Post by Brandwyn on Jun 28, 2009 16:17:00 GMT -5
*Araluen Fief:
This is the fief where the King resides.
King Duncan's description: "A tall blond man in his late thirties, with a short beard and piercing green eyes. He was broad-shouldered and muscular; because Duncan was not a king who let other men do all his fighting for him. He had trained with sword and lance since he was a boy and he was regarded as one of the most capable knights in his own kingdom." (John Flannigan, The Burning Bridge, pg. 161).
Lord Anthony is King Duncan's chamberlain and one of his duties it to interpret the law and advise the King on points of law. (Book 4, Battle for Skandia).
In our current game, Rick Greenriver {Brandwyn} is assigned as the ranger to Araluen Fief. His apprentice is Tamlin Fletcher {Firehead}. Crowley has the Ranger Headquarters here at the Araluen Castle.
**The river Semath runs from the Narrow Sea all the way up to Castle Araluen and is defended by river forts and strongpoints along its route. (Book 4, Battle for Skandia, page 278)
*Aspienne Fief:
A small fief where Will Treaty's father, Daniel, settled his family after they left Norgate. Will was born there and that is where Halt found him after his father was killed in the battle with the Wargals. (The Lost Stories, pg 14).
Baron:
Battlemaster Norman (at the time of Will Treaty's birth)
The current ranger of Aspienne Fief is: (Chase Ezrat, played by Tizpi would like to claim this fief upon attaining his silver leaf)
*Caraway Fief:
The Baron of Caraway is Baron Fergus. (Burning Bridge pg 161).
The first book briefly mentions the fief Gilan is from: Caraway and that Gilan's father is a master swordsman and now the commander of the army. Gilan's father is "Sir David, Battlemaster of Caraway fief and supreme commander of the King's army" (quoting John Flannigan, The Burning Bridge, page 161). Sir David is tall, in his late fifties and with graying hair, but still moves with speed and athletic grace.
---*Cresthaven Village: The entrance to Cresthaven Bay is marked by a ruined tower on the headland. The bay is relatively narrow with a yellow sandy beach and a long, spindly jetty jutting out on the northern shore. To the north of the jetty the ground rises steeply and is heavily wooded. There is a track leading up into the trees to Cresthaven Village which is made up of several whitewashed buildings with thatched roofs. It is located on the coast of Araluen in the northern corner of Caraway Fief. Head Man is William (a tall, thin, balding 40-year-old man; his councilors are Gryft Seeder and Sloan Whellwrite (Brotherband 4, page 146).
---*Deaton's Mill: is a very small village on the coast just north of Cresthaven that is home to several millers and farmers. (Brotherband 4, page 176)
The current ranger of Caraway fief is Bunt Levinsson {Brandwyn}. His apprentices are Ivy Bramble {Solo} and Dian {Dian}.
*Coledale Fief:
Coledale is a small and sleepy fief. Harrison was assigned there in his late thirties to recover from injuries suffered in a battle with Iberian pirates. Upon his recovery he was assigned to Norgate. (Book 8: Kings of Clonmel, Chapter 7, Page 47).
The current ranger of Coledale Fief according to the book is Skinner. In-Game the current ranger is Marcus Blackwater {NPC-Brandwyn} and his apprentice is Tessa {Ak104}.
*Culway Fief:
This fief is about the same size as Seacliff and Aspienne. (The Lost Stories, pg 14). The current ranger of this fief is Alkurak Stingard {Salarzaca} and he is looking for an apprentice (August Year 658 {2012})
*Drayden Fief:
The only information on this is that the baron of Drayden is Baron Tyler. (Burning Bridge, pg 161).
The current ranger of Drayden Fief is Monkuta Jakys {Jesuzbagels}. His apprentice is Marina Sarabella Joshuin McOwen of Tigerclaw Manor {Mri}.
*Greenfield Fief:
The second book, The Burning Bridge, on pages 98 and 102 mention Greenfield Fief. This is when Will first meets Evanlyn Wheeler (who was actually Princess Cassandra, King Duncan's daughter).
Greenfield Fief is a small coastal fief in Araluen. (Must be near Celtica for they found her near the border in Celtica). She was visiting a person in King Swyddned's Court with the daughter of Lord and Lady Caramorn of Greenfield fief. (at least that is the story she gave Gilan).
