Balsall Monestary and the Village of Old Scythe
Citizens: The Ordo Malleus Maleficarum and the Lost Order of the Asha’man.
Population: Very Small
Leader: Cicero of the Lunite Inquisition Ordo Malleus Maleficarum
Representative: Emissariat Lucic of the Ordo Malleus
Allegiance: The Crown of Britannia?
Alignment: Lawful Neutral?
Emissariat Lucic of the Ordo Malleus Maleficarum of the Church of Holy Light was the chosen representative of the Village of Old Scythe and the Balsall Monastery.
The Monastery, which stands within sight of the City of Umbra and the Dawn Royal Embassy, was once a necropolis that belonged to none other than the Cult of the Dark Tower. It is said to have been the site of many acts of wickedness and iniquity over the past several years, including the sacrifice of hundreds and the worship of a small pantheon of bloodthirsty deities in a monthly ritual known as the Black Mass.
After many years of chaos including a War of Conquest in Britannia and a battle between two powerful Cabals, it is said that the site was abandoned by the Cult and began to fall into ruin. It was then that the Ordo Malleus, an Inquisitorial Order of the Lunite Holy Church, claimed the site and began to build a monastery upon its remains; the perfect setting in which to launch attacks against the City of Necromancers and the Tribesmen of the Great Wastes.
The Malleus Maleficarum has since appeared to have turned against the Kingdom of Olympus and Luna, and has chosen to swear allegiance to the Crown of Britannia. It is unknown what prompted this shift, or if they still maintain ties to their mother church in the Second City of Paladins.
Despite their claims of allegiance to the Britannian Crown, the Ordo Malleus requested that they be allowed to remain an autonomous and sovereign entity so that they might better serve Britannia; a strange and contradictory claim to say the least. Why would a loyal vassal seek independence from their liege? A suspicious turn of events.
Saius approved of their claim, and chose to grant them their independence on the condition that they swore an oath of loyalty and subservience to the Crown. I’m sure you’re thinking what I’m thinking. Wasn’t that what they were there to argue against? Again, contradictions would continue to play out throughout the evening.
Lucic eagerly accepted Saius’ Offer.
The Village of Ravenshire
Citizens: The Circle of the White Raven, the Brotherhood of the White Stag, the Sisterhood of the White Wolf, the Town of Ravenshire, and the Lumarian Federation.
Population: Small
Leader: Lady Bronwyn the White Raven
Representative: Emissariat Lucic of the Ordo Malleus
Allegiance: Independent
Alignment: Chaotic Good
The Village of Ravenshire was once a thriving community of both druids and gypsies that lay deep in the heart of the Windemere Woodland; built upon the shores of the Ravenwood Bay. The community was originally founded by the Clan of Celtic Knights, led by Lady Bronwyn and Lord Maston Semper, but the order would eventually split into several small druidic circles who chose to return to the pre-Akalabethan worship of the spirits of nature. The Citizens of Ravenshire were particularly known for living in harmony with nature, and taking only what they needed from the world around them.
Tragically, the War of Shadows would claim the life of the Founder and Arch-Druidess of Ravenshire, Lady Bronwyn the Immaculate. Without the White Raven to guide her people, the druids who remained began to fall into a deep and dreamless slumber, while the marble buildings that were once said to have emerged from the ground like the trees themselves slowly began to be reclaimed by the woodlands around them. Ravenshire would disappear, except for the few gypsies and wandering healers that called the tranquil meadow their home.
Ironically, Emissariat Lucic of the Ordo Malleus of Luna arrived claiming to be the chosen representative of the Village of Ravenshire. As of this printing, The Stratics Independent Heralds has not been able to determine their circumstances by which a Crusading Order of Knights and Inquisitors would be supporting the claims of a village of wandering gypsies and nature-worshipping druids. It is our understanding that such groups are considered little better than heretics in the eyes of the Lunite Church. The Question still remains, which has led to several very troubling rumors.
Nevertheless, Emissariat Lucic argued that the village posed no threat and merely wished to perform trading with Vesper and Minoc as it has always done. It is unclear why that would justify their independence from Britannia, but Saius also supported the claim on the condition that Lucic swears an oath of submission in their place.
