Bandit Kingdoms

As the migratory Oeridians ranged eastward in their search for a land that would support them, they passed through many regions of inhospitable climate, infertile land, and unfriendly local populations. Chief among these lands were the rugged plains north of the Nyr Dyv, which resisted meaningful human settlement for centuries, even as a strong Great Kingdom created the Viceroyalty of Ferrond to the west. Long held by ill-favored nobles, these “Middle Lands” fell to complete degeneracy when Furyondy cut relations with its progenitor and the courts of Rauxes became inept and mad.

In time, these petty barons established formal, independent domains, loosely aligning themselves as the Combination of Free Lords. This alliance served little purpose internally. The locals fell upon each other with zeal as each lord attempted to solidify his holdings while stealing those of his neighbors. When foreign states threatened the borders of the Combination, however, the lords reacted fiercely, banding together impressive armies to discourage meaningful invasions.

By the early 300s CY, the Bandit Kings had become such a threat that the lords of the Nyr Dyv’s northern shore banded together in their own alliance, a bulwark against banditry and lawlessness forevermore known as the Shield Lands. For more than two centuries, northern and southern lords made war on each other with great regularity. Iuz conquered the far western Bandit Kingdoms between Whyestil Lake and the Ritensa River, which the Horned Society then took for its own in 513 CY.

The map on the right defines the current territorial borders within the Combination of Free Lords. Borders of these territories are shown by thick, black hexsides, except where a river forms part of a boundary. Below is a basic overview of each holding: Its number (keyed to the map), its formal name, the name of its leader, the quantities of different types of troops under their command, and a brief description of the land, if applicable.

1. Warfields

Name: Unified Bands of the Warfields
Ruler: Guardian General Hok
Military: 300 Cavalry, 500 Infantry
Overview: The original claimant to the lands along the eastern Ritensa River has been lost to history. Since well before the formation of the Viceroyalty of Ferrond, Warfields has been a chaotic land wracked by nearly endless warfare. Situated at the crossroads of the Shield Lands, Horned Society, and the rest of the Bandit Kingdoms, Warfields has hosted some of the most titanic battles in the region’s long history. The “Unified Bands” of the Warfields are hardly unified at all, and are governed as a single entity simply because one ruler is usually powerful enough to either capture or coerce the leaders of rival bands. This overlord, known as the Guardian General, rules through oppression. Generations of chaos and lawlessness leaves him little option.

2. Wormhall

Name: Barony of Wormhall
Ruler: Baron Oltagg
Military: 150 Cavalry, 400 Infantry, 100 Humanoids (gnolls)
Overview: Though Iuz dominates the bedtime monster stories and threats experienced by most children in this dreadful realm, the ghoulish edifice known as Wormhall, and the twisted land governed by those who dwell within it, provide more localized chills. A desolate and largely uninhabited wilderness in any era, the so-called Barony of Wormhall comprises most of the land north of Warfields, along the upper Ritensa River within 75–90 miles of the east bank. The structure and province are named for the tenebrous worms that literally crawl on the walls of the Wormhall, a revolting feature that has led many to suggest magic created by the infamous arch-cleric Kyuss is somehow involved in the affairs of the land.

3. Freehold

Name: Mighty Freehold
Ruler: Master Eab Huldor
Military: 350 Cavalry, 800 Infantry
Overview: The realm in the inner crook of the Fellreev Forest, south of the Artonsamay, is named for its sole fortified site, a huge walled keep. The citadel is an imposing reminder of the evil, otherworldly forces that infest the local countryside. Passers-by fear not only the claw and tooth of marauding demons, but also the strange, haunting screams that some claim can be heard from the keep; which locals give a wide berth.

4. Abbarra

Name: Abbarra
Ruler: Rhelt Abbarra
Military: 400 Cavalry, 600 Infantry
Overview: A wilderness of rugged plains situated between the Fellreev and Tangles, immediately west of the Midlands, Abbarra has long been run by a syndicate of formidable assassins. In a land as chaotic and lawless as the Bandit Kingdoms, the blade of a trained killer is highly prized. Because of this, the Abbarrish have generally managed well as a people, despite the inferiority of their overfarmed land.

5. Tangles

Name: Earldom of the Tangles
Ruler: Earl Reynard
Military: 200 Cavalry, 500 Infantry
Overview: Encompassing the entire Tangles, the far western Rift Barrens, and the clear plains bordering Warfields and the old Shield Lands, the Earldom of the Tangles was formed from an easygoing adventuring band devoted to Olidammara. In the time since, the folk of Tangles have had their jovial nature put to the test by hobgoblin raids. Attempts to destroy the Tangles have always failed, as the forest seems to regrow damage very swiftly.

