1.)@Natsucooldude - The Blackland Alliance
2.)@ClocktowerEchos - Mystrost
3.)@WrongEndoftheRainbow
4.)@The Nexerus
5.)@Unprofessional
6.)@Aristo
7.)@Taeryn
8.)@Willy Vereb - The Golden Horde
9.)@Sigma
10.)@Nerevarine - Republic of Vuts
11.)@Goldeagle1221
12.)@Dead Cruiser
13.)@Legion02 - Fenea Kingdom
14.)@Hyperdrive
15.)@POOHEAD189 - Thangoradrim
16.)@Lauder - Clans of Kashar
17.)@AltRightHero
18.)@GreivousKhan - The Eloia
19.)@Isotope
20.)@Talis
21.)@TheMoatedGrange - Kingdom of Thabos
22.)@MonkeyBusiness
23.)@Frengo and @Shorticus - The Kingdom of Ardonia
24.)@eemmtt
25.)@Monkeypants - Farastine
26.)@Thrashy - Baile
27.)@Arawak - The Empire of Hands
28.)@Not a Heretic
29.)@The Spectre
30.)@Ophidian

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Alongside the humble scorpions of this world are the rare and giant Archa. These monstrous beasts are located primarily in desert regions and are as harsh as the sands they dwell. Archa typically grow to roughly eight to nine feet long from head to tail and can weigh in excess of a ton due to their heavy plating, though the specially grown Archa of Farastine that can grow in excess of seventy feet from head to tail.

Archa possesses two heavy hitting weapons, their claws which some say have the same crushing force as a full grown dragons bite and its potent poison residing in its tail. The poison is so strong that it can actually be seen melting a man alive.

The Askari are large, flightless birds that stand at around nine-to-ten feet tall and weigh around 200-250 lbs with little difference between the male or females. These birds hold large feathers which are typically used to keep cool the beast down during the harsh days that the savannah brings. They are known for their highly aggressive behavior and resistance to training, yet, they seem to be used as mounts for the Clans of Kashar.

They breed during the rain seasons and are omnivorous in nature. Egg clusters are laid in batches of five to six at a time in a large nest that is guarded by the males. They can run at a max speed of 37 miles an hour and have a max carrying weight of around 180 pounds.

The majestic blue dragons are both beautiful and terrifying, beasts whose minds are far more canny than those of mere mortals. They are roughly 14 meters long and 5 meters tall with a wingspan between 20-30 meters. They fly overhead of the populace of Ardonia on occasion, but they are most commonly found dwelling on the Sapphire Isles. Like whales, the main diet of blue dragons is fish, though they do not shy from hunting mammals.

In times of war, these powerful creatures will lend their strength to the Ardonian armies. They are capable both of flight and of swimming underwater, making them useful in land wars and at sea. They breathe lightning, and likewise are immune to its effects, making them deadly adversaries. A breath of lightning looks and acts like a terrible bolt of lightning, making a thunderous clap wheresoever it lands. They can use this lightning breath from up to fifty meters away from their target.

These dragons also have rather sturdy scales, and indeed the collection of scales that molt off these wondrous beings produces high-quality armor in Ardonia. For the dragons, though, these scales serve as a steely defense against attacks by lesser beings. Their wings, however, are rather vulnerable, and a dragon can be permanently crippled if its wings are harmed and it does not receive speedy aid from a healer.

The best conventional weapons to use against blue dragons are ballistae and cannons, but enough arrows may bring them down. They are momentarily stunned once they strike the earth, though not seriously wounded by their fall, and if swarmed quickly can be dispatched before they rouse themselves from their unconsciousness.

A Goldmarch Destrier is perhaps the greatest war horse in the world, known for its impressive strength and stamina. Thousands of the animals are raised and cultivated across the plains of Goldmarch, and they are sold for high prices - both to Knights and to foreigners. Indeed, a man would be prepared to pay his own weight in gold, in exchange for a young Goldmarch destrier.

Spikebacks, or alternatively called Thornhounds, are small Canine-like reptilian beasts native to the Southern Deserts and Savannah. Named for their spiked and armored hide, the spikebacks for many centuries have been domesticated by the Southern Peoples and used as guard beasts or as hunting Companions. In the present, Spikebacks now see wide use alongside actual Canines as terror weapons for the Zhodulan Army. Spikebacks have also become quite an exotic choice of pet for Zhodulan Nobles up north.

Takodons are a common sight in the oceans of this world. They come in all shapes and sizes, with the largest arguably being the specially grown and magically altered Takodon dreadnoughts' of Farastine. Unlike the Farastinian Takodons, most of these creatures are docile and simple.

The most durable substance known to Thangoradrim, and possibly the world. Twice as strong as Valdium, as heavy as Iron, and known to be extremely hard to fall to corrosion or rust. It takes a Drabarian or an extremely strong Thangor blacksmith to shape, and to the uninitiated, forging a sword of Baldr could take a decade. It is fairly rare, discovered by the Drabarians in the lone mountains to the southwest. Perhaps it is in other areas of the world, but so far the only known findings are in Thangoradrim. Called Drabari metal, or 'Dragonsteel'.

Whether used to reinforce shields or make coats of scale armor, blue dragonscales are strong like steel and incredibly valuable. Not only do they provide excellent protection from cutting blows, but they are also incredibly lightweight and absorb electrical spells and effects. They also can slightly dampen harmful magic, though they certainly do not provide immunity. Anyone fortunate enough to have armor made of dragonscales is a lucky man indeed.

The greatest export to leave the Heartvale is its beer. If halfling foodstuffs are famous, halfling beer is legendary. Bristle Stout, Shimmer Ale, and Little Folk Firewater are just a few examples of the stuff which foreign nations clamor for. Sure, it's not nearly so sophisticated as wine, but the flavors of halfling brews are carefully balanced, mastered over centuries of interest in the art of the beer. It helps that halflings have a very discriminating sense of taste and smell. They know just what to do to make a beer's flavor heavenly.

Karikasard is the namesake of this mixture. As the young god of violent fires is part of the Uruk Pantheon and can also considered a war god. His name combined with the word Buum (Herbs) can together be translated as "herbs causing violent fires of war" which is a rather apt description for an explosive. Karikabuum (alternatively Kabuum or Kaboom for the noise it generates) is an orkish gunpowder using a mixture of certain herbs and soil. It was first developed by shamans in order to reach a closer connection to the spirits of fire but it eventually found use as a weapon. With sufficient knowledge it's possible to produce low-grade Karikabuum (also called Palsvaj AKA Blasting Jelly) without any special equipment which made it popular and widespread by the time of Orakgash Khagn's conquest. Better mixtures are dried of water and formed into either grains, balls or stalks for better combustion while also using purer and more refined ingredients. While many other kinds of gunpowder mixtures are known the Uruk Empire relies the most extensively on Karikabuum.

Kingsland Steel is a famous resource in the fashioning of armour and weapons, and is renowned for its strength and resilience.

Mystrost's main exports are that of a magical nature, of note is Mythst. Mythst is a strange, mysterious element, only appearing in the Forgotten Kingdom as a result of the Thousand Year Mist which it had isolated the nation. It takes on a state between liquid and gas in an almost plasma-like nature although it can be hardened into a solid form. Colored like a moonlit silver, Mythst's magical properties are great, able to enhance the effects of any other type of magic as well as reinforce physical materials. When "retuned", Mythst's properties change so slightly to create Salus, a pale blue liquid not unlike the blood which flows through the veins of Hallows.

Such finds common use in the military of Myrstrost where even the simple iron or steel armor's durability and protection jumps dramatically and blades are stronger and more damage resistance. Some smiths have taken dried Mythst powder to forge items with the properties of the substance imbued in naturally.

Salus is a form of healing and the Art of Retuning which refines Salus from Mythst is considered the highest form of Alchemy normally used to create healing solves and such. However, the process making pure Salus is long and difficult, leading people to create slightly cheaper Salus Flasks; flasks with some bit of Salus mixed into the glass of the flask which provides a diluted healing effect of that of Salus. These flasks themselves are incredibly durable as the Salus which they are bolstered by still retains the reinforcing properties of Mythst. Such Salus Flasks are common amongst adventures and explorers to venture deep into Myrstrost's unknown past.

The trees of Trebuen Forest come in several varieties, but none are more revered than the Trebuen Yew. This superior breed of yew tree is a widely sought resource in the construction of the longbow. Though the weapon itself has never been utilised by the Ardonians, there are many foreign nations that have the longbow down to a fine art form, and it is these who lap up Trebuen Yew as a dog laps water on a hot summer's day.

A silver steel found beneath the sacred glades, Valdium is as strong as well forged iron, half as light, and gives off a faint glow. It cleaves through monster flesh and the flesh of magical beings easier than other metals. It lasts longer than Iron. Some say the Fey spirits blessed the metal themselves, or its properties developed by its close proximity to the glades. Either way, it is offered to Heroes and the Druids at times, when asked, by the Fey. Can be shaped as easily as Iron.

A sturdy timber that regenerates into the form that it is carved in, even after it is broken. Blessed by the Druids of the Glade, and often used for smaller buildings and items, though if enough is found, can be made to create giant ships and houses. It is a very rare tree, only found near a sacred Glade. Need a Druid to be present when carving such wood to keep it from wildly growing back.

Location/Geography

Mountains and dry highlands in the east, rolling meadows in the north and west, great oak forests in the south and wet, rocky lowlands along the coast. Leaf trees are the norm, with pines growing exclusively in the north. The Bailish get apples, pears, strawberries, blueberries and other sweet fruits during the summer months. The climate is mild and wet, with a bit of snow during the winter months. Sheep, wolves, deer, elks, bears and other such animals are common. The Daoine harvest, dry and smoke a kind of mushroom called Gneas, which causes intoxication and hallucinations.


Capital – Rithebaile
Rithebaile is the ancient seat of kings, first founded by the legendary King Aonghus himself a thousand years ago. It is an enormous city, covering most of the island it rests on at the inland end of the river Nathair. Apart from the royal castle itself it sports a grand arena, several libraries, theatres, plazas, craft halls, trade houses and a university. Located in the outskirts of the city is also the Tur Draoi – the tower of Magi.

Other Major Settlements

• Loch Dubh is an old mining town named after the lake it sits by. Most of the trade going north and west goes through here. Swords made in Loch Dubh are famous throughout the land for their durability and lightness.
• Beal Abhann is one of Bailes oldest settlements, even older than Rithebaile. Its name, literally meaning “river mouth”, is quite fitting as the entire city stretches across the old river Nathair. A masterpiece of engineering, rumored to have been built by dwarves, stands in the center of the town: a folding bridge made from stone and iron, capable of letting large ships pass the city and sail upriver.
• Cathair is originally a fort on the northern border, which stood abandoned until roughly a hundred years ago when people suddenly started settling there. It is not recognized formally as a city due to the fact that it has no lord, but it is for some reason tolerated anyway. You won’t find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy anywhere in the land.
• Mun Geata, which translates into "West Gate" is just what it is named - the gate to the west. It is a town grown rich from tolls and tariffs on the trade going to and from the Aelorian Empire. The city is famous for the wealth of elven artifacts it sports, from architecture to trinkets.
• Compared to some of the other settlements in Baile, Cnoc Adhmad is quite the youngster. It was founded less than two hundred years ago but has grown exponentially in that time. Today it is the ocean gate to the south, and the city is famous for its wharves.

General Introduction

Baile is the very picture of a stable medieval monarchy. There is a great sense of national pride throughout the human populace, and people both high and low are pleased with their sovereign rulers. Apart from the nationalism, the Bailish are a modest lot. Luxury and excessive wealth is frowned upon, and citizens are encouraged to be content with what they have and take joy in the little things in life. They are also a religious lot, converging one day a week in the many godhouses of the land to worship a wide pantheon of angels. There is a small elvish minority living in Baile called the Daoine. They are not part of the human society, but are mostly tolerated by the people.

History

A thousand years ago the land known today as Baile was occupied by several smaller kingdoms rivalling for power. Humans were still relatively new to the region, having migrated there only three hundred years prior, and had not yet managed to unite. It was around that time when the man known as Aonghus was first mentioned. He was the first son to a queen in the north of the land and had not become anything special, had it not been for the interference of Draoi Sionnach, a wizard who became a mentor to the young man. It was Sionnach who first mentioned the principle of Ceart, Right, and Aonghus was brought up with its ideals. He didn't fully accept them, however, until much later. When his mother the queen died the crown passed to Aonghus, and he immediately set to work. During a period of twenty years the young king conquered every other kingdom in the land, and finally founded his capital of Rithebaile as a gesture or victory. In the autumn years of Aonghus' life when he had begun to fully understand and accept the ideals of Ceart he wrote the first Book of Law, a text that made all inhabitants of Baile, noble or not, subject to a governing code of conduct. The Book of Law is still used in Baile today, and although nothing in it has been changed a lot has been added.

The centuries following Aonghus' death have been filled with both war and strife as well as peace and prosperity. Baile has been in wars with other nations, has endured civil wars, has conquered or succumbed to rebellions and much, much more. Many trials and obstacles have been put before the Bailish, but they have ultimately conquered them all.


Government type: Feudal Monarchy

People in power

• Queen Cliodhna, first of her name, a fierce warrior-queen of only 25 years of age. She is a firm supporter of Cumhacht.
• Draoi Ceallach, first of the Magi and court wizard of Queen Cliodhna.
• Tiarna Faolan, lord of Cnoc Adhmad and the chief contender to the crown.
• Tiarna Emer, lady of Beal Abhann and cousin to the queen.
• Tiarna Aodh, lord of Loch Dubh and a general of great renown.
• Tiarna Saibhir, lady of Mun Geata and rumored to be the wealthiest woman in the land.

Culture
The Bailish are a people obsessed with tales and legends. Every household worth its name has an ancestor or two known for a heroic deed or other accomplishment that the descendants keep track of no matter how long ago the ancestor lived. A skilled bard will never have to pay for his/her drink, food or lodging when visiting villages and towns. Because of this the Bailish are also keen on prophecy, the most famous one being the return of the once and future king, Aonghus.

In terms of philosophy and the general way of life, the Bailish are divided. There is a conflict of thought among the leaders of the land based around the principles of Cumhacht and Ceart, or Might versus Right. Those supporting the principle of Cumhacht believe that might, or strength, gives you the right to rule those that are weak. To them, force is justice in itself. On the other hand, those in support of Ceart believe that force, or violence, is only justified when used in self-defense. To them, the right thing to do is to avoid violence whenever possible and seek a path preferable to all parties involved.

Most people in Baile are simple, however, and are as such uninterested in the principles of power. Getting through the day and enjoying life for what it is takes precedence.

The Bailish are a religious and superstitious lot. They worship a pantheon of angels, who are depicted as winged humans. These angels are believed to have superhuman powers and sometimes visit the mundane world to answer prayers or perform miracles. Great victories in battles are always attributed to a particular angel or other.

The Daoine, elves native to the lands of Baile, live secluded from the humans and have a completely different culture. They are highly territorial, aggressive almost, and will only rarely interact with other peoples. They live in the forests of Baile and are largely left alone despite the demand for lumber. Not much is known about their religious beliefs other than that they seem to worship the stars.

Crimes
Murder, theft, assault, rape, destruction of property… all of the usual crimes of violence are punishable by fines, jail or, sometimes, death. Lying is also seen as a crime in Baile, but only if you are stupid enough to be exposed. Getting away with a clever ruse is even seen as admirable.

Foreign Relations
Baile is very much a neutral player in the game of world politics. The only time in history that the Bailish have faced an outside threat on the scale of war was a long time ago, during the formation of the Golden Horde. The north of the realm suffered immensely at the hands of the ferocious Uruk, but eventually prevailed in driving them back. Since then, Baile has neither had cause to attack or defend against foreign powers, save for minor disputes and skirmishes around the border.

The nations that Baile have significant contact with today is partly the Aelorian Empire, from which it is said that the Bailish learned sword- and longbowmaking; partly the Golden Horde, which supplies the country with resources and income from trade along the Golden Road; and Thangoradrim, who some scholars believe are the sister people of the Bailish and supplies the nation with the invaluable Valdium ore, which the swordsmiths in Loch Dubh use to make swords for the foremost of the realms knights.




Baile is an industrious nation. The east mines for ores and metals, producing iron tools and weapons. In the lowlands farmers grow wheat, baking bread and brewing ales. The people of the south chop trees for lumber, producing ships of great quality. The highlanders herd sheep and cows, producing wool and dairy products, and all along the coast fish is being pulled from the sea. It is a stable country, not really rich but definitely not poor. Most people have proper housing and food on the table every day, but luxury is rare even among the nobles.

Military Overview

Baile has no real standing army. In times of war the lords and ladies of the land are charged with drafting recruits for the defense of the nation, but most of these soldiers receive no training in peacetime. One exception is the many orders of errant knights employed by the nobles of Baile. They serve as peacekeepers is peacetime and elite warriors in war. The errant knights are experts at martial arts and are a fearsome force to meet on the battlefield. Another exception is the world-famous Bailish longbow archers, used as the general defensive force of the keeps and castles of the realm.

