Other lands
Dalaria is an island nation with established nobility, a strong navy and various trade goods, including Dalarian bows, some of the best in the world, and vast selection of exotic fruits. Dalaria has made war on other nearby islands, but have not forayed onto the continent, as their army is not large enough to constitute a real threat to most of the landbound nations. Their government is a monarchy, with William Primus, son of the deceased King Primus, atop the throne. Dalarian cities are prosperous and modern, with gardens that are truly beautiful.
Some of the history between the Dalarians and Edora:
Annum 163 – D’Aar Flavian visits the island nation as a guest of Prince William Primus, the heir to the throne of Dalaria. After conquering another island nation (Simeria), the Dalarians pay Edora to “relocate” approximately 3500 Simerians into Greensdale and Bloodfang. Prince William participates in the inaugural Tourney of the Golden Lion in Cragston.
Annum 164 – Prince William Primus wins the sword competition in the 2nd Tourney of the Golden Lion at Krak du Lion d’Or.
Annum 169 – Dalaria reneges on their treaty with Edora and Duromia, instead signing one with Trifall.
Annum 170 – The Dalarian Navy blockades Pike’s Bay for ten days.
Annum 171 – King Primus dies; his chamberlain, Lord Denton Maltor, stages a coup, seizing control of the government, forcing Prince William Primus into exile. The prince takes some ships and gems and makes his way toward the continent and Al-Mualim, his intention to visit the Syndicate of Provision to purchase various items he feels will assist him in re-taking the throne of Dalaria. Letters of Marque are issued by King D’Aar to privateers Captain Barnacle Brett and Commander Robert Friese: Sink or Seize all Dalarian Ships. Friese captures Prince William at sea; the prince is taken to King D’Aar, who then finds and destroys the Al-Mualim location of the Syndicate. King D’Aar and his nobles meet with Lord Denton and Prince William; it is determined that William shall ascend to King of Dalaria.
LARPing Dalarians at court – Dalarians have a long and proud history, and, with such a strong navy, view themselves as superior to most. Dalarians would be at the Edoran court as ambassadors or other visiting dignitaries. As trade is plentiful between the two lands, there could also be found Dalarian merchant lords at the Edoran court. Otherwise, perhaps some warriors may be at court to try their hand at some of the Edoran tournaments.
Duromia is the land of the horselords. Located along the eastern border of the Duchy of Bloodfang, Duromians are a race of men that value their freedom and independence. There are three different, but related, groups of men (Kor Durom, Gel Durom and Bal Durom) recently brought together under the reign of King Baleek II. The Duromian steeds they breed are considered by those who know to be the best horses in the known world. Krakta Mal is the mountain stronghold of the giants, who have entered a truce with Duromia, trading mined minerals and stones for wheat, Duromia’s greatest crop; very patriarchal society; pagan, but recently introduced to the teachings of St. Turpin.
Some of the history between the Duromians and Edora:
Annum 162 – D’Aar Flavian, charged by the Duke Francis Hhune VII with travelling southeast of Hhune to map the lands east of Krak du Lion d’Or, meets Tiberian Maul of Duromia. D’Aar mobilizes his army of some 970 men to help King Baleek II drive away the scourge of orcs, ogres and the like from the mountains of Altu Han. A treaty is made with Mok Vie, leader of the giants of Altu Han – gems and precious metals from Altu Han in exchange for wheat from the Duromians. D’Aar is awarded by King Baleek II the Duchy of Bloodfang, a mountain range as dangerous as it is inhospitable.
- Annum 165 – Baron Ian Spence of Oceanview weds Princess Alana Mulan (sister of Baleek II) of Duromia, sealing possession of Bloodfang for D’Aar Flavian.
Annum 167 – Hector McPayne travels with a small contingent of men through the Gap of Woe to meet Tiberian Maul. They are set upon by elves as a skirmish ensues.
Annum 169 – Duke Hector takes 1440 Royal and Bloodfang troops to Duromia, fighting alongside King Baleek II to help suppress an orc uprising.
Annum 175 – Heading east to Noresund, Sir Ricctis stops at Drak Mulan for an audience with King Baleek, who tells that the elves seem even more bellicose – he expects war within a year or two, as Elethrielle has expanded into Duromian land, growing over fifteen miles to within a few miles of Trom Stronghold, incensing its lord, Tiberian Maul. A few months later, Elves and Duromians come to Krak du Lion d’Or to discuss the ever-expanding forest; Queen Villamira of Ellasir tells that the forest grows as a buffer against great evil – a pit fiend, which has taken up residence in Altu Han. Kill it and the forest will stop expanding. Tiberian Maul goes with Hector, Ricctis and others to hunt down the beast; he is slain in the fighting, but the pit fiend is banished back to Hell.
LARPing Duromians at court – Duromians are akin to the Rohan from Lord of the Rings. They are solid warriors, but their culture is not particularly advanced. As with most humans, they range in personality from quiet to boisterous. They could found at the Edoran court to act as ambassadors, or perhaps to present a few Duromian steeds to the king (but never a mare). Perhaps they might be travelling through Edora on their way west, but this would be unusual, as most Duromians never leave their homeland. There is not much trade between the two lands, mainly due to the fact that the Duromians do not want for much beyond what they have. The teachings of St.Turpin, patron saint of Triam, was introduced to Duromia over ten years ago and is beginning to take hold. Perhaps a holy man looking to glean more into the ways of Triam.
Ellasir is the land of the elves. South of the Bloodfang Mountains between Edora and Duromia, Ellasir is an ancient place, where the winds of magic blow through the forest of Ellethrielle, infusing elves and elvenkin alike with natural spell-casting ability. While there exists goodwill between Ellasir and Edora (Queen Villamira is friendly with King D’Aar), there is outright enmity between the elves and Duromia, where border skirmishes are not unknown and hostilities are always brewing beneath the surface. This has abated in the last ten years, as the Duromians and Edorans have become allies, but the centuries of distrust still exist. The elves stay to themselves; no known trade exists between Ellasir and any human land, as their forest provides them with all they need. Every elf will have a modicum of magical ability, so they are not fond of Fragnal or Hhune, where magic, even naturally occurring, is forbidden. Both males and females learn proficiency in the sword and bow, so they are more than capable of defending themselves or their land from outsiders. As elves usually live for eight or more centuries, they have a more relaxed attitude toward time, preferring a more patient approach to decision-making.
Some of the history between Ellasir and Edora:
Annum 166 – King D’Aar Flavian of Edora sends words to Elasir regarding an expedition to Maladomini, the 7th Plane of Hell, to destroy an evil artifact. King Villawen sends Princess Villamira to aid Duke Eamon of Rakland, who leads the mission. The artifact is destroyed.
Annum 167 – Princess Villamira weds Duke Eamon Catawbry.
Annum 167 – Hector McPayne travels with a small contingent of men through the Gap of Woe to meet Tiberian Maul of Duromia. They are set upon by elves as a skirmish ensues.
Annum 169 – King Villawen sends 500 elven troops to Rakland (near Dydd) to assist D’Aar and Eamon in battling some devils from Hell.
- Annum 171 – King Villawen sends elves to aid King D’Aar against an army of 4000 ogres and orcs that could threaten both Edora and Ellasir. Duke Hector McPayne of Bloodfang travels to Ellasir, as Wilhelmus Spearshaker, elven traveler at the Edoran court, informs D’Aar that Ellethrielle is dying. Princess Aylwen is charged with assisting Hector. She proposes re-naming the Gap of Woe “Illanir’s Pass,” in honor of her lover, slain by Hector four years past, to whom she was “practically betrothed.” Princess Villamira of Ellasir is recalled from Rakland. Hector gathers a group of soldiers, including Sir Kallard de Clés of Clesby, Sir Michael Terlech and Ricctis Kellach, as they re-take Oothrin Castle, center of the evil. King Villawen of Ellasir dies; Villamira’s marriage to the Duke of Rakland is dissolved as she is named Queen of the Elves of Ellasir.
Annum 172 – Piecing together the history of his religion, King D’Aar Flavian re-establishes some long-dead lay lines, replenishing the magical flow in Ellethrielle and rejuvenating the great elven forest.
Annum 175 - Elves and Duromians come to Krak du Lion d’Or to discuss the ever-expanding forest; Queen Villamira of Ellasir tells that the forest of Ellethrielle grows as a buffer against great evil – a pit fiend, which has taken up residence in Altu Han. Kill it and the forest will stop expanding
LARPing elves at court – While elves are haughty by nature, dealing with nobles at court they will (usually) behave themselves. They drink, but not too much, and they tend not to overindulge in food. Ambassadors from Ellasir can be found at court; sometimes Princess Aylwen makes her way to Krak du Lion d’Or. Occasionally warriors might be found visiting the Edoran court. However, as no trade exists, there is no such thing as an elven merchant lord. Adventurers and travelers such as Wilhelmus Spearshaker will also visit the court. Elven religion is a very private affair, and no elven holy men are known to the Edoran nobility.
Fragnal (Fran-Yall), a wealthy nation about 150 miles northeast of Wyvernhurst, is a beacon of culture. Wine, art, furniture, wool, cheese and steel – all can be found in arguably their greatest incarnation in Fragnal. Erion steel is wrought into some of the best swords in the known world, while wines from Aquir and Chanton are the finest in the known world. Comprised of four duchies (Aquir, Orion, Chanton and Degnerac), Fragnal is ruled by Eduard de Norral, whose family has kept its place at the head of their nobility for over 180 years. It was his great-great-great-great grandfather, King Jean II, who was instrumental in the Great Purge (the systematic hunting down of all wizards in Fragnal and its vassal duchy, Hhune). The people pray to Triam, the God of Justice, and the Knights of Triam began in this great land; it is rumored that the Lance of St. Turpin, whose tenets guide those same knights, is sequestered in a monastery in La Marne. The Gegnomagne River runs from northwest of Chanton, through Degnerac and Aquir on its way to the coast, hundreds of miles away. The nobility is old and strong, but the warriors, aside from the Battle of Bachurst, have not shed much blood in true combat in anyone’s lifetime.
Some of the history between Fragnal and Edora:
Annum 125 – Eduard, son of King Jean IV, is born. His brother Jean is born two years later.
Annum 146 – King Eduard ascends to the throne of Fragnal.
Annum 162 – Trade established between Fragnal and the duchy of Greensdale.
Annum 163 – Nobles, including Duc Jean de Norral of Aquir, Duc Guy de Briffair of Chanton and Duc Giles de Juen of Degnerac make their way to Cragston and Krak du Lion d’Or for the initial Tourney of the Golden Lion. They acquit themselves admirably.
Annum 165 – Giles de Juen, le Duc de Degnerac, wins the joust at the 3rd Tourney of the Golden Lion.
Annum 164 – The Duke of Hhune dies, and his son has fallen in with nefarious types – the command of Hhune is in turmoil. King Eduard leads an army of some 4000 troops toward Wyvernhurst, where he is met by Duke D’Aar Flavian. Beneath a pavilion in the center of town, the two negotiate the Treaty of Wyvernhurst, wherein the duchy of Hhune is sold to Flavian for 500,000 pieces of gold, timber and land in northwest Hhune near Ulath. Laws relating to wizards will remain enforced in Hhune.
Annum 167 – Sir Hector McPayne is named le Comte de Gyronee, marrying Lady Rachel de Doinet, daughter of Sir Robert. Duc Jean of Orion, without royal leave, leads his army toward Edora, meeting King D’Aar at a river crossing. The Battle of Sewel Ford ensues, with the Duc’s army being annihilated. The losses are staggering: almost 1000 dead, including le Comte de Samsonlee and another 86 nobles and men of rank. 203 nobles are captured, most notably Duc Jean, and les Comtes Tribeaux and Provion. Edoran dead are merely 18. Hector is named the 2nd Duke of Bloodfang, his marriage to Lady Rachel annulled.
Annum 169 – King D’Aar visits Erion, where King Eduard warns him of a threat from Korland. The Black Eagle, le Duc d’Orion (King Eduard’s brother), is executed for treason.
