Warriors of Calabria

Many are the faces of the warriors who travel Calabria. From those who trade their services for coin, to knights sworn to ancient oaths, the sword and spear are seldom far from a hand eager to do battle.

N.C. Wyeth

Mercenaries are ever at the employ of merchants eager to protect their business investments. The Confederacy of Traders and Merchant's Republic both boast impressive armies, and many a free merchant has a sellsword or two as his side. However, where loyalty lies only to coin, profit and security can change like the weather. Still, many a trader would  prefer the devil he knows to the one he can't understand, and are just as frightened by the concepts of loyalty and honor as they are of an empty pocket.

N.C. Wyeth

Generation through generation stand the Knights of the Empire, sworn to uphold justice and mercy. Chivalry is their code, and pursing doers of wrong to the ends of the earth is their aim. Woe to the scoundrel who's reputation has reached the ears of such a knight.

N.C. Wyeth

Unconcerned with the petty exploits of men, the rangers of Calabria pursue their own vengence against creatures of darkness. Ever vigilant, they track the wilds and wastes, hunting foes of mankind with every breath they draw.

N.C. Wyeth

Preying upon the unsuspecting, highwaymen lurk at woods edge, and make their beds in the ruins across the countryside. All who carry coin are their prey.

N.C. Wyeth

Unique amont the men of Clabria are the Knights of Oregate. Sworn only to their ruler, they have but one goal; to protect the wealth of their territory. Rare through the ages is the Knight of Oregate who's loyalty has been turned.

Peter Nicolai Arbo

Famed is the might of the warriors of the clans of Calabria.

They are slow to wrath, yet fierce in battle, both man and woman among them. A feast at the table of ravens awaits those who underestimate their prowess.

Gustav Dore

Knud Berglien

From across the Northren sea come men of honor, ever ready for battle, yet willing to die for the sake of their countrymen. From the harsh winter wastes they carve their lives, filling each day with battle or merriment. Rare is their presence is Calabria.

Jean-Joseph Benjamin Constant

From beyond the Sea of Hope come warriors of wisdom, unparalleled in learning and art. Seldom are their blades idly drawn.

The Clans of Men of Old

Ever have there been peoples who kept to the Old Ways. With eyes ever watching from the wilderness, they have seen the futility of the feats of man; building ever stronger, taller, and more expansive, only to be crumbled to dust by the whim of the Gods. With steady stride, these watchers continue in their traditions, unruffled by the noise of those who would feign to shape the earth as if it were theirs to mold.

Thomas Cole

N.C. Wyeth

They live in the heights of the mountains, or in the deepness of the wood. They live by calming rivers, or near the crashing shore. And in these places of solitude, they commune with all that is; leaf, wind, and creature of the earth. They derive their strength through root and stone; through crystal spring and summer storm; through winter's fire and the lactation of the ewes.

Nicolaj Albildgaard

Their secrets and their ways are preserved generation through generation with story and song. Not a single word of the Old Tales are written in their hand in the markings of the men of cities; rather, they are carried on blessed tongue, to the fortunate ears of those with the grace to listen patiently.

The earth and the winds listen also to their tales, as do the forests the the beasts of the fields, the flame and murmuring brook.

William Beard 
It has been told that these clans have each a special bond with a totem; a creature of Phanes, lord of all animals. A bond so strong that language is shared between man and beast, and that there are those who can take the form of such an animal at will.

William Beard

Concerning the Gods, and Those who Follow Them

Since the time of The Shattering, the Archons have abandoned the earth, taking their secrets with them. The knowledge of man is but a shadow of what it once was, and there are many who ever toil to discover the lost treasures of the Gods. Many paths are followed, all seeking the same source, though one may seem to have little in common with another.

Caspar David Friedrich

There are those who have always followed their own way, eschewing temples of crafted stone for a more basic connection to the earth and all that dwell on it and within it. Here and there scattered across the land are monuments as old as the earth. To these places come those that shun the cities of men. People of the deep wood, of the mountains, and of the rivers. And the people of the sky, the Gryphonym. It is best to leave these places undisturbed, as forces deep and strong dwell within them, with little tolerance for the intrusion of the ignorant.

Carl Spizweg

There are those who pursue such knowledge as an entertaining endeavor, and are drawn to power as moths to a flame. It is well that such men should be thwarted, as the forces that they toy with are far beyond their imagining.

Ever they will toil, prodding and probing as children in the dark. Yet the light they discover will all too often be the searing flames that scorch the soul.

