Aldakar (Pre-Conquest)
Conquered by Leddok and Se'kania: 4197, Middle Winter, the city is no longer the capitol of Aldakar.
Capitol City, Aldakar (Feudal Tyranny, pop. 63,000/8,000 transient) King Voen Syleid I (?)
See also: Aldakar (the country), Witchwood Forest
Once a thriving region of farms and wealthy gem mines, Aldakar has been ruthlessly plundered over the last three years by its new king. Those with wealth and power have come to enjoy increased trade with Teshar, using the favors granted by the Tesharan government to strike at their rivals, who court Teshar for similar advantage in turn. It is only a matter of time before Aldakar falls under Tesharan rule - an event which will almost certainly bring Dandria into direct conflict with Asrexius' expanding nation.
People of Note:
Terrence Kernay - A merchant of great wealth whose main competitors have all met with spectacular and fatal defeat. Though not directly linked to outright murder, it is rather strange that caravans bearing his House standard travel the Freelands unmolested by bandit and beast alike.
Liana Varay - The famous Black Widow Courtesan whose beauty is far more legendary than the score of dead lovers trailing behind her. Most recently, she has set her sights on the king.
King Voen Syleid I - Opportunistic, wealthy, and with the largest personal army in Aldakar, Voen has gained magical devices of great power from somewhere. None currently question his rule, as nay sayers have quickly sprouted festering sores and suppurating boils, spent three or four days screaming in pain, then died as their bodies were consumed by the disease.
Notes: Econ: B-C, Religion: D, Magic: D
The Priesthood of Vardin was forcibly evicted from Aldakar a little over three years ago, a process that resulted in several accidental deaths and the seizing of all temples and properties by the crown. Rumor is that the order has sent a Justicar in secret to exact revenge upon King Syleid.
Aldakar (Post-Conquest)
Conquered by Leddok and Se'kania: 4197, Middle Winter, the city is no longer the capital of Aldakar.
Major City, Leddok (Military Dictatorship, pop. 41,700/6,000 transient) Governor Rodrick Miller
See also: Witchwood Forest
Once a thriving region of farms and wealthy gem mines, Aldakar was ruthlessly plundered over the last three years by its king and the followers of Bael. The conquest of the city by Overunia and Se'kania caused extensive damage to the docks. However, those nobles who willingly aided the Baelite puppet King Voen Syleid have found a new use for their lives as fertilizer for the surrounding farms. The citizenry vastly enjoys Rodrick's more reasoned rule, though Leddok's acceptance of all the humanoids the Baelites brought in has caused quite a bit of trouble. The presence of so many Leddok and Se'kanian troops has kept violence from breaking out. Much to the relief of Aldakar's citizenry, the Governor is moving the humanoid tribes out of the city. Those who want to fight are going to the Tesharan front. Those tribes that want a place to settle are heading for the northeastern territories, bordering Diaun and Dandria. Most view this as delaying the inevitable extermination of orcs, ogres, and gnolls.
People of Note:
Terrence Kernay - A merchant of great wealth whose main competitors have all met with spectacular and fatal defeat. Though not directly linked to outright murder, it is rather strange that caravans bearing his House standard travel the Freelands unmolested by bandit and beast alike. He was looking after some interests in Se'kania when Aldakar was conquered. He has, so far, risen above the house cleaning that the Leddokese are conducting.
Liana Varay - The famous Black Widow Courtesan whose beauty is far more legendary than the score of dead lovers trailing behind her. She had set her sights on the king, but Aldakar's conquest put an end to her ambitions. She is currently sitting in the city gaol, awaiting trial for murder and collusion with the enemy.
King Voen Syleid I - Opportunistic, wealthy, and with the largest personal army in Aldakar, Voen gained magical devices of great power from the Baelites who backed his regime. None currently question his rule, as nay sayers have quickly sprouted festering sores and suppurating boils, spent three or four days screaming in pain, then died as their bodies were consumed by the disease. His rule ended when the Leddokese and Se'kanians completely overran his city, and his Baelite allies bent him backwards over a bloody altar to cut out his heart.
Notes: Econ: B-C, Religion: D, Magic: D
Aldakar's magical defenses have been restored by Sylin Tak. The economy has definitely taken a turn for the worse, but will likely recover over the spring and summer. Currently, the city is in a state of disarray, with battle damage still being cleaned up and city structures repaired. This, too, should proceed quickly, as most of the city works were taken intact. The main difficulty facing Aldakar is replacing those bureaucrats who were killed by the Baelites, and those who were actually followers of Bael (who have since been captured and executed by the Leddokese and Se'kanians). Fortunately, Governor Rodrick's superb organizational skills should serve to keep the city running relatively smoothly until the ranks of government can be filled out.
