HERLAIN, A CASE STUDY

Herlain is the most industrious culture on the world of Grit. It contains a rich plethora of societies, from the wealthy merchant families, to the respected minority of Elves. I prefer to base my campaigns here, as it bears the greatest resemblance to contemporary society, and it’s attitudes are diverse, and yet wholly inhumane enough (remarkably like modern day London or NY), that I can create atmospheres of paranoia, cruelty and general messed up human falability, just like real life.

PLEASE NOTE: "Athar" is the ancient name for Herlain. Therefore, the adjective to describe a person living in Herlain would be an Atharian. Ie. "He lives in Herlain so he must drink plenty of Atharian ale with his Atharian buddies..."

For those more interested in the fantasy element of AD&D, this starting point also allows exploration into lands of wonder: The mundane society of Herlain contrasting well with the fantastic and magical neighbouring societies.

Feel free to use this case study for your own games (in fact, it would flatter me greatly if you were to do so), and send any input you have to me at s.hickey@bradford.ac.uk or come to my community by following these steps:

 1) Go to "www.excite.com"

2) Click on Excite communities

3) Go to Games

4) Go to RPG

5) Look on the list for "_Online Games_" and click on it.

6) When you enter it, click on "click to join" in the top right of the screen. Within 24 hours you will become a member, if you refer to this game world in your application.

 Enjoy your read folks….

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RACES

This section details mainly the commonality of this race in Herlain, their main location, the attitudes toward them and to each other, their overall prosperity and their input into Herlain’s society.

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BIRIAN

Birians, as you know by now, are a magical race. As discussed later, magic is looked upon with great fear and hatred, and so, the Birians find Herlain a hostile land. For this reason they are very scarce, appearing in GREAT rarity in, and only in, the coastal province of Redwich. Birians are regarded with some respect and fear. They are more often than not left to their own ends and occasionally they aid natives in worldly lore and other scholastic endeavours. They regard each other with instant brotherly kinship. They are a prosperous trading state and thus, are somewhat tollerated by the rough dockers of Greatport. Their main export to Herlain’s society is knowledge and teaching. Many a noble house will hire the skills of a Birian wanderer to educate his children.

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BOATLING

Boatlings are another rare race in Herlain’s society. The inland living of Humans does not agree with most Boatling ideals. However, they do appear quite often on the East coast near Greatport and the Golden Delta when trading with the human settlements. They are regarded with distrust yet their small sizes grant them a certain illusion of "harmlessness". They are brilliant boat builders and have guilds set up in Greatport to govern this highly skilled trade. They aid Herlain mainly through it’s oceanic explorations and also through the Boatling’s flourishing trade with the provinces.

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DWARF

These stout and honourable folk are more common to the West of Herlain especially near Banwith and the hills of Derengar. A small percentage of the Dwarven race live on the Northland borders in Redwich. These are a far more friendly community, in which a great trade with Herlain has bloomed. Both types of Dwarf, the Northern and Old, contribute with their unbeatable crafting of stone and the smithing skills that other races have forgotten through the ages. However, within Herlain they are not very common. Most villages wouldnt see Dwarves too often and only in large towns would they actually begin to dwell in human territories. Dwarves are considered a trustworthy folk in Herlain, but as will always happen in an ignorant society, there are plenty of angry bigots wishing to pick fights with the short community. They are a prosperous race in Herlain and because of their success, many Dwarves are considered to be overstepping their "welcome". Toward the inner states, there is open hostility and mockery of Dwarves. However, their reputation of honour and justice often prevents any physical confrontation by the Human community.

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ELF

All Elfs have some degree of respect in the nine provinces, though particularly in Banwith in the city of Court, and in Carrendour. Their skills in song and merriment, and in ancient lore are near incomprehensible for the society, and so, it is often the way of travelling Elves to teach their knowledge. Elves are very rare in Herlain. They appear with great infrequency in the Southern state of Southshire, and small groups of elves may sometimes travel to Barensteir to visit the temples or to seek council with Herlain’s king. Generally, as I say, all races respect them, however in many cities their behaviour can seem aloof and arrogant. Peasants and soldiers sometimes find it insulting and take their own actions. Sometimes these actions can be rather severe. It is thus not uncommon to hear of burning of Elfs, mass beatings and the like esp. near the Northland mountains. Elfs do not enjoy the company of Gnomes or Humans to much of a degree and even the long respect between Dwarves and Elfs does not allow for friendly intercourse between the ancient races. However, the Elfs have always found joy in the Boatling society.

