Campaign Background

VIRIDISTAN, CITY STATE OF THE WORLD EMPEROR, CITY OF SPICES (Metropolis) Population: 120,000 (30,000 able bodied) Racial Composition: Mixed (human 70%, dwarf 10%, elf 5%, half elf 5%, others [including demons and strange creatures such as evil merefolk] 10%) Alignment: LE Average Citizen: The average citizen of the City of Spices is of mixed blood predominantly subjugated Tharbrian mixed with greatly-diluted Viridian, mer-folk or wild men of the Confederated tribes. Though the seat of an empire, the empire is in decline and the citizens are brutally regulated either by the emperor or the priests of Armadad Bog who enforce the Armadad Law. Especially that only the nobility and priesthood may practice magic.

Ruler. Hautulin Seheitt, World-Emperor and God-Priest of Armadad Bog (LE male Viridian Wiz/Clr). 

Other important figures: 

• Empress Murielle Eidn, High Priestess of Armadad Bog (LE female Viridian Wiz/Clr). 
• Shah Pahrrib Fu, ruler of Shardis Province.
• Shah Satyrbis, ruler of Effernath Province. (Known by the party to be a Demon in league with the Natchai following their victory over Lareth the Beautiful.) Killed by the party 2/5/4448 and declared a Caliphate of Mitra under the sovereignty of High Priest Earendil shortly after.
• Shah Kijdawr Aenekosii, ruler of Smyrsis Province. Has declared itself independent and is now under the control of a Mitra/Mycr alliance.
• Shah Dyshim Leayh, ruler of Thygamus Province.
• Shah Abdu Inslar, ruler of Lyoophiath Province.
• Shah Drong Dirkah, ruler of Gommorath Province. (Suspectd by the party to be a Demon in league with the Natchai)

Resources: Spices, wine, the greatest market in all the world. 

Allies: Cavemen of the Eleph Territories, numerous tributary villages and lands (though few are true allies).

Enemies: Nearly all the world, including the City State of the Invincible Overlord; the merefolk of Sae Laamer.

 The City State of the World Emperor (CSWE), otherwise known as Viridistan, the City of Spices, the Immortal City, has been ruled for the past 150 years by Hautulin Seheitt, the Green Emperor,, and his wife Murielle Eidn, the last of a once haughty and powerful green-skinned race known as Viridians who claim to be descendants of the gods of the Uttermost War and themselves living gods deserving of worship.The Viridians founded CSWE 4332 years ago (in 101 BCCC), shortly after subjugating large areas held by the Wild Men.

The Green Emperor for that is what he is called, due to the cast of his skin is highly lawful and evil, and prone to extensive use of sorcery to maintain the Imperial Domain. While the Emperor has only rarely appeared publicly in the last twenty-five years, and then with his head and face covered by a silver cowl, he has now not been seen at a public function for eighteen months. Rumor has it that the Emperor has been gradually losing his once incredible magical powers, and has become uncertain or even afraid. Other rumors claim he is getting senile though none of this can be confirmed.

 The City has had a stormy and checkered history centering around Viridian internal bickering and assassination plots to gain control of the throne. The "hereditary" monarchy has therefore seldom been passed on to son or daughter but due to treachery of one kind or another it has often been usurped by Viceroy, Suzerain and occasionally by a Padishah. This aristocratic race was thus gradually destroyed from within until Seheitt, Eidn and a few cousins were the last left, except possibly for their only son who disappeared 75 years ago and has not been seen since.

The city is surrounded by six provinces, all ruled by mortal kings called Padishah. These rulers swear their allegiance to the Green Emperor and the Immortal City when they are picked by the Emperor from the ranks of the highest social classes, supposedly at special tournaments but actually via political and religious intrigue.

All but two of the emperors of the Immortal City have been evil: Reddisorn the Golden, who ruled from 2089 to 2272 BCCC, and Cneninadus the Mycretian, who ruled from 4226 to 4283 BCCC.

Cneninadus reign approached the Golden Age of Reddisorn in its encouragement of the arts, education and civil rights but had not the peace and tranquility he sought. It was unheard of for any Viridian to become a follower of the god, Mycr; indeed, most had been Natchai (worhiping the god Natch Ur) or Mer Shunnans (followers of Armadad Bog), religions with alignments far removed from the Mycretian.

The Mycretian distaste for human sacrifice, blood-thirsty greed and the powers of the Dark exacerbated the enmity between Cneninadus and the eleven other Viridians and so his reign was marked by bloodshed and attempted assassinations. He was finally murdered by Hautulin Seheitt and eight demons in 4283 BCCC.

The Green Emperor, a Mer Shunnan, was a high priest of Armadad Bog at the time he took power. In the Great Slaughter of Pain in 4284, Seheitt decimated the Mycretians and their sympathizers, even making two raids into the caverns of the Holy Cities to kill two of their Prophets. Upon completion of this bloodbath of terror, the Green Emperor was rewarded by Armadad Bog by being ordained as the only Mer Shunnan God-Priest. Armadad Bog took up residence deep under the castle in the natural bay inlet soon after Seheitt had built him a temple near the inner castle curtain.

It is still technically  illegal to be a Mycretian within the City walls, and for the last twenty years or so, the Green Emperor had not been pressing the hunt, nor charges, as often as before. He has seemed preoccupied. But is now lashing out and it is not wise to broadcast the fact of one's being a follower of Mycr. Mycretians have increased rapidly in numbers in those few years, until now they number about ten percent of the City and  Mycretians have had a direct hand in the increasing tensions that are now racking the Immortal City, especially in their rescuing and spiriting away humans in danger of being sacrificed.

Several gods have been angered, and the City and surrounding areas experienced a minor earthquake three months ago. Most of the damage has been repaired. Taxes have been doubled in the last five years in the City State of the World Emperor. The City State of the Invincible Overlord has sent tribute to the Immortal City once a year since the Bloodless Battle of Barrad in 3788. Constant minor testing of the Emperor's strength (at least until recently) had always been met with more than adequate arrows or sorcery. In the last ten years, however, more and more of these "testings" have succeeded, but with no logical pattern to which incidents go unchallenged. And now, the Emperor has again outrageously increased the tribute.

Spies between the two cities are thick. World Emperors for centuries have maintained a small wall between the Elsenwood Forest and the Emperor's farm lands, ostensibly to protect crops from marauding animals and to help keep an eye on the pesky wood elves' thieving habits. However, Seheitt, the Green Emperor, has just finished a seven year project to triple the height and strength of the wall, to add a moat, and to double the guard, all for reasons indecipherable to the general populace.

Viridistan is ruled by the emperor with a strong hand. A High Council, made up of one viceroy, two Suzerain, and six Padishah, meets twice a year in late spring and fall for official reporting, information sharing, and setting mutually beneficial policies to recommend to the Emperor. It has no vote in the final say. The Emperor loves order and hates disturbances. Chaotic types are looked on with some suspicion, and so must try to keep their unusual behaviors and eccentricities under wraps.

Disturbances of the peace involving more than three people (gang fights, drunken brawls, mob action, etc.) are usually put down ruthlessly, with questions asked later. Loose talk about the gods, their worship, alignment, language, and negative comments about the Emperor and his government are not conducted publicly. The use of magic outside of the nobility and priesthood is punishable by death.

Common is spoken and used in the City almost exclusively now. The exception being the Eleph Quarter, where Elephanian is spoken. Viridian is no longer used much, since there are so few Viridians left.

Trade and barter economic systems are still in large scale use, though coined money and industry "traders" have gained much acceptance. Many rare and unusual varieties as well as common varieties of spices are grown here. Experts' knowledge on the care and marketing of herbs and spices is greatly in demand.

The wine industry, too, is substantial as many extensive grape arbors are grown in frequent forest clearings and fields in various places along River Leander. Most of the province capitols produce their own ale and enough to trade besides.

Targnol Port and the City State are both on the main trade route and both are major shipping ports. Trade by both land and sea is growing and the wide avenues of trade in the City State bustle with activity throughout the year's nine months of good weather.

In the last five years the Emperor has doubled the size of his military troops (again at the expense of the taxpayers) until now he commands the equivalent of about five Vasthosts. Guards and patrols police the City so there is not much reason to keep large numbers of militia in the area. Orcs and goblins and other lesser races are not welcome in the City even though some Mer Shunnans are friendly with them.

Just last year religious strife was again rife with the Green Emperor banishing the Arch Mage Wu Ug, Prelate of Natch-Ur and closing the Natchai Temple at the Obelisk, Zeph. Some say the Arch Mage has not been seen in Caer Cadwen. Others that his henchman, Taata Ert is in hiding at Grimlon in Gommorath Province and even under the protection of Shah Drong Dirkah himself. Following a long struggle against the Natchai the party have undone Natchai ambitions for now and have discovered that at least two of the Padishar are disguised Demons.

The City of Tel-Qa has seceded from Empire under a Mitra/Mycr alliance. It is gaining strength due mainly to the help of the party in securing the tri-partite support of the three Elven kindreds. The Emperor has declared war upon the renegade province and his soldiers have marched out beyond the Wall (1/3/4448) successfully investing the area around The Jolly Ent Inn with the intent of securing a safe route through the Elsenwood. Further imperial expeditions from the Moon Tower and Port Targnol crushed Sully and the road between them is now lined with cruscified rebels. The empire's victory here would have been complete but for the heroic actions of the Gnolls under Krak who still bravely battle on the Targnol Plains though against increasingly difficult odds.
The Hill Giants of Yakin Ley have also formed a rebellion capturing the towns of Ramarch and Ruppin Athuk before the assassination of their King (likely by the Black Adders) the Empires' counter attack (10/3/4448) and a surprise attack by the Fimmir from The Marmonmist drove them back to their Steading.

Forces were  dispatched to quash a Mitran uprising in Sully and to bolster the imperial forces in the East against possible invasion from the Invincible Overlord (1/3/4448.) And a massive attack led by huge metal fighting machines of the Veridian Eye (9/4/4448) saw the Elsenwood in flames before retreating in disorder following a Godly intervention by Mitra himself at the behest of the High Priest, Earendil.

Original Province Boundaries 1/9/4448.

 

The Armadad Law.

The Armadad Law maintains order and stability in the World Emperor’s lands through pageantry, and a combination of ecstatic practices and public ceremony. Citizens are expected to cover their bodies, preferably completely, and to wear masks and tokens which denote their class, family, and occupation. The public dress is accompanied by secret signs, gestures, and phrases, which discourage identity theft. Above all, faces must be covered at all times; only the lowest of slaves would suffer the humiliation of baring his entire head.

Armadad Bog and his representative in the mortal world, the Emperor, demand total obedience, and suffering for god and state proves a citizen’s obedience. The wrathful father demands proof that his children deserve his benefice. Self-flagellation, barbed surplices, nettle shirts, and a host of other debasements flense the soul as they assault the flesh. Mortification of the flesh impels the soul toward the embrace of Armadad Bog. The Protectors of the Faith, warrior-priests of Armadad Bog, are ever vigilant for those self-important malcontents who refuse to participate in state religious rites, dabble in forbidden texts, or consort with Mycretians and other counter-religionists.

Viridians have few opportunities to escape this oppressive denial of the flesh. Their baths offer some respite. Shrouded in darkness, each patron dons a hood and removes all other clothing. Bath-slaves, every one eyeless, provide steam, soaking, massage, grooming, and sexual release. Trance halls are the other major venue where the green people find release from the rigid hierarchy and regulation of their daily lives. The halls are dark, lit by erratic cascades of colored light and throbbing with loud music. Potent beverages are provided for a small fee to help relax the patrons, and soon the music draws them to dance. Slaves, usually giants, dance naked except for a hood, their sweat-slicked bodies urging the patrons to follow suit. Clothing is cast aside (what little the patrons did not leave with their slaves outside), and soon the patrons are swept up in the trance, offering up their will and power to Armadad Bog in the ecstasy of the moment. Children are often conceived in the trance hall. Thus, Viridian inheritance is exclusively through the female line.

The empire of Viridistan, though far from its peak, is still a force to be reckoned with. They may never again be allies with the once-vassal state that now styles itself the City State of the Invincible Overlord, but they maintain useful relations with the wizards of Tula and merchant princes of Antil and Tarantis.

Calender & Weather.

BALOZKINAR’S CORRECTED COMMONERS’ CALENDAR

The days of the BCCC Week are: Airday, Waterday, Earthday, Fireday and Spiritday.
The months of the BCCC Calendar are:
Thawmist (Days 1-20)
Dewsnap (Days 21-40)
Flowerbloom (Days 41-60)
Sweetrain (Days 61-80)
Meadowlark (Days 81-100)
Longrass (Days 101-120)
Warmshade (Days 121-140)
Sunstrong (Days 141-160)
Thistleburn (Days 161-180)
Harvestime (Days 181-200)
Goodgrove (Days 201-220)
Blackmoon (Days 221-240)
Willowind (Days 241-260)
Redleaves (Days 261-280)
Maggotfeast (Days 281-300)
Coldrain (Days 301-320)
Shadowrath (Days 321-340)
Gloomfrost (Days 341-360)
Year’s End (Days 361-365\366)

Weather and climate in the Empire varies from Northern European in the furthest refions of the Elephlands through Mediteranian from Tel Qa to Nho. Further south and especially to the warmer west the climate resembles that of North Africa from the desert lands to Lenap. Lenap itself is cooled by fresh breezes from the Sea of Five Winds.To the east south of Antil through northern Orichia a band of tropical jungle prevails. In Veridistan itself and notably the City of Spices, Caer Cadwen and Port Targnol enjoy middle eastern temperatures. 
The months of Coldrain and Shadowwrath are considered the Rainy Season with large parts of the area plagued by torrential downpours.

