Boldavia, Principality of
by Michael BerryArea:
1456 square miles
Population:
AC 1000 - 17,728
AC 1014 - 16,105
Towns: (population values are given for AC 1000 and AC 1014)
Rymskigrad (6500/6000)
Villages: (population values are given for AC 1000 and AC 1014)
Zhukovo: (1300/1157) is a walled fortress town half way between Rymskigrad and Fort Tchernovodsk on the Dol-Anur river.
Desnogorsk: (250/221) is located just within the border of Boldavia to the northwest of Ft. Tchernovodsk.
Lytkarino: (416) is located on the Dol-Anur 8 miles to the southwest of Rymskigrad.
Meleuz: (316/278) is a mining village to the southeast of Rymskigrad.
Tikhoretsk: (182/167) is a farming village approximately 16 miles northeast of the Tower of Igorov.
Ethnic groups:
Boldavians 70%, Flaems 20%, Ethengarians 4%, Kaelic 4%, Heldann 1%, Others 1%
Languages:
Traladaran, Flaemish, Thyatin Common
Ruler:
Prince Morphail Gorevich-Woszlany, Baron of Igorov, Viceroy of Tchernodovsk, Commander of Morphail’s Division AC 1000-1005, Commander of Army Group North AC 1005 – 1009, Commander 1st Army Corp and Commander of Glantrian 6th and 16th divisions AC 1010-1014.
Born AC 693, M28, Death Master of 5th Circle, AL-Chaotic.
House:
Igorov
AC 1000 - Voting Power: 15 at the Council, 35 at the Parliament
Allies: Lady Natacha Datchenka, Baroness of Pavlova; Lord Piotr-Grygory Timenko, Baron of Kutchevski; Lord Youri Ivanov, Baron of Palatinsk; Lady Szasza Markovitch, Baroness of Vladimirov; Lord Laszlo Wutyla, Baron of Mariksen
AC 1014 – Voting Power 15 at the Council, 39 at the Parliament
Allies: Lady Natacha Datchenka, Baroness of Pavlova; Lord Piotr-Grygory Timenko, Baron of Kutchevski; Lord Youri Ivanov, Baron of Palatinsk; Lady Szasza Markovitch, Baroness of Vladimirov; Lord Laszlo Wutyla, Baron of Mariksen; Lord Mikail Zirchevski, Baron of Lipetsk
Military:
The 4th banner of the 16th Division is stationed presently in Rymskigrad. The banner rotates with others of the 6th and 16th Divisions who are all normally stationed at Fort Tchernovodsk. While stationed in Rymskigrad the banner undertakes regular patrols of the countryside. Usually within a 48 mile radius of the town which covers the whole of the Principality, the length of the Scotch Reach, and the entire western half of the Free Province of the Western Czaikow Hills.
The traditions of local militias are very strongly ingrained in the Boldavian character due to the proximity of the Ethengarian border. Most everyone in Glantri believes that any major invasion from Ethengar would have its primary thrust come toward Boldavia so local militias train with regular Glantrian Army units regularity and with an intensity lacking in other areas of Glantri. In times of emergency up to 20% of the population could be mobilized. The Glantrian High Command estimates a 10% mobilization would be most effective, putting the most able-bodied and effective in the field.
In addition to the Glantrian Army and local militias, the Tower of Igorov has a special guard force of its own.
The Skeletal guard- 37 HD (1 HD each). These are the tower's guards. Each skeleton has 8 HP and is holding a pole arm.
These skeletons never check morale, and are harder to turn than regular skeletons (see Lieges and Pawns rules). Morphail can summon packs of black wolfs who are very common in northern Glantri, at will. Morphail has a "regular guard" patrolling the outer perimeter of the area around his tower. They consist of 35 level 3 fighters with riding horses, two 5th level lieutenants and one 8th level captain.
