The Six Duchies

## Overview

The Six Duchies is a region in the continent, Vislaw. It contains six Unique Duchies, each with their own cultures and peoples. The Duchies are Tenau, Phabia, Valdokta, Vestheim, Lillium, and Kartovic.

## The Visian War and the Unsteady Peace

Since their conception from the tribes of Vislaw. The Six Duchies has been anything but united. Countless wars have been fought over countless issues, many of which are lost to time. Over the ages, Vislaw garnered a reputation as a wartorn continent on the brink of anarchy. This all culminated in the Visian War, which wrecked the whole region. The two main sides of the conflict were the found with the Phabians and the Valdoktans. The war started after some of the smaller duchies started to worry that Valdokta was getting too powerful. In an effort to combat this, A coalition of Phabia and Vestheim invaded the larger duchy. This escalated over time as all the other duchies got involved in the conflict. Eventually the whole region was at war. With time, many forgot the grudges that started the Visian war, and simply felt too deep into the conflict to take a loss. After years of meaningless fighting and destruction, a meeting of monarchs was called in the Phabian capital of Kedwick. Through careful diplomacy and a few well timed assassination's, an unsteady peace was formed between the remaining Six Duchies. It was agreed that all conflict would cease for 50 years. To most onlookers surprise, This peace was mostly successful. For 50 years each Duchy kept itself from mobilizing on any other. A few minor wars occurred, but no continental war broke out as many thought was inevitable.

## The End Of the Unsteady Peace

Eventually, The 50 year peace finally ended. A few attempts were made to make another pact, but a few duchies (Most notably Phabia) delayed or even denied such requests. As of today, It has been 2 years since the peace ended, and the continent waits in suspense for someone to make a move. Many expect the Warhawks of Phabia to push their council to invade their neighbors, or even for the Vampires of Kartovic to expand their domain. What's certain is that this peace can't last forever.

## The Six Duchies

### Tenau

Tenau, also known as the Duchy of the Sunseekers, Is a vast land of mountains and open plains with few, but large, sprouts of forest and lakes. It has a very mild climate and with the mountains, they try to keep to themselves, seeing the mountains as a buffer to the rest of the Duchies. Their kingdom, Morninglight Kingdom, is located in the north of the region, near the coast by the smaller islands, nested in a fjord. Their emblem is a golden sun designed to open like a flower on a deep purple field.  A golden ring of vine embellishments surrounds the sun.

Tenau is ruled by a King and Queen and an elected body of citizens. The ‘royal’ family are from a short line of half elves that kept Tenau out of the Visian War, not suffering as much losses as some of the duchies. The current “king” was born 20 years before the period of the 50 years of peace and took over once his father died, just after the start of the period started. The elected body of officials was his idea, because he saw the people were more in touch about their needs than any high official that lives in a castle. Each section of people (agriculture, town, fishing, islanders, and craftsmen)  elect a voice, and they meet with the King every other week to discuss issues with the kingdom.

#### Festival of the Lost Daystar

Approximately 20 years ago, a festival was started. The reason why was never said besides a day of remembrance and fun. It’s a day full of games, music, and dancing. Everyone is free to enjoy themself and come together as a kingdom. People outside of the kingdom celebrate in more personalized ways to their areas, but they still celebrate. However, everyone, no matter where they are in Tenau, light paper lanterns and release them into the night sky.

### Phabia

Phabia is best described as a feudal oligarchy. Like any other feudal society it has lords, ladies, and nobles. The only difference is that it has no official Duke or Duchess. After the Visian War, Phabia was left in tatters. The Duchess of Phabia (Duchess Clarisse) and her predecessors had led Phabia to near destruction with their foolish gambit to counter a larger Duchy's power. This all culminated when, 14 years into the peace, The Duchess declared that she would no longer respect the Unsteady Peace. She planned on using Phabia's greater size and population to create a kingdom of her own. This was ended quickly when the citizens and nobles of Phabia rose up in civil war and overthrew the Duchess. With her deposed, A group of the wealthiest nobles and landowners assembled a counsel to make decisions in the duchess' stead. This persists to present day where the Children and Grandchildren of this counsel still rule in the capital city of Kedwick.

