1 Introduction 2 Life and Society 3 The Land o 3.1 The Erebannien o ' /istory . +o*itica* !

tica* ! I&portant 0i$ures 1 +*ots and 2u&ours 3 Do&ain /o*din$ Tab*e 3.1.1 Banien's Deep (1 !" 3.1.2 Shado#$reen (1 !" 3.1.3 %est&arch (1 !" 3.1.' (orth)a*e (1 !" 3.2.1 ,a*rie (! -" 3.2.2 Dhoene* (. -" 3.2.3 /a*ried (. -"

3.2 The +*ains

Introduction

4our 5race6 I ha)e prepared an e7tensi)e report on the status of the 8in$do&6 to be bro#sed at /is 5race9s *eisure. Aerenwe is *isted as a Duchy but is ru*ed by a :ueen6 #ho ru&ors states has b*ood;ties to 2oe*e. She usurped the pre)ious <=in$> (#hich is *isted as *o#er case" #hich cou*d actua**y &ean that he he*d the tit*e of 8in$ or that they are usin$ the ter& =in$ as *eader. I #ou*d thin= that the /ouse tied to ?eren#e is &ost *i=e*y no *on$er in e7istence and that the :ueen dec*ared herse*f a :ueen based on the popu*ation seein$ a tie of her direct*y to the 2oe*e b*ood;*ine (i.e. she didn@t choose the tit*e but did not refuse it #hen it #as $i)en to her." Ruler: Aberon ?eren ,ount of ,a*rie and 2u*er of ?eren#e B?C 0!C ?n6 &aDor6 31C L( hi$htened abi*ity6 cha &inor6 /ea*in$ BaDor6 ,oura$e Enhanced to &aDor6 hea*in$ to &aDor 5reat6 Str De7 Sta Int %is ,ha 11 13 1. 1' 13 1-

Thou$h he is p*ain;faced and a)era$e bui*t6 he unner)es &ost #ho encounter hi&. /e has a Euiet yet co&pe**in$ )oice6 sinister and e&otion*ess. /is eyes are pa*e b*ue in co*our6 co&binin$ #ith his dispassionate e7pressions to $i)e hi& an icy6 inhu&an $aFe. /e co&&on*y #ears b*ac= rin$ &ai* and a c*oa=. Alignment: (eutra* 5oodC &ay see chan$ed due to ne# ru*er Capital: ,a*rie Area: 3.--- sEuare &i*es Government: 0euda* Bonarchy LiegeG (one Vassals: Marquis Lasarus (High Warden of the Erebannien), Count Dhon (County of Dhoenel), Countess Maesene Steire (County of Halried) Religions: (esirie (state re*i$ion" Imports: ?r&our6 stee*6 #eapons Exports: ?$ricu*ture6 *eather6 ti&ber6 horses

Aeren (!th /ouse" ; The *ine thou$ht to ha)e disappeared in 12.' /,6 ho#e)er :ueen Li*iene of ?eren#e c*ai&ed to be both the *ast descendent of the roya* house of the ?eren and a distant descendent of 2oe*e. It has been deter&ined by bard scho*ars at the 5reenhi** ,onser)atory in ?eren#e that Aberon is indeed of the /ouse of ?eren but they ha)e found no e)idence that Li*iene shou*d be. Life and Society ?eren#eans =eep to their o#n business H but they =no# their nei$hbors6 and they #i** defend their co&panions to their dyin$ breaths. Thou$h se*f;sufficient6 they are fierce*y *oya*. ?eren#eans inhabit on*y three of the se)en pro)inces #ith a si$nificant nu&ber of peop*e6 and they do not #ant to endure the costs of #ar in b*ood and treasure as so&e other ?nuirean =in$do&s ha)e done. (o ar&y has e)er &arched throu$h the Erebannien6 and none fro& ?nuire e)er #i**. ?ny ru*er #ho #ou*d despoi* the shady trai*s of the forest #ou*d see his a**ies turnin$ into ene&ies and his ene&ies ra)in$ for his b*ood. ?n unspo=en truce a&on$ the ?nuireans ensures the protection of the Erebannien fro& #ar. Infortunate*y6 other parts of ?eren#e ha)e fe*t the bite of conf*ict. ?eren#eans *i)e Euiet *i)es6 tendin$ to their crops and *i)estoc= &ost*y unhindered by the &achinations of ,eri*ia@s other re$ents. Life in the =in$do& re&ains &uch as it #as fi)e hundred years a$o. In ?eren#e@s three sett*ed pro)inces6 ancient stone fences and ro#s of hed$es he& in count*ess orchards6 far&s6 and pastures that are the ?eren#eans *i)e*ihood. In the south6 the ancient Erebannien forest stretches across the =in$do&. Bost ?eren#eans a)oid the #ood out of a#e at the forests beauty6 superstition o)er the forest@s a$e6 and an7iety o)er the po#erfu* /i$h Ba$e ?e*ies6 the forest@s ha*f;e*)en protector and $uardian. To this day6 the Erebannien re&ains one of the fe# p*aces in ?nuire untouched by hand of hu&anity. ? fierce*y *oya* peop*e6 ?eren#eans enthusiastica**y support the rea*&@s &i*itia. E)ery yeo&an &a*e bet#een the a$e of 1. and .- is reEuired to spend so&e ti&e in the &i*itia6 #ith additiona* sessions of trainin$ e)ery year. Thou$h the tradition of a stron$ &i*itia has been in ?eren#ean society for centuries6 there #as a ti&e #hen it #as near*y abandoned. The *ast :ueen6 Li*iene S#ord#raith6 reinstated the practice and too= steps to ensure that it #as ne)er a$ain for$otten. (ear*y e)ery inhabitant of ?eren#e fo**o#s the Eastern Te&p*e of (esirie. Stron$*y supported by the dead Eueen6 the priests ad)ocate a )ie# that )enerates (esirie *ess in her ro*e as $oddess of the sea and &ore as a $oddess of se*f;re*iance. ?eren#eans do not see= to do&inate and prefer to re&ain out of the conf*icts of others. They desire on*y to $o their o#n #ay6 dependin$ on no one6 responsib*e for no one but the&se*)es. So profound is this doctrine that the #orship of (esirie is the on*y re*i$ion practiced in ?eren#e6 thou$h the peop*e of the rea*& are not into*erant of those of other faiths. Since Aberon arri)ed &any be*ie)e that so&e of these so ca**ed truths #i** chan$e in the co&in$ years. Aberon c*ear*y #ishes to ta=e part in the ?nurean po*itics and ha)in$ $ro#n up in Die&ed he is &ore a /ae*ynite than (esirian. It is a possib*e conf*ict but so far Aberon has done nothin$ to an$er the Te&p*es and he attends ser)ice at *east once per #ee=. By far6 the &ost po#erfu* $ui*d in ?eren#e is the Spider 2i)er Traders. The $ui*d@s &aster is Sie*e 5horied. Thou$h 5horied participates in $ui*d #ars that are #a$ed in 2oesone6 the bu*= of his interests *ie in ?eren#e and he re&ained a c*ose friend of the Eueen and Aberon has said that there is no reason to thin= his and Sie*es re*ationship #i** be any different. The $ui*d buys up near*y a** food6 ti&ber6 and *eather that the =in$do& e7ports and se**s it abroad6 &ain*y to 2oesone. ?nother $ui*d operates in ?eren#e6 thou$h it is of &ea$er i&portance. Bourde ?*ondir has recent*y started a &inor *o$$in$ operation deep in the heart of the Erebannien. %hat =ind of reaction that #i** cause is yet to be seen.

