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*  The High Empire

 

 

 

RAGLAR

 

The landing of Raglar guards the northeast frontier of the High Empire.  This is especially true since the loss of the Moredon March to the New Prophet.   Rel Alla’s influence dates back to the Allemanni Empire when it was the staging grounds for the Empire’s northern expansions.   Afterwards the region fell into decline.  First to the Llynerian clans that migrated along the Ceoltric coast settling the region.  Then waves of migrations out of the S’Kree Steppes and the far north left their mark.  The last of these people were the Gendrymm, the vicious tribesmen who once followed Nakor, the Abomination of Tarturaus. The Kingdom of Denian arose during this dark time.  Ruled by the House Mordicanni, the small realm was a satellite state to the Dark lord of Tarturus.   After the defeat of the defeat of this alliance by the combined forces of the Adwickans and Bennedens, the region was again ignored.

 

                After the rise of the High Empire in region fell to the Caldensians quickly.  The Gendrymm now call themselves the “Lorie” or the “wanderers” in their own language.   Their fewer numbers and the low quality of their arms offered little opposition to the mighty knights out of Rel Alla.  The first Count of Raglar was Hagrip l’Cherin of Newark.   Since then, Newark has been one of the major sources of Caldensian settlers.  But this has not stopped immigrants from Bridy and Setford as well as Merchants from Guildwort and Lantilo to come.

 

                Originally the Keeps of Starklar and Pontaker were the farthest extensions of Caldensian rule into the establishment of the Greenship and Moredon Marches.   After the Marshal Hess of Moredon declared himself the New Prophet and founded the Protectorate the County has become a battleground between the orthodox Caldensians and the Vanasari heretics.  The fear instilled by the Protectorate has resulted in many secret converts to the militant faith of the north.   Few dare openly oppose the Protectorate, realizing that the spearmen and knights of Raglar offer scant protection from a visit from one’s neighbors or even Moredon’s “Augar” missionaries.

 

                Currently Raglar has become even more cut off from rest of the Empire.  The Red Skull pirates, who found safe haven in Moredon’s Port Assumption, have sealed off Gallon Bay to any shipping.  This has slowly strangled the main keep of Starklar as well as weakening the Greenchip March at the western end of the bay.    The recent invasion by the Republic of Eye under the pretext of rooting out the corsairs in the bay’s waters has further destabilized the region.   While Starklar has fallen to the Outlanders, the Count has removed himself to smaller keep at Cettle.  This has dropped him right into the center of the Lorie Genocide being conducted by the Knights of the Sword of God out of Pontaker.  This keep was ceded to the Knights under pressure of the Archbishop of Lantilo after the murder of a Caldensian Priest at the hands of the pagan Lorie.

 

 

RAGLAR SUBFEUDATION

 

COUNT of RAGLAR

Fief

Holder

Shire manor

acre hs kn mn

STARKLAR KEEP

Sulder

Denia      St

 

      Sumiden

Bailiff

Denia      Wd

 

      Murmur Creek

Kosler

Denia     un

 

     Festfield

Bailiff

Denia     Wd

 

   Denia

Pedraine

Denia     St

 

     Ostfort

Bailiff

Denia     Wd

 

CETTLE

Bernea

Gyth      St

 

    Luramor

Bailiff

Gyth      Wd

 

PONTAKER

KnSwGd

Gyth      St

 

     Moorpak

Hareal

Gyth      Wd

 

     Apenburg

KnSwGd

Gyth      Wd

 

AGAUS

BRANCH

Gifford

Agau     St

 

   Politt

Bailiff

Agau     un

 

   Drostov

Americk

Agau     Wd

 

Eadrus on the Cut

Abby- Flygar.

Agau     St

 

    Finderburg

Prior

Agau     St

 

    Agauside

Prioress 

Agau     Wd

 

   Vovfield

Bailiff

Agau      Un

 

 

 

RACES AND CULTURE

                As a frontier, the land has seen a mix of people from all over.   Llynerian influences have been brought by the Sudd and Kelma and these have mixed with the original Allemanni inhabitants.   By the time of the High Empire, these people seemed very distant from the civilizations that rose from the heart of the old empire.   

                While the area around Starklar has many settlers from Bridy and Setford, the Ceoltric communities of Cettle and Pontaker are predominantly Kronish from the Outlands.   The Lorie are the largest minority group and have maintained their own language and culture similar in to the “migration languages” of the Warchigs and Wickams of the five centuries ago.

