Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn (Amazon Campign Setting) - Book II: The History of Scythae and the Fate of Man (Maidenheim d20)(Fantasy Roleplaying)

THE HISTORY OF SCYTHAE AND THE FATE OF MAN Table of Contents Introduction The History of Scythae The Kaleva and the Creation Myths Prehistory: The Stone Age The Dawn of Civilization The Bronze Age The Age of Sorcery The Age of Iron and Steel The Age of Scorn The Age of Kings The Wars of Man The Golden Age of Carthia The Age of Wrath and the Fall of Carthia The Age of Woes The Age of Queens The Rise of Aegonia The Council of Queens The Reparations The Modern Age The Silean Calendar The Fate of Man The Reparations Authority and Inheritance The Hobbling The Dissolution of Marriage and the Rights of Compensation Laws and Protection Men as Adventurers A Note to Dungeon Masters

2 3 3-4 4 4 5 5-6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8-9 9 9-10 10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13 13 13-14 15 15-18 18-19 19-21 21-22

Developed By: S.T. Kearney Written By: S.T. Kearney Typesetting and Formatting: S.T. Kearney Editing: S.T. Kearney Cover Art: Les Evans

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn™, Amazon Adventures™, and Skald Books™ © 2001, S.T. Kearney. All rights reserved. Dungeons and Dragons® and the d20 System™ © 2000, Wizards of the Coast. All rights reserved. 'd20 System' and the 'd20 System' logo are Trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast and are used according to the terms of the d20 System License version 1.0. A copy of this License can be found at www.wizards.com. Due to mature themes, reader discretion is advised. Cover art © Les Evans. Due to mature themes, reader discretion is advised.

1

INTRODUCTION



 



 
 

 




 
 









 


 


 

 


 


 
 





 



  










 
 

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- S.T. Kearney

2

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

THE KALEVA AND THE CREATION MYTHS

Among historians, scholars, and seekers of

diligently accurate, while the dwarves hold their

knowledge, the oldest surviving records known

Dumathed as their version of history.

to Woman are the remaining scrolls of the

The Creation Myths

Kaleva. Dating back over 10,000 years, these fragmented and often puzzling works are

The oldest story within the Kaleva tells of the

believed to have been the first attempts at

Creation of the World and of Man. There are

recording history by intelligent hands.

many different versions of the Creation from

Although the actual names of authors have

the human perspective, but the single most

mostly been lost and disputed, there are

unifying fact within them all is that of a union

several names that are recognizable by modern

between a male and female divinity. The name

historians, which have become reliable signs of

of the male god appears to have been

authenticity.

deliberately erased from the records, although the name of Rhea in some and Cybele in other

Collectively, the Kaleva has been complied by

texts is stated as being the goddess who gave

over a thousand authors, only a tenth of whom

birth to all of existence, from the other greater

are known to have existed for a fact. The

and lesser gods of the pantheons to the

scrolls are written in a number of languages,

heavens and earth they preside over. Cybele is

most of which are extant and require the use of

also held as the Creator of Life and the human

magic to decipher. Among the remaining oldest

race. No mention was ever given of Her

language the scrolls have been scribed in has

creating the races of elves, dwarves, gnomes, or

been called Kalevan after the title given to the

halflings, nor of the races of humanoids and

oldest piece. Other languages have been used

beasts which still plague the earth. Due to this,

since then after Kalevan fell out of usage, and

many humans feel that the entirety of Scythae

the latest texts have been written in several

belongs to them and their queens, not the

dialects of Truscan, a language still spoken

other races. This subtle degree of racism can

during the time of the Carthians almost a

be found everywhere, although for the most

thousand years ago.

part these feelings have been subdued due to the necessity to rely upon the other demihuman

The Kaleva is largely a human body of

races for survival.

knowledge and beliefs, although it is believed that the hands of elves and half-elves have

Cybele is also said to have given birth to the

helped to shape the work. The other races

other gods of the world, although not every

certainly hold their own ancient sources as

human religion accepts this as religious fact or

accurate histories of the world; the elves

faith. Certainly there were many male deities as

readily claim that the remaining fragments of

is evident in many of the crumbling ruins and

their Seldara are the most eloquently and

temples of the past, but the names of these

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

beings have either faded away with time or have

markings left behind in caves, the argument is

been meticulously defaced by design. The

futile.

goddess Hera is listed as Cybele’s daughter.

The Dawn o off Civilization

Not every goddess is believed to have been the daughter of Cybele, however, which lends

With the first permanent settlements

credence to the possibility that many male

developing after the Stone Age, the races

divinities existed along side the goddesses who

began gathering in larger numbers. Agriculture

are worshipped today. Despite the frequency

was the seed from which these primitive

in which Cybele’s name is mentioned, the

civilizations were born, and from them the races

Ghandharans, the Sum’ma nomads, and the

began developing their own particular cultures

demihuman races all maintain their own

and ways of life. The dwarves preferred the

separate and distinct versions of the Creation.

safety and strength of the mountains from which they claim they were forged, while the

Prehistory: The Stone Age

elves remained alongside nature, learning to live

Ironically, more is known of the Creation than

with it rather than in conflict with it. The

of the Stone Age. Modern scholars and

gnomes may have been chased from their

theologians agree that this is due to the

mountain homes by the dwarves, as evident by

ancient traditions of passing down oral

gnomish tendencies to make their settlements

histories through the ages. This has led to

in the foothills and forests found at the base of

much of the confusion between different

more rugged and mountainous terrain. The

versions of text and bodies of work describing

halflings lived in a combined culture of both

the same general events; with so many points of

agricultural states and nomadic hunters on the

view each claiming to be accurate, it is

open plains and grasslands, while the humans

extremely difficult to get a clear picture of the

made their homes wherever they could master

events and deeds of any of the races. During

the lands and environs around them.

the Stone Age, however, it is widely accepted that Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, and

As the settlements grew larger, so did the

Gnomes were all in their most primitive state of

social orders necessary to maintain them.

development, utilizing stone tools over those of

Hierarchies of rulers developed to rise above

wood and bone. Shelters were found largely

and command those who followed and served

within caves or burrowed hills, although near

them. These early kingdoms led their subjects

the end of this age the first permanent

through reward or tyranny into lives of

settlements of crude huts began to develop. In

production that supported the social orders

this era, the races were the most vulnerable to

under which they lived, and during these

extinction, and it is to their credit that they

centuries inventions and crafts taken for

have survived through these years to the

granted today such as the wheel, weaving, rope

modern age. It is in dispute just how long

making, and stone working were coming to

humans and the other races were in this state,

dominate daily life. The discovery of smelting

perhaps 2,000-3,000 years, perhaps as long

by the dwarves led the races into an entirely

as 5,000. With no written records other than

new era.

