Regions of Enelis
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Holy Theocracy of Korenell
Theocratic Kingdom of the Holy Trinity
Banner: Three golden orbs on a white flag.
Capital: Korenhold (53,280)
Notable Settlements: Sonvera (28,340), Arthune (9,750), Namport (5,030) and many smaller market towns.
Rulers: King Umbrar Kassintius (monarch)
High Justicar Ventrimo Pallangar (Leader of the Preeminent Council and the Ministry of Faith)
Patriarch Ustalav Gronchik (High Priest of the Trinity Church)
Grand Templar Bregoen Minerci (Commander of the High Templars)
Government: Theocratic bureaucratic kingdom controlled by the Church of the Trinity.
Military: Strong. Holds 82 defensive fortifications. Strong navy.
Languages: Nomen (Common), Arathian
Religion: Church of the Trinity, Eastern pantheon, Arathian pantheon.
Primary Exports: Grain, cattle, dried fruits, salted meat and fish, timber.
Detailed Map of the Southwestern Region
History
The region of Korenell was often a contested land. First it belonged to the goblinoids and gnolls who roamed the land to hunt and gather from its fertile landscapes. These peoples were expelled and subjugated by the Arathians, who conquered the region and founded the city of Tethis on the southern shores in -3220 G.R.. These Arathians were at constant war with the goblinoids and gnolls in the region, eventually, driving the gnolls to flee to the east and the goblins to flee to the northern mountains.
The Noman Empire eventually came into the region, building a trade network with the Arathians, culminating in the massive bridge spanning the Myrillian River, the Magnus Pontis. In -1050 G.R., the Empire clashed with the Arathians, fighting for control over the Korenell region. War dominated the region for centuries, allowing the Khani dwarves to move into the western mountains and found the city of Brong. Eventually, in -850 G.R., the Noman Empire was victorious and took control over the Korenell region. They founded the city of Augustandria on the ruins of Tethis, surrounding the massive stone pyramid at the city’s center.
When the Noman Empire divided in -523 G.R., the province of Augustus (the Korenell region) came under the control of the prevailing provincial governor, Lucceius Fraucus. However, with trade networks greatly limited and collapsing across the known world, the region fell to dramatic population decline and infighting as they continued to wage war with the Arathians. In -310 G.R., the First Great Goblin War befell the region and destroyed all but the old city island settlement of Augustandria. The Magnus Pontis was destroyed as well, cutting off all land trade.
In 24 G.R., the First Crusades brought many warriors and crusaders to return to Korenell, where they found the fledhling community of Augustandria. They bolstered the region, driving out the goblins. They established the city of Sonvera (70 G.R.) on the Myrillian River with a ferry service that restored overland trade with the east. By 122 G.R., the immigrated population of crusaders had soared and Draken Pendragon became the first King of the new kingdom of Korenell. They captured the holy city of Korratus and expanded their hold on the region.
In 123 G.R., the death of Pendragon’s squire, Aedin of Nombria, resulted in the creation of a new religion dedicated to the deity Trinity, a combination of Korrond, Solarus, and Demater. After Pendragon’s demise, Philigard Kassintius took command of the crusaders and became the new King of Korenell, and his line continues to hold the crown. After the Last War and its fallout across the world, the new Church of the Trinity and St. Aedin grew. Korenell continued to expand into the regions, pushing to the northern Golbez Mountains and west to the edges of the Freewind Savannah. Pioneers and settlers from across the east came to start a new life in these fertile lands.
In 676 G.R., the powerful Church of the Trinity grew to such power that they overtook control of the Korenellian government, reducing the monarch to a useless figurehead. The church’s military arm, the Order of the High Templars, took control of the Korenell military and the new Ministry of the Faith overtook all bureaucratic functions of the kingdom. Korenell had become a theocracy and was aimed to spread the worship of the Trinity to all parts of the world.
