Banner of the Black Prince Lord Pious Proventus, The Black Prince Combat Bonus 5000 Soldiers Minimum Price, 10 000 gp
Hailing from the Carnelia Republic, Proventus once enjoyed a privileged life among the republic's nobility. His family once held prosperous holdings near the city of Stram, when a rival family murdered his father and cast him into exile. Dubbed the black prince for the campaign of murder her carried out to avenge his family, Proventus and his army live a nomadic existance, travelling across Estros and Great Wessos for work.
A diverse banner of mercenaries led by Thangian heretics, leading a nomadic existence throughout the border lands of the Thangian Theocracy, where the church's influence wanes. Though their relationship with the Archon of Teccan is cool, they have put their differences aside in the past for mutual benefit.
The Deepwood Retinue Thera Qylan Fre'Essa Combat Bonus 10 000 Soldiers Minimum of 25 000 gp
Known throughout Crypso as perhaps the greatest and most preciously sought mercenaries, the Deepwood Elves trace their lineage to a mighty Elven kingdom that carved out an empire on old Pangea. Unwilling to submit to any of the reigning kingdoms, Qylan instead lives as a mercenary, leading his people to wealth through military might. Though his headquarters is unknown, he has agents in every capital looking for contracts. Much of his army is believed to reside in the Ryukyu Empire, awaiting their Thera's call to form the banners.
Bios: Holy Land of Thangia: An old nation that has existed for over a millennia. Thangia has often been involved with diplomatic disputes with its neighbours and has become quite disliked for its religious zealotry. In the past centuries its importance has waned and its power fallen. It is only due to the harsh natural climate of the land that invasion has been avoided.
Archon Al’Mastiff IX: A foul-tempered old man, the Archon is well-aware of the low standing of the Holy Land of Thangia, and seeks to bring about change to its influence in the world. Ambitious and pious, Al’Mastiff vows to see the faith spread to all corners of Crypso.
Geography: The Holy Land of Thangia is mainly a sunburnt land with most of its interior filled with the Great Desert, which stretches from the westernmost borders of Thangia eastwards to the heartland of the region itself. Most of the towns and cities of Thangia hug the coast, as the savannah there is much more suited to human life.
The two largest cities of Thangia are the coastal cities of Bahran and Khemustan, both of which are situated on opposite ends of Hangman’s Bay. The capital of Thangia is the holy city of Teccan which is located deep within the Great Desert. The city can only exist thanks to the small river which runs to it from the coast, a river named the God’s Tears.
A land of punishing heat and religious fervour, Thangia has long since fallen from its place as most powerful of the states of the world. Its ambitions, however, remain unchanged. The worship of the Burned God shall soon spread to all corners of the world.
Government: Imperial government Bonus: Professional army (combat bonuses) Penalty: Oppressive (increase unrest)
Ruler(s): Emperor Axaium Uldra
Trait: administrative
Prominent Terrain: Mountains
Secondary Terrain: river valleys
Prominent Race: Sanfures
Secondary Race(s): none
Bios:
Irodein history: The Irodiens started out as a small city state in the turbulent Vosta region. They existed as a small force in-till the first Emperor arrived according to their legends he conquered the region and several of the outlining area. A series of emperor’s expanded Irodein power and territory bring the empire to global power. But an Imperial governor named Barcus desired more and wage a long civil war which eventual lead to an imperial victory. The empire has rebuild since them and is looking to show it's new military power. --- Geography; A rugged and harsh land the empire calls home the more central areas of the empire is mountainous are similar to the are's on earth. Towards the out lying area it's falter and much more fertile land. Located in the center of the empire is the ancient capital city of Iro is located and is protected by the fortress Treadagore. The only major port city is Vaks located on the south cost of the empire. to the north is the city of Caldria. And the city of Havardar is located in the north.
Nation: The Most Serene Republic of Carnelia (Orange Nation)
Government: Noble Republic • Bonus: Trade and Industry (Increased Income) • Malus: Feuding Princes (Increased Factionalism)
Ruler(s): His Serene Majesty, Grand Prince Alteo Regaan Verkun IX of Carnelia, Stalwart Defender of the Republic, Hammer of the West, Lord Protector of the Highlands, and Head of House Verkun.
Trait: A Throne of Lies and Blood (Scheme)
Prominent Terrain: Hills
Secondary Terrain: Mountains
Prominent Race: Humans
Secondary Race(s): No races are barred from entering Carnelia’s borders, but none form a significant population.
