Maelstrom Campaigns: The Silver League

The Silver League

Nations of Kaladia | Human Countries | Barbarian Lands | Humanoid Domains | Lost Realms


Description:: The Silver League is a collection of three countries in the Northern Reaches which have, on occasion, banded together for their mutual benefit and protection. They are so named for the extensive silver deposits which led to their rapid settlement. The title of "the Silver League" may inspire visions of ancient and mighty kingdoms whose alliances have been preserved throughout generations. In reality, the nations are prone to petty disputes and squabbling, and rarely cooperate well with one another.
: The County of Merrizzian is the oldest of the three countries, with an impressive history spanning five centuries. Silver was first discovered in the lands which would become Merrizzian by Tulmarian explorers. These expeditions were commissioned by the Magistracy of New Ruthanland. At this time, both New Ruthanland and the Duchy of Myderin were colonial states of the newly-formed Ruthanic Imperium of Tulmaria. Both nations' military governors were dukes of the Ruthanic nobility, but the Duke of New Ruthanland was a brother of the emperor of the Ruthanic Imperium, and held seniority over the Duke of Myderin.; As the news of silver reached the monarchs of New Ruthanland and Myderin, the two began their struggle for control of the Northern Reaches. Because of New Ruthanland's own internal turmoil, the emperor awarded custody of the land to Myderin. This decision was not well-received by the Duke of New Ruthanland. Nonetheless, the Duke of Myderin quickly coronated his second son as the first count of Merrizzian.; As the first Tulmarian advancement into the Northern Reaches, Merrizzian was the initial seat of power in northern Kaladia. This was short-lived, however, as the lure of silver enticed settlers and prospectors by the thousands. And the nobility who flocked into the territory were quick to claim the relatively unsettled lands as their own. The onslaught relentlessly pursued the silver, and Tulmarian settlements rapidly swept across the northern coastline of the Tylyryn Sea, and opened new lands beyond Merrizzian's borders.
: The Duchy of Welgredd was the second member of the eventual Silver League, and was formed less than a decade after Merrizzian. The Duke of New Ruthanland had remained incensed with the emperor's original grant of land to Myderin, and was determined to acquire a majority of the rich territory. For years after the establishment of Merrizzian, the Duke of New Ruthanland plotted to discredit the Duke of Myderin. Finally his schemes were rewarded as the emperor granted extensive land holdings west of Merrizzian to New Ruthanland.; To the dismay of the Duke of Myderin and the Count of Merrizzian, the eldest son of the Duke of New Ruthanland became the first Duke of Welgredd. With the senior noble title going to Welgredd, the ruling Tulmarian seat of the Northern Reaches passed from Merrizzian to Welgredd. Though originally a territory of Myderin, Merrizzian became immediately accountable to Welgredd. And though the Duke of Myderin held influence in both lands, all three nations ultimately answered to New Ruthanland. But the coastal states were far away from the two new countries, and Merrizzian and Welgredd soon realized their mutual necessity to cooperate together. It was this uneasy alliance, despite its weak foundation, which signaled the birth of the Silver League.
: The Democracy of Goarin is the third member of the Silver League. It is much younger than its two brother nations, and its circumstances of its origin are vastly different. The lands which are now Goarin were once part of Welgredd, which it lost as the outcome of a long and bloody civil war. Despite the eloquent and emotional speeches about independence for the nation and freedom for the people, the true reason for the revolution was nothing more than simple greed. For years, many of Welgredd's lesser nobility had become increasingly dissatisfied with the taxation levied by the crown. As their numbers continued to grow, their coffers were combined to purchase armors, weapons, and mercenaries. Finally, when their support had swelled to encompass much of Welgredd, these factions rebelled against the Duke.; But independence from the noble crown has not altogether been beneficial for Goarin. The self-proclaimed democracy tore its motherland asunder in its war for freedom, but when the fighting was ended, it also had suffered terribly. Goarin found itself as a country lacking strong leadership, and its founding fathers were more interested in acquiring personal riches and property than in evoking a government. The wealthy acted quickly to seize control of the land's resources, while some mercenary forces began plundering unprotected villages. Soon, estate owners began reinforcing the serfdom which most of the general populace had fought to be free from.

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