Map Claim


The territory owned by the Kashar is mainly savannahs, the occasional small forest, then desert. It is one of the only fertile lands in their peninsula. There is a portion along the coast where there are mangroves, this is located where the the river meets the ocean. Year round there is typically much arid heat that is brought to them with only winter and fall being their rainy seasons. The northern shores are primarily cliffs that lead eventually dip to beaches at the north eastern and western shores.

Where the river forks there is a large rock that is perfect balanced on top of the smaller rock, this is one of the Kashar's major symbols for if the rock falls then their nation is doomed to fail. There is also the Jagged Teeth along the northern cliffs which is sharpened rocks coming out of the ocean, a symbol to how they should defend their lands.



The Clans of Kashar are just that, clans divided among one another, yet they are all identified as one large nations. They live in huts primarily made of mud and thatch put together. Food is often hunted for with only small river villages that have some irrigation. The Kashar people have been tribal for hundreds of years because their gods will so and they refuse to move from the ways they have followed. Plus, they see as everyone being equal to one another.



The Kashar have always operated in a tribal fashion, warring amongst one another for as long as history could tell for them. One war, however, set the Kashar on a path that would forever change the way that see one another and unify them under one banner. Clan Aonghus has set on a war path to conquer all the clans in order to horde resources for their own personal gain, a quality shunned upon by the Kashar people. It would be considered the ultimate sin against them and their gods, it would become everyone's duty to stop Clan Aonghus no matter what.

Kuo the Blood Conqueror set about the lands to pillage and plunder, leaving no resistance in his path as his clan was the largest and the most militaristic. He had far more advanced weapons, bows as big as a man and able to fire large arrows at his enemies. It was not long for the other clans to fix out that Kuo had been finging help from outsiders to support the campaign and form a nation completely outside Kashar values. Before they could go to war, however, they needed to preform a ritual to the gods for exactly one day.

So each clan did, they appeased their gods and went to fight their common enemy in order to bring peace once more. They marched one-hundred thousand strong and set for the enemy's heart. They sieged Clan Aonghus' walls for fifteen days before they could destroy the gates and flood the town. They followed the Kashar values and slew only those who resisted, they let those who who surrender go. Kuo would meet a different fate, however, he would be hanged for what he has done. The hanging was not a quick one, instead it took half an hour for Kuo to die by the noose.

With the common foe gone and peace once more restored to the land, the clans went back to what they were doing beforehand. However, each clan thought about what should happen should the threat of foreign invasion happen. They conferred with the gods for answers and everyone had gotten the same answer. They were to meet at the forked river by the Balanced Rock, there they shall elect a high king, or queen, who will keep the clans united and safe. The member of Clan Hrothgar was selected and became known as High Queen Jestari, she would be the first of many. Later, the role of the high king would include him/her to form a council by choosing one member from each clan so that everyone may be represented.

Over one-hundred years later, the clans would face the smallest challenge that they would every face in their history. The very thing they were hoping to avoid occurred once more with the third High King turning on his people and following the path that Kuo the Blood Conqueror had. Luckily the council had proven to be loyal to the people and rallied the clans to dispose of the Bad King. He was killed in his sleep by the council who then would look to the gods once more, to see who the true High King should be. It led to a small child at the age of two, they would take the child with full consent from the parents. However, there would need to be a replacement for the one they had killed.

The council elected one of its own members, High King Chariot, to lead while the current queen would be trained. The Queen took power after she came of age at fifteen years old and went on to keep the clans united together. She, however, wanted to keep peace with outsiders and possibly do trade with them so that peace may be maintained. Queen Thatcher does not know how this will turn out, but she, along with her council, are optimistic on what will happen. Soon enough, the Thangoradrim had come to their lands out of exploration. Originally, skeptical of the outsiders, the Kashar became close friends with them and eventually formed an alliance. Thus, the people have their faith to the young queen and swore to follow her.














The primary exports that the Kashar would produce would be thatch, furs, clay pots, and mud bricks. while they import metal as they do not trade with outsiders very often. Technologically, they are at a disadvantage as they rely on bone spears and some leather armor, they have tamed large, flightless birds that they ride around on for increased travel. Their homes are mad of mud bricks and thatch. Craftsmen, while small in number, are all equal and compete with one another to make the most magnificent items around. However, kashar, have made sacred masks that only the warriors of the kashar may where.



The Kashar military mainly consists of male tribesmen who go out to set up ambushes on their enemies with spears and bows. They typically use the advantage of getting low on the ground to set up traps and use guerilla tactics against any who mean harm upon them. However, metal is rare in the Kashar society and no armor has been made with any, only weapons. Spears are the most common weapons with swords being given to veterans only. Shields are made from wood and the most protection they have is with small amounts of leather armor.

They have a small contingent of Calvary which ride large flightless birds, the Askari, these birds are also the typical beast of labor as they carry supplies with them as well. However, they are hard to take from the wild so most resort to raising them from birth for war and helping carry supplies.

The Thabossians are a bipedal, humanoid peoples, closely related to humans. They are copper-skinned, with most of the population possessing bright red or black hair. Physiologically, they are not predisposed to gaining much muscle mass, and they are all taller than humans on average, with females averaging at 7 feet tall and the males averaging at 7 feet and 6 inches, all of which contribute to giving them a tall and willowy appearance that is accentuated by the flowing, loose-fitting robes that they wear at almost every opportunity in order to cope in the heat of the Sunswept Isles. The Thabossians are omnivorous but most remain largely herbivore due to the general dearth of livestock animals on the islands. Their ears taper to small points, and their eyes are either silvery-green or blue, with little exception.

The Kahularians are a bipedal, simian peoples who inhabit the rugged centre of the Sunswept Isles, nominally under the charge of the Tiger-King of Thabos but operating more often as an independent patchwork of tribal states that are constantly warring with each other and occasionally operating raids out onto the Thabossian cities that dot the coast. A wholly carnivorous and ostensibly cannibalistic people, they are generally regarded as barbarians by the Thabossians, who use them both as galley slaves and forced soldiers in their armies, though in reality the Kahularians have their own language, their own customs and their own religion, which focuses on the worship of the 'Great Life Tree' Atakaru, rumoured to be located somewhere within the enormous and near impenetrable jungle of the Snapping Turtle principality, where the Kahularians maintain the strongest presence and most developed infrastructure. Short and stocky, the average female Kahularian stands at five feet, while the males are usually a few inches shorter. Their physiology is essentially humanoid except for their being covered in thick and coarse greenish black hair.

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A Bell of Awakening, the echo of revelation that once called Hallows from all over the world to chase after a faint ringing bell in the hopes of either curing their curse or discovering the truth behind the Hallows. An accursed land of undead, a land beyond a wall of mist, a nation lost to the Thousand Year Fog, a Forgotten Kingdom which beckons forth desperate Hallows.

Ot at least, that how it was.

Now, the Kingdom of Myrstrost awakes from its thousand year slumber but like a fleeting dream, remember nought of what had happening in its sleep after forced into the waking world a decade ago. A land lost to time, Myrstrost, the Forgotten Kingdom, harness the power of the Fog which had once isolated them from the world. No one remembers anything or how drastically their land has changed since the time before the Fog or even how the Fog came to be or ended.

With its legions of Hallowed warriors, Myrstrosts sets its sight on not the conquest of the world, but the rediscovery of their own homeland as well as reconnecting with a world which had forsaken them after so many years of being shackled to the Fog.

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Myrstrost is built on the island of Slivyst, far north of the main continent, separated by the Csarik Strait or the "Strait of Monsters" as great sea-born beasts of unnatural origins that prowl under the waves, killing any who dare cross. The island itself has many rolling hills and expansive Arlimir Forest. Towards the north-east, the woods begin to thin out and reveal a chain of mountains called Frostfallen Peaks where tribes of giants can be found. The two smaller islands to the north-ish are Krosc (smaller) and Himlar (larger). Across all of Myrstrost can be found ruins of villages, towns, and temples, all seemingly lost during the Thousand Year Fog, however much of the population lives in cities and settlements that have not been lost as all those places lost have now taken up new, more sinister residents.

Climate wise, the island is fairly chilly but there are times where it warms just enough for crops to grow but famine still plagued the land at one point until the genius inventor Pharros had come up with a network of magical fires called Ember Cradles which had warmed the earth up enough to allow for more stable farming. More recently now that the Thousand Year Fog has ended, the Starlit Strait will occasionally freeze over, allowing easy access to the island from the mainland and trapping the beasts under the ice, but some still find a way above.

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Myrestrost can trace its roots back to the old Empire Of Aciret which had spread its wings the northern edge of Matria hundreds of years ago, encompassing many races under its banner. However, the Empire was fractured from its start with local rulers having too much power compared to its central leaders and under the weight of unruly vassals and the Orc hordes that were making routine incursions into the weakened Aciret lands, the Empire fell apart.

Those who were lucky enough to run faster than the mounts of the Orcs could go hopped on to boats and made way for what was then known as Silvyst Island. The Orcs had tried to follow but the valiant warriors who were left protected the beaches with great vigor day and night to ensure that their new home would be well protected. As the raids became less and less frequent, the island slowly became its own kingdom under Queen Gywendelin Myrstrost the Stoneweaver. A talented mage in the Earthen Arts, Queen Gywendelin personally oversaw much of the creation of the new Myrstrost Kingdom, explaining its fantastical style.

Things went smoothly for a few generations where the Kingdom became an important stop along many northern trade routes and sea lanes. The ports were busy, people filled the streets, things where made and researched, but then, silence. The villages were silent as no ships came in and an erie, thick, hazy fog set in.

No one could get in or out it seemed, any ships that tried to enter or leave the fog found themselves turned right back around by some force of magic. Strangely enough though, Hallows were able to pass through the mist and reach the Kingdom but never come out.

For centuries the silver mist isolated Myrstrost with no one able to get in or out. As such, the land had faded away into legend, an eternal abandoned land beyond the smoky mist with only the words of a kingdom so grand and epic that the gods themselves were jealous of the Queen's abilities. And thus, curse her entire kingdom into fog to be forgotten.

But then, almost 10 years ago, the fog dissipated and the ancient kingdom rose from that of legends into that of reality. However, now there are new monsters and beasts that roam the old, once forgotten cities and the island of Silvyst has been tainted and marred with countless new ruins. But no one remembers how all of this came to be, nor the events that lead up to the Thousand Year Fog or what exactly transpired in it. Now as Myrstrost, the Forgotten Kingdom, tries to find its spot in the world that it had been so long forgetful of while also trying to discover what happened within it.

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The rule of Myrstrost is a simple monarchy with heirs chosen from the oldest of the Royal Blood, assisted by a Royal Court. The first known ruler of Myrstrost is its namesake founder, Queen Gwyndelin Myrstrost the Stoneweaver, although legends speak of someone even older and stronger the the fair Queen. As of now, the current ruler is King Dromovalt of the same line as the old Queen Gwyndelin.

The rulers of the Forgotten Kingdom reside in the epic Castle Myrstrost that had been made by Gwyndelin herself. Some describe it as mountain of a cathedral-castle, others an extraordinary city-of a castle, all can be said as true. Perhaps a monument to Gwyndelin's power, its built atop a massive outcrop of stone making it as defendable as it is beautiful.

The iconic symbol of the Myrstrost monarchy is the Frozen Crown, a masterpiece crown made of exquisite, delicate work made of silver, inlaid with prized sapphires and diamonds and imbued with with pure Salus as to clear the mind and improve the health of its wearer, the king or queen.



The city which surrounds Castle Myrstrost is called Tyrbure (try-burn), and its seen as a massive, sprawling city and the only city in Myrstrost as all other have been lost to the beasts and darker forces. As such, Tyrbure is divided up into different sections or "wards", each focusing or being known for something but not necessarily only doing that. Several layers of walls have also been built, signifying the willingness of the kingdom and city to move further into the wilderness during the Thousand Year Fog with each wall inward becoming taller, more complex and just more epic. The wards of Tyrbure are:

• Castle Ward - Consists of Castle Myrstrost and its immediate surroundings.
• Factory Ward - The manufacturing heart of the city, it feeds the people with goods and warriors with weapons and armor.
• Caravan Ward - A small-ish merchant district that hosts the largest marketplace and festival grounds.
• Cathedral Ward - Not just the religious center of Myrstrost with the epic Nostradamos Cathedral, its also the cultural center of the kingdom with many museums displaying art and old artifacts from expeditions into the ruins as well as several opera houses and entertainment venues. It is said that it is actually the ringing of the Bell of Awakening atop the Nostradamos Cathedral which beckons Hallows to Myrstrost.
• Academy Ward - With knowledge at its head and magic in its heart, the Academy Ward is the center of all things relating to knowledge, education and the arcane. The prestigious College of Atakin is located in this ward and this is where everything relating to Mythst takes place.
• Noble Ward - As one might expect, this is basically a nice, secluded place for THE ARISTOCRATS to do whatever THE ARISTOCRATS do and has many a manors and estates.
• Farmer Ward - The large, open space between the very first perimeter barrier and the first proper wall, this is where the farming takes place mostly in close proximity to Tyrbure and thus is almost a village in its own right given the number of people living and working here.

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Hallows are the most common folk of the Forgotten Kingdom making up about 2/3 of the total population, the rest being human with a tiny sliver of other races from other lands who've found their way to Myrstrost without dying and without being Hallows.. Technically there's only two races in Myrstrost: Hallows and Humans. But given that Hallows are simply undead of any race that retain their intelligence, Myrstrost can be seen as quite diverse.

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Long ago, when the kingdom was first founded, men worshipped the Giants as they stood taller than life above all else. Back then the Giants were much more intelligent and knowledgable so it was their assistance which allowed the tiny humans to survive. Such was known as the Age of Giants where Myrstrost practiced the beliefs of "Way of Giants" with rituals and prayers and festival.

But then, it would all change when Karginoth of Mezenia, a small village on the edge of the mountains, launched an attack on the Giant's stronghold with 10,000 men. Overcoming the great ones with agility and speed, he overthrew the Way of Giant and in its place had created the Bodhi Church in its place, ordering extensive magic to be used on the Giant to the point they would loose their intelligence as Karginoth believed man had learned all they needed from the beasts.

The actual ideals and beliefs of the the Church of Awakening are unknown as they seemed to have faded with the Fog once it had left. Its widely assumed that Karginoth had used the fog some how and the Bodhi Church exerted great power in the kingdom as seen by its numerous churches and buildings. Its said that the Cathedral Ward of Tyrbure was entirely built and financed by the Church of Awakening alone, quite a show of power.

Now a days, Myrstrost is lost religiously, the Way of Giants long gone and the teachings of the Church forgotten, while some scrap to old beliefs or even cults, Bodhism is returning and seeping in once more into the once forgotten Cathedral Ward with prayer and hymn filling the streets once more. However, in conjunction with the reformed Chuch of Bodhi is the Brescian religion of the "Sect of Insight", otherwise more commonly known as the "Church of Awakening". While it would be lying to say that both ideologies go smoothly with each other, the two do enjoy cultural similarities and a number of shared worshippers; the Church of Awakening even has its own floor on the epic Nostradamos Cathedral in Cathedral Ward, a sign of great prestige in Myrstrost

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To outsiders, what Myrstrostians appear to be can vary from telling to telling. Some talk of a land of undead Hallows who do nothing but moop about, others speak of a land of endless adventure with brave men exploring the great ruins of a land forgotten; some say of a frozen hellhole in the north where everything tries to kill you and its people nonchantly brush off dangers which could easily kill them, others report that its a land with limitless magical potential and can possibly hold the key to evolving magic to the next stage with its Mythst.

All of those are true to an extend in some capacity. Myrstrostians are known for being incapable of feeling fear in the face of danger while also being xenophile to an extend, their curiosity about the world only natural given their isolation. If compared to a child, Myrstrost is like a curious kid whose wants to be friendly with everyone to learn more about the world while sharing what it as.

They're quite a strange but yet quaint people with an eternal chasing of adventure.

Besides the law, the two aspects which dominates common life is the Church of Awakening and the Odyssey Guild. The Church already wields influence in the way which you would expect, but the Guild is in charge of all explorations and endeavors into the ruins as well as trade. Their focus on trade means their exploration laws are actually quite lax, but employment into the Guild in an administrative role is a every coveted role indeed.

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Magic has been intertwined with Myrstrost's fate since the beginning when the first Queen Gwyndelin had raised the cities from the earth. As such, the tradition has persisted to this day with magic heavily imbued into people's lives and are the focal point of study and progress of advancement with the College of Atakin being the foremost place to study such arts. The College actually has untold ties to the Church of Awakening, likely due to the fact that the College actually originates from the Church of Awakening before separating into its own entity.

