BFEF1 Local Lore

The Surrounding Countries and Local Lore

Nations

Napelli

	A country of dense forests. Napelli occupies a large territory divided in two by the Hersius Mountain range. Many paths exist through the mountains, but crossing them directly usually requires a guide who can navigate the treacherous paths.

	Napelli’s land is fertile, and the nation is known more as a center of commerce and learning than for its military prowess. There are several institutions scattered throughout the nation devoted to the study of natural philosophy and the magical arts. Of particular fame is the mage’s college in the capital of Revice.

Absion

	Absion enjoys strong trade relations with Napelli due to its control over the Vinci River, which flows between the Hersius Mountains and the Gulf of Wingbeats, cutting a path through the rocky cliffs of Penn. The coast of Absion is filled with ancient forts and castles, a holdover from the days when the threat of Yennese raiders was always close at hand.

	The nation is split into three regions, each presided over by a governor appointed by the King. The three governors rule their regions under the King’s supervision, and act as his advisors when needed. They are capable of overruling the crown’s decisions through a unanimous vote with the support of the majority of the noble houses.

	The Dragon cults do not have much power in Absion, and instead the state religion is the worship of Hamauz the Sun God, who presides over the world with his thirteen angel servants and defends it from the powers of darkness. As such the people of the nation do not look very kindly upon the usage of Dark Magic.

Feralts

	The Principality of Feralts derives most of its strength from its powerful navy. Lacking much fertile soil, the nation is dependent on trade and the bounty of the sea. That is not to say that it is without resources, as precious metals reside in the hills to the west, and the Gulf of Wingbeats which the Principality borders is filled with fish and edible plants. Even its history is tied closely to the ocean, the wife of the ancient founder of Feralts having been said to have walked out of the seafloor onto the beach to first proclaim to him his destiny.

	Historically, Feralts has had bad relations with its neighbors, being subject to frequent Yennese raids in the past which would be followed by landgrab attempts by Napelli and Absion trying to take advantage of its weakness.

Leones

	While the Kingdom of Leones has often warred with its neighbors in the past, it currently enjoys good relationships with Napelli thanks to strong marriage ties existing between their respective royal families.

	While the edges of Leones consist of grassy plains, the heart of the nation is mountainous and rough, with small patches of cursed lands hiding within the mountains. Order is kept within the country by its order of Sky Knights, a famous fighting force who hold unmatched dominance in the air.

	It is tradition among its nobility to dye their hair a number of varied and bright colors.

Mechinia

	The Republic of Mechinia was once ruled by a monarchy, but reformed into its current structure after the succession crisis of 535, in which the scheming’s of the royal family all came to a head, and ended in most of the royalty dead by each other’s hands. The surviving heir to the throne was a young boy, unprepared and unexacting to wear the crown. He was instead taken in by the previous King’s chief advisor Gorem, who encouraged him to end the rule of the monarchy, a task he quickly complied with after ascending to the throne before fading away from the annals of history.

	In modern times Mechinia has been in a situation of unrest due to concerns over the northern mines starting to run dry combined with recent scandals and blunders by the higher echelons of the government. While it has remained peaceful and isolationist for the past century due to the power of its industrial advances, there have been movements forming aiming to return Mechinia back to as it was in the olden days.

	The nation is filled with mountains and hills to the north, while heading west the terrain becomes more unpredictable, being filled with many massive plateaus separated by canyons and basins. It has a very large wyvern population.

Elmerit

	The nation of Elmerit is home to one of the largest continuous sections of the cursed land in the entire world. For this reason it has created an extensive organization known as the Bonfire Association. The association’s volunteer members patrol and guard the roads of the country, keeping watch over the lamps and fires that illuminate the paths and protecting travelers from monsters and bandits. Its members are distinguished by their spruce blue cloaks and hats, along with of course the badge of service they display proudly upon their person.

	Elmerit is a monarchy, ruled by the Leise dynasty that descends from Orgus of Handal, who according to legend journeyed into the heart of the cursed lands and slew a fearsome beast who held command over an army of monsters that ravaged the countryside in ancient times. The people of Elmerit are fierce fighters, a necessity in their dangerous homeland, and are known for their pride and hardyness.

Other Important Notes

The Faith of the Ocean King
	An ancient religion from the northern coast of Arien. While it has mostly been supplanted by the various dragon cults over the past millennia, there are still quite a few that continue to follow it. Particularly in the case of nations that have a strong cultural connection to sailing and fishing such as Feralts. Its believers pay tribute to the Ocean King, who rules the sea from the depths beneath the waves. Sacrifices are given to the ocean before every voyage, and once each season its followers hold festivals in which they sink barges of gifts and sacrifices as further tribute. It's said that seals and sea lions are his servants.

The Dragon Cults
	Throughout the continent of Arien, there are a wide range of religions which venerate dragons as deities or servants of Heaven. While it’s generally accepted that the creatures called dragons no longer walk the Earth, the Dragon Cults remain.
	The beliefs of the individual cults vary, but the most widespread form expresses the belief in an Earthmother dragon goddess, who breathed the world into existence and brought about other dragons to serve as the shepherds of the Earth.