4

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

The Bronze Age

the Meson Desert and the Aegonian Sea.

form was bronze. Discovered in large deposits

enlightened empire that did much to further the

Ghulan fell to glorious Thalonia, a more

The first metal to truly be worked into a usable

education of her citizens and form the

on the surface and in shallow veins in the

foundations of better governments for future

mountains and hills, the dwarves were the first

kingdoms. Unfortunately, Thalonia

to refine the art of smelting and forge their new

succumbed to disease, natural disasters, and

invention into tools, weapons, and the first true

humanoid raids after only 225 years, leaving

armors. If the dwarves ever had visions of

scattered refugees across Marpesia who

conquest beyond the strength of their

devolved into degrees of barbarism or formed

mountain halls, it would have been best

smaller kingdoms of their own, most of whose

accomplished during the Bronze Age.

names have been forgotten.

Although the dwarves would have not even bothered to share their discovery due to their

The Age of Sorcery

own insular nature, an ancient legend states that one of the gnomes grew jealous of the

When the Thalonians were a significant power

glittering tools and armors worn by the

in the Ancient World, the use of sorcery and

dwarves. One ending to this story states that

magic was discovered and quickly changed the

the gnome stole the secret of bronze from them

course of history into a new age despite the

and shared it with the world as an act of

collapse of Thalonia. Human theologians claim

kindness, which is as fine an ending as one

that it was Hecate who blessed the world with

could expect among modern gnomes. Other

magic according to the Kaleva, although

endings, however, state that the gnomes fought

priestesses in Thentyr credit Isis for magic’s

over it like bickering and greedy fools, leaving it

existence while the elves politely disagree and

scattered across the earth for the elves,

point to the Lady Corellon as being

halflings, and humans to discover on their own.

responsible for magic’s discovery, and that the

The gnomes dismiss this latter version as

gnomes stole it from them. The gnomes, of

nonsense.

course, claim that the elves were too haughty to share their magic with the other races, so they

With the use of bronze weapons, the first great

simply revealed it to the rest of the world out of

empires were carved across Marpesia and

fairness. Of course, one could say that after

Thentia. Thentyr is the earliest known

the gnomes stole the secrets of magic from the

Bronze Age Empire that still stands today,

elves they simply fought over it and left it for

although Ghandhara can also reliably claim to

the humans, halflings, and dwarves to discover.

have begun its own rise to power during this

Gnomes dismiss such arguments as both

period. The Kaleva mentions several other

childish and ridiculous.

kingdoms in passing that were founded during this age as well; brutal Ghulan, whose tyranny

During this age magic was explored and

butchered and enslaved millions for 350 years

advanced, its knowledge being spread far and

and conquered territories ranging from the

wide across Marpesia, Thentia, and

Zakhis River Valley in modern Persaedon to

Ghandhara. Many centuries of dedicated

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

study and dangerous experimentation carved

also said to have passed on its discovery. In

several powerful empires of the Ancient

any case, new kingdoms and empires quickly

World, the most prominent and cruel of which is

began to form after the fall of Catia during this

Catia the Wicked. The Catians were sorcerer

age, which leads modern historians into the

kings steeped in evil and foul necromancy, and

beginnings of the following age.

infected their hold over the barbarian tribes

The Age of Scorn

from Caleacia in the west to Tyyrhan in the east. Only Thentyr and Ghandhara were free

Although the exact dates in which this age

from direct Catian rule, although both nations

began remain uncertain, it was during the rule

certainly existed nervously with their corrupt

of the kingdoms of Truscia and Ancient

neighbor. Catia ruled as a blight upon the

Lycaeon that the Age of Scorn came to be.

world, enslaving, sacrificing, and torturing her

Truscia is believed to have been a powerful

subjects for a thousand years before she

nation that poets spoke of as being the most

consumed herself in her own magic and

enlightened empire of its age. Women and men

corruption. Even today, there seems to be a

alike held equally shared responsibilities in

lingering fear for wizards and sorceresses, and

Truscia, and no race was excluded from

some texts of the Kaleva mention Catian

participation and prosperity within the empire.

involvement in the creation of magical and

Truscia covered territory extending from

enchanted beasts and creatures of legend.

Calaecia and Cannoria through Llyrdonia, Lanthia, and Thessae, and certainly could

The Age of of Iron and Steel

have grown to the height of power of Catia had events not conspired against her.

The Catians may have been able to recover from the collapse of their empire, but the nails in their coffin were hammered with the

To the south ruled Lycaeon, at the time a

discovery of iron and steel. The dwarves

harsh and brutal nation intent on war, butchery,

suffered for centuries under the whips and

and conquest. Women did not live fulfilling lives

chains of the Catians, raping the earth of

in Lycaeon; at best they were silent

valuable gold and precious ores and stones for

adornments to the men who ruled over them, at

their Catian masters, but in their servitude the

worst slaves fit for servitude and torment. The

god Dumathoin revealed the secrets of iron

enlightened Truscians to the north were the

and steel to the dwarves. Using this knowledge

envy of Lycaeon, whose people were not as

to break free of their tormentor’s sadistic rule,

rich or as comfortable as their neighbors. What

the dwarves forged an army during the collapse

the Lycaeonians lacked in wealth they made up

of the Catian Empire, reclaiming their

for in treachery and greed, luring and deceiving

mountain halls and mines for themselves.

jaded Truscians into turning against their own

Again, there are disputes as to how the rest of

people in the name of profit and power. By the

the races came to also share in the knowledge

time the Truscians had detected this betrayal

of steel. The dwarves claim that the gnomes

by their own nobles, the Lycaeonians had

again stole it from them, but a human god

already begun their war under the banner of

whose name has been forgotten or erased is

the Carthian tribes.

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

The Age of Kings

were being developed. The fate of women,

with each passing year the Lycaeonians

Golden Age, and for as much as Woman had

however, changed little during Carthia’s

Lycaeon and Truscia warred for decades, and

suffered during centuries of wars, there was

proved once and again that their military

little to no reprieve to soothe her suffering.

strength and moral convenience would always

Even the gods seemed to ignore her plight,

prevail over their enlightened neighbors. When

silently casting her lot as silent, submissive, and

Truscia collapsed due to Lycaeonian

decorated witnesses to the glories and

occupation and Truscian traitors, it was the

achievements of Man.

Carthian warrior and general named Scipian who was named king of Lycaeon. With his rule,

The Age of Wrath and the Fall of

however, came only further wars that his sons

Carthia

and grandsons were destined to inflict upon the world.

While Carthia followed along her path of indulgence, success, and decadence, an

The Wars of Man

unforeseen menace and threat blistered and

King Scipian of Lycaeon led his fellow

swelled within the earth. For thousands of

Carthians in the first Wars of Man, destined

years Man and Humanoid had long been

to forge an empire so vast that even Ancient

enemies, long before the cruel Catians and the

Catia would boil with envy in her grave.