The current ranger of Greenfield Fief is Robin Dale. His apprentice is Riley Tulan.
*Heatherwood Downs Fief:
This fief was created for Halt's Playground by Brandwyn. It is located on the eastern side of Araluen along the coast just to the south of Holkum Heath. It is a rather narrow land north to south but long from east to west and consists mostly of rolling hills and thin disciduous forrest. Its main commodity is a variety of horse breeds and dairy products for the land is perfect for raising horses and cattle. Heatherwood Downs also provides a large portion of the country's beef. (more details will be posted on the Eastern Fief's board soon.)
Current ranger is Heather "lightfoot" Oosterhoff {Brandwyn}. Heather's apprentice is Enya {Enya}. This is also the fief that Shanna HorseTrader(retired ranger) is from.
*Highcliff Fief:
This is a western coastal fief with the castle perched on the top of a penninsula made of high rocky cliffs of white chalk. It is accessable only by a narrow isthmus with a guard checkpoint on the land side of the narrow path. Cliffs drop away on both sides allowing no more than four men abreast at its narrowist point. The castle has an outer wall with four towers and one larger tower in the center.
Baron: Douglas
Seneschal: Phillip
Innkeeper in a small village near the castle: Maeve - she lost her husband in the war against Morgarath.
The Swan Tavern is at the opposite end of the village from Maeve's Inn.
(Book 11: The Lost Stories; The Inkwell and The Dagger pgs 70 - 85)
The current ranger of Highcliff is Thrandin Darkwater {Ringulf} and his apprentice is {Kaya}.
*Marshwood Fief:
Marshwood was created by Ringulf. See his description on the Northern Fief's board. Stuck between Norgate and Caraway it is a land with lots of rivers and hills and a harsh climate in the winter.
The current ranger of Marshwood is Ringulf {Ringulf}. His apprentice is Mylia {Firehead}.
*Martinsyde Fief:
There is not much information about Matinsyde other than it is mentioned as where graduate Skinner came from in Book 8: The Kings of Clonmel in Chapter 7 on page 39.
The current ranger of Martinsyde Fief is Joshua Westley
*Meric Fief:
(Not much in the books on this one - just that Gilan is assigned to it in the first book. I imagined that it was closer to the center of the kingdom, though, and since Gilan was the junior ranger, probably a quiet fief for the most part since they would not put a new ranger in a hotbed fief.)
Meric is a quiet fief near the center of the Kingdom. It was the fief that Gilan was assigned to when he first earned his silver leaf.
Meric fief is now assigned to Ranger Tandar {Tandar}. Tandar's former apprentice, Drenith {Drenith}, was injured severely in the war with Aslavia and is recovering. In the meantime, Tandar's new apprentice is Tory Waterton {Brandwyn}.
*Norgate Fief:
Norgate is northern most fief on border with Picta where the Scotti live. It has at least two castles, Castle Norgate and Castle Macindaw.
Macindaw is the key to defending the fief and Araluen from the Scotti because of its strategic placement along the border. Macindaw was ruled by Lord Syron until he fell ill and is currently being run by Lord Orman (as of book 5). Orman's cousin, Sir Keren, is the military leader of the castle and well-liked by the soldiers.
Next to Macindaw is the forest, Grimsdale Wood, that is rumored to be haunted and the home of an evil sorcerer called Malkallam.
The ranger currently assigned to Norgate (as of book 5) is Meralon. As of Book 6, Gilan is being assigned as its ranger. As of Book 8, Harrison is assigned to Norgate.
Currently in game this fief is assigned to Jack Mc Alister at the Gathering of year 657.
*Redmont Fief:
Baron Arald is the Baron of Redmont. This is Halt's fief and where Will did his apprenticeship. Martin is his secretary. (Book 1, Page 13).
Sir Rodney is Redmont's Battlemaster. Ulf is the Horsemaster, Lady Pauline is Head of the Diplomatic Service, and Nigel is the Scribemaster. (Book 1, page 16).
Master Chubb is the Kitchenmaster at Castle Redmont and one of the finest chefs in the Kingdom. (Book 1, page 16 and Book 4, Battle of Skandia, page 287).
It takes a few days to travel from Redmont to Seacliff. It takes nearly a month to travel from Redmont to Norgate due to the terrain, distance and road conditions. (Book 8, Kings of Clonmel, Chapter 7, page 47.)
