Player’s Political, Geographic and Cultural Primer:

The Geoff/Sterich campaign.
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setanta14
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Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2005 1:57 pm

Player’s Political, Geographic and Cultural Primer:

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Player’s Political, Geographic and Cultural Primer:

The Grand Duchy of Geoff is a vassal state of the Kingdom of Keoland in the western Flanaess. It is one of the three marcher realms to be invaded by giant forces, Sterich and the Yeomanry to the south being the other two. Geoff was divided into eleven “high counties” before the giant invasion, some of which are now leaderless due to their ruling families being lost defending them. One of the things to be decided at the Needfest Conclave will be the investiture of new Viscounts to these lands.

The names of the High Counties, their respective capitols, and the names and status of their rulers follow:

Araul Anterth
Tycha (Tika Town), Melwyn Greatarm (deceased, two younger daughters and other family currently in Hochoch)

Arweth
Hochoch, Bedwyn the Fat (alive, head of an important merchant family)

Cymeravon
Oytmeet, Sierra Blackblade (alive, a paladin of Heironeous and diplomat to Keoland)

Dwyr
Hocholve, Bronwen merch Huw (deceased, no heirs or other family)

Eryrnyth
Gorna (personally ruled by the Grand Duke)

Ffrwythlon Dol
The Lea, Darlon Lea (alive, former leader of the Geoff Rangers, considered a traitor by some, thought to be in hiding with the elves of the Dim Forest)

Gwyrth Bryn
Dersyth (West Town), Ilan ap Dyved (alive, still in Hochoch with Grand Duke Owen, having recently succeeded his father)
*Of note: The Monastery of Pelor in Radiance is within this county

Melgorn
Hornwood, Gruffyth of the Crags (missing with no heirs, was considered an uncultured brigand and abandoned his people, may have conspired with the giants)

Rhwng Coed
Midwood, Talvan of Allitur (missing, but known to be alive through divinations, so Grand Duke Owen refuses to replace him until his fate is determined)

Rhychdir Rhos
Pregmere, Neirin ap Steffan (deceased, his daughter Rhian and his brother Padarn both vie for his position, but neither claim has been recognized by Grand Duke Owen.)

Ystrad Cloer
Pwyst’s Rhyd (Pests Crossing), Ffagan Farshot (deceased, had several sons both legitimate and otherwise, many of whom died fighting the giants. Three sons remain and the eldest has claimed his father’s title, and none of the others have contested this)


Geoff is bounded on three sides by mountains. The Barrier Peaks border it to the north (beyond which lies the mysterious Vale of the Mage). The Crystalmists are to the west (beyond which lies the Dry Steppes, the remnants of the ancient Baklunish Empire), and the low Stark Mounds to the south, beyond which lies Sterich.

Geoff has three great woodlands, the Hornwood in the far southwest, the smaller Oytwood in the central southeast, and a portion of the great Dim Forest in the northeast (the remainder of which is claimed by Gran March and Bissel).

In the east, the border with Gran March is the Realstream, a tributary of the mighty Javan River (the longest in the Flanaess) which flows in from the northeast. Western Geoff is drained by the branches of the Oyt River. The Blue Oyt flows down from a large lake (Lake Mala) in the Crystalmists and through the Hornwood, and the White Oyt flows from the western Stark Mounds. The Oyt and Realstream join the Javan River within the Oytwood, and the Javan continues many miles south into Keoland, and eventually the Azure Sea. One smaller river, the Olvewater, flows down into the northern Javan from Lake Avon Ffyn in the Barrier Peaks. Within that lake is the fabled sacred Isle of Rhun, an island held by the druids.

The Grand Duchy of Geoff is an ancient land, steeped in the traditions of the Flan people who make up the majority of its population. The druids of the Old Faith and bardic loremasters, called scops, are highly regarded by commoner and nobleman alike. They generally follow Beory, Obad-Hai, or Ehlonna (or very rarely Nerull). Other religions of note among the general populace include the churches of Pelor, Allitur, Fharlanghn, and more recently Trithereon. Soldiers from Gran March and the Knights of the Watch or Dispatch favor Heironeous, Pholtus, St. Cuthbert, and Mayaheine. The elves of the three great forests and the dwarves and gnomes of the Stark Mounds obviously regard their own respective pantheons, and occasionally human city-dwellers revere other gods such as Norebo or Phyton especially.

Geoff is a very rustic country where most citizens are farmers or herders. Local coarse breads, stews of mutton or goat, trout and salmon from the rivers, and several varieties of cheese make up the standard diet of both the high and low born. Hard apple or pear cider is the drink of choice for the common man rather than ale, beer or wine. Plum and cherry brandy is also favored.
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