Ghulan. As the Carthians honored

Although in his own lifetime Scipian annexed

themselves and celebrated their arrogance, the

the lands currently known as the Maidenlands

humanoids slithered up from their caves and

into the Lycaeonian Empire, his sons and

tore across the outer regions of the empire.

grandsons carried on his ambitions into the Frontier and as far east as Persaedon. The

The territory of Lanthium was the first to fall,

Lycaeonian Empire never reached the full

followed thereafter by Llyrdonium,

extent of Catia’s territory, but she most

Cannorium, and Calaecium. By this time the

certainly did exceed her tenure.

entirety of Marpesia was in jeopardy, and rather than unite and present a decisive front,

The Golden Age of Carthia

the Carthians remained divided against each other due to old rivalries and political

At the height of its power, the Lycaeonian

allegiances. Entire provinces and regions were

Empire came to be called the Carthian

butchered and plundered, their people

Empire, since nearly every ruler and noble was

slaughtered and scattered across the

of Carthian blood, and family lineages were

countryside as grim trophies. The end of the

paramount to rulership. Under the Carthians,

world was certainly at hand, and there was

civilization did prosper for a time after the

nothing that Man could do to stop the

Wars of Man ended and enough people had

humanoids despite his magic and steel. Even

shed their blood to water her prosperity.

Thentyr and Ghandhara suffered their wrath,

Magic, science, and knowledge were again

and finding themselves in the same perilous

advanced, art and education flourished, and

situation.

the foundations for modern cities and utilities

7

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

The Age of Woes

Silea traveled for years across Marpesia,

humanoids, it would almost have been fit for the

humanoids while inspiring other women to do

single-handedly fighting back bands of

With the fall of Carthia and the rise of the

the same where men no longer lived. Yet

beasts to have ruled the world themselves.

another story claims that the legendary

Fate, however, turned the destiny of the world

followers of Silea, whose names are

in a different direction. From the scattered

remembered as the months of the year offered

refugees and lamenting widows and children

their own swords and spears in her service,

rose a mighty hero whose sword rewrote

became her generals and loyal guardians as she

history in blood, united the remaining survivors

recruited them from across the world. In any

into a single voice, and brought the vengeance

case, myths, legends, and stories of Silea and

of an eternity of suffering down upon the humanoids. Her name was Silea.

her band of warrior queens have spread across

Silea is believed to have been from the ancient

names have been altered slightly to fit

the entire stretch of Marpesia, even if the individual cultures.

kingdom of Mitan, a rather peaceful region that paid tribute to the Carthians in order to

The greatest battle of the Age of Woes was

avoid occupation and excessive taxation.

fought at Trocia, a small and lost region

Mitan’s defenses were no match for the

located somewhere in the Colcheans and the

humanoids, and the nation of farmers and

surrounding valleys. It was at Trocia that Silea

craftsmen fell quickly to savage cruelty. Silea is

and her warriors vanquished the last great army

said to have watched her mother and father be

of humanoids that plagued the earth. By the

torn into pieces, escaping into the Colchean

end of the battle, however, Silea’s warrior

Mountains to avoid her own death. One

queens had been lost, sacrificing their own lives

fragment of the Kaleva tells that Silea

in their efforts to save their people. Silea’s

received a vision from the goddess Athena in

wounds were also grave, often depicted in art

the Colcheans, and that the goddess took her

as twelve gaping wounds to represent her

to Elysium to protect her. Years later, Silea

generals. The Kaleva states that Athena

returned a grown woman to a land stained with

descended to the earth to bring her servant to

the blood and remains of her people and

rest, but before she left the world, the survivors

ancestors, but she was no longer a little girl.

asked Silea what was to become of them now

She had become blessed with all of the wisdom and strength of the goddess Athena.

that their world was in ruin. According to the

The Kaleva fragments from here, and several

last prophetic words to the women were “The

Kaleva and accepted widely as fact, Silea’s

Age of Scorn is no more, and Woman shall

versions of the myths exist and are argued over

fare better than Man.” Another version,

in forums today. In one story, Silea is said to

largely considered apocryphal and dismissed

have assembled a legion of warriors from the

as a forgery, ends the saga as Silea stating the

strongest scattered bones she could find,

same words in a different way; “The Age of

using her own blood to bring them back to life

Scorn is no more; will Woman fare any better

as warrior queens. Other stories say that

than Man?” Those women who adhere to the

8

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

latter version or accept it as a possibility are

saw the greed behind these practices and saw

frequently the object of ridicule or contempt.

themselves better off as the suppliers of men, not those dependent upon them. Kidnappings,

The Age of Queens

violent raids, and small-scale wars were soon fought in countless numbers all across

After the Battle of Trocia, the remaining

Marpesia, simply over the need to secure virile

survivors once again began the cycle of

boys and men to provide future generations of

rebuilding their civilizations. For many years

children. In Tyyrhan, women became so

survival was grim and brutal, although the

desperate that remaining humanoids in the

recovery had begun during the Age of Queens.

region were sought out, their own males

Years of wars had devastated the land beyond

today as the races of half-orcs and half-ogres.

captured and used as breeding stock, evident Half-gnomes and the subspecies of halflings

belief, the reminders of which are still evident in

known as Tallfellows also resulted from the

many ruins scattered across the Marpesian

mating of humans with halflings, or gnomes with

landscape. Once prosperous cities were left in

other small races. The breeding caravans

rubble and ash, and with no homes the surviving

evolved from this desperation as well, largely

women, children, and elderly faced many hard

from Thessae but quickly adopted by the

seasons. Although the securing of shelter and

Mesonians and the Han. These caravans

food was daunting enough, when the tasks

provided access to virile boys and men of age

were complete new challenges presented

to communities in demand of mates, and quickly

themselves. Territory once again had to be

became a fact of everyday life for the

claimed and worked, which gave rise to new

Scythaen women. With few to no men around,

social orders and governments.

these caravans offered the hope of conceiving

Communication and trade with the rest of the

a child at a lower cost than turning to the

world also had to be reestablished, which was

supplies of the noblewomen and rulers.

largely accomplished by the daring and courage of the Thessaens. More importantly,

The Rise of Aegonia

however, was the need for children to pass their legacy onto, as well as the hope for

About 15 years after the Battle of Trocia,

rebuilding a new world. With such a short

the nation of Aegonia rose where Mitan once

supply of men left in the world, desperate

stood. The very idea of living in Silea’s

women relied upon equally desperate measures

homeland inspired every girl and young woman

in their efforts to secure mates.

in Aegonia to become warrior queens themselves, and it took no effort at all for them

Their first attempts gave birth to the

to truly develop the first significant armies so

foundations of Compensation that exist in

shortly after the Age of Wrath had ended.

modern Scythae under the Reparations.

