Unrecognized Titles
Title: Caliph, Nawab, Rishis, Sa'Alik, Qallam, Caller (non-�tonist Religious Titles)
Title: Boss, Kingpin, Tyrant, Warlord, Usurper, Dictator, Master (used by Thieves' Guilds and lawless areas)
The Continents of Samoth (the Old World)
The Old World is made up of a large area called Samoth, stretching some 7,000 miles wide and spanning many climates and cultures. There are those who claim that there are lands beond Samoth filled with jungles of strange trees, cities of gold, and cults of human sacrifice. I know of no person who has been to such a fantastic land, and I believe the tales to be fanciful stories told to children at bedtime.
There are four continents and one sub-continent on Samoth. I have endeavored to provide short details on each country below. It is hoped that readers will forgive this author for including his own personal viewpoints of the countries and their governments.
Later in this writing, the reader will find interviews from three different most esteemed individuals, which will provide more in-depth learning of the cultures and politics of Esoria, the Imperial Theocracy, and Kovlich.
Buchlayne Major ("The Buchlayne")
This western continent is the home to the countries of Courriseux, Stadhof, the Rijnb�sch Republic, the Esor�an Highlands, the Imperial Theocracy ("The I.T."), Esor�a, and Cadrobar. Esor�a is the religious center of Universal �tonism.
Courriseux: A kingdom of absolute monarchy and a decadent aristocracy who line their pockets at the extent of the people.
Stadhof: A land of common peoples in individual feudal-like manors. They war with each other constantly, but will at times band together to fight a common enemy. A few unconverted barbarian tribes live here as well, but they are being converted rapidly, both by word and by sword.
Rijnb�sch Republic: A former territory held by the Imperial Theocracy which recently broke away to become an independent nation. More information is available in the interview section on the Imperial Theocracy.
The Esor�an Highlands: A buffer state created by Esor�an nobles to protect their interests in the Rijnb�sch Republic from invasion by the I.T. A land of green, rolling hills, and not much else.
The Imperial Theocracy: The reader is directed to the interview section found below for more information.
Esor�a: The reader is directed to the interview section found below.
Cadrobar: This country on the Esor�an peninsula was founded by Holem fanatics with ties to Zhivod. It is the only non-�tonist state in the Buchlayne.
Buchlayne Minor
This continent in the middle of Samoth is a land of low steppelands, high mountains, and huge, ancient forests. Kovlich, Margova, the Throecian Empire, the Zhivod Caliphate, the Akkatomian City-States, the Lugalate of Nur, and the Free & Independent City of Ryn can be found here.
Kovlich: A mountainous, dreary country full of dreary people. Originally settled by people of Ollak stock (see the section on Races of Man). Later, tribesmen from Throecia settled in the area, bringing their brand of Eastern �tonism. The religion has been intermingled with the dark superstitions of the people. The country is still one of dark mystery. The reader is directed to the interview section on Kovlich found below.
Margova: A former province of Kovlich, this country was founded by a particularly strong Archduke with an interest in Holism as well as �tonism. The majority of the country follows the ways of Eastern �tonism, but similar to Kovlich, local superstitions and fairy tales hold much sway over the commoners.
The Throecian Empire: One of the last vestiges of the ancient empires, Throecia is really no longer an empire by any means but they pride themselves on using the name. Begun as a small outpost of a corrupt Venkish empire whose name has been forgotten, Throecia survived until long after its original empire had been destroyed. Throecia now attempts to live up to the veiled past of her "mother country." They are steeped in a blending of cultures, including �tonism, Jimhi, Ollak, and even ancient pagan Venkish. They are, however, followers of Eastern �tonism for the most part. The Throecian King and the Archcleric, however, argue constantly both with themselves as well as with the Pontifex Rex of Universal �tonism.
Page 20
The Zhivod Caliphate: Zhivod is a very conservative, religious country based upon strict adherence to the ways of Holism. The Caliph helped sponsor the group of former slaves who founded the country of Cadrobar in the Buchlayne. Not much else is known about Zhivod.