More recently, the crusader and daughter of the current King, Princess Nirea Kassintius, has garnered support from the settlers of the Righteous Hills. They feel that the Church is so consumed by controlling Korratus that they let the northwestern lands get ravaged by goblins. The Princess ardently protects these lands with her contingent of knights, the Order of Destiny’s Star, and many predict that she will eventually challenge the Trinity Church for control of the realm.
Government
Korenell is officially a monarchy, but with the takeover by the Church of the Trinity, the King has become a useless figurehead with only a ceremonial function. Much like the three-formed god they worship, the Church is divided into three components: The Ministry of Faith, the Order of St. Aedin, and the Order of the High Templars. The High Justicar, the Patriarch, and the Master Commander of the High Templar are the three leaders of the realm, theoretically beneath their puppet King.
The Ministry of Faith controls all bureaucratic and diplomatic functions of the state. The High Justicar of the Ministry is the leader of the Preeminent Council, a body of church leaders and noble houses who act as a legislative body for the kingdom. The Justicars of the Ministry and their underlying Judicators act as judges and mediators throughout the kingdom. Their army of Administers serve as bureaucrats and clerks in the government’s agencies.
The Order of St. Aedin is the purely religious arm of the Church. The Patriarch is the official religious leader and its highest priest and controls many of the lands throughout Korenell in the name of the Church. Beneath the patriarch is a body of Cardinals and beneath them a body of Bishops. The temple priests throughout the lands are pastors, priors, and chaplains, with many deacons and acolytes studying the ways of the Trinity religion underneath them.
Military
The Order of the High Templars are the military arm of the Church. They control the Kingdom’s many militias as well as their own soldiers and knights. The Master Commander is the military leader with a council of Knight Commanders beneath him, followed by Knight Lieutenants and Knight Templars. The rank and file soldiers are Sergeants, Man-At-Arms, and Squires. The military of Korenell is quite strong and they manage to control their borders with Arathkelsara. However, they have struggled to maintain their north and western borders as goblins continue to assault their forces.
The navy of Korenell is quite strong as well, they help support trade and shipping throughout the Inner Sea and frequently skirmish with pirates and Arathian forces.
Economy
The economy of Korenell does quite well as trade with the Inner Sea and beyond thrives. Much grain is exported from the country, providing food for many colonies in the islands. Additionally, craft goods are often exported to the colonies from Korenell. Raw goods, like ore, metal, and timber, are exported as well, along with cattle and dried foods. The warm climate of the region allows for long growing periods. Water tends to be the most limiting factor to crop growth in the western portion of the realm, where the lands are drier.
Culture
Modern Korenellians demographics vary greatly by their social status. The poor folks have the most diversity, with primarily Seldrie, Arathian, and Xayadrie descent, resulting in darker skin and hair tones. The upper crust of society tends to be more of the Amarie and Toldrie descendancy, having fairer skin tones. This dichotomy of racial demographics results in most darker-skin people to be assumed to be of lesser social status, particularly in Korenhold. This isn’t helped by the fact that St. Aedin, prophet and savior of the Trinity religion, is always depicted as having nearly alabaster skin to represent his “purity”. While the Trinity religion itself doesn’t officially support the resulting racism that springs from this iconography, many of the more ignorant and poor among the Amarie and Toldrie descendants of the nation strongly believe that the Trinity speaks only for their light-skinned “chosen people of Aedin”, and never the darker skinned Arathians and Selicean people.
Religion tends to dominate life in Korenell, with most of that worship devoted to the Trinity church. There are a few temples dedicated to other deities, especially in the frontier lands of the north and west, however, the Trinity Church is always trying to discourage such worship. While the teachings of St. Aedin and the Trinity teach good and noble values, the people that are supposed to practice rarely reach such virtue. Many use their faith as a cudgel of their righteousness and social superiority over others.
People from Korenell tend to be self-righteous and determined. They tend to see all the world as a struggle between good and evil, and that only they have the right answers. They tend to act with honor and integrity, but often come off as stubborn.
