Drondroitch 

Beneath the jagged mountains and twisted dark forests as old as creation itself humans are subject to more then the whims of nature, but also to the whims of much more sinister beings. For within these dark and twisted woodlands there are evil fairies, witches, hags, dragons, and demons of all sorts. Every shadow in this land is a thing to be feared and every ray of light a lie, another distraction to be used by the darkness that haunts all things. In order to survive in such a cruel land humans must often do terrible things and soon they forget to be human at all.

            Drondroitch is group of three Kingdoms in such a land, a place so filled with dark creatures that men should perhaps never have go there, but they did. Now these lands ruled over by various evil beings and tyrants, are filled with slavery, human sacrifice, and great suffering. The only true form of wealth in these lands is its constant raids on the good kingdoms.

            In a land such as this the roles of many things become reversed from what the PC’s are used to, here it is the Dark beings and evil men who want to keep things as they are and protect the kingdom from the creatures of light. While it is the outlaws and the angles and other beings of light who are attempting to over throw the shadowy kingdoms through conspiracies.

            The reversal of roles can create the opportunity for many fun and exciting adventures for good PC’s who can plot and plan conspiracies, and help outlaws.
         For evil characters being able to discover the many dark magic’s and libraries in the area, and the opportunities to be rewarded for protecting the status quo and to fight angles conspiracies should be enjoyable as well.

Kingdom 1

The Five Gullies 

History

            The first humans to settle the Kingdom now Known as The Five Gullies home of the witches to the unseelie fairies. These witches where drawn to the region because one of the primary portals to the Unseelie court lies within the mountains to the north. Although their where not many of witches they grew greatly in power and were able to bring other people to the land as slaves to farm for them. These people could become free by finding ways to prove their allegiance to the witches of the region and so over time a sort of religion grew up around the unseelie fairies and the witches who followed them.

            As the Kingdom grew an army of mercenaries and bandits looking for a place of operations found this land with its easy access to the rich kingdoms, yet its isolated and sheltered lands a good base of operations.

            Rather then fight the current inhabitants who had very little they wanted and dark magic’s they feared the warriors chose instead to join their kingdom. The witches for their part realized that the Warriors could crush their small numbers if they wished it, so the witches appointed the general of the mercenaries King, while one witch was chosen to be the High Priest to the Unseelie.

Current Politics.

            This situation continues with the King ruling the armies, and the treasures taken from plunder and the high priest ruling the witches, religious ceremonies, peasants, and the slaves.

            Because of this the laws governing the soldiers are different from those governing the peasants, as each ruler has the right to determine which laws govern what.

            Each village in turn is ruled by an elected mayor, a captain, and a high priest who make the local laws by consensus between them.
            Currently there are 6 villages surrounding a larger town, each village is made up of warriors, farmers, and slaves who’s numbers are equal to that of the freemen. Because of the dangerous nature of the region each village is surrounded by a magical wall of gris-gris hung on iron and enchanted poles to keep out the unseelie fey and a physical wall made of wood and stone to keep out the physical dangers.

            Bernochist
            Population 7,300 Freemen and 7,000 slaves
            The largest City of the region it exemplifies the habit of the people of The Five Gullies to live in very poorly constructed cabins that despite being incredibly squat seem ready to topple at any moment. Each cabin is crowded with huge extended families living together for protection so that 8 adults and 20 or so children all live crowded together.
            The City Makes most of its income from the slaves who are trained as potters and blacksmiths and the freemen who oversee them. This has lead the town into a precarious situation, as most of its slaves are very strong from the forge, and have an easy means of escape, as they can break their chains, with the hammer they use to make swords. In response the town itself has recruited a very large number of soldiers with 80% of the adult free population comprising soldiers giving it an army of 3,000 Men and Women, which are constantly drilling, however no major war has been fought for 7 years.
            This temporary and very short lived peace is likely to end however as Grizor also known as The Axe of Bernochist has taken over rule as the new king. A harsh man who has fought in many wars and who has lead his army to battle 4 times against the Halflings, twice against the lands to the south, and an untold number of times against the demonologists.
            Currently rumors persist that Grizor Plans to make a major raid on one of the southern kingdoms or the Dwarves to the far north. In either case the town is earning less and less money as the soldiers have been drilling rather then raiding, and the slaves work has been going into storage rather then being sold.
            Instead of being upset by their poverty however the town’s folk are excited knowing that soon great wealth and fame will be theirs. But for this to occur they must win whatever war they are lead to. For this reason they have grown leery of strangers, for they have very little to trade and fear that the only visitors are spies coming to discover their strengths.

