TEXT: Addenshire
  Gazetteer
  by Gary Van Binsbergen
  of
  
  The Kingdom of Addenshire is built on
  the ruins of the past. These fertile lands
  have always produced the greatest crops,
  making this territory the most embattled
  region in all Darknoth.
  In a time before realms, when all races
  were primitive, halflings, gnomes, and
  humans shared the great hills of central
  Draconia. Over time, the humans began
  raiding the halflings and gnomes. With
  their
  food,
  supplies,
  and
  livestock
  dwindling,
  the
  halflings
  and
  gnomes
  chose to leave.
  Making their way eastward, they settled in
  the
  grasslands.
  The
  grasslands
  were
  divided by several rivers, providing plenty
  of fertile land. In time, the halflings and
  gnomes developed methods of agriculture
  that surpassed all other races. Here, the
  halflings and gnomes lived in relative
  peace for well over 3,000 years.
  As time passed, kingdoms began rising
  across the land. In 1378 D.C., the halflings
  and gnomes established their first realms:
  the gnomish territory of Eribus and the
  halfling
  province
  called
  the
  Golden
  Savanna of Ellryn.
  In 1789 D.C., the Heights of Theressia, a
  land in the far southwest, suffered from
  overpopulation
  and
  starvation.
  King
  Richmond
  III
  of
  Theressia
  made
  attempts to acquire food from Eribus and
  Ellryn, but his trade offers were less than
  suitable. After two years of unsuccessful
  negotiations, King Richmond III chose to
  invade Eribus and Ellryn and take the
  food he demanded. In 1791 D.C., this
  sparked the First Humanity War. The
  halflings and gnomes were completely
  unprepared for the invasion; in 1799 D.C.,
  the nations of Eribus and Ellryn fell.
  Hundreds of thousands of halflings and
  gnomes were slaughtered during the First
  Humanity War. Thousands were captured
  and enslaved while others fled to the
  Great Olde Wood and sought refuge in
  the Green Dragon Province.
  King Richmond III gave the lands to his
  eldest son, Prince Richmond IV. The
  lands of Eribus and Ellryn were renamed
  the Golden Lands of
  Crymea. Slaves
  within their own land, the remaining
  halflings and gnomes labored in the fields,
  carting their crops to far-off Theressia.
  During the rule of King Richmond IV,
  great wealth was discovered buried in the
  northeastern Highland Peaks of Crymea.
  Gnomes and halflings found themselves
  pressed into service as miners in brutal,
  often fatal conditions.
  The actions of the human kings did not
  go unnoticed. The most powerful beings
  in Darknoth, the dragons, were enraged
  by the hardships the halflings and gnomes
  had endured at the hands of humans
  during the First Humanity War and bore
  seething witness to the atrocities that
  followed. In 2302 D.C., the dragons
  declared war on all of Draconia’s evil
  human realms: Theressia, Crymea, and
  Bycentia. The war lasted for seven years,
  until, in 2309 D.C., Crymea, Theressia,
  Gazetteer of Addenshire
  by Gary Van Binsbergen
  
