The Stonelord's Pact-Map

Orien

Orien was originally a series of different city states, a loose organization of different free cities that would unite under threat of outside invasion. They were primarily merchant cities given their location along the Golden Mountains, a mountain range full of valuable ores and gems, literally overflowing at times with gold, silver, and diamonds. Despite their lack of a spellcasting culture, these cities have always been the primary source for rare spellcasting materials, and you could not find a crown on the continent not inlaid with at least 1 Orien gem. Those sitting on the throne Hightower have never wanted for anything, and have historically been very intentional about making sure none under their banner go hungry. It has earned them a uniquely strong relationship with their populace, far better than any other empires or monarchies on the continent.   Historically, Orien has always been culturally independent of the Empire that ruled it in recent centuries. Though they were allowed to keep their unique architecture and clothing styles, the Imperial Wardens of the East were strict about all else. Though they'd once had no laws regarding faith, the Imperial Model was mandated on all, even the royal family. Old currencies were replaced, history books amended, and the old language banned. When King Rolis Hightower originally agreed to annexation, however, he was wise, making sure they retained a handful of important practices.   The first, and most important, was the Hightower Militia, to be trained in Orien's old ways of war and combat, armed in traditional gear, and maintained like an honor guard for ceremonies and parades. The king argued that this would save the empire time and resources defending the cities from bandit attacks, and help keep the people calm and content seeing their own men patrolling the streets rather than imperial legionnaires. The second was making sure they could continue to run their aeries, where they trained giant eagles for combat. Rolis understood that keeping his people culturally independant was easily enough achieved by a smart spymaster and well paid bards, but making sure they were ready to rise up when the time came would be much easier with less questions and hurdles from the empire itself.   They secretly developed an order of Knighthood they would call Peacekeepers, a name pleasing to the ears of their imperial governors. The Peacekeepers became the highest order of the knights of Orien, chosen from the age of three to take on the role of elite soldiers. With the permission of their parents, they would grow in Dens of 10 under the command of their Den Mother, who would raise them like both a parent and a commander. When they turn thirteen years of age, they are given a giant eagle egg to raise and care for over the next 6 months, when it will hatch and bond to them for life. Such a strong bond gives rise to incredible soldiers, and in turn gives them a unique empathy they would not otherwise develop. Part of their code of chivalry is the sanctity of life and natural things, perfectly exemplified by a borderline telepathic bond they will form with their avian partners. In adulthood, should one of a pair die in battle, the other would retire; surviving eagles are sent to ranches where they can provide clutches of eggs for more Peacekeepers, and surviving riders to positions in bureaucracy or in other knightly orders.   Though the people of Orien had once been traders, they saw their old banners held proudly by their sons and daughters joining the Hightower Militia, and society began to restructure. A silver tongue was no longer the greatest skill you could develop; proper swordsmanship and combat training took the limelight. Though Orien Knights had always been chivalrous, their way of thinking became popular among the common folk, the "Oath of Sword and Spear". Universities were built, and while Orien remained wealthy, they instead began turning their mercantile efforts west, making themselves indispensable to the imperial war effort. Imperial drakes bought Orien metals for their legionnaires, which in turn funded the Hightower Militia and Rolis Hightower's silent war.   Before Rolis's death, he made sure to work with his spymaster and trusted advisors to instruct his children in the grand plan, and their children as well. All Hightower royals would know the plan, and would agree together when the time was right to rebel. Centuries passed, and eventually the crown was placed upon the head of Lord Olivander Hightower, who watched as the Order of Aristea crumbled, as capitalism devoured the empire from the inside out, and war erupted to the south between the Heartlands and Draica. He knew the time had come, and with permission from his aging mother and adult daughters, he sent out the call to the true sons and daughters of Orien, to chase the imperial governors from their halls and raise the Golden Eagle banners high. Within a week, the entire eastern coastline of the World Garden Empire had erupted into rebellion, an easy feat given the presence of only one Legion in the region. War would continue along their borders, but with trade opened up once more and multiple alliance proposals being sent out en masse, the Empire would have a hard time putting this rebellion down.  

Major Characters:

  King Olivander Hightower: King of Orien and head of the Stonelord's Pact. Olivander is a beloved king to his people, and while he has abdicated command of the Hightower itself to his son, he remains King of Orien while he commands the war with the Empire. Under his careful watch, numerous social programs have been revitalized or further funded from his nearly limitless coffers, rendering poverty in his cities nearly nonexistent. Though he could never dedicate his life to the Peacekeepers given his royal blood and responsibilities, he insisted he be trained as one, and despite joining in his early teens rather than his formative years, he still managed to bond with an eagle and pass all the combat and strategy tests he needed to. Though his poetic writings from his days in the scholarium left much to be desired, the act of forgoing the ease of royal life and taking on the training of a soldier ingratiated him with both his people and his military. Olivander has also earned himself favor with his own family, ensuring each of his children may choose their own suitors if they can explain the benefits to Orien their marriages would gain.   Rosalinde Hightower: Princess of Orien and third in line to the throne. Rosalinde left Hightower early in life and was sent to Thalamos where she was raised by Lord Goldrun, First General of her father's army. Thanks to her position as only third in line, she was free to choose much of her education and tutors, choosing to learn the trades of architecture, sailing, and theatre, all of which she naturally excelled at. In her early adult life, an earthquake collapsed the Grey Tower, the palace she had spent most of her formative years in. Rather than leaving the King's Architect to simply rebuild the old keep, she took command of the construction site, laying out new and improved plans for changes and improvements she would like to make. It took years of hiring artisans, scrapping and remaking floor plans, negotiating with local earth elementals, and chasing off any advisors her father sent to aid her, but eventually, the Grey Tower was rebuilt, rivaling any palace still standing on the continent. This feat earned her the position of Premier Architect of Orien, placing her in charge of the efforts to remove imperial influence from their cities and replacing it with traditional Orien work. Eventually, she would suggest a marriage pact with the Vanguard, and began a courtship with Commander Kiltinshtaath Nafras, one of the Four Generals.   Peacekeeper Godwyn: Peacekeeper Captain and First Guard to the King. Godwyn is a fierce warrior and a captain within the Peacekeepers. He has become something of a local hero to those living within Fortis, a success story that anyone could find value in. The son of merchants, Godwyn was orphaned on the road as an infant by a bandit raid, only escaping his own death by being quiet and unnoticed under an overturned cart. The wreckage of his caravan was eventually found by the royal family as they travelled from Fortis to Thalamos, and he was discovered as he cried out from his hiding place. The Queen Mother entrusted the infant to the captain of her Honor Guard, who was Peacekeeper at the time, which led to his induction at three just like any other chosen knight. He seemed naturally skilled in both combat and strategic planning, and while he was utterly bad at reciting and composing poetry or music like was expected of him, his genasi blood began to manifest and give him an edge in his duties that his Den Mother couldn't ignore. When he was knighted, he requested the honor of serving the Queen Mother as thanks for saving his life all those years ago and giving him the chance to become a Peacekeeper. His request was granted, and Godwyn saved her faithfully until her passing, when he was named Captain and given the role of First Guard to the King.  

Minor Characters:

 

• Damien Hightower: Prince Heir of Orien, first in line for the Throne.
• Princess Anissa Hightower: Princess of Orien, second in line for the Throne.
• Princess Ciara Hightower: Princess of Orien, fourth in line for the Throne.
• Prince Kole Hightower: Prince of Orien, fifth in line for the Throne.

   

Vulkin and Redwood have yet to be explored