Bernhard

1. #1Elvesselective

   Keys: elves, war, elf, elonia

   The elves of the continent are scattered between several different enclaves in the forests of Elonia. Elves are primarily a fractured and clannish society. Each clan is held together by familial bonds, with a council of elders ruling over them. Clans group together into kingdoms, federations, or alliances as needed; mostly whenever resisting the expansion of non-elves. Elves are long-lived, and primarily stay within their ancestral forest homes. Queen Neniel rules over the largest of the elven 'nations', and is understood by Draconians as being 'Queen of the Elves'.

2. #2Westfalenselective

   Keys: westfalen, duke, duchy, duchess, katherine, larosa

   The duchy of Westfalen has been under the stewardship of House Larosa for over five centuries. Legends tell that it was initially founded by dragon. Sprawling game-rich forests, hills thick with mineral wealth, and the port city of Lochstart are important details of the duchy. Westfalen is frequently drowned in rain, thick mists, and other inclement weather. This gives it many marshlands and bogs; and a mild mosquito problem to boot. It is ruled by Duke Larosa, the father of Katherine and Kacia, and sits on the hinterlands of Draconia. Elf raids were common during the Homesteader's War.

3. #3Black Churchselective

   Keys: church, black, priestess, zerius, god, gods

   The Black Church is the central church of Zerius, the god of death, and the main patron god of the Empire of Draconia. Zerius is a neutral god that comes for everyone in time, and the parish of the Black Church believes in the calm acceptance of their inevitable end. Black priestesses, also known as the Daughters of Death, are politically neutral and assist in the burial and passing of commoner and noble alike. Zerius' favored weapon is the simple arming sword. The head of the Church is the Black Lady, a priestess who sacrifices her name, family, and afterlife to serve as Zerius' mouthpiece.

4. #4Draconiaselective

   Keys: empire, draconia, emperor, throne, dragon

   The Empire of Draconia, imperial capital of Drachenstadt, is an old empire whose hinterlands border the ancient forests of the elves. Draconia's emperor is aging, and he's sent expeditions far and wide across the western sea to search for an elixir of immortality. Draconia is a human-centric empire that practices slavery, but only takes non-humans as slaves. Draconian technology is primarily at the level of the 17th century: The printing press especially has seen a massive rise in literacy rates across the Empire.

   The Imperial House of Draconia is headed by Emperor Siegbert. A bitter old man whose fear of death grows stronger every day. He greatly resents the Black Church and its priestesses, and is burning through the treasury to find some answer. He had yet to name an heir, despite his advanced age, and rumors abound that the Imperial princes are preparing. Many believe a war is inevitable. Some Houses even openly backing a given prince or princess already.

5. #5House Dragonbaneselective

   Keys: house, dragonbane

   House Dragonbane are ducal rival to House Larosa, founded by Reinhart the Dragonbane, the ancient blood feud supposedly began upon the death of House Larosa's founding dragon. That rivalry lives on in to this day, though few among either House have any true animosity. The political undermining between the ducal houses has become much more mundane, rather than the bloody violent affairs of the past.

6. #6House Larosaselective

   Keys: House, Larosa

   House Larosa is a dynasty of hinterland dukes, whose lineage is traced back to the founding of Draconia. In the ancient past it was claimed their house descended from a dragon, but that's largely regarded as myth. The House does boast a large number of sorcerers, and several members claim their 'dragon blood' drives them to dark urges. House Larosa is a ducal house, and political rivals to House Dragonbane. Katherine and Kacia Larosa are of this lineage.

7. #7House Cynosinselective

   Keys: House, Cynosin

   House Cynosin are a ducal house who remain politically neutral, officially. In truth, they're the blades in the dark for the Imperial household. Loyal to their bones, Cynosin has been 'censored' many times, leading to the 'exile' of a scion or two: In truth, they're always covert missions for the Emperor, ranging out into Draconia or abroad as needed.