  and Bycentia fell to the dragons and their
  allies. This was known as the Second
  Humanity War.
  With the destruction of the evil human
  realms, the halflings and gnomes returned
  to their beloved grasslands. Peace was
  once again established among the ruins of
  the former realms. For the next 1,500
  years, halflings and gnomes lived well
  under the guidance and protection of the
  dragons.
  The humans who survived the Second
  Humanity War found their communities
  broken and shattered. They would spend
  the
  next
  several
  generations
  simply
  recovering from the damage wrought by
  the war.
  Over the centuries, new realms arose
  throughout the land. The Majestic Lords
  of Saulania make their home south of the
  halfling and gnome territories. Under the
  guidance of the dragons, all seemed well.
  Mining in the Highland
  Peaks
  The gnomes and halflings excavated the
  old Crymean mines in the Highland Peaks
  for the next 300 years. When the mines
  dried up, they searched for more, but had
  little success. After a century of fruitless
  digging, the Highland Peaks were declared
  to be empty of mineral wealth.
  Yet
  over
  the
  next
  several
  centuries,
  occasional rumors arose of rich veins of
  silver and gold being discovered in the
  Highland Peaks. Yet it seems that these
  rumors were not based in fact, for history
  records no significant finds.
  However, in 3177 D.C. a group of
  gnomes established a small community in
  the east-central region of the hills. During
  this time, new mines were discovered.
  This created a financial boon for the next
  250 years.
  In
  3718
  D.C.,
  gnomes
  once
  again
  discovered mines. A group of gnomes
  passing
  through
  the
  northeastern
  Highland Peaks, along the Ore River, was
  attacked by orcs. When the orcs fled, the
  gnomes pursued them, eventually leading
  into a cavern system. The gnomes got lost
  in a network of tunnels. When the ground
  collapsed underneath them, it opened into
  a vast cavern where the walls were lined
  with silver veins. Glistening gemstones
  shined in the light of their torches.
  The newly discovered mines were the
  largest since the days of Crymea. New
  trade
  routes
  were
  established
  to
  accommodate
  these
  mines.
  Their
  continuous success gave rise to several
  small mining communities in the area.
  City of Adwick
  Established
  in
  3840
  D.C.,
  Adwick
  developed along the Gnome’s
  Victory
  River to secure the mining trade routes.
  Though older, smaller communities were
  closer to the mines, they were not well
  protected
  and
  maintained
  low
  populations.
  Adwick was intended to become a well-
  fortified town with a large population to
  support the small mining communities. As
  a result, craftsmen were hired to travel to
  Adwick and build it up rather than
  allowing Adwick to naturally develop like
  most communities.
  
  Adwick
  was
  originally
  built
  as
  a
  community for 2,000 citizens. Once the
  majority of the town was built, gnomes
  and
  halflings
  settled
  in.
  Specialized
  craftsman were brought in to ensure that
  Adwick had the professions necessary for
  the town to thrive.
  Prior to the establishment of Adwick,
  miners had to make lengthy trips across
  the grasslands to exchange their gems for
  coin. No communities were close enough
  to the mines to support this type of
  service; as such, it was to be one of
  Adwick’s primary responsibilities.
  Adwick was to also serve as a military
  outpost
  to
  protect
  miners
  from
  monstrous
  raids
  and
  bandit
  activity.
  Regularly scheduled patrols of the nearby
  trails and hills would ensure the safety of
  the mines and the small communities that
  surrounded them.
  Mining increased with the establishment
  of Adwick and further fueled the growth
  of the community. With gemstones being
  cut right in Adwick, it was not long before
  it gave rise to well-made jewelry that
  featured gold and silver from the mines.
  Adwick exported jewelry and gemstones
  to the many of the halfling and gnome
  regions. Many of these stones and mined
  metals, made their way to nearby realms.
  The majority of the gold and silver was
  transported to the gnome and halfling
  communities to the east to be minted.
  Gold coins received a halfling stamp,
  while those made of silver displayed a
  gnome. On the back of both coins were
  shafts of wheat to represent the region’s
  agricultural history and wealth.
  The quality of the gemstones was good
  enough to please the elvish realm of
  Elshivan and the Empire of Saulania.
  These
  realms
  mostly
  purchased
  cut,
  polished stones, many already fashioned
  into jewelry. In addition, both nations
  purchased raw precious metals necessary
  to create coins of their own.
  As the mining flourished and Adwick
  grew in size, it too began printing its own
  coins, using the same designs as the rest
  of the halfling and gnome territories.
  Adwick received a considerable amount
  of goods from the eastern communities.
  Mining
  supplies,
  livestock,
  linens,
  woodwork items, and more were brought
  in for the miners and their families.
  At its height of mining, 125 years ago,
  Adwick boasted a population of nearly
  6,000 residents. Since then, the gems and
  precious minerals produced from the
  mines
  have
  dwindled
  considerably.
  Adwick
  now
  maintains
  a
  steady
  population of 2,300 people.
  With the slow decline of Saulania, the
  halflings and gnomes began to feel the
  threat of the once-mighty human empire
  once
  again.
  Unwilling
  to
  accept
  the
  danger that they may one day be invaded
  again; they turned their territory into a
  realm of their own. In 3898 D.C. (157
  years ago), the gnomish and halfling
  territories united to become the Realm of
  Addenshire. The community of Adwick
  voted and agreed to join the realm.
  