The current ranger of Redmont Fief is Halt in the books. He currently does not have an apprentice.
Allison {Tandar} is the current ranger in game as of the Gathering year 657. She does not yet have an apprentice.
*Seacliff Fief:
This is the fief Will was assigned to right after his apprenticeship (Book 5). Seacliff is an island located off the southeast corner of Araluen and is accessible by boat or ferry only. The Baron of Seacliff is Ergel and the Battlemaster of Seacliff is _______.
The current ranger of Seacliff is Nikki {Dian} and her apprentice is ___.
*Whitby Fief:
Whitby Fief is an important one that is geographically almost in the dead center of the country. It is located at the intersection of several major highways and trade routes. (Book 8: Kings of Clonmel, Chapter 7, page 44) Ranger Alun retired from this fief and Gilan took it over in Book 8: Kings of Clonmel, Chapter 7 page 45. There is one fief between (as yet unnamed) Whitby and Seacliff.
The current ranger for this fief is Arython
*Selsey:
A small fishing village on the west coast of Araluen not far from the border of Redmont Fief. This village is not under the jurisdiction of any fief, being nearly inaccessible and remote by land and hidden from approach by sea. Book 8: Kings of Clonmel, Chapter 4, page 19. Selsey is not a fief and is not assigned to any ranger, though Halt keeps an eye on it.
Other Countries/Kingdoms:
*Ariddi:
A desert people who dwell in villages and whose chief enemy is the Tuagathi who are nomadic bandits that thrive in the desert. The Bedullin are also a nomadic tribe of people who move from oasis to oasis. They have their own government and laws and do not recognize the Ariddi as an authority but have on occasion assisted them in squelching the Tuagathi. Book 7: Erak's Ransom
*Aslavia:
*Celtica:
Two towns in Celtica: Pordellath and Gwyntaleth that were deserted when Gilan, Will and Horace reached them. Both near the border with Araluen.
Celtica is ruled by King Swyddned.
*Gallica:
This is a country just across the eastern sea from Araluen. It is comprised of a bunch of tiny Baronies that war with one another and are very loosely held together by the Gallican King who wields very little actual power.
Castle Montsombre lies within Gallica and is the site where Horace and Halt were 'guests' for several weeks on their search for Will in Book 3:
In-Game this is the location where most of the fighting took place when the Aslavians swooped down on Toscano and forced them back into Gallican lands. Araluen, Picta and Skandia came to their aid and eventually killed the Aslavian army's leader and ultimately won the war.
The seaport city, La Rivage, is located in Gallica and is the usual stopping point in crossing from Araluen to Gallica. The Red Feather Inn is the usual Ranger hang-out in Gallica and the Inn Keeper, Bryce, can be trusted to deliver messages with utmost confidentiality.
In-game, the Banished Brethren, created by Tandar, have a strong foot-hold here with several hideouts to operate out of.
Gretagne is "a rather noisome, unfriendly little Gallican harbor town on the southern shore of the Stormwhite. the main industry is leather making and a least a dozen tanneries line the harbor foreshores. All of them discharge their unpleasant residue into the harbor itself so that the water is discolored and foul smelling." From Brotherband 4, The Slaves of Sorrocco by John Flanagan.
Cape Shelter is the peninsula in Gallica that separates the Stormwhite Sea from the Narrow Sea and the Western Ocean. It forms the mouth of the Stormwhite and weather and water currents can be severe at certain times of the year when sailing around Cape Shelter.
*Picta:
Picta is comprised of the Scotti and is the land to the north of Araulen bordering Norgate and Caraway. In our game it also shares a border with Marshwood Fief (Although Marshwood is not a fief created by Mr. Flannigan).
*Skandia:
This is the country far to the north of Gallica and Teutlandt. It is known for its very large warriors that raid along the coastline using their wolfships to gain access and escape from small villages or even large towns when they go raiding. The Skandians respect honesty and bravery and have a high regard for accomplished fighters.
*Temujai:
These are the nomadic people of the steppes where the ancestors of the Ranger's horses come from. They attacked Skandia in Book 4, the Battle for Skandia. They call themselves "The People" and have little regard for other races.
The People call Araluen Rangers 'atabi'. The word means "the green ones" in Temujai. Halt is a wanted man in Temujai for stealing breeding stock for the Rangers to raise their own steppe horses.
