Ulflandia

In ancient times, Ulflandia was home to the giants and fey, who battled and intermarried and generally had a wonderful time, protected from interlopers from the mainland. Tribes of gnomes, kobolds, orcs, gnolls and goblins filled things out. 

When Partholon sallied forth from Hybresail to leave the decadent devil-worshipping elven wizard lords behind, a portion of his fleet was diverted from the main. While Partholon landed further north, and came to dominate the human tribes of the area and found the city-state of Nomo, his other ships landed on the isle of Iskey. Under the command of the warlord Nemed, the grey elves fought the native giants and carved out a small kingdom for themselves which they called Tyrnog. 

Elven adventurers from Tyrnog soon colonized the southern reaches of Ulflandia, founding the kingdoms of Elphyne, Albion, Annouven, Prydain, Belerion, Avalon and Ylfelond. Over time, the elven population of Ulflandia changed. The elves of Tyrnog, called the Sidhe (“shee”), were still of grey elven blood. The elves of the western lands of Elphyne became the Gruagach (wild elves). The elves of the mountainous Lawlands and Coblyn were known as the Gwyllion (high elves). The elves of the Greenwood were known as the Elvene (wood elves). 

In the meantime, the northern portions of the island were being settled by the orcs and hobgoblins of the Klarkash Mountains, and the wild humans of the Braga Hills. These peoples came collectively to be called the Sassenach by the elves, though later that term only applied to the humans of the Plains of Logris. 

In time, the Empire of Nomo came calling. In a series of invasions the Nomoi, under the command of Brutus, colonized the north and began grinding down the old elven kingdoms. They made the fortified colony of Tremayne (Trēsmanus) their capital, and soon conquered the Plains of Logris and then the eastern portions of the Greenwood. The kingdoms of Ylfelond and Avalon were made tributaries of Tremayne, while the other kingdoms of the island proper barely maintained their independence through arranged marriages, bribes and costly wars. The old elven kingdoms gradually faded in importance, devolving into giant citadels hidden by powerful illusions and smaller hill forts that surrounded the old citadels.  

The men and half-elves of Nomo made forays against the ancient giant chiefs and the goblin tribes of the Ruffian Mountains as well. Under the command of Aurelios Ambrosios, his younger brother Uther Pendragon, the sage wizard and demigod Merlinus, and their collected knights, squires and men-at-arms, the kingdom of Tremayne rose to the heights of its power, only to be disrupted in time by royal struggles and minor civil wars. Modern Tremayne is ruled by Queen Gloriana, who continues the struggle of the heirs of Nomo to bring the entire island under her control.

Elves are the aristocracy of the ancient fey tribes of Ulflandia. They serve as rulers, warriors and hunters. Under the elves are the working fairies, including such creatures as the brownies (household servants), knockers (miners and armorers), fenodyree (heavy labor), habbitrot (spinners of cloth), kilmoulis (millers of grain) and leprechauns (cobblers and other skilled trades). In some cases, these fey creatures are more powerful than their elven rulers, but the fey cleave to their traditions, which place the elves at the top of the pyramid. 

Among the elves, there are several tribes, as follows: 

ELVENE (WOOD ELVES) 

The Elvene are the wood elves of the Greenwood, living in roving bands who hunt and patrol their lands and answer the call of their rulers when it is time to fight. They dress in scarlet and green, and are merrier than the more guarded and elegant grey elves.

GRUAGACH (WILD ELVES) 

The Gruagach live in the wildest parts of Ulflandia. They cultivate a wild appearance, growing their hair long and keeping it tangled or spiking it, and painting or tattooing their faces and bodies withblue dyes. They wear woolen tunics in dazzling plaids and checks. 

GWYLLION (HIGH ELVES) 

The high elves of the mountains are more akin to the grey elves than their cousins of the wilderness and woodlands. They are knightly warriors, and are organized in the manner of the humans rather than their elven kin. 

SASSENACH (HUMANS, HALF-ELVES, HIGH ELVES) 

The Sassenachs are the descendants of the invaders from so long ago. They include humans (the most numerous of the invaders), half-elves (who are most often to be found in administrative and mercantile roles), and elves (the ruling class, whose families trace their roots back to Nomo rather than the ancient elven kingdoms of Ulflandia). The Sassenachs organize themselves along feudal lines, and hold chivalry in high esteem (at least in theory).

SIDHE (GREY ELVES)

The tall, beauteous elves of Iskey are called the Sidhe (pronounced “shee”, and not to be confused with the monster called a sidhe in Blood & Treasure). The Sidhe descend from the original elven colonists of Ulflandia who came from the “mysterious west” to escape the wizard wars. 

The Ulflandic pantheon descends from the religion of the elves that settled the islands in ancient times. These elves were among those of their people that rejected the demonology of their western kin, the demonology that helped launch the destructive wizard wars, for the old druidic faith of their ancestors. The gods worshipped by the old elves were their fey ancestors, the Kabir, and the various Animal Lords. In time, these deities came to be worshipped under different names, and their worship often evolved to include broader portfolios. 

The Sassenachs brought their own gods and goddesses with them from the Motherlander pantheon (roughly cognate with the Greco-Roman deities), and in time the official church of Ulflandia came to recognize numerous saints. 

RELIGIOUS ORDERS 

BLACK FRIARS 

The Black Friars are dedicated to celestial deities. A scholarly order, they study the stars and atmospheric conditions. The Black Friars tend towards Lawful (LG, LN, NG) behavior, and are loyal to Queen Gloriana, though not always her Church. They are friendly with the Starry Order of blue magicians and the two orders of knighthood. 

