Geopolitics of Known World after the Second Nomad War
by Ville LähdeKarameikos
Baron Hendricks and Bargle the Infamous have been killed by Yuri Turambar and Alexander Penhaligon, so Halag is once more and effective part of the realm. In a conference held after the fall of Black Eagle, rulership of Halag was given to Marius and Flavius Thrakius, two Thyatian-born knights who had previously held the Marilenev area. The Thrakius brothers are fervently Thyatian and despise the locals, so the Halag area might see more strife in the future. Marilenev was returned to Marilenevian rule, when Alexander Penhaligon revealed the identity of late Lady Magda's son, Mathhies, who had been living in Darokin. Matthies was brought into the country by a group of Traladaran militants, who tried to use him and a local "prophet" to incite civil strife once more. (2) To prevent future problems, Marilenev rule is supervised by both of the churches.
The Great Patriarch of the Church of Traladara is about to die very soon. The next in line would be either Baron Kelvin or Baron Sherlane. After Oderbry's death Kelvin was made the head of the remaining Knights of Griffon, and Sherlane is the highest Patriarch. Much is at stake, since their notions on the Traladara differ a lot. However, it is unsure whether either of them is willing to divide their time between two offices. So the way might be open to other less eminent candidates.
Duke Stephan is engaged in plans about the north: after the war Selenica declared independence. Alheimian, Karameikan and Rockhomian governments formed the Selenican Defence League to safeguard the area. The League also occupies the Ust-Urt valley that was taken during the war. So, this situation has created frictions with Darokin (lost Selenica) and Thyatis (occupies Ylaruam and considers Ust-Urt part of it). But also it created new opportunities for business.
Other significant changes:
- The Torenescu family lost most of its power in the last two years, and their holdings are centred on a new mining colony south of the Callarii forests. The house is led by Dmitri Torenescu, since all the others have been killed.
- Sascia lost her holdings around Luln and was given lands near the eastern borders.
- Castellan Keep area is now a dwarven dominion led by the local dwarven clans who emigrated from Highforge.
Thyatis
Thyatis suffered from the Hattian Civil War, although the legions of Thanatos cult were beaten in the end (3). Thyatis also waged a small border was with Alphatia over the control of Helskir - Thyatis lost, and the city is one more Alphatian. But Thyatis managed to occupy most of Ylaruam in the final months of the war.
The future: Thyatis will most likely turn its eyes towards the Northern Reaches, since Alphatia has increased its power in the Northern waters after the taking of Helskir. The next target will most likely be Soderfjord.
Alphatia
As said above, Alphatia gained Helskir during the Nomad War - although the two empires don't see themselves as having taken part in it. During the war Queodhar rebelled against Alphatia, and it hasn't still managed to take the area back. Thyatians were suspected of helping the Queodhar, which sparked the Helskir conflict.
Now Alphatia is strengthening its hold on Helskir (for example trying to decimate thieves' guilds, as can be seen from the previous Helskir stories). Next on agenda will be Oceansend... their forcefully recruited agent Yuri Turambar is already going there, blissfully unaware of these developments.
Darokin
The country was decimated during the war: it lost Akesoli and Akorros, which were burnt to the ground. Selenica bought its freedom with a lot of gold. It occupied the area of Pramayana, but was forced to sell it to Minrothad to stabilise its economy. Now the country is led by a "Vocator", a military leader appointed by the Council. During the spring of 1012 the Vocator - "General Winter" or Alasdair Mauntea - will start a civil war against royalist elements in the borderlands, who don't agree with the present government.
Minrothad
Oran Meditor's assassination in the end of 1010 has left the country in a disorganised state. The houses are trying to gain more power, and the Meditor guild, led by Astra Meditor, has only a ceremonial role left. The old allies of Meditor are being persecuted by unknown parties. The Thieves' Guild has broken down after Oran's death - local guilds abroad have mostly gone independent, the Privateers have gone solo, and the Blue Eels lost their employer. A lot will depend on Radagast Emry, one the former Darokinian ambassadors and a citizen of Minrothad, who has secretly become a supporter of Meditor. But unknown to him, the Guild Elsan has forged alliances which make it the most powerful faction of all. The Forster Keeper is planning big-time, and the Forster and Corser guilds have large resources still. In addition to that, Minrothadian traders face opportunities in the weak Darokin market and their expansion to the West, Pramayana.
Ethengar
After the Darokinian ambassadors treacherously killed the khan of Murkits, Chanai, a civil war ensued. The land has a new Great khan, Batu. Believe me! Batu ceded the control of the westernmost areas of the land to the remnants of the humanoid tribes, which now form a good buffer zone against Glantri. The humanoid tribes were united by the Ethengar-like humanoids of Broken lands and their Khan. An uneasy truce between the norsemen and the humanoids stands.
Glantri
Evan though the Glantrians lost a lot of good soldiers, especially during the unfortunate invasion of Ethengar and the Battles to free Darokin City, their country didn't suffer much during the war. Glantri remains basically unchanged.
Sind
After the death of Hosadus and the fall of the Nomad armies in the end of 1011, the traditional tribal leaders revolted against Hulean rule. Huleans were overthrown, and it is said that Hule is in bloody turmoil.
(1) As can be seen from the Twin campaigns timelines, IMC there was a Nomad War around 500 AC, with an earlier Incarnation of Hosadus.
(2) In our campaign we played out the Division of the Five sub-campaign, which included a period of near civil-war in Karameikos. Luln was destroyed, Alfric Oderbry died, Magda Marilenev was executed.
(3) Followers of Alexander Penhaligon were instrumental in this.