The Lurindor Compact

Land of Coin
Capital: Coracentia.
Notable Settlements: Blébonté, Dol Harkûr, Ferrocittà, Foycomté, Mariporta, Nuevo Venicar, Santo Venito, Rochefort, Valdargent.
Ruler: Crown-Executor Niccolo Sovrani.
Government: Feudal plutocracy.
Religion:

• Common: Belthazar, Karthamor, Kimylia, Tierra.
• Uncommon: Asmodeus, Deianeira, Kaï-den, Noué, Phaenya, Seshalis, Zhao-Khan.
• Rare: St. Argath, Danika, Cylene, El-Sathys, Firhanna, Heranis, Jeshakhet, Lucial, Sindall, Vandarion.

Population:

• Common: halfling (Valoix), human (Venici).
• Uncommon: dwarf (Ohramdar), gnome (Wesfalli), hobgoblin (Helzari), human (Pravic, Prydwyn, Siegvolk), orc (Norgrim), uroknar (Norgrim).
• Rare: aelfkyn (Venici), cyclops (Carpathi), elf (Ilmeri), human (Xianese), kitai (Rivian), legaren (Rivian), skriven (Rivian).

Languages:

• Common: cyclops (Carpathi), dwarf (Ohrmdish), elf (Ilmeri), gnome (Wesfallish), goblin (Norgrish), halfling (Valish), human (Venici), kitai (Rivish), legaren (Rivish), orc (Norgrish), skriven (Rivish).
• Uncommon: goblin (Helzharish), human (Cassimi, Pravici, Siegrede).
• Rare: goblin (Grazhani), human (Pryddish, Xianese).

Currency: luxum (platinum), lurin (gold), dime (silver), cent (copper)

One of the richest nations of the world, the Lurindor Combine is a land where commerce dominates the daily lives of its inhabitants. The people here claim that Lurindor is a land where hard work is rewarded regardless of your background, but its critics denounce the nation as a land of ruthless greed. The truth, as always, lies somewhere in the middle.

Lurindor considers itself the centre and apex of modern civilization, a claim they can truly boast as it is one of the oldest, still thriving nation in northern Asteropa. As a nation, it can be considered over twelve hundred years old, and six hundred years old under the rule of the merchant-lords.

Lurindor comprises the land west of the Lake Lurin, bordered on its west side by the Muropietra Mountains and the Blancsommet Peaks. To its north are the lands of Pravica and Norgrim, and to its south are the Viridian Marches.

History

During the Age of Strife, the land that would once become Lurindor was settled by nomadic halfling tribes. Together, they created the realm of Valderêve.

In the year 4057 Age of Strife, the Venicar Empire in the southwest expanded northward. After a brief war of conquest, the Valderêve halfling accepted to become tributaries to the Empire. Venicar then established a colony in the unsettled lands north of Valderève. The colony became known as Ispiran, and formed a bastion against the orcish hordes of Norgrimm.

Ispiran became independent in the year 4272 Age of Strife when the Venicar Empire fell due to civil war, followed by a massive slave rebelllion. The Valderêve halflings took this opportunity to regain their freedom as well. The former colony became more dominant on the Sea of Lurin, while the halfling country allied with the dwarven stronghold of Dol Harkûr, and proliferated the southwest plains and hills.

The Rastoli Dynasty

In the year 4314 Age of Strife, Giorgio Rastoli escaped the dying Venicar Empire, and waged a war of conquest on the lands of Lurindor. After the first successful battles against the forces of Ispiran, the former colony negotiated with Rastoli and agreed to fall under his rule. Despite their peaceful ways, the halflings of Valderêve fought back fiercely to preserve their freedom, but Rastoli proved to be too much for them. With their forces smashed, the halflings negotiated for surrender. Although his warfare was brutal, Giorgio knew when to hold back on bloodshed and use diplomacy to achieve his goals. He was careful not to destroy the resources or slay the people who made this land so prosperous. He rewarded those who accepted his rule, and soon declared himself King Giorgio I and the start of the Rastoli Dynasty.

After three hundred years of ruling, the royal family and their loyal nobles grew extremely decadent. They consumed more and more in excess at the expense of the people.

The Merchant Rebellion

Although the merchant class still made profits, they chafed under the rule of the nobles who appropriated more and more of their wealth for their own. The merchants considered themselves hard-working folk, if albeit fairly ruthless at times, and that they were the ones doing the most to keep Lurindor prosperous. In their eyes, the nobles have long since stopped caring about the welfare of the nation, and were only concerned with their own vices. The merchants also concluded that they were the only left with the resources to do anything about it, as the common folk had become too poor and dispirited to do anything.

