Chybisa

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Lux
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Posts: 59

Chybisa Nov 17, 2023 1:46:34 GMT

Post by Lux on Nov 17, 2023 1:46:34 GMT

As a useful reference when reading this thread, I suggest downloading the PDF map of Hârn, available for free from secure.columbiagames.com/product/5001A-PDF

The information in this thread will be a summary which I hope will be sufficient to allow people to find their feet in the setting. If you feel you are missing something important, do please ask. However, I will not reproduce books wholesale, and there is besides much in them that many player characters would not know anyway. They can be viewed more as a GM tool in that respect.

The Geography of Chybisa
Chybisa is the smallest realm on Hârn, home to just 8,000 people. It sits in the valley of the Ulmerien River, which flows east to west, with most settlements being within 5 miles of the southern bank of the river, and is surrounded on all sides by sparsely inhabited wilderness.

The land of Chybisa comprises mixed woodland, arable land and pasture. It is among the most fertile farmland on Hârn.

The Genin Trail passes through Chybisa, going to the Kingdom of Kaldor to the north, over 120 miles farther along the trail, and south, along the bank of the Ulmerien, then east, to the Kingdom of Melderyn, the closest settlement of which is 80 miles distant. The only bridge over the Ulmerien is at the capital of Chybisa, Burzyn.

To the north of Chybisa is a region called the Upper Osel, after the river Osel on the far side of those hills. To the east are the Anadel Highlands, with their wealth of natural resources, which separate Chybisa from mainland Melderyn. The mountainous terrain means that the Genin Trail must skirt around the highlands to the south before doubling back north towards Melderyn. To the west of Chybisa is Setha Heath, an inhospitable expanse. To the south are the plains of Horadir.

Recent History
Chybisa has been settled for hundreds of years. In recent decades, perhaps the most significant event was the Treasure War in 675 TR and what came afterwards. Following the theft of an artifact from the royal vaults in Kaldor, which the Kaldoran king, Torastra, blamed on Chybisa, he assembled an army and came southward. He swiftly defeated the small Chybisan force, which was weakened from centuries of peace and corruption. A three-year siege of the capital, Burzyn, then started. The defenders surrendered following the betrayal of the then Baron of Geda and the appearance of his soldiers on Kaldor's side.

Chybisa then became an earldom under Kaldor. It was ruled harshly and taxed heavily. The former King of Chybisa, Balesir Geledoth, went to Melderyn, and petitioned the Melderyni Crown for aid. It was refused. However, in 686 TR, following the accession of a new monarch, King Chunel, to the throne of Melderyn, Balesir sought aid once more. He swore fealty to Chunel and assembled an army by 687, comprising Chybisan expatriates, Melderyni adventurers, and mercenaries. They quickly overran the disorganised and badly led Kaldoric forces left in Chybisa and proclaimed Chybisa's restoration. His return was welcomed by most in Chybisa, who were glad to be free of the harshness of Kaldoric rule.

After that, Balesir promptly renounced his fealty to Chunel, who is reported to have laughed upon hearing the news.

In 691 TR, Balesir died and was succeeded by his son, Verlid VII. Verlid set about strengthening Chybisa's defences. He appointed new vassals, including Melderyni adventurers to hold manors where the previous landholding clans had been wiped out. He has expanded the realm's military as well as he can with such a tiny population, and reinforced fortifications where possible.

All of this is general knowledge which every character can be assumed to have. I shall detail more current events, where appropriate, in further posts in this thread.

Economics
The Ulmerien Valley is one of the most fertile places on Hârn, meaning that Chybisa not only produces enough food for itself, but actually a surplus of grain.

The Anadel Highlands to the east of Chybisa are a source of considerable mineral wealth. These mines produce significant wealth for Chybisa. They are operated by the Miners' Guild, which pays significant fees to the Crown to be permitted to extract resources. The Barony of Geda is the main hub for these operations.

Chybisa's site on the Genin Trail means that significant trade flows through it. Members of guilds in Chybisa make substantial sums from providing services to caravans. The bridge over the Ulmerien at Burzyn is the only crossing point and the income from tolls is a considerable source of income for the Crown.

Chybisa does not mint its own coinage, but rather uses silver pennies from Kaldor, Melderyn, or even farther afield.

