The Grand Empire

The Grand Empire is a federation of states, nominally ruled by the state of Conai. In fact each of the nations that make up the Empire is independent and individual, indeed they have been known to go to war with one another, even in recent years and, since the ruling houses of each of the nations are highly interrelated, they plot constantly against one another for power.

In theory at least the Grand Empire is ruled by the High King, whose seat is in the city of Karak-Dzum in Conai. In fact the Empire is run by whichever of the leaders of the separate nations is the most powerful at the time. In most cases this means either Conai, Somecar, or Lycastria, indeed the Empress Maud of Lycastria is the power that everyone looks to at the present time for leadership, and her illness has been enough to arouse the fears and concern of the entire Empire.

Since each power distrusts the others it is inevitable that they all, in the past, sought a central town for the Empire that was the seat of none of them. This place is the Village, lying as it does in the single pass linking the Northern states with the Southern, and on the major river passing through Zumm in Elphan. It is at this site that cargoes coming from the rich lands of the South must be changed from river transport to land and then carried by merchant train into the heart of Conai. Since the Grand Empire formed this point has become the focus of trade and intrigue between the different powers. A hundred temples and Kings have outposts here, and the merchants and criminals that always follow at the heels of power have similarly come to seek them out.

Benden Benden is one of the largest of the Grand Empire states, and also one of the least populated. Much of the country is taken up by cold and inhospitable mountains, which enclose a high desert known as the wastes of Knarr. Though a few tribes of Goblins live in the wastes it is almost entirely dead, and the true nation of Benden exists only as the isolated Southern corner of the country, a low fertile plain bordered by the sea to the South and the mountains to the North. On the low hills of the Benden plain its people make wine and grow crops valued across the Grand Empire, goods which travel either by sea to Sheerwater, or across land through the Village.

Conai Conai is the supposed head of the Grand Empire, a small and fertile nations that nestles between the sweeping mountain ranges of Benden and Somecar. The power and prosperity of Conai has always rested in its trade, and that trade is funnelled from the West, through Sheerwater, the North, via Karak-Dzum, and from the South through the Village. Karak-Dzum lies in the centre of the country, at the confluence of two rivers, and the crossing points of the roads from the Village and the capitals of Somecar and Lycastria, and it is the seat of the High King. The High King keeps the official standing army and fleet of the Grand Empire, though in reality it is small compared to the forces of the other nations.

Elphan Elphan is a vast marsh on the South-East coast of the Grand Empire. Most of its population is concentrated in cities, most notably Elphass and Zumm, though nomadic tribes dwelling on floating wooden platforms do inhabit the swamps. Despite its poor land and climate, however, Elphan is one of the richest lands in the Grand Empire, for it forms the gateway for trade between the Empire and the wealthy Southern lands across the inner sea. This trade sails the seas to Zumm, from where it then passes to the lords of Elphass and also upriver to the Village in Conai.

Lanorn Lanorn is a long nation squashed between Benden's waste and the swamp of Elphan, and it is almost entirely forested. The Great forest of Lanorn stretches from the border of Conai far further South than any other part of the Empire, until it reaches the shore of the circle sea and the independent Princedoms. Within this forest wilderness are 30 or more independent city states and baronies, all constantly at each others throats. Armies of soldiers and mercenaries are constantly at war in the depths of the woods, hounded by scouts and elusive Elves who plague every human force. It is often thought that Lanorn, grown rich from wood, art, minerals and cloth, could easily become the main power of the Grand Empire, were its energies not always directed against itself.

Lycastria Lycastria is a low-lying nation rich in food and animals. Lycastria's pleasant plains are the favourite hunting grounds of many of the Empire's rich and powerful, and the white cities of Lycast and Teremere. Despite its reputation as a land of easy living and indolence Lycastria is by far the most powerful of the states at this time. The ageing Empress Maud, Lycastria's head, is the effective ruler of the Grand Empire, wielding the power of her cousin Tremar, the High King, to her own ends. Unfortunately the Empress's only son Laslo, does not have her genius for power, and her land, which was once ruled by the Dukes of Somecar, is now the target of machievellian plotting.

Somecar Somecar is a dark and sullen land of heavy mountains and lakes the colour of lead. Its sinister lords rule the desolate land from heavily fortified castles and cities, from where they experiment with arcane arts and Magic. The Dukes of Somecar, led by the Empress Maud's younger brother Nomene, yearn for power over both their own land and the neighbouring Lycastria, and see the weak Prince Laslo as a tool to be used for that purpose. Somecar is a land without trade and with few people, but its mountains are rich with blood red gold and fantastic gemstones, that the people slave to dig out for the Dukes. Many an adventurer has dreamt of the riches that lie for the picking in the mountains of Somecar. Just as many have gone and never returned, it does not do to ask what lurks in the dark mountains of Somecar.

