Introduction

The Four Fiefdoms represent the fractured legacy of the greatest human civilization ever known—the unified Kingdom of Darshavon, called the One Kingdom. What began as humanity's golden age under a single high king ruling from the majestic Oslo has become four separate nations locked in an eternal dance of diplomacy, trade, suspicion, and intermittent warfare. Though centuries have passed since the Fall of the Old Gods shattered their unity, the dream of reunification haunts the ambitions of rulers while the reality of division defines their daily existence.

These four realms—Seacea, Vranna, Kallendor, and Anolga—emerged from the ashes of divine catastrophe to become the dominant human powers of Uhl. Each has developed its own distinct identity, culture, and strengths, yet all share the common heritage of Darshavon's glory and the bitter memory of its destruction. Their relationships are complex webs of ancient grievances, shared histories, economic dependencies, and political maneuvering that shift like tides but never achieve lasting peace.

Before the catastrophic Year 0, all four regions existed as provinces within the magnificent Kingdom of Darshavon. Under the benevolent rule of the high king, who governed from his island capital of Oslo, these lands knew unprecedented prosperity and unity. The kingdom stretched from the Alzion Mountains in the south to the Ugull Mountains in the north, from the eastern forests to the western shores of the Barrens Ocean. The Fall of the Old Gods marked the most catastrophic event in human history, leaving the One Kingdom leaderless and forcing the provinces to fend for themselves.

The relationships between the Four Fiefdoms in the present day are characterized by what historians call "the Eternal Dance"—a constantly shifting pattern of alliances, rivalries, trade agreements, and conflicts that never achieves lasting resolution. Economic interdependence has created both cooperation and conflict among the fiefdoms, while the shadow of goblin threats continues to influence their relations. The abandoned island of Oslo continues to cast a long shadow over the political imagination of the Four Fiefdoms, with each kingdom maintaining its own interpretation of Darshavon's legacy and its own claim to be the rightful heir to the high king's authority.

Anolga

Anolga commands a long coastline along the Barrens Ocean and shares borders with both Vranna and Kallendor. The kingdom can access Seacea via the Barrens Ocean and the Eriatic Channel that runs between Oslo and the main continent. This strategic maritime position has shaped Anolga's culture and identity more than any other factor, creating a realm where the sea is both provider and battleground.

The western territories that would become Anolga experienced perhaps the most dramatic transformation following the Fall of the Old Gods. With their long coastline along the Barrens Ocean, these communities turned increasingly to maritime raiding and piracy as traditional trade collapsed. The harsh lessons of survival at sea during this chaotic period shaped Anolgan culture for centuries to come, creating a warrior society that views conflict as both necessity and honor.

Anolga's emergence was perhaps the most dramatic of all the fiefdoms, as scattered coastal communities united under warlords who had turned necessity into virtue by embracing maritime raiding as a way of life. The kingdom's capital of Ravensport became a notorious haven for pirates, raiders, and mercenaries, while its long coastline provided countless hidden bays and inlets perfect for launching surprise attacks on the other fiefdoms. The flexible political structure that emerged allowed for rapid military mobilization while maintaining the independence that seafaring communities prized.

Anolga remains the most aggressive and unpredictable of the four kingdoms, its culture shaped by centuries of maritime raiding and resource competition. While the other fiefdoms have developed more sophisticated diplomatic and economic relationships, Anolga continues to view conflict as a legitimate tool of statecraft. The kingdom's warriors are renowned throughout the region for their ferocity and seamanship, with their flexible political structure allowing for rapid military mobilization against any target of opportunity.

Anolgan raids against the other fiefdoms have become almost ritualistic, serving both economic and cultural purposes while maintaining the kingdom's warrior traditions. These raids are not merely acts of piracy but expressions of cultural identity, ways of proving worth and maintaining the martial skills that define Anolgan society. The kingdom's long coastline provides endless opportunities for such activities, with hidden harbors and secret bases known only to Anolgan navigators.

The political structure of Anolga reflects its maritime heritage, with power distributed among various sea lords who owe allegiance to the High Reaver in Ravensport. This decentralized system allows for quick responses to opportunities while preventing any single authority from becoming too dominant. The constant competition between sea lords keeps Anolgan forces sharp and ensures that the kingdom's military traditions remain strong.

Despite their reputation for aggression, Anolgans are pragmatic people who understand the value of trade and temporary alliances when it serves their interests. Their knowledge of the Barrens Ocean is unparalleled, and their shipbuilding techniques produce vessels capable of handling the roughest seas. When they choose to trade rather than raid, Anolgan goods—particularly their ships and navigational instruments—are highly prized throughout the region.

Learn more about Anolga.