The guilds united in secret, and used their wealth to increased their "security forces" and hired mercenaries. They rallied the common people with promises of a fair nation where skill determined one's worth and not blood. In a bloody coup, the people of Lurindor, led by the merchants overthrew the Rastolis and the noble class, executing all those who did not manage to flee the nation. In the year 4639 Age of Strife, the merchants filled in the power vacuum, and the people rejoiced as the old social policies were struck down in favour of those that rewarded hard work regardless of one's ancestry.

The Trade Wars

Eventually, even the merchant-lords fell victim to greed. What started as normal trade competition eventually became an out of control war between various merchant companies. Assassinations, sabotage, merchant sponsored bandit raids raged all across the country. Over a period of a hundred years, open conflicts came and went, and people dubbed this time as the Trade Wars. Eventually, stability returned with the rise of ten powerful trade houses who divided all of the Lurindor territory among them. All other trade houses and merchant companies were bought out or forced to align themselves to one of the ten Great Trade Houses. The Church of Kimylia worked with the Trade Houses to establish the Trade Regulation Authority, a supposedly neutral party to peacefully resolve any conflicts between traders, and enforce the mutually established policies.

Tyrant's World War

During the Tyrant's World War, Lurindor's ruling Trade Houses were torn apart. Some aligned with the Tyrant, while others supported the resistance. During the conflict, many Trade Houses were destroyed, their remains absorbed to by others who would take their place. After the war, the Amiatti Trade Company rose up from the ashes to take control of the nation. Fiora Amiatti subdued all the others through force of arms or skilled negotiation. Her intelligence and skills allowed his trade house to lead the rebuilding effort, from which the Amiatti's profited enormously. Of the previous Great Trade Houses, only the Harkûr Trade Guild and the Châteaufoy Trade House retained their positions. However, all of the other halfling trade territories were taken over by Ispirani trade houses.

Today, Ispirani culture dominates Lurindor, and its halfling populace have been relegated to a second-class level of citizenship. Only in Châteaufoy-controlled region of Rochefort do halfling have equal opportunity for prosperity. With the halflings feeling more and more isolated and demeaned, tensions between the two people are now growing faster than before.

Timeline

Age of Horrors

• The cyclops empire of Halakon wage constant war with the Tharaxin enclaves in the Deep Hollows.
• Halflings are kept as slave labour for both the cyclops and the tharaxin.

Age of Starlight

• The dwarven empire of Ohramdûr is established, centered around the Fivespur Mountains.
• The higher class mountain dwarves keep to the mountains, leaving much of the necessary labour to support their richer lifestyle to the hill dwarves and halflings.
• The hill dwarves rebel against their mountain lords, and the halflings of Valderêve are dragged into it.
• Ohramdûr falls.

Age of Kings

• The halfling nation of Valderêve is founded.

Age of Strife

• -1112 6A—The Venicar empire forcefully negotiate with Valderêve to allow groups of their citizens to colonize the unpopulated lands north of the halfling settlements. Although supposedly independent, this new colony, named Ispiran, was the first step of Venicar's plan to absorb the region into its empire.
• -897 6A—Ispiran becomes fully independent when the Venicar empire falls.
• -855 6A—Georgio Rastoli escapes the dying remains of the Venicar empire. He and his supporters make their way to Ispiran, and establishes a powerbase there.
• -849 6A—Through diplomacy and force of arms, Rastoli takes complete control of Ispiran. He then wages a war of conquest on the halflings of Valderêve.
• -846 6A—The halflings of Valderêve bend the knee to Rastoli.
• -538 6A—The Merchant Rebellion erupts. Valderêve patriots soon rise up as well (First Valderêve Revolution).
• -536 6A—The merchant lords take control of the nation.
• -530 6A—The acts of sabotage, assassinations, and brutal competition between the merchant lords erupt into the Trade Wars. A Second Valderêve Revolution begins.
• -527 6A—The Amiatti Trade Company, led by Ettoro Amiatti, subjugate all other merchant lords and establishes a new order, the Trade Houses, where merchant companies are tied by ironclad contracts in a manner similar to feudal lords.
• -525 6A—The Merchant Lords forcefully reestablish control over Valderêve, but are forced to negotiate with Rochefort and allow House Châteaufoy to join their ranks, ending the Second Valderêve Revolution.
• -5 6A—The Tyrant's World War erupts. Lurindor is conquered by Xaos.