Phabia's relatively favorable position and more arable land has led it to be one of the largest and most populous of the Duchies. The capital, Kedwick boasts being the largest city on Vislaw and one of the largest cities in the world. A notable peace of religious history lies in Kedwick's 'Temple of The Bellows'. Phabia also has a substantial level of poverty. This has some to do with Phabia's large wealth gap and extensive use of nepotism.

### Valdokta

*“Unite the realm by force of arms.”*

— Personal seal of Duke Jaroslaw the Bold

Valdokta is poor even by Vislaw standards. Plagued with constant civil war and inter-Nobel feuds, Valdokta has never quite lived up to early glory days. Before the Visian war, Valdokta was a serious contender for dominance of the Six Duchies. Led by a the legendary young Duke Jaroslaw, Valdokta was on the verge of becoming a world power. This ended when Jaroslaw insulted the other duchies and pulled Valdokta in the Visain War. Within 5 months of the war, Jaroslaw was slain and the Duchy of Valdokta was the main battleground for the war. Years of fighting left Valdokta a wasteland. During the Unsteady peace, Dukes and Duchesses came and went as the region was delivered countless Civil wars and invasions. To this day the duchy lives in this state of military poverty. Currently, The 14 year old Duchess Zofia rules the broken duchy. Most initially expected her fall to be as quick as the others, but after a shocking underdog victory against the invading Count Stefan and reclamation of the capital, her fortunes appear to be on the rise.

Valdokta host some hills and mountains to the south, but is dominated by its large plains to the north. With a fair bit of arable land, Valdokta could be a large exporter of food. Historically, due to the constant conflict in the region, farming was not a priority, but after its reunification under Duchess Zofia, land cultivation and education have become a top priority.

#### The Duchess and her Retinue

Duchess Zofia of House Jagiellon

* The 14-year old human duchess of Valdokta, Zofia's reign began with great tumult. Her father, the legendary Duke Jaroslaw, was killed in battle, leaving the infant Zofia as the de jure ruler. However, after an attempted assassination from the merchant prince Casimir, she was spirited away by Skanderbeg and Woz, fleeing to the camp of her father's troops. She grew up there among the soldiers, developing a cold but fierce personality, with a burning ambition to reclaim her birthright. With the aid of Mavros, she has secured the capital and the following of the people, though war continues to loom on the horizon.

Marshal Skanderbeg of House Durres

* A tiefling knight in service of Zofia. Skanderbeg is the greatest warrior in Valdokta, renowned both at home and abroad for his might. Before Duke Jaroslaw departed for his final campaign, he appointed Skanderbeg as the personal bodyguard of the infant Zofia, a duty which he has taken seriously ever since. He is fiercely loyal to the duchess, and it is said that in the 100 battles he has fought in her name, he has never taken a single wound.

Chief Minister Jadwiga of House Vasa

* A court mage who previously served Count Stefan of Phabia, she was forcibly recruited by Zofia in the wake of the Battle of Konczyc, and was appointed to the position of Chief Minister. Despite her ambiguous loyalties, she is an adept strategist, and a talented domestic minister, who carries out many of the Duchess' programs and policies. According to rumors, she was initially born in Kartovic, but escaped to Phabia, where she entered into Stefan's service.

