Sunday, March 14, 2010

Welcome to the Kingdoms of Thrang


The Kingdoms of Thrang, also known as the Thrangian Kingdoms, are a collection of minor principalities, about sixty in number that lie along the eastern edge of the Great Western Sea. [Editor’s note: For those of you who have played in the Fallen Lands before, the northernmost part of Thrang lies about 560 miles due south from the town of Southwaite on the Hrothgar Peninsula]. The region is populated mostly by humans. Thrang is characterized by rolling hills and deep valleys. Its Kings and Queens rule from dark and ominous hilltop castles and forts. The climate is warm and temperate [similar to Northern Virginia in our world], but gloomy. The towering Somber Horn Mountains that comprise Thrang’s eastern border effectively block the moisture laden west winds that blow from the sea, making the region quite rainy and almost perpetually overcast.

To call the Thrangian principalities “kingdoms” is quite generous, in fact; most have a population that averages around four to five thousand souls. But kingdoms they are nevertheless, each ruled by its own monarch and attendant aristocracy. All of these minor kingdoms share a common culture and religion, one of the main reasons for conceptually grouping them together in the first place. Moreover, most of the Royal families of Thrang have intermarried over the years, thus strengthening and reinforcing the bonds that give the region its unique and distinctive identity.
Despite this sense of commonality, however, there is seldom peace in Thrang. The Thrangian Kingdoms are given to great intrigue and rivalry. Blood feuds, plots, schemes, and outright war are common in Thrang as its various petty monarchs vie and compete in the attempt to usurp each other’s power.

[Yyrg the Bald, chief historian at Canaladaer Keep, described Thrang as existing in a state of “perpetually controlled chaos.” These remarks were made in his famous treatise on the region entitled Mandeville’s Travels: An Actual Excursion to Thrang Along with Imaginative Speculations of the Lands of the Distant South which May or May Not be Ruled by Snake Men.]

There are several reasons why the region does not simply devolve into total anarchy or gradually coalesce into increasingly larger and more powerful polities as the various kingdoms annex each other.

First, the threat of outright war is somewhat held in check by the fact the entire region is threatened from without by even greater dangers that could potentially spell the end of all the Thrangian Kingdoms. To the north lies the dreaded Wargwood Forest, home and spawning place of hordes of foul undead. To the east, Thrang is bordered by the towering Somber Horn Mountains. In one sense, these mountains are a blessing in that they shelter Thrang from the predations of the fierce Gnoll tribes that rule the Pack Lands beyond them. But, the mountains are also home to their fair share of monsters. Each spring and summer, bands of mountain Trolls, Ettins, and primitive Giants descend from the Somber Horns to raid the eastern kingdoms. To the south lie the Pirate Holdings of Zed, another source of continual danger. Given that Thrang is surrounded on all side by such threats, its ruling monarchies have naturally come to a tacit understanding that whatever their potential grievances with each other may be, it is in everyone’s best interest to collaborate militarily at some level for the common good.

Conflicts between the kingdoms thus tend to involve assassination attempts, espionage, sabotage, duels, and other forms of covert subterfuge. Nevertheless outright war between kingdoms is not unheard of.

The second, and perhaps most significant cause, for the “stabilized chaos” that characterizes Thrang is the Church of Wee Jas, Goddess of Magic and Death. This church is the official, royal religion of almost every kingdom in Thrang. According to custom, the Thrangian monarchs all rule with the divine blessing of the Goddess and the church maintains major temples in every monarch’s court. The church must sanctify every royal marriage and coronation. Make no mistake though, Thrang is not a theocracy. The church’s power, while considerable, is mostly of the “indirect” sort. It has no power to pass legislation and commands little in the way of military power. Because they lack the strength to affect a complete takeover of power, the Magician Priests of Wee Jas must be content to manipulate the political landscape from behind the scenes. But it is in their best interests to maintain the current state of fractious squabbling among the Thrangian monarchs. The more those monarchs are at each other’s throats, the easier they are for the Magician Priests to control. A strong ruler, one who amassed considerable power and allies would be threat to the power of the church. Thus, the church maintains a highly trained cadre of clerical advisors who pour honey into the ears of Thrangian kings and queens, who subtly arrange a marriage here, a poisoning there, all in the name of maintaining the status quo.

To be sure, Wee Jas is not the only deity worshipped in Thrang. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of minor deities, are worshipped by the common people. Demon and Devil worshipping cults are quite common.

