Kingmaker
Heroic Action Role-Play |
This is the campaign page for the Kingmaker campaign set to the west of Lake Whyestil and east of the great Veseve Forest.
Background
In CY 586 the Iuz wars (part of the continent-spanning as the Greyhawk Wars) end as the Staff of Rao is used to create the Flight of Fiends, when most outsiders are banished from the Flanaess, including Iuz the Old himself. This banishment is to last for a hundred years and a day. A power vacuum appears in the north-central Flanaess.
In CY 629, the demon-tree of the Defiled Glades Vesve was defeated by the demi-godess Honeypot and the elven kingdom in the region reestablished.
In CY 646 the Medevian Crusade breaks the power of the demon lords that have usurped power in the Shield Lands and Rift Canyon. (Wrath of the Righteous) In a coordinated attack, the nobles of Furyondy launch an army along the western shore of Lake Whyestil, encoutering little organized resistance but a lot of friction from disorganized forces of humanoids and evil fey. About half of the army returned, the other parts having been lost or established dominions of their own in the area.
It is now CY 664 and a more focused attempt at colonizing and fortifying the area in preparation for Iuz possible return in CY 746 is about to be undertaken. This colonization effort is the result of diplomatic efforts by the Circle of Eight and the Pathfinder Society, and involves backing from a lot of power groups in the area.
Factions
The idea is for the heroes to become leaders for various factions and their interests in the area. This requires that player characters be well established with the various power groups. Here is a list of the major groups and their sub-groups.
Feudal Faction
The Kingdom of Furyondy sent an army to pacify the area, and has a number of younger lords eager to establish fiefdoms in the area. Strong in cavalry, knights, and divine magic, the feudal faction is mainly a military power.
Kingdom of Furyondy Based in the court of nearby Chendl, the king is and has traditionally been a paladin devoted to Heironeous, and gathers enthusiastic young knights to its cause. It is closely allied to the church of Heironeous.
Knights of the Hart - Furyondy The ancient knightly Order of the Hart has split into several independent chapters, but all focus on defending the lands of good and defeating Iuz. The Furyondy chapter is a combination of noble's club and paladin order, and like to face problems head-on.
County of Crystalreach The north-westmost region of the Kingdom of Furyondy, Crystalreach was more or less destroyed by Iuz's armies and has been re-established by the combined efforts of Furyondy and Highfolk. This makes it a poor by dynamic region.
Barony of Kalinstren This northern barony of Furyondy bore the brunt of the Iuz invasion and stood firm, taking copious losses. A grim, militaristic land of many castles, the Kalinstreni are eager to get revenge against Iuz in any way they can.
Crusader Faction
Shield Lands The Order of Holy Shielding was more or less destroyed in fighting, first against the Horned Society and bandit Kingdoms, later against Iuz himself. Working hard to maintain its independence from Furyondy, the Shield Lands have always recruited from the lands of Urnst and Greyhawk, making the order more cosmopolitan than rural Furyondy. It was a great humiliation for the order to be re-instituted by Furyondy, but the appointed leader, Lady Katrina, has been a very lucky choice. After the mendevian Crusade the Shield Lands have recovered almost all of their former territory, but the order itself has changed; there are still proud paladins riding divinely blessed steeds, but the core of the Shield Lands army are now hardened veterans that fight on foot.
Church of Mayaheine and St XXX A mark that has always differentiated the Shield Lands from Furyondy is religion; the shield lands revered Pelor and St Cuthbert, and later Mayaheine. After the crusade Mayaheines church has grown greatly in scope and power, almost top the point of becoming a state religion. This church advocates defense as the best offense and securing your own resources before attacking those of the enemy.
Horned Society A land of masked infernalists that employ orcs and other humanoids in their armies, the Horned Society was an enemy of the Shield Lands and later destroyed by Iuz. Reemerging after the wars, the society has stayed within its own borders and been a reliable ally in the war against Iuz, but an ally that always looks to its own interests first.
Highfolk Faction
An old elven city that has always kept its doors open to other races, Highfolk is today a city of humans, half-elves, elves, dwarfs, and gnomes, as well as a fair number of fairy creatures from the Vesve. The city is a melting pot, and it seems half-elves are the ones most comfortable in such a setting; they dominate city politics.
Rangers of the High Forest and Church of Ehlonna This force kept the peace and warned civilization of incursions of monsters from the Vesve. With improving conditions in the forest, they are now merry messagers and advocates between Highfolk and the creatures of the forest, but still ready to ambush any hostile force encountered.
Council of the High Folk The city council of Highfolk is dominated by half-elves, but members of all the races in the city have representation. An oligarchy representing the guilds and merchants of the city, the council arbitrates conflicts between groups and is responsible for fortifications and defenses, which is mainly a militia. As is common among demi-humans, the will to defend themselves is strong and almost all able-bodied residents are part of the militia.
Knights of the Hart of the High Forest A branch of the order of the Hart devoted to the defense of the vesve. Cooperating with and supporting the Rangers of Highfolk, the knights act as heavy hitters against more powerful monsters. Never a large order, the knights are mainly elves and half-elves, often riding fairy mounts.
Vesve faction
Vesve, or the High Forest, has been a battleground between Iuz and his enemies for centuries.
Elven Court With the purging of the Defiled Glades, the elven court of the are has been re-established and is organizing the good denizens of the forest in cleaning out the corruption. With a nobility of high elves and wood elven soldiers, the court is now a force to be reckoned with - when it can agree on what to do.
Forest Peoples Gnomes, centaurs, fauns, blink dogs, and various fey live in small tribes throughout the forest. Nominally under the elven court of the glades, these folk often decide on their own without asking for sanction of the central court, but rely on the alliance for defense if they get in trouble.
Church of Honeypot The demi-goddess Honeypot was instrumental in the cleaning of the Defiled Glades, and has many followers. Her faith cuts through all groups, having informal influence outside normal chain of command - as far as something like that exists in the Vesve.
Merchant Faction
Trade and economy is becoming more and more important, and even faraway cities have a vested interest in developing new markets. The potential exports of this area include furs, gold, timber, tar, and fish.
Greyhawk Distant but immensely rich, the City of Greyhawk is the leading trade port in the Flanaess. Engaged in a conflict with pirates on the Wholly Bay and in fierce competition with the City of Dyvers, Greyhawk's influence can procure anything from exotic drugs to cannon, but only for a price.
Dyvers The ruler of the river system, Dyvers is a lesser competitor to Greyhawk. This is their area of interest, however, so Dyvers is more likely to lend direct support than its competitor.
Highfolk Merchants Caught in a balance act between Perrenland, Dyvers, and Greyhawk, the merchants of Highfolk are in a very profitable but precarious position. Highfolk can offer great support in the short run, and the city is older than all its competitors, but can it maintain its independence in the long run?
Perrenland A transit area for trade with the bakluni and paynim and a source of mercenaries, Perrenland is infamous for remaining neutral in all conflicts. The democratic country does not have a foreign policy, but many perrens seek their individual fortune as traders or mercenaries and are famous for being expensive but staying loyal once their loyalty is bought.
Independent Factions
A number of lesser power groups can potentially have influence in the area.
Dwarf Dwarfs from the Lortmils, Yatils, and the Gladspurs
Flan
Gnome
Halfling
Humanoid
Rhenne
Magic Faction
Pathfinders
Circle of 8
Rules
- Action - Abbe's homwbrew
See also
External Links
- Mummy's Mask Player's Guide free download @ Paizo
- Pathfinder Factions and Pathfinder faction feats
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