Kallendor

Kallendor is bordered by Vranna to the north, Anolga to the west, and Seacea to the south. The kingdom's eastern border is defined by the Merrow Woods, where the reclusive krill dwell and which serves as the traditional gateway to the mysterious Freelands. This position has made Kallendor the natural intermediary between the human kingdoms and the wider world, a role that has shaped its culture of innovation and diplomacy.

The eastern regions that became Kallendor found themselves cut off from their traditional trade routes to the Freelands following the Fall of the Old Gods, as the Merrow Woods became increasingly dangerous. The krill tribes, always reclusive, became actively hostile to human intrusion following the divine catastrophe. Local craftsmen and engineers were forced to focus on immediate survival rather than the sophisticated goods that had made their reputation, leading to a period of intense innovation as they sought new ways to maintain their prosperity.

Kallendor formed around the rising city of Alchester, where innovative craftsmen and engineers had begun developing new technologies to replace the lost wonders of the Old Kingdom. The realm's position as the traditional gateway to the Freelands remained economically important despite the dangers of the Merrow Woods, and Kallendorian merchants developed new routes and relationships that gradually restored eastern trade. This adaptability and focus on innovation became defining characteristics of Kallendorian culture.

Under King Classus IV, known as the "Airship Monarch," Kallendor has emerged as the technological leader among the fiefdoms through his revolutionary airship innovations. The magnificent airship docks of Alchester have transformed both transportation and military capabilities, giving Kallendor significant advantages in trade and communication. These engineering marvels stretch across the eastern skyline of the capital, serving as symbols of human ingenuity and the kingdom's commitment to progress.

The Technology Academy in Alchester produces innovations that blur the line between science and magic, while skilled artisans create goods sought after across all known lands. The royal patronage of these institutions ensures that Kallendor maintains its technological edge over rival fiefdoms, with discoveries and inventions flowing from workshops and laboratories throughout the kingdom. This focus on learning and innovation has created a culture that values knowledge and practical skill above traditional martial prowess.

However, Kallendor's technological supremacy has made the other fiefdoms wary of Kallendorian ambitions, particularly given the kingdom's historical role as the gateway to the mysterious Freelands. The airship technology that has brought prosperity has also raised fears about military applications, leading to an arms race as other kingdoms seek to counter Kallendorian advantages. This technological edge comes with diplomatic challenges as neighbors worry about being left behind.

The economy of Kallendor thrives on diverse industries beyond its famous airships. The processing of minerals from nearby mines provides energy for advanced machinery, while the kingdom's position as a trade hub generates wealth from tariffs and commercial services. Kallendorian currency has become widely accepted throughout the region due to the kingdom's economic stability and the demand for its manufactured goods.

Socially, Kallendor has developed a merit-based culture in which innovation and practical skills are highly rewarded. The kingdom's educational institutions are among the finest in the region, attracting students from the other fiefdoms and even from distant lands. This emphasis on learning and advancement has created a relatively mobile society where talented individuals can rise regardless of birth, though traditional noble houses still maintain significant influence.

Learn more about Kallendor.

Seacea

Seacea is marked by its long shoreline along the Barrens Ocean with the strategically vital Bay of Lochwell where its capital Sirron is located. The kingdom borders the dangerous Alzion Mountains to the south, which are notorious for their goblin populations and constant threat of raids. Seacea's maritime position and naval traditions have made it the dominant sea power among the fiefdoms, controlling crucial trade routes and access to the abandoned island of Oslo.

In the aftermath of the Fall of the Old Gods, the southern coastal communities that would become Seacea banded together under local noble houses to defend against increased goblin raids from the Alzion Mountains. The loss of the royal navy's protection forced these settlements to develop their own maritime defenses while maintaining control of the vital Eriatic Channel. The Bay of Lochwell became a natural rallying point for scattered communities seeking protection and coordination against both goblin threats and the chaos of a world without central authority.

Seacea emerged under the leadership of the Sirron Dynasty, which established its capital at Sirron in the protected Bay of Lochwell. The kingdom's founders were naval commanders who had maintained coastal defenses during the chaotic early years following the Fall, and their maritime expertise became the foundation of Seacea's identity. The kingdom's position controlling access to the Eriatic Channel provided both strategic importance and economic opportunity, as any traffic to or from the haunted island of Oslo had to pass through Seacean waters.

Seacea has leveraged its maritime traditions and strategic position to become the dominant naval power among the fiefdoms in the current age. The kingdom's control of the Eriatic Channel allows it to regulate access to Oslo, while its shipbuilders produce the finest vessels in the known world. These ships combine traditional Seacean craftsmanship with innovations learned from contact with other maritime peoples, creating vessels renowned for their speed, durability, and seaworthiness.

Seacean exploration of the Barrens Ocean has discovered new trade routes and resources, bringing unprecedented wealth to the kingdom but also creating new sources of conflict. The kingdom's expanding maritime activities have brought it into regular conflict with Anolgan raiders who view these waters as their traditional hunting grounds. These clashes range from small skirmishes between individual ships to larger naval battles that threaten to escalate into full-scale war between the kingdoms.

