A strong expansionist state, the Kingdom of Urssia hopes to one day prove its military power in battle with the Empire of Roland. While most of the kingdom’s assets go toward strengthening the military, a source of great national pride, the common people still enthusiastically support the crown despite the lower standard of living in comparison to their counterparts in neighboring kingdoms. The current king of this Germanic-style kingdom welcomes any opportunity to take control of bordering lands, whether through force or diplomacy. Rulers: King Adolf (Klaus) the Great (Fighter 22/Wizard 9); Duke Sven Drachesohn (Fighter 17); Duke Jon Adlerinneres (Fighter 25); Duke Adalwulf Eisenaugen (Ranger 23); Prince Chustaffus Klaus (Wizard 19); High Priest Guntram Kriegspieler (Priest of Cobar 23). Capital: Baiburg (80,000); Major Settlements: Drachebucht (96,000); Hafenfürst (19,000), Hügelseest (17,000), Zinnstadt (14,500), Rockspire (12,500), Eisenschloß (5,000), Edelsteinberg (4,800) Human population: 6,700,000; Demihuman population: Gnomes (24,000), Halflings (40,000), Dwarves (2,000), others; Humanoid population: Orcs (Black Skull: 20,000); Hobgoblins (Dogsofstrife: 10,000); Goblins (20,000), Kobolds (38,000), ogres, trolls, giants, others. Resources: Iron, tin, gold, cattle, wheat, rye, barley, beer, fish. One of the largest kingdoms geographically on the Great North Coast is the militaristic Kingdom of Urssia. The kingdom has gradually grown in power over the past 200 years to be a force over which even the powerful Empire of Roland has shown concern. It’s standing military is only second to the forces of Roland. The rapid Urssian rise to power began during the reign of King Helmund the Hard (reigned from CT 772-814). When King Helmund took the throne, Urssia was a small kingdom of less than a quarter its present land area. However, Helmund saw that several of his neighbors, particularly the neighboring Kingdom of Carthonia, were weak and unprepared for a battle. They chose to bow and scrape to the emperor in Ro rather than to make a choice to defend themselves. In the year CT 782, King Helmund took advantage of an overpopulation of monsters in Carthonia to force King Rolph IV of Carthonia into a protection treaty, which required an annual tribute be paid to King Helmund. The king then used the substantial wealth to fund his plans to unite the feuding Urrsian warlords under one crown. Helmund was not at heart a power seeker, nor did he eye his neighbors’ territories out of greed. He knew that a united kingdom in the region could more easily resist the advances of the emperor. At heart, he was a freedom-loving patriot who believed his conquests would provide security for future generations. One after another the smaller and less powerful kingdoms fell or swore allegiance to Helmund. In a single lifetime, Helmund achieved what no other king in the region known as Urssia had done before. He had united the feuding lords under the rule of a single king. He solidified his rule through the Treaty of Hafenfürst in CT 801 when the noble lords of the region officially recognized him as king and swore eternal allegiance to him and his heirs. In the years since Helmund’s crowning, seven kings have ruled Urssia and several smaller kingdoms have been brought into the Urssian fold, including the gnomes of Rockspire. The present ruler, King Adolf the Great has plans for bringing the kingdom of Carthonia fully under the control of Urssia. Currently, Carthonia struggles to pay its annual tribute to Urssia due to disruption of trade caused by Urssian-sponsored bandits and pirates. Should the Carthonian king fall short in his annual tribute, this would provide ample excuse for an Urrsian invasion to “restore order and peace in the region.” He would also like to annex Tartony and Bartravia, but fears Tartony’s alliance with Rush and though he could win an outright war with Bartravia, he does not wish to commit the necessary resources to fight a prolonged war. In the case of Bartravia he is seeking the hand of one of King Vlad’s daughters in hopes of gaining control over the kingdom through marriage. The people of Urssia do not live in poverty but the economic situation in the country is less than desirable. Much of the heavy taxes in the kingdom go to maintaining a large standing military. Little is provided in the way of infrastructure or social improvements. Still the people are proud of their heritage and king and feel strongly that their present condition would improve if it were not for the “hostile” forces on their borders. The kingdom has rich iron, gold, and tin resources and plentiful timber. The agricultural lands are rich as well with plentiful grains and cattle. Roughly 20 percent of the population is involved in some way, either through trade or direct service with the military. Among craftsmen, many practice trades beneficial to the military. Urssia supports an standing army of 60 regular and six elite legions. The regular army includes 40 infantry/archers legions, 10 cavalry legions, five mountain legions and 5 artillery legions. The navy includes 400 mixed warships and seven legions of marines. Settlements and Features Following is a brief description of some of the major cities and areas of interest in the Kingdom of Urssia. Baiburg The capital of Urssia supports a population of around 80,000 and is known for harsh justice and its many laws favoring the nobility. For example, hot baths for commoners spending a night at an inn are not allowed. Rockspire More than half the rock gnomes dwelling in Urssia call Rockspire home. This gnomish city carved from the interior of a massive stone pillar in the Spur Passes supports a population of approximately 12,000 rock gnomes.