  Population
  Demographics
  Demographics
  of
  Addenshire
  are
  collected every twenty years. Gnomes and
  halflings make up the vast majority of the
  population. As a result of the mining,
  dwarves
  are
  semi-common
  and
  the
  humans present are refugees of Saulania.
  Races
  Addenshire
  Adwick
  Dragonborn
  .3%
  .5%
  Dwarf
  8%
  19%
  Elf
  .3%
  .2%
  Gnome
  41%
  35%
  Half-Elf
  .2%
  .1%
  Half-Orc*
  .1%
  .1%
  Halfling
  45%
  40%
  Human*
  5%
  5%
  Tiefling*
  .1%
  .1%
  *These individuals have gained the trust
  of the local people and are legal citizens.
  All are considered to be second-class
  citizens with limited rights. Second class
  citizens cannot join the military, hold a
  government position, mine or own land.
  These
  individuals
  are
  able
  to
  run
  businesses, as is usually the case with
  tieflings and some humans. The vast
  majority of half-orcs and humans work in
  the fields. Outsiders of these races are
  met with considerable prejudism, fear,
  and hatred.
  Orcs of the Highland
  Peaks
  During the Age of Migration, the pre-
  history
  of
  Darknoth,
  orcs
  resided
  underground,
  living
  in
  primitive
  and
  beastly ways. They had no interaction with
  the surface world until around the year
  -2000 D.C., well over 6,000 years ago.
  Over the ages, many orc tribes have risen
  and died off from war and disease. Today,
  the Bloods Eye Orc Tribe rules the
  Highland Peaks.
  In the World of Darknoth, the largest of
  orc formations is called a Mu-Lok. A Mu-
  Lok consists of at least a thousand, often
  tens of thousands, of orcs. These orcs
  with a Mu-Lok all share a lineage dating
  back centuries. Each Mu-Lok consists of
  several tribes. A tribe has at least a
  hundred orcs, but usually up to a few
  hundred individuals. Tribes compete for
  supplies and resources and rarely get
  along. The overlord of the Mu-Lok is
  responsible
  for
  bringing
  these
  tribes
  together when necessary.
  Tribal dens are scattered throughout the
  Highland Peaks. Most are underground,
  with about a tenth of them above ground,
  giving the impression that the Bloods Eye
  Orc Tribe is not all that large.
  
  A Mu-Lok is governed by an overlord,
  and each tribe is led by its own chief. The
  overlord is always a full-blooded orc, since
  they are said to be incarnates of orcish
  ancestors.
  These
  individuals
  are
  barbarians or fighters and are a minimum
  of 12th level. The overlord lives in a vast
  underground orcish city consisting of at
  least 500 to 2,000 orcs, depending upon
  the size of the tribe.
  The Bloods Eye Mu-Lok stands at over
  16,000 strong and its overlord is Mauhul
  Everbleed. The orcish city in which he
  lives is approximately 80 miles north of
  Westburg. Mauhul Everbleed is a 14th
  level fighter.
  There are 52 orc tribes under Mauhul’s
  command
  spread
  throughout
  the
  Highland Peaks. Each tribe varies in size,
  but average about 300 orcs.
  Orc Attacks against
  Adwick
  A conglomeration of tribes, the strongest
  of which is the Murderous Claw Tribe, is
  responsible for the raids against Adwick
  and the surrounding area. The Murderous
  Claw Tribe is led by Brudeater, known by
  the locals as Grimdeath. Brudeater is
  quite loyal to Overlord Mauhul Everbleed.
  Brudeater is a 10th level fighter who
  maintains strength and unity amongst the
  accompanying tribes to ensure that the
  yearly
  raids
  against
  Adwick
  and
  the
  surrounding region are successful.
  Other
  tribes
  involved
  in
  the
  attacks
  include the Black Axebite Tribe, the
  Highland Slaughter Tribe, the Razorback
  Tribe, the Iron Claw Tribe, and the
  Broken Scream Tribe. The populations of
  the tribes are as follows:
  Tribe
  Population
  Murderous Claw Tribe
  450
  Black Axebite Tribe
  280
  Highland Slaughter Tribe
  235
  Razorback Tribe
  240
  Iron Claw Tribe
  200
  Broken Scream Tribe
  320
  The Murderous Claw Tribe makes its lair
  in a large valley 50 miles west of the
  mining town of Izenmark. The lair is
  primarily underground. The entrance is
  surrounded
  by
  a
  wooden
  palisade.
  Sentries stand along the palisade, on the
  lookout for invaders.
  The orc attacks began in the year 3943
  D.C., 112 years ago. A variety of orcish
  chiefs have led the attacks, some fairly
  successful, others less so. The raids occur
  most years, but when the orcs are faced
  with a particularly low population the
  attacks recede and even stop for a few
  years. Once the orcish population has
  risen, the attacks resume.
  Yearly attacks in the spring are made
  against the Adwick area. If this year is not
  successful, Brudeater plans to overtake
  the mines and pillage the smaller mining
  communities in the winter. He knows that
  Mauhul Everbleed is upset by the low
  levels of wealth being brought in by the
  raids. By selecting smaller, targets at
  unexpected times, Brudeater hopes to
  gain
  wealth
  from
  the
  mines
  and
  communities.
  