Morphail's 6th and 16th Divisions
Division Commander - 6th and 16th Divisions: Prince Morphail Gorevitch-Woszlany (M28, Death Master 5th)
Brigadiers - 6th Div: Alexei Rodimistev (M17), 16th: Gustav Staliniov (F14),
Head Mages- 6th Division: sir Boris Gorevitch-Woszlany (W18, Death Master 3) 16th Division: Lady Szasza Markovitch (M12, Wokan3 on flying broom)
Knight- 6th Div: Leonid Guncharov (F16, banded mail+2, lance+2, long sword+2, shield, riding war horse); 16th Div: Stanislas Putin (F22, Plate +3, Lance +2, Two Hand Sword +3/+5 vs. spellcasters, riding War Horse)
Fighting troops: 860
Total (including officers, aids and logistics banner): 950
Headquarters: Fort Tchernovodsk
Peacetime Deployment - Keeping the peace in North-East Glantri and keeping an eye on the Ethengar border
Morphail's army is about 50% mounted. Soldiers of sergeant status or higher have magical items (about 3%). All of the troops are humans from Boldavia and the north-eastern dominions. Morphail will lead only if there is a serious threat to Boldavia and Glantri, or he has some interest in the fighting. As master of necromancy, Morphail has a few surprises up his sleeve that are not part of the regular military division.
The following applies to both the 6th and 16th Divisions.
1st Banner (the Deaths-Head regiment): 120 elite (M3) human cavalry armed with slings and staffs, riding warhorses; plus 4 sergeants (M5), 2 Lieutenants (M7) and a captain (M10, Death Master 3)
Specially trained by Morphail himself in tactics with undead and to control and use the undead in combat, and have protective devices and a store of protective magical devices.
2nd Banner: 120 mountaineers (F4) and 120 mountaineers (T5) climbing gear, light crossbows, short swords, daggers, leather armour; 4 sergeants (F6); 4 sergeants (Rog7); 2 Lieutenants (F8, T9) 1 captain (T12).
Specially trained for warfare in mountainous territory. All have skill-sets geared toward mountaineering, scouting, hunting, and ambush
3rd Banner - 240 heavy Foot (F3) with long swords, daggers shields and chain mail; 8 sergeants (F5); 2 Lieutenants (F7) 1 captain (F9)
4th Banner - 240 mounted infantries (F2) with bows, long swords, daggers, banded armour. ; 8 sergeants (F4); 2 Lieutenants (F6) 1 captain (F8) riding normal horses.
History:
The history of Boldavia begins in the 8th century in present day Karameikos. The Traladaran Prince Morphail Gorevitch-Woszlany was a powerful necromancer seeking more power and knowledge. In exchange for terrible secrets lost in the destruction of Old Alphatia, and now known only to the Immortals, Morphail agreed to serve Alphaks the Destroyer. But, like all allegiances with the Sphere of Entropy, Morphail paid a terrible price: He became a nosferatu in AC 720. Nevertheless, Morphail effectively promulgated the evil of Alphaks, though his use of necromancy and through the spread of his own vampiric curse. When the fearful Traladarans learned of Morphail's malevolence, they drove him out of Traladara. Morphail fled with his followers to the Flaemish Highlands, arriving around 730. There lay, not only the promise of lands and freedom to practice his dark magic, but also (by Alphaks' advice) more secrets of necromancy from Old Alphatia, in the hands of the Flaemish wizards, descendants of the survivors of the destruction of Alphatia.
Whereas the Flaems were hostile to most settlers, they were more tolerant of Morphail Gorevitch-Woszlany and his Traladarans, and allowed them to settle in the inhospitable northern territories (later to become Boldavia). In the decades following the arrival of the Traladarans in the Highlands, tensions simmered between the Flaems and with all the new settlers to the south. Finally events came to a head in 984 when a Thyatian settler killed a Flaemish lord; and war was declared. The Traladarans sided with the Flaems and at the climatic battle of Braejr in 785 the Flaem-Traladaran alliance drove the units of human and Elven settlers south of the city. Morphail proved to be a creative tactician and general during the short war. Using dark (though not forbidden) magics to create a force of undead which were fielded and fought with the efficiency and effectiveness of a well trained Thyatin legion. Victory was short lived however, as the settlers regrouped under the leadership of the Alphatian Halzunthram, the leader of of an group of Alphatian 'settlers'. The tables were turned three years later when the Flaems and Traladarans were defeated at Braastar. Morphail was given a seat on the council that is to rule the Highlands, but that council was soon dissolved as Halzunthram executed a coup and took over the Council and proclaims the Highlands a protectorate of Alphatia. War thus came again, the 40 Years War, as the Traladarans, Flaems, and others rebel against Halzunthram. The Traladarans made a great name for themselves for magical creativity and plain old grit and bravery on the many battlefields during this long and bloody war. The 40 Years War finally came to end in 828 when Halzunthram is captured by the Thyatin, Lord Glantri. The Highlands are reorganized politically and becomes the Republic of Glantri, ruled by a Parliament composed by the Council and the House of Lords. Morphail is given a seat on the council. Many of his renowned commanders are given titles and lands and serve in the House of Lords. That year Morphail is given the charge of constructing a fortress of the eastern frontier and what will be known as the great fortress of Tchernovodsk. When it is finished 18 months later he is given the title of Viceroy of the Fort. Morphail's territory is also made a priority for development by the Chamberlain of the Land. Morphail is made the Baron of Igorov. Other followers of his become Barons of the new dominions of Rymskigrad, Kutchevski, and Palatinsk.
