Join the Legion: PC Introduction

IDEA: To create a four year plot line for up to 5 player characters who, at the age of 16 all joined the legion for their own reasons.

PLACE: Fobin, Gerium.

YEAR: 718

Rethem is the name of the regon bounded by the Thard River in the south, the Peran wilderness in the north, and the Gomisen River in the east. The natural vegitaion is mostly mixed woodlands and forests with some tracks of heath and marsh.

Kanday is the name given to the region of sourthern Tharda, bounded roughly by the Thard and Telo rivers in the north an east, by Ternu Heath in the west and by the Gulf of Ederwyn in the south. The name Kanday dates from the foundation of the Kingdom of the same name. Until that time, the region was most commonly called either Aleathia or Southern Tharda.

Tharda is in west-central Hârn, primarily the Rhard River basin. The natural vegetation is mixed woodland and forest, but includes some rugged coniferous highlands. The Thardic Republic is bordered to the south by the feudal kingdom of Kanday, and to the west by the Kingdom of Rethem. The Republic has won a war with the Kingdom of Kanday within the last decade, and repations with Rethem are tense, but the presetn state of affairs is a watchful peace. Two tribal nations also border the Republic; the wary and often violent Gozyda, and the ruthless Tulwyn.

And So it Began

Well, actually it began a few years prior to the arrival of the PCs in 718.

The year is 718, the month of kelen, spring is in its final month. In the rural areas slaves and freedmen are struggling to finish the spring planting. The last crop of hay from last year is almost gone, as are the vegetable stores. Families will rely on the early spring harvests of fruit and berries from common lands. For a few it's a time of hardship. But life goes on. At tthe begining of Morgat candidates presented themselves to become legionnaires. Now, 3 months later, those that survived, are leionnaires stationed in the fortresses and outposts throughout Tharda. The senate won't be in session again until winter; and already pressing matters weigh on the Republic's conscious.

Tharda

Four years ago, the Agrikan religious order of the Cohorts of Gashang split from their parent order, the Red Shadows of Herpa. During their secession, they took Themeson keep and climed it for their own. Chafin III (Ruler of the Kingdom of Rethem)( has been loath to interfere with such a religious matter, as has the senate. In their last session, the senate also left the matter unresolved. The Order of Herpa, the Red Mace, has ordered and demanded the return of Themeson keep - but to no avail. The Order of the Eight Demons, who also holds lands ner Themeson keep, have yet to publically voice an opinion. Instead they hve kept even their slaves and freedmen close to home. No one, friend or family, has seen any hwo reside on Eight Demon lands since the start of this year.

This year there is a position open in the senate. Currently held by the Nordaka clan, insiders have said it is likely the clan will loose their seat. Turin Markas, of Shiran, has already spent over 1000 denari on his parties. Rumor has it that he began campaigning early, the day that the senate closed at the end of winter in fact. Other clans (the Wytels, the Baral, the Gyben and the Exenion) have all layed claim to the seat. Voting will begin when the senate renews its session in the winter. Of all the other candidates only Mitchel Wytel seems the most likely. Hailing from Coranan, he too has begun campaining - but he is quieter in his methods than the Markas clan.

When the senate renews, the question of taxation will be put forth on the roster; as many landholders feel they are already being overtaxed. In comparison, the legion claims it needs more money for the upkeep and repair of its fortifications. The legion proposes starting the building of 18 more outposts next year, and requires Senatorial approval before they can begin.

The metalcrafter's guild has a petition already formed for the senate. It requests that the senate specify, in an order to the legion, that all armour work be done by metalcrafters bonded to the legion. Their attempt to remove business from weaponcrafters has yet to be noticed by the other guild, but many believe that, once discovered - a guild war may errupt between the two guilds in Tharda. Just in case, the legion is recommending all members with metalcrafting or weaponcrafting skills keep quiet.

The legion is not currently happy with the temporary hold placed by the Senate (last session) on the land grants given to legionnaires retiring with 20 years of service. The Senate appointed Markus Hediro to look into the amount of land required to continue such a tradition. He is to give his report after the election of a new senator in the winter session.

Marshal-Magistrate Kronos, in his second year under that title, is in Eidel province. He is in charage of the ongoing treason trials of the remaining Kandian nobles. Rumor has it that there is an underground operation ongoing by Kandian rebels attempting to sneak whole families out of Eidel prisons and whisk them safely away to Kanday. But no truth of such operations has been found. A few nobles have gone missing, and been declared dead by the treason tribunal.

