The Duchy of Calaban

Population: 1,400,000 (Predominantly Human)

Size:

Inhabitant Demonym: Calabanians

Government: Monarchy, Emperor Calaban (Deceased)

Defence: ???(notable fortresses, castles like helms deep etc)

Commerce: Crops, livestock, horses, dairy, pottery, silver, silk, spices, citrus

Organizations: Reichsguard, Calabanian Silver Army, Calabanian Mahogany Navy, Grey Wedge Knights, 

Religions: ???

History of Duchy of Calaban

Before Calaban was known by that time, it hardly amounted to any noticeable pillar of civilization,it's open plains and rolling hills rich with cattle and game allured it's Draconic neighbor to look over their ivory castles as prime hunting grounds for its monolithic Golden Kingdom. Consisting of mostly farmers and simple folk, this land was stagnant of any technological advancement and in-depth scholars of magic, which later would sow the foundations for its searing hatred for those who wield magic as a tool.

It wasn't until the royal family of the Golden Kingdom sent one of its trusted vessels, Versulis Calaban, to put an end to the insurgent Rebellion of the Pitchforks which lasted for two years. In the aftermath Calaban appointed himself as the keeper of the peace and interest of its denizens, he later found himself with the means to raise an impressive agricultural kingdom, to whom it would serve as an enormous city state which would provide tithes to its occupier's capital.

The people lived under the thumb of the Golden Kingdom for many years, and as long as the new Emperors Calaban lived, peace was kept for the most part. However in order to preserve law and order over the years, he would have to maintain certain traditions and grudges alive. Despite his best efforts there are many who still bare the old banner of the ruling houses stashed away from sight, along with sentiments of vengeance from the fallen of the rebellion.

the Citadel of Calaban is also the founder of the Long Road, which is 1,500mi long, stretching from the citadel to Aisenberg, Khiz, Narukthar, Frothese and back to Calaban. It takes 52 days to traverse in its entirety.

The Pilgrimage of Miracles (3404-3404)

Before the arrival of the Orebelleman druids, the land was known as simply, "The savannah" ; it was a sparse landscape, life was harsh for the fauna of this region as well as the isolated pockets of communities which consisted of farmers.

On an ordinary spring day, rumors of a band consisting of six Elves who carried about them a druidic style attire, ventured into this region, traveling through the rough barren road. 

Sightings of this band also said that in stride, they would weave their hands in a peculiar manner while chanting foreign words in a mantra. The people were absolutely amazed to find that in their wake, the very ground would spring into life, flowers would blossom and buds pop open, it was truly a miraculous sighting.

It wasn't until the following weeks of the first rumors of the sightings becoming actual facts among the people that the information about these six druids became more apparent.

Two elves at the helm of the band would travel hand in hand, man and woman, merely chanting words which later were identified as Druidic. While also communicating with animals as they travel.

Two male druids at the wings of their formation, would conjure druidic magic, enriching the earth with magic and awakening trees who worked as guardians of the new fertile grounds and groves.

The last two Elves held the rear, one with an interesting artifact which sent forth an endless torrent of water, creating ponds, streams and even lakes and rivers. The other Elf threw wooden tokens on the ground which would vibrate lightly and take life as beasts of the wild, while also moving the very earth to create hills and even mountains of solid rock which were uprooted for the earth.

In light of all this miraculous showcase, some folk bore some form of suspicion, and even crafted rumors that it was a curse disguised as miracle, worse of all was that a few of the people believed these, thus the seeds of the end of the enriching the land would be sowed.

The Verdant Period (3405-3405)

With such gifts that the Elves carried with them, it was inevitable that the simple farmers of the Savannah would begin to worship them as kings of this land, and branded them by the title of "The Thriving Kings", and with great success and sway comes a great deal of jealousy from the ill of hearts.

It wasn't long until the idea that the magic was a curse that enriched the tundra, town criers heralded great misfortune upon the people that dared to benefit any sustenance from the tampered earth. Vowing that plague and deformed babies were the price to pay for the sudden miracles gifted to the people. Calling the Thriving Kings to be nothing more but interlopers from the Feywilds. Striking bargains with farmers who suddenly surged in agricultural wealth.

At the helm of this movement against the Thriving Kings was a person by the name of Jorphan, an old human man in his sixties who served as "The Oracle" to the people.