Age of Reckoning

• 1 6A—Lurindor is liberated thanks mainly by the combined efforts of the Amiatti family, led by the family matriarch Fiora, and House Châteaufoy. House Châteaufoy then attempts to break away from Lurindor, starting a Third Valderêve Revolution.
• 3 6A—Lurindor succeeds in quashing the Third Valderêve Revolution. However, they are forced once again to accept House Châteaufoy as one of the Great Trade Houses as a condition for peace.
• 98 6A—All members of the Amiatti family and all their subordinates disappear all in one night. The Sovrani take over Lurindor, using their legal contracts with the Amiatti to back their claim.
• 108 6A—House Châteaufoy successfully petitions to sponsor colonization efforts in the Viridian Marches, south of Lurindor.

Government

Lurindor is ruled by the Trade Houses, merchant companies that have taken the place of noble houses of old. Trade Houses are controlled by individuals who own shares of the company, and decisions are made by voting. However, each shareholder may cast a number of votes equal to their number of shares. These shares can be passed sold, bought, and inherited. Typically, one family owns the controlling majority of shares, divided among family members, and usually pass the shares down within the family, thus ensuring familial control of the company. However, it has happened that outsiders have managed to become the controlling members of a Trade House.

The Trade Houses are further divided into two categories. The Great Trade Houses each own the land of their respective trade region, collecting rent and being responsible for its development, and each have a seat on the Executive Council. The Greater Trade House that contributes the most resources to the realm becomes the the Ruling Trade House. Each of the Greater Trade Houses has voting power equal to the proportion of their contributions.

The head of each Great Trade House is called a Lord-Executor, and owns the largest portion of their company's shares. The head of the Ruling Trade House has the title of Crown-Executor. Great Trade Houses have complete monopoly over police, military, and spy operation within their trade region. The Ruling Trade House has the right deploy their assets and operate in other trade regions without requiring their permission or knowledge.

There are nine Great Trade Houses that rule Lurindor:

• The Amiatti Conglomerate—The Amiattis controlled the region of Coracentia and was the ruling trade house before their mysterious mass disappearance in 98 6A.
• The Biancardi Trade League—
• The Châteaufoy Trade Company—The Châteaufoys are the only halfling trade house and control the region of Rochefort. They protect the last bastion of Valderêvan culture and values.
• The Dinovio Trade Group—
• The Harkûr Trade Guild—
• The Montari Entreprises—
• The Sotillini Cartel—The Sotillinis control the region of Mariporta, and have the largest fleet and mercenary companies.
• The Sovrani Syndicate—The Sovranis control the region of Nuevo Venicar, and subsequently acquired the region of Coracentia after the Amiattis disappearance in 98.
• The Teredoro Consortium—
• The Varano Trade Company—

The rest of the merchant companies are known as the Lesser Trade Houses. Lesser Trade Houses can either be independently owned and operated, or be a branch of a Greater Trade House. A branch trade house has some of its shares owned by their affiliated Greater Trade House. In exchange for giving up partial control of their company, the branch trade house gains the investment of their parent company. Branch trade houses are restricted to operating only within the trade region of their parent company, whereas independent trade houses are free to operate wherever they can.

In order to ensure the proper distribution and transfer of company shares so that Lurindor's government does not succumb to fraud and strife, an organization called the Trade Regulation Authority was created. It is an independent body tasked with recording and tracking all shares of all merchant companies in Lurindor, and to investigate any irregularities that might arise. Over time, the TRA or simply the Regulators, became the judicial authority of the realm as well as its primary law enforcement agency. The TRA governing board is composed of seven individuals: the leaders of Lurindor's churches of Kimylia, Belthazar, Kaï-den, and Asmodeus, the Warden of the Ruling Trade House, and the Wardens of two other Greater Trade Houses that are rotated on a yearly basis.

Lurindor technically does not have a standing army. Instead, each Greater Trade House is responsible for defending their region, either through their own security forces or the hiring of mercenary companies. Most mercenary companies operating out of Lurindor are actually branch trade houses to the Greater Trade Houses.