Studied at the College of Atakin, the major magics are:

• School of Hazeal - Perhaps the most powerful and well known School, the School of Hazeal focuses its efforts on studying Mythst and the lingering traces left of the Thousand Year Fog. They are behind the creation of Mythst and its current and guard its secrets to death and beyond. While nothing is said between the two, its almost common knowledge that the School of Hazeal works very closely with the Church of Awakening on projects of the more secretive and questionable nature.
• School of Gaia - Founded by Queen Gwyndelin herself, the School of Gaia focuses on a very specific art within what some call "druid magics" or "nature control": Stoneweaving. The art of Stoneweaving is the way of magic concered with altering stone and is the reason behind the amazing building style of Myrstrost. However, this is still work for construction workers, masons builders as Stoneweaving does not create intricate carvings and details.
• School of Kryrus - Once the most dedicated followers of the Way of Giants, the School of Kryrus can trace its origins to those who the Giant taught their cold magics too. They were nearly all killed after Karginoth had eradicated their mentors. To this day, the School of Kryrus give a cold shoulder to the Church, their wounds still not healed.

This is not to say that the College of Atakin doesn't offer other fields of study; its just that these are the most common and popular areas as those from these schools often find the most work for the Church or the Guild. The most common of the "Minor Schools" is the School of Esporat which focuses on "adventuring and exploration magic" such as finding one's way and being able to appraise and magically inspect artifacts and treasure.

In terms of "storing" said knowledge, magical or otherwise, much of it is located in the Grand Archive, built by Pharros before he became mad. Its an epic construction in its own right, although not surprising as Pharros was a prodigal student in the School of Gaia. Much of it is actually under grown like roots with only a little bit of it open to the surface, hence the nickname given to it of "Library Roots".

However, much of the underground portion where the most advanced magical tomes, scrolls, grimoires, books and text are stored and complex mechanical drawings, diagrams and solutions have been sealed off from the rest of the Archive and remain unaccessible. Rumor has it that it was actually the Church of Awakening had sealed it off after Pharros had gone Feral. Some say you can still sometimes hear the mad howls of the Mad Inventor who still makes copious notes and papers as if he was still granted audience at Castle Myrstrost.

In some ways, one can say that Myrstrost is a pro-magic nation compared to a pro-tech one. This is only half true as outside of what the Mad Inventor Pharros created, Myrstrost's technology level is simply not nearly as effective as its magical capabilities and what the Mythst can provide.

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The Kingdom of Myrstrost is modestly gifted with resources. Miners toil to dig up iron and silver to be made into steel and jewelry, woodcutters fell great forests of Northern Yew and Frostbitten Ironwood trees as farmers push out a meager harvest each year thanks to the Ember Cradles network which the Mad Inventor Pharros created to prevent permafrost from starving the land. However, Myrstrost finds itself in need of food given how poor the soil is naturally is; how the land got by during the Thousand Year Fog is unknown.

That does not mean that their is no speciality food however as Myrstrost has its own unique Mist Toast, bread made from wheat that is grown in soil laced with Mythst and whose texture and taste is soft and fluffy when unheated and a sweet toasty flavor when heated. Some say it also has magic abilities of its own like regenerative properties to promote youth and energy.

While by no means backwards, much of Myrstrost is less reliant on cutting edge technology as they are on arcane magics as they have found their natural landscape does not permit a good deal of technology to work well if at all. The people of the Forgotten Kingdom have also long since mastered the ways of magic in ways to make creations almost impossible to do with technology. Such as that in their magnificent buildings that defy physics almost and the magical Alephs of old, of which the art to create and control them has been lost.

That said, the Mad Inventor Pharros had managed to conjure up quite the amount of machinery in the Factory Ward of Tyrbure. A now near-constant beat of pistons and ticking of gears fills the steamy and smoky air of the Factory Ward as everything needed to rebuild a kingdom is made.

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Myrstrost's military is heavily focused on the idea that they will be more often used in exploring ruins and such within the island itself rather than being used as an offensive or defensive force. As such, they have some unorthodox techniques and mannerisms. Many soldiers are Hallows, most of whom dedicate their immortal lives to the art of military and diving into ruins in hope of being able to cure their eternal curse. Such "expeditions" are a common sight within the kingdom as otherwise the army has little to do. Bringing home valuables and past knowledge is also always appreciated.

The most famous of such is the high mobile fighting style used by all ranks of the Mystrost army. Such methods of quick-stepping and rolling are considered essential parts of training and are part of the "Karginoth Movement Arts", named after the leader of the warriors who defend the island from the Orc onslaught many centuries ago. Each soldier is not trained as a soldier who finds strength in numbers, instead they train like warriors, drawing upon their individual strength.

Another point of interest is the adoption of gunpowder, not in the form of firearms, but mostly that of bombs urns, at least one per person. In things such as field battles, warriors are expected to light the fuse and throw them right before they charge or the enemy does. This strategy has proven remarkably well at disrupting defensive formations, making for easy prey for the charging infantry while also capable of slowing the momentum if not outright breaking a charge. The odd firearm does exist however, mostly in the form of defensive units stationed at cities and ports or handguns carried by wealthy officers as more of a sign of wealth, prestige and rank due to their more ornate nature.



Infantry is without a doubt the star of the show for the Myrstrostic Army, their Hallowed soldiers spending years training the arts of war and then using them in the seemingly endless dungeons and ruins of the island. Death is nothing to be afraid of for a Hallow as they know that their curse will bring them back to life, even if they turn feral and die with the last shreds of their humanities lost. Heavily armored warriors that move swifter than light infantry in battle, each on their own can easily outclass any soldier from any other nation and can give elite units a run for their money in groups.



The downfalls of the Myrstrost army is a lack of a solid ranged support unit as most ruins do not offer optimal shooting conditions thus archery is left to volunteer hunters who keep at their craft in the army. Cavalry is also something of an issue as the harsh climate does not provide great conditions for horses. To circumvent that, knights ride the native Iceborn Dire Wolves and their role changes from that of a traditional fast shock cavalry unit into that of a slower brawler cavalry unit as the large beasts are by nature tougher than horses and are ferocious enough to fight on their own even without an already formidable knight riding them.



The elite unit of the Myrstrost is the "Hallowed Soulguard Knights", the chosen warriors who undergo the "Chalice Rituals" and go from mere Hallows into legends. They stand taller than any other soldier in the Myrstrost army (about 7-9 feet depending on the person in question) and have incredible strength and swiftness, often wielding massive weapons that no one else would dare to try and pick up. Such strength and combat ability makes the Soulguard Knights literal monsters on the battle feild, legends speak of ones with such strength that they could wipe away entire armies but alas, those heroes have long since met their fates, feral or not.

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Given their long isolation and the fog, one can assume that Myrstrost never got its sea-legs, never building anything larger than canoes, rafts and barges for internal use and transport. One legend speaks of a long, slender black canoe driven by the Veuls who brought foreign Hallows to Myrstrost to begin their often ill-fated quests.



Due to once again being able to see the world once more, there had been a small push to make more sea worthy vessels. The Cascade is the result of such efforts and has proven to be a great sucess for Myrstrost. Swift enough to dodge the monsters even in the Strait while sturdy enough to take on whatever the seas can throw at it, its Mythst-coated Frozen Ironwood construction is the likely source because of this. Although these ships are very lightly armed, their durability and agility can easily annoy many sea captains as their decks are harassed by arrows, bombs and marines.

An adult male member of the species, dressed in typical clothing (also not my drawing)
Vutsians, Ţá'ŕụ in their own language, are a winged humanoid species who live primarily in the Islands of Vuts. Belived to be descended of avian species from the mainland, their ancestors migrated to the Vutsian Islands approximately 2,000 years ago, and largely displaced the Humans and Elves who were living on the Islands beforehand. The Vutsians differ little in terms of Sexual Dimorphism, all members of the species are known for their feminine, youthful looks; which lead to a myth that the Vutsian Isles were inhabited entirely by women. Owing to their avian origins, the males are known to display vibrant colors in their hair, such as bright greens, reds, blues and other colors. They are capable of limited gliding using their wings, however they can no longer fly.

A Vutsian Infantryman/Calvalryman (left) and a support troop, typical of Bowmen or Artillary (right)

The armor of the Vutsians is a lamellar type armor made of steel and ceramic mined in the mountains of their island homes. The Republic provides standard issue armor to each solider (though they are known to paint and decorate their armor, and are permmited to do so provided that it does not conflict with their functionality). One of the key features of Vutsian armor is their ceremonial helmets, made entirely of cast iron and padded on the inside. These helmets are ceremonial and functional, there for both psychological effect, and to provide protection. Often, the soliers will wear a cotton shirt underneath their cuirass to absorb blows from melee weapons and gunpowder weapons.

The Vutsians often show off their firearms, standard issue matchlock muskets, provided more for a psychological effect than actual functionality. Soldiers carry these weapons and will fire them off at their enemy at the start of a battle (reminicent of the roman use of the Pilum) before switching into their melee weapons.

Melee weapons typically consist of the sword, the mace, and the Pike. Pikemen make up the majority of the military. Cavalry usually follows behind. Longbowmen also fill out the ranks to provide ranged coverage.

Infantry: 25,000
Cavalry: 2,000
Longbowmen: 10,000
Artillery: 150

The Vutsian Navy acts primarily as a means to protect cargo and trade ships, and to transport soldiers around the sea. It is, compared to most, a rather mediocre Navy, existing purely for defensive purposes. The Vutsian Navy is not particularly large, and most of it is privately owned by the many Aristocrats of the country. The Republic itself puts little funding into it, expecting the maintenance of trade routes and the movement of Mercenaries to be the primary responsibility of the companies who run the routes and who hire out the soldiers. As such, the navy is far from impressive, comprising a minimal number of vessels. Do not be mislead, however, despite its size, the navy is more than capable of handling itself in battle, and must be to protect it's trade lines.

Farastine

Location/Geography

Purple-ish region in the southern islands

The islands in the south are mostly desert with the coast being tropical. The southern parts freeze during the short winters. Rivers and rolling hills make up the north and north east while the south and south west are mostly flat, dangerous sands.

General Introduction

Ara'Salam, the glorious City fortress capitol of Farastine

Farastine is the self styled "Jewel of the south." And the "Beacon of hope in a desolate world."

The nation prides itself on its many civil projects, major cities having stone roads and a well staffed commerce group which oversees the nations trade, a sort of balancing group.

It is one of the few places that documents all trade and verifies the majority of its shipments. All docks are government property but leased to private groups. Many private groups, known usually as guilds do much of the commerce and actions within the city. Mercenary guilds take overseas and domestic contracts to oceanic explorers and shoe makers are all common.

History

The original Farastinians started as tribes that colonized the island from the north many centuries ago. Over time and through diplomacy and at times force, modern Farastine rose to power. It was quick to reach out and acquire goods from other nations which was initially to use up others resources before Farastine's own. The people however found that some high quality goods from other nations couldn't be replicated and was generally worth more in domestic markets desirable. This led to a constant buildup of trade both externally and internally.

This led the nation to adopt a high end military to not only protect their people but their possessions as well. Underground castles were made to protect wealth from the murderous storms in the south. These castles are well hidden and are where precious metals and artifacts are stored.



Government type: Absolute Monarchy



The government consists of a high and low council. The high council is essentially governors of each respective state with the nation. These states each have at least three barons or major land owners that make up the lower.

All functions of a legislature and judicial branch are overseen by the two councils with a full overriding authority of the king or queen of that time. Usually though the council makes the decisions with the king or queen simply overseeing, interjecting only when absolutely needed.

The king or queen does however possess full control of the military with a special exemption, if three fourths of the entire upper and lower council votes to take control. This measure was put in place long ago to prevent a mad king or queen from doing excessive damage. Usually when an event like this occurs, a new royal family is chosen if a sufficient heir from the deposed king or queen does not exist.

Children are never allowed to be king, one must be of at least twenty years to rule and in the advent of a monarchs death and only has a child under age, a steward is appointed until the child reaches maturity.

Common law regarding no stealing, murdering etc is outlawed. Slavery is also outlawed but a private party visiting with slaves is perfectly acceptable.



Farastine is heavily developed and prides itself on not only producing the best domestic items possible but acquiring them as well. Tools, exotic foods, weapons and even boats are things readily sought from both government and private parties.

On the opposite side, Farastine has many high quality metals and spices that seem to top their exports. They sell everything from boats to swords and carts to rugs. All people from every trade and nation has the ability to exist and operate within Farastines borders so long as they obey local and national laws.

Military Overview

Farastine has a large and well funded army. Their weaponry is modern to the best of their ability and training is rigorous. The lack of any real wars in this generation limits the real life experience a teacher could provide. To their benefit though, records are well maintained so that the lessons of the past are still remembered.

Farastine is also a large employer of mercenary groups, both noble and shady. This force further bolsters their numbers but some see this act as rather unscrupulous and dishonorable. Farastine sees it as efficient.

Location/Geography

The territory I marked is an island in the north east. It has a cold climate and is surrounded by uninviting rocky coasts. Furthermore the barren black rock covering the place further inland have given supersitious people the belief the island is cursed and uninhabitable.

Further inland however, lies a hardy, but nevertheless resource-rich land. The south and north of the island have vast steppes, the mountains in the center are teeming with the treasures of the earth. Even the dank swamps in the east have merit in how rich they are in fish. The land is an utopia disguised as a curse. And that façade brings it safety.

General Introduction

The blackland alliance has a very varied array of cultures and people living in it. The one thing that binds them all together however, is the dream of a better life. Be it the eternal underdogs of the kobolds and goblins. Or the brutish but noble ogres and lizardmen. All came together under the guiding hand of the orcs to build a sanctuary where they can exist without trouble from self-proclamied 'civilized' people.

History

The history of the black island alliance begins with a minor orcish warlord by the name of tulida the black claw. One day, he was gripped by a dream of ambition one day. He rode out that day with his personal retinue. Promising to return with wealth and prestige or not at all. His adventures were many, and oftentimes violent. On his way, he often found himself replenishing his forces not just with orcs but with whatever monstrous race was available in the area. Taking some goblins to undermine a tunnel here. Having some lizardmen build him boats there.

Eventually, his exploits saw him arriving at the black island. In his wake not just his fellow orks, but all sorts of other races. Following him through some agreement or simply out of an inspired fervor. This mass-migration saw before them a pearl concealed in a barbed oyster. Even if the climate was hardy and the wildlife dangerous, it still looked like a better place to live than the slums and hidden encampments many of them hailed from.

And so they settled here. The island being divided as needed amongst the followers of Tulida. It wa in this period of settlement that Tulida wrote the famous black book. A work detailing ideals and philoophies that would come to shape the island's society in the future. His great works in politics, like his works in adventuring, were many and glorious. Under his wise rule, a council was established to give all inhabitants of the island equal representation. To the outside however, his rule never extended. For all the neighbouring coasts knew, the island's curse had taken the group of misfits. It was a conception the black claw never saw fit to challange. After all, it granted his lands safety from invaders it might otherwise never have known.

Now however, the warlord has grown old and weary. He knows his end is approaching soon. And his last wish would be to be buried in the steppes where he was born. He was satisfied. He had accomplished something few others did. A realm of his own, stable and ready for the future. He only hoped his son garada would be a worthy succesor. But alas, such would be out of his control. He could only live out what days remained for him now.

The blackland alliance is

The blackland alliance is a confederacy of smaller tribal nations that represens the black island as a single entity towards outside powers. There are many different races and tribes on the island, but tribes of the same race generally combine their political power in the council due to cultural similiarities. Of the many different races, the current six strongest power blocs in the council, in order of relative political power, are those of the orcs, the lizardmen, the goblins, the kobolds, the ogres and the gnolls. The power of these six tribes in the council is mostly equal. With four of the tribes generally forming enough of a majority together to push a decision trough. In times of peace, the council convenes once a year on the first day of spring to make decisions concerning things like agriculture and expansions of settlements for the coming year. The council may also convene in times of war or similiar situations that require the tribes to act as an united entity.

The black island is loosely divided into tribal territories based on the needs of cultures as they come. It is always attempted to give new people lands where they can make the most of their skills and culture. Territorial conflicts are a somewhat regular occurence, but a strong presence of peacekeeping troops throughout the island usually sees such conflicts resolved before they escelate into outright fighting.

There are many more races than the six major tribes. The alliance prides itself on the acceptance and integration of nomadic or exiled people looking for a place in the world to settle down. For ease of reference, it is safe to assume most of the world's more nomadic races have at least some of their kin living in the alliance. For ease of reference, the big six will be described here.












The black island is heavily focused on economic autonomy from its neighbours. Trade is usually limited to resources that cannot be produced domestically, and even then only on an as needed basis. This policy has worked thus far mostly due to the islands abundance of natural resources being able to sustain the population pretty well.

Exports are tightly controlled, much like imports. Only small amounts of resources come through, sold at prices that suggest desperation. The intent being to make the outside world think the island's inhabitants are barely scraping by with what they have.

Of the exported goods, only one thing really stands out. The iron of the island makes for high-quality metalwork characterized by a black color and a rugged, almost unbreakable blade.

Military Overview

Military organization within the alliance is somewhat decentralized in times of peace. Most member tribes see little reason to have a permanent standing military force. The only permanent force within the country are the peacekeepers. An orcish organizaiton devoted to finding and resolving internal conflicts through nonviolent means when possible.