The Black Friars are primarily dedicated to Arianrhod, Bel, Brigantia, Lugus, Nodens, Ogmios and Taran. 

GREY FRIARS 

The Grey Friars are druids dedicated to the chthonic deities of earth and the underworld. Like the White Friars, they tend toward true neutrality, seeing themselves as guides to the afterworld, and thus above human affairs. They are often to be found in opposition to the necromancers of the Cunning Order of red magicians (see below). 

The Grey Friars are primarily dedicated to Dispater, Gobannus, Puck, and Sucellus. 

WHITE FRIARS 

The White Friars are druids dedicated to deities of flora and fauna. They are a neutral order, and consider themselves emissaries of nature to humanity, and thus above human institutions, including the Queen and her government. They do not often press this claim, as diplomacy is less costly than fighting an angry queen. 

White minsters (monasteries) are known for their gardens and the numerous sentient animals to be found tending them. 

The white friars are primarily dedicated to Artio, Baco, Cam, Cernunnos, Epona, and Taran. 

THE QUEEN’S CHURCH 

The Queen’s Church handles the day-to-day religious duties of the kingdom. Queen Gloriana is the head of the church (hence the name) and the unswerving loyalty of its members. Sages and adepts make up most of the priesthood, which is divided into Vicarages and Bishoprics, with the immediate superior of the church being the Archbishop of Cantiacorum. 

The Queen’s Church honors all of the deities mentioned above, as well as the various saints of the church. 

KNIGHTLY ORDERS 

THE MOST OBEDIENT ORDER OF THE GLORIOUS QUEST 

Also known as the Knights of the Cauldron, the Questing Knights, and the Knights of Percival, they are an order dedicated to recovering the Cauldron of Dozen-King for Queen Gloriana. The order is composed of warriors and clerics, all Lawful (LG, NG) in alignment. While the brothers wear their own livery, they sew a badge in the shape of a red heart over their own hearts. Once each year, at the end of campaign season, they gather at their chapter house in Camulodunon to report on their progress and adventures over the previous year, and they are permitted an audience with the Queen, who travels to the city from Tremayne for that purpose.  

The quest of the knights is supported by the Black Friars, the Queen’s Church and the Blue Magicians. The White and Grey Friars oppose the quest, though the White Friars do not oppose it publicly or actively, and the yellow and red magicians care little for the quest. 

The arms of the order are a field azure numerous crosses or. This livery is worn by the members at their convocations, and is worn by their retainers when on official duty. 

THE ORDER OF THE RED CROSSE 

The Order of the Red Crosse is dedicated to the veneration of St. George, the locals name for Mithras. The knights are loyal to their god first and to the Queen second. They have numerous fortifications throughout the country, and their main chapter house in Tremayne. The knights are commanded by a Knight Commander, and all of the knights wear white surcoats emblazoned with a saltire gules while serving the order. Most of the knights are clerics and paladins, though the ranks of their armies are filled out with lay brothers (i.e. fighters). 

MAGICAL SOCIETIES 

THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF PHILOSOPHERS 

The members of the Royal Society of Philosophers are more commonly known as the yellow magicians. Their ranks are filled by sages, alchemists, magic-users (transmuters) and scientists. In public, the philosophers wear yellow robes. The society is headquartered in Tremayne at Mumpsimus College. The society is led by a president, elected by the members for a life term, or until recalled by the membership. The society is known for its wealth and influence with the Queen, and is regarded with jealousy by the other magical orders and the merchants of Ulflandia. 

THE STARRY ORDER 

Colloquially known as the blue magicians or even blue friars, the Starry Order is composed of Lawful (Good) magic-users, sorcerers and warlocks. It is closely allied with both the Knights of the Red Crosse and the Questing Knights, and with the Black Friars. The order is chartered by Gloriana, and has its headquarters in Cantiacorum, a seaport located south of Tremayne. Members are known for their blue robes and white headbands. 

THE CUNNING ORDER OF WYSARDS AND WITCHES 

The red magicians are a loose fellowship of magic-users, sorcerers and warlocks, unofficially divided into four colleges – The Conjurers (who wear burgundy robes and golden bells), The Evokers (who wear crimson robes and rose badges), The Illusionists (who wear scarlet capes and tall hats) and the Necromancers (who wear maroon robes and skullcaps). The group is a secret society, with secret passwords and hand signals that allow members to communicate with one another. In truth, the existence of the order is fairly well known, and though the exact location of their lodges is unknown, most people know whether or not there is a lodge in their settlement.

As radiant as the Sun and as hard as adamant, Queen Gloriana comes from a line that descends from the Imperial House of Nomo and the royal houses of Ulflandia. The powers she possesses would suggest she retains not only the ancient, powerful blood of her people, but also the favor of the Kabir of Fairyland. Of course, puritan druids would argue this last point, pointing out that she has usurped the position of the gods in the life of the peoples of Ulflandia through her Church. 

Gloriana is a princess of Pyrdain and Logris, and recognized by some as the queen regent of the whole of Ulflandia. She is also the high priestess of the Queen’s Church, and has claimed the title of Empress of Nomo based on her descent from Partholon, though his claim is contested not only by the powers-that-be in Nomo, but also by several other royal houses in the Motherlands.  

She rules through her Privy Council, the Ulflandic Parliamentum (a gathering of nobles, knights and clerics in the upper house, and prominent commoners in the lower house), and her courts.  

Gloriana’s Privy Council is made up of Sir Guyon, the Lord Treasurer, Sir Artegall, the Lord Exchequer, Dame Britomart, the Lady Chancellor, Sir Marinell, the Lord Admiral, and Sir Spyrian, Secretary of State (who also serves as her spy master). All are members of the Parliamentum.