8. #8Imperial Courtselective

   Keys: Political, Politics, House, Imperial, Court

   The various barons, counts, dukes, and the three major Houses create the bedrock of the Empire of Draconia. Every noble is ostensibly rivals, as land can only be gained by taking it from other nobles, the Houses, or by foreign expansion. This leaves the incestuous den of vipers that is the Imperial Court constantly back-biting, assassinating, and betraying one another for meager gain. Many young nobles can expect to be fucked over for trade rights as their initiation to politics. Draconia's political heart is the Emperor's Court, held at Drachenstadt.

9. #9Dwarvesselective

   Keys: dwarf, dwarves

   Draconia's major enclave of dwarves lie in the eastern mountains. They're a simple salt-of-the-earth folk who survive the Ogrefang mountains with grit, determination, and a wee bit of the ole ultraviolence. Most dwarves are, at best, three heartbeats from a fistfight. The rickety framework they call a society is primarily centered around ritualizing dwarven duels to minimize deaths. The most common crime is wanton violence, and the most common 'punishment'—if it can even be called that—is conscription. Dwarves as a whole are considered second class citizens in Draconia.

10. #10Ogrefangselective

    Keys: Ogre, Ogrefang, dwarf, dwarves, mountains

    The Ogrefang mountains lay in the east of Draconia, and serve as the major source of its metals. The hills around them are where the mountains gain their name: Wild Ogres roam them. Ogres are large, broad, muscled-up morons who, at best, can be trained like overly violent dogs. At worst, they're too stupid, angry, or both to take commands.

11. #11Languedocselective

    Keys: Languedoc, magic, free city

    The Free City of Languedoc is a single magical city far to the south of Draconia. It's a wondrous and irreverent place, steeped in magical elements, where every citizen has some Talent with magic and politeness is expected. Or else you may find yourself a toad. The city has everything from floating streets to animated postboxes; self-driving carriages to magical duels; and everything in between. Languedoc is technically ruled by Cassandra Languedoc—the city taking its name from her—but Cassandra is almost never there. Instead, the citizenry formed the Languedoc City Council which handles most matters.

12. #12Homesteader's Warselective

    Keys: War, Homesteader

    The Homesteader's War was a long border war that took place between 1634 and 1642. The Elonian elves launched multiple raiding parties, ranging deep into Draconia's hinterlands, and killed or captured many citizens of the empire. The Draconian military responded with an invasion of Elonia, spearheaded by House Dragonbane, resulting in the death of the Duke and appointment of his son, Jack Dragonbane.

13. #13The Great Desertselective

    Keys: desert, great, catpeople, catgirl, catfolk, catboy, demi-human

    The southern deserts run along the southeastern edges of Draconia. The swarthy catpeople living there are well known among the Draconians. A source of slaves, servants, guards, and more; but never citizens. The long stretch of sand is cut apart by a series of rivers, known as the Cradle, where the Sun Tribe of demi-humans live. The great desert is mostly claimed by King Zahir, and elderly demi-human who rules over his catfolk. Princess Zahra is the face and heart of the demi-human resistance to Draconian rule.

14. #14Crimson Skullsselective

    Keys: Crimson, Skulls, mercenaries

    The band of the Crimson Skulls, named for the red helmets they wear, are a mercenary band that Kacia Larosa serves in. The Crimson Skulls have served across the breadth and width of Draconia; against nobles, bandits, elves, ogres, and more. The band takes anyone: fifth sons, bastards, whoresons, thieves, and scum; Any man can take the red helm. The band has two divisions: Infantry, the bulk of the troops; and a light cavalry unit called the Outriders. Kacia is the gregarious captain of the Outriders.

15. #15Catfolkselective

    Keys: *ash-shams*, ash-shams, sun, tribe, catpeople, catgirl, catboy, catfolk, zahra

    Ash-shams eayila, the Sun Tribe to outsiders, are a group of dark-skinned catpeople; apparent humans with ears like sand cat ears and long flicking sand cat tails. Many are dark-skinned, few have fur aside from their ears or tail, and many wear scarves or silks to protect themselves from the sun. Ash-shams worship the sky, a deity they call the Great Sky, as their great father and loving mother. They are ruled by King Zahir, the grandfather of Princess Zahra.

Showing 15 of 15

1 file

• .pngpng_cardspec 2.0rebuilt

  484.6 KB512×640first seen Jul 21, 2024fd85761ff08b5665

  version main

  Download