(Georic Gazeeteer) The Kingdom of Albion

The Kingdom of Albion

Pantheon: Citlek, with Norse influences

Ruler:  King William I (House Allurd)

Capital: Celendra (750,000)

Other Cities: Beossmannum (30,000), Bergstedum(25,000), Faestun (15,000), Durtorigon (25,000), Dumand(75,000), Seulfrum (20,000)

Language: Citlek, Senzaran, Trade Prythax among the upper classes

Flag/Emblem:  A Yew Tree

Coinage: All coinage from within the Six Crowns is acceptable.

Important Personas:  Dukes of Alorsholt,  ArchDruid of Broswiccan 

Alliances:  Six Crowns

Hostilities: Wyrmnalian raiders

Open Warfare/Skirmishing: None

Intrigues:  Uncertain, but extremely likely

Demi-Humans: Small non-native groups, Dwarven miners, Gnome craftsmen, Elvish archers, Gnolls in the north coming from Caledonia.  Halflings do not last long in the Kingdom, as they complain about the quality of the food.

Magickal Devices: The lance Rhongomyant, the Book of Shadows, and Pavillion of Portals are amongst the greatest of the devices held by the throne of Albion.  Considerable quantities of intermediate and minor sorts of magickal devices also possessed.

Thumbnail Sketch:  As a casual reader of this guide, Albion is the first country listed amongst the "Six Crowns," so a little explanation is in order.   

The Six Crowns refer to the Kingdoms of the Avillonian Isles north of Crosdes:  Albion, Caledonia, Cymru, Hibernia, Lygresse, as well as the City-State of Anon-Maxis at the very tip of he Gran Duchy of Alois.  These six entities represent the only significant part of the continent of Talaishia that was never under Ferasean rule.  Rather, the western lands have had significant colonization and influence of the Senzar Empire.  

Albion, being the easternmost, has had the least amount of Senzar culture filter into it.   Citlek language,  culture, and faith dominating from centuries of Hibernian travelers.  

King Afolbiccum of what we refer to now as Albion repelled Emperor Leif III's men in the the first and only attempt of Ferasean colonization of the isle.  A general peace and trade agreement was reached, however the trade and influence of Feraso was always hampered by the treacherous waters of the Starfall Channel, as well as more lucrative riches to be earned elsewhere.  Threats from power-hungry Caledonian kings threatened peace on the island, and the greatest mistake, greatest impact was hiring/inviting raiders from Zieland to bolster their armies.  The Vikings raided villages, both Caledonian and Albion alike, then proceeded to stay and rule over them. 

It was not until 871 of our calendar when the Great Albion King Alfred, along with his wife, Queen Cordelia, reunited all the Duchies and Counties under "local" rule.  For decades, under the reinforced rule of House Wita (the "White Way") the Kingdom thrived, roads were built, learning was applauded, and the arts were appreciated for all to enjoy.  

During the last significant schism of the Six Crowns, the invasion by Lygresse and Mad King Mordred II, the long-running House of Wita ended its rule and the House of Allurd was elected by the nobles in 1066.  Not only did King Edgar (the Ailing) of that House repel the invasion, they aided Cymru in their hour of need, helped usurp Mordred from power in Lygresse, and established the peace through the islands that has lasted externally for nearly the last hundred years. 

The Observatory at Sarisbarrie is one of the wonders of the world and thousands visit to study astronomy, astrology, and other matters of the divine.  The Universities of Faestun and Seulfrum are older and finer than some of the dominant school established on the mainland.  The capital of Celendra may be the most cosmopolitan city within the Six Crowns, but beware of its ever-present underbelly of crime and corruption.  

The folk of Albion are derived from all of the Six Crowns, with a distant Senzar bloodline and much more recent infusions of Zieland Viking and Wyrmnalian blood.   All commoners speak Citlek, and only the nobles and very learned have taken an interested in Trade Prythax.  

While slavery per se, is frowned upon, the law does offer bondage as a punishment for certain crimes, as well as payment of debts.

The various order of Knights of Albion are prevalent throughout the Kingdom, they form not only backbone of national defense, but may act in a judicial manner regarding local matters.  The finest of the knights aspire to be members of the "Lyfftwinne Grifus"  a squadron of Griffon cavalry feared the world over. 