The Oracle went through great lengths to turn the hearts and minds of a vast majority of the folk of the tundra, obtaining Redcaps and hags corpses along with other evil Fey to pin such mischievous creatures upon their schemes..

The Oracle also orchestrated a great number of minotaurs to occupy roads and woods to further strengthen his resolve on the matter. The conjured proof was more than enough to muster the people to overthrow the Thriving Kings.

However the six druids were not aware of this development, as most druids would refrain from entering cities and communities. The movement against them caught speed and soon the Thriving Kings had an angry mob of peasants after their heads.

When the Oracle made his move, it was fast and heavy, the Oracle himself claimed that the Thriving Kings bestowed a curse upon him that after much time and dedication, resulted in mastery of foul necromancy magic, which would aid in neutralizing the threat of powerful druids.

Needless to say the clash was a bloodbath, hundreds of peasants clashed against awakened trees, minotaurs, and assassin vines which protected their grove. The marauding peasants set the forest ablaze, and at the apex of the conflict, the Oracle himself had single-handedly defeated all six druids in an instant, but at the cost of his own life.

The people afterwards thrived with the remnants of the wake of the Thriving Kings, and thus...the tundra became to be known as the most prideful human communities regionally, raising the notion that human grit is unrivaled and holy.

Draconic Bloodsport Season (3405-3405)

As the Verdant Period persisted, its neighboring Draconic kingdoms saw the Savanna flourish with game, so much so that it enticed most dragons to make journey to the Savanna to pluck the abundance of resources for their own entertainment majorly.

In the midst of a dispute as to who would earn the hand of the daughter of Shani the Green, many Dragonkin of The Kingdom of Chromatics and Green Dragon Kingdom made journey down to the Duchys of Aisenberg, Frothese and the Savannah to wreak the most havoc in the shortest time, which lasted a whole year. This resulted in a mass genocide of the human population of the effected areas, along with a enormous growth in Dragonborn and half-Dragons in the future.

The Golden Kingdom caught wind of the Draconic Bloodsport and sought to make haste, to end the bloodshed while sowing the seeds to a prosperous ally.

Rebellion of the Pitchforks (3405-3406)

Age of Versulis of Calaban (3406-3427)

Versulis of Calaban was a human male with small manifestation of Draconic sorcery, he was a tall blonde man with true grit and a tactical mind, a gentle, humble heart. Versulis won the hearts of the people, and bestowed in each person he met, the will to rise above tyranny of evil. Leading the rebels by example, it wasn't long until Prince Cedric caught wind of this human, and sought to locate the rebel lieutenant to propose an offer, thus ending the year long rebellion abruptly, Versulis later rose the Emperor of the entire three kingdoms, and a strong ally of the Golden Kingdom. The region that is now known as Duchy of Calaban now flourishes, and is the seat of political power of its own kingdom, the Duchy of Frothese and Aisenberg.

The Magi Purge (3425-3427)

After the last ditch effort to propel its agenda forward, Vox, an on friend of the powerful Nathaniel Vandrel orchestrated a Magi Terror attack on the capital. Erupting a mighty fireball, killing tens of innocent commoners in its wake, this event alone had armed Versulis of Calaban with the means to start the next fold of his agenda. A nationwide ban and hunt to apprehend and purge all Magi users, as the power they wield cannot be trusted, and just like the time of Draconic Bloodsport, innocents were caught in its rippling effects and the Emperor would not stand for it.

Versulis, after somehow attaining Nathaniel into the fold, had appointed the wizard as the head of operations of this purge, his first task was to cleanse the Magi Academy in Calaban, a place where children and young gifted individuals practices their magical affinity in a controlled environment, a massacre ensued. Nathaniel had left none alive, guiding the blades of a thousand Reichsguard to silence all denizens of the academy, it was only the beginning as soon blockades and checkpoints throughout the kingdoms would be raised to pick out runaway Magis.

After the academy and the condemnation of thousands, Nathaniel took one hundred Reichsguard with him and retired to the City of Osirus, where the toll of such heartless acts would torment him until the end of the Purge.

The Magi Purge lasted two years, Versulis mysteriously never lived out to see its progression, House Vandrel ended the purge in 3427 for reasons unknown, but the two year evet had left scars sowed so deep that it forever changed its people.

