(Georic Gazetteer) The Themata of Trebeizond (Circa 1150)

 The Themata of Trebeizond

Pantheon:Fereasean, with Parthian influences.

Ruler:  Doux (Governor-Duke) Probus Vastates

Capital:  Trebeizond

Other Cities: Chaldia, Port of Akorros, Bacali,  Cowbun, Demurli,  Neufonzstein,, Aiden-Teppe, Balzmaca.

Language: Trade-Prythax, Parthian, Gnome

Flag/Emblem:  A quartered flag of black and white, the black with golden lions in the black.

<insert emblem here>

Coinage: Barthey Standard

Important Personas: Ambassador-General Fonzie Schlepprock, "The Burning Trogs", guild masters of the mining guilds in central Chald.  

Alliances:  Barthey

Hostilities: Many unlicensed privateer group attempting to rid the Mer Kasp of pirates and various scoundrels. 

Open Warfare/Skirmishing: Undocumented and unproven Parthia cavalary units are known to attempt border raids, but most don't return.  

Intrigues:  With slavery curtailed in the region, Trebeizond is looking at trade agreements separate to Barthey's ministries.  This obviously does not sit well with Barthey City.  The Duke of Sarbonia actively trying to separate his land to form a separate Themata under his governance. 

Demi-Humans: Dwarven miners, Gnomes along the coast.

Magickal Devices: Paingiver (Shortsword +4)

Mountains: Trapezuntines

Thumbnail Sketch:  

Like much of the Mer Kasp, the tribes of Chald remained independent, if loyal to numerous empires over the generations.  the Second Ferasean Empire had installed some basic civilization to them, and upon its collapse the Imperial Barthey successor state absorbed those towns into the greater Themata of Trebeizond.

Port of Akorros

The appointed Doux for the Themata tended to be the best of both worlds.   The left the people rather unmolested, unless the orders came from the palace in Barthey City.  They also had the tendency to secure large amounts of gold from the capital for a series of capital and military improvements.  This unequal balance has produced local leaders and citizens who are hyper-supportive of the Themata, who in turn asks for extensive militia training and preparedness.  This became apparent when Trebeizond almost single-handedly delayed a large contingent of Yarbay, Parthian, and monster units during the War with the Master from 1135-1136.   While armies in the south nearly moved to the outskirts of the capital, Trebeizond's Imperial-financed fortifications, arms, and training enveloped the Master's forces into a quagmire of failed sieges.  This massive delay, led to redistribution of armies and ground the advance of his forces to ally Barthey to gain allies and strike a devastating counteroffensive.  

Walled City of Trebeizond 

This success catapulted the Doux even higher prominence and influence.  Current Doux (Governor-Duke) Probus Vastates is extremely popular when he visits Imperial Court, and even some marriage arrangements have been proposed.  

The Estate of Demurli

It is right and proper to mention the Burning Trogs, an adventuring party that instrumental with diplomatic wrangling of the allied armies during the recent war.  As a reward for their efforts, they have received substantial land grants.  These profitable holdings caused some unease amongst the other petty nobles, but a great influx of interest, and wealth added to the coffers of the Themata and many a rich merchant or collector of curios.  Many of the adventurers gave up their claims, but a few prefer their estates as desinations for vacations, leaving management up to the local staff, while their has been a influx of gnome and gnome titans as their kin have stayed and actively profited from the riches of the land. 

Religion:  Being an administrative district of Barthey, Akana is the official religion of the realm.  Most churches, however, are quite empty.  

An empty Akana Church

The locals worship a smattering of Parthian and older Hittur deities for day-to-day functions.  Public temples are still forbidden, so personal meetings are held in peoples homes.  

The one religion that runs counter to all that is Pangrus, the gnomish god of war.  Larger enclaves have erected smaller temples, while the gnome-titan lords have built shrines separate to their estate buildings, and have drawn considerable crowds and pilgrims and other faithful.  

A typical Trebeizond estate.

Geography of Note:  

Neufonzstein:

Of all the estates the Burning Trogs acquired after the War with the Master, none has shown brighter than the former Estate of Yomra.  Once acquired by famed Ambassador-General Fonzie Schelpprock, the gnome titan quickly renamed it Neufonzstein, and many of the best tradesmen and artisans were brought in to make immediate improvements.  The public infrastructure is the some of the best in the Empire, with all roads leading to his huge, ornate palatial estate.  Filled with trophies, treasures, relics, and artifacts of his lives as a military genius and adventurer, Schlepprock has been known to give guided tours for 50gp, usually involving a lavish dinner party afterwards.  This offer has been taken up by a number of travelers, although he does charge invited guests, famed in war, politics, and entertainment that often frolic through the estate.

Neufonzstein

Mentions of Trebeizond in the Blog:

The Burning Trogs Rule! #39 - Red Arrow - Trogs arrive in Akorros, first attack by the Master.

The Burning Trogs Rule! #40 - Fonzy Schelpprock - Fonzy's true back-story.

The Burning Trogs Rule #52 - The End of Arms

Burning Trogs Redux #0.1

Burning Trogs Redux #0.2

Burning Trogs Redux #0.4

GM Notes: I've been inconsistent with this over the years, but Trebeizond is intentionally misspelled from his real-world counterpart.  Almost all of the details have been fleshed out in game, between the running of X10: Red Arrow, Black Shield, and the post- and inter-campaign work we've done.  With the possible Blue Book style re-launch of the Hackmaster campaign, further details of at least the estates and ports will come out.