Mendev

(Nation)

(Mendevian Crusader)

**Mendev** is a nation in northern Avistan west of the Lake of Mist and Veils, north of Numeria and east of the Worldwound.

## Lore

**Mendev** is a land defined, created even, by conflict with *infernal forces* beyond anything seen elsewhere on Avistan. The people of this land struggle constantly with the *demonic rift* of the Worldwound
 along the western border. **Mendev** is now in the middle of its *fourth holy crusade* and, along with the pious and righteous, this crusade has attracted its fair share of mercenaries, outcast and ne'er-do-wells of
all types. On top of all this, theirs is a war of *inquisition* against
the land's original tribal inhabitants who may harbour secret cults
devoted to the demonic. **Mendev** is a land of conflict which, despite its *crusader* origin, often degenerates into war that is less than holy.

## Government

**Mendev** is, in theory, governed by *Queen Galfrey, Sword of Iomedae*.
 She is a noble and just leader who manages to balance leading **Mendev**
compassionately with the need to ensure the *crusades* can continue to
hold back the *fiendish attackers*. The problem with *Queen Galfrey's* noble
 leadership is that it does not stretch far enough—not much further than
 the walls of her fortress capital of *Nerosyan*.
 Beyond the city's walls her commands are no longer law and the various
commanders in control of the other cities, towns, and armies within
**Mendev** each interpret her commands a little differently, some commanders
 taking more liberties than others. This has lead to division within the
 *crusade*, particularly since the latest *crusade* has seen the number of
mercenaries, rogues, and other so called "low templars" rise to match the number of pious crusaders.

## History

**Mendev**, as it is today, is one of the youngest nations on the face of Avistan along with *Nirmathas*. **Mendev** as it is now began with the *First Mendevian Crusade* in 4622 AR. The *crusade* was launched to stem the tide of chaos flowing from the Worldwound. This *crusade* was launched by the faltering church of Aroden,
 whose death was somehow linked to the formation of the Worldwound. The
church tried to use the *crusade* to whip the followers into a righteous
frenzy. These *crusades* were to be led by the followers of Iomedae, hungry for a righteous cause to fight for. As the thousands of pilgrim crusaders flooded up the Sellen River, across the Lake of Mists and Veils, and into **Mendev**, the *crusader state* was born.
This *first crusade* managed to push back the *demonic hordes* in
short order. It was deemed a success; the crusaders believed they had
defeated their abyss-bound foes. And for almost a generation it seemed
that the frontier with the Worldwound would remain quiet. But then the
*demons* struck back with a terrible vengeance and the crusaders suffered
defeat after costly defeat, their worst loss being the *crusader city of Drezen* in 4638 AR, which now lies well within the Worldwound. On the heels of that defeat, a *Second Mendevian Crusade* was launched. Two more *crusades* have transpired since then. **Mendev** is now in the middle of the *Fourth Mendevian Crusade*.
 With little hope of achieving a complete victory, the *crusaders* seem to
 have settled for merely containing the ever-present threat.