Bios: The time was that the land which now forms the Most Serene Republic of Carnelia was divided amongst petty feudal nobles, squabbling over spits of land and — according to some stories — even individual hills. So it was until the great Bertak Carnelius overthrew his local Count, and spread out to conquer a sizable chunk of what is now Carnelia. Bertak established the system of noble houses, headed by the Princes, from whom the Grand Prince is elected on the old Grand Prince’s death. The stories say that all citizens were given the power to vote, and the books of law still do, but the Princes cast the votes of all their houses, and all those that their house employs. As the Houses have, split amongst them, complete control of Carnelia’s economy, it is only the Princes who hold any power. Ove time, the borders were expanded through conquest and land purchases to become what it is today.
Grand Prince Alteo: It is said that money the blood of Carnelia, and as the man who controls the richest mineral deposits in the realm, Alteo has been the realm’s richest man for years. Since he succeeded his uncle Prince Vashin after a freak, completely unexpected accident involving a poorly built balcony, exploding manure, and a lone bowman killed Vashin and his four sons. While in grief over the death of his family members, the absolutely unforeseen deaths of several troublesome subjects allowed Alteo to expend the wealth given by his demesne to further his influence within the realm. While his skill as a financier was no greater than average, his influence flowed well. At the age of forty-five (39), Alteo is the youngest Grand Prince in decades, having ascended after the old Grand Prince Alik’ash Carnelius died, not from the mysterious pleasure-ship fire just off the western coast, but of a perfectly legitimate illness that did not in any way resemble any kind of poison. Much of his family did die in the fire, though.
Geography: Geographically, Carnelia is best known for its hills. The center of the country is covered in hills, but they level out towards the southern coast, a region known as the Breadbasket of Carnelia, as it is the place where most farming occurs. In contrast, they grow steep, and eventually give way to the mountainous Highlands in the west, and much of the western coast is a long cliff face. From the Highlands flow many rivers, which intertwine as serpents between Carnelia’s many hills as they flow south, into the Breadbasket, and east, towards Corialus.
Corialus is the capital city of Carnelia, and is larger than any other settlement. It rests upon a delta, fed by both streams and rushing rivers that have flowed through the heartland. In the cradle of the Breadbasket is the city of Vithrin, seat of house Molkoth through which all of the Breadbasket’s food flows to the rest of the realm. Close to the northern border is Stram, seat of house Cornelius, the only city to come close to rivaling Corialus in size, and the funnel of overland trade.
Bios:The Ryukyuan Empire: An ancient empire with various warlord vassals that has existed for too many years for anyone to correctly remember. However, until recently, they have kept to themselves, keeping them and their technology closed to the world. It has only been on the world stage for a few centuries but has already adapted quite well.
Emperor Shitastu Amaburi: A shy young but well-learned ruler who puts great effort into trying to improve his realm. However, he is also fairly socially awkward, staying in his palace and study much of the time and does not make public appearance. Despite this, people who know him clain that he is both talkative on some subjects and a legendary swordsman.
Geography: The Ryukyuan Empire is costal empire that stretches into great forests and has mountain in its western most parts. There are man-made floodplains due to cutting down the forests in that area. A network of both natural and man-made waterways carves up the land but also provides plenty of spaces for cities and villiages. The mountains are peppered with small villiages and camps while the interior is home to towns and larger villiages. The largest cities are on the bay.
The three major cities are in their own little terrain. The Capital city of Ritang is cultural and technological capital of the Empire and located on the Northern Hime Coastline and stretches out into the Northern Hime Sea. Talsong is the Empire’s manufactory; it sprawls over the great forests and plains of the interior with a network of canals and natural rivers cutting in and around. Inshingu Castle is the military hub of the entire nation and is located in the snowy mountains. While just a large castle, the sheer number of nearby villages and encampments makes it able to call itself a city.
A realm of ever advancing technology and proud people, the Ryukyuan Empire has just started its role on the world stage. Wishing to control and empire under the sun, the Ryukyuan Empire will one day rule the first global empire.
Biographies A distinct satyr culture emerged in what is now the southernmost extremes of the Thangian Empire, millions of years ago. Within a matter of decades, human tribes from neighboring savannas moved into the region, bringing agriculture, pottery and the working of soft metals. At some point prior to the founding of the Irodein Empire, Cynocepahlusi and similar peoples crossed into these fertile coastlines from both the west and east, supplanting the aforementioned humanoid inhabitants. Around the same time, voyagers from nearby islands established trading posts and settlements. When the now-defunct Satyr Kingdom gained control of the area a couple thousand years ago as a result of the Great Race War, the Cynocepahlusi communities resisted the kingdom's rule from its fortresses in the west until these comparatively primitive tribes were at last suppressed within a matter of months.