Ludgates.

Vilmandil, Isudia and Isin.

The Council of Ludgates

3923 LUDGATES (Small Town): Conventional; AL CE;
TL 4; 800 gp limit; Assets 36,000 gp;
Population 1,440 town, + 4000 dominion
(Able bodied 360 +1000); isolated (elf 76% [mostly high, some
gray and southern], half-elf 10% human 5% other 8%);
Resources: Horses.
Authority Figure: Pikarterlard, male elf [high] CE Clr5.
Important Characters: Vilmandil, male elf
[high] CE Clr14 (high priest of Natch Ur, leader of the
Amiondel Council); Isudia, female elf [southern] NE Clr2/
Wiz13 (member of the Amiondel council); Isin, male elf
CE Ftr10/Wiz3 (member of the Amiondel council).
The Amiondel were elves who delved too far into uncovering
the secrets of the earth. No longer desiring to work
with the earth, they now desire only to master it. Expelled
over four millennia ago, they wandered the Wilderlands for
many years. They are now followers of the evil god Natch
Ur. The leaders of the Amiondel formed a secret council to
discover further secrets. When they arrive in an area they do
whatever it takes to wrest its secrets and then leave. A
hundred years ago they arrived on the southern shores of
Orchia and establishing the town of Ludgates. They conquered
the village of Cheapside for slaves and now have spies
and agents throughout Orchia. Currently the council has
three members, Vilmandil, Isudia, and Isin. They have
placed Pikarterlard in charge of maintaining the town and
controlling the slaves they have brought in. Currently they
are enraged that the dwarves of Klerkenwell continue to
defy them and are also preparing to deal with the escaped
slaves at Ironshod after the dwarves. Though a key point on
the southern tip of Oricha and a natural way-point for those
sailing through the Orichalan Straits, most sailors avoid the
town and its evil denizens. Swift elvish ships patrol the strait
and raid ships. It is said that the only thing on which the
Overlord and the Green Emperor can agree is that the elves
of Ludgates need to be dealt with.

Pikarterland.

Natch-Ur.

NATCH UR, GOD OF DEEP EARTH
Alignment: Chaotic evil
Domains: Chaos, Earth, Evil, Blood, Death
Symbol: Black fist in iron gauntlet, granite triangle (type depends on rank)
Typical Worshippers: Evil cultists, mostly in Viridistan Favoured Weapon: Flail
Natch Ur, God of Deep Earth, is chaotic evil. The religion centred around the worship of Natch Ur is called Natchai. He is a blood god arising during the darkest days of the War of the Pious and Philosophers. His followers perform blood sacrifice to gain power. His temples are built around obelisks of hematite, a blood red stone. The holiest ritual is the Dalles Burial where the supplicant is buried alive to commune with the god. Only the devoted survive the ritual. His worship is centred around Viridstan and the Obelisk of Zeph located in the city itself. Though in recent years his worship has been banished to the provinces by the Green Emperor and barely tolerated.
The Natchai had been preparing for a great sacrifice in the early spring of 4448 but have had their plans setback by intervention by the party on several fronts. Not least by the defeat of Lareth the Beautiful (19/2/4448) and the freeing of the would be sacrifices from the Tree of Woe. 

Natchai Update (1/4/4448.
Following numerous defeats and set backs at the hands of the party all senior members of this sect have retreated to their temple, Obelisk of Feigh, north of the Gigabolt Mountains where they wait and brood planning foul revenge. They have however left their summoned demons in both Gommarath and Effernath provinces.

Wu Ug. Prelate of Natch-Ur.

The most unholy leader of the exiled Natchai, his Bloodstaff makes friendly Ghouls and Zombies from human blood. He can entice the heart out of any animal or child and can put the flesh and entrails back onto any skeleton.

Taata Ert, Primate of Natch-Ur.

Was exiled from the Obelisk Zeph Temple in the City of Spices two years ago. He is rumoured to be an ally of Shah Drong Dirkah of Gommorath Province. He wields the Root Staff, said to seek out earth imps, gods and demons.

The Three Witches of Marmon Mist Swamp.

Marmon Mist (Swamp, EL 15): This vast and dismal swamp, dreaded for its dangerous predators, is located between the Rivers Mush and Snikle, and is best known as the lair of the Three Witches of Marmon. It is also known to harbor fearsome grey renders and primitive tribes of lizard folk. 

3107 Witch Lair (EL 42): Experts at shapechanging, all three witches (called the Marmon Hags) can take on any form, appearing most often appear as hags or beautiful maidens.

