Principality of Olduvar
Boasting rich farmland, a number of small gem and gold mines, and control over a major trade route, the Principality of Olduvar is a wealthy nation that often acts on designs to expand and conquer neighboring cities and nations though with only moderate, and usually short-lived, success. Spread across a narrow strip of land between the capital of Mose in the east, to Bottomborough and towns to the west with a dip south to Tratai, the Principality of Olduvar remains under the control of the nobility given positions here by the Kingdom of Foere.
History and People
Conquered by the Kingdom of Foere during its initial expansion, Olduvar had to be reconquered multiple times over the centuries as the leaders of the principality repeatedly revolted or simply disregarded orders from the crown. Olduvar seems to have always been ruled by a committee of like-minded despots focused on enriching themselves on the backs of their people. Following each new conquest, Foere would install new nobles to take control of the principality, but inevitably they would fall into the ways of the previous rulers. The chaos of the Foerdewaith Wars of Succession left the Kingdom of Foere distracted enough to ignore Olduvar as it simply broke off again and refused the leadership of the overking. Once Vast and North Heath won their independence, Courghais lost the will to try to control the western lands and made no attempts to retake Olduvar. Present politics suggest this policy will likely continue, as any actions against the principality now could threaten Foere’s relationship with the Iron Kingdom of Dorriden, the City-State of Castorhage, and other smaller kingdoms.
All of the noble families of Olduvar are descended from those Foerdewaith families granted holdings here by various overkings during their rule of the principality, but none has any affinity for the crown. The commoners are largely Foerdewaith but include some high elves and half-elves as well as some rare half-orcs. Although officially against the laws of the principality, slaves are fairly common here, particularly in Bottomborough where some of the slaves include hobgoblins, orcs, elves, halflings, and humans.
While the nobility may indeed be somewhat mad, the commoners and general citizenry are hardworking, determined individuals struggling to better themselves in the face of a corrupt government. While they know their government is a problem, they would rather stick with the government they know than with some foreign power, and would provide a stiff defense were Olduvar attacked. Most of the population is spread throughout the rich farmlands near Mose and Tratai with a significant and diverse population in Bottomborough.
The Low Country and The Dale, home to many halflings, are claimed by Olduvar, and occasionally tax collectors from Loagwater ride through and demand payment. As there are no substantial resources to be exploited there, however, the principality largely leaves the halflings to themselves, a happy circumstance for them to say the least.
Religion
There is no predominant religion in Olduvar, as most of the nobility here follow no particular gods and no money is spent on temples in this region. Some of the commoners worship Muir and Freya, and in fact an ancient shrine to Freya can be found at the outer edges of Tratai, though few visit it. Mitra, Thyr, and Solanus also have minor followings in some areas. Lady Agacia Crossthain secretly worships Demogorgon, and Master Adoril Longstaff of Newmire worships Hecate.
Trade and Commerce
In spite of its political isolation, the Principality of Olduvar commands a wide variety of resources and does a great deal of trading in silver, gems, coal, lumber, rare stone, and slaves, though most of the trade travels through Bottomborough and the port at Loagwater to avoid the tariffs charged by their neighbors. While the government itself is poorly managed, the nobility and leading merchants take great care in running their individual businesses, and as a result, Olduvar boasts some of the finest vineyards, wineries, and distilleries in the Lost Lands as well as a variety of high-end crafts, including jewelry.
Loyalties and Diplomacy
Politically isolated and not trusted by any of the nations around them, Olduvar is presently held in check by the Free City of Brookmere to the southwest, the fortress of Cailin Lee of the Kingdom of Vast to the north, and Dundlend of the Duchy of Mains and the Grimm Fortress of the Iron Kingdom of Dorriden to the east. Most of its history is made up of being conquered by Foere and then simply ignoring its rule. Leadership changes happen swiftly in Olduvar, so neighboring nations view any agreements with distrust and fully expect them not to be honored for very long.