Four years ago (714TR) The Thardic Republic ended a war by political negotiation with Kanday. Triberties Linari Primus Kronos is seen as having won the war single handidly. Many in the legion grumble that Kanday would no longer be such a problem if the Senate had not ended the war so quickly. Kronos (now both Marshal and Magistrate of Ramala Province) has become very popular.

He regularly supports veteran land grants, and legion-bills in the senate. His military prowress is only matched by his political support and abilities.

Marshal-Magistrate Kronos has several well-placed clients, and a few better placed enemies. The Senate would rather not post the General anywhere, but they have to do something with him. The Nordakas want a road built and a new town established. The legion would, naturally, be required for the worker's safety (and to help as an additional work force.) A few of the Senators have suggested that he be put on that project.

Others have recommended he be sent to Cestor to find out why there is a delay in moving Hedio forces to Cestor. (Seems people disapear in the middle of the night with a curdling scream, only to be found over the next few days...and miles...in pieces.)

A few have recommended giving him what he wants (Ramala) and if he can indeed tame the savage place - then perhaps he deserves to be the people's darling. If he fails there however, he will have no escape or excuse. His patrons will desert and once alone - he can be destroyed.

Of course if there will be a campaigne against Rethem (or Themeson keep) and Kronas (Tharda) wins the situation he will be ever more powerful. The Senate propably won't get unanimous enough to start any hostilities against Rethem atleast. So some senators think Kronas will solve the situation and his enemies think that he will do something foolish in this delicate situation and spoil his fortunes.

Currently Marshal-magistrate Kronos is in the process of cleaning out all the remaining Kandian nobles still in Eidel province. Being in charge of the ongoing treason trials has given him a great deal of money and lands. And with this he has begun buying clients. Unfortunately he is not buying friends in the senate.

Rethem

Chafin III, the king who got his crown by killing off all his competitors, has been occupied trying to keep Rethem for becoming imbroiled in a civil war. Many of his noble lords dislike his strict taxation and economic policies. The Senate barely tolerates the representative from Rethem (who still hasn't figured out that from Spring through Autumn there is no Senate for which to speak.)

The crown has decided to spend the year focusing on internal troubles and tribulations. Chaffin has sent invitations to several Thardic Senators to join him at a royal ball. He will, no doubt, be upset when he learns that no senator will be attending.

Trade with Rethem lords continues. While the internal politics within Rethem may be on the brink of boiling, politics with those without are calm and collected. Rethem traders are often upset that their coin is only taken grugingly, and even then only when a scale is present. Rethem coins are assumed to be clipped and can be traded with most local merchants for Thardic coin by weight.

Note: The Rethem coin is about 3/4 the weight of a Thardic denarius. Their farthing coins are equal to about 2 sesterci.

Trade caravans travel from Rethem to Tharda (and back) regularly. The caravans have just left Golotha, and are slowly progressing along the highway beside the river Thard.

Themeson keep is a thorn in the Crown's side - and the senate hopes it gives him ulsers. Emissaries have been sent to Themeson, and neighboring keeps along the borderlands to evaluate their intentions, and current situation. Reports on this will be delivered at the next session of the Senate.

The various religious orders of Agrik operating in Rethem (and Rethem alone) are treated with distain. It is considered quite proper to delay, hinder, rob, ect. a visiting Rethem Agrikan knight because no Rethem only order has yet to gain dispensation for their members as Equestrians. They are therefore only citizens, and thus fair game.

Kanday

Kandays losses in the most recent war with Tharda have cured them of any expansionist designs. The ruler (Andasin II) has continuously assured the Senate of his desire for peace. The Senate deems the raids by members of the Order of the Copper Hook (another Agrikan order) across into Kanday is proof of their weakness. Expansionist fractions within the senate have suggested starting a new war with Kanday to reclaim Southern Tharda.

To date the senate has not officially recognized such claims. Officially trade continues. Kanday coins are equal in weight, and value to Thardic coins.

Knights of the Order of the Checkered Shield often travel with Peonian knights, and even serve duty as their protectors at various shrines and temples. The Knights are granted equstrian status by the Republic, and welcomed as much as possible. Dealing with the knights is often difficult, because they have little or no comprehension as to how the Republic funcitons. But they try to obey its laws and are both frank, and honest - two qualities greatly respected by Republicans. Out of curtosy of the Peonian priest(esses) (whom they are to protect) it is frowned upon to cheat, rob or otherwise hinder a Knight in his duties. When off duty however, it is a totally different matter.

