Difference between revisions of "Soliferum"

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Soliferum at it's largest included all the lands from Dsinanas to Cutnipaniel Vale on the border of the Idaol Wastelands, including the great city of Osaliel and Ortedail, but now includes only the Duchy of Osaliel and it's surrounding regions. At the time of this writing, there is war with Antoza and the Secessionists to decide the fates of Azohib, Todtpiz and the former western territories of the Republic.  
 
Soliferum at it's largest included all the lands from Dsinanas to Cutnipaniel Vale on the border of the Idaol Wastelands, including the great city of Osaliel and Ortedail, but now includes only the Duchy of Osaliel and it's surrounding regions. At the time of this writing, there is war with Antoza and the Secessionists to decide the fates of Azohib, Todtpiz and the former western territories of the Republic.  
  
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An account of Soliferum's earlier history: [[Soliferum Beginning]]
 
==Leaders of the Republic==
 
==Leaders of the Republic==
  

Revision as of 16:27, 12 October 2005

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Soliferum



Soliferum, known to some as the Lands of the Sun, has a long and rich history. In recent times it has been plagued by secession and internal strife, abandoned by many of individuals most influential in it's foundation.

Soliferum at it's largest included all the lands from Dsinanas to Cutnipaniel Vale on the border of the Idaol Wastelands, including the great city of Osaliel and Ortedail, but now includes only the Duchy of Osaliel and it's surrounding regions. At the time of this writing, there is war with Antoza and the Secessionists to decide the fates of Azohib, Todtpiz and the former western territories of the Republic.

An account of Soliferum's earlier history: Soliferum Beginning

Leaders of the Republic


Postion Current Holder
Prime Minister Conan
Minister of Defence Karpur
Grand Justiciar Maltheo
Minister of Finances Diaramesis

People of Soliferum

Nobles of the Realm

Vassals (Non-Player Characters)

  • Harild, a Courier for the Duke of Osaliel
  • Scheillan, a Courier and Chief Scribe for the Ministry of Finances
  • Eldvortail, Tax Collector and Assayer for the Ministry of Finances
  • Leraite, House of Veries, Steward of the Duke's Estates in Osaliel
  • Cuvinio, Prefect of the City of Osaliel
  • Arvannos, Bailiff and Captain of the Republic Guard of the City of Osaliel
  • Salven, a Senate Guard recruited by Maltheo into police and prison work
  • Qurotte, Learned Scholar of the Conservatory of Osaliel
  • Denaro, Captain of the Cutnipaniel Cavalry Guards and Bailiff of Northwatch
  • Hurathi, Captain of the Eastern Bowmen of Cutnipaniel
  • Bhrethem, Master Armorer of Osaliel
  • Sargasha, the Houses of Healing's most skilled physician
  • Vusthetos, a wealthy merchant of Osaliel

Historical Figures

  • Octavus Solari, Duke of Osaliel
  • Batman Bauglir, Duke of Osaliel
  • Glorawarthien, Duke of Osaliel
  • Annwn, Duchess of Ortedail


The Lands of the Sun

Sozon

The fields of Sozon provide much of the food for Osaliel. Fish is also a primary source of food for the people of Sozon. The people are friendly though not many foreigners enter this region as it is out of the way of the main trade routes and roads which cross Soliferum. A large cave in the south is home to the biggest source of salt on the south coast; a rock-salt mine worked by over a hundred laborers.

Cutnipaniel

Comprised of a great valley dividing the Aysozasi Forest from the Idaol Woodlands, Cutnipaniel shapes the northern frontier of the Soliferum Republic. The Cutnipaniel Vale, for which this region is named, cuts across the peninsula and encompases the city of Alanurs. The Aysozasi Trade Route continues from Osaliel and then cuts east across the valley to Alanurs before turning north again along the eastern coastal regions.

The Vale itself provides much of massive quantities of food that form the bulk of Soliferum's economic power. Small townships have cropped up where various rivers intersect the Trade Route. One such hamlet grew to such size that it now plays host to the border fort, Northwatch. Garrisoned by a modest force, Northwatch is Soliferum's first line of defense against invasion from the north. This fort also houses the manor of the Vale Lord. Once occupied by House Corian, Northwatch is the only military post to breed and train cavalry mounts in all of Soliferum.

The northern and southern extremities of Cutnipaniel are woodlands that provide a bustling industry for trappers, lumberjacks, and hunters. Among Soliferum's territories, Cutnipaniel is unique in its thriving herbalist trade. Many of Soliferum's finest healers are born and trained in the Vale, then later move on to ply their trade in other parts of the world. It is not uncommon to find travelers from as far as Anacan wishing to learn the secrets of Cutnipaniel's herbalists.

Cutnipaniel County Vinyards are said to produce the best wine in Soliferum, and considered by some the finest in all the south.

Northwatch

The first fortification in Soliferum's eastern defenses, Northwatch is surrounded on two sides by the Calipus River and a minor tributary. In times of siege, the fort can flood a small canal on its third side, effectively turning this fort into an island. Unfortunately, stone is rare in this region and Northwatch is constructed with wood covered by leather sheaths to reduce its susceptibility to fire.

Osaliel

Osaliel began as a small trading village. Positioned at the edge of a dense forest, it became an ideal source of timber for the small fishing colonies at the sea's edge. With time, the colonization of the edges of the Ayzosasi Peninsula led to a burgeoning trade in Osaliel. Those wishing to forego the fractured states of the continent journeyed by ship to the shoals near this growing township. Isolated by two woods and the inland sea, Osaliel escaped much of the early distruction of the continent's wars. Eventually, Osaliel's population swelled to overcome the fishing colonies and the young city incorporated them into its governance.

Osaliel became the center of a republic and later the southern-most reach of the Svunnetland Empire. As the Empire fractured, the senators of Osaliel chose to forge their own path once more. Surrounded by some of the most fertile lands in the Far East, the newly christened Soliferum Republic grew wealthy by supplying the cities of nearby Batesaor and Nighthelm. Today, Osaliel is one of the richest centers of trade on the continent and is the capital of one of its strongest nations.

Osaliel continues to rely upon the lumber harvested from the nearby woods, but after acquiring the small coastal colonies, Osaliel became the largest port on Ayzosasi. The North Trade Road funneled goods into the cities of Svunnetland, Zonasa, and Antoza. An unspoken agreement safeguards Osaliel's traders while passing through Batesaor and its client states.

A great wall now guards an Osaliel that straddles the Emerald River. So named for the manner in which it reflects the trees along its banks, the Emerald is a short river that flows into the Southern Sea and forms the small delta that provides the only farmland in Osaliel. Lumberjacks often use the Emerald to transport large quantities of timber to ships for sale at other ports. The Ayzosasi Forest to the city's north covers all approaches from neighboring Cutnipaniel and Azohib, effectively shielding the city from assault in this direction. The Sozon lowlands provide the simplest access to Osaliel but the distances involved in bypassing the forest ensures that the Ayzosasi Trade Route cuts directly through the forest to Cutnipaniel.

Republican Conservatory

The Conservatory has been the lifeblood of the Soliferum Legions since their creation and for the armies of the Svunnetland Empire and Osaliel Republic before that. Focusing on strategic and logistical excellence, this school has educated many of the finest generals in Svunnetland's history and has a reputation for developing a high degree of personal initiative within its graduates. The Conservatory remains the principle destination for the children of Soliferum nobility destined to lead troops into battle.

The Osaliel Market

One of the most sprawling markets in the south and the key to Osaliel's considerable wealth, the Market is the hub for all economic activity on the Ayzosasi Peninsula. With easy access to both the woods north of the city and the ports to the south via major roadways, the Market is Soliferum's greatest link to the northern cities of the Far East. Roadways lead north to Alanurs and the markets of Batesaor, Zonasa, and Svunnetland.

The Republican Senate

The center of political life in Soliferum, this great hall houses the Senate as it meets to discuss matters of governance and economic policy. Originally the site of the Osaliel Republic's Senate, many wings were closed with establishment of Svunnetland's Senate in Masahakon. Only recently, after the sundering of the empire, has this building experienced a revitilization as tax monies have flowed toward restoring the hall to its original grandure.

The Republican Senate later suffered a crisis of dispute, still ongoing, leading up to and after the Secession of Ortedail.

Taverns of Osaliel

There are many places to get a drink, some food, a wench and some evening entertainment in Osaliel. Many local ales are brewed by the Northbridge Brewery located in Osaliel, but the flavor is generally not favored by the burghers and nobles. Among the more prominent establishments:

  • The Black Serpent - Offers good, strong ale and poor quality local wines, as well as ikrif in an expensive drink called Snake Ale. Whores can be found on the second floor, and the first has semi-private booths along the walls and a large, circular table in the center served by the tavern owner's two sons. The place is well-lit, half-timbered, and frequented by merchants, travelers and sometimes the nobility. Weapons are not allowed.
  • The Laughing Weasel - Offers decent ales and wine, and features a large, cushion-strewn back room for smoking ikrif in wood-and-bronze pipes kept by the tavern. The front room has six tables served by several barmaids. Upstairs is off limits to customers; it's where the owner lives. The establishment is frequented by citizens of all classes. Weapons are allowed but must be out of sight.
  • Alyvin's Pub and Dancehall - Featuring a permament ensemble of musicians who specialize in Soliferum Fugue (modal, percussive, polyphonic music done in triple meter, played on lutes, viol, recorder and singing-without-words). Alyvin, the owner, is a retired court composer from Zonasa.
  • The Fish Head - Offering ales in a variety of strengths and quality and an inexpensive local liquor made from apples called Shoreman's Walk. The pub is crowded and rowdy, featuring over a dozen stools at a bar and two large tables. There are barmaids and a servant midget named Stew. Fishermen, sailors, local farmers, travelers and sometimes merchants visit the place. Weapons are allowed, but fights are discouraged from happening inside the premises.
  • The Serpent's Tail - In the ramshackle blocks of Osaliel's more dangerous and shady district, this tavern is dimly lit and it's ale is watered down. The room has many dark corners and booths, and offers gambling at a table with thrown dice. There are an unusually large amount of mercenary bodyguards hired by the place, although fights are not stopped. The owner is a ratty looking merchant with an eyepatch.

Azohib

Azohib was a quiet and relatively peaceful territory until after the Secession, when the Republican army entered the region to retake control. The swift reconquest was also brutal, and several prominent burghers were killed by the occupation forces until the Senate appointed a lord and re-established control. Later, the Grand Lodge of Lunaria sent troops to retake Azohib, but the peasants resisted political change so soon after their tramautic experiences, and the Battle of Azohib which occured soon thereafter is noted for the death of the hero Olwe.

Symbols of Soliferum

"Sparkling soul soars higher; The blighted darkness surrounds; Sunrise, Sol overcomes."

The standard of Soliferum is the burning sun disc, representing the burning light of truth and life. These are the heart and soul of our realm, for within these, all things are possible. A greatsword stands guard before the sun, warding our most precious gifts against the darkness without, but also the darkness within our souls. Our banner reminds us that only through constant vigilance may we protect that which we cherish.

The motto, 'Qui Desiderat Pacem, Praeparet Bellum,' translates as "Who desires peace should prepare for war."