The next years were peaceful and quiet for Boldavia. However the future course of Glantri took shape in 854 with a historic meeting at Golden Maid Inn at the capital, where Prince Morphail and some other Council members became part of the Alliance of Wizards who supported Etienne D'Ambreville's Light of Rad project. Two years later, in 858, the famous Light of Rad decision was approved, restricting nobility to wizards and giving the Council Members the hereditary title of Prince. Prince Morphail took the land on the upper reaches of the Dol-Anur, along with the annexed Barony of Rymskigrad as his Principality. A new Barony is created for the landless, dispossessed, yet loyal noble. Vladimirov is created for the old Baron of Rymskigrad. The years following the Light of Rad were peaceful and quiet. The rebellion of dispossessed nobles did not touch the Boldavian area. In the years since the formation of the Principalities of Glantri, the main focus of the region was not war, but expansion to the east and controlling the large area of land to the east and north of Boldavia. Over the last 150 years the frontier has been pushed back with new dominions, with nobles loyal to Morphail, giving him immense power over a large area with no rivals to deal with in this area. The establishment of a trade route east to the Heldannic Territories in the last few years has given the region more economic clout. Of course not all is completely rosy in this region. Problems with undead and especially vampires plague the land. Prince Morphail does as best as he can to rid the land of these menaces.
Food:
Surplus.
Trails:
The Dul Anur River is navigable downstream from Rymskigrad. Bridges cross the Dol-Anur at Rymskigrad, Zhukovo and at Ft. Tchernovodsk. A main trail, rated by Glantrian AAA as fair quality leads from Rymskigrad to Ft. Tchernovodsk. A second fair trails leads from Rymskigrad southwest through the Scotch Breach and leads to Glenmoorloch in the Principality of Klantyre. All other trails within Boldavia are of poor quality, crisscrossing the principality connecting towns and villages.
Economics:
Boldavia is, in comparison to other Principalities, a poor Principality as well as under populated. With the drive eastward to settle eastern Glantri the Traladaran/Flaemish population that makes up the vast majority of the population of this region is spread out than in the rest of Glantri where there is much less elbow room for the various ethnic groups. Add the fact that Boldavia produces few luxury items and mostly staple products; it is easy to see why Boldavia is considered to not be a wealthy dominion. The dominion produces lumber, potatoes, salt, vegetables, and fish to the agriculture poor mountainous dominions of the region and surplus is exported to the rest of Glantri
Taxation levels are on par with standard Glantrian tax rates. Prince Morphail has followed the lead of the Propreator of the Western Czaikow Hills and imposed a sales tax on Vodka that helps to fund maintenance of the fortifications of the towns and larger villages of the Principality. The people of Boldavia grumbled at the institution of the tax, but the tax is fairly low since Vodka is consumed like water here, so they quickly got used to it and just accept it.