Châteaufoy

The Châteaufoy halflings have long been leaders to the inhabitants of Valderêve. They are believed to be descendant of Célestar halflings from the Age of Kings. Many individuals of the Châteaufoy family line grew up to become powerful figures in history, such as Séline Châteaufoy, the general of Valderêvian armies that fought the Rastoli forces to a standstill and denied them Rochefort, Pierrot Châteaufoy, famed adventurer and archmage of Rochefort, and Fabien Châteaufoy, who, despite his small stature, was never defeated in a thousand sword duels and founded the Fabien Blade Academy.

The Châteaufoy have proven so formidable that their city, Rochefort, that they themselves founded, has never fallen to an outside force. Neither the Rastoli nor the Amiatti managed to conquer Rochefort, only fighting them to a standstill and were forced to negotiate with them, with the Châteaufoy coming out ahead in any such dealings. As such, most of the Valderêvians look to the Châteaufoys for leadership and to keep the Valderêvian spirit of good, simple living alive under the rule of others.

Lurindor Government - 108 A6

Ruler: Lurindor is ruled by an assembly in the form of the Lurindor Executive Council. The current Crown-Executor nominally has full authority to issue orders, but the rest of the board may use their shares to either support or block the Crown-Executor's actions. All Trade Lords normally hold a seat on the board.

• Niccolo Sovrani of Coracentia and Nuevo Venicar: 24%
• Giovanni Biancardi of Foycomté: 9%
• Bianca Dinovio of Santo Venito: 11%.
• Enzio Montari of Valdargent: 10%
• Angrid Harkûr of Dol Harkûr: 7%
• Maria Sotillini of Mariporta: 11%.
• Dario Teredoro of Ferrocittà: 10%.
• Cyrano Varano of Blébonté: 8%
• Adeline Châteaufoy of Rochefort: 5%
• Florenza Regalia of the Trade Regulation Authority: 5%.

Consort:
Councilor: Capricia Nasato, head of public relations for the Sovrani Syndicate.
Enforcer: Lothario Manfredi of the Sovrani Security Company.
General: Maria Sotillini.
Grand Diplomat: Alessandra Marchesi, head of marketing for the Sovrani Syndicate.
Heir:
High Priest: Lucrezia Gabrielli, High Priestess of the Church of Kimylia
Magister: Gregario Maestri of Maestri Arcana Company, a subsidiary of the Sovrani Syndicate.
Marshal: Donatelli Idoni of the Trade Regulation Authority.
Spymaster: Enzio Lombardi of the Sovrani Security Company.
Treasurer Bianca Dinovio.
Warden: Florenza Regalia.

Relations

Society

Religion

Asmodeus
Asmodeus has been making in-roads in the daily lives of Lurindorians, particularly among the Ispirani wealthy. Despite his dark reputation, the church of the Lord of Greed emphasizes on their skill of deal making and negotiation, with the added benefit of such a high level of greed that persist throughout life in Lurindor. Many wealthy elite have come to enjoy the benefits that come with associating with the church of Asmodeus. Priests of the King of Hell use they honeyed tongues to deflect any criticism and accustations flung towards them, as well as entering the good graces of the rich and powerful.

Belthazar
Belthazar has also grown in popularity, with so many innovations being developed in Lurindor, espcially with the thriving blast powder and firearms industry.

Kaï-den
The presence of the church of Kaï-den helps keeps the peace and curb the excesses of what many ambitious entrepreneurs might do in the search for profit.

Kartharmor
The church of the Lord of Battles services Lurindor's many mercenaries.

Kimylia
Although there is a clear distinction between state and religion, and all faiths are allowed to be worshiped in Lurindor within reason, the church of Kimylia is naturally the dominant religion in the land of trade. Her church works closely with the TRA, and the faith's High Arbiter of the land is often a member of the TRA governing body. Their main goal is to help continue the thriving prosperity of commerce in all daily life.

Tierra
Tierra remains a popular faith among the Valderêvans, who simply yearn to lead a good and simple life. Her church was dominant among the Valderêvans before their subjugation, and she protects their way of life amidst these harsh times.

Zhao-Khan
Although Lurindor liberated itself from the yoke of the Tyrant Lord, his emissaries had managed to impress enough ambitious people to present their church as a viable alternative to Kaï-den, Kartharmor, and Asmodeus.

Gazetteer

Settlements

Blébonté
The Blébonté demesne provides much of the food to the nation of Lurindor.

• Blébonté (capital; metropolis)
• Champdoré (village)
• Collinenoire ()
• Lagardeville ()
• Sainte-Suzette (village).
• Valjacques (village).

