(Georic Gazetteer) Kingdom of Mercadia

The Kingdom of Mercadia

Pantheon: Mixed Ferasean/Dwarf/Gnome Mythos

Ruled By: "Mad" King Norm I the Shaven
Capital: Golgonooza

Other Cities:  Dingleburgh (old capital),  Grunsch, Luren, Dewberry

Language: Trade Prythax, Gnomish, Dwarvish

Flag/Emblem:  A field of navy, with a white mushroom center, in front of crossed battleaxes.

Coinage: Mercadian Standard
Important Personas: Prince Jerek Stormhammer of Krondahar, Prince Grumli (heir apparent/eldest son), Count Edward of Aosta, Arthur Tinkerswagger (Lord Mayor of Dingleburgh), Julio Hohensee, High Priest of Akana in Golgonoza, Queen Sorienne Lafontaine, Thorrin, Royal Armorer

Alliances:  Uneasy alliance with Skyforge, Gran Duchy of Vesthamm, Argos

Hostilities:  Crosedes, Masgoth, Emron (except New Koland)

Open Warfare/Skirmishing:  The methodical destruction of Emron.

Intrigues: King Norm loves to create intrigue and crisis in Skyforge, showing the other dwarves that he has more power. Daughter is missing???  Counterfeit coins threatens to undermine new currency system.

Demi-Humans:   Human 60%, Gnome 25%, Dwarf  15%,  

Magickal Devices:  Sign of the Paladins, Librum Arcanus, the sword Rottonenkopf, the ancient battle-axe Overslayer.

Thumbnail Sketch:  

Mercadia was orginally a "Gift Duchy" of Crosedes, awarded after the formation of the Third Ferasean Empire around 1075 to a simple dwarf mushroom farmer, Norm Dingleberry. Despite his name and his profession, that fact that he helped fight off the forces of darkness which one of the most powerful artifacts in all of Talaishia was enough for Emperor Rurik IV to grant the dwarf his dream.

King Norm has been always been underestimated and forgotten, and those that do have earned his wrath. Mercadia was carved out of southeastern Crosedes, but considered an Imperial land grant. Over the years (and three human wives) Norm has successfully carved off a portion of the Gnomish land of Masgoth, usurp the dwarven government of Skyforge, break off to form his own Kingdom with the collapse of the Ferasean Empire, and has continued his expansionist policies further into Masgoth and Skyforge, and a campaign into the Principalities of Emron that seems to embarrass the powerful wizards with not a scent of retribution.

Dingleburgh, the original capital, from the original Duchy

Despite supporting the Agenmoor rulers in exile, Elvenkind (including pixie faeries) are banned in the borders of the kingdom..

Both Masgoth and Mercadia had been working towards a unified capital of Grunsch, being constructed as an independent city in the Barony of Qually. If completed, this may result in the two countries merging, probably under King Norm's Banner

Rumorsthat Golgonooza has an entrance to the center of the world. (... and why Norm began his expansion in the first place!)

His expansionist policies has garnered the nation the vast knowledge of windship technology.  Yards in North Forge and Hugelspitze manufacture a number of the ships, most going to other countries.

Travelers beware, though!  While the King is quite sympathetic to the lost tribes of elves of Agenmoor.  Elvenkind, including pixie faeries are banned in the borders of the kingdom.

The Notable Dominions of Mercadia

County of Aosta 

Ruler: Count Edward of Aosta (Human Magic-User)

Capital: Aosta Tower

Outside of Krondahar, the only magic-user that retained a title from the conquered Emron lands.

Barony of Belagerung

Ruler: Thurgood Hammerstien (Dw Fighter) Rella Hammerstien (Dw)       

Capital: Kopstar

Other Towns: Hunter's Mill

Famous for its flowers (and the dyes and perfumes which come from them

Barony of Dewberry

Ruler: Lord Bezwinger (aka  Orcimedes Stoneskinn, Dw Fighter)

Capital: Dewsburg
Orcimedes was Norm's right hand man during the invasion of Appresca. He is very loyal and very well trained in the art of tactics of battle and war.  Orcimedes insists most people, especially commoners or lower ranking people of the army, call him “Lord Bezwinger” (lord conqueror). His friends call him Bezwinger and very few call him by his real name. Orcimedes lost his wife of many years in a battle of his home city in Skyforge.   She was killed and this has haunted him ever since.  

Barony of Grenze  (Eastern Masgoth)

Ruler: Baron Festus Ironguard (Dw Fighter), Mimi IronGuard (Gnome Prostitute)

Capital: Orcshame Pass

Other Towns: New Viscose 

Festus was a very adept fighter.  He enjoys taunting his foes and thinking of ways to kill them in a more unique fashion than just slicing, smashing and chopping. He enjoys the ladies and often flirts heavily on them. He married Mimi, who was a prostitute from Viscose when he conquered the town. 

Duchy of Heimstatte

Ruler:  King Norm I
Capital: Golgonoza 

King Norm moved his entire court to Golgonoza once the Principality of Appresca was completely conquered. The port city is beautiful, but also has centuries of magical experiments under its streets and deep into its sewers. 

Barony of Hugelspitze  

Ruled by: Giselle Magemasher (Dw Fighter), Ottis Magemasher (Dw Cleric)

Capital Tawdryberro  (Formerly Alberro)

Other towns: Luren, Elmendorf

Giselle was one of the few female fighters in Norms army. She was fierce and has just as strong a personality, taking no slack or disrespect from other. She is a fierce fighter with knowledge of many weapons, some exotic in nature. She and her husband Ottis are a package deal, though Giselle obviously controls the situations and decisions. Ottis is a practicing priest. 

