted peasants, who often are poorly equipped and hardly trained. We will not see Grande Armées, but armies a few thousand strong at most.
Also, social connections, such as marriages between families and friendships, are important tools to gain influence in a feudal society.
The Three Commandments
One: "I am the Game Master, your greatest fear and smallest hope, but I am not without mercy. Consult me when thou have questions."
Two: "Thou characters mustn't be OP. Valar Morghulis."
Three: "Thou shan't kill other characters at a whim without other players' consult and permission."
Four: "Thou shall and can help in the shaping of the world. Just mind to tell the Game Master about it first."
Name:
Gender:
Age:
Occupation/Title:
Appearance:
Personality:
History:
Gender:
Age:
Occupation/Title:
Appearance:
Personality:
History:
The timeline is divided into two eras – Before the Crowning (BC) and After the Crowning (AC). King Aed the Lion's crowning serves as the year zero in the Brythunnian calendar.
During Aed's time, Brythunnia was divided into small tribal kingdoms who often fought with each other. Aed wanted to end the fighting and dreamt of one united kingdom. Aed was born in the Heartlands, but not much is known anout his childhood and teenage. During his adulthood, he became a prominent warrior and commander and the leader for minor tribe, and soon used his skills and diplomacy to conquer his rivals.
75 BC: Baldur the Wanderer is born. It is said that a star fell near his family's home.
57 BC: The Kingdom of Rivania is founded.
24 BC: A young warrior Hildebrand kills the last known dragon somewhere in the Dragon Mountains.
4 BC: The Wars of Conquest start. Before this, Aed has already united the Heartlands under his wing and starts to expand his realm's borders. He invades the modern day Crownlands.
Year 0: Aed the Lion is crowned as the King of Brythunnia, or Bryhtwalda after subjugating the Crownlands. He turns his eyes to the Dragon Mountains and in two years conquers the lands around the mountains.
3 AC: King Aed starts an invasion to conquer the Highlands.
6 AC: King Aed conquers the Highlands after defeating Hildebrand the Dragonslayer in the Battle of Camlainn Hill. The Wars end.
0 – 38 AC: Aed's reign lasts almost fourty years before he dies of pneumonia. His title, Bryhtwalda, passes to his son, Egbert.
39 – 45 AC: The Highlander Rebellion. An independent-minded lord tries to secede from Brythunnia, and loses the war along with his head. Egbert punishes harshly the Highlander lords and other leaders.
45 – 155 AC: The Century of Peace in Brythunnia. New cities and towns are founded.
172 AC: The Kingdom of Nordland is founded.
198 AC: A new religion from Rivania lands starts to spread to Brythunnia.
209 – 215 AC: The Black Plague kills about one eight of population in Brythunnia, and even more in Rivania.
451 AC: King Ulster the Red gets seriously ill and starts to descend into madness, He is ousted from power by his closest nobles and allies. The interregnum lasts for three months, until the kingship was bestowed to Lord Rickard Mawr of the Stonehold.
460s AC: Both Rivania and Brythunnia start to expand to the Southern Marches, trying to claim the lands.
460s – 480s AC: The Long War starts. Rivania and Brythunnia were locked in a two-decade war over the Southern Marches. The conflict ends inconclusively. The border between the nations forms to the Panther River.
679 AC: The Nordlanders conduct a failed invasion of the Highlands.
708 – 714 AC: King Robert the First defends his crown against an usurper Lloyd Hawthorne of the Heartlands, but loses his head and lands instead. The title of High Lord is given to Gared Maddox, the ancestor of High Lord Jastor Maddox. The House Hawthorne is extinguished.
732 AC: The Miners' Revolt in the town of Hollow Tree. A band of miners revolt against an unfair tax and poor living conditions, and meet their demise. King Duncan the First lead an army against them and defeats them. Half a dozen of their leaders are hanged and left to rot on a hollow tree, hence the town's name.
790s AC: Local nobility start to gain more and more power, and the king's power is weakened by the reign of King Edward the Ill. King Edward was a sick and frail king, who delegated most of his duties to local strongmen and his friends.
830 - 900s s AC: The Nords start conducting raids and excursions from the north via the Old Sea, attacking against mostly coastal villages and towns in Brythunnia and Rivania.
921 AC: Aedin is born to King Lewyn III and Queen Alys.
940 AC: At the age nineteen, Aedin is crowned as the king of Brythunnia after his parents die at sea as their ship The Wyvern sinks.
942 AC: King Aedin marries Lenore Badon of Laketown. During their marriage, Aedin has at least three different mistresses across the kingdom.
947 AC: High Lord Jastor Maddox ascends to the Rose Throne after his brother dies under suspicious circumstances.
950s AC: Bandits are running rampant in the Heartlands, causing great damage and harm to innocents. One of the most ill-famed bandits, Roland the Red evades capture for years.
959 – 963 AC: The Northern War starts. Rivania tries to claim the Southern Marches from Brythunnia, but is repelled. King Aedin dies in the field of battle in 963.
961 AC: Vincent Arundel, also known as the King, one of the biggest bandits and crime lords in Rivania, dies. The King's Thieves are dissolved and make new criminal rings and organisations. His apprentice Claret escapes to Brythunnia and starts her career as the Lady Night, a ruthless assassin and spy. She is recruited by King Aedin during the late winter of 962.
964 AC: King Duncan has assumed the duties of a king, and is worrying about the growing tensions between Brythunnia and Rivania. The Heartlands also pose a threat to the unity of the realm, as the High Lady Gwendolen Vandemar-Maddox has the love of the common people and strong supporters. There are also rumours that the Nords are starting their raids anew, with great fleets of longships and bands of strong men.
During Aed's time, Brythunnia was divided into small tribal kingdoms who often fought with each other. Aed wanted to end the fighting and dreamt of one united kingdom. Aed was born in the Heartlands, but not much is known anout his childhood and teenage. During his adulthood, he became a prominent warrior and commander and the leader for minor tribe, and soon used his skills and diplomacy to conquer his rivals.
75 BC: Baldur the Wanderer is born. It is said that a star fell near his family's home.
57 BC: The Kingdom of Rivania is founded.
24 BC: A young warrior Hildebrand kills the last known dragon somewhere in the Dragon Mountains.
4 BC: The Wars of Conquest start. Before this, Aed has already united the Heartlands under his wing and starts to expand his realm's borders. He invades the modern day Crownlands.
Year 0: Aed the Lion is crowned as the King of Brythunnia, or Bryhtwalda after subjugating the Crownlands. He turns his eyes to the Dragon Mountains and in two years conquers the lands around the mountains.
3 AC: King Aed starts an invasion to conquer the Highlands.
6 AC: King Aed conquers the Highlands after defeating Hildebrand the Dragonslayer in the Battle of Camlainn Hill. The Wars end.
0 – 38 AC: Aed's reign lasts almost fourty years before he dies of pneumonia. His title, Bryhtwalda, passes to his son, Egbert.
39 – 45 AC: The Highlander Rebellion. An independent-minded lord tries to secede from Brythunnia, and loses the war along with his head. Egbert punishes harshly the Highlander lords and other leaders.
45 – 155 AC: The Century of Peace in Brythunnia. New cities and towns are founded.
172 AC: The Kingdom of Nordland is founded.
198 AC: A new religion from Rivania lands starts to spread to Brythunnia.
209 – 215 AC: The Black Plague kills about one eight of population in Brythunnia, and even more in Rivania.
451 AC: King Ulster the Red gets seriously ill and starts to descend into madness, He is ousted from power by his closest nobles and allies. The interregnum lasts for three months, until the kingship was bestowed to Lord Rickard Mawr of the Stonehold.
460s AC: Both Rivania and Brythunnia start to expand to the Southern Marches, trying to claim the lands.
460s – 480s AC: The Long War starts. Rivania and Brythunnia were locked in a two-decade war over the Southern Marches. The conflict ends inconclusively. The border between the nations forms to the Panther River.
679 AC: The Nordlanders conduct a failed invasion of the Highlands.
708 – 714 AC: King Robert the First defends his crown against an usurper Lloyd Hawthorne of the Heartlands, but loses his head and lands instead. The title of High Lord is given to Gared Maddox, the ancestor of High Lord Jastor Maddox. The House Hawthorne is extinguished.
732 AC: The Miners' Revolt in the town of Hollow Tree. A band of miners revolt against an unfair tax and poor living conditions, and meet their demise. King Duncan the First lead an army against them and defeats them. Half a dozen of their leaders are hanged and left to rot on a hollow tree, hence the town's name.
790s AC: Local nobility start to gain more and more power, and the king's power is weakened by the reign of King Edward the Ill. King Edward was a sick and frail king, who delegated most of his duties to local strongmen and his friends.
830 - 900s s AC: The Nords start conducting raids and excursions from the north via the Old Sea, attacking against mostly coastal villages and towns in Brythunnia and Rivania.
921 AC: Aedin is born to King Lewyn III and Queen Alys.
940 AC: At the age nineteen, Aedin is crowned as the king of Brythunnia after his parents die at sea as their ship The Wyvern sinks.
942 AC: King Aedin marries Lenore Badon of Laketown. During their marriage, Aedin has at least three different mistresses across the kingdom.
947 AC: High Lord Jastor Maddox ascends to the Rose Throne after his brother dies under suspicious circumstances.
950s AC: Bandits are running rampant in the Heartlands, causing great damage and harm to innocents. One of the most ill-famed bandits, Roland the Red evades capture for years.
959 – 963 AC: The Northern War starts. Rivania tries to claim the Southern Marches from Brythunnia, but is repelled. King Aedin dies in the field of battle in 963.
961 AC: Vincent Arundel, also known as the King, one of the biggest bandits and crime lords in Rivania, dies. The King's Thieves are dissolved and make new criminal rings and organisations. His apprentice Claret escapes to Brythunnia and starts her career as the Lady Night, a ruthless assassin and spy. She is recruited by King Aedin during the late winter of 962.
964 AC: King Duncan has assumed the duties of a king, and is worrying about the growing tensions between Brythunnia and Rivania. The Heartlands also pose a threat to the unity of the realm, as the High Lady Gwendolen Vandemar-Maddox has the love of the common people and strong supporters. There are also rumours that the Nords are starting their raids anew, with great fleets of longships and bands of strong men.
The Cult of Dagon and the Nordic pantheon
This religion is mostly followed by the Nordlanders, but it hasn't spread much outside of Nordland, as it isn't organised coherently nationwide.
In the beginning, the gods created the Earth from an egg, and all kinds of life, like the animals, the giants and the humans were born from the egg.
The cultists believe that in the times past, giants lived and walked in the world, fighting against great sea serpents. The giants built great stone circles to worship and honor the gods. One day, the giants walked to the mountains, and laid down to sleep for thousands of years, to come back to help humans against the sea serpents. It is believed that one day the sea will rise and drown most of humans and allow the sea serpents to devour the rest. This is called the End Times, and then the great hero Donar shall save the rest of the humanity.
The cultists use the stone circles as places of worship, especially during the midsummer and solstices, and chant in ancient tongues and light great pyres to awaken the king of the giants, the one and mighty Dagon to defend humanity against the sea serpents. Their priests are chosen among the tallest of the brethren, and can be either a man or woman.
The Nordic pantheon, whom the Nords worship, include such gods and figures as Donar, the hero of the coming End Times, and Mímir, the god of wisdom, riddles and enigmas. Mímir has a famed pool somewhere in the Nordlands, that gives wisdom and insight to the person who drinks from it.
The Church of Mitras
This religion is followed by the Rivanians and the Brythunnians. Baldur the Wanderer was a travelling prophet who healed people and spread the word of Mitras, a goddess who promises afterlife in the Vanerheim. Vanerheim is great hall in the afterlife where the believers feast in warmth and happiness, while those who don't adhere to her word wander for eternity in the cold and dark world outside her hall. Across Brythunnia, there are monasteries, chapels and churches built close to many cities, but there are also a few isolated monasteries near the coast. The main epistle to this faith is the Good Book, which holds the teachings and life of Baldur the Wanderer, with many appendices that have been written by his disciples.
The church of Mitras is organised in Brythunnia into districts (led by the Elders), that hold the religious power in a region and answer to the Revered, the head of the church in Brythunnia. The Revered ones of many countries make up the Consistory of the Faith, who decide the large scale lines and policies of the church. The Consistory has a feverish correspondence and sometimes calls councils to debate on a religious matter.
The Lady of the Lake
People near the Lady's Pool have described a beautiful young woman strolling in the beaches, singing and dancing, and have named her as the Lady of the Lake. She is often described of being a tall, slender woman dressed in a gown made of golden leaves and having brown hair. Those who she meets have told others that she can tell the future and offers blessing and good luck to those with good and honest hearts.
The Wailing Women
In the Highlands, local legends tell of bann'sheaia in Old Brythunnic, or Wailing Women (sometimes referred as Women of Wail), that wander around the hills, and wail and weep. It is believed that the Wailing Women are virgins who died before their weddings could be held, or that their fiances died prematurely before a wedding, lingering in this world grieving for their lost loves or dead fiancees. The Highlanders believe that seeing a bann'sheaia wailing brings misfortune and death to the gazer or to his immediate family and kin.
This religion is mostly followed by the Nordlanders, but it hasn't spread much outside of Nordland, as it isn't organised coherently nationwide.
In the beginning, the gods created the Earth from an egg, and all kinds of life, like the animals, the giants and the humans were born from the egg.
The cultists believe that in the times past, giants lived and walked in the world, fighting against great sea serpents. The giants built great stone circles to worship and honor the gods. One day, the giants walked to the mountains, and laid down to sleep for thousands of years, to come back to help humans against the sea serpents. It is believed that one day the sea will rise and drown most of humans and allow the sea serpents to devour the rest. This is called the End Times, and then the great hero Donar shall save the rest of the humanity.
The cultists use the stone circles as places of worship, especially during the midsummer and solstices, and chant in ancient tongues and light great pyres to awaken the king of the giants, the one and mighty Dagon to defend humanity against the sea serpents. Their priests are chosen among the tallest of the brethren, and can be either a man or woman.
The Nordic pantheon, whom the Nords worship, include such gods and figures as Donar, the hero of the coming End Times, and Mímir, the god of wisdom, riddles and enigmas. Mímir has a famed pool somewhere in the Nordlands, that gives wisdom and insight to the person who drinks from it.
The Church of Mitras
This religion is followed by the Rivanians and the Brythunnians. Baldur the Wanderer was a travelling prophet who healed people and spread the word of Mitras, a goddess who promises afterlife in the Vanerheim. Vanerheim is great hall in the afterlife where the believers feast in warmth and happiness, while those who don't adhere to her word wander for eternity in the cold and dark world outside her hall. Across Brythunnia, there are monasteries, chapels and churches built close to many cities, but there are also a few isolated monasteries near the coast. The main epistle to this faith is the Good Book, which holds the teachings and life of Baldur the Wanderer, with many appendices that have been written by his disciples.
The church of Mitras is organised in Brythunnia into districts (led by the Elders), that hold the religious power in a region and answer to the Revered, the head of the church in Brythunnia. The Revered ones of many countries make up the Consistory of the Faith, who decide the large scale lines and policies of the church. The Consistory has a feverish correspondence and sometimes calls councils to debate on a religious matter.
The Lady of the Lake
People near the Lady's Pool have described a beautiful young woman strolling in the beaches, singing and dancing, and have named her as the Lady of the Lake. She is often described of being a tall, slender woman dressed in a gown made of golden leaves and having brown hair. Those who she meets have told others that she can tell the future and offers blessing and good luck to those with good and honest hearts.
The Wailing Women
In the Highlands, local legends tell of bann'sheaia in Old Brythunnic, or Wailing Women (sometimes referred as Women of Wail), that wander around the hills, and wail and weep. It is believed that the Wailing Women are virgins who died before their weddings could be held, or that their fiances died prematurely before a wedding, lingering in this world grieving for their lost loves or dead fiancees. The Highlanders believe that seeing a bann'sheaia wailing brings misfortune and death to the gazer or to his immediate family and kin.
This section roughly covers the titles and hierarchy in Brythunnian society. This will not cover every trade and social class, but will give a general idea of the hierarchy and how feudalism works in Brythunnia. Let's begin.
Peasants, -> Landed knights / Artisans, merchants and bourgeoisie -> Nobility -> The royal family
At the bottom rung are the peasants, the ordinary farmers and other people living in the countryside. They are divided into two rough groups, the farmers who own their farms and to those who don't. The latter either rent some land from someone else, or work for someone else.
The landed knights are knights who have been awarded by a batch of land, often a village and a small holdfast. They can levy taxes from their fief, but they also need to answer their liege lord's call to arms if needed. The artisans, merchants and others are the industrial workers of the realm. They are the blacksmiths, the tanners, the bakers et cetera, who manufacture goods and sell them. They often reside in towns and cities.
Anyone who owns enough land and has a sigil can be considered as nobility. For example, landed knights are considered as minor nobility. Higher nobility often have multiple castles, towns and other estates to levy taxes and soldiers from. The highest ranking nobles in Brythunnia (below the king) are the high lords or ladies of each region. Most often only one family in a region holds this title, and is effectively the de facto liege lord of the region.
Finally, on the top is the royal family. They hold the Crownlands, and wield the most power, but they still need to tread carefully not to insult the high lords, for the sword of Damocles is always hanging over the head of rulers...
Peasants, -> Landed knights / Artisans, merchants and bourgeoisie -> Nobility -> The royal family
At the bottom rung are the peasants, the ordinary farmers and other people living in the countryside. They are divided into two rough groups, the farmers who own their farms and to those who don't. The latter either rent some land from someone else, or work for someone else.
The landed knights are knights who have been awarded by a batch of land, often a village and a small holdfast. They can levy taxes from their fief, but they also need to answer their liege lord's call to arms if needed. The artisans, merchants and others are the industrial workers of the realm. They are the blacksmiths, the tanners, the bakers et cetera, who manufacture goods and sell them. They often reside in towns and cities.
Anyone who owns enough land and has a sigil can be considered as nobility. For example, landed knights are considered as minor nobility. Higher nobility often have multiple castles, towns and other estates to levy taxes and soldiers from. The highest ranking nobles in Brythunnia (below the king) are the high lords or ladies of each region. Most often only one family in a region holds this title, and is effectively the de facto liege lord of the region.
Finally, on the top is the royal family. They hold the Crownlands, and wield the most power, but they still need to tread carefully not to insult the high lords, for the sword of Damocles is always hanging over the head of rulers...
If you have questions, improvements or suggestions, I'll be listening. This will be the first RP I am managing, so be straight.
