Macedonia and Greece Proper

## Background

The Greek states have existed historically for thousands of years, with a unique culture that spread throughout the eastern parts of the Mediterranean. Through the rule of King Alexander the Great, Macedonia and the Greek states (under the Corinthian League) were combined to conquer land as far east as India and as far south as Egypt. On Alexander's death, however, the empire fractured, producing the splinter Hellenistic kingdoms of the **Seleucids**, **Ptolemaic Egyptians,** and **Macedonians**. Although now independent, the southern city-states in Greece Proper still rely heavily upon their Macedonian cousins for protection. In 216 BCE, the independent Greek states and Macedonia exist in a mostly peaceful relationship.

## Religion and non-humans

### Religion

The Greek people worship a pantheon of gods who have held dominant rule over the celestial realm for eons. Temples to patron gods have been built in almost every city of both Macedon and the lower Balkans, most having one "patron" god. The gods, also known as Olympians, are actively involved in the lives of the Greek people and exhibit human-like qualities, such as jealousy, rage, and lust. Some gods even descend from Mount Olympus to seduce their love interests, conceiving **demi-gods**. These demi-gods typically appear human but with extraordinary powers, and their descendants express diminishing versions of these powers for generations afterward. Animals and non-humans that are impregnated by the gods typically result in monstrosities.

### Non-humans

   Greece is home to a few friendly humanoid species who are generally respected by the public. Satyrs, centaurs, and nymphs are the most likely to be found comingling with Greek humans (ex. owning land, interspecies mating/marrying, voting). Tribes of intimidating yet gentle cyclopes commonly trade livestock in Greek towns before returning to their cave homes. But not all creatures are so benevolent. For example, wild centaurs that worship Dionysus practice hedonism, pillaging and raping in nearby villages after nights of copious drinking. Gruesome children that the Olympians would rather not mention stalk labyrinths and castle ruins. Greece is ripe with monsters who are more than happy to meet a lost plump adventurer to serve as their lunch.

## Prominent States and their Governments

### Macedon/Macedonia

Macedon uses a hereditary monarchy as its form of government with advisors and oligarchic magistrates assisting in the rule of different parts of the kingdom. King Phillip V rules a volatile, disrupted Macedonia after the abrupt death of his father. Only 19 years old, Phillip is described as energetic and positive, but lacking in the critical thinking skills or wisdom of his father. The young king issued a progressive (for Macedonia) decree involving the inclusion of some non-human species in Macedon, allowing them the ability to own land and buy products. This only includes Elves, Fairies, Satyrs, Dwarves, and Gnomes. Macedonians worshipped the gods **Zeus, Heracles, Artemis, and Dionysus.**

### Athens

The Athenian government is a direct democracy, with officials voted on by the general public (that being human and non-human males). 40 times per year, a general assembly is called to put certain issues to vote. Any person with citizen status is obligated to attend and vote. The Athenians also boast an advanced judicial system, consisting of a court, juries of up to 2,000 jurors, prosecutors, defendants, and compensatory payment to the jurors. A triumvirate of archons suited to different roles of government are among the positions that are voted upon. Currently, the residing military archon is a man named Callimachus. Athens' patron goddess is **Athena**

### Sparta

King Lycurgus is the current leader of Sparta. Sparta has a mixed government structure, including hereditary kings (said to be descendants of Heracles), powerful elected officials called Ephors who had a one year term, and a council of elders for the making of special decisions. Spartan society was rigid, cruel, and militaristic. Spartans were required to earn their citizenship through rigorous training. They were surprisingly tolerant in their inclusion of any man, woman, humanoid, or even monster strong enough to pass their initiation quest. Sparta is still recovering after a decade long war with Macedonia. Spartans primarily worship the twins **Apollo** and **Artemis**.

### Others

Several other states exist in the Greek peninsula with different forms of government and patron gods

## Diplomatic Relations

### Rome (Neutral)

Greece and Macedonia currently share peace with Rome and haven't yet had any official declarations of war. Many officials and elders, however, have taken note of Italy's rapid expansion with furrowed brows. The two have, however, suffered conflicts. Decades ago, Rome stirred the pot by breaking several treaties with a Greek settlement in southern Italy, eventually garrisoning Roman troops in the city. Greek King Pyrrhus, seeking the opportunity to carve out his own empire, retaliated by sending an army of troops, elephants, and a squad of *Gegenees* to Italy, overrunning the garrison. He got cocky, however, feeling confident enough to march forth and conquer Rome itself. This effort failed, and he was forced to retreat back to the city they originally meant to defend. Pyrrhus and his men were swarmed at their fortifications, and although he emerged victorious, almost all of his men were slain. The territory was eventually ceded to the Romans. Since this conflict, greater Greece

### Gaul (Hostile)

Recent incursions by Gallic forces and their orc companions have left northern Macedonian towns devastated. As well, the nearby Gaul founded settlement of **Galatia** has been imposing tributes for "protection" on the small coastal settlements around Greece and the Seleucid Empire. Besides declaring war against *all* Gallic tribes, visitors are treated on a case by case basis.

### Germania (Neutral)

Greece has had limited contact with the secretive human German tribes, but they do occasionally receive non-human visitors such as Dwarves, Kobolds, and Elves all seeking trade for luxury goods.

### Seleucids (Neutral)

After the dissolution of the Macedonian Empire, several decades of infighting finally settled into the three "stable" states. A fellow splinter of the Empire, the Seleucids of Mesopotamia share much of their Hellenistic culture with the Greeks. The Greeks, however, remain wary of their eastern brethren who seem to have an expansionist streak after multiple attempts of taking Syria from the Egyptians.

### Egypt (Friendly)

Another chip off the ol' Macedonian block, Ptolemaic Egypt and Greece have had a friendly intermingling with no real conflict to speak of. After the fall of Alexander, many of the Egyptian pharaohs became bilingual and able to communicate with Greek diplomats, though the Egyptians largely maintained their ancient traditions and gods. A healthy relationship of trade and cultural exchange exists now between the two.

### Carthage (Neutral)

Though seen by Carthage as the instigators of the last Punic War, Carthage and greater Greece share little hostility. In fact, Athens has furtively attempted to arrange for alliances in the past to have a more powerful military ally on its side in the event of a Roman or Seleucid invasion.