Their steel and courage allowed them to forge

Many women gave in to this, not wishing to war

ahead into new regions and territories, to

with their neighbors over such matters. Other

negotiate with neighboring states from a

tribes and communities bereft of men, however,

position of strength and power, and to quickly

9

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

rebuild and unite their lands far more quickly

frequent argument had spread across the

than their contemporaries. Their successes,

nation regarding what should happen to Man

however, earned them the spite of the

after so many years have passed. The debates

Mesonians and the Tyyrhan, both nations of

ranged from compassion and forgiveness to

which were short on men and valued resources.

servitude and even enslavement. Lycaeonian

After their acts of predations upon Aegonia’s

passion for these debates soon spread to

eastern fronts became too much to tolerate

other nations, and within a decade the topic

any longer, the Aegonians met their neighbors

was an everyday conversation nearly

in battle along the Euclea River and valleys

everywhere. The matter became so prevalent

south of the Colcheans. The Tyyrhan were

that the ruling queens convened in Heracea in

driven back relatively quickly, for they could

their own private forums. Even the pharaoh

not assemble enough warriors to overwhelm the

from Thentyr was invited to attend, for her

adamant Aegonians. The Mesonians, wicked

own nation had suffered similarly during the

in their tactics, were able to prevent the

Age of Wrath. After months of debates so

Aegonians from entering their country beyond

many centuries ago, the end result that still

the Euclea River and past the Gasthene

remains today was the Reparations.

Mountains. The Aegonians were not

The Reparations

accustomed to the treacherous terrain of the rocky Gasthenes and the Meson Desert,

When the Council of Queens was convened,

which the Mesonians had become used to as

the Reparations were born. Part social order,

scavengers and raiders. Three years of battles

part political treaty, the Reparations were a

and skirmishes with the Mesonians in these

series of documents and agreements that the

regions ended in a stalemate, but it was enough

queens had developed to resolve both the

for Aegonia to secure her territory and

debates on the fate of Man and to form a

continue her meteoric rise in becoming the most

loose alliance between the nations who

powerful nation in the world by the time of the

supported them. Under the Reparations, the

Reparations.

laws and edicts of the nations in which they lived determined Man’s fate. As part of the

The Council of Queens Queens

agreements, each nation was permitted to

Nearly a century after Trocia, the nations of

resolve the issue of Man as they deemed fit, an

Aegonia, Cannoria, Lanthia, Llyrdonia,

open policy which included such enlightened

Lycaeon, Mesonia, Mithia, Persaedon,

practices as equal rights, to lesser practices of

Teichosia, Thessae, and Tyyrhan had been

crippling, enslavement, and servitude. Policies

established across Marpesia. With their

such as establishing Authority over men,

civilizations beginning to show signs of

Hobbling those who would prove threats to

prosperity and success despite the fact so few

women, and determining fair and just rates of

men remained to share that success with, the

Compensation were also covered in detail,

most influential development of the age was

permitting the queens and their governments to

born in Lycaeon. Brewing in the forums within

establish similar laws within their borders. In

the city of Heracea, a growing debate and

addition, the Reparations served as a unifying

10

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

body that all nations could call their own, even

degrees throughout the world. Man certainly

if it was interpreted differently between

has fallen, and Woman has carried the destiny

neighboring countries.

of the world upon her own shoulders. There have been few major conflicts between the

The Reparations were quickly celebrated by a

nations of Marpesia, Ghandhara, and

majority of the women of Marpesia, but there

Thentia, although there are enough rivalries

were almost as many offended by such a social

and opportunists to ensure that a true and

policy. Although no nation warred with another

lasting peace under the Reparations will ever

over the matter, there were many small uprisings

come.

in Aegonia, Lycaeon, Mesonia, Tyyrhan, and Persaedon over the Reparations. Many

Aegonia has lost much of her initial influence

women did not wish to subject their sons to

and power as the might of Lycaeon rivaled her

such an easily abused social order, and just as

in the west, and now Gambdalla has become

many lost their lives trying to prevent their sons

enough of a threat to upset the balance of

and brothers from being taken against their will.

power on the Pelaegos and across Thentia. In

Civil unrest was common for short periods of

the east, Persaedon and Ghandhara quarrel

time for several hundred years after the signing

and skirmish over trading rights and economic

of the Reparations, but no significance has yet

control of Eastern Marpesia, while Tyyrhan

to come for the women who sacrificed their lives

and Mesonia and both bold enough to

to save their sons.

continue their slave raids and acts of piracy and plunder on unsuspecting and unprepared

The Reparations soon came to spread to

villages and towns. The dwarves in Mithia and

lands outside of Marpesia within a century

the women of Lanthia have exchanged blood

after their being drafted. Thentyr was the first

over mining rights in the Marpesians, and

to implement the policy under the temples of

unless they resolve these matters another war

Isis and their divine pharaoh, while the

could soon develop in the Frontier.

Summaran city states and Gambdalla were formed shortly thereafter. Ghandhara is only

In the east, particularly in Tyyrhan,

nation to have specifically been subverted into

Persaedon, and Ghandhara there are

adopting the Reparations by conspiring

increasing reports of barbarian raiders who

priestesses of Hera from Lycaeon, and even

have sailed from across the Helles Ocean.

the Aegonians and mercenary women from

These barbarians are men; armed with steel

other Marpesian nations assisted in the

and trained in war unlike no other man the

revolution.

women of Scythae have ever seen. Although the reports are distant, it is believed that these

The Modern Age

men are solely interested in plunder, rape, and murder, targeting small coastal villages that

For over eight centuries, Marpesia and the

their ships can easily approach. So far, the

known lands of Scythae have flourished and

response to these men have been one of

prospered, and the Reparations are embraced

hostility for daring to conduct these raids, and

as the norm of society to greater or lesser

from what has been seen these men can

11

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

certainly be driven back, captured and

Ainia (January)

Hobbled, and killed if need be.

Alcibie (February) Holiday: New Year's Festival (the calendar

Despite the successes Tyyrhan, Persaedon,

year starts after the last day of Alcibie)

and Ghandhara has had in defeating the initial

Antandre (March) Holiday: Spring Equinox (22 Antandre)

raiders, it is suspected that more and more men are landing upon the shores of Marpesia and

Antibrote (April)

Ghandhara at the beginning of every Spring

Bremusa (May)

season. In order to prevent this, warships now

Cleite (June) Holiday: Summer Solstice (21 Cleite)

increasingly patrol the Helles Ocean and the Sea of Tyyrhan looking for these barbaric

Derimach (July)

raiders. Soon, very soon, it is believed that a

Derinoe (August)

war with the nations and regions these men hail

Harmothoe (September) Holiday: Autumnal Equinox (23

from will certainly be under way, perhaps within

Harmothoe)

a decade or two.

