Sandal - Revision history

Cmatney: Pushed from realm.

2017-04-07T21:06:47Z

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2017-04-07T20:59:27Z

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2017-04-07T18:02:54Z

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2017-04-07T17:55:52Z

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2017-04-07T17:35:44Z

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Cmatney at 17:23, 7 April 2017

2017-04-07T17:23:35Z

Cmatney: Pushed from realm.

2017-04-07T17:18:07Z

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2015-11-24T21:42:40Z

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2015-09-29T00:54:36Z

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Cmatney at 10:39, 6 September 2015

2015-09-06T10:39:25Z

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 In 889 TA, at the height of the [[First War of the Reaches]], Valdemar's Castle was flown by unknown magical means from Sandal to Teufeldorf where it hung over the city during the [[Siege of Teufeldorf|winter occupation]] of 889-890 TA.  At the turning point of the war, the castle was destroyed by an enormous shaft of fire, causing it to crash into the city.
-Subsequent missions to the castle found only blackened ruins of the original structure.
+Subsequent missions to the castle site found only blackened ruins of the original structure.
 However, in 901 TA, an adventuring party encountered a structure at the original location shortly after the [[Tang Empire]] joined in the [[Second War of the Reaches]].  The adventurers were seeking the secrets of the [[The Djinn's Labyrinth#Hame|Djinn's Labyrinth]], a magical prison in which King Fleetwood and his companions were trapped.  While Valdemar was not found, the mission was reported to be successful.
@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 Long a place to be avoided, the Forbidden Forest is a dense tropical forest approximately 150 miles in diameter.  While the activities of humankind have pushed the edges of the forest back some sixty miles since the sixth century TA, there are no known villages within its confines.  The Forbidden Forest is a popular refuge for those seeking to avoid contact with society - although none ever return from exploratory missions into its tangled depths.
-Several villages dot the edges of the forest.  An adventuring party [[Devil's Death: Tophet and the Witches Coven|entered]] the Forbidden Forest near the present-day town of Mutewood in 829 TA in search of an artifact stolen by a witches coven.  It is unknown whether they were successful.  Later, in 831 TA, a mission from the Crown took a party to the coastal town of Prism to [[Demogorgon's Revenge|investigate]] the tomb of a vampire priest named Lambert.  A large underground complex was discovered on an island near Prism, although it is unclear whether any adventures into the forest were made.
+Several villages dot the edges of the forest.  An adventuring party [[Devil's Death: Tophet and the Witches Coven|entered]] the Forbidden Forest near the present-day town of Mutewood in 829 TA in search of an artifact stolen by a witches coven.  It is unknown whether they were successful.
 '''Ogre Fen'''

@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 '''Valdemar's Castle'''
-xxx
+The origins of Valdemar's Castle are unknown.  It was certainly in use by the wizard when he came to power in Sandal in 555 TA, although it is likely that an older structure stood on the spot.  Located in an isolated and dreary moor, the castle has been described as an impenetrable black fortress surrounded by nothingness.
 '''Windswept Isles'''
@@ Line 73: / Line 83: @@
 [[File:map-sandal_western.jpg|center|600px|Western Sandal]]
 '''Ogre Fen'''
@@ Line 82: / Line 97: @@
 The islands west of Sandal are the Spindrifts, extending some 150 miles west of the Forbidden Forest coast. Little is known of these islands and the Tang merchants and other sailors rarely report on the activities there.
-It is generally believed that the [[Dark Elves|dark elves]] have established a settlement on the eastern islands - capturing and imprisoning any sailor bold enough to enter their domain.  There are no reported towns or villages in the eastern islands and seclusion is all these elves seem to require.
+It is generally believed that the [[Elves#The Greater Sundering|dark elves]] have established a settlement on the eastern islands - capturing and imprisoning any sailor bold enough to enter their domain.  There are no reported towns or villages in the eastern islands and seclusion is all these elves seem to require.
 The island furthest to the west was once ruled by a mighty wizard, one Eldrick, according to the stories.  According to legend, he brought a small fellowship of like-minded wizards with him to the island.  It is known that some trade between the Tang merchants and Eldrick Island still takes place.  Local pirates are paid to allow Tang ships to pass through this area unhindered.  This immunity has been ignored on occasion by an enterprising pirate who is then later exterminated, whether by an agent of Eldrick or someone else is unknown.

