The Empire of Thonia - Havard's Version

[Havard]

What follows is my take on the Thonian Empire. While much of it is based on canon information from the DA modules and the FFC as well as some ZGG material, the final interpretation is my own. I make no claim for it being any official interpretation. Thanks to Rafael, LoZompatore, Aldarron, James Mishler, Agathokles, and many unnamed members of the Mystara Commuinity for research and ideas that was used in this writeup. I'm posting this in a separate thread as not to clutter up other topics on the same subject.

THE EMPIRE OF THONIA
PART 1

Sometimes referred to as the Republic of Thonia or the Great Kingdom, Thonia is the largest Empire known to man. Founded over 1000 years ago by King Robert of Geneva, the Empire today stretches from the Jungle Realm of Tangor in the South to the Northern Marches in the North.  Its current ruler is Emperor Iyx I. Uther’s Rebellion in 1015 NC meant a significant reduction in the size of the Empire, which now consists of ten major Province (The Rand, Bleakwood, Bolgerie, Synobia, Salik, the Western Plains, the Eastern Marshes, Mirakos, the Grey Woods and Cirkhosia) as well as the Imperial Province, which is home to Mohacs, the Capital. Each Province is ruled by an Imperial Governor  and is made up of 2-3 Duchies. The Duchies are ruled by Dukes who in turn are served by Imperial Wardens (similar to Barons).

THE PROVINCES

The Rand - Edge of the Empire
This northeastern province borders on the realm of Blackmoor. The most important duchy in the Rand is Borno, ruled by Duke Taha Marcovik. The most important city is Marban.

Bleakwood
This northwestern province is a wild region. Magic and monsters is more common here than anywhere else in the Empire.

Imperial Province - Old Genova
This small province is seat of the Imperial Government and home to the Emperor in the capital of Mohacs. In additional to Emperor Iyx I, the Assasins Guild is an important force in the capital.

Bolgerie - Gateway to the Jungle Realm
This Province in the far south is mostly jungle and populated by dark skinned humans called Bolgers. The largest city is called Balfredsburg after an explorer from the north. Other inhabitants include Tigerfolk and Lizardmen.

Synobia - Bastion of Faith
This province is known for its spiritual people. The most important city is Brill, seat of the High Thonian Church. Clerics and Monks are common here.

Salik - The Southern Desert
This is a desert realm in the southern part of the Empire. Its rulers are powerful magic users worshipped as Gods by the people.

The Western Plains - Grasslands of War
This region on the western border of the Empire consists of vast steppes. They are dominated by a race of horsemen called Kurgans who follow the ways of Calelrin.

Eastern Marshes
This is one of the more traditional parts of the Empire. It is sadly plagued by Vampires and other monsters. Dragons are also more common here than elsewhere in the Empire. Partusia is the most important Barony in the region.

Mirakos
This coastal province is known for its magnificent sailors and swordsmen.

• Many are followers of Hersh.
  
• Mirakosian Saber fighters are employed as mercenaries throughout the Empire.
  
• One of the Islands here is called Oland.
  

Grey Woods
This forest heavy region is home to many creatures. It is believed to be home to a large population of reclusive elves. Ordana is the most widely worshipped God in this region.

• The King of the Grey Woods has been subjugated by the Thonian Emperor, though the Empire generally stays out of this Province, as long as tribute is paid.
  
• This realm is the source of Fey Presence on the continent. Since the arrival of the Wizard of the Woods, more Fey have left Thonia for the North however.
  
• The Grey Woods is closely linked to the Elven Deities
  

Cirkhosia - Isle of Legend
Known as the Isles of Legend, this island province is home to some of the best merchants of Blackmoor. Many elves make their home in the dense forests of the larger islands. Mwajin is the most widely worshipped God in this Province.

The Free City
Not officially part of the Empire, the Free City is an important center and meeting place for many who wish to avoid Imperial Entanglements. The Walworth noble family are the rulers of this City.

