-Political organization of Saen: I want it to be along feudal lines in general, but not of uniform nature. For example, I thought about having duchies, or principalities - but why not have both? I also have decided there would be kings, of the north and the south. But there is also an imperial idea, that is not limited by either time or space. This is, however, inactive to an extent, until it is resurrected by the time of the wars in the Verial campaign. The Dark Imperium is an offshoot of this idea.
-The Black Syndicate is a mercantile concern outwardly, but inwardly it has much more sinister motives, as Verial learned. The leader Arksham is a dark priest, affiliated to some degree by way of religious views, with the Dark Imperium, and sympathizes with them to an extent. However, it is not clear that his goals are actually entirely in line with them. His alliance with the Guardian Spirit Koros, who is not known to be of affiliation with DI, may be indicative of other ideas despite some common goals. Nonetheless, the Black Syndicate acts to subvert the order in the south. It is based for a time in Kriegsburg, because despite that city's status as only a Barony-level territory, it is one of the most important cities of the south. This owes to its diverse economy, strong military base and the control of the trade route to Port Varas.
There is indication that the BS was involved in the subversion of the order in Port Varas, and that this is what first brought Verial's activities to their attention. Furthermore, the poisoning of the old Lord Anteras and the disappearance of his heir may also be the handiwork of the BS. This does weaken the current order yet further for the northern aggression.
Also worth exploring is the question of the Violet Syndicate. This group seemed to be similar in some ways to the BS but was run out of the Lordship of Anteras relatively early and did not figure again. This group deserves more explanation pursuant to a reappearance, since they were never destroyed, only divested for a time.
-The town labeled 'Hell on Earth' refers to Coroldon, a city that was once a shining example of all of the south's most precious ideals and the most important southwestern port. But all of this changed with ongoing dynastic wars, and the arrival of nasty newcomers. This is why Port Varas became such an important trade route, despite being shabbier and smaller.
-New hero: Jedon of House Medeines. He is a young soldier with high ideals but dissolute habits, who comes of age in a difficult time. He will be the main character of the upcoming campaign. Physically, he is a man of average height and build, but good looks, keen mind and strong physis. He has blond hair and emerald-green eyes, with tanned skin.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Further questions to be resolved
-There are 3 commonly spoken languages in the lands of Saen, one of which was brought from farther south in the imperial days, one of which is native farther north and perhaps has some commonality with the indigenous tongues of Jadus, and a third category which has made ingress from farther east. This last category may be actually more than one family.
-The lands of Saen are fairly urbanized but some areas of hinterland remain even in the later campaigns.
-Technology: It's hard to determine just where to place the tech level of the later campaigns. It probably is, realistically, pre-industrial. This should have been resolved. It could have some degree of FF style technology which wouldn't have a place in medieval campaigns, but not full on industry.
-The men of Saen might realistically be compared to the Caucasian race in general, and the same is also true of some of the other areas. In particular it has strong elements of the Nordic, Alpine and Mediterranean races - though probably the former two are dominant in Saen.
-The whole continent is loosely unified behind the Imperial idea from ages past, but unity has been traditionally hard to come by. I'm thinking of developing Kingdoms and Leagues more specifically, and soon. The later campaigns saw the rise of the Dark Imperium, and this is a topic in itself worthy of further explanation.
-Is there some kind of colonial situation going on? Best develop the localities before addressing this altogether.
-The status of the demihumans and humanoids and the rest of the less natural denizens has likewise to be addressed in a more satisfactory way.
-All of this owes to the problems of whimsy that come from youthful exuberance. It was started as a DND campaign but it evolved beyond that rather quickly, in ways that don't quite make sense in retrospect. It doesn't have to be too rigidly answered, but some improvement is certainly desirable.
-The lands of Saen are fairly urbanized but some areas of hinterland remain even in the later campaigns.
-Technology: It's hard to determine just where to place the tech level of the later campaigns. It probably is, realistically, pre-industrial. This should have been resolved. It could have some degree of FF style technology which wouldn't have a place in medieval campaigns, but not full on industry.
-The men of Saen might realistically be compared to the Caucasian race in general, and the same is also true of some of the other areas. In particular it has strong elements of the Nordic, Alpine and Mediterranean races - though probably the former two are dominant in Saen.
-The whole continent is loosely unified behind the Imperial idea from ages past, but unity has been traditionally hard to come by. I'm thinking of developing Kingdoms and Leagues more specifically, and soon. The later campaigns saw the rise of the Dark Imperium, and this is a topic in itself worthy of further explanation.
-Is there some kind of colonial situation going on? Best develop the localities before addressing this altogether.
-The status of the demihumans and humanoids and the rest of the less natural denizens has likewise to be addressed in a more satisfactory way.
-All of this owes to the problems of whimsy that come from youthful exuberance. It was started as a DND campaign but it evolved beyond that rather quickly, in ways that don't quite make sense in retrospect. It doesn't have to be too rigidly answered, but some improvement is certainly desirable.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Geography notes
Geography of Saen
It seems that it is longer on the axis N-S than E-W. The Western part seems to be more mountainous and rugged, while the Eastern is not fully mapped out. Perhaps I will make this marshier, delta-land type of environment.
Around Ironforge I think we could put about 3 different major chains. And I'm thinking that just east of there would be another chain with arc shape. From here would originate two major rivers, which would enclose a fertile land. This would be some kind of middle kingdom, of Men, but not of Saen.
And farther east is the land of Zheridus. I am not sure just what the character of this land will be yet. Although it is certainly, judging from the notes, a Kingdom of the Dark rather than of the Light. It is supposedly either directly ruled by dark magicians, or behind-the-scenes.
I will develop this a bit more in due time. I think due to the position of the continent globally, it would fall into the Subtropical or, in some places, the transition between Subtropical and Temperate. Where the campaign was set would probably be something like the American South, although the area around Kriegsburg is a bit drier, being as it is on the leeward side of a mountain range. Perhaps Port Varas and the Western Coast has sort of a chaparral, Mediterranean feel.
More to come
PS there is a way to map but this is time consuming, but it's in the plans anyway.
It seems that it is longer on the axis N-S than E-W. The Western part seems to be more mountainous and rugged, while the Eastern is not fully mapped out. Perhaps I will make this marshier, delta-land type of environment.
Around Ironforge I think we could put about 3 different major chains. And I'm thinking that just east of there would be another chain with arc shape. From here would originate two major rivers, which would enclose a fertile land. This would be some kind of middle kingdom, of Men, but not of Saen.
And farther east is the land of Zheridus. I am not sure just what the character of this land will be yet. Although it is certainly, judging from the notes, a Kingdom of the Dark rather than of the Light. It is supposedly either directly ruled by dark magicians, or behind-the-scenes.
I will develop this a bit more in due time. I think due to the position of the continent globally, it would fall into the Subtropical or, in some places, the transition between Subtropical and Temperate. Where the campaign was set would probably be something like the American South, although the area around Kriegsburg is a bit drier, being as it is on the leeward side of a mountain range. Perhaps Port Varas and the Western Coast has sort of a chaparral, Mediterranean feel.
More to come
PS there is a way to map but this is time consuming, but it's in the plans anyway.
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