Usdonag - trying to build a Dark Age/Celtic-ish themed setting [5e][WIP]

[Tzi]

Geography and Knick Knacks


UPDATED MAP: This reflects more the reality of the territory. All done in a Conlang I've been toying with for awhile. Ríoltad is the all purpose word for Kingdom or State. Essentially the Usdon region is divided up into three self governing little Kingdoms. Labrínau is one of the largest and most economically prosperous in terms of agriculture, mining, and silver jewelry making. Holodrám is the land of Bards and Magi. It is the spiritual home of this regions Druids, Bards and Ovates. In terms of development it has a strong naval tradition, as well as hosts lots of shrines and temples to the Gods. Aikana is the most totally military focused of the three Kingdoms. And has the best builders in terms of raw defensive structures and have built the strongest Cair, or Fortresses. To the east, lay the Lydianized Tarmani, Heglandic Invaders and Colonists, and Lydian Imperial forces and holdings.


Race wise this is *gulp* a human-centric/only setting. What that means is its intended to have some low fantasy feel to it in line with say Conan the Barbarian or A Song of Ice and Fire. Race is thus always human or human-ish. With an option of maybe Half-giant, some kind of say Assimar and Tiefling, Dhampir? ect. Likewise these race types won't be SIGNIFICANTLY different looking. So a Tiefling likely doesn't have devil horns and a tail for example.

Class/Backstory/Ect
Honestly I somewhat wish to refluff classes into just Styles of Mage or Magic users and have backstories be like "Priestly" because obviously there is a problem of having Druid be a cultural thing but also a specific and somewhat LIMITED mechanical class. So some tweaks and any help creating or altering backstories to fit the setting would be wonderfully appreciated.

Current Goings on:
In game world, besides the Heglanders, the Lydians are resurgent as their new Capital of Thera in to the farther East has managed to reclaim a lot of territory and to some extent many colonists and peoples have arrived, flooding west. Likewise sectarian violence is at an increase as some Lydians with newer religious ideals seek to finish what earlier Emperors had sought to do and that is destroy the Maboi or Mabitic Priestly classes but failed to do due to earlier Heglandic invasion.

All ideas, input, suggestion ect are welcome and much appreciated.

[Tzi]

Two major areas of debate for me right now is the possibility of expanding the scope of areas the setting is happening in from these Islands to a bit of a mainland area.

The other is time period. I.E. is this setting more akin to the Early Middle Ages, the Late Roman period? Or how advanced and well built do I want the infrastructure here? Are these the stone and brick builders or have the mostly stuck to the standards?

Because these people were never full conquered by outside Empires all influences come from contact.

[Tzi]

Lore: The fall of Vespenta and the Lydio-Tarmani War as told by Lydian Chronicler Koralo of Valentpranos. (kroniko de koralo de la falo de Valenpretar

The western territories were overwhelmed by the Tarmani Host which emerged from the west and north and south on the great keep of Valentano. The walled city of Lydia, founded 212 years prior to its fall during the reign of the Therassian Emperor Justinian. The Horde struck after a great famine had spread through their lands and was well timed when the Tarmani were allied with the rebels of Azuria whom pledged themselves to rebellion under the Barbarian war-chief Ethulgult whom ruled the area as a vassal state.

The Host was might, consisting of warrior bands from the Ustani of the Southern Isles, the Cambri of the North Maedbi from the Western Islands. With blue painted faces, black iron swords and imitating the Heggot people of the North East, they often rode on Horseback wielding swords. With soldiers pulled away to the south to deal with the Azuria rebellions defenses were weak and Valentpranos was breached.

Much of the city fled across the narrow channel to safe harbor of Lydian lands. Those whom staid were slaughtered or enslaved. Of the two million inhabitants of the surrounding country few would survive the sack and slaughter. Some hid in the cisterns or sewers and others in crypts such as I did.

After the men mostly departed across the channel, waves of women of their breed came and assessed the value of the raided lands. The women carried axes and short swords. Valentpranos was then pilfered, first of its gold and jewels, then of its books which were miraculously not burned by the barbarians, then of all its grain and livestock, then the women pulled the very buildings down and uprooted the tiles. In the span of a year Valentpranos fell from a city of 60,000 citizens to a city that would not be noticed today. When the women fled and the Tarmani horde broken there was nothing of the city but some foundation stones and the cisterns and sewers which they could not cart off.

Of those not killed or enslaved, you could count those of us remaining with only your two hands. The land had been desolated and the loot carried back. Today the Kingdoms of the Tarmani have stone cities, built with the stones taken from Valentpranos. Ladyia then resolved to abandon Vespenta to the Barbarians and soon it was overwhelmed both by the Tarmani and by the Heggot.

[Tzi]

Distant History and Ruins

The region has seen numerous colonists most likely. None more enigmatic than what the Lydians and Therassians knew them as Hyperians, they were the forerunner to both Lydia and Therassia as both great cities became colonies of refugees after their horrid destruction. Hyperian people ruled from an Island in the east and maintained a vast naval Empire stretching across the Hyperian Sea which bares their name.