General Haz'Kam was the leader of the army attacking Skandia. They have elite archers called Kaijin. One Kaijin rides in each Ulan which is made up of 60 Temujai warriors mounted on horses and armed with bows and sabers. Their favorite form of attack is a series of strafing runs, one Ulan after another to ride past a specific area of an enemy shield wall and pound the line with arrows until a weakness develops so that they can ride in and engage one-on-one with their sabers. They are excellent mounted bowmen, but the Kaijin are as good as Araluen rangers with a bow. They use recurve bows that are not quite a powerful as the ranger longbow. They are unused to facing barrages of arrows from the Araluen Archer Corps or Araluen rangers.
*Teutlandt:
Groups of people:
*The Ranger Corps:
The rangers are Araluen's eyes and ears and enforcers. They gather information, settle disputes and solve problems. Mostly they keep the King informed of the situation in their assigned fief as well as handle whatever situations arise that pertain to the security of the country, fief and its people.
Rangers are known for their ability to conceal themselves, move silently and are the best archers in the kingdom. They have a high degree of honesty and integrity and must also possess knowledge of the laws of the kingdom and the ability to quickly make decisions. They arbitrate disputes and ensure that the Baron is running his fief in accordance with the King's wishes.
Most rangers have apprentices. The typical apprenticeship is 4 to 5 years starting around age 13 to 15 and progressing normally 5 years or until the rangers feel the apprentice is ready to graduate normally at age 18 or 19.
Each apprentice is evaluated at the end of each year by the other rangers at the Gathering before they can advance to the next year's level. They wear a bronze oak leaf as a symbol of their apprenticeship on a chain around their necks. Upon graduation they receive a silver oakleaf. When a ranger retires he receives a gold oak leaf.
Each apprentice participates in a 3 month cooking course during their third year. The recipes come from Master Chubb of Redmont Castle and the course is designed to teach rangers how to cook and eat decently when they are in the field. (Book10: Emperor of Nihon-Ja page 220.)
*The Royal Guard:
An elite force who garrison Castle Araluen (Book 4, Battle for Skandia, page 291). Horace was knighted and made a member of the Royal Guard as a reward for helping to rescue Princess Cassandra.
*The Royal Scouts:
"An elite force of light cavalry, tasked with the responsibility of training the Kingdom's archers and scouting ahead of the King's army in battle. Scout officers and recruits generally came from the ranks of the nobility and the appointment is virtually the equivalent of a knighthood." (Book 4, Battle for Skandia, Page 292)
Will was offered the position of Lieutenant in the Royal Scouts for helping to rescue Princess Cassandra, but he turned it down.
The Special Warfare Corps:
Created by Dougal. See his explanation in the Apprentice Guides on the Rules board.
The Assassin's Guild:
Created by Evanm7. See his explanation in the Apprentice Guides on the Rules board.
The Araluen Guards:
Created by Firehead. See her explanation in the Apprentice Guides on the Rules board.
The Thieves Guild:
Created by Drenith. See his explanation in the Apprentice Guides on the Rules board.
The Archery Corps:
(Mentioned in Book 4: The battle for Skandia) (More info later).
The Banished Brethren:
Created by Tandar
The Marshwardens:
Created by Ringulf. The Marshwardens keep the peace in the marshes, river and coastline of Marshwood Fife. See description on the Marshwood board.
Other Creatures
(more on these later:)
Kalkara:Halt says that they are assassins and that they horde silver. They are also bear-men and very hard to kill. Their fur and hide are so thick arrows have a difficult time penetrating deep enough to kill them. They strike fear into nearly all who see them.
Wargals: These were the creatures from the Mountains of Rain and Night that Molgaroth used as his troups. They are not very intelligent, but they are very big and strong and covered in hair.
Hunanine: (must check spelling later) These are intelligent creatures in the mountains in Nihon-Ja that are very large and covered in fur. Little is known about them except they are loyal to Lord Nicohimo (spelling) who is loyal to the Emperor of Nihon-Ja. They are shy and gentle creatures.
_____________
I will be adding to this as I go along in the books. Hope you find it helpful in plot planning! I will be fleshing out the creatures in more detail when I have my books in front of me.
Send me (Brandwyn) an IM if you think of something that should be added.