Horseshoe (Cartel) Island
Citizens: The Cartel of the Minax Faction
Population: Large
Leader: Lord Blackbeard
Representative: Super Ken
Allegiance: Independent
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Horseshoe Island is the historic staging ground for a group of “murderers, ruffians, and perverse thrill seekers” who regard their island home as some sort of sacred and holy place; so much so that they refuse to do battle upon their island home.
Super Ken of the Cartel Faction arrived to represent his gangs claim to Horseshoe Island. In what was likely the most bold speech delivered that evening, Ken went so far as to proclaim that it mattered not if Saius accepted or rejected their claim, as they have never recognized the crown’s authority or mandate and will fiercely protect their homeland from foreign intrusion.
Still, Ken attempted to offer an olive branch. In what amounted to be a surprising twist; he allowed that if their right to sovereignty and self-governance were not infringed upon, The Cartel would allow the Britannian Merchant Fleet to pass safely through the dangerous and pirate infested waters surrounding Britanny Bay.
Saius rejected their claim in a fit of rage, but towards the end of the evening offered that if the Cartel Faction were to kneel and swear fealty to the crown, they would still be allowed to maintain any titles and honors they currently possess. Ken, in jest, appeared to be willing to take the oath (even though Cartel serves Lady Minax’s Faction, the sworn enemy of Britannia), but he was eventually escorted out when he failed to kneel before Lord Emissary Saius and the arriving King Casca.
Britannia has since declared war upon Horseshoe Island, and the Cartel Faction.
Heaven’s Forge
Citizens: The Town of Heaven’s Forge, the Society of Gypsies, and the Almost Famous Knights.
Population: Small
Leader: Mayor Darius
Representative: Lady Oriana
Allegiance: Lord British and the Royal Britannian Guard?
Alignment: Neutral Good?
Heaven’s Forge was once a wealthy albeit small village located in the heart of the north, within the vale south of the Wrong Dungeon. Its citizens were famous for their virtuous character, their fine craftsmanship, their regular jousting tournaments, and the famous Darkmor Tavern.
Unfortunately, like many so many other villages such as Fairhaven, Kaer O’Rourke, and Ravenshire; the town began to fall into decline following the Exodus War and nearly vanished during the Age of Shadows. Only through the hard work and stubbornness of its few remaining citizens does Heaven’s Forge still stand to this day.
Heaven’s Forge appears to have been, for the most part, closely tied to the Kingdom of Britannia for many years. Lady Oriana, the current Governess, still can often be seen proudly displaying her Sash of the Royal Britannian Guard and her Royal Guard Boots. But like many, Heaven’s Forge has always held close ties to the Kingdom of Dawn, and when Casca threatened the Grand Duchess, Heaven’s Forge announced that it would never bow to his misrule and immediately seceded from the Kingdom of Britannia.
Oriana, who was late to attend the meeting, promptly stated that Heaven’s Forge would never swear fealty to either Saius or Casca, prompting the Lord Emissary to immediately reject her claim and call her an upstart and a rebel. Britannia has since declared war upon Heaven’s Forge.
The Queendom of Shieba
Citizens: Queen Shieba’s Alliance.
Population: Very Small
Leader: Queen Shieba
Representative: Heiress-Presumptive Magdalena
Allegiance: Independent
Alignment: Chaotic Good/Neutral?
The Queendom of Shieba once stood in the marshlands north of the City of Trinsic, a small independent nation led by Lady Shieba the Beautiful.
The War of Shadows claimed the small Queendom, leaving Castle Zender in ruins and the surrounding village in a state of decay. It is only recently that an heiress has emerged to take up the mantle of the Queendom. Lady Magdalena has moved the Queendom to the frontiers of the Samlethe, bordering the Village of Old Scythe and the Wolf Woods.
Magdalena argued that the Queendom was no longer a physical, political, or economic entity; but now merely remains in name and had no desire to oppose or threaten the Kingdom of Britannia. Instead, the desire for independence has arisen from their primary function as a purveyor of delicacies throughout the Five Worlds. By becoming a vassal of the Kingdom of Britannia, they might jeopardize their neutrality and harm the livelihoods of its few remaining citizens.
Saius accepted her claim; and in an oversight that would become the talk of the evening, he completely forgot to ask an oath of fealty in exchange for the Queendom’s Independence.
Some believe that the Lord Emissary was distracted by the heiress’s legendary beauty, of whom more than one troubadour’s song has been written over the past couple of years.
The Dark Tower and the Village of New Scythe
Citizens: The Dark Tower, the Shadow Imperium, the Redcap Gang.
Population: Medium
Leader: Mistress Cymidei Fier
Representative: Mistress Cymidei Fier
Allegiance: The Dark Tower
Alignment: Neutral Evil
The Dark Tower, The Village of Scythe, and the City of Wind were jointly represented by Lady Cymidei Fier of the Dark Tower.
The Dark Tower is considered to be one of the world’s oldest and most hated cults, being only surpassed by the Followers of Armageddon in infamy. The Cult, which has existed in various and sometimes contradictory incarnations since the beginning of written history, is reputed to have been responsible for the collapse of seven empires, thirteen kingdoms, and five duchies. Although these claims are actually those made by the Dark Tower, and cannot be verified with any certainty, no one questions their capacity to wreck havoc and induce fear when it suits their purposes.
Cymidei Fier has a particular history that is worth noting. Although we know relatively little of her life growing up, according to her story she is the surviving heir to House Fier of Wind. She joined the Dark Tower in her youth, but eventually betrayed the tower to flee into the wilderness and pursue her own studies. She eventually allied with a particularly hated Liche Lord, Azalin Lore of Moonglow, and created the Shadow Imperium. The Imperium, recognizing the powerlessness of the Royal Britannian Council to raise an army or provide for the nations defense, began expanding their power. One by one, they conquered the cities of Skara Brae, Vesper, and Serpents Hold. It was also known that they had designs on Ravenshire and Minoc, a move that nearly prompted a reaction by HellRazor of Dawn, Lord Captain Commander of the Knights of the Blue Rose.
Although the Shadow Imperium continued to make many significant gains during its short life, The Exodus War is believed to have disrupted any further plans for expansion and ended their control over the territories they had conquered. Cymidei reemerged a year later, chosen by Lady Ivy Shadowfare as the next Mistress of the Dark Tower.
The Dark Tower seems to have waxed and waned in the years following the Age of Shadows, but the Cult seems to have somewhat reasserted themselves in the past couple of months. Baron Sleath Von Darkmor has reclaimed his holdings along the shores of Locke Lake, while Morgance Fier is responsible for the foundation of the Redcap Gang; which has been a persistent threat to the safety and well-being of Britain’ citizens.
Cymidei Fier began by arguing that the Dark Tower is merely an ancient religious order dedicated to the worship of Sosaria’s Old Gods; who stand in opposition to Lord British’s “heretical virtues.” She continued to state that the Dark Tower is responsible for the protection of the Village of Scythe, while her claim to the City of Wind is proven and irrefutable (see below).
She then claimed that Casca would need their help if they ever hoped to conquer the territories of the north; a thinly veiled threat against the Kingdom of Dawn and Village of Avalon entirely suited to her class of character.
“I say this to you Lord Saius and you know it is the truth. The King has many enemies and few friends. The people despise him and curse his name.
The people have no fear of the King. How will he control Britain and bring conquest to the remote lands of the north without powerful allies?
Lord Casca will benefit from our continued support as he has in the past; but only if he embraces our claim to the City of Wind, the Village of Scythe, and admits us to his Royal Court.
The Redcaps can, if commanded, come within the Castle walls and bring violence and terror within! There is no greater friend or foe to the King than I, Cymidei Fier.
Cast me aside at your own peril.”
- Lady Cymidei Fier of the Dark Tower, June 20th.
Nah, really?
Saius countered that her defense had been flawed from the start, as the Britannian Principles remain the primary religious philosophy of the Kingdom.
