You are a member of the Shield Brethren, one of the many adventuring guilds in the Lowlands of Terrenum Major. While you have yet to gain prestiege for your heroic deeds, you are trained and ready to take on contracts for your guild. Your reasons for joining are your own but the goal is always the same; make the customer happy and look good while doing it.
These guilds vary in status and capability. Yours happens to be of decent size and reputation. Your guild hall resides in a bustling walled port city nestled at the mouth of an estuary almost in the center of the Lowlands. The city was renamed before you were born in honor of some heroic figure. Most people forget the actual name and shorten it to Gallant. Locals still call the city by its founding name; River City.
Nature was kind to the city, giving the estuary a natural break water for ships to dock safely. This, along with a slow, wide river inland, made it perfect as an area of trade.
As with many cities in the land, times of growth are marked by an ever-expanding ring of fortifications. The last of these high walls were eventually built to encompass many thousands of acres of rich farmland along both sides of the river.
Monsters are not nearly as much of a problem for Gallant anymore but the walls remain as a reminder of what has, and still could, happen if the residences lower their guard.
Your adventure guild services the city proper as well as the vast fields and homesteads around the city. Occasionally parties will be sent on missions hundreds of miles from the city, however, these jobs are rare.
The World
Terrenum is a continent in a fantasy world with Medieval and Ancient themes. Terrenum itself is split into two parts; Terrenum Major, the main landmass, and Terrenum Minor, a smaller landmass that exists alongside it. These two land masses are separated by a geologically active body of water known as the Narrow Sea, which is a deep, warm body of salt water connected to the greater Open Ocean. The climate ranges from mostly temperate in the North to stiflingly hot in the equatorial regions to the South.
The Narrow Sea is one of the most defining aspects of this land and runs between Terrenum Minor and Major. Some have speculated that, at some point in the path, a giant had ripped the lands apart to create the sea. Many have called this body of water the Misty Sea, however, the name has fallen off with the creation of the Trade Winds. Only in the North is the Narrow Sea still called the Misty Sea.
The Narrow Sea begins in the South by Caerbea and runs North until reaching the District of Hectate. Then it cuts East sharply where it meets the Open Ocean once more.
The Northern body of land, where the District of Hectate resides, rises steeply toward a relatively high altitude as it moves toward the Northern mountains. This region is rich with rivers and sees constant monsoon-like rainfall all year except for the Winter months, when the rain turns to snow. The land is uniquely rich as it sees frequent ash fall from an active volcano known as Casper's Shadow to the North East. Nothing is known to exist beyond the vast mountain range.
Directly South of Hectate, across the Narrow Sea, is Terrenum Minor. Another active volcano resides in the East of this land. In the central and West part of Terrenum Minor are vast rocky fields and rivers. Once the large rocks were cleared away, these fields became rich farmlands. Much of the East Coast is blocked by a vast mountain range running along the entire body of land.
To the West of Terrenum Minor, back over the Narrow Sea, is the Lowlands. There is more arable land per capita in the Lowlands than in any part of Terrenum. The Lowlands are distinct also in that this stretch of land is close to sea level, where most are well above, making it perfect for trade ships via the Narrow Sea. The active monster presence from the Great Wood and Swamps farther inland mean that communities here must live behind vast protective walls. Were this not the case, the Lowlands would out-produce Terrenum Minor and Hectate together in food.
Going West, past the Lowlands, is a vast stretch of woodlands, swamps and jungles. The land drains as it goes West since the altitude rises sharply along the way.
Along the West Coast of Terrenum Major are the Highlands. The land here is rocky and sees only sporadic rainfall. Some areas are dusty. The people who live here are hearty and there are precious few areas low enough to meet the ocean in order to receive trade.
Far to the South, the land lowers to meet the ocean. It is hot and humid there. In the South is where one will find vast plantations of sugar, sweet fruits and abundant fishing. The land is uniquely suited for these delightful trade goods. This fact has made the city of Caerbea, at the Southernmost tip of the continent, a powerful and wealthy city.
North of Terrenum Major is considered the Northerlands. This is a mostly uncharted area of land that is also referred to as the Badlands. Monsters and bandits plague this area. It is thought impossible for civilization to exist here and only a few towns are fortified enough to stay together here.
World Stage
The District of Hectate
The District of Hectate is a powerful city-state in the North of Terrenum Major. It was founded by a coalition of mages as a bastion of magical study and development and grew to be one of the most wealthy cities in all of Terrenum. Their lands are easy to defend as they have only one area of access by sea while the land route is a difficult march up rocky terrain. Fortresses dot the crest of this path while the port city of Lawful trade has strong walls and a sizable garrison.
The city-state is named in honor of their goddess, Hectate, whose domains are law and blood. District lands are fertile and are frequently rejuvenated by ash from an active volcano to their North East and extensive rains from the Narrow Sea. To their North is a vast mountain range and to the South is the Narrow Sea. The only reliable land route is South West, which is guarded by fortresses.
The capital city lords over dozens of towns, hamlets, farming communities and a hand full of smaller cities. The District are frequent trade partners with the Noble Houses which rule Terrenum Minor and are leaders in the study of demonology and blood magic. Their lands are as fertile as any other thanks to these magics.
As one may expect, the rule of law is important to District citizens. The law is their religion. In Terrenum, one does not fear dealing with the Devil more than dealing with a Hectatae law master. It is of little surprise that the District leads the way in architectural and legal development and manages to keep its mostly magic-using upper class in line through strict oversight of their powers. Even the methods of regulation used by the Church and Trade Federation were pioneered by Hectate law masters.
Despite their vast magical power and wealth, the District of Hectate is ill-suited for a large-scale, long-term war. They cow most offenders by the threat of unrestricted magical warfare but, as a rule, view the act of entering into melee as beneath them. While the District does have a permanent and well-trained militia, these forces are mostly used for patrolling the streets of towns and hunting down monsters. Mages do have elite personal bodyguards and there are a few strong line units but the majority of the fighting is done through summoned creatures, offensive spells and necromancy.
Caerbea
Caerbea is the Southernmost city-state on Terrenum Major and is largely considered to be the most powerful in terms of occupied land and sheer manpower. They are renowned for their martial and naval prowess and are the only known faction which has ships capable of sailing the open ocean. Native Caerbeans are large men with heavy tans suited for their equatorial lifestyles. As a rule, they despise magic and value strength above all else, refusing outright to use 'enhanced' seeds for their crops.
Caerbean rule extends over the Lowlands and Highlands, going as far North as Sandstone. Their reach ends at Iron Harbor and the Northerlands, as the vast walls of the trade city have never fallen to an invading army.
Native Caerbeans are proud, loud and quick to fight. They rarely leave their lands except to enforce the rule of the city-state over their dominion and are known for neither mingling with Highlanders nor Lowlanders.
Their standing army is a relatively small but disciplined, aggressive and highly trained force. They employ long spearmen in phalanx-like formations, make use of excellent longbowmen and fast-hitting light skirmishers. While they are not known for their incredible horsemen, they do employ an elite corps of heavy shock cavalry for scouting and flanking actions.
For the most part, Caerbea allows its vassal states to run themselves so long as they supply their overlords with tithes.
Almost to a man, native Caerbeans offer tribute to the Storm Maiden whose dominion extends over war and weather. They the only city-state to acknowledge the Storm Maiden and come into continual conflict with the Church of our Goddess over this fact. At present, the Church is banned from Caerbean state lands, however, worship of Serenrae is tolerated among their vassals.
While there is clear evidence to suggest Caerbeans are a race unto themselves, the culture is considered more important to them than the breed. Humans, orcs, elves and half-breeds are welcome in the city as long as they embrace the culture. Caerbea employs the largest concentration of orcs in the land. The city and its surrounding lands have the highest average concentration of orcs in all of Terrenum. Other races are welcome as long as they obey the laws, can put up a good fight or are rich.
Iron Harbor
Iron Harbor is a collection of fortresses around the "Swell" in the Narrow Sea. The primary fortress and walled city attached to it exists on the Terrenum Major side. The "Sisters" are a pair of smaller forts on either side of the Narrow Sea just North of the Swell and serve as combination lighthouses and strong points. There is an island in the middle of the Swell that houses a small mining settlement. A final lighthouse/strong point sits just South of the fortress city on Terrenum Major. On Terrenum minor, at the only point on the West bank low enough to reach sea level, is a second walled port city.
Iron Harbor historically has cared little about the wars of the greater realm. It has stood as a bastion of free trade along the Narrow Sea for hundreds of years. Its walls have never fallen to an attack and have expanded inexorably over the generations. Its streets are tightly packed with houses and shops and are kept clean by an army of sanitary workers, engineers and Church-affiliated clerics and mages.
The origin of Iron Harbor is largely lost to time. It has changed hands over the generations but has stood as the primary trade port for Terrenum Minor, the District of Hectate and the Northerlands for as long as anybody can remember. To this day the governors of the twin cities declare their sovereignty.
Iron Harbor is also the home of the largest Church presence in the Northerlands and is heavily influenced by the up-and-coming Trade Federation. They claim to have no standing army and no interest in claiming land outside of their walls, however, the cities do have large garrisons of guards and far-reaching patrols. Most of these patrols are lead by mercenaries. Many Church warrior clerics also patrol the roads. Finally, a sizable barracks for Paladins exists on the Terrenum Major side to aid in their quest to hunt down otherworldly monsters that still plague the less developed Northlands.
The preeminent school for magic studies resides in this city under the close scrutiny of the Church. It is here that mages are trained and assigned duties across the continent.
People of all kinds can be found passing through the streets of Iron Harbor however the upper management is almost completely made up of humans. Full-blood orcs are generally not allowed access to the city aside from dock work. Native Caerbeans are allowed but are usually restricted to the trade districts. Due to the large influence of the Church, Hectatae citizens, blood mages and necromancers are strictly forbidden.
Houses of Nobility
Although the name that most refer to the feudal lords of Terrenum Minor may differ between regions, the Houses of Nobility are nevertheless one of the major players in the realm. The fertile - if rocky - region of East Terrenum Minor is split up between three sovereign duchies under a feudal system of government. Their lands are then sub-divided into multiple counties.
Unlike most of Terrenum, this region is not nearly as harassed by monsters. This has resulted in a more dispersed population which, in turn, has resulted in more land that is able to be cultivated at a time. Such is the case in a feudal system, the land is own almost exclusively by noble families and lead by a lord. Each lord will have their own retinue of loyal House Guard instead of a standing army. In a time of war, these House Guard can be augmented by calling in their levies and training peasants for temporary service. The result is a relatively small force during peacetime which can inflate for a short duration to great numbers during a war.
The word "King" is something of a taboo across Terrenum. It is a much stronger taboo in Terrenum Minor. While currently at peace, the Farm Lords fought a series of unification wars that ended just over one hundred and fifty years before. During this time of hostility, Nobles attempted to unify the region under a single kingdom which was bitterly resisted by the rest of their peers. After the last of these terrible conflicts, it was decided that the region would be split between the three strongest dynasties. These dynasties would then be counseled by their lesser Lords. So, while the Dukes hold immense power and influence, they ultimately answer to the Lords beneath them. Because of these wars, this land is often referred as the Kings Land, or simply Kingsland.
While the Nobility of Terrenum Minor generally worships Serenrae, they outright refused to allow the ascending Church to dictate terms to them. This has lead to a bitter feud between the two factions that nearly resulted in war in the past. The Trade Federation has since stepped in as mediator between the two. Churches do exist across Terrenum Minor but the clergy are forbidden from enforcing any laws outside of these embassies.
Terrenum Minor is home to the third largest school for magical studies in the continent. While they generally lack the expertise for training powerful combat mages, they do lead the way in agricultural and earth-shaping studies. Their mages continue to be critical in cleaning out the heavily rocky terrain of the otherwise fertile Terrenum Minor to expand upon their farms. Primitive aquaducts are being developed along with improvements in metallurgy, masonry and sewage management. Because of this, those residing under the Noble Lords often enjoy a higher average standard of living than many across Terrenum.
The people here are divided between nobility and peasantry. Thanks to the high yield of their fields, few go hungry and the price of food is generally low while work is plentiful. For the most part, the nobility lives in their guarded communities and rarely interact with the lowborn peasantry. As long as wages are fair and food is cheap, the peasantry cares little for the brightly colored outfits and flourish of high society. Here, a bit of pomp and flair is expected of a well-rounded and literate gentleman.
Humans, elves and half orcs are common in Terrenum Minor.
The Church of our Goddess
The Church of Our Goddess is a religious organization based around the worship of the goddess Serenrae. Most people refer to this organization as the Church. Worshipers of the Goddess wear robes of pure white with golden embroidery. A monastic scapular is worn by members in the field to protect their usually expensive clothes. Some of the order have taken to wearing a ritualistic or expanded version of this apron-like garment for various reasons.
The Church teaches that there is only one Goddess. Even acknowledging the idea that there may be other deities is grounds to have a person ejected from the order. The Church does not persecute those who worship alternate faiths but they are not obligated to offer aid to them. An adventure guild known to have fallen out of favor with the Church may have their access to legally trained mages cut off. Establishments in trade cities may lose patronage by the many traveling clerics who pass through the area or be shunned by citizens who do follow the faith.
The Church operates dozens of medical facilities and funds hundreds of missions at any given time. Many of these missions include disaster relief, monster hunting and general education in addition to proselytizing. Establishments who operate according to Church guidelines are generally favorably viewed by citizens who have come to trust their good word.
The study of arcana is heavily regulated outside of Hectate. Few have the gift to use arcane magics and fewer still have the knowledge to teach it. The Church is one such organization who hoards this knowledge. They fund and oversee one of the largest schools of arcana in all of Terrenum and have a virtual monopoly on combat-trained mages. If there is one area where the Church is most zealous, it is in policing mages. This is partially why there is such tension between the Church and the Farm Lords of Terrenum Minor and is a big part of their opposition to the District of Hectate.
In addition to all of this, the Church funds and oversees the paladins of the realm. This last bit is taken with some level of exasperation by many in the order. Paladins have proven to be invaluable to the greater good of Terrenum. However, they have also proven difficult to control and potentially dangerous.
The Church is primarily a human run organization however they do accept elves and half orcs into their order. Full blooded orcs, tieflings and beastkin are not allowed to join the order, however, they are not turned away from Church run facilities unless they pose a threat.
The Order of the Hammer
In short, the Order of the Hammer are monster hunters. They are loosely organized into guilds with no apparent central leadership. Their warriors are unnaturally talented in finding evil and vanquishing it. They are ruthless and single-minded in their pursuit of these entities. Considering the nature of life in Terrenum, where monsters can and will appear in even seemingly safe areas, members of the Order of the Hammer are seen in a favorable light by the average citizen. These warriors are even welcomed and respected in Caerbea, although somewhat less so in the District of Hectate.
The Order of the Hammer acknowledges the divinity of the Goddess Serenrae and, as such, enjoys a positive relationship with the Church. Guilds dedicated to training these warriors are funded almost exclusively by the Church and proudly carry the iconography of the Hammer on their persons. Most will wear a small coin of stone with the Hammer hand-crafted into its face and rimmed with precious metal to keep it in one piece.
Every member of the Order of the Hammer joins after hearing the calling to become something greater. Many have been turned away for not possessing the essential gifts that make one a true warrior against the darkness. Their ways are a closely guarded secret even to the Church.
Some eyewitness accounts of these warriors in action tell of a blinding light emanating from their strikes. More than a few who have attempted to harass a warrior of the Hammer have been blinded by this very same light and falling to their knees to beg mercy. There are rumors that they can see the darkness even in a person's soul. On the very rare occasion that a member of the Hammer strikes down a person, it is always attributed to the wickedness hiding in that person's heart.
Little is known by outsiders about the Order of the Hammer. In truth, few even know that their order has a name, much less what it is. To most, they are simply known as Paladins.
A paladin's gear can vary. Most orders are well funded enough to clad their warriors in full plate armor. Their weapons will vary but they have an affinity for warhammers, lucerne hammers and mauls. Most paladins will also have a sword for backup. Some go into battle with a one-handed weapon and a shield.
The Trade Federation
This organization saw its beginnings as a loose federation of smaller companies who had banded together to compete against much larger ones. In more recent years they have become the standard for freight delivery and have branched into administration. They share a close relationship with the Church and are seeing an increased presence in Terrenum Minor.
The Trade Federation is heavily entrenched in the Lowlands and has a minor presence in the Highlands. It is becoming more popular as an administrative entity among the Nobles of Terrenum Minor and operates heavily up and down the Narrow Sea. They base out of a port city in the far South of Terrenum Minor. Much like the Church, Caerbea has banned the Trade Federation from their city and will actively attack their trade vessels in the Western Open Ocean.
Being the chief administrator for the majority of guilds in the Lowlands, the Trade Federation has access to mercenary, mage, adventuring and industrial guilds alike. While they have no standing army to speak of their ability to project power is still significant. They also aid in funding and overseeing many Church projects and thusly enjoy the protection of Serenrae's battle clerics.
