Table of Contents

Social Hierarchy

Noble Houses of Brydd

Elysia

The Church of Ceros

The Templars of Ceros

Basic Information

Playable: Yes

Etymology of Name

• The origin of the name Brydd is lost in the sands of time, but a study by Magisters of leftover remnants of ancient writings and engravings in recovered tablets suggest that it was originally called Brydd’la or even Brydd’lagrin, meaning ‘New Land’ or ‘Promised Land’ respectively, and was shortened to just Brydd (‘The Land’) over time.  
• Those Magisters who favor ‘Promised Land’ believe that some forgotten ancient prophet, sage, or religious figure led the first tribes to settle here on the promise that the divinity had apportioned to them these territories.  
• Some believe that the great houses and their origin kingdoms may have descended from prominent followers of this unknown religious figure, each believing themselves to be his rightful successor with authority granted to them by the divinity.

Other Names

• The Quinate
• The Five Kingdoms
• The Sapphire Throne

At a Glance

• Brydd was once split into five petty Kingdoms: Arilan, Vass, Kilane, Shaye, and Macann, each named for their ruling families.  These kingdoms were united by the conquest of King Arilan, whose descendants now rule the Quinate from the Sapphire Throne.  The combined territory of the Quinate has been split between five Dukedoms, each commanded by a Duke descended from the original five Kings.  

Frame of Reference

• Inspired by the cultures of the United Kingdom, but borrowing elements from Spain, France, Germany, and Italy, Brydd has a Western European flavor and an early Renaissance level of technology, barring firearms.  

Geography & Geology

Size & Location

• Located in the Southwest region of Aereth, Brydd is approximately a thousand miles from West to East, and six-hundred miles from North to South.  It borders Tír Ceilte (aka Bassilith), Claen Gael, and Sask to the North, Dravos to the East.  Its territory borders the Burning Sea to the North, Braebon Inlet and Deepwater Rush to the West, and the Velatian Sea to the South.  

Climate

• The climate of Brydd ranges from frosty to mild, seldom getting above 29 degrees Celsius (84.2 F).  This accounts for the proliferation of heavy armor commonly used in the region.  Rainy days, Sunny days, and Gloomy days have their even split over the year, with some snowy days in the Winter season, especially in the Northernmost regions.

Terrain

• Brydd is replete with large, gently sloping hills and valleys, and is festooned with rivers and springs.   

Geology

• There is a great deal of dying geothermal activity in the territory, which sometimes causes gentle earthquakes but more often provides hot water springs and interesting cave systems born from ancient, now inactive lava tubes.  The network of underground and even underwater cave systems in Brydd is extensive, and some Magisters believe that vast tracts of land could be covered underground if anyone were able to map them.  The Sapphire Sea is believed to be connected to the larger ocean via underwater caves, allowing ocean-life to pass through into the sea.

Population Information

Overview

• About four-million humans occupy the roughly half-a-million square miles of territory in Brydd, supplemented by some immigrants from other nations, who make up less than 1% of the people living in the Kingdom.

Population Centers

• In addition to the major cities and holdings of the five Dutchies of Brydd, the largest population centers include the seat of the Sapphire Throne at Wardenclyffe, and the Holy City of Elysia, which is an independently ruled theocratic city-state sponsored by the Kingdom organized under the Church of Ceros.

Common Races / Species

• Humans predominate in the Kingdom of Brydd, but there are no laws forbidding other races from passing through or settling in the territories here.

Things to Know

Historic Events

• The precursors of the five Kingdoms are shrouded in the remnants of half-forgotten lore and speculation.  
• 250 years ago, the five Kingdoms were unified into the singular Kingdom of Brydd.  This was made possible when King Arilan made a pact with the Church of Ceros and mercenary dragonriders to gain an advantage in the long-running war for control of the region.
• The Church of Ceros was granted the right to establish an independent theocracy within the territory of Brydd at that time, so long as the leaders of that theocracy would be selected from the ranks of pious nobles within the realm.
• The mercenary company was granted lands to the Northeast, bordering Sask, Nordheim, and Dravos, becoming a useful buffer against incursion from that quarter.
• The War of the Pirate Kings was won 100 years ago.
• The Burning of the Salt Fleet occurred 80 years ago.
• The Invasion of the Dune Bandits was repelled 50 years ago.
• The Black Plot failed 20 years ago.

How to Play

• The people of Brydd are proud and religious, believing that the Kingdom belongs to them by divine right, and that their nobles rule due to having divinely blessed bloodlines.  The general belief is that hard work and pious living will be rewarded in the afterlife.  
• Believing themselves to be part of blessed bloodlines, each noble may seek to elevate their position and power through political maneuvers.  Ambition is not frowned upon, but should be couched in terms of ‘helping the realm’ or ‘protecting the realm’ or other unselfish terminology.  
• Nobles may select promising or accomplished commoners for elevation to knighthood, or even heritable knighthood, which is the only way to climb social classes other than becoming a wealthy merchant (respected by virtue of their wealth)  It is rumored that some wealthy commoners buy heritable knighthoods for their families, rather than performing noble deeds to earn such rank… but this is surely baseless rumor.
• Honor, whether real or feigned, is a cornerstone of Knightly conduct and noble behavior.  There is a social expectation that one will behave honorably and show bravery in the face of danger.  All are expected to be an example to those below them, and show loyalty to those above.
• Family is highly valued, and one is expected to do their utmost to support their family, protect their family, and advance their family’s interests.  
• Magic and Foreign Religions are viewed with suspicion.  Only the divine magic practiced by the High Priests and Paladins of Ceros are above reproach.

Glossary

• Nobility - The structure of nobility is rather involved in Brydd, and details are available here.  Specific noble houses are discussed here.
• Commoners - The structure of common folk is described here.
• Great House - The Great Houses are the Houses that command the Five Dutchies of the realm, Arilan, Vass, Shaye, Macann, and Kilane.
• Sworn House - The subordinate Houses of the realm are sworn to the Great Houses.  They are the leaders of Counties or Marches, and the Ritters sworn to them.
• County - A County is a piece of territory controlled by a Count or Countess.  These are stretches of land primarily concerned with production for the Kingdom.
• March - A March is a piece of territory controlled by a Marquis or Marquessa.  It borders a potentially hostile foreign nation.  These stretches of land are primarily concerned with defense, and the Houses controlling them are considered the most loyal and honored.