Lord Saius rejected her claims, on the grounds that the lands claimed by the Order of the Dark Tower and the Redcap Gang were too close to the Britannian cities to be allowed to remain outside of Casca's sphere of influence. Cymidei, who shouted that she had been betrayed by the King, flew into a rage and began warning those in attendance what would happen to their kingdom as a result of their sovereigns betrayal.
The Cultists of the Dark Tower, outraged and sensing their leaders anger, drew their weapons and began lashing out at the orange-cloaked Britain Guards. This led to a small riot in the tent, ending with blood spilt and one or two lives lost.
The Kingdom of Britannia has since proclaimed war upon the Dark Tower.
The Mage City of Wind
Citizens: The Citizens of Wind, House Fier
Population: Large
Leader: The Mages Council of Wind; House Fier?
Representative: Mistress Cymidei Fier
Allegiance: Independent?
Alignment: True Neutral
The City of Wind was founded many years ago, shortly following the ascension of Lord British to the Throne of Akalabeth (renamed Britannian in his honor). The Mages of Moon, dissatisfied with the openness of their own city and the failure of the Britannian Crown to provide an adequate defense against piracy and invasion, set about creating two cities that would be protected by the defensive sorcery these mages had developed during the First War of Darkness. The cities were named Dawn and Wind.
Cymidei Fier claims to be the surviving heiress to House Fier, one of the ruling families of the City of Wind during the early years following its founding. It is on this authority that she has recently taken control of the city and the pass leading out, proclaiming it to be under the authority of the Dark Tower.
As mentioned above, Saius rejected her claim to authority over the City of Wind.
The Barony of Darkmor
Citizens: The Dark Tower, the Black Market.
Population: Very Small
Leader: Baron Sleath Von Darkmor
Representative: Baron Sleath Von Darkmor
Allegiance: The Dark Tower
Alignment: Neutral Evil?
The Barony of Darkmor was represented by Sleath Von Darkmor.
Baron Sleath Von Darkmor is a well-known figure in these parts, having once been the Captain of the Crimson Guard in Heaven’s Forge. Although the circumstances are not presently clear, what is known is that many years ago he swore allegiance to Mistress Ivy Shadowfare of the Dark Tower and has continued to serve the order ever since.
The Baron’s holdings include a small strip of land on the shores of Locke Lake. Sleath made it known that he had not attended out of subservience or respect for the King, but only because he wished to make clear that no claim upon his land has ever been made before.
Lord Saius rejected the Baron’s claim, calling him a barbarian and an upstart. The Kingdom of Britannia has since demanded the surrender of the Barony, or else they shall take his lands by force of arms.
The Kingdom of Dawn
Citizens: The Citizens of Dawn, the Guardians of Virtue, the Gulgeth Clan, the Ministry of Pain.
Population: Large
Leader: Prince Riain Cross
Representative: Grand Duchess WildStar
Allegiance: House Cross
Alignment: Lawful Neutral?
Dawn was represented by the Grand Duchess WildStar, Acting Regent of the Kingdom and Guardian to Prince Riain Cross.
The Kingdom of Dawn was not always a Kingdom, but rather a small city of mages and thaumaturgists who called the Spiritwood their home. The City of Dawn, like Wind, had been shaped and fortified by the Council of Moon in an attempt to create an impenetrable city where in which they could safeguard their most valuable treasures and arcane secrets against rivals, saboteurs, and seafaring brigands. But in a story that is much too long to reproduce here, Dawn became entrapped within the very arcane void that had once protected them from danger. It was only because of the actions of a small band of knights and crusaders known as the Guardians of Virtue that the City of Dawn was saved and relocated to the shores of the Bay of Lost Hope near Avalon.
The Kingdom can be described as a diverse, open-minded, and fiercely independent nation perched precariously on the edges of the cold north. It contains a mix of various ethnicities and cultures, including but not limited to a number of elves and orc’s who call the small kingdom their home. Dawn has always possessed mostly amicable relations with the People of Britannia, although tensions between the Dawnite Government and the Royal Britannian Council have always been a persistent diplomatic problem.
