Maylev

Maylev is a middling region of Dawnforge, bordering with the other territories. It is the main supplier of natural resources throughout the West as it is dominated by rich, fertile lands of plains, forests, hills, swamps and endless rivers.

Because of its size and lack of natural boundaries, Maylev has been the centre of frequent conflicts. Ever since the Collision monsters have made the deep woods their home, causing only more trouble for the inhabitants.

The Maylevish are regarded by most as a simple breed of man, primarily uneducated but still hardy warriors, peaceful farmers and devout clerics and druids.

## Geography

Maylev shares borders with several regions. From the mountains to the north and east and the forests to the south and west, Maylev is the second largest region home to humanity in Dawnforge.

Maylev is host to dozens of endless rivers, deep swamps and hills alive with farms and forest. Mountains rise to the north and east

The Great Dale is a vast series of small towns and farmsteads across the Myriad, a massive series of tributaries leading to the Sea of Glass. The most common form of travel is by these rivers, as most settlements are built along them.

These same deep woods and rivers lead to creatures of the night making home in them. Monsters are many here, and the Maylevish learn from childhood not to wander into the dark.

## Government

Maylev is a land torn in separate directions by factions and rulers who each have roots sunk deep into the land. The Scholar King and the Priest King promise separate hopes for the people of Maylev, while the Interior Ministry threaten to destabilize this precarious balance.

Maylev owes a great deal to Aldwynn for defending them despite the Four-Crown War tearing the land apart, and many want to follow the Scholar King. The Priest King represents the Church of Talanas, ruling over the region of Mirningshire.

There are several noble houses of Maylev but they possess little power in comparison to the Church and the Priest King. These noble lords are typically the backbone of the church, providing men to become paladins and clerics. It is said that in times of need, the Maylevish could easily raise a few thousand warriors and several hundred knights.

## History

The clans of Maylev have consisted of loosely organized lords who populated most of the wild frontier during its formative years. Maylev didn't have a name for centuries until the Court was formed and the land was called Brasov.

Eventually coming under control of the Court of Brasov, the Witch-Hunts lead by the Wulfhorden eventually had the Court flee and Maylev to be renamed to honour Maynard Ilya the Penitent. Maylev has desired to remain independent but the Great Unification Decree caused them to suffer under the weight of the Askarian Empire.

The Four-Crown War solidified Maylev's reliance on Aldwynn's help and with the end of the Askarian Empire, Maylev is still bound to honour their oath.

The Interior Ministry was formed in the years following the War and seeks to free Maylev from this pact.

The Court continue to claim to own Maylev and thus relations between Stygia and Maylev are strained. The Priest King and High Cardinal both remain in Maylev in the region of Mirningshire, claiming that Stygia has "lost the faith." Currently Maylev is a region split by promises to the Priest King, the Scholar King, the Interior Ministry and agents of the Court of New Brasov.

## Trade

While it might not be the wealthiest, Maylev is rich in natural resources. There are no major cities or bustling metropolises, instead the smallfolk trade with the surrounding nations to garner wealth and trust. It is the most abundantly fertile land of the west.

Apart from basic crops like barley, wheat and grain, one can find melons, plums and grapes in the forests. Fish, boars, deers, rabbits and the exotic meat of monsters are plentiful here.

Some towns make their wealth from dealing in rarities. Oysters, pearls, berries, jams and all manner of lumber can be traded, as well as the infamous Maylevish spices used for their thick, hearty sauces.

Even rarer are the druids of blight, the Woodswraiths who make the Mirningwood their home. These odd shamans are said to create the deadliest poisons, born from spiders and frogs.