Whether their goals are good or ill matters not, for when vengeance strikes it takes no heed of intention.

John Waterhous

There are those who have kept the secrets, passed down one to another in lineage unbroken. And though some great measure of what was once known has been lost, they do not idly call upon the forces that wait just beyond the veil of worlds, nor do so with a light heart. Desperate are they who barter with ones of such knowledge, and many are the sorrowful souls who were granted their heart's desire.

Gustav Moreau

Finally are the priests of the temples, who seek to impose the will of the gods on man. Yet many are the priests who instead impose their own will, either through arrogance or through the cunning of deceitful spirits with sweet voices. The wrath of the gods may slumber, yet strike swiftly when awoken.

Of Bogeymen and Bugbears

Theodor Kittelsen

Larger than Goblinkind, this frightening group of creatures are ever at war with mankind. Though their appearance varies widely, and they all shun the sun, these creatures of darkness have several varieties.

Bugbears live in dark forests, from which they seldom venture.
Roads passing through these forests are treacherous even in daytime, as the overhanging canopy creates a perpetual twilight within the woodland.

Henri Fuseli

Orcs live in the earth, and are particularly loath to venture out into the sun. They will seldom be found outside far from a cave opening, with roots that delve deep.

Gargoyles are flying creatures of the night.

Bogeymen are the most mysterious of all. Some say they are creatures of the element of Time, and are able to vanish at a moment's notice.

Of Goblinkind

Arthur Rackham

Goblin is a broad term which covers many creatures of mischievous nature. Common to Goblinkind is their  small size, cunning, and dark and cruel humor. They may be solitary, or gather in large groups. They will almost always avoid physical combat with humans if they can.

Tommyknockers (whom the Dwarves call Kobolds) are of the earth, and dwell in caves and mines. They communicate over long distances by knocking on pipes and cave walls (hence the term Knockers). They are known for causing cave ins, and otherwise creating mischief for miners.

Redcaps are solitary Goblins who favor inhabiting the ruins of human civilization. They get their name from their habit of dying their caps in their victim's blood.

Hobgoblins are goblins of the wood. They live within trees and hillsides in dark forests, and venture out mostly at night. They are most active during the new moon. Hobgoblins have a propensity for abducting small children.

Kelpies are water Goblins, and tend to be solitary. They lure humans to the water either to be their mates and servants or to meet a watery death. They are shapeshifters, and often take the form of horses.

The Pooka is a Goblin of air, which like the Kelpie has the ability to shapeshift.

The Mandragora is a Goblin of fire.

Of Wyrms and Wyverns

Edward Burne Jones

Wyrms (Lindworms) are said to be relatives of the draconian breed. They vary so widely in form and affection, it is almost impossible to detail their specific traits. Wyrms are attuned to each of the elements, Earth, Fire, Water, and Time. As such, a wyrm may appear, as if from nothing, in the middle of a field sprung up from the earth, or swimming in a tidal cave on the coast. They are flightless, but the existence of legs and the number of such varies, as does their overall length and girth. They are fortunately a rare occurrence in Calabria, seldom plaguing a region more than once or twice in a generation.

Wyverns are Wyrms of air. They are like Lindworms in many ways, excepting they are quite capable of flight. Wyverns tend to all be much of the same size, and in Calabria keep to mountainous regions for the most part. However, domestic animals are not free from danger. Reports of Wyverns attacking people are rare.

Fortunately, neither Wyrms nor Wyverns have the cunning of Dragons of old, nor do they reach such great size.

Concerning Gnomes

Arthur Rackham

Gnomes belong to the forest. Often mistaken for Dwarves, Gnomes love things that are green and lush, and couldn't bear to dwell under the earth away from light. They tend to live in natural hillsides, or in hollowed out trees. Famed among the trees of the Gnomish homeland are Lockhorn trees, towering to heights of over 400 feet. The wood of these trees is prized throughout the world, and Gnomes guard them enviously.

Reported to be good natured and inquisitive, Gnomes are seldom seen in Calabria, and none are known to live there. Their craft at metalworking is said to rival that of Dwarves. Many of the famous swords of legend are said to be Gnomish made. However, Gnomes are just as likely to be happy shaping a drinking goblet as they are an instrument of warfare.

They are said to be similar in size to Halflings, although not as handsome to behold.

