Rotaria:
Rotaria is in a bit of upheaval. After the mysterious and untimely death of the evil Duke Martin Rotari last year,
things appeared to be turning to the better. His wife Lillian took office and
vowed to make sweeping changes.
It is not an easy job. Although she has destroyed the necromancer’s guilds that
pretended to be healer’s guilds, and although she has obliterated many of her
husband’s former associates, there is still unrest in the country, and much of
the advice I gave travelers before her ascension still applies.
The main problem with Rotaria is the bureaucracy. Those petty minor nobles whom
the Duchess has still to root out, who pledge loyalty to her while still attempting
to consolidate their own power. They care only for their own self-advancement and
as such their peasants are the poorest, most underfed and oppressed people in the
kingdom.(Well, except for the slaves in Niman.) Things are improving and some
new nobles are not as oppressive as before, but society does not change overnight.
The most hope is the northern Barony of Warwyck, where Baron Galen Warwyck recently
assumed the throne taken from him by Martin Rotari years before. He has begun to
make changes - difficult as that may be - and the people are beginning to show more
hope.
The Barony of Baltaria is the one to avoid. Baroness Annoria Cabbot has had
five husbands executed already, when she got tired of them. She has done the
same with many of her knights and other court personnel. Her hold on power is
so strong that the Duchess is still afraid of offending her for fear of losing
her own power (or so it is rumored).
If you do decide to venture into Rotaria, (who knows? You could be searching for
adventure? Out to right wrongs? Or you may just be a damned fool!),
be sure to get some of the apples from their wonderful groves.
They also have some of the loveliest beaches in the kingdom as well.
Off the coast, if you can avoid the pirates that are allowed to exist as long as
they pay off the Rotarian nobles, you might even see a mermaid!
The best advice for traveling through Rotaria is to bring lots of money to
pay bribes to get yourself out of tough situations. If anyone invites you to
their home, Don’t go! Make sure that you do everything that the city guard
and the nobles tell you to do. Remember, even if the higher-ups in this duchy
are friendly, to get to them, you have to climb up through a lot of mud!
If traveling in Rotaria, make sure you have all of the proper paperwork.
Because of its political precariousness, Rotaria demands everyone - even its own
people - to have papers whenever they travel from one land to another
within the duchy. Also, if you are from the northern duchy of Ravenholt,
be sure to keep that fact a secret, and try to hide your accent.
Many entrenched nobles in Rotaria still harbor great hatred for Ravenholt,
because Rotaria wanted the rich barony of Capulus, and because Ravenholt
helped to bring Galen Warwyck back into power. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Many of the common people are good, decent, people who have simply learned
that the only way to get by in Rotaria is not to trust anyone, report
everything to their lieges, and never show kindness to anyone.
Sutherland:
Sutherland is an interesting but
dangerous place. It seems that believe it or not, necromancy has been
made legal by the Duke!
A few years ago, you see, they had a major problem with a local goblin tribe.
The goblins were actually winning the war, and things looked bad for the duchy,
when a group of necromancers entered the scene and promised to "save" the duchy.
To make a long story short, they did, and demanded some positions within the nobility,
and actually reversed the king’s law against necromancy!
From what I hear, the King is not happy about this, and had ordered the law
rescinded, but so far he has been ignored. I am sure that sooner or later there
will be a major problem, or even a war. So visitors to this duchy should be wary.
In any event if you do travel the area, there are many nice spots to visit.
The Isles De Hoenig are pleasant lands ruled by the Baron Jacques Montaque,
and are known across the duchy for fine wool products. These isles stretch across
the entire coast of the duchy, from the northernmost tip of Rossanoe to the edge
of the goblin lands in the south. The beaches here are frequently visited by the
locals and I am sure that any traveler would want to see them.
The Barony of Rossanoe holds the capital city of Sutherland. This is a magnificent
city full of delightful shops and commerce.
The Barony of Sahde features the shire of Hobbington with its picturesque homes
and quaint hobling shops. Nearby is Granite Point Mountain, a huge edifice that
can be seen for miles. It is an extremely large rock that juts out of the ground,
forming a bald mountain.
Sudbyr is by far the poorest Barony of the duchy. It is plagued by infertile
soil, a line of mountains that splits the barony in half, and a citizenry
that is composed mainly of gypsies, dwarves and orcs, all of whom war with
each other on a constant and regular basis. This is not a pleasant place to
visit, particularly since necromancy is legal.
The Barony of LaRochelle is easily recognizable as you cross the river
forming the border between these two baronies. The saying that,
"The grass is always greener on the other side" was never more true than at
this juncture. LaRochelle is known for its marvelous agricultural products.
Even though there have been constant wars against the goblins in recent years,
LaRochelle still produces some of the most bountiful harvests in the land.
I suppose that Sutherland is the place to visit if you are a necromancer,
but I doubt that the king will allow that status to continue for long.
Therendry:
Therendry is located to the south of
Evendarr and Kitheria, and is home to some beautiful countryside, and a most
unusual people.
The capital city of Goldhaven, where Duke Jordan Champerlen resides was actually
founded by a pirate! It was once a prospering haven for all manner of thieves
and undesirables. There was constant war between those who wished for a better
city, and those who preferred things to remain the same.
Eventually Duke Champerlen was able to get the place under control,
reputedly by working many back room deals. Although the thieves guild
there still has significant power, things seem to be generally calmer
for the residents. Duke Champerlen is a fine fellow (although getting on in years)
and he seems to enjoy the courtly life he leads. There are always many parties
to attend if you visit the beautiful inner city.
The main port of the duchy is a pleasant town called Mistport.
Many merchant vessels trade their goods here and a traveler is certain
to find a number if interesting items for sale. The -uh- "pleasure houses"
along the coast are extremely interesting to visit.
Another good spot to visit is the walled city of Kranaesh.
The huge gates of this city dominate the landscape at the junction
of the magnificent Fury River, and the major shipping road called the
"North Trail". The massive wall is a single slab of granite carved by
dwarves who first settled the region. It is a wondrous sight to behold,
and a marvel of modern architecture.
The city itself is a hodgepodge of different architectural styles with dozens
of buildings both above ground and built in to the hillside clashing together to
demonstrate the ancient age of this city. The city also connects to the underground
city of the dwarves (I can’t pronounce the name.), but humans such as I are never
allowed to visit. Not surprisingly this city’s chief business is its mining
operations.
The large city of Irongate has a most unusual government structure.
The Duke allows the city’s guilds to choose a Lord or Lady Mayor who
serves for a five year term. Of course the Duke or Baron can overrule
the Mayor’s decisions but generally in order to keep the peace, within
the city, they leave well enough alone. Being Mayor is a difficult job,
and more than one Mayor has suddenly and mysteriously appeared at the
healer’s guild for resurrection.
Visiting Therendry can be an exhilarating experience as long as one remembers
the founding fathers of the region. Thieves' Guilds have much power in almost
every city. More often than not, political appointments are decided by
assassination. As long as you stay out of politics - and this means also not
competing with the many businesses run by the thieves' guilds - there is a lot
to do in this southern duchy.
Volta:
The people of Volta are a strong individuals
who love nothing better than a good clean fight. Their favorite pastime is sitting
in the tavern with a tall glass of their famous ale, and arm wrestling.
(Sometimes at the same time!)
The Voltans are after all descended from the northern barbarians, and they share
many of the same tastes and prejudices, without that nasty disagreement with
celestial magic. They are much less hostile to other viewpoints and ideas, and
are generally very friendly unless crossed or cheated. If asked to join a
wrestling contest with a Voltan, make sure that you understand what you
may be getting into. To a Voltan, a wrestling contest may mean wrestling with
his or her pet bear.
When set a task, expect the typical Voltan to perform to the best of his or her
abilities, delving into the task with the utmost passion until it is completed.
Although they tend to remain politically neutral in regards to their dealings
with other duchies, deep down you will find that the average Voltan is basically
good and has a great distrust and dislike for their neighbors in Niman.
(This is not to imply that there are no evil Voltans, far from it.
Volta has as many problems with necromancers and thieves as any other border duchy.)
A good time to Visit Volta is in the fall when they hold their tournament.
This annual event was the inspiration for Duke Ravenhurst’s own tournament,
but the Voltans go at it with a much different attitude. The Voltan tournament
emphasizes battle skills with separate events for different weapons,
a wrestling contest, and even contests for picking locks and disarming traps!
(The Voltan’s don’t consider these skills inherently evil.) A team in Volta
consists of five fighters, a healer, a mage, and a rogue. They represent each
of the four baronies.
The prize for winning the tournament is typical for the Voltan lifestyle -
possession of a golden shield and sword, the privilege of hosting the tournament
in their own baronial capital the following year, and all the free ale that
they can drink for the next year. Because of this last provision, no team has
ever won two years in a row.
When in the barony of Anym, be sure to visit the falls of Lochniria.
This beautiful natural waterfall is not only lovely to look at,
as it captures the sunlight and creates wondrous rainbows, but it is also said
to be composed of water that is very -ahem- "potent". It is sold all over the
kingdom as an aphrodisiac. This is a very fun place to visit if you are
into the delights of the flesh.
Prostitution is not illegal in Volta, nor is it explicitly legal either.
It is actually unnecessary, as the people of Volta tend to be very free with
their attentions - until the point where they form attachments and become
VERY possessive. If you do travel this area, be sure to remember the famous
admonition, "When in Lochniria, don’t forget your cure disease potions!"
Be forewarned of one unusual item when traveling through Volta.
People disappear. For the last ten years or so, the peaceful people of
Zarkym have been mysteriously disapppearing. No one has actually disappeared
while in public view, but small groups out hunting or fishing, or even
small groups of children out playing have never returned.
The Royal Academy of Magic has investigated these disappearances,
but so far have been unsuccessful. Slave raiders are thought by some to be
responsible, but since the disappearances have all occurred near the southern
shores of Lake Ardynn, far from the slave traders of Niman, this seems unlikely.
Duke Adrick Voltan is a large boisterous man with a full black beard and a
gigantic laugh. He is well loved by his people. It has been said that Baron
Boddin Douglas has made plans against the Duke, but this may be mere rumor.
Certainly no overt action has ever been taken. I hope I don’t get into trouble
for saying this, but, there are also rumors about his treachery against the crown,
but I don’t really believe them.
One final thing, Never, never make fun of the name of the Voltan’s capital city
- "Unity."