Pothena (October) Almost overlooked are the equally increasing

Polemusa (November)

reports of humanoid activity along several

Modosa (December) Holiday: Winter Solstice (22 Thermodosa)

mountainous regions, particularly in the Frontier. Lanthians and Mithians alike are

The calendar keeps record of the years with

finding collaborating evidence which points to

the dating before the Battle of Trocia (B.T.,

rising numbers of humanoids, but other more

for Before Trocia) and after the death of

immediate matters have prevented any serious

Silea (A.D., for After Death). The current

efforts to curtail them. In these modern days,

calendar year is that of 846 A.D. The

the prophetic words of Silea are being whispered once more…

Reparations were drafted on 27 Ainia, in the

“Will Woman fare any better than Man?”

the Battle of Trocia and Woman triumphed

year 96 A.D., approximately 96 years after over the humanoids.

The Silean Calendar Calendar

An interesting period of time that is

The Scythaens use the Silean calendar,

represented as a gap in historical records takes

instituted in the same year of the Reparations.

place during the Age of Woes. Historians

It consists of 12 months in a year, with 30 days

cannot agree as to how long this age lasted;

per month and five additional holidays for a full

decades, perhaps centuries. There were

365-day calendar year. The months are named

attempts at recording history during this time,

after the twelve great warrior queens who

as matters of survival were paramount. The

served under Silea, the greatest warrior of the

Kaleva does contain dozens of after the fact

Age of Woes who established an army of

records of events that occurred during this time

women to fight against the humanoids. The

period, but as with all things in the Kaleva, they

months of the year are listed below.

are open to interpretation.

12

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

The days of the week are named after the

(Wednesday), Jovis (Thursday), Veneris

seven stellar objects in the heavens: Lenes

(Friday), Sambatos (Saturday), and Solis (Sunday).

(Monday), Martis (Tuesday), Curiis


THE FATE OF MAN Let's try to put this... nicely.

the first century, describing in lengthy and meticulous detail just how men were to be

On Scythae, women are in absolute command

treated by future generations of women. The

of every social, religious, and political

documents took into account all possibilities,

institution in their civilized world, even more so

from equal treatment and opportunities, to

than men are today in the real world. For a time

restricted social status and limitations, to

during our own world history men held absolute

servitude and slavery. After generations of

authority similar to this, with Woman's place

war, the women did not desire to fight among

being determined by Man. Although this has

themselves over what would constitute "fair and

changed greatly in women's favor in the modern

just treatment" of men within their particular

era of our world, the women of Scythae have

societies and cultures. Some felt that men

achieved a complete and absolute reversal of

should be forgiven for the past, but many more

power.

did not approve of such open compassion, and even more women demanded absolute servility

The shoe is now on the other foot, and they’re

from those men who remained. They argued

not about to take it off.

that allowing men to assume control of society once more would only place future generations

Below is information on just how modern

in danger as well, which was not something they

Scythaen women will perceive and interact with

wished their daughters and even their sons to

men on all levels of society. It wasn't enough to

witness again. The Reparations were

just say that Maidenheim was a world of

established as a loose treaty between nations

Amazon women, that they controlled

and as a new form of socialism that justified the

everything, man was held with contempt, that’s

status of men within those countries, and in

just the way it is and so forth. Even these

many cases, within individual cities within those

fictional women need a means of having their

nations.

society and social attitudes toward men justified and explained to some degree.

Authority and Inheritance

When a woman gives birth to a son, he is

The Reparations

considered the property of his mother and is

The Reparations are a series of legal

under her Authority, and is born with the

documents that developed toward the end of

status that the Reparations has given him in

13

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

the society into which he was born. The phrase

noblewoman, or any other wealthy woman who

"she has Authority over him" comes from this.

can come up with large sums of money. Poorer

Should the mother not find this status

women almost never have the immediate monies

desirable for her son, she may move to another

or goods to purchase the Authority, but if

nation without any consequence. Mothers are

they do, the inheritance may indeed go to her, making her a very wealthy woman.

permitted to raise their sons as they please within their households, but even if a mother

Lands, properties, and wealth are all

treats her son as an equal in Lycaeon, other

transferred along with the man's Authority,

women will still consider him a second-class citizen at best elsewhere in the nation.

and whatever woman receives Authority over

When the mother dies, regardless of her son's

rare event that a man is ever considered free

age, Authority over him is usually transferred

with a large attachment of property and no

first to his eldest or only sister, or his eldest or

women relatives to claim Authority over him,

only niece. Should he have no sisters or

anyone who receives this man stands to profit

nieces, his eldest or only aunt will receive

quite well. Often the man will find himself being

Authority over him, and through them, his

fought over by hopeful women, and in very few

eldest or only cousins. Women with Authority

regions or cities would he be given the right to

draft Wills to prevent feuding amongst her

choose whom to hand his Authority over to.

daughters or relatives over who shall receive

Only in Cannoria, or perhaps Calaecia would

the inheritance. With a Will in place, women

a man be able to live as an equal, in control of

can select specific related or unrelated

his own Authority.

him also receives the attached property. In the

persons to transfer her Authority to. Without

Formally, Authority can be proven with written

a Will, Authority is handed down through relatives.

documentation signed with the seal of a

Should a son have no women relatives to have

have these Writs of Authority drafted when

his Authority passed on to, he becomes a

their sons are born, which remain in the

Free Man within that particular society. A

possession of the mother or whoever inherits

local magistrate then decides who gains

them. Forgeries are rare, after many attempts

authority over him, transfers the Authority to

to falsely steal Authority of a man have been

the local noble lady of that particular region, or

made using falsified Writs. Despite any verbal

it is given to whoever catches him. In nearly all

disputes over Authority, magistrates always

cases, it is the local noblewoman who generally

use or hire magical means to detect the

receives the Authority, and this has become

forgeries. The word of the man in question is

one of the most significant cornerstones of

almost never taken into account here, since he

maintaining their power. The nobility appoints

may be trying to escape one particular woman's

the magistrates, after all. If a noblewoman

Authority. Even if it were, magistrates could

decides that a particular Authority is not

hire the services of a wizard or priestess to

magistrate within a particular city. Mothers

verify duplicity.

desired, the Authority is auctioned off to whoever can afford it. This is often another

14

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

The Hobbling

never be able to properly wield weapons or

subject to a practice that has become known as

greater strength. There are a variety of ways

outmaneuver or overpower women with their

Sons born to women on Scythae are often

by which this can be achieved, with the

the Hobbling. This originally evolved as a

following suggestions. Leg and hip joints are

means to prevent the child from growing up and

usually crippled or maimed in such a way to not

using his greater physical dominance against

only reduce the man’s movement rate and

other women. The Hobbling is enforced by

speed to 1/3 of his normal movement rate, but

law in most nations to varying degrees, but

also to negate any defensive bonuses to his

some mothers may have the Authority to

AC that he may receive from a high Dexterity

decide for themselves just how this matter

score. Arms and hands are likewise crippled

should be resolved depending on which region

and maimed to negate all strength bonuses to

she lives in. In some cities, one of the tendons

attack and damage rolls if the man uses a

behind the boy's heels would be severed,

weapon in his maimed hand. Enough of the

condemning him to the status of a cripple.

fingers can be removed at certain joints or

Other cities found it commonplace to fracture

tendons can be severed in the hands and wrists

an anklebone or knee joint to achieve the same

to prevent the ability to draw a bow or even

effect, ensuring that the joint was not set

tightly grip a sword altogether. An eye can

properly to permit its effective use. Other

also be removed to ruin the man’s depth

practices also involved the severing of a thumb

perception, negating any attack bonuses he

on the child's right hand, or perhaps his

may receive from Dexterity when using a bow

forefinger to the second knuckle so that he

or missile weapon.

would be unable to properly wield a sword or other weapon, while fracturing the elbow and

The Dissolution of Marriage and

wrist joints without properly setting them also

The Rights of Compensation Compensation

weakened the arms. Nations such as Tyyrhan and Mesonia frequently use such practices

With women outnumbering men approximately

today, while the women in Cannoria only

100 to 1 in Scythae, creating future

perform the Hobbling as a severe punishment

generations is a serious problem for all of the

on older boys and men who refuse to accept

races. In a village of 1,000 people, maybe 10 or

their place. As stated, most individual cities

a few score more of them would be men actually

enforce some degree of Hobbling, and in few

born into that village. Any others would have

regions will mothers be permitted to choose the

been imported. If the standard monogamous

degree of Hobbling as they see fit. Sadly,

marriages which once existed were still

only in Cannoria and Calaecia will many

instituted, then only 10 or so of those 1000

forego the practice altogether.

women would be involved in creating a next generation. Even though these women could

Game Effects of The Hobbling

still produce several children in their own

Men who have been Hobbled in the

lifetimes, the rest of the women would remain

Maidenheim setting have been crippled and

childless. To do so would only prolong the

maimed in ways that will ensure that they will

shortage of children, particularly young boys

15

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

and men. or the sake of future generations, the

the Reparations to demand some form of

Reparations dissolved the institutions of

Compensation for access to breeding with

marriage that had previously been in place. Its

their sons. Often this payment was in the form

also just as likely that marriage, to some women,

of money, but gifts and trade goods or free

is just another way for a man to gain dominance

services were also used as a means of

over her, and that the Dissolution could now

exchange. Although the Reparations forbid

be justified by the current situation. It became

such Compensation from being set too high,

necessary for women to share mates among

many women have grown considerably wealthy

such a short supply of available men. Since few

over the years as their sons came of age and

men would be available for procreation, the

grew into manhood. Women who come to hold

next generation of children would have many

Authority over men through other means, such

half-siblings, even if their mothers did not know

as a woman who inherits Authority over her

each other. In order to keep the integrity of the

brother or a woman who purchases a slave or

bloodlines pure and free from degeneration,

catches a Free Man, are also entitled to equal Compensation.

women would usually have to travel to other

cities and regions in order to secure a mate.

Should a woman with Authority over a man

Although marriages with men have been

refuse to permit other women from giving her

dissolved, many women have entered mutually

Compensation, that itself is a crime. Women

beneficial partnerships in a similar fashion.

still fall in love with men, and jealousy did not

Whether these relationships are intimate or

disappear after the Age of Scorn. The

not will vary according to the couples involved,

Reparations cannot force a woman to abandon

but their primary purpose is for an easier

her heart, but they will force her to comply with

chance at survival as well as companionship. In

its laws governing men. Women who refuse to

this manner, women with children can still hold

receive a legitimate offer of Compensation are

jobs and occupations assured that at least

punished by instead paying the spited woman

their partners will be present to care for the

the Compensation offer, in addition to

children. This is especially beneficial for

allowing the injured party access to the man

women who work in soldierly, mercantile, or

anyway. In some cases, the Authority over the

naval professions, since their work often takes

man will be revoked, and will be auctioned off to

them away from their homes for weeks and

whomever can afford it. Noblewomen

months at a time. Although Authority over men

frequently increase their own Authority in this manner.

is not shared between the women involved, both partners can readily conceive children through any men in their household.

The Compensation itself is typically valued at

The laws of supply and demand did not

although it is rarely a simple cash payment.

escape the women of Scythae, and those

Trade goods, livestock, horses, luxuries, gold,

women who held Authority over even one man

silver, and jewels, as well as lands and property

quickly found them selves in a very profitable

are all acceptable forms of Compensation.

position. Mothers with sons were permitted by

Women serfs and slave girls can also be

a full year's worth of goods, wages, or salary,

16

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man sons the deceased left behind, or custody of

considered as part of a payment, since women

her daughter.

with these levels of status are really nothing more than property themselves. Sterile men

Once the Compensation is met, the hopeful

who are incapable of reproduction are also

woman is entitled to spend enough time alone

valued as laborers, and many male muls and

with the man as possible until she conceives.

dwarven men find themselves used as chattel

This mating period lasts for at least a week,

for purposes of fulfilling Compensation. It may

although sometimes a woman has been able to

take a woman between two and five years to

stretch the period up to a month. Fertility

actually build up an appropriate amount of

priestesses and midwives of Yondalla, Isis, and

Compensation to offer to another woman, but

Freya are always involved in determining when

the investment is worth the effort. Should a

a child is conceived. Determining if a woman is

woman desiring a child not have enough goods

fertile is always the first step in the entire

or money to meet the Compensation, she is

mating process, for if she is barren there is no

also entitled to offer herself as an indentured

point.

servant for a specified period of time until the balance of the debt is repaid. She will not lose

Under the Reparations, not all women are

Authority over a son if one is born during this time.

