Maithor

The Official Flag of Maithor

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## Overview

Maithor is a country to the north-east of Bergsträd, Inhabiting the majority of The Ailtorshian Region. It is a Monarchy, split into three administrative regions: Putris' Pestilence, Friulna and Laibbos.

## Demography and Population

Maithor's population is estimated to be around 1 Million, with the nation's citizens spread out somewhat evenly across the marshes. They consist almost entirely of Maithorian Humans, one of the four known sub-types of Human. They almost always appear sick, with thin, pale, frail-looking bodies that are tinged a slight shade of green, despite being in perfect health.

## A Monarchy Split In Three

Owing to it's roots as a territory of The Carolian Empire, Maithor is a Monarchy. However, it chooses its leader in a slightly unconventional way. When the King or Queen dies, instead of choosing the eldest son or daughter, Maithor holds a competition consisting of the potential heirs to the maithorian throne. These heirs not only include all of the monarch's sons and daughters, but also the sons and daughters of the monarch's immediate family. This competition lasts 3 weeks, testing the heirs' administrative abilities, combat prowess and leadership qualities. At the conclusion, a winner is chosen the best choice to become the next King or Queen of Maithor.

On the 5th of Skilanas 341 KE, King Hannigan's three children; Nicolol, Kimmon and Astrisur Hannigan all tied for first place, each with perfect scores. Rather than holding another competition between the three, they decided to share the position, an unprecedented decision. They decided to split the country into three administrative areas, with each monarch presiding over equal amounts of land. King Nicolol presides over Friulna to the south, King Kimmon presides over Putris' Pestilence in the center and Queen Astrisur presides over Laibbos to the north-east.

## Adapting To The Marshlands

Maithorians thrive within the various marshes, wetlands and bogs of The Ailtorshian Region. As such, their militaristic tactics differ from most other nations. They excel in guerrilla warfare, taking advantage of the tough terrain. Their soldiers primarily use bows and spears in combat, which are often poisoned. The 'Gas Grenadiers' branch of the Maithorian military has their soldiers use an alchemical substance that releases a large quantity of toxic gas into the air when thrown. These 'Gas Grenadiers' are trained to be immune to the toxins in the gas, which makes any encounter with the specialised force incredibly deadly.

Their staple diet consists of various types of cultivated moss, algae and fungi. They do consume meat, however. A popular choice is the meat of the Larmshlasan, an animal that resembles a rhinoceros beetle the size of a large dog.

Creatures native to the region, such as the Larmshlasan, are also hunted for their chitin, which is used to create armour and bows. Their spears are not made of chitin, however.

Maithor is a material resource-poor country, relying on chitin, vines, wood and what scarce iron they can dig up. This is mainly due to the technical complications inherent in attempting to mine ore in a country entirely composed of swamps and bogs.

Maithor is a country with very few roads. At least, ones that are paved. There are roads connecting the capitals of each administrative region, Lenedge, New Weyil and Osdroiford, and the more built-up settlements have roads connecting them to docks on either of the two major rivers through Maithor. Most travellers rely on either river travel via canoe or a guide with extensive knowledge of the surrounding area to travel from town to town. Those that decide to make the trek alone by foot are usually lost to the bogs, and never make it to their destination.

## The Imperial Split

Maithor was originally part of The Coralian Empire. Under The Emperor's Rule, they were relatively safe, if not annoyed by the terrain. When the Undead and the Goblins took over part of The Empire, Maithor was split off from the mainland. The Empire stopped sending reinforcements to Maithor, but the country did not need them anyway, as the marshlands, swamps and rampant disease kept the undead and goblins out of Maithor. After a few years of debate among it's citizens, Maithor decided to become independent, not wanting to rely on The Empire's nonexistent aid. Despite the country's independence, Queen Astrisur often relies on the aide of the 62nd "Trekker's Liege" from the Imperial Army to defend its citizens from orcish raids in Laibbos.

## For The Love Of Putris

Maithor is rich with a variety of religious beliefs and practices - far too many to write down, and that is of the ones that have been recorded. Putris, for clear reasons, is the most widely acknowledged deity of the region. Below are a few of the cults that worship the Lady of Death.