In times of war, the alliance will call all its members to arms. A percentage of able-bodied and healthy people from all tribes are expected to answer this call, though there is no formal punishment for failing to answer the call beyond the disgrace a tribe would face before their peers.

The combined armies of the alliance are headed by a supreme commander appointed by the council. Said commander will be appointed an advisor of each race as to keep a certain balance in military doctrine and not squander the potential of a part of the army to rigid or poorly-executed tactics.

Military units generally consist of a group of racially homogenous soldiers with similiar traning and equipment.

Humanoids with the faces of Dragons, Dratarians or "Dragon men" live in small holdfasts in the western mountains. Standing fully 7 feet tall, with muscled builds and covered in red, green, or brown scales, they are an imposing people with a similar honor based culture. Their leaders are blessed with tails, and only one Drabarian in 500 years can grow wings. The Drabar claim they await the end of the world, and the herald of the Dragon's return. They send their offspring into the Thangor forest, and cannot come back until they have proof of a heroic kill, such as the tusks of a Demari Boar. They taught the Thangors how to work Baldr and Valdium.

Location/Geography

[Area 18]

The northern territory of the Eastern Auran Belt is a rocky desert of flat plains in that raises toward the east coast. The Eloian wastes northern borders are marked by hills and a small mountain range that sees heavy storms during the winter months. South of this mountain range leads into a uneven plateau which is largely a steppe landscape, too variable in temperature, and too infertile for proper farming, to make cities viable outside the small lakes and oases that dot the landscape. Giant scorpions, dune wyrms, and sand dragons plague much of the Herema Desert. Packs of vicious carnivorous reptiles called spikebacks also make their home here. The desert is roughly 100 feet below sea level, sloping at a gradual decline from the east coast over 10 miles.

General Introduction

Among their own kind centaurs are sociable creatures, but they have been known to become rowdy, boorish, and aggressive when under the influence of alcohol. In recent years, the tribes of the Eastern Auran Belt have united into a single tribal federation. Centaur family bonds have correspondingly diminished in importance as the tribes have slowly become more militarized. They still have defined family roles in short, the males hunt and protect the tribe's borders while the females aggressively defend centaur civilians while administering the day to day operation of encampments.

History

Almost 300 years ago the tribes of the Eloians inhabited the deep forest glades north of the Eastern Auran Belt. A peaceful people if a bit xenophobic, they lived in relative peace mastering the woods of their domain. That was until the people who would eventually be known as the Thangoradrim begin migrating to the forest realm. Eventually, the two peoples would come to blows over territory and imagined slights. A decade later would see the centaur tribes eventually driven south into the Herema Deserts.

The drastic change of environment would almost see an end to the proud race. However, thanks partly to their skills in cultivating and the aid of other smaller centaur tribes who had lived in the region prior to their great retreat. The tribes not only survived but soon began to thrive even in the harsh conditions.


The tribal society of Eloian centaurs regards freedom and personal choice as the highest virtues. As long as an individual’s choice do not hinder the welfare of another centaur of the tribe, these once peaceful creatures leave all decisions in the hands of the individual. The seemingly unorganized society of the centaurs is actually bound by an openness and camaraderie that more civilized cultures have long since lost. After all forming strong bonds with those in the herd is not only desired but necessary as many simple tasks humanoids take for granted require the aid of a trusted friend. Such as the cleaning of one's hooves or mane. Honor is also prime among the Eloians beliefs. Their harsh existence, full of death and hardship, molded their culture to believe the gods would measure them on their behavior on the living plane.

Centaur lairs look little like the permanent structures of other races, consisting of a series of beautiful oasis consisting of peaceful streams in rocky regions and perhaps a few scattered lean-tos. Although these lairs seem simple and unprotected, they provide more protection than even the stoutest walls by allowing the swift moving centaurs to encircle approaching foes or easily flee if pressed too hard. In recent years, three major centaur tribes have been united under the Eloia alliance having assimilated smaller ones. The dark maned Morthian tribe, The vicious Ulgothi, and the enigmatic Tarbarii clan.

An Eloian tribe historically usually looked to a druid to lead them or act as designated speaker along with the tribes warriors holding sway. Each tribes druid would take the title of sheikh. However, the sheikh's ultimate power was limited by tradition and important decisions are made by the tribe's council of elders.

In modern times, the bulk of centaur society is structured more like a massive army under the control of a powerful warlord—specifically, Arazororn Khan, or Arazororn The Mighty of the Tarbarii. In reaction to the drought of their current realm, the Eloia have mustered and organized under the Morthian, Ulgothi and Tarbarii tribes turning them into a single large fighting force. Arazororn Khan has kept the most powerful druids of the three major tribes as advisors, a step toward allowing them a voice even under his rule. The Tarbarii occupy the highest position in this tribal hierarchy, followed by the Ulgothi, and then the Morthian. The Tarbarii are ruthless and dictatorial, conscripting the less powerful centaur tribes into service and forcing them to fight according to the combat strategies and orders of battle laid out by the Tarbarii high command.




The Eloia have always been a hunter-gathering tribal society. Centaurs are skilled in horticulture and cultivate useful plants near their lair. In dangerous, monster-infested areas they plant thick barriers of thorn bushes around their lair, dig pits and set snares. Centaurs survive through a mixture of hunting, foraging, fishing, agriculture, and trade. Though they dislike dealing with humans, but prefer trading with elves, especially for food and wine. Trade partners are paid from the tribes treasury, which consists of the booty of slain monsters or gained in raids. Due to their cultivating skills, they often grow herbs and spices near oasis’s and trade these to foreigners to supplement their trade deals.


The centaurs are generally a very spiritual people that combine nature worship with ancestor worship. This worship was always fairly militant and violent, with rites that routinely ended in ritualistic combat between centaur tribes or between individuals from the same tribe. Years of struggle and border warfare have hardened the centaurs to the point where their religious observances are even more violent and martial than they had been, especially with the Morthian's aggressive campaign of attacks on humanity. Centaurs still have a deep reverence for their nature spirit (whom they vehemently deny is an aspect of the human goddess Melandru) but these days they focus on the proud, wild, and free aspects of their spirituality far more than the growing and nurturing aspects.

In brighter times, Elonian prides gathered around massive "ancestor trees," where they believed the spirits of their forebears watched over them. According to arcane scholars, the fruit of these trees was seen as divine, possibly as a way to pass down spiritual wisdom from one generation to the next.

Military Overview

As a rule, many centaurs are known to often shun the company of strangers at least among the human races. They are deadly archers and fearsome melee. In accordance with Eloian civil and social structure, outstanding obedience and firm discipline provides the backbone for their military. The strong bonds built within the heard from a lifetime of hunting, fighting, and grooming together has forged a fighting force that has unmatched cohesion. A unit of centaurs moves like a flowing river with a mind of its own. Each perfectly mirrors his partner, moving and weaving at the beat of unsaid commands. A harmony of social movements perfected by long years of necessity.

A battle against a warherd is akin to a war against a school of fish. A school of fish armed with arrow, sword, and lance. Centaurs generally avoid battles unless they are assured of victory. Their response to hostility is a swift retreat, perhaps after launching a few arrows to discourage pursuit. In larger engagements they use the same tactics only half of the 'retreating' centaurs will circle around to lie in ambush or attack the foe from the rear.

In war tribes are often organized under leaders, who have earned their title often by merit and skill. An Arban commands up to ten men, a Zuun commands at least one hundred, a Mingghan a Thousand, and finally a Tumen which is second only to the Khan himself command tens of thousands. The Tuman answer directly to the Khan during times of war.

Units:
Warchief
Mightiest of the Herd and often given the rank of Tuman, it is the Chief, or sheikh in their tongue, who will decide whether the Centaurs of his tribe will fight or not. Prickly and notoriously easy to offend, it is a skilled Druid indeed who will secure the aid of one of these mighty champions. These sheikh are powerful spellcasters in their own right, often raising up brambles and the like in key locations on a battlefield.

Centaur Heavy Archers
The main weapon of the Centaur army is the composite bow, and as centaur warriors are born equal parts man and steed, they make excellent horse archers. These warriors have exchanged the mobility of light armour for the protection of heavy lamellar armor, allowing them to take a little more punishment from both ranged and melee weapons. While still faster than the mounts of most other nations thanks to their incredible endurance.

Centaur Archers
The most common troop type amongst the Eloia, raised from a very young age to wield the bow with deadly accuracy. Equipped with a compound bow and hand weapon, and lightly armoured for manoeuvrability on the battlefield, these warriors can pepper their enemies with arrows and stay clear of trouble or lead the enemy into ambushes with false retreats. It should be noted Centaurs have created a kind of composite recurve long bow strong enough to punch through even plate at mid range.

Centaur Heavy Lancers
These elite Centaur shock troops exchange mobility for heavier armour on both rider and mount. Supremely skilled warriors who excel in armed combat and possess the speed of a horse combined with the stamina of a human, they are armed with a lance and mace known as a 'gulda' and armoured in a lamellar cuirass called a 'khuyad'. Their body armor is divided into five parts and designed to protect every part of their horse body, including the lower torso where human and horse meet.

Eloia Warriors
Eloia Warriors are medium armoured companies which form the backbone of Eloia's army. These companies are formed from Centaurs who cannot afford expensive heavy armour. Still, their lighter armour protects vital body areas and allows these warriors to be fast and agile. Without heavy armour and with lightly armoured horse bodies, these units are cheaper to equip and make deadly, mobile cavalry that can strike hard and pull out quick, and then repeat until the enemy has had enough. Such forces often recycle back and forth between two or three companies, with this fatigued companies remain out of combat until recycled back int the fighting once more, much like how humanoid armies dismount and remount fresh horses. This lack of needing to dismount to recover means Centaur forces can rejoin the fight faster than other cavlary forces.

Location/Geography

(#27)



The Jade Island is a realm rich in spices and jade. The interior of the Island is defined primarily by dense jungle, sprawling limestone caverns with the ruins of long lost underground civilizations and highly dangerous flying predators that are still fearing even at a Iron Age level of technology. The jade mountains are not the tallest mountains in the world, but they make up for it in the exotic vistas that permeate the region. Forests have been somewhat cleared out by earlier societies of Finefolk, but not to the extent seen with humans for the finefolk often house themselves in trees when they are not allowed in the temple pyramids that house the highest echelons of societies in the area. The densely forested areas of the island are interspersed with wide plains out to the Caloro sea which feed the empire and allow for trade from the other major civilizations around the Caloro sea.

General Introduction

The empire of hands is a empire that has expanded to new lands around the Caloro sea in the past century. The finefolk, finally unified after centuries of disunity under one imperium has caused them to start expanding downwards seeking new wealth to get their massive hands on. The Great Alpha wants to make the Caloro sea into a handy lake, but to do so there will need to be a great push into the South and overcome primal fears to do so.

History

History will be elaborated on in light of the nature of adjacent cultures. However, for now what must be known is that a folk religion became the main religion of a major empire that dominated the northern hills a thousand years earlier. Said empire collapsed due to a centuries long drought and only in the past four centuries has agricultural civilization and ancient technologies been rediscovered by the tinkering guilds. The finefolk have made slaves out of the other races in the area, making a caste society where finefolk can focus on higher pursuits such as war, philosophy and tinkering. The Empire of Hands has a culture of tinkerers and a pathological obsession with elaborate siege machines that goes back centuries which has allowed them to conquer the southern lands.

More recently the Empire of hands has sought to monopolize trade in and out of the Caloro bay so they can get all the best spices from the west, and for that reason has expanded across the straits of their large island into the southern territories putting them at conflict with former trade partners.

(further history will require Alt's civ)

Government & Society

The Empire of hands is a empire that uses a tributary system and slave classes to maintain power. The Great Alpha is essentially akin to a king or emperor; what the great Alpha says goes. For they are handpicked from the palm of the gods to lead and are completely unquestionable. If the Great Alpha is overtaken by another Alpha, than it is clear that the hand of god has cast itself upon a superior ruler. Their religion is highly ritual and based around hands entirely, with massive hand statues and steles dedicated to the hand of god. Their god is literally a massive hand that smashes the unwanted and gives to the strong. For the hand of god beats the lazy and rewards the diligent. To be in god's favor is what the Great Alpha must do, and if the Great Alpha fails society is ruined.

There is two major classes of architecture, temple architecture and tree architecture. The temples tend to be steep, covered and terraced. They act as a storage faculty, market, ritual site and home for the Great Alpha and his fingers throughout the empire. Tree architecture reflects older traditions and are basically large, elaborate nests placed into trees with pulley systems and hammocks. They are a nice play to live if you have at least one wife. If you have no wife, you literally live in a dirt hut you are expected to make yourself (than you are expected to make the better houses). If you get a wife somehow (it's hard since the higher ranking ones may take your wife if you married too pretty), than you get a tree house too.

The word wife is a bit misleading since there is no elaborate marriage ceremony, just a short and often rushed marking ritual to state 'THIS WOMAN IS MY WOMAN'.

There is three major classes in their empire.

The farmers, the tinkerers/engineers and the soldiers.

The tinkerers and clergy and one-in-the-same and are the great alpha's fingers that deal with a range of tasks ranging from managing the farms to tinkering with new machines. They are very important to the manufacture of the war machine the Empire of Hands boasts about, along with the design of new buildings and the creation of sculpture. They don't view themselves as "artists"- for their follow a strict geometric system of numbers to make the effigies of god perfect and if they fail, they get beaten to death with a executioner's gauntlet.

The soldiers are combined with the merchants, the merchant-soldier being of great importance to the Empire of Hand's economy as having a unarmed merchant without military experience comes off to the Handyfolk as simply suicidal. These merchants unintentionally also happen to be a source of piracy due to corruption and very little oversight outside of the Empire (despite piracy being banned by the Great Alpha).

The farmers do farm work and can be conscripted into building elaborate communal temples for everyone to live in, each terrace holding successfully higher level members of society. The lowest social class, the slaves do not get to live in the temples. Instead they live in mud huts and do their work out in the open, without any protection beyond the merchant-soldiers.

The empire of hands values dominance, ingenuity, dexterity and versatility. A versatile individual is the best kind of individual in the minds of the Tinkerers and in the minds of the great Alpha himself (females tend to be their own social class of child rearers, with higher ranking males having more women while low ranking males die virgins unless they can get a women from outside the empire. While they can't have kids with other species and propagate their family name, it still gets them a tree house.)



Economy & Industry

The economy of the Empire of Hands is highly unequal, with wealth being seen in not just money but the amount of wives with children you have. For that is propagating more of your kin, which means your bloodline is richer. Selling wives at times is used as a trade currency, but more abstract forms of currency are used by lower ranked Finefolk in the hierarchy for common trade goods. Jade coins tend to be what they use, and in theory you can buy a wife if you get enough minted jade coins. There is effectively serfdom and slavery in the Empire of Hands, and they will frequently sell the riches of the Jade Island's forests (like spices, fruits and handycrafts) in return for slaves to do the shit work.

Handyworks are what the Empire of Hands is well known for, which essentially are elaborate plates and sculptures of their god that they openly sell to spread their god's influence around the world. They are ironically usually melted down into something else or kept in some rich landlord's villa as a exotic cup holder, but the Empire of Hands is very oblivious to that as they just can't imagine other people thinking so little of the perfect craftworks. Handyworks aren't very diverse, but they are hard to replicate due to the expensive materials use.

Ivory from various forest creatures is also a major trade item they export.

The Jade Island lacks in terms of draft animals, silks (they have no silk), oils or waxes and tends to trade or raid for these items.

The tinkerers monopolize industry in the Empire of Hands.

Imports
-Slaves
-Spices
-Exotic Foods
-Silk
-Wax based products like candles.
-Carpets
-Bugs (bug races are considered a food product instead of a 'slave' type)
-Magical artifacts

Exports
-Gems (Jade in particular)
-Handyworks (crafts that double as idols)
-Metals (caves got good metals)
-Wood
-Fruits
-Slaves
-Herbs (Adrenaline inducing flowers you infuse into tea mainly)

Military Overview

The Empire of hands has had to adapt its military to unfamiliar open plain environments in relatively recent times, which they have done to some success but some parts of their combat doctrine still reflect the earlier raid oriented warfare which defines the military history of earlier civilizations on the Jade Island.

The Empire of Hands is a military which works heavily around various types of armored caravans and siege machines (similar to those the Romans used). The armored caravans are pulled by horses.

The armoring of units are light, but they compensate by having heavy shields and long spears or more specialized military equipment such as the "steel fists" which are basically like Maces mixed with Halberds in terms of their niche. A long reach smashing tool that is meant to try to break enemy formations.

They are lacking in gun powder weapons, instead they make use of long bows and crossbows for their ranged military forces. They also anachronistically use a variety of slings when fighting in their element.

Their metallurgy is their strong point, along with having combat doctrines making use of "lull and ambush" tactics that are mixed with smash and grab assaults on enemy fortifications. They may sometimes try starving out their enemy in siege, but only when smash and grab assaults with their siege machines fail to break through the ramparts.

Land number 13.