The ?$*ondier fa&i*y6 ru*ers of I*ien6 ha)e &aintained sources in the Erebannien for near*y a thousand years. In fact6 the &ebhai$h* of the ancient forest pro)ides the ,ounts of I*ien #ith the $reater bu*= of their po#er. In recent centuries ho#e)er6 the po#erfu* ha*f;e*)en /i$h Ba$e ?e*ies has risen to pro&inence as ?nuire@s &ost po#erfu* #iFard. ?e*ies has since &ana$ed to ta=e contro* of &ost of the Erebannien@s po#erfu* sources. /i$h Ba$e ?e*ies re$ards the protection of the Erebannien as his o#n persona* &ission. The scattered peop*e #ho *i)e in the #ood*and re$ion =no# to respect it6 for it is ru&ored that ?e*ies can see e)erythin$ that $oes on in the #oods. ?e*ies is a fi$ure of neutra*ity in a rea*& reno#ned for its a*oofness. Thou$h he #as occasiona**y seen in the Eueen@s court6 he did not recei)e any =ind of officia* sanction fro& S#ord#raith. Instead6 the Eueen and the /i$h Ba$e &aintained an unspo=en a$ree&entG the Erebannien sha** be sacrosanct so *on$ as the /i$h Ba$e re&ains out of ?eren#ean po*itics. (o one rea**y =no#s Aberons position re$ardin$ the o*d #iFard or re$ardin$ a** #iFards rea**y but one thin$ is c*ear6 the Erebannien is sti** protected. !e Land 2an$in$ fro& open pastures and )erdant &arsh*and to $reen hi**s and ancient forest6 ?eren#e is a fair *and. /o#e)er6 it has not been for$otten by the ar&ies of re$ents #ho desire a piece of the rea*& for their o#n. Scattered patches of scarred *ands destroyed by the ra)a$es of #ar are not unheard of. %e** o)er ha*f the rea*& is do&inated by the Erebannien6 the &ost beautifu* forest in ?nuire. /ere6 ancient oa=s to#er hi$h abo)e the dar= forest f*oor6 e*)en ruins a#ait disco)ery6 and the inscrutab*e /i$h Ba$e ?e*ies #atches o)er a**6 protectin$ the sanctity of the #oods. Thou$h the Erebannien is $enera**y considered sacrosanct6 there are s&a** nu&bers of hu&ans *i)in$ under its ea)es. Bost of these peop*e c*uster into to#ns a*on$ the coast*ine6 thou$h there are a fe# scattered sett*e&ents and ho&esteads #ithin the forest itse*f. These peop*e tend to &a=e their *i)in$ peacefu**y6 respectin$ the forest6 rather than rapacious*y har)estin$ it as has happened in other rea*&s. The Spider 2i)er Traders o#n and operate a fe# of these )i**a$es6 practicin$ a carefu* )ersion of forestry6 co**ectin$ on*y #hat rare herbs and other forest products they need.

The nob*es used to contro* &ost of the *and in ?eren#e6 e)en &ore so after the c*ai& of the :ueen6 as she #as forced to $i)e a#ay )ast tracts to secure her return. This is ob)ious*y chan$in$ as Aberon is rec*ai&in$ o*d 2oya*6 ?eren and S#ord#raith *and a** across ?eren#e. The three centra* pro)inces6 a handfu* of brons and )iscounts contro* )ast nu&bers of &anors and throu$h the& the *oya*ty of &any *esser nob*es.

In the depths of the Erebannien6 there are no traditiona* o#ned *and6 but the current /i$h %arden has ta=en to a#ardin$ his fo**o#ers #ith their o#n areas to contro*. The %arden@s &ay happen not to ca** the& Jo#ned *andK6 but that is effecti)e*y #hat they are. (u&erous fortifications used to dot the ?eren#an p*ain. %hen Isty* tried to =eep a fir& $rip of the *and &any of the nob*e fa&i*ies resisted. ?s a conseEuence of this he had their cast*es besie$ed6 and after they surrendered6 he had &any fortifications reduced to rubb*e. %hi*e this certain*y reduced the nob*es@ abi*ity to resist his decrees or rebe*6 it a*so *eft the rea*& #ith fe# defensi)e capabi*ities. Geograp!y ?eren#e *ies she*tered fro& the #inter stor&s by the hi**s of the Erebannien6 and is *ocated in a sunny and ferti*e part of ,eri*ia. %inters are chi**y and #et6 but not co*d6 and sno# or frost is e7ceedin$*y rare6 on*y appearin$ in the depths of the Lon$ %inter. "A#IE#$S %EE& '()*+ The pro)ince of Banien@s Deep *ies in the )ery heart of the Erebannien. /ere6 sett*ers co**ect a*on$ the forest@s border #ith the pro)ince of ,a*rie as #e** as a*on$ the southern coast*ine. Sie*e 5horied@s $ui*ds &a=e a tidy profit by &aintainin$ contact bet#een these )i**a$es6 as the Erebannien is an easy p*ace for the ine7perienced to beco&e *ost. The pri&ary industry here is forestry and fishin$. ,ri&e and #ar are )ery rare*y a prob*e& here. (e)erthe*ess6 Aberon trust the /i$h %arden to ensure that each )i**a$e pays its ta7es and is defended #ith a proper &i*itia6 *ar$e*y due to the pirate &enace in the Straits of ?ere*e and 5u*f of ,oeranys. 5reenhi**s ,onser)atoryG ?top a co**ection of s&a** hi**s deep in the Erebannien *ies the 5reenhi**s ,onser)atory6 one of the fe# re&ainin$ $reat bardic co**e$es in ?nuire. 2esp*endent $ardens6 beautifu* forest trai*s6 and superb architecture are on*y a fe# of the attractions for students. Bany of ,eri*ia@s &ost fa&ous bards are on the facu*ty here and the co**e$e@s co**ection of ancient *ore is second to none. The ,onser)atory is a )ery e7c*usi)e institution6 reEuirin$ potentia* app*icants to pass a )ariety of difficu*t aptitude tests6 obtain sponsorship fro& a facu*ty &e&ber6 and pay hi$h tuition fees. In spite of these obstac*es6 or perhaps because of the&6 ,onser)atory $raduates are a&on$ the &ost s=i**ed and sou$ht after bards in ?nuire. ? ru*in$ counci* of three directs the co**e$e@s acti)ities and ser)es as the schoo*@s *iaison to Aberon. S!adowgreen '()*+: ?nother Erebannien pro)ince6 Shado#$reen is sparse*y popu*ated. The fe# peop*e #ho *i)e here are so*itary ho&esteaders &a=in$ a *i)in$ off of forestry6 huntin$6 and trappin$. Shado#$reenG The pro)ince is na&ed for the )i**a$e of Shado#$reen6 bui*t in the heart of the Erebannien in the first century /,. Shado#$reen #as a &inin$ )i**a$e6 reno#ned for its production of rare $e&stones6 pri&ari*y rubies. /o#e)er6 it #as not *on$ before a stran$e sic=ness s#ept throu$h the sett*e&ent6 =i**in$ e)eryone there in a &atter of days. Since that ti&e6 &any #i*d *e$ends ha)e e&er$ed te**in$ of the )i**a$e9s fate. Infortunate*y6 no one can be sure #hat happened as the )i**a$e9s *ocation is for$otten and no &ap &ar=s its *ocation. ,estmarc! '()*+: The #estern;&ost pro)ince of ?eren#e is another hea)i*y forested *and. Li=e Shado#$reen6 %est&arch thri)es &ain*y on huntin$ and trappin$. Sie*e 5horied@s Spider 2i)er Traders buy &ost of the $oods fro& these industries and se** the& in &ar=ets throu$hout

'