Please reference the book and the page number if it came out of the books, or who created it if it did not.
This is the fief where the King resides.
King Duncan's description: "A tall blond man in his late thirties, with a short beard and piercing green eyes. He was broad-shouldered and muscular; because Duncan was not a king who let other men do all his fighting for him. He had trained with sword and lance since he was a boy and he was regarded as one of the most capable knights in his own kingdom." (John Flannigan, The Burning Bridge, pg. 161).
Lord Anthony is King Duncan's chamberlain and one of his duties it to interpret the law and advise the King on points of law. (Book 4, Battle for Skandia).
In our current game, Rick Greenriver {Brandwyn} is assigned as the ranger to Araluen Fief. His apprentice is Tamlin Fletcher {Firehead}. Crowley has the Ranger Headquarters here at the Araluen Castle.
**The river Semath runs from the Narrow Sea all the way up to Castle Araluen and is defended by river forts and strongpoints along its route. (Book 4, Battle for Skandia, page 278)
*Aspienne Fief:
A small fief where Will Treaty's father, Daniel, settled his family after they left Norgate. Will was born there and that is where Halt found him after his father was killed in the battle with the Wargals. (The Lost Stories, pg 14).
Baron:
Battlemaster Norman (at the time of Will Treaty's birth)
The current ranger of Aspienne Fief is: (Chase Ezrat, played by Tizpi would like to claim this fief upon attaining his silver leaf)
*Caraway Fief:
The Baron of Caraway is Baron Fergus. (Burning Bridge pg 161).
The first book briefly mentions the fief Gilan is from: Caraway and that Gilan's father is a master swordsman and now the commander of the army. Gilan's father is "Sir David, Battlemaster of Caraway fief and supreme commander of the King's army" (quoting John Flannigan, The Burning Bridge, page 161). Sir David is tall, in his late fifties and with graying hair, but still moves with speed and athletic grace.
---*Cresthaven Village: The entrance to Cresthaven Bay is marked by a ruined tower on the headland. The bay is relatively narrow with a yellow sandy beach and a long, spindly jetty jutting out on the northern shore. To the north of the jetty the ground rises steeply and is heavily wooded. There is a track leading up into the trees to Cresthaven Village which is made up of several whitewashed buildings with thatched roofs. It is located on the coast of Araluen in the northern corner of Caraway Fief. Head Man is William (a tall, thin, balding 40-year-old man; his councilors are Gryft Seeder and Sloan Whellwrite (Brotherband 4, page 146).
---*Deaton's Mill: is a very small village on the coast just north of Cresthaven that is home to several millers and farmers. (Brotherband 4, page 176)
The current ranger of Caraway fief is Bunt Levinsson {Brandwyn}. His apprentices are Ivy Bramble {Solo} and Dian {Dian}.
*Coledale Fief:
Coledale is a small and sleepy fief. Harrison was assigned there in his late thirties to recover from injuries suffered in a battle with Iberian pirates. Upon his recovery he was assigned to Norgate. (Book 8: Kings of Clonmel, Chapter 7, Page 47).
The current ranger of Coledale Fief according to the book is Skinner. In-Game the current ranger is Marcus Blackwater {NPC-Brandwyn} and his apprentice is Tessa {Ak104}.
*Culway Fief:
This fief is about the same size as Seacliff and Aspienne. (The Lost Stories, pg 14). The current ranger of this fief is Alkurak Stingard {Salarzaca} and he is looking for an apprentice (August Year 658 {2012})
*Drayden Fief:
The only information on this is that the baron of Drayden is Baron Tyler. (Burning Bridge, pg 161).
The current ranger of Drayden Fief is Monkuta Jakys {Jesuzbagels}. His apprentice is Marina Sarabella Joshuin McOwen of Tigerclaw Manor {Mri}.
*Greenfield Fief:
The second book, The Burning Bridge, on pages 98 and 102 mention Greenfield Fief. This is when Will first meets Evanlyn Wheeler (who was actually Princess Cassandra, King Duncan's daughter).
Greenfield Fief is a small coastal fief in Araluen. (Must be near Celtica for they found her near the border in Celtica). She was visiting a person in King Swyddned's Court with the daughter of Lord and Lady Caramorn of Greenfield fief. (at least that is the story she gave Gilan).
The current ranger of Greenfield Fief is Robin Dale. His apprentice is Riley Tulan.
*Heatherwood Downs Fief:
This fief was created for Halt's Playground by Brandwyn. It is located on the eastern side of Araluen along the coast just to the south of Holkum Heath. It is a rather narrow land north to south but long from east to west and consists mostly of rolling hills and thin disciduous forrest. Its main commodity is a variety of horse breeds and dairy products for the land is perfect for raising horses and cattle. Heatherwood Downs also provides a large portion of the country's beef. (more details will be posted on the Eastern Fief's board soon.)
Current ranger is Heather "lightfoot" Oosterhoff {Brandwyn}. Heather's apprentice is Enya {Enya}. This is also the fief that Shanna HorseTrader(retired ranger) is from.
*Highcliff Fief:
This is a western coastal fief with the castle perched on the top of a penninsula made of high rocky cliffs of white chalk. It is accessable only by a narrow isthmus with a guard checkpoint on the land side of the narrow path. Cliffs drop away on both sides allowing no more than four men abreast at its narrowist point. The castle has an outer wall with four towers and one larger tower in the center.
Baron: Douglas
Seneschal: Phillip
Innkeeper in a small village near the castle: Maeve - she lost her husband in the war against Morgarath.
The Swan Tavern is at the opposite end of the village from Maeve's Inn.
(Book 11: The Lost Stories; The Inkwell and The Dagger pgs 70 - 85)
The current ranger of Highcliff is Thrandin Darkwater {Ringulf} and his apprentice is {Kaya}.
*Marshwood Fief:
Marshwood was created by Ringulf. See his description on the Northern Fief's board. Stuck between Norgate and Caraway it is a land with lots of rivers and hills and a harsh climate in the winter.
The current ranger of Marshwood is Ringulf {Ringulf}. His apprentice is Mylia {Firehead}.
*Martinsyde Fief:
There is not much information about Matinsyde other than it is mentioned as where graduate Skinner came from in Book 8: The Kings of Clonmel in Chapter 7 on page 39.
The current ranger of Martinsyde Fief is Joshua Westley
*Meric Fief:
(Not much in the books on this one - just that Gilan is assigned to it in the first book. I imagined that it was closer to the center of the kingdom, though, and since Gilan was the junior ranger, probably a quiet fief for the most part since they would not put a new ranger in a hotbed fief.)
Meric is a quiet fief near the center of the Kingdom. It was the fief that Gilan was assigned to when he first earned his silver leaf.
Meric fief is now assigned to Ranger Tandar {Tandar}. Tandar's former apprentice, Drenith {Drenith}, was injured severely in the war with Aslavia and is recovering. In the meantime, Tandar's new apprentice is Tory Waterton {Brandwyn}.
*Norgate Fief:
Norgate is northern most fief on border with Picta where the Scotti live. It has at least two castles, Castle Norgate and Castle Macindaw.
Macindaw is the key to defending the fief and Araluen from the Scotti because of its strategic placement along the border. Macindaw was ruled by Lord Syron until he fell ill and is currently being run by Lord Orman (as of book 5). Orman's cousin, Sir Keren, is the military leader of the castle and well-liked by the soldiers.
Next to Macindaw is the forest, Grimsdale Wood, that is rumored to be haunted and the home of an evil sorcerer called Malkallam.
The ranger currently assigned to Norgate (as of book 5) is Meralon. As of Book 6, Gilan is being assigned as its ranger. As of Book 8, Harrison is assigned to Norgate.
Currently in game this fief is assigned to Jack Mc Alister at the Gathering of year 657.
*Redmont Fief:
Baron Arald is the Baron of Redmont. This is Halt's fief and where Will did his apprenticeship. Martin is his secretary. (Book 1, Page 13).
Sir Rodney is Redmont's Battlemaster. Ulf is the Horsemaster, Lady Pauline is Head of the Diplomatic Service, and Nigel is the Scribemaster. (Book 1, page 16).
Master Chubb is the Kitchenmaster at Castle Redmont and one of the finest chefs in the Kingdom. (Book 1, page 16 and Book 4, Battle of Skandia, page 287).
It takes a few days to travel from Redmont to Seacliff. It takes nearly a month to travel from Redmont to Norgate due to the terrain, distance and road conditions. (Book 8, Kings of Clonmel, Chapter 7, page 47.)
