Bosphae

Bosphae is one of the four major kingdoms in the Known World. Formed when the warlord and shadow sorceress Bosphera slew the Wyrm-Queen Kiilto-Kaare, Bosphae is ruled by a hereditary monarchy of Bosphera's descendants.

## History

Prior to its formation, the lands that would become Bosphae were a Desolation ruled by the feathered sky-dragon Kiilto-Kaare, also known as the Wyrm Queen. Settlements in the desolation were in constant danger of attack from Kiilto-Kaare, who would collect her tithe and wreak destruction, leaving enough survivors to rebuild and restock for her to plunder again.

The warlord Bosphera, born a powerful sorceress, united the people of the desolation and succeeded in slaying Kiilto-Kaare. The kingdom of Bosphae was formed with Bosphera as queen.

## Geography

The climate of Bosphae is cool and temperate, with mild summers and wet, slushy winters. Bosphae is notoriously storm-wracked-- it is constantly raining, resulting in poor agriculture and difficulties with traditional construction. Deep fogs often make visibility difficult.

Bosphae is covered in deciduous forests, rocky cliffs, and gravel beaches. It is home to many varieties of large fauna, including bears, hart, and griffins. Axebeaks are rideable, flightless birds that have been domesticated by the Bospheran people. Whales are a common sight off the storm coast. Bosphae is most famous for its high population of dragons, greater than anywhere else in the Known World. Also of great cultural importance to Bospherans are Dragon-Eaters, large mammals resembling giant golden mongooses that hunt lesser dragons.

### Major Settlements

* Belimma
* Dragon's Roost
* Fort Emmerkar
* **Queenstone** - Capital
* Wending-Hill

Bosphae is pocked with ancient, pre-desolation ruins, as well as burial cairns holding both human and dragon remains.

## Culture and Society

Bospheran society values honor, enduring hardship, and quiet excellence. Generally, open ambition and boastfulness are frowned upon. Due to the rugged landscape and blood-soaked history of the kingdom, Bospherans value cooperation and self-sacrifice over individualism. The official language of Bosphae is Bosh.

### Outlander Clans

The densely-forested southern region of Bosphae is home to various Outlander Clans, migratory hunters that possess a distinct cultural identity. The Outlanders view dragons with deep reverence and respect, and to hunt a dragon is a spiritual experience. They tattoo their faces with runes of protection and wield lance-spears. In the winter, the clans gather in their city of Belimma. While technically under the rule of the Queen, Outlander clans tend to follow their own rules and customs.

### Food

Outside of the kingdom, Bosphaen food is widely-considered bland or unpalatable. Due the constant rainstorms, agriculture is difficult and Bospherans supplement their diets in ways unique to the region. Staple foods include rice, eels, venison, and giant crickets. Subterranean farms grow unique varieties of mushrooms and pale cave-carrots. Meat and eggs are pickled to last long, harsh winters. Delicacies include fermented griffin eggs and frozen whale skin and blubber. The consumption of dragon meat is a privilege reserved only for special ceremonies.

Bospherans brew beer using cave-carrots and mushrooms. The notoriously strong Longwinter Brew, a liquor made from fermented meat, is traditionally served during winter festivals.

### Magic

The Bospheran attitude towards magic is generally positive. Bosphae has a high number of sorcerers, said to be descended from Bosphera. The kingdom generally complies with the regulations set forth by the Mysterium, and as such the instruction of certain magics is forbidden. Mages are otherwise left to their own devices. Bosphae specifically protects powerful sorcerers from the Mysterium (Queen Lucienne herself is a sorceress of a level approaching the magical prowess of the archwizards).

## Politics

### Nobility

Bosphae is ruled by a hereditary monarchy descended directly from Bosphera herself. Bosphera's sorcerous blood runs true, and, historically, monarchs of Bosphae are shadow sorcerers. Succession is preferentially female. Queen Lucienne Bosphera is the current ruler of the kingdom, having retaken the throne after her daughter and only successor, Rialta Bosphera, was killed during the Moonfall.

Bosphae is divided into seven holds, each ruled by a Lord or Lady (with the exception of Queenstone, which is ruled directly by the Queen).

## Military

Bosphae has a long martial history dating back to its period as a desolation. Today, bordered by desolations and home to hostile creatures of all sort, Bosphae maintains a large standing army. The kingdom demands two years of military service for each citizen, beginning on their eighteenth birthday.

The upper ranks of the Bospheran military consist of the Dragon Knights, an order of fighters that have proven themselves by slaying a greater dragon. Most dragon knights come from the nobility, but theoretically any Bospheran can join their ranks, provided that they kill a dragon.

## Trivia

* Citizens of Bosphae are alternatively referred to as Bosphean and Bospheran. Both are correct.