Rhom – From the Gazetteer of Alaethia

For further details on the formation and history of Rhom, see the Introduction to Alaethia, here.  

I’m starting the campaign in Rhom, so I want a decent write up of the area. While leaving enough open for in-play development and some cooperative world-building with the players. I’m probably going to have at least two total newbs at the table though, so I need to take that into account as well. All while curbing my tendency to go mad, with fleshing out everything I can think of. Hopefully, I’m striking a decent balance, here. I still need to make a fuller write-up and map of Outland, the town I’m starting the players out in.

Rhom

Rhom – On the Edge of Chaos

Of the four Human nations of Alaethia, Rhom’s position is the most precarious. Smaller than her neighbors, Rhom not only has to contend with the designs of The Fane, but bears the brunt of Humanoid aggression in the region. At the very edge of civilization, strange creatures and odd events, assail the people of Rhom on a regular basis. Two Dungeons lie within her borders, as well as smaller areas of a similar nature. The strange Tower of Green Chaos, may be found at her eastern edge.

Rhom’s early years were fraught with peril from constant Humanoid and monster attacks, as well as difficulties with food production. In 96 E.R., a new mine was opened and copious amounts of very high quality Dragonscale ore were discovered. This incredibly strong, dense metal, when combined with iron, forms a highly prized steel alloy. In conjunction with the secret methods of the Rhomish steelworkers, a product is crafted that is second to none. This has recently brought a rapid influx of wealth into the country.

Population – Approximately 30,000.

Population Centers

Capital City: Bruhn - Population: 23,300. Sheriff – Haeg Thursson. F L6.

Hag Stick – Population: 3,200. Includes the Forgeworks in the nearby mountains, the center of Rhom’s Steel Industry. Sheriff – Maeny Mirwind. F L4.

Bue – Population: 1,000. Sheriff – Daen Mirwind. F L3.

Whiskey – Population: 700. Sheriff – Baezen Hugold. MU L9. A small college, dedicated to the arcane arts is located in Whiskey. Run by the Sheriff, there are two other instructors (Lvl 5) and 1d8 apprentice MU’s will be in attendance.

Outland – Population: 800. Sheriff – Maelywin Geerdom. P L5. As the last stop before Stonehell**, Outland receives quite a bit of traffic from adventurers and military patrols. Supply shops will be very well stocked and cater to the adventuring trade, but such goods will be marked up by 10% to 15%.

Castle Kage – Population: 200. Home of The Lord Protector of Rhom, Paginor Scyros-Son – F L3.

Keph Keep – Population 150. This ancient outpost, abandoned by the Keph, now serves as the primary staging area for the defense of the Western border of Rhom. Commander – Captain Ellios Baegrin – F L9.

Some scattered homesteads lay outside the areas listed above. The population estimates do not include the inhabitants of Stonehell**, The Halls of Yellow Madness, or the Tower of Green Chaos. Castle Gaevin, seen at the right edge of the map above, does not lay within the boundaries of Rhom.

The Government of Rhom

After the fallout from Prince Zaegra’s deposing and the Decree of Noble Vacancy, Scyros One-Nut and his band of adventurers, found themselves in command of the city of Bruhn and its surrounding area. The party decided to form a Council of Spell & Sword to govern the new little country. Five Governors, sit upon the council and serve for life. It is comprised of the following offices:

1. The High Sheriff – Responsible for overseeing the courts, tax-collection and keeping the peace. All population centers in Rhom are overseen by a Sheriff, who answers to the holder of this office. Current Chair-Holder – Bellios Blackmane – F L5.
2. The Field Marshall – The Chief Military Officer of Rhom. Current Chair-Holder – Wharen Thizador – F L10.
3. The Charter Master – Representative of the Guilds. Responsible for matters of Trade and the issuing of Charters. Current Chair-Holder – Quane – MU L9.
4. The Oak-Lord – A representative from the Circle of the Horned Cabal. The Old Ways are followed by many of Rhom’s citizenry. Current Chair-Holder – Whizzindor of the Purple Beard – D L9.
5. The Lord Protector – The Peoples Champion. Lord of Castle Kage. Charged with the task of protecting the people from inhuman menaces. The office is largely ceremonial and owes more to Scyros’ sense of drama, than any practical considerations. Current Chair-Holder – Paginor Scyros-Son – F L3.

All decisions, not directly under the purview of an individual Council member, are decided upon by the whole Council, with each member having one vote.

Military Might

Standing Army: 1,600 Infantry. 300 Calvary. 100 Mounted Knights.

Navy: 10 Warships Ships, plus support vessels. 400 Sailors.

An Additional 1200 troops may be levied in time of need.

Mercenary Forces serving in Rhom: The Black Bullettes: 200 infantry. Led by Jhon the Bear – F L5.

The Nightwraiths: 80 Special Forces. Trained in spying, infiltration, trap discovery & removal and similar arts. Led by Night-Haint, R L8.

A loaned force of 500 Dwarven soldiers is currently serving in Rhom. Led by Orgurd Bristol-Beard – F L6.

Lord Mahban Dhul, a Paladin L9, serving the Goddess Akaleya, leads 300 calvary and is sworn to the service of The Lord Protector.