The current ranger of Redmont Fief is Halt in the books. He currently does not have an apprentice.
Allison {Tandar} is the current ranger in game as of the Gathering year 657. She does not yet have an apprentice.
*Seacliff Fief:
This is the fief Will was assigned to right after his apprenticeship (Book 5). Seacliff is an island located off the southeast corner of Araluen and is accessible by boat or ferry only. The Baron of Seacliff is Ergel and the Battlemaster of Seacliff is _______.
The current ranger of Seacliff is Nikki {Dian} and her apprentice is ___.
*Whitby Fief:
Whitby Fief is an important one that is geographically almost in the dead center of the country. It is located at the intersection of several major highways and trade routes. (Book 8: Kings of Clonmel, Chapter 7, page 44) Ranger Alun retired from this fief and Gilan took it over in Book 8: Kings of Clonmel, Chapter 7 page 45. There is one fief between (as yet unnamed) Whitby and Seacliff.
The current ranger for this fief is Arython
*Selsey:
A small fishing village on the west coast of Araluen not far from the border of Redmont Fief. This village is not under the jurisdiction of any fief, being nearly inaccessible and remote by land and hidden from approach by sea. Book 8: Kings of Clonmel, Chapter 4, page 19. Selsey is not a fief and is not assigned to any ranger, though Halt keeps an eye on it.
Other Countries/Kingdoms:
*Ariddi:
A desert people who dwell in villages and whose chief enemy is the Tuagathi who are nomadic bandits that thrive in the desert. The Bedullin are also a nomadic tribe of people who move from oasis to oasis. They have their own government and laws and do not recognize the Ariddi as an authority but have on occasion assisted them in squelching the Tuagathi. Book 7: Erak's Ransom
*Aslavia:
*Celtica:
Two towns in Celtica: Pordellath and Gwyntaleth that were deserted when Gilan, Will and Horace reached them. Both near the border with Araluen.
Celtica is ruled by King Swyddned.
*Gallica:
This is a country just across the eastern sea from Araluen. It is comprised of a bunch of tiny Baronies that war with one another and are very loosely held together by the Gallican King who wields very little actual power.
Castle Montsombre lies within Gallica and is the site where Horace and Halt were 'guests' for several weeks on their search for Will in Book 3:
In-Game this is the location where most of the fighting took place when the Aslavians swooped down on Toscano and forced them back into Gallican lands. Araluen, Picta and Skandia came to their aid and eventually killed the Aslavian army's leader and ultimately won the war.
The seaport city, La Rivage, is located in Gallica and is the usual stopping point in crossing from Araluen to Gallica. The Red Feather Inn is the usual Ranger hang-out in Gallica and the Inn Keeper, Bryce, can be trusted to deliver messages with utmost confidentiality.
In-game, the Banished Brethren, created by Tandar, have a strong foot-hold here with several hideouts to operate out of.
Gretagne is "a rather noisome, unfriendly little Gallican harbor town on the southern shore of the Stormwhite. the main industry is leather making and a least a dozen tanneries line the harbor foreshores. All of them discharge their unpleasant residue into the harbor itself so that the water is discolored and foul smelling." From Brotherband 4, The Slaves of Sorrocco by John Flanagan.
Cape Shelter is the peninsula in Gallica that separates the Stormwhite Sea from the Narrow Sea and the Western Ocean. It forms the mouth of the Stormwhite and weather and water currents can be severe at certain times of the year when sailing around Cape Shelter.
*Picta:
Picta is comprised of the Scotti and is the land to the north of Araulen bordering Norgate and Caraway. In our game it also shares a border with Marshwood Fief (Although Marshwood is not a fief created by Mr. Flannigan).
*Skandia:
This is the country far to the north of Gallica and Teutlandt. It is known for its very large warriors that raid along the coastline using their wolfships to gain access and escape from small villages or even large towns when they go raiding. The Skandians respect honesty and bravery and have a high regard for accomplished fighters.
*Temujai:
These are the nomadic people of the steppes where the ancestors of the Ranger's horses come from. They attacked Skandia in Book 4, the Battle for Skandia. They call themselves "The People" and have little regard for other races.
The People call Araluen Rangers 'atabi'. The word means "the green ones" in Temujai. Halt is a wanted man in Temujai for stealing breeding stock for the Rangers to raise their own steppe horses.
