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4.2 Place of Origin
- A character's place of origin can be the place where he was born
or the place he grew up. There are no hard and fast rules about
how to select this place. However, every character should have
at least a general idea about where he hales from.
- It is strongly suggested the player, with the help of the DM,
determine his character's place of origin. However, if this is
not possible or desirable, a place of origin can be determined
randomly on the table following.
- The Place of Origin table lists several broad groupings of kingdoms
and geographic areas. These groupings should not be viewed as
political alliances or even (in some cases) as groupings of kingdoms
in close geographic proximity to each other. Rather they are a
tools for determining randomly where a character comes from.
- The table is divided into the following broad categories:
- Barbarian Lands are the undeveloped and uncivilized regions of the continent
where barbarian and nomadic peoples are prevalent;
- Dark Dominions are the kingdoms and regions which support a basically evil populations
which include an above average number of humanoids;
- The Great North Coast includes the kingdoms along the northwestern portion of the continent
from The Thorn Lands (Eirbron) in the east to Bandoran on the
west coast;
- The Hearthlands are the kingdoms in the north-central portion of the continent
which, among other commonalities, count the Empire of Roland as
a common enemy;
- The Ishmaq Lands are the kingdoms on the continent of Fälgorna which follow the
Ishmaq religion. These kingdoms are similar to the Arabian peninsula
of our world;
- The Mountain Kingdoms are spread throughout the continent and only share the fact that
they all include large sections of mountains or hills in their
geography;
- The Orient includes the kingdoms on the east coast of the continent, the
lands of the samurai and wu jen;
- The Pel includes the kingdoms on the vast Plains of Pel. These regions
share a strong tradition of horsemanship and the constant threat
of invasion from the followers of the Ishmaq religion;
- The Empire of Roland heading includes the evil Empire of Roland and the kingdoms and
provinces under its direct control or influence;
- The Special category includes regions that a character will come from only
if he selects a specific character class or kit.
- Following the table is a section which provides a brief description
of each of the kingdoms and geographic areas listed. More detailed
information on the areas listed is available from the DM. Players
are encouraged to help develop the background of their character's
place of origin.
Area and kingdom summaries
- Adicia, Isle of — The isle of the Amazons located in the Adian Ocean south of the
continent. It's exact location is unconfirmed.
- Aré Arda — A sparsely inhabited region of miners, fishers and farmers ruled
by an immortal elf... more
- Arken, Province of — A semiautonomous region under the sway of the Empire of Roland
which provides a refuge for demihumans persecuted by the sorcerer-king
... more
- Bandoran — A kingdom of pirates, thieves and assassins on the west coast
of the continent ... more
- Bartravia, Kingdom of — A prosperous feudal kingdom in the Spur Passes ruled with an
iron hand by a paternalistic king. The culture is basically Germanic
... more
- Black Hills — An extensive region of high hills on the southeastern edge of
the continent. Many dwarves and barbarians live here.
- Black Mountains — Two chains of mountains, the Upper and Lower Black Mountains which
divide the Orient from the west. These mountains stretch through
vast tracks of unsettled land.
- Boulder Hills — Cold, barren hills on the north coast just east of Garon-Bor,
mostly inhabited by barbarians and humanoids.
- Burning Islands — A volcanic island chain in the Turarctic Ocean north of the continent,
inhabited mostly by barbarians.
- Carthenbürg — A landlocked agricultural kingdom friendly with Pel, but strongly
influenced by the Ishmaq religion.
- Carthonia, Kingdom of — A weak agricultural kingdom which exists at the pleasure of its
more powerful neighbors ... more
- Circle of Iron — A lose confederacy of city-states bound together for trade and
mutual defense, located on the southern coast of the continent
- Coltus, Isle of — A large island on the west side of the continent where Eriador
Clan dwarves are fighting for their survival.
- Cyllene, Republic of — A powerful seafaring, island republic which maintains close ties
with the City-state of Rush ... more
- Dark Forest — An immense forest which covers a large portion of the continent
beginning on the borders of the Hearthlands and The Pel and stretching
to the Empire of Täghorn.
- Dolan — The militaristic home of the noble order of the Knights of Erus
... more
- Dzargritin, Clan Lands of — Home of the Dzargritin Clan dwarves in the Upper Black Mountains.
- Eirbron, Kingdom of — A beacon of learning and knowledge with a strong Celtic atmosphere,
home of the high temple of Lilnana ... more
- Erie of Bloodlock — A land in the Dislit Swamp ruled by a mysterious ring of extremely
powerful wizards.
- Ether, Province of — A vast training ground for the legions of the Empire of Roland.
- Everdark — The vast lands beneath the surface of Fälgorna, also commonly
known as the Underdark. It is home to the Drow and other less
savory peoples.
- Eye, Theocracy of the — A theocracy dedicated to the Cult of Elemental Evil, located
on a peninsula on the southern side of the continent ... more
- Fellnor — An oligarchy of five Ishmaq caliphs which stands as the first
line of defense against the Theocracy of the Eye ... more
- Frozen Wastes — Steppe land along the north coast of the continent which are
nearly uninhabitable.
- Garin, Kingdom of — A small, moderately wealthy, lackey state of the Empire of Roland.
- Garon-Bor — The evil domain of the Demon Lord Arrok. A wasteland which serves
as home for humanoids and evil barbarians ... more
- Het — A dwarven kingdom in the Black Hills and Lower Black Mountains
in the southern region of the continent.
- Hestlegartle, Clan Lands of — Home of the Hestlegartle dwarves in the northern Spineridge Mountains.
- Juad Wood — An aboreal forest in the northeastern portion of the continent.
Home to Viking-like Juad barbarians.
- Isle of the Brothers — Home of an ancient order of warrior-monks located in the Barmouth
Bay. No one lands on the island without the permission of the
order and lives to tell the tail.
- Iré, Province of — A rebellious province of the Empire of Roland known as a safe
haven for pirates.
- Kent, Kingdom of — An extremely powerful kingdom modeled on medieval France, located
in the central portion of the continent ... more
- Keto, Duchy of — Home of the world's most notorious slave lords, the historical
enslavers of the lizard men ... more
- Krakeland — An inhospitable and poor kingdom located in the coastal swamps
of the Barmouth Bay.
- Lorence, Sultanate of — A country on the southeastern tip of the continent with an Ishmaq
culture influenced strongly by dwarves and Oriental philosophy.
- Mare, Barony of — A prosperous province of Pel known for its superior horse breeders.
- Moroxia, Barony of — An insignificant region which pledges loyalty to Pel.
- Nyfor — An amazonian kingdom under the sway of the Empire of Roland,
located on the northwestern edge of the continent.
- Orange, Kingdom of — An agricultural kingdom in the southern portion of the continent
which is in virtually constant warfare with Ravencraft ... more
- Paladondia — The western province of the old Paladian elf empire ... more
- Pantaerian Islands — An extensive island chain of the east coast of the continent.
This region is Oriental in culture.
- Pel, Kingdom of — The famed horsemen of Pel make their home in this kingdom on
the plains ... more
- Petty Kingdoms — A region of bandit lords and rulers of small fiefs.
- Ravencraft — An evil kingdom loyal to the Empire of Roland. The land teems
with humanoids and constantly wars with the Kingdom of Orange
and its other neighbors ... more
- Realmé, Kingdom of — A strong naval power at the top of the Barmouth Bay, ardently
opposed to the Ishmaq religion.
- Redrake Isle — A near tropical volcanic island on the southern edge of the Gulf
of Bright in the Adian Ocean. Home to barbarians who worship an
ancient red dragon ... more
- Roland, the Empire of — A vast empire which dominates the western side of the continent
under the evil hand of the sorcerer-king Ceta-Tha. It is a land
where demihumans are persecuted and humanoids walk the streets
of cities ... more
- Rush, the City-state of — The home of a bold and powerful people who have broken free from
the chains of the Empire of Roland. It is probably the most prosperous
city on the continent ... more
- Salen — A caliphate in the Ishmaq lands which serves as the base of operations
for the famed House Quentari merchant house ... more
- Smoking Glass Desert — A vast arid region west of the Spineridge Mountains which is
inhabited by only a few hardy humans and humanoids.
- Täghorn, Empire of — The great eastern empire of the Paladian elves, a strong oriental
culture and home of the world's most important magical academy.
- Tartony, the Kingdom of — A defense-minded kingdom that borders the Empire of Roland ...
more
- Thorn, Free City of — A prosperous city-state on the southern side of the continent
at the tip of Barmouth Bay.
- Thorn Lands — A large tract of lightly-settled frontier land which is part
of the Kingdom of Eirbron ... more
- Tumanzahar, Clan Lands of — Home of the Tumanzahar dwarves in the Misty Mountains.
- Urssia, the Kingdom of — An extremely powerful, militaristic nation which has placed the eyes of conquest on several of its neighbors; Germanic in culture. … more
- Uther — The home of crusaders who have survived while surrounded by the
forces of the Ishmaq faithful.
- Vebroncy Plains — A prairie land which begins in the Kingdom of Eirbron and stretches
east along the northern border of the Dark Forest; the home of
many horse barbarians.
- Vostead — A mysterious kingdom in the southern Spineridge Mountains which
serves as home of the Cult of the Stone of Truth. The high priest
is loyal to the Empire of Roland.
- Wilnöven, Kingdom of — A weak kingdom with an enlightened ruler which acts as a buffer
between the Empire of Roland and Paladondia in the Spineridge
Mountains. The place has a Slavic-Swiss feel ... more
- White Ice — An arctic region at the extreme northeastern tip of the continent.
- Yart — A religiously intolerant kingdom in the Ishmaq lands. It proves
a constant threat to kingdoms which follow other religious beliefs
... more
- Zorgos, Kingdoms of — Twin kingdoms in the southern Spineridge Mountains ruled jointly
by humans and dwarves ... more
- Zlbregrunt, Clan Lands of — Home of the Zlbregrunt Clan dwarves in the Crystal Hills and
Boulder Hills, influenced by Oriental culture.
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