**The Four Riders of Valdokta**

* Woz, General who Guards the North
	+ A yuan-ti monk who previously served as the Chief Minister to Duke Jaroslaw. Woz was initially trained at the monastery of Mt. Athos, but left to join the court of Duke Jaroslaw, acting as his primary intelligence officer. After the death of the Duke and Skanderbeg's flight from the capital, he helped escort them to the camp of Duke Jaroslaw's men, and has been Zofia's chief advisor ever since. He rejects the title of Chief Minister, seeing himself as a failure due to his inability to save the Duke, but continues to serve as the spymaster of Zofia's court.
* Kaspar, General who Guards the West
	+ A tabaxi strategist, Kaspar grew up on the streets of Sono, among a secret society called the Windriders, dedicated to opposing Lord Casimir. During this time, he learned of Zofia's survival, and acted as her primary contact in Sono. After the overthrow of Casimir and his followers, she joined Zofia's court formally, and in gratitude for her service, was named to a knighthood. His appointment has come at the cost of some conflict with some of Zofia's more conservative supporters, seeing a commoner as unworthy of holding the title of one of the Four Riders. Regardless, she is a trusted servant of the Duchess, and a brilliant tactical mind.
* Dzubej of House Hunyadi, General who Guards the East
	+ A gith knight and head of House Hunyadi, a noble house that has served House Jagiellon for generations. While initially led to believe that Zofia died as an infant, and forced to serve Lord Casimir, the Mavros Guild revealed his treachery, and Dzubej swore his sword to Zofia once more. Dzubej is a great believer in codes of honor and chivalry, and a devout follower of the Bellows. Though he is a master swordsman, he is not a skilled tactician, and tends to serve more frequently as quartermaster for the Sono Guard.
* Katerina of House Jasz, General who Guards the South
	+ A human warrior who heads House Jasz, the original keepers of what became Castle Plejfer-in-Valdokta. Count Lech Plejfer of Valdokta married into the family, and the title passed to his son Justyn, while his cousin, Katerina, served as his bannerman. However, when he rebelled against Zofia, Katerina declared her support for Valdokta, and launched a revolt to take back the county seat. After several battles, Justyn and his father were slain by Mavros, and Katerina took over as the powerful lord of Valdokta's border marches with Kartovic.

**Others**

Count Justyn of House Plejfer

* A powerful count in the southern marches of Valdokta, along the Kartovic border, and the dhampir son of Count Lech Plejfer of Kartovic. Justyn was initially courted by Zofia to become one of her Four Riders, but after an incident in his father's lands, relations soured considerably between them, to the point where Justyn sided with Kartovic in their invasion. After a clash with Mavros and the forces of Katerina von Jasz, Justyn was slain, and his lands defaulted to the newly named Countess Katerina.

The Laughing Man

* While not an official member of Zofia's court, the Laughing Man is a mysterious figure that is frequently seen within it. Purportedly, he was the court jester under Duke Jaroslaw, but for unknown reasons, was imprisoned by the monks of Mt. Athos. He was found by the Mavros Guild and brought to Sono, where appears in Zofia's court on occasion, spouting nonsense and mad babbling.

### Vestheim

The north of Vestheim is in a state of change currently. A new city has been established within the northern mountain range, with a message of hope and prosperity, that welcomes all races and cultures. The town is currently under the patronage of an Undying named **Gixxus**, the Undying of the abandoned and forgotten.

The Election for First Consul was not a peaceful one. Wrath, the head priest of the order of Gixxus, was executed by a band of adventurers from the Mavros Guild after it was discovered that he had ordered the assassination of Gracius. Medius, the new First Consul and former leader of the farmers guild, has continued to promote this message of prosperity and friendship, but it has yet to be seen if his leadership will survive its initial tests. The other nations in the Six Duchies may see this new leader, and the newly named town of Genau, as weak unless he is tested quickly.

In his first attempt at diplomacy Medius was successful in gaining the favor of other Vislaw duchies as shown by his ability to gain an alliance with Valdokta's duchess Zofia. However his tenure as First Consul was cut short when he was killed on another diplomatic mission to Kartovic by the Kartovics themselves.