The Marmon consider themselves outside moral alignments and are incredibly ancient. They are touchy about their privacy and they keep the swamp supplied with frogs that were once unwanted visitors. A long hut is their lair, a location where they do a lot of spinning. Strange occult objects, herbs, and containers line the walls.

Several other huts contain magical items and  paraphernalia. Intruders seldom leave like they came unless they have great power or have something of great magical value to trade.

 Chael (Drd 20; hp 415; AL N; Str 28, Dex 23, Con 23, Int 24, Wis 26, Cha 10) is the leader of the three and is the most creative; Phyth (Wiz 17 Drd 3; hp 350; AL N; Str 28, Dex 23, Con 18, Int 26, Wis 24, Cha 20) is the most unstable and prefers to molest or eat intruders; Gaedd (Clr20 [Rhiannon]; ; hp 460; AL N; Str 28, Dex 23, Con 24, Int 23, Wis 22, Cha 20) is a steadying influence and helps them keep a low profile.

The Marmon do not know quite what to make of Mycretians. They would like to meet Mycr or a prophet of his and match talents. Even though they are semi-divine they have no worshipers, but their power is so ancient as to be nearly god-like. Even the Green Emperor of Viridistan fears them, though he suspects they are the reason he is recently losing his spell knowledge and blames them for the disappearance of some of his magic items. The spies he has sent to investigate the hags have never returned. 
The witches have proved to be most active stirring up trouble all over the empire. Their magical flying iron teapot has been seen as far afield as the Bitter Ridge consorting with Falsum the Black Dragon.
Just recently (30/2/4448) they were behind a plot to bring the Hill Giant's of the Yakin Ley into the war by tricking them into attacking the Faeries of Shelter Haven. An attack which led to their sevents the Fimmir capturing the Harp of Anstruth (2/3/4448).

The Fimir

The Fimir are amphibious humanoid monsters that haunt bogs, fens and desolate moorlands of the Marmonmist. Their strongholds take the form of forbidding, craggy piles of rock, crudely built in the semblance of the castles of more civilised races. Such dwellings are seldom seen by outsiders, for they are wreathed in thick mist, a miasma which is magically generated by the Fimir to shield their fortresses from prying eyes, and themselves from the harsh glare of the sun.

Most Fimir are male. The only female Fimir are the Meargh, powerful spellcasters who rule the Fimir clans. There is only one Meargh per clan; if she has a daughter, the daughter will leave to form her own clan.

Long before the rise of Man, the Fimir worshiped the Chaos Gods, and for a time enjoyed their favor. Alas, the Eye of the Gods was swiftly drawn to the more vibrant and amusing race of Man, and the Fimir were abandoned, reduced to seeking boons from bound Daemons where once they had enjoyed the blessings of gods until they were adopted by the Marmon Hags. 

Nowadays, the Fimir are a dwindling and reclusive race, little given to leaving their swampy fastnesses, save for the occasional raid for food and slaves. Only the Fimir sorcerers, known as Dirach or sometimes as Balefiends, spend prolonged periods in the lands beyond the mists. 

The Fimir’s cyclopean eye can see the ebb and flow of the Winds of Magic in the same way a Man's perceives light and shade.

Actun.

0108 ACTUN (Small Town): Conventional; AL LG; TL 4; 800 gp limit; Assets 43,600 gp; Population 1,744 (Able bodied 436); Mixed (elf 75% [high], human 14%,half-elf 5%, halfling 3%, others 4%); Resources: Market.  

Authority Figure: Redon the Enchanted, male elf [high] NG Eldritch Knight 15

Important Characters: Lutheia, female elf [high] CG Clr13 (high priestess of Cilborith); Sir Sandar, male half-elf NG Rgr6 (spokesmen for Actun’s human and half-elf population).

Actun is home for the majority of the elves in this region of the Wilderlands. It is an ancient city predating the foundation of Antil, the City State and Viridstan. Actun rulers use elven lore and magic to keep the region free of control from either Viridstan or the City State. The Narith, one of the holiest groves dedicated to the elven god Cilborith, dominates the city. It is rumored that the heart of the grove co-exists with the plane of Arborea. The high priest and priestess traditionally anoint the King of Actun who rules in Cilborith’s name. The current ruler is King Redon who has reigned for over three hundred years. 
Having saved the life of King Redon from an assassin tied to the Green Emperor's secret service, The Black Adders they were named elf friends (11/10/4447) and entrusted by him to forge an alliance with the elf kingdoms of Elsenwood and Shelterhaven.

Full CSWE Map.