Attached to the names of each County is a link to a Map done with Campaign Cartographer.These maps are approx 400 to 500 kb in size so if you click on a Link please expect some download time

Balien Year is 300. In this Year the Confederation Treaty is Signed by Balien,Andoria, Relmandia,Bendoff and Albeberg

I've organised Information in 2 blocks: Pre 260 and 260-300 so you can start your Campaign in any of 3 places.

Balien is ruled by the Rasal-Elerian Family, who trace their line back to the Ancient Balien Empire. Balien is again trying to rebuild the Balien Empire, by approaching both Relmandia and Casiopan to Sign a Letter of Confederation, which will give Balien almost complete control of both countries, after which it will help them defeat Rylan. If it can convince both countries to sign the Agreement, Balien will control the Sea of Life and the Trade Routes from the Great Plains.

Balien is located on the Western Side of the Sea of Life, between it and the Western Rim Range, and is a rich but rugged country with lots of cliffs, volcanic outcrops, coastal swamps, large hilly forested areas and small farming areas, Balien is for this reason a wild and dangerous country which has bred a tough and resourceful folk.

Located to south and southeast of Balien are the Great Sand Sea and Valley of Hell, and the Evil Armies and Powerful Evil Creatures that inhabit these 2 places are a constant source of trouble to the People of Balien.

Balien City is the Capital City of Balien and is a Major Trading City, with trade routes leading to Taglaret, Bendoff, Frieberg and the Shipping Routes to The Burghs and Plains.

Information BY260 to BY300

In BY262 Rylan invaded Relmandia and Besieged Brescia, and responding to the threat, not just to Relamandia, but to itself Balien entered the War. After 34 Gruelling Years of War over much of NW Balimer the Great War of Confederation finally ended with all countries exhausted and with little to show for it. Balien gained most of Taglaret after that Kingdom fell to Marijan and Balien's Army came to its Aid

Ruled by the Evil King Saldoc Ragnol, Rylan has become a Powerful and Despotic Kingdom which is constantly trying to expand it's borders, seems to be constantly warring with at least 1 of it nieghboughs at any given time. In recent times Rylan conquered the Duchy of Cheb from the Kingdom of Relmandia, which now makes it the only country with a seaboard on the Inner and Outer Seas.

Rylan is Ruled by King Saldoc Ragnol, an Evil and Despotic man who acquired the throne by assassinating his father Rydan the Fair, a high level mage who has summoned a Demon Lord as his Familiar { The Tanar`ri Lord Baglaru} , it is Baglaru's influence that causes the sacrifice of so many of Rylan's citizens and the Executions of many of its Nobility. Saldoc is resisted by the Freefighters of Rylan, who want to kill him and his son Rayan, and place Rayan's illegitimate daughter Nylinia (A Tylanrian Knight Squire) on the Throne. Baglaru is scheming to destroy Saldoc once he becomes to weak to resist the Balor, while Rayan is plotting to Kill his father and take control of Bagalru and rule the world.

Rylan is divided by the Western Rim Range, with the largest portion to the north which is a lush rolling sub-tropical rain forest which is spotted with farming areas as it rises to the heights of the rugged Rim Range. The southern portion of the Kingdom is the Duchy of Cheb,and while being a highly productive area of Temperate Forest and Farming plots Cheb rarely these days produces much of a useable nature as the Chebians are strongly resisting Rylanian Rule and the Army of Relmandia is constantly striking at Rylanian Outposts.

Information BY260 to BY300

Rylan began the war that was to become known as the Great War of Confederation in BY262 as the most powerful in military terms of all the Countries of NW Balimer. Early in the War Rylan Annexed Pavia to stop thoughts of a rebellion in that country but this was it's only real lasting victory. In his attempt to conquer Relmandia, Saldoc had totally underestimated Balien's resolve and military might and in doing so lost the Duchy of Cheb back to Relmandia, and also lost land to the newly formed Kingdom of Albeberg.

Relmandia is ruled by a council of Nobles (Consisting of 3 Dukes and 9 Counts) which rules the Country from Brescia. The government is supported by a 10% share of Relmandia's Taxation Money, with the rest being shared amongst the Duchies and Counties. The Government is responsible for maintaining the Small Standing Army, the Government Section of Brescia and the Traderoads (though the Traderoads into Rylan are now left in disrepair).