ANRYTH
City of Magic, Capitol of Teshar (Republic Dictatorship, pop. 123,000/87,000 transient)
One of the few cities to survive the fall of the ancient Empire of Tesh, Anryth was believed destroyed by the mad Drow wizard Kashai Kith'ain. Instead, Asrexius moved the whole city, and a sizable chunk of the ground under and around it, to his own pocket plane.
The city's return to Avamor was dramatic, to say the least.
Anryth is now the Capitol of Asrexius's burgeoning empire, Teshar. The city is open to trade with anyone and anything. Beholders roam some markets. Security, both magical and mundane, is extremely good. The old saying that anything can be bought in Anryth still holds true.
People of Note:
Kaide the Pure - Priest of Avaryan who upholds and defends his temple with dedication. He is known to have personally met Asrexius at least twice.
Ralen Sur - Dread Guard ruler of Faradel, Ralen Sur is considered the most magically skilled of all the Dread Guard. Little is seen or heard of this minion of Asrexius. He is believed to have direct control over Tesharan excavations in the Battleplain.
Sibal - A noted sage and authority on magic, Chief Librarian of the Great Library of Anryth. There is a price on his head in the Empire of the Hartland. None have been able to collect it as yet.
Sovek - One of the newest Death Knights created by Asrexius, Sovek's origins are unknown. He is, however, the General in command of Asrexius's home defenses. He and Zaryg do not get along at all.
Tizorn Jek - Lord Commander of the Dread Guard, responsible for enforcing Asrexius's laws within the city, and to a greater extent, all the lands conquered by Asrexius. The Dread Guard answer to Tizorn Jek first and foremost.
Notes: Econ: B, Religion: B, Magic: A
Anryth exists on trade. With artefacts retrieved from the Tesh, Asrexius's conquests, and farmlands in the Southern Plains keep the city's stores overflowing. Tributes, raw materials, and finished goods flow into the city from the Battleplain, Freelands, Trynh, Trakhyn, Calanport,... nearly everywhere.
Calanport
Major city, Grand Dutchy of Scython, Hartland (Imperial Republic, pop. 220,000/30,000 transient) Grand Duke Eliod Morganstern
See also: Hartland
Perhaps the largest trading city on the continent, Calanport was once the capitol of the Shattered Lands, a small kingdom ruled by a renegade elf. Now conquered by Teshar, Calanport is only now beginning to regain a semblance of the trade routes it once held with all the nations of Hybrana and Karuthea.
The city is divided into an upper, wealthy district atop a huge pillar of solid granite, and a lower city where most of the business is conducted. Few are permitted into the upper city.
Calanport is a rich city, with trade in magical devices and Teshian artefacts. Drugs and spices from Ralkstag, fine silks and woods from Karuthea, and rare animals from the Kathnyri Empire can all be had here... for a price.
People of Note:
Kanu Tal, Dread Guard - A secretive creature, little is known of Kanu Tal. He controls most of the economics of Teshar, and has entertained guests from most of the Great Merchant Houses.
Eduard Montagen - Representative of the Montagen Merchant House, Eduard is suave and bitingly cynical. His expertise and cunning at negotiation have permitted entitled him to many hours of negotiation with Kanu Tal. He, of all the representatives of the Great Merchant Houses, knows the Dread Guard best.
Jon Caisar DuLambert - Representative of the powerful DuLambert Merchant House, Jon is in the difficult position of negotiating trade agreements with his Empire's enemies. As yet, he has not stepped over the line of treason. Most consider it only a matter of time before Kanu Tal manipulates him into betraying his Empire.
Notes: Econ: B, Religion: C, Magic: B
The shipyards near the Tarenian Forest combined with its position at the mouth of the river give Calanport a premier position for sea trade. Indeed, ships flow in and out of the city ports day and night at the height of the season. Like most Tesharan cities, Calanport now offers slaves to those seeking such, as well as knowledge of Ancient Tesh and other magics.
Darkhall
Count Karl Edrumarrion
Castle and Town, Barony Conarrion, Dandria (Feudal Monarchy)
Symbol: Dark gray tower between two mountains
Terrain: Very rocky, cold land.
