Awbor

Awbor is a medium-sized kingdom located on the western coast of Isomaa. It is bordered by the Vonkrul Mountains to the East, the badlands to the South, and empty plains to the North. Despite its small size, it possesses a higher level of magical and technological proficiency compared to neighbouring countries.

## History

*For more information visit the timelines.*

Tens of thousands of years ago, an ancient Elven civilisation, called Gindaria, existed across the land that would eventually become Awbor. Five hundred years after the fall of Gindaria, humans arrived and started to displace the remaining elven population. This period eventually gave rise to multiple human factions, each vying for control of the land around them. In -280 AP, this conflict reached its peak, and House Bryad eventually prevailed, forcing the capitulation of the losing Houses, and Bryad I became the first ruler of the new united kingdom.

The ensuing thousand years are filled with a rich and exciting history, though only some of these stories are told within this wiki.

## Geography

Awbor has a temperate climate. While the South is generally more populated than the North, there are still vast areas of the kingdom that are devoid of civilised habitation.

### Areas of Interest

* Arnorth River: This giant river bisects the kingdom in half. The land to the north of the river lies under the administrative jurisdiction of Caldor, while the land to the south of the river lies under the jurisdiction of Zingherra.
* Elairana Forest: cultural lands of the elves.
* Pantry Plains: the breadbasket of the kingdom, these plains are fertilised by the nutrition rich waters flowing down from the Vonkrul Mountains.
* Vonkrul Mountains: the Eastern border of the Kingdom. Several dwarven settlements across the edge of pledged alliance to Awbor.

## Politics

The Awborian political body is composed of a coalition of Houses under the authority of a monarchy. The ruling monarch has ultimate say on actions taken within the kingdom. The Council of Lords serves to assist the King in ruling the kingdom. The council also mediates exchanges and disputes between the various Houses, which serve as the ruling class.

Below the Royal Family, the power is distributed between 3 forces: the Noble Houses, the Churches, and the Arcane Council.

### **Royal Family**

From -275AP to 714AP, Awbor was ruled by a succession of kings all descended from King Bryad I. In 714AP, Bryad the 17th and his entire family were assassinated by the Lords of Dust.

The Throne is now shared between the three major Dragonmarked Houses: Oren, Denneith and Canith. Robrand Denneith married Heather Oren, and together they became the new King and Queen of Awbor. Vento Canith serves as the royal advisor. It is uncertain whether the new king and queen will create a new royal family, or whether their powers will be relinquished back to the three houses when they die. Robrand, Heather, and Vento are all in their 60s.

### **Noble Houses**

#### *Council of Lords*

The Council of Lords serves to assist the King in ruling the kingdom. The council also mediates exchanges and disputes between the various Houses. Each of a major Houses has an automatic seat on the council, and depending on the situation, smaller Houses may also be invited to the council.

#### *Major Houses*

There are currently six major Houses in Awbor. South of the Arnoth River are located the three great Dragon Houses. They are more invested in the politics of Awbor and Zingherra, the capital.

* House Denneith: an extremely loyal family to the crown, boasting a strong military. They are based at Candlestone.
* House Oren: Experts at trading and making money, House Oren is based in Ashford and oversee the production of food in the Pantry Plains, as well as many of the trade routes in and out of the country.
* House Canith: From their home in Stowerling have been revealed some of the finest inventions of the country. They are more secretive than the other houses, but their in industrial production has propelled Awbor ahead of its less developed neighbours.

North of the Arnoth River, the three remaining houses have less sway over the politics in Zingherra. However, they each hold greater authority over more land than the southern houses.

* House Ironwolf: The Duke of Caldor holds jurisdiction over the entirety of the human lands north of the Arnoth.
* House Kunderrak: Based in Blightwall Castle, this house serves as the representatives of all the dwarven settlements that chose to ally themselves with Awbor.
* House Thurreni: the representative of the Elven People is not actually from any noble family. The position of Ambassador is actually decided by the elven *Council of Elders*. The current Ambassador for the past three centuries is Mikheal Thurreni.