Upon hearing of this tragic news Vestheim, led by the city of Genau, prepared for war with Kartovic. With no anwser from Gixxus the new impromptu leader, **Marith** High Priestess of Genau, called for Mavros to aid them. The Mavros Guild was successful in learning the plans of the Kartovic General, **Danros Drakenwald**, and buying time for the citizenry of Genau to escape. The whereabouts of the leadership of Vestheim is currently unknown.

The remnants of the leadership of Genau have established a new home inside the mountain fortress of Kia Multan. Upon securing a new home within the fortress, the council looks to expand outward towards the forest tribes of Vestheim.

In a meeting with the forest tribes consisting of the giants, the goblinoid hordes, and the automaton enclave the Vestheim Council has formed a powerful council consisting of the **King of the Vestheim Giants Gialmar**, **Zek the Smart of the goblinoid hordes**, and **Point-of-Contact 1 of the automaton enclave**. They also severed a serious blow. **Wrath the Dragon of Vislaw** has defected from the Vestheim Council and the Mavros Guild to join Danros Drakenwald's forces.

### Lillium

Lillium has one of the most stable feudal systems in Vislaw. The Duke Linus and his family have ruled the island since the Duchy was formed. Its even rumored that their line ruled in some capacity before (Though this is unproven). In the Visian war, Lillium decided to take the role of arms dealer and mercenary. The Duchy sold its Arms and Army to the highest bidder, and came out of the war better than most. Many blame the Duchy for extending the war with is numerous instances of side switching and double dealing. In the present, Lillium continues this policy of mercantilism and war profiteering by making itself, and its capital city of Herau, hubs for traders and mercenaries.

The island of Lillium itself mostly consists of rocky shores and miles of beautiful, although nonarable, lily fields. This forces the Duchy to get most of its food from the continent. In return, Lillium offers its premier and oldest product, Its military. Its not uncommon to see Lillium ships and soldiers in foreign lands or protecting a rich nobles keep from unruly peasants..

#### The Knights of the Colors

One of the unique aspects of Lilliums Mercenary Military, is its style of Orginization. Instead of concripting citizens, Lillium opts to keep its military volentary, and non-centralized. This is seen in its Mercenary Army system. No noble in Lillium is allowed to keep a personal military. The Lillium Military is made up of many Mercenary companies, that are sold or rented to the highest bidder for their services. Often times, Smaller companies will be paid by Lillium nobles, and asked to guard the island duchy. However, most of the time, The mercenary companies are sold to foreign buyers to fight wars. Each mercenary company chooses a color and is known by that color. These are some of the larger ones.

##### The Grey Knights

The Largest of the Mercenary groups is the Grey Knights. This group is known for its tendency to only take jobs that involve the defence of the island of Lillium. Often seen as the guards of Lillium, its common to see a Grey Knight acting as a city guard or as a castle garrison.

##### The Purple Knights

The most sinister of the famous Mercenary companies, The Purple Knights are known as some of the most arbitrary members of the Lillium mercenaries. Most Mercenary groups hold an unseen code that controls just how far they will go for a job. The Purple Knights are known for breaking this code, and doing some of the most unspeakable actions in confilicts.

##### The Silver Knights

The most prestigious of the mercenary groups, The Silver Knights are a force to be reckoned with. When called in to solve conficts or fight in wars, The Silver Knights distiguish themselves with their efficency and methodical approach to warfare. Many a conflict has been ended, by simply hiring these Knights and threatening the enemy with their prowess. The downside is that the Silver Knights are quite expensive to hire.

##### The Gold Knights

A legendary company, The Gold knights are far and few between in the current age. Known for their tendency to not charge for jobs they deemed righteous, The Gold Knights are by far the most Noble of the Mercenary orders. Sadly, The Gold Knights have long past their golden age. Their tendency to choose causes they deemed worthy has led them down a road of repeated loss and obscurity in recent years. However, Their name is still held to the highest standard amoung those in Lillium and beyond.

