Kaiden

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Main: Lands of Kaliteth | Kaliteth

The territory of Kaiden, the lands entitled to the Great House of Kaiden, lies on the eastern side of the Leginon region of Kaliteth. The territory is bordered to the north by the territory of Du'Fohl and Mount Cerrik, to the east by the Sea of Corcoran, to the south by the territory of Mærtosh, and to the west by the territory of Pelinör.

Being on the eastern side of Leginon, the territory of Kaiden is heavily forested, having both lowland deciduous forest and highland coniferous forest. The primary industry of Kaiden is timber export, lumber production, and wood crafts. Logging camps up-river float logs down to the cities, where they are milled into lumber. Additionally, having only coastal settlements, fishing is another major industry, with a sizable portion of the fish smoked for export.

History

Jedok Invasion

In the summer of 7436, the largest naval force the Jedok have ever assembled sailed across the Sea of Træhör. The ships landed an invasion force on the eastern shores of Kaiden, on a prominence of land between Conde Nast and Balbontin. The army released a magical plague that spread to the people of Kaiden. The Kaiden soldiers who marched out to meet the armies suffered major loses, were defeated and pushed back to Conde Nast. The village of Balbontin was conquered, raided, then burned to the ground. The Jedok army divided, half continuing on to Conde Nast, the other half moving north to Balikesir. While the armies marched north and west, the Jedok ships sailed to blockaded the ports of Conde Nast and Balikesir.

Duke Dyron Kaiden arranged to meet the commander of the blockade in parley, however, the Jedok commander instead landed with a military force who ambushed the Kaiden forces, captured the duke, then quickly seized control of the city.

Sir Elathain Kelwyn, with the half-orc paladin V'krd'm'gek and their companions, through use of ambush and guerrilla tactics, succeeded in weakening and disrupting the northern Jedok army. They then coordinated efforts between the remaining Kaiden forces and the allied forces from Du'Fohl and Mærtosh. This united Kaliteth army then succeeded in retaking Conde Nast and killing or capturing the remaining Jedok forces and ending the invasion.

The Jedok Plague has continued to spread throughout Kaliteth, however, efforts to quarantine and restrict travel from those from Kaiden has drastically hindered the spread. Kaiden was very hard hit by the plague, with nearly 80% loss of population. Many of the homes are abandoned. Many of the trades have been left with insufficient workers for some industries to operate. Further, there are very few fit men left to conscript into the military.

Government

Duke Wübrorn Kaiden

Ruler of Kaiden: Duke Wübrorn Kaiden

Supreme Officers of the Realm, The Duke's Council
  • Chamberlain (treasurer, domestic affairs): Nödroll Kaiden
  • Chancellor (head diplomat): Ræmom Kelwyn
  • Steward (mandate to govern in place of the Duke): Etübroth Kaiden
  • Marshal (commander of the military): Chügarn Pyron
  • High Priest of the Five Divines (religious head): Ithus Bethom
High Officers of Conde Nast
  • Captain of the Palace Guard: Thädon Kelwyn
  • Constable of Conde Nast: Staton Bællelli
Barons of Kaiden
  • Balbontin: Sir Slädrad Wæbrom, Baron of Dun Shire
  • Deso: Lord Chechan Demorn, Baron of Char Shire
  • Greston: Sir Stümom Hök, Baron of Lorn Shire
  • Kleofast: Sir Dæthon Bællelli, Baron of Murken Shire
  • Sülag: Sir Elathain Kelwyn, Baron of Ebon Shire
  • Conde Nast: Sir Ebechid Musadö, Baron of Raven Shire
  • Conde Nast: Lord Dechet Payron, Baron of Grim Shire
Lesser Houses of Kaiden
  • Bællelli: Lord Enedod and Lady Värnö
  • Bethom: Lord Brod and Lady Virna
  • Demorn: Baron Chechan and Baroness Ikenä
  • Fen Thal: Lord Roth and Lady Irotha
  • Hök: Baron Stümom and Baroness Yinurna
  • Kelwyn: Lord Conin and Lady Breyna
  • Musadö: Lord Bröchurn
  • Pyron: Baron Dechet and Baroness Reti
  • Wæbrom: Lord Tödras and Lady Brulla
Honorary Titles
  • Helbreder (master surgeon and healer)
  • Krigsmann (master of warfare)
  • Magismann (master of sorcery and arcane knowledge)
  • Skald (master poet or scribe of history)