Gold nation with number 8 in the center of the main continent.

1.) Gijak'Tor (Plans of Viridia) - Uruk mainland
2.) Gladyss Fellowship - elf-dominated federation of races
3.) The Dwarven Bund of Thirty-Three Peaks (Dreiunddreissighöhesbund, or just the "Bund") - dwarven nations
4.) Marinainte Confederation - trade/shipping affiliated nation
5.) Savdrock Kingdom
6.) Argonian Commonwealth
7.)
8.)
9.)
10.)
11.) Principalty of Yllendthyr - elven island nation

The leader of all Uruk and the current ruler of the empire. While most Khagns rose from the lines of prestigious clan leaders Obould was born from a minor shaman family of healers under the name of Durldar. In spite of this he didn't follow the footsteps of his ancestors and eventually ran away from home and joined the military academy under the fake name of Obould. The studious Obould first became a military engineer but a few years later his actions promoted him to lead his own company. Through the next decade he kept advancing in the ranks, earned both respect and enmity as an upstart. Eventually he earned Bazghok Khagn's favor and after his death Obould was declared Khagn of the Uruk Empire. His rise to power was not seemless however thus he spent the next few years fighting Bazghok's relatives who refused to bow before a "nameless Khagn" like him. Bazghok chose Obould not only for his potential but his origins which made him not bound by the old traditions. Bazghok was a reformer and Obould proceeded doing what his predecessor would've never been allowed to do. This caused further enmities at first but in the end what lead to Uruk dominance was their practicality over traditions.

Obould is an intelligent and well-studied ruler who rose from a common Ork into the most powerful man within the Uruk Empire. His governance lead to a stable and relatively peaceful nation. Also called as Obould Goldshot for his unique gun Ottalmekth, a beutifully crafted repeating musket shooting bullets of solid gold.

The Uruk also known as the orks/orcs are a race of humanoids dominant within the center of the main continent. They are tall, at least 6 feet at average and often highly muscular. More distinctly they have protouding jawline and foreheads, large canine teeth and skin coloration unnatural to any human. This and their legends of ferocity at times titled them as "monsters" or creatures of the devil. Yet barring certain features the orks aren't that different from humans (also proven by the fact they can interbreed to sire a half-ork). They have same maximum lifespan of 120 years. Yet so long they are physically active the Orks don't show signs of venerable age for long. At the age of 60-80 an ork could be still within his prime and thus at average orcs live longer unless they either starve or killed. Due to their higher muscle mass orks at average are 1.5 times stronger than a human and if well-fed can be twice as enduring as them. Feeding is an issue for orks as they consume more than twice as much food as humans at average. Some say orks eat humans and elves on regular basis but those are only rumors based on wild assumptions. In contrast the rumors about orks having poorer eyesight is true at least when the Sun is the brightest. On the other hand orks can see much better during low-light conditions and combined with their dark skin this made them dangerous night hunters. Speaking of which the ork skin varies just like a human's. In their case it can range from pale brown to the usual greenish brown to charcoal black. Just like for humans the skin pigmentation depends on how much one spends in sunlight thus it also can tell lifestyle and social status. In general most if not all ork warriors have black skin.

To an average human most orks look beastly and gruesome but the feeling is somewhat mutual. The Uruk sense of personal aesthetics and beauty are different from humans and especially compared to the elves. As said humans and orks can interbreed and so can with the elves. Yet the latter is extremely rare since both orks and elves consider the other to be seriously ugly. In the end some attention should be dawn to their name. Uruk is both the name of their race and nationality. The term Ork/Orc originates from "Orakbur" a contraction of the words translated as "Sons of Orakgash" which was the nickname of Orakgash's tribe before uniting all Uruk. The name survived and occasionally used between Uruk and it eventually mutated to the short version "Ork" which then become the common name of their race in foreign lands. Due to this origin no Uruk will ever be offended to be referred as Ork, albeit they might politely attempt to correct you.

Bundeszwerge (meaning, dwarves of the Alliance[AKA the Bund]) is the collective name for dwarves under the Alliance of the Thirty-Three Peaks (Dreiunddreissighöhesbund, AKA the Bund) refers to themselves. Unlike many of their peers they left behind their clan-like traditional structure and became the alliance of 33 city-states situated in the same amount of mountains. Just like the typical dwarf they are of small stature but thick with both their strength and toughness being superior. Dwarves at average can live up to 200 years and renown for their craftsmanship, especially in the art of mining and metallurgy. While resisting at first the dwarves ultimately benefited from the Uruk conquest as trade revenues making them wealthier than ever. Given their natural talents it's no surprise that the Bund is one of the centers of firearm production within the empire.

The Uruk Empire conquered numerous races, including elves. Traditionally the dwellers of lush forests they are slender and beautiful humanoid creatures living in relative harmony with the nature. They live for 300 years and renown for their senses and dexterity. As said elves live in relative harmony with the nature and generally distant with cultures of different views. There is also another type of elves who went on and created a small empire on the island of Yllendthyr. They founded large cities and actively trade and interact with people. Regardless of type both elves are currently under the rule of the Uruk Empire, a nation they almost instinctively loathe. Yet most of the younger generation grew accustomed and rebellions are becoming rare nowadays.

Karikasard is the namesake of this mixture. As the young god of violent fires is part of the Uruk Pantheon and can also considered a war god. His name combined with the word Buum (Herbs) can together be translated as "herbs causing violent fires of war" which is a rather apt description for an explosive. Karikabuum (alternatively Kabuum or Kaboom for the noise it generates) is an orkish gunpowder using a mixture of certain herbs and soil. It was first developed by shamans in order to reach a closer connection to the spirits of fire but it eventually found use as a weapon. With sufficient knowledge it's possible to produce low-grade Karikabuum (also called Palsvaj AKA Blasting Jelly) without any special equipment which made it popular and widespread by the time of Orakgash Khagn's conquest. Better mixtures are dried of water and formed into either grains, balls or stalks for better combustion while also using purer and more refined ingredients. While many other kinds of gunpowder mixtures are known the Uruk Empire relies the most extensively on Karikabuum.

Wargs are giant wolf-like creatures and the most important animal with the Uruk culture. As said their features are mostly resembling a giant wolf with size approaching a large bear. Yet the similarities almost end there. Wargs are omnivorous capable of eating grass or hunting for prey. They have a prominent musculature which also grants them explosive strength on the sprint. When well-fed Wargs are very enduring, capable of traveling over a hundred miles within a day. Also unlike horses wargs are equipped with a fangs and claws as their own dangerous weapons in combat. Giant wolf creatures tearing apart men is a chaotic and very demoralizing sight. In addition wargs can literally feed off the remains of the slain enemies. Wargs are also surprisingly intelligent and can be trained to perform various orders on thwir own with minimal supervision. Overall the versatility of the Warg what made Uruk a force to be reckoned with. Outside of battle wargs are also great hunters and guards of homes. Ancient Uruk tradition is to own a warg cub as a pet which latter will grow up to be a loyal mount for the would be Uruk warrior.

Location/Geography

Ardonia is a small but fertile land of gently rolling hills and bubbling brooks. Though not heavily forested, it has an abundance of small glades and woods, and the rivers which help form the nation's borders are bursting with life. The nation has a large coastline for its size, and along the whole of it are small fishing villages and port towns.

The Dagger Mountains are tall and sharp, but also very beautiful. To travel across them is arduous and costly at best and impossible in the winter season, though the dragon-blessed monks of the Order of Dragonkin are uniquely gifted to traverse those peaks. The Heartwood is a favorite hunting ground for nobles and wealthy halflings alike, and the two seas which flank the nation - the Ardonian Sea and the Shining Shores - are known to be stormy in the summer and winter.

General Introduction

Men of Ardonia

A feudal peoples, who love their God, and their King.

The Men of Ardonia are a soft, yet progressive breed of humanity, who value honour and compassion above all else. From the lowliest of peasants, to the most regal of champions, all strive in their love of God to achieve a state of being that reflects the better side of their race.

This was not always their way, however, for once the Men of Ardonia were the founders of the Ardonian Empire - a massive military and political power that, aided by Dragons, held much of the continent under its sway. It was only through the cataclysmic Civil War, the Dragon Cull and the ultimate fall of the last Emperor that the Kingdom of Ardonia found its modern-day roots.

Indeed, the Kingdom's early history is soaked in the blood of the innocent, and it is a fact that many live with in denial. Even the name of the last Emperor is considered an insult to be hurled at one's most hated adversary.

Now however, the Kingdom is relatively peaceful, with a small yet professional army of knights, and a progressive yet equally entrenched society.

Since the Civil War, the Dragons of the Sapphire Isles no longer play a direct role in government, and they are content to keep themselves a safe distance from mankind. However, the King still holds occasional meetings with them, to discuss worldly matters and to keep relations between the two races current and friendly.

Halflings of Heartvale

A friendly and jovial people, the small but stout halflings are steadfast subjects of the Knights of Ardonia. Though far from being mighty warriors, the kindness, generosity, and peace-loving nature of the little people belies a lion-like courage and optimism. Many a song has been sung of the heroism and loyalty of the halflings, yet these goodly folk remain one of the most humble peoples in the world.

The halfling people have called Heartvale home for as long as they can remember. Indeed, the name for Heartvale in the ancient halfling tongue is Breost. It means "Land of Heart," which carries connotations of eternity and home. Their people's name in the same language, Breostlings, means "People of the Land of Heart." The Heartvale is theirs and theirs alone, and proudly do they fly the symbols of their land: the dove of peace, the olive branch of wisdom, the sickle of labor, and the circle of community.

Farmers and woodsmen, the gentle halflings have ever favored the plow over the sword. They are the backbone of Ardonia, working as tillers and tailors, trappers and traders. A few claim noble titles, and some live outside of the Heartvale, but the vast majority are content to be called "Mister" or "Miss" by their neighbors in their traditional homeland.

People of Sontica

Those who dwell in the city-state of Sontica, the vassal realm of Ardonia, are perhaps less concerned with virtue than the rest of Ardonia. It is the pursuit of gold which drives their society, and their love of it which made them great. They control the eastern mouth of the Golden Road, and so Sontica enjoys the status as one of the major trade centers of the world.

Sontica is not an entirely human country. A halfling town, Fairweather, has long existed within its territory. There are a few orcs and elves living among them, and some half-breeds as well. Even a few Jakai call the city home. The vast majority of its citizens, however, are human.

Monks of the Order of Dragonkin

The Order of Dragonkin draws its members from several races, each member an ardent worshiper of the One True God. They alone are allowed to walk upon the Sapphire Isles. They alone may speak the Draconic tongue. They alone represent the magnificent blue dragons and serve as their emissaries to the people of Ardonia and the world beyond.

It is a difficult task, joining the Order of Dragonkin. Most who take the initiation rites fail. The test takes place on the Sapphire Isles, and would-be monks are given an enchantment that marks them as one who is taking the test. The details are unknown to the world at large. What is known is that most who attempt the test fail and are sent back to the mainland. Some succeed. A rare few simply never return.

The monks of the Order of Dragonkin are utter pacifists. They are blessed with supernatural fortitude, longevity, and even the ability to breathe underwater, but they will not use these abilities in self-defense. Those who do are banished from the Order.

The Knights Draconis are the sole exception to this rule. They are warrior-monks sworn to the service of the King and the blue dragons of the Sapphire Isles. However, they will only take to the field if they believe a cause if truly just.

History

Knights of Ardonia



Halflings of Heartvale





People of Sontica





Kingsland



Goldmarch



Heartvale



Sontica





Generally speaking, Ardonia is a peaceful realm, largely content to maintain its present borders. Its people believe in the tenets of honor, chivalry, and justice; so, there is little drive for expansionism.

Because of that, Ardonia gets on relatively well with its neighbors. Its greatest friend is Zhodul, and the two countries share many values, and their religions are very similar. While Zhodul's take on Revelationism may ruffle some feathers in Ardonia, the two nations by-and-large are fast friends, always happy to do whatever they can to support the other in politics. Their history of warfare against one another has, in a strange way, perhaps brought them closer together.

Ardonia also gets along fine with the Republic of Vuts, with whom it has a healthy trading relationship. Still, it would be a stretch to call the two nations "allies," though perhaps "friends" is a fair term. Halflings get along better with Vutsians than other races in Ardonia do; this has much to do with the Vutsian religion, which has some similarities to the traditional faith of the Heartvale, and also has much to do with the acorn bread the Vutsians export. Halflings love acorn bread. They love it a lot.

The City States of Brescia are somewhat influential culturally on the Goldmarch. In days of yore, the avian peoples known as the Resomi once had townships and cities in that region. With the collapse of their empires, however, came the collapse of their defenses; ancestors of the humans of Ardonia drove out the Resomi and colonized the land for themselves. Still, their architectural influence remains, as do their works of art, and even in the modern day Resomi art is imported into Ardonia. They are not friends of Ardonia, but neither are they enemies. Religiously, there is some conflict between the two nations, but that has not stopped them from having fair and peaceful dealings with one another.

There are peaceful trade relations between Ardonia and the Order of Anvill, although they are strained to some extent due to the conquest of former neighbors of Ardonia by Anvill. Still, their religions are similar to some degree (both praising God), and Anvill merchants taking port in Ardonia are generally polite to both the halfling and human inhabitants. They are, however, not allies by any stretch of the imagination.

Unbeknownst to Ardonia's leaders, the Blacksmiths Guild - a powerful organization in the country, and the force behind the creation of the New Army - consists largely of Anvill sympathizers. They wield considerable political clout.

The Golden Horde, however, is seen as a threat to the sovereignty of the realm. While the situation is peaceful at present, the Horde has been known to raid weak parts of Ardonian territory, and tensions are high between the two realms. Thus, the majority of Ardonia's forces are stationed in the general area of Sontica and the Heartvale, as those are the places which are most threatened by the Horde. For now, there is trade and diplomacy, but could war be on the horizon for these nations?

Besides this, Ardonia is generally receptive to having foreign merchants enter its territory. It happily allows river caravans from the Arcturian Empire into its midst, and Ardonia considers the Arcturian Empire to share cultural roots with itself. There is trade with Myrstrost (Ardonian merchants find themselves in a good position to act as intermediaries between the fog-hidden isles and the Vutsians), and the emissaries of the apple lands are always welcome in Ardonia.

Military Overview

The armies of Ardonia are a varied lot, with each province specializing in producing certain kinds of troops. The High Sheriff, the King of Ardonia, and the Doge of Sontica all command their own forces. Such is the way of feudalism.

It should be understood that while Ardonian forces are varied, covering every combat role in some fashion, the vast majority of their armies are unprofessional. Two thirds of the men and women in the armies raised in Kingsland and the Goldmarch are simple peasant levies. The bulk of Sontica's forces are citizens drafted for war, and the next largest lot are mercenaries. The halflings, oddly, have the largest professional army, but they are only fit for light infantry roles in war. Halfling skirmishers alone do not an army make.

Thus, while there are elite warriors such as the Ordo Draconis, the Manticore Infantry, and the Underfoot Rogues, these warriors are few and far between. When deployed properly, however, they can be used to devastating effect.

The navy is not Ardonia's strong point. It is largely a merchant fleet that can be converted to war in times of need. However, it and the Ardonian armies are supported by the blue dragons, powerful semi-aquatic creatures which can breathe lightning, fly, and breathe underwater. Without them, it's very possible that Ardonia would have been destroyed long ago.

Settling - With rickety boats they sailed at night hoping to avoid unwanted eyes. With swells that nearly capsized the boats they made their way across the passage of water the lay between the mainland and the islands, they risked all on a rumor of untouched lands. At the peak of the night the first boat landed, with only a mere twenty passengers they clung together on the shore. Soaked to the bone, eyes gazing out waiting for loved ones who may never make the shore. As the hours passed eventually more boats washed ashore along with a few of the deceased. It seemed only half of their number had made it. Three thousand in all. Made it to shore, there were no fires the first night, just bundles of wet people on the shore waiting for the merciful light of the sun light. The following weeks were a blur for most. They lost another five hundred to sickness and accidents. A small town slowly rose up from the forest around them, they a few had managed to smuggle seeds to the island, they hadn’t been allowed to carry much with themselves. They’d managed to sow only two fields, it wasn’t enough for everyone to eat when it grew. So they took to hunting a few knew how and less than that knew how to craft a bow. Those who could worked like madmen and those who couldn’t they struggled for life. Their shelters rose from the earth often made with logs and sod. They were humble in appearance and in amenities. It was soon apparent that a need for a leader was needed. The town gathered, there was debate after debate even a few fights but in the end a single man was crowned “King” as they joked. His name was Kregor, a lowly poacher who fled persecution to the island.