In the furthest west they set up a colony it is said. Of which today little remains except for a few Palace remains on the mainland and a city on Enistai Bec. Here and there however scattered bits a pieces of this once great civilization emerge from the sands to great the modern settlers.



The language, culture and customs of these forerunner inhabitants are totally different than those of the current settlers.

What is known is that they were a villa colony of the Hyperians. A sort of rural retreat from it all, and thus this colony may have been a surviving branch of the Hyperian civilization for some extended time. The ruin of the Hyperians is at first said to be a great Caldera eruption triggered impart by the raging of elemental and said to also be triggered by a fallen Demi-God whom perturbed the elemental forces. Still others claim the Hyperian ruling caste had become wicked and were thus justly smitten down by the Gods, the Divine Power, and laid to ruin.

Here, the Islands continued though for a time, but in total isolation. Far removed from the world and its trade network these colonists slowly dwindled away as trolls, Ogres and the emergence of a black dragon Dúdrogin whom is said to have swallowed them and burned their cities to ashes. In the misty peaks of the Fangs it is believed the last holdouts of the Hyperians staid. Ystonag legends hold that it was there that a Princess Paséfai who was said to be a descendant of the great Bull King of the old Hyperians was found turned to stone. Guarded by her jealous sister Agíta whom were the last of their kind. Agíta had become a Medusa, and had stolen a means of cheating death from Cadian's Cauldron and thus was able to become immortal through undeath. It did curse and disfigure her and she was jealous of her sister. Agíta later goes on to ally herself with Dúdrogin to battle the Wolf Tails and is slain by Etain. Paséfai is restored to life by Bragith's magic and marries Bragith's son Samis which forms the basis of the royal line of the Kingdom of Labrínau.

More over this alleged connection to the past solidifies the Southern tribe, the Ystonag as a nation that is both of its own roots but also the successors of the legacy of this ancient and magnificent Empire that many cultures claim connections to.

[Tzi]

Religions of the Age

For ages the peoples refereed to as the Tarmoi by the Lydians did not actually write things down. Much of that changed prior to and after the sacking and destruction of Lydian territories by various Tarmoi tribal groups. In particular Mabitic and Ystonag mystics took a greater interest in writing. In a sense it was a cultural revolution since up until that time a priestly class dominated political, social, and religious affairs and some in that class and some beneath it embraced a new ideological vision of writing which took off fairly quickly. The Druid caste objected to writing at first on the belief that it could lead to secrets being stolen. A new Young class of Druids began defying this custom and Bards, Druids and Ovates off all sorts as well as others began to use Lydian letters to write things down. The Druid caste however survived the cultural revolution but had to adapt to using secretive and complex scripts and adopted a secretive mystical language as a way of maintaining power within a new and emerging socio-religious and cultural order.

From Maeb a heroic warrior bard emerged named Aengus and his spiritual underlying Brighid whom came to the Kingdom of Labrínau and later to Enis Tórtar and founded a grove and stone temple in the mountains. Aengus remained solidly on the Islands of Maeb, but his works influenced Brighid whom gathered many disciples in the region. An unnamed Bard under her however pinned the Ihevar Kerkil. Which was a major text in the Ystonag language and listed core philosophies such as the "Òran Mór" of Brighid and Aengus and translated and expanded upon the emerging philosophical thoughts bubbling about.

All this happening at a time when foreign religions were growing in Strength and starting to creep into the region.

D&D Mechanics

[...] that part is to come.

[RossN]

Looking interesting so far! :)

Regarding the refluffing of classes you mentioned, maybe the druids (and perhaps bards of the same tradition) are the only class with access to divine magic as we know it, with other 'priests' represented by the Warlock class? I think Warlocks have a strong sword and sorcery vibe as is.

[Tzi]

Ríoltad Labrínau
Kingdom of Labrínau

Militarily and in terms of metal production, the tribe of Labrínau is by far the strongest in this regard. They have the right combination of iron and military capability that they have become the center of regional politics and at least in theory they claim, all the other fiefdoms are vassals of the King in Labrínau. Part of this is a real political concern, the Kings of Labrínau have long fretted over the shrinking lands for Tarmani peoples in general. The eastern lands being routinely occupied by Lydians, Lydianized Tarmani, and now infested with Heglandic colonies, there is a cultural fear of being under threat. Some of the best lands of the Tarmanian Island are basically depopulated no-mans lands between two warring peoples.

The Kings of Labrínau have for eighty years been trying and largely successfully uniting the territory. Save for Aikana, Braigani and Holodram, all others have sworn fealty and homage to the Labrínau King. King Ovan III of Labrínau currently works to get the valuable territory of Aikana under his fold. Aikana being the main access point into the region by land. The Aikana are also fierce warriors in their own right. Rugged guerrilla fighters, rough and tumble and very hardy folk but small in number. King Ovan rightly fears Aikana is vulnerable to a sustained invasion and if it fell his emerging Kingdom and the whole region could become subject to Lydian overlord ship, or worse Heglandic overlordship.