## Locations

### Towns and Cities

* Agatha - The capital, acclaimed to be the birthplace of Talanas.
* Bywater - A border town thats located within a sinkhole.
* Furrows - The largest town of Maylev, it is built in a gigantic forest of mangroves. Warm, humid and wonderfully fragrant, Furrows exists in a constant state of sun-dappled twilight to rival any tropical town. House Fruitfall rule from here.
* Greycott - Host to Grimwade Harbour, a town infamous for attracting trouble. Ruled by a necromanceress, it is outside of the reach of any lord or king.
* Hagshead - A town located in the Weepwater, it is a trading port along the Myriad. Famous for its jams and jellies.
* Toadmaiden - The inhabitants of this abandoned castle are constantly ill.
* Whitesparrow - A bridge-town across a river, built on a season-sensitive freshwater swamp.
* Maccavia

### Places of Import

* Mirningshire
* The Mirningwood
* The Great Dale
* The Myriad

## Inhabitants

### The Maylevish

The inhabitants of Maylev are a simple, hardworking yet puritanical people. They are honest and passionate while equally conservative and devoted to family and religion.

Most Maylevish are simple and uneducated, but they make up for this through hardwork and devotion. Many of them are hardy warriors, peaceful farmers and wandering druids. They are a common breed of Man; they typically have thick black hair, dark eyes and dusky skin. Regarded as quite strong and stout, they also dress simply and avoid garish and bright colours to survive the deep woods.

Unlike many other humans in Dawnforge, the Maylevish are nomadic and only have a handful of towns throughout the land, each containing only a small stronghold to outlast the winter or invasion. The Maylevish are plagued by monsters and a lifestyle of wandering may be the only way to outrun them.

### Other Races

Due to its location, it's odd to find any rarer species of Starsong. Dwarves, Elves, half-Elves and Halflings are uncommon while Goliaths, Tieflings and Dragonborn are rare. Lizardfolk can be seen often, stalking the swamplands.

### The Great Families

* Drael
* Faraldt
* Gariv
* Kalder
* Mercer
* Ryavi
* Solomons
* Yodorov

### Factions

* The Battle Hymn
* The Holy Knights of the Radiant Phoenix
* The Interior Ministry
* The Wulfhorden

### Notable Inhabitants

* The Priest King, Valtr Vallon
* High Cardinal Lady Iosefka
* The Interior Minister, Sigismund aep Eiasnillian

## Culture

### Society

As simple farmers and peasants dealing with monsters, dryads, Elves and all manner of creatures lurking in the deep woods and lakes, the Maylevish have developed a counter-culture against magic. What might seem to be a simple fisherman or lumberjack could truly be a hardened warrior, shaman or ranger who has spent their life dealing with the threats the Collision brought.

A normal lumberjack could only cut down trees, while a Maylevish one would first have to negotiate with spirits, fight with goblins or trade with Shicts. If this fails, there's always Ostoran mercenary knights or holy paladins of the Way of Light.

Other Dawnforgers see the Maylevish as ignorant, but the inhabitants of Maylev place a high pride on forestcraft and survival skills. Reading and writing isn't as important as learning to survive the wilds. Their history of being invaded has made the Maylevish masterful at ambush; when attacked they would melt into their forests before emerging to launch skirmishes of fierce reputation. They are loyal, valiant and adaptable.

To deal with the growing threat of monsters and the encroaching forces of wild, the Maylevish are nomadic in nature. They are well-known for their hardiness, as they have a history of being proud survivors. Many of them are bull-headed but they are capable of survival even given the worst periods of time.

### Religion

Maylevish culture has a large focus on devotion to the Flayed God. Many Maylevish rise in status by becoming rangers, druids or clerics. To become a mere mercenary or adventurer is frowned upon, and the pursuit of "arcane" magic is seen as distasteful.

Due to the Collision and the effect of the Four-Crown War upon the Maylevish, many share in the sentiment that magic is sinister. Pursuing hedonism is a sin in itself and seeking deeper knowledge is regarded the same.

The same love for the Flayed God leads to lesser gods rising up in farmsteads and family-towns. The Church does not dissuade the love for other gods, but they will eradicate any sign of worship to the Keepers of Dark. Naturally necromancy is deeply forbidden because of these same gods.