Ravenfell Dominion (R-ay-ven F-ell)

Description

The lands west of the Eidelweiss Mountains are a temperate, heavily-forested region filled with hills and valleys. The further one travels west, the more the land flattens into rolling plains, dotted here and there by treacherous heaths and bogs. At the southernmost edge of Ravenfell, the terrain breaks into jagged cliffs that border a restless, ice-filled sea. The terrain is not suited for heavy farming. Ravenfell supplements what meagre crops they grow by hunting and herding. Coastal cities also employ fishing and whaling fleets to feed their burgeoning populations. The Ravenfell weather is typified by dark skies, heavy rains, sudden snowfall, and endless mists. The sun is a rare sight, and most welcome when it breaks through the mantle of grey clouds. What Eiswelth lacks in hospitable environment, it makes up in tremendous amounts of ore, stone, and coal from the World's Edge Mountains. Lumber is also plentiful, enabling the people of Ravenfell to build robust structures. These resources lend themselves to frequent trade with other nations, but also lead to violent border disputes with neighbours, particularly Eiswelth.

History

Ravenfell was founded centuries ago by Omarian secessionists—migrants who fled the fledgling Omarian Empire’s tumultuous early days to find a more peaceful country. A nobleman named Karlos Eastap led his family and followers through the treacherous passes of the Grey Spine, emergingon the other side to find a country lush with pine woods and rolling hills. He named it Ravenfell. Over the years, a loose confederation formed among the communities trying to carve a living out of the wild lands. The most successful of these became the provinces of Sota to the east and Heralda to the west. The folk of Ravenfell worked hard to tame the land, clearing forests for livestock and lumber. With the discovery of coal and precious minerals in the foothills of the World's Edge Mountains. Mining towns soon opened, followed by roads and byways. Further to the south, explorers discovered a break in the seaside cliffs that led to a natural harbour. Here they founded the coastal city of Vlandar, which became the seat of the Ravenfell Aristocracy. While Ravenfell was not known to have large populations of natural predators such as wolves and bears, every now and then people were known to disappear for good, often with signs of a struggle. Centuries later, a terrible earthquake shook the Heralda region. Something sinister underneath the ground was making itself known. The skies darkened over Ravenfell as necrotic energy poured out of cracks in the earth. To the shock of the local populace, the fissures that opened revealed long-buried ruins. The city of Vlandar had apparently been built over the bones of an ancient metropolis that had sunk beneath the earth ages ago. The Sotan nobility sent expeditions to investigate these underground structures in the hopes of uncovering treasure or magical secrets. Most of these groups did not return; the few that did had been reduced to stragglers, babbling hysterical tales of maze-like ruins, ravenous undead, and a dark shrine that spoke to their minds. Eventually, the missing explorers returned, though as many would soon find out, they had been changed forever. They marched with an undead horde that rose in full force into Sota. The desperate people of Ravenfell then found themselves caught in a cataclysmic war. Stretched to breaking, the people fell to drastic measures. A specialised company of soldiers descended into the abyss and held off the horde. Then, mages from Haralda collapsed the largest of the fissures, sealing the undead back underground. This war left a scar on Ravenfell, and this is seen by the massive crevice that sears its way through the mighty city of Vlandar.

Structure

Sota

Sota is a closed aristocracy, and most of its citizens live in grinding poverty. The Court rules every aspect of Sota. Even the local branch of the criminal syndicate does not operate without the Court’s approval, and take great care not to bite the hand that feeds. The Court is composed of the seven leading nobles of Sota. While they are allies, no true loyalty exists among the ruling class. Each noble vies to sit at the head of the table, employing schemes that can take decades to bear fruit. Currently, the Court is ruled by Grand Duke Wendrake Aimes.