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 Modern Sandal was established in the mid-sixth century TA during the War of Stone Rain which pitted the Large Folk living in the country's interior against the coastal dwelling humans. From this conflict, a truce was negotiated by [[Valdemar]], a wizard of black renown. Valdemar became ruler of Sandal and sat on throne until he was deposed at the end of the [[First War of the Reaches#The Events of 890 TA|First War of the Reaches]] in 890 TA.
-During the reign of Valdemar, Sandal prospered as a nation. The country began an aggressive build up of naval forces, forging a strong alliance with the ratfolk of the [[Tang Empire]]. Its strategic location halfway between the [[Rembia|Old Kingdom]] and the [[Wilderlands]] made Sandal a port of call for most of the Realm's major shipping operations. Under the negotiated peace with the Large Folk, the humans of Sandal cleared thousands of acres of wood from the Forbidden Forest and the Tangles and established thriving farming and ranching communities. The northern hills and interior swamplands were the exclusive realm of the Large Folk with a strong clan organization - some still reputed to be in service to Valdemar.
+During the reign of Valdemar, Sandal prospered as a nation. The country began an aggressive build up of naval forces, forging a strong alliance with the ratfolk of the [[Tang Empire]]. Its strategic location halfway between the [[Rembia|Old Kingdom]] and the [[Wilderlands]] made Sandal a port of call for most of the Realm's major shipping operations. Under negotiated peace with the Large Folk, the humans of Sandal cleared thousands of acres of wood from the Forbidden Forest and the Tangles and established thriving farming and ranching communities. The northern hills and interior swamplands were the exclusive realm of the Large Folk with a strong clan organization - some still reputed to be in service to Valdemar.
-Sandal was not without its dark side. While keeping the outward appearances of a shipping and trading hub, Valdemar and his henchmen were rumored to be heavily immersed in the worship of the dark powers in league with chaotic demons bent towards sinister domination of "lesser" men.  While the daily operation of the ports of Sandal was headquartered in Dureinander, the true power lay at the court of Valdemar's castle. Extensive guilds of thieves and assassins operated in all the cities and towns of Sandal, oftentimes tied to the local leaders.
+Sandal was not without its dark side. While keeping the outward appearances of a shipping and trading hub, Valdemar and his henchmen were rumored to be heavily immersed in the worship of dark powers and in league with chaotic demons bent towards sinister domination of "lesser" men.  While the daily operation of the ports of Sandal was headquartered in Dureinander, the true power lay at the court of Valdemar's castle. Extensive guilds of thieves and assassins operated in all the cities and towns of Sandal, oftentimes tied to the local leaders.
-Deep in the swamps surrounding Castle Valdemar, the Army of Sandal trained constantly. The army was a small, brutish force of men, Large Folk, and fantastic beasts all tied to the service of Valdemar.  Several attempts over the centuries to invade the Western Reaches failed.  Finally, in 832 TA, the Western Reaches were conquered by the Brotherhood of the Seven, including Valdemar, forming [[The Shadowland Empire]].  With the overthrown of this cabal in 833 TA during [[Hastur's Dominion]], Valdemar fled south back to Sandal.
+Deep in the swamps surrounding Castle Valdemar, the Army of Sandal trained constantly. The army was a small, brutish force of men, Large Folk, and fantastic beasts all tied to the service of Valdemar.  Several attempts over the centuries to invade the Western Reaches failed.  Finally, in 832 TA, the Western Reaches were conquered by the Brotherhood of the Seven, including Valdemar, forming [[The Shadowland Empire]].  With the overthrow of this cabal in 833 TA during [[Hastur's Dominion]], Valdemar fled south back to Sandal.
 During the [[First War of the Reaches]], Valdemar's armies had a number of victories, but, in the end, the toll on the population was too high.  A revolt in Durcheindaner and a number of the coastal towns and villages deposed Valdemar in 890 TA.  Valdemar returned briefly during the [[Second War of the Reaches]], and sightings of the deposed Baron are still common today.