 

*  Races and Cultures

STARKLAR

LOCATION:           Deniashire, County of Raglar of the High Empire

STATUS:  Seat of the Count of Raglar

POPULATION:

 

                The main holding of the Count of Raglar, Starklar has become a battlefield among many of the warring factions of the region.   The best Caldensian harbor in Gallon Bay, it has always played a strategic role.   Since before the Allemanni, the site at the base of Otrend Cove has seen constant settlement.  From a fishing village to an outlet for the Raglar grain fields, the harbor has fought off attacks by the Red Skull Pirates.  The recent loss to the Eyen’s came with an inland attack after a landing at Crenal’s Head.

While the dangers of the frontier are common, most who settle this area are more independent their counterparts in the more civilized parts of the empire.  The promise of deeded land for those willing to clear and defend it has attracted a fair number of peasants to Starklar.   This is evident in the variety of accents spoken about the village and in the countryside.

                At present both town and keep are under the control of the Republican Expeditionary Force, the invasion from Eye.   The Castle houses the commanders of the various companies and the Marshaltry Officers.   Billeted about the village are the soldiers.  The majority of the army is camped out north of town.

 

THE VILLAGE

 

 

PONTAKER

LOCATION:          Gythshire, County of Raglar of the High Empire

STATUS:  Orderial Fief, Knights of the Sword of God.

POPULATION:  40 Kronish, 75 Raglan

                Originally under the direct control of the Count of Raglar, the recent occupation by the holy order of Knights from the Paladyne has further weakened the realm.    Threatened by The Protectorate and their corsairs, Count Nusel had little choice but submit to the request of the Lantilon Archbishop for a more direct hand in subjugating the Lorie.   Ignored by the western leadership, Nusel had to look somewhere, and the Eastern Archbishop offered men and political support in exchange for title to Pontaker.  While the keep remains a fief of Raglar, the actions of the House Commander and his knights have reinforced their independence.

                This isolated keep was established to keep watch over the Lorie tribes that live along the Ceoltric coast and inland moors.  This purpose has changed with the arrival of the Paladin Order.   The original fortress was built during the Denia Period, and it is said that captured slaves were used not only to build the first stone walls, but that their bones were used in the mortar.

 

THE VILLAGE

1.  PONTAKER KEEP

2. THEN WOOD

3. CHAPEL OF THE ORDER

Built like a fortress, it has been improved upon since the arrival of the Knights.  Father Eardan Edros is also the House Chaplin.  A Kendalen monk, he has come from Lantilo to assist the Knights.  Very devout, he has no qualms with the actions against the Lorie, though he claims that if they submit to the Light, then they will be forgiven.

 

4. INN OF THE MOOR

5. HIDEWORKER (Runal na’Vaagel)

6. TIMBERWIGHT (Brigitte Healen)

7.  WOODWORKER

8. WEAVER/SEAMSTRESS (Seya Hordall)

9. MERCANTYLER (Arter Yewsmith)

10. METALSMITH (Fardull na’ Goren)

11. WEAPONCRAFTER

12. HOUSE OF MARYN

 

 

THE KEEP

CELLER

  1. Only House Commander Sir Barulf na’Kormat and few of his most trusted lieutenants know this secret room.   It is used for housing the few relics of the house, such as the possessions of the martyred priest Father Wallon.
  2. This area is sometime used to interrogate prisoners.

 

GROUND FLOOR

  1. The smithy is used to train members of the order to take care of their equipment and make repairs.  Most serious work is done in the by the two smiths in town, who came with the Order.

 

SECOND FLOOR

  1. The House Commander’s Quarters.
  2. Hostel for visiting Knights

 

THIRD FLOOR

CETTLE

LOCATION:          Gythshire, County of Raglar of the High Empire

STATUS:  Seat of the Earl of Cettle, Korial Bernea

POPULATION:  89

The Castle overlooks the Starklar River as it spills into the Celotric Sea.   This position guards the harbor that Korial Bernea, Baron, of Cettle hopes to turn into the major harbor of Raglar.  The troubles in Gallon Bay from the Protectorate and the recent invasion from Eye have done a lot to further this goal.  Until ten years ago the only ships moored in the river were fishing fleets.   Now the harbor often sees visits from a merchant’s ship, and the road skirting the Festoon Swamp sees regular traffic between Cettle and Starklar Keep.

 

 

THE VILLAGE

1. CETTLE CASTLE

Built in an usual design, Cettle Castle commands a view of the harbor out into Keys Bay.   (a) Hunithe, bonded weaponcrafter.  (b) Jeary of Agaushire, bonded ostler.  

2. TOLL BOOTH

The tower was erected in 230 AF.  The tolls are collected by the Earl of Cettle for the Count of Raglar   The bridge is closed at night.

3. KYEWRYE SLOUGH

The Earl has installed five buoys here, the three closest to the village are visible on the map.  These supplement the limited berthing facilities.   Vessels may either tie up at the buoys and load/unload cargoes into river barges, or await dock space.   Ships are not allowed to anchor directly in the river, but they may do so down stream.