The Raids

- A few hundred years later peace had been plentiful and the villages grew into towns. They had enough food for everyone, the shelter was plentiful. On a bright and sunny day sails arrived on the horizon, With orders to wait for hostile intent the town levy’s mustered on the shore waiting for their new guests. The King himself stood proud in front of his army. There were five hundred men mustered, though they were armed with peasant weapons and a few actual spears they had heart. It was calm like that before the storm, and quicker than a blink of an eye an arrow shot passed the king’s face, imbedding into the shoulder of his squire. Taking a defensive position they fired arrows back at the boat. When the hit the beach chaos broke out, blood stained the white sand beach. After the battle there were only a handful of the levy left, the raiders had fled back to their ship. The King was taken back to his manor mortally wounded, within the hour he passed and his young son took his stead. His first order was to assemble funeral pyres for the dead, and shortly followed would be to begin construction on defences. As months passed they managed to fortify the beaches surrounding the island with Wooden spikes dug into the earth, they had managed to start building an earthen wall around their border. The young king, used the unemployed to build the barrier, they were given shelter and food in exchange for their work. By the end of the third year and a series of bloody battles the managed to complete their work. He’d also ordered the colonization of two more islands, the smallest being where he would construct a grand fortress. Under young Kregor the Fourth, the island communities prospered. Soon after the discovery of large iron deposits were found on the north side of the island, three mines were erected to extract the ore. The men were paid a hefty sum of a silver per month for their work. The Smithys began to produce actual weapons for the garrisons, And soon they had a stockpile of armor and weapons for the men. Kregor the Fourth formed the Order of the Banished. The order started out with Two hundred men, they were the strongest and most experienced of the levy’s they were knighted by the king. Their sole purpose is to train, and master the art of wielding a sword and shield some were given axes. They trained day in and out readying for the next round of raiding.

Civil war - Seventy years later the Grandsons of Kregor the Fourth wage war on eachother splitting the islands into three petty kingdoms. The war was brutal leaving the body count at just below twenty five hundred. With the bastard grandson taking the title of king, he was cruel and unmerciful man. He Fortified the smallest island, Tearing down the wooden walls, and building them from stone, The walls were fifteen feet thick and over twenty feet high, The keep itself was re-vamped Another wing was added on and an armory was constructed against the side. It could hold a modest amount of men It was complete with its own fields inside the walls, and well to help it last against a siege. On the other islands the harbors were fortified and built to withstand against direct attacks from enemy ships. He used the power of several mages to raise rocky outcroppings around the harbors allowing only single entrance to them. He forced the men of the villages into serving in his levy’s for at least four years after they turned 16. After his death ten years later the people had grown accustomed to the way of life. The heir was a more lenient ruler more focused on hunting, he bolsted the archers. He had reserves of bows made and arrows to boot. The perimeter wall had stores of arrows hidden around so that archers didn’t have to carry more than a quiver with them. Or they could replenish their own stock.

Present Day - Eight hundred years later, they continue to reinforce their island. Though raids and attacks have been fewer and fewer. A system of riders were established to help with relaying messages, bring weapons or ammunition to the archers. They built watch towers along the perimeter wall, which were manned day in and day out. They designed Catapults and Ballistas, even cannons found their way onto the perimeter wall which were used to target ships. The discovery of pitch in the swamp allowed them to load pitch pots into their siege weapons. A low rise wall had been built on top of the Earthen barrier. Allowing for some shielding of arrows. More spikes were established along the beach, Large balls of hay were constantly supplied to the hill which could be lit on fire. A few small regiments of men armed with hand cannons were formed, they had a store house built inland of the wall. Though coming from the sea it would look like a small hill.

The kingdom of Drejur is ruled by the High Lord Wilhelm, Head of the Order of Banished

The people view honor and discipline above all else, they eat only what the need and use only what they need. They’re fiercely proud of their homeland and staunch defenders of their lands. They only celebrate two Holidays which is summer solstice and winter solstice. On these occasions they take time off and celebrate for a day. Usually there is much merry making, though the guard usually doesn’t get to celebrate.The people of Dejure are usually around 5’10-6’0, and weigh between 180-240lbs. They have very athletic physique and rarely overweight. Those gifted with magic abilities are Drafted into the order of the Banished, to become Spell Swords. They’re distinguished by their two different colored eyes. Those with magical abilities are held in the highest regard.

Religion: It is said that a wolf the size of a lords manor came to the first villagers who washed ashore. It lead them to where the first houses were raised, it showed them to fresh water and food. It spoke to them and told them "You were born from my flesh, and return to me when your life blood runs out. I will accept your soul into my Pack if you die with valor, and honor." And from here the religion formed the wolf faded into history. They believe that with death in battle or for the honor of their king or family they will gain access into the great pack of the Great Wolf, the wolf responsible for harvests and life. Those who do not gain entrance become its prey.

he magic of the Drejur comes from within the being themselves. This magic comes in two forms, The first branch is the ability to be an expert at something from birth such as cooking, fighting or math. While often times it doesn’t have its place on the front line they are highly sought after within the kingdom. If their ability is something special such as swordsmanship, archery, or cooking they’re often taken into a nobleman’s house and mentored by one of the servants in the manor. While the second branch allows those who are gifted with the magic to push their bodies beyond their normal limits, the only side effect is that internal organs can be severely damaged by overuse of the ability, it's not unheard of a man or woman using their ability in combat until their body breaks down, and most of their bones being reduced to dust.

Economy & Industry

Mainly exporting tools, medicine, raw minerals, weapons, and luxury goods such as gold and precious jewels. Soon to be the export of firearms and war dogs. They import a variety of crafted goods, weapons, and gunpowder.

Craftsmen of the realm are organized in guilds and often bid on projects unless directed by the High Lord. Inside the guild they’re organized into teams. With a Day leader and a night leader in charge of a 20 man group. The Isle of Drejur is lacking in technology and often have to trade to acquire new tech.

Traders sail by ship most of the time. Each ship has its own cart to help unload. The ships are often retrofitted fishing vessels.

Military Overview



The Drejur military is large in comparison to the nations size, it consists of Archers, heavy infantry, light infantry, war dogs and Artillery.

Each citizen is expected to serve at least four years in the military, the only catch is that first born are not allowed to stay in and usually only serve a year, which shortly after they’re sent back to where ever they came from.

All members of the Drejur military undergo routine inspection and drill, they often fight mock battles, to sharpen their wits also improving their strategy. A spectacle that sometimes commoners stop to watch. They tend to favor Guerilla warfare of traditional head on fights with enemies.

The War Dogs were Incorporated into the military about two hundred years ago since then the've been breading these dogs to make near perfect killing machines with heaps of muscle and that could tear leather. There are five dogs per handler. The Handlers let loose the dogs when signaled from the captain.

The average light infantry is usually equipped with a spear and shield, depending on the assigned regiment they wield between 16 foot spears and the average 7 foot spear. They wear steel chest plates, half helms, and leather boots. These men fight in shield walls or phalanx depending on the situation. Each Regiment has a banner man, a captain, and a signalman.

The Heavy infantry are the knights from the Order of the Banished, they use a variety of swords, maces, axes, and hand cannons. The heavy knights wear traditional plate armor each decorated with their house sigil, they take charge of their own regiments and often are the ones in command. The royal guard which is made up the elite of members of the order personally are over saw by the High Lord himself he often takes two regiments of light infantry as well. It should be noted that those with magical abilities are often inducted into the Order of the Banished. This can often elevate a peasant, but not their immediate family, they would have to pick a new surname.

The Archers of Drejur are of some renown because of their excellent marksmanship, its often said the a Drejur can hit a gnat at 100 yards with a cracked bow. This is somewhat exaggerated but due to the constant conflicts they have become excellent marksmen. They can hit a moving target with ease and often target bannermen, officers or anyone who seems to be in charge. They wield an impressive long bow which is usually as tall or taller than themselves. They wear simple peasant clothes so they can move with ease and traverse the battlefield. If a fight were to make it to the inland they would switch to guerilla warfare shooting from houses, hiding spots or even long range sniping.

The siege engineers are their own breed often greasy and dirty they continuously improve upon their ability to use the weapon of their craft. They work in four man teams not including an officer who also acts as a signalman. Every member is cross trained in the others duties and can perform the function nearly as well as whoever first did it. In short they can operate their equipment with only a slight delay after losing a member of their squad. Each member is outfitted with a short sword and can defend himself with ease, though if it comes down to them fighting hand to hand it probably means that the line has failed in that case they would destroy their equipment before falling back hopefully helping any wounded they find along the way. The use three types of siege weapons Catapults, Ballistas and recently added to the arsenal cannons. They’re well trained in all three and undergo routine inspection and drill. Apart of the Artillery are the Hand cannoneers. These men move in small regiments and generally shoot in a revolving line formation its effect is like a continuous firing shotgun. They wear steel chest plates and half helms.

Fortifications of Drejur Isles.

Each island has an earthen wall( A hill basically) built approximately twenty feet in height the sea side is steeper than the inland side. The earthen barrier is approximately 300 meters from the water. The distance between is filled with traps such as caltrops, hidden trenches with spiked pits. There are a few artillery positions which in a pinch can be destroyed. Once Enemy troops make landfall they're detonated. Or they can simply be destroyed by the Artillery on the Wall. The earth barrier is retrofitted with large spikes tipped with iron causing the base of the fortification to resemble a porcupine Not all spikes could be fitted with Iron. The spikes are angled so that if anything were to roll from the top of the hill downwards it would ram off of them and continue its path to the sea. In the stores which have been built into the Wall there are large balls of Hay and sticks which are taller than a man, these are used to set the enemy troops a blaze, they often crush anyone in their path as well as lighting them on fire. The artillery is spaced evenly along the wall and covered by movable bushes which are planted in clay pots, the slight lip hides the pot. If uncovered by bushes they'd find heavily fortified stone structures armed with a small guard of archers, a piece of siege equipment, and a powder keg that sits at the entrance which can be used to explode the position if they were to get over run. To protect from the bad weather they have small canopy that can be erected though the bushes still hide the artillery position. Besides the artillery positions, there are watchtowers placed across the perimeter, each one at a strategic position, each one within site of another tower. Each tower has a signal gun which shoots off a firework in case of enemy sighting or foreign ships being sighted at night. The wall has reserves of ammunition stationed strategically near firing positions and easy to grab spots for archers or Hand Cannoneers. The beach itself has nightly and daily patrols a six man group which marches up and down usually staying a fair distance from the water. Along with patrols there are observation points which are small dug out like holes which allow two people to sit within them and observe a wide angle of the beach.

Inland a system of riders is set up with way points across the islands, each way point has two fresh horses so the riders can go almost non-stop. The riders are outfitted with a special bronze belt that shows their direct lines to the High Lord. They relay orders and messages across battle fields as well.

Each port in The Drejur islands has only one entrance and one exit, each one being separate. A group of mages in long ago raised jagged rocks from the deep to create a sea “wall” which lays just below the surface waiting for ships to crash into them. The A single ship is stationed outside of the hidden rock formations, allowing those interested to speak with a representative of the islands nation.

The smallest Island Kauch is a literal fortress it has cliffs on nearly all sides, with only two sides accessible by the sea. The walls are thick and tall, with enough room inside to grow crops and its own personal water source. This facility is nearly self sustaining with their own hospital an armory that could outfit plenty of men or women. They have several artillery positions, and a garrison of a half regiment. With these men they could hold the island indefinitely. The walls are slotted so archers can shoot out from them, or peer over the top with stepping stones. Theres a secret escape route from the Keep which winds down into the island its self to shoot out between the ragged cliff edges. Its hidden with well placed bushes that can be hacked down when trying to escape. Two caravels have been set up so that there is an easy escape.

The Jakai are a race native to the Southern Deserts, often settling near the coast. Quite similar to humans by a quick glance, the Jakai however have a few minor cosmetic differences compared to baseline humans. Namely that being their tough, leathery hides, of which aids them in traversing and surviving the harsh southern dunes. The Jakai are a hardy, fierce people and semi-nomadic. Jakai tribes that have swore loyalty to Zhodul have been allowed to establish permanent settlements around the colonial Provinces, many also as well live among the citizenry in the Kingdom Proper.

A great variety of other races call Zhodul home, at least temporarily for some. Zhodulan Nobles and Merchants often hire out mercenaries from surrounding countries and regions, the more common sorts include the Eloians, Halflings and Vutsians.

With the Unification of the Two Kingdoms, Half-Elves have become a common sight within Zhodul, with even Half-breeds being among the Royal Family.

Knight Ranks
Grand Master
Knight-Commander
Knight-Captain
Knight
Squire

As Zhodul grew and expanded outward to the Eastern Seas, the Royal Navy grew as well. As Trade and Travel routes were established, it was necessary for for Zhodul to possess a vast fleet as a means to safely secure thee routes for foreign and local merchants alike. Individual Zhodulan Ships are Finely crafted works of art, and serve as a testament of Elegant Zhodulan Shipbuilders and Craftsmenship, seeing themselves as t envy of others.

The Royal Guard are a small but elite fighting force giving the ultimate task, the Defense of the Capital City of Angris and the His Royal Majesty King Andric Hultan III.

Ranks
Lord Commander
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Guardsman

Location/Geography

The Kingdom of Vyddru encompasses territory that features mostly grassy, rolling hills and mountains. Once thick with forest, centuries of logging for wood and agriculture development has left Vyddru's south bare. In the north, the grasslands give way to wooded highlands and low, mountainous plateaus. Its coastline is laden with strips of sandy dune pastures and rocky outcrops.
The climate of most of the Kingdom's possessions is mild and wet. Its north-most territories are prone to heavy rainfall, with frequent but lighter showers closer to the shore. Rain is most frequent during the winter months. Snow in winter is not common at sea level, but occurs frequently at higher elevations.

Important Territories WIP

• Ynys Dantom

General Introduction

Vyddru is an old kingdom, situated within an ancient realm dominated by the Gwyllion. Long thought by humans abroad to be spirits, or fae, the Gwyllion are a formerly-reclusive race of lithe, bright-eyed humanoids. Over the past thousand years, Vyddru has gradually broken into the international community and expanded its sphere of influence in the east. Once a land divided into client states of the Ardonian Empire and tribal lands, Vyddru is now a sovereign nation in its own right. In recent years, the realm's conflict with the xenophobic, pro-human Order has come to a standstill and has continued to establish trade relations abroad.

History

In antiquity, Vyddru was a vast, wild home to many tribes of the Gwyllion. Divided into clans and tribal identities, these factions coexisted through trade, though frequently warred over territory and possessions. They worshiped many gods, and followed the rituals and traditions as decreed by the druids.

Their way of life took a dramatic change when the Ardonian Empire sent ships across the sea, and began to settle in traditional Gwyllion land. They first landed at Ynys Dantom, establishing imperial settlements and forming client states out of conquered lands. Initial contact did not bode well for either side, and soon the Ardonians began to mount incursions into the ancient mainland.

Centuries of warfare saw the balance of power shift between the Empire's legions and their tribal warrior adversaries; though better equipped and orderly, the legionaries succumbed to the Gwyllion warriors in ambushes and raids, where they had the advantage of familiarity with the land. Some tribes fell under Imperial occupation, and there were indeed Gwyllion that served the foreigners in military capacity. The Ardonians brought Revelationism to Vyddru, resulting in the conversion of subjugated Gwyllion tribes.

In time, the Ardonian Empire was beginning to strain itself under the burden of war. With the fighting against Zhodul, Alexan's purge of the dragons, and his subsequent overthrowing by Gullo, the Empire gradually abandoned Vyddru, leaving behind their former subjects. As hostilities came to an end, with both cultures having had their share of defectors to either side, great cultural exchanges were the hallmark of this new peace. Gradually, Gwyllion society evolved to take on Ardonian influences, with a feudal system rooted in its old legacy of tribal communes. Imperial technological developments and academics were adopted by the Vyddreig, and the kingdoms that arose from antiquity engaged in trade. There remains an Ardonian-Gwyllion culture, and influences from Imperial rule are evident in society and government.

Fast-forward several centuries of unification and infrastructural development, and Vyddru has reached its hand into the international sphere. It has established itself as a fast-growing nation with a strong maritime presence in the east. Its borders have expanded northward, resulting in warring upon contact with the southward-bound Order. The Kingdom's northward expanse was halted forty years ago, when the Order moved to invade the Kingdom of Iorica, a territory that was to be inherited by Duke Bryn of Helonshire, cousin to King Maldwyn IV. War broke out between the two powers, with the Kingdom's armies gaining an edge after a strong initial push. However, decades of fighting had left the northern countryside in ruin and taken its toll on Vyddru's treasury. Popular opinion in favor of the war was diminishing. A solid Order counteroffensive eventually pried Iorica from Vyddru's aspirations with the Battle of Dalion.

The Order had laid siege to the city of Dalion, constructing an artillery park that outranged the Iorican guns. The fortification was built from wooden palisades, surrounded by a deep trench and dirt walls. The position of the guns allowed the inhabitants of the park to enfilade attackers, and was bedecked with several dozens of cannons. In a rash bid to relieve the siege and secure his fief, Duke Bryn attacked the park with his contingent of men. Seeing this, his allied battles advanced behind, but came under fire from the Order's guns. Fierce fighting broke out once the Vyddreig army reached the palisades, but the cannon had taken a heavy toll on the men, killing many at a time. As the men stumbled over the defenses and tried to breach the walls, the Order's famous Black Knights emerged from a thick wood on the left flank, previously hidden from view. The knights charged into the Vyddreig flank, routing the army from the field. Duke Bryn was killed during the battle, and his claim to Iorica was shattered with him. Over the course of the Vyddru's wars with the Order, both sides were becoming exhausted from fighting; eventually neither resumed their expanse. Both sides have agreed to peace, and they engage in trade.

