Capaal (Metropolis)

• Classification: Metropolis
• Population: 66,000
• Wealth: Wealthy
• Major Industry: Baths/Spas, Marble, Books
• Specialty Goods: Salted Lakefin Perch, Mithril arms and armor, Magic
• Populace Average Alignment: Neutral
• Leader Alignment: Neutral
• Government and Leadership: Feudal Monarchy, Count Liam Du'Ne'Sina

Demographics:

Human: 42%	Half-Elf: 15%	Elf: 24%
Dwarf: 2%	Gnome: 7%	Halfling: 8%
Half-Orc: <1%	Other: 1%

History: Capaal is an ancient city. Some historians claim to trace its origins back to the Precursors, stating that one of the Dragon lords themselves ruled from a throne near the city. Numerous (now abandoned) dragon caves near the city give credence to these theories, though no definitive signs of their existence remains. The earliest known records of a settlement however lies in the annals of the Elven histories, which indicate a fishing village existed sometime around EH 100.

Situated next to the largest fresh water lake on the continent, Capaal quickly grew into a sizable elven community. When humans began settling the Dyninn, the elven lords at first forbid them from entering the city. They would instead go on to found Tourmaline, who would grow to rival Capaal for influence in the region. When non-elves were finally permitted to settle in Capaal, the transformation was rapid. Scholars and magicians flocked to Capaal, seeking access to the elven lore. Money poured into the city as well, and the city became a haven for luxury and power.

City Lore: Capaal consists of three main districts: the University district, the Old City, and Cliffside. The University district is given over almost entirely to mundane learning, arcane studies, and other such past times. It is almost a city unto itself, with its own set of walls and militia to keep the students from the distractions prevalent in the Old City. The University of Capaal was the first university founded in the realms, and is renowned for its status and quality of education. Several other smaller schools and colleges also operate in the University district. Crime is low, usually just being petty vandalism and such by youthful students.

The Old City is where the rich go to play and live, in extreme wealth and comfort. Crime is almost non-existent here, thanks to the well-heeled militia that protects the interests of the cities elite. Luxury spas, villas, and restaurants abound, as do high prices and exorbitant fees, in this district, which overlooks Lake Capaal from the city's prime real estate atop the lake cliffs.

Cliffside is where everyone else lives, namely those that service the Old City: the maids and servants, the spa attendants and restaurant cooks. It sits at the bottom of the lake cliffs, next to Lake Capaal and below the Old City. Crime is a problem, as it is densely crowded, and the residents are poor and ill treated. The militia have a low presence, usually only showing up for severe disturbances. Capaal seems to have a Cliffside revolt every few decades.

The weather in Capaal is mild, thanks to the lake effect. Spring is usually rainy, with a dry, hot summer with frequent thunderstorms. Autumn is warm and mild with a fair bit of rain, followed by a short cold season. The city sometimes receives one or two snowfalls in the winter, but many years none at all.

Cuisine in Capaal is based on the lake, with many dishes involving the local perch, trout, and bass species. Fresh vegetables, tubers, and fruits are available practically year round. Many excellent wineries are in the area.

Count Liam Du'Ne'Sina is the continents first half-elven Count, and has ruled the city peacefully and successfully for over two decades. The city houses each of the Arcane Guildtowers, and has a temple or shrine for all of the major, legal religions. The Axebashers and the Sword and Shield Association both have guild halls in the city. The Black Wolf Crew, a bloodthirsty gang of bandits-cum-thieves runs the black market in Capaal. They've switched mostly to prostitution and gambling, though have been known to get involved in extortion, burglary, and pretty much any other lucrative crime.

Landmarks/Places of Interest:

• Dragon Caves - just outside the city are many large caves in the limestone hills purported to have been used by dragons in ages past. Souvenirs abound.
• The Grand Spa - near the lakes edge, hot springs and thermal vents create a natural spa effect. The heady vapors are said to expand ones feelings of well-being and contentment. Only for those with a healthy collection of platinum coins.
• The Elven Quarter - centered around the original fishing village, the architecture has not changed for centuries, giving visitors a glimpse into the ancient past.

