Estimated Population:     Dwarves:     Elves:     Gnomes:     Half-Elves:     Halflings:     Humans:     Humanoids:     Non-Humans: Capitol: Cazek Major Settlements:     Cazek 34,600 9 % 1 % 5 % 2 % 4 % 61 % 14 % 4 % pop.   8,800 pop.   8,800 Major Fortifications:     Bloodspear Keep

Heraldry of the Vicounty of Pejduhl

Map of Pejduhl : Clicking this opens a second browser page displaying The Map of Pejduhl. This second browser page allows for viewing of the country map with the country description still available. When done with either browser window, simply close it (don't exit, or both browser windows will close).

Nations of Kaladia  |  Human Countries | Barbarian Lands | Humanoid Domains | Lost Realms Country Information Topics: General Description | Terrain | Climate | Populace | Languages | Culture | Religion | Government Important Citizens | History | State of Affairs | Commerce | Resources | Vegetation | Wildlife Description: The Vicounty of Pejduhl originated from lands claimed by the Tulmarian-settled country of Blacksword. It is a horrid land whose many wars have left it bereft of any significant natural resources. Most of the Vicounty's populace toil through their wretched lives tilling its barren soil. But for those who aspire beyond these meager existences, whole-heartedly embracing the militaristic structure of the Vicounty's hierarchy can provide opportunity for a rise to wealth, prestige, and influence. Country Topics Terrain: The Vicounty of Pejduhl is located on the eastern extremity of the northern steppes. Though the harshness of the land mellows near its eastern border, most of the Vicounty is dry and barren. Its predominately infertile, gray soil is scorched and cracked, and is broken only by rough, craggy hills, small rock outcroppings and occasional patches of parched grasses and scrub brush. There is little rainfall on the scorched steppes, though the winter snowfall in the Silverpeaks forms many small streams which irrigate the dry land in early spring. The Throndill is the primary river of Pejduhl, and its irrigation allows the Vicounty to reap some small farming harvests. Near the Throndill the land becomes much more fertile. Thick brush and prairie grasses grow wild near the river, and even trees - a rarity in the northern steppes - flourish along the river bank. East of the Throndill the land is increasingly fertile, so much of southeastern Pejduhl is devoted to agricultural endeavors. There are many farming communities and small towns, and all of them answer to the barons who greedily rule the carefully parcelled fiefs. Country Topics Climate: Pejduhl is an arid land which endures hot summers and mild winters. Its eastern border against the Bone Hills bears little resemblance to the northern steppes, but even though it is the least hostile and most fertile area of the Vicounty, it nonetheless remains hot and dry. Pejduhl receives virtually no rainfall during the spring and summer months, and only light rains in the winters. The heaviest rainfall occurs in the Silverpeaks, and it is ironic that some settlements in the foothills which are parched through most of the year suddenly find themselves endangered by flash floods roaring down out of the mountains. Average Temperatures:     coastal     steppes     foothills winter: low: 15° low: 10° low: 20° high: 65° high: 75° high: 75° summer low: 50° low: 55° low: 60° high:  95° high: 105° high: 100° Country Topics Populace: Most of the Vicounty's populace are humans of the Dumaran and Lulmari clans of the Tulmarians. Of the other human races, the Ruthatu of the Aututhans and the Vasularans of the Belarans are the most common. There is a heavy humanoid and non-human presence within Pejduhl, and even a sizable dwarven and gnomish population. Given the vicounty's predominantly steppe terrain and lack of forests, its number of elves and half-elves is understandably small. Country Topics Languages: Ancient Tulmarian and its Dumaran dialect are the most common languages of Pejduhl. Kaladish and Stonj are also widely used in larger cities. Many different varieties of humanoid and non-human tongues are rampant amongst the non-human clans of the Bloodclay and Bone Hills. Country Topics Culture: Prior to the War of the Winds, the land which would eventually become Pejduhl belonged to Blacksword. And even though the Vicounty has been an independent nation for over a century, its culture retains many similarities to its Blackswordian heritage. The Pejduhlian society is a rigidly structured organization in which every person has a social and military position. Each member is expected to honor and fulfill the obligations of his role, but ultimately they are only interested in furthering their own ends. Pejduhlians as a whole are a careful and calculating people who tirelessly devise elaborate schemes designed solely for their own profit. They seek their rise to power by not only deposing superiors, but by beating their competitors as well. Avarice and greed are acceptable, even enviable, traits for Pejduhlians, for power escapes the undeserving and comes to the worthy. Just as in Blacksword, adobe clay brick buildings with slate roofs are very common in Pejduhl. Wood is a rare commodity, so its use in construction is kept to a minimum. There are many fortified keeps and several large castles in the Vicounty, and all are built from granite quarried from the Silverpeaks. Country Topics Religion: Motara the Warrior and Huthunic the Accursed are the most prominent deities of Pejduhl. Sethanit the Lord of Evil and Alchenda the Unseen are also widely worshipped. Many of the spirit deities are very common amongst the non-human and humanoid clans. Country Topics Government: Although Pejdhul appears to be a feudal state, it is actually a militaristic theocracy. Its noble hierarchy includes the reigning vicount, fifteen barons, and typically fifty to sixty knights. An important note is that none of the noble positions are hereditary. Each noble commands his own small army, and controls his own fief. But the vicount himself dictates the precise territorial boundaries of each fiefdom, and determines the exact size of each army. Each noble may name his own heir, but oftentimes the right of ascension by assassination actually determines the successor. To help guarantee his security, the vicount typically strives for strong relations with the temple of Motara, and maintains the largest, best-equipped and most well-trained army. Intense political strategies are an ongoing struggle