The Dominion of Silence

The Dominion of Silence is one of the younger nations that has formed over the last century. Originally the Dominion was a faction within the Order of the White Sun. Known as the Order of the Red Rose, the faction was made up of followers that prayed to the Mortal God Albena. While many of the followers still held faith in the Mortal God Guiscard, over time many believed that Guiscard had become complacent. To the south across the Stone Sea, the Pagans were allowed to run free and terrorize the southern coast of the Orders territory. To the east the Kingdom of Ossenia were granted safety by the Mortal God Matthias after centuries of fighting. To the north the Pagans still lingered in Brightwood Forest, constantly harassing ships sailing down Brightwood River. Guiscard’s inability to act caused the Order of the Red Rose to take hold of the historically Drav lands in the north. Here the faction announced their split from the Order. Peace was maintained as Albina and several thousand knights marched to meet Guiscard and discuss terms. In the end, Guiscard allowed the Order of the Red Rose to remain as long as they answered when they were called to war.    

Seats of Power

The Dominion of Silence is ruled over by Albena, the Mortal God. As queen of the Dominion, she has divided the land into six districts to be governed by a marshal. Anointed by the Mortal God, these marshals manage the day to day aspects of the districts and must adhere to any law or decree set by Albena.    

The Six Districts of the Dominion

     

Celebrations of Defiance

During the year throughout the Dominion there are days when different races and cultures celebrate the Old Gods. On these days The Dominion holds celebrations of defiance. Large banquets are held where they berate and disrespect the Old Gods and their traditions. In some towns they will set fires to sections of forest to show their hatred of earth gods. Some port cities will hold whaling contests, and fishermen are rewarded for hunting whales that are either the largest or smallest. This is a way of disrespecting the Gods of the Sea by hunting some of its gentlest creatures. Each city has its own way of celebrating these holidays.    

A Vow of Silence

Some time during the Age of Prosperity, when Albena still possessed a mortal soul, she sailed under the Banner of The White Sun to Mhusan. The purpose was to lay waste to the tribes of the Org-Var as over recent years their incursions into Frontances lands were increasing. This would mark the first Crusade of Mhusan. While they would successfully land near Uschol, their forces would quickly be routed as the previous reports only counted for a few small hamlets in the region. The forces of Frontonce would be met by several warbands numbering in the tens of thousands. Albena would flee with the remaining mounted knights and head south, further in the dark grasslands. Eventually the pursuing warbands would abandon the pursuit as the knights crossed the Os River. For several days they rode through endless grasslands until one night several knights went missing while on guard. Their bloodied armor would be found the next morning. What followed remains unknown even to this day. All that is known is that far to the south Albena would be found by Company Men sailing along the coast just east of the Morning isles. She would not speak to any sailor and when returned to frontonce she would only speak when a priest was taken to her. She would give confession and eventually the priest would speak of how she took a vow of silence while traveling through the dark grasslands.