Modria

Modria is a wide, flat country of golden savannah, broken by small groves of stunted trees and tumbled boulders. It is dry and hot. and much of the land claimed by the state is wilderness, with the population clustered along the road that leads from the fortress of Irongate to the capital city of Frodo. Most of the citizens make their living as textile farmers, harvesting cotton, silk, and pipeweed. The southern part of the country is settled by herdsmen, while settlements that brave the shadow of the Jungles of Omeer survive through forestry. Some of the finest furniture in the Realm is made in Frodo.

Modria is a vassal state of Gornath. Agents of the Steward collect taxes from the citizens, but the running of the country is left to an appointed govenor. The current govenor is Ratheric the Fifth, nephew of the Steward. The young noble was effectively exiled to the post to remove him from the political equation in Gornath. He is energetic and popular and takes his job very seriously. His chief concern continues to be the Midga to the southeast. Gornath has ordered expansion in that direction and all attempts at establishing settlements have ended badly for the Modri.

Life and Society: The people of Modria are hardy, simple folk that value honesty and hard work. Many of the common folk never travel more than a few miles from the places they were born. Most make their living as herdsmen or textile farmers. The country has known war for generations and the farmers are ready to drop their plowshares and take up swords if neccessary. Even small communities usually have fences and/or ditches around them, and the gates that allow entry are locked after dark. This is as much for protection against the predators of the plains and the denizen of the Omeer as it is to ward off bandits or humanoid marauders.

Major Geographical Features: The western plains are mostly wilderness, home to roaming herds of Zebra and Giraffe, as well as the small prides of lions that hunt them. Gnoll warbands often raid settlements that border on these plains, coming from the mountains or the western expanse of Omeer.

Melorn Lake is a deep, freshwater lake. There is a pirate hold on the north bank and they sometimes prey on ships that come down the Slo River.

Sites of Interest: Frodo is the capital city of Modria and as unlike the countryside as night to day. It is an old city, founded in 250MR, and built up over the years to a bustling metroplois. The streets are crowded with travellers from all over the realm. Until the arrival of Govenor Ratheric, the thieves' guild held the town and plied their trade with impunity. The Govenor brought in a band of mercenaries to bolster the militia and they began an open war against the guild. In a few months, it was over, ending with an assault on the guild headquarters and the death of the guildmaster.

The town has a significant population of Midga among the lower classes and with the recent revival of hostilities between the nations, tensions are high in the poorer neighborhoods. Clashes in the streets are common despite the efforts of the Govenor to quell such actions.

A dozen warships of the Elves of Omeer lie at anchor just north of the city of Frodo. They claim to be exiles of their lands, defeated by treachery and forced to flee for their lives. Their queen claims rightful rulership of her people and is seeking aid to return to her kingdom.

Larani was founded in 912MR after the the Darkling War on the site of the ruined fort of Bridgekeep. The village has grown to a prosperous town thanks to it's position at the only bridge that crosses the Sto River. The town also features the first temple ever built to Tezlan.

Fortune is a small village that grew around a temple of Tyche, founded by Carmon Diablo in 929MR. It is also the location of Strom Coldsteel's Adventurers' Guild and the imfamous Ghul D'Khat has a "country home" here.

Wobblerock is a community of halflings, or hobbits as they name themselves. The finest pipeweed in all of Quindia comes from their feilds.

The Vault is a dungeon built to house the Book of Infinite Dreams (See The Vault Campaign for more information).

Plots and Rumors: Shortly after the arrival of the elven queen, Govenor Ratheric made room for her and her entourage in the palace and a romance seems to have developed. The young Govenor recently announced their plans to be wed. Whispers in the streets claim that he has been bewitched by this savage queen. No reaction from Gornath has yet reached Frodo.

The guildmaster of the thieves' guild isn't dead. He was badly wounded, but both he and his chief lieutenant escaped and are in hiding in a nearby village.

Capital: Frodo

Population: 567,000 (76% Human, 15% Halfling, 5% Dwarf, 3% Wild Elf, 1% Other)

Government: (AL-CG) Vassal-state of Gornath. Local ruleby a Govenor appointed by the Steward of Gornath and a council of nine. The council is composed of the Ministers of War, Commerce, and Construction, the Cardinal of the Church of Law, an agent of the Mageguild, a member of the Bard's College, and three representatives elected by the citizens of Modria.

Religions: The Church of Law is the major religion, but the churches of Tezlan and Tyche also have followers in Modria. Shrines to Misha and Grome may be found throughout the country side, as well as scattered alters to various local dieties.

Imports: Books, glassware, mercenaries, spices, weapons

Exports: Carpets, cheese, cloth, fine furniture, fruit, livestock, nuts, pipeweed, rugs, silk, silver

Regional Feats: Blooded, Luck of Heroes, Militia