The Deathsmarch (3428-3428)

The cataclysmic event of the Deathsmarch would undoubtedly reach the Duchy of Calaban, with no clear leader in the three kingdoms, Nathaniel Vandrel looked to its protection.

The defences of the kingdoms were arranged by the gifted War Wizard of Osirus, who orchestrated the Silver Army to play a defensive war against the northmen, while the gray Grey Wedge Knights were tasked with hit and run tactics to pinch at the enemy, no matter how good Nathaniel's tactics were, the eveloping darkness from the Deathsmarch loomed ever closer, a miracle would be needed to save their homes.

(Enter Godbound Campaign)

Duchy of Calaban Today (3456)

Duchy of Calaban today stands in disarray, since the death of its Emperor much of the noble houses of the kingdom are making moves to secure their influence over the throne. The upcoming Tournaments of the Kings has the people riled up to see who will rise to claim dominion over the three kingdoms, tension is in the air and the people are reluctant to trust outsiders.

Order in Duchy of Calaban

The Reichsguard have risen to safekeep the order in the Kingdom, as they only answered to the Emperor himself, its current general, Brath Tzek has issued martial law in the entire Kingdom, not even the Silver Army dare to oppose the veteran Reichsguard from their "Peacekeeping" duties.

Law & Order

Common Law is very much in effect in the kingdom, murder, theft, assault, blackmail and fraud can see an individual locked away from years if the death of the transgressor is not warranted. the practice of magic is still heavily frowned upon and the crime of witchcraft is still one of the gravest crime one could be accused of, its trials are rigorous and often one sided on most occasions.

The Reichsguard who are seen as a force of fear and absolution are still feared by the people, the Grey Wedge Knights carry out most of the "Witch hunts" in the region, and the Silver Army oversee all other crimes in the Kingdom.

Minor crimes are overseen also by the Silver Army, punishment for such criminal tiers like petty theft or vandalism are punishable by incarceration, public humiliation or a fine.

Neighbors, Rivals and Allies

Being the political center of the continent for its close relationship to both Duchies of Aisenberg and Frothese, neighboring kingdoms keep a watchful eye over Calaban. the Kingdom is located directly at the center of the continent, therefore the nexus of trade which other kingdoms must traverse. Relationships are mostly friendly apart from the Kingdom of Chromatics where the wounds dealt during the Draconic Bloodsport period are still fresh and may never truly heal.

Government

The royalty of the Duchy of Calaban was mysteriously left fragile, with its only appointed successor being the foreigner Duke Vandrel, the Counsel of Hay keeps the politics working on a minimum level, a council of the four noble houses that rose from the Rebellion of the Pitchforks keep the kingdom's best interest safe from foreign powers to seek to take advantage of its delicate time of power vacuum. House Shadeski, Umerge, Hestimoor and Zildebar form the Counsel of Hay

Military

The Reichsguard are considered the veteran elite of the Deathsmarch war, their discipline and ruthlesness leave criminals to scatter at the sound of the summoning or sight of their banner. The Reichsguard are 900 strong and thought to be stout warriors who are unshakeable even in the face of certain doom, rumours among its people question even if they are humans afterall.

The Silver Army are made up for common folk who file up the rank of the Kingdom, not only does the Silver Army operate in the Duchy of Calaban but also in its neighbouring shared kingdom of Aisenberg and Frothese, its number of available men are thought to be among the four to five thousand infantrymen.

The Mahogany Navy are strictly of the Duchy of Calaban and mostly operate in the great Stale Lake, however few ships escort merchant vessels in open sea.

The Grey Wedge Knights are made up of aristocrats of the upper families of the Three Kingdoms combined, mostly cavalry who work as an independent body of the military of the Three Kingdoms, they often act in affairs of Necromancy, extraplannar threats and even the control extermination of viscous wyrmlings who roam unchecked in the territory. These knights hold great sway of public opinion, its current high knight Crestas Erajhan, a red dragonborn male commands its knights currently.

