The Kingdom of Albion
Type: Nation
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Ruling Monarch: Jonathan Trueheart
Capital City: Brummidgum
Population: Predominantly Human of the Corvid clan, small enclaves of Skand and Celt clans.
Major River: River Storn
Language: Albinish - regional dialect of Ravenspeak.
Alliances: Elves of the Great Metropolises, Dwarves of the holds, Protectorate pact with the Mumbles, Royal ties to the Duchy of Fromaggio.
Threats: The Orc Warbands, Dark Cults, Rogue Mages
Religion: Primarily The church of the Holy Light - dedicated to the Lords & Ladies of Light. Worship of The Goddesses of the Green and The Grey Covenant are tolerated.
Overview
The Kingdom of Albion is one of the central human powers in the west, a once-fractured land now unified under a strong feudal monarchy. Rising from a history of scattered barbarian tribes, Albion has embraced chivalry, honour, and noble rule, tempered by the enduring presence of ancient magic and divine influence. Though still young by elven or dwarven standards, Albion has rapidly established itself as a vital part of the grand alliance against the dark forces that plague the world.
Geography
Albion is a land of rolling green fields, deep forests, and fortified cities. Its central plains are ideal for agriculture and cavalry manoeuvres, while its northern highlands border orc-controlled territory and are often heavily militarized. The southern coastlines support thriving merchant cities and naval ports.
Society & Culture
Albion’s culture is defined by its feudal system: kings and nobles rule over land-owning vassals, who in turn protect and oversee peasantry. Chivalric codes dominate noble life, and knights are both warriors and symbols of moral virtue—though corruption among the nobility is not uncommon.
Albion’s people are diverse in belief and background. While the majority follow the Lords and Ladies of Light, many pragmatic citizens and scholars also revere the Grey Covenant, particularly in urban or frontier regions. Worship of the Shadowed Court is strictly forbidden and punished harshly.
Albion boasts a growing class of artisans, merchants, and academics. Arcane magic is rare—only one in ten humans can wield it, and fewer still pursue it with skill. As such, mages are both respected and feared, often trained in specialized academies or closely monitored by the crown.
Religion
Albion’s religious life is as divided as its political one:
- The Lords and Ladies of Light are revered by knights, clerics, and common folk alike. Their temples are grand, and their paladins enforce justice across the kingdom.
- The Church of the Holy Light is headquartered in Brummidgum, where the High Priestess Gloria Evenheart runs the church. The religion promotes mercy, justice, and spiritual purity, and its temples are found throughout Albion. Their clergy includes:
- Priests who guide the people and perform ceremonies.
- Clerics who travel to distant lands spreading faith.
- Paladins who take holy vows and serve as defenders of the weak.
- The Grey Covenant is followed by philosophers, hedge mages, and those who walk between extremes.
- The Shadowed Court is outlawed, but its cults persist in shadows, spreading disease, chaos, and ambition in the name of power.
- The Goddesses of the Green are worshipped in the more rural areas.
Military
Albion’s military is built on feudal levies, professional knights, and holy orders. Its core strength lies in its heavy cavalry, longbowmen, and divine-magic-wielding paladins. While Albion lacks the magical depth of the elves or the technological precision of the dwarves, its ability to adapt, organize, and rally is unmatched.
Albion has two knightly orders within the kingdom:
- The Order of Albion – A purely martial knightly order, known for heavy plate armour with white cloaks bearing a red lion rampant. They are elite swordsmen and cavalry.
- The Brotherhood of the Golden Dawn – Paladins who wield both blade and divine magic. They wear gilded armour with sunburst sigils and carry blessed weapons. Their healing miracles are renowned across human lands.
The yearly Tourney of Steel and Light is a legendary contest between the two orders, testing skill, faith, and honour.
Magic
Only a fraction of humans are born with magical potential, and fewer still receive formal training. Those who do are often educated in state-sanctioned academies or apprenticed to a licensed sorcerer. Albion permits use of the nine magical aspects but heavily restricts Death Magic, viewing it as a dark art tied to Mortis and the Shadowed Court.
Magic is permitted, but closely monitored.
- Albion has a Royal College of Wizardry, which specialises on Air, and Astral aspects. It is located in Brummidgum city centre.
- Sorcerers and witches are tolerated if registered but viewed with suspicion by more devout citizens.
- Affiliated with the church is the Order of the Luminous Veil. An order of religious mages who specialise in using spells from the school of light magic.
Relations with Other Races
- Elves: Albion views the elves as wise but slow. Elven ambassadors are treasured for their insight, and elf-human alliances are centuries long. However, impatience and cultural rifts do exist.
- Dwarves: Once estranged due to the “halfling controversy,” Albion now enjoys strong trade and military ties with the dwarves.
- Brownies: Respected as artisans and traders, though often considered peculiar by human standards.
- Orcs: Feared as a monstrous, inhuman threat. Albion is often the first line of defence against Orcish invasions.
- Half-Orcs: Distrusted by many, though their use in the army as shock troops or mercenaries is not uncommon.
- Half-Elves: Rare, but often gifted and charismatic. Seen as bridge-builders between worlds, but never fully trusted by either.
Myths and Lore
Legends speak of Albion’s founding by a human warrior blessed by the gods of balance, who united the fractured tribes through contests of strength, wit, and faith. Ancient ruins beneath the capital are said to be relics of the First Time, predating even the gods' direct involvement in the world.
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