6. Rift

Name: Men of the Rift
Ruler: Plar Lintoff
Military: 150 Cavalry, 350 Infantry, 260 Humanoids (200 gnolls, 50 bugbears, 10 ogres)
Overview: Rift Canyon and nearly all the rough lands around it (the Rift Barrens) are ruled from the town of Riftcrag, which has long had a notable nonhuman population of orcs, gnolls, bugbears, ogres, and the like. Rift folk are mostly as chaotic and evil as the nonhumans, but they are clever and skilled at mountaineering and trap-setting. Many thieves and berserkers are among the warriors here, and Erythnul worship is widespread. The Rift holds mines that provide the region’s best silver veins.

7. Reyhu

Name: Great Lands of Reyhu
Ruler: Tyrant Celdro
Military: 300 Cavalry, 700 Infantry
Overview: Though the city of Rookroost commonly holds the distinction of the “capital” of the old Bandit Kingdoms, the Allied Townships of Reyhu (Balmund and Sarresh) control the most fertile land, granting them much power in this land of arid plains and sickly woods. Sworn enemies of the Shield Lands, Reyhu men are skilled raiders and defenders by necessity; tales of the prowess of the Reyhu armies are told as far west as Lopolla. The rulers of Reyhu, a long line of self-named tyrants, have curried favor in the County of Urnst, even coming to the aid of the count when Nyrondal cavalry crossed the county’s eastern border following Nyrond’s break from the Great Kingdom. Because of this, Urnst has funneled much unofficial (and often illegal) trade to Reyhu through Hardwyn, across the river from Sarresh. This has gone on despite the wicked nature of Reyhu’s folk, many of them followers of Erythnul, as many family ties crossed the Artonsamay in this region.

8. Redhand

Name: Principality of Redhand
Ruler: Prince Zeech
Military: 100 Cavalry, 300 Infantry
Overview: The Combination’s only coastal “kingdom,” Redhand holds a section of the north coast of the Nyr Dyv, from the Shield Lands to the mouth of the Artonsamay. “Prince” Zeech is an effete renegade Shield Lands lord who recently broke with his nation to form his own realm. Redhand’s capital is at Alhaster. Deadly conflicts between orcs from Reyhu in the north and Redhand humans in the south are becoming common.

9. Artonsamay

Name: Duchy of Artonsamay
Ruler: Duke Nebon Gellor
Military: 250 Cavalry, 250 Infantry
Overview: Located along the riverbanks north of the Great Northern Bend of the Artonsamay and the plains within 30–60 miles of the Rift Barrens’ eastern end, the duchy is a curiosity in this land of criminals and murderers. Though a purse is as likely to go missing here as in any holding, Artonsamay has about it a certain honor lacking in most of its neighbors. Rumored to be ruled by a puissant noble adventurer of Urnst's Gellor dynasty, Artonsamay is a favorite haunt of thrill-seekers and lawless folk lacking an evil or sadistic bent.

10. Stoink

Name: Free City-State of Stoink
Ruler: Boss Dhaelhy
Military: 200 Cavalry, 650 Infantry
Overview: The land within the two lower bends of the Artonsamay just west of the Nutherwood are controlled by Stoink, long known as the “Wasp Nest.” One of the most powerful states among the bandits, walled Stoink has a major export business in weapons, trading with and raiding both Nyrond and the County of Urnst. It also commands a great smuggling business by river and road, and its thieves and mercenaries are renowned across the Flanaess for their superb skills and bad manners. Stoink sponsors brigand raids into northern Nyrond, and its forces loot the supply trains of the army of Tenh. Cross-river raids between Stoink and the Urnst fortress Ventnor are increasing, but they have not yet invited an invasion by the County of Urnst north of the Artonsamay. The northern border with Dimre is stoutly defended to prevent raiding by overzealous minor priests.