The constant threat from the Alzion Mountains has shaped Seacean military doctrine and social structure. The kingdom maintains strong fortress-cities along its southern border, with a professional military focused on defending against goblin raids while also supporting naval operations. This dual focus has created a warrior culture that values both naval skill and land-based defensive tactics, producing some of the finest marines and coastal defenders in the region.

Seacea's ongoing struggles with raids from the Alzion Mountains require constant vigilance and significant military resources. The kingdom has developed sophisticated early warning systems and rapid response capabilities to deal with goblin incursions, while also maintaining diplomatic relationships with neighboring kingdoms to coordinate anti-goblin campaigns. These joint military operations are among the few times the Four Fiefdoms cooperate effectively, though such alliances are always temporary and often collapse into disputes over tactics and command.

Economically, Seacea has built its prosperity on maritime trade, fishing, and the wealth brought by exploration and commerce. The kingdom's merchants are known throughout the region for their skill in navigation and their knowledge of distant markets. Seacean coins are widely accepted due to their consistent silver content and the kingdom's reputation for honoring commercial agreements, making Sirron a major financial center for the region.

Learn more about Seacea.

Vranna

Vranna, the northernmost fiefdom, borders Anolga to the west and Kallendor to the east. The kingdom's northern frontier is defined by the Ugull Mountains, which teem with both goblin populations and established dwarven communities. This unique position has made Vranna the primary agricultural power among the fiefdoms while also creating complex relationships with both hostile and friendly non-human peoples.

The northern territories that became Vranna faced significant challenges following the Fall of the Old Gods, as the Ugull Mountains erupted with goblin activity in the aftermath of the divine cataclysm. However, the region's fertile agricultural lands and established dwarven trading relationships provided crucial resources during the chaotic early years. Local lords who could organize effective defenses began attracting followers from across the scattered communities, creating the foundation for Vranna's later emergence as a unified kingdom.

Vranna crystallized around the ancient city of Drakemoor, where a confederation of noble houses had successfully coordinated defenses against both goblin raids and territorial disputes with neighboring regions. The kingdom's abundant agricultural resources and established trade relationships with dwarven communities in the Ugull Mountains provided a stable economic foundation that allowed for steady expansion and consolidation of power. This practical approach to governance, focusing on defense and prosperity rather than grand ambitions, became a defining characteristic of Vrannan culture.

Vranna has evolved into the agricultural powerhouse of the region in the current age, feeding much of the other fiefdoms through its abundant harvests and sophisticated farming techniques. The kingdom's fertile valleys and well-managed estates produce surplus grain, livestock, and other agricultural products that are essential to the broader regional economy. This agricultural wealth has made Vranna indispensable to its neighbors while also creating economic dependencies that complicate diplomatic relationships.

The kingdom's alliance with dwarven communities in the Ugull Mountains has provided access to superior tools and weapons, while also creating unique cultural exchanges between human and dwarven societies. Vrannan metalwork shows clear dwarven influences, while human agricultural techniques have been adopted by some dwarven settlements. This cooperation has been mutually beneficial, with dwarven engineering expertise improving Vrannan agricultural productivity while human food surpluses support dwarven mining and crafting operations.

Vranna's position as the traditional breadbasket gives it significant influence in regional politics, as other kingdoms depend on Vrannan grain to feed their populations. This economic leverage is carefully managed by Vrannan rulers, who use agricultural exports as diplomatic tools while maintaining careful neutrality in conflicts between other fiefdoms. However, this policy of productive neutrality has made Vranna a constant target for Anolgan raids, as the agricultural wealth that provides diplomatic influence also makes the kingdom an attractive target for plunder.

The kingdom's agricultural wealth has created economic dependencies that complicate its relationships with other fiefdoms, particularly during times of poor harvests or political tension. Vranna must balance its role as regional food supplier with its own security needs, sometimes using agricultural exports to purchase military protection or to influence the policies of neighboring kingdoms. This balancing act requires sophisticated diplomacy and careful management of both domestic and international relationships.

Vrannan society reflects the kingdom's agricultural foundation, with a social structure based on land ownership and farming expertise. The nobility consists primarily of great landowners who have proven their ability to manage vast estates productively, while skilled farmers and agricultural specialists enjoy high social status. This merit-based approach to agriculture has made Vrannan farming the most efficient in the region, producing consistent surpluses even in difficult years.

The kingdom's complicated relationships with both goblins and dwarves in the Ugull Mountains require sophisticated border management and diplomatic skills. Vranna maintains a complex network of agreements, tribute arrangements, and military alliances that keep hostile goblin tribes at bay while preserving beneficial relationships with dwarven communities. This careful balance requires constant attention and occasional military action, but has allowed Vranna to prosper despite its challenging geographical position.

Learn more about Vranna.