Theya, Maps and Regions

Note: There is intentionally no map or many geographic features described here; we will make that up as we go along (and after session 0).

The Princedoms

"The general picture that the princedoms have not changed in the past two millenia could not be further from the truth. Yes, the people still think of their 'tribe' (now led by a prince) as the fundamental social unit. Yes, they are still as warlike as ever, and still fight each other.

But the Thearchy left many achievements - civil law, a road network (even though it has seen considerable decline in the last century), fortification work and many cultural achievements. The raids are these days less about land and cattle, but rather serve to fulfill the so-called 'slave tax' - the minimum amount each prince is obliged to deliver to Raellya each year - with people from other tribes.

The invention of larger sailing vessels allowed explorers from the princedoms to venture further out to sea than ever, and already they have discovered multiple larger islands and founded at least one new princedom - one exempt from the slave tax no less, due to how the treaty is worded.

And while education and culture are still not particularly advanced among most princedoms, some few have become centers of art with a degree of freedom for artists not found elsewhere. Others maintain renowned libraries or magic acadamies. This diversity was not found among the warlords, before the Thearchy, and it is currently very much set to grow.

Of course, the princedom lands are also still the most fertile - as they always were - and population levels have already recovered from the slaver wars, despite the constant loss of manpower due to the slave tax. With the end of the Thearchy, many Myriae have come out of hiding or returned from the barren lands of Raellya. With some princedoms actively curting Askari populations for their academies, this vast region features the most diverse population makeup in Theya."

--the successful trader Harik the Scholar, teaching his sons

The Pharic League

"Among the Pharic League, family is everything. It is well advised to establish good connections with the ruling family and portmasters before docking in one of their extensive harbours. This is, however, worth the effort, as the cities still form the backbone of trade across Theya.

Folk often think that the League cities work pretty much like those in the princedoms or Raellya, except that a strange family with vampires - or demons, or whatever nonsense you believe - at its core rules them all. This is very wrong.

Yes, the cities are ruled by the shipping family - the only ones building, owning and operating ships. These families do have strange powers, and there is likely substance to the rumour about the heads of the family that are never seen in public not being entirely human.

But the rest of the city is divided into families as well. The portmasters and masons are typically among the most important - being responsible for maintaining and defending the cities seaside and landside constructions and defenses, respectively. However, all trade and craft is run by families, even though the exact partition differs from city to city. Families rarely marry outside - from other cities, or even from different families in the same city. Trade secret and techniques are jealously guarded.

The most important thing you need to understand is how conservative the Pharic cities really are: any research and magic is heavily regulated, as most families are wary of the others gaining too much influence, and the shipowners do not want to loose their monopoly. So when you are there, just keep your mouth shut, do your business, then depart quickly. And by the gods do not ever sell books there."

--the successful trader Harik the Scholar, teaching his sons

The Lands of Raellian Empire

"Raellya is in motion. This is as always good for trade, but always means some risk. The noble houses that came to power only a century ago are already floundering again - some have turned decadent on the back of the success of their slaves, while many operate industries that still have not entirely recovered from loosing their golem workforce.

Most of all, the houses know that the slave supply is not set to last - at some point in the not too far future, the princedoms will throw of the yoke of the slave tax. What then?

Most of the lands are still as infertile as they always were. Most of the - comparatively small - population is not used to hard labour, which was done first by the golems and now by the slaves. If this workforce falters, I can not see the empire surviving.

However, for now, Raellya is thriving. During the time of the mages, power was restricted to those with magic talent; and research was mostly done to improve the golem rituals or on spellcraft.

Now, with the noble houses, research is flourishing. As the houses work on the basis of adoption, not inheritance as the Pharic families do, the path to power is open to anyone with the ability to take it."

--the successful trader Harik the Scholar, teaching his sons