Thalor Thalor is the northernmost state of the Grand Empire, bordering on the strange country of Thule. Thalor is not a populous nation, and its people keep much to themselves within the deep coniferous forests that cloak its low hills. Within its four free cities, Dual, Sisko, Demeter and Ato, however, its lords spend their time building their libraries and gathering knowledge from the world over. The studious lords are well known as the best of hosts, for they are wise and kindly, and have the magic to defend themselves from harm. They have little interest in what happens outside of their cities however, indeed Thalor barely has a central rulership at all, and then only in the form of a council of sages that meets only very seldomly.

To the Village front Page

Benden	Benden is one of the largest of the Grand Empire states, and also one of the least populated. Much of the country is taken up by cold and inhospitable mountains, which enclose a high desert known as the wastes of Knarr. Though a few tribes of Goblins live in the wastes it is almost entirely dead, and the true nation of Benden exists only as the isolated Southern corner of the country, a low fertile plain bordered by the sea to the South and the mountains to the North. On the low hills of the Benden plain its people make wine and grow crops valued across the Grand Empire, goods which travel either by sea to Sheerwater, or across land through the Village.
Conai	Conai is the supposed head of the Grand Empire, a small and fertile nations that nestles between the sweeping mountain ranges of Benden and Somecar. The power and prosperity of Conai has always rested in its trade, and that trade is funnelled from the West, through Sheerwater, the North, via Karak-Dzum, and from the South through the Village. Karak-Dzum lies in the centre of the country, at the confluence of two rivers, and the crossing points of the roads from the Village and the capitals of Somecar and Lycastria, and it is the seat of the High King. The High King keeps the official standing army and fleet of the Grand Empire, though in reality it is small compared to the forces of the other nations.
Elphan	Elphan is a vast marsh on the South-East coast of the Grand Empire. Most of its population is concentrated in cities, most notably Elphass and Zumm, though nomadic tribes dwelling on floating wooden platforms do inhabit the swamps. Despite its poor land and climate, however, Elphan is one of the richest lands in the Grand Empire, for it forms the gateway for trade between the Empire and the wealthy Southern lands across the inner sea. This trade sails the seas to Zumm, from where it then passes to the lords of Elphass and also upriver to the Village in Conai.
Lanorn	Lanorn is a long nation squashed between Benden's waste and the swamp of Elphan, and it is almost entirely forested. The Great forest of Lanorn stretches from the border of Conai far further South than any other part of the Empire, until it reaches the shore of the circle sea and the independent Princedoms. Within this forest wilderness are 30 or more independent city states and baronies, all constantly at each others throats. Armies of soldiers and mercenaries are constantly at war in the depths of the woods, hounded by scouts and elusive Elves who plague every human force. It is often thought that Lanorn, grown rich from wood, art, minerals and cloth, could easily become the main power of the Grand Empire, were its energies not always directed against itself.
Lycastria	Lycastria is a low-lying nation rich in food and animals. Lycastria's pleasant plains are the favourite hunting grounds of many of the Empire's rich and powerful, and the white cities of Lycast and Teremere. Despite its reputation as a land of easy living and indolence Lycastria is by far the most powerful of the states at this time. The ageing Empress Maud, Lycastria's head, is the effective ruler of the Grand Empire, wielding the power of her cousin Tremar, the High King, to her own ends. Unfortunately the Empress's only son Laslo, does not have her genius for power, and her land, which was once ruled by the Dukes of Somecar, is now the target of machievellian plotting.
Somecar	Somecar is a dark and sullen land of heavy mountains and lakes the colour of lead. Its sinister lords rule the desolate land from heavily fortified castles and cities, from where they experiment with arcane arts and Magic. The Dukes of Somecar, led by the Empress Maud's younger brother Nomene, yearn for power over both their own land and the neighbouring Lycastria, and see the weak Prince Laslo as a tool to be used for that purpose. Somecar is a land without trade and with few people, but its mountains are rich with blood red gold and fantastic gemstones, that the people slave to dig out for the Dukes. Many an adventurer has dreamt of the riches that lie for the picking in the mountains of Somecar. Just as many have gone and never returned, it does not do to ask what lurks in the dark mountains of Somecar.
Thalor	Thalor is the northernmost state of the Grand Empire, bordering on the strange country of Thule. Thalor is not a populous nation, and its people keep much to themselves within the deep coniferous forests that cloak its low hills. Within its four free cities, Dual, Sisko, Demeter and Ato, however, its lords spend their time building their libraries and gathering knowledge from the world over. The studious lords are well known as the best of hosts, for they are wise and kindly, and have the magic to defend themselves from harm. They have little interest in what happens outside of their cities however, indeed Thalor barely has a central rulership at all, and then only in the form of a council of sages that meets only very seldomly.