Their countries cowardly attitude is blamed soly on the crown. Any who've had to face the fury of the Knights in their duty know that they cannot be the source of the trouble.

Kaldor

…?…

Evael

The mysterious kingdom of the Sindarin (elves) has little or no dealing with the Thardic Republic. Rumor has it that, at the beginning of this year, an emessary from the mysterious kingdom arrived and spoke to a closed session of the Senate. Something about a trade disagreement, so rumor said, over slaves? No one's telling the facts, and the rumors are even murkier than ususal.

What little trade exists between the two kingdoms is almost always done through intermediaries. Evael's coins are a mix of other currencies, and welcomed openly (so long as they are not Rethemi coins.)

All Sindarin are granted the honorary status of Equestrian within the Republic. No Sindiarin has ever taken a long contract within the Republic. Rumor has it that they find dealing with humans, and their short life spans - tiring. The hecktic speed of humanity tires them out, and they find themselves needing to return to the serenity of their homeland every few years to recuperate.

Chybisa

…?…

Melderyn

The isle of Melderyn has but a cursory acquaintance with the Republic. Its speakers and supporters come most from the Guild of the Arcane Lore. The Guild is respected far more than the distant kingdom. What little trade exists between the two countries exists through intermediaries. Rumor has it that Republicans are not well liked there. Well - Melderynians who block trade and try to imbargo goods from Lythia because of a "danger of contamination of culture" (whatever that means) are not well liked by the Senate either.

Orbaal

The Orbaaleese have a caste system based on race more than on social and economic worth. The country has little, or no dealings with the majority of the Republic. Other than occasional raids to the north, the Republic does not even officially recognize them as a country. In the last session of the senate, Orbaal was described as a:

"Rough series of settlements barely surviving in the furthest northern reaches of the island of Hârn." They are "rough barbarians attempting to pretend to have a culture, where as in reality it is law by the strongest, and brutality rules." Many believe that senator will have to retract his words next session. But the number of raids into Kom province have been steadily increasing, so something will have to be done.

Azadmere

The mysterious kingdom of the Khuzdul (dwarves) has little or no dealing with the Thardic Republic. A few Khuzdul work within the Republic, and they are automatically granted the status of an Equestrian. Khuzduls are renouned for their skill and master craftsmanship. Often they are paid extra to stay within the Republic to help with generation-long projects; such as the upgrading of the fortress at Fobin.

What Came Before:

As you ask around, and make friends at Villa Milities - here are the most common rumors you'll hear from others about the previous goings on in and around Fobin:

Smugglers are everwhere in this region, most banditry is related to the smugglers activites somehow. If there is an official chapter of the Lia-Kavir in Fobin, its not known about in Coranan nor Golatha.
The previous quartermaster was hung for misappropriation of goods.
The previous Fobin I:I:II was shipped off to Taztos for their assocaition with the quartermaster.
The previous Quartermaster was secretly seducing Horak's mistress and that's what got him killed.
Fobin I:I:II was wiped out along the river without a sign of struggle nor with any bodies left as proff. The tracks just stopped!
Bandits are really Rethemi agens testing our defenses to see if the TR is ripe for invasion.
Bandits are all that are left of the Kandian nobles and servants that once ruled over Ramala.
The Wytels are testing the Fobin forces to see if they're worth hiring upon retirement. Most all of their personal bodyguards come from men and women who've served in Fobin.
The Quartermaster was hung for stealing from the chappel inside the fort.
There's a Nola in the area. It ate Fobin I:I:II.
Fobin I:I:II went rogue and are secretly being hunted for running off.
Bandits recrutied Fobin I:I:II and the quartermaster was their go between. When Fobin I:I:II heard he was going to be hanged - they split!
Bandits are actually Agrikan knights in disguise. If they kill you - Agrik gets your soul. An enternity in Ak-Syst.
The festival is just incredible. It's the closest thing you'll find to Coranan excitements - and as legionnaires we're really treated well.
Angus, the barkeep at the Wooden Tankard Inn is the head of the local smugglers. He's a big fellow, tight lipped and his limp is fake. Watch your back when he's around.
The local smugglers use the Halean temple in town to contract most of their business. You can tell - just look at all the seedy folk that go in and out…er… not that I'm counting you as one of them friend.

This page was last updated on July 9, 2001
Questions/Comments should be directed to the Webmaster.
All works are Copyright their respective authors, 2002.

Pax Tharda

Join the Legion: PC Introduction