?eren#e and 2oesone. The *ar$est habitation in the Erebannien is in %est&arch. This to#n6 5rae*&yr6 sits on the coast and thri)es on the fishin$ industry. #ort!vale '()*+: ? pro)ince of unsurpassed beauty6 (orth)a*e is the Erebannien@s *east ci)i*iFed pro)ince. The fe# peop*e #ho *i)e here hudd*e to$ether on the coast6 supportin$ the&se*)es on the fish in the 5u*f of ,oeranys. The coasta* re$ion consists &ain*y of tida* f*ats that are co&p*ete*y sub&er$ed durin$ hi$h tide. ?s a resu*t6 &ost of the )i**a$es here are bui*t on #hate)er hi**s and hi$h $round that can be found. The &ost fa&ous of these )i**a$es is Dor 2eynard6 #hich sits upon a $reat outcroppin$ of roc= that beco&es an is*and durin$ hi$h tide. Thou$h the peop*e of Dor 2eynard are a&on$ the &ost iso*ated in ?eren#e6 they &a=e a $ood *i)in$ se**in$ rare fish and other sea *ife at the &ar=et in ,a*rie. Dur#eins Sta$ /ere stands a bronFe &onu&ent ca**ed Dur#eins Sta$6 it #as bui*t after a $reat tourney so&e years after Bichae* 2oe*es death. It is said that the youn$ heir to the ?rchduchy of Boeruine and e)en the Iron Throne =i**ed a fu** $ro#n sta$ #ith nothin$ but a =nife at the a$e of three. CALRIE '*)-+ The do&inant terrain in ,a*rie is ro**in$ $rass*ands and s#a&p. 0ar&s6 orchards6 and *i)estoc= co)er &ost of the southern ha*f of the pro)ince6 pro)idin$ the capita* city6 ,a*rie6 #ith the bu*= of its food. The rest of the pro)ince is $i)en o)er to f*oodp*ains and &arsh. The Berendor 2i)er s*o#*y &eanders a*on$ the pro)ince@s border #ith Asoerde6 a**o#in$ ships to sai* in*and to the capita* city. The pro)ince sur)i)es &ain*y as a centre of trade. Traders fro& e)ery rea*& on the 5u*f of ,oeranys se** their #ares here. Because the constant hust*e and bust*e of trade re$u*ar*y brin$s forei$ners and outsiders into ,a*rie6 the peop*e here are the *east iso*ationist in ?eren#e. It is not unco&&on to see a 8hinasi or Brecht &erchant in the capita*. The Spider 2i)er Traders has a *oc= on the trade here6 o#nin$ near*y a** the cara)ans and &erchant )esse*s that ,a*rie depends on for contact #ith the outside #or*d The #orship of (esirie is #idespread in ,a*rie. %hereas &ost of the rura* residents of the pro)ince re$ard her as a $oddess of se*f;re*iance6 the peop*e of the city of ,a*rie a*so )enerate those aspects of her dea*in$ #ith the sea. The pro)ince is ru*ed direct*y by Aberon6 but he sti** puts trust in the Lord ,hance**or appointed by the *ate Eueen6 ,a*e ?*#ier6 to run the pro)ince@s day to day acti)ities. ,a*rieG The ?eren#ean capita* city carries the sa&e na&e as the pro)ince in #hich it *ies. The city@s founders #ere forced to bui*d this port Euite a distance in*and as the &arshes at the &outh of the Berendor 2i)er prohibited any sort of bui*din$ proDect c*oser to the sea. The city sits at the &eetin$ point of se)era* &aDor ?eren#ean roads and is the farthest that ships of any rea* siFe can sai* up the ri)er. ,aer ,a**inG ,aer ,a**in is a &assi)e fortress sittin$ Dust outside the city of ,a*rie and na&ed for the =in$ #ho constructed the fortress in '1! B2. The cast*e sits direct*y on the ban=s of the Berendor 2i)er so that a** ships ca**in$ into ,a*rie &ust pass #ithin ran$e of the archers that *ine the cast*e #a**s. Loo=outs in the to#ers =eep a c*ose eye on the rea*& Dust across the ri)erG Asoerde. ,aer ,a**in a*so ser)es as the seat of $o)ern&ent for Aberon and his court. Berendor 2i)erG The Berendor 2i)er sprin$s fro& hi**s in 2oesone and 5hoere and is continua**y fed by sno#&e*t and a nu&ber of under$round sprin$s. Because of the hi**s in the re$ion6 the ri)er is sha**o# and fu** of rapids unti* it reaches Dhoene*. /ere6 the ri)er be$ins a s*o#6 #indin$ path throu$h the *o#*ands and feeds a )ast &arsh*and before fina**y e&ptyin$ into the 5u*f of ,oeranys. East of ,a*rie6 the ri)er is deep enou$h for ships to sai*. Berchants &a=e hea)y use of this #ater#ay. The ?eren#ean na)y has patro**ed the ri)er for &any decades6 ensurin$ that it re&ains c*ear of pirates. %!oenel '.)-+: Dhoene* is a #e**;sett*ed pro)ince in the north#est of ?eren#e and one of the =in$do&@s &ost strate$ic pro)inces. Because it borders both 2oesone and Asoerde6 Aberon &aintains a *ar$e $arrison here that inc*udes a #e**;eEuipped detach&ent of scouts. The terrain s*o#*y s*opes a#ay fro& the hi**s in nei$hbourin$ 2oesone to#ard the 5u*f of ,oeranys. S&a** strea&s are found across the pro)ince that tric=*e do#n out of 2oesone and e)entua**y find their #ay into the Berendor 2i)er. Dhoene* is ru*ed by ,ount 2e$ion Dhon (B?C 0tr1C Scion of Base*a6 &aDor6 2-C L("6 patriarch of the Dhon fa&i*y. The Dhon9s ha)e traditiona**y been hi$h;ran=in$ $enera*s and &i*itary ad)isors to the re$ents of ?eren#e and #ith Aberon it stays the sa&e. The count ad)ocates endin$ ?eren#e@s iso*ation and neutra*ity and beco&in$ in)o*)ed in the stru$$*e o)er the Iron Throne. Dhon and his fa&i*y run the pro)ince fro& the to#n of Ar*enstae6 a &aDor catt*e herdin$ sett*e&ent near the Berendor 2i)er. /alried '.)-+: /a*ried has had a )ery troub*ed history. %hi*e spared fro& the #orst atrocities of #ar6 it has been subDect of &ore disasters and p*a$ues than any other area a*on$ the South ,oast. The pro)ince has a*so been cursed #ith so&e of the #orst6 &ost inco&petent and crue* nob*es ?nuire has to offer. S&a** #ood*and areas6 strea&s6 and orchards do&inate /a*ried@s *andscape. In this6 /a*ried@s *andscape is Euite si&i*ar to nei$hbourin$ Duer*in in 2oesone. /o#e)er6 /a*ried@s popu*ation is far $reater than Duer*in@s. Lar$e to#ns and sett*e&ents are found throu$hout the pro)ince6 the *ar$est of #hich6 (ietier@s Bend6 *ocated at the bend of a &aDor road6 is the pro)ince@s capita*. /ere6 the ,ountess Baesene Steire (0?C 2o$.C Scion of 2eynir6 &aDor6 1!C ,5" $o)erns the pro)ince in Aberons na&e. She is =no#n as a $ood ru*er and the *ast years this pro)ince has prospered *i=e ne)er before.