The standing army is relatively small, relying on their Knights, water currents, and geography.  King William has been active in the global theatre, offering traditional knights and feared longbowman for any action or grand crusade against the Master of Yarbay and his monstrous hordes.  

The greatest attraction casual visitors would want to experience is the vast musical and theatrical offerings of the country.  The Wyrf Theatre in Celendra is known to offer the greatest production of plays, both the ancient classics and the recently written fare.  The famed Marakeikan actress Maria Osic once held sway over the theatre for five years, until setting up her own smaller own, the "Efun Grund" around 1145.  

Religion:  While the center of Citlek Mythos resides in Hibernia, all theological discussions in Albion will go through the Arch-Druid of Broswiccan, Branwen Eiluned Gwennith. 

Arch-Druid of Broswiccan, Branwen Eiluned Gwennith

While there are Wyrmanlian (Norse) influences along the coast, and even intertwined with some of the Citlek beliefs, proselytizing other religions is strictly prohibited.   It is within the rights and duties of Knight of Albion to enforce this law, potentially to the death.  If brought up within a proper magistrate, the penalties are usually much less sever, and normally monetary.  

  

Geography of Note:  

The Observatory at Sarisbarrie

The Universities of Faestun and Seulfrum - The largest collections of books and scrolls not possessed by a wizard or cabal. 

The Wyrf Theatre of Celendra 

Veggor Billi - A gift to the King Edgar the Ailing by immigrant Wyrmanlian Dwarves, it's twelve clock faces tell time in different parts of Georic, including the Drow Empires, the Fairie lands, and even an alleged Hollow Earth.  

Cliffs of Dofrum should be avoided at all costs.  Despite it's beauty, the proliferation of Wyverns and lesser flying vermin require a wizard and potent warding magicks, or enough foolhardy escorts to satiate the creatures' hunger.

Mentions of Albion in the Blog:

Lost Dispatches of Feraso #5 - The Mythologies of Wyrmnal:  Mentions Albion booksellers plying their wares as far as Dremmen, in Marholm, Wyrmnal.

Lost Dispatches of Feraso #8 - Accusations, Heresay, and Circumvention:  Elsderth Millbottom possibly impregnates one of the wives of Jarl Runholf of Marholm.  He pays to have her spirted away to distant location.  Albion is mentioned as one of the potential random destinations.

Georic Gazetteer Entry - The Almond Coast -   Lady Dolores Hillsbury the humand wizard name of a Black Dragon who secretly infiltrated the Princes of Emron and influenced them to do unspeakable acts.  Halfings from the Almond Coast discovered this charade and she was defeated.  Lady Dolores claimed to be a wizard from Albion, and while there is no true magic school, Black Dragons are native to western Albion.

Emelie Lassau - Half-Elf Ranger - A 5e character created for the #CharacterCreationChallenge.  Wyrmnalians are still landing on Albion soil, not just for raids, but to drop off "undesirables"   Emelie's family still chose to risk passage across the Starfall Channel than to stay in Albion.

GM Notes:   Albion and the Six Crowns have never been an active area of my campaigns and I needed to figure out why there's little mention of it.  Despite the Aepic of Earth being the basis for many of my peripheral countries, Albion couldn't just be a version of fantasy Renaissance England.  

Four factors needed to influence the Six Crowns as a whole.  First a heavy influence of Senzar (aka Atlantis) on Hibernia, Lygresse.  Second, a more modern Celtic influence coming from Hibernia.  Three, Roman occupation never occurs, because there is no Roman Empire in the timeline. At some point the Albion Kings repel the otherwise overwhelming influence of Ferasean colonization.  Finally, there is no Norman conquering of the island in 1066.  Rather, they again repel a dark Arthurian-themed invasion and the Celtic/Norse influences remain on the throne.  

In completing this entry, I've completely forgot why I needed to originally call the post "Albtion - The White Way."   Since the entry does nothing to explain that and I can't find any references, any inference that I'm a deranged sympathizer has been removed, although it remains in the web address for the post.