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The Bergian Dragon Syndicate

The land was brought to ruin during the ancient Dragon Wars, a centuries long conflict between chromatics and metallic that nearly brought dragonkind to extinction. The races were able to set aside their differences long enough to create the dragonborn to fight for them instead. For another hundred years the dragonborn fought as fierce warrior slaves. Eventually the dragonborn rebelled against their masters and with no more armies to fight, the dragons were forced into a tenuous peace. The land has never recovered from the dragons’ breath and remains fairly barren. There is little that grows besides scrubby savannah.

Structure

Dragons:

The dragons have divided Berg into five regions, each ruled ruled by a pair of dragons. The pair consisting of one Metallic Dragon and one Chromatic Dragon, matched by their breath, when possible.
  • The Desert (Varcrast) – Gold & Red
  • The Borderlands (Grenzlinie) – Copper & Black
  • The Coast and Mountains (Ostra) – Bronze & Blue
  • The Icelands (Ornesk) – Silver & White
  • The Storm Forest (Tact) – Brass & Green
The ruling pair is selected by a council of their race. The ruling pair, named Lord Rulers, have total dominion over their land and any conflict between states is brought before a council of the 10 Lord Rulers. The Lord Rulers of Varcrast are the Kings and must vote on any matter brought before the council in unity.  

Mortal Races:

The Lord Rulers vary in their involvement with the governing of the lesser races. Most are allowed to do as they see fit or establish their own governing bodies as long as they don’t defy the Lord Rulers’ authority or attempt to claim their territory.
  • The Desert: Only nomadic clans dare to live in the desert. Most are led by an elected leader or whoever stepped up and took charge. No one here would ever claim to be nobility for fear of attracting the attention of the Kings.
  • The Southern Plains & Mountains: The Copper Lord Ruler likes to know what is going on within the Lesser Races’ politics but, for the most part, does not get involved. The Black Lord Ruler has recently shown an interest in politics and, mostly, the chaos and pain it can cause. Lesser Races cannot hold noble titles and are ruled by an elected council.
  • The Coast and Western Mountains: The Bronze dragons of the coast are very interested in politics and are often hands-on in their rule of the cities and towns of the region, either ruling themselves or selecting a favored mortal to lead.
  • The Icelands: Small settlements throughout the Icelands are led by an elected leader or whoever stepped up and took charge. Some claim noble titles, but they have no real meaning or authority.
  • The Storm Forest: The lesser races here rarely see their dragon rulers and as such are ruled by Ambassadors who have gained the dragons’ favor and are the only ones allowed to confer with the Lord Rulers. Becoming an Ambassador is a fairly simple affair, one must simply survive a conversation with the Lord Rulers. As the dragons’ favor wanes and waxes so does the Ambassadors’ authority.

History

  • ~3040 BA: The Dragons establish their rule over all the known lands of the material plane
  • 571 BA: The Dragon Wars begin
  • 242 BA: The Humans claim the southern portion of the continent for themselves
  • 109 BA: The Dragonborn are created.
  • 4 BA: The Dragonborn rebel
  • 0 PA: The Bergian Accords are established and the Dragon Wars end.
  • 299 PA: The first Metallo-Chromatic Dragon is born.
  • 342-352 PA: The Homecoming.
Full Timeline

Demography and Population

Humans:

Most of the humans of Berg have migrated there from the South, seeking fortune in the mountains or the favor of the dragons. Those that can trace their family lines back to the days of the Dragon Wars take great pride in their roots. The land is just beginning to recover from the wreckage of the Dragon Wars so some are able to grow crops or support livestock. Most live off of the wealth of the sea and the riches of the mountain.  

Dragonborn:

The dragonborn, now free of their slave status, live wildly and freely, travelling wherever the wind takes them and living off what the earth provides. However, some bands prefer to make their living by pillaging human settlements. This is often overlooked by the dragon rulers and is a source of contention for their human occupants.  

Dwarves:

The dwarves are only considered citizens of Berg due to the location of their mountain. They are fairly reclusive, spending most of the year underground, mining and building. Twice per year they leave for The Great Caravan, taking dwarven made goods throughout the lands to sell and trade.  

Other:

Halflings and High Elves make up the most of the rest of the population, though a few gnomes have made their way from Praiwind to show their inventions to the dragons. The Storm Forest remains very wild and hosts clans of Tabaxi and shifters. Recently, there has been a small number of migrants from Reticence and The Elemental Isles  

Demographics:

  • Humans: 40%
  • Dragonborn: 20%
  • Dwarves: 15%
  • Halflings: 10%
  • High Elves: 10%
  • Other*: 3%
  • Half-Elves: 2%
*Includes Gnomes, Wood Elves, Tieflings, Aasimar, Aarakocra, Tabaxi, & Half-Orcs

Military

Berg has no official standing military, however the kingdom is home to nearly two hundred dragons. Most cities have a small force of guards or militia to help maintain the law and to defend against roving bands of Dragonborn. The dragon rulers do not allow these forces to grow too large and their enforcement of this rule is swift and brutal.

Technological Level

Arcane Magic

Dragons being the embodiment of arcane magic, being able to use arcana is widely considered a symbol of power and authority. Sorcerers in particular are highly regarded. Though there is no formal school of magic, the silver and bronze dragons are reputed to be willing to share a fraction of their arcane knowledge with pupils.  

Natural Magic

Due to the massive destruction the kingdom experienced during the Dragon Wars, much of the regions’ connections to natural magic was lost. The only remaining reservoirs of natural magic lie within The Storm Forest, The Bones, and the surrounding seas. A few have learned to harness the parched magic of the desert.  

Divine Magic

Followers of Bahamut can be paladins or clerics, though paladins are more common.

Religion

Most dragons acknowledge the existence of their gods and creators, but few take the time to worship them. Worship of the draconic gods, particularly Bahamut, is much more popular amongst the lesser races though there are many who view and honor the living dragons as gods themselves.

Mythology & Lore

Style

  • Varies with climate
  • Layers
  • Wind Resistant fabrics - Varcrast, Ostra, Grenzlinie
  • Water Resistant - Ostra, Tact, Storm Forest, Ornesk
  • Cold Resistant - Ornesk
  • Formal Wear - Military influences
  • Dragons - Styles vary widely with influences from their personality, ancestral memories, travels, and favored cultures and forms

Maps

  • Varcrast
    The Capital City of Berg, Varcrast is an ever-changing city. It has few permanent structures and it's size ebbs and flows with the seasons as the nomadic desert clans return to the oasis at the city's center.
  • Grenzlinie
This expansive continent contains the kingdoms of The Bergian Dragon Syndicate, Rouyenne, and Isla

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