/IS 0R1 02 AERE#,E %hen hu&ans first sett*ed in ?nuire6 the Erebannien stretched a** the #ay to the ?de*e 2i)er in I*ien and #as the centre of an ancient e*)en =in$do&. The e*)es here bui*t innu&erab*e to#ers and stron$ho*ds6 desi$ned to ho*d out the $ob*in &enace of that *on$ a$o era. Thou$h the hu&ans of the ?ndu tribe ori$ina**y a**ied #ith the& to fi$ht a$ainst the hu&anoids6 the e*)es e)entua**y &ade #ar upon the ne#co&ers as they be$an to sett*e under the ea)es of their be*o)ed forest and cut do#n its trees to bui*d ci)i*iFation. The ?ndu tribes that #arred #ith the e*)es o)er the Erebannien #ere the Deretha6 and they #ere fierce #arriors. The Deretha6 #ith the he*p of the priests of ?nduiras6 e)entua**y defeated the Sidhe*ien6 #ho then f*ed north to *i)e #ith their cousins in the ?e*)inn#ode. Thou$h the Deretha %ars are co&&on*y *oo=ed upon as a typica* e7a&p*e of the b*oodstained and tra$ic re*ationship bet#een &an and e*f6 there e7isted an ?ndu tribe #ho enDoyed a &ore ci)i* re*ationship #ith the Sidhe*ienG the ?eren6 Si7th Tribe of the ?ndu. The ?eren &i$rated a*on$side the Deretha and he*ped to sett*e the southern coast of present;day ?nuireC a*beit a &ore re&ote part of it. The ?eren #ere the first hu&ans that the e*)es of the Erebannien encountered and a treaty #as Euic=*y for&a*iFed bet#een the t#o6 #hich a**o#ed the ?eren to *i)e in the area bet#een the Berendor 2i)er and the Erebannien6 under the #atchfu* $aFe of e*)en protectors. The ?eren cooperated c*ose*y #ith the e*)es to suppress the hu&anoid presence in the area6 but did not atte&pt to bui*d any cities6 to#ns6 or far&s6 content instead to herd catt*e and sheep. It #as not unti* #e** after the Deretha %ars6 #hen 2oe*e for&ed the ?nuirean E&pire after Deis&aar that the ?eren be$an to sett*e do#n. In those days6 ?eren#e6 as the ?eren *ands ca&e to be ca**ed6 #as &uch *ar$er6 c*ai&in$ the eastern ha*f of present;day 2oesone. ?eren#e@s history as a part of the E&pire #as a Euiet one. The ru*in$ ?eren fa&i*y ru*ed peaceab*y and #e**6 stayin$ out of ?nuirean po*itics and on*y s*o#*y bui*din$ up the rea*&@s popu*ation. The Erebannien ca&e to be *oo=ed upon #ith so&e re)erence and by duca* decreeC habitation of the forest #as prohibited. Thou$h it #as one of the t#e*)e duchies of ?nuire6 precious *itt*e attention #as paid to ?eren#e. The du=es #ere content to *i)e in iso*ation6 co**ectin$ *itt*e in ta7es and a**o#in$ their peop*e to *i)e Euiet*y. Infortunate*y6 ?eren#e@s *on$ )acation fro& history #as to co&e to a sudden and disastrous end #ith the rei$n of E&peror Bichae* 2oe*e. %hen the %ar of Succession erupted6 ?eren#e dutifu**y supported its E&peror6 contributin$ the reEuired nu&ber of so*diers and =ni$hts to Bichae*@s cause. 0o**o#in$ the end of that #ar6 Bichae* set about *oo=in$ for a #ife so that he cou*d be$et an heir. Thou$h the E&peror re$arded the entire &atter as *itt*e &ore than a duty to be fu*fi**ed6 he did not e7pect to &eet 0ae*ina ?eren6 the dau$hter of ?eren#e@s du=e. Before *on$6 Bichae* and 0ae*ina fe** in *o)e and &arried. Their short &arria$e #ou*d co&e to an end in L13 /,6 #hen accordin$ to the storiesC a terrib*e curse fe** upon 0ae*ina causin$ an a#nshe$h chi*d to Euic=en in her #o&b #ithin &inutes. 0ae*ina died in horrib*e an$uish as the abo&ination tore its #ay fro& her #o&b. Thou$h the &onstrosity #as s*ain6 Bichae* #as consu&ed by $rief and fury and once he *earned that the 5or$on had been behind the p*ot6 he su&&oned his ar&ies and &arched upon the 5or$on@s ,ro#n6 #here he died upon the 5or$on@s b*ade. 0o**o#in$ Bichae*@s death6 the E&pire shattered as its co&ponent fiefs &ade #ar upon one another in order to sett*e o*d scores and c*ai& the Iron Throne. Initia**y6 ?eren#e sou$ht to re&ain out of these sEuabb*es. /o#e)er6 this atte&pt to re&ain unin)o*)ed bac=fired. In L- B26 the du=e of ?eren#e6 Maesi* ?eren6 dec*ared hi&se*f a =in$. By ta=in$ a so)erei$n tit*e6 Maesi* effecti)e*y re&o)ed ?eren#e fro& the E&pire. ,itin$ its traditiona* iso*ationis&6 the &arria$e of a &e&ber of /ouse ?eren to the *ast E&peror6 and the incessant in;fi$htin$ of the ?nuirean factions6 Maesi* dec*ared that ?eren#e #ou*d no *on$er be beho*den to the idea of the E&pire unti* a suitab*e candidate arri)ed to c*ai& the Iron Throne. This initially pro o!ed outrage all a"ross #nuire, and Ha riel Die$, du!e of Die$ed, de"lared that his ar$ies %ould soon $ar"h to put #eren%e in its pla"e& 'f "ourse this %as little $ore than an e("use) it %as %ell !no%n that Ha riel sought the *ron Throne for hi$self and loo!ed for any opportunity to $a!e %ar upon his ri als& *n +, M-, Ha riel began a $assi e troop build up in eastern Die$ed ($odern.day -oesone) in order to "o$pel his neighbors into supporting hi$& Du!e #eren refused to be bullied and $at"hed Die$ed/s troop build.up& E entually, the tensions es"alated into %ar& The Die$an Wars, as they %ere "alled, %ere a disaster for all "on"erned& Lasting nearly t%o hundred years, the %ars nearly ban!rupted 0halaene, #eren%e/s ally (no% a part of 1hoere), and left the frontiers of Die$ed and #eren%e desolated and abandoned& *n 234 M-, shortly after the end of the Die$an Wars, the last s"ion of the #eren line, 'er el #eren, died& E(hausted fro$ the long %ars, #eren%e turned its ba"! on #nuire on"e again& # su""ession of !ings ruled o er #eren%e after that, but none of the$ %ere parti"ularly notable& 5or nearly a hundred years, #eren%e see$ingly disappeared fro$ history& Little of i$portan"e e er happened there and the rest of #nuire see$ed $ore "on"erned %ith its squabbling than the goings on in isolated #eren%e& *n ,67 M-, Daen -oesone, a notable $er"enary leader, began "ar ing out a ne% do$ain in eastern Die$ed and %estern #eren%e& When %ar finally "a$e bet%een Daen/s $en and Die$ed, the Die$an du!e appealed to #eren%e for help& The !ing of the ti$e, #gel$ore Halried, agreed to assist Die$ in putting do%n the rebellion, but "o$$itted only a fe% paltry troops to the "ause& #t the ti$e, #eren%e/s fa$ous $ilitias %ere in disarray, the treasury %as lo%, and there see$ed little interest a$ong the #eren%ean nobility in engaging in foreign affairs, e en in neighboring real$s& That state of affairs "a$e ba"! to bite the !ing and his nobles %hen in ,66 M- Daen -oesone a"hie ed i"tory o er the Die$ans and pro"lai$ed a ne% real$8 -oesone& The 0la"! 0aron, as Daen %as often "alled, soon turned his attention on #eren%e& He threatened to turn his eteran ar$y of $er"enaries, for$er bandits, and rugged frontiers$en loose upon #eren%e unless it sub$itted& #nd sub$it 9ing #gel$ore did& #eren%e had already lost the pro in"e of #bbatuor to -oesone and %as no% for"ed to "ede 0ella$& *n return, #eren%e %as guaranteed pea"e& The hu$iliating loss of t%o pro in"es to rebels and $er"enaries sho"!ed the #eren%eans& 0efore long, 9ing #gel$ore %as o erthro%n in a rebellion lead by the a$bitious noble lord fro$ the ar$y na$ed -eynard 1a ril& #fter sei:ing the throne, -eynard de"lared a state of $artial la% and %ent about establishing a poli"e state& ;obles and priests %ho opposed -eynard %ere e(e"uted by the hundreds& *nfor$ants and se"ret poli"e roa$ed the "ountry side, !eeping the "o$$oners in line& 9ing -eynard %as obsessed %ith $aintaining perfe"t order and "onfor$ity and %ould order the ulti$ate penalty to be ad$inistered for si$ple "ases of agran"y or theft& 0ina**y6 in .-3 B26 a sa)iour arri)ed. Li*iene S#ord#raith6 then a youn$ #o&an6 e&er$ed fro& a s&a** to#n in the Erebannien #ith a s&a** cadre of *oya* ran$ers and ad)enturers. ,*ai&in$ to be the *ast scion of the ?eren *ine and indirect*y re*ated to 2oe*e6 the founder of the E&pire6 the desperate peop*e of the rea*& Doined her side and after a *on$ and arduous ca&pai$n6 o)erthre# 2eynard 5a)ri*. The Doyous peop*e of ?eren#e then proc*ai&ed her Eueen. Li*iene S#ord#raith ru*ed ?eren#e for near*y fifty year. She #or=ed hard each day of her rei$n to &a=e ?eren#e a better p*ace to *i)e6 and the co&&on fo*= *o)ed her dear*y. The nobi*ity6 ho#e)er6 resented her abso*ute po#er and ne# #ays6 and #ou*d ha)e *i=ed for nothin$ better than a return to the o*d #ays.

G0VER#3E# A#% &0LI ICS Thou$h it is an o*d rea*&6 ?eren#e has re&ar=ab*y fe# ene&ies6 but it has a rather pronounced *ac= of a**ies as #e**. 8no#n for its neutra*ity and

a*oofness fro& ?nuirean po*itics6 fe# other re$ents acti)e*y consider ?eren#e #hen desi$nin$ their sche&es. So&e &i$ht say that this is ?eren#e@s bi$$est ad)anta$e.

&olitical ?s the Eueen $re# o*der concerns $re# o)er her *ac= of an in)ested heir. Li*iene ne)er too= a husband in her youn$er years and ne)er $a)e birth to any *e$iti&ate chi*dren6 thou$h ru&or persists that a *o)e affair sired her t#in ha*f;e*)en *ieutenants6 ,o*e ?*#ier and ,a*e ?*#ier. Bost fe*t that Li*iene #ou*d na&e one of t#ins to be the ne7t =in$6 but that didn9t stop a&bitious nob*es fro& atte&ptin$ to $ain the :ueen@s fa)or in hopes of beco&in$ the ne7t re$ent.

Aberon has not been *on$ on the throne and is &a=in$ his #ay around the *and6 his co*d appearance is said not to &irror his inside. /is heart is #ith ?eren#e but it is a*so c*ear that the o*d :ueendo& #i** ta=e a different road into the future as the Duchy of ?eren#e6 ru*ed by Aberon ?eren. I&portant 0i$ures Aberon ?eren6 2u*er of ?eren#e Baire ,#**&ie6 /i$h +riestess of the Eastern Te&p*e of (esirie /i$h Ba$e ?e*ies6 %iFard of the Erebannien 2o$r ?$*ondier6 ,ount of I**ien Bourde ?*ondir $ui*d&aster Sie*e 5horied6 $ui*d&aster of Spider 2i)er Traders Cole Alwier: Barsha* of ?eren#e (B1 2EC 0tr' %iF'C" is one of ?eren#es ha*f;e*)en *ieutenants. Li=e the :ueen6 the ?*#iers do not be*ie)e in f*auntin$ their position and tend to ta=e care of &atters Euiet*y. %hi*e both of the t#ins share responsibi*ity in their tas=s6 ,o*e@s area of specia*ty tends to focus on ad&inistration and #arfare and re$u*ar*y ser)es as a *iaison bet#een Aberon and his ar&ies. Cale Alwier: ,hance**or of ?eren#e (B1 2EC 0tr' %iF'C" is :ueen S#ord#raith@s second *ieutenant. ,a*e tends to focus his efforts *ar$e*y around scho*ar*y &atters and often ser)es as a sort of ro)in$ a&bassador for the =in$do&. /e a*so dabb*es in &a$ic and is ru&oured to ha)e *earned a fe# secrets at the foot of /i$h Ba$e ?e*ies hi&se*f.

%03AI# ASSE S ArmyG ?fter the raids fro& Asoerde and Aberons counter attac= the *osses #here &ini&a* but it sti** reEuired hi& to reconstruct the s&a** ar&y that ?eren#e co&&ands. I issued a decree #as the &uster of a unit of =ni$hts. The ?eren 8ni$hts. So&e #hisper that it is Dust a nob*e hosta$e to =eep their e*ders in p*ace but so&e c*ai& that this is fina**y a nob*e carreer for the *eadin$ fa&i*ies of ?eren#e. 2 units of scouts6 The %ardens6 these reno#ned ran$er units used to be Li*ienes persona* $uard but as Aberon too= the throne they #here re*eased into nor&a* ar&y duty. They #here char$ed #ith the safe=eepin$ of the Erebannien as #e** as protectin$ the borders of ?eren#e. 1 unit of =ni$hts6 The ?eren 8ni$hts 1 unit of infantry6 ,a*ries Best #avyG 2 5a**eons6 ! cara)e*s and 2 coasters out of ,a*rie 2ortificationsG ,ast*e in ,a*rie 0t!er AssetsG Seaport in ,a*rie Shipyard in ,a*rie &LA1ER$S SECRE S Arms of Aerenwe: ?*thou$h no *on$er as &artia* as she once #as6 the :ueen does sti** bear the& on occasions. ,hief a&on$ the& is S#ord#raith6 a $ift fro& the /i$h Ba$e. This &a$ica* *on$s#ord N' of dancin$ is na&ed such for so&e c*ai& #hen the :ueen acti)ates the dancin$ po#er6 the #isps of an etherea* bein$ are seen #ie*din$ the b*ade. /er offhand #eapon is a see&in$*y p*ain huntin$ =nife. It does bear a s*i$ht enchant&ent that a**o#s the #i*der to thro# the #eapon #ithout pena*ties due to ran$e incre&ents. Last*y is a suit of shado#ed e*)en chain &ai* N2 ru&oured to ha)e been *ooted fro& an sidhe*ien ruin deep in the heart of the Erebannien.

!e 4ueen5s companions: Bany of the :ueen's co&panions bac= durin$ the ti&e of her *iberation of the ?eren#ean peop*e sti** reside #ithin ?eren#e. Bany of #hich chose to *ead *i)es of ad)enturin$ for &any years after#ards before sett*in$ do#n. %ere ?eren#e to suffer a serious attac=6 there is no doubt these &en and #o&en of considerab*e e7perience #ou*d co&e to the aid of their be*o)ed friend and :ueen.

Than=s to the be*o# sites for se)era* of these te7tsG httpG ###.birthri$ht.net foru&s archi)e inde7.php t;2.-3.ht&* httpG roe.t#i*i$htpea=s.net do#n*oads Do&ains Do&ainO2-DescriptionO2-;O2-?eren#eO2-O23!1O2-(2--3;11;-1".doc httpG ###.birthri$ht.net br#i=i inde7.php ?eren#e

A%VE# 6RE I%EAS Silence from t!e Ere7annien: ,o&&unication #ith the /i$h Ba$e has beco&e increasin$*y erratic as of *ate. Last #ord fro& hi& ca&e o)er a year a$o and #hi*e this is not unco&&on6 those that thin= to #a$e #ar upon ?eren#e ha)e *on$ ta=en pause due to the po#er at ?e*ies' disposa*. If they #ere to *earn of the /i$h Ba$e's si*ence6 ?eren#e's neutra*ity &i$ht be tested. !e weeping souls: 2u&ours ha)e be$un to circu*ate in the northern frin$es of the rea*& of apparitions in the bo$s and s#a&ps. Bost*y #o&en and chi*dren6 these sou*s a** sho# the si$ns of bruta* and )io*ent deaths. In #hat fe# eye#itness accounts report6 they #ai* the na&e of S#ord#raith durin$ their hauntin$s. Bay these sou*s be )icti&s of 2eynard 5a)rie*'s tyranny that :ueen Li**iene #as not ab*e to sa)eP !e ,ardens: %hen Bichae* 2oe*e and 0ae*ina ?eren #edC Bichae* issued the Erebannien Decree as a #eddin$ $ift. The Decree pro)ided for i&peria* fundin$ of the ?eren#ean ran$ers6 #hich patro**ed the Erebannien6 ensurin$ its sanctity. The ran$ers re&ained as a hi$h*y presti$ious and i&portant order and as an ar& of the ?eren#ean $o)ern&ent unti* the death of Aer)e* ?eren in 231 B2. ?fter that ti&e6 the ran$ers a** but disappeared fro& history and &ost assu&ed that their order had died out. Accasiona**y6 ru&ors #ou*d fi*ter out of the Erebannien of bandits &o)in$ a*on$ its trai*s. Af course6 these bandits #ere in fact the ran$ers. The ran$ers reappeared in .-3 B2 #hen one of their &e&bers6 Li*iene S#ord#raith6 be$an to ra**y ?eren#e@s peop*e to her side. The ran$ers ha)e since s#orn their *oya*ty to her and underta=e her &issions #i**in$*y. Thou$h they &ain*y $o about &aintainin$ the Erebannien6 they do so&eti&es underta=e other &issions. Do&ain /o*din$ Tab*e +ro)ince Banien's Deep (1 !"

Source /B? (3" 2? (3" Calrie (! -" LS (!" B,# (!" S5 (3" /B? (-" Dhoene* (. -" LS (." B,# (." S5 (3" /B? (-" /a*ried (. -" LS (." B,# (." S5 (3" /B? (-" (orth)a*e (1 !" LS (1" /B? (." 2? (1" Shado#$reen(1 !" LS (1" B,# (1" B? (1" /B? (." 2? (1" %est&arch (1 !" LS (1" S5 (1" /B? (3" 2? (3" A77reviations: LSQAberon ?eren (?eren#e"C S5QSie*e 5horied (Spider 2i)er Traders"C /B?Q/i$h Ba$e ?e*iesC 2?Q2o$r ?$*ondier (I*ien"C B,#QBaire ,#**&ie (Eastern Te&p*e of (esirie"C B?QBourde ?*ondir.

La# LS (1"

Te&p*e

5ui*d S5 (1"

!e /istory of Liliene Swordwrait! :ueen Li*iene S#ord#raith #as the re$ent of ?eren#e. (ear*y fifty years a$o6 #hen she #as bare*y ei$hteen6 she e&er$ed fro& one of Banien Deep@s for$otten to#ns c*ai&in$ to be the dau$hter of a &an #ho #as the *ast of the ?eren *ine and a #o&an #ho #as an indirect descendant of 2oe*e hi&se*f. Thou$h none of her c*ai&s ha)e been so*id*y substantiated6 the desperate ?eren#ean peop*e6 crushed under the hee* of the tyrannica* Isty* ?rdruin6 #ere ready to be*ie)e her. Li*iene tra)e**ed about the countryside #ith a $roup of co&panions and ra**ied the co&&oners to her side. 0ina**y6 after years of hardship and tria*6 she fina**y achie)ed her $oa* and deposed the tyrant. Soon after6 she #as proc*ai&ed Eueen by the Doyous nob*es and co&&oners and coronated by her $ood friend6 Irsu*a Die&6 a priestess of (esirie. Li*iene then too= on the appe**ation <S#ord#raith> as her surna&e in honor of her

&a$ica* s#ord <%raith6> #hich she used to stri=e do#n 2eynard 5a)ri*. :ueen S#ord#raith thou$h an e*der*y #o&an #ho despite her a$e continued to ru*e her rea*& capab*y and #e**. ? Euiet and de&ure #o&an6 she cou*d nonethe*ess be pro)o=ed into a si*ent an$er capab*e of &a=in$ her ene&ies sorry they e)er crossed her. 0or the *ast decade6 she has a**o#ed her *ieutenants6 the t#ins ,o*e and ,a*e ?*#ier6 to ta=e on $reater responsibi*ity in ru*in$ the rea*&. Bost fee* that she #i** na&e one of these t#o as her heir. The o*d :ueen Li*iene S#ord#raith #as born about fifty su&&ers a$o6 in a *itt*e to#n of the pro)ince of ,a*rie6 =no#n as Tuor)a*. %hen she #as a baby6 thou$h6 the tit*e of :ueen6 or e)en her Jsurna&e@6 S#ord#raith6 #ere Dust part of the distant future. Li*iene #as her na&e6 and her parents #ere t#o &inor nob*es of the to#n6 not e)en part of the fa&i*y of the &ayors of the to#n6 the ?rdruins. The youn$ Li*iene *ed a nor&a* *ife in the &idd*e of the *o# nobi*ity of ?eren#e. Dedicated to breedin$ horses and to o)erseein$ the fa&i*y trade interests bet#een Tuor)a* and ,a*rie6 her father6 /ar$aa*d 5hieste6 and her &other6 the stron$ te&pered E*eanor6 had *itt*e ti&e for their chi*d6 not to &ention to spend ti&e #ith each other. /ar$aa*d6 a for&er ran$er and &e&ber of the Scoutin$ Inits of the Erebannien6 #as a sad and *one*y &an6 a*#ays &oody and =een to re&e&berin$ his o*d ti&es in the ?r&y. +eop*e in to#n =ept ca**in$ hi& a hero6 despite his si*ent de&eanor on &ost of occasions. E*eanor6 instead6 #as the head of the fa&i*y6 the spirit in the shado#s. She =ept fa&i*y business intact6 and e)en i&pro)in$. +eop*e in Tuor)a* had a bunch of ru&ors to share about E*eanor. 0irst and fore&ost6 that she had the essence of the $ods in her6 runnin$ stron$ and pure. Second*y6 that she had so&e =ind of re*ationship #ith the ,ount of ,a*rie and that /ar$aa*d =ne# and consented #ith it. 0ina**y that she #as so&eho# descended fro& the 2oe*e *ine. ?** three ru&ors #ere true6 e)en thou$h Li*iene didn@t =no# about the&. 4oun$ Li*iene #as raised to beco&e a nob*e#o&an. E*eanor spent &oney and resources so that Li*iene *earned ho# to se#6 ho# to beha)e6 ho# to #rite and read. She Euic=*y surpassed a** her &other@s de&ands. But Li*iene #as &uch *i=e her &other6 and $re# stron$ and free of &ind and spirit6 fi$htin$ constant*y a$ainst the i&perati)es of her &other. She $ot e)en &ore beautifu* e)ery year passin$6 her char&in$ presence &ore ob)ious to e)eryone6 fro& the staff of the ?rdruin@s to her parents. The son of the ,ount6 Maesi*6 be$an courtin$ her at a )ery youn$ a$e6 but instead of ro&ance6 a stron$ friendship b*oo&ed6 as each beca&e the &issin$ sister or brother the other did not ha)e. 0ro& her ti&e #ith Maesi* and his brothers6 Li*iene a*so de)e*oped a cynica* sense of hu&or6 not )ery appropriate for a chi*d of her a$e. She a*so beca&e tou$her6 as the boys #ou*d p*ay hard #ith her. 2u&ors of her &other arri)ed to her ears #hen she #as near*y thirteen years o*d and fated to spend the rest of her *ife as so&e &aiden in the ,ourt at ,aer ,a**in. ,onfronted #ith the e)idence6 Li*iene first ta*=ed to her father6 /ar$aa*d6 and Eueried hi& about the thin$s peop*e in ,a*rie =ept sayin$ about the ,ount and E*eanor. /er father6 at the shado# of the Dra$on Brid$e that crosses the ri)er 0ae*6 ad&itted the ru&ors #ere true and tried to e7p*ain her dau$hter about the true situation of the fa&i*y. ?pparent*y6 E*eanor #as a &e&ber of the 2oe*e fa&i*y *ine6 indirect descendant of the *on$;dead E&peror and heir to a )ast a&ount of &oney and possessions so&e#here in %estern ?nuire6 &aybe ?)ani* or Tuornen. E*eanor had co&e to ?eren#e so&e years a$o6 see=in$ so*ace and rest under the *ea)es of the Erebannien. The te&pered E*eanor6 a*#ays stron$6 a*#ays ca*&6 a*#ays se*f;contro**ed6 *ost a** her ner)es #hen she &et the youn$ /ar$aa*d6 a &e&ber of the *oca* Scoutin$ Init and a pro&isin$ &e&ber of the ?eren#ean ?r&y. /ar$aa*d #as a*so attracted to the nob*e#o&an6 e)en #ith =no#in$ his co&&oner herita$e didn@t $uarantee any future for the re*ationship. Surprisin$*y6 E*eanor decided to cast aside e)ery c*ass difference6 for$ot about her fa&i*y and interests and decided to Doin her future6 e)en thou$h for a *itt*e ti&e6 #ith the si*ent /ar$aa*d. 0ate then p*ayed its crue* tric=s. E*eanor beca&e pre$nant Dust #hen she had decided to abandon /ar$aa*d. She cou*dn@t stand his &oody character any *on$er. ?fter #ritin$ to her fa&i*y to te** the& about her situation6 fro& the beautifu* ,rysta*&iere in Shado#$reen6 she recei)ed a rep*y she feared in her deepest se*f. /er fa&i*y to*d her the herita$e #as bro=enC that she shou*d re&ain in ?eren#e6 &arry /ar$aa*d and *ead a ne# *ife there. /er fa&i*y cou*dn@t a**o# her nob*e *ine to be stained #ith the b*ood of co&&oners. She #as not part of the fa&i*y any *on$er. E*eanor thou$ht about a** that6 doubtin$ if fi$htin$ for her ri$hts #ou*d be #ise. She =ne# *a#s #ou*d not be easy to bend to accept her case. Tired and #orried about her pre$nancy6 E*eanor decided to stic= #ith /ar$aa*d and see #hat the future had for her in &ind in the Erebannien. They &arried a *itt*e bit *ater6 her pre$nancy $ro#in$ &ore ob)ious e)ery day6 and started to *i)e a co&&oner@s *ife to$ether in ,rysta*&iere. Li*iene #as born so&e &onths *ater #hi*e /ar$aa*d #as on a scoutin$ &ission in (orth)a*e6 near the Spiritsend S#a&p. /er father #as bad*y hurt there6 chasin$ a ra&pa$in$ beast that caused dire prob*e&s in the pro)ince. /is entire unit #as near*y destroyed fi$htin$ the beast6 so&e =ind of spa#n co&in$ fro& the Shado# %or*d. The 8in$ of ?eren#e6 than=fu* #ith the unit sur)i)ors6 $a)e *ar$e re#ards to the&. /ar$aa*d 5hieste recei)ed so&e *ands in Tuor)a*6 up in the northern ,a*rie. 8no#in$ he cou*d not ser)e the ?r&y proper*y any *on$er6 he decided to fo**o# E*eanor@s ad)ice and &o)e there to start a business of horse breedin$. /e didn@t =no# his fo**o#in$ years #ou*d be spent re$rettin$ this decision6 &issin$ his for&er *ife in the Erebannien. %ith the ne# *ife in Tuor)a* E*eanor started to ta=e a pro&inent ro*e in the fa&i*y6 *ea)in$ /ar$aa*d to his pri)ate torture. She hired so&e staff to educate the youn$ Li*iene and started to *ead a busy pub*ic *ife. She soon &et c6 the ,ount of ,a*rie6 and #as attracted to the po#erfu* &an. Isty** #as the ri$ht hand of 8in$ ,a**in6 beared the tit*e of ,ount and #as a*so the 5enera* of the (orthern ?r&y of ?eren#e. /e #as an inte**i$ent6 se)ere and stubborn &an6 #ido#ed since t#o or three years before E*eanor@s arri)a* and had three sons to raise6 a&on$st the& Maesi*6 Li*iene@s friend. It #as Dust a &atter of ti&e6 #ith /ar$aa*d disconnected fro& rea*ity6 that Isty** and E*eanor6 si&i*ar spirits6 started a secret re*ationship. E*eanor@s husband =ne# about that soon enou$h. Sad*y6 that didn@t &atter to hi&. Toyin$ #ith the idea of Doinin$ the ?r&y a$ain6 on*y Li*iene =ept hi& fro& doin$ so. So that #as #hat her father had to te** Li*iene that fatefu* day under the Dra$on Brid$e6 #ith the ri)er 0ae* runnin$ ca*& and s*o#*y near the&. Li*iene thou$ht deep*y about the situation and as=ed her father to *ea)e. She #anted to $o bac= to the Erebannien #ith hi&6 to *ea)e this *ife of fa*sehood and try to find her o#n #ay #ith a ne# be$innin$. This #as e7act*y the =ind of spar= /ar$aa*d needed to fan a fire. So one ni$ht6 #ithout E*eanor noticin$6 Li*iene and /ar$aa*d #ent bac= to ,rysta*&iere. Li*iene then started her ne# *ife6 as pro&ised. She and her father $ot e)en c*oser6 #ith the for&er Scout teachin$ her the secrets of the nature and the Erebannien6 fro& the f*aura and the fauna. She $re# e)en &ore free;#i**ed6 and e)en &ore #ise6 stron$ and beautifu*6 her shiny si*)ery eyes fi**in$ e)ery corner of the beautifu* ha&*et of ,rysta*&iere. So&e say she &et the /i$h Ba$e ?e*ies once or t#ice in that ti&e of her *ife. (either e)er ac=no#*ed$es that if it is true. %hat is sure is that the #ou*d be :ueen &et Irsu*a Die& in ,rysta*&iere so&e years *ater6 #hen she #as si7teen and they started a $ood re*ationship to$ether. Irsu*a #as a &e&ber of the (esirie@s c*er$y in ?eren#e and had si&i*ar po*itica* ideas to share #ith Li*iene. They both de)oted their ti&e to

