Hespial

"Hespial is a land with one King who was born in a thousand places."
- Brother Hilbert of Zenwalden

Hespial is a region in the southeast of the continent, consisting of a number of disunited kingdoms, fiefs and city states on the borderlands of the old Empire. Compared to nations such as Siracoríl and the Westgauen, Hespial is sparsely populated, owing to its varied and wild terrain consisting of hills, mountains and forests.
The Filian Church has historically been dominant in Hespial. Its already broad character has been further stretched within the region, where the many remote locations make it easy to establish a new spirituality within the Church, something that its prelates have usually tolerated. Nevertheless, Hespial has also been embroiled in a number of inquisitions and crusades against various heresies launched from the Citadel in an effort to bring the region under closer control. With the advent of the Chantry, despite its limited influence, people in Hespial fear another inquisition disturbing their fragile peace.
Politically, Hespial is characterised by shifting alliances, but there are two fairly stable alliances which act as powers in the region: the Valley Kingdoms in the north and the Delta Kingdoms in the south. To add to the constantly shifting currents of influence and power, major powers such as Arlesia, Siracoril and the League of Lake Lamorael all seek to win influence in the region. In the north, Utlending raiders cause problems, and the frontier regions have their own issues.

Interesting things about Hespial

• The region enjoys a certain degree of cultural unity, especially surrounding the legendary exploits of the folk hero and king, Hespius, for whom the region is named. Every town in the region purportedly has a place where Hespius stayed on his many travels and quests, and most of the independent realms in Hespial claim that their foundation was influenced by the hero.
• Hespial is an old region, with many mystical and ruined sites bearing testament to its history. In local folklore, many of these sites have been recast as sites in tales of the hero Hespius.
• The oldest pilgrimage route on the continent, the Way of Saints Avandra and Melora, runs from Monsammelore in the South of Hespial to the Holy Mountain. Along the way, the Great Abbey of St. Thilo, commemorating a local trickster saint, is a favourite stopping point.
• The great powers are continuously jostling for influence in Hespial, making alliances with the local powers in an attempt to shift power and trade in their favour.

Hespialic Characters

Unity in Diversity. It is hard to define Hespialic culture. While many Hespialics are fiercely proud of their heritage and culture, each region defines it in its own way, claiming ownership of national heroes in the process. Hespial is home to many kinds of places, from the great abbeys of Monsammelore and St. Thilo to Cappebraccia, the City of a Thousand Banners, and from the frosty dwarfhold of Kalnazhad to the great fortresses of Visiburgo and Vicastel. Each has its own virtues. Feel free to discuss the region you’re from with the DM.
Fiery Temperaments. Hespialics have a reputation for being temperamental and passionate. Whatever their lot in life, they throw themselves into it with fire in their belly, passion in their hearts and wild gestures with their hands. When playing a Hespialic, try to incorporate something of this stereotype into your character.
A Land of Conflicts. Hespial is entirely disunited, with many conflicts raising among its fractious states. It was deeply shaped by the conflicts of the past. Wars and conflicts may have led to grudges in your character’s life. Also consider the violent religious conflict which shook Hespial only a few decades back when Chanters stormed the Churches to smash artwork and statues of saints. The civil authorities cracked down hard with the support of the Church, preventing another Crusade or Inquisition. Are you fearful for strife with so many powers meddling in your homeland? Or are you hoping that conflict might bring something new?

Type

Region

Location under

Ereacia

Included Locations

• Great Austral Delta