#### *Minor Houses*

There are many, but a couple are more famous than others.

* House Lirander: a half-elf family located in Peacewold. They are the most powerful of the Minor Houses.
* House Galatea: A fairly new minor house, and a branch family to House Canith. They specialise in the creation and maintenance of flying vehicles and beats. They are relatively well known in higher circles for their trained Gryphon mounts.
* House Hinlon: an old offshoot of House Bryad, this house rules the administrative affairs of Zingherra.
* House Silverblade: Almost wiped out in a civil war between rival families near Caldor. The sole survivor, Ajax Silverblade help found the Hindenburg Ground Crew, and restored Haldorn Keep.

## Religion

There is a significant religious presence in Awbor, led by powerful churches. Most of these religions have their headquarters located in Zingherra. Most religious practises of the Good or Neutral alignments are accepted. The most widely worshipped deity in Awbor is Pelor.

## Magic

*For more information, see Magical Institutions of Awbor*

Compared to other kingdoms, Awbor boasts a superior number of magical practitioners. On average there are more spellcasters, and those spellcasters are higher level. An example of this is the Arcane Council, which seats seven arcane spellcasters, all capable of casting at least 9th level spells. This abundance of spellcasters has created multiple institutions, along with multiple political consequences as they compete with each other.

## Economy

Awbor exports furs and food to other countries, along with magical knowledge and components.

## Demography

There has never been an accurate census of the population of Awbor.

### Ethnic Groups

Awbor has a welcoming attitude to most civilised races. Cities are a melting pot of different cultures, though there are certain trends governing the exact ethnic make-up of each region.

Humans account for the majority of the Awborian Population. Most of the noble houses and political elite in Awbor’s major cities are human. The Elves are the second most common race, though most of their numbers are hidden away in Elairana. Halflings are generally found in small diaspora in most cities, though there is a greater number of them spread out in many rural settlements between Caldor and the Arnoth River. Outside of the allied dwarven cities in the Vonkrul Mountains, dwarves are only really found in smithing communities. Gnomes are usually found in low concentrations in most cities, except in Stowerling, where they form the second largest population after the humans.

### Major Settlements

There are seven major settlements spread out across Awbor. Apart from Zingherra, each city is led by one of the six major Houses. There are many smaller towns dotted across the country, sometimes ruled by lesser houses.

#### *Cities*

* Zingherra: the capital of Awbor, located at the southern end of the country. It serves as the gateway into the country from the South.

* Caldor: the administrative regional capital the north of Awbor. Lead by House Ironwolf.

#### *Large Towns*

* Ashford: Home of House Oren. Ashford is the administrative hub of the Pantry Plains and serves as an important agrarian trading area. Until recently it was the 3rd largest human settlement. Since the Incident of the Pantry Plains, Ashford is a ruin of its former self - with only a steward and a tiny fraction of its population to sustain it.
* Candlestone: Home of House Denneith. The town controls the mouth of the Glitterstone River and therefore protects Zingherra from any invasion from the sea. A significant percentage of maritime trade passes via Candlestone.
* Stowerling: Lead by House Canith. The town is home to many of the industrial innovations of Awbor. Located at the base of the Vonkrul Mountains, its industry produces many tradeable goods.

* Cromwell (Yareen): Presided by the Ambassador Thuranni, Cromwell is one of the only major elven cities open to the rest of the country.

* Blightwall: Home of House Kunderrak, the largest noble dwarven family allied to Awbor.

#### *Towns*

* Peacewold: Lead by House Lirander, a half-elf noble family.
* Hindenburg: a relatively new town lead by the Hindenburg Ground Crew, a famous adventuring group and heroes of the realm.

* Tatoton: this town falls under the control of House Oren; this town is situated at the Northern border of the Pantry Plains and plays an important role in supplying food to Caldor.
* Ashcombe: one of the larger halfling settlements located near Caldor. They have a fascination with jam.