I: A History of the Realm of Restenfjord
The date is Year 998 A. C. (After Cataclysm).
The Government of Restenfjord is a Monarchy, although this may change in the near future as the noble/elite Merchant guilds and other guildsmen wield considerable (economic and political) power within the realm as well.
Restenfjord was originally founded in the Year 617 A.C.,by the Tarrant line and a small army from the country of Vanguard (far to the North West, off the map). The Vanguardians are/were essentially Norse barbarians that struck far into what they called "the untamed lands" in their tongue.(this area later became part of the Gwynedd Principality, northern part of the map) They later encountered the Tarrants and their small settlement in the Year 522 A.C. Impressed and awed by the skilled sorcery and basic (social) engineering skills the eldest Tarrant possessed (he was nicknamed "Gothreid (Goldthread)" by them)the Vanguard elected Gothreid Tarrant Chieftain.
Traveling South and East, the group eventually settled on the southern shores of Telenkar ("Nightwater" in Elvish) Lake in the Year 531 A. C. This area was unsettled by the Elves in the region, with whom they had established a cordial relationship in their travels. At this time the Elder Forest extended much farther to the south to where it joined with the northernmost end of what is now called the Silver Forest.
The cordial relationship with the Elves of Elder Forest was short-lived. Tensions ran high as the human settlement began to clear ever-increasing tracts of forest for farming, grazing, and communities. The situation worsened when the humans discovered silver and other precious metals among the hills deep within the forest.
Vast amounts of forest was cleared to make room for the ensuing 'silver rush' and the mining towns that virtually sprang up overnight.
At this time, around the year 580 A.C., the humans numbered in the tens of thousands and there were dozens of small hamlets springing up over the entire countryside.
Over the next century small skirmishes broke out over territory; larger and larger groups of peasants/farmers and elvish bands began to raid each other along the country south of TelenKar (south/southeast of where Guardian City now exists) in the dispute over forestland.
It was in the Year 616 A.C. that open warfare was finally declared after a prominent elvish leader named Shantalain was killed in a drunken argument with a Vanguard chieftain named Hygmund.
The battle raged for over the next twenty years, and the humans,who could not match the woodcraft of the elves, were forced to adopt a nomadic existence once more, as they were continually pushed southward towards the southern tip of the continent. It was at the Battle of Deny Ridge, 935 A.C., that the war finally ended. Shantalain's heir Valisrae fell in battle and was captured by Gerald Tarrant, descendant of the line springing from Gothreid so long ago. Instead of killing or even ransoming Valisrae, Gerald treated him well, as accorded his station, and released him unharmed to his elven brethern.
Amazed (they were used to dealing with the tempermental Vanguard ),the elves withdrew their forces and made overtures of peace with the humans.
The Treaty of Deny Ridge, 935 A.C., bequeathed all the lands from the south of Telenkar Lake where the original human colony was founded to the southern seas.
The areas to the west, territory rife with Orc, Troll, and Goblinkind, were left unclaimed.....
The last remnants of the human colony, now only about twelve hundred in number, straggled south and eventually settled the city which later became Restenfjord. The majority of these peoples, weary of the of the Vanguard-descended chieftains and the (chaotic) manner in which they governed, elected Gerald Tarrant the first King of Restenfjord. Tarrant had a prominent role in the negotations with the elves and was well liked by both factions. To appease the Vanguard chieftains and cement his rule Gerald the 1st named Tyr, the Norse God of Justice, patron god of the city.
Restenfjord was originally established in the Year 950 A.C.
Currently, in the year of our Lord 1097 A.C., it is a Monarchy, ruled by the benevolent Markell, Knight and Paladin of Tyr.
Markell deposed the previous ruler, Gerald Tarrant, who, by this time, had turned to Evil (he was the region's first Anti-Paladin, but that is another story....).
II: Some of the Cities, Townes, and Places of Interest in Restenfjord
A. Restenfjord City
This is the capital city of the Realm, sharing the same name as the continent that takes up the bulk of the map. It has a population of roughly 200,000. It lies at the south central portion of the map, on the tip of the continent.
Restenfjord's economy is principally sea-based, including fishing and trade with other countries. It is also a leader in the Arts & (Magical) Sciences, and land-based trades in gold, mithril, and other precious metals and gems.
The Royal Palace is located here, as well as the Eightfold Path, a religious site hosting the eight major religions of each alignment:
Lawful Good - Tyr (Norse God of Justice)
Neutral Good - Isis (Egyptian Goddess of Magic)
Chaotic Good - Thor (Norse God of Strength)
True Neutral - Bes (Egyptian God of Luck)
Neutral Evil - Hades (Greek God of the Underworld, and Mineral Wealth)
Chaotic Evil - Loki (Norse God of Evil and Mischief)
Lawful Evil - Hecate (Greek God of Magic, Witchcraft, Evil)
Chaotic Neutral - Azathoth (Lovecraftian God of Insanity)
Some notes on the Eightfold Path and it's temples:
1. Lawful Evil - The temple of Hecate is a recent addition, it has supplanted the Temple of Set (Egyptian God of Evil). Set is the predominate religion in Stygia, a country far to the east, with which Restenfjord has had numerous wars over the last century. The last Temple of Set here was destroyed in a riot during the last war (about 5 years ago).
2. Other religions that have temples in the city (and influence) are:
a. The Temple of Seker (Egyptian God of Light). It has great enmity with the Temple of Hades, who tend to have a few undead serving as guards in their temple.
b. Poseidon has a temple, near the docks on the south side of the city. His services are largely comprised of the merchant sailors and the Restenfjord's Navy. Note: Poseidon's Temple was recently destroyed by a huge earthquake, and the resultant Tsunami washed out most of the ruins into the Sea. It was later discovered that this was due to the "kidnapping" of Poseidon by the forces of Cthulhu......Poseidon was later freed by Octane, High Priest of Poseidon, and a group of mighty heroes that occupanied him.
c. Athena (Greek Goddess of Just War) has a large temple and a strong influence in the city. Her temple is perhaps the main rival for the Lawful Good slot in the Eightfold Path (which is occupied presently by the Temple of Tyr.
3. The Temple of Azathoth also doubles as the city's Asylum/Sanitarium for the Criminally Insane. The head priest of Azathoth is a raving lunatic, being incommunicado most of the time (he tends to drool too much at meetings of the Eightfold Path).
4. The Temple of Bes, God of Luck, boasts the city's only legal casino, located in its outer foyer.
B. The NothingGood Mountains (West)
Home to large and numerous bands of Orcs, Goblins, Giants, Trolls, etc.Its name derives from the common saying "Nothing's Good ever come from those mountains".
So far interspecies conflict, and tribal warfare has prevented all but a few major incursions from this area into Restenfjord.
C. Bordertowne (West)
Primarily a military stronghold to man the fortresses and patrols on the border between Restenfjord, the NothingGood Mountains, and unclaimed wilderness.
Boasts a populaton of approximately 50,000, deals primarily in mineral wealth gleaned from the mountains to the north, trade, and support infrastructure for the military. Ruled by a Military Governor appointed by the Throne in Restenfjord.
D. Bendo (West by Northwest)
Formerly a thriving mining community, Bendo was sacked in the Orcus Wars by a ravening demonic horde, and burned to the ground. Only a few structures remain, although there is talk in Restenfjord of reclaiming the area, and reopening the mines to the north/northeast, harnassing the only known source of Mithril (Truesilver) in this realm.
E. BoulderShoulder Mountains (Far to the North and West of Restenfjord)
Home to clan Bouldershoulder, the only known settlement of Mountain Dwarves in the Known Lands. This clan is very reclusive and only trades with other races. The last decade or so all contact to them has been lost (which made the mithril standard skyrocket from 100 gp = 1 Mithril to 1000gp - 1 Mithril).
F. The Silver Forest (North and East of Restenfjord)
Once a part of the Elder Forest. Wood Elves dwell here, and do not encourage travel through this forest. Trade with the human populations is common, though.
More than a few half-elven crossbreeds exist in Restenfjord and here as well.
G. Southwind (Towne almost directly north of Restenfjord, in the midlands)
Rural community, population a mere 10,000, mostly farmers and craft guildsmen.
H. Elder Forest (North and extreme East of Restenfjord city)
Home to the oldest inhabitants of this region, the High Elves. The High Elf communities are composed of Grey Elves, and the Faerie (also known as the "Sidhe" to the Vanguard, who dealt with them of old). No human or humanoid has entered the Elder Forest in the last two centuries and returned (it is a direct violation of the Treaty Of Deny Ridge, 935 A.C.). Huge, tree-like creatures have been seen moving about the perimeters of this forest, guarding it against intrusion, and have done so for the last century. The only non-humans to have knowledge of this area are the Druids, and they are very reticent to say anything concerning Elder Forest, only that Man is not welcome there, and they will attempt to discourage any of those foolish enough to try to gain entrance to this place.
I. Waymeet
Large towne, started as the sole trading post for trade between the Elves of the Elder Forest, Restenfjord, and occasionally emmisaries from the Principality of Gwynedd, and even Clan Bouldershoulder (dwarves).
Now it is a thriving city of about 30,000, primarily traders and guildsmen.
J. The Copperhead Hills (Northwest of Restenfjord city)
Large deposits of Silver and Copper can be found in this region, which boasts the largest communities of Hill Dwarves in all of Restenfjord. Clan Coppersmith, Ironhead, and Stonehand all share this region, working together to promote trade and friendship between there respective communities, and Restenfjord.
This temperate region is also home to a fair amount of Halfling communities as well,and boasts the best pipeweed to grace the Realm.