Highlands
The Highlands is a stretch of land running along the West coast of Terrenum Minor. This area has few points of access to the coast with tall cliffs and mountains. It is relatively sparsely populated compared to the Lowlands. There is one major port with access to the Open Ocean which is located at Sandstone, just on the edge of what is considered the Northerlands. Due to the long range between Sandstone and Caerbea and the few safe places to go to shore, only Caerbean vessels are capable of making such a voyage with regularity.
A rough road network does exist in the Highlands but these roads only connect the major cities.
Various mercenary and adventure guilds do exist out here. One of the few established trade roads between the Highlands and the Lowlands runs through a vast swamp. While the swamp road is patrolled constantly, it can still be dangerous for travelers.
The people of the Highlands are seen as strange, loud and rough by the rest of Terrenum. They seem to be related distantly to Caerbeans and are generally large people who favor large weapons.
Lowlands
The Lowlands is a stretch of fertile land on the East side of Terrenum Minjor. This stretch runs along the Narrow Sea and is just across from Terrenum Minor. It runs from Caerbea up to Iron Harbor. Due to the warmth of the Narrow Sea, this stretch of land sees regular rainfall and is a major trade corridor.
There is a lot of potential in the Lowlands. It has a large population over a long stretch of land, access to many resources and acres of food-producing land. There will always be a monster problem due to it running along the great forest/swamp/jungle that runs up the center of the continent, however, these are kept in check by good walls and numerous adventuring guilds.
The Lowlands are heavily decentralized, however, and are often seen as a stepping stone between great powers. Lowlanders are seen as being generally uneducated and unsanitary, although this is more from a lack of consistent funding or developed facilities. In reality, this area is a melting pot of nearly all cultures across the lands. Work is readily available and wages are decent. Due to the decentralized, guild-focused nature of the region, competition is fierce. While the quality of goods is considered above average, the region is eclipsed by the high class of the Noble Lands and the brutal efficiency of Caerbean equipment.
Relatively speaking, though, it's a decent place to live.
Northerlands
Between Iron Harbor and Sandstone runs a stretch of land that is considered unclaimed. This includes the dense and often dangerous Great Woods (which goes by a few names), the impassable mountains to the far North and the bandit rich Badlands. Notable cities are Gracehaven (a small but quickly growing town) and the city of North of Summer. On the very edge of the known world is a town named Devenshire.
Going from Sandstone to Iron Harbor will see a traveler running through the dense and often dangerous Great Wood. Straying far off the path in this forest will often run afoul of centaurs. Heading North to go around the forest will bring one close to Gracehaven, however, this runs them through the Badlands.
There are not many towns outside of the established, walled cities in this area of land. Those that do exist are often bandit strongholds or abandoned ghost towns. Despite this, the land is fertile. Around Devenshire, the land becomes dry, rocky and cold, creating something of a confusing desert.
The Great Woods/Swamp/Jungle
The name for this stretch of land changes depending on which region one is in. It is an almost uninterrupted stretch of trees and thick vegetation reaching from the Northerlands almost all the way to Caerbea. Distressingly little is known about what goes on inside of this region since each part has its own dangers to offer.
In the North, they call it the Great Woods or Forrest or the Wilds or any number of names. Some call it the centaur's land. Long ago, a silent agreement was reached between the centaurs and those who live outside of the Wood; leave the trees or die. Considering how difficult it is to populate the Northerlands, no group has put forth a serious attempt to challenge the centaurs here. In return, the centaurs patrol the trade road and chase off most of the smaller monsters. There is a trade road that runs through the Great Wood. It connects Sandstone with Iron Harbor.
Farther South, one finds the Great Swamp. The swamp begins in a low point of elevation in the Lowlands as a thin stretch of bogland which hides useful forestry. Farther South the land flattens out, causing the sitting water of the swamp to expand. There is a trade road that cuts through the Great Swamp which connects the Lowlands to a town in the Highlands called Bloodstone. Although this road is regularly patrolled, it is still dangerous to travel.
Many things live in the swamp. Most of them will attempt to eat wayward travelers. The most terrifying of these are the mimics. They lure prey in by mimicking the sound of a wounded animal or, in some cases, a person. It is said that some mimics can even take the shape of a person or animal in order to sneak into camp and run away with a quick meal.
Just past the Great Swamp is the Jungle. Or maybe the swamp is part of the jungle? Many of the same creatures end up living in the jungle. Most just group them together as the same impenetrable thicket of forbidden trees and hateful animals.