Conde Nast

View of the cliff-side coast of Conde Nast
A. Palace
B. Pyron Estate
C. Court of Nobility
D. Bethom Estate
E. Kelwyn Estate
F. Craftsmen District
G. Market District
H. Warehouse District
I. Fishery
J. Docks

The capital city of Kaiden, Conde Nast [con-de nast], is the third largest city in the Leginon region of Kaliteth. The city is built atop the shear 190-foot-high cliffs of the rocky shoreline of the Straights of Ridanas, west of the Three Turtle Isles. The Solis River, flowing down from the forested highlands, winds through the city and cascades over high falls. Winds predominantly blow in from the east-southeast.

There are only two main roads entering the city, one from the west, which passes through the Warehouse district to the Market district. The other road comes from the east, through the Court of Nobility and then across the river to the Market district.

There are areas to the northwest and northeast of the city the forest was cleared long ago and cultivated for farming. These farms are owned by the noble families but are predominantly worked by commoner farmers. The farms produce vegetables and grains the primarily supply the city. The Welyn farms are a major producer of grapes, most of which are processed into wines.

Kaiden Palace
Located on the highest bluff overlooking the harbor, the Castle of Conde Nast is positioned on the south end of the palace complex, along with a number of other buildings surrounding the large central courtyard and gardens.

Noble Estates
There are three large estates located in Conde Nast, belonging to the lesser noble houses of Bethom, Kelwyn and Payron. Each estate possesses a large manor home where the head of the house and his closest family resides. The estates also have several other smaller homes for other family and quarters for servants. Most of the area inside the estates have been meticulously landscaped into private parks with beautiful gardens and tranquil cloisters.

Court of Nobility
This district of the city is primarily comprised of the private homes of the nobility, in particular, the homes of those of lesser and greater houses of territories outside of Kaiden. Many of these homes have permanent residents, but a few are only used on occasion, either while conducting business in the area or vacationing. There are also a few, high-end, business that have shops here, catering specifically to the nobility (clothing, jewelry, etc.). In addition to the homes and shops, there are several well-tended parks and floral gardens where the nobility often visit during good weather.

Three Dogs Tavern

The only tavern located in the Court of Nobility district, the Three Dogs Tavern is both the newest and finest tavern in all of Kaiden, primarily servicing the lords of the Court of Nobility. They offer the best and most exotic wines imported from the finest vineyards of Kaliteth as well as provide fine dining suitable for the nobility. Unless specifically requested to accompany a lord, those of lesser status are not permitted.

Owner: Hödrirn Musadö; Manager/Barkeep: Bidrus (M/46); Barmaids: Erilli (F/26), Dita (F/23), and Bræthä (F/22)

Craftsmen District
Located along the river, grain mills and lumber mills. Many workshops for woodcrafts, pottery, etc.

Market District
Much of this district is made up of homes, however, there are several street-side shops.

  • Lavish Mariner (barber & tailor)
  • Riverwood Supplies (general goods)
  • Windy Sabre Smithy (blacksmith)
  • Iduthidö’s Herbs & Ointments (herbalist)
  • Spinning Eye Arcanium (alchemy & enchantments)
  • Grumpy Boatsman Inn
  • Iron Hag (brothel)
  • Göglis & Slüget Bakery
  • Grub ‘n Grouse Butchery
  • Conde Nast Shipping Office
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Boar 'n Hound Tavern

This tavern holds the claim as being the oldest permanent establishment in Conde Nast. Once an alehouse exclusive to the knights and highest ranking of the military, over the years it has fallen out of popularity with the nobility. The majority of the clientele are made up travelers, merchants and tradesmen. They are especially well known for their hickory smoked pork and the Red Goat Ale produced by the Haldis brewery in Balbontin.