### Lady of Death

Life in Maithor follows a general trajectory, birth, suffering and then death. This way of being is only natural to the Maithorian mindset, and instead of complaining, they have largely embraced it. Death is so abundant in Maithor, that it is viewed more favourably than life. The many struggles of life, and most of all the ever-present disease are seen as trials that purify the soul in preparation for the afterlife. Such great rewards await in Putris' domain, that it can only be earned with immense suffering. Suicide (translated as 'Coward's escape' in Maithorian), is the penultimate taboo. Not only are those that commit suicide sent to a place of suffering, there are a series of celebratory festivals wherein they are mocked after death. Many towns feature an obelisk at a central location, the rituals vary from place to place, but for most it is customary to spit on the engraved names as one passes. Conversely, self-sacrifice is the highest virtue, and is seen a glorious way of passing into the afterlife. This much explains why so many of Maithor's young men enlist to fight the brutal creatures that lurk in the bogs.

### Apothenite

The Apothenite cult is mainly to be found amongst the few academic and medical institutions, and organisations. Many are apathetic to Putris herself, some outright hating her, but they believe Putris has a begrudging respect for those that work to overcome her diseases. The sect endevours to treat and cure diseases, and believes that they will be allowed into the afterlife for their impressive work. Their religious sacraments, besides research and medical treatment, are usually obscure and occult practices within well-hidden dungeons.

While generally amicable with other sects, the Apothenites are scorned in the south of the country. A medicus in their ranks, Marick Daringtyn is infamous for amalgamating several of Maithor's worst diseases into the most deadly illness known to man, **Blixpox**, named after the town from which it spread and decimated the southern reaches. Marick is still in hiding today, and according to much rumour and speculation, has a growing base of ex-Apothenite followers.

## An Eye For An Eye

Within Maithor, there is a region that the local Maithorians refer to as 'The Outskirts'. The Outskirts are an area towards the western border. The area is off limits to all citizens, access is restricted to a special branch of military known as 'The Shield-Men'. The job of The Shield-Men is to exterminate Undead and 'Bogmen' from the area in order to stop them from harming the citizens. The Bogmen are the most looming threat within The Outskirts. They are a mysterious species of humanoid, permanently blinded and completely stripped of reason. Maithorian Mythos states that the Bogmen steal the left eye of whoever is unfortunate enough to come across them. They then supposedly replace this eye with a 'Witch-Eye', that is completely blind. Many tales suggest that they take the victim's eye and swap it with their own, so that they may see once again. People who have supposedly had their eye 'stolen' all have strange green lesions and lines on their face, surrounding the eye, as if some disease were spreading from it. This phenomenon began around 320 KE, where most believed it to be a horrific disease immune to Putris' Blessing.

## A Country Flanked On All Sides.

Maithor is a country that fights for its continued existence. On each border, Maithor is attacked by a mix of either Goblins, Orcs, Undead, or the mysterious Bogmen. Internally, resistance groups such as the Fel Harvest fight against the government's military forces, and the Kings and Queen of Maithor debate differences in political opinion.

### Laibbos

Laibbos is overseen by Queen Astrisur, known for her militant personality as a former general in the 'Mudcrawlers' branch of the Maithorian Military. Laibbos is frequently attacked by orcish warbands to the north-east, is home to a high density of goblin encampments to the north-west, and has a small section of The Outskirts on its northern border. Two-thirds of the Maithorian military is stationed in outposts plastered around Laibbos, to protect its citizens from goblin and orc raids. Laibbos also often enlists the aid of the 62nd "Trekker's Liege" for the same reason. Many of the recruits in the 62nd Legion are from Laibbos.

### Putris' Pestilence

Putris' Pestilence is overseen by King Kimmon, known for his devout, almost fanatical, belief in Putris. Putris' Pestilence is occasionally attacked by goblin tribes to the west, but is otherwise the area least under threat from outside forces, due to its central location. The region's strife is primarily political, such as the high concentration of followers of the Fel Harvest in the region, and corrupt politicians.

### Friulna

Friulna is overseen by King Nicolol, known for his pacifism and diplomatic skill. The region is home to the overwhelming majority of The Outskirts, occupying roughly twenty percent of the region. Friulna uses the 'Shield-Men' branch of the military to quarantine The Outskirts, to protect its citizens. The paramilitary forces of the Fel Harvest roam the area, who King Nicolol shows sympathy for. He wishes for the Fel Harvest to merge with the Maithorian military, much to his brother Kimmon's dismay, as their goals of removing the Bogmen align.