The Church and Wizardry
The Wizards Cabal holds no power in the Empire. That does not mean that all manner of sorcerers get a free run in the realm, however. The High Thonian Church is a key supporter of the Emperor and is given privileges in return for its services. Practitioners of Arcane Magic are sworn into the service of the nobility. Those who refuse are persecuted by the Church. The High Thonian Church is ruled by its High Patriarch. While the Patriarch supports the Emperor, he has given surprisingly free reigns to Bishops in the Duchies outside of Thonia, such as the Bishop of Blackmoor. The policy of the Church seems to be loyalty to local leaders regardless of relations between the realms, preferring to stay out of politics if possible.

• Overview of Thonia
  
• The Thonian Noble Houses
  
• The Holy Thonian Church
  
• The City of Mohacs, Capital of the Empire
  
• Races of Thonia
  
• The Eastern Marshes Sourcebook - Year 1030 (PDF)
  

-Havard

[Rafael]

Not bad. "The Grey Woods", I assume, is your take on my Ravilla?

Also, where is Geneva, in your vision?

[Havard]

Not bad.

Thanks!

"The Grey Woods", I assume, is your take on my Ravilla?

Correct! I actually just left it there for you and your group. This is the least canonical region. Also, I did not want to use the name Ravilla myself as it comes from a non-Blackmoor source.

Also, where is Geneva, in your vision?

The way I figured it, Geneva is another name for the Imperial Province.

-Havard

[aldarron]

Hmm, with the exception of Mirakos and the Imperial Province (and maybe Rand?) I get the impression that your vision of the empire is mostly marginal/borderland kind of places, relatively sparsly populated and developed. Is that what you had in mind?

[Havard]

Hmm, with the exception of Mirakos and the Imperial Province (and maybe Rand?) I get the impression that your vision of the empire is mostly marginal/borderland kind of places, relatively sparsly populated and developed. Is that what you had in mind?

Interesting comment. The thing is that the empire is huge. Each province should have its share of major cities and civilization, but there should also be enough patches of wilderness for players to have their fun. Perhaps I got a bit carried away with that part? I think the Roman Empire at its greatest extent would be a good comparison (although higher tech).

Synobia, Mirakos, The Imperial Province, The Free City, Salik, Cirkhosia and the Western Marshes should be mostly civilized places. I see Bleakwood and The Eastern Plains as the most wild.

-Havard

[Rafael]

Yeah, Aldarron is sort of right.

Then again, I think my vision of the Great Kingdom as comparable to the late Roman Empire has influenced the viking.

Backmoor's is a real, real dark age. Not many people around, and more than that, those few have to share their world with many other humanoid races.
Apart from several "points of light", there simple isn't much human civilization, and that they call it an "Empire" is likely
frowned at by their neighbors.

[Havard]

I think you are reading too much into the fact that I have added very few details to each region. This should not be interpreted necessarily as a PoL type setting, but is simply a result of not very much being known (to me) about the setting yet. The things I have included so far is mostly derived from printed sources, whereas things that will be added later will have to be made up.

Thonia should have some similarities to the Roman Empire, but I dont like to use that comparison too much simply because it suggest a pre-medieval society. Thonia should definately be medieval, feudal or perhaps even post-feudal. I think a better comparison would be the Holy Roman Empire, although under Emperor Iyx, Thonia has again become a more centralized power.

-Havard

[aldarron]

What about Walworth Havard?

[Rafael]

That's a C&C reference.


You'll see Synobia pretty detailed if we come to play the first Evensong adventures.

All I run will be set there.

[Havard]

What about Walworth Havard?

Good question. You will notice that I did reference the Walworth family as influential in the Free City. I have decided against making Walworth a province, but it would likely be an Earldom within one of the other Provinces. Probably in the Grey Woods.

You'll see Synobia pretty detailed if we come to play the first Evensong adventures.

All I run will be set there.

Will be looking forward to this. The only canon (ie published) information on Synobia is that it is home of the "Synobian Monks".

-Havard