Haralda

Far to the west lies Soma’s rival for control of all of Ravenfell. Haralda is a province ruled by wizards, a magocracy that fights to abolish the Sotan nobility and find a way to end the Sotan supremacy. A delicate balance of power exists between the two provinces. While the Haraldans are technically at war with the Sotans, they are sometimes forced to work together to repel the raiders and foreign Forces. Thus, both are incapable of destroying the other while their common enemy exists.

Culture

The people of Ravenfell are a hardy folk, having long accepted the likelihood of a short life thanks to the ever present threats of war, sickness, the cold, and the roaming undead. They value the simple life—a hot meal at the end of a long day’s work and a mug of mead is reward enough for the lower classes. Most Ravenfelli are clannish, putting familial honour and bonds above life itself. The people suffered much under the Omarian Empire, now many of them consider the Sotan nobility heroes for driving out the invaders. Visitors from other lands would do well to acquaint themselves with local customs, and to keep wandering eyes and hands far from the peasants’ daughters, lest they make an enemy for life. Even the nobility, who hold absolute sway over the lives of the peasants, take pains not to make their cruelty personal. For once wronged, the Ravenfelli pursue retribution single-mindedly. Folk tales and sagas abound of entire families wiped out by disputes over land and grazing rights. To this day, long-standing family feuds occasionally require intercession from the nobles themselves, to prevent further loss of warm bodies

Demography and Population

The Ravenfell Dominion covers an area of 132 thousand square miles. Of this, 46% (61 thousand sq. miles) is arable land, and 53% (70 thousand sq. miles) is wilderness. The kingdom of Ravenfell Dominion has a total population of 10 million people. The largest city has a population of 48 thousand people, the second largest 34 thousand. There are 5 other cities of note in the kingdom, and 91 towns. The remaining population lives in numerous small villages, isolated dwellings, etc. The kingdom of Ravenfell Dominion has 211 active castles and 66 ruined. Of these, 190 castles and 47 ruined are in civilized lands, and 21 castles and 19 ruined are in the wilderness, along borders, etc.

Agriculture & Industry

While Haralda does not have mining resources as extensive as Sota, it does possess more arable land. Supplementing this by fishing and hunting, Ravenfelli generally have a more stable food supply and thus a higher standard of living than their counterparts in Sota. Where the Haraldans possess their real edge is the burgeoning industry of crafting magical items. The Haraldans greatly admire magic and have the highest concentration of wizards and alchemists in Ravenfell. The skill of their artisans has generated fame for Haralda and their wares are highly sought after in other nations. In particular, golems are considered the pinnacle of craftsmanship in Haralda, though the prohibitive cost of making one makes their production rare. Still, any visitor to Ravencall will doubtlessly marvel at the city’s roving bands of golem honour guards. Sota has enacted strict edicts against magical items and has blocked trade routes going to Haralda to weaken their economy, yet the mages have still found ways to smuggle goods in and out of the province. Finding out their trade secrets would certainly put one in the good graces of the Sotan nobility.

Mythology & Lore

Anyone who walks through Sota long enough will encounter deep fissures in the earth. Those brave enough to descend find themselves in labyrinthine ruins running throughout the land. This is the City Below, an ancient metropolis whose original name is now lost to time. Those who brave the broken streets and ruined buildings of the necropolis will find much to discover. The entire city complex lies in a massive cave system. On the cavern ceiling dwell large glowing insects that form strange constellations. The city itself is filled with ruined buildings: temples, arenas, parks, docks, even orphanages. But nothing lives in the City Below itself. A strange negative energy pervades the entire metropolis, sustaining its massive population of undead. Zombies, ghouls, wraiths, and ghasts abound—worse still dwell in its central districts. Few who enter the City Below leave it unchanged. According to legend, an ancient intelligence dwells in one particular glowing shrine somewhere in the city. One can only speculate about what further dark designs it has for Ravenfell.

Founding Date

456 NB

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Capital

Vlandar

Alternative Names

The Darkfall

Training Level

Semi-professional

Veterancy Level

Experienced