Our Game begins in the Kingdom of Gnut, ruled by King Hardric the Seventh, which lies at the extreme northwestern tip of Thrang. Gnut huddles under the eaves of the feared Wargwood Forest from which the walking dead are frequently known to wander. The villages of Gnut thus have good walls and stout gates. Merchants and travelers are advised to go armed and avoid the roads at night. There are wolves, zombies, and worse things loose in the dark.

You have come here lured by the promise of adventure and treasure. Vague rumors have reached your ears that strange things are afoot and treasure has been found in the Stony Brow Hills, a rugged and desolate region that separates Gnut from its eastern neighbor, the Kingdom of Zilb. These hills are home to many weird ruins, remnants of a lost civilization that predates the rise of Thrang. Some of these ruins may hold ancient treasures. Vague, partially formed, hints have trickled southward down the coast road and reached your ears, something about a mystery in the hills and the possibility of loot.

We begin with you heading northward on route to Null’s Harbor, a port town on the Western Sea and Gnut’s principle settlement. You are several hours from your destination. It is mid afternoon and a steady drizzle falls from the nickel grey sky overhead. It is April, the cruelest month. Pray that it not be for you.

17 comments:

Ironbeard said...

Just a quick reminder for those of you playing: the only PC classes available are those listed in the official SW rules with the exception of elves. No elves allowed but the the Thief can Monk classes listed in the SW appendix are. Can't wait.

Riley said...

Nickel-gray skies? You sure this isn't Rochester? I can't wait either. Any players have thoughts on their characters yet? I was thinking of running a cleric because our last trip through Thrang, we were constantly beset with the undead.

Ironbeard said...

Sounds good, Riley. I should have mentioned, but if you play a cleric, you cannot worship Wee Jas.

Batman1970 said...

I have a couple of monks rolled up (For some reason, I've found that I work through them rather quickly) and a fighter. Do we have a decision on whether I should be prepared to play more than one character on Friday, or should I just keep them in a queue as a "just in case?"

This is going to be fun!

See you all Friday.

post festum said...

Thanks for the great introduction...This really gets the blood pumping.

I'd be happy to play a Magic-User or Fighter (or both if needed). I really think the cleric is an absolute must, so great idea Andy.

Bat: A monk? Oh man, you know you are setting yourself up for some fairly serious (if ultimately good-natured) ribbing.

Ironbeard said...

I think one PC per player should work for starters.

Batman1970 said...

Post,

I'd be disappointed if there WEREN'T ribbing. I'm the guy who picks foreign languages for the word "Bat" for my characters! What's NOT to make fun of? Let me get up a few levels, and I'll kick all of your asses (and talk to animals and plants while I'm at it!)

Honestly, I don't care, but I think the character type is a lot of fun. Besides, I'm trying to figure out a new and innovative place for a bat-tattoo.

post festum said...

I've got a few suggestions where you can put the tattoo if your creative well has run dry...

:)

Batman1970 said...

Don't get fresh with me, ya perv!

Riley said...

Right now I'm leaning towards playing over Skype this Friday if everyone is okay with that. I'm just getting over a cold and Dawn will have been gone the first part of the week, so I'd like to see her some this weekend. If anyone has a problem with it, let me know.

I'd like to get generally into the rhythm of coming down every other time. The social aspect of being there in person makes the experience that much funner, but the drive gets a bit wearing. Can't wait. Bring on the kingdom of Thrang!

Ironbeard said...

That sounds good to me, Riley. Whatever works best for you.

Riley said...

I just noticed that clerics apparently don't get a first level spell till they get to *second* level according to the manual. If that's accurate and how we are going to play, it certainly throws some cold water on the idea of playing one, but I just spent an hour coming up with a pretty detailed back story about my "church." Any comments?

post festum said...

Good question Andy: After conferring with the dm we recalled that I had probably imposed on him to offer a generous interpretation of the line on page 2 ("Wisdom") where "If a Cleric has a Wisdom score of 15 or greater, he gains an additional first level spell."

Although he can confirm himself, I think he's going to continue to interpret this line to mean that the class receives 1 - 1st lvl/day at the start of the game if s/he meets the requisite standard.

Ironbeard said...

Post Festum is right. That is my interpretation of the rule.

Riley said...

Phew. Thanks. I'm sure the party will appreciate having at least one healing spell.

Riley said...

Alright, after thinking it over and talking about it with Dawn, I think I'm going to drive up after all. I mean, it's the *beginning* of the campaign, right? How can I not be there in person for that? Assuming Carl has room for me on the couch, I'll be there.

post festum said...

Great to hear, Andy. Drive carefully.