Religion
The vast majority of common people in Chybisa worship Peoni. Most of the nobility worship Larani. A number of merchants and other guild members worship Halea. A small number of Jarin resident in the kingdom worship Ilvir. An even smaller number of Siemists live on the edges of the wilderness. The few Sarajinians in the realm are mostly in the Baron of Geda's household.

Note that the worship of one deity does not preclude prayer to a second. For example, a charitable Laranian may make donations to a Peonian cleric to aid in their endeavours. An artisan born a Peonian might pray to an aspect of Halea for success in business.

Ilvir and Sarajin are deities specific to the Jarin and Ivinians, respectively. Ilvirans do not seek converts and so non-Jarin Ilvirans are rather rare. However, Sarajinian missionaries are not unheard of, especially to the tribal nations of Hârn.

Last Edit: Dec 4, 2023 14:06:55 GMT by Lux

Lux
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Posts: 59

Chybisa Nov 17, 2023 21:41:25 GMT

Post by Lux on Nov 17, 2023 21:41:25 GMT

Geda
Geda is a focal point for The Misty Isle's first episode. It is a small keep and village at the southeastern edge of Chybisa, on the southern bank of the Ulmerien River. The keep is the seat of one of five baronies in Chybisa.

Recent History
After the Treasure War, King Balesir granted Geda to a knight in his service, Harnarin Tesael, for his aid during Balesir's exile. Harnarin's son, Ulaed, inherited Geda in 703 TR. In 713 TR, Ulaed, drunkenly bet an Orbaalese mercenary in his service that the mercenary could not lift his horse. The stakes for that bet were the barony itself. The mercenary, Kjal Forsetha, duly managed to lift the horse. King Verlid said that the bet was valid, and so Kjal became Baron of Geda. Ulaed left Chybisa shortly thereafter.

While Kjal has proven, maybe surprisingly, to be an able ruler, his Ivinian ways mean that he is not universally liked. Abbot Jyka Misral at Namadees has publicly preached against the baron. There are rumours of tension with certain nobles too.

Caer Geda
The keep itself is small and stands atop a low hill. The outer curtain wall is only 12 feet high, with the keep reaching 26 feet at its very highest point. Although certainly far sturdier than any manorhouse, it is not a particularly impressive fortification. Most of the baron's household, including the garrison of twelve soldiers, resides within the walls. A weaponcrafter and ostler have buildings outside the gate.

The Village of Geda
The village is home to just over 200 full-time residents. However, its location at the southeastern edge of Chybisa, on the Genin Trail, and its usage by the Miners' Guild as a hub for its operations, means that the village has four inns, which are frequently busy.

Many of the residents of the village are guild members engaged in crafts, and besides those that support the various villages of the barony, many of the businesses are oriented towards providing for the miners.

The village has a small Peonian chapel which caters to some of its residents. There is a larger chapel that is occupied by a Sarajinian clerical clan. It was once dedicated to Larani, but repurposed after Kjal acceded to the barony.

Miners' Guild
The mines in the Anadel Highlands east of Geda, across the river, are a major source of wealth from Chybisa. The guild is headquartered in Geda itself, and leases a plot of land three miles upriver, where it has a depot, called Arinata. The guildmistress, Nikaela, is among the wealthiest people in Chybisa, and a major figure in Geda itself, when she is not dealing with business in Arinata or Burzyn. Members of the guild procure licences from the Chybisan Crown to operate mines, and pay substantial fees for the privilege. Geda, being the hub of operations, benefits significantly from the guild's presence, with much business flowing through the village.

The miners in the Anadels are much disliked by the Bujoc tribe resident in the region, though they are rarely openly hostile. More problematic, especially for mines farther into the highlands, are the orcs, and a few mines have a substantial mercenary presence to guard against attacks.

The Barony
Within a few miles of Caer Geda are 12 manors of varying sizes. Ten of these are held by vassals of Kjal, while two more are held by bailiffs. The distinction is that the vassals have heritable grants, whereas a bailiff is an officer appointed by the person who holds the land to administer it on their behalf. In the case of Geda, those two bailiffs are Ivinians who were originally members of Kjal's band of mercenaries. The entire land area of the barony is just under 20,000 acres, and it has about 1,500 residents.

Lux
Administrator

Posts: 59

Chybisa Nov 18, 2023 20:04:06 GMT

Post by Lux on Nov 18, 2023 20:04:06 GMT

Namadees
Namadees is a Laranian abbey in eastern Chybisa, and another focal point for the first episode of The Misty Isle. Built on the site of Saint Fardir's final battle, the abbey is an impressive building, and popular pilgrimage destination for Laranians from across Hârn. The abbey sits on the Genin Trail, about six miles northwest of Geda, and twelve miles southeast of the capital at Burzyn.