In recent years... TBD


Vyddru's society is grouped into three parts: the monarchy, the nobility and the peasantry. These three groups are represented respectively by the King, the House of Peers and the House of Regulars. The monarchy, consisting of the king and his direct family, is theoretically dependent on the nobility for funding and military service. In practice, however, Vyddru's monarchy is wealthy enough to support itself, thus negating much leverage the House of Peers has over it. The country's parliament has also been made benign through the creation of a vast private bureaucracy of civil servants, loyal solely to the king. As a result, the nobility is largely a symbolic institution, harking back to Vyddru's roots as a clan-centric web of tribes.

A large percentage of the monarchy's wealth was sourced from disbanded Revelationist monasteries and venues, a result of the the administrative orders called the Dissolution of the Revelationists. The wealth of these monasteries was appropriated by the monarchy, and their personnel dismissed or reassigned, and assets disposed. The Dissolution came at a time when public favor in support of Revelationism was dying, being replaced by widespread neo-pagan movements that sought to resurrect the faith of old Vyddru. King Rhodri III took advantage of this, securing the wealth of the Revelationist church in Vyddru for himself, to fund his military and economic endeavors.


The Gwyllion used to be the stuff of legend, long ago in the bronze age. Vyddru was still a wild, unexplored region then, and the Gwyllion were through by local human communities to be spirits of nature. Such mysticism is far from the truth, however, as they are flesh and blood, the same as any creature on two legs. They are not so different from humans in appearance, but the average of them are lithe, lean of build and gaunt-faced. While it would be easy to mistake them for humans at a distance, up close, their features are more hawkish, alien. They have fair skin and bright-colored eyes, usually blue or green.




Vyddru's soil is sub-optimal for crops, yet swathes of forest have been cut over time to allow for agricultural development. Simple crops like barley, wheat, maize, cereals, oilseed rape and potatoes are grown in the south. It imports a substantial amount of exotic crop, some of which finds its way along Vyddru's trade routes to the Order. Vyddru is a country with plenty of wind and rain: windmills are common sights to see as farmers take advantage of air currents. The kingdom's real agricultural focus lies in the raising of livestock. Its vast fields of grass are perfect grazing grounds. While cattle has been a strong staple of wealth in the country's past, sheep and goats are more commonly herded today. Some foodstuff is also sourced from the sea.

The land is rich in metal ore, namely iron, lead, zinc and silver. Gold is sometimes found in its northern mountains. As a result, it boasts a strong industrial infrastructure of smelting and metalworking. Though it does not have as pronounced a reverence as the Order, smithing is a lucrative art, and many quality metal goods come out of Vyddru. A large percentage of metals are exported overseas. Stone is often quarried in the north, where the terrain is mountainous and uneven. As most forests were logged long ago, most structures are built from stone, earth and thatch.

Military Overview

Vyddru's armies have historically been built around infantry, owing to a lack of horses and flat terrain to capitalize on the advantages of cavalry. It does field mounted lances, but to a lesser extent than other powers – only about ten to fifteen percent of Vyddru's mounted men-at-arms are knights, and they are used to dismounting before battle. Less knights and nobles take to the field nowadays, as traditional feudal levies are replaced by full-time, paid mercenaries. The service of professional soldiers costs less to employ than knighted individuals, so it is more cost-effective simply not to hire knights. Low-born men are also much less prone than nobility to complain when prolonged, hard-going campaigns are underway. Men-at-arms (a blanket term for lances, both low-born and knighted) and archers roughly comprise the main fighting force of the Vyddreig armies, in ratios from 1:3 to as high as 1:6.


In times of war, lords were once required to grant fiefs to their vassals for military service. Men are now contracted to fight instead – a “bastard feudalism” in which captains are beholden to a system of indentures. These contract captains to raise an agreed-upon number of soldiers in service to the king. Indentures also specify the time and place of muster, the rate of pay for the men, disciplinary conduct, and what share of plunder is allowed. Captains are traditionally paid half upon the signing of the contract, and half upon their arrival at muster, after a survey of the correct number of heads under his command. The duration and personnel count of these indentures is dependent on the campaign, and not all men may know the captain or lord he serves under. Usually, companies are contracted for six months at a time. A more permanent indenture may last a dozen, with quarterly pay.


Lances, be they knighted or not, are equipped in similar fashion and have the same military function irregardless of social rank. Knights, however, can expect more pay as a result of their status than common men-at-arms. The lance is covered from head to toe in plate armor, forgoing the shield of the past century. Underneath, a padded akteon is worn for comfort and to absorb blows landed on the armor. The armored suit is heavily articulated, allowing for flexibility and ease of movement. Areas which may not be completely encased are protected by mail. The most popular helmets used by lances are the bascinet and kettle helm. The former tapers to a point at the top of the head to deflect blows, and may be worn with or without a visor. The kettle helm also tapers to the top of the head, or may be rounded, but has a sloped brim for deflection away from the face. Tabards, worn loosely over the armor, identify the arms of the wearer, though are seldom seen on unknighted lances.

Fighting from horseback, men-at-arms carry a couched lance with steel tip. As the principal weapon of the cavalry charge, it relies on momentum to provide damage from an impact with an enemy soldier. In the aftermath of a charge, when the cavalry has lost its momentum, lances are discarded – often broken – and swords drawn. When fighting dismounted, men-at-arms commonly carry pollaxe weapons. A hammer and spiked head attached to wooden shaft allows for efficient armor-piercing ability, and can cause internal damage even without penetrating through. The sword of this century has developed into a weapon used principally for thrusting. The blade is long and tapers to a point, wielded to exploit the gaps in-between armored joints.

The average pikeman in service to Vyddru dons blackened, munitions-grade plates on his breast and back, with a gorget to protect the throat and tassets over his thighs. He wears an open-faced helm on his crown; the best companies top theirs with a plume of green. He carries a pike with a tapered head about 4.5 meters long, paired with an arming sword.
Although Vyddrieg infantry is organized into “pikeman companies,” not every man is a pikeman. There are some formations made up of halberdiers, who use their polearms to chop overhead the rows of pikes. There are sword and buckler men, who maneuver through the pike shafts to incite chaos by slashing and stabbing up close. Also present are swordsmen who carry long Zweihänders, practiced in two-handed half-swording techniques.

Arquebusiers are armored much the same way, though generally wear less protection than their frontline counterparts. Vyddreig innovations, like attachable boxes that weatherproof the firing mechanism, have contributed to the success of black powder weaponry. Although Vyddru has taken measures to embrace black powder, it still focuses heavily on the longbow. The traditional longbow is nearly as tall as a man, with a powerful draw. Such weapons require a lifetime to master, but have proven their worth on the field, having stopped cavalry charges in their tracks and shattered the cohesion enemy formations.

Location/Geography

Hopefully 3

General Introduction

The Resomi are a diminutive race of avian raptors, barely reaching two feet in height. They are overall a major cultural center, creating massive cathedrals in the name of their god, the patron of arts. They have an incredible commission-based art flourishing, and many art schools can be found in the city states. The center of this conglomeration that every once and a while fights against each other is Tivoli. It is the most magnificent city, and most immigration traffic is routed to it.

History

The Resomi developed in a frozen wasteland of a land, and quickly became extremophiles designed for cold. At first, they were tribes. However, once they began to organize, they rapidly developed into towns. They managed to do this by learning to ranch the local wildlife and importing food from various nearby sources.
The city states were formed a long time ago, and were quickly turned against each other. Adversity fueled creativity, and soon they flourished into the first golden age of arts. This was akin to a classical age, and many empires conquered the other city states.
Soon it was left to two empires, whom have had their names lost to the sands of time. They created great works of arts and amazing constructions, which would influence the province for centuries to come. The province, while in a permanent winter and wracked by blizzards, would always be a nation of culture. This was their beck and call.
The empires sparred every once and a while, but by and large they mainly exchanged culture, developing incredible feats of classical art and architecture. Even to the present day, ancient and beautiful artifacts from these times can be found.
These empires, eventually, collapsed. This descended the province into city states waging war against each other. This did not stop their desire for culture, however, and while the arts and architecture took a blow from the fall, they did not stop. They devolved, but began their redevelopment once again.
This was essentially the dark ages for the province. Kingdoms eventually formed. They rose and fell in warfare between each other, before they eventually cracked once again into city states.
These city states took the idea of exploration and seized it, sailing in the name of the goddess Ariana. They traveled the world, about three hundred years before present time. They met new cultures and diffused their information into their own. Thus began the second flourishing of the arts.
The arts had finally recovered from the fall of the empires. The Resomi used all they had learned from the other cultures to cultivate their own. Architecture soon returned to magnificence and religion continued to be strengthened. The modern city states were born.
A notable event in their history that truly bore the third flourishing of the arts was the war against the Order. The Crown of Virith was attacked and the Resomi came to their aid. The pike and shot forces landed in the southwest of the Virithian mainland, and moved northwards. There, they participated in several battles.
However, the order learned that the city states were highly undefended as a result. They sent a fleet to invade, and managed to attack the city state of Sira. Despite defenses by both the Eloia and the Mystrost, the city fell. It, however, held out long enough for the forces of the city states to return and push them back. Thus ended the involvement of the Resomi in the war.
Now the Resomi are in the middle of a power vacuum, continuing to create great works of art and architecture as they war between each other.





The Resomi are a cultural people, governed by independent city states. These city states are incredibly different from one another, some being monarchies, others being republics, some being democracies, and so on. But adversity drives innovation, and so they have become a foremost cultural power in the world. Their religion, the Sect of Insight, lead by the Archbishop of Tivoli, has spread far and wide. Their fine art is heavily desired in foreign lands, and there is always plenty paintings to go around.


The City States of Brescia are varied in what they creat, but in general they create the arquebus, pikes, fine art, and architecture plus building materials. Their economy is based on fine art and banking, and the rich families get to where they are banking. There they commission and sell fine art. The church draws from the fund of rich worshipers to fund their great cathedrals.

Military Overview

The Brescian military is unique in that there is no cohesive mass. Each city state has its own army, often based off of mercenaries. This is where Tivoli comes in. They use mercenaries only as an ancillary, and focus instead of a highly trained, highly loyal militia force. This militia force is equipped with the best of the best, and like the rest of Brescia, focuses on the pike and shot doctrine.

Location/Geography

The Order of Anvill is based out of the large island for which the Order was named: Anvill. It is a bleak place, the sort of environment that could break a weak man of his will to live. Anvill has long, excruciatingly cold winters, and the island's constant overcast, fogginess, and northerly latitude combine to make it dark and dreary; Anvill's skies are greyish even at midday in summer. Her coastlines consist mostly of rough, uneven cliffs, the entire north coast in particular nothing but a long expanse of crags, deathly to all ships. The western and eastern coasts are hospitable enough to accommodate small fishing boats, but only a single gulf, in the south, contains a harbour fit for large, ocean going vessels. Naturally, this harbour became home to Anvill's main port-city, and the Order's capital: Storstad.

An ancient city, constructed almost entirely of stone, Storstad far pre-dates the Order. Its founding marked the beginning of the first unified polity in Anvill, the Kingdom of Anvill. The city grew haphazardly, sprawling out to more or less its current boundaries during the kingdom era, and became home to almost a third of Anvill's entire population. After the Black War and the rise of the Order, the city was heavily redesigned. Most of the dwellings were torn down, their inhabitants relocated either to elsewhere in Anvill or, later, to the Order's newly acquired colonies and vassal-states. The city's new lay-out revolved around the newly constructed Hall of Masters, in the city's centre, located equidistant from the inner-most points of the newly constructed star fort surrounding the city, serving as its exterior wall. Storstads main roads are also built around this idea, with each of the seven inner edges of the star fortification—serving as the city's gates—corresponding to a road leading directly to the Hall of Masters.

Outside of Storstad, most of Anvill's rural population live in small, unwalled towns and villages in the countryside, patrolled by knights of the Order. Most of the island's towns correspond to nearby mines, collecting the plentiful mineral wealth of Anvill. The islands' villages, in contrast, are largely agricultural, their farms owned (like the mines) by the Order itself, providing that portion of the island's sustenance that isn't imported. And what the island can't produce for itself, it trades for: with its own colonies.

Although the Hall of Masters is the Order's headquarters, the organization's relentless, militaristic expansionism has led to Storstad, and Anvill as a whole, becoming only one of many territories owned and operated by the Order. These regions, beyond the island of Anvill, operate as somewhere between the range of colony and vassal-state, with varying levels of self-goverance according to their strategic importance and the level of trust that the Hall of Masters is willing to place in them. Some still operate as largely independent kingdoms, garrisoned by the Order only to prevent the expansion of foreign entities into their borders. Other regions, especially those formerly home to large non-human populations, are seen as mere extentions of the Order's homeland, rendered so demographically identical to Anvill through waves of migration that their local systems of governance have been abolished—not to oppress the inhabitants, but to better represent them as people indistinct from the citizens of Storstad. Then, there are the provinces whose pasts, and present state, reveal the most about the Order's brutality and strength of will.

The oldest of these conquered lands is the island chain of Merkelig, the Stor name for the fallen, ancient land of Ikkor. A kingdom of giants, some as large as twenty feet tall, Ikkor was the oldest standing of the many established kingdoms that fell to the might of the Order in its early years. Nowadays is it almost entirely uninhabited, every single one of its former giant settlements torn down and burnt to ash, along with their inhabitants, in a campaign of genocide waged long ago. There is only a single civilized place left in Merkelig: the village of Renhet, the Stor word for 'purity', a small port built on the largest of the islands' south coast, constructed by the successful knights of the Order to celebrate the death of Ikkor. Renhet is home to a small number of lumberers and their families, making a living harvesting the legendary massive trees of Merkelig, whose roots first grew into the Earth in an age when giants walked the land.

Another species wiped out by the Order, the Drisk, once lived in the province now called Stigendsol. They were a bipedal species resembling bears, whom had always been violently hostile to human travellers in their lands. Like the Ikkor, they were religiously devoted to nature, and would often sacrifice those portions of the men that they killed, but did not eat, by decorating the forests with their entrails. Needless to say, when the Order came to extinguish the Drisk, they were unimpressed by the Drisk's savagery and left no survivors in their wake. The forest which the Drisk had so passionately defended throughout their entire existence was completely cleared and burnt, its ashes fertilizing the soil for the Stor settlers that arrived soon after. These settlers gave the province its current name, Stigendsol, and founded its most populous settlement: the trading post of Stigend.

One of the more recent conquests of the Order is the Kingdom of Iorica, a vassal-state that retains its own king, but which is garrisoned by a large accompaniment of the Order's knights. Iorica is largely left to its own devices as far as internal governance goes, with the sole exception that the King of Iorica must always agree never to tolerate non-humans in his kingdom. Despite the Order's permissiveness as far as the kingdom's law is concerned, Iorica is nonetheless one of the most strategically important of the Order's possessions. It is the southern-most and most inland area of the Order's dominion, and serves as an allied buffer-state to prevent the expansion of the Kingdom of Vyddru, to Iorica's south. Iorica was won by the Order in a war against Vyddru, started by the Order to prevent Vyddru's northern expansion after a succession dispute had almost resulted in that kingdom's incorporation of Iorica, through the ascension of the pro-Vyddru Duke Bryn. The Iorican War ended with the Battle of Dalion, when the Order's Black Knights triumphantly routed Duke Bryn's armies after they (unsuccessfully) attempted to break the Order's siege on Dalion, the kingdom's capital. The Hall of Masters then negotiated peace with the King of Vyddru, and established a new, pro-Order King of Iorica, establishing the kingdom as a vassal-state.

In the far east is the large, volcanically active island of Rokeland, a former possession of the Kingdom of Anvill lost during the Black War, but regained during the Order's subsequent expansion. Rokeland was originally a fishing colony, settled by servants of the King of Anvill to expand the kingdom's agricultural capacity. The island's sole city, "Stadavsonskog", located on a small island just south of Rokeland proper, translates as "City of the Son of the Man of the Woods", a reference to its founder being the son of a lumberjack. The island's count announced Rokeland's independence from Anvill after the First High Master took Storstad, and it was not until the Third High Master reigned that Rokeland was retaken, surrendering without a fight after a fleet of ships was spotted approaching on the horizon. It is rumoured that after the Third High Master arrived in Stadavsonskog, he punished the Count of Rokeland for his father's crime of treason by hacking off the count's hands and feet and abandoning him in the forests of the island to die. The fishermen of Stadavsonskog say that the Count's soul came to inhabit the Rokeland volcano, and that, whenever the main island of Rokeland is disturbed, the count will become furious, and lash out in anger by causing the volcano to erupt. For this reason, the superstitious fishermen of Stadavsonskog never dwell too close to the main island.