The Reichsguard

Consisting of veterans and hardened elites, the Reichsguard

The Silver Army

Description

The Mahogany Navy

Description

The Grey Wedge Knights

Description

Citizenry

Aristocracy is of course at the highest echelons of Calabanian society, most of which earned their seat in society during the Rebellion of the Pitchforks for valiant service and sacrifice.

the Commonfolk make up the majority of the population of the region, often highly respect by the Aristocracy, and outlandish outlook from foreign Kingdoms, Calaban is without a doubt have the most respected citizenry throughout the continent.

Economy and Trade

The Commonfolk pump wealth into the kingdom's economy at a stable rate, its trade of crops, livestock, horses, dairy are heavily sought after by its neighbours, while silver and silk are mostly exclusive to its Aristocracy or the Reichsguard and Gray Wedge Knights.

Religion

Calabanians are free to worship good deities, mostly human ones, any open practice of evil and violence are quickly dealt with thanks to the black ironclad Reichsguard. Their witchhunts are infamous an often keep such folks in occult temples out of sight.

Duchy of Calaban Geography

The geography of Calaban have rich earth fit for farming thanks to the Verdant Period, rolling hills and vast forests provide the region with rich game and rarities in flora. This region is said to produce the best steeds in all the continent.

Dangers in the Duchy of Calaban

Although for all its rich history and pivotal geographical seat, dangers still lurk in its wilderness, much of packs of Minatours still harass any travelers who stray too far from the main travel routes. Cults of evil still operate within the Kingdom, and entire cabals of criminals and bitter rebels from the Draconic Bloodsport assail easy prey, although its military is vast and capable, even a commoner is expected to carry some form of weapon to defend itself.

Aggressive flora with still bitter resentment from the slaying of the Thriving Kings still ensnare the kingdoms of men, such forces take the shape of chaotic evil Treants, assasin vines and carnivorous plants.

Lastly a fierce Orc warband controls many of the unclaimed wilderness of the Kingdom, which the Silver Army continues their crimson tug of war every day.

Criminal Factions

The Sanguine Rebels

This faction consists of resentful survivors of the Draconic Bloodsport times, they are often made up of assassins and kidnapers. the Sanguine Rebels do not sell their service in contrast to other criminal cabals, and target only individuals with Draconic ancestry and sympathizers, their agenda still stays true to the event times of the Rebllion of the Pitchforks, often destabilizing the interest of the Golden Kingdom throughout the three kingdoms. their recruitment is still in full swing as entire villages still provide likeminded individuals with their ideologies. The Untamed is at the seat of power in the Sanguine Rebels, a tall six foot goliath who wields a double headed great axe.

The Carnivorous Ants

The Carnivorous Ants are comprised of mainly minatours who wage open war against the realms of men, vowing to return the Duchy of Calaban to the realms of the wilds, just as the Thriving Kings had envisioned it to be. Minatour along with a minority of humans and Elves make up the ranks of the Ants, their services can also be purchased in exchange for information who mainly act as thieves and ambushers. Its leader is still a mystery to this day but rumour has it, it is a Fey Changeling

The Fingerless Hand

This criminal faction is the easiest to find, often having agents in every shady tavern, the Fingerless Hand are thieves, burglars, and saboteurs who exchange their service for coin with no moral qualms as long as the job pays well. It is also the oldest criminal faction in the kingdom.

Criminal Kingpins

Description

Cults

Cults in the Duchy of Calaban operate in the dark, but that does not mean it is invisible to day to day life, their dark rituals leave marks kingdom-wide and are often left in the open for the public eye, the wounds of the Deathsmarch period have left many cults to fester within the three kingdoms, their agenda are mostly unknown but despite the disdain to magic still enroll new recruits.

Reapers of the Unseen

The Unseen King from its onslaught of the Deathsmarch have left a impact in the kingdom, the Reapers of the Unseen are nothing less then lich-loving fanatics, often carrying their dark rituals to bring creatures from the domain of death and dread to walk upon the kingdom. Seeking to corrupt entire defenseless villages, any undead sighted within the land are instantly thought to be work of the Reapers, their rivals, the Gray Wedge Knights are the main frontline against this cult, and thus far have not been able to extinguish their eldritch flame from consuming their kingdom.

The Venomous Musk

The Musk venerate no less then the Zuggtmoy, these evil druids seek to spread their poisonous ideals to its prospects along the land, beliving that the Thriving Kings were incarnations of Zuggtmoy, their members often lurk in secluded tribal villages of the wilderness

Cult of Tiamat