stack
2011-09-16, 03:51 PM
I am currently working on a campaign setting for a PBP political intrigue game, set in the River Kingdoms of Golarion, centuries prior to the present campaign paths.
The central theme will be the question, "When is it just and necessary to overthrow a king?", with a strong focus on loyalty, ambition, and duty.
I am looking for input on character building (motivation, personality, quirks) and improving verisimilitude. I want the setting to be a logical, organic place for the characters to move in. Also, I consider myself to have no great skill with names.
The settling as it stands:
History:4029: Belor Tarnus (25 yrs old), a minor noble from Taldorian Cheliax, leaves to seek a kingdom of his own in the North. He gathers a band of adventurers and seizes power in the city-state of Bluefork. Original companions are: Rasmaine the Wizard, Eldric the bard, Athros Truebeam the cleric, Brandbur Gray the warrior, and Arthane and Brathos Grace, the twin knights.
4034: His rule firmly established, Belor turns his eyes outward. His marriage to the eldest daughter of the king of Clearrun leads to his assumption of power and creation of his nascent empire. The king of Clearrun becomes Duke.
4036: Begins wars of expansion. Eldest son (Beorn) born
4045: Harth Tarnus born (5th son) (will become King Tarnus II)
4058: Wars of expansion end, country reaches its largest size, officially decaled Kingdom of Riverfork. (I never said he was good with names). Surviving original companions made dukes, Athros Truebeam, cleric of Aroden established as high priest, work on cathedral begins.
4059: Duke Rivers passes, his eldest son (the King’s brother-in-law, Harth’s uncle) succeeding him.
4070: Duke Rasmaine, Lord of the city of Greathall, declares independence. Harth earns the title “Red Prince” for his actions in the subsequent conflict, later named the Wizard’s Rebellion.
4074: Guile, wizardry, and King Tarnus I’s loss of his two eldest sons leads to a cessation of open conflict. Cathedral finished.
4075: Ulric (4th son) goes to join the warriors of Lastwall, forsaking his inheritance
4078: Great plague sweeps down the mountains and ravages the nation. Clearwater and Blackfort relatively unaffected. Roern (4th son) succumbs to plague.
4080: King Tarnus passes away from age, aided by a lifetime of wounds and the loss of many sons. Harth ascends, with the unanimous approval of the dukes.
Government:Dukes rule from their keeps, each has a right to grant titles to 20 knights and keep up to 200 men at arms (though only Duke Rivers has the finances to fully support a standing force of that size). Some knights are granted the title of Lord or Baron under the Duke, though this varies from duchy to duchy.
The king has direct ruler-ship of Bluefork, though he appoints a Seneschal to oversee the city and barons over the dependencies.
Dependencies supply taxes to the dukes (food, trade goods, coin), who pay their duty to the king. A percentage of this duty goes to the maintenance of the cathedral and the church of Aroden.
Small council consists of:
• Chancellor: Holm Cooper, bard 6, new appointee, oversees common matters, city guard reports to him
• Marshal: Ulric Tarnus II, nephew of the king, 20 yrs old (nominal power), cavalier 2, new appointee (predecessor retired)
• Treasurer: Gloin Goldburrow (dwarf) expert 2/aristocrat 4 (incumbent)
• High Judge: Johan Thranduin, paladin 2/aristocrat 4 (incumbent)
• High Priest: Lane Gorman, High Father of Aroden, cleric 6 (new appointee)
• Royal Mage: Vrase Walker, former apprentice to Rasmaine’s old rival, wizard (diviner) 6 (incumbent)
Geography:Geography:
Greentop mountains: low range, barely qualify as mountains. Home of semi-autonomous dwarven settlements.
Clear River and Blue River split at Bluefork. Blue River continues to a marshy delta, Clear River remains deep and navigable, thus receiving most trade traffic.
SETTLEMENTS
Bluefork (Ruling Seat)
• Home of King Tarnus II (35 yrs old)
• Population: 8,000 (6,800 human, 500 halflings, 400 dwarves, 200 elves, 100 other)
• Exports: knights, tax collectors
• Strategic location, tourist attraction, superstitious
• Notes – Tarnwall castle. Walled city. Two great bridges, one to the cathedral, one to the Black Woods.
• Dependencies: Kingstown (900, crops, cattle, fish), Millerfield (1,000, crops, cattle, fish)
Blackfort
• Ruled by Duchess Allia, “The Black Dutchess” (Originally granted to Eldric the bard, Allia was his much younger second wife, ~36 yrs old)
• Population: 100
• Exports: none
• Notes – Defends eastern border
• Dependencies: Eastriver (700, fish, crops), Blackwood (200 (100 halflings), Darkwood, pigs)
Clearrun
• Ruled by Duke Rivers (second of that title, 71 yrs old, uncle to the king),
• Population: 9,000 (7,000 human, 700 halflings, 300 dwarves, 600 elves, 400 other)
• Exports: Trade goods
• Notes –Walled city. Second only to Bluefork in importance, major trade hub
• Dependencies: Oldwood (300, lumber, pigs, crops), Clearfield ( 400, fish, crops)
Greenfort
• Ruled by Duke Beorn (second of that title, his uncle joined peacefully rather than let war ravage his land, 52 yrs old)
• Population: 75
• Exports: weapon/armor
• Notes – Far from dependant villages, loose control.
• Dependencies: Bad Axe (400 (100 dwarves),iron, copper, weapons/armor, sheep), Hope (300 halflings, crops, woolen goods)
Highpass
• Ruled by Duke Grey (originally granted to Brandbur Grey, the current duke is his son (born last after many daughters). Duke Grey is young and as studious as his father was not. (21 yrs old)
• Population: 200
• Exports: iron, adamantine
• Notes – Guards border pass
• Dependencies: Horsefield (400, horses, cattle, donkeys)
Northwatch Castle
• Ruled by Duke Brathos (the last surviving of the original companions, ~80 years old)
• Population: 150
• Exports: none
• Notes – guards northern border from incursions from mounted barbarians
• Dependencies: Northfield (600, horses, cattle, crops), ), Goodspring (400 (100 halflings)crops, cattle, sheep, alchemical ingredients)
Southbranch Castle
• Ruled by Duke Grace (Eldest son of Arthane, 47 yrs old)
• Population: 200
• Exports: Rice, alchemical ingredients
• Notes – Tarnwall castle. Walled city. Two great bridges, one to the cathedral, one to the Black Woods.
• Dependencies: Paradise (250, pigs, poultry, crops, ankeg shells), Oldbridge (150, Crops, pigs, mushrooms), Mossland (500 (100 halflings), crops, pigs, fruit)
Cathedral of Aroden: state supported, 1 High Father, 30 acolytes, misc laypeople, priests in every village and chaplains in every castle.
NEIGHBORS:
To the north lies Numeria, populated by tribal barbarians. Frequent incursion trouble the northern border.
To the East lays the fellow river-kingdom of Longriver. Relations are cordial, though the Lord of Longriver is very old. His successor may be less accommodating.
To the South is the narrow kingdom of Greathall, recently established by the rebel duke Rasmaine, now ruled by his son, Masan. Beyond lay elven Kyonin.
West lay the Hungry Mountains and Ustalav, currently under siege in the Shining Crusade.
POPULATION:
Predominately human, with significant halfling populations in some villages as well as in cities along with dwarves and elves. The Greentop mountains have significant autonomous dwarven settlements.
RELIGION
Official-Aroden, state supported church. All Dukes nominally revere Aroden.
Worship of Cayden Cailean, Desna, Calistria, and Gorum is also common. The green faith widespread in Bad Axe and Paradise. No official bans on any faith.
Map:http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/stack31/th_TOKmap.png (http://s1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/stack31/?action=view¤t=TOKmap.png)
Red are borders, white are major routes (reduced travel time).
People:King Tarnus II (35 yrs old, Fighter 6+). He is tall and strong, and won a fearsome reputation in the Wizard’s rebellion as a mighty fighter, if not a great tactician. Fair skin and brown hair with a booming voice. As the fifth son, he never expected to inherit. How he will rule is yet to be seen. Heirs: 3 nephews, Ulric II being first in line until Tarnus produces a son. Unwed.
Duchess Allia (36 yrs old, witch 4), “The Black Dutchess”, she inherited her husband’s title, showing great political acumen. She is fiercely loyal to Tarnus, though her scruples may be questioned. Has seemed to placate the troublesome fey of the blackwood. Attractive and capable. Earned her sobriquet by both firmly and unexpectedly taking control after her husband’s death as well as dark rumors regarding how he died and how she stopped the evil fey. No official heir.
Duke Rivers (71 yrs old, uncle to the king, aristocrat 6), Rivers is both heavy and aging, an unhealthy combination. Always well groomed and clean-shaven, he is the consummate politician. Wife (Marta) deceased, he has two sons (Rase (43) and Ryne (39)), the eldest his designated heir, taking after his father, the younger a scandalous drunk and womanizer.
Duke Beorn (52, paladin 5): Reserved and distant, he nevertheless shows consistent and deep concern for his subjects. Gaunt and gray, he seldom is seen apart from his armor. Married to Dutchess (formerly princess) Tania (41), the king’s sister. He is a paladin in truth, and his duty weighs heavy. His only son, Beorn II, his designated heir, spends more time in Clearwater taverns with Ryne Rivers than learning the art of governance.
Duke Grey (21 yrs old, magus 2): Young and studious, he in conscientious, but suffers from an excess of book learning and theory devoid of practical application. He was given very little authority prior to his father’s death. No children, unmarried, his seat will pass to his brother-in-laws if he dies without issue.
Duke Brathos (the last surviving of the original companions, ~80 years old, cavalier 6+): In his youth he was bold and charming, in his age he has grown bitter and lonely. His first wife died childless ten years previous . He has just taken a new wife (Marane), mostly at royal request, so as not to cause strife in the filling of his position by his nephews.
Duke Grace (Eldest son of Arthane, 47 yrs old, nephew to Brathos, rogue 4): a charming scoundrel, Duke Grace has ruled ably. He has proven himself in holding the border in numerous skirmishes against Greathall. He has no legitimate sons, though it is said he could raise a small army of bastards.
SOCIETY:
King Tarnus guarded by the Blue Dragons, an order of elite knights from around the kingdom. New Blue Dragons are chosen at the mid-summer feast after the tourney. Normally number ~30 active members. Squiring for a Blue Dragon is a high honor.
The central theme will be the question, "When is it just and necessary to overthrow a king?", with a strong focus on loyalty, ambition, and duty.
I am looking for input on character building (motivation, personality, quirks) and improving verisimilitude. I want the setting to be a logical, organic place for the characters to move in. Also, I consider myself to have no great skill with names.
The settling as it stands:
History:4029: Belor Tarnus (25 yrs old), a minor noble from Taldorian Cheliax, leaves to seek a kingdom of his own in the North. He gathers a band of adventurers and seizes power in the city-state of Bluefork. Original companions are: Rasmaine the Wizard, Eldric the bard, Athros Truebeam the cleric, Brandbur Gray the warrior, and Arthane and Brathos Grace, the twin knights.
4034: His rule firmly established, Belor turns his eyes outward. His marriage to the eldest daughter of the king of Clearrun leads to his assumption of power and creation of his nascent empire. The king of Clearrun becomes Duke.
4036: Begins wars of expansion. Eldest son (Beorn) born
4045: Harth Tarnus born (5th son) (will become King Tarnus II)
4058: Wars of expansion end, country reaches its largest size, officially decaled Kingdom of Riverfork. (I never said he was good with names). Surviving original companions made dukes, Athros Truebeam, cleric of Aroden established as high priest, work on cathedral begins.
4059: Duke Rivers passes, his eldest son (the King’s brother-in-law, Harth’s uncle) succeeding him.
4070: Duke Rasmaine, Lord of the city of Greathall, declares independence. Harth earns the title “Red Prince” for his actions in the subsequent conflict, later named the Wizard’s Rebellion.
4074: Guile, wizardry, and King Tarnus I’s loss of his two eldest sons leads to a cessation of open conflict. Cathedral finished.
4075: Ulric (4th son) goes to join the warriors of Lastwall, forsaking his inheritance
4078: Great plague sweeps down the mountains and ravages the nation. Clearwater and Blackfort relatively unaffected. Roern (4th son) succumbs to plague.
4080: King Tarnus passes away from age, aided by a lifetime of wounds and the loss of many sons. Harth ascends, with the unanimous approval of the dukes.
Government:Dukes rule from their keeps, each has a right to grant titles to 20 knights and keep up to 200 men at arms (though only Duke Rivers has the finances to fully support a standing force of that size). Some knights are granted the title of Lord or Baron under the Duke, though this varies from duchy to duchy.
The king has direct ruler-ship of Bluefork, though he appoints a Seneschal to oversee the city and barons over the dependencies.
Dependencies supply taxes to the dukes (food, trade goods, coin), who pay their duty to the king. A percentage of this duty goes to the maintenance of the cathedral and the church of Aroden.
Small council consists of:
• Chancellor: Holm Cooper, bard 6, new appointee, oversees common matters, city guard reports to him
• Marshal: Ulric Tarnus II, nephew of the king, 20 yrs old (nominal power), cavalier 2, new appointee (predecessor retired)
• Treasurer: Gloin Goldburrow (dwarf) expert 2/aristocrat 4 (incumbent)
• High Judge: Johan Thranduin, paladin 2/aristocrat 4 (incumbent)
• High Priest: Lane Gorman, High Father of Aroden, cleric 6 (new appointee)
• Royal Mage: Vrase Walker, former apprentice to Rasmaine’s old rival, wizard (diviner) 6 (incumbent)
Geography:Geography:
Greentop mountains: low range, barely qualify as mountains. Home of semi-autonomous dwarven settlements.
Clear River and Blue River split at Bluefork. Blue River continues to a marshy delta, Clear River remains deep and navigable, thus receiving most trade traffic.
SETTLEMENTS
Bluefork (Ruling Seat)
• Home of King Tarnus II (35 yrs old)
• Population: 8,000 (6,800 human, 500 halflings, 400 dwarves, 200 elves, 100 other)
• Exports: knights, tax collectors
• Strategic location, tourist attraction, superstitious
• Notes – Tarnwall castle. Walled city. Two great bridges, one to the cathedral, one to the Black Woods.
• Dependencies: Kingstown (900, crops, cattle, fish), Millerfield (1,000, crops, cattle, fish)
Blackfort
• Ruled by Duchess Allia, “The Black Dutchess” (Originally granted to Eldric the bard, Allia was his much younger second wife, ~36 yrs old)
• Population: 100
• Exports: none
• Notes – Defends eastern border
• Dependencies: Eastriver (700, fish, crops), Blackwood (200 (100 halflings), Darkwood, pigs)
Clearrun
• Ruled by Duke Rivers (second of that title, 71 yrs old, uncle to the king),
• Population: 9,000 (7,000 human, 700 halflings, 300 dwarves, 600 elves, 400 other)
• Exports: Trade goods
• Notes –Walled city. Second only to Bluefork in importance, major trade hub
• Dependencies: Oldwood (300, lumber, pigs, crops), Clearfield ( 400, fish, crops)
Greenfort
• Ruled by Duke Beorn (second of that title, his uncle joined peacefully rather than let war ravage his land, 52 yrs old)
• Population: 75
• Exports: weapon/armor
• Notes – Far from dependant villages, loose control.
• Dependencies: Bad Axe (400 (100 dwarves),iron, copper, weapons/armor, sheep), Hope (300 halflings, crops, woolen goods)
Highpass
• Ruled by Duke Grey (originally granted to Brandbur Grey, the current duke is his son (born last after many daughters). Duke Grey is young and as studious as his father was not. (21 yrs old)
• Population: 200
• Exports: iron, adamantine
• Notes – Guards border pass
• Dependencies: Horsefield (400, horses, cattle, donkeys)
Northwatch Castle
• Ruled by Duke Brathos (the last surviving of the original companions, ~80 years old)
• Population: 150
• Exports: none
• Notes – guards northern border from incursions from mounted barbarians
• Dependencies: Northfield (600, horses, cattle, crops), ), Goodspring (400 (100 halflings)crops, cattle, sheep, alchemical ingredients)
Southbranch Castle
• Ruled by Duke Grace (Eldest son of Arthane, 47 yrs old)
• Population: 200
• Exports: Rice, alchemical ingredients
• Notes – Tarnwall castle. Walled city. Two great bridges, one to the cathedral, one to the Black Woods.
• Dependencies: Paradise (250, pigs, poultry, crops, ankeg shells), Oldbridge (150, Crops, pigs, mushrooms), Mossland (500 (100 halflings), crops, pigs, fruit)
Cathedral of Aroden: state supported, 1 High Father, 30 acolytes, misc laypeople, priests in every village and chaplains in every castle.
NEIGHBORS:
To the north lies Numeria, populated by tribal barbarians. Frequent incursion trouble the northern border.
To the East lays the fellow river-kingdom of Longriver. Relations are cordial, though the Lord of Longriver is very old. His successor may be less accommodating.
To the South is the narrow kingdom of Greathall, recently established by the rebel duke Rasmaine, now ruled by his son, Masan. Beyond lay elven Kyonin.
West lay the Hungry Mountains and Ustalav, currently under siege in the Shining Crusade.
POPULATION:
Predominately human, with significant halfling populations in some villages as well as in cities along with dwarves and elves. The Greentop mountains have significant autonomous dwarven settlements.
RELIGION
Official-Aroden, state supported church. All Dukes nominally revere Aroden.
Worship of Cayden Cailean, Desna, Calistria, and Gorum is also common. The green faith widespread in Bad Axe and Paradise. No official bans on any faith.
Map:http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/stack31/th_TOKmap.png (http://s1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb438/stack31/?action=view¤t=TOKmap.png)
Red are borders, white are major routes (reduced travel time).
People:King Tarnus II (35 yrs old, Fighter 6+). He is tall and strong, and won a fearsome reputation in the Wizard’s rebellion as a mighty fighter, if not a great tactician. Fair skin and brown hair with a booming voice. As the fifth son, he never expected to inherit. How he will rule is yet to be seen. Heirs: 3 nephews, Ulric II being first in line until Tarnus produces a son. Unwed.
Duchess Allia (36 yrs old, witch 4), “The Black Dutchess”, she inherited her husband’s title, showing great political acumen. She is fiercely loyal to Tarnus, though her scruples may be questioned. Has seemed to placate the troublesome fey of the blackwood. Attractive and capable. Earned her sobriquet by both firmly and unexpectedly taking control after her husband’s death as well as dark rumors regarding how he died and how she stopped the evil fey. No official heir.
Duke Rivers (71 yrs old, uncle to the king, aristocrat 6), Rivers is both heavy and aging, an unhealthy combination. Always well groomed and clean-shaven, he is the consummate politician. Wife (Marta) deceased, he has two sons (Rase (43) and Ryne (39)), the eldest his designated heir, taking after his father, the younger a scandalous drunk and womanizer.
Duke Beorn (52, paladin 5): Reserved and distant, he nevertheless shows consistent and deep concern for his subjects. Gaunt and gray, he seldom is seen apart from his armor. Married to Dutchess (formerly princess) Tania (41), the king’s sister. He is a paladin in truth, and his duty weighs heavy. His only son, Beorn II, his designated heir, spends more time in Clearwater taverns with Ryne Rivers than learning the art of governance.
Duke Grey (21 yrs old, magus 2): Young and studious, he in conscientious, but suffers from an excess of book learning and theory devoid of practical application. He was given very little authority prior to his father’s death. No children, unmarried, his seat will pass to his brother-in-laws if he dies without issue.
Duke Brathos (the last surviving of the original companions, ~80 years old, cavalier 6+): In his youth he was bold and charming, in his age he has grown bitter and lonely. His first wife died childless ten years previous . He has just taken a new wife (Marane), mostly at royal request, so as not to cause strife in the filling of his position by his nephews.
Duke Grace (Eldest son of Arthane, 47 yrs old, nephew to Brathos, rogue 4): a charming scoundrel, Duke Grace has ruled ably. He has proven himself in holding the border in numerous skirmishes against Greathall. He has no legitimate sons, though it is said he could raise a small army of bastards.
SOCIETY:
King Tarnus guarded by the Blue Dragons, an order of elite knights from around the kingdom. New Blue Dragons are chosen at the mid-summer feast after the tourney. Normally number ~30 active members. Squiring for a Blue Dragon is a high honor.