Owner: Chass Belfaerd; Manager: Lurs (63, widower who never remarried); Barkeep: Marcyl (38, son of Lurs); Barmaids: Daranna (32, wife of Marcyl), Ellana (44, never married, flirts with Lurs)

Besides being a popular tavern amongst the lower-class, it is also a common hangout for individuals looking for work and further serves as neutral ground for those meeting to discuss disreputable business dealings.

Shadow Eye
There is private room located at the back of the tavern where special services are rendered, for the right price. The door is always guarded by two huge thugs. Inside the small room, the walls are adorned by velvety cushions with billowy drapes in the corners. A single, plush lounging chair sits in the middle of the room, facing the back wall. A decorative metal grill, about 8-inches square, and a narrow coin slot located at the center of the back wall, behind which resides a very secretive man known only as "Shadow Eye". He is an information broker, commonly known to be the only reputable one in Kaiden. Any wishing to buy or sell information need only request an audience with him.

Market Plaza
Located at the center of the Market District, there is a large plaza, loosely covered by awnings, where local and travelling vendors have carts or small stands to sell their wares. This is often a great place to go to get fresh produce, specialty cooked meats, and trade goods unique to the area.

Cliffhanger Inn

Located near the top of the steps leading to the docks, and built at the cliffs edge, this large inn was constructed in such a way that a portion of the building hangs out over the edge of the cliff, along with decks that provide a scenic overlook of the harbor. They offer dining services in the main hall as well as room service upon request. In addition to the staff lodging, there are 12 single-bed rooms, 8 double-bed rooms and 6 large suites.

Owners: Tirn and Teth Pyron (brothers); Manager: Choston (M/43); Cooks: Ohorit (M/32), Drem (M/19, son of Choston); Maids: Yæma (F/39, wife of Choston), Sodi (F/28, wife of Ohorit)

Warehouse District
This area of the city is comprised almost exclusively of warehouse used to store trade goods and surplus food. The northwest edges of the district has homes which house the farmers that work the west fields.

Rusty Cleaver Tavern

A low-end dive frequented by the dockhands, warehouse laborers and fishery workers, located towards the west side of the warehouse district. Old, worn, wooden barrels serve as tables and the chairs are nothing more than short lengths of log stood on end. The bar is a crude table made of rough planks of wood which have turned gray with age and uncounted stains and marks mare the surface. At the very end of the bar is an old, rusty meat cleaver which stands on end buried about an inch into the wood. Long ago, when the tavern was little more than a flimsy tent, before it even had a name, one day the owner grew irate at one-to-many complaints about his cooking. With a bellow and growl, he smashed the meat cleaver he had been holding down into the table top and yelled, "If'n you don' like me cook'n, ye can do et yur selves." To this day, the cleaver has never moved or even been touched.

Fishery
One of Conde Naste's primary industries is focused on the processing and preserving of fish caught from the sea. The area has numerous cleaning tables, brine barrels, and smoke houses. The winds generally blow in from the east, so the stink of the fishery is typically downwind. There are a few houses located in this area, sleep halls for some of the fishery workforce.

Docks
The docks, crafted of timbers and heavy planks, are located at the base of the cliffs below the city. There are large cargo cranes which raise and lower goods from the Fishery and Warehouse districts above. A six-foot-wide staircase, carved from the stone of the cliffs, climbs steeply up to the Market district from the center of the docks. Near the base of the stairs is the harbormaster's office.

Shires of Kaiden

The territory of Kaiden remains mostly unsettled, with the vast expanses of forest largely untouched and unexplored. The settled areas are predominately all built along the shores where the sea ports were established long ago. The territory is subdivided into seven shires: Char, Dun, Ebon, Grim, Lorn, Murk and Raven. Each shire is ruled by a landed-knight (Baron) who has been charged by the Duke to administer and protect the lands and people of the shires.