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 Sandal is the southernmost kingdom in the Reaches. Although largely unexplored during the First and Second Ages, a number of small ports date back to those periods. The capital city of Durcheinander lies on the southern coast of the peninsula near a large natural harbor. It is a port of call for most of the Realm's major shipping operations.
-Sandal is currently under the rule of Lord Geoffrey Treadway, brother of the [[Barony of Huntingdon]] and a long-time supporter of King Vincent Fleetwood.  The current occupation is a military operation with the population being kept under control by a careful balance of food, water and shelter for the displaced and a strong-armed sword for the displeased.  It is expected that a transition to a local governor will take place shortly.
+Sandal is currently under the rule of Lord Geoffrey Treadway, brother of the [[Barony of Huntingdon|Baron of Huntingdon]] and a long-time supporter of King Vincent Fleetwood.  The current occupation is a military operation with the population being kept under control by a careful balance of food, water and shelter for the displaced and a strong-armed sword for the displeased.  It is expected that a transition to a local governor will take place shortly.
 == History of Sandal ==
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 [[File:map-sandal_eastern.jpg|center|600px|Eastern Sandal]]
 '''Giantshome'''
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 The southern trolls of Sandal are commonly referred to as Tangle Trolls, as they seldom venture far from the seclusion of the Tangles. These very large, very aggressive creatures form a loose tribal society similar to orcs. It is rumored that humans convicted of crimes against Sandal are oftentimes traded to the Tangle Trolls for food. In exchange, the Army of Sandal under Valdemar's leadership sometimes used trolls in its army, although their nasty disposition makes the use of large numbers of trolls difficult.
 '''Windswept Isles'''

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 }}
-Sandal is the southernmost kingdom in the Reaches. Although largely unexplored during the First and Second Ages, a number of small ports date back to those periods. The capital city of Durcheinander lies on the southern coast of the peninsula near a large natural harbor. It is a major port of call for most of the Realm's major shipping operations.
+Sandal is the southernmost kingdom in the Reaches. Although largely unexplored during the First and Second Ages, a number of small ports date back to those periods. The capital city of Durcheinander lies on the southern coast of the peninsula near a large natural harbor. It is a port of call for most of the Realm's major shipping operations.
-Sandal is currently under the rule of Lord Geoffrey Treadway, brother of the [[Barony of Huntingdon]] and a long-time supporter of King Vincent Fleetwood.  The current occupation is a military operation with the population being kept under control by a careful balance of food, water and shelter for the displaced and a strong-arm sword for the displeased.  It is expected that a transition to a local governor will take place shortly.
+Sandal is currently under the rule of Lord Geoffrey Treadway, brother of the [[Barony of Huntingdon]] and a long-time supporter of King Vincent Fleetwood.  The current occupation is a military operation with the population being kept under control by a careful balance of food, water and shelter for the displaced and a strong-armed sword for the displeased.  It is expected that a transition to a local governor will take place shortly.
 == History of Sandal ==
@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 [[File:map-sandal_western.jpg|center|600px|Western Sandal]]
-'''Ogre Fens'''
+'''Ogre Fen'''
-The low hills in the northwest of Sandal are home to a large ogre population. The ogres are granted an independent status, allowing them to live independently of the monarchy. However, in return, all ogres from the Fen are required to serve for a period of four years in Valdemar's army. The ogres do not allow humans to move through their lands.
+The low hills in the northwest of Sandal are home to a large ogre population. The ogres were granted an independent status, allowing them to live outside the rule of Valdemar's monarchy. However, in return, all ogres from the Fen were required to serve for a period of four years in Valdemar's army. Today, the ogres do not allow humans to move through their lands.
 '''Spindrift Isles'''