Prowess Trio

Fight on a hillside ledge

Ruined Shrine

The Fire Knights (Order of Solis)

• Scale: 8
• Capital: 8
• Alignment: Lawful Good
• Symbol: Morningstar backed by a Sun
• Active Regions: Blood Coast, League of Cities, Free States of Estonia, Kingdom of Muriah

Background: The oldest military order in the realm, the Fire Knights established themselves sometime around EH 2200 as the Order of Solis, a militant band of soldiers devoted to protecting the temples and towns in which Solis had a following. It wouldn’t be until much later – in EK 120 – that the Order of Solis would become better known as the Fire Knights.

The Order of Solis has been in a slow decline since its golden years from ER2000-ER2500. It still has strong support in the Blood Coast region, and good support in the League and the Free Cities. The Order has been driven all but underground in the Holy Empire of Astalon.

The Fire Knights were once the premier defenders of the King of Muriah. Now they share duties with the Celestial Knights and the King’s own guard. They are closely allied with the Paladins of the Guiding Light (Paladins of Illias), and often form joint task forces to deal with dangerous contingents of undead.

Organization: The Fire Knights are organized into two main branches: The Wardens and the Sentinels. The Wardens are charged with static defenses: temples, shrines, towns, and villages. They are organized by location, with a command hierarchy expanding by region.

The Sentinels are charged with seeking out danger, and defeating evil, as well as protecting more mobile targets such as VIP’s or caravans. They are more loosely organized by task force and operational region. Manpower transfers between the two branches as needed.

Advancement in the Fire Knights is by a promotion system as judged by one’s superior, reviewed by his superior. Advancement in the higher ranks (Captain and above) is mostly political, though exceptional service is required. Advancement reviews are normally staged once a season (every 3 months).

Goals:
1. Protect the temples and worshippers of Solis from harm.
2. Seek out and destroy evil, especially undead and those who thrive in darkness.
3. Spread the worship of Solis thru deeds and actions.

Church of the Pure (Church of Astalus)

• Scale: 10
• Capital: 10
• Alignment: Lawful Good
• Symbol: A Diamond
• Active Regions: All of Muriah, except the Great Untamed and the Orclands
• Special: Must profess faith in Astalus, and only Astalus. May not worship other deities.

Background: The Church of the Pure was founded at the coming of the New Gods. As a political force, however, the Realignment of EK 931 established the idea that the worship of Astalus should come above all other deities. It also led directly to the founding of the Holy Republic of Astalon, to which the church has considerable ties.

Organization: The Church of the Pure has a rigid hierarchy, and reporting structure, consisting of three branches: The Word, the Arm, and the Mind. The Word comprises the lay priests: those members who go out and attempt to spread the word of Astalus, converting heretics, and performing missionary duties. The Arm are the militant branch, who actively seek out evil, and attempt to destroy it. The Mind are the higher order priests, who oversee the activities of the lower groups.

All members of the Church of the Pure have mandatory vestments, which are used for services and special holidays. The vestments consist of pure white robes with gold hem, and golden vestments, and a white phylactery. Members are also required to own a canon, laying out all the deeds of Astalus for his followers to try to emulate. The holy symbol of the church is a diamond. Higher ranking priests typically adorn themselves with more ornate, or ostentatious, jewelry centering on the diamond motif.

Advancement in the church is likewise structured, with immediate supervisors sending off word of the individuals deeds to a regional review board, who then decide if the individual merits a promotion. This review happens once a season (every three months). There are means for bypassing this system, if one feels that their superior is treating them unfairly, though this often calls down an inquisition from the Inquisitus Divinicus.

Goals: The goals of the Church of the Pure are simple: convert all living creatures to the worship of Astalus, destroy all evil in the world, and undermine the other faiths (so as to better accomplish the first).

The Church also wishes to set itself up as the de facto government, as it has in the Holy Republic of Astalon, since it feels it is best at determining what is right for the people.

The Dwarven Clanlands (Knife Edge Mountains)

• Capital: Dun Maddock
• Government: Feudal King
• General Alignment: Lawful Good
• Population: ~825,000 (11/sq. mile)
• Area: 75,000 square miles
• % Cultivated: 6% (~4,600 sq. miles)
• Cities:
  • Dun Maddock: The ancestral seat of the Clan-King resides in this stony citadel.
  • Dun Morgh: built into a dormant volcano, this dark city holds the ancestral Clan-tombs.
  • West Wailing: named for the spirits said to haunt the nearby fens, this is a human-dwarven city of traders and craftsmen.
• Townships: Dun Spire, Dun Vold, Aridok, Spellingcrown

Climate: Situated amidst the Knife Edge mountains, the region is typically hot and dry, though higher elevations have ample snowfall, especially in the north. Wind is a major threat, and windstorms are common in the region.