11. Dimre

Name: Grand Theocracy of Dimre
Ruler: Szek Winvid
Military: 300 Cavalry, 550 Infantry
Overview: Dimre includes the far end of the Phostwood west of the Artonsamay, and the plains 60–75 miles west of that wooded bend in the river. A small, powerful state, Dimre raids Tenh and Nyrond through the Phostwood and Nutherwood. Founded prior to the Great Council of Rel Mord by the charismatic canon of a heretical apostate cult of Pholtus, Dimre is greatly reviled in the Pale. Brave young templars are often sent by the Pale’s theocrat to undermine the little realm. The appalling failure rate of such endeavors has led many to suggest (in private) that Dimre presents the Pale with a convenient means for disposing of challengers to the status quo. Dimre’s clergy preaches that to understand the glory of Light, one must first walk hand-in-hand with Darkness. Its army keeps watch on all borders, allowing none but the faithful to pass into their sacred land.

12. Johrase

Name: Kingdom of Johrase
Ruler: King Selnon
Military: 350 Cavalry, 550 Infantry
Overview: One of the oldest holdings in the Combination of Free Lords, Johrase has long held the lands west of the Zumker-Artonsamay confluence, extending southwest from the town of Kinemeet (the capital) to the Rift Barrens and the Tangles. Formed in 324 CY by Andrellus, a debauched scion of Aerdy's Rax dynasty, Johrase represents a miniature Great Kingdom, replete with its own king and commoners (represented by local Flan plainsmen). Over time, the realm’s society has become increasingly dominated by the warrior instincts of the Flan, the throne being held by the most powerful warrior, regardless of race. Annual raids against Redspan ensure that the brutish influence of Johrase is known throughout the Flanaess. Nonetheless, Kinemeet has become a neutral meeting ground for bandit chieftains and a marketplace for cattle and horses.

13. Midlands

Name: Stronghold of the Midlands
Ruler: Graf Venholtee
Military: 200 Cavalry, 450 Infantry
Overview: Located between the Fellreev and the Tangles, this plains domain is ruled from a fortified Hextorian temple across the Artonsamay River from Rookroost. Throughout history, the bandits of Midlands have acted in concert with and against the armies of Rookroost, depending upon fortune and agreements between the local graf and the plar of the region’s capital.

14. Greenkeep

Name: Defenders of the Greenkeep
Ruler: Lord Yanboli
Military: 150 Cavalry, 600 Infantry
Overview: The eastern Fellreev south of the Artonsamay River is a state dominated by humans but with significant numbers of renegade sylvan elves and half-elves. Merry followers of Olidammara, the Greenkeepers have suffered much from raids by wizards, clerics, and orcs under Iuz, but hang on. They avoid the plains to the south.

15. Rookroost

Name: Free City of Rookroost
Ruler: Plar Teuod Fent
Military: 250 Cavalry, 450 Infantry
Overview: The large walled city of Rookroost was founded in 329 CY by an Oeridian robber-baron named Latavius, who preyed on river and road traffic within many leagues of his base. The town grew rapidly; for most of this century, it has been the major state in the Bandit Kingdoms, controlling all land up to seventy-five miles north of the Artonsamay-Zumker confluence and pulling in much legitimate trade. Rookroost’s rulers have traditionally been warriors who assassinate their predecessors, controlled all the while by the city’s powerful gang of thieves, which also controls the local assassins. Oeridian humans are dominant, but a large orc and half-orc population is present, with many other nonhumans besides. A local legend says the city on the hill will never be conquered, so long as its huge raven population roosts in the city’s central square. So far, the prophecy has held true.

16. Fellands

Name: Fellands
Ruler: Lord Avaerd
Military: 300 Cavalry, 850 Infantry, 100 Humanoids (orc guards)
Overview: The western Bluff Hills, eastern Fellreev, and lands between are part of a warrior realm based in the town of Groucester. The Fellands have been raided by the forces of Tenh with increasing regularity.

17. Grosskopf

Name: Fellands
Ruler: Baron Skiven
Military: 150 Cavalry, 300 Infantry, 50 Humanoids (ogrillons)
Overview: The eastern Bluff Hills and lands south to the Zumker are held by Grosskopf, long friendly with orcs and their kin. Grosskopf has clashed with the Rovers of the Barrens for many decades.

Description	Entity	Location
Enemies	Iuz	Iuz
Enemies	Shield Lands	Shield Lands
Enemies	Furyondy	Furyondy
Enemies	Stonefist	Stonefist
Enemies	Rovers of the Barrens	Rovers of the Barrens
Enemies	Tenh	Tenh
Enemies	Urnst, County	Urnst, County
Enemies	Pale	Pale
Enemies	Nyrond	Nyrond
Enemies	Knights of Holy Shielding
Enemies	Knights of the Hart

Overview

History of the Bandit Kingdoms

Atlus of the Bandit Kingdoms