One final entry in the Compendium on Lands Around Blackwater Lake.
Northumbria, Frangian Province of
His Grace, Jonathan Prestwick, Duke of Northumbria
Capital: Yarrvik (pop 6,000)
Population: 70,200
Population Density: 12-13 people per square mile
Area (in square miles): 50,000 (only ~5,460 controlled)
Hexes: 7+ (population controlled)
Hex with Yarrvik (780 x 40 = 31200)
Hex with Albanton (780 x 10 = 7800)
Hex north of Yarrvik (780 x 8 = 6,240)
Hex with Kingstown (780 x 2 = 1,560)
Hex with East Hampton (780 x 10 = 7800)
Hex with Middleton (780 x 10 = 7800)
Hex southwest of Yarrvik (780 x 5 = 3900)
Hex south of Yarrvik (780 x 5 = 3900)
Other Notable Settlements:
Albanton (3000)
Kingstown (2250)
East Hampton (1680)
Middleton (1260)
Fortifications: Yarrvik’s citadel
Resources: Lumber, furs and skins, fish, horses, rye, oats, fruit, superior building stone (basalt), syrup, and manufactured goods (ships)
This vast province, only recently claimed by the Crown, has great potential for wealth and power, but it also holds great danger. King Richard personally appointed his long-time friend, Jonathan Prestwick, to rule this sprawling frontier province. In actuality, the Duke only controls the regions around the major settlements.
The Duke of Northumbria reportedly maintains a standing army of 1000 men-at-arms, stationed in the outskirts of Yarrvik. Feudal levies swell his banners to 4000 in times of need, and the elite of this force is a squadron of vaunted Frangian heavy cavalry. Furthermore, the Duke can always send to Southumbria for reinforcements. Moreover, in and around Yarrvik, there are often a few hundred mercenaries available for hire as well.
Southumbria, Frangian Province of
His Grace, Edward Arundell, Duke of Southumbria
Capital: Carolton (pop. 6,000)
Population: 78,000
Population Density: 25 people per square mile
Area (in square miles): 3120
Hexes: 4
Other Notable Settlements:
Southport (3600)
Kingsport (2000)
Newport (1500)
Fortifications: Carolton’s citadel
Resources: Lumber, fish, wheat, barley, gold, fruit, and honey
The Arundell family currently rules the Kingdom of Frangia, and King Richard personally appointed his youngest brother, Edward, to rule the lucrative province of Southumbria. Duke Edward has standing orders to swell the royal coffers through trade and increased cultivation.
As Carolton is the seat of Frangian power in the western lands, the Duke of Southumbria reportedly maintains a standing force of 2000 men-at-arms, stationed around the city. Feudal levies and mercenaries swell his ranks to 5000 in times of need. The heart and soul of his force are the 500 Carolton Guards, most of which reside in the city (they are sometimes called ‘Bear Cloaks’ because each guardsman wears a black mantle made from a whole black bear pelt). Furthermore, the Duke can always send to Yarrvik for reinforcements. At sea, a squadron of Frangian warships, based at Carolton, absolutely commands the coastal waters between Carolton and Yarrvik. They tend not to venture into the coastal waters north of Yarrvik, as a battle-hardened Zeelander fleet fiercely protects its several outposts near there.
Khazankar, Kingdom of
His Steadfast Highness and Unbreakable Lordship, Furik IV, King of the Gorges, Lord of the Upper and Lower Kingdoms, Ruler of the Thunder Peaks, Protector of the Iron Hills, and Guardian of the Sacred Flame
Capital: Khazad-kharas (8,000)
Population: 102,180
Iron Hills
Population Density: 5 people per square mile
Population: 89,700
Area (in square miles): 17,940
Hexes: 23
Thunder Peaks
Population Density: 2 people per square mile
Population: 12,480
Area (in square miles): 6,240
Hexes: 8
Other Notable Settlements:
Uka-kurkak (4800)
Madan-zul (3600)
Damurkev (2520)
Fortifications: Khazad-kharas, Dag-kurkak
Resources: lumber, fancy stone (marble), superior building stone (marble and limestone), iron, precious stones (fire agate, peridot, citrine, hematite, garnet, and obsidian)
This ancient dwarven kingdom is at least 1000 years old. King Dain, considered the founder of the dwarven realm, first secured his lordship over the Barrier Peaks by crushing a goblyn horde and slaying their king, Magog, with his own hands. He later began construction of the royal mountain-citadel of Khazad-kharas, within which the priests of Moradin preserved the Sacred Flame (Ulvi-alov). Toward the end of his life, he invaded the Iron Hills to conquer his distant kin there. He died before completing this task, but his son and heir, Nain I, finally brought the hill tribes to heel.
From Khazad-kharas, King Nain ruled the Upper Kingdom (Ust-kralluk) of the Thunder Peaks (Daglar ildurum), as the dwarves called the Barrier Mountains. He relegated control of the Lower Kingdom (Alt-kralluk) of the Iron Hills (Tapalar Dam) to his royal kinsman. Eventually the dwarves referred to these combined rocky lands as ‘the Gorges’ (Khaznakar). For many generations, the troops of the High King (Uka-kral) ruled supreme in the gorges.
The grandson of Nain, Nain II, began construction of the mighty citadel named Mountain-Hold (Dag-kurkak), designed to guard the passes that lead to Khazad-kharas. In time, it became almost as formidable as the king’s citadel.
At Uka-kurkak (High-Hold) hundreds of dwarven cavern-homes, their entrances bored straight into a cliff-face, overlook a strategic mountain pass. At Madan-zul (Mine Hall), the dwarves unearth large quantities of iron, precious gems, and celestial iron (they do not sell or trade the latter). At Damurkev (Forge-House), the king’s best smiths produce fantastic arms and armor.
Traditionally, the dwarven kings have been isolationists, maintaining no lasting treaties, but whenever goblyns emerge from the mountains to the north (a recurring problem), they tend to cooperate with humans and elves alike. Furik IV has had an uneasy relationship with the Baron of Blackwater because the Baron annually mines or otherwise collects large quantities of celestial iron, a metal to which the dwarves attach religious significance and for which they greedily yearn. The goblyn threat may force the king’s hand, as the goblyn horde has overrun much of the Iron Hills in recent months.
Scholars assert that the dwarven king’s army traditionally numbers between 5,000 and 10,000, all of which wear chain hauberks. The force supposedly contains medium lancers, mounted on sure-footed mountain rams with plate barding. The heavy infantry is traditionally a mix of axemen and spearmen, supported by crossbows and ballistae. In light of the recent goblyn plague that has overrun the Northern Kingdom and much of the Iron Hills, many posit that the dwarven king can only muster half his usual force. Recent rumors assert that all available forces are committed to defending the existing cities and protecting the passes between them.
Lathlainen, the Valley of
Their Sublime Radiances, Circinan and Alonara, Lord and Lady of Lathlainen
Capital: P’tarhavala (pop. 3000)
Population: 30,000
Population Density: 75 people per square mile
Area (in square miles): 780
Hexes: 7 (only one settled)
Other Notable Settlements: names unknown
Resources: largely unknown because they seldom trade
An isolated patch of verdant mountains, called Greenmont by other races and Elava Alta (‘living altar’) by the elves, forms the center of this rocky forest realm. The Lord and Lady rule their domain from P’tarhavala (‘the garden of light’), a long and narrow valley of astounding beauty. At P’talhavala, the Elavavetta River (called the Elf-Run river by other races) cascades down rocky cliffs before winding its way northwest to the Blackrun River. Scores of elegant elven homes lie nestled among the trees of the valley, each housing an extended family of multiple generations. Other valleys and dales, up to five leagues from P’tarhavala, hold further elven homes and account for the remainder of the population.
Though the elven homes seem clustered around P’tarhavala, the forested hills around Elava Alta are patrolled night and day, and few foes, if any, trespass and live to tell the tale. The elves, zealous about their privacy and independence, tolerate no incursions by men, dwarves, or gnomes, let alone goblyns. A select few have been invited or otherwise permitted to visit the valley, and most have received the title of ‘elf-friend’.
Sages estimate that the Lord and Lady of Lathlainen command an army of between 3,000 and 5,000, including longbowmen, swordsmen, spearmen, and a small but elite contingent of medium cavalry.
Flint Hills, Kenienka Kingdom of
Her Radiance, Silver Stream, Queen-Mother of the Flint Hills
Capital: N/A
Population: 20,000
Population Density: 1-2 people per square mile
Area (in square miles): 16,380
Hexes: 21
Resources: flint, furs and skins, barley, oats, beans, squash, black dye, and native jewelry
Other Notable Settlements: They dwell in about 20 villages, each with about 1000 people. They move these every five to twenty years, depending on the soil and available game.
The people of the Flint Hills suffered badly in a recent series of wars against the neighboring Wendat nations of the Yotacca Valley (because of Zeelander aid). Eager for allies against the emboldened Wendat, the Queen-Mother recently signed a treaty, allying the Flint People to the Frangian Duke of Northumbria at Yarrvik. The Duke promised that no Frangians would settle east of the Blackwater, which begins at Lakesend and ends at Yarrvik. In return, Kenienka warriors have flocked to protect Frangian forts along the Blackwater against Wendat attack.
The People of the Flint Hills, who hold the elves of Lathlainen in awe, do not enter the enchanted and forested hills north of the Flint Hills. The Kenienka are largely indifferent to the dwarves of Khaznakar, for the dwarves do not encroach on their hunting lands. Occasional barter occurs, the Kenienka trading foodstuffs to the dwarves for simple iron tools and weapons.
Recent Pictish incursions from the north, which seemed more invasions than raids, have deeply troubled the Queen-Mother. She does not know their cause or purpose, but her warriors cannot fight Wendat to the west and Picts to the north. If the invasions continue, she may have to approach the Frangian duke or Lord Blackwater for aid.
Sages suggest that the Kenienka, being a warrior people, can muster between 3,000-4,000 warriors when they wish.
Yotacca Valley, Wendat Kingdom of
Her Serpentine Wisdom, Bloody Moon, War Queen of the Four Nations, Protector of the Yotacca Valley
Capital: N/A
Population: 36,000
Population Density: 2 people per square mile
Area (in square miles): 17,940
Hexes: 23
Resources: amber, furs and skins, barley, oats, and native jewelry
Other Notable Settlements: Each of the four nations has about nine villages, each of which contains about 1000 people. These villages move every five to twenty years, depending on the soil and available game.
Sages suggest that the Wendat, being a warrior people, can muster between 5,000-7,000 warriors when they wish.