Barony of Illefarn (Formerly Gulluvia) - 

Ruler: Baron Devin Ironeater  

Capital: Argenta

Other Towns: Thorvald, Mere

This remote barony was not just claimed by Mercadia in 1143 from Skyforge territory, the Mercadian claims make it sound like they just discovered this lost Barony of of the Second Ferasean Empire, cut off from society by foul swamps and dangerous mountains.  Baron Ironeater led the initial forces who discovered and defeated an evil human witch who ruled the people harshly.  Ruling from the Silver Citadel, Ironeater's efforts have been instrumental to resuming some very profitable gemstone mines. 

A rare, but dated, map of Illefarn/Gulluvia.  The gem mines are north of Mere.

Principality of Krondahar 

Ruled by: Prince Jerek Stormhammer (16th level Dwarven Battle Mage)
Capital: Mountova
Other Town: Brasstar (1,500)
Notes: Krondahar was previously a Principality in Emron, but being the only principality with a with a Dwarf on the throne easily turned it into a buffer state in 1141.

Barony of Northforge

Ruler:  Uli Fireforge (Dw Fighter), Maeve Fireforge (Dw)

Capital: Dingleburgh

Other Towns: Cleaveland

The original lands bequeathed to Norm in 1175.  "Mercadia Prime" 

Uli was a master blacksmith and fighter for Norm's army. His weapons were exceptional and he was quick at making them. His wife was the daughter of a shopkeeper and taught to handle finances and inventory by her father.  She does this for Uli and his shop when needed, but manages the territories finances as well for Uli so he can work in his shop or make more important legal and leading decisions.

 

The Mad King himself, King Norm I

Barony of Ostmark

Ruled by Zwerg Schlepprock (Gnome Titan Fighter),   Brynhildur Schlepprock  (Gnome Cleric)
Capital: Battleborough
Other Towns: Freewood Station (Nice)

Zwerg is very loyal and a decent fighter, but much better with his diplomatic skills.

Barony of Quallys

Ruled by Oberon Settedetsammen (Gnome Illusionist), Arnleif (Gnome)

Capital: Nordmark

Other Towns: Grunsch

Quallys was the primary agricultural regions for the Masgoth Gnomes, and under Mercadia rules, little has changed.

Oberon was one of the few magic users in the army.  He is currently very obsessed with steam and its applications to machinery and possibilities of daily uses. He can be scatter brained and forgetful at times, but is extremely smart and well versed in most subjects. His wife Arnleif is the daughter of merchant and engineer who has built many buildings, towers, bridges in the kingdom. Arnleif was taught many of these skills and is a huge asset to Oberon and his pass time. She also helps with his rulings and decisions of the territories, especially keeping him on task at times.  Concreecia is their daughter. She is a young teenager.  She is being taught the ways of the family trade by scribes and hired help. They are also overseeing the slow construction of the future capital of Grunsch. 

Geography of Note:

The Silver Palace of Illefarn

The Tower of Aosta

With hallways that reconfigure, doors leading to different floors, the tower itself might be alive, or subject to Count Edward's moods, the actual reason Norm and his generals did not want to attempt to physically capture this territory. 

The Fields of Parfume (Belagerung)

The Rolling hills of flowers cultivated for dyes and perfumes. When in bloom, the air is overwhelming, sweet to the point of dizziness.  Legends have certain blooms are magically altered; inhaling them induces prophetic dreams, though prolonged exposure can be fatal.

Mentions of the Country in the Blog: 

Ballad of the Pigeon God #31 - Norm's first claim to paperwork to being a Duke of Mercadia, at least four years before it even existed.

Burning Trogs Rule! #8 - King Norm I of Mercadia, escorted by the Burning Trogs, tries to broker a peace deal between Emron and Senzar. First appearance of Mercadian skyships.

Burning Trogs Rule! #16 - Rumors that Golgonoza has an entrance to the center of the world 

Burning Trogs Rule! #33 - King Norm continues to control Senzar-Emron negotiations, plus installs a new king on the throne of Skyforge.

Burning Trogs Rule! #50 - Stronghome owns a Mercadian Airship

Adventures in Gulluvia #28 - The Mercadian invasion of Gulluvia in 1143.

GM Notes: Yes, the campaign this country developed from happened right around a certain set of Magic cards were available.  Imitation is the sincerest form....

1085 - Marriage to  Queen Elanisse Veyrond 

1090 - Birth of Daughter - Beryanna

1092 - Birth of Son -  Grumli

1098 - Death of Queeen Elanisse

1100 - Marriage to Queen Mirelada Chavanne

1102 - Birth of Daughter  - Tovanna

1103 - Mercadia invades Masgoth

1104 - Birth of Son  - Drogath

1105 - Death of Rurik IV, Mercadia Declares Independence

1107 - Birth of Son - Elgrun 

1110 - Death of Queen Mirelda
1112 - Mercadia invades Bergdhoven
1114 - Mercadia Invades Appresca

1115 - Marriage to Queen Sorienne Lafontaine

1118 - Birth of Daughter - Carya
1120 - Birth of Son - Supagol

1122 - Birth of Son  - Halgstr 

1127 - Mercadia captures Golgonoza 
1128 - Death to 2nd Wife
1138 - Mercadia invades Belcadiz (Punitive action only)

1141 - Krondahar joing Mercadia
1143 - Mercadia invades Gulluvia