within Pejduhl as the barons labor to entice more knights, and hence more armies, into their alliance. Country Topics Important Citizens: The Ruling Overlord and Vicount of Pejduhl by Divine Grace of Motara, Sadukatta the Assassinator. Sadukatta is the latest in a long line of dictators who have ascended to the throne of Pejduhl by murdering their predecessor. Though he is not a young man, Sadukatta's years have not given him the experience or cunning he will need to survive as Pejduhl's vicount. But he does have the support of his mistress, Mishauna Roj'Duvok, High Priestess and First Soldier of Motara. And while there is no evidence, it is quite probable that the powers of the Warrior played a significant role in Sadukatta's rise to the throne. Sadukatta boasts of a personal heritage which he has traced back to the old Dumaran nobility of New Ruthanland. His claims as a descendant of noble Dumarans carry little weight in the eyes of most Pejduhlians, but he does exhibit most Dumaran traits and physical characteristics. He is a conceited and selfish man who disdains non-Dumarans and has no regard or consideration for humanoids and non-humans. Though he fancies himself as a soldier, statesman, politician, and a strong leader, Sadukatta is a cowardly fool who concedes to every whim of the high priestess of Motara. Holy Matriarch and First Soldier of the Warrior, Mishauna Roj'Duvok. She is the leader of the largest order to Motara, and as such, is the strongest priestess of the Warrior. Though Roj'Duvok physically appears to be nearing middle age, she is actually extremely old. Mishauna Roj'Duvok has lived in Pejduhl for most of her life, though her duties to Motara have often taken her far from home. Foremost to Roj'Duvok is her service to the Warrior, for nothing else really matters. She is fond of Sadukatta, and enjoys their moments together. But the temple needed a vicount who could be manipulated as necessary, and he has filled the requirement nicely. Country Topics History: The Vicounty of Pejduhl was formed by rebelling factions in the land of Blacksword. The sects of Eteris the Horrid were the reigning clergy of Blacksword, and for decades they belittled and oppressed the followers and orders of Motara the Warrior and Huthunic the Accursed. Finally, late in the first century of the Corlennian Renaissance, their skirmishes escalated into into what became known as the War of the Cloth. The War of the Cloth was a horrific era for all of Blacksword. The military might sworn to Eteris, though superior in numbers, was no match for the armies of Motara. But even as the Warrior's legions easily vanquished the forces of Eteris, the Horrid's clergy unleashed a series of devastating plagues upon the lands and peoples of Motara and Huthunic. Finally, both sides had suffered so grievously that neither could continue, and the War of the Cloth ended as Blacksword was split and Pejduhl emerged. The Vicounty was slow to recuperate from the carnage. Its lands were diseased, its lakes and rivers were poisoned, and many of its peoples were dead or dying. The remaining factions of Motara were soon busily fending the weak Vicounty from the non-human clans which routinely descended from the Silverpeaks to prey upon the new country, while the Warrior's clergy began filling vital roles in Pejduhl's government. This era of recovery also saw the greatest swelling in the flock of Huthunic, as the Vicounty found it easy to hate the forces of Eteris for the death and disease they had wrought. This hatred has remained and festered as it has been passed on through the generations. And now that the forces of Huthunic are nearly as powerful as the armies of Motara, it is highly unlikely that Pejduhl will soon reconcile with Blacksword. Country Topics State of Affairs: The Vicounty of Pejduhl has never endorsed strong diplomatic policies with other nations. In any case, a Pejduhlian ambassador would not be well-received in most of the Northern Reaches or southeastern Kaladia. Pejduhl enjoys good relations with only the Eastwind Alliance. Though Blacksword would be an invaluable ally, the two have never reconciled from their War of the Cloth. Pejduhl relies on extensive intelligence networks of spies and infiltrators to maintain its massive espionage and saboteur efforts. As a result, the vicounty is very well informed of most matters of import which occur in neighboring states, but of course, no one trusts the evil nation. Country Topics Commerce: Pejduhl enjoys limited merchant traffic. None of its immediate neighbors will associate with the Vicounty, so the country is geographically isolated from the rest of Kaladia. Fortunately, Pejduhl does have ample coastal access, and has acquired ships from Calthayes. The Vicounty's merchant trade has grown with its merchant fleet, for though Calthayes allows Pejduhlian ships to moor in its seaports, the District does not send its own ships to the Vicounty. Country Topics Resources: Animal: No exceptional species. Mineral: Marble is quarried from the Silverpeak Mountains, but not in sufficient volume to vastly increase Pejduhl's annual revenues. The Vicounty does have a huge resource of adobe clay, and there are many fine craftsmen living in Pejduhl. The Vicounty exports its earthenware directly to Calthayes, and Pejduhlian pottery brings good prices in the Wilds of the Blue. Vegetable: No exceptional species. Country Topics Vegetation: West of the Throndill River, Pejduhl exhibits the same barrens which dominate the northern steppes. Here there is little more than hardy scrub brush and occasional dwarf trees. The banks of the Throndill are thick with lush vegetation and its fertile soil amply supports dense underbrush and copses of deciduous trees. Country Topics Wildlife: The Vicounty has its share of diverse animal life. The northern steppes extend into western Pejduhl, and there are not many large animals here. To the east, the Throndill and its riverbank copses are home to water fowl and small forest animals such as fox, opossum, and squirrel. The Bone Hills exhibit animal life somewhat more appropriate to the steppes. Hawks, cougars, occasional gophers, and different varieties of small reptiles are very common in the rocky hills. Country Topics Top of Page Home | Gallery | Introduction | World of Roil | Kaladia | Deities | Legends | Saga | Guestbook | Links The Maelstrom Fantasy Campaign Setting is Copyright © 1998 by Brian K. Moseley. All rights reserved. This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page