WildStar calmly pleaded her case before the Lord Emissary of Britannia. She highlighted that Dawn has always provided for its own defense and has always been capable of governing its own territories without the help of the Britannians. She also brought to light the several instances in which the Kingdom of Dawn has come to the aid of its neighbor, even at great expense to themselves. Wildstar made it clear that they have no designs on Britannian territories, but merely wish to exist in peace alongside their longtime ally.
Lord Saius claimed that King Casca has always spoken highly of the deeds wrought by the Kingdom of Dawn, but is also aware of the whispers of sedition and rebellion against Casca’s rule. One must wonder how you rebel against a nation that you are not actually a citizen of, but that is a conundrum best left for one of my more philosophical colleagues.
The Emissary offered the Kingdom of Dawn another solution; swear fealty like the others and submit to the authority of the Britannian Crown, and the Dawnites nobility would be allowed to maintain their honors and positions but as vassals of Casca’s Realm. WildStar clearly had heard enough of the emissary, swiftly rising from her seat and announcing that Dawn would never submit to a foreign ruler, which drew significant applause from the crowd.
The Kingdom of Britannia has since declared war upon the Kingdom of Dawn.
The Village of Avalon
Citizens: The Citizens of Avalon, the Hand of Avalon, the Avalonian Merchantile, the Keepers of the Tower, Fletchy McFish, Maul the Bear.
Population: Small
Leader: Prime Minister Shard, Tonya the Oracle?
Representative: Grand Duchess WildStar
Allegiance: Independent
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Once upon a time, Avalon might have been considered a city-state rather than a village on the edge of the frontier. Once upon a time, it thrived as the most successful free-city outside the rule of Lord British’s Realm. Avalon had always been independent of the Britannian Crown, but they continued to maintain friendly relations with their neighbors in Britain, and like Dawn would be quick to send aid in times of war or famine.
Avalon has since declined significantly. The Rune Library has begun to collect dust, while the Ring of Champions had become all but forgotten. As better opportunities became available in Trammel in Malas, many of the native Avalonians began to move away, leaving their homes to be reclaimed by forces of nature. Worse yet, Avalon’s Town Hall burned to the ground in a great five nearly five months ago, leaving an ashen heap of rubble to mark the location of the once marvelous building.
Avalon does possess a few remaining citizens. The Rune Library still stands, maintained by Curator Hazzard. Also, a number of elves have begun moving into the area of late, bringing some hope that the city might one day rise again. Aino Nystad hired men to restore the Ring of Champions, while Mesanna the Wise saw to the creation of a town square to honor the memory of the Town Hall that once stood there.
Avalon and Dawn have always maintained a friendly relationship, and in the absence of the Avalonian Defense League, the Kingdom of Dawn has officially taken the frontier village under its wing as a Protectorate.
WildStar argued the case for the Village of Avalon, whom she cited as having always been independent of the Kingdom of Britannia. Naturally, The Lord Emissary still had a few tricks up his sleeve in his effort to antagonize the Grand Duchess. While he rejected the claim of independence made by the Kingdom of Dawn, he allowed Avalon’s independence to stand so long as she was willing to swear an oath of fealty to the Britannian Crown. It was a cleverly laid out trap that held consequences no matter what she did, therefore the Duchess opted to carry the message back to the Avalonians and see if they agree to such terms.
The status of the Village of Avalon is currently unknown, but if historical precedent were to be taken into account, in all likelihood the villagers will side with the Kingdom of Dawn should any conflict occur between the two nations.
And thus the evening ended with much bitterness, contempt, and sorrow. Only one thing is certain, and that is War is coming to Britannia.
Are you ready?
“Throughout this momentous day, I have been sustained by the knowledge that I can count on your thoughts and prayers. The awareness that my people, spread far and wide, will unite to support me in the task to which I have now been dedicated with such solemnity.
While I know that together we will overcome the great challenges that we must face such as I know the Sun will rise again, I will not mislead you for even the Sun has to overcome the darkness.
I ask of you, who are present today to become my prophets. Go fourth; spread my message of a new era of peace and prosperity across the land. Let it be known that the throne is no longer empty, and we are no longer afraid.”
- King Casca of Britannia, Ascension Speech. January 17th.
Thank you! I love you Xel!