  This brutality, Brudeater expects, will
  force the Addenshire militia to come to
  the mines, where Brudeater believes he
  will have a significant advantage. Once the
  militia is destroyed, Addenshire will be
  ripe for plunder.
  Though the Highland Peaks are primarily
  known for their orcish population, several
  other monsters plague the hills as well.
  These
  beasts
  include:
  gnolls,
  goblins,
  stirges,
  hippogriffs,
  hobgoblins,
  werebears, wereboars, werewolves, ogres,
  pegasi, ghouls, bulettes, demons, devils,
  copper
  and
  red
  dragons,
  hill
  giants,
  gorgons, and manticores.
  The Moors
  The vast swamp that forms the northwest
  border of Addenshire is called the Moors.
  This treacherous place is famous for its
  unusual
  number
  of
  lycanthropes,
  including
  werebears,
  wereboars,
  werewolves, and wererats.
  Near the center of the swamp is a Calling
  Circle. This ancient druidic artifact was
  used to summon creatures of the swamp
  to do the druids’ bidding. In order to
  operate correctly, the Calling Circle was
  designed to absorb yearly druid spells.
  The druids of the swamp mysteriously
  disappeared 67 years ago. Left unattended
  and unsupervised for far too long, the
  artifact has become corrupt.
  The Calling Circle now operates on its
  own. Rather than summoning various
  creatures, the tainted magic circle now
  summons lycanthropes twice a year. This
  event occurs only two nights a year, when
  both moons of Darknoth are full: day 14
  of the month of Falling Leaves (middle
  of the year, summertime) and on day 28
  of the month of Thaw Time (last day of
  the year, winter), going by the Draconian
  Calendar.
  The lunar cycle has a dramatic effect on
  the minds of lycanthropes, particularly as
  the moons converge. One month before
  both moons are full, the Calling Circle
  summons lycanthropes to the Moors.
  As the full moons approach, lycanthropes
  become
  increasingly
  dangerous
  every
  night. One week before the twin full
  moons, they are magically compelled to
  leave the swamp and quietly sneak out to
  the nearest plantations and communities.
  Silently, they select their targets and stalk
  them. On the night of the full moons,
  known
  as
  Contagion
  Night,
  the
  lycanthropes lash out, attacking and killing
  those they have stalked.
  Communities
  throughout
  Addenshire
  have sought different ways to deal with
  the lycanthropy. Some recommend that
  the swamp be scoured of every person in
  an effort to save the innocent. Others
  have
  family
  members
  afflicted
  with
  lycanthropy and would rather lock them
  up until the nightmare ends. Still others
  believe that the swamp can be rid of the
  disease altogether by recruiting powerful
  spell casters to discover a magical means
  of lifting the curse of Contagion Night.
  In addition to lycanthropes, the Moors are
  home to several other types of monsters,
  including:
  demons,
  devils,
  ghouls,
  kobolds, lizardfolk, orcs, stirges, green
  hags, ogres, shambling mounds, trolls,
  will-o’-wisps, hydras, and black dragons.
  
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