Aluvia

Introduction

Aluvians are a fiercely individualistic and warlike people, quick to anger but with a strong love of justice and fairness. Though often suspicious of things new and strange, they are friendly and always prepared with a little help if they can spare it. They are loyal to their feudal lords, but expect to be well-treated in return.

The first people to arrive on Dereth Island, the Aluvians, have settled in the fields and hills around Lake Blessed.

History

In olden days, the land now known as the High Kingdom of Aluvia was home to feuding clans of warriors. Seeking conquest, the neighboring nation of Viamont invaded and instated a king, Alfric I, to rule over the clan chiefs. The native Aluvians rebelled, but with little success; subject to often brutal reprisals, they remained thralls of a foreign monarch. That changed, however, with the coronation of High King Osric. Though a Viamonter by birth, Osric dedicated his reign to mending his divided country. He made peace with the rebellious nobles, lowered backbreaking taxes, and even named his son after an Aluvian saint, Pwyll. To this day, folk sing the praises of Osric the Wise.

By the time of the rule of Pwyll III, the peoples of Aluvia had united as one, prospering under the High King’s kind and just reign. Pwyll III banded together the kingdom’s knights, forming an order of honor and chivalry, and so began a golden age. When he was slain by a treacherous ambassador from Viamont on the eve of war between the two nations, Aluvia’s knights and commoners alike fell upon their enemies and destroyed them. With Pwyll’s death, Aluvia’s glory began to wane, but it is said that, when the kingdom is at its greatest need, he and his knights will walk the land once more.

Aluvia remains a strong nation, though it shines less brightly than before. Good king Cedraic has opened up trade with nations across the sea including the Gharu’ndim and the Sho and with that trade has come prosperity. To the west, however, Viamont bides: it will only be a matter of time, some say, before war returns to the land.

When the first Aluvians came to Dereth Island, they were enslaved by the vicious Olthoi. Two of their number, the warrior Thorsten Cragstone and the lady Elysa Strathelar, fought to liberate their people with the help of the mysterious sorcerer Asheron. Though Thorsten did not live to see the end of the campaign, the Aluvians are now free once more. Though this new land is strange to them, they have made it their home. In time, it is said, a new High King will rise to rule them like wise Osric and noble Pwyll.

Factions

Here are some of the historic organizations known to have existed in the homelands of the Aluvians. How will these groups - and other groups not written of here - fare in the new land of Dereth? Your actions will doom some to the dull dust of obscurity, and raise others to the fiery glow of fame.

• The King’s Men

• Knights of the Golden Flame

• Knights of the Shield

• Order of the Gauntlet

• League of Merchants

• Scholars of Pwyll