 

Important Figures

King Grizor
Level 13 Barbarian
Grizor is badly scared from an attack by one of the Halflings dragons, and the pain from this event has made him even more grumpy and cruel. He was raised to be one of the guerilla raiders, who go in small packs to attack the people of the south. But he soon found that one could get more with a larger army. So he threw of the position that was destined for him to become a captain of an army of his own. As a warlord he led his men on many raids and gained more treasure and wealth then any man in The Five Gullies, with this wealth he was able to bribe the soldiers and the priests to overthrow the former king and install him as the new one.
            Far from being a calculating and wise king he is a wild and unpredictable barbarian, often deluded about his and his kingdoms strength, with very little understanding of politics, or the realities of warfare. He is just as likely to lead his men into an unwinable war as to plan for victory.

The High Priest
Level 18 Unseelie Witch
Mortoz Deg Den grew into power by knowing more then anyone else, and by being so crazed from his experiences with the unseelie that everyone feared to oppose him lest he know something that they did not. In truth however he is quite mad, and spends so much time in the unseelie and spirit realms that is incapable of truly understanding human nature, much less actually ruling over them. This has lead to a great weakness in the most powerful position in the kingdom one which conspirators on all sides could exploit.

Maries Hanno
Level 8 Seelie Witch
Is a secretive witch to the seelie fairies she lives with her large family who are totally unaware of her true allegiances and beliefs. She has chosen to look very plain, always working to make her appearance as plain as possible in order to explain why she is not attached to any man. In truth however she fears that what she can hide from siblings and parents she could never hide from a husband. And so she avoids social contact, hiding away in her room whenever possible, or walking where there are few people. She is however very kind and friendly, helping slaves in whatever small way she can. She is constantly watching for an opportunity to change the land for the better and would be able to help the PC’s should they begin to quest to do so.

Karolo
Level 9 Cleric
One of the most renewed beauties in her younger days she used her beauty to allow her to be very selective in marriage for she is a secretive worshiper of the god of hope. She unlike most of the ones who disbelieve in the status quo shares her position with a few others, although this is still done in the utmost secrecy. Her husband is a spy for the military (though he also follows the god of hope) and so this allowed them to live alone. This has given her the opportunity to her classes and services in secret with out the prying eyes of a family.

The Cult of Hope
It is odd to think of a secret cult being built up to a god as benevolent as the one of hope however it is necessary in this dark land. With some 56 followers in the city the cult of hope hides in the dark corners of the city, helping to free and smuggle away slaves, or to help those who need it. They have no dress to distinguish them ever, for this is to easily spotted, instead each carries a tiny sun as a symbol of their faith.

Important Buildings

The High Temple
The high temple is the tallest building in the region, and its white marble walls seem to grow out of the surrounding hovels like a burned blister. The place smells of the death that is so prominent there. For every moon and at other random occasions people are sacrificed by the mad priest and his followers.
            Inside the temple there are some 100 rooms surrounding the maze that is its corridors, many slaves walk these halls as do many more soldiers. For all its size however it only holds 6 priests for most of these  work at the twenty other small shrines throughout the city.
Dexolar
Level 8 Unseelie Witch
Dexolar is quickly becoming disillusioned with the faith of the land, not least because of the madness of his superior at the High Temple. He however is afraid to act on his own, and he is still fascinated with the dark powers. He at the moment wishes to cast a very difficult spell and needs the PC’s to retrieve a rare herb in the north.

Inn
            There is only one inn in town a giant building simply called The Inn, no other inns are allowed so that it is easier to watch travelers. The inn is run by a sleazy captain, his soldiers and a number of slaves. There are very few guests here ever so the soldier spend most of their time drinking.
            Because it has so many slaves the inn itself is immaculate, but it has poor ventilations so it is constantly filled with a smoky haze from its fire places and candles. To make it seem even more seedy the walls are painted a dark grey, making little light available. The purpose of this is to intimidate visitors, but in truth it makes it very difficult to see everything happening in the inn and so incur rages those who want to keep secrets.

Palace

Getting into the Palace is very difficult as it is surrounded by a large open space filled only with lamps to be lit and night, though the wall around it is only 20 feet high, and made of easily scaleable stone.
If one gets enough of a reputation however they can be invited to the palace to come and go from it as they please to do this one must prove themselves a great warrior for the kingdom.
One way to do this would be to retrieve an statue that is used to cast nightmare from a demonologist hiding on the outskirts of town.

1-Manotho
Population 850 Slaves 600
A hard town of query miners, they live on the edge of the mountains where they are easy prey for the unseelie fairies and the other evil creatures of the wild. This has hardened the citizens of the town into a cruel uncaring people who believe that perhaps death is more important then life, after all death is eternal.
Outsiders are not unwelcome in this town as many come here to look at the stones and to sell food to the citizens of the town. However at the same time outsiders are looked on with contempt, as soft people who haven’t experienced reality.
            The Priests of this town are just as hard as its people, traveling up into the dangerous mountains to sleep in the wind and the rain, and to face the dark creatures that live there. The High Priestess is Grig Mi Gar (level 11 Witch) is perhaps the hardest of them all. She  runs the 12 other priests and indeed the town itself much like a like a drill sergeant would. The Mayor and head captain have been cowed by her fury, and so do nothing to oppose her wishes. She for her part spends more time in the wilds then in the town dealing with the dark powers and spirits. It is rumored that she is one of the dark witches of the woods that haunts the town and eats it children.

2-Onochi
Population 720
A happy village that exists on the outskirts of the human kingdom and outside the unseelie fairies territory. This situation has allowed almost half the population to start “secretly” following various good gods or seelie fairies.
The town itself is very friendly to outsiders as it enjoys the opportunity to learn new things and trade with the outside world. Indeed the mayor a horse ranger who is a friendly old man is always looking for ways to strengthen trade relations with the outside. For their part the Priest who secretly follows a number of seelie as will as unseelie fairies and the captain don’t much interfere with the Mayors goals.

3-Nerichin
Population 500
Though outside the Unseelie courts normal grounds this villages placement within the kingdom forces to follow the kingdoms rules to the letter. This along with the unfertile fields has made this a very strict town.
Its population is constantly practicing combat and hates outsiders because they believe that their only hope of escape is as bandits or soldiers. Because of this any outsiders who come to this town runs the risk of being robbed.

4-Omoron De Zo
Population 450
Furthest into the unseelie lands it is under constant threat from dark fairies and spirits. Because of this the high priest of the town holds total sway cowing all who oppose him with the threat that he will but lift his protection. He is a seemingly friendly man, with a voice that drips with honey and kindness. But he cares very little for others and demands more sacrifices then any other priest, indeed the outskirts of the town is guarded by what are called the alters of the harvest, giant piles of human bones. To add to this the high priest and the town train slaves in the ways of the wild, and then release them on the nights of the wild hunt for the unseelie courts sport.

5-Kelis
Population 550

Being the wealthiest village per person this place is a bit different from the harder villages, as it believes that it can gain the most from trade with the outside. This contact with the outside world has lead it to treat its slaves much better then the other villages and to hide most of its dark rituals. Because of this it has become the diplomatic headquarters for relations with the outside world rather then the Palace.

6-Nin Doz
400
Built along the border of the Demonologists territory the people of this village are paranoid and secretive certain that their enemies are in every shadow. They however welcome outsiders, because outsiders can be used to fight their enemies.
The villages houses are built close together for protection, meaning that their can be no roads into the city, all trade then must be conducted outside it at temporary booths. Most of the time however the villagers trade nothing near home preferring instead to travel away with their crops, glade for any excuse to leave the land which they fear, but are forced by the kingdoms laws to live at.

The Halfling Villages
            Within the gullies themselves a group of Halflings have built a number of villages. Picturesque like happy and bright paintings these villages blend into the woods around them, and a filled with flowers. For the Halflings enjoy a close relationship with the seelie fairies that do manage to live in the gullies. More important perhaps is the relationship the Halflings have with the copper dragons clan that dominates the area. For the Halfling villages are guarded over by the copper dragons who’s caverns they have built their villages over. For although the Unseelie court makes its home in these gullies, the copper dragons have one their largest clans centered here as will. And the Great Wyrm which rules it is more then a match for any of the unseelie fairies.
            Because fairies and copper dragons are both tricksters, and jokesters  no one in this area can take themselves or anyone else too seriously for even the Halflings have adopted the ways of their guardians.
            The PC’s will find many opportunities to find support for the cause of good among these villages. For the copper dragons can be a powerful ally, as can the Halflings and Seelie fairies. 

            The territory of the Demonologists it is one of the oldest tribes of people, back when humans first came to be and life was so dangerous in the new world that few tribes of humans survived, many turned to the lords of the Abyss for help. The Lords of the Abyss for their part use the demonologists to spread evil in the world, and to gain half-fiends for use in their own wars and goals.
            Rizrocrol is a series of caves spread out over  120 miles of the dark cliffs on the edges of the jagged mountains. These caves are ruled over by powerful demonologists, sorcerers, warlocks and some few wizards. Each ruler makes their own rules for their caverns, and doesn’t really speak with the rulers of the other caverns.
            The common people for their part are nomadic moving from cavern to cavern or living in the wilds. They all worship the dark powers, and many have lower levels in various forms of magic, but they have no real say in the course of their lives other then to move.
            Because of this no one person swares allegiance to a single group, rather they work in whatever group they happen to be in. This means that the battles which are very common among the demonologists are very brutal, because everybody knows everyone else having lived with them at some time in their travels, so they can make better plans of how to kill them.
            At the moment one of the Demon Lords Nancuna (level 19 demonologist) is trying to consolidate the power of all the demon lands. And so is working to build an army and either force or buy the services of the other Demon Lords. He has already gotten the allegiance of 14 of the 47 demon lords. Once he has consolidated power he will declare war on other lands. 

From Dark Jungles to the Raging Sea    J. Perkins

The Wilderness.

The wilderness is filled with Feyrie and Hags who require mortals to keep their line strong or to have children, and who have found that the villages not only afford them the normal place to do this, but even go out of their way to accommodate them. Far from being grateful however this if anything makes them more cruel, for unlike other places they do not have to be secretive about their activities to avoid the wrath of those they prey upon. This makes the wilderness in this area particularly dangerous, and has served to drive most of the orcs into caverns under the tangled roots of the forest. Hill Giants and Ogars however are thriving, as the hags use them as guards and soldiers.

To make matters worse the woodlands are also filled with wild elves who also follow the path of the Unseele, hunting and killing all who enter the woods. For these elves take delight in pain and suffering. 

The Conspiracy of light

            In most cases one thinks of conspiracies being run by the dark powers however the Deva’s and Acherons have their own plans to make the world a better place. Many of these have come to this dark land in hopes banishing away the darkness that fills the peoples lives. The goals of this conspiracy are to free the slaves, to end human sacrifice, and to protect the humans from the unseelie and demons that now rule their lives.
            On the human end the conspiracy as such is being lead by two men, one is a battle hardened Paladin who was one of the ones to go on an expedition to the Abyss in order to free those kidnapped and enslaved there.
            The other is a Pacifist “Book of Exalted Deeds,” who helped to bring up the Risen Glabrezu Rrethruzzgra out of the darkness.

Corey Aislinn