From one there came four and from them came more until the one was nomore Ancient Edien proverb ------ The World of Edien-New World Chapter A BESM Fantasy Type campaign by Richard Beaubien Introduction and Character Creation notes ------ Part 1- The War of the Mountains The land of Edien, filled with lush terrian fertile for farming and mountains rich of minerals, has been held in the clutches of war for much of it's history. Most anicent texts and scrolls, some from the dawn of time themselves tell tales of the great War, or as they called it the war of Mountains. The war was fought between two kingdoms of the land, The Kindgom of Rhal and the Dukedom of Irfl. Seemingly locked in combat from the stretch of time, the true motives of the conflict lost to the wisps of time and history. Though some documents claim the war was started over a small non-descript mountain range in the middle of the Continent of Edien. It was at that range that the very last battle of the war of Mountains took place. The Kingdom of Rhal had convinced the Nation of the True Spirt (A nation of elves and magic users) to join with them in their fight. They had marsheled a great army togther, confident they had the numbers to smash the Dukedom. They did not know the Dukedom had the Wood Elves of the land on their side, a curious ally who didn't not know why they had joined the fight themselves. Lead by the Grand General Slyn and the Duke Cashus himself, the army launched a suprise attack on the Rhal army as they crossed the fabled mountain range, the range of the devine. The battle lasted for a week, each side taking devistating loses. It seemed that at last the war would be settled on these plains, the winner moving on to glory while the loser having the comfort of fighting the good fight to warm him in the afterlife. So great was the battle that the king and duke themselves met in battle in the mountains, in place unknown to the average grunt. Most expected one of the leaders not to return, and were prepared to view the outcome as an omen for battle. It was than to the shock of both armies when both rules strode out into the middle of the battle field, arms joined and both waving the white flags of peace. And they were even more shocked when the pair signed the Treaty of the Divine, hearlding the start of the 30 years of peace. Part 2-- The Thirty Years of Peace To many the peace was a shock, the land never knowing a true offical peace for long. Sure ceasefires came and went, and there had been periods of up to a hundred years without any open combat between the nations. But this was a true offical peace treaty, a treaty with great fines for the nation that violated it and a treaty which forced the two countries to open up diplomatic relations with each other. For many of the people it was a shock, to work so suddenly with their bitter rivals after such a long period of hostility. Some openly flaunted the treaty and faced the consquences, other followed the bill but only paid lip service to the princaples, and a few took the treaty to heart after awhile and worked in coperation with the other side. The trade and market for the goods and help for the common farmer certainly helped heal many of the wounds most the common people had for the other side. And yet the peace wasn't expected to last, many thought the open fires of war would soon be stoked again. The Duke Cashus was eager to prove his nations metal and the new monoarch of Rhal, Queen Feena, was unexpected variable in an everchanging equation. It was the thirtth year of the peace, and most expected it to fall apart. They were right, the thirtith year was the last year of the Treay of Divine. But it was not broken by the flames of war but by the arrival of the first steam ship into the harbours of Edien. The New World had come to Edien at last. Part 3--The New World The Continent of Edien was never considered to be the only land in the world by it's inhabitents. Many believed and suspected other great lands to be on the world. But any expedition sent to find such land masses was always met with failure, the boats never returning from the voyage. Goverments to focused on war saw the voyages as wastes of money, prefering to spend cash on grunts and armourments instead. Thus it was a shock when the Steam Ship from the new world came in, it's occupents immediately being welcomed to shore and greeted by the rulers of all the countries lands. It was at that meeting that formal releations with the new world was established and the Treay of the Devine was torn up. In it's place Feena, Cashus, Faal(Leader of the spirit tribe), and two other rulers established the Leauge of Edien, a treaty more powerfull than the Treaty of Destiny. It established even stronger ties between the kingdoms, allowed for democratic elections, free trade across the land, and set forth a bill of rights for it's people. It's been three years since that date and the League of Edien has brougth forth great peace. While some still hold grudges most assume a united front is whats needed for the Island. And with the spreading of steam tech the land is slowly connected with Railways. But most eyes are casted towards the new world and the mysteries and wonders it holds. Few have seen the new worlders and disregard reports that they are humans like most on Edien. For if the new worlders have such great inventions they must truly be more than man or Elf. The age of the New World is just dawning, the adventures of Edien ready to brave the new land to add their name to legend and experince the wonders of the fabled land themselves. You are one such adventurer, ready to sing up at the New World Exploration league. Your reasons may be for glory or for adventure, or the perhaps find a new start on the other side. But what ever the motive you are sure on one thing, that destiny calls you to the New World. --------- Cities and Kingdoms of Edien These are the listing of the major cities and kingdoms in the League. There are smaller farming encapments around the various cities, but these are consdired to be part of the major city. The currency is