Mention a matriarchy and most PCs start thinking of the Underdark and the cruel cities of the drow. Terrible places, where half the population is kept alive at the sufferance of the other half! Abuse of power! Injustice!

Saromatia is an attempt to create a matriarchy that doesn't fit that mold. On the other hand, nearly any land where gender roles are strictly enforced is going to look unjust to modern eyes, and to any adventurer in the open-minded lands our modern minds tend to create.

Still, no one is surprised when the PCs talk to the king, are given assistance by the (male) court wizard, and lent troops by the (male) captain of the guard. Granted, no one is suprised if the GM elects to fill one of those spots with a female NPC. But what if they were suddenly all females?

That's the tentative idea with Saromatia. The "default gender" for NPCs of rank is female. Men can and do rise to become generals, high mages, even priests of the goddess. But they're as rare as females filling those positions in most settings. An 80/20 ratio feels tentatively right.

NEW!!
12-06-02: The Queen Aspect of Saromata has been detailed.
11-23-02: The game's afoot! Four new pages detailing people and places in Joyeuse

Player Campaign Information: Non-general information for an upcoming campaign in Saromatia. PC creation guidelines, GURPS information, world overview

Geography: Maps and descriptions of physical locations (counties, cities, landmarks, etc.)

Religion: Dieties, priesthoods, religious parables

Civics: Law and government, economy, history, the military

Organizations: Chivalric orders, mystical cabals, social circles, trade guilds, secret societies

Culture: Norms and taboos, archetypes and stereotypes, arts and sciences

Races: Dwarves, centaurs

Bestiary: Unusual and dangerous animals, elemental creatures

Sources: Historical and mythological themes and ideas consciously used in world creation

Essays: Thoughts on various game design and sociological issues raised during setting construction.

Updates: Log of past improvements and planned improvements

Credits: Sources of graphics and clipart used

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