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  1. Maps

the Six Kingdoms (reputations page)

Lore

is the "Land of the Six Kingdoms". Each has its own rivalries, prejudices, and political stances toward one another, briefly touched on below. 

are seen as (at worst) overly religious and too obsessed with conquest. They however are admired for their great and storied lineage and healthy trade relations. It also helps that the naval ambitions of don't extend as far north as the , so any negative perceptions of their imperialist tendencies are tempered by an amount of indifference.

The  is disliked, but largely disregarded due to their vassalage under . There has been war between the two island nations more than once, and the famous  hatred of pirates is steeped in their shared history. There have been many battles over , which the  have wished to defile since its inception. 

The  is perceived as a kingdom in decline, whose failings are attributed to a lack of true royalty. A brisk trade is keeping past tensions at bay, for the moment. However, some at court worry that close ties with such a disreputable country will reflect on their diplomatic status abroad. There is also the difficult issue of the  that find shelter in the duchy that excites great disgust in all of .   

 has a hold of the  imagination, but the  are viewed with more respect than comprehension. Their trade with the south depends heavily on access to  and the , so they are always keen on keeping good relations with the . Negative perceptions exist around the ruler of , due to a perceived lack of royal legitimacy. This is to most a very minor concern, outside of historians and scholars. 

The  is regarded as a threat, but a respectable one. They are mostly an economic threat, themselves also a seafaring people with a vested interest in the widdershins trade route through the . There is no cause for hostilities with , but are not always glad in one anothers' company due to the stark differences in style and cultural norms.

The  is recognized. Not as a kingdom, but as the remnant of one, and a country with valuable trade relations. The degree to which the republic and their church cooperate in governance is viewed as unseemly as well.  had better relations with  in its heyday, so what they call those bird-riding canyon dancers are viewed as a bad replacement for an old friend, and hoping for a return of the old days. That said, individual are usually well-liked, despite any impetuous solar fanaticism.

The  monarchy does not recognize The Regency of Canidium, either as a government or even as people. They share no diplomatic or trade relations. There is a cultural perception of  as monsters, or perhaps even worse. They are not permitted within the lands or in the waters of . 

trades with  as a freehold, but private opinion tends to hold that  are little better than pirates that have made it impossible to dispense with in the preferred manner. 

 in


The  is viewed as mostly as a strategic asset in terms of its religious cachet and its naval usefulness. Since the land is so damaged and the population is in such a poor state, it is regarded as a sad curiosity or a usefully weakened rival.  

The  is counted among the true royal lineages of the continent; though their culinary and religious customs are regarded with ill ease. They earn favorable mentions for their anti-piracy work, but privately mocked for their strange gods, odd beasts of burden, and unfashionable ships. 

The  is counted as a kingdom by dint of history, though one in dire straits and likely irreparable decline. It is felt in that nobility is all but spent in Boreal Bimaria & the Brecland. Their heretical beliefs are a source of contention, and missionaries bringing god's light have too often come back failures, or not at all.  

are counted as a holy land in the myths and legends of , and though many wars of conquest has estranged them from the dynasty, there is great esteem for the heads of nomadic  clans. The  clan holding dominion in the badlands is seen as good for trade in some ways, but bad for international relations due to their unwillingness to adopt . 

The is counted as a kingdom, though one of lesser stature owing to fact that it exists as an offshoot of their own kingdom. The reparations still being paid by  for its soverieignty remain a point of contention.  

The  is viewed as a nascent line of royalty, as the family has a lineage originally out of (though more recently from ), and they have many family connections in the royal house. The only current impediment is that the military views them as a strategic threat owing to their prodigious industry and burgeoning military. Tensions cannot decrease until it becomes clear whose enemy the will be.

The is not recognized due to the . Aside from theological differences, are still seen as little better than nomads hiding in the ruins of fallen (still often referred to in as Forspédian).

The 


were once the continent's proudest, mightiest, and fairest folk; the chosen people of  himself. They were brought low by a calamity known as "the void dragon", but nobody really knows what that means. Their beautiful green land was turned into poison and dust. Their wondrous king was taken from them and mutated by a cursed land. They regard  in  as little better than pirates for having subjugated them in a moment of crisis. They are also heretics for appropriating the faith for political aims. They view  as a pack of wilfully insane heretics. They regard  similarly. are heretics who are disrespecting the historical ruins of , while the  race are merely monsters, chimerae, and their queen  is plainly a heretical madwoman. The  of  are decadent "river pirates" and heretics to boot. The  think that god is a river. They are heretics, and their papercraft is insane.

The Cerentian worldview has been strongly shaped by recent history, to put it simply. They see all the continental kingdoms as (at best) bystanders in a cosmic crime committed against them, and more often as unsympathetic and delusional subhumans. They remember their past, and they have history's biggest chip on their shoulder. They keep their faith more fiercely than ever, and they are determined to shine again with a cleansing light of ancient fire. The Cerentian people are determined to find out what destroyed their land and demand satisfaction. 


 are viewed as an ancient line, laggards in culture and finance but still too powerful to ignore completely. The folk of that land are viewed as rustic, and the debts owed to the crown are treated as a scornful triviality. 