Another tale of successful Order conquest is on the mainland, in an area known to the Stor simply as 'Middel'. The Middel is the largest of the Order's provinces, besides Anvill itslf, and is home to a great number of settlers from Anvill proper. It houses three main cities: Hammerbyen, Reinhold and Northport. Of these, Hammerbyen is the largest, an industrious city of iron workers built as the nexus for the large number of iron mines dotting Middel. Reinhold, though, is the best fortified, and acts as the capital, housing the Duke of Middel and a large contingent of the Order. Northport is the province's main coastal town, and an important centre of trade along the mainland's north coast, situated in a natural harbour and attracting trade from all across the far flung corners of the world. Back before the First Crusade, when Anvill was still a kingdom and the Order had yet to be created, Middel consisted of a number of disparate dukes and counts, endlessly bickering and fighting amongst each other. The strongest of these polities was the Duchy of Reinhold, and it was the Reinhold's traditional rivals, the House of Morrin, that were the first victims of the Order's conquest. Although Middel had always been a mostly human land, there existed a small minority of beastial, hairy people, something of a cross-breed between the giants of Ikkor and men, who dwelled along the northern coasts and occasionally raided smaller villages. There was also a slightly larger minority of Elven people, who primarily resided in Morrin lands, where they were most tolerated. The head of House Morrin, controversially and against his advisors wishes, bewed a daughter of one of the richer families of these northern Elves. The Duke of Reinhold, taking advantage of the beastial races' reputation for brutality, incited a popular revolt throughout the Middel against the beast-men, the Elves, and House Morrin, their supposed protectors. The knights of the Order arrived in the Middel shortly after the revolt had begun, and took the cause as their own, pledging to defeat House Morrin and clean the land of all rivals to men. The Sixth High Master laid siege to the seat of House Morrin, and, after their own men rebelled against them and opened the gates to the Order, allowed the unruly peasants to storm the keep and murder both the Head of House Morrin, his elven wife, and every other Morrin that lived. He then commandered the forces of House Reinhold, marching them against those counts and dukes in the Middel who refused to bend to the Order, whilst the Order's knights themselves slew the half-Ikkor raiders in the north. By the end of the conflict, the Order had successfully purged the Middel of all non-humans and their sympathizers, and the Duke of Reinhold was permitted goverance of the entire region, now unified as a single province, as reward for his loyalty.

Most westerly of the Order of Anvill's provinces are the two provinces of West Gullrike and East Gullrike, which occupy the far western tip of the continent and are relatively recent acquisitions. Gullrike was its own kingdom before the arrival of the Order, but was not permitted to retain its self-government, as the Kingdom of Iorica had. Instead, the Kingdom of Gullrike was abolished, and the region divided in two. East Gullrike continues on as a relatively autonomous region, 'The County of East Gullrike', ruled by a bastard line of the kingdom's former ruling family that sided with the Order during the conquest. East Gullrike's seat of power is Everk, which contains most of East Gullrike's population. West Gullrike, in contrast, is governed directly by the Order, and its main port and Gullrike's former capital, Bailemew, was renamed 'Ornfort' and converted into a mostly military site, preserving only a portion of the city's docks for civilian use (to prevent losing Bailemew's trade connections with the west). Ornfort's former inhabitants were all either settled in East Gullrike or given a dwelling in Dieden, West Gullrike's formerly second largest, and now largest, settlement. Both West and East Gullrike are known for their excellence in metallurgy, a talent they share with the Stor, which has assisted in their ongoing cultural conversion.

One of the more minor colonies of the Order is Koberoy, an island conquered and completely demographically reconstructed by the Order. Koberoy was settled by the Stor after its conquest, and is now largely indistinguishable from Anvill, but its original peoples—though human—were a far cry from the island's current settlers. The Order's history teacges that the original inhabitants of Koberoy were an extremely primitive people, far divorced from the traditional ways of Anvill, living in huts made of whalebone and wearing only ragged animal furs. They used fire for warmth, but did not cook their only forms of sustenance, fish and meat, which they ate raw. The Third High Master, after defeating those inhabitants of Koberoy who could fight, is said to have ordered the execution of the rest largely out of pity. After Koberoy was depopulated, it was then resettled by new arrivals from Anvill, and is today seen as just another of Anvill's surrounding islands, an integral part of the homeland of the Stor.

Bondeland is the most fertile province within the Order's sphere of control. A rural country, filled with farmers and livestock, Bondeland is unique in that it had been colonized by the Stor even before the fall of the Kingdom of Anvill and the rise of the Order. It remained under Order control, unlike Rokeland, over the course of the Black War, and became one of the first and most popular destinations for settlers from Stor after the Order's restructuring of Storstad. Today, Bondeland is the Order's most important agricultural zone, feeding much of the rest of the Order's lands, including Anvill itself, with its surplus produce. Bondeland's most important settlement is Mattvin, a port-city that is the destination point for Bondeland's agricultural goods before they are sent abroad by sea.

General Introduction

The people of Anvill are the Stor, whose society is incredibly stark and conservative. An individual's role within Stor society is rigid, and even something as simple as a son taking on a different profession than his father is rare enough to be noteworthy. The traditional values of the Stor—ascetism, dedication to family, valour in the face of danger and perseverance in the face of hardship—are something bred into the Order's sons and daughters. Compliance to these virtues is not only encouraged, but strictly and regimentally enforced, by both the state and the people themselves. Upon reaching his or her sixteenth birthday, each Stor child is given a choice: to remain in the household and comply with the teachings of the Stor, and swear to obey the culture's laws and practices, or, to leave. Those who have left the Stor are lowered in the Order's hierarchy to the same level as any other non-Stor humans, regardless of their purity of blood. They are disowned by their families, and, if they reside in Anvill, exiled; non-Stor are not permitted on the island.

The role of men and women in Stor society is as clearly delineated as would be expected. Men are responsible foremost for defending their homeland and spreading the ideology and dominion of the Order. They are also masters of their household, in charge of all family affairs. Women, though relegated to minor duties, are not necessarily disrespected—especially mothers. The ideal Stor woman is matronly, producing many sons and daughters and imbuing them in the Stor way of thinking, but also productive. The militarism of Stor society allows for women to have a great deal more freedom to pursue work in trades than they might in non-Stor societies, including those within the rest of the Order's imperium. Female metal workers, the largest trade in the Order, are relatively common, and women predominate in the fields of medicine and even worship.

The religious teachings of the Order are quite simple. There is one God, the Allfather, creator of all that has ever existed. He is benevolent, and the evils of the world exist to foster strength in his chosen people, the Stor, and their cousins, the rest of mankind. Worship of the Allfather is conducted primarily by a female clergy, the Valstre. Sisters of the Valstre live an ascetic life, even more so than other Stor, residing in modest monasteries, always located separate from major settlements. These monasteries are self-sufficient, either farming their own food or producing crafted goods to sell for produce. Valstre monasteries are marked with the symbol of the Allfather: three circles, horizontally intertwined, representing the cyclicality of life and the separations and similarities between the Allfather's different children.

History

The Order teaches that Anvill is the birthplace of humanity, the ultimate place of origin of all humans who have ever lived. In the days before the founding of Storstad, mankind consisted of bickering tribes, spread all throughout Anvill's rocky coasts, subsisting on fishing and hunting and gathering. Storstad was founded when one tribe, the Stor, Anvill's most powerful, who were famous for their abilities as smiths, conquered all of their competitors on the island. Those of the weaker tribes who refused to join the Stor were exiled from Anvill, and spread out all across the world, to become the descendants of the human societies now dispersed throughout the land. Storstad was founded as a monument to this great victory, and it was in its streets that the Order was fought for and created.

After the founding of Storstad and the emergence of the Stor as the sole occupants of Anvill, the island gradually developed into a unified, centralized state: the Kingdom of Anvill. The ruling dynasty, whose surname was simply 'Stor', held absolute authority, ruling over all facets of society and owning every patch of land and every bag of flesh on Anvill. Their harshness in the dispensation of justice, and the necessity of hard work to survive in the harsh climate of Anvill, birthed an extreme diligence in the island's people. Obedience to authority became the core of Anvill's culture, and among those who served in the direct employ of the king, the taking of life became a trivial matter. Executions, which were carried out for even moderate wrongdoings, were shared among soldiers and guardsmen, so that each of the king's men could be responsible for the end of at least one life. This bred a strong starkness and sense of militarism in the Stor soldiers, and set the stage for the 'Black War', some three hundred years ago.

The Black War was a civil war/coup in Anvill, fought between the Kingdom of Anvill on one side and the newly created Order of Anvill on the other. The Order was forged by a group of ten officers in the Kingdom of Anvill's Royal Guard, who referred to themselves as the 'Council of Masters'. They approached the man that would become known as the last fully recognized King of Anvill, Harold XVI, and demanded that he surrender to a constitution, signed by each of the Ten Masters. Harold refused, angrily, and ordered his guard to have the Masters apprehended for their insolence. Rather than obey their king, however, the palace guards obeyed the Masters, their military superiors, and instead apprehended Harold. Known proponents of the monarchy were captured and publicly executed, and the Masters employed propaganda advocating personal freedom and other republican ideals, which appealed to the long impoverished masses, and won the Masters widespread support in the streets of Storstad.

However, the King's imprisonment, and the Order's execution of many high-ranking monarchist officers, outraged many Stor loyalists, especially those from the settlements outside of Storstad. The loyalist Royal Guard assembled from throughout the many small towns and villages of Anvill and laid siege to Storstad, demanding the release of the King and for justice to be inflicted upon the Ten Masters. Over time, as the situation in the city grew more and more dire, the Ten Masters were gradually beset upon by turncoats who had been among their supporters in the original coup. Nine of the ten were assassinated, but the tenth, the greatest personal warrior of the Masters, defeated his assailants in personal combat on the same night that his last two remaining contemporaries were murdered. The Tenth Master led a bloody campaign of vengeance against the Stor loyalists within Storstad, proclaiming himself Anvill's ultimate authority as High Master, and slaughtering any who would oppose him.

As famine and disease began to grip the still besieged Storstad, the High Master became determined to ride out to meet the royalist armies and break the siege. He sent word to the engineers and architects of Storstad, including those descendants of the original Stor families who had long ago mastered smithing and siege-craft, and led to the Stor peoples' pre-eminence. Before long, weapons were built, and a plan was devised. The High Master sent word to the royalists that he would surrender, and return King Harold to the throne, but on the condition that he himself be spared from retribution and permitted to return to his post. The Royalists, conspiring to enact a surrender and then betray and kill the High Master, accepted the terms, and greeted the High Master and King Harold at the wall atop the city's main gate. After the terms were agreed to, however, and the gate opened, the High Master was not behind it. Instead, the propped up corpse of King Harold XVI dropped from the city walls, and the royalist armies gazed upon an array of cannons.

The High Master won the battle. The royalists were routed, with heavy casualties, and the Order's soldiers inside Storstad suffered almost zero losses, having needed to leave the gates only to bayonet the wounded. With the Siege of Storstad finally broken, the High Master mustered his forces and led a campaign of vengeance against the royalist countryside. Towns were pillaged, villages wiped off the face of the Earth, and all of the food and wealth of Anvill stolen and brought back to Storstad. All those who resisted were apprehended and executed, and in a grand display of force, order was brought to Anvill.

After the Black War was won, the High Master, who would then be known as the First High Master, ruled for a short time. His reign would not be as long as it was hard to win, however, and he died of illness only two short years after his ascension, accomplising little except for disposing of the previous regime and earning the ire of the countryside. It was in the vacuum of his death, when the Second High Master was ordained, that the Order would come to adopt its current, supremacist character. The Second High Master, eager to unite the country behind a common cause and find an enemy to turn the destitute peasants of the countryside against, looked south, past Anvill. Assembling an army—mostly from among the countryside, to ensure the loyal soldiers of Storstad would remain to keep the island secure—the Second High Master led Anvill's First Crusade, against what would become its first conquered vassal-state: Stigendsol.

Stigendsol, not yet known by that name, was a savage land, populated by bear-like non-humans, the Drisk. Famous for their hostility to human traders and travellers, Drisk culture and faith was centred around the forests that constituted their homeland, and involved caring for and revering the trees and earth. It is said by the Order's chroniclers that the Drisk ate the flesh of those men that they killed, and use what remained of their corpses (after they had consumed what they deemed edible) to decorate the woods in which they dwelled. When the might of the First Crusade arrived in Drisk lands, they were greeted by monuments made of the bones of fallen men, protected from the elements by cloths of human skin, strung from the trees by the deceased's entrails. By the time that the Drisk had been soundly defeated, after a long series of bloody battles, less than a tenth of the original fighting force of the First Crusade remained. To free the souls of those men massacred by the Drisk, and forever erase their impact on the world's history, the Second High Master ordered, after the defeat of the Drisk tribes, that the entire woodland in which they dwelled be burnt and cleared. By the time of the First Crusade's end, and the return of the Second High Master and his remaining men to Anvill, the Drisk had ceased to exist, and their forested homeland had been reverted to a flat expanse of ash.

Similar crusades would follow. Successive High Masters, looking to build national unity and foster assurance in the strength of the realm's armies, launched conquest after conquest against the surrounding territories of Anvill. Kingdoms were submitted or destroyed and entire societies erased from existence by the end of an Order blade, as preexisting polities were either reforged or discarded by the crusaders. In the wake of these reavings, the ever fecund Stor would arrive to rebuild the land in the image of Anvill, of humanity's homeland. The rebirth of the supremacy of mankind, in its purest form, had begun in earnest.


The Order of Anvill is governed by the Hall of Masters, a conclave consisting of some retired and some active military officials, who reside in their eponymous seat in the centre of Storstad. In charge of the Hall of Masters is the High Master, who is elected from within the Hall. The High Master can only be chosen from among those of the Masters still young enough to be in active military service, but only those Masters who are no longer old enough to serve are given voting power. This ensures that the High Master is always an experienced and capable military figure, relatively young, and has the support of the elders of the Hall. Once a High Master retires from active duty (upon reaching a certain age), he becomes one of those individuals who decide upon his replacement. Importantly, only those raised as Stor, and who pursue military careers, can become Masters. All non-Stor humans, and all Stor who are not experienced on the battlefield, are ineligible. Only the strong may rule the Order.



Most residents of the Order's territories work to produce food, either farming hardy crops in the empire's dry, cold soil, fishing in the northern seas, or hunting game in the dense woods. The northerly location of the Order means that even with a large population dedicated to providing food from multiple sources, the country is still only just barely agriculturally self-sufficient—in good years. In bad years, when crops fail and fish and game are sparse, the Order of Anvill must import foodstuffs from outside of its dominion, mostly from the human kingdoms of the west and the Kingdom of Vyddru. In especially grave times, when production and imports aren't enough, the Order's knights conduct rationing, limiting the transportation of food into the major cities of the Order's colonies, and redirecting surplus agricultural production in all provinces to first and foremost feed Anvill.

Almost all of those inhabitants of the Order's lands not involved in producing food are employed as craftsmen in various trades. Chief among these are the metal workers, a term that in Anvill includes everyone from those who mine the ores to those who smith (or apply) the final, finished goods. Metal workers are a highly respected lot in Anvill, revered below only the Order's warriors. Most prestigious of all metalworkers are smiths, those who turn the smelted ingots from the Order's mines into armour and weaponry. The Stor have a long and proud history of producing incredibly talented blacksmiths, and the name of the island of the Stor, Anvill, is a reference to its place as the anvil of humanity, the location where the hammer of war forged both the Stor and the other races of men.

Military Overview

The Order's military forces are numerous and diverse, possessing a great many soldiers of all types, from standard swordsmen to expert marksmen armed with crossbows, and all the way to the world infamous Black Knights. The intense militarism and patriotic and religious dedication of the Order's citizens ensures there are always a large body of men to draw ranks from, and all able-bodied men of the Order are expected to be able to defend themselves and their families from basic threats. The Order's continuous military expeditions ensure that their armies are both experienced and wisely proportioned; the Order's armies show no predisposition towards favouring any particular form of combat, employing whatever must be employed to defeat the enemy and purify the world for the greatness of mankind. The exception to this rule is Anvill's most well known military force: the Black Knights.

The Black Knights are the elite of the Order of Anvill. Named for their black armour and black horses, and legendary for their lethality, the Black Knights are heavy cavalry, the shock troops of the Order's armies. Their ranks draw exclusively from pure-blooded Stor, and those selected for training are the most physically fit young boys that Anvill has to offer. From their induction (usually around age 14) until their death, the Black Knights never leave military service, fighting for humanity until they die on the battlefield. Living unglamorous lives, like all Stor, the Black Knights are forcibly separated from their families once inducted and forbidden from making any new personal connections, except among their fellow brothers. They are also forbidden almost all of life's pleasures; they cannot consume alcohol and most importantly cannot become intimate with women. The penalty for a Black Knight who consorts with a woman is castration, and the penalty for consumption of alcohol or other illicit substances is even more severe: death by burning. The only joys permitted to Black Knights are the thrill of combat and the respect of the Allfather.