### Kartovic, Duchy of Dusk

*“Most folks could live their whole lives here without losing any blood. The brides… they’re a necessary loss. Everyone else is okay as long as you don’t catch the eye of those nightmare siblings.”*

—Rictus, Local Navigator (deceased)

The population of Kartovic at large are mortal races that live in the grime and gloom of old medieval conditions. Hamlets and villages have little contact with each other, and the cold and mountainous region is treacherous to navigate. This is by design, as the vampire gentility suppresses magic and technology to keep their livestock reliant upon them.

The vampires of Kartovic have technology and magic closer in advancement to the rest of Vislaw—clockwork sorcery fuels contraptions and alchemy that keep their castles and manors warm, shielded, and linked to their fellow undead nobility.

**House Kartovic:** Ostensibly the rulers of the Duchy, in reality the Kartovic siblings have little interest in government even though all vampires in the region are descended from one of the three siblings. This suits the younger vampires quite well—as long as they pay lip service to the House, they are left to govern their livestock as they choose.

#### Vampiric Weddings

The vampires of Kartovic traditionally take human prey under the guise of “wedding” them. These unlucky chosen are referred to as brides, and their treatment varies based on their vampire groom. Some grooms take many brides at once, some grooms genuinely seek to romance their brides, and others simply claim them as sacrificial meat—but the marriage always results in death by blood-draining to feed their groom.

One vampire of the Sun lineage has earned striking infamy for rebelling against this system. Referring to herself as the Bloodstained Bride and refusing to kill her mortal husband, she leads a small but growing band of rebels that strike at and slay the most notoriously cruel and ruthless of vampire nobles in the duchy.

#### The Noble Bloodlines

Nearly every sub-region of Kartovic is claimed by one or more vampire nobles of one bloodline or another. Every individual vampire desires noble titles and prestige, so there’s a slightly comically large number of lesser nobility vying for power in the region. Usually, however, individual nobles and the duchy as a whole prefer to remain isolated, and rarely do outright battles break out (usually over territory or brides).

**Blood of the Sun:** this line hails from Regel and shares her golden appearance and propensity for lavish delights. They have an immunity to the burning intensity of sunlight, and tend to woo their brides with false or genuine passion and romance. They have the ability to shapeshift into birds and cats.

**Blood of the Moon:** this line hails from Komor and displays similar dark features. They are often created as spies and agents for their sire, and tend to stalk and claim prey at night, feeding in sudden murders. They have the ability to shapeshift into bats and wolves.

**Blood of the Stars:** the rarest lineage is that of Eszaka, who only sires from her own handmaidens and usually accidentally. Their eyes and hair colors are iridescent and gemlike, displaying starry beauty. They are exceedingly rare, and since most are among Eszaka’s personal attendants they do not need to take brides from the population. They have the ability to shapeshift into butterflies.

### The Seaward Isles

The Seaward isles, although included in the Six Duchies does not have any government claiming it. This is because a sea monster prowls its waters. Those who have seen this creature and lived, describe it as a tentacled mass that swallows ships whole. Due to the remote nature of the islands, many simply avoid them, and don't risk the mysterious creatures wrath.

Due to this forced lawlessness, A large population of pirates have laid claim to the area. They settle near the mythical pirate town of Ramseys Reef, where the self proclaimed Lord Ramsey holds dominion over the lawless town.

## Religion in the Duchies

The Six Duchies follow the main Aspects of Meia. An emphasis is put on the worship of The Bellows. The Bellow's teaching of a divine cycle of destruction and rebuilding is very appealing to the people of The Duchies. Many of them live their entire lives building a life for themselves, only to see it toppled when their Duchy calls on their wealth to fund a conflict. The Bellow's teachings of improvement through hardship is often what gives these poor Visians strength in hard times. However, The Nobles of Vislaw have a different view of The Aspect. Many claim that through war and conflict the people of Vislaw are forged to be stronger, citing the destruction part of The Bellows divine cycle. In truth, it is plain that the wars of Vislaw have ruined the continent.