The Circle of the Horned Cabal, Alaethia’s Druidic Order, has allied itself with Rhom. Aside from its own might, it may summon a considerable number of natural creatures, should the need arise.

Due to “tourist attractions” like Stonehell** and The Halls of Yellow Madness, as well as the activity on the western borders, Rhom sees quite a bit of traffic from adventurers, mercenaries and the like. If necessary, the government will pay handsomely for aid from these folk.

Industry

Mining: Copper, Silver, Iron and Dragonscale ore.

Agriculture: Wheat, barley, grapes. A few other minor crops.

Fishing.

Steel Production, Arms & Armor: Thanks to the discovery of the ore Dragonscale and the secret process of steel production perfected by the local workers, Rhomish Steel has become a highly sought after trade item. Weapons produced by the Rhom smithies are capable of holding an incredibly sharp edge and are much more durable. This trade has extended beyond Alaethia, into other nearby, human regions. Rhomish arms & armor have developed a reputation for being the equal of Dwarven made goods and at a cheaper price.

Goods made from Rhomish Steel will cost 25% more in other areas of Alaethia, and 50% more outside the region. Weapons and armor have a +1 bonus to hit and to AC, respectively, as these items are of very high quality. The bonus will not stack with any sort of enchantment. The increased strength of Rhomish Steel, should be taken into account in such instances as item saving throws, etc.

Magic & Religion in Rhom

Many Gods, Cults and Philosophies are represented in Rhom, the largest following  being dedicated to the Old Ways, the Nature Worship brought to Alaethia by it’s earliest Human settlers. Roughly 40% of the population are devoted to the teachings of the Druids. The Circle of the Horned Cabal, exerts a profound influence in the country, even holding a permanent seat on The Council of Spell & Sword.

While the Druidic followers worship Nature itself as a Divine Force, some pay homage to Aemara, the Queen of Sighs, as an Expression in the Physical World, of the Power they venerate.

A small, but vital community of Magicians exist in Rhom. Most Magic-Users in Alaethia practice traditions inherited from the Magi of Nauru, the supposed birthplace of the Magical Arts. In Rhom, The Philosophy of King Evedor, an obscure Magical Tradition based on teachings attributed to the legendary King of Kadia is favored by the locals. Most scholars believe the stories of both Evador and his kingdom to be a myth, created by Magic-Users to contain and conceal certain arcane secrets. The followers of this tradition believe in a divine force, which they usually refer to as Mind and see as the source of all existence. The arts of Conjuration and Summoning, of both Demons and Angels are a major focus of the Tradition.

Veneration of Isis, a goddess worshipped in ancient Nauru has a noticeable presence in Rhom. The Guild of Smiths & Steel-Workers honor Set as their Patron and the Magic-Users in Rhom, who don't follow the teachings of Evedor, often pay homage to Isis, Set, or Thoth.

A thriving cult, dedicated to Thor, Son of Odin, may be found amongst the military forces of the country. Odin The All-Father was the traditional Patron of the the Royal House of Yuvador and this pantheon of gods is still well regarded among Fighting-Men in Alaethia.

While much more popular in other parts of Alaethia, worship of the goddess Akaleya is found in Rhom, particularly in Bruhn and amongst some of the more honorable minded adventurers in the area. As Defender of the Righteous and Terror unto the Wicked, Akaleya was chosen as the Patron of Castle Kage and The Lord Protector of Rhom. As Lady of the Rose, Akaleya is still invoked during marriage ceremonies, by some of Rhom’s older families.

Numerous other sects are present in Rhom. The large number of adventurers, who come to the area and often stay, insure a great religious diversity.

Other Areas of Interest

The Halls of Yellow Madness – Forty-five years ago, many of the inhabitants of the town of Welcome and Castle Gaevin, located in The Fane, just east of Rhom, were found to be engaged in unholy religious practices. A hidden temple was found, within the mountains near the Castle. After these cultists were purged, their former lair was cleansed and sealed. Two years ago, a passing party of adventurers discovered that The Halls of Yellow Madness had been opened. The priests who had sealed the Dungeon reported that it was comprised of only two levels, but these adventurers found that the complex extended much further. Little is known about what the former cultists were engaged in and when questioned, surviving members would only giggle madly, speaking of “The King in Yellow.” While technically, this area is in disputed territory, Rhom has laid claim to the Dungeon, primarily to aid in its efforts to draw more adventurers to the area.

Stonehell** – A prime adventurers destination in Alaethia, the former prison is known to host Humanoid Forces and far darker horrors.

Sweetwood Forest – Thanks to oversight by the Military, the forest is relatively safe and provides a good hunting ground. Several Shrines may be found here, as Whiskey’s has a large number of devotees of the Old Ways, who use the Forest as a meeting place. At least two Druids are known to make their home here. Dane – D L5 and Hollrim the Blind – D L7.

The Tower of Green Chaos – Built by Aginon the Wicked, The Tower has stood abandoned since its builders disappearance, over a century ago. Adventurers who have dared the place tell bizarre tales, of crawling chaos and alien entities.

*Coat of Arms designed at Coat of Arms Design Studio – Inkwell Ideas.

** Stonehell is, of course, Michael Curtis’ Awesome Mega-Dungeon!