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 |header1 = [[File:shield-sandal.jpg|120px]]
 |label2 = Founded
-|data2 = c. 550 TA
+|data2 = 555 TA
 |label3 = Size
 |data3 = [[The Realm|Major Kingdom]]
 |label4 = Ruler
-|data4 = Valdemar
+|data4 = Geoffrey Treadway of Huntingdon
 }}
 Sandal is the southernmost kingdom in the Reaches. Although largely unexplored during the First and Second Ages, a number of small ports date back to those periods. The capital city of Durcheinander lies on the southern coast of the peninsula near a large natural harbor. It is a major port of call for most of the Realm's major shipping operations.
-The current government in Sandal was established in the mid-sixth century TA during the War of Stone Rain (see War of Stone Rain) which pitted the Large Folk living in the country's interior against the coastal dwelling humans. From this conflict, a truce was negotiated by Valdemar, a wizard of black renown. Valdemar became ruler of Sandal and has sat on throne ever since.
+Since Valdemar was deposed in 891 TA, Sandal has generally endured a tumultuous period of unrest and discord.  Several attempts by the [[Western Reaches]] to subjugate the people of Sandal have failed - leading to a string of short-lived rulers.  During the period 891 - 899 TA, Sandal enjoyed relative peace and prosperity under the leadership of several Western Reaches governors.  However, tensions about rule by the "outlanders" required constant attention and sometimes heavy-handed rulership.
-During the reign of Valdemar, Sandal has prospered as a nation. The country began an aggressive build up of naval forces, forging a strong alliance with the ratmen of the Tang Empire. Their strategic location halfway between the Western Empire and the Wilderlands has made Sandal a port of call for most of the Realm's major shipping operations. Under the negotiated peace with the Large Folk, the humans of Sandal have cleared thousands of acres of wood from the Forbidden Forest and the Tangles and established thriving farming and ranching communities. The northern hills and interior swamplands are now the exclusive realm of the Large Folk with a strong clan organization in service to Valdemar.
+During the [[First War of the Reaches]], Valdemar's armies had a number of victories, but, in the end, the toll on the population was too high.  A revolt in Durcheindaner and a number of the coastal towns and villages deposed Valdemar in 890 TA.  Valdemar returned briefly during the [[Second War of the Reaches]], and sightings of the deposed Baron are still common today.
-Sandal is not without its dark side. While keeping the outward appearances of a shipping and trading hub, the ruling class in Sandal is rumored to be heavily immersed in the worship of the Dark Powers, a pantheon of chaotic demons bent towards sinister domination of "lesser" men. While the daily operation of the ports of Sandal have been left to governors, the true power lies in Valdemar's castle. Extensive guilds of thieves and assassins operate in all the cities and towns of Sandal, oftentimes tied to the local governors and leaders. Deep in the swamps surrounding Castle Valdemar, the Army of Sandal trains constantly. The army is a small, brutish force of men, Large Folk, and fantastic beasts all tied to the service of Valdemar. Several attempts have been made during the last two centuries by Valdemar to invade the Western Reaches to the north. All of these failed.
+== Places of Interest (Eastern Sandal) ==
-== Nearby Areas of Interest ==
+[[File:map-sandal_eastern.jpg|center|600px|Eastern Sandal]]
 '''Giantshome'''
-This small island off the northern coast of Sandal was once home to an evil race of giants, known as the Darksouls. The giants were thought to be descendants of a race of Sea Giants that were marooned on the the island centuries ago. Rumor holds that in 820 TA, the Darksouls discovered two strange artifacts, Earthsheart and Tophet's Demise. The former was a gem that could create powerful magic, and the latter was an onyx coffin holding the remains of a long-banished Moon Demon. In 828 TA, a small coven of female mages left their home in the Forbidden Forest to travel to Giantshome forming an alliance with the giants in the hopes of opening the coffin and triggering the ceremony of the Battle of the Wills. In opposition, King Gregory the Evenhanded sent an expedition led by Sir Zachary, Knight of Teufeldorf, to capture the gem and coffin. The forces of good were victorious, although Sir Zachary was killed. The items were returned to Teufeldorf but are now lost.
+This small island off the northern coast of Sandal was once home to an evil race of giants, known as the Darksouls. The giants were thought to be descendants of a race of Sea Giants that were marooned on the the island centuries ago. Rumor holds that in 820 TA, the Darksouls discovered two strange artifacts, Earthsheart and Tophet's Demise. The former was a gem that could create powerful magic, and the latter was an onyx coffin holding the remains of a long-banished Moon Demon. In 828 TA, a small coven of female mages left their home in the Forbidden Forest to travel to Giantshome forming an alliance with the giants in the hopes of opening the coffin and triggering the ceremony of the Battle of the Wills. In opposition, [[King Gregory the Even-Handed]] sent an [[Descent Into Giantshome|expedition]] led by Sir Zachary, Knight of Teufeldorf, to capture the gem and coffin. The forces of good were victorious, although Sir Zachary was killed. The items were returned to Teufeldorf but are now lost.