The Abbey
The abbey is a conspicuous sight. It is one of the grandest buildings in Chybisa, with the highest point of the hall of worship being 46 feet high, and is constructed from pale stone with a red clay tile roof.

The abbey currently has 21 clergy, from the abbot, Jyka Misral, to the eight current acolytes. The abbot is both the religious head and the secular lord of Namadees. The abbot is 73 and is an energetic, charismatic speaker, and a zealous Laranian. It is well known that the abbot's particular interpretation of the faith has led him to conflict with various nobles, including the king himself, as well as the Baron of Geda; his preaching is neither secretive nor subtle.

The main draw of the abbey is that it is the site of the final battle of Saint Fardir. In the 3rd century TR, Fardir was fighting Agrikans. With each victory over Agrik’s minions, Fardir’s love of battle grew while the mercy in his soul diminished. In his final battle, his holy spear, Protector, was shattered by the last Agrikan knight. As Fardir drove Protector’s blade into the throat of his enemy, he was overcome by horror, for, as he gazed upon his foe, he saw his own face. Fardir then learned that it profits one nothing to defeat an enemy if one becomes that enemy. He left the shaft of his spear in the protection of his followers and departed with the spearhead, never to be seen again.

Fardir's followers built a shrine on the site of that battle, which, over the centuries, was expanded to an abbey. The main clerical order in eastern Hârn was renamed the Order of the Spear of Shattered Sorrow. Today, the broken pieces of Protector are still held in the abbey, and a standing stone marks the site of the battle.

The Lands of Namadees
Namadees is the heart of the small parcel of land held by the Laranian church in Chybisa. Although strictly speaking held from the Crown by the Bishop of Burzyn, tradition has long been that the Abbot of Namadees governs the land and the abbey receives any revenues forthcoming, to supplement those received from pilgrims.

In Namadees itself, as well as the abbey, there is a village of 24 households. The village is mostly typical of any rural settlement, although with the unusual distinction that it has an inn, the Shattered Spear, which caters to wealthier visitors to the abbey who did not get accommodation in the abbey itself. It also has a large weavers' hall, overseen by a priestess from the abbey, which processes the fine flax that is grown in Namadees.

Just over a mile distant from Namadees is a manor, Hanerden, which is held by a bailiff on behalf of the abbey.

The Order of the Lady of Paladins
The Lady of Paladins is a martial order attached to the Laranian church. In Chybisa, it has a chapterhouse at a place called Ulmstane, about two miles distant from Namadees. The current Reblena, or commander, of the chapter is Sir Hurben Larles, who is a nephew of King Verlid. The order represents a significant military force in Chybisa, with five knights and thirty common soldiers. Each year, much of the chapter spends the summer far to the south, though the particulars of its undertakings there are little known. For the rest of the year, it provides additional security for the Genin Trail, supplementing the Royal Guard in that pursuit.

Last Edit: Jan 3, 2024 17:02:35 GMT by Lux

Lux
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Posts: 59

Chybisa Nov 18, 2023 21:03:58 GMT

Post by Lux on Nov 18, 2023 21:03:58 GMT

Andazyn
The Barony of Andazyn is the smallest in Chybisa. It is held by Baroness Danela Vastair.

Andazyn itself is a manor rather than a keep and there are six vassal manors held by knights. The manor is situated about two miles west of Namadees and ten miles southeast of the capital at Burzyn. Andazyn is home to about 140 people, while the remainder of the barony accounts for approximately 700 more.

Neither Andazyn nor any of the other manors are situated directly on the Genin Trail, and consequently do not benefit from the caravan trade in the same way that some other places in Chybisa do. However, the land of the barony is extremely fertile, even compared with the already rich lands of the Ulmerien Valley in the rest of Chybisa. They produce an abundance of grain and the horses raised here, especially warhorses, are some of the largest and finest on Hârn.

While most settlements on Hârn can raise a militia in times of emergency, to supplement any knights or common soldiers, the militia in Andazyn is entirely unusually competent. This follows from a long-time practice of Baroness Danela and her father of providing generous freeholds to retiring members of the Royal Guard or Lady of Paladins.