Adylheim is a loose confederacy of seven fiefdoms with no one fiefdom having risen to a greater level of power than any of the others. The northern fiefdoms are characterized by rugged terrain, which grows flatter in the southern areas. Each fiefdom is held by a noble of some manner who is continually striving to expand his domain at the expense of others. Given that Adylheim is encapsulated by hostile terrain this is a zero sum game, with each expansion at the cost of a neighbour.

Statistics and Information

The main staple of Adylheim is grain. The peasants who make up the majority of the population do not really care all that much for who owns the land and only really complain when increased taxes are moved their way. Taxes are generally paid in produce, which is converted into money in nearby cities.

Cities can generally be found in three sizes. Small cities have populations less than 2,000, and medium sized cities have populations between 2,000 and 10,000 inhabitants. Large cities have populations which exceed 10,000 citizens. The largest city in Adylheim is Aram, which contains almost up to 100,000 inhabitants. Cities require a steady influx of people from the rural areas to join them in order to maintain their size. This is due to the high mortality rates and poor birth rates.

The Fiefdoms in Brief

Arameia is the largest and arguably the most powerful fiefdom. Arameia is divided into two parts, the Highlands and the Heartlands. The capitol of Arameia is Aram, which is the largest city in Adylheim and one of only three to have a university. Unfortunately Arameia's leader, the Prelate of Luxor, has relatively limited control of the outskirts of his fiefdom. His military strengths are tied up in the Highlands conflict with Starkwater and protecting the immediate vicinity of the capital, leaving him relatively shaky control thoughtout the rest of the fiefdom.

The Archduchy of Starkwater is one of the Northern fiefdoms and as such is heavily militarized and known for its ambitions towards the Arameian Highlands. The Archdukes of Starkwater have been known for ruling with an iron fist, their lands are often heavily taxed and in addition to border raids peasant insurrections are a common phenomenon.

The Principality of Nevros is another northern fiefdom and remains heavily militarized, guarding its borders both against the northern raids and the Ogres. They are very isolationist in their principles, preferring not to take stands in conflicts with others. Their military is reckoned to be one of the strongest in the fiefdoms despite this stance, but it is heavily tied up in border defences. Its capital is Alden.

The Barony of Longmoor is arguably the poorest of the fiefdoms, lacking in much of any resource and prone to border raids from Ogres. They survive mainly by playing the Ogre tribes against each other. This swamp infested fiefdom has little to offer in the way of exports.

The Kingdom of Nerin is one of the wealthier fiefdoms. They are largely untroubled by border raids and though they do not trade with the Dae’vol, they enjoy an abundance of natural resources which allow them to maintain a limited military.

The Kingdom of Andragoria is the wealthiest of the two southern fiefdoms, with rich natural resources and an extensive trade with the elusive Dae’vol. The Andragorians have a supreme grasp of culture and wit. It is their capitol of Nander which is the second largest city in Adylheim, with a population of 70,000 and one of the three cities that has a university.

The Grand Barony of Teslan is the smallest of the fiefdoms and the one with the second largest naval fleet. The Teslans are nevertheless renowned for their advances and have some of the best Artificers. Teslan is generally known to have the largest library and best university in their capitol city of Salen.