As the kingdom declined, several human populations arrived from the north once again to what were now war-torn remnants of a once thriving cradle of life. There they settled on a series of islands not far from the coast, annexed whatever few Cynocepahlusi colonies remained, and overran the rest of the region. They in turn were supplanted by rebel satyrs, who after a period left the area only to succumb to the nearby deserts' extreme weather. As the Great Cataclysm neared, the Satyr Kingdom had been completely dismantled and its king sacrificed himself to the Cynocepahlusi; but the subsequent monarchy was weak and divided, plagued by decades of unrest. When Sanfure forces invaded, the only serious resistance was centered on a small fortress of a couple hundred exiles. Within two decades, the Sanfures overran the entirety of the satyrs' homeland. Within a matter of months, the planet's entire satyr and Cynocepahlusi populations had escaped to the nearby archipelago now known as Southern Malvine.
Born into the aftermath of a dynasty characterized by tragedy and madness dating back to the Satyr Kingdom, the human Patiss Soldar II is undoubtedly Southern Malvine's most contempt leader in years. Following his father's stroke and the subsequent assassination attempts on his original heir Hastifet, whose reform methods were brutal and came at the cost of personal liberties and freedoms, Patiss has vowed to return the nation to a time of stability and tranquility, as evidenced by his recent interest in promoting patronage of the arts and construction projects.
Government Feudal Monarchy Bonus: Respect the Law (Low Revolt Risk) Deficit: Taxes are hard (Low Income)
Ruler High Queen Arianna Frostbane Sometimes called the Queen of Summer, Arianne is a warm, capable woman who took over control of the Throne by arms and was recognized by the Lords of Northrush as the One True Queen of the North. Since then, she has earned the respect of both her people and her vassals, due to her overwhelming competence in the matters of the Court.
At the same time, she also understands the value of Martial strength, and has made herself several powerful allies within the Territories. Just in case.
Secondary Terrain Tundra Bonus: Logistics Suck (Slight bonus to defence) Deficit: Cold, Hard North (Reduced Income/Population)
Prominent Race Northmen Bonus: Hard as Ice (Combat Bonus) Deficit: Weariness (Population Deficit)
Secondary Races N/A The North kind of sucks. It's uncommon to see many besides the land's native denizens in their Territory.
Biographies People
Real Name Arianna Frostbane Titles Queen of the North, Queen of Summer, Lady of Frosthallow. Description A terribly beautiful, deceptive figure that has grown to become the very symbol of Southern Northrush in recent years. She has lengthy, blonde hair and cunning green eyes that seem to pierce into a man's very mind with a glance. Her busom is large, and her hips wide, making her the subject of much attention by the males within the nobility. She has a confident, well-mannered style of speech, but is a calculative and careful woman, the sort who betrays no vulnerabilities and excels at social manoeuvring.
Feats Took the throne alongside her husband by way of arms. Subjugated one of the Winter Lords, who questioned her rule and swore rebellion. Pushed forward the hand of the law, and cleared out much of the bandit population in southern Northrush. Defeated each of the other Summer Lords in a drinking competition at a recent festival. Miniature Bio As a young maid, Arianna was hailed as being among the most beautiful women in the Summerlands, and set herself apart with both the thickness of her blood and the quickness of her wits.
Relations
Real Name Mariam Frostbane Titles The Wildflower. Description Mariam is a beautiful, youthful child, seventeen summers in age and with a great number of admirers within the nobility. She has long, blonde hair, often done in a braid, and her eyes are a deep, summer green. She was blessed with great beauty, but she is also a terribly naive child, unsuited for matters of the court.
She is misliked by the Winter Lords, who perceive her as weak, and believe her unfit to inherit the name Frostbane.
Feats Miniature Bio
Relations
Real Name Tomas Frostbane Titles Frostbane the Lesser, Knight of the Thawing Snow. Description A young, spirited warrior who betrays himself as having inherited the thick blood of heroes, from his father's line. He has the distinctive cold, blue eyes of his name, and wavy blonde hair that is kept short and practical. He is not large of frame, but his body structure is indicative of his hard training and lifestyle.
Despite his popularity among the warrior nobility, he is commonly seen as having weak resolve when compared to the rest of his bloodline.
Feats Miniature Bio
Relations
Everything Else
The Territories of Northrush can be separated into two distinct regions, the Summerlands in the south and the Winterlands to the north. Additionally, at the top of the world, there is a psuedo-region called "Everwinter", where the ice never thaws, even in the midst of Summer. There are six territories total, represented by six animals and headed by the six lords, who hold most of the power in their own territory.
Frosthallow The territory that currently stands as the King's Hold, sometimes referred to as "Summer's Frost", as it is the closest to a Winter Territory out of all of the Summerlands. It is very lacking in Mountains, with just a single, lonesome peak sticking out near the coast, otherwise covered in a great, wondrous forest.
Borders both the Sunrise and the Shivering Seas. Frosthallow contains several lakes, and a single noteworthy river leading from the lone mountain of the territory.
To the furthest north part of this territory, there is an area of the forest that often freezes completely come winter, and is the location of the area's Great Keep, The Frosthall.
The two lesser keeps of this Territory are the Wolf's Keep (at the foot of the lone mountain), and Southbreach (on the coast.)
Thornrush Renowned for its great, thorny glades, Thornrush is located next to Frosthallow and Mead, and is in fact the largest of all the six territories. It borders the Fuming Sea, and is at the forefront of all of Northrush's sea trade to the south, exceeding even the traditionally seafaring Winter territories.
It is covered by several great forests, through which a single, great river runs, coming down from a large mountain range along the border of it and Mead. There is a noteworthy pass through this range, which is called the Ridge of Thorns due to the massive overgrowth of thorns along its base.
Out of all of the territories, it is actually the least developed, likely due to the troublesome nature of attempting to clear out this land's signature thorns.
The river is simply called Thornrush River. The Great Keep of this region is called Castle Thorn, and it is the only active one in the entire territory, located close to the southern border.
Mead The most prosperous of the territories, renowned for producing vast amounts of honey and alcohol for the whole of Northrush, as well as for export during the summer. Considered the strongest territory of the Summerlands, it is strangely the smallest of the three, and borders both the Fuming Sea and the Irodein Empire.
Represented by the Killer Bee, this territory pioneered Beekeeping in the modern world, and is covered by a great number of beautiful, flowering glades and valleys. During the winter, the colder parts of the territory experience snow and frost, but it is considered to have the warmest climate of all the territories due to the protection of mountains to the north and east.
There are two major keeps in Mead, the Honeyed Keep and Castle Mead. There is also a Great Keep, the Bulwark of the South, called the Eye of the North and renowned for having among the largest towers in all the world.
Winter's Hearth The coldest territory in Northrush, and the sole one located in the sub-region of Everwinter. Here, the ice never thaws, and winter seems to last all year around. The land is harsh, and difficult, but those who call this place their home reap the benefits of a large amount of coast at their control and several islands from which they can initiate long fishing trips.
Most of the territory is horrid Tundra, with some icey forests spread here and there, and very few mountains. There are a few almost perpetually frozen-over rivers, but none large enough to be famed or noteworthy.
There is a place, the furthest north point in Northrush, called Winter's Hearth. Here, the cold seems even harsher than in any other place, and it is fabled to be the place where winter rests and sleeps before going on to strike all of the southern territories.
There are two keeps here, the greater of which is simply called the Keep of Winter, located near the centre of the territory. Then, to the south of the territory, in one of this land's great forests, there is Fort Icefall, which is renowned for its terrible showers of ice during the "Summer" months.
Icefang The most martially powerful of the territories, which had to be subjugated by the Queen of the North when it rebelled recently. It is also the most mountainous area in Northrush, with a massive alpine region bordering it alongside the coast. In these mountains and hills, there can be found three great keeps, the mightiest of which is the greatest in all of Northrush. This keep is called Winter's Maw, and is build amidst a perpetually frozen forest that seems to resemble a massive set of frozen teeth.
The other two keeps, both to the south of Winter's Maw, are called Castle Icefang and the Frozen Keep respectively. There are many rivers in Icefang, leading from the territory's many great mountains.
Auroras The warmest of the Winter territories, renowned for its great, singular river and many hotspots. Castle Mist, the Great Keep of the region, is said to have been built on the greatest of these hotspots, and can actually be seen steaming at almost all times of the year. There is another keep in this territory, called Fort Frostgale, which often experiences great winds during the winter months.
Mostly covered in great forests, with a few spread out mountains and a single, miniature valley located nearby the Great Keep.