The Conarrion family built Darkhall to ensure that the rich mines in the Barony's north were well-guarded and protected. The first castle was destroyed when construction was nearly complete by remorhazzes during a blizzard. The rebuilt Darkhall was later attacked and left in ruins by Atu'an, the Witch-King. The current stronghold is built some miles from the former castles. It serves as the primary entry point for Diaunese traders into Conarrion lands. Darkhall maintains very heavy patrols of the northern border. Of all the northern baronies, Darkhall's forces are the best trained (as well as being very well-equipped).
People of Note:
Drasail
Baroness Kyra Faldarrion
Baronial Capitol, Barony Faldarrion, Dandria (Feudal Monarchy)
Symbol: Red oaken shield with stag (red oak and tan)
Capitol of Barony Faldarrion.
Terrain: Open farmland, iron mines near Lake Tholdom.
The capitol of the Faldarrion Barony, Drasail guards the eastern border along the Corinian Forest. The fortress has expanded over the last several centuries, and has spawned a series of smaller forts along the forest edge to keep its denizens from decimating the ripe Faldarrion grainlands. Drasail also provides regular patrols and escorts along Dralin's Trail, ensuring that trade with the Silver Forest remains open. Because Eastkeep garners the lion's share of money flowing through the Trail, Drasail and Eastkeep are often at odds with each other.
The annual Kordian Games (started by young Baron Kord Faldarrion sometime in 4103) between Drasail and Eastkeep each summer draw huge crowds. Most of the other Barons attend to either participate or watch their likely heirs compete. The games alternate between the two cities each year. Competitions range from marathon running (on the Trail between the two cities), wrestling, and tree climbing to sword and axe competitions. The Warpriests of Crom constantly debate whether to turn it into a holy celebration or not.
People of Note:
Drenar
Countess Viera Lodrimsdotter
Castle and small Town, Barony Rogansson, Dandria (Feudal Monarchy)
Symbol: Wheat leaf over dark blue
Terrain: Very fertile farmland with many copses of trees. The Earthsblood river flows south to the west, and the Vunmere dominates the northwest.
Built in the last decade as a joint effort between Barons Corysson and Rogansson, Drenar serves double-duty guarding river traffic on both the Earthsblood and Vunmere. Primarily a castle, Drenar maintains docks on both waterways. More recently, Drenar's garrison has increased as tensions rise with the dark fey in Fenuihl.
People of Note:
Eastkeep
Baron Leren Lyrsarrion
Baronial Capitol, Barony Lyrsarrion, Dandria (Feudal Monarchy)
Symbol: Oaken gate and cobble road (oak brown and cobble brown)
Capitol of Barony Lyrsarrion
Terrain: Farmlands in the north, hills (with many, many herds of sheep) in the east. Immediately south of Vrostuh is a series of rocky canyons called The Rough. Forest and hills in the east.
Eastkeep is primarily responsible for constructing Dralin's Trail, and has worked hard to maintain its controlling share over that road to the Silver Forest. Next to Saria, Eastkeep is the wealthiest of the southern cities. Water is somewhat hard to come by, so all the wells are deep, and very well guarded.
Every summer, Eastkeep enters a competition with Drasail, called the Kordian Games. See Drasail for more details. The barony's competitive streak extends to Gromthar as well, with an annual faire held in either Vrostuh or Hillvar.
People of Note:
Fensarch
Count Vhaid Tulerrion
Castle and small Town, Barony Greencrest, Dandria (Feudal Monarchy)
Symbol: Green field and iron tree
Terrain: Poor farmland with heavy forest in the east and south
(Fens-ark) Originally built as a fallback defense in case the Diaunese tribes ever invaded Dandria, Fensarch is the stronghold around which all lumbering in Barony Greencrest occurs. Frequent battles with trolls and hydrae in the Trollfen to the east make the lumbering operations dangerous in the best of times. Occasionally, more powerful creatures emerge from the Corinian Forest or Escarpment to wreak havoc.
Fensarch is very well-defended. Any large hostile force approaching it must run a gauntlet of twisting trails rife with ambushes, chokepoints, and quagmires. Closer to Fensarch are fortified outposts capable of holding off invaders for a day or two, then the garrison can escape through hidden tunnels to harass and ambush the interlopers. Then finally there is the castle and town, both constructed of the gray Myrkeldian stone, and constantly improved upon by engineers and warpriests of Crom. Unlike many locales in Dandria, there are a fair number of hedge-wizards here. Most of them are seeking rare goods (troll blood, hydra venom, and the like) from the Corinian Forest for their own experiments. Of all Dandria, Fensarchese are the most fiercely independent.
People of Note: