River Kingdom

The River Kingdoms of northeastern Avistan have long been a haven for inland pirates, anarchists, exiles, and anyone who can't seem to make it in more civilized nations. The Kingdoms are by no means a unified nation, but rather a constantly shifting group of city-states and fiefdoms, each at war with the others both to gain more power and to prevent their own demise.

Public Agenda

While many outsiders think of the people of the River Kingdoms as dishonorable, backstabbing curs, they do have a moral code by which they live. This code, known as the River Freedoms, is a set of moral principles that most natives take very seriously. For instance, one of the codes is that oath breakers must die (usually in a very painful manner). As a result, most people would die before they break their word—and they are also very cautious about giving their word in the first place.
The River Freedoms are highly respected throughout the various realms of the River Kingdoms, and breaking one is a serious offense, even for those who claim to only have misinterpreted one of them.

The River Freedoms are:

• Say What you Will, I Live Free
• Oathbreakers Die
• Walk Any Road, Float Any River
• Courts Are for Kings
• Slavery Is an Abomination
• You Have What You Hold

Worship

Due to the freedom-loving and cynical nature of most inhabitants of the River Kingdoms, religion is often given short shrift. Those who do practice a religion pray to deities of thievery, war, and freedom. The churches of Cayden Cailean, Desna, Calistria, and Gorum are the most common, although Norgorber, the god of murder, thievery, and secrets is also popular. Additionally, cults of two gods forbidden throughout Avistan and Garund have found the region to be a safe haven: those of Hanspur and Gyronna, and the River Kingdoms remain one of the few places in the world they can openly be worshiped. The region also attracts strange cults in the same way they attract strange people, and small religions ranging from the unorthodox to the downright bizarre make their home here.

River Kingdom Map

Maps

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  River Kingdom Map

In the far-distant past, when forests covered much of Avistan and elves were the dominant race, the land now known as the River Kingdoms was verdant and lively. Streams ran quick and clear, and the land was green and firm.

This territory adjoining Kyonin and Lake Encarthan was a place for high nobles and their courts to enjoy hunting and sport. The elves called it Telvurin, translated today in Taldane as “The Shifting Lands.” The departure of the elves gave the human race new territory to explore, putting them in conflict with lizardfolk, frog-men, and suspicious fey.

With its dozens of tributary rivers dividing the region into countless small territories, it became a natural place for outcasts, rebels, and petty tyrants to stake claims and declare themselves rulers of whatever land they could grab and hold.

Type

Geopolitical, Country