Setting - Callavea

Narheim is the setting that is in the core rules.  Narheim is a small continent on the world of Gaea and is ruled by kings of various races.  Most political geography is defined by the Human king since most of the other races either do not care or have no interest in human holdings.  In fact, this ambivalence often extends to the point where human lands and the lands of other races overlap and the two kingdoms coexist in a certain level of harmony.  This is the case sometimes but eventually the human rulers grow old and die and the eternal elves or the long lived dwarves remember a grievance or forget a boon and war breaks loose.  

DUCHY OF CALLAVAE

Map of the Duchy of Callavae

Overview

Callavae, known as the breadbasket of Narheim, produces over 75% of all food for the entire country and, over 60% of all its silver. The people of the interior are completely devoted to farming, either directly by owning and working a ranch, or indirectly as blacksmiths, butchers, tanners, journeymen healers, etc. Those who live on the borders lead a much different life. To the north, guardsmen are on constant watch for Stepl’s raiders. The western people have to watch for both pirates from the sea and nameless horrors from the Dark Wood. The southern and eastern boarders are comprised of the Great River and its tributaries.

The Great River is the main trade route for inland Narheim. Hundreds of little villages line the shores, offering lodging and repairs for sailors and their ships. Between the river towns and the farming villages, Callavae has the most spread out populace of all the Duchies. It also has the largest standing army, although most of the soldiers are militia men whose main job is working on the farm (or docks). This tends to make Callavaens more independent and self sufficient than other Nariens.

Unfortunately, this streak of independence interferes with Ducal politics. Callavae is on poor terms with Stepl, mostly due to disputes over mining rights on the northern border. Relations are equally bad with Azure ever since that duke was linked to plots against the Boy King. Callavae enjoys some friendly competition with Gaule (over trade routes) and Shad (over wood and lumber sales) but is in good standing with them otherwise. Relations are good with Farrland because of limited contact, although Callavae feels the duke spends too much time bowing to the Lizard King instead of to the Human king. Callavae’s strongest ally is Killmorran; indeed, his oldest single daughter is betrothed to Killmorran son.

The current duke is a large, beefy man with thick dark graying hair who looks equally at home behind a plow, on a throne, or in a suit of armor. His handsome, solid appearance belies a touch of elven blood. The duke is over 180 years old, has sired 36 daughters and 1 son, and has outlived 5 wives. Aside from his virility, Callavae is also noted for unswerving loyalty to the Kings of Narheim.

Personalities

Duke Griffith of Callavae is one of the staunchest of the King Richard’s supporters. He has lent validity to the King’s recent elevation of the Count Iron Drake to the rank of Duke by giving his daughter Dorianne in matrimony to Charlemagne, Killmorran son. This union will benefit Killmorran more than Callavae. Duke Griffith has ruled for the past 140 years and the Autoean church has noticed his longevity. Although Callavae gives lip service to the Autoeans in truth he is a worshipper of Aru. The Duke has foiled many of the Autoeans greatest plans and better yet did it such a way as to assure his involvement could not be proved. The Autoeans would love to portray a duchy divided by religious strife but the truth is that the many halflings, humans, elves, dwarves and gnomes all live in peace worshipping what gods they wish. No autoean is persecuted for their worship as long as they do not interfere with others worshiping of other gods.

The Duke is known for his love of life and his stability of judgment. It is also known of him how crushing it was for him to watch his wives grow old and die. He did not abandon them even when they withered with age and he still looked all of 20. He is deeply loved by his children and loves each of them with all his heart. He has dealt with all the problems facing his duchy, from necromancers in the south to river pirates on the great river, with an even keel but still has problems being reasonable with Stepl and the border disputes. This single problem will throw him into a rage where no amount of logical reasoning will penetrate. It is thought that he blames the death of his two younger brothers on the House of Stepl and feels he must settle the score. The battle where they were slain was fought by Duke Kaladon Stepl’s Great-Great Grand father but the details are lost to antiquity.

Duke Griffith Callavae

Appearance - Height: 6’6" Weight: 190lbs Hair: Graying Brown Skin: Fair Eyes: Blue Race: 1/2 Elf Age: 180

Fighting - D.S.: 18 Armor: x5 Chain Weapon: +5 +10 Great Hammer, Teleport at will Parry: 140% Target: 125% Level: 24

Skills: History Callavae(80%); History Narheim(70%); Trade (70%); Sailing(90%),Naval Warfare (90%)

Magics: Natural Forces

Places

Berl - Located on the northern shore of the Lake Cabara, Berl is the main port for the shipping of the silver mine of the Steel Mountains. It is plagued by constant raids of bandits and lake pirates. The notorious Capt. One-eye Jack makes his living from attacks on the silver wagon trains that wind through the high meadows and narrow passes. Berl has buildings made from the red stone of the area making the city appear as though it is drenched in blood. The Earl Fier is noted for his hiring of mercenaries rather than the diversion of manpower from the rich silver mines.

New Garland - This is the official capital of Callavae. It is a beautiful city nestled between two mountains in a vale leading down to the Bay of Sorelei. Sorelei is an avatar of Balthos and is the patron of New Garland. The City faces peril in its position so close to Gate’s Den and The Dark Wood. However, as Callavae’s only major southern port, no expense is spared to keep it open. What navy Callavae has is assigned to keeping piracy to a minimum and the shipping lanes open. New Garland itself is a work of art though. White towers and soaring homes built into the cliff sides of Sorelei Majora and Sorelei Minor. Walls surround all of the buildings and are constantly being strengthened. Any visitors may be called up to defend the city should the need arise.

Callavae - The city of Callavae is the Ducal Seat. This means that although New Garland is the capital the Duke and his family live in Callavae. It is a beautiful city of palaces and castles inhabited by nobles and merchant princes.

Dangers

Callavae has many dangers most of which have been listed above. The necromancers and many other evils live just over the Southron Mountains. They mostly look to the bigger picture but still, Callavae and their staunch resistance to any form of evil is legendary. The Iron Wastes are part of the domain of the Necromancers and are foul with Orcs, Goblins and most of all Trolls. From the Iron Waste and the Dark Wood all manner of evil raid the southern holdings of the Duke who often will call upon the common citizen to do the extraordinary.

The North holds dangers of a more conventional source. The border skirmishes with Stepl and the bandit raids on wagon trains become more and more frequent. The border skirmishes occur even with direct orders from the respective dukes to cease any and all attacks across borders, Worse yet, these incursions are increasing in frequency and ferocity. Soon, the King will have to intercede and this will surely mean even greater hatred between two peoples.