Annum 171 – The Fragnali army defeats a large force of orcs and ogres south of Orion.
LARPing the Fragnali at court – The Fragnali (derisively called “friendly” in Edora) language would be the equivalent of French, so either that or a French accent would be good. Trade between Edora and Fragnal has proven beneficial for both, with goods from Fragnal moving south. Fruits and other goods from across the sea are transported north, along with tobacco and cigars produced in Greensdale, so there would be merchant lords from Fragnal at the Edoran court. Ambassadors from Fragnal would also be at court. Nobles would visit regularly, as many of the Edoran customs are the same as those in Fragnal. However, as Fragnal is a much older and wealthier land, the nobles would tend to look down their noses a bit. There have also been Fragnali knights who spend time with the king and his knights at the court of Edora.
Korland is the largest land in the known world. It lies far to the west of the Devil’s Spine Mountains, and is old and not just a little corrupt. A land of great wealth and mystery, every manner of taste can be found there, from the capital city of Kornillia, located in the center of the country on the Kornil River, to the corrupt city of Rulais, annexed over 35 years ago and ruled by guilds and crooked nobles. Magic and magic-users can be found there, along with the Slayers’ guild, the Assassins’ guild (a sub guild of the very powerful Thieves’ guild) and various merchants’ guilds. Subterfuge and deceit make up the daily fare of Rulais’ ruling elite. Korland is polytheistic, so any and all manner of religion can be found there.
Some of the history between the Korlish and Edora:
- Annum 136 – Rulais is annexed as Oolan, the brilliant Rulaisian general, loses in his bid to conquer Korland. Rulais, and all her land, are annexed into Korland.
- Annum 138 – The Brick of Building is stolen from the dwarfs of Stanne Pass. It is returned in exchange for land between Korland and the Devil’s Spine, the land to become part of Korland.
- Annum 166 – Hector McPayne is indoctrinated into the Slayers’ Guild in Rulais.
- Annum 169 – King Eduard of Fragnal warns King D’Aar of a threat from Korland;
- Annum 171 – King Miras of Korland dies suddenly and without an heir. The country is thrown into disarray as no one individual has been groomed for the position.
- Annum 172 –Herzog Karl and Herzog Ludwig vie for the Korlish throne. Korlish suitors visit Edora; Edora decides to back Herzog Karl. Graf Frederek von Hufflstein, Korlish spy discovered at the court of Edora, is executed by the Edorans. King D’Aar takes an army of almost 3500 troops west across the Devil’s Spine to aid Karl in becoming the next King of Korland. The army of Ludwig and his allies from Trifall is routed. King D’Aar returns to Krak du Lion d’Or with 200,000 pieces of gold. Karl is named King of Korland.
- Annum 173 - Korland sends 42,000 pieces of gold to Krak du Lion d’Or with a letter promising not a gold piece more. Sir James Cawper visits König Karl of Korland about the gold still owed; Karl presents another 8,000 pieces, which he considers to be the final payment. Herzog Otto von Keitel of Frei Oldenburg arrives at Krak du Lion d’Or to meet with King D’Aar and Queen Sasha, presenting them with 100,000 pieces of gold (D’Aar) and ten ships (Sasha). He wishes help deposing König Karl; it is felt that Karl is a terrible, inconsistent king. Hector travels to Rulais and throws a lavish party for the city’s elite, wherein he tells them of Edora’s plan to free Rulais from under the thumb of Korland. Rulais, deeply unhappy about Karl’s heavy hand, rejoices at the opportunity to remove his oppressive yoke.
- Annum 174 - On the first day of the new year Karl’s army is defeated handily near the Korlish village of Blauberg, from which the battle takes its name. After hours of fighting, D’Aar finds his way to Karl and kills him in single combat; this ends the conflict. The Edoran army suffers 270 dead, 30 of whom are knights of the realm. The Unicorn and all bowmen were instrumental in the defeat of König Karl. Otto crowned King of Korland.
- Annum 175 - Word comes from Otto that the army of Trifall, a seceretive, xenophobic land on the western border of Korland, is very large; Otto requests extra forces to aid him at Flusplatz at the far western end of Korland. At the River Arre a skirmish ensues, as the Edoran troops hit the rear right flank of the Trifall army, killing in excess of 600 troops, including orcs and bowmen, with only ten Edorans slain. The army again returns to Trifall, defeating a large Trifall force, with Trifall troops scattering after the battle, Alte Frau burning and Korland holding the field. Edora returns home as Korland mops up. King Otto is assassinated (poison) and Korland again descends into political chaos.
LARPing the Korlish at court – The Korlish language would be the equivalent of German, so either that or a German accent would be good. Every manner of trade can be found in Korland, so there is no limit to that. Edora currently trades tobacco (pipe weed and cigars) from the Barony of Middleton with Korland, which returns oxen, sheep and other farm animals. Ambassadors from Korland have been welcome at court, but, as noted above, this has not always worked out so well. Females have the same rights as males, so whatever a man wishes to do a woman would also have access to as well. Warriors, mages, merchant lords – anything is possible from the people of Korland.
Stanne Pass is the home of the dwarfs. Located approximately 250 miles northwest of Edora in the Devil’s Spine Mountain Range, the dwarfs are fiercely protective about who or what enters their realm. The dwarfs are a rigid people, loyal, headstrong and stubborn, holding grudges against those who have wronged them. They thrive by mining the mountains for gems and precious metals, along with iron and other necessities. Dwarfs value honor above all else; this explains their enmity toward the elves, a race considered dishonorable by the dwarfs. They are also mortal enemies of those evil creatures who also inhabit the mountains: ogres, orcs and goblins.
Some of the history between dwarfs and Edora:
Annum 151 – D’Aar Flavian, brother of the Knights of Triam, hires Dargon Rockbreaker, dwarven builder, to assist in developing the defenses around Riverside. Nine years later, Duke D’Aar again recruits Dargon to assist in the construction of Krak du Lion d’Or.
Annum 162 – D’Aar Flavian negotiates a treaty with Underthane Varek Stonefist, wherein dwarven miners from Stanne Pass will work the Duromian mountains of Altu Han. This will not be the last time dwarfs and Edorans will cooperate to draw valuable materials from the earth.
Annum 169 – King Urthgrim Oathkeeper sends word to King D’Aar Flavian of Edora that Stanne Pass, and its capital Ostahaar, are under siege from a demon-led army of giants, ogres and orcs. King D’Aar, at the head of an army of over 1800 Edorans, answers the call, helping King Urthgrim defeat the fell force at the Battle for the Fields of Stanne Pass. As thanks, King Urthgrim sends miners and wagons of gold to Edora. The dwarfs are so impressed with Hector McPayne, the Duke of Bloodfang, that Runemaster Jarsson carves dwarven runes of Clanggad (protection) and Haela (luck) into his forearms. Later that year, in Rakland near Dydd, Thane Varek Stonefist of Stanne Pass sends dwarfs to aid the Edorans in their battle against devils from Hell.
Annum 172 – A new mining treaty is established between Stanne Pass and the Duchy of Bloodfang.
Annum 173 – King D’Aar, Duke Hector and others meet with Urthgrim Oathkeeper, King of the Dwarfs of Stanne Pass, regarding traveling within the Devil’s Spine to destroy the headquarters of the Syndicate. King Urthgrim has his army set up a diversion, allowing D’Aar and his men to eradicate the hive of the Syndicate of Provision. Two sarcophagi found in Hell containing the remains of dwarfs are returned to King Urthrgrim.
LARPing dwarfs at court – dwarfs have long, flowing beards, so that would be a good thing to wear. Also, dwarfs are loud and (sometimes) obnoxious to those they consider beneath them. The dwarven language is unintelligible to man, so they speak the common tongue, albeit with a Scottish accent. They recognize strength and honor, but will never forgive a slight. A dwarf could be sent from Stanne Pass to negotiate a new mining treaty, or an ambassador to remain at the Edoran court, or perhaps a Merchant Lord, as some dwarfs leave their homeland to make their fortunes elsewhere. Dwarfs usually (but not always) travel in numbers, so a couple or few dwarfs at court together would be the norm.