Coracentia
Formerly held by the Amiatti Conglomerate, Coracentia is the capital of Lurindor and currently under the control of the Sovrani Syndicate. It is the hub of all trade in the Lurin Lake region.

• Coracentia (capital; metropolis+3)
• Castellona (small town).
• Catalone (small town).
• Gallatina (village).
• Monteluna (small town).
• Rizolona (village).

Dol Harkûr
The dwarves of Dol Harkûr have always tried to remain out of the politics of humans and halfling, keeping them at a distance only as trade partners. However, they had to bend the knee under the threat of Rastoli's green dragons, and were pressured by the merchant families to official be a part of Lurindor. The dwarves formed the Harkûr Trade Guild to represent themselves in Lurindor politics.

• Dol Harkûr (capital; metropolis)
• Angrod (village).
• Barakûr (village).
• Gul Holgrim (small town).
• Gul Marak (small town).

Ferrocittà
The Ferrocittà demesne is home to several iron mines, and the city itself primarily depends on the manufacturing and export of iron and steel goods.

• Ferrocittà (capital; metropolis+1)
• Castelnuevo (small town).
• Domibello (village).
• Rivo (village).
• Villareno (village).

Foycomté
Although the Foycomté demesne does not have any special features, it still serves as an important food producer and trade hub.

• Foycomté (capital; metropolis)
• Aube-de-Bois (village).
• Calsailles (small town).
• Rivo (village).
• Rivesoleil (village).
• Sainte-Minette (village).

Mariporta
This major port city on the shores of Lurin Lake is controlled by the Sotillini Cartel. Not only is the city a major trade hub, it also provides much of the seafood for Lurindor.

• Mariporta (capital; metropolis+1)
• Altivina (village).
• Bavagni (village).
• Castelmarzino (small town).
• San Castel (small town).

Nuevo Venicar
This major port city on the shores of Lurin Lake is controlled by the Sovrani Syndicate.

• Nuevo Venicar (capital; metropolis+2)
• Chianella (village).
• Ligarno (village).
• Monteforto (small town).
• Vallodimira (small town).

Santo Venito
The Santo Venito demesne is known for its widespread use of windmills.

• Santo Venito (capital; metropolis+1)
• Gambiano (village).
• Parmezzina (village).
• Santa Fina (village).

Rochefort
Rochefort lies on the southernmost edge of Lurindor. It is ruled by the Châteaufoy family through their trade company. It was the heart of Valderêve, and is still the heart of halfling culture.

• Rochefort (capital; metropolis)
• Boivin (village) known for its vineyards.
• Champs-d'Armel ()
• Champs-d'Irène ()
• Labrousse (village) that serves as the gathering point for many of the farmer that provide Rochefort's food.
• Morelville ()
• Pointe-de-Soleil ()
• Rougemur (village) centered around the manufacturing of red bricks.
• Saint-Gratien ()
• Tourdeloi ()
• Toursoline (small town).

Valdargent
Valdargent is home to one of the largest silver deposits in the region.

• Valdargent (capital; metropolis)
• Frondeval (village).
• Haute-Colline (small town).
• Minedor (small city) was founded when a vein of gold was discovered. Unlike the silver in the region, the gold quickly exhausted, but fortunately for the town, it had already established itself as an important tradepost in the area.
• Riveciel (village) that serves as a waystop along Calvain River.
• Sageville ()

Landmarks

Cinqperon Mountains
The Cinqperon Mountains lies at the heard of Lurindor lands. Its unique topography dives the range its name. At its center lies the great mountain of Fercoron Peak. This was the heart of the dwarven nation of Ohramdûr, ruled by clan Ironcrown. Many dwarven citadels and holdfasts were built within its spurs. Rebellion, followed by the conquests of Viridescian dragons and their minions, forced the dwarves to abandon their holdings, with many fleeing to the settlement of Dol Harkûr. Many of the dwarven ruins were cleared out and claimed by the Ispirani settlers, with the exception of Fercoron, which was said to be to destroyed to be worth resettling. However, enough of the keep still stood to be converted into a great vault which would securely hold treasures and records valued by Lurindor.

The TRA and the church of Kimylia control the Fercoron Vault. Within it in are copies of every supposed contract made within Lurindor. Precious gems and metals used to set currency standards are also stored here, as well as vast reserves of various types of wealth. Trade Houses would also store treasures of value here for safekeeping if their own facilities were found inadequate or a neutral location was needed. Since its founding, the Vault has never once been successfully roken into or cheated out of its horde.