Owing to the earnest solar faith of , they view the  and the  as rightfully sovereign. They think it is disgusting to keep old king Goreleth a prisoner at . They love old tales of  and whisper still that they will rise again. 

The  and the people of  are seen as wonderfully peculiar, if a little severe. Their huge flat-bottomed s have captured the imaginations of , as have their odd religious beliefs. Most of their folktales have at least one comedy relief . 

The  are close trading partners. By reputation, they are seen as gutsy and devilish.  is often talked about as an enticingly rebellious but harmless affectation within the solar faith, rather than a serious belief system. 

 are viewed as disreputably potamic in their faith, as well as much too concerned with magic and . Their spices equally disliked, however their books, scrolls, and (non-magical) paper products are sought above all other imports. 

Due to , the  is viewed as the bulwark of western solar faith. It is regrettable therefore that they are adherents of  rather than . Making matters worse, they are not even monarchists and they openly defy .  want to like , but there are too many difficulties for more than cordial enmity from afar. 

The main thing one must do in order to impress  is to be audacious and new. The , though problematic for most, are well liked in . Their  dignitaries are fêted, and any trade that can be done across the north of  is welcomed. However, the highly fashionable often see neoclassical revival attempts as bumbling and oafish. are regarded as a daring and exciting curiosity for the most part.

Due to their distance and remoteness of trade impact,  is little regarded. When they are thought of at all, they are characterized as scrappy underdogs who have fought to carve out a cultural hub in the west.  is not well known of. 

 


 is their closest neighbor and the most influential trading partner in the region, as goods flow from  through the , downstream to the . Although the majority of the economic policies set forth by the  are aimed at exports, the terms are set by  who also demand suitable imports be able to flow. The Dominion is thereby forced to come to the table - at least, until it can declare war to take the holy river ... are therefore regarded as economic allies in the near-term, and yet also adversaries on another timescale. 

 is a bitter enemy, despite their distance. The  war of conquest and occupation of  has left lasting scars, and is indeed the reason the  clan was able to form the Dominion in the first place. Anyone from that land is not offered hospitality as a matter of course. 

The  is viewed as proof-positive that  has ended over a hundred years ago, with potamic theology the victor. The fall of "'s chosen people" was, to the , evidence that  has spoken. Therefore they are regarded with pity, yet also some delight. 

The  is the subject of jokes. Sun-heretical fashion victims who hate the kingdom who created them. They fall from the sky on the backs of untameable monsters. Just about the only good quality  see in them is their evident love of books. 

The , as the focus of the  and their closest neighbor, are viewed with open hostility. The old diplomatic ties with  are forgotten, and there are few who hope for peace. 

The existence of  has made it so the beasts who inhabit the  not objectionable at all. Their revival of  culture is well-regarded. Instead, it is the fact of their queen's heritage from  that causes tension. Good relations are not strategically important at the moment, as there is little trade between them. 

The  is so distant as to obscure any definite impressions. Those  who venture far east enough to learn more of  and the shocking behavior of the  who dwell there are enough to turn the stomach of all who hear them. 

 is an enemy, and one who has been nearly ripe for destruction for quite a while.  does not recognize , and since the fall of  the freehold of  has dubious legal standing. Only its strategic value for international trade protects it.

The


There is open enmity with . They profess to believe in the same god, but differ on the particulars ever since ; the razing of is only the most recent insult. Potamists are not made to feel welcome within the steppe.

The are viewed as strange upstarts, in the best possible way. Until lately, were viewed as such and it is a relief to be able to seem normal compared to the hulking chimerae of . are generally adherents like their queen, which all agree is old fashioned but respectable. There is a good deal of trade between these nations along the further reaches of the . The also derive their basic culture from old ; have modulated the dialect, fashion, and architecture of the fallen empire with the heritage of steppe nomads, as well as their more modern solar zeal. Compared to historic ,  are rougher yet more modern. In comparison, culture, such as it is, stems from a mandated neoclassical revivalism of language, religion, architecture, and fashion. However, due to the playful nature and monstrous appearance of s, much of the intended gravitas and dignity of old imperial style appears comical. 

is a major source of imports and a key trading partner with , and so their strange titanic faith is tolerated with some effort. are as unlike as any two cultures ever were. The southern Altonians are idealistic, modern, tall and bright-eyed while the northern  are famously stocky, swarthy, grim of countenance, and grounded in tradition. They generally enjoy each other, until religion or history are brought up. 

is resented, as it does not officially recognize the republic. This does not prevent them from sending trade ships to however. Individuals travelers who were sent west are gladly received however, as they tend to be wealthy knights in exile (or at least commoners critical of the church). Traveling west across is much harder than the return journey - most often an eastbound boat out of . By stereotype, s are seen as posturing, easily offended, and two-faced.

