Rostland

Basic Information

• Name: Rostland
• Type: Feudal Region (Southern Brevoy)
• Region: Southern Brevoy, bordering Issia, Mivon, and the Stolen Lands
• Scale & Population: Densely populated (~450,000 people), rich in trade and agriculture, but simmering with unrest.
• Primary Inhabitants:
  • Humans (Majority, Rostlandic Nobles & Commoners) – Descendants of proud warriors, farmers, and merchants, many bitter toward House Surtova.
  • Elves & Half-Elves – Many live as exiled duelists or scholars, maintaining old Aldori traditions.
  • Halflings & Other Minorities – Thriving among merchant communities and swordlord households.
• Climate & Terrain:
  • Mild summers, cold but short winters, and fertile plains, making it ideal for farming and horse breeding.
  • Rolling grasslands and temperate forests, cut by rivers and trade roads leading to Restov and beyond.

Geography & Layout

• Key Features & Landmarks:

  • Restov (Capital of Rostland): A city of swordplay, dueling academies, and brewing rebellion, ruled by Aldori Council.
  • The Aldori Academy: The legendary school of swordplay, training the finest duelists in the Inner Sea.
  • The South Rostland Plains: A vast agricultural heartland, feeding both Rostland and the growing Stolen Lands settlements.
  • The Swordlords’ Enclaves: Secretive strongholds scattered across the region, where the Aldori plan their next move against House Surtova.
  • The Rostlandic Marches: A contested border region, where many nobles secretly arm militias against Issian rule.
  • The Gronzi Forest: A dense woodland shared with Issia, rumored to hide exiles, rebels, and forgotten ruins.

• Notable Cities & Settlements:

  • Restov: The de facto capital of Rostland, where duels settle political conflicts.
  • Serenko: A fortified trade town on the border of Issia, under constant political pressure from House Surtova.
  • Varnhold: A growing frontier settlement, serving as a buffer against the Stolen Lands’ dangers.

• Connections & Accessibility:

  • Roads Connect Rostland to Brevoy’s Wealth: The region feeds and supplies much of Brevoy’s population, making it vital to the kingdom’s economy.
  • River Trade is Limited by Issia: The rivers leading to the Lake of Mists and Veils are controlled by House Surtova, stifling trade.
  • Restov’s Trade Routes Remain Strong: Mivon, Pitax, and the River Kingdoms provide alternate markets, despite Issian interference.

Culture & Society

• Local Governance:

  • Ruled by The Aldori Council, a powerful group of swordlords, merchants, and nobles.
  • Noble families are divided between those who serve House Surtova and those who dream of independence.
  • Dueling is a Core Tradition: Many political and legal matters are settled with swords rather than words.

• Economy & Trade:

  • Agriculture & Livestock: Rostland’s rich farmlands provide Brevoy’s food supply, but recent conflicts have disrupted production.
  • Mercenary Companies & Swordplay Schools: Wealthy nobles train warriors and sell their services to foreign courts.
  • Smuggling & Black Market Trade: Many Rostlanders circumvent House Surtova’s economic stranglehold through illegal trade.

• Religion & Beliefs:

  • Gorum (War & Strength) is the dominant faith, particularly among swordlords and warriors.
  • Erastil (Community & Farming) is widely worshiped among farmers and tradespeople.
  • Abadar (Trade & Law) is followed by merchants and city officials, but is weaker than in Issia.

• Laws & Customs:

  • Dueling is the Law of the Land: Anyone who refuses an honorable duel is seen as weak and dishonorable.
  • Oaths Hold Great Power: Breaking a sworn promise is worse than death in Rostlandic culture.
  • The Surtova Decree: House Surtova has banned open discussion of rebellion, forcing swordlords to plan in secret.

• Languages Spoken:

  • Common, Taldane (Rostlandic Dialect), Aldori Battle Cant (used among duelists), Elven (spoken by old noble houses).

History & Lore

• Origins & Founding:

  • Rostland was once an independent nation, ruled by the Aldori Swordlords before Brevoy’s unification.
  • When Choral the Conqueror invaded, Rostland fought fiercely but was ultimately subjugated.
  • Many noble families resent the Issian occupation, and some still hold ambitions of restoring Rostland’s independence.

• Major Historical Events:

  • Choral’s Conquest: The battle between Aldori Swordlords and Choral’s dragons devastated Rostland.
  • The Rogarvian Disappearance: When House Rogarvia vanished overnight, many Rostlanders hoped for independence, only for House Surtova to seize power instead.
  • The Stolen Lands Charter: Restov’s leadership granted charters to groups like Rivermarch, hoping to expand without direct conflict with House Surtova.

• Current Conflicts or Issues:

  • Restov’s Political Tightrope: The Aldori Council seeks to undermine House Surtova while avoiding open war.
  • The Stolen Lands’ Role: Many Rostlanders see settlements like Rivermarch as potential allies against Issia.
  • Noble Houses are Divided: Some support loyalty to Brevoy, while others seek to break free.

• Rumors & Mysteries:

  • The Lost Aldori Blade: A legendary sword lost during Choral’s invasion is said to be hidden somewhere in Rostland.
  • The Phantom Duelist: Stories tell of a masked swordsman appearing to challenge only the most corrupt nobles.

Notable NPCs & Factions

• Key Figures:

  • Jamandi Aldori: One of the most powerful swordlords, leading the charge for Rostland’s autonomy.
  • Ioseph Sellemius: The Lord Mayor of Restov, trying to balance political survival and his loyalty to the Aldori.
  • Gorin Falx: A wealthy merchant-lord, playing both sides in the conflict between Rostland and Issia.
  • Katrina Orlovsky: A noblewoman secretly funding resistance movements, hoping to topple House Surtova.

• Factions or Power Groups:

  • Aldori Council – The ruling body of Restov and the remnants of the Aldori Swordlords.
  • The Southern Trade Confederacy – A group of merchants seeking to cut House Surtova out of Rostland’s economy.
  • The Black Blades – A secret society of duelists who believe only war can free Rostland from Issia’s grip.
  • The Iron Pact – A faction of nobles who believe peaceful negotiations are still possible with House Surtova.