protect the Erebannien a$ainst i**e$a* e7p*oit and de)e*oped their abi*ities to$ether. Then6 a ne# idea $re# in the&. They had heard about &ercenary co&panies6 and e)en ad)enturin$ $roups. Their idea*istic de&eanor idea*iFed the ro&antic idea of tra)e*in$ the #ho*e Southern ,oast of ?nuire6 facin$ tyrants and ene&ies6 defeatin$ beasts and creatures6 ruinin$ e)i* in e)ery corner. ?fter a secret )isit fro& Maesi*6 the son of the ,ount of Tuor)a* and deep friend of Li*iene6 Irsu*a and her con)inced hi& to Doin the& in the trip they #ere p*annin$. Then the history beca&es a *itt*e &ore b*urry. Li*iene6 Irsu*a and Maesi* tra)e**ed *on$ and #ide a** the Southern ,oast of ?nuire6 fu*fi**in$ their drea&s. They upset so&e nob*es6 sa)ed so&e others6 and fou$ht for the freedo& of peop*e a** o)er the *and. 2oesone6 I*ien and Die&ed had no secrets to the&. They #ere =no#n as The %raiths6 for they a*#ays operated under secrecy6 as spirits *ead by the /and of the 5ods. Li*iene #as #e** =no#n as the *eader of the $roup6 and started to be ca**ed The S#ord#raith6 since her s#ord #as the terror of e)i* fo**o#ers in the South. Then South beca&e (orth. The %raiths recei)ed infor&ation about raidin$ $roups of $ob*ins in Dhoesone6 causin$ deep prob*e&s and terrifyin$ *oca* )i**a$ers. Dri)en both by ad)enture and a fee* for Dustice6 and =no#in$ the South #as a *itt*e bit better than=s6 in part6 to their Dob6 they departed for the (orth. Ance there they *ed their Dustice and freedo& ca&pai$n once a$ain6 &eetin$ Bethis ?rro#bane and he*pin$ hi& in his crusade a$ainst $ob*inoids. Later they e)en )entured into Tuarhie)e*6 confrontin$ so&e =i**ers fro& the hidden 5hea**ie Sidhe and *i)in$ to te** the ta*e. Li*iene and the %raiths ca&e bac= to a )i**a$e of Dhoesone after fi$htin$ the 5hea**ie Sidhe6 a*on$ #ith so&e prisoners ta=en after the attac=. Ane of the& #as 0e*&arine Si*u)aniade6 the *eader of the raidin$ party of the 5hea**ie Sidhe and a #iFard of so&e reno#n in Tuarhie)e*. /e hated &en and #o&en a*i=e. Li*iene didn@t understand ho# e*)es cou*d hate hu&ans so &uch. Bein$ raised in the Erebannien6 under the respectfu* tute*a$e of /a*$aard to#ards nature6 Li*iene be*ie)ed hu&ans cou*d be $uided to#ards respectin$ nature in e)ery aspect. /atred co&in$ fro& initiati)es such as the 5hea**ie Sidhe didn@t he*p the situation. She spent a *ot of hours ta*=in$ to 0e*&arine6 tryin$ to understand his point of )ie# and sho#in$ hers in e7chan$e. S*o#*y6 #ith &onths passin$6 she started to fe** in *o)e #ith the bra)e but racist e*f. She suspected he #as e7act*y in the sa&e position. Both shared co&&on points of )ie# in &any aspects6 both enDoyed the sa&e thin$s6 both had too &uch in co&&on for their fee*in$s to be hidden. Irsu*a and Maesi* =ne# so&ethin$ #ou*d happen rea**y soon bet#een the S#ord#raith and 0*e&arine. 0e*&arine didn@t #ant to sho# his fee*in$s to#ards Li*iene6 but #as forced to choose soon after. ? $roup of the 5hea**ie Sidhe #as sent to rescue the prisoners he*d by Li*iene and the %raiths. The &ission #as a co&p*ete success6 snea=in$ inside the )i**a$e in si*ence such as on*y e*)es can use and retrie)in$ the prisoners fro& the bui*din$ #here they #ere confined. But 0e*&arine refused to *ea)e. /e decided to ta*= c*ear*y to Li*iene and try to find a #ay out of their stran$e situation. The &ornin$ arri)ed #hen the )i**a$ers and the %raiths disco)ered the e*)es of the 5hea**ie Sidhe had Dust )anished6 *ea)in$ behind 0e*&arine as the on*y c*ue of #hat happened. The e*f #as interro$ated by Li*iene in pri)acy. They ta*=ed about the e)asion in on*y the first fi)e &inutes. +assion then *ed the rest of the pri)ate <con)ersation>. (ot surprisin$*y Li*iene and 0e*&arine started a stor&y re*ationship6 based on *o)e and respect6 but fu** of ar$u&ents and discussions. That &ar=ed the end of her ad)enturin$ career6 #ith Li*iene *on$in$ for a Euieter *ife ne7t to 0e*&arine and the e*f &a=in$ c*ear*y a point a$ainst The %raiths. Irsu*a and Maesi* understood their ti&e #ith Li*iene #as o)er and decided to co&e bac= to ?eren#e to their respecti)e duties6 not #ithout sadness in their spirits. Li*iene and 0e*&arine bou$ht a house in another to#n of Dhoesone and the future :ueen of ?eren#e started her fourth *ife. 0irst she #as a chi*d under the ri$id &ant*e of her &other6 then a *earnin$ and *o)in$ =id #ith the inf*uence of her father. Later she #as the S#ord#raith6 ad)enturer and Dusticar a** o)er ?nuire. (o# it #as ti&e to be a *o)er and a &other. ,o*e and ,a*e #ere born so&e &onths *ater6 #ith the sa&e appearance but different characters6 ref*ectin$ both 0e*&arine and Li*iene. The four *ead a Euiet and secret *ife6 fearin$ the 5hea**ie Sidhe #ou*d $o after their re*ationship and their =in. (o one =ne# their true identities as they adopted the na&e ?*#eir. 0e*&arine e)en tried to dis$uise his true herita$e to sa)e their *i)es. /e didn@t #ant to *ea)e the north6 thou$h6 e)en if Li*iene be$$ed for this repeated*y6 since he fe*t that #ou*d be a**o#in$ their ene&ies to #in too easi*y. 4ears passed. Li*iene used her =no#*ed$e of horse breedin$ and started a business in Dhoesone. ,o*e and ,a*e $re# stron$ and deter&ined6 Dust as Li*iene and E*eanor. They de)e*oped abi*ities as &a$ic users and *earned to fi$ht #ith Li*iene and to cast spe**s #ith 0e*&arine. 0e*&arine toyed #ith the idea of $oin$ bac= to Tuarhie)e* to Doin the ar&y after apo*o$iFin$ for his ti&e #ith the 5hea**ie Sidhe. Then tra$edy struc=. Tuarhie)e* once a$ain #as under threat by 5or$on troops. 8no#in$ his ho&e*and #as in dan$er6 0e*&arine decided to fo**o# his instincts6 Doined the ar&y to return as a hero to defend the e*)en rea*&. Li*iene as=ed to co&e as #e**6 but the decision #as difficu*t to &a=e6 since the e*)en ar&y #ou*dn@t possib*y accept a hu&an in their ran=s and ,o*e and ,a*e a*so needed protection #hi*e 0e*&arine #as a#ay. The t#in brothers6 no# fifteen6 as=ed to $o #ith his father as #e**6 but 0e*&arine #ou*dn@t a**o# that. Li*iene re&ained #ith the&6 #aitin$ patient*y as did so &any other #o&en. The #ar ra$ed bet#een the e*)es and the 5or$on6 but fina**y ended. 4et 0e*&arine ne)er ca&e bac=. /e $ot =i**ed6 not by the 5or$on@s &inions6 but by the 5hea**ie Sidhe. /e died a hero for his country and an e7a&p*e to his =in. /e died too soon for Li*iene and their sons. So the S#ord#raith decided to $o bac= to ?eren#e6 &ournin$ her *oss6 #ith nothin$ tyin$ her to Dhoesone and the (orth. The t#in sons ca&e #ith her to the South6 a*on$ #ith Bethis ?rro#bane6 her friend since the ad)entures they had to$ether #ith the %raiths. The situation in the South6 thou$h6 #as far fro& better. The 8in$ of ?eren#e #as no# Isty* ?rdruin at that ti&e6 the son of the deceased bene)o*ent 8in$ ,a**in. Isty* #as a tyrant #ho =ept the *and under an iron $rip6 #ith ta7es crushin$ the co&&oners and traders and a harsh Dustice to defend his c*ai&. /an$in$s and beheadin$s #ere so&ethin$ nor&a* under his ru*e. Soon the *and di)ided bet#een the fo**o#ers of Isty* and the rebe*s that tried to resist his #hi&s. The country #as deep in ci)i* #ar #ith e)ery ?eren#ean sidin$ a$ainst his brother. 0ather =i**ed &other6 son =i**ed dau$hter6 nei$hbor =i**ed nei$hbor. B*ood spi**ed across the fie*ds and no one #as there to #or= for food. The S#ord#raith then returned as a forced hero6 seein$ ho# the situation had #orsened in her absence. %ith the he*p of her sons6 Li*iene contacted e)ery a**y she had in ?eren#eG /ar$aa*d6 #ho had or$aniFed the 2an$ers into a &i*itia to defend the Erebannien a$ainst the 8in$@s BenC Irsu*a6 #ho *ead the resistance fro& (esirie@s fo**o#ers of co&&on bac=$roundC Maesi*6 #ho had rebe**ed a$ainst his father (no# &arried to E*eanor" to *ead the youn$er nob*es of the *and. Soon the re)o*ution started. Li*iene6 bac=ed by her friends and sons6 had the support of ha*f ?eren#e. The other ha*f #as contro**ed by coin and fear of 8in$ Isty*. ?t first the &i*itary

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&i$ht of Isty* see&ed to #in the $a&e. An*y faith6 honor and possib*y the fee*in$ of doin$ so&ethin$ historica* =ept the rebe*s a*i)e. ?t the Batt*e of the 2i)er 0ae*6 Dust so&e &i*es a#ay fro& #here Li*iene #as raised6 the fate of ?eren#e #as decided. ? bri**iant surprise char$e *ed by Maesi* a$ainst his father6 #ith the he*p of the :ueen@s 2an$ers6 as they #ere be$innin$ to be =no#n6 under the $uidance of /ar$aa*d and Bethis ?rro#bane6 crushed the *oya*ists. Bean#hi*e6 and =no#in$ the chance cou*dn@t be passed6 Li*iene started a *on$ sie$e to ,aer ,a**in6 forcin$ the ar&y of the ene&y to di)ide. +eop*e rebe**ed a$ainst the 8in$ so&e days *ater inside ,a*rie. Soon 2ic=ard on*y had a bunch of fo**o#ers to defend his c*ai& and he too= his #ife and a s&a** $roup of *oya* &en and f*ed to Die&ed #here he *i)ed unti* his death about a year a$o. /istory te**s the rest of the ta*e. ?s a hero6 Li*iene S#ord#raith6 as she #as no# =no#n6 beca&e the first :ueen of ?eren#e. She soon started the inno)ati)e po*itics that has *ed to the so*id ?eren#e that today *i)es peacefu**y in the South of ?nuire. /er *on$;ti&e friend Maesi* beca&e ,ount Maesi*. ,o*e and ,a*e re&ained as ad)isors to the :ueen6 and a** three hide their true parenta$e. Irsu*a #as proposed as the *eader of the Eastern Te&p*e of (esirie6 but she refused the position to Baire ,#**&ie. Bethis ?rro#bane #as appointed as *eader of the :ueen@s 2an$ers and recei)ed the tit*e of BarEuis of the %est. /ar$aa*d6 #ho had died at the Batt*e of 2i)er 0ae*6 #as buried at the pri)ate ce&etery of ,aer ,a**in6 sho#in$ E*eanor that his co&&oner herita$e had fina**y *ed hi& to the +a*ace of ,a*rie itse*f6 e)en after death. Maesi*6 Bethis and Irsu*a are a** dead but their chi*dren and $randchi*dren are $ro#in$ up in a ne# ?eren#e. Aberon =no#s )ery #e** #ho they are and it re&ains to be seen if they #i** be $i)en the sa&e courtesies as durin$ the :ueens rei$n.

,a*rie

Basi*ica of TearsG The Basi*ica of Tears is the Eastern Te&p*e of (esirie@s *ar$est cathedra* in ?eren#e. Bui*t in the e7tre&e north of ?eren#e6 a RRRRRRRRRRR6 #hich Duts out into the 5u*f of ,oeranys6 the Basi*ica is set o $uard the entrance of the Berendor #ater#ays for ?eren#e. In addition to functionin$ as a fortress6 the Basi*ica of Tears is a resp*endent te&p*e #hose &ain cha&ber of prayer #as do&inated by tear shaped crysta*s that refracted the *i$ht into a )ibrant rainbo#. The Eueen and her ad)isors used to attend &ornin$ ser)ices here e)ery day. Aberon sho#s his respect at *east once per #ee=.
,a*rie

Irsu*ine ,hape*G Located in the capita*6 this church is the centre of the Eastern Te&p*e of (esirie and na&ed for the te&p*e@s founderC Irsu*a Die&6 a Mei*ed Sister and descendant of the nob*e house of Die&. In her *ater years6 Irsu*a *eft the Mei*ed Sisters to tra)e* #ith her friend6 Li*iene S#ord#raith6 then the youn$ :ueen of ?eren#e. Irsu*a had rea*iFed years ear*ier that the $rief she endured #as a resu*t of her entan$*e&ent in affairs that did not concern her. 0urther6 her ene&ies attac=ed her throu$h those she *o)ed. ?s a resu*t6 she preached a doctrine of se*f;re*iance to the peop*e of ?eren#e6 e7hortin$ the& to re*y on the&se*)es and their co&&unities in protectin$ their independence and #ay of *ife. It #as because of Irsu*a@s efforts that the Eastern Te&p*e of (esirie spread throu$hout ?eren#e. The Irsu*ine ,hape*6 the o*dest church in the Eastern Te&p*e6 is a beautifu* structure constructed of #hite &arb*e i&ported fro& 8hinasi. 2e*ief scu*ptures of pro&inent priests and priestesses and scenes pro&otin$ se*f;re*iance co)er the te&p*e. The enor&ous /a** of ? Thousand ,and*es in the centre of the te&p*e is *ar$e enou$h to ho*d hundreds of #orshippers at once.

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