The Kingdom of Nevskia
Pantheon: Kulervan Mythos and Elemental Cults
Ruled By: Karaly Potrr IV
Capital: Pskov
Other Cities: Crakai, Kernave, Mernal, Belneftekhim
Language: Nevskian, Orcish
Flag/Emblem: Black dragon-headed eagle, armed gold and breathing flames on a gold field
Coinage: Wyrmnal Standard
Important Personas: The Prince of Trevoditch, Gran Dukes,
Alliances: Trade with Pohjola,
Hostilities: Wyrmnalian raiding parties, Accusations of sponsored raiding and banditry into The Weissmach.
Open Warfare/Skirmishing: Steady engagement with the Galmar Barbarians
Intrigues: Lots of open court intrigue, Supposed reason with treaty with Pohjola is to gain access to their magicks.
Demi-Humans: Orcs (30%), Half-Orcs (20% Dwarves of Warka (4%), Elves (3%)
Magickal Devices: The Sign of Times, Axe of the Forests, Ymir's Helm, Rod of Command, and Rod of Obedience.
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| A castle along the Womsvuc River |
Thumbnail Sketch: Nevskia is the northernmost neighbor of the Weissmach, and is largely considered the last line of civilization into the Northlands. With the Mer Bal on their west, the Galmar Barbarians to their east, and the bandit kingdoms of Regan to the north. Karoly Piotr maintains a larger army than he is comfortable with, but for good reason.
It is recommended that travelers avoid referring to this land as any part of the Weissmach. These people are strongly individualistic and definitely unique from most traditional Ferasean bloodlines.
Nevskia was a nexus point of the edge of Ferasean civilization, a collection a "civilized" Galmar barbarians, and the largest collection of peaceful orces. The percentage of population with some amount of orc-blood is quite high here as well. In certain communities, the orc blood is so ingrained within the population, that's it's not surprising to find a young child, who is human at first glance, but display a single tusk jutting out of their mouth. This "Mark of the Purvmone" is celebrated.
Nevskians also maintain a number of Galmar traditions, including integrating elemental worship in their mythos, as well as an unhealthy adoration of the horse.
This unique culture may rage against those that their more poor mud peasants along the Mer Bal, but they have learned to give a healthy respect for those old Fereasean traditions. Freigraffs, the lawgivers within Weissmach are treated with the same level of reverence in Nevskia.
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| Karaly Piotr IV |
Many of the villages are poor peasants who rely on subsistence farming for survival, but do not let them realize who are even thinking about taking advantage of them. The mix of barbarian and orc blood make them quite formidable, as history has shown them usurping control from barbarian chiefs, corrupt nobles, and vile knight commanders. The current bloodline holding the throne may have descended from a pureblood Ferasean Knight of Talmark, Adomas Nevska, but he and his line have embraced their people, and have shown distinct Marks of the Purvmone. The current Karoly, Pitor has even benefitted from western learning that has allowed him to balance the changes the Kingdom needs with the comfort of traditions his people crave.
Travelers in this region should normally be a hardy lot, but beware, the food is fantastically bland, mud will eventually cover every inch of your being, and possibly your soul, bandits cover every inch of the rural landscape, and even the Dwarves in the region are wary to challenge one of the Purvmone to a drinking contest.
And do not fear or attack an orc within this culture, for they are no worse than any human you'll encounter, and most of the time , they are superior.
But Nevskia is a noble lot, from the horsemen on the plains, the elemental priests barely keeping next years crops from failing, or even the most-admired half-orc paladins of Akana who can be found providing hope to the people, even is they don't share their faith.
Religion: Nevskia is an eclectic amalgamation of the faiths around them. Their mythos of deities are a combination of bastardized Kulervan gods, the elemental traditions from Galmar, to some adopted names of the old orc gods.
Geography of Note:
The Royal Castle of Pskov: The construction of the castle began under the rule of the Fereasen Knight overseeing Imperial rule, and has been expanded upon by every Karly since Adomas Nevska himself. While visitors are obviously rarely welcome without royal invitation, the castle does contain the Sword of Pekun on full display in the throne room. This sword is rumored to be able to create and control swords of all sorts. Based on descriptions, Pekur may have been an ancient warrior from the Pre-Ferasean time of the Sorceror-Kings. The alleged powers of the blade, and the limited legends provided, make this author believe that Pekun himself may have ascended into divinity, as a host of Kaleavean, Nevskian, or lesser deities throughout the region have a similar name. Not to upset and dear readers in Wyrmnal, but Pekun may be related to, or an early visage of, Thor.
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Ragany Kalnas: Outside of the small town of Zemajas a hill that is the nexus of three significant ley lines. It is a powerful site for witches and sorcerers, and is considered a sacred and protected site. dotted with small stone altars and carved totems dedicated to the gods, old, new, and inhuman. On certain nights, the veil between worlds thins, allowing visitors to witness spectral dances of witches and sorcerers from across all lands... and possibly different worlds. Guided tours are available, but visitors are advised to respect the rituals and offerings left by local practitioners.
Kerpot Tvitore (Fortress of the Orcs): Ten miles east of Kernave is the remnants of the orc civilization before the confluence of the human cultures arrive. Known simply at Urkove "Home" inthe orcish tongue, the remains of this massive stone fortress is the spiritual and cultural heart of the orcish community in Nevskia. Most of the wall are gone, but the incredible catacomb of sub-levels was a safe haven from the witches and occult horrors that ravaged the land. Purvmone scholars of all types have instituted a "Hall of Ancestry" where carvings, and murals depict the rich history of the oricsh people and their contributions to Nevskia, and all the legends of the Empire of Feraso and beyond. On certain festival days, travelers witness traditional orcish ceremonies. Most famous is the "Blood Festival" a martial tournament that only allow those with documented orcish blood to participate in a number of event.
Mentions of the Country in the Blog:
GM Notes: Nevskia, by name, might be a little direct, but in reality is a mixture of slavic culture and, by it's geography on my fantasy earth map for Georic, a lot more dark age Lithuanian influence than Russian (the elven ice kingdom and dwarven citadel would dominate the lands of traditional Russia)
My early Georic did not contain Nevskia, but as I wrote out the Lost Dispatches and placed adventures on the map logically, I was still surprised by the number of mentions the Kingdom earned. Perhaps it's most notable contribution to the overall legends and lore of the campaign isn't the adventures within its borders, but that Andrei Krasimir, a translator I created for Elsderth and Company, turned into a boon companion for the adventuring party, and his untimely death allowed the story and correspondence to change course to include further adventures from other campaigns.
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