Adventure
The lands of Korenell are surrounded by strife and mystery. The goblins of the north are a constant threat to the frontier lands of the west and north. The conflict with Arathkelsara constantly simmers as religious zealots fight over control of the Holy Land. The Feyreach Forest is a mysterious ancient woods with unknown perils awaiting those who explore its depths. The high seas are rampant with trade wars and pirates to excite any would-be swashbuckler.
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REGIONS OF KORENELL
Korenell is home to nearly all terrains and biomes. It is a wide land of many opportunities for adventure. This section provides an overview of each region along with some details about the settlements within.
The Feyreach Forest
On the northernmost border of Korenell lies the expansive forests of the Feyreach. It is a wild land with very few settlers. Most of the folk who live on this wild border are hardy folk who do not expect the soldiers of the nation to come to their aid. Since this region borders the Golbez Mountains, the threat of goblins is always a concern for the people who choose to dwell so close to danger. However, the forest is suspected to be home to numerous fey creatures. The people who live in this region believe that the creatures of the forest protect them from the goblins. There may be some truth to that belief, as the number of goblin attacks in this region are certainly less than those counted in the Righteous Hills. But it may also be the fact that the forest and its countless streams and rivers makes it quite difficult for any raiders to traverse through its depths.
Namport (pop. 5,030). The primary settlement on the northern end of Korenell is Namport. The town is a primary trading port for the people in the region. The plentiful wood, furs, leathers, and other raw goods are sent down the wide Myrillian River to be collected and sold in the markets of Sonvera. Namport itself isn’t much to look at. Besides its protective walls, the entire town is built almost entirely of wood and logs. This gives the town a much-deserved wild, frontier feel. The High Templar have a small fortress outside of town, which serves as office for scouts sent into the wilds northward to keep an eye on the goblins. The city governs itself through a town council ruled by a handful of minor noble houses. These nobles continue to expand their economic reach in the region, fighting with each other for control of various industries. The town guard in the city is known to be rather lax, and people expect to take care of themselves when walking the dark streets at night.
The Myrillian River Valley
Flowing its way southbound out of the boundless forests is the Myrillian River. Along its great length are numerous small fishing and farming villages, each with small docks out into the slow-flowing waters. On the western side of the river, these villages are connected by trails and roads to the River Highway that connects Namport and Sonvera. On the eastern side of the river, the villages are more sparse. There are numerous tribes of gnolls and other denizens of the Feywood Forest that plague those brave people who live on the east side. The few villages that do dot that side of the river prefer to travel by water rather than land to trade.
Sonvera (pop. 28,340). The expansive city of Sonvera is a primary trading hub for the region. Most of the trade comes down the Nomen Highway from Glitterstone and Korenhold. Raw goods come down the river from Namport and the many villages northward. These raw goods are processed into fine crafted goods that are then sent out to various ports and other trading hubs. Some brave traders even pass through the pirate-infested swamps of Arawen to trade in the port city, and many of these merchants may in fact be pirates themselves. The pirates of the swamps however might be a major limiting factor for the growing city, as most exports are forced to be sent over land to the ports of Korenhold or in Migara to be further disseminated.
The city, much like most of Korenell, is officially ruled by the Ministry of Faith, however, in practice, the merchant guilds have the true power in the bustling mercantile city. Additionally, the worship of Hermaen is quite strong in the city, granting that church additional power. The many merchants convene at the Cathedral of the Golden Vault, an elaborate, gaudy temple devoted to the deity of wealth and trade.
In the center of town is a wide hill, the Noble Quarter, where many noble houses and guild leaders reside. The High Templars have a fortress on the north side of town, though the town guard and militia are a sizable force. The Canal District on the north end offers water access throughout where warehouses hold all many of goods for trade. The northwest side of town holds the seedier elements and black markets tucked in the many shacks and tight alleyways. Outside the protective walls many farming villages dot the roads. The city has an extensive agricultural community that provides fresh farm goods. The taverns and restaurants in the city are some of the best in the region, also in part from the extensive trade brought into the city. It is a melting pot of flavors, cultures, and ideas. The people of Sonvera like their sense of freedom and the city feels noticeably less structured than Korenhold.
Righteous Hills
These rolling hills are home to some of the hardiest folk in Korenell. The land is drier than other areas, boasting a beautiful chaparral environment. This makes the area perfect for vineyards and olive groves. In some areas, there are fields of lavender, growing wild in the hot sun. However, the area is also quite dangerous from external threats. Goblins frequently raid down from the mountains into this area. Making the people who live there quite knowledgeable in warfare and defense. The town’s typically have small stone towers for villagers to run to in the case of a raid. Additionally, creatures from the nearby scrublands and desert often find their way into those rolling hills. There are no major settlements in the area, but the High Templars keep Fort Righteous on a high rocky cliffside to keep an eye out in the area. This fort is the last settlement before one enters the Basmian Scrublands on a long journey to the dwarven fortress of Brong.
Wellspring Valley
This valley is sheltered by the Highcrest Hills to the north and the Solenmars to the south. These hillsides provide some protection from the warm breezes of the sea, granting the valley a milder weather. The area is quite hilly and lacks the most accessible arable land. However, people continue to flock to the valley, as it seems quite protected from invaders in addition to the political strife of the major cities.
Korrond’s Prairie
This land, between the Demater and Myrillian Rivers, is the most arable farmland in Korenell. The area is littered with farmsteads and villagers trying to create a living from the land. The area has become quite dense in recent times, causing the next generations of farmers to head northward to the less populated Wellspring Valley. Along the Nomen Highway are numerous villages with some of the best taverns and inns a traveler can enjoy.
Korenhold (pop. 70,280). The capital city of Korenhold has much history. Long ago, the site once hosted a city of the Arathkelsarian Empire. The ancient pyramid built for the leader of the city at that time still stands in the center of the great city. In more recent times, a grand castle, Augustus Palace, has been built into the top of the pyramid, with a wide ramp leading to the castle’s doors. From here King Umbrar Kassintius rules over the people, at least in name. The true power in the city lies westward in the great military fortification of the High Templar of the Trinity. North of that rests a large limestone building which houses the Ministry of the Faith. These two forces of the Trinity Church hold the real power in Korenhold and Korenell in general. About 15 years ago, the church and a group of powerful noble houses involved with the church had the weak and uncaring King Umbrar Kassintius sign the Law of Faith in Governance. This law granted legislative power to the Ministry of the Faith, which overtook the bureaucratic running of the Kingdom’s government. The High Templars took over the defense of the realm. Executive power was still maintained by the crown, at least in name, but now a committee of noble houses provides the majority of this power. In effect, the crown became a powerless figurehead. This was what Umbrar Kassintius had wanted, as he was far too consumed in his own selfish desires to govern.
The city is the largest in Korenell and houses numerous districts of various flavors. The city is stricter than most, having high fines and punishments for many crimes. The eager High Templar never hesitate to enforce the laws, especially since the Law of Faith in Governance was signed. However, crime and poverty are still rampant in the city, especially in the Old Docks district. The Ministry of Faith has vowed to “perfect” the city and its economic injustice, but no major changes have been enacted so far.
Demater River
The land along the Demater river is somewhat sparsely populated. The constant threat of war with the Arathkelsarian Empire limits the growth and prosperity of the region. Additionally, goblins and giants climb out of the mountains in raids and attacks, making only the strong and determined willing to live in the mountain’s shadow.
Arthune (pop. 9,750). The town of Arthune is little more than a giant fortress. The city is the most devoted the Trinity and the High Templars, and thus is quite regimented and orderly. All residents of the city are trained in warfare and take turns in the town’s militia. The people of the city feel it is their duty to protect Korenell from southern invaders. The city boasts two walls and a moat connected to the Demater River around the outer walls. From the outside it seems like an impenetrable fortress, and so far it has lived up to that impression. Between the two walls lie heavily worked fields of grains and vegetables. The city is quite focused on being able to withstand a long-term siege, and thus they can provide for all their needs from within the city’s walls. Trade is primarily conducted in the small river docks built into the walls that allows goods to travel to and from Korenhold down the Demater River. There is also some land trade with Korratus.