Adventures in Arcadayn
Duchies of Krith
By Tim Emrick

Geography: The Eastmarch lies between the Sea of Krith and Kurbesim, and represents that part of the eastern meadowlands of Arcadayn which the Empire retained when Visala gained its independence. Food surpluses are common here, but the farmers are careful to conserve the land (especially the forests) so that the duchy's soil does not become as poor as that of Northmarch.

Agriculture & Resources: Crops: cotton, some barley, some oats, pipeweed, some potatoes, wheat. Animals: [TBD]. Resources: fish, lead (D), marble (K), salt (O), timber.

Nonhumans: Rock gnomes (near Kurbesim).

Other Special Groups: [TBD]

Duke Jeraquin is now an old man, but he once had a reputation as the best swordsman in Arcadayn.

Geography: Northmarch approximates the borders of the Empire in Kyrnan's day, being the land directly between the two seas. The Imperitar, the island of the imperial capital in the Sea of Krith, is also included in the northern duchy. This island is rocky and mostly barren, with enough good harbors to serve the immense capital. At the Empire's founding, the mainland counties were covered with rich farmland and thick woods, but centuries of population pressure has taken its toil on the soil, and forests are rare.

Agriculture & Resources: Crops: barley (K, P), cotton, dates (D, P), grapes (D, P), oats (K, P), potatoes (K), sunflower (D), wheat. Animals: horses (fine horses in P.), sheep. Resources: fish, gems (bloodstone [I]), marble (K, P), potash (P), salt (K).

Nonhumans: (no significant populations).

Other Special Groups:

Gladiators: Gladiatorial combat is a popular sport in Northmarch, the oldest part of the Empire. Arenas can also be found in each ducal capital. These professional arena-fighters are usually slaves but may be thrill-seeking freemen. See pp. CII 31-33 for weapons (iaculum, gladius, sica, fuxina) and pp. CII 40-46 for armor (gladiator's helmet, studded leather skirts, bronze greaves, galerus).

Imperial Guard: [details TBD]

Mages' Guild of Krynan: [details TBD]

Geography: Southmarch is the smallest duchy, being just a narrow band of land between the Ongrican Mountains and the Sea of Krith. These foothills are important for their mineral and lumber resources. Much of the duchy is designated as imperial preserves, to prevent its complete deforestation. (Druidic cults working in secret also help preserve the land.)

Agriculture & Resources: Crops: castor seeds (C), dates, grapes, [pipeweed (A)], wheat. Animals: sheep. Resources: some firerock (F), fish, gems (aquamarine, blue quartz [F], garnet [F], emerald, peridot), iron (C), timber.

Nonhumans: Bronze dwarves.

Other Special Groups: [TBD]

Geography: Westmarch is composed of the Yangar River valley and the steppes between the Sandmarch desert and the Great Sea. The Yangar valley is the breadbasket of the Empire, and is thus heavily garrisoned. Skirmishes with the Desert Men, and with nonhumans in the Karyan Steppes, keep these troops among the most experienced in the Empire.

The Empire also claims the strip of land between the northern Landrings and the sea, but that area (County Bolyon) is not yet under firm Krithian control. The true power there still rests in the hands of the "Corsairia" pirate fleets. However, the new (and first) Earl Bolyon is legendary for his stubbornness.

Agriculture & Resources: Crops: some citrus, dates, grapes; in the Yangar River valley (Ta, Th), add: barley, kuva, oats, olives, onions, peas, wheat. Animals: camels (Th), cattle (Ta), sheep (Ta, Th), swine (Ta, Th). Resources: fish, gems (carnelian [D], obsidian [D], pearls [D]), granite (Th), iron (D), lead (D), resins (Ta), tin (D).

Nonhumans: Lizard men (Yangar delta), dog-men (Karyan Steppes), werehorses (most common near desert), were-sharks (Bolyon/Corsairia).

Other Special Groups: Westmarch is effectively a militocracy: the army commanders hold the real power here. Duke Rothrid is more diplomat that warrior, and a patron of the arts. (He is also a mandolin player of high renown.)

Cavalry Legions of Westmarch: All armies in Krith have powerful cavalry contingents, but the legions of the Westmarch frontier tend to see the most combat duty and thus gain the most fame. These units are usually well armed and armored, but not too heavily (rarely wearing mail heavier than chain). Required skills are Animal Handling, Riding (horse), Survival (usually plains or desert), Tactics, and 2-3 weapon skills (those preferred by the unit). Typical weapons are: broadsword, shield and lance; short bow and shortsword; or broadsword, spear and javelins. Suggested skills include: Area Knowledge, First Aid, Tracking and Veterinarian.

Corsairs of the Pirate Coast: See "Corsairia".

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