Concerning Halflings

Arthur Rackham

Halflings are called so, being roughly half the height of men. They interact with men only when necessity dictates. They otherwise confine themselves to their farmlands and comfortable homes. They are happiest when either tilling the soil, or entertaining a few guests at their table. Despite their small size, their appetites and capacity for consumption are something to be marveled at. They put their trust in Phusis, goddess of all things growing, above all others.

There is a settlement of Halflings in Freehold, where the humans most closely share their sensibilities. Their homeland is on a small island, across the Northren sea.

Concerning Elves

Edward Burne-Jones

Elves are beings most attuned to Time, and revere Kronos, god of time, among all others. Tales of "immortal lands", where time passes differently among the elves, are common. A frequent motif is the tale of an adventurer who ages immediately upon returning to "mortal lands" after spending time among the elves.

Elves are masters of the hunt, and revel in dance and song. It is said that in the age before The Shattering, they trafficked often with humans. In these days, they either remain secluded, or travel incognito. The males are often mistaken to be females by humans, due to their graceful movements and ageless skin.

John Collier

Their gleeful nature it not to be mistaken for naivete as elves can be not only quite ancient, but deadly as well. It is wise when encountering elves to speak little or not at all. It is best to avoid them altogether.

Concerning Dwarves

Carl Spitzweg

Dwarves are diminutive beings, shorter than men but varying greatly in stock and height. Some Dwarves are solitary, while others live in large communities or cities. They may live above or below ground, but they seldom traffic with humans. Common to all Dwarves is their affinity for the earth, and their innate talent for shaping stone. They revere Gaia, the Earth Goddess above all others. Their structures, like their skin, clothing, and art, is commonly comprised of muted earth tones.

Their homeland lies across the Northren Sea, with Stonehaven their greatest city. Dwarves in Calabria may sometimes be found as foremen among the silver mines in the north.  There is also rumoured to be a family or two of Dwarves living near Birg Nor. Tales of solitary Dwarves in the Silver or Iron Hills are not uncommon. However, in such tales their disposition varies widely. One should always treat solitary creatures with caution.

Concerning Giants

Arthur Rackham

Folktales of giants abound in Calabria. Where truth meets imagination is hard to say, for in fact few people in Calabria have ever seen a giant. There are those in Freehold, who swear their parents saw the day a giant strolled by carrying a cow on his back, half a dozen pigs from his belt, and an assortment of sheep in a sack, all lively and protesting with all their effort, and the giant paying them not a bit of mind.

Stories of giants as small as a tall man, to giants looming over the tops of castle towers, all grace the evening hearths when the day's work is done and supper has been served.

From Birg Nor come tales of Frost Giants, and from across the Southren Sea, Fire Giants. Mountain Giants to the West, and Cloud Giants in tomes of forgotten lore. What is common to all giant tales however, is that their great size and strength is counterbalanced by their slow wit.

The Nameless City

Hubert Robert

Through the thickness of Woodbury, the Via Imperium bores a tunnel towards the Nameless City. Stones turned and cracked by ever encroaching roots, the uneven road remains a reminder (lure to some, warning to others) of the presence of the  City with no Name. Rumored to have been a city of great importance during the Age of the Empire, the city was shunned after The Shattering. There are those who still go to seek their fortune or ruin, delving into deep secrets perhaps best left forgotten. Rocky shores and stormy waters all but prevent approach from the coast. Even so, sailors keeping a safe distance from shore still call upon the blessings of the gods when they come within site of the city.

Hubert Robert

Carín

James Duffield Harding

Carin faces westard off the rocky coast of the Confederacy of Traders. Once linked to her sister city across the Sea of Hope, Carin has regular direct dealings with the neighboring island.

Birg Nor

Pieter Bruegel de Oude

Samuel Prout

Birg Nor is a City rumored to be of Dwarven design, and has quite an alien feel in relation to the rest of Calbaria. The crashing waves of the coastal city call out across the Northren Sea, yearning for a response from the horizon.

Wyvern's Point

William Turner

Claude Lorrain

Wyvern's Point is the single wealthiest city in Calabria. While not as ostentatious as Len Draal, the city is every bit as secure. Welcoming waterfront docks belie the strategic design of the Citadel, which has been defended numerous times from threats local and abroad.

Oregate is ideally positioned as  shipping port, and uses that advantage to dominate trading with other lands.

 While eschewing the title "king", the ruler of Wyvern's Point is in fact the ruler of Oregate, and a unique sense of loyalty provides Calabria with the one remaining region that seems to operate off of the Island's outmoded concepts of serfdom.