Boldavian Monthly Financial Ledger (figures from AC1000)
Main resources: 1 mineral (salt), 1 animal (fish & caviar), 1 vegetable (potatoes/vodka)
3 hexes: mountain; borderland; pop. 168; tax 8.4 dc
3 hexes: forested hills; borderland; pop. 420; tax 21 dc
3 hexes: clear; rural; pop. 3360; tax 336 dc
1 hex: clear, river; rural; pop. 1680; tax 168 dc
8 hexes: hills; rural; pop. 2240; tax 224 dc
8 hexes: hills, river; rural; pop. 3360; tax 336 dc
Rymskigrad: large town; pop. 6500; tax 2600 dc
Total population: 6500 large towns, 10640 rural, 588 borderland
Tax Income: 3693.4 dc
Resource Income: 22151.4 dc
Standard Income: 19135.2 dc
Council Tax: 8996 dc
Net Cash: 16848.8 dc
Overhead (65%): 10951.7 dc
Available Cash: 5897.1 dc
With 310137.6 XP/year, in 10 years Morphail Gorevitch-Woszlany could have gained 3101376 XP, rising from M28 to M36 if he were not undead.
Alternate: 44320.8 XP/year, rises to M31.
Cultural Curiosities:
FOOD AND DRINK
today finds our roving PFN culinary expert, Micky the Mage, in the dark foreboding land of Boldavia.
Hi all!! When I saw my travel itinerary arranged, rather creatively, alphabetically by my agent I knew I’d have to come to Boldavia in my 7 Principalities in 7 days tour. Well we are now in our 5th day and so we have come to Boldavia. It is said that Boldavians are a dour, superstitious, unfriendly, and subdued people. If you have sampled their cuisine you would understand why. Forget the silly rumors of vampires, and undead it is the damn food here which kills the special Joie de vivre that a good meal can inspire. The only thing worthwhile putting into your mouth here is the caviar, the best in Mystara, and the local drink Vodka. It is a distilled beverage composed primarily of water and ethanol. Traditional Boldavian vodkais made by the distillation of potatoes. Meals are generally a family affair and home cooked in Boldavia so outside of large population centers it can be very difficult to find anything beyond standard tavern faire in Boldavia. Even in such a large town as Rymskigrad finding an eating establishment approaching the standards you can find in more cosmopolitan areas of Glantri can be next to impossible. The ones that exist cater to non-Boldavians and nobles and have more continental menus that are not geared for traditional Boldavian tastes.
Boldavian has a diet based on crops that can thrive in cold climates, such as grains (rye, barley, buckwheat, and wheat), root vegetables (beets, turnips, potatoes, onions), and cabbage. Traditional dishes include roasted meats, vegetables, soups, and stews. A staple of the Boldavian diet is dark, heavy bread. It is not uncommon for a family of four to eat three or four loaves of bread a day. Sturgeon is the favorite fish of the Boldavians, from which black caviar (fish eggs) is collected. Kissel, a piece of stewed fruit thickened with cornstarch with milk often poured over it, is a traditional Boldavian dessert that has been adopted by some other cultures into their cuisine, notably the Klantrians.
ARTS AND LITERATURE
It is commonly said that no one loves poetry like a Boldavian and it is true. If Boldavians love one thing in life, even more than their vodka, it is their poetry. Poetry has been one of the great lasting Boldavian contributions to Glantrian culture if one ignores the pseudo vampire wannabe culture so popular with young Glantrians everywhere these days. The Boldavians love of poetry and its enduring fame is in large part to what is considered the ‘golden age’ of Boldavia in the late 9th century when Glantri’s greatest poet, Vladimir Pushin wrote his greatest works and became a household name to all Boldavian and inspired, and continues to do so, generations of poets.
ARCHITECTURE
The most distinctive, and famous element, of traditional Boldavian architecture is the Onion dome. Buildings in the traditional Boldavian style that are large enough to incorporate tholobates into their design will have Onion domes set upon them, thus they are mostly found in Rymskigrad, large private homes, and atop wizards towers. A good example of this is the summer home of the mayor of Rymskigrad which is found in the foothills of the Wendarians in the northern hills of Boldavia.
SOCIAL CUSTOMS
Boldavians are not an outwardly warm and friendly people to those outside of friends and family. Outsiders are treated with suspicion and with rigid, though always polite, formality. Many Boldavians hold to a rather unique custom to not venture outdoors, unless necessary, at night. Most businesses close in the hour before sunset and people retire to their homes to be with family. Boldavians perhaps more than any group in Glantri place utmost importance on family relations and though many Boldavian settlements may appear from the outside to be graveyards after dark, inside and behind closed (and locked) doors many Boldavians are engaged in boisterous family centered activities.
