Editing CED Setting (section)

== Map Description ==

The first thing to bear in mind is that the area depicted is not the Imperial core; the Imperial core is south and east of this hexmap. Also, do you see the island in the northwest? And what looks like an island but is the southern part of a penninsula in the north-central? Both of those are under imperial control and imperial control extends north of the map. Imperial control also extends west and southwest of the map slightly, as well as south beyond the bay which you can see on the map; that bay leads into oceanic hexes.

Relations between Empire and Barbarians are definitely hostile overall, but you are correct in assuming that there are multiple barbarian tribes. Some barbarian tribes are on good terms with Empire; many are not. Which tribes are and aren't on good terms is generally a matter of debate and can change; barbarians tend to assume that treaties are signed with an Emperor, not the Empire. Regime change can thus make diplomatic relations dicey.

The barbarian federates settled within the Empire on this hexmap are basically refugees. They've been granted permission to settle within the Empire; in return for the Empire allowing them a "safe" place to settle they get taxed to the gills and are required to provide a certain number of men every year to serve in the Imperial armies. I can't remember where I said it was a trading post, but I must've misspoken; trading certainly does occurr, but it's an actual barbarian settlement, with flocks, herds, crops, houses, smithies, shrines, etc.

The ruined cities may contain undiscovered treasure. They're not likely to contain monsters in the sense of humanoid foes, but may well contain undead or people who wish to live in secrecy such as witches, evil cultists, outlaws, runaway slaves or peasants, etc.

The ruined city in the Northeast was indeed destroyed by barbarians. Whether the barbarians "retook" the area or whether the Empire "strategically abandoned" that area is a matter of perspective. The ruined city in the east (near the foothills of the mountains) was also destroyed by barbarians. A town has now sprung up in the former suburbs of that city.

Two or three generations ago, internal strife within the Empire, along with plagues and economic problems, allowed several barbarian tribes to slip into the province and loot, burn, and enslave. Things are now better and the barbarians can't freely march across the River Frigidus (the frontier river in the northeast), but the province is not what it once was.

The garrisons of frontier troops are indeed there to fight off hostile barbarian tribes. There should also be mobile legions deeper within Imperial territory to respond to barbarian incursions and reinforce the frontier garrisons as needed, but there currently are not. There would also generally be more encampments of barbarians across the River Frigidus, but many Imperial troops and barbarians are currently off to the east fighting in other provinces.

In the Imperial Core, there is also a tendency to avoid stationing too many legions far away from the core; these legions have a tendency to proclaims their generals as Emperors and then march to the Imperial Core to engage in civil strife.

Another thing to bear in mind is that while at one point travel and commerce within the bounds of the Empire was easy, roads were well maintained, bandits were limited in number, and the population was higher, by this point plague, economic crises, civil strife, and barbarian incursions have taken their toll. Even those travelling within the Empire may well be exposed to muddy, impassable roads in places, as well as bandits, bagaudae, rapacious toll-collectors, etc.

Once-prosperous regions have been in some cases depopulated or greatly reduced in station. In some portions of the Empire, there may be de facto pockets of autonomous rule both by isolated semi-civilized peoples or by large landowners. Things within the Imperial Core will be better---they are certainly reputed to be better, anyway.

On the map, do you see the island in the northwest? Things are better there. Civil strife, plagues, and barbarians never took as much of a toll there. That is the province of La-Isla. Although on the periphery of the Empire, its citizens identify strongly with the Empire and the province is highly valued due to the vast forests containing high-quality lumber which is imported south and east. The penninsula that I mentioned, the one in the north-central? The Empire controls some of that penninsula. Things aren't great there, but they're better than in Centralia, the province that takes up much of the map. The Hyperborean Penninsula has two legions (one you can see on the map, and one to the north).

Centralia is a valuable province, but not as valuable as it once was. Things are better in the south and southwest, where you have more cultivated land, access to a civilized ocean, rich wineries, closer proximity to the Core, and more distance between the inhabitants and the barbarian tribes.

Centralia is part of the Empire, so it has lots of advantages, but there are lots of disadvantages. The large cities function as both valuable components of the Empire in some ways and [i[de facto[/i] independent city-states in others. Some areas of the countryside are lawless; there's plenty of room for adventuring. Sea barbarians come raiding down the ocean channels; that's why La-Isla gets a legion. Note that Centralia currently has limited frontier garrisons along the channel.

Along the Frigidus River there are occasional barbarian incursions, although no major ones for the past couple decades. Beyond the Frigidus River (Transfrigidia) things aren't good. You've got a pocket near the Channel that's defended by a Hyperborean Legion and then you've got the pocket near the viable town and the two ruined cities; things are very dicey in that little portion of Imperial-held Transfrigidia.

If a couple rootless barbarian tribes show up along the Frigidian frontier, one big push could cause all of Centralia to faul. Note that this is not a setup for a "save the province!" campaign. This is a sandbox. Players are welcome to go where they want, do what they want, and side with whom they want.