This country borders Roskaria to the south and blocks the only know way into or out of that country. Its high population of professional warriors has served it well as Gaden sits on the frontlines of the current Corrupt territory. Facing weak, though constant, attacks, Gaden has strained its supplies. The country is becoming more aggressive in its dealing with Roskaria and the occasional foreign diplomat, though few foreigners have been seen in recent decades since the Corrupt lines have expanded to nearly surround the country. Gaden is more militant than Roskaria as it faces daily skirmishes at a variety of locations along the front line. Production tends to have a war time focus and most events/celebration involve the war in some way or another, such as warriors heading off to battle, or a load of supplies completed. Unlike Roskaria, Gaden has a far more traditional power structure with hereditary leadership passed down to the eldest son for most positions of authority.
Notable People
Nerak – The elder king of Gaden, he has been leading the country for nearly thirty years after his father, who was a far more aggressive battle leader, fell for his eighth and final time to the Corrupt. Forced into a more traditional role by his lack of multiple heirs, he lives vicariously through his only son, Prince Talon, who is a strong templar and skilled in strategy. King Nerak is devoted to his son and many believe that were his son to die before him he would sink into a great depression.
Talon – The only son of the current king, Prince Talon has proved himself a skilled and brave warrior. He takes an active hand in the constant fighting with the Corrupt. As an Earth Templar, he tends to serve as the anchor to any group he fights alongside. He is known for making the hard choices when necessary, but always strives to limit the deaths of those who serve him. He has even been known to reassign spirit weakened warriors to safer duties such as protecting the capitol or serving as messengers.
Kirna Lightfoot – A well known merchant with a knack for having the right goods available at the right time. Many nobles and military leaders owe this man a great number of favors. There are rumors that Kirna is not always entirely honest, and questions have been raised as to just how this man has such a well stocked inventory, even at times when a specific need is difficult to find.
Holidays and Special Events
The Respite (Res-pit)- Starting in late summer, this is a jovