Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn (Amazon Campign Setting) - Book III: Nations and Empires (Maidenheim d20)(Fantasy Roleplaying)

No civilization can be perfect until exact equality between Man and Woman is included. -Mark Twain

NATIONS AND EMPIRES Table of Contents 3 4 5-12 13-18 19-24 25-32 33-34 35-40 41-48 49-56 57-64 65-73 74-76 77-85 86-92 93-99 100-106 107-108 109-116 117-124 125-132 133-135 136-137

Introduction The Maidenlands Aegonia Lycaeon Teichosia Thessae The Frontier Calaecia Cannoria Lanthia Llyrdonia Mithia Beyond the Maidenlands Ghandhara Mesonia Persaedon Tyyrhan The Continent of Thentia Gambdalla Summara Thentyr Oceans and Seas Map of the Known World

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. Cover art © Les Evans. Due to mature themes, reader discretion is advised.

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- S.T. Kearney

3

THE MAIDENLANDS
The heart of Scythae lies within the Maidenlands, a large and powerful region of the Marpesian continent where two rival queens rule their monarchies with wisdom and visions of greater glories. Although they are not at war, the nations of Aegonia and Lycaeon have exchanged steel and blood in the past, and it is only a matter of time before their daughters face each other again. Thessae and Teichosia are also considered a part of the Maidenlands, and they often become embroiled in the plots of their Lycaeonian and Aegonian sisters.

AEGONIA, THE WISE Sitting atop her jagged cliffs like a triumphant queen upon her throne, Aegonia overlooks the eastern shores of the Pelaegosian Sea, a doting mother watching her children. Long known for her mighty armies and swift galleons, the Aegonians have dominated the Eastern Pelaegos for centuries, and have grown wealthy by controlling the trade routes and shipping lanes across the sea. Aegonian merchants also bring the goods of the West to the East, and travel as far as Gambdalla beyond the Summara Desert, and have opened routes into Persaedon, Tyrrhan, Mesonia, and Ghandhara in the east.

LYCAEON, THE PROSPEROUS The western Pelaegosian Sea belongs to prosperous Lycaeon, a powerful nation that rivals her Aegonian sisters to the east. The women of Lycaeon are also warriors, sailors, and traders, controlling the entirety of the Central Pelaegos, rivaling Gambdalla in the west. Land routes with Mithia in the north and Teichosia, Lanthia, and Thessae to the east also draws much wealth into the nation.

TEICHOSIA, THE FAIR Verdant Teichosia is a nation run by elves, their cities tucked between large oaks and towering redwoods. Teichosians enjoy a decadent and hedonistic lifestyle, and they are said to be the laziest and most jaded of all Scythaens, but any evidence of this vanishes when trouble appears. Teichosian archers are perhaps the best on Scythae, and their enchantresses certainly rival the wizards of Thentyr and Ghandhara. In the forests, they are said to command all the animals themselves, who willingly protect and guide their mistresses.

THESSAE, THE CROSSROADS Also called the Gateway to the East, Thessae has grown wealthy by controlling the trade routes that connect Eastern and Western Marpesia. The half-elves who rule here are also great diplomats and negotiators between humans and elves, and their mixed status gives them an advantage when dealing with other mixed races like the half-orcs of Tyyrhan. As a neutral nation,
Thessae stays out of other nations' conflicts, and they have enough steel and magic of their own to keep things that way.

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Aegonia

AEGONIA "Wise Aegonia, strong in steel, proud in faith, with women who war like gods."  

HISTORY 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Sitting atop her jagged cliffs like a triumphant

During the Age of Scorn, the region where

queen upon her throne, Aegonia overlooks the

Aegonia now rules was called Mitan, a quiet

eastern shores of the Pelaegosian Sea, a

and gentle region that often fell prey to slavers

doting mother watching her children. Long

and armies. When the humanoids stormed

known for her mighty armies and swift galleons,

down upon the Kingdoms of Man after the

the Aegonians have dominated the Eastern

Wars, Mitan suffered greatly, for her rulers

Pelaegos for centuries, and have grown

were in disorder and her armies scattered.

wealthy by controlling the trade routes and

After the Wars, large numbers of women and

shipping lanes across the sea. Aegonian

their remaining children who had fled Mitan had

merchants also bring the goods of the West to

made their way back to the region due its

the East, and travel as far as Gambdalla

arable land and abundant resources, although

beyond the Summara Desert, and have

the land was never the same again. Even today,

opened routes into Persaedon, Tyyrhan,

centuries old ruins of castles and failed

Mesonia, and Ghandhara in the east.

fortifications can be seen sticking up like jagged stones from the ground, just as useless

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

today as they were in ages past.

Aegonia is a warm temperate country, although the winds of the Pelaegos and the

As the surviving women rebuilt their cities on

Aegonian Sea make her summers cool and

the ruins of the old, they swore that their home

windy, and her winters cold and bitter along the

would never again suffer from such devastation.

coasts. Dotted with forests and sloping hills,

Even in the earliest days before the signing of

the Aegonian countryside is pleasant and

the Reparations by the first true queens,

scenic, boasting large tracts of fertile land used

Aegonia quickly developed a strong army of

for farms and grazing animals. Western

mounted warriors and cavalry, charioteers and

Aegonia is rather hilly and steep, with rocky

archers, infantry and siege engineers. Using an

cliffs that tower over the Pelaegos and her

abundance of wood from the region's forests,

jagged shores. Further inland to the east the

galleys and warships were constructed and

hills level off into forested valleys, marshland,

launched into the Pelaegos and what would

and plains. With an above average amount of

soon be called the Aegonian Sea.

rainfall each year, Aegonian soil is often moist

Fortifications were rebuilt, this time to more

and soft, although this does tend to help the

functional and strategic standards, using stone

annual harvests tremendously.

from quarries in nearby hills and mountains,

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Aegonia Using hit and run tactics against the

reinforcing their towers and walls with wooden catwalks and palisades.

Aegonians, Mesonian soldiers and raiders were able to slowly whittle down and break up

The nation of Aegonia had firmly established

Aegonia's armies, preventing them from

herself as a minor power in the region 85 years

advancing beyond the Euclea River into

before the Reparations were drafted and

Mesonia. At sea, the Mesonians were not so

signed. With their skilled armies, they were able

fortunate, and their pirate vessels were

to secure a number of trade routes east into

unprepared for the magic that Aegonian

the more rugged region of Persaedon, and

sorceresses used to command the waves of the

south into Mesonia. Their skill at seamanship

Pelaegos themselves. After three years, the

also enabled them to traverse the entire length

Mesonians had managed to hold off Aegonia

of the Pelaegos to distant Cannoria and

and prevent their nation from falling, but they

Calaecia, and through the Seidon Strait to

had also weakened themselves. Even today,

Ghandhara and Tyyrhan. The abundance of

centuries later, Mesonia is very cautious about

food Aegonia's serfs produced was sold to

raiding Aegonia's outlying territories despite

other regions less fortunate, enhancing the

the great improvements they have made in their

wealth of Aegonia's queens and noblewomen.

own efforts at war and at sea.

Her prosperity, however, quickly made her the envy of her neighbors.

By the time of the Reparations, Aegonia was a very serious power on the Marpesian

Raiders from Mesonia to the south, short on

continent, and even her contemporaries

both supplies of food and men, began to raid

accorded her queens much respect. In fact,

outlying villages and monasteries looking to

Aegonia holds the honor of being the first

make up for what they could not produce. On

significant world power to evolve after the

the Pelaegos, Mesonian pirates would plunder

Wars of Man, although over the course of the

the holds of Aegonia's fattened merchant

next few centuries, persistent but minor

ships. To make matters even worse for

conflicts with Lycaeon, Persaedon, and again

Aegonia, slavers from Tyyrhan far to the east

with Mesonia would begin to balance out the

also made inland raids along Aegonia's eastern

power across the nations of the Pelaegos.

marches. The violent raids became an increasing problem for Aegonia, and the serfs

Aegonia today is one of the most powerful

in service to the noblewomen and the queen

nations on Scythae, rivaled only in might by

demanded immediate action. They received it.

Lycaeon and closely by Gambdalla. Persaedon's armies aren't as well organized or

Aegonia's armies saw armed conflict on a large

disciplined, but their magic is much more

scale for the first time 23 years before the

developed, ensuring that any visions of an

Reparations, and the full weight of their steel

Aegonian Empire across Eastern Marpesia

and magic quickly drove back the Tyyrhan.

remain mere visions. Still, the dreams of

The Mesonians, however, did not fall back so

conquest have never left the hearts of

quickly, and were determined enough to

Aegonia's noblewomen, and despite any

continue their raids for several more years.

alliances and truces that they have with their

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Aegonia

sister nations, Aegonia is already prepared to

The Hobbling is strictly enforced in Aegonia.

carve an empire with but a wave of their queen's

As a country prepared for war at a moment's

hand.

notice, Aegonians frown upon the notion of men bearing arms and weapons. Its bad enough

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

that Mesonian and Lycaeonian privateers

Aegonia's government consists of a loose

harass Aegonian ships on the Pelaegos, and

confederation of autonomous city-states

armed bandits are an infrequent problem.

structured along the lines of democratic

Permitting men to carry weapons simply creates

hegemonies, each with their own queen. The

another potential enemy. Boys born in

queens hold absolute authority in their lands,

Aegonia have the joints in their elbows, wrists,

and beneath them a body of titled nobility

knees, and ankles of one arm and leg fractured

helps to govern, appoint magistrates, and reap

after birth, preventing any efficiency at

the efforts of slaves, servants, and citizens

wielding a weapon or maneuvering in an

within their perspective domains. Although the

aggressive manner. Mothers have no choice in

queens’ words are generally law within their

this matter, but very few have ever spoken

states, titled noblewoman are permitted to

against it. Women who permit their men to

execute and enforce laws as they see fit within

carry a weapon or train them to use one have

their lands in order to maintain good civil order

Authority over them stripped away

and economic prosperity. Aegonians with the

permanently, on top of temporary confinement

status of full citizenship have the right to elect

and severe fines. Adventuring men had best

senators to represent them to the nobility.

surrender their weapons and armor to their

The senators do have the power to veto

female companions when traveling through

decisions made by the nobles and the queen.

Aegonia.

The title of queen is handed down through the

MILITARY

eldest daughters, as are all other noble titles.

The armed forces of Aegonia are diverse, well

Lands, properties, assets, and Authority also

trained, and harshly disciplined. Their archers

accompany them. As a firmly united nation,

are second only to those from Teichosia.

there have been few disputes between the city-

Aegonians enjoy medium to light cavalry and

states in Aegonia for centuries. Nearly all of

charioteers within their own territory, and they

them are trained warrior generals or officers, or

are capable of maneuvering spear women into

priestesses of Athena also trained in war and

deadly defensive positions. Their hoplite

strategy. The city-states function more like a

infantry perhaps serves them best, and

well-oiled military chain of command than a

Aegonian swordswomen are among the best

system of jaded and haughty noblewomen.

trained in all of Marpesia. Sorceresses skilled

This clearly defined hierarchy serves the

and trained in war use their magic to invoke and

Aegonians well in the administration of their

conjure all manners of deadly offensive spells

duties, and has been largely successful for the

upon their enemies, making Aegonia's armies

prosperity and security of the nation.

very difficult to deal with.

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Aegonia

At sea, Aegonians use a combination of

many women to gain fluency in Turmen and

armored war galleys equipped with rams and

Han. A close proximity to Thessae in the

flammable missiles, as well as more

north and a significant half-elven population has introduced Ehlonn into the population.

maneuverable galleons that glide across the waves with great speed. Sorceresses trained in

SOCIAL CUSTOMS

the elemental magic of water and air add a

Every woman in Aegonia serves some time in

powerful and decisive advantage to their

the military, and many make entire careers of it.

navies, and have successfully warded off pirates and privateers with their sorcery.

Even the simple serfs who plow the fields of

PEOPLE AND CUSTOMS

towns all know the arts of swordsmanship,

Aegonia boasts a strong population of

archery, and riding. Many are also trained

approximately 25 million people, which is made

sailors and sea women capable of working the

possible by the abundance of farmland and

rigging of a galleon or the oars of a galley.

food that the hilly countryside and the

Noblewomen hold the ranks of officers, while

Pelaegos and Aegonian Seas produce.

those beneath them make up the enlisted ranks.

There are almost 500,000 men accounted for

At least two years of intense training and

and living in Aegonia, 400,000 of whom are

service in Aegonia's military is demanded by

under the Authority of the queens and the

the queen, after which the individual women

noblewomen, 100,000 under the Authority of

may leave the service to pursue a trade or

the wealthier women and the merchant classes.

continue on as a soldier. Even those who no

The temples of Demeter are known to have a

longer serve in the military always carry at least

large number of men under their Authority,

a dagger, and many also bear a short sword at

work a variety of crafts in the villages and

their hip.

although precise numbers are not known outside of the church. Women who do not

Women who are not of the nobility are serfs,

desire sons go to the priestesses at a cost of

peasants, or citizens, although most serfs

no Compensation, and turn over their sons to

eventually attain peasant status through

the church while keeping their daughters. This

military service. From the age of 16 years, a

practice was only recently put into effect, and

woman who distinguishes herself can attain

over the years, the numbers of men seen in Aegonia will begin to decline.

citizenship after four years of military duty,

Humans are the most numerous of the races,

can achieve the same status in six or eight

nearly 75% of the population, with half-elves

years. Full citizenship with the right to vote is

while most women who fall short of distinction

always granted after a decade of loyal service.

numbering 15% and a mix of other races making up the last 10% of Aegonia's people.

Due to their militaristic lifestyles and outlooks,

LANGUAGES

Aegonian women actively serving in the military

Alcinan is the most commonly spoken language

or onboard a galley or galleon keeps their hair

in Aegonia, although frequent contact with

short, no longer than shoulder length. This

merchants from Eastern Marpesia has led

prevents the hair from falling in their eyes and

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Aegonia

from hanging beneath their helmets, which

certainly do appreciate whatever luxuries they

could be grabbed in order to pull them off

can afford to make their lives more enjoyable,

balance in war. Women no longer serving in a

but they all know that in war, one may not live to

military capacity will grow their hair longer, but

see the next day. This carries over into their

have a strong tendency for curled or wrapped

daily lives, and Aegonians do not become as

braids or simple buns for ease of maintenance.

attached to material wealth and luxuries as the women of other nations do.

Amusements and games in Aegonia are all

They are all prepared to die.

evolved from combat or competition. Boxing and wrestling matches, sword bouts, archery

RELIGION  Aegonians hold Athena as their matron

contests, and mounted races and obstacle courses all serve to entertain Aegonian

goddess, her priestesses serving as ruling

women. Not only do these contests provide

members of the nobility as well as officers in the

forms of entertainment, they also serve to keep

army and navy. Athena's temples are a

the women primed for war and in excellent

combination of classical design and military

physical condition. Violent gladiatorial games

fortification, well guarded and easily capable of

are the most popular spectacle in Aegonia,

holding off sieges on their own. Artemis,

and the first coliseum in all of Marpesia was

Hecate, and Nike are also very popular

constructed for these games in 362 A.D. With

goddesses in Aegonia, and their priestesses

the popularity of the Aegonian Coliseum and

are also involved in the defense and military

the crowds of up to 50,000 spectators she

actions of the nation when called upon.

draws, smaller coliseums have sprung up across

Demeter is the most popular fertility goddess

Mesonia, Persaedon, Tyyrhan, and Lycaeon.

in Aegonia, and her priestesses not only assist

Men are not trained as gladiators, for obvious

in the annual harvests, but in caring for a large

reasons. Deaths are infrequent and generally

stock of men by which women who do not wish

reserved for criminals, except in Tyyrhan,

to enter servitude to a noblewomen can bear a

where they are expected despite the expenses

child. Demeter's priestesses retain Authority

of training the pit fighters. Half-orcs are

over any sons who are born, but expectant

among the strongest and best trained of the gladiators, and they always draw the largest

mothers receive custody over their daughters

crowds,

at no cost of Compensation.

The life of an Aegonian woman is challenging,

MONEY AND COMMERCE  Aegonia is wealthy and powerful enough to

with laziness deemed a trait fitting for a man,

mint her own coins. Gold drachs and silver

not a woman. Despite the toil many of these

leptas bear the emblems and portraits of

women live and work under, there are hardly

Aegonian queens. Currencies from other

any complaints from the people who have come

nations are accepted at face value, and the

to accept their lives as they are. The military

successful campaigns of Aegonian privateers

discipline and conditioning they receive quickly

often bring in foreign coins.

stamps out any tendencies to complain or whine. Aegonians do not live in squalor, and

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Aegonia

Exports include a variety of foodstuffs and

goddess of wisdom and war. As the largest city

crops grown on Aegonian soil, such as wheat,

of Aegonia, the women of Athenae live a

barley, beer, grapes and wine, olives and oils.

lifestyle more luxurious than the Aegonians in

Herds of cattle and livestock also provide a

other cities in the nation, but the city's

variety of meats, as do the fishing villages and

defenses are just as thorough and treacherous

ports along the rocky coastline. Mineral wealth

as those of Silea. More caravan trade travels

from the Colchean Mountains in the east

through Athenae than any other Aegonian

provides valuable iron that smiths turn into

city save for Euclea and Thescrya, and

excellent blades, and the hills provide a modest

merchants from Tyyrhan and Persaedon often

amount of tin and copper. From Persaedon,

stop in Athenae on their way to Thessae and beyond.

Aegonia imports jewelry, ivory, and a wide assortment of spices, and dyed silks, jade, and

Euclea

pearls are shipped in from distant Tyyrhan.

Bordering the northern banks of the Euclea

Aegonia's ports are also frequented by

River, Euclea serves as a critical defensive

merchant vessels from as far west as Cannoria

structure for Southern and Eastern Aegonia,

and Gambdalla, Lycaeon and Thentyr, making

as well as an important trade city with the East.

Aegonia an important trading nation rivaled

Her close proximity to the Mesonian borders

only by Thessae in the north and Mesonia in

has taken its toll on the city, which has gained a

the south.

reputation for rising lawlessness commonly found only in Mesonian settlements. Aegonian

CITIES Silea

soldiers do their best to bring swift justice down upon those whom they can, but the

Named after the greatest warrior queen to live

soldiers are just as likely to be involved in

during the Age of Scorn, Silea has served as

criminal activities as the people they are

the premier military port of Aegonia for eight

supposed to be protecting. The Road of

centuries. Thick walls lined with crenellations

Queens passes through Euclea to the south

and towered battlements, surrounded by wide

into Mesonia, and as such sees a great deal of

moats, palisades, pike-lined trenches, and

caravans and merchants from both the East

jagged, sloping hills, Silea is a nightmare to

and Western worlds.

approach from the east. Situated overlooking the Pelaegos atop a 250 foot cliff, Silea is

Thescrya

also well defended in the west, with docked

Situated along the Road of Queens, the city

galleys waiting for orders to patrol the coasts

of Thescrya is often the first city that

below her.

merchants, caravans, and travelers enter from the Maidenlands. As such, Thescrya is one of

Athenae

the busiest, well fortified, and safest cities in

Dedicated to the goddess Athena, the city of

Aegonia, leaving a good impression on nearly

Athenae is perhaps the most beautiful city in

everyone who passes through the city’s

all of Aegonia, filled with forums, gardens,

bustling markets and crowded forums.

fountains, and temples all dedicated to the

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Aegonia

Sanitation and public works are nearly as well

the nations of Eastern Marpesia concerning

maintained as they are in Athenae, and very

the increasing raids of men from the

PLACES OF INTEREST Colchean Mountains

If Queen Ninoe can bring the nations of

treacherous Colchean Mountains. Although

dreams of Empire may no longer remain

Bastardlands across the Helles Ocean.

few citizens complain about their lives here.

Persaedon, Tyyrhan, Mesonia, and Ghandhara under her banner, Aegonia's

Towering over Eastern Aegonia are the

dreams. Lycaeon will have to bow to her.

the iron ore mined there is rich and pure and the veins run deep, there have been reports of humanoid caverns being unearthed deep within the mountains. Slight increases in humanoid activities have been reported by patrols, and several mines have been found destroyed, their crews of taskmasters and slaves missing. With the evidence mounting, mining has almost stopped completely by all but the most stubborn of prospectors, and the Queen is looking for brave women to investigate and clear out the mines quickly before annual production of ore is horribly reduced.

NPCS Queen Ninoe

(Human female, Fighter and Priestess of Athena, Lawful Neutral) Already an accomplished and experienced general, Ninoe of Athenae joined the priesthood of Athena shortly before her aging mother's death. Upon her coronation, Queen Ninoe of Athenae had already bore five children of her own, three daughters and two sons of whom the eldest is now 22 years and the youngest being 17. Approaching 50 years of age, Queen Ninoe has ruled Aegonia well for the past decade, receiving the love of her people and the praise of the priestesses of



Athena. Ninoe adheres strictly to the Reparations and the laws set by queens



before her, and with the advice of her priestesses she has begun to make plans with

11

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Aegonia

MAP OF AEGONIA



12

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lycaeon

LYCAEON "Prosperous Lycaeon, rich in gold, broad in power, with Queens who tremble mountains."  

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The western Pelaegosian Sea belongs to

HISTORY

prosperous Lycaeon, a powerful nation that

before the Wars of Man, Lycaeon was

rivals her Aegonian sisters to the east. The

destined for greatness from her earliest days.

women of Lycaeon are also warriors, sailors,

For over two thousand years, the Lycaeonian

and traders, controlling the entirety of the

coastal regions have been the home to farmers

Central Pelaegos, rivaling Gambdalla in the

and fishermen of the Carthian tribes, and over

west. Land routes with Mithia in the north and

the course of time many cities and civilizations

Teichosia, Lanthia, and Thessae to the east

have sprung up on the peninsulas. The

also draws much wealth into the nation.

entirety of the Pelaegos was open to them, and

Even during the Age of Scorn, and long

their ships sailed across the sea as far as

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

Ghandhara and Tyyrhan and the deepest

Lycaeon is a temperate coastal nation

regions of Thentia.

consisting of two peninsulas that separate the Pelaegos into the Eastern, Western, and

Lycaeon herself was the proudest civilization

Central Seas. The summers are particularly

of the ancient Carthian world, a powerful

warm on the peninsulas, due to their close

empire which stretched as far west and north as

proximity to Thentia in the south, although the

Cannoria, Calaecia, and Llyrdonia,

seasons are more temperate in northern

encompassed all of modern Lanthia,

Lycaeon. Stretching along the southern

Teichosia, and Thessae, and ended where

Marpesian coast, Lycaeon is divided into the

Aegonia and Mesonia now rest along the

Eastern and Western Provinces. Eastern

Pelaegos. After the Wars of Man, the bloody

Lycaeon is a long and broad region of hills and

and envious fury of the humanoids destroyed

forests, with her southern peninsula creating a

Lycaeon and Carthia as an empire, weakening

natural border between the Eastern and

her hold on the distant territories, reducing her

Central Pelaegos. Western Lycaeon is much

cities to rubble and ash, plundering her wealth

more narrow, with gently sloping hills and

and riches. Lycaeon only stood as an empire

grasslands. From here, the Western Pelaegos

for a century prior to her collapse.

is divided from the Central Pelaegosian Sea.

After the wars, survivors and refugees all came

Lycaeon has a decisive advantage on the

back to the Lycaeonian peninsulas, as if

Pelaegos due to the presence of these two

refusing to give up the dreams of empire that

peninsulas, and they are able to firmly patrol

Lycaeon had once fulfilled. Their

and control the shipping lanes all across the

determination resisted all attempts by their

sea from these two points.

13

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lycaeon

neighbors to seize the region for themselves,

years, the priestesses of Hera convinced their

particularly privateers and pirates from

queen to discuss the matter with the other

Aegonia, Mesonia, and Gambdalla, and

queens. By this time, word of the discussions

desperate bandits form the north seeking men

in the forums of Lycaeon had spread as far

to mate with and other resources. Northern

east as Tyyrhan, to the monolithic cities of

Lycaeon now boasts an impressive network of

Thentyr, and to the halls of Mithia. Even

fortifications and strongholds, with dozens of

Aegonia, the fierce sister of Lycaeon across

garrisons housing thousands of women of the

the Pelaegos, found themselves interested in

Lycaeonian legions. Although Aegonia is

the issues of Lycaeon's forums. As the

given credit for becoming the first civilized

arguements continued, they frequently became

power in the Pelaegos after the Wars of Man,

heated and often violent between small

it was Lycaeon who whittled away their power

numbers of women, as the issues of forgiveness

and turned it upon them only twenty years

or justice for Man drove some women to each

later, nearly 60 years before the Reparations

other's throats. The priestesses decided that

were drafted.

this would not be a matter for the common woman to resolve, and so the queen of

The Reparations were conceived of in

Lycaeon dispatched envoys to her

Lycaeon, as priestesses of Hera convened

contemporaries across Marpesia.

with the queen and noblewomen on matters of Authority and the future not just of Lycaeon,

Within the year, all of the queens convened in

but also all of Marpesia and even Thentia.

Heracea, a beautiful city dedicated to the

The priestesses declared that Hera had

honor of Hera that had quickly become the

asked of them to unite the divided nations of

center of power in all of Lycaeon. Within the

Scythae, for as long as they were pitted

temples of Hera, the queens and priestesses

against each other through raiding and

held their own discussions and debates

plundering, they would quickly descend back to

shrouded in secrecy. For several months they

the earliest days after the wars. They

debated the issues, although in a much more

suggested that it would not need to be a

civilized manner. The queens did not agree on

complete unity resulting in an Empress and an

every matter, but they had enough wisdom and

empire, although economic and strategic

skill at diplomacy to try and reach an accord of

relations between most, if not all of the nations

some kind. War, which had destroyed the

would benefit them all, especially the more

Kingdoms of Man and almost condemned them

remote regions to the north.

to extinction as a species was not an option any of the queens wanted, despite the lure of

As their debates drew more women to the

greater empires and future glories for them. To

forums, as well as merchants and travelers from

war even over the fate of Man was agreed

other countries, one woman's voice rang out

upon as foolish despite any love or hatred,

from the crowds and asked what was to become

forgiveness or spite any woman had for men.

of Man himself. Although none have ever been able to identify this woman, and credit has been

After ten months of controlled discussions,

given to one individual or another over the

the queens came to a unanimous agreement on

14

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lycaeon

a series of universal guidelines and laws which

are forbidden to carry weapons, wear armor, or

they had named the Reparations, essentially

to receive instruction in magic. The majority of

giving the themselves absolute sovereignty over

men in Lycaeon have been Hobbled to some

men within their own domains, clearly defining

degree, even though mothers are given the

matters of Authority and Compensation, and

choice on whether or not to implement it (which

permitting the queens to permit or deny any

says very little about them actually), but

social status for men, from equality and

methods of good taste are preferred over the

opportunities to slavery and servitude. With

more severe. Typically, this is limited to a

the approval of the priestesses of Hera, as

severed tendon behind the ankle at birth, and

well as the churches of Hecate, Loviatar,

only those men who have attempted escape or

Ishtar, and Hel, the Reparations were born,

physically attacked a woman have received

and Lycaeon is regarded as the nation who

more harsh treatment. Life for a man in

gave birth to the modern age.

Lycaeon is said to be rather good, as long as he knows his place and doesn't try to live on his

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

own Authority.

The queen of Lycaeon holds absolute

authority of the land, and none dare to defy

MILITARY

her. She has the full support of the

As a wealthy nation, Lycaeon's standing

priestesses of Hera, as well as the goddess'

armies and navies are among the best on the

blessing. No queen has ever ruled without the

Pelaegos, perhaps even the world. Northern

support of the Herans. The queen generally

Lycaeon is riddled with fortifications,

leaves the day-to-day affairs of her nation to

strongholds, and battlemented walls along the

her senators, titled noblewomen who listen to

Road of Queens, providing safe travel along

the grievances of the common woman and

the road as well as a powerful defense against

discuss them with the queen and other

invaders from the north. With a large degree of

senators in the forums. Senators are not

Lycaeon as coastline, every port city is home

elected officials in Lycaeon, but appointed by

to an entire fleet of galleys and warships which

the queen from among the aristocracy and

not only protect the cities from attack by other

noblewomen. Many of the senators are also

nations' ships, but they also scour the coasts looking for pirates and other threats.

priestesses of Hera, giving Lycaeon's governing body a powerful advantage over those of other nations.

Lycaeonian cities, due to their wealth, also

Men do not play any role in government in

to curb theft and vandalism. It isn't easy to

Lycaeon, and at best they are treated as

successfully burglarize a Lycaeonian merchant

second-class citizens. They are entitled to

or Senator's estate, but the daring thieves

walk around and work as they please, but

who pull it off can often retire with a single

boast a good deal of watchwomen and guards

score.

always remain under the Authority of their mistresses even in their absence. They are permitted to wear clothing and receive an education if their mistresses permit it, but they

15

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lycaeon

PEOPLE AND CUSTOMS

accorded citizen status, and are at best

Lycaeon boasts a high population of 30.6

considered second-class citizens.

million people. Humans make up 70% of this

As a nation concerned primarily with economic

number, with half-elves numbering 20% and the

prosperity and enriching the coffers and lives

rest of the races filling up the last 10% of the

of its citizens, Lycaeonian women enjoy all

population. Men account only for 1% of the

manners of luxuries, and are willing to pay good

population, putting their numbers at roughly

prices for exotic goods from distant lands.

300,000 men accounted for throughout the

Dyed Tyyrhan silk robes, gold and encrusted

entire nation. Their numbers were once slightly

jewelry from Lanthia, spices and incense from

higher, but with the popularity of the fertility

Persaedon, Ghandharan tapestries and rugs,

priestesses allowing women to forego any

scented Aegonian wine, perfumes from

Compensation in exchange for keeping any

Thentyr, and other luxuries fill the markets of

sons, more and more women have been birthing

Lycaeon's ports and eventually fill and adorn

daughters every year, while the numbers of men

the homes of Lycaeon's women.

under the Authority of Demeter's church remains unaccounted for. Rumors project that

RELIGION

within a century men will no longer actively walk

As the model of authority, queens, and power

in Lycaeon, save those under the Authority of

in all of Scythae, Hera has been adopted as

Demeter's temples, the noblewomen, and the queen.

the matron goddess of Lycaeon. It was her

LANGUAGES

and the ancient queens who discussed the

priestesses who conceived of the Reparations, issues of Man all met in Lycaeon to hold their

Lycaeonian women speak Alcinan as their

debates and came to their agreements in the

native langauge, although their frequent

city of Heracea.

contact with merchants from Thentia and the Marpesian mainland have introduced many other languages into the nation.

Loviatar is also a prominent goddess in

SOCIAL CUSTOMS The women of Lycaeon are free citizens,

power. Hecate has a strong following in

capable of owning their own properties and

Lycaeonian women in the arts of sorcery and

Lycaeon, although Hera overshadows her Lycaeon, and her priestesses help to instruct

lands, claiming Authority if they please, and

magic. Demeter maintains several temples rich

working a trade or running a business for their

in men and gold, while the generals worship

own prosperity and profit. The economic

Athena and Nike to guide them in matters of

system in Lycaeon is not oppressive, and

war and conflict. Aphrodite and Artemis are

women regardless of race or ethnicity are

also accepted in Lycaeon, although their

afforded equal opportunities anywhere within

priestesses have little influence in the day-to-

the country. With one of the best educational

day affairs of the government or nobility.

systems of all the nations, Lycaeonian women often become well to do or wealthy in time, even if they have no Authority. Men are not

16

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Nations and Empires: Lycaeon

MONEY AND COMMERCE

although she pales in comparison to Heracea.

Lycaeon mints its own currency, particularly

Set along the shores of Western Lycaeon,

the gold lira and silver centes that are

Lycaea sees more contact with pirates than

exchanged daily by merchants and consumers,

any other Lycaeonian city, and her own ports

as well as electrum mercus and platinum medas.

are busy with war galleys and naval vessels

Coins from other nations are accepted at face

rather than merchant ships. When the Queen

value.

needs to make her authority felt upon the Pelaegos, the ships of Lycaea deliver her

Lycaeon produces large quantities of wine and

message, with easy access to the Western and

olive oils from its vineyards and farms, as well as

Central Pelaegosian Seas.

colored pearls and shells collected from the sea. Iron is mined in the Theus Mountains in

PLACES OF INTEREST The Road of Queens

the northern regions, as is gold and silver. Imports include finished luxuries from other

Lycaeon's northern regions lay parallel to the

nations, as well as wheat and grain from

Road of Queens, one of the premier trade

Cannoria and wood, furs, and hides from from

routes on all of Marpesia. Stretching from

Teichosia. All other farm produce and animal

Calaecia, through Cannoria and Lycaeon,

products are used to support Lycaeon's

into Teichosia, Thessae, Aegonia,

population.

Persaedon, and ending in Tyyrhan, the Road of Queens brings the East to the West. The

CITIES Heracea

rich caravans that travel along the paved and stone worked roads are heavily guarded and

As the capitol of Lycaeon and the seat of

many fortified cities have sprung up alongside

Hera's power on Scythae, Heracea is one of

the Road, but these efforts have not

the most beautiful cities in the world. Marble

completely eliminated the presence of bandit

pillars and statues line her tiled plazas and

queens and their brigands. Lycaeonian legions

streets, decorated with brilliant gardens and

do their part to patrol the Road of Queens

sparkling fountains lined with gold. Heracea's

that passes through Lycaeon, but they have

markets are filled with goods from across

been known to give chase to some bandits who

Marpesia, Thentia, and Ghandhara, her ports

just refuse to find a more honest way of living.

busy enough that captains must often wait for hours prior to docking. Safely tucked along

NPCS Queen Polyta Polyta

the quiet Bay of Lycae, Heracea's harbors are safe and welcoming, and much closer to the

(Human female, Lawful Neutral)

trade routes along the Road of Queens

The gracefully aging Queen Polyta is still in power in Lycaeon, and even approaching 60

Lycaea

she shows no signs of stepping down from her throne. In good health and good spirits,

Lycae was the old capitol of Lycaeon in the

Queen Polyta has truly enjoyed a prosperous

days of Carthia, which was looted and burned

life, inheriting her mother's throne at the age of

by humanoids long ago. Centuries later, Lycae

19, expanding her wealth a hundred times over,

has once again become a prosperous city,

17

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lycaeon

and has surrounded herself with the finest of

policy of permitting women to pay no

luxuries and the most handsome of men and

Compensation in exchange to surrendering

women.

their sons, keeping custody only of their daughters. The priestesses would then give

Polyta has a reputation for fairness even if she

1/3 of all those boys to herself or the reigning

is strict, and the men whom she has Authority

queen, to be divided amongst the Senators

over have never complained due to the

and noblewomen as gifts and rewards as signs

attention and care she gives to them.

of her favor. Her critics claim that Polyta

Nevertheless, Polyta would prefer for men to

simply wants to help solidify Authority into the

not remain under the Authority of less

hands of the wealthy and the church of

attentive women, whom many of her own

Demeter, but she surprisingly has very few

subjects remind her of. She suggested to the

critics.

priestesses of Demeter to implement their

MAP OF LYCAEON

18

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Teichosia

TEICHOSIA "Verdant Teichosia, with her towering oaks, sacred groves, and women in league with beasts."  

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Verdant Teichosia is a nation run by elves,

oranges, browns, reds, and yellows that

their cities tucked between large oaks and

and summer drift on the winds.

brighten the region, while the greens of spring

towering redwoods. Teichosians enjoy a

HISTORY Long occupied by elves, Teichosia contains

decadent and hedonistic lifestyle, and they are said to be the laziest and most jaded of all

many of the oldest ruins in all of Marpesia,

Scythaens, but any evidence of this vanishes

dating back to the earliest days of the Age of

when trouble appears. Teichosian archers are

Scorn, although the Wars of Man and the

perhaps the best on Scythae, and their

terrible ravages of the humanoids have reduced

enchantresses certainly rival the wizards of

these once glorious reminders of the ancient

Thentyr and Ghandhara. In the forests, they

world to dust and ruin. Much of the verdant

are said to command all the animals themselves,

who willingly protect and guide their mistresses.

landscape had been polluted and burned by

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

leaving scarred cinders and ashen husks in their

the humanoids that tore across the region,

Teichosia is heavily forested nation, consisting

paths. It was the intent of the humanoids to

of both deciduous and coniferous trees that

burn the elves from their homes and

blanket the countryside, hills, and mountains.

sanctuaries, to desecrate the very groves and

Although there are several stretches of rolling

sacred places that served as the heart of

plains and open, gentle valleys, they only break

Teichosia. In these days, elven revelries

up the forested Teichosian landscape,

ceased to exist, their aloofness replaced by

permitting a variety of flowers and tall grasses

desperation and determination. With the

to grow and flourish. A few small marshes and

blessings of both Rallas and Mielikki, the

swamps rest in the lowlands and river valleys,

surviving women and children of Teichosia

but even they are bright and colorful, echoing

drove back the burning tides that threatened

with life and beauty.

to consume them, and the Healing began.

Located in a temperate region, Teichosia

The Healing has only now reached its fruition,

experiences a variety of seasonal changes that

eight centuries after the woodlands of

only further enhance the beauty of the nation.

Teichosia came close to an ecological decline.

Her winters are cold with snow that falls softly

Where once the land was largely left as a

upon the branches and ground, adding

blackened husk of char and ash, there now

gentleness to the landscape like clouds in a

stand hundreds of square miles of healthy

clear sky. Autumn brings on a rainbow of

trees, foliage, brush, flowers, and grass. Rivers

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Teichosia

and streams once choked with the blood of

Their reigns also last for centuries, although

elves, humanoids, and burnt sludge now flow

many noblewomen who have lost their desire to

and trickle like sparkling strands of silvery blue

rule and became interested in more personal

paradise. Animal life slowly returned to

matters resigned their titles to their eldest

Teichosia as the land healed, and now the

daughters. With such a large body of former

forests are teeming with life and insects.

rulers still serving as advisors and counselors to the current noblewomen, Teichosia's political

The success of the Healing was largely due to

structure has the benefit of centuries of

the neighboring nation of Thessae, where

wisdom and experience, making her perhaps the

many native Teichosians fled and assimilated

most efficiently run nation in all the world.

themselves with the human and growing halfelven population. Although they had no longer

With their dependence upon the forests for

desired to live in their ruined Teichosia, they

their protection and prosperity, priestesses of

were willing to send assistance and trade

Mielikki and druids of Rallas have a very

goods to their sisters, who faithfully remained

important role in the decisions of the queen

rooted within their homeland. Even today,

and the nobles. The queen's advisors consist

political and economic trade relations between

of druids and nature priestesses, as do the

Teichosia and Thessae are strong, and

councils of noblewomen. They serve to keep

together these two countries present such a

their rulers informed of affairs within the

united alliance that no other nation could stand

forests, and their ability to commune with

against them.

nature and her beasts allow them to effectively assist the queen and all of Teichosia.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Teichosia is governed by a monarchy, much

Laws in Teichosia are fair and just, with few

like the other nations of Marpesia, with a

severe penalties. Most Teichosians are not

notable distinction. As an extremely long-lived

prone to thievery or violent crime against each

race, elven queens rule for centuries unless

other, and with so many people living extremely

deposed, killed, or death claims them.

long lives; almost everyone seems to know

Teichosia has only recently coroneted their

everyone else, in name if not personally. The

second queen since the Healing began 800

majority of the crimes committed in Teichosia

years ago, her mother passing away only within

are by foreigners who think they can take

the past year.

advantage of Teichosian generosity and perceived frailty. These few women and

Titled noblewomen administer the queen’s rule

escaped male slaves are now residents of

throughout Teichosia. For Teichosians, their

Teichosia's prisons, which are comparably as

rulers are claimed as just and wise, for the

gentle to those in Cannoria, without the

Healing removed any desires for personal

horrific conditions that Tyyrhan and Mesonia

greed or selfishness. As a nation that was

are known to have.

nearly made uninhabitable, Teichosia's nobles perhaps serve their elven subjects best of all



the similarly tasked noblewomen in the world.

20

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Teichosia

MILITARY

offenders swarms of stinging insects, packs of

The Teichosian military consists largely of

wolves and bears, treacherous growths of

archers, combining the ranges short and long

thorny vines and brush, sinking bogs, and other

bows for strategic attacks and defenses.

natural responses. Bandits and brigands know

Foreign cavalry and mounted units have a

all too well the types of dangers they face when

treacherous time in Teichosia's forests and

entering Teichosia's woods, and even they

hills, although the elves seem to have no

take extreme care when making their camps and

problems guiding their own steeds between the

hiding places in the protection of the nation's

twisting trees and tangling underbrush.

forests.

Although most elven cavalry are mounted upon

PEOPLE AND CUSTOMS

light warhorses, there are also many riders with

Although Teichosia is a moderately large

trained giant elks and stags as mounts. Several

nation, the forested countryside contributes to

units of cavalry consist of elven women of

a below average population density.

purity mounted upon the backs of unicorns,

Approximately 20.6 million people live

trained for war and tamed to be loyal to their mistresses until death.

throughout the nation, 80% of whom are elves

Rangers are very common in the ranks of

half-elves, and the last 5% consisting of

Teichosia's military, and serve an important

humans, halflings, and both deep elves and

of sylvan, gray, or high elven blood, 15% being

half-elves of deep descent.

role as messengers, scouts, and guides for foreigners throughout the nation. Without

There are roughly 300,000 men in Teichosia,

their knowledge of the ways of the forests,

most of who are considered to be of second-

most foreigners would find themselves on the

class status, with a few living as slaves. All have

wrong end of a druid's wrath or hopelessly lost

been Hobbled to some degree, but the elven

in the thick forests. Most travel throughout the

preference for aesthetics limits any permanent

country takes place along the Road of

branding, scarring, or mutilations. At birth,

Queens and a few roads that have been

boys have a tendon severed in their wrist to

designed to carefully avoid sacred areas, and

prevent them from drawing a bow effectively as

the rangers do their best to prevent any

foreigners from straying off of these paths.

they mature. Few elven men have ever received

Perhaps the greatest advantage the

where men have a leg crippled or hobbled, elven

Teichosians have are the druids themselves,

men are permitted the full use of their legs so

women of Rallas or Mielikki who can turn the

that they too can partake in elven festivals and

forces of nature against invaders, summoning

dances. Many foreign noblewomen hire elven-

the aid of animals, birds, and insects to

dancing troupes of both women and men from

confuse, harass, and attack those who would

Teichosia, who are heralded as the best

defile their home. They have a tendency not to

dancers of the entire world. The new queen is

give any warnings, taking a lesson from the

considering outlawing the act of Hobbling

past, and even the slightest perceived affront

altogether, or at least permitting mothers to

a treatment beyond this. Unlike other nations

choose. Her decision has yet to be made.

to nature in Teichosia will bring upon the

21

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Teichosia

LANGUAGES

Rallas and Mielikki are both worshipped

Largely occupied by elves, Enoris is the

throughout Teichosia with large, beautifully

language spoken by most Teichosians, even

designed temples to the nature deities found in

the few half-elves and humans who live here.

every city and village. Their temples are works

The human language of Alcinan and the

of natural beauty themselves, formed from

halfling tongue of Yond are also commonly

carefully grown and twisted trees, walls and

spoken as second and third languages.

canopies of vines and foliage, meticulously funneled fountains and waterfalls, and

SOCIAL CUSTOMS

artistically arranged beds of flowers and

As a nation largely influenced by elven culture,

brushes. As places of tremendous natural

Teichosians spend much of their effort and

power, the animals of the forests themselves

time in the pursuit of entertainment, revelry,

walk amongst the women and priestesses in

dance, and song. Nowhere does a single

these temples in absolute harmony. Half-elven

evening go by without a festival of some sort

and human druids in Teichosia more openly

occurring in a nearly village or city. Teichosian

worship Mielikki, while elven druids prefer to

minstrels and poets are legendary for singing

worship the Lady Rallas.

words that swell eyes and hearts with tears and joy, and dancers from Teichosia are paid

Throughout the forests, the druids of both

exorbitant wages to entertain queens and

faiths have constructed an undocumented

noblewomen in nearby nations, even as far east

number of groves, cairns, and henges from

as Tyyrhan.

where they commune with nature. They are unapproachable and largely undetectable by

As the women of Teichosia mature, archery is

any other than the druids, but many rangers

impressed upon them from the moment they can

know where some of them are, and serve to

lift a bow and draw a string. Before they even

protect them as well.

reach the earliest ages of womanhood, Teichosians have all achieved a considerable

MONEY AND COMMERCE

degree of skill and proficiency with the short

Teichosians mint their own platinum, gold,

and long bow.

electrum, and silver coins. Platinum fluera and gold fluers are used frequently between

RELIGION

nobility and merchants, while most Teichsoians

The Lady Lorellan is the matron deity of

settle for electrum shims and silver luen.

Teichosia, and her priestesses take the most

Foreign currency is accepted at face value.

active role in the nation's politics than any

Teichosia imports many foodstuffs,

other. No queen may sit upon Teichosia's

particularly grain and wheat from Cannoria

throne without the approval of Lorellan's

and spices from Persaedon. They also prize

priestesses, for they are truly the best judges

Tyyrhan silks and gemstones and ores from

of character when it comes to determining

Lanthia and Mithia.

which noblewoman comes closest to the elven ideal.

Although the country does export animal and plant byproducts such as oils, wood, the finest

22

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Teichosia

paper, herbs, medicines, perfumes, and incense,

by Teichosians unaware of its location. From

the druids carefully regulate these products to

this grove the priestesses and druids can

preserve the natural resources of Teichosia.

effectively coordinate their efforts across the

This is perhaps the only direct role the druids

nation, easily travel throughout the region

have in Teichosia's economy, and much of the

using enchanted gates, and keep aware of

revenues generated from these products are

events occurring anywhere within Teichosia. It

tithed directly to the temples of Mielikki and

cannot be found on accident; only those

the druids. Meat from animals hunted for food

knowledgeable of its location can travel there,

is not exported, although carefully tanned and

and the legends say that it does not truly exist

cured hides and furs are sold in moderation to

on Marpesia, but rather on the Beastlands in

the Lanthians, Llyrdonians, and Mithians to

the Outer Planes, close to Mielikki's home

the north and east. 

called Krigala. Those who know do not speak of the truth of this, but the avatar of Mielikki

CITIES Mielea 

Herself is also believed to frequent the grove, offering advice and guidance to her faithful.

Mielea, the capitol of Teichosia, was the first

NPCS Queen Arhendril

true settlement established after the Wars of Man, and was dedicated to the goddess Mielikki from whom the city takes her name.

(Sylvan Elf, female, Ranger and Wizard,

Mielea is a combination of a multi-tiered

Neutral Good)

treetop city of bridged platforms set into trees

As a young Queen, Arhendril is only 322

hundreds of feet in the air, and settlements

years of age, a young woman by human

gathered around the bases and trunks of the

standards. Her late mother Queen Ilistrael

large redwoods and tremendous oaks which

was present at the signing of the Reparations,

support the arboreal settlements. Massive

and with her death the queens of Marpesia

mechanical elevators provide a means of

offered their condolences and gratitude to

reaching the tiered levels, as do long, winding

Arhendril, making the young queen the most

stairways carved along and inside the trunks of

respected of all royalty on Marpesia. She has

the trees. Mielea is perhaps the cleanest city

accepted the crown of her mother, but finds

on Marpesia, and certainly the most beautiful

the burdens of responsibility which come along

and serene, combining the natural beauty of

with it a bit too much for her to bear. After all,

the forest into a harmonious relationship and

she enjoys archery and her magical studies,

haven for elves, half-elves, and humans alike.

dancing, carousing, flirting, and woodland adventures, which governing and politicking

PLACES OF INTEREST Mielikki's Grove

interfere with considerably. Her mother's chief advisor, the Great Druid Elendra, has taken Arhendril under her guidance and performs

Although few have ever been there save

much of the diplomatic tasks of Teichosia.

priestesses of Mielikki, druids, and the rangers

She is doing the best she can with an elven

who protect it, Mielikki's Grove is the most

woman so young on the throne, but within

sacred place in Teichosia, hidden away deep within the forests and only spoken of as legend

23

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Teichosia

another century or two, Arhendril will learn

what it truly is to be the Queen of Teichosia. 

MAP OF TEICHOSIA 



24

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Thessae

THESSAE "The Gateway to the East, with bustling markets, crowded ports, and warring merchant queens."  

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

skilled in elemental magic. These women use

Also called the Gateway to the East,

their powers to clear the passes of snow and

Thessae has grown wealthy by controlling the

treacherous ice, eliminating the risks of

trade routes that connect Eastern and

avalanches and allowing Thessaen caravans to

Western Marpesia. The half-elves who rule

still carry goods and supplies to other nations.

here are also great diplomats and negotiators

A few foreign merchants will also travel

between humans and elves, and their mixed

through Thessae during the winter as well, and

status gives them an advantage when dealing

the efforts of the Thessaens have been largely

with other mixed races like the half-orcs of

responsible for the prosperity of peoples and

Tyyrhan. As a neutral nation, Thessae stays

nations across Marpesia during the winters. 

out of other nations' conflicts, and they have

HISTORY

enough steel and magic of their own to keep things that way.

Thessae suffered tremendously under the

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

nation did, and evidence of the past is clearly

ravages of the humanoids just as any other

Thessae’s landscape provides a variety of

seen in the scattered ruins and crumbling

terrain, much of which consists of gently rolling

castles and walls that dot the countryside like

forested hills, peaceful valleys, and low

bitter scars. Long known for their

mountains with navigable passes. Located in a

perseverance, the surviving Thessaens were

temperate zone, Thessae experiences cold,

determined to rebuild their civilization, even if

snowy winters, mild springs, warm summers and

they had to travel far and wide to gain the

colorful autumns. Small farms and orchards dot

supplies, goods, materials, and essentials for

the countryside and surround Thessae’s

survival in order to do so. This willingness to

villages and cities along the trade routes. The

travel and explore became the basis for the

southern coastline along the Aegonian Sea

success of the Thessaens as merchants and

boasts soft, sandy beaches and well-

caravan mistresses that has drawn more wealth

maintained harbors and lagoons, where

into Thessae than anyone would have

Thessaen ships dock at what are some of the

imagined.

busiest ports in the world.

Unlike other nations who resorted to banditry

Although the mountain passes and trade

and armed conflict to secure the necessities for

routes do get covered with snow and ice during

survival after the Wars of Man, the women of

the winter months, the merchant houses have

Thessae quickly learned the arts of diplomacy

employed a number of sorceresses and wizards

and negotiation. They quickly learned to use

25

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Thessae

their weapons to ward off the more violent

that permitted even large caravans to pass

Lanthians to the north, who frequently raided

each other in both directions. Fortifications

northern Thessae for men. In exchange for

and strongholds were constructed to watch

access to Thessae's men, the Lanthians would

over sections of the road throughout Thessae,

provide the early merchants with valuable ores,

which spread into neighboring nations as the

precious stones, and supplies from the north.

benefit of a well-patrolled road curbed the presence of bandits considerably.

This actually became the influence for the Compensation that was later enforced under

The winter months were the hardest for nearly

the Reparations a century later. With

every nation in the temperate and northern

increasing numbers of elven women and men

climatic zones, but the Thessaens were still

from burnt Teichosia finding haven in

determined and stubborn enough to continue

Thessae's valleys, the merchant queens were

lining their coffers and supplying not only their

able to provide a more handsome variety of

own cities with supplies, but those of their

men for women, and the first breeding caravans

trading partners as well. Using the magic of

were mounted from Thessae into neighboring countries.

elemental wizards, sorcery was put to use to

Although the Mesonians and the Han are

mountain passes and to open up the roads for

generally attributed with the origins of the

the caravans to travel on. The surprising

breeding caravans, they stole the idea from

success of the Thessaens in this endeavor

Thessaen caravans after raiding them and

enabled them to capitalize on increasing the

stealing the men and other goods. The

prices of their goods that would have otherwise

Thessaen merchants did not take kindly to the

been unavailable during the winter months.

banditry upon their caravans, and began using

Even today, the inflated prices during the

their growing wealth to hire mercenary

winter months of temperate and northern

companies to guard their goods. In time, they

nations is hardly a complaint, since the taverns

were able to outfit armies loyal to the merchant

and inns can restock their supplies of beer, ale,

houses, armed with lances and bows,

and mead when needed rather than waiting for

crossbows and long spears, and trained in a

the spring caravans.

clear out the snow and ice of treacherous

variety of tactics that enabled them to

Surrounded by nations striving for military

effectively ward off all but the most determined

dominance, the Thessaens pursued the road

of highway robbers. When bandits began

to economic prosperity instead. The

hiring the services of wizards and sorceresses, so too did the merchant houses of Thessae.

merchants have achieved just this, and even

Merchants from Thessae also developed the

trade routes across Marpesia, every nation

Road of Queens. Originally, it stretched

would suffer a considerable loss in trade

along an old system of roads dating back to

should they turn their backs on the Merchant

ancient times, but the Thessaens were able to

Queen, since only the Thessaens have been

further develop and construct a well-paved

able to fully establish themselves into the

series of bridges and walled and elevated roads

economic infrastructures of their neighbors.

though they do not have a monopoly over the

26

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Thessae held their power for 320 years. The

Not even the halfling and gnomish merchant guilds in Cannoria have accomplished this. 

competition is fierce enough that sabotage and banditry is clandestinely supported against

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

rival houses, although any noblewomen or

Thessae has a queen like the other nations

merchant houses that are caught will be

across Marpesia do, a hereditary title passed

punished severely by the queen and other

from mother to eldest daughter. The royal

merchant houses.

family, however, is not really a family with a royal lineage dating back several centuries.

Noblewomen in Thessae do not have actual

The queen and her family represent the

titles as nobles in other nations do; there are

merchant house that has the most wealth,

no baronesses or duchesses in Thessae,

power, and influence in the country. Other

although lesser dynasties do have inheritable

noble families also represent the wealthiest of

status for rulers within the merchant houses. A

the merchant houses, who control the

noblewoman’s effective status is determined by

numerous guilds and craftsmen that make up

the success of the merchant house she

the lifeblood and prosperity of Thessae. The

controls, measured in gold and assets. The

queen and her advisors are largely responsible

more wealth the houses have, the more

for developing, executing, and enforcing laws

influence their noblewomen will have when

that not only maintain the peace within

voting on important issues in Thessae’s

Thessae, but also serve the interests and

government.

profits of the merchant houses. Her word is

Since noble status is determined by wealth

not effectively law, and she must rely upon the

and ability in Thessae, it is possible for any

votes of the other merchant houses and their

woman with enough business savvy and success

noblewomen to pass laws. The noblewomen

within a merchant house to become a queen or

and merchant houses can also meet at

noblewoman and to start her own ruling

Assemblies to discuss important issues and to

dynasty. The first dynasty was a human family,

approach the queen with their decisions, similar

but after a third generation, half-elven families

to the Senators of Lycaeon meeting in their

largely began to dominate the nobility, with an

Forums to make suggestions to their queen.

occasional elven or human family. Many noble

Should the queen disregard the desires of the

families contain relatives of elvish, half-elvish,

nobles and their houses, she will not remain in power for long.

and human blood. Even a wealthy halfling,

The title of queen is held only as long as the

recognized as a noble if she had enough wealth.

gnome, or half-orc from Tyyrhan would be

merchant house that hosts the queen can

As a powerful trading nation connecting

maintain their wealth above all other merchant

Eastern and Western Marpesia, Thessae

houses in Thessae. There have been several

maintains strong and cordial trade agreements

changes of power in Thessae over the past

and economic alliances with every nation in the

800 years, and much competition between the

world. These agreements are strictly

houses in their pursuit of wealth and influence.

capitalistic in nature, allowing Thessae to

The current dynasty ruling of Thessae has

27

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Thessae

remain a politically neutral country. Their

The vigilance of Thessae’s merchants and

fierce insistence on this matter is backed with

soldiers makes all but the most determined of

enough steel, magic, and control over the trade

bandit raids successful in the country. Most

routes along the Road of Queens to enforce

women who have taken up lives of brigandry

it.

and highway robbery find their occupations much easier outside of Thessae. The only

Despite Thessae’s independence, they do

women who have managed to successfully

maintain a very strong relationship with

thwart the merchants and soldiers were

Teichosia, with many of the noblewomen still

Thessaens, armed with enough steel, magic,

maintaining strong family ties and relatives

and knowledge of Thessae’s defenses, trade

within the elven homeland. Although the two

routes, and terrain to be able to pull off such a

nations are not formally united, the unity of

rewarding task. 

many families between these two countries

PEOPLE AND CUSTOMS

often brings them together in matters of war

Thessae was originally a nation ruled by

and politics. Their steadfast devotion to each

humans, but after the Wars of Man a large

other has earned the two nations together as the "Two Sisters." 

number of elven refugees from Teichosia fled

MILITARY

Thessae’s cities and castles may have been

to the region seeking a more place to live.

In order to maintain their control over the trade

ruined, but the land was still suitable for

routes, Thessae boasts a well-trained and

development afterwards. After centuries of

disciplined army. Cavalry serves her best, and

interbreeding between the humans and elves,

every caravan that travels through Thessae is

Thessae has become a nation of half-elves,

accompanied by at least a company of medium

who now total 85% of the population. Elves

cavalry trained with the lance and short bow.

and humans together make up 10% of the

Foot soldiers are skilled in the use of long

population, while the last 5% consists of

spears and pikes to ward off mounted bandits

halflings, gnomes, and other races.

and brigands, and women skilled with the crossbow are among the deadliest archers in

As a well-settled nation with flourishing trade

the world, providing lethal missile defenses

routes, Thessae boasts an above average

against any who would attack their caravans.

population density. Approximately 27 million people live within Thessae, almost 500,000 of

Fortifications and strongholds are common

who are men. These numbers are up slightly

across Thessae, protecting the mountain

from only 50 years ago, when the Thessaens

passes and providing added security along the

began trading with the deep elves. Purchasing

trade routes. These strongholds also serve as

large numbers of deep elf males from merchants

trading posts and caravan stops, and have

has increased the number of elves in Thessae,

many villages and towns nearby which depend

born of half-elven mothers. The handsome

on them for defense and supplies.

deep elves and half-deep elf males are quickly becoming popular across Marpesia amongst half-elven, human, and elven women, with

28

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Thessae

caravans as far east as Tyyrhan and

unmatched in all the world, save for cripples

Ghandhara, as far south as Thentyr, and as

and invalids incapable of work. There are

west as Calaecia sending their own merchants

people with slight disabilities who are still

to Thessae to trade with the deep elves.

employed in a craft or trade, many of whom are

Thessae’s first generation of half-elves and

very skilled and successful at what they do.

elves of deep-descent are all under 50 years of

The work ethic and environment promoted by

age, a few of whom are likely to continue

Thessae’s guilds does as much as it can to

producing a second generation of children.

accommodate everyone who can work. Laziness is a trait quickly stamped out of

Men in Thessae are treated as second-class

Thessae’s women and men at an early age.

citizens and largely treated well, although they are all Hobbled to some degree, usually just a

With a diverse population of humans, elves,

leg which has a severed tendon behind the

and foreign immigrants looking for work,

ankle. The hands are left intact so that they

Thessae boasts many cultural influences.

can be put to work as craftsmen and laborers.

Holidays and religious customs are frequent

Men in Thessae have been apprenticed since

throughout the year, and nearly every form of

an early age at a particular craft or trade, many

entertainment imaginable can be found in

becoming so proficient at their trades that they

Thessae, with the brutal and deadly games of Tyyrhan being an exception.

are generally considered master artisans and craftsmen before they reach thirty or so years

RELIGION

of age. Goods that are made or produced in

Thessae has no preference for worship of any

Thessae will generally fetch higher prices in

particular goddess over another, and temples

foreign markets due to the skill of Thessaen

from many faiths exist within the nation. In fact,

craftsmen who make their merchant houses and guilds wealthy.

these temples often become merchant houses

LANGUAGES

benefit their temples and communities in other

themselves, supporting their own caravans to nations.

Alcinan and Enoris are the two most commonly spoken languages in Thessae,

MONEY AND COMMERCE

although Archae is spoken by nearly everyone

Thessae is wealthy enough to mint her own

as a necessary second language. Most

coins and trade bars. Noblewomen use

merchants are also fluent in Yond and foreign

platinum cincas almost exclusively, while the

languages from the East and Thentia to the south.

gold pesa and electrum pesant are used

SOCIAL CUSTOMS

decs and copper centesa in more common use

Women and men in Thessae receive the

by the citizens. Trade bars are also used in

benefits of a good education and

values of 10, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and

apprenticeship in a craft or trade. There are

5,000 values, minted in gold and silver. These

no people capable of work unemployed in all of

trade bars are called guildens, and are

Thessae, an amazing social accomplishment

exclusively used between the merchant houses

between merchants and adventurers, with silver

29

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Thessae

and guilds for transactions involving large

oils, medicines, glasswork, textiles, jewelry and

quantities of trade goods. Guildens are all

finished stones, metalwork, and weapons. The

minted in different sizes and weights, from one

quality of goods that the Thessaen guilds

pound for the smallest and up to 50 pounds for

produce has made them the wealthiest

the largest of guildens. In order to prevent

merchants in the world, surpassing even the

successful halflings and gnomes in Cannoria.

thieves and bandits from simply selling them off for profit, guildens can only be used at face

CITIES Thessalos

value when purchasing trade goods within the guarded halls of a guild house, not for personal possessions or services sold in villages or cities.

Thessae’s capitol city of Thessalos is one of

If someone tries exchanging them for cash, they

the largest in the entire world, numbering over

will only receive 1% of the guilden’s value.

100,000 people. Her markets are filled with

Bandits who manage to acquire a chest full of

goods and luxuries from all across Marpesia,

guilden often find enough to set their bands up

Ghandhara, and Thentia, her ports along the

as merchants themselves.

Aegonian Sea billowing with the colored sails of ships from nearly every nation. All of the

With so many merchants doing business in

powerful merchant houses maintain private

Thessae, foreign currency is accepted at face

estates in Thessalos, overseeing the guild and

value only in guild houses where they can be

caravan mistresses and their employees. The

exchanged for Thessaen currencies. Foreign

Merchant Queen of Thessae keeps her

currency won’t be accepted directly by

immense and luxurious palace in Thessalos,

Thessaen merchants, but Thessaen coins and

where the Assembly meets monthly to discuss

guildens are accepted anywhere else.

the economic and military needs of Thessae. As a neutral city, queens and diplomats from

Thessae’s economy produces enough to

rival nations often meet in Thessalos to

support itself without relying on a large number

negotiate resolutions to conflicts or short and

of imports. Farmers and ranchers produce

long term alliances, which the Thessaens often

enough crops and meats to feed the

mediate between. 

population, with enough fish and products from the sea to supplement any losses due to a poor

Listrae

harvest. Luxuries are the most frequently

Listrae is Thessae’s second most prominent

imported goods, with exotic and valuable goods

city, although she is just only five decades old.

filling Thessae’s markets much like those in

Settled by the first dark elven settlers to make

Lycaeon. Raw products such as raw metal and

a home on the surface world, Listrae has

precious ores, uncut gemstones, uncured hides

quickly grown to almost 100,000 people. The

and furs, wood, are imported for the craftsmen

city’s major export is deep elf males, sold as

to produce finished luxury goods for export.

slaves and servants to merchants from all across Marpesia and beyond. The demand for

The craftsmen of Thessae export masterfully

such handsome mates makes their prices very

produced a variety of luxuries such as

high, at least 1,000 gold coins or the equivalent

furniture, paper, wine, animal, plant, and mineral

in trade goods. Listrae also boasts the largest

30

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Thessae

temple to Strael on the surface world, and her

exceptional long swords they masterfully craft

temples in Teichosia are all subordinate to the

are legendary across Marpesia, and equally

priestesses in Listrae.

expensive. Queen Eurylea has much to be proud of, but there have been an increasing

PLACES OF INTEREST The Twin Ranges

number of bandit raids within Thessae’s borders. The merchant houses have been able to prevent the brigands from most of their

Eastern Thessae is dominated by the

successes, but they have also complained that

towering Murgantians, a long range of jagged

a powerful bandit queen has risen to challenge

and frozen mountain peaks which separates

the wealth and profits of Thessae’s merchant

Thessae from Tyyrhan. Large but

houses, with enough magic and steel of her own

treacherous mountains passes actually divide

to rival theirs. The rumors of this woman are

the Murgantians into two separate ranges

exactly that, since no captured bandit has ever

called the Northern and Southern

claimed to know her and the locals insist on her

Murgantians. Although the merchant houses

existence. Queen Eurylea would richly reward

have been able to keep the pass clear of snow

anyone who discovered any concrete evidence

and ice, an increasing number of humanoid and

regarding the truth of her existence.

giant raids have decimated their caravans on their way to or from Tyyrhan. Profits are being

The Bandit Queen

lost, as are large numbers of deep elf males that were part of breeding caravans or

Human or half-elf (?) female, Ranger and

destined for Tyyrhan's slave markets. The

Thief, Chaotic Neutral

merchant houses have offered considerable

The mysterious bandit queen certainly does

rewards to any brave adventurers who could

exist, although she has yet to be caught. The

find the lairs of these humanoids and giants

efficiency she conducts her raids upon well-

and drive them away for good, so that the

guarded caravans points to knowledge and

caravans would remain unmolested. 

experience in military training, perhaps from the academies in Aegonia. Her women consist of a

NPCS The Merchant Queen

number of races, even muls and mixed breeds from Tyyrhan, and it is said that she even has

Half-elven female, Lawful Neutral

unhobbled men trained in weapons and war in

Queen Eurylea is the fourth Merchant

her ranks. She is rumored to have sorceresses

Queen of Thessae, her family’s dynasty

and wizards in her employ, and priestesses from

dating back 320 years. She is still an attractive

the faiths of the goddesses of war riding at her

woman at 73 years of age, and she certainly

side. She strikes several times per year,

has many more good years ahead of her. Her

although there are plans to increase her raids

daughters are all successful merchants

in neighboring nations.

themselves, her eldest being groomed to take her mother’s place in turn. Eurylea’s sons are known for their skill at sword smithing, and the 

31

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Thessae

MAP OF THESSAE 

  

32

THE FRONTIER  Although they are still considered a part of the Maidenlands, the lands to the northeast and west of Lycaeon and Aegonia are referred to as the Frontier, a less settled and civilized region of Marpesia. The Frontier is known for boasting a significantly larger number of demihuman residents. The dwarven nation of Mithia and the hardened women of Lanthia are the two most powerful nations in the region, while the halfing queen of Cannoria grows wealthy enough to rival Lycaeon and Aegonia in the Maidenlands, and Calaecia and Llyrdonia sleep rather peacefully between them.

CALAECIA, THE BEAUTIFUL Lovely Calaecia, with her majestic forests and soft hills, quietly watches over the Dardan Ocean in the west. Largely unsettled, Calaecia boasts only a few major cities and a few dozen towns and villages, but very few are left wanting. Land and game is plentiful, the fields produce a harvest only surpassed by Cannoria, and resources are abundant. Calaecia is a rich and beautiful land, and the women here are in desperate need of more daughters and sons to fully settle their nation.

CANNORIA, THE BOUNTIFUL The swaying fields of Cannoria produce such an abundance of grain that the nation grows wealthy from its export. The halflings rule Cannoria, and oversee countless plantations and farming communities that fill the nation's lands. As the most settled nation in the Frontier, more trade comes and goes through Cannoria than anywhere else, adding much to the queen's coffers and enriching the lives of Cannorians as well

LANTHIA, THE BOLD Bordering the landlocked Pontic Sea, the hardened women of Lanthia face a difficult life in the northern regions of the Frontier. Humanoid raids are a constant threat to the Lanthians, and all their cities and towns are well armed and defended. The trade routes to the south are perilous, and merchants often choose to avoid going to Lanthia without a small army of mercenary guards to accompany them. Lanthia's queens have done an admirable job in keeping their thrones and their crowns from falling to a number of humanoid tribes, and women from Lanthia as a whole tend to have more experience fighting these beasts than women elsewhere. Lanthia's wealth is drawn from the Marpesian Mountains, rich in gold, silver, precious stones and iron. They have come into conflicts with Mithia over mining rights in the Marpesians, but the threat of humanoids prevents them from shedding any blood over it.

LLYRDONIA, THE GENTLE Nestled between gentle foothills and lush pine forests, Llyrdonia is home to large numbers of gnomish and half-gnomish settlements. They frequently trade with the dwarves of Mithia in the north, and the halflings of Cannoria to the south. Llyrdonian hills are not always safe, known to hide small numbers of

33

humanoids from the earth, and the region is riddled with caves that stretch deep into the bowels of Scythae.

MITHIA, THE GUARDIAN Deep within the halls of the northern Maidenpeak Mountains rule the dwarves. Although dwarves are by nature a silent and xenophobic race, Scythaen dwarves have had by necessity to become more open to other races, particularly in search of mates. The Mithian dwarves frequently seek out bands of humanoids hiding in the caves of the Maidenpeaks, and have been largely successful in keeping their populations from becoming to numerous.

34

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Calaecia

CALAECIA "There is no worse time to attack Calae when they are engaged in debauchery."  

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

and low mountains, a large number of small

Lovely Calaecia, with her majestic forests and

marshlands, bogs, and fens. Only in the higher

soft hills, quietly watches over the Dardan

elevations are any significant fortifications

Ocean in the west. Largely unsettled,

constructed, due to the softer ground along

Calaecia boasts only a few major cities and a

the shores and lowlands. Winters are cold and

few dozen towns and villages, but very few are

bitter as the winds from the Dardan whistle

left wanting. Land and game is plentiful, the

across the land, but Calaecia's springs and

fields produce a harvest only surpassed by

summers are warm, wet, and long enough to

Cannoria, and resources are abundant.

provide more than enough food and farmland

Calaecia is a rich and beautiful land, but the

for those who live here.

women here are desperately in need of more

daughters and sons to fully settle their nation.

HISTORY

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

small monasteries and strongholds to more

Calaecia is covered in a number of ruins, from

Calaecia is connected to the Marpesian

complex castles and fortresses and once-

mainland by a narrow and flat land bridge called

sprawling cities. The devastation of the Wars

the Floodmarch. During the winter months, the

of Man and the humanoids that followed them

Floodmarch is covered with layers of snow and

trampled any distant empires that may have

ice, and travelers can manage to trek across the

ruled here centuries ago, and with a fleeting

bridge between Calaecia and Cannoria. As

population, little to nothing has been done to

the winter snows melt and the tides of the

restore these once proud monuments.

Dardan Ocean and the Bay of Calae rise,

Referred to as Calae in surviving ancient texts,

the Floodmarch becomes narrower, feeding the

the ruins that remain had once been assimilated

saltmarshes that blanket the Bay and the

into the Carthian Empire, and Calae served

northern coasts along the Dardan. Although

her as a subject territory. Fading remnants of

Thessaen and Cannorian merchants do

Truscan writings can be found scrawled upon

manage to drive their caravans across the

ruined temples and crumbling towers, but

Floodmarch, the trade routes do cross through

nothing remains of the people who once lived

difficult and soft terrain, and merchants only travel to Calaecia several times a year.

here. Now, these ruins sleep undisturbed,

Calaecia herself rests quietly in a northern

covers them in wild blankets of roots and brush.

hiding their secrets beneath the land that

temperate zone, and is covered with a variety of deciduous and temperate forests, gentle hills

35

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Calaecia

Although many surviving bands of women and

ever sat upon Calaecia's throne as a king.

the few men who remained with them attempted

Despite the degree of tolerance amongst the

to permanently settle within Calaecia, it was

Calaecian noblewomen, the throne belongs strictly to women.

only three centuries ago that the first successes at restoring the land to her past

The queen may claim all of Calaecia as her

glory began to succeed. Settlers from

own, but only 2/3 of the land is actually under

Lycaeon were able to establish Icinium, the

her sovereignty. In the northern highlands,

first permanent settlement after the Age of

there are unsettled and wild regions populated

Scorn had ended, and with her close proximity

by humanoid bands and a large number of

to the Floodmarch and being perched upon

strange and dangerous beasts. Although

the hills overlooking the Icen River she has

progress has been slow over the past few

continued to remain the most prominent city in all of Calaecia.

centuries, the queens have been steadily

The settlers who followed slowly carved their

certainly has many opportunities for women to

way through the wilderness, struggling to

become nobles themselves, since the queens

survive between working their fields, raising

are always looking for brave heroines to tame

their children, and defending their settlements

the northern lands and carve out subject

pushing back the savage wilderness. Calaecia

dominions of their own.

from humanoids. Many settlements did not survive, but those that did became stronger

MILITARY

and flourished, and began to expand the

Calaecia's soldiers are not as structured as

borders that modern Calaecia now enjoys.

those of Lycaeon and Aegonia, but they are

Although settlers no longer flock to Calaecia

superb wilderness warriors and more than

in large numbers as they did centuries ago,

capable of surviving in a variety of terrains.

every year there are a few families, discontent

They are more than capable of conducting

with their lives in other lands, who do make their

maneuvers through dense forests, rugged

voyage across the Floodmarch in search of a

mountains, and thick swamps, and with more

new life and dreams in Calaecia despite the hardships these people face every day.

than enough humanoids remaining within the

GOVERNMENT

Although humanoid raids are almost

The queen of Calaecia rules her nation as a

nonexistent during the winter season, the rest

benevolent matriarch, and is served by feudal

of the year plagues Calaecia with enough raids

noblewomen and ladies beneath her. Unlike

to keep the few women and men who live here

nation these maneuvers are frequent.

always prepared for battle.

most other countries, a man can be permitted to rule in a woman's place as long as he has

Men are permitted to bear arms in Calaecia,

been appointed by his mistress and given that

but only those who are sterile and incapable of

authority, but that authority will be passed

fathering children. Although this is certainly a

onto his daughters before his sons in the event

social improvement compared to the majority of

of his death. This has happened frequently in

the Marpesian lands, an unfortunately high

Calaecia's history, but at no time has a man

36

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Calaecia

amount of sterile men live in Calaecia, with far

No Hobbling at all is performed upon men

less virile men to meet the demand for children.

born in Calaecia, although there are rather

The added strength of men in the army

harsh forms inflicted upon those men and even

benefits Calecian ranks considerably, but

women who commit violent crimes against

none ever reach the rank of officer even if their

others. The noblewomen and their appointed

efforts and courage are rewarded. Magic is the

magistrates carry out these sentences to

province of the educated, and although the

degrees varying upon their own personal whim or compassion.

men under the Authority of Calaecia's noblewomen are certainly more educated than

LANGUAGES

those who are not, even they are forbidden to learn and use magic.

Alcinan is spoken throughout the nation,

Calaecia's navy is not as larger as those

dwarves, gnomes, and halflings has introduced

although the presence of half-elves, elves, Ehlonn, Dethark, Yond, and the Ridd into a

nations who sail the Pelaegos, but the billowing

few communities.

sails of Lonshire and other cities with access to the coasts are known to plot their courses

SOCIAL CUSTOMS

through the seas as well. Pirates aren't as

As a nation largely distant from the rest of the

common a threat between Calaecia and the

events in Marpesia, Calaecians enjoy simple

Pelaegos, but that does not mean that the

lifestyles between their daily work and

Calaecians are not well equipped to deal with

activities. Largely rural, the people have

them. Most of the trade that enters Calaecia

learned to be content with what they have, and

does so in the holds of merchants’ ships, since

are often regarded as being as backwards as

many merchants do not desire to traverse the

the Lanthians by the rest of their sisters

Floodmarch. Calaecian sea captains have

across Marpesia.

more than enough experience when dealing with pirates, and are among the most ruthless

Men are treated as near-equals in Calaecia,

opponents that privateers can face due to the

although the majority of them are delegated to

necessity of trade goods that the Calaecians

tasks and occupations beneath the supervision

cannot produce themselves.

or authority of a woman at all times. Very rarely will a man be permitted to actually hold the

PEOPLE AND CUSTOMS

same higher position as a woman could, but at

Almost 90% of Calaecia's people are human,

least the opportunity is there for a few of them.

with 8% consisting of half-elves and the

Boys are raised to work at a number of labor

remaining 2% a melting pot of halflings, gnomes,

or service oriented jobs, from farming and

elves, and dwarves. Only 1.25 million people

fishing to working at crafts and trades such as

live throughout the entirety of Calaecia, and

blacksmithing or masonry. Men who live under

only 120,000 of them are men capable of giving

the Authority of noblewomen tend to receive

a woman a child and twice that number of men

rudimentary educations and can just as readily

who cannot. This shortage of men forces

enjoy a comfortable lifestyle supported by

Calaecians to rely heavily upon the breeding

their mothers, sisters, or mistresses, but they

caravans from Thessae and Mesonia.

37

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Nations and Empires: Calaecia

are not truly equals either, rather just a means

population, although the festivals held in Her

of providing company and children instead of

honor serve as a major means of entertainment

leadership or direction.

for Calaecians. Brigit's priestesses are considered to be the best poets in the world,

The people of Calaecia are regarded as

and can carry their eloquent words into song

having an outlook on life that makes them live

just as well.

for the moment, rather than for the future. Since it is possible for humanoids to overrun a

With much of Calaecia covered in untamed

settlement, the Calaecians enjoy themselves to

wilderness, Mielikki has a strong following here,

the fullest every opportunity they can. Nearly

and her druids actively work to tame the efforts

every day they survive is a cause for

of civilization from destroying the natural

celebration, whether that is a round of ciders

beauty of the land. They also serve as a first

and carousing in a local tavern, dancing to a

line of defense should any dangerous or hostile

bard's songs, or spending more intimate

beasts or humanoids wander into the more

moments with a loved one. Although this could

settled territories, giving their sisters more than enough warning to prepare their defenses.

easily make them a jaded people, they are just as quick to draw a sword and defend

MONEY AND COMMERCE

themselves even in the middle of a festival.

Calaecians do mint their own currencies, but

More than a few humanoid raids have been

they also accept foreign coins at face value.

thwarted by Calaecian resolve as the

The gold floren, silver shill, and copper decas

humanoids attempted to surprise them during

are the most common means of exchange

such gatherings. The reputation the

between merchants and commoners. Platinum

Calaecians have earned because of this is that

and electrum coins are not minted by the

"there is no worse time to attack a Calaecian than when she is engaging in debauchery."

Calaecians, although they will accept foreign coins of these metals at face value.

Slavery is not a common practice in Calaecia,

Calaecians use nearly all that they produce,

although indentured servitude is for crimes

and unfortunately for them, they have little

involving debt or damage to property. Those

exports other than a few ciders, ales, and

who become slaves are sentenced for a number

meads. With much of the land lying fallow, the

of years and put to work which will benefit the

potential for large exports of food, grains, and

rest of society, such as constructing roads and defensive structures or working in the mines.

even cattle is tremendous, but the shortage of

RELIGION

production. On the other hand, no one goes

The Calaecians revere Morrigan as their

hungry in Calaecia even if some eat better

matron goddess, and rely upon the wisdom and

than others, since there is more than enough

guidance of Her priestess to protect their

food and drink to go around for everyone.

lands during times of war with the humanoids.

They import every luxury they can afford or

Brigit, a goddess of fire and poetry, is also

desire, but nearly all of these imports wind up in

worshipped by a smaller segment of the

the hands of the wealthy merchants or nobility

people to work the fields does limit their

38

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Nations and Empires: Calaecia

rather than the common woman or man. This

of good imaginable, attracting merchants from

leaves the people of Calaecia rather poor in

across the shires and domains of Calaecia.

monetary wealth, and the nobility beneath the

Compared to the rest of Marpesia's cities,

level of decadence than their contemporaries

Icinium seems more like a gathering of rustic

across Marpesia.

and unkempt people living in cramped and shoddy buildings surrounded by a web of dank

The hills throughout Calaecia do contain a

and darkened alleys. The rest of Calaecia's

moderate amount of mineral wealth, particularly

villages and towns, however, are much, much

silver, tin, and lead, and the forests provide

worse even if they do function well.

plenty of wood and other resources that allow

PLACES OF INTEREST The Floodmarch

the Calecians to survive. As the population of Calaecia increases over the next few decades and centuries, the potential exists for the

The Floodmarch has long served as a strategic

nation to attain a substantial amount of wealth

point of entry into Calaecia, and many

and power. This possibility, however, also

fortresses and strongholds have been built

represents a threat to the other queens of

along its length. Even the annual flooding of

Marpesia, who may not feel so inclined to

the marshes does not prevent merchants from

accept another powerful rival on the continent.

traversing the boggy land bridge, although bandits and brigands have long plagued the

CITIES Icinium 

area. Recently there have been reports of bands of humanoids and lizard men who have

As Calaecia's capitol and largest city with

consumed entire caravans of goods that were

50,000 people, Icinium is often the only major

destined for Icinium and beyond. Although

city where foreign merchants manage to travel

Calaecia can manage to hold her own for some

to. Located thirty miles inland from the

time, the threat that these missing caravans

Floodmarch and along the Icen River which

present could endanger the entire nation.

connects the Dardan Ocean with the Bay of

Already, the nobles have posted rewards for

Calae, Icinium is a crowded, busy, and quite

any woman who could keep the Floodmarch

dirty settlement filled with bustling merchants,

clear of bandits, humanoids, and other threats

irregular caravans, and salted sailors and sea

that endanger the commerce of Calaecia.

women who rather noisily entertain themselves

NPCS

along the city's docks. The city is rather well

Queen Eleanor

defended, surrounded by thick walls and fortifications. Even the queen's fortified



(Human female, Lawful Neutral)

palace overlooks Icinium from nearby hills,

Queen Eleanor has followed in the footsteps

adding a formidable presence to any who

of her mother, and is determined to complete

would dare challenge this surprisingly strong

the conquest of Calaecia's wilderness before

city.

the end of her reign. Already forty years of age, she has a good number of years left to

As the first and probably last major settlement

accomplish her goals, and already her plans are

in Calaecia, Icinium contains nearly every type

being carried out. Her armies are slowly

39

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Calaecia

advancing north, constructing stronghold after

efficient at protecting merchant vessels that

stronghold, and engineers are kept busy raising

they are gaining a bloodier reputation than the

magnificent castles to more securly guard the

worst Mesonian privateers. Perhaps within

borders of her nation. Mercenaries from

twenty years, Queen Eleanor will truly bring

Lanthia, Lycaeon, and even Aegonia have

Calaecia to the level of power her fellow queens take for granted.

been assembled to reinforce her own troops, and the captains of her navy have become so

MAP OF CALAECIA

40

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Cannoria

CANNORIA "Do not be blinded by her kindness, for she does not misplace her compassion."  

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Marpesia, storms are rarely ever destructive in

The swaying fields of Cannoria produce such

nature. The climate and weather always seems

an abundance of grain that the nation grows

to be ideal in every season, never too hot or

wealthy from its export. The halflings rule

too cold, the snows never too deep and the

Cannoria, and oversee countless plantations

skies grey only as long as a storm holds.

and farming communities that fill the nation's

HISTORY

lands. As the most settled nation in the

Known as Cannorium in the days of Ancient

Frontier, more trade comes and goes through

Carthia, Cannoria was once a well-settled

Cannoria than anywhere else, adding much to

region with numerous cities and settlements.

the queen's coffers and enriching the lives of Cannorians as well.

The Carthians had established many

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

communities of halfings and humans worked

strongholds throughout the region, and large

Stretching quietly along the coasts of the

side by side working the land and providing the

Western Pelaegos and the shores of the

Carthians with produce and cattle. This

Dardan Ocean, Cannoria enjoys a gentle

wealth of resources drew the attention of the

countryside of soft hills and rolling plains,

humanoids during the height of Carthia's

decorated with light forests, low mountains, and

power, for Cannorium served the humans and

wide valleys. The soil is considered to be the

demihumans as a vital source of food.

most fertile on all of Marpesia, and is believed

The settlers of Cannorium were as

to have been watered by Dalla's tears,

unprepared as the rest of Marpesia for the

although the more likely reason may be due to

wrath of the humanoids. Descending upon the

the care that Cannorian farmers work their

idyllic countryside with crude oils, salt, and

land with. Annual harvests are so abundant

flame, the humanoids burned millions of acres

that the halflings cannot consume all which they

of farmland, butchered cattle and tore apart

produce, which serves not only to feed every

homesteads, villages, and markets. Men,

mouth in Cannoria ten times over, but to draw

women, and children were consumed in flames

much wealth into the nation by exporting the excess goods.

or run through on the wicked spears and

Cannoria has mild springs and warm summers,

Carthian legions stationed in the region were

blades of their tormentors, and even the

with beautifully colored autumns and cold

left defenseless as the countryside burned

winters. Although the region experiences an

around them, choking the sky and blotting out

annual rainfall above that of other areas of

the sun with smoke and ash. The years of the

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Nations and Empires: Cannoria

Razing were quickly followed by the Salting,

and establish larger settlements. The

during which the humanoids trampled raw salt

Cleansing was only finished a century ago, but

into the earth so that no man or halfling could

by the time the halflings finished their work

work the land again. The sadistic efficiency

they had also built Cannoria into a powerful

with which the humanoids devastated the

nation in her own right. No longer are the

region of Cannorium lasted well beyond the

farmers and laborers of Cannoria mere sheep

triumph of Woman for at least two centuries,

waiting to be slaughtered. Vowing to never

and even by the time of the signing of the

allow the land to suffer as she did, the halflings

Reparations Cannoria was little settled, with

have developed a powerful defensive

only a few communities of halflings who had

infrastructure throughout their nation, and can

refused to abandon their ancestral homes.

quickly respond in large numbers to any threats that may fall upon their beloved land.

Of all those who survived the Razing and the Salting, few humans chose to return to

Largely overlooked by her human neighbors,

Cannorium, rather facing a less uncertain life

Cannoria has only recently been recognized as

elsewhere on Marpesia. The halflings,

a powerful Frontier nation by her

however, despite the horrible loss they had

contemporaries in Lycaeon, Teichosia,

experienced refused to give up hope, and with

Thessae, and Aegonia. The halflings have

cheerful determination began their task of

long lived under the stereotype of being

restoring the lands that Dalla had blessed

underestimated for their short stature, but no

them with long ago. The Cleansing took

longer are they looked upon as so. The good

centuries to complete, with generation after

nature and determination to do "what is right"

generation of halflings having faith that their

common amongst most Cannorians is not as

efforts would be rewarded. Even bloody

well received by their neighbors in other

conflicts with the gnomes of Llyrdonia in the

countries as they would hope, particularly when

north, who would kidnap halfling boys and

it comes to recognizing the status of men. Of

young men for breeding, did not take away

all the nations, Cannoria alone has granted

from the halflings' spirit. Although no battles

many men full equal status within her borders, a

or skirmishes have been fought between the

possibility that is completely foreign to most

two nations since the time of the Reparations,

women. This compassion is earning the

there is still a subtle air of distrust between the

Cannorians the enmity of some of the other

two races, rarely hostile but very suspicious.

nations who feel that these men may begin to threaten their own power, and that the queens

The halflings say that Dalla heard their

and noblewomen of Cannoria may be

prayers and watched them work despite the

condemning them all to another war.

damage the humanoids had done, and she was

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

so pleased with their faith that she continually

Cannoria is ruled by a queen, and although

wept. The tears she cried washed away the

she is the highest authority in the land, all of

salted soil and once again fertilized the land,

Cannoria's queens have been known for their

and with the return of life to the earth, the

compassion and benevolence. Beneath the

halflings were able to grow into larger numbers

42

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Cannoria

queen are a number of titled noblewomen who

military or soldiering profession as long as they

manage the queen's lands for her in a

are sterile. Virile men are more numerous in

benevolent form of government that permits her

Cannoria than elsewhere, but the noblewomen

subjects’ room for personal and economic

and the queen prefer to keep these men safe

advancement. These noblewomen have also

from injury and death until such a time when

been given the authority to vote for or against

enough men populate the nation to permit

a queen's edicts, and only be majority consent

open recruiting. For this reason, virile men do

The queen's subjects are either members of

Cannorian laws are just and fair, striving for a

the working, merchant, or aristocratic classes,

system where the punishment fits the crime.

all of whom are powerful in their own right. The

Courts are not based upon the whims of

workers work the fields and produce a

nobles or the desires of magistrates and

multitude of finished goods, and the queen and

judges, but on a basis of predefined laws

other nobles do not ignore their voice. The

applied equally to men and women throughout

merchants draw much wealth into the nation

the nation. Although the nobles largely

and have created an economic rival to their

determine these laws in the Accord, the

sisters in Thessae through a functional guild

queen's subjects can most certainly cast their

system that regulates the prices of goods and

votes on what laws should be passed and just

the laws of supply and demand. Although

what the punishments for violating them should

Thessae is still considered the premier trading

be. Cannorians are a very communal people,

nation on Marpesia, they did in fact borrow the

and the thought of actively working against

guild system from the Cannorians. The

each other is foreign to them. This ethical unity

aristocrats are among the wealthiest people in

has produced some of the most just and fair

Cannoria, and often serve the nobles to

laws in the Known World, with very few harsh

increase their own interests as well as to help

sentences and many opportunities for reform.

not serve in militaristic duties in Cannoria.

can the queen's word be passed into law.

their less affluent sisters and brothers.

This does not mean that Cannorian authorities are easily manipulated or deceived,

Men are permitted to have a role in governing,

and they do come down hard and fast upon

although most do not take on these

criminals and transgressors. Thieves know not

responsibilities. Royal and noble titles are

to be blinded by Cannorian generosity and

inherited from mother to daughter, but there

kindness, for despite their sincerity the

are several noblemen who have ruled in place of

halflings know not to misplace their

their sisters or mothers under certain

compassion.

situations. Despite the outcries of foreign

MILITARY

nations, these men have not abused their

Although Cannoria is dependent on iron

positions of responsibility, and in fact have

imports from Llyrdonia and Mithia, the queens

performed their duties just as well as any

have managed to wisely develop an army strong

woman has. Most men in Cannoria are workers

enough in steel to challenge even the legions of

or merchants, some very wealthy, and those

Lycaeon and Aegonia. Relying more upon

who are interested are permitted to serve in a

43

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Cannoria but they are more than prepared to deal with

swiftness and speed than strength, the

them.

halflings protect themselves with thick cured leathers and small metal plates rather than links

PEOPLE AND CUSTOMS

of chain or heavier plating. Swords are short

Cannoria boasts a population of 15 million

and narrow, yet no less sharp than the finest

people, 90% of whom are halfings and the rest

drusus in Lycaeon, and the tips of nimble

being gnomes, half-elves, and humans. The

Cannorain spears sink just as deeply as those

countryside is too open for the taste of

of Lanthia or Teichosia. The halfings also

dwarves, and the small and light forests lack the

implement a number of missile and projectile

elven majesty of Teichosia despite their

weapons when engaging larger opponents,

beauty and serenity.

particularly broad sheaf arrows and light quarrels, barbed spears and javelins, and

As a fertile people, the halflings have more men

heavier sling bullets forged of iron that can be

among them than most other races. Nearly 30%

slung with enough force to lodge into wood or bone and dent in steel plated armors.

of the halfling population consists of men, none

Halfling cavalry consists of small and agile

this practice during the signing of the

of whom are Hobbled due to the outlawing of Reparations. Very few halfing men are sterile,

ponies and large dogs trained specifically for

and conditions of Authority are not

war, and the women and men who ride them do

necessarily enforced in Cannoria. Men are

so with a skill matched only by the Han nomads

permitted with whom to take as mates, with

of Tyyrhan steppes and the Turmen in

whom they shall live, and with whom they shall

Persaedon. Mounted archers can release a

arrange formal marriages. They can still inherit

deadly volley of missiles at their enemies while

property and own businesses, and generally

at full gallop, and are swift enough to surround and harass them while remaining safely out of

enjoy a complete and fulfilling life within their

striking distance.

homeland.

At sea, the halflings make admirable sailors,

LANGUAGES Yond is spoken almost exclusively throughout

and work the rigging and sails of their small but

Cannoria, but frequent contact with gnomes,

fast ships in much the same way that they

half-elves, and humans have introduced the

maneuver their steeds on land. Pirates and

Ridd, Enoris, and Alcinan into the country.

privateers often abandon their attacks on

Merchants tend to speak a second or third

Cannorian ships, since they almost always

language, as do the educated aristocrats and

outmaneuver or outrace the heavier ships of

nobles.

other nations who would prey upon them. A few halfling sailors have resorted to piracy

SOCIAL CUSTOMS The people of Cannoria are generally friendly

themselves, and their ships are surprisingly well built and suited to the task, earning them both

and accommodating, and often go to great

fear and respect by more honest sea captains.

lengths to meet the demands of guests.

Cannoria does not resort to using privateers,

Hosting is an art form in Cannoria, and there

44

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Cannoria

are frequent community wide competitions in

to their owners or mistresses who hold

which contesting hostesses and hosts attempt

Authority over them, and in order to maintain

to provide the most entertaining and well-

their diplomatic standing with their neighbors

planned social gatherings. Even the poorest

the noblewomen of Cannoria must abide by

Cannorian laborer will attempt to sincerely go

these agreements should these men be located.

out of her way for a guest in her home, ensuring

Along the Road of Queens, many

that the guest sits and eats first, and receives

Lycaeonian soldiers, mercenary trackers, and

the finest foods she can acquire. Although the

slavers from as far east as Mesonia and

Hosting is primarily a halfling custom, it has

Tyyrhan patrol the borders between

become such an event of good taste and

Cannoria and Lycaeon looking for men who

popularity that the humans, gnomes, and half-

may be attempting to flee into Cannoria. For

elves who live in Cannoria also become

the halflings, it is unfortunate that these women

A result of the Hosting has given the halflings

Since there is still a shortage of men in

the foresight to construct enough buildings

Cannoria, the laws of Compensation are still

and shelters for the larger races, such as

practiced, although they are set at a more

humans and half-elves. Every merchant and

accommodating rate than elsewhere across

craftswoman shop, tavern, inn, and stable in

Marpesia, and most men do in fact still remain

Cannoria is built to the human standard, and

under a woman's Authority despite how well he

has enough furnishings to accommodate them

is treated. Women may only have to come up

all even if individual burrows and huts are built

with half a year's income or equivalent in

for the halflings' shorter stature. Taller races

services and goods in order to spend time with

need not worry about finding adequate

a man. Unlike other nations where the men

provisions and shelter in Cannoria, for the

have no say in whom they mate with, men in

halflings have considerately provided for them

Cannoria are absolutely permitted to decide

are very successful in tracking the men down.

involved.

beforehand.

which women they shall be with. To the halflings, this is only fair, and the man's decision

Men are treated fairly well in Cannoria, and it

is respected should he disagree. In these

was the halfings who first argued against any

cases, halfling women in Cannoria may decide

form of Hobbling during the times before the

to find a breeding caravan from Mesonia or

Reparations were signed. The queens of

Thessae in order to obtain a child. This

Cannoria do regret that they could not

option is less preferred, but sometimes

persuade the women of other lands to show

necessary for the woman who has been refused

compassion, but they could not risk losing their

by a man. The breeding caravans are permitted

homes and lives through war. Men who escape

to enter Cannoria for this reason, and are

from other countries often attempt to seek

unmolested during their travel through the

haven in Cannoria, and the women who take

nation.

them in do their best to prevent them from being found. As an agreement in the Reparations, escaped slaves must be returned

45

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Cannoria

RELIGION

CITIES Luira, The City of Peace

The halflings are a very spiritual and nature oriented people, and praise Dalla as their

Luira was the first halfling settlement that was

matron goddess. She is revered for giving life

able to restore enough farmland to support a

and fertility to the fields and the earth, allowing

sizable population, and from there she grew

the halflings to prosper and grow wealthy. Her

into the most powerful city in all of Cannoria.

priestesses are druids who work to maintain the

Built on top of and around an old Carthian

balance of nature and civilization, and also to

ruin, Luira has restored and reinforced

guard the sanctity of the land from the

defenses and walls common to those found in

humanoids or other creatures who would

Lycaeon, and is capable of holding off several

despoil Dalla's home.

legions of troops in a prolonged siege. Even the halflings have engineered long reaching and

To accommodate foreigners and guests,

devastating siege weapons, and the beams of

shrines and small temples to other deities can

trebuchets and catapults can be seen peeking

be found throughout Cannoria, although more

over the buttressed walls and towers. Luira's

areas reserved for holy ground are in the larger

gates are generally left open to accommodate

cities rather than the shires and villages.

travelers, and foreign merchants are always seen coming and going from the bustling city of

MONEY AND COMMERCE

65,000 people. Most of the gnomes, humans,

Cannorians mint their own coins, the gold

and half-elves who live in Cannoria find Luira

crown and silver deca. Their frequent contact

the most suitable place for them to live, since

with foreign merchants has also introduced a

they have regular access to their own races as

variety of foreign coins into Cannoria's

well as goods and services that may not be as

markets, which the halfings accept at face

easily obtained elsewhere in the nation. The

value.

queen's palace overlooks the city and is built into the defensive infrastructure, constructed

Nearly all of Cannoria's exports includes

by Carthian engineers centuries ago and

wheat, grains, barleys, baked breads and

reinforced by halfling and dwarven hands.

pastries, ales, meads, wines, fruits, vegetables,

Violent crime is extremely rare in Luira, and any

jams, and a number of other finished vegetable

murders that do occur are investigated

and animal products such as oils and cured

immediately and solved almost as quickly due to

hides and textiles. They produce enough

the halflings' determination to provide a safe

exports to purchase iron and precious ores

environment for their guests.

from Llyrdonia and Mithia, which are crafted into tools and weapons or luxury goods such as

PLACES OF INTEREST Dalla's Tears

jewelry. Other imports include luxury items that the Cannorians desire but cannot produce,

The Llyr River serves as the border between

such as dyed silks or fine liquers that they

Llyrdonia and Cannoria, along its length a

cannot ferment or brew.

series of bubbling waterfalls and quiet rapids which sing softly to those who travel nearby. The haflings believe that when Dalla wept for

46

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Cannoria

them, her tears fed the source of the Llyr at

reception she receives from foreign queens and

Dalla's Tears, a seemingly magical lake

noblewomen is merely a facade. Queen

located deep within a serene forest glade.

Edona's ancestors have long lived under the

From the Llyr, whose waters are said to be

fear of being dominated by their neighbors for

enchanted with the gift of life and healing,

their compassion for Man, and it was only

countless small brooks and streams flow south

through their determination at developing a

into Cannoria's fields and pastures, and are

military capable of quickly responding to

said to have been directly responsible for

foreign threats that Cannoria has remained

cleansing the damage inflicted upon the land

unconquered. Still, Queen Edona feels that

during the Razing and the Salting. Dalla's

these days are soon to be at an end,

druids carefully guard the source of the Llyr

particularly since Lycaeon and Aegonia to the

River, and ensure that the waters of the Llyr

east are becoming more powerful, and rumors

do not become tainted or polluted. The druids

of invasions of foreign men in Tyyrhan and

are courteous and accommodating enough, but

Persaedon are reaching even her courts.

ruthlessly efficient when crossed. 

Should the rest of Marpesia's queens go to war with these men, Edona is certain that they

NPCS Queen Edona Edona

will also descend upon her own people as well, fearing that they will see her own male nobles, subjects, and soldiers as a threat to their

(Halfling female, Warrior, Neutral Good)

power. Edona does not wish to be the first

Queen Edona is descended from the first

queen of Cannoria to lead her people into a

queen of Cannoria, and enjoys a proud lineage

war with the other nations, but she fears that

of family history. Hailed as the most

she may in fact have to do so. Queen Edona

benevolent queen in all of Marpesia, Edona is

will not only risk losing her life, but hope for all

openly respected and admired by her

as well.

contemporaries, although she knows that the

47

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Cannoria

MAP OF CANNORIA

  

48

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lanthia

LANTHIA "Where grim lives and bloodied swords deliver death unto the winds."  

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

to be cool and wet year round, with short and

Bordering the landlocked Pontic Sea, the

mildly warm summers. Winters are treacherous

hardened women of Lanthia face a difficult life

in Lanthia, as layer upon layer of snow almost

in the northern regions of the Frontier.

completely isolates the nation during the entire

Humanoid raids are a constant threat to the

winter. When the spring comes, farmers and

Lanthians, and all their cities and towns are well

herders often must carry or drag their livestock

armed and defended. The trade routes to the

out to pasture due to the lethargy they

south are perilous, and merchants often

develop during the winter. Even the merchants

choose to avoid going to Lanthia without a

from Thessae sometimes avoid using their

small army of mercenary guards to accompany

magic to clear out the trade routes into

them. Lanthia's queens have done an admirable

Lanthia during these times, since the effort is

job in keeping their thrones and their crowns

often greater than the profits.

from falling to a number of humanoid tribes, and

The Maidenpeaks and the Marpesian

women from Lanthia as a whole tend to have

Mountains make up Lanthia's northern and

more experience fighting these beasts than

western borders, looming over the grim nation

women elsewhere. Lanthia's wealth is drawn

as an oppressive mistress. During the early

from the Marpesian Mountains, rich in gold,

spring as the snow and ice capped mountains

silver, precious stones and iron. They have

thaw, avalanches are frequent catastrophes

come into conflicts with Mithia over mining

and hazards, and into the summer fog and mists

rights in the Marpesians, but the threat of

drift down from the mountains in an almost

humanoids prevents them from shedding any blood over it.

endless cascade of gloom and grey misery.

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

Lanthia in the east, fogs weave across the

From the landlocked Pontic Sea that borders

As a remote and isolated territory, Lanthia's

lowlands, leaving nearly every square mile within

landscape consists of endless mountain ranges

the Lanthian mists. Travelers often speak of

and highlands, rolling hills and steep valleys, all

how dreary and depressing Lanthia appears to

blanketed with thick coniferous and deciduous

be, which is also attributed to the personalities

forests and swamps and marshes settling in the

of those who live there.

lowlands. Between all this are the walled freeholds and small palisade cities that serve

HISTORY Lanthia was once the territory of Lanthium, a

more like fortresses and strongholds than

protectorate under the ancient kingdom of

communities. Located in a northern region and

Carthia that was the first to fall under the

set at a high elevation, Lanthia's weather tends

49

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lanthia

humanoid invasions. A poor system of

ambushes laid waste to unprepared bands of

defenses throughout the forested and hilly

goblins, orcs, and ogres. Mastering the arts of

region left the settlers here unprepared for the

trickery, stealth, and hit and run raids,

tides of orcs, gnolls, goblins, and ogres who

Lanthium’s women became the first heroines

burned and tore the humans and other races

after the Age of Scorn, and the rest of

from their palisades and strongholds. The

Marpesia followed in the example of these

women, children, and elderly who survived fled

women who were once regarded as a backwater people.

into the hills and highlands, left scattered and

desperate with a few elderly men among them.

Part of the myths surrounding the women of

As elsewhere across Marpesia, the women of

Lanthium is that they drank the blood of the

ancient Lanthium managed to find the will to

humanoids they had slain, regressing into a

survive in face of incredible odds. They are

more barbaric and cannibalistic culture, which

honored as the first nation to actually do so of

believed that by consuming the blood of their

their own accord. Arming themselves with the

enemies they would gain the strength and the

blades and shields of their fallen brothers,

wisdom to defeat them. Women in modern

fathers, and sons, Lanthium became known as

Lanthia certainly are not cannibals and chuckle

the first territory where the women became

at the thought, since there is no evidence of

brutal, merciless, and savage opponents of the

this practice ever having been in common use.

humanoids who had destroyed their homes.

Still, the records and writings of merchants

Legends tell of battlefields decorated with the

from early Thessae have mentioned accounts

dead and dismembered humanoid corpses, run

of meeting berserk and maddened women

through with spears and hung from the limbs of

drunk on the blood of humanoids they had

trees as warnings to future humanoid

killed in battle. These stories still give modern

marauders and armies. The stench of death

Lanthian women a reputation for fierce

alone was said to have reached as far south as

determination in battle against humanoids and

Thessae, and centuries later the phrase "the

anyone else that would despoil their lands.

winds of Lanthia" or “Lanthian winds” still refers to an inevitable death or doom.

Today, Lanthia is praised for keeping further

As the rest of Carthia smoldered beyond the

Marpesia. Sitting quietly in the north,

horizon, the women of Lanthia first began to

brooding patiently in the highlands and bitter

launch well-planned raids and attacks upon

mountains, Lanthia remains largely unsettled,

humanoids that still lingered in the region.

with a few small but well defended cities

Using surprise tactics and guerilla warfare, the

surrounded by large tracts of wilderness. They

women turned the techniques of the humanoids

still frequently come into conflict with

against them. Organized into small bands of

humanoids, although this is largely due to

perhaps a few dozen women, they set lethal

actively hunting them rather than waiting for

traps hidden within the forests and along trails

them to attack. Lanthia is not a safe place for

that hindered further movements of humanoids

humanoids at all, and even the women of mixed

tides of humanoids from sweeping down across

blood from Tyyrhan are loath to enter.

into the rest of Carthia to the south. Brutal

50

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lanthia

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

MILITARY

Lanthia is ruled by a queen, a hereditary title

Although Lanthia's women are considered

passed from mother to daughter. Beneath her

among the most battle-ready women second to

are Jarls who rule territories of varying sizes.

Aegonia's armies, Lanthia herself has no

All jarls are independent of each other and

standing army united under a single banner.

equal in the eyes of the queen. Beneath the

The queen and each jarl beneath her maintains

jarls are independent freeholders who pay

smaller contingents of armed women to help

taxes to and provide services for the Jarls in

protect and patrol their lands, but they rarely

exchange for protection.

number more than a few thousand women. This low number of soldiers would lead a foolish

Might makes right in Lanthia, and a jarl only

general to attack, however, for within their

maintains her position as long as she can

shrouded homeland, Lanthian women reign

remain popular and strong enough to hold her

unchallenged. Using a variety of tactics,

title and lands. This requires the support of

Lanthians have truly mastered the art of

her people and those who depend upon her for

guerilla warfare, and rarely do they have to

protection and prosperity. In good times, a jarl

assemble in numbers larger than a few dozen

can have many followers and loyal servants, but

women as long as their ambushes and traps are

in difficult times, she can be outcast and

set properly and on time. The isolation of the

overthrown by a rising Jarl.

country has always deterred foreign armies from invasion, which was partly responsible for

The queen is also subject to this same social

the original settlers and lords who lived here

custom. As long as she has the respect of her

under Carthia's rule being unprepared for the

Jarls and subjects, and she can lead her

wrath of the humanoids.

people into prosperity, she will retain her titles and lands and the right to pass them onto her

Even though she is landlocked, Lanthian

children. Should she prove incapable, unjust,

women enjoy the sea, and have constructed a

or lose the respect of her people, another jarl

variety of flat bottomed galleys and longships

can challenge her through war or a duel for the

capable of travel along rivers as well as making

title of queen. This has happened more than a

their way at sea. Setting sail down the rivers

few times in Lanthia’s history. Disputes are

south through Teichosia and Thessae,

usually handled between the grieving parties,

Lanthian sailors break the surf of the Pelaegos

although feuds and murders are forbidden.

just as many other nations do, and they are

Jarls will permit duels to settle a dispute

surprisingly just as skilled as the most

between two individuals or families, often to the

dedicated Mesonian pirate or Lycaeonian

death or until one submits to the other. The

captain.

victor in a duel is required to pay the survivors

PEOPLE AND CUSTOMS

of the deceased a sum of money in the result of

Lanthia is a sparsely populated nation due to

a death.

her location, climate, and rugged terrain, with only about 2 million women living within her borders. Of these, nearly 90% of them are

51

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lanthia find themselves on the bitter end of a spear in

human, with the last 10% consisting of halfelves.

time, as would any human woman with the slightest degree of humanoid heritage. Lanthia

There are no men in Lanthia. When a woman

has never actually been at war with Tyyrhan,

desires a child, she usually travels south into

but some Lanthian women work as bandits and

the Maidenlands seeking a mate, offering an

brigands inside of Tyyrhan as a means to vent

ample amount of Compensation in exchange

their disgust for the Twisted Queendom and

for access to him. Many also rely upon

her people.

Thessae’s breeding caravans that make their

LANGUAGES

way up into the region. Daughters are kept

Alcinan is spoken throughout Lanthia,

and raised by their mothers, but sons are sold

although the Lanthian dialect has retained

back to the Thessaens for a sizable price.

most of the ancient Truscan words and ideas

This practice has allowed Lanthian women to

that were later abandoned by the women of

keep men completely out of their nation.

other lands. Women from the Maidenlands may

Although the reason for this banishment of

have some difficulty understanding the

boys and men has been lost in antiquity,

Lanthians even though they are basically

Lanthian women are determined to keep men

speaking the same language, although an

out of Lanthia for good. It's just the way it has

understanding of Truscan will alleviate this

always been after the Age of Scorn.

barrier.

Men who flee another woman’s Authority and

SOCIAL CUSTOMS

make their way into Lanthia will inevitably be

True to their reputations, Lanthian women

captured, or barring this killed outright.

pride themselves on their skill at war and with

Captured men will either be sold as slaves to

weapons, archery, and hunting. Young girls are

merchants in Thessae or possibly returned to

trained in basic swordplay and archery as soon

their original mistresses for a reward if it is

as they can pick up a sword or draw a string.

possible to determine who they are. At times

With much of their economy dependant upon

when men are brought into Lanthia while under

hunting game animals, women tend to have a

another woman's Authority, the Reparations

high degree of knowledge and lore about

will be honored and he will be permitted to

survival in the wilderness. Many leave their

remain as long as his mistress does, although

homes and become trackers and scouts in

she will certainly be held responsible for any crimes or unjust acts which he may commit.

foreign armies, or work as mercenaries and even

Frontier justice is never so.

bandits in other nations.

Humanoids are anathema to Lanthians, as are

The adage of ‘might makes right’ in Lanthia has forged the women of the northern Frontier

those who breed with or are bred from them.

into a tough and hardened people. Armed and

Half-orcs and half-ogres will be treated no

unarmed duels are frequently called upon to

differently than any pureblooded humanoid in

settle disputes rather than more civilized means

Lanthia, which is one thing that all of the Jarls

of diplomacy, although armed duels are only

agree on. Most of Tyyrhan's women would

52

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lanthia

invoked to end grievous offenses between

their sisters, mothers, aunts, cousins, nieces,

parties. Duels are frowned upon when called

grandmothers, daughters, and granddaughters all together.

simply out of spite rather than over any significant grievance such as stolen property,

Daily life in Lanthia is hard, and there is no

territorial disputes, or personal affronts of

room for laziness or waste. Clothing is kept

honor, and those who do so will lose respect

simple and functional rather than luxurious and

accordingly for their dishonorable actions.

decorative. Tanned hides and leathers from

Women who back down from honorable and

deer, elk, and cattle, as well as sheep’s wool are

just duels are branded as cowards, which is a

used for most clothing, with heavier furs worn in

stain that can rarely be overcome in others’

the highlands and colder tundra regions or

eyes. A Jarl must decide whether or not a duel

elsewhere during the autumn and winter.

is to be held as honorable or dishonorable,

Polished bone is used for simple tools and

which forces women to consider their actions

utensils, and sometimes turned into beautifully

prior to seeking permission from their Jarl to

carved and decorated artworks. Lanthian

declare a duel. Duels fought without a Jarl’s

cuisine consists of a variety of animal meats

sanction are considered dishonorable

hunted from the forests and fish from lakes and

regardless of any legitimate cause, and

rivers, seasoned with herbs and served with a

punishable by execution in cases where death

variety of grains and vegetables grown on the

is involved. Feuds often result outside of a

farms that follow the contours of the region.

Jarl’s authority, but as long as they are not

Mead is fermented from bee honey, while a

fought within a Jarl’s territory, feuding parties

variety of ales and beers are also brewed from

can act as they please.

hops and grains.

Losing a just duel is not held as an act of

When journeying through Lanthia’s jarldoms, it

incompetence or cowardice. In fact, Lanthians

is customary for merchants and travelers to

feel that it is better to lose or even to die justly

offer tribute to the ruling jarl as a token of

than to choose cowardice. Losers of duels and

good intentions and courtesy, as well as to

relatives will always be compensated for their

receive the protection of the jarl. Even

defeat in a form of payment, which is a price in

Thessae’s merchants will stock up on a few

gold, silver, services, and goods set by the

extra tuns of wine and ale, bars of gold and

Jarls and often rather comfortable. Unarmed

silver, chests of jewels, coffers of spices, and

duels are not priced as high as armed duels are.

other finer goods from other nations to be

Should the loser die, then her mother, sisters,

offered as gifts to the jarls or the queen.

daughters, and other relatives will receive the

Individuals or less affluent groups are not

purse from the victor. The price itself is often a

expected to give as much, but some form of

deterrent from declaring the duel, since every

appreciation must be offered. Refusing to

living member of the loser’s household receives

offer a tribute is not a good thing to do, since it

the same price. One may win the duel, but

will often involve robbery and expulsion from

could quickly become a pauper because of it.

the Jarl’s territory. Thessae’s merchants have

To protect themselves, most women tend to

always been wise and courteous enough to

live in very large households and lodges with

53

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lanthia

avoid this, but the efficiency of their caravan

Lanthian women are very faithful and devout,

guards would make even the most offended jarl

and not a day goes by where some form of

hard pressed to risk her women in an attack

prayer or thanks is offered to at least one of

upon them.

their goddesses. They defend their beliefs as seriously as they do their homes, and any who

The offer of tribute is also extended to the

mock them for it are quick to regret it as

freeholders and matriarchs of individual lodges

lessons in wrath.

and households. Should a traveler in need of

MONEY AND COMMERCE

food or shelter receive such from a family, the

Lanthia mints its own currency. Gold aurs and

traveler is expected to repay their hospitality

silver krons are the only coins minted. Copper,

through a payment or offer of one’s time and

tin, and iron are used to make utensils, while

labor, such as helping on the farm for a few

platinum and gold is used for jewelry. Foreign

days or maintenance around the lodge.

currencies are accepted at face value. A

Freeholders are usually more than happy to

system of barter is also used within Lanthia,

have a guest in their home, especially if the

guests have Authority over a man with them.

and animals, livestock, weapons, tools, jewelry,

RELIGION

used between merchants and their customers.

gems, cured and tanned hides and furs are all

Frigga, a goddess of storms and weather, is the chief deity worshipped by the Lanthians.

Rich in mineral ores, Lanthia turns mined and

Prayers are offered to her to ease the burdens

smelted gold and silver ores into fine jewelry,

of winter and to bless her faithful with warmer

often inlaid with precious stones and gems.

and longer growing seasons to increase their

Thick animal furs from bears, beaver, and

harvests. Warriors praise Sif, a goddess of

wolves are also used as clothing useful in the

battle and excellence, and her priestesses

winters and higher mountain elevations.

actively seek out opportunities for conflict with

Frequent contact with humanoid tribes has

humanoids just as readily as their followers do.

forced Lanthian smiths to forge excellent metal

Idun, a goddess of spring and youth, receives

armors, blades, and weapons, many of which

tribute for bountiful planting seasons, while

are exported to other markets in foreign

countries. Wood and lumber is also exported.

Freya is regarded as a matron of love and fertility. Hel is also recognized as a goddess of

Imports include vegetables, foodstuffs, and

the dead and the underworld, although few

grains not farmed in the hilly and mountainous

actively worship her, seeing her rather as an

region; most of Lanthia’s food sources include

enemy of Sif's and the matron of those who

hunted game animals, fish, and raised cattle.

die without honor or courage. Those seeking daughters offer prayers and sacrifices

CITIES

to Ilmatar, while Mielikki is revered as a nature

Varmhold

goddess much as she is in Thessae and

Lanthia's capitol city changes every time a new

Teichosia.

jarl deposes the queen before her, but Varmhold has served as the seat of Lanthia's

54

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lanthia

power for the past 84 years. Queen Inga's

settlements are infrequent, since both nations

grandmother Ursa, a powerful Jarl in her own

are more concerned with rooting out humanoid

right, challenged and killed the queen over the

lairs deep within the Marpesians and beyond

throne. Returning to Varmhold, the new

to the north, although a slight increase in the

Queen Ursa used her new position for the

number of conflicts has given alarm to both nations' rulers.

enrichment of her Freeholders and followers, turning the city into the fortress of wood and

NPCS Queen Queen Inga

stone that she is today. Located in central Lanthia's highlands, Varmhold is strategically located to allow access to most neighboring

(Human female, Barbarian and Fighter,

jarls' lands without traveling through other jarls'

Chaotic Neutral)

borders. This has greatly attracted the

A middle-aged woman with a rugged physique,

merchants from Thessae, who now simply pass

greying hair and dark eyes, Queen Inga has

through one of the southern jarl’s lands and

skillfully retained her throne by balancing the

finally make their way to Varmhold, selling their

steel in her hand and brutal ruthlessness

wares to Lanthian merchants and saving the

toward her enemies with a wisdom and foresight

cost of extra tribute when passing through

that works to the benefit of every woman in

other territories. With over 60 thousand

Lanthia. In her tenure, she has already slain a

residents and hundreds of acres of

dozen Jarls in duels who felt they were

surrounding pastures and farms, Varmhold is a

stronger and more capable; now, none dare to

rugged frontier city that retains a chiseled

challenge her. With the increased bloodshed

beauty in a harsh land. 

between her Jarls' miners and dwarven prospectors from Mithia, Queen Inga is

PLACES OF INTEREST The Marpesian Mountains

expected to quickly come to some form of resolution. She does not believe that her own

The Marpesians have always been rich in

jarls or the Mithians are directly responsible

mineral wealth, and is said to have been given to

for the raids. Inga has an instinct for treachery

mortals as signs of favor from the gods.

that has often guided her decisions well, and

Lanthia has grown wealthy from mining rich

this increasing bloodshed has set it off. Queen

deposits of gold, platinum, silver, iron, and

Inga is willing to at least engage in diplomacy

gems, although they frequently come into

with Mithia, although she is also looking for

disputes with local dwarven miners from Mithia,

heroines to search into the mountains where

who claim that all of the Marpesians are their

the raids have taken place. Something evil is

ancestral homes dating back to the Creation.

waiting up there, and it certainly isn't the humanoids.

Skirmishes and raids between mining 

55

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Lanthia

MAP OF LANTHIA

56

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Llyrdonia

LLYRDONIA "Trust not this place... her people speak in riddles and reek of illusory intentions."  

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

HISTORY

Nestled between gentle foothills and lush pine

When the humanoids crawled from the earth in

forests, Llyrdonia is home to large numbers of

search of blood and murder, it was from the

gnomish and half-gnomish settlements. They

cavernous hills of Llyrdonium that they came.

frequently trade with the dwarves of Mithia in

Once, barbaric tribes of humans lived in the

the north, and the halflings of Cannoria to the

hills of Llyrdonium, praying to the gods of the

south. Llyrdonian hills are not always safe,

earth and nature and painting their bodies for

known to hide small numbers of humanoids from

war. Although the Carthians conquered these

the earth, and the region is riddled with caves

forgotten people over a thousand years ago, a

that stretch deep into the bowels of Scythae.

few remains of their culture reminds the traveler who finds them that these people even existed

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

at all. Tucked quietly in the forests and

Llyrdonia stretches from the temperate

overgrown with brush and roots, carved cairns,

regions along the Llyr River and the Mithian

henges, and chiseled stone artwork can still be

Mountains up to the frozen tundra and arctic

found marking their ancient holy grounds or

regions of the northern Maidenpeaks, officially

burial sites. Some of these monuments depict

making her one of the largest queendoms on

wars with half-men and half-beasts, indicative

the Marpesian mainland. With over half of the

that even these barbarians were in conflict with

land rolling with hills, valleys, and sloped

humanoids as well. When the Carthians

mountains, the terrain is not particularly suited

conquered the last of the tribes, the barbarian

for farming save for in the southern regions

culture was crushed and bred out of those who

along the Llyr. Thick forests blanket the hills

were assimilated into the civilized Carthian way

and mountains, slowing travel through the

of life, and the warnings of the ancient

northern hills and hiding potential dangers, as

barbarian wise men and women were ignored.

well as the almost unseen communities of gnomes who prefer to live in the forests.

The gnomes have also long lived in the

Although a few more easily located

Llyrdonium region of Marpesia, although it

settlements are located in the flatter and

was not until a century after the Age of Scorn

temperate Llyr River Valley and the hills of

ended that they truly became her mistress.

central Llyrdonia, daring gnomes willing to

When Carthia's legions became the masters of

brave the more rugged northern hills in search

the frontier territory, the Carthians

of iron, precious stones, and gold have

immediately began to exploit the rich mineral

established mining camps and towns deep

resources hidden within the hills and valleys of

within the foothills of the Maidenpeaks.

Llyrdonium, digging deeply into the earth in

57

Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Llyrdonia

their greed and lust for gold and iron.

Lycaeon, and the rest of the Carthian

Although much of Carthia's wealth was drawn

Empire, the gnomes used their magic to remain

from Llyrdonium, only a century later did they

hidden while they began to restore what the humans had not been able to hold onto.

dig too deeply into the earth, where Man does not belong.

After many years, the humanoids slowly began

The first attacks of the humanoids were swift

to be driven beneath the earth by the surviving

and precise, and they were able to easily

women across Marpesia. Those beasts who

overwhelm the surface races underneath the

fled back into what was believed to be an

earth. Carthian legions responded quickly

abandoned Llyrdonium never made it home, for

enough, but as wild beasts are drawn to the

the gnomes had already mastered their illusions

scent of blood, more and more humanoids rose

and easily slaughtered the fattened and

from the earth, overwhelming the Carthians

desperate humanoids. With few men left

before news of their presence reached the

amongst them, the gnomes, like the other races,

Carthian capitol of Lycae in modern Lycaeon.

were forced to rely upon raids to supplement

By the time the first messengers arrived with

their breeding stock. The halflings of

the news, the taste of blood was too fresh on

Cannorium were constantly attacked and

the lips of the humanoids, and countless

tricked by the gnomes, and many halfling men

hundreds of thousands of orcs, goblins, ogres,

were lost to their deceitful neighbors north of

trolls, and other twisted races spread like a

the Llyr. Today, many half-gnomes are

carnivorous wave across a land made soft with

descended from the abducted men of these

victory.

raids. Small-scale wars and battles were fought between the gnomish and halfling women over

The gnomes had long been enemies of the

halfling men, which were particularly brutal and

humanoid races, and as a long-lived race many

surprisingly efficient for the smallest of the

of them had still preserved the culture and

races. Although the halfings were able to

customs of their ancestors. Although they

eventually stave off the raids, they did lose

suffered terrible losses, they were also the first

enough men of their own that they were forced

to maintain a formidable defense against the

to take human men as mates, creating the sub-

humanoids while their human neighbors were

race of halflings known as Tallfellows. Halfling

either devoured or fled in panic. Relying on the

raids into southern Llyrdonium were only fairly

spirits of their ancestors to protect them in war,

successful, since the halflings were often

and stealing the magical arts of illusion from the

tricked into heading back empty handed by

humans, the gnomes were able to trick the

gnomish magic.

humanoids into believing that all of the civilized races had either been slaughtered to the last or

As news of the debates of the Reparations

had left Llyrdonium altogether. The resulting

being discussed in Heracea's forums in distant

deception lured the humanoids into pressing

Lycaeon reached the gnomish rulers, the minor

on across Marpesia while leaving their rear

conflicts with the halflings abruptly ended. The

unguarded. After the humanoids had crossed

two fledgling nations called a truce, and

the Llyr and descended upon Cannorium,

formerly agreed to put their past battles and

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grievances behind them. With the Reparations,

in her government, with the hope that one day

the gnomes agreed that any form of unity, even

she can either control the guild as guild

one such as that posed within the Reparations,

mistress or acquire so much wealth that she can

was better for everyone involved. Llyrdonia

retire early with a century or two of life left in

became one of the strongest supporters of the

her.

Reparations only beneath Lycaeon and Aegonia.

The queen may have absolute power in

Since those days, Llyrdonia has become a

of the people, not the noblewomen and the

moderately civilized frontier territory, although

merchants. The gnomes certainly expect for

she has been able to more fully exploit the

her to enjoy her position and title, but to never

wealth that the Carthians were forced to leave

forget her subjects. Those queens who have

behind. The gnomes are affluent traders and

forgotten this have been removed from power

merchants, and are fierce economic rivals of

by the people, and replaced with another

both Cannoria and Thessae. Their armies are

noblewoman who has been sympathetic to their

not numerous, but they are extremely powerful

cause. Since many women in Llyrdonia are

in the magical arts of illusions and trickery, and

familiar with trickery, magic, and illusions, it isn't

extremely dangerous to confront in their own

too difficult for disgruntled gnomes to present

Llyrdonia, but she is expected to be the voice

territory.

a formidable front to a neglectful queen. Those noblewomen who one day might desire

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

the throne are always as attentive to the

A queen rules Llyrdonia as the sole authority

queen's subjects as she is expected to be, in

in the land, and is served by noble, plutocratic

the hopes that they could possibly move up a

merchant families beneath her in a fashion

step or two on the ladder of nobility or royalty.

found in neighboring countries like Thessae and Lycaeon. The wealthy merchant guilds are

As a race of small people, the gnomes have

the strongest voice in the government, and the

certainly managed to master the art of

noblewomen of these families administer the

diplomacy and negotiation. They have forged

queen's subjects through this system of guild

trade alliances with the Cannorians despite

houses. Every craft, trade, and profession in

their past grievances, and share mining rights

Llyrdonia is represented by a guild that

with the dwarves in Mithia for valuable gems

monopolizes and regulates that particular

and iron.

aspect of Llyrdonia's economy, and one

MILITARY

cannot have a job in Llyrdonia without being a

The gnomes are the smallest of the races on

member of one of the guilds. Although this

Marpesia, and it is a sense of irony that their

does cut down on competition from foreign

armies, when mobilized against a common

merchants, it has provided a fairly stable economy within the country.

threat, can be perhaps the deadliest and most

The importance of the guilds allows even the

on Scythae. Their small size and experience in

youngest gnomish craftswoman to have a voice

fighting the humanoid races gives them

effective band of soldiering women anywhere

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advantages that no human could ever have, and

Like halflings, gnomes are a fertile race, and

they are the unrivaled mistresses of their

they have more men in their society than most

terrain, whether they are crawling through the

other nations do. Almost half a million men of

dark and cramped tunnels beneath the

gnomish, half-gnomish, and halfling blood live in

Maidenpeaks or running swiftly and quietly

Llyrdonia under the Authority of their

through the foliage and brush of the forests. A

mistresses. These men are treated much like

direct confrontation with a gnomish army is

second-class citizens, but they are not

generally not the rule, since illusion-wielding

particularly abused or neglected. They are not

gnomish sorceresses can easily deceive and

educated beyond their means to perform their

mislead their enemies into any number of

duties and tasks, and they are too valuable to

ambushes and pitfalls. Missile weapons such as

waste in soldierly or militia duties, and

arrows, barbed darts, heavy bullets cast of

untrained in the arts of war, weaponry, and

lead, and javelins are used against the larger

magic. Hobbling is enforced, although only in

races with great accuracy, allowing the

the ankles and never the arms or hands unless deserved as a punishment for a crime.

diminutive gnomes to harass and whittle down their enemies before they close in with their

LANGUAGES

spears and short blades. Gnomes also use

Much to the dismay of foreigners, the Ridd is

trained beasts to assist them, particularly large

spoken almost exclusively by the gnomes of

wolves or small ponies as mounts, and large

Llyrdonia. Save for the times when a gnomish

eagles and owls to give them an aerial advantage over their enemies.

merchant is selling goods to her customers, or

The humanoids and the halflings have more

important messages, the gibbering Ridd is

when gnomes of authority need to relay always spoken. Humans, halflings, and other

than enough stories of gnomish warfare to warn

races that live in Llyrdonia understand enough

any who would dare to challenge the otherwise jovial and festive gnomes.

of the Ridd to get by, but foreigners are

PEOPLE AND CUSTOMS Llyrdonia's countryside is not well suited to

frustration.

expected to hire a translator to alleviate the

SOCIAL CUSTOMS

farming, but there is enough wildlife and game

Llyrdonia's reputation is not quite deserved.

animals to support a modest population of

Yes, it is true that gnomish custom precludes

small demihumans. Nearly 10.5 million people

them to competitiveness and often-

live in Llyrdonia, 95% of whom are gnomes and

underhanded dealings. Yes, it is true that the

half-gnomes, with the remaining 5% being

acquisition of wealth often lures them into

halflings and dwarves. Unlike Cannoria, where

swindling and outright theft. Llyrdonians are

the halflings make accommodations for the

not particularly cruel or mean by nature, but

larger races, the gnomes have not, and any half-

they are very devious and deceitful when it

elves, elves, or humans who travel to Llyrdonia

comes to gaining that which they desire. "A

will have to find some other form of hospitality.

fool and her gold are easily parted" is all too common in Llyrdonia, and the same ethics

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apply to fools and their men. As one merchant

Marpesia, and generally distrusted in other

your eyes off of in Llyrdonia no longer belongs to you."

Gnomes are also known for their love of

from Thessae put it, "anything which you take

lands.

festivities and celebrations. Their enjoyment

The origins of this avarice are not so much

of music and song, dance, illusionary magic,

born from greed or selfishness, but from the

storytelling, and contests of skill and strength

worldview of the gnomes. Life is too valuable to

are frequent occasions that do not necessarily

waste on possession and ownership, and after

need any reason to celebrate. Gnomish

the Wars ended, it became necessary to share

communities within the forests tend to include

what others had in order for survival to be

the wildlife itself, bringing the entirety of the

possible. Men had to be shared for

forest into the festivities as well. At these

propagating the species, tools had to be

times, travelers through the forests may be able

shared for the building of communities, and

to hear the songs and music of the gnomes, but

knowledge had to be passed on so that future

when they go searching for them, the music

generations could benefit. Although these

stops, and the forest returns to the way it is

beliefs certainly did contribute to the survival

believed it should be. Gnomes can immediately

of the gnomes, at some point it also began to

halt their celebrations in order to secure their

incorporate such things as gold, gems, luxuries,

safety, and are so skilled in their arts that

and other valuables. Now, nearly everything

humans have walked right down a forest trail

that one could imagine is open for "Sharing

completely unaware that they have just walked

and Borrowing," which the other races

through the center of a gnomish community.

certainly do not appreciate.

Anyone who is uninvited into a community such as this is very unlikely to ever find it.

The gnomes are aware that their act of

Xenophobia is common among the gnomes,

Borrowing from others is looked down upon,

who have always preferred to keep to

even amongst themselves, since not everyone is

themselves, and they tend to be interested in

open to Sharing. This has given rise to the

the other races as long as they have something

saying of "that which you Borrow but cannot

worth Borrowing or trading. 

hide from someone who would not Share with

you to begin with, do not Borrow." This belief

RELIGION

many gnomes, as well as the belongings of

particularly devout, especially after the Wars

The gnomes are not known for being

certainly has saved the lives and well being of

of Man came to an end and the last of the

others, but gnomish trickery and illusions are

humanoids were driven beneath the earth. In

more than enough defense for those

the past, the gnomes did worship a pantheon

determined to Borrow. Not every gnome in

of male deities, but the surviving gnomish

Llyrdonia is a thief, and many certainly will

women felt so betrayed by them that all

respect the wishes of their companions to "ask

reverence for their ancestral gods has long

first" before Borrowing, but gnomes are among

since been abandoned. With no female deities

the most prolific thieves and robbers in all of

and goddesses of their own, the gnomes of

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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn

Nations and Empires: Llyrdonia Lycaeonian noblewomen would be ripe with

Llyrdonia have readily adopted some form of

envy.

lip service to the goddesses of other nations, particularly Hecate for her gifts of magic and

CITIES Callardun

illusions, Demeter for fertility, and the halfling goddesses of Dalla, Shayla, and Cylee. Still, widespread devotion is uncommon and open

Callardun is the only city in Llyrdonia that

worship is rarely performed, leaving the

caters to foreigners, particularly since the

priestesses little power or influence in the

Queen keeps her palace here and the guild

affairs of the nation. The gnomish way is to

houses are based out of the city. Located in

deal with life's problems oneself, rather than

central Llyrdonia and carved directly into the

beg for the intervention of the gods. 

hills, Callardun's walls are built over the ruins of an ancient Carthian city whose name has

MONEY AND COMMERCE

been forgotten. Gnomish engineers have

The gnomes do mint their own coins,

repaired and strengthened the once crumbled

particularly the gold garl, the silver flandal, and

walls into a formidable defensive structure,

the copper urdlen. Since the gnomes generally

extending the walls around the Foreign

do not make any considerations for the larger

District that lies just beyond her gates. It is

races, their coins are roughly half the size and

here on the surface that foreigners can meet

value of similar but larger coins. Since the

with representatives of the gnomish guilds and

coins of other nations tend to be twice as large

negotiate trading rights and contracts, as well

as gnomish coins, foreign currencies are

as get a taste of gnomish culture and cuisine.

accepted at twice the normal value of gnomish

Humans, half-elves, and the other larger races

coins, while gnomish gold, silver, and copper are

generally cannot enter the subterranean city

accepted at half value outside of Llyrdonia.

and communities beneath the earth, although dwarves and halflings have little problems in the

The gnomes are fortunate to have large

subterranean tunnels and avenues. On the

deposits of iron, gold, silver, copper, and

surface, Callardun does have enough

precious stones within their territory. The

accommodations for at least 10,000 people of

foothills of the Maidenpeaks and the Mithians

human size, but roughly 50,000 gnomes and

are riddled with veins or ores and stones, which

half-gnomes are believed to live beneath the

the gnomes are quite happy to mine. They are

city in a massive and complex maze of avenues

held as the finest crafters of jewelry and

that wind through the hills. 

gemstones on Scythae, such that even the Crown Jewels of Lycaeon were commissioned

PLACES OF INTEREST The Llyrwood

by gnomish artisans centuries ago. Finished jewelry and gemstones are the largest export

Stretching across southern Llyrdonia along

Llyrdonia has, bringing in enough wealth to the

the northern banks of the Llyr, the Llyrwood is

country that more than enough food imports

a thick and deep forest that is rumored to be

from Cannoria keeps every gnome’s belly full.

filled with large numbers of fae spirits and

Wealthy gnomish merchants also bring in such

magical creatures. Small communities of

a variety of luxury goods that the most jaded

gnomes do exist within the Llyrwood, but few

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NPCS Queen Lylota

have ever found them. Travelers are often misled and tricked by a variety of pixies, sprites, and brownies, or by the magic of the

(Gnome female, Wizard (Illusionist), Lawful

gnomes themselves. The Llyrwood is believed

Neutral)

to contain a number of ancient Carthian ruins

The aging Queen Lylota is just over 600

within it, old temples or tombs that may contain

years of age, and is one of the oldest living

some knowledge or links to the past during the

gnomes in gnomish history. Although she has

Age of Scorn. Whether or not these ruins

only been a queen for two centuries, her

actually exist is unknown, since no one has

grandmother was the reigning queen at the time

actually found them. It was here in the

of the Reparations, and Llylota is regarded as

Llyrwood where the last of the humanoids

a very prestigious woman in Llyrdonia. She is,

returning to the northern hills disappeared, and

however, losing her sanity a bit, becoming

there are rumors of others who have vanished

absentminded in her venerable age. The guilds

also after earning the enmity of the gnomes and

and the noblewomen, who are insisting that

spirits who dwell here. The Llyrwood is a very

Llyota’s only daughter Gwynyth step up to

beautiful and vibrant forest, but like

the throne, have quietly overruled recent

everywhere in Llyrdonia, nothing is what it

decisions she has made. Lylota, however, does

seems to be.

not wish for her daughter to rule, believing that she is too irresponsible and corrupt in her heart to truly serve the people of Llyrdonia. Although she openly has accused Gwynyth of no longer being her daughter and that the guilds are trying to deceive her, the noblewomen insist that such a possibility is even beyond them. Queen Llyota refuses to turn over her throne to her daughter, and is struggling to keep in good health long enough to find a new heiress to her throne, and to

prove that her daughter is but an imposter.

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MAP OF LLYRDONIA



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MITHIA "To stand in the heart of a burning forge and find a way to prosper for it... such is the way of the dwarves."  

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Deep within the halls of the northern

the roads clear during the winter months, but

Maidenpeak Mountains rule the dwarves.

clearing the roads and mountain passes due to

even they have had to put aside any hopes at

Although dwarves are by nature a silent and

the severe storms and avalanches.

xenophobic race, Scythaen dwarves have had

HISTORY Mithia's history dates backs thousands of

by necessity to become more open to other races, particularly in search of mates. The

years, and for millennia the nation has been the

Mithian dwarves frequently seek out bands of

home of the dwarves. Unlike the rest of

humanoids hiding in the caves of the

Marpesia, much of whose ancient history has

Maidenpeaks, and have been largely

been lost, Mithia still retains most of her past

successful in keeping their populations from

records carved in runes upon the halls and

becoming to numerous.

monoliths within the dwarven homeland.

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

In the days of mighty Carthia, Mithia was

Located in the northern reaches of Marpesia

known for having a long-standing tradition of

and reaching elevations thousands of feet

isolation and separatism. The woes and

above sea level, Mithia is a cold, harsh, and

sorrows of humans, elves, halflings and gnomes

bitter nation where only the dwarves would feel

were not those of the dwarves, and very few

at home. The valleys at the base of the

dwarves found interest in leaving their home.

Maidenpeaks are filled with coniferous forests

During this time, the Maidenpeaks were known

up to the tree line, left wild and untamed by the

as the Mithian Mountains, named so by the

dwarves who are content within their stone-

dwarves after the veins of mithril that ran

carved halls within the mountains. Winters are

beneath the mountains miles below the earth.

harsh in Mithia as they are in Lanthia, and

While the Carthians waged war with their

during this season there is little contact from

neighbors and carved an empire of their own

foreigners with the dwarves. Spring and

across Marpesia, the dwarves kept to

summer are warm, but too short for the other

themselves, and left the other races to their

races to truly enjoy their passing.

own devices.

Very few roads have been built through Mithia,

Although conflicts with humanoids and other

but those which have are well traveled,

creatures which dwell beneath the earth

maintained, and guarded by the dwarves who

consumed much of the dwarves' time, Mithia

rely upon them for contact with the rest of the

was overwhelmed by humanoid invasions

world. Thessaen merchants do help to keep

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Nations and Empires: Mithia with, and another fifty years would have to

shortly before the Ravaging, the time when the

pass before many even reached adulthood.

humanoids had gained so much power and numbers that they were able to overcome the

Long known to be a race with a high rate of

dwarven defenses, despoil their ancestral halls,

sterility, the dwarves were desperate to find

and spill out from the earth across the lands of

men to help propagate their species. At first,

humans, elves, and halflings. Hundreds of

the dwarven women refused to consider mating

dwarven strongholds and halls were lost to the

with other races, and those women who came to

humanoids, and thousands upon thousands of

positions of leadership within the struggling

dwarves sacrificed their lives in silence beneath

dwarven communities demanded that dwarven

the earth and the mountains they thought they

men living outside of Mithia be returned to

were secure in. With little to no allies beyond

them, by any means necessary. For a few

their borders, the dwarves suffered

decades after the Ravaging, bands of dwarven

tremendous losses, nearly all of their men and

women would travel across the breadth of

boys torn apart by the humanoids with just

Marpesia in search of dwarven men, convincing

more than half of their women surviving. Those

those whom they could to return, kidnapping

humanoids which were driven off into the

those they could not. Even after all of the

southern lands never returned, which did allow

dwarven males were believed to have been

the survivors of the Ravaging to close off the

returned, the dwarven women were still not

tunnels and caverns from which the humanoids

satisfied since nearly a third of their population

came, but the kingdom of Mithia was never to be the same again.

was sterile. It was at this time that dwarven

The remaining dwarven strongholds were in

attempted to mate with other races.

queens gave in to their stubborness and

disarray, and for some time they had lost

The dwarven women made raids into

contact with each other. Even by the time the

neighboring countries, taking halfling, gnomish,

dwarves had begun to reestablish

and human boys and men as prisoners every

communication with each other, disputes over

chance they could. Halflings were found to be

rulership and sovereignty quickly arose among

incompatible with dwarves, and raids upon the

them. In more prosperous times, such disputes

people of Cannoria were soon halted.

would have led to small wars over titles or lands,

Gnomish men provided the best alternative,

but none of the survivors wished to enter

since any male half-gnomes that resulted were

another war. If unity under a single ruler was

found to be capable of giving dwarven women

not an option, then mutual cooperation

children of dwarvish blood. Humans, however,

between communities was. Many dwarven

produced horrible results. After the first

leaders abandoned their former isolationist

dwarven woman conceived, many other

ways and felt that contact and trade

desperate women also mated with humans. The

agreements with the other races would be

first, however, died during her child's birth, its

necessary. The sharing of dwarven males

extreme size inflicting horrible hemorrhaging

between neighboring communities was quickly

that could not be staunched before the child

implemented, but it was evident that most of

was even born. The rest of the women also

these dwarven boys were too young to mate

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died in a similar and painful fashion. Their

Dwarven politics involves debates over mining

children survived, but the death of their

rights, territory, economic issues and trade

mothers spread the news across Mithia that

agreements between communities, and working

humans were not be mated with.

together to protect Mithia from her enemies. Although everything else is rather vehemently

By the time of the Reparations, there were a

argued and quarreled over so that one

dozen separate dwarven strongholds with their

particular stronghold can prosper more than

own "queen" or ruler, all of whom met with the

another, only in matters of war and defense do

queens of other nations to discuss the fate of

dwarves of different strongholds truly work

men. Truth be told, the dwarven women did not

together.

particularly care how the rest of the world ruled their nations, and wouldn't permit foreigners to

Civil wars within strongholds are rare, but they

rule theirs. Dwarven ratification of the

have happened on more than one occasion. At

Reparations was only signed in order to place

times when an argument decays into insults and

themselves and their strongholds in a more

disgrace, dwarves have been known to heft

advantageous position when negotiating trade

axes against each other to resolve the matter.

agreements or political alliances with their

Conflicts over mining rights and trade routes

neighbors. Even today, many dwarves think

have also been resolved through the axe and

little of the Reparations themselves, only

hammer, but despite the best efforts of the

paying them lip service while doing as they

dwarves to resolve their internal disputes

please within their own lands. Among their own

peacefully, at least once every few years two

people, not even the dwarves agree on

clans within a stronghold will shed blood. The

everything, and different communities apply as

entirety of strongholds will clash only once every decade.

much or as little of the Reparations as they see fit.

MILITARY

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Dwarves have always been prepared for war. In

Mithia is divided into a number of separate

fact, their entire history has demanded it. From

strongholds and city-states, each with their

the beginnings of time dwarves have been at

own forms of government and politics. Queens

war with the world, in a literal sense if not

rule some strongholds, with established

physically. Surrounded by taller races and

monarchies reaching back for many generations

larger creatures and monsters, the dwarves

and rivaling the queens of other nations.

have had no choice but to adopt a grim,

Several other strongholds are ruled by elite

determined, and unwavering outlook on life,

oligarchies of wealthy merchants and traders,

death, and war. Their convictions have served

while some are theocracies attempting to rule

them well.

their people according to the Old Ways of the

Each stronghold has assembled as best it can

dwarven people. Smaller communities

a standing army of soldiers and warriors who

dedicated to a particular trade or craft are run

are to protect the interests of the clans and

by guilds, with their guild mistresses serving as

rulers who live there. Although the sizes of

rulers.

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these armies vary considerably depending on

Only 1.5 million people live in Mithia, 80% of

the strongholds' populations, they all have

whom are dwarves, 20% half-gnomes, and the

many things in common. Dwarves prefer metal

last 10% being gnomes. Halflings and elves find

armors to leathers and other softer materials,

the climate too bitter and rugged, while humans

at the very least donning hauberks of linked

have enough trouble negotiating the terrain on

chains and reinforced shields of steel. More

their own, much less than finding suitable

affluent armies will layer thick steel plates over

accommodations within a nation of 4-foot tall people.

their mail, adding visors to helmets and perhaps a spike or two along the shields or gauntlets.

Roughly 5% of the population consists of men,

The preferred weapons of dwarves are axes

with approximately 400,000 dwarves, 250,000

and hammers, although spears and short broad

half-gnomes, and 50,000 gnomes making up

swords are also common enough that many

their numbers. Dwarves may outnumber the

dwarves will carry them. Heavy and light

other races, but only 60% of the dwarven men

crossbows are the favored missile weapons

are indeed virile. Virile dwarves are carefully

used by dwarves, who are quite skilled at

guarded and looked after, ensured to be put to

raising shield walls in front of their archers to

work at nonviolent trades and those with little

protect them from their enemies. Dwarven

risk of injury or death. The others find

cavalry ride on the backs of well-trained war

themselves delegated to other tasks.

ponies, although strongholds in the more mountainous regions prefer to use similarly

LANGUAGES

trained goats to more precisely negotiate the rugged terrain.

The dwarven language of Dethark is spoken

Mithia is landlocked, and has no access to

said to be as old as the earth itself. Dwarves

exclusively throughout the strongholds, and is are loath to teach their language to outsiders,

bodies of water large enough for a navy to

feeling that they can interpret their secrets by

have developed at all within the country. This

learning the language. For this reason, all

suits the dwarves just fine, since most of them

dwarves who must deal with foreigners, from the

have a healthy distrust of the sea if not an

most desperate merchant to the most stubborn

outright fear of water. Many dwarves cannot

queen, learn as many languages as they can.

swim at all, save for those who have had the

Dwarves who are fluent in Alcinan, Archae,

experience of living close to underground lakes

Yond, the Ridd, and even Enoris are common

and rivers near their strongholds.

throughout Mithia.

PEOPLE AND CUSTOMS

SOCIAL CUSTOMS

The dwarves have always had a low

The dwarves have long been known for their

population, largely due to their low fertility

stubbornness, both in the past as they are

rates. Their numbers have still not fully

today. Like rocks they are, immovable as

recovered from their days before Carthia and

mountains until the last effort possible has

the Ravaging, but they are making slow and

nearly exhausted them. Dwarves do things the

steady progress.

dwarven way, and although they have no

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compunctions against asking another dwarf for

equals, perhaps even more so than in

help, they think little of asking anyone else to

Cannoria, although for the sake of their

help them. Even when they do receive

communities they are restricted from taking on

assistance, praise and thanks are handed out

certain roles. Dwarven men who are virile are

sparingly.

not permitted to engage in war even though they can train in the arts in order to protect

Gnomes and half-gnomes who have been born

their homes. The same reasoning applies to

and raised into Mithia’s cultures are treated as

gnomes and half-gnomes as well. Men trained

any dwarf, since both races have played an

in war and weapons serve as bodyguards to

important role in the survival of the dwarves.

queens, chieftains, and rulers, and will never

For this reason, gnomes and half-gnomes of

have to step foot on a battlefield in all but the

other nations are held in higher esteem than

most dire of circumstances. Due to the

humans, elves, or halflings are. Still, they are

hysteria of armed men being seen outside of

foreigners, and the differences are also

Mithia, dwarven men trained in war are not sent

recognized by the gnomes and half-gnomes

on missions beyond the nation's borders. The

born and raised in Mithia. There is no open

ancient tradition of men as warriors still remains

hostility between Mithians and the other

with the dwarves, but their current culture and

nations, but visitors to the dwarven cities will

need for prolific mates has somewhat changed

not find their hostesses very accommodating or

their roles in dwarven society. Approximately

thoughtful. Dwarven generosity is spent mostly

20% of Mithia's soldiers are actually sterile

on their own, with few dwarves finding enough

male dwarves, gnomes, or half-gnomes. The

room in their hearts to lend a hand to outsiders.

rest all work proudly as craftsmen and guildsmen.

Elves and half-elves may be tolerated, but deep elves have long been enemies of the

Men can still hold positions of authority

dwarves, and none will be permitted within any

throughout most of Mithia, but for the sake of

of the strongholds in Mithia. They will most

diplomacy with foreigners, they are not granted

likely be attacked on sight. This prejudice

titles such as king, guild master, or chieftain.

extends to half-elves as well as anyone else

Although dwarves were once a monogamous

traveling with them, including other dwarves

people, marriages are no longer a common

who will be most vehemently shunned.

practice, but neither have they been forgotten. The dwarves eagerly count the days when they

When dwarven men ruled Mithia in ages past,

can return to the Old Ways, and are steadily

women were treated as equals. They always

working towards that end. Dwarven women may

were, and always would have been even if

have a form of "Authority" over their sons

Carthia had not fallen and the Ravaging never

similar to that found in neighboring countries,

occurred. For this, there is no resentment

but it is not at all lorded over them. Men have

against dwarven men within the majority of

just as much say in dwarven society as any

Mithia's strongholds, for they did sacrifice

woman does, and this is one part of the

their lives in order to protect their wives and

dwarves that the Reparations has done

children. Dwarven men are treated as full

nothing to sunder.

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A few dwarven communities with close ties to

those who receive frequent contact with

foreigners, however, have modeled their

foreigners will. Although dwarves are a smaller

societies much more to their neighbors. In these

race, they have always minted their coins with

strongholds, men will be treated at best as

such skill that despite their smaller size, the

second-class citizens, while some are Hobbled

coins are more pure in their content. What they

at birth in a manner similar to those in other

lack in weight they make up in value, so there is

countries. Among the dwarves, women of these

no loss of exchange between foreign currencies.

strongholds are considered just a step above the other races, for they have abandoned much

The dwarves grow their own food in

of the Old Ways of the dwarven people in

underground caverns, and live on a diet of

exchange for the more "modern" social norms

grown funguses, subterranean fish, and hunted

and morays found in the rest of Marpesia and

game animals which live in the mountains such

beyond. Many dwarves feel that by assimilating

as cave bears, large cats, and goats. They are

the ideas and practices of their foreign

also fine brewers of thick and heady ales, the

neighbors, attempts will soon be made to crush the Old Ways forever.

bulk of which they consume themselves,

RELIGION The rest of Marpesia be damned, the dwarves

to export to foreigners. The dwarves actually

have refused to abandon the male deities and

to purchase goods "made in Mithia" rather

although some strongholds do produce enough import very few finished goods, for they prefer

gods of their people. Dain the Forger of

than luxuries produced by others. Rather, they

Souls is still the patron god of Mithia and

will purchase raw materials that they cannot

Creator of the dwarves and the world. His wife

grow or harvest within Mithia and produce

Berroan is the Revered Mother of all dwarves

luxuries "the dwarven way," which suits their

as well, who rules equally at his side. Ged is

tastes best and are surprisingly in demand

revered for strength in battle, and Dath is

among some neighboring countries wealthier

praised to keep the ways of the dwarves secret

citizens and subjects.

from outsiders, while revealing the earth's

CITIES Moranarak 

secrets to the dwarves. Athor is an evil deity worshipped in secret, whose priestesses and priests are responsible for luring the dwarves

Moranarak is one of the more powerful

into greed.

dwarven strongholds, set deep within the Maidenpeaks. Called "the Heart of Mithia"

MONEY AND COMMERCE

by many dwarves, Moranarak has preserved

Each dwarven stronghold mints their own

Mithia's past and culture, and is said to contain

coins, and although these coins may bear the

vast archives of runes and carved stones

images of different rulers or heraldic symbols,

depicting the generations, lives, deaths, and

they are all basically the same. Gold gilors,

legends of heroes and heroines, kings and

silver ovors, and copper dorors are minted in

queens, villains, and demons. Dwarven sages,

most of the strongholds. Not every stronghold

historians, scholars, and bards spend decades

mints electrum gimars or platinum daks, but

in Moranarak, tracing the runes and learning

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the past of their people. Moranarak never fell

dedicated to one particular god or another.

during the Ravaging, although her walls were

Boliaduum is ruled by the high priestesses and

breached by humanoids, and today she stands

priests of the dwarven faiths as a theocracy,

as the embodiment of dwarven culture, history,

with each faith holding counsel on matters not

and preservation. Moranarak's Queen Ovon

only of importance to the stronghold, but to dwarves all across Mithia and Marpeisa.

is believed to be one of the wisest women in the world, despite the infrequent contact she has

Doramek 

with foreigners.

Doramek is one of the smaller strongholds in

Norinadal

Mithia, dedicated to the crafts of mining and

Norinadal is one of the wealthiest strongholds

silversmithing. Built within the Marpesian

in Mithia, ruled by an oligarchy of competing

Mountains along a rich vein of silver,

merchant clans and wealthy dwarves. Carved

Doramek's dwarves hammer and chisel the

within the Mithians in central Mithia,

precious ore from the earth, and boast some of

Norinadal sees more contact with the rest of

the finest silversmiths in Mithia and perhaps

the world than the other dwarven strongholds

the world. Doramek herself is ruled by the

do. Although the dwarves who live here are

Doramek Guild, which oversees all aspects of

certainly determined to get their own way, they

mining, smelting, minting, and crafting of the ore

are far more lenient when dealing with outsiders

into more appreciable forms. There may not be

and trading merchants, particularly when there

gold within their territory, but Doramek's

is gold to be made. In order to facilitate trade,

dwarves make a fine living working the earth for silver.

the dwarven women of Norinadal have adopted the customs of the humans from Lycaeon, and

Thoranahak

have abandoned much of the Old Ways of the dwarves. Norinadal herself is set high upon

Thoranahak the Mighty, Shield of Mithia and

Mount Bathor, carved into a cliff that

Axe of Clanggedin boasts the most powerful

overlooks the settled valleys below. Humans

defensive structures in the Known World. Had

and other taller races can manage to find

she existed during the Ravaging, Mithia

suitable accommodations on Norinadal as long

perhaps would have fared much better. Built

as they have something to trade or services to

during the decades after the Wars,

offer; the rest can wait in the valleys below.

Thoranahak has since become a mountainous fortress alive with stout towers, impressive

Boliaduum

walls, and gates of iron and stone. During times

Holy Boliaduum is the center of dwarven

of war, dwarven engineers can prepare siege

worship and guardian of the Old Ways, and

weapons capable of delivering fiery missiles

the stronghold is a magnificent stone monolith

and combustibles at enemies hundreds of

of underground cathedrals and temples

meters away, turning the entire mountainside

dedicated to the dwarven gods. No dwarven

into forge of spitting flame and burning

deity dominates religious worship in

fragments. All of Thoranahak's queens have

Boliadumm, unlike smaller strongholds

been great warriors blessed in battle by

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NPCS Queen Ovon

Clanggedin, although military coups and internal dissension tend to be the stronghold's weakest point. Some say that the fate of

(Dwarven female, Lawful Neutral)

Thoranahak will determine the fate of the

The aging Queen Ovon has seen much strife

dwarves, and that if she falls so will Mithia.

in her days, which distresses her greatly as she has seen more and more of it in the last few

PLACES OF INTEREST The Great Delve

decades of her life. Nearly blind and walking with a cane, she is well aware that history

Deep within the earth lies the Great Delve, a

always repeats itself, saddened that she has

cavernous maze said to be the final

little time left to stop what she believes could

battleground of dwarves and humanoids. The

very well unleash another Ravaging upon them

tunnels that led to the Delve have long since

all. Ovon is aware of recent reports of armed

been sealed off, and much of the confines of

and warlike men from across the seas that have

the caves have been collapsed to prevent the

attacked several villages in Tyyrhan. She

humanoids from rising again. It is generally

bears no love for the mixed hybrids of that

believed that rich veins of mithril, gemstones,

distant country, but the scent of war is not too

and precious ores still remain within the Delve,

far away. The impressions that these invaders

although no one is permitted to enter the

develop from contact with Tyyrhan will only

region to plunder the rumored wealth. The

damage any hopes of peaceful negotiations in

stronghold Dardukr watches over the sealed

the future. Despite the strength of the

tunnels to the Delve to prevent anyone from

dwarves, even they could very well find

attempting to make their way back through, and

themselves outnumbered and at the mercy of

to serve as a first line of defense should

these foreign invaders. Ovon's daughter

anything decide to dig its way out.

Gimila has been prepared to sit upon Moranarak's throne, but the tasks she will face after her mother's death will test the mettle of the hardiest dwarf and the tallest mountains.

    

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MAP OF MITHIA

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