Geography: The Knife Edge mountains make up the geography of the Clanlands. Tall peaks, deep gorges, and rocky ravines abound in this rugged terrain. Only a few well-used paths allow transit through the region, though numerous underground passages have been carved by the dwarves to aid trade and travel. The region is bordered to the north by the Tuluvian Jungle, to the west by the great Sandstorm desert, to the south by the King’s forest, and to the east by the Dyninn forest and the Black marsh.

History and Politics: Dwarven legend tells of dwarf tribes settling the tall peaks in isolated bands during the time of the precursors. It wasn’t until well after the Dragon Wars – in the year EH 517 – that these small tribes would come together in what would be the first Clanmeet of the dwarves. Facing threats from the growing human populations, as well as continued conflicts with giant-kin in the region, the clans vowed to elect a king to unite them. After several long months of serious political negotiations, the first Dwarven Clan-King was chosen: Clan-King Dunnerholden Mordinhammer. Within three decades, he would establish the dwarven kingdom as the predominant force in the region.

Content to maintain their mountain strongholds, the dwarves become isolationist and reclusive. Trade occurred intermittently with the rapidly growing human tribes and kingdoms; the dwarves would unwittingly provide the humans with the tools to ultimately threaten them, by trading away the secrets to metallurgy, ironsmithing, and eventually steel.

Skirmishes between the humans and dwarves, and the dwarves and the Arbolorian elves of the Dyninn, were common. They would come to a head during the Dawn of War, when Chief Huri XV would strike the Treaty of Neutrality, allowing the soon-to-be King to march his forces thru the passes of the Knife Edge mountains.

Many years later, in EK 111, an increasingly isolationist Clan-King would seek a trade-embargo on the Sinter Dynasty, that would lead to the fabled Battle of Ep Pass. The Sinternian forces would rule the day, but their steep losses would drive them to the bargaining table. The Treaty of the Clans was signed, allying the Clan’s with the Kingdom.

Clan-Kings are chosen at every fifth clanmeet, which occur once every five years. Typically a Clan-King rules for life, unless he or she proves particularly unpopular.

Laws: The dwarven Clan-laws are very strict, and considered almost sacred by the Clan dwarves. Crimes involving material goods, such as theft, larceny, or vandalism are punishable by imprisonment, hard labor, and/or fines. Violent crimes can lead to exile, imprisonment, or even (rarely) capital punishment.

The courts of the Clans are considered very fair, and are presided over by clerics of Midir. Not even the Clan-King himself is exempt from the Clan-laws.

Economy: The dwarves of the Clanlands are renowned for their weapons, armor, and metal goods, as well as jewelry and precious metal ornaments. Marble and stone are also common exports. The Clanlands tend to import foodstuffs – mostly grains, beef, and pork to supplement their diets of fungus, mutton, and mountain vegetables.

Military and Clout: Almost every member of the Clans can serve as able-bodied militia in times of need. The professional military contingent are considered some of the hardiest, most dangerous warriors in the kingdom, lacking only in numbers. The mountainous citadels are nigh impregnable.

Forest Combat: Round 8 Start

The Dalelands

• Capital: Holly Spring
• Government: Elder’s Council
• General Alignment: Neutral Good
• Population: ~5,400,000 (80/sq. mile)
• Area: 67,500 square miles
• % Cultivated: 44% (30,000 sq. miles)
• Cities:
  • Holly Spring: sprawling halfling city that serves as the capital of the Dalelands
• Townships: Journey’s End, Hermit’s Rest, Wavewatch, Goodview

Climate: The Dalelands has a mostly warm and dry climate, moderated somewhat by the ocean. Summers are very hot, with frequent violent thunderstorms, and the occasional typhoon. Autumn and winter is short, marked by rainfall, and the rare snowfall. Spring is dry, warm, and sunny.

Geography: The Dalelands consist entirely of rolling foothills, bordered to the north by Spire Mountains, to the south and west by the Dyninn grasslands, and to the east by the Endless Ocean.

History and Politics: Settled by some of the first halfling tribes following the Dragon wars, the Dalelands remained a quiet footnote in history. Holding little significant tactical or strategic value, it was ignored almost wholly during the schisms between the various factions of the Dyninn region. Even the forces of the Three largely ignored the region, preying instead upon the larger populations in the Dyninn region.