The is regarded much as , just a bit of history that hasn't quite gone away yet. are seen as respectable enough in their faith, but a little desperate and old fashioned. On an individual basis are seen as intense and sullen, but dangerous.

are seen as daring, fashionable, wealthy, well-fed, and refined. Rather than admire these perceived traits, find it easier to dislike them. Being a relatively new culture of deeply religious folk, the strange couplings of the among the noblility is seen as deeply unsettling by most . There is enough to dislike about without ever mentioning .

The is distant, and mostly known for the that king Roland IX of is so keen on sinking throughout the . It is generally held that are dirty, easily duped, base, and immoral owing to the fact that talk to captains far more often.

is a key partner in the region, whose protection the guarantees. is important for trade, but viewed as seedy and morally lax. It is not common to travel that way, since the river flows from there to here, so most people only have an impression of the bridge people based on the barge captains of the cartel.

The


Relations with the are bad, due to prejudice against the , who are not permitted in the lands or navigable waters of that kingdom. Both adhere to , though is not an official signatory. As such, those legal provisions exist for people of within their lands, but not vice-versa. Also, culture is nascent and highly inclusive. They are modern individualists, whereas the are home to a very clannish and culturally traditional people. On nearly every level, they clash.

The is a useful trading partner and a spiritual ally. are welcomed in the . are at worst distrustful or boring, which is most of the time. They tend to laugh at culture, which is no trouble.

The is always sizing up which kingdom might be the first to attempt a war of extermination. is regarded as an unlikely candidate. Although have insurmountable religious differences and a historical claim on (once known by the name Al Safas), it is believed by the Order that the   aren't a threat outside the badlands. Since are generally accepting and not viewed as a credible threat, they are generally liked.

The is strictly opposed to "the menace". As neighbors with a powerful navy and strong economic relations with the , are regarded as a primary concern. The forest and plains at the northern foot of are a no-mans' land as a result of this tension. Their foothold at allows to project its power inland, and it remains a grave concern. Beyond the insurmountable diplomatic, economic, religious, and racial concerns, and characters could not be less compatible. While are open-countenanced, enthusiastic, and trusting, the folk of can come off as scowling traditionalists.

in is hesitantly friendly. They share certain cultural touchstones, but lack a genuine connection. However, wanderers sent west have often arrived in , leading to more familiarity. The are regarded as a kingdom that would be wonderful to visit, but not for too long. There is much distrust of the court sorceress and her tightened grip of domestic affairs.

The , were they in the fullness of their sovereign power, would surely have moved to destroy long ago. It is seen as lucky that they have been reduced to their present state of vassalage and ruin. It is not known if any have ever met a , but there is not much need to ask what they would think.

maintains her house's shares in certain companies operating within the , and remains an account holder in good standing at the royal bank. Relations with are as good as could be expected, but there is a rivalry between her and that has colored some perceptions of . Further, the highly fashionable often see neoclassical revival attempts as bumbling and oafish, leading to be constantly looking for new ideas in order to please them.

The are generally seen as a kingdom of Bad Humans; emissaries have nearly caused diplomatic incidents after choking back the urge to bark. Perhaps they smell wrong. Nobody is quite sure, but are rarely made to feel welcome in .

is difficult. travelers and traders love to visit and gain nearly effortless access to the downstream markets. However, the cartel are too inconsistent, inscrutable, and unscrupulous for tastes. Criminality and exploitation run counter to their values. 

The


The has an uneasy peace with . Past naval wars and current dependency on patrols to curb piracy go hand-in-hand with 's dependency on their imports, creating a tense peace. Their and insular culture mean that and will trade freely, but never with a smile.

in are scorned for their population, their repressive magic laws, and their overbearing self-regard. Further, are fond of accusing from of being the real pirate menace in the .

The is so fervently solar and so utterly desolated (see Unknown) that it is popular to point to as an example of 's weakness. No vessels flying the colors of are allowed at port there, or at the .

In the , feel as if they've walked through the looking glass; the food is rich and elaborate, the people are healthy, the sun shines, and the leaders seem kind. Usually this engenders a great deal of surprise, distrust, disbelief. Usually it is seen as some kind of trick. Food harvested by is eaten throughout the pine barrens of Boreal Bimaria & the Brecland in exchange for their manufactured goods and natural resources, so there is a good deal of familiarity (and concomitant contempt). 

Relations with are mostly limited to tales from afar and the occasional seaman who has made the widdershins route to and back west. They hear stories of vicious nomad clans, deadly magicians who consort with elves, and armies of demented monster men.

are nearly as disliked as for their faith. One sun god is as bad as the other. As for the itself, it is viewed in its proper light as a theocracy. It is hoped by many that can be brought to them in due course. Unknown has operatives in already, it is said.

The is viewed by some dukes as ripe for plucking. If their queen can be done away with, they will need a new master. has sent emissaries to to establish diplomatic ties, which the queen has cordially reciprocated. Allies cannot be easily discarded, after all. are used to monsters, so the affable seem rather mild.

is viewed as a useful avenue for disseminating handbills printed by ; export goods are packed with religious propaganda and sent down the . is tolerant of these oddities, as any destabilizing effect of a religious uprising could be turned to their benefit.