Crymere

Crymere is a continent unmoored from the wider world. It has been six centuries since the civilized races emerged from the Deeper Dark and embraced the light of Shyalynn, Goddess of Goodness and Love.   Beoldric has been the center of humankind since the re-emergence. A feudal land, it has been stable for centuries under the High Shield of House Eshitu. But, years of public marriages and secret alliances between major and minor Shield Houses have strained the system.   Thus, when High Shield D'Balli dies without a direct heir the other major Shield houses all vie either for the right to name one of their own the new High Shield or the right to name the successor as a kingmaker.   For 17 years, the land has been torn with war between the houses. Shield House Itzel, the major house in the southeast of Beoldric, had declared itself loyal to finding the closest heir within House Eshitu and had fought against the largest houses valiantly. However, at the Battle of the Penlos Mountains, they suffered a catastrophic defeat which resulted in a complete retreat. Rather than surrender, Shield Oliviera declares himself Grand Duke of the Independent Duchy of Itzel.   Our story is the tale of four surviving Itzelian soldiers of the Battle of the Penlos Mountains and one Eshitu loyalist who wishes to return Itzel to the kingdom. Itzel is torn between loyalists and patriots, both of whom must contend with the shady underworld guilds, scheming lords and ladies, bumbling academics wearing marigolds, and an ancient order of werewolves waiting for the moon to finally fully rise upon their reign.