Ganemyth (/Gan-ee-myth/)
History and Government
Ganemyth is a mystical land, perhaps more plagued by the Faeries than even Ciraeldon. The nobility have long embraced these capricious creatures, coexisting with them in ancient times, and seeking them for wisdom and glory to this day. Like in Ciraeldon, they can be quite vengeful and hostile, as the High Elves of Delos'Nordan waged active hunts against them when Ganemyth was still their client state. To some extent, stories involving these Faeries are the lifeblood of Ganemythian legends, which are the lifeblood of the nobility. In this regal nation, nobles rule by force of will and skill alone, and may be challenged at any time to a battle of wits, glory, and might, through which they may be replaced or discarded if their contendor is worthy enough. It is said that an encounter with the Faeries is a sign of majesty, and a sure pointer towards the pursuit of nobility, and the nation's founding king himself was given a grand polearm by one such being, with which he rent countless other tribal leaders to unify his people. The Age of Enlightenment has seen some decline in these traditions, as nobles have become more entrenched, often bolstered by endless tides of adventurers who come to the land to seek their fortunes. Indeed, travelers come from all over the world to experience the fabled land of Ganemyth for themselves, and plenty find themselves in the employ of a lord's mercenary regiment, carrying out battles and engaging in the nation's politics on his behalf. The current leader of Ganemyth, Lord Godwin the Untold, has himself never accomplished anything of worth, and holds the title purely through the loyalty of a majority of the capital's noble families, which protect the claim on his behalf and are, in turn, rewarded for it. Still, should a challenger manage their way to a lord in front of witnesses, and issue a call of succession, then it would be quite embarrassing for the lord to refuse - embarrassing enough to cost him his titles in either case. Nobles have become quite insular as a result, and this has only driven their rivalries further, as they are fully divorced from blood and conflict in their fortified castles, and allow masses of eager warriors to march to their death in their place. The best part? The dead don't even need to be paid!Cities
Tournavaux
Tournavaux is the capital of Ganemyth, a city of seven noble-lords and King Godwin himself. These nobles' estates were not originally interconnected, but Tournavaux has grown to be quite a sprawling place, and the entanglement happened as a consequence. Land disputes and claims on territory are common within the city, sometimes devolving into combat between the lords' lackeys. This is, of course, illegal, but the lords hardly care about the arrest of their mercenaries, unless they are of particularly capable quality. Throughout the city lie the various castles of the nobility, each unique in architecture but equally opulent. The districts between them are inhabited by hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors, but often there are sections of the city which are off-limits except to the families which own them. This is especially the case in the immediate vicinity of the castles, which are each guarded by their own guard forces, as well as the city's, who swear fealty only to King Godwin himself.Evenfar
Evenfar is a significant trade city, through which many exports pass, primarily gems from the Summerpeaks out to the Vale and beyond. It is also famed for its inns, and as a popular resting place for travelers on their way to Astin Springs, seeking to indulge in baser desires. Evenfar boasts a permanent residence of a few thousand people, and a few fewer temporary visitors at any point in time.Astin Springs
Astin Springs is a town of pleasure, famed both for its hot springs and its brothels. When adventurers manage to survive in Ganemyth, and amass a sizable wealth, they often come to spend it in Astin Springs. The permanent residents of the city number just under a thousand, most of which are brothel-workers, gem miners, and attendants for less mature pleasure-houses, especially those which encompass the town's hotsprings. They are all very well-paid, as the ruling noble family collects only meager taxes, and this policy has worked out well for them, resulting in a happy city with one of the best (or, perhaps, worst) reputations in the Minstrel Kingdoms.Geography
Ganemyth is a mixture of vaguely-hilly plains and densely-packed forests. The former are occupied heavily by farmlands and minor settlements, and the points in between have plentiful taverns and inns for travelers to stay. The forests, on the other hand, are largely uninhabited, except by sparse villages, and they are viewed as the domain of the Faeries, as well as even more dangerous creatures. The Wolfwoods are the largest forest in Ganemyth, and the most dangerous. Logging projects have been attempted over the years, but they never end successfully, and most frightful loggers abandon their posts at the first sign of Fae-magic. Lake Ganemyth lies in the middle of the Wolfwoods, and the capital of Tournavaux lies upon its shores. The lake is the primary source of water in the nation's north and east, with creeks that bleed into the Syren River feeding the nation's west. The West Lone Creek marks the nation's northern border, and also feeds the neighboring farmsteads. The Summerpeaks at the nation's southern edge are rich in gems, and are one of the nation's sources of wealth. The Higherly Summerpeaks are a popular tourist destination, viewed as one of "wonders of the world," at least in Pharos. Mining in this region is largely off-limits, though rogue nobles still do it, as the region is extremely dense in copper, tin, and iron.Resources
Ganemyth derives much of its wealth from gems and jewelry, which are extracted in the southern Summerpeaks. It has attempted numerous times to make use of its timber wealth, but this typically fails due to a combination of superstition and legitimate Faerie interference. Ganemyth's economy, much like Ciraeldon's, has more recently been fueled by an influx of traders and travelers, which have boosted the proportion of its wealth stemming from artisans and services. The nation also exports significant agricultural goods, especially wheat, corn, and barley, and has increasingly become a source of staple foods since the Devanian Civil War. Agriculture can sometimes be disrupted when the Summerpeaks have a poor snowmelt, though it always produces enough food to at least feed itself, even despite its bloated (in numbers and in size) nobility.Ethnicities
The founding tribe of Ganemyth is the Myds. Most Ganemythian nobles today can trace their roots back to the Myds, but Myddish tribes still sparsely exist throughout the nation, keeping to their traditions and isolated lives. Some Cyrs also make their homes in Ganemyth, especially close to the nation's northern border with Ciraeldon.Diplomacy
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"Land of Many Myths"
Adjectives: Ganemythian
National Animal: Almiraj
National Instrument: Lute
Ethnicities: Ganemythians, Myds, Cyrs
Languages: Human Common (Pharosian Gultic), Pharosian Common (Ganemyd), East Old-Tongue (Myddish and Cyrrish)
Capital: Tournavaux
Ruler: King Godwin the Untold
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Hallmarks: Feuding nobility, adventurers, mercenary reserves, Faeries
Characteristics: Egoistic, rigid, plotting, superstitious
National Animal: Almiraj
National Instrument: Lute
Ethnicities: Ganemythians, Myds, Cyrs
Languages: Human Common (Pharosian Gultic), Pharosian Common (Ganemyd), East Old-Tongue (Myddish and Cyrrish)
Capital: Tournavaux
Ruler: King Godwin the Untold
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Hallmarks: Feuding nobility, adventurers, mercenary reserves, Faeries
Characteristics: Egoistic, rigid, plotting, superstitious
Map of Tournavaux