entitled to hold Authority over a man though,

Although the Compensation cannot be set

slaves. This does not mean that they cannot

specifically women who are considered serfs or be used to bear children. In fact, a woman who

too high by law, the same laws also govern that

own several girls as serfs and slaves will ensure

there must be a minimum level of Compensation

that any men she also holds Authority over

as well. Queens always set the minimum level of

give these women children as well. Any

Compensation, but may permit local ruling

daughters who are born merely increase her

noblewomen to adjust the rates accordingly

number of serfs and slaves, but the sons fall

within their domains or cities. This is not a fair

under the Authority of the serf and slave

means of exchange, since only the extremely to

owner, not the child's birth mother. Women who

moderately wealthy women could readily afford

hold Authority over other women as well as

a regular Compensation within a short period,

men are extremely wealthy and powerful in their

with poorer women almost unable to provide

society. All of the Queens and nobility have

Compensation for years at a time. Indentured

ensured their power in this manner, either in

servitude to wealthier women who possess sons

past or present day generations.

or other men is frequently the case for these women. The rate at which the debts are paid

An interesting development of the

off may take ten, twenty, or even thirty years

Compensation is the breeding caravan. Not

for a woman to accomplish, although if she

every region or settlement has enough men

births a son, she may be able to quickly pay off

within it yet to create larger future generations,

the debt after the thirteen to fourteen years it

and there are more daughters being born every

takes for her son to reach virility. If the

year than sons. Women working as slavers have

indentured woman dies before paying off her

grown immensely wealthy by shipping men to

debt, the debtor receives Authority over any

17

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

these regions explicitly to meet the demand for

cases where the man was attempting to injure,

breeding, remaining within a particular city or

maim, or kill the woman. Castrating or

town for a month before moving on. Even in

otherwise sterilizing a man is the worst crime

cities where men are generally not treated as

imaginable, resulting in an immediate death

slaves, the existence of a slave caravan used

sentence in a very painful and prolonged

for this purpose is tolerated as a necessary evil

manner. In Eastern Marpesia, where men from

that will one day no longer be a necessity.

the Bastardlands raid coastal settlements, the

Whether or not the women in charge of these

laws against killing men are obviously

caravans feel the same way is another matter

overlooked, but the idea there is still to take as

entirely. The caravan mistresses receive

many men alive as possible. The Reparations

Compensation just as any other woman with

also protect and enforce the rights of a

Authority would, although they cater to women

mother's Authority over her son, and the

who do not desire to work for several years in

society's right to compensate her for the use of

order to meet the price of a full Compensation.

her son (it is interesting to note here that the Reparations were not written to consider his

Rather, they have sometimes charged an

rights...).

amount roughly equal to as little as six months salary, wages, or goods. They also receive the

Some women have attempted to murder other

benefit of free food and services while within a

women in order to steal Authority of men from

village or city, since many women appreciate

them, whether their means were outright theft

the convenience that they provide them. Not

or through forcing an early inheritance. Women

every noblewoman appreciates the presence of

who attempt this, regardless of whether they

the breeding caravans, since they directly

succeed or not, are always executed. Even

undermine the profits that the nobles receive,

though most women feel that the sentence is

as well as contribute to the dissolving

just, the reasoning behind it is not so much the

monopoly that they possess over men. These

act of killing itself, but the purpose for which

noblewomen often pass laws outlawing the

the killing was done. Killing a woman in war or

presence of such caravans within their borders,

defense is one thing, but for the sake of

but this does little to stop their subjects from

obtaining Authority it is just despicable. As

traveling to the next stop along the caravans'

valued as men and Authority are, murdering

trade routes. The caravan mistresses have no

one's own sister for them is the most heinous of

intention of going away, however, since they

all crimes. The act of murdering someone for

enjoy the riches and wealth that their stock brings them.

the gold she carries is even seen as a less

Laws and Protection

execution.

serious crime, even if the sentence still results in

Since men are in such short supply and valued

Men who commit crimes are punished

more for their virility than anything else, the

according to local laws, but only receive a

Reparations have also established a series of

death sentence in the most severe and violent

laws that protect men from abject abuse or

of cases, usually involving multiple murders.

murder. Women whom indiscriminately kill men

Slavery is typically the worst punishment they

will likely find themselves put to death, save in

18

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

will receive, even for a single rape or murder.

Those men who do carry arms or magic will

The severing of hands is a frequent

most likely be serving as bodyguards to a

punishment for men who strike women, as is the

woman who can vouch for him, which is

hobbling or amputation of feet for those who

effectively the same as having Authority over

make escape attempts. In a few cases where

him. His social status is at least that of a

men have actually bitten women, teeth have

second-class citizen. If they are ever without a

been forcibly removed. The women who have

woman to speak for them, or if a local

Authority over men will also be responsible for

magistrate demands that a Writ of Authority

compensating the party or parties their men

must be drafted first, then they are for all

have injured, typically a settlement of money or

purposes Free Men. If the number of men in an

property, or a length of indentured servitude

adventuring party outnumbers the women,

defined by local magistrates. A woman could

other Scythaen women will grow suspicious;

also lose her Authority over a man as a

how could one woman keep all those men in

punishment as well, which is always the result

their place, and prevent them from running

should he punished with slavery. In these cases,

away from her or even from killing her? In almost

the men often become slaves of the ruling

every case of adventuring men, they will

noblewoman of the town, city, or domain within

probably be the only ones in their party, or perhaps one of two men.

nations or regions rather than the injured party, who may be inclined to kill him as his "just reward."

The Reparations do protect men who are

Men as Adventurers

any suspicions that a woman may have against

take up adventuring careers in Scythae. They

their women are around. Adventuring men are

spoken for by a woman, however, and despite them, they will remain unmolested for as long as

Very few men ever have the opportunity to

advised not to stray too far from their lady

are considered too valuable to waste by their

companions, lest they fall under a new

mothers or the women who hold Authority over

Authority and possibly lose what little

them, and men will almost never be trained in the

freedoms they do have. Scythaen women who

use of weapons or magic. In fact, teaching a

trust their men to fight side by side with them

man to use a sword or magic is a serious crime in

do keep the proper Writs just in case another

some regions, punishable by imprisonment,

woman wants to make such a claim over any of

enslavement, or even death. There are a few

their men.

men who have been trained in war and combat and sorcery, but these men are exceptional,

Such then has become the fate of Man.

having been blessed with very lenient women

Below are details on the various levels of social

over them and having been given the

standing a man can have on Scythae.

opportunity to learn. They also stay clear of regions where men are expressly forbidden to

Free Man

use weapons or magic, which are almost

A man who attains this status will quickly

everywhere.

discover that it may not be all that he dreams it to be. Any man without a woman present to

19

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

speak for him is a Free Man, but he is not

or political institutions. They may or may not

"free" from the Reparations. The woman who

be able to receive a good education,

manages to apprehend and catch him simply

depending on whether they can afford one or

owns him. Just exactly how he is then treated

be sent to one of the universities or learning

depends upon who caught him and where he

institutions. Second-class men are almost

was caught. A Free Man caught in Lycaeon

always forbidden to carry weapons and are

will most likely become an second-class citizen

forbidden to learn magic, for these could very

depending on his mistress, or perhaps a serf or

well be turned upon the women who have

slave. If he is caught by a band of Tyyrhan or

Authority over them. Life for a man with this

Mesonian slavers, nothing more need be said.

status could be rather comfortable as long as

Escaped slaves do become Free Men until

he does nothing to jeopardize his standing.

they are caught.

