Bissel

Overview

Bissel is at the northernmost reach of the great Sheldomar Valley, on a broad plain bounded by the Barrier Peaks on the west and northwest, the Fals River on the northeast, and the Lorridges on the east. The irregular southern border lies about thirty miles north of Hookhill in Gran March. The northeastern edge of the Dim Forest is claimed and settled by Bisselite woodsmen. Spring flash floods along the Realstream in the west form the only major annual weather problem. Bissel has a temperate if rather dry climate, with the far west getting most of the rain. Its wildlife is greatly varied, and monsters often come down from the nearby mountains. A constant stream of caravans, messengers, and patrols moves along the country’s two major highways. The first of these is Watchtower Road, running from the capital, Thornward, to Hookhill near the Lorridges. The other, Fals Road, runs from Thornward to Mitrik along the Fals River.

Thornward is a sprawling, heavily fortified city with a population of about six thousand, surrounded by numerous army camps further boosting its total population. The caravan and river traffic through Thornward is of staggering size; items are often available here that are found only in much larger cities. The atmosphere in the city is tense and political intrigue is thick, but mercantile activity is nonstop; the city is brightly lit all hours of the night to keep trade moving.

Because of its strategic position, Furyondy, Veluna, and Keoland all support the principality, and adventurers and mercenaries from all the Flanaess can be found in the ranks of its famed “Border Companies” which comprise the standing army of the Margrave. There are four regular companies and four reserve companies; each is 1,000 strong and contains contingents of horse, foot, and archers. Bisselite soldiers are very well equipped and well-armored, with favored weapons among them being the lance, crossbow, pike, flail, and sword. Each company has a special squad of scouts (numbering 30 to 50) attached when on border duty.

Ancient History — The Migrations

Bissel has long been the gateway between three worlds (the Baklunish West, the Sheldomar Valley, and the rest of the Flanaess), and as a result has been repeatedly invaded, conquered, and settled by a variety of Oeridian, Suloise, and Baklunish peoples. Some present-day villages and trade routes were established before the ancient Baklunish-Suloise Wars. The area shows the influences of many cultures, but the inhabitants tend to be untrusting of foreigners and keep to themselves.

302CY to 438CY — Conquered by Imperial Keoland

The land was eventually brought into Keoland (c. 302 CY), its troublesome peoples forcibly subdued by the Knights of the Watch. Keoish forces invaded Ket and Veluna from Thornward through 350–360 CY.

After suffering defeats in Ket during the Short War, Keoland pulled back and made Bissel the “Littlemark,” the kingdom’s northernmost domain. Thornward, now a town of respectable size, was established as its capital to check Ketite expansion south and east of Bramblewood Gap; it grew into a major trade center between Baklunish west and Oeridian/Suloise east. Bissel also profited greatly from trade between Keoland and Furyondy through the Fals River Pass, and Mitrik became the destination of much overland and river traffic. Knights of the Watch have had much influence here over the last 190 years, serving in the margrave’s court and armies.

438CY to 477CY — Invaded by Furyondy & Veluna

Bissel was conquered by the combined forces of Furyondy and Veluna in 438 CY, which ended Keoish influence in western Veluna. The throne in Chendl kept Bissel’s office of the margrave but replaced the ruling family with nobles sympathetic to the affairs of the east.

Distance from the Furyondian capital left Bissel practically independent, a state of existence that was made official with great celebration in 477 CY, after Margrave Rollo and his personal guard courageously defended the visiting King Hugh III of Furyondy from a small army of jebli. A grateful king declared Bissel a “march palatine” within days of his daring rescue.

The March of Bissel Today — Tensions with Ket

At this time, there was a change in government in Ket, and a conservative-militant faction with strong ties to the military came to power. This group whipped up war fever with tales of Keoland's invasion in the mid–300s. Ket attacked Thornward and besieged it for a year (499 CY) and has continued to raid into Bissel and Veluna off and on since. Bissel has withstood the attacks and remained independent, with the considerable support of Keoland, Furyondy, and Veluna.

The lure of fighting, political instability, and wealthy merchant lords has led to an influx in adventurers, spies and mercenaries. A general sense of distrust and self-defeatism has emerged in Bissel, no doubt encouraged by certain powers that wish to see the nation fall.

Attributes

Unorganized

Religions

📜 Heironeous, Zilchus, Fharlanghn, Geshtai, Rao, Istus

Allies

Note: Allies divided over many issues

🛡️ Gran March
🛡️ Keoland
🛡️ Veluna
🛡️ Knights of the Watch
🛡️ Dwarves of the eastern Barrier Peaks
🛡️ Many mercenaries & adventuring bands

Enemies

⚔️ Ket
⚔️ Iuz

Information at a Glance

📝 Proper Name:

March of Bissel

👑 Ruler:

His Lofty Grace, Walgar,
the Margrave of Bissel

🏛️ Government:

Feudal monarchy

⭐ Capital:

Thornward (pop. 6,000+)

📌 Major Towns:

Pellak (pop. 2,300)

🗺️ Provinces:

● 26 Knight-Baronies
● 8 Townships
● 1 Capital Township (Thornward)

💎 Resources:

● Foodstuffs
● Cloth
● Gold
● Gems (I)

🪙 Coinage:

Modified Keoland —
Griffon (pp), Lion (gp), Eagle (ep), Stag (sp), Roc (cp)

📊 Population:

123,880 —
● Human 82% (OSB)
● Dwarf 10%
(Mountain 57%, Hill 43%)
● Elf 2% (Sylvan)
● Halfling 2% (Stout)
● Gnome 2%
● Half-Elf 1%
● Other 1%

💬 Languages:

Common, Baklunish dialects, Dwarven

Overview

History of the March of Bissel

Attributes