4. CHAPEL OF ST. KENDAL

The Chapel was originally built in 70 AF, and has been a quiet posting for Father Greg Balberg.

5. PRIORY OF THE FLYGARIAN

This small house of Healing has come into direct conflict with the Knights in Pontaker for offering missionary services to the pagan Lorie.

6. HARBORMASTER (Sir Loil Aranta)

The harbourmaster holds appointment by the Earl and holds Kapon Manor south of here.  His staff includes one master pilot and two assistants.   Many workers from the village are employed here as teamsters and longshoremen.

7. BONDMASTER (Sir Padrick of Poulen)

Another small mano holder outside Cettle, the bondmaster spends most of his time in village seeing to his duties.

8. PILOT’S GUILDHALL

9. SEAMAN’S GUILDHALL

10. MERCANTYLERS’ HALL

Open to all Guild members, their influence is weak out here on the frontier.  The armed conflicts and the ease of smuggling has been a constant source of problems for the guild.  But as many of the members are profiting from both, little is brought to the Earl.

11. STARKBURG VILLAGE

Held by the Earl, this village serves the travelers from the inland and Starklar.

12. TOLLBRIDGE INN (Yossarian the Highlander

Yossarian’s inn is well known for its dry and light ciders, which he ships in cask to the Earl’s cellers.  

13. SHIPWRIGHT  (Meneral of Guildwort)

Menaral was brought to the Cettle by the Earl to improve the facilities.   The Earl own five vessels and Menaral spends much of his time keeping them in order.

14. THE DOLPHIN (Velendy of Denia)

Velendy lost his leg in a shipping accident four years ago, but was able to open up this tavern with his savings.  The inn caters to the seedy and roudy seamen and mercenaries who travel through Cettle.

15. THE SHEILD OF LIGHT (Faneral of Wark)

Faneral served as a Lay Brother for twenty years in the Paladyne.  He has been here for the last ten years and offers much of his hospitality to Knights who come to Pontaker.

16. LEXIGRAPHER (Jansel van Frechk)

Jansel is a very talented map maker.  He was originally brought here to tutor the last Earl’s heirs, and has remained in Cettle.  He is a great storyteller and collects tales from all over.

17. CHANDLER

18. FENN’S MILL (Fenn MacJorl)

Fenn operates this mill farther up the river on the coastal side.   From here he also runs a smuggling business.   He ferry’s the goods across at night.  Recently he has begun working for a shady slaver called “Mr. Big”.

 

 

               

THE SWAMP PRINCE

                From the wet wilderness of the Festoon Swamp come many tales of ghost and haunted castles.   One of these folktales describes a haunted castle that is home to the last Lord of Denia, Prince Mordicanian.   Under a curse from the ancient gods, the evil ruler was forced to live forever, but that he must remain in confines of one of his Castle.    As time has passed he has watched the world change.   Eventually the land itself changed, and the fields of his fief sank into the marsh now called the Festoon Swamp. 

                The tale has been told and retold for centuries.  Hunters who become lost in the twisted forest of the swamp are said to have fallen prey to the hateful prince.  The fact that the swamp appears as a forest may explain the story’s suggestion that the swamp arrived after the fall of Prince Mordicanian.   While dismissed as folklore, few venture near the dark swamp, and none journey to its heart.

 

ABBEY of EADROS on the CUT

                The western Shire of Raglar centers on this large Flygarian settlement.   While the order of healers have many urban houses, they sect dedicated to St. Eadrus is more removed from common society.  This is understandable since members of this sect believe in tending the terminally ill and grieving.  Of course their efforts make them a favorite target of rich donations from wealthy merchants and nobles who seek more absolution that they believe comes from personal priest.  Originally founded as a hermitage for the Flygarrians who dedicated themselves to St. Eadrus, it expanded its holdings with much of the sect’s endowments.  The monastery and estates then established a large leper colony and other retreats for the horribly diseased.

                The first monks arrived about 96 AF, and 102 AF saw the appointment of an Abbot, Brother Sorel of Terrofon.   At present it is the largest Abbey to St. Eadrus in the known world, with over 600 monks and another 2000 patients.  Sister Clairiss of Willusa is the present Abbess, and it should be noted that the Abbey itself is divided into three complexes, one for women.

                Most of the “guests” live in small villages and farming communities.  All accommodations are communal, and all are expected to contribute to the daily needs of their fellows.    One unique group of patients is the informal Abbey guard.  They are all former soldiers and knights from the Empire and Sabrynne, who defend the Abbey from threats.   A very unusual army, these men are often quite old and infirm, but seem to touch on their former glory in the name of defending the Brothers and their fellow guest.  Because of the Abbey Guard the lands have been fairly unmolested by the strife that plagues Raglar and the March Region.