Should he do so, he will quickly find himself reduced to the status of a serf or slave.

Equal Citizen

Serf or Servant

This is the rarest of the social standings a man can achieve, and the best he can hope for.

Many men wind up with the social status of a

Unfortunately for men, Cannoria is the only

lower serf or servant, bound under the

nation that permits equal status, and even then,

Authority of a woman who more or less treats

few ever truly attain it. Otherwise they tend to

them as a leased servant rather than a second-

be second-class citizens or servants and slaves.

class citizen. Serfs are often used as contract

Equal citizens have all the same rights and

laborers to work for other women, with the

privileges that women do in that particular

payment being made to the woman with

region or city. Should they travel elsewhere,

Authority. Their lives are rather difficult and

they will not be considered equal anymore.

toilsome, only being a step above that of a slave. Men who are leased out to another

SecondSecond-Class Citizen

woman for employment or labor are generally considered serfs. Many women are also

Second-class citizens generally serve roles as

considered serfs under the same Authority of

servants and laborers to the women who have

a local lady or noblewoman as the men are.

Authority over them. Few men in Scythae

The men are sometimes treated better than

have second-class status, but this status is far

the women, particularly since they can be used

more easily achieved than that of an equal

for more leisurely activities.

citizen. They are not serfs or slaves, and do have a degree of freedom, although life will be

Slave

easier for these men if they are under a woman's Authority and do nothing to

Men who are slaves will most likely always

jeopardize it. They can hold jobs, but they get

remain so. None of the nations or regions has

paid less than women do for the same

outlawed slavery in its entirety, even though

occupation. They usually cannot own

some, like Cannoria, only use slavery as a

property, though, depending on where they

sentence for criminals rather than for all men as

live. They have no voice in any religious, social,

a whole. Tyyrhan and Mesonia are different

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

stories. Slaves are treated by the whim or

variety of tasks and treatments in his lifetime.

virtue of their mistresses. Many are whipped

Very few slaves are ever set free, and most

into line in quarries and mines, while others are

spend their entire lives in chains, from birth to

watched vigilantly on plantation farms and in

death. Women can also become slaves on

craft shops. They all work at some capacity,

Scythae, usually as a sentence for a crime, or if

but they earn no money or property for it, the

they are taken as prisoners during a slaver's

profits of which all go to the women with

raid. Regardless of their former status, once a

Authority over them. Some slaves are treated

slaver’s chains bind a woman, she can be

well by their owners, and the most aesthetically

purchased and sold by whoever desires to do

pleasing of them can be found in the luxurious

so. Those who have compassion for them set

harems of noblewomen. Slave status varies in

many women free, but some women have no

treatment to that of brutality and abuse to a

compunctions about keeping a household of young slave girls as serfs and servants.

comparative level to a second-class citizen, and a man who changes owners may experience a






A NOTE FOR GAME MASTERS AND PLAYERS On other campaign worlds, any Amazon

For those who would attempt to walk among

societies that may have developed would most

the women of Scythae, game masters and

certainly be restricted to a small, geographic

players will have to make careful considerations

region, perhaps limited to a few cities and

and agreements as to how the setting and the

villages. This is often done with good reason,

games will be presented. Will all of the players

for the setting needs to be accommodating to

be Scythaen women? This would make for the

enough types of players and characters as to

easiest choice, and the same adventures that

permit nearly every possibility while excluding

take place on other worlds easily occur on

as little as necessary. There is nothing wrong

Scythae. Dungeons can be explored,

with this, and it is generally preferred.

humanoids need to be driven back, undead

Maidenheim, however, increases the scale of

need to be put to rest, and lost treasures and

Amazon influence and power tremendously

magic are still waiting to be reclaimed.

across the entirety of most of a world, which

Will there be a man in the adventuring party,

does limit the role that men will have in the

and which woman will have Authority over him?

campaign. This could certainly turn off a

This presents a role-playing challenge, for

number of people from playing a game in such a

players generally treat each other as equals for

world, which is understandable, and the author

mutual survival. For a player to take on the role

bears no grievances against those who would

of a man in this type of game is to trust another

be against using this setting for their games.

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man

player to have Authority over him, and requires

trying to avoid bands of Tyyrhan or Mesonian

a mature level of role-playing. The players

slavers and humanoids? These types of games

should still treat each other as equals

are more likely to be one-shot adventures

regardless, for the party's survival will depend

perfect for an evening of fun, but the potential

on cooperation just as it does in other settings.

for long reaching and epic campaigns also

The issue of Authority here is simply so that

exists here. Players from other game worlds

no other woman or NPC will challenge the

could also get lost at sea or shipwrecked as

party for it (remember, being a Free Man is the

well, washing up on the shores of Tyyrhan or

same as being the prey during an open hunting

Cannoria or anywhere in between. The

season). Players who treat male player

discovery of entire continents ruled by women

characters in the party harshly or as mere

could make for an interesting addition to any

slaves would not make for a fun game at all.

existing homemade world that still has uncharted regions, bringing the campaign and

Also keep in mind that although weapons may

the players into whole new directions.

be easy to come by for men, armor fitted for their bodies is very difficult to find. Asking a

Relaxing some of the rather harsh attitudes

blacksmith to make a breastplate fitted for a

and perceptions of men in Maidenheim could

man is likely to arouse suspicion, and could very

certainly make the setting more friendly to men

likely be denied outright. Just as in Rome

and male characters, but do keep in mind that

where armor was not developed for women, on

the more which is taken away from that which

Scythae armor is not designed for the male

makes the Scythaens who they are, the less

physique in most lands. The best armors men

unique this setting and the Scythaen women

may find themselves with are easily crafted

become. Game masters and players running

hide, leather, and brigandine shirts or mail

campaigns native to Maidenheim should agree

hauberks that may happen to fit their bodies,

on just how the game will be run. If players from

but shields should be readily available.

other settings discover this world in the course

Dwarven men don’t suffer from this hindrance

of their own adventures, the game master may

in most dwarven citadels, nor would men in

feel free to present the Scythaens as he or

Calaecia and Cannoria. Outside of these few

she sees fit.

areas, armor designed for men is very difficult to come by.

The possibility to play foreign adventurers is also a valid option. Would the players prefer to be Viking-like explorers from the Bastardlands for a few short games, perhaps raiding a




Scythaen monastery of priestesses while


22

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

The History of Scythae and The Fate of Man





 
  

 

 


 

 
  

 

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