Weilburg
National Symbol: Cross Pattée.
National Colors: Gray and White
71% Human (Germanic Ethnic Backgrounds)
16% Dwarf
5% Halfling
5% Gnome
3% Wood Elf
60% Organized
30% Ancestor Worship
10% Agnostic
(Autocracy System of Government) The Empire of Grundar is ruled by an Emperor. All decisions filter down from there. The main system of governance comes in the form of Imperators who govern the individual provinces and oversee law and order. A highly militaristic form of government soldiers are both the protectors and the policing force for the country.
Badlands: Hostile
Cenovia: Hostile
Commonwealth of Dail: Friendly
Eldarian Union: Neutral
Elven Triumvirate: Neutral
Golden Dwarves: Friendly
Grand Duchy of Montia: Neutral
Granelian Protectorate: Friendly
Hassarian Oligarchy: Hostile
Highlands: Neutral
Ichi Shogunate: Friendly
Idelan Republic: Friendly
Iron Dwarves: Friendly
Kingdom of Aldania: Neutral
Naga’s Landing: Hostile
Orc Horde: Hostile
Sahalan Sultanate: Neutral
Shaneier Elves: Hostile
Steel Dwarves: Friendly
Taisan Khanate: Hostile
The Dark Covenant: Hostile
Theocracy of Vespa: Neutral
Undying Lands: Hostile
Wolven Marches: Hostile
Currency is minted with a Templar Cross icon on it
Gold (gp) is used to buy luxury goods and high-end services
Silver (sp) is used to buy common quality goods and skilled labor
Copper (cp) is used to buy basic supplies goods and food
Average costs
Basic Food items: 1-3 copper
Luxury Food items: 10-15 copper
Basic Drinks: 1-3 copper
Luxury Drinks: 5-10 copper
Basic clothing: 25-50 copper
Average clothing: 25-50 silver
Luxury/High End clothing: 10-15 gold
Basic Lodging (Common Inn): 5-10 silver per night
Comfortable Lodging (High End Inn): 20-25 silver per night
Luxury Lodging (Private room with bath): 50-100 silver per night
Opulent/Noble Lodging (Private suite with multiple rooms): 10-15 gold per night
Transportation (Rented wagon/carriage): 10-15 silver per km
Weapons and Armor: Use Item costs
The Empire of Grundar architecture is best described as medieval Austria and Germany. A mix of gothic and roman styles that is characterized by sturdy but decorative designs. Towns and villages heavily favor stone and wood construction that can seem utilitarian in nature. Most homes and buildings look Tudor in style.
Grundaran clothing can best be described as simple and utilitarian. Since the culture is militaristic in nature the clothing favors browns and muted grays. Leathers, wools, cottons and furs are in use with most fashions. In the high society, dark gray with silver accents are the dominant status symbol color for clothing. The social elite also use finer materials like silks and velvets.
Typical Grundaran cuisine is defined by hearty, agrarian cooking, abundant dairy, livestock meats, and root vegetables like potatoes, and heavy use of mushrooms. Breads and cheese are the main centerpiece of any meal. Drinks are usually fruit or tea leaf based, and alcohol favors strong ale and whiskey style spirits.
Music: The Empire of Grundar music uses a lot of drums and lutes. Marches and rousing ensembles are the favored style of music. National pride is often conveyed through the music in this country.
Literature: A highly literate society with a strong national identity and schooling system, literature is abundant here. They are also a crossroads link right in the middle of the continent, so literature from all over the world can be found here.
Entertainment/Theater: Grundaran’s favorite form of entertainment is tournaments. They are both a social and sporting event and are state sponsored. Each province in the kingdom hosts one a year and they are spaced out so they do not overlap. Outside of tournaments beer and ale festivals are very popular.
Technology in Grundar is medieval in nature but some outside technology is available. The Emperor is very interested in any technology that helps give his military a competitive edge and firearms in particular are encouraged. Magic is not unknown but it is also not very widespread in use. Most Grundarans would be surprised to see it used openly but wouldn’t mind so long as it isn’t being used destructively.
After the great war that wiped out much of the elven and dwarven populations, a large expanse of territory of what would eventually turn into Grundar became a barren wasteland and uninhabited. Because of its unique geography as the only land link between the two sides of the continent, it was a highly contested area that was decimated and scorched by the war and much of the area was left to ruin. An originally nomadic group of humans moved into the area and began to settle the land afterwards. With the help of the Shaneier Elves, from the ashes rose forests, rivers, and life again. Over time the region was restored. However the nomadic humans had watched the war between the elves and dwarves and learned that when you control the only land pass between each side of the continent, the only way to survive was to create a strong nation capable of defending itself. They became obsessed with martial prowess and defensive warfare and created a strong militaristic nation intent on guarding their newly restored lands. Worried that the Shaneier Elves they were sharing the territory with were too weak, and focused too much on harmony and peace tensions between them began to rise. A nationwide deportation took place to remove the Shaneier elves from the country. While there is resentment between the Shaneier elves and the Empire, it did not result in open warfare, and has instead festered into a hostile resentment between the two nations who no longer get along. The Empire considers itself the gatekeepers between the east and west, and they control the only pathways between them. Anyone that doesn’t agree with them will need to find a ship and sail around. This highly defensive culture has also had hostile relations with their neighboring human kingdoms. Cenovia and the Taisan Khanate in particular, since both of those nations are expansionist in nature and the Empire refuses to give up even one acre of land to anybody. To offset being at the center of the known world, and surrounded by enemies, the Empire has spent efforts creating alliances and friendly trade agreements. The most beneficial being with the dwarves, where the likeminded stubbornness of protecting what is yours gives both cultures a feeling of kindred spirits. Dwarves from any of their nations are welcome in Grundar. The other diplomatic effort the Empire set up was a buffer nation. Being a rival to the equally powerful Kingdom of Aldania, both nations set up a vassal state called the Grenelian Protectorate to act as a politically neutral region between them. It was established to discourage either nation from moving in on their respective territories. The Empire provides troops for protection, but relinquishes all claims on the lands themselves to the vassal state. The Empire of Grundar as it stands now, is a nation of proud warriors and military might, in defense of their surrounded empire.