 Today, the island is populated by dim-witted hill giants ruled over by larger and more fearsome stone giants. It is rumored that Valdemar often trades for hill giants to populate his army, although what he gives the ruling stone giant population in return is a mystery. Giants are also common in the Dead Hills in northeastern Sandal.
 '''Ogre Fens'''
@@ Line 33: / Line 68: @@
 '''Spindrift Isles'''
-The islands west of Sandal are the Spindrifts, extending some 100 leagues west of the Forbidden Forest coast. Exact information is not available, as the Tang sailors have never report upon them. Here are tales the elves dwell in the Spindrifts, and the reason that the Tang never reports about them is because the elves capture and imprison any sailor so bold as to enter their domain. The isle furthest to the west was once ruled by a mighty wizard, one Eldrick, according to the stories.
+The islands west of Sandal are the Spindrifts, extending some 150 miles west of the Forbidden Forest coast. Little is known of these islands and the Tang merchants and other sailors rarely report on the activities there.
-'''Windswept Isles'''
+It is generally believed that the [[Dark Elves|dark elves]] have established a settlement on the eastern islands - capturing and imprisoning any sailor bold enough to enter their domain.  There are no reported towns or villages in the eastern islands and seclusion is all these elves seem to require.
-This scattered principality stretches over seven major islands off the southern coast of Sandal. This islands are rich and fertile, and enjoy the benefits of their strategic location. They profit hugely from cargoes of goods that use the Straights in commerce. The rulers gave up piracy in favor of more lucrative methods of extracting money from merchants. There is particular enmity between the Isles and the pirates, for obvious reasons.
+The island furthest to the west was once ruled by a mighty wizard, one Eldrick, according to the stories.  According to legend, he brought a small fellowship of like-minded wizards with him to the island.  It is known that some trade between the Tang merchants and Eldrick Island still takes place.  Local pirates are paid to allow Tang ships to pass through this area unhindered.  This immunity has been ignored on occasion by an enterprising pirate who is then later exterminated, whether by an agent of Eldrick or someone else is unknown.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 Sandal is the southernmost kingdom in the Reaches. Although largely unexplored during the First and Second Ages, a number of small ports date back to those periods. The capital city of Durcheinander lies on the southern coast of the peninsula near a large natural harbor. It is a major port of call for most of the Realm's major shipping operations.
@@ Line 7: / Line 17: @@
 Sandal is not without its dark side. While keeping the outward appearances of a shipping and trading hub, the ruling class in Sandal is rumored to be heavily immersed in the worship of the Dark Powers, a pantheon of chaotic demons bent towards sinister domination of "lesser" men. While the daily operation of the ports of Sandal have been left to governors, the true power lies in Valdemar's castle. Extensive guilds of thieves and assassins operate in all the cities and towns of Sandal, oftentimes tied to the local governors and leaders. Deep in the swamps surrounding Castle Valdemar, the Army of Sandal trains constantly. The army is a small, brutish force of men, Large Folk, and fantastic beasts all tied to the service of Valdemar. Several attempts have been made during the last two centuries by Valdemar to invade the Western Reaches to the north. All of these failed.
-== Minor Kingdoms ==
+== Nearby Areas of Interest ==
 [[File:s_kingdoms.jpg|right]]
 For three hundred years, the kingdom of Sandal has been united under the banner of Valdemar, a black wizard of renown. As such, there are no formal minor kingdoms within its borders. However, several small pockets of independent creatures do exist within its confines, although these are closely watched by the ruling class.
-[[Giantshome|Giantshome]] <br>
+'''Giantshome'''
-[[Ogre Fens|Ogre Fens]] <br>
-[[Spindrift Isles|Spindrift Isles]] <br>
+This small island off the northern coast of Sandal was once home to an evil race of giants, known as the Darksouls. The giants were thought to be descendants of a race of Sea Giants that were marooned on the the island centuries ago. Rumor holds that in 820 TA, the Darksouls discovered two strange artifacts, Earthsheart and Tophet's Demise. The former was a gem that could create powerful magic, and the latter was an onyx coffin holding the remains of a long-banished Moon Demon. In 828 TA, a small coven of female mages left their home in the Forbidden Forest to travel to Giantshome forming an alliance with the giants in the hopes of opening the coffin and triggering the ceremony of the Battle of the Wills. In opposition, King Gregory the Evenhanded sent an expedition led by Sir Zachary, Knight of Teufeldorf, to capture the gem and coffin. The forces of good were victorious, although Sir Zachary was killed. The items were returned to Teufeldorf but are now lost.
-[[Tangle Trolls|Tangle Trolls]] <br>
-[[Windswept Isles|Windswept Isles]] <br>
+Today, the island is populated by dim-witted hill giants ruled over by larger and more fearsome stone giants. It is rumored that Valdemar often trades for hill giants to populate his army, although what he gives the ruling stone giant population in return is a mystery. Giants are also common in the Dead Hills in northeastern Sandal.