Char (east Feldinar Island, village of Deso [de-sō]), Dun (northeast, village of Balbontin [bal-bon-tin]), Grim (east-central, Conde Nast), Lorn (west-central, village of Greston [gre-ston]), Murk (west Feldinar Island, village of Kleofast [klēō-fast]), Raven (north-west, no settlements)

Ebon Shire

Ebon Shire.jpg

Located in the southwestern lands of Kaiden, the Shire of Ebon (more commonly called Ebon Shire) borders the territory of Mærtosh along the Glöstus Rock River, the Shire of Raven to the northwest, the Shire of Lorn to the east along the Hayden Wash River, and the southwest highland slopes of Mt. Cerrik to the north. Like much of Kaiden, most of Ebon Shire is comprised of heavily forested lands. Beside the two major rivers bordering the shire, the only other significant body of water is Lake Iis, located in a deep valley near the center of the shire.

The town of Sülag [sū-lag], population 17,278, is the second largest settlement of Kaiden and the only major settlement of the shire. Located on the eastern banks of the Glöstus Rock River, where the river spills into the sea, Sülag has become a major port town that services both the lumber and fishing industries, as well as being a stopping point on the sea trade routes which pass through the Straights of Feldinar. Nearly a fifth of the town (3,442) is located on the western side of the river, making that portion of the town officially part of the territory of Mærtosh and under the rule of a lesser noble (Lord Dräll Thichall). Relations between those of Kaiden and Mærtosh are generally neutral-to-good. There are many who live and work on different sides of the river.

Demographics

Gender Under 15 15 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 + Total
Male 2,118 735 1,488 733 896 5,970
Female 2,019 803 2,620 1,373 1,051 7,866

The muddy road which passes through the town crosses the river over a single, 10-foot-wide heavy-timber bridge. There is a bridge guard and toll collector stationed on the Kaiden side who exacts a toll of 5 cp for every non-resident of Sülag who passes through (road-use-tax). Residents and businesses of Sülag must pay a 4% tariff on all trade goods transported into, or out of, the town, as well as a 6% income tax. The church of the Five Divines also collects a 10% tithe. The average wealth of the town is Struggling. Most of the homes and buildings were constructed of cheap materials and are not regularly maintained, so the town has a filthy, poor appearance. The baron's manor home is only of a slightly higher quality, with a masonry foundation and solid timber construction.

There is a dockside marketplaces were vendors sell a variety of meats and produce. On occasion, there may even be a travelling merchant who has other goods for purchase. Within the town, there are only a couple of larger shops and establishments:

  • Tubrum's General Goods
  • Jabbering Rat Smithy (blacksmith)
  • Silver Oyster Inn
  • Flogging Bear Tavern

Other Sülag, there are no other settlements in this shire, however, there are a few farmsteads, a couple logging camps, and a couple outposts (watchtowers):

  • Erie Creek Logging Camp, pop 15
  • Fan Thal Farmstead, Sir Brerorn Fan Thal (M/32), family and vassals, pop 16
  • Hök Farmstead, Sir Sligleth Hök (M/42), family and vassals, pop 21
  • Narmon Farmstead, Narmon of Sülag (M/61, merchant) and family, pop 12
  • Raven Rock Logging Camp, pop 17
  • Red Rock Watchtower, northern outpost, pop 8
  • Turkey Wallow Watchtower, southern outpost, pop 12

Since the summer of 7436, the shire has been ruled by Sir Elathain Welyn, the Baron of Ebon Shire, after earning land titles for his role in the defense of Kaiden from the Jedok invasion. He is currently unwed and has no heirs.

  • Bræsä Musadö, widowed cousin of Lord Bröchurn Musadö, serves as the baron's chamberlain and chancellor.
  • Stod Welyn, an older cousin, serves as the baron's steward.
  • Othübin serves the baron as captain of the shire militia and Sülag city guard.
  • Ebon Ranger Squad: the baron has established an elite militia group, specially trained by him, to conduct patrols of the forests and reconnaissance of Mærtosh border camps.

The shire militia is comprised of 120 soldiers (70 footmen, 20 archers, 20 rangers, 5 cavalry, 5 officers). Only 40 are actively serving on patrol, outpost duty or town guard duty, the remaining are working regular jobs in town. This duty rotates each month. All 120 are only called into service when actively needed for shire defense.