Government
Olduvar’s governing class consists of little more than a loose confederation of small noble families, with minimal common purpose. Leadership changes as a result of blackmail, assassination, open revolt, and coups are a standard feature of the principality’s history. These changes make it difficult for Olduvar to form any lasting treaties or alliances because other nations and city-states don’t trust any treaty or agreement with Olduvar to last. Occasional plans by one or another noble family to conquer nearby areas inevitably falter due to internal political infighting. Such military successes as are achieved are usually sabotaged by either the corrupt military or the very nobles who ordered the activities in the first place.
Each of the nominal rulers of Olduvar represents a particular group or region within the nation, chosen by a mixture of backroom deal-making, blackmail, and bribery. Anscul White represents the nobility of Mose, the putative capital of Olduvar, and in such capacity acts as the prince of Olduvar (a title held by this particular representative, which is neither hereditary nor endowed with much in the way of actual authority). Lord Roese Bloodsight is the ruler of Bottomborough and represents the Olduvaran merchant and craft guilds that have their headquarters in that city. Lady Karyn Greenheart of Loagwater represents those nobles whose lands are near the mouth of the Nadi River and maintains her position with the wealth obtained from the small port there and her gem mines in the Briar Hills. Lady Agacia Crossthain of Tratai draws her influence from trade goods produced by the nearby farmers and loggers in the Harwood Forest, as well as the nobles along the trade road between Mose and the Free City of Brookmere. Each of the representatives does their best to undermine the others while trying to secure greater power for themselves. Prince Anscul White has held his position only for one year and is already paranoid and fears poisoning or assassination. In truth, a number of the wealthier noblemen and merchants are dissatisfied with the present rulers so any one, or all, could be replaced at any time.
Such disarray and corruption infect all levels of Olduvar’s government, from the oligarchs at the top to local offices, courts, and the military. As a result, the populace views all officials with distrust and disdain. Olduvar’s natural resources should make it a wealthy nation for a country of its size, but this wealth has been squandered or embezzled in a variety of foolish enterprises. Individual noblemen often maintain their own private troops and refuse to provide them for defense or support of the nation. Most high-ranking members of the militia are on the payroll of one or more noble families providing information and contracts in their best interest.
Unsurprisingly, the system of justice is particularly corrupt. Officially, the laws of the principality are derived from those of Foere, but the resemblance is purely superficial. Guilt or innocence in Olduvar is largely determined by wealth rather than actual evidence or guilt. Some judges publicly list the price to have certain crimes dismissed. The poor are left with little choice but to face whatever penalty a judge decides to mete out. Disagreements between noble families or wealthy merchants are sometimes reached through negotiation, but often only after a series of secret attacks against each other’s financial interests or family members.
Nearby nations view Olduvar’s leaders as simply insane or mad. Bards in the nearby Kingdom of Vast sing songs and tell jokes that all involve a punchline that includes “the Mad Prince of Olduvar” who apparently needs no other name as all of the Lords of Olduvar are viewed as insane.
Military
Generals and high-ranking officers of the military in Olduvar are among the most corrupt in the nation, and that is certainly saying something. Almost all of them are on the payroll of at least one noble family and some are paid off by several. Conscription for the rank-and-file is held at random intervals when officers believe they need more soldiers. The vast majority of military units are inefficient, corrupt, and loyal only to their immediate officers and friends, to the extent they possess any loyalties at all. However, wealthier noble families usually maintain their own guardsmen, and many of these soldiers are highly trained and knowledgeable. In fact, effective military officers are usually hired away by noble families as soon as their skills are noticed. At this point, none of Olduvar’s neighbors has any interest in trying to conquer the nation and take on its numerous problems. All recent actions by the military have involved little more than chaotic and largely pointless raids on lands of the Kingdom of Vast or the Barony of Baile.
Wilderness and Adventure
Most of the areas near Tratai and Mose are relatively well-tamed farmlands with occasional monstrous attacks from Harwood Forest to the southeast. Portions of the Eldevere Forest and the Briar Hills are home to various monstrous creatures that generally stay away from the more populated areas. The main adventures in Olduvar involve the various intrigues between the noble families that are always trying to spy on and damage each other.
Region
Principality of Olduvar
—Rulers:: Prince Anscul White, Lord Roese Bloodsight, Lady Agacia Crossthain, Lady Karyn Greenheart--
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