Holodrám is the other most powerful fief in the region. Partly because of its religious significance and spiritual meaning as one of the only areas never to fall even once to the Lydians previously. Holodrám wields great religious power and significance as it hosts numerous sacred groves and shrines, is united with Braigani by the marriage of its Queen to Holodrám's King. King Ovan III claims overlordship over them however as his Crannogh's sits on the divine marsh were the Ancient hero Merithín gained a sacred sword from the fairy court and charged him to create the Wolf Tails, a sort of warrior Bardic group whom followed Merithín to slay dragons, defeat Ogres and over come the Lydians. He is also proclaimed the "Once and Future King," in the Bardic songs, and the ancestor of the Labrínau Kings. As the official seat of the Wolf Tails Labrínau has considerable political influence.

King Ovan also emphatically asserts that unity is important and that the Tribes should act as one, the Tribes themselves should unite as the Bardic Band the Wolf Tails once did.

Culture:
Labrínau is like other Ysdonag peoples. Speaking the same language and having the same religion. They are however more focused on production and have very successful agricultural yields as well as prosperous Iron and Silver mines. Making Labrínau materially richer than others and more self sufficient. It's people live on a hardy diet of tubers, cereals, beef and fish predominately. They have the second most active martial tradition, focused heavily on big broadsword warriors and have produced some of the best and most organized military orders, sometimes copying the old Lydian legions.

[Tzi]

Looking interesting so far! :)

Regarding the refluffing of classes you mentioned, maybe the druids (and perhaps bards of the same tradition) are the only class with access to divine magic as we know it, with other 'priests' represented by the Warlock class? I think Warlocks have a strong sword and sorcery vibe as is.

I'm considering re-writing the Acolyte backstory and simply recasting it.

The major important aspect is that players will focus more on backstory rather than their class.

[Tzi]

Ríoltad Holodrám
Kingdom of Holodrám

Holodrám is in most regards the cultural, artistic and religious heart of Usdonag society. It has produced some of the greatest Bards, most of the Druidic Orders, and has been the heartland of a Socio-Religious revolution in greater Tarmani society and religion. For one, the Usdonag are now unique in being some of the first to have Druidic beliefs, theology and metaphysics written down in books. Second they are considered the most literate of any Usdonag Kingdom, AND of any Tarmani people. Though some of the religious reforms are opposed by the more old guard Lughite sect, many new religious ideas flourish here. Holodrám has long been the Druidic heartland for the Tarmani people. They come here to study and learn, but more over the fact that it has suffered no invasions by foreign powers makes it unique. Save for the misty isle of Maeb, it is the only other invaded territory.

Holodrám is odd for a Usdonag society. the Usdonag themselves are odd for a Tarmani society. The region of Usda once housed a colony of the now very dead Hyperian civilization. A far off get away for Hyperian upper class people was housed in the region. The islands that make up Holodrám have numerous ruins which served to inspire the culture of the colonizing Usdonag.

To some extent this gives Holodrám a vaguely similar flavor to the Lydians whom are direct descendants of the Hyperians. Holodrám has a few major city centers and many rural villages and farming communities. Likewise the area has a lot of pastoral bands whom heard sheep, goats, and cows across the isles. Here though is were the Holodrám took the ruins of the Hyperians are really built upon them, recoding its art and images into distinctly Tarmani and specifically Usdonag customs and culture. The Holodrám build grove temple structures and palaces around standing stone circles. Public Palace Shrine's dominate here as the jewels of the Hill Forts.


Temple Palace in the Mountains of Enis Ekles, specifically the Ekles Hauár. This place also acts as a grain storage and administrative center for central Enis Ekles as locals gather grain here and grain wages are distributed to the laboring classes. It's part Palace, Administrative center, School and place of religious ceremony.


Crannogh dwellings in the countryside are very common place. With interiors often richly decorated with gold ornaments and tapestries.


Smaller agricultural villages. Typically growing grain, barley, and the potato crop more recently.


Hill fort city, this one much more modeled on the ruins of the Hyperians and built on the foundations of an earlier site. These serve as the cities of Usdonag and Holodrám.

[Tzi]

Backgrounds and Powers

So with this setting I'd like to try something a little different. Its based on a simple experience I had running a 5e game were I had the players pick their background first. We ended up with a wise talking criminal whose in game class was fighter, but acted like most rogues do. Ideally I would like to strip away the classes actual titles and focus more on backgrounds with classes simple being Divine Nature Spellcaster. Innate Arcanist, Learned Arcanist, but that would seem like just a superficial labeling. So the way its done is that one picks a background and that background is supreme over say "class," and then backgrounds have recommend "classes," though the language used can be powers set or what have you.

Largely I just want to separate out class from a core set of in game mechanics.