PASTIMES
While all Boldavians follow passionately their beloved Volchitsa on the pitch even though they last won the Scudetto in AC 912 the real passion Boldavians have is for ice skating. Speed skater Aleksei Rodimistev is the 5 time reigning Glantian Ice Games speed skating champion and is a great source of pride and hero to Boldavians of all ages. Boldavians learn to ice skate almost as soon as they learn to walk. Boldavians another pastime they are quite renowned for, their enormous capacity and appetite for alcohol, primarily Vodka but not limited to it. Many think the rigors and dangers of living in such a dark and dangerous region, ruled by a Prince very feared by the population, have made the Boldavians into such generally heavy drinkers.
Notable sites: Rymskigrad
Rymskigrad is center of everything in Boldavia, and northeastern Glantri. Rymskigrad is the third largest settlement in Glantri, behind Glantri City and Braastar. It is a crossroads between the heart of Glantri and the eastern frontier and points beyond. The town is surrounded by formidable defenses, a 15 ft. high stone wall, tall defensive towers, access to the river, gates covering the roads into the city and the bridge across the river. The town is home to two renowned institutions. The Igorov Institute which is world famous institution in the field of study of Ancient History, as well as being leading place for study of Necromancy. The Lovecraft Institution is a place where the insane are kept, trained, and studied. Here is the one place in the whole of northeastern Glantri where one might find the creature comforts that one who lives in a land of magic might expect to find. The town has a good size arcaner quarter where resident mages, visiting scholars, and professors at the Institutes reside. In the Arcane Quarter, artisans and craftsmen provide products to the whims of the arcaners there. Scores of shops cater to their needs with stores carrying alchemical components, rare books, and fine vellum scrolls. Other quarters of the town include the merchant’s quarter, and the Boldavian and Flaemish quarters. The old Baronal Fortress is contained within the walls of Rymskigrad and that is where the Banner of the Glantrian Army that is traditionally stationed here resides, along with the offices of the Mayor of Rymskigrad.
The present Mayor, Dravik Sapojnikov, has been in office for nearly 20 years and has proven to be an effective mayor and is rumored to be favored by the Prince himself. One place the locals will rarely speak freely of, are the sewers beneath the town that empty into the Dol-Anur. Rumors of something foul residing in the sewers can be caught by those that listen closely.
Zhukovo
Zhukovo is a walled fortress town half way between Rymskigrad and Fort Tchernovodsk on the Dol-Anur River. Along with Arsenyev, in the Western Czaikow Hills Province it is part of the secondary line of defense of Boldavia and Glantri in case of invasion from (or through) Ethengar.
Desnogorsk
Desnogorsk is located just within the border of Boldavia to the northwest of Ft. Tchernovodsk. It serves the needs of the nearby fortress by having the highest concentration of Taverns, Inns, and not coincidentally… social diseases in the Principality. The town serves as a supply depot for the Fort.
Lytkarino
This small village, located on the Dol-Anur 8 miles to the southwest of Rymskigrad, has a worldwide reputation. The most famous and highly demanded of caviar comes from this village. Lytkarino is located on the section of the Dul-Anur River that is the spawning ground of the few remained Dol-Anur Sturgeon left after years of over harvesting. Eggs from the much more available Boldavian Giant Salmon are used elsewhere in making caviar. Strict quotas have been placed on the harvesting of the Dol-Anur Sturgeon. Unlicensed Sturgeon harvesting is a Felony in Boldavia, with a sentence of 20 years in the Salt Mines handed down as punishment. Therefore the limited quantities, along with the noticeable higher quality make Lytkarino Caviar extremely expensive and limited to the very elite.
Tikhoretsk
This farming village approximately 16 miles northeast of the Tower of Igorov is renowned for its Black Garlic. The Black Garlic from the town have won first prize at the annual Principality Fair 8 years running and are prized for their sweet taste
Coat of Arms:
Useful links:
The Secret Craft of Necromancy - Kit Navarro
Glantrian Political History - Harri Mäki and Giovanni Porpora
The Boldavian Prince - Ohad Shaham
The Economy of Boldavia by Aleksei Andrievski
Glantrian Heraldry by Chimpman
The Grand Army of Glantri AC 1000-1014 by Michael Berry