During the Reunification, a representative from the Kingdom of Muriah met at a special counsel of the Elders, and the Treaty of 1436 was struck, ensuring loyalty of the Dalelands to the empire.

The Elder Council of Holly Springs is the oldest continuous ruling body on the continent, serving little changed since the first halfling tribes settled the area. Representatives from each village, township, and city gather once every six months for a meet that lasts anywhere from one week to a whole month, depending on the issues to be resolved.

Laws: Laws in the region are upheld by constables in each township. Despite the egalitarian nature of the halfling communities, in practice, non-halflings are often treated more harshly than halflings, especially in cases of larceny or theft. A typical halfing punishment is a sentence of community service and perhaps a fine, paid to the party that was wronged. For a non-halfling, it might be exile or forced labor.

Violent and more serious crimes are almost always given the sentence of exile, either from the city or township, or the Dalelands as a whole, often enforced with a Mark of Justice or similar magical branding. Capital punishment is not practiced in the Dalelands.

Economy: Taxes in the Dalelands are wholly determined by the city or township. Tariffs are light to non-existent for imported goods, seeing as the region imports a fair amount of goods. The region exports fruits, vegetables, and various luxury goods including carved wood sculptures and jewelry.

In recent years, veins of silver and various gems have been discovered in the hills, which has caused a minor rush of prospectors to previously sleepy and ignored areas.

Military and Clout: The Dalelands have only a bare minimum of a military force; enough to police and protect their towns and farms from marauders, but insufficient to threaten any of their neighbors. Most citizens in the Dalelands participate in their town militias, but it is mostly a show of civic duty as to any real military training.

Niondel (Small City)

• Classification: Small City
• Population: ~8,600
• Wealth: High
• Major Industry: Silk, Clothing/Fashion, Wood Products
• Specialty Goods: Magic, Fine Wines, Elfweave
• Populace Average Alignment: Neutral
• Leader Alignment: Neutral
• Government and Leadership: Feudal Monarchy, Duchess Trillia Sin’dev’lia

Demographics:

Human: 29%	Half-Elf: 13%	Elf: 52%
Dwarf: <1%	Gnome: 2%	Halfling: 2%
Half-Orc: <1%	Other: 1%

History: Niondel began as a simple elven farming village settled by the Arbolorian elves from the north, around EH 500 (making it one of the oldest communities in the region). It remained a solely Elven city until it accepted refugees fleeing the armies of the Three. The city was spared destruction due to its isolated location deep within the Dyninn, and the magicks of the Elven Spellweavers.

City Lore: Niondel is famed for its industry of fashion and clothing, producing some of the most sought after linens, silks, wools, and cotton clothing lines. The city itself, though ruled ostensibly by Duchess Sin’dev’lia, is in reality controlled by the moguls of fashion, the Elven Silk Lords. They maintain an oligopoly on the silk trade.

The city itself is divided into an upper and lower city. The upper city literally soars above the ground-dwelling non-elves in majestic spires, tree-bough houses, and suspended domiciles. The ground-dwelling population has to make due with crude, serviceable housing. Amongst the ground-dwellers entertainment devolves to mostly low-brow shows, plays, and antics. Amidst the sky-mansions, the cultural pastimes are operas, symphonies, and first-rate troubadours the world over.

Cuisine in Niondel is elven fare, mostly. Tubers and root vegetables make for a hearty stew amongst the ground-dwellers, while the sky-mansions host elaborate meals of fowl and pheasant. Fine wines abound in the city, with many prestigious wineries just outside the city.

Niondel is a city divided, demographically. The elven population holds 90% of the wealth in the city, with the non-elves (colloquially known as ground-dwellers) perform the brute labor. As such, crime is rampant in the lower city, and practically non-existent in the upper portion. The Night Elves operate as the thieves’ guild in the lower city.

The Guildtowers of Nin (Enchantment), Des (Illusion), and Vas (Alteration) have towers in the city. Only Sunia, Solos, and Tethos have temples here, though a shrine devoted to Nox is not far outside the city limits. The Sword and Shield has a guildhall in the lower city.

Landmarks/Places of Interest:

• The Sunrise Platform is a tall tower above the forest’s canopy, where petitioners go to greet the sun, or watch the spectacular sunsets over the Dyninn.

• Graul’s Grotto is a den of inequity in the lower city where almost anything can be bought or sold.