Erbain. Central Province of the Empire
Erbain is a province of the Kaelic Empire. It occupies most of what was once the core of the Empire, and the old capitol of Kenningdown can be found there, as well as The Riddle-Master's College. Erbain is bounded on the north by the province of Nevrast, to the west by Campolea, to the south by Peredur, and to the East by the desert wastes of Halniir.
Erbain is ruled by the Vizier styling himself as Kallos Fairmantle. He is an ambitious man, who would name himself a Scion of Kael and crown himself Emperor if he could get away with it. Occupying the central lands of the Empire he has access to great wealth, but must constantly balance it against his rivals in every direction. His provincial government reflects the imperial government of old: each major city of Ergain is ruled by a noble family that has pledged to support the Vizier miltarily and financially, but is otherwise more or less free to rule their home cities as they see fit. As is so often the case, some city rulers do a better job of this than others. These nobles meet regularly at Kenningdown as a Provincial Council, to discuss matters of the day. Much intrigue can happen during these meetings, and Vizier Fairmantle and his nobles debate and vy with each other, singly and in groups, for influence.
Erbain historically was heavily settled, with most lands there either city, village, or farm field. To this day the woods here are tamer, parklike settings compared to most found in the other provinces. The land is well-watered, with not only large rivers running from the mountains and inland seas in the north down to the lowlands in the south of the province, but also there are many canals that interlink the rivers making travelling here the easiest and most civilized of all the provinces of the Empire. Indeed, some of the major cities of Erbain have no major highways leading to them at all, as they are served exclusively by the main canal network!
The larger cities to the north and east in this province were wrecked during the Dwarf Wars, but many have been rebuilt in the years since. Though some of these are rebuilt, none of them can match the fading grandeur of Kenningdown, where besides Erbain's Imperial there also the Council of Five still meet twice annually to "conduct the business of the Empire" and continue the farce that the Empire is still one united realm.
Due to its central location and the wealth of its natural resources, a number of different races have settled in the region over the centuries. In the south-west, on the shores of Elfensea the cities of Biriel and Areaolea were first raised by the Elves when they settled into the forests there. The large town of Hollin also to this day shows the influence of the Elves who settled the region. The Elves have prospered in Erbain during the rule of the Empire, and have spread out from Elfensea out across the rest of the region, where they have mingled mostly with Humans.
This mingling goes both ways: for also on Elfensea lies the city of Campdown, originally built by the elves who had named it "Evenglade." As more and more men came to settle in that city, the name gradually changed to Campdown. There is a mighty arena in this city, which is home to a famous racetrack where all gamble on chariot races, footraces and other such sport competitions.
North of the Elfensea, towards the middle of the Erbain lies an area known colloquiaeastlly as "The bergs." This is a series of large cities linked by canals: Bagenberg, Muenberg, Havenberg, Numenberg, Solthberg, and Abledown. (There's always one...) These cities are primary Human in architecture, though a large number of Elves and Halflings dwell amongst them. In recent years, the number of Gnomes and Orcs dwelling here has also increased as folk from the East have travelled West Imperialseeking their fortune.
West of the Bergs, on the highway towards Campolea one finds the Halfing towns of Leawine, Branduin, Olduin, and Smails. Once called "the breadbasket of Erbain" this region is still majorly invested in farming, and some of the best produce and livestock in the Empire still comes from this area. These towns have each their own Mayor, and the Mayors together nominate a single Counsellor they send to the Vizier's government at Kenningdown to represent them. Aside from that representative, the Halflings do their best to avoid getting entangled with "Imperial Affairs" but prefer to rule themselves as best they can without outside interference. Along the eastern edge of Erbain, as one approaches the mountains that divide it from the province of Halniir, we find the 3 Orc strongholds of Maragor, Volengor, and Dardgor. These strongholds are open to travellers who would bring business to their homes, but be aware the Orcs do not take kindly to those who come for idle tourism. And their rangers zealously guard their hunting rights in the forests around those cities. Each of these strongholds sends their own Counsellor to Kenningdown. They are not as strong a voting block as one might expect, for they are forever jockeying with each other for prominence. In the north-west in Erbain we find the mighty inland sea known as Stormwright. If you sail these waters you should always employ a native guide. Not only are the storms that occur in the region large and frightful, but also they can come with very little warning. Here too, the waters are large enough to shelter some few pirate bands that will attack you if they can, and if they believe they can get away with it. A native guide will know best how to read the signs of the air, and of the water. It is because of this sea, and the various canals and rivers of the region, that Erban is the only known inland realm that boasts a full, well-equipped Navy. The Provincial Navy of Erbain is responsible for safeguarding the waters of the province, and for the maintenance and upkeep of the canal system. Just south-east of the Bergs, on the south shores of Kenningdown Lake, lies the Imperial Capitol of The Kaelic Empire, Kenningdown. The city was founded by Kael the Great at the peak of the newly-crowned emperor's glory, when all of Erbain had fallen under his rule. This mighty city was built not far from the College of the Riddlemasters, where it is said Kael was once a student. The college to this day maintains itself separate from the Imperial Capitol, and is a few hours' sail by river, or a full day's hard ride over the fields, from the Kenningdown outer walls.
West of the Bergs, on the highway towards Campolea one finds the Halfing towns of Leawine, Branduin, Olduin, and Smails. Once called "the breadbasket of Erbain" this region is still majorly invested in farming, and some of the best produce and livestock in the Empire still comes from this area. These towns have each their own Mayor, and the Mayors together nominate a single Counsellor they send to the Vizier's government at Kenningdown to represent them. Aside from that representative, the Halflings do their best to avoid getting entangled with "Imperial Affairs" but prefer to rule themselves as best they can without outside interference. Along the eastern edge of Erbain, as one approaches the mountains that divide it from the province of Halniir, we find the 3 Orc strongholds of Maragor, Volengor, and Dardgor. These strongholds are open to travellers who would bring business to their homes, but be aware the Orcs do not take kindly to those who come for idle tourism. And their rangers zealously guard their hunting rights in the forests around those cities. Each of these strongholds sends their own Counsellor to Kenningdown. They are not as strong a voting block as one might expect, for they are forever jockeying with each other for prominence. In the north-west in Erbain we find the mighty inland sea known as Stormwright. If you sail these waters you should always employ a native guide. Not only are the storms that occur in the region large and frightful, but also they can come with very little warning. Here too, the waters are large enough to shelter some few pirate bands that will attack you if they can, and if they believe they can get away with it. A native guide will know best how to read the signs of the air, and of the water. It is because of this sea, and the various canals and rivers of the region, that Erban is the only known inland realm that boasts a full, well-equipped Navy. The Provincial Navy of Erbain is responsible for safeguarding the waters of the province, and for the maintenance and upkeep of the canal system. Just south-east of the Bergs, on the south shores of Kenningdown Lake, lies the Imperial Capitol of The Kaelic Empire, Kenningdown. The city was founded by Kael the Great at the peak of the newly-crowned emperor's glory, when all of Erbain had fallen under his rule. This mighty city was built not far from the College of the Riddlemasters, where it is said Kael was once a student. The college to this day maintains itself separate from the Imperial Capitol, and is a few hours' sail by river, or a full day's hard ride over the fields, from the Kenningdown outer walls.
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