Relmandia is a Hereditary Enemy of Rylan,with a feud between the 2 going back over 100 years, and the conquering of Cheb and the Counties of Suhl, Lahr, Singen and Taltenau 20 years ago only served to intensify this. Relmandia is not strong enough to retake it's lost lands and is looking with interest at Balien's offer of help, though the terms of that help are frightening to most Relmandians.

Relmandia lies along to Relmandian Rift which separates the Western and Eastern Rim Ranges. At the southern end of the Rift and along the coast of the Sea Of Life is a lush Temperate forest which teems with life, while the Northern end is of a Drier Temperate Forest which leads down to the Great Plain and joins with the Forest of the Eldanorian Elves.

Relmandia is also Famous for it's Rift Blackwood Trees, these tree's will only grow in the Rift and are of a Lustrous Black texture which is in demand all over the Balimerian lands. The nuts of this tree are also considered a Delicacy

Information BY260 to BY300

Relmandia was invaded by Rylan in BY262 and it's Capital Brescia was under Siege for 2 Years, In the end Relmandia retook the Duchy of Cheb, but lost much of it's Independence in Signing the Confederation Treaty with Balien. Much of western Relmandia was devastated by the War and the rebuilding has now begun

Casiopan is ruled by the d'Agaronout Family (Present King is Henri Blackwood) a popular Noble Class and a Peoples Representative Council, which consists of the Mayor or Representative of each Town, Village or Area.

Casiopan has been at war with Rylan for about 6 months , with the Rylanian's mainly trying to capture the Village's of Clefmont and Soales, thus opening up a trade route (after they conquer Relmandia) through to the Great Plains.

Casiopan's Army consists mainly of Heavy Infantry and Medium Infantry/Archer's, and is at present holding it's own against Rylan with some Aid from Relmandia and Balien. But if Major aid doesn't reach Casiopan soon from either Balien or Relmandia, the Armies of Rylan and it's puppet state Pavia will triumph. There are rumors that the Elven King of Eldanore is sending help to Casiopan in exchange for help to combat the growing threat of Fire Giants and other Evil Creatures raiding out of the Steamslayer Creche, also 5 Plains Windrider Tribes have offered help in exchange for Money and Goods.

Casiopan is divided by a northern arm of the Western Rim Range which reaches up to the Steamslayer Creche , on the coastal plain to the west is a lush Sub-tropical forested land which is well watered and bountiful , to the East is a wooded valley which reaches down into the Eldanore Woods, this is a drier area whose main produce is Minerals and Timber.

Located on the island of Andoria , this a powerful and peaceful kingdom which is ruled by the Resal Family and a High Council , which consists of the High Priest's of Resavion and Eldaria and the Dukes and Counts of the various Provinces.

Andoria is the centre of worship for Resavion (The Sun God) and Eldaria (The Goddess of Healing) , the Temple of the Sun in Andoria (The City of ) is considered to be one of the Worlds Greatest Wonders , also found in the city are the Healing Collage of Eldaria , The main Temple of Eldaria and the Training Centre for the Sun Knights of Resavion.

Andoria is a Hereditary enemy of Marijan and is constantly fighting to kill the Liches that rule Marijan , also Andoria would like to see the rebuilding of the Balien Empire and is a close Ally of Balien.

The main part of the Kingdom of Andoria in situated in the Large Valley formed by the Mountains of the Sun , the valley in heavily populated and farmed while the Northern and Southern provinces are hilly wooded areas.

Marijan came out of the Civil War that destroyed the Balien Empire ruled by the Despotic King Marigat and the Church of Urgan, and has been ever since. Marigat is now a Powerful Lich ( He was converted in BY3) . Four Civil Wars have been waged in Marijan, but none has even come close to succeeding as the Rebels are always betrayed by a cowed and frightened populace.

Marijan is also the home of the Knights of Urgan ( also Known as Avengers of Urgan) who report directly to the High Priest of Urgan and terrorise the population and remaining Nobles of Marijan. There are at Present approx 120-150 Knights of Urgan. Marigat is also the Overlord of the Lands of Asmouth the Decayed and are in the Process of Conquering Taglaret.

The Northern half of the Island of Marijan is heavily farmed coastal plains, the southern half of the island is split between Hills(West) and the Pologob Swamp(East), Marijan also has 2 islands under its control( Baezra and Nijar )which are low wooded islands with small populations and Ahun Province on the mainland is a rough hilly land with little industry or population except the evil humanoids that make up a large part of Marijan's Army.

Arcadia is a large Kingdom occupying the South Western corner of Balimer approximately 1300 miles south of Balien and Balegsburgh. Arcadia is ruled by the Larimate Family and has been for over 200 years, it has a strong economy with good export figures from the export of agricultural, mining and forestry products. Arcadia is also the half-way point for ships travelling between the Balien Lands and the Asgalon River Valley, as well as being the only civilised country between the two, and Arcadia City has one of the Largest and most diverse  markets in the Southern Hemisphere.

Half of Arcadia is rich coastal farmlands which stretch from Halvad and Porad in the west  to Gyar and Daz in the north east. The northern border  of Arcadia is an unbroken range of mountains stretching from the Sea of Sand to the Gulf of Gyar which flow down into Arcadia as heavily forested hills.Jutting out of the Southwest of Arcadia is the Fonyard Peninsular, which is a rough forested hilly area which is known to be  a haven for Rakasta, shipwrecks are common along the Peninsula's coast as it is rocky and in winter and spring the coast is often  blanketed in heavy dense fogs.

Arcadia's population is made up of 73% humans( 64% Arcadians, 12% Windrider Nomads, 21% Pelitre Tribesmen and 3% Half Elves), 8% Elves, 6% Halflings, 5% Gnomes, 2% Dwarves and 1% Talinden. The Pelitre are a non-balien human tribal group which has occupied the Fonyad Pen for millennium.

Duchy of Bendoff

Bendoff is a powerful duchy which is a close ally of Balien and a major trading country on the western seaboard and is also allied with Taglaret in it's fight with Marijan. Bendoff's major industries are shipbuilding(in Comores and Hamberg), Iron Mining( in Folocina) and farming.

Duchy of Tyrosec

Tyrosec's ruling family are actually a puppet government of Marijan and its Priests, and the Knights of Urgan have free reign over the populace.

Formerly a well populated land with many small farms and wineries, Tyrosec is now a barely productive land as many of the farmers and tradesmen of the Duchy have fled to Villard or Albens or are dead. Tyrosec is at present embroiled in a border war with Villard.

Duchy of Villard(Theoloduchy of Villard)

Villard, which is a Theology ruled by the Church of Tylanria, is a rich and prosperous land with a growing population( mainly refugee's from Tyrosec and Pavia) and a stern but fair government whom the populace love and respect.

Villard's major industries are exotic fruits,spices and forest products.

The Knights of Tylanria have their ancestral home in Villard.

Duchy of Almazon

Almazon is located on an Island off the Northwest coast of Balimer about  50 miles from Villard. Almazon is ruled by a despotic King who is gradually bankrupting his country and is already in debt to Marijan and Rylan.There is a growing resistance movement to his rule sponsored by Villard.

Almazon is a pastoral country with Goat, Sheep and Cattle being major industries along with Marble Mining on the Belmonte Peninsular.

Duchy of Pavia

Pavia is a puppet state of Rylan and the people are even more repressed than Rylan's are, with almost half the males between the ages of 16 - 40 in the Army and the women and remaining men expected to maintain production of farms and mines with high taxes being levied on the country.

Pavia has suffered through a succession of weakwilled  and despotic rulers, but has sunk to a new low with the conversion of the Duke and his family to Urgan Worship, and the granting of immense powers to the Knights of Urgan

County of Albens

Albens is ruled by a young Count with ambitions, he is marrying Countess Rainea of Frieburg in BY257 and is planning an invasion of Tyrosec.Albens has good exports in timber, marble and emeralds.

Albens population is almost 30% Elven with 8½ of those being Half Elves.

County of Frieburg

Ruled by the Countess Rainea, who is the last of her families line, Frieberg is at present preparing to be absorbed by Albens ( The new Duchy is to be known as Albeburg ) when Rainea married her beloved Count Eneri of Albens in 259.

Frieberg has absorbed almost 30,000 refugee's from Rylan and Pavia over the last 5 years as many flee the Urganites ruling these countries.

Frieberg's main exports are minerals and gems, with the Famous Butzbach Goats Cheeses bringing the country much export coins.

Arch Duchy of Sylinia

The Arch Duchy of Sylinia which is located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Life is a Feudal Society with with an ineffectual Arch Duke who is more often overruled by the most powerful of the Dukes and Counts, with actual power relying on the whims of ever shifting alliances within the Arch Ducal Council. The present power in the Council is Duke Eligan of Termano, with his main rival being Count Alimere of Amalyntia.

For all its inner turmoils Sylinia is a Prosperous country , and its populous reasonably content, though fights often break out between peoples of competing Duchies and Counties.

In recent times, population increases have placed pressure on the Council to allow the expansion of the Arch Duchy south into the Republic of Sylinia, which is causing a large amount of friction between both countries.

The Forest of Eldanor and Valimarian Peninsular

Eldanor Forest

Ruled by the Elven king Halavorn, Eldanore is a land of gentle hills and wooded vales located to the north east of Relmandia and east of Casiopan. Located to the north is the Steamslayer Creche from which from time to time marauding bands of Humanoids raid the northern reaches of the forest.

Eldanor is a Mystical land in which evil rarely stalks and the primal forests of the ancient past still live. Eldanor's Elves are slightly darker than the Balimerian Elves of the west and Sylinian Elves of the south, with Golden or Green Eyes and Black or Deep Purple Hair being dominant. Also living in Eldanor are large quantities of Talinden and Treants ( Approx 15,000 and 8,000 respectively ).

Halavorn is considering joining the proposed   Balien Confederation, if it ever happens, to give his kingdom greater security and to stem the tide of evil coming out of the Steamslayer Creche.

Valimarian Peninsular

The Valimarian Peninsular is ruled by Prince Meriese Starshine, and is a satellite country of Eldanor. Valimaria is located the the north east of Eldanor on the Ocean of Storms, with the Steamslayer Creche to the west. The Peninsular is a wild and rough land which is being tamed by the industrious Elves and Treants. However the threat of war from the Creche is causing much worry amongst the population and work goes slowly.

Valimaria's main exports are Exotic Woods ( Mahogany, Ebony, Cinnamon etc  ) and Spices such as Coriander and Cumin Seeds. Though its Pepper Crops probably bring in the most export gold.

The Burghline Tradetowns

Randsburgh

Located at the Sea of Life end of the Burghline Trade Route through the Republic of Sylinia to the Great Plains, Randsburgh has a permanent population of  approx 28,000 though this can increase to nearly 50,000 during the autumn and spring, with merchants and caravans going to and from the Plains and Balien.

The town of Randsburgh which is located 4 miles downriver from the Sea of Life, is a spacious town with many Inns and  a large market area. The Duchy itself isn't very big, only stretching 20 miles inland to the Palisades and 35 miles from north to south along the east bank of the Tresliere River and is lightly populated outside the town and the small village of Dagra's Run  at the southern border.

Located at the mouth of the Tresliere River is the Randsburgh Beacon, the light of the beacon it a 1 ton Quartz Crystal imbued with a Permanent Continual Light Spell which is self powered.

Astolburgh

Located halfway between Randsurgh and Balegsburgh at Ragamalia's Gap at the southern gap in the Rim Ranges, Astolburgh was created to facilitate transport around the Pelasari Rapids and Waterfalls, at a profit of course.

Astolburgh is located at the top of the rapids and has extensive docking facilities, warehouses and land transport facilities, there are also 3 overland haulage companies for transporting goods around the rapids. The companies charge 8 Florin per Ton for cartage with fragile items costing between 10 and 20 Florin depending on how fragile they are.The road between Astolburgh and Dalanburgh is well made with corduroy and is well  maintained with few steep grades and strong bridges of stone crossing rivers and creeks.

The Pelasari Rapids are separated into 2 parts, with the northern section falling into the Tel Melien Lake over the  Frelist Falls and the southern section flowing out below the lake. The Southern Pelasari Rapids are not as rough as the northern section and can be crossed at 2 fords. The Tel Melien Lake is the home of the Diamond Back Lobster, a blackshelled freshwater crustacean which has diamond like stones on its back and when cooked a deep redish flesh with a rich flavour, in fact one of the delicassies of the region is Diamond Back Crayfish Bisque, a thick creamy red soup with an intense flavour ussually served with black bread croutons. Also found in the lake are Green Finned Stalops, a 2-3" long fish  fried and served  whole with various dipping sauces

Balegsburgh