General Haz'Kam was the leader of the army attacking Skandia. They have elite archers called Kaijin. One Kaijin rides in each Ulan which is made up of 60 Temujai warriors mounted on horses and armed with bows and sabers. Their favorite form of attack is a series of strafing runs, one Ulan after another to ride past a specific area of an enemy shield wall and pound the line with arrows until a weakness develops so that they can ride in and engage one-on-one with their sabers. They are excellent mounted bowmen, but the Kaijin are as good as Araluen rangers with a bow. They use recurve bows that are not quite a powerful as the ranger longbow. They are unused to facing barrages of arrows from the Araluen Archer Corps or Araluen rangers.
*Teutlandt:
Groups of people:
*The Ranger Corps:
The rangers are Araluen's eyes and ears and enforcers. They gather information, settle disputes and solve problems. Mostly they keep the King informed of the situation in their assigned fief as well as handle whatever situations arise that pertain to the security of the country, fief and its people.
Rangers are known for their ability to conceal themselves, move silently and are the best archers in the kingdom. They have a high degree of honesty and integrity and must also possess knowledge of the laws of the kingdom and the ability to quickly make decisions. They arbitrate disputes and ensure that the Baron is running his fief in accordance with the King's wishes.
Most rangers have apprentices. The typical apprenticeship is 4 to 5 years starting around age 13 to 15 and progressing normally 5 years or until the rangers feel the apprentice is ready to graduate normally at age 18 or 19.
Each apprentice is evaluated at the end of each year by the other rangers at the Gathering before they can advance to the next year's level. They wear a bronze oak leaf as a symbol of their apprenticeship on a chain around their necks. Upon graduation they receive a silver oakleaf. When a ranger retires he receives a gold oak leaf.
Each apprentice participates in a 3 month cooking course during their third year. The recipes come from Master Chubb of Redmont Castle and the course is designed to teach rangers how to cook and eat decently when they are in the field. (Book10: Emperor of Nihon-Ja page 220.)
*The Royal Guard:
An elite force who garrison Castle Araluen (Book 4, Battle for Skandia, page 291). Horace was knighted and made a member of the Royal Guard as a reward for helping to rescue Princess Cassandra.
*The Royal Scouts:
"An elite force of light cavalry, tasked with the responsibility of training the Kingdom's archers and scouting ahead of the King's army in battle. Scout officers and recruits generally came from the ranks of the nobility and the appointment is virtually the equivalent of a knighthood." (Book 4, Battle for Skandia, Page 292)
Will was offered the position of Lieutenant in the Royal Scouts for helping to rescue Princess Cassandra, but he turned it down.
The Special Warfare Corps:
Created by Dougal. See his explanation in the Apprentice Guides on the Rules board.
The Assassin's Guild:
Created by Evanm7. See his explanation in the Apprentice Guides on the Rules board.
The Araluen Guards:
Created by Firehead. See her explanation in the Apprentice Guides on the Rules board.
The Thieves Guild:
Created by Drenith. See his explanation in the Apprentice Guides on the Rules board.
The Archery Corps:
(Mentioned in Book 4: The battle for Skandia) (More info later).
The Banished Brethren:
Created by Tandar
The Marshwardens:
Created by Ringulf. The Marshwardens keep the peace in the marshes, river and coastline of Marshwood Fife. See description on the Marshwood board.
Other Creatures
(more on these later:)
Kalkara:Halt says that they are assassins and that they horde silver. They are also bear-men and very hard to kill. Their fur and hide are so thick arrows have a difficult time penetrating deep enough to kill them. They strike fear into nearly all who see them.
Wargals: These were the creatures from the Mountains of Rain and Night that Molgaroth used as his troups. They are not very intelligent, but they are very big and strong and covered in hair.
Hunanine: (must check spelling later) These are intelligent creatures in the mountains in Nihon-Ja that are very large and covered in fur. Little is known about them except they are loyal to Lord Nicohimo (spelling) who is loyal to the Emperor of Nihon-Ja. They are shy and gentle creatures.
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I will be adding to this as I go along in the books. Hope you find it helpful in plot planning! I will be fleshing out the creatures in more detail when I have my books in front of me.
Send me (Brandwyn) an IM if you think of something that should be added.
Please reference the book and the page number if it came out of the books, or who created it if it did not.