A Darker Age background

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Background

• Burzyn Keep was built by a mad dwarf hundreds of years ago, and was annexed by the Republic as their headquarters for Three auxiliary legions [ regulars,archers and cavalry] for nearly a hundred and fifty years. When the legions finally left there had been a local interpenetration of these auxiliaries, and many [in the case of the Hodiri, nearly all] stayed when the legions left. The currently Royal line of Chybisa [named after the local Lord who bade the mad Dwarf build a keep] can tenuously trace descendence from the royal line, even through the times of the Republic. The people of Chybisa are a mix of former natives, Republicanised auxiliaries and refugees from both Kaldor and Thay.

• The Setha are local natives [Jarin] who returned out of the north during the Rebublics retreat. They ravaged the lightly settled lands native to them [between Kaldor and Chybisa] and reclaimed it as their own. Their interest in the area is due to the presence of a creature of their Gods called the Stalker on the Heath. They are ruled by skull faced shaman/priests, who appoint chiefs and decide the fate of clans. They are sometimes friendly [and have been generaly peaceful for the last few years]. this will never last, though as history has shown...sooner or later the tribes grow too large and someone leads a war.

• The Hodiri occupy the woods and plains between Melderyn and Chybisa. They are descendents of Auxilia from the Mainland - a plains people noted for their horse skills. They were an early conquest of the Empire and had attained semi-independence by supplying troops and set tribute. The two legions stationed in Harn slowly established themselves in the marches that bear their name and eventually replicated their homeland customs in miniature. They are horsefolk, wagon owners, with herds for wealth. Currently, there are 12 tribes, and two of these are fairly friendly to Chybisa. Hodiri attentions are given mostly to warring with the Solora [a Jarin tribe to the South] and skirmishing with the few mainland colonies of Melderyn.

• The Anadh are a mix of Jarin and Ysirii archers [former auxiliaries] who occupy the woods and hills between Chybisa and Thay. While they are a generally peaceful folk, they are intolerant of the Church of Light, follow only the Old Way and have been the causes of crusades in the past. They are currently peaceful with Chybisa, but not Thay. rumors of an alliance between them and raiding Orbaalese keeps the Theocracy awake at night.

• Kaldor is warring on itself in a series of attempts to claim the throne and title of King. The church is heavily involved as an arbiter, and there are a dozen newly formed fighting orders, on both sides in any conflict.

• Thay is a bastion of the Church and a small island of culture, following a Theocratic governing body with the king as advisor to parliament and commons. However, it has been under constant attack by Orbaalese and Ivinian raiders for nearly five years. Latest rumors speak of year round settlements to the North...

• Melderyn is a decadent remnant of the Republic, with entrenched Senate and Equestrian classes, bonded servitude for peasants and a thriving trade in indentured servitude. Citizens form the middle class and make up the bulk of the Legions. Sorcery has a dark name in Melderyn, and while there are practitioners of the Arts, they have a fractious relationship that is entwined in the games of high politics played by the Republics elite. It is also the most civilised area on Harn, barring the dwarven and elven cities.

• Chybisa itself consists of the Royal seats of Burzyn [King ], Lerenil [brother] and Onden [sister] and the keep of Geda [ Held by the Baron Erynn, originally of Kanday]. Politics and family are one...though there are many lesser lords who can hold sway in court. The land is some of the best quality in Harn and produces two harvests a year. There is a fierce independent streak in Chybisa - the amount of freeholders is higher than Kaldor or Melderyn and the peasant class can win freedom ffor themselves or their descendents through payment or service. They have a strong tradition of archery [the local longbow is actually a composite of two woods] and mounted commoners [sergeantry].

• The Church of the Child has several monastic and hermetic orders in the East of Chybisa, but no actual fighting orders. The Church is not actually well supported in Chybisa and the shrines to local gods and spirits still dot the roads and wells. The local bishop is tolerant of local custom and has even attended festivals.

• The guild of arcane lore in Chybisa is composed of less than a dozen practitioners, mostly alchemist-apothecaries, diviners and enchanter/bards. Most hold some position in one of the noble courts, or are directly related.