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Libernen/Stalmaer Road along the Gnarley
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The Viceroyalty of Ferrond was founded upon
several small states during the height of Aerdian power (c. 100 CY).
It was aimed at giving the Great Kingdom a strong satrapy on the western
frontier from which further conquest could be launched. The Viceroy
ruled from the Clatspur Mountains to the Nyr Dyv, from the Lortmils
in the south to the far shores of Whyestil Lake, and beyond, in the
north. As the power of the Malachite Throne in Rauxes waned (c.
200 CY), the viceroys of
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Ferrond ruled more by their own writ and less
by the leave of the Aerdi overlords. In 254 CY, the heir to Viceroy
Stinvri was crowned in Dyvers as Thrommel I, King of Furyondy, Prince
of Veluna, Provost of the Northern Reaches, Warden General of the Vesve
Forest, Marshall of the Shield Lands, Lord of Dyvers, etc. The
adjunctive states were soon lost, but the central core of the kingdom
was sound and viable and has persisted. Belvor IV is a most noble
and just king, and his realm is closely allied with that of
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Villiage outside Libernen
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Temple to the Four Seasons
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Veluna, constantly keeping an eye out on the evil Iuz.
King Belvor IV must manage a balancing act, given the divisions
of the seven noble houses of the kingdom. The northern nobles
have been bled dry because of their preparation for war and desperately
need the money and men. The southern nobles resent the heavy taxes,
even though they know they must pay them, and they are suspicious of
Belvor from several quarters: from Veluna, which has a powerful say
in Furyondian affairs given its greater strength; from the militaristic
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Knights of the Hart (sustained by the northern nobles)
who urge a revenge campaign on Iuz; from the ambassador of the Highfolk,
recently allied with Furyondy; and from those Vesve folk whose infantry
similarly allied with the kingdom. Most of Furyondy's residual
army strength from veterans and levies raised by these nobles, and the
King has no money to pay for mercenaries.
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Twenty Score Battalion Heading to War
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Furyondians are good-natured, kindly people, sunny of disposition and
not insular as so many others are (though those close to the borders
with Iuz are less trusting). They understand the need for protection
and pay very heavy taxes willingly. They are prepared to work
hard and sacrifice all to that end. Furyondy is a land with a
glorious past, and its people do not forget this. |
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"Geese Way" in Free Borough
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The capital of the County of the Crystalreach is a
informal cluster of homes, rustic cottages, and trees located primarily
on the east bank of the Att river -- though the White Hart inn is sited
on the west bank by the ford. There are a few manors that house
some of the county's elite, but most of the nobles choose to live on
large estates in the countryside. Most of the services a traveler
might need are found along the north-south route, but one will search
Free Borough in vain to find a large open market. Farmers coming
here stop their carts in the yards and drive lanes of friends or those
they have hired space from and sell produce directly
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from the tailboards. A merchant in search of
a wagon load of something may well have to tour the back streets of
Free Borough--not that this is an unpleasant prospect.
Free Borough is one of those places where folk too tired or old to
do more gardening or farmwork for the time being go out for a stroll
to chat or sit on their covered porches and hail passersby. They
are open and friendly: they seem altogether unfettered by the immenent
war. The smell of fresh manure may be strong here from time to
time, but Free Borough is a town that is easy on the eye.
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The House of the High Counselor (#12)
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The Fishing Wharf
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Heading to Verbobonc by Ferry
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Harrow Point Light
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Stalmaer is a small town located at the
junction of the Att and Velverdyva Rivers. Stalmaer is a watchpost for
events in the Gnarley Forest and beyond. It is also a trade town for
goods shipped up from Ryemend/Verbobonc and downriver from Libernen.
Stalmaer is a leading marketplace for the seed oil for which
the Gold County trades with the Reach, Verbobonc, and all points south.
Twenty gallon barrels of this oil are sold in batches of six at auction
every Starday and Waterday during Goodmonth and Harvester at Fenker’s
Auction House in the great marketplace. Customers are invited to inspect
the goods on the previous day. This is almost like wine tasting, except
that buyers obviously don’t drink the stuff.
There are few adventurers or mercenaries here, and those encountered
will likely only be passing through. The town is the main base of the
Greenjerkin Rangers, named for the green and brown gear they wear. These
elite scouts know much about the events in the Gnarley Forest and the
Kron Hills, and may speak guardedly of them to fellow rangers.
The Greenjerkin Rangers are a troop of nearly 60 rangers (including
several multi-classed rangers, and reportedly a few newly initiated
rogues and clerics) who patrol the uppermost reaches of the Gnarley
Forest and the nearby small river port town of Stalmaer. They work with
the local druids and serve as protectors of the Gleaming Glades. They
are skilled archers and elite scouts, and have access to a variety of
powerful magics. They are a tightly knit group, but outside rangers
who earn their respect may be invited to join their ranks -- a definite
honor for a skilled forester.
The Greenjerkins, known as such for the green and brown gear
they wear, are ever watchful for humanoid incursions into the Gleaming
Glades. They also keep a watchful eye out for signs of a return of the
Cult of Elemental Evil. They enjoy meeting with travelers and learning
of customs from other regions, as they tend to stay within the confines
of this area. The Greenjerkins pride themselves on diplomacy and intelligent
actions whenever possible. Rarely, the local people will even call upon
the rangers to settle disputes between neighboring homesteads.
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Meric's
Home
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Greenjerkins'
Stalmaer Guildhouse
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The Back
of the Guildhouse
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| The Cashcrop of Local Farmers
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