Gold pieces Kingdom of Rhal Population- 5 million in city, 10 million including outlying lands. Govermennt-Monarchy rules by Queen Feena, House of Lords elected by Land Owners Description- A Spraling, decadent urban setting, the city is filled with many wonderous structures including the Glass Spire of King Adol. The city has many modern ammentities and is slowly converting over to a modern power grid using steam power. it has a Roman/Rennisance feel to it. The city is filled with intllects and adventerers seeking glory for the Kingdom. It's design a tribute to the phrase 'Victory through Knowledge'. The city is home to many inventors and has the second highest mage population next to the Nation of the True Spirit. The city also produces some of the best arts in the land. Possible occupations in the city: adventurer, Actor, Scientist, Teacher Dukedom of Irfl Population- 6 million, 8 million including outlying lands Goverment-Dukedom ruled by Duke Cashus and his Generals, Recently elected Parliment now in charge of all non-military affairs. First Elected Prime Minister is her honor Lachis Lewis Description- The construction of the city differs widly between areas, each one showing of the main mentality of the main ideal of Irfl the 'Always Battle to the end' pilosphey. The Surronding walls have a cold gothic feel to them, the many castles in the area being made of dark stone and free from most luxury items. The inside of the city consits of a wide and chaotic structure of wood bulidings, making it hard for any invader to cut a direct path through to the main city. This also makes it a den of thieves and bandits. It also lead to a mass outbreak of disease due to lack of proper sanitation. This lead to a new inside being built, this one using proper order and proper sanitation. This includes most of the homes for Cratsmen and soldiers. In the middle is the grande castle for the Duke, a plain black structure designed to show that the Prince is not above his subjects. The outside of the city is now home to a more modern set up, showing a mixture of Irfl and Rhal designs. it is also the only region of the city to be powered. It's modern construction outside of the walls stands proof the lasting peace achieved by the League Occupations from the city- Craftsman, Warrior, Theif Faldown, Captial of the Nation of the True Spirit Population 2 Million Goverment: Lead by Emperor Faal, In the middst of Establishing a senate Think France...a Utena like France... The Nation of the True Spirit is perhapest the most egotistical of all nations, the resident elves and few humans that reside their see themselves above the other nations thanks to their studying of magic. Using it they have constructed the most beautifull of buldings and have ensured roses bloom all the time. The Nation is the number one place for the study of magic, it's teachers and practioners well known in the ways of magic. They have set up schools in general magic, specific schools and teach the magic of the divine (a healing and blessing school for the goddess who watches over the land). They do frown their noses at base magics like spirits and other mundane arts. The Nation as resited all forms of steam technology except the railway, and uses magic to power their devices. The Nation is also the most advanced in all cooking arts. Possible Occupations: Magician, Paladin, Priest/Priestess, Noble, High Society girl, chef Free State of Mifune, Port Population 3 Million Goverment: Republic with Elected President and Parliment, Current Leader her honor Samantha Sanderson The Free state is region that has broken free of the Kingdom of Rhal or so it claims. The Kingdom still sees the place as it's own terrority and collects taxes from it. The State pays and is generaly left alone by the goverment... at least that was the way it was...Things have changed since the League of Edieb. The Free State was recognized as an equal nation which while welcomed by Rhal in the open as caused great tension in secret. The payments have stopped over the last three years and the goverment sees it's port as the way to achieve a true measure of success. The city is a mixture of craftsman, fisherman, and scientist wanting to study the ocean and the wonders it holds. The construction is plain but elegant wood bulding set up like an Atalantic fishing village. Steam Power is prevelant through the city though not all steam gadgets are used. Possible Occupations: Fisherman, Sailor, Author, Housewive The Zone of the Milan Population: 1 Million Goverment: Council ruled by Elected representives in a co-op fashion The city is set-up as a giant bizzare in the middle of the Slan Mountain range, one of the many that seperate the kingdom and dukedom. Here goods are exchanged between the two countries and the elf kingdom. Ruled by a co-op for over 200 years, the Milan zone broke free from both goverments to perserve trade between and captial between all nations. This peace is preserved by the Milan Hand, highly skilled mercernaries, who has been able to keep the zone free for 200 years. Lately the Milan zone has been worried about the New World and concerned about how the influx of goods will affect it's trade. It may have even sent onlookers to spy on the new world Possible Occupations: Mercenary, Merchant, Mobster The Wood Elves Population: unknown Goverment: none The wood elves reside in the forests of Edien, coexisting with nature. They do not mind humans as long as they respect nature and will trade with small hunting a fishing villages. They dislike big cities and do not wish to spend great amounts of time there. They also have a dislike for the Nation of the True Spirit, and conider the High Elves (as they call them, thought not as compliment...meant more as insult since High stands for haughty and egotisitcal in their tongue) to be betrayers of nature. The feeling is mutal as the Nation considers them uncivillized. The Wood elves tend to use Spirit magic alot, calling the spirits to help guide them. Sometimes the spirits will call them to adventure, or to some great quest Possible Occupations: Ranger --------