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GNOME

Gnomes are not so rare in Banwith and Western Carrendour, but quite uncommon in the East. They are roguish tradesmen, delighting in the selling of wares, and thus they have created the most prosperous trade through all Herlain. Gnomes are friendly and easy going, and their success is rarely seen to be a threat. Thus, they do not hold the stigma that some Dwarves have gained, and very few racial dilemas, concerning Gnomes at least, occur in the West. They are liked by all, and their existance in Herlain has boosted not only mineral resources, but also has granted the use of Dwarven technologies that would never have otherwise made their way into Herlain life.

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HALF ELF

The Half Elves dwell mainly in the Golden Delta and quite often near the Northern frontiers. Their innate tempers and primal blood rages have scarred their names with evil and hatred. No Half Elf would be safe in any small village, and even in larger cities would it be an uncomfortable situation. They tend to be loners but some join together in nomadic bands. Their main function in Herlain’s society is to serve as mercenaries in times of war. Though Humans do not like their company, they must acknowledge their violent natures and so, they make the perfect warriors for hire. Some Half Elfs make a career in this military vocation and a rare few have gained some measure of respect in human eyes. The second input of the Half Elf is his song and voice. They gained, from their Elven side, the beauty of music and dance, and many of their race have used it to their advantage. As nomadic tribes they used to train together to become an entertainment of the highest prestige. They called themselves the "Phae h’than", meaning the "New Men". Often, during festivals, the "Phae h’than" circus would arrive, and poor would mingle with the wealthy, just to see the wonders of their act and song.

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HUMAN

Humans in Herlain are the most prosperous and plentiful of all the races. They dwell throughout the lands and trade accross forests and over lakes and rivers. They are a very closely knit society, finding it difficult to allow other races into their clique without some degree of prejudice. The seperate states treat each other in the same manner, ie a Hampfelder would be irate if you mistakened him for a Southshire man. Theres not really much more I can say... Why don't you check out the map of Herlain and see wherabouts all the provinces are in relation to one another....

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MAGI

The Magi are non existant in Herlain. There are no such thing as Magi, and even if there were, they would keep themselves hidden; the regard that Humans hold for spellcraft is not quite satisfactory for the Magi to coexist in any degree. Either way, if you asked a regualr peasant to describe a magi, it would be very unlikely that he’d know what you were talking about.

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POLITICS

This section deals primarily with the runnings of Atharian government. It describes the trading policies, the courtly routines, the higher powers of Herlain and the general history of the nine provincial states’ ranking in Herlain’s society.

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GOVERNMENT

Herlain is a feudal dominion, run by land owners and the particularly wealthy. The country is governed by a ruling noble named "The High Seat of Athar". This lord has unquestioned power over the nine states of Herlain. Also, in any individual province, you will find a governing figure called the "High Lord" or the "Provincial Governor". They have absolute power over their state, and must answer only to the High Seat and no one else. Beyond these figures you have lesser nobility ranking in the following order:

Archdukes
Dukes
Counts
Barons

There may be any number of such nobility, varying from state to state, but generally, there are far more of the lower ranking nobility than the upper classes.

Nobles are pretty much immune to law, and within their regions they have the right to alter state law against a fellon unless a higher order decrees otherwise.

Lesser nobility must come to arms, should any higher power ask for aid. In return, should any minor noble be challenged, the superior power must do his utmost to protect his serf. This normally creates quite a semblance of co-operation among directly linked nobility, but enhances rivalry during inter provincial relations.

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TRADING

Trading in Herlain is encouraged heartily. Residing Governors of the nine provinces all allow, without taxation, registered Merchant Guildsmen, access via road or river, to any of the cities in their territories. This promotes the general economy of the states but also increases the level of Non-Guild related smuggling.

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COURTS

In each of the state capitols of Herlain, there lies a dominant courtroom, to which the important nobility must pilgrim during times of provincial stress and stately referendums. The Provincial Governor acts as chairman during such events, deciding, after all opinions have been raised, what is best for the province. However, these courtly sessions do not occur only in the capitols themselves, but in the houses of even the minor nobility. The matters dealt with are less severe, yet every noble house will often gather together it’s serfs for decisions that affect the circumstances of the territory.

Idyllically, this governmental system should work, allowing that all ruling powers are neither corrupt nor stupid. However, most nobility place little importance on affairs that do not directly relate to themselves, and thus there is rarely any change in circumstances for the poor and the needy. Most Court meetings conclude with the establishment of better relations with nearby rulers and also with fluctuations of monetary allocations toward military and personal investment.

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HIGHER POWERS

The next section, entitled "Provinces", describes the who’s who of each major Atharian state. However, there are a few individuals who soar even above these wealthy statesmen.

Firstly, the Master Guildsman of the Merchant’s Guild; Aemar Pachaki, holds great sway over the Eastern provinces of Redwich and Hampfeld. His tight links with Barensteir allow him great power over inter racial trade and his dealings with the Boatling peoples has given him an unprecedented name for diplomacy and tact.

Next, there must be mentioned the High Priest of the Order of the Flame; the guardians of courage; disciples of Jaetok. Gregory u’Aerth, a Northlander brought up in the city of Gallansia, in Duskwood, became a priest at the age of 16. For nearly half a century he has devoted his life to the ethics of his Lord. Now, he holds as much power over Herlain as the pope may have had during the renaissance period in European history. He is considered the living symbol of the gods. He resides in Barensteir and answers only to the high seat himself.

Of course, one cannot forget High Seat Edward I, a spoilt child who has unwittingly inherited the throne of Herlain. He has absolute rule over the nine provinces. His word is law and no one can counter his wishes.

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Then there are the ambassadors, each with great power, circumstantially overbearing Governor might, but never with clear ranking power in Herlain.

First there is the ambassador of Edward himself; Bavram Windly. He holds great sway in all of the provinces. His history in diplomatic matters seem to link with martial matters. Thus, when Bavram visits your domain, you begin to get scared… cus war is on the way….

The Dwarven ambassador for Derengar; Dir Jawinda, occasionally visits the lands of Herlain, and when he does so, he is treated with the utmost respect. He will bring messages directly from his ruler (Grandfather Bja’dni) in the capitol of his land; Kamengar or "The First".

A second Dwarven ambassador, this time from the Northland mountains is known as Gatha. He deals mainly with Redwich but sometimes travels to the frontiers of Carrendour. He talks with the Atharians on behalf of King Chaeg Khadaran Jengoth, ruler of Chaeg Hold.

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The Elves rarely send ambassadors, and, as such, there is no individual Elf of great importance known to Herlain. However, some messages are delivered from the Elves through a Hidewinter ambassador named Eric Goodstaff, on behalf of King Henry Banetooth III. He has great power in Herlain, due to the weight he carries in the Southern kingdom in Tiberwold.

The Gnomic ruler Borgn Ngurn prefers not to use ambassadors and occasionally visits Herlain personally, from the city of Nurnegar, on behalf of the Eastern and Tan Gnomes. He is a powerful individual with almost unworldly charisma. He is viewed as the perfection of Gnomic characteritics by his people.

Then there is the Boatling representitive of Esterhelm. He has been to Herlain only twice in history. He is known as "Admiral Journey", though his real name is Captain Jurn Chibarb. He only visited Greatport in order to clarify trading relations with Lord Tenchat, but he answers to his own ruler; Shaman Kamir Suru.

Half Elves have very little power in Herlain, as do Birians, and so, there are no important figures from these cultures.

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RANKINGS OF THE PROVINCES

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