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Chybisa is a small kingdom located in the valley of the Ulmerien River in the southeast of the island continent of H�rn. The kingdom's capital of Burzyn guards the only bridge crossing the Ulmerien River and sits astride Genin's Trail, the road connecting the kingdom of Melderyn to the east with the kingdom of Kaldor to the north. This position astride an important trade route is the source of much of the kingdom's revenue. The kingdom's position between two strong neighbors, both of which have in the past claimed the kingdom's throne, dominates affairs of state. Through careful diplomacy, Chybisa has managed to maintain both peace and its independence for the last 33 years.
Because of Chybisa's strong tradition of yeomanry, only about 55% of the kingdom's population of 10,300 persons are unfree serfs. Freepersons of common birth, the yeomanry and a growing middle-class of craftsmen and merchants, make up about 40% of the population; the ranks of the nobility account for the remaining 5%.
Most of Chybisa's 78 populated settlements lie south of the Ulmerien River, taking advantage of the natural barrier it provides against attacks by the Pagealin, a cruel and warlike barbarian people whose tribal-nation ranges to the north.
The Hodiri, the barbarian people whose tribal-nation is located south of Chybisa, are generally more peaceful than the Pagaelin, and Hodiri tribesmen often trade in the kingdom's market towns. In the spring of each year, they bring their yearlings to Burzyn for the great Horse Fair. Most of the horses traded at the fair find their way to the great market in Tashal with the annual Genin's Trail caravan.
Chybisa claims the west face of the Anadel Hills, and the mines there produce the kingdom's only other export products. The Bujoc, a relatively peaceful barbarian people inhabiting the Anadel Hills, dispute the kingdom's claim to the land. Their efforts to discourage continued operations there, combined with the occassional gargun swarm, make the mines a dangerous, if profitable, enterprise.
Most of Chybisa's refined metals, primarily lead, copper, and zinc, are shipped to markets in Kanday and the Sindarin kingdom of Evael, and these kingdoms are Chybisa's major trading partners. Chybisa's main imports are luxury goods from distant Lythia, usually acquired in trade from Melderyni merchants.
Unlike the situation found in other H�rnic kingdoms, the Church of Larani exercises little influence over affairs of state in Chybisa, though it is still the religion of the ruling class. The majority of the peasant class worship the goddess Peoni, with her followers making up nearly 90% of Chybisa's population. Worship of Agrik, Morgath, or Naveh is punishable by death but other religions are tolerated.
To gain an appreciation for just how small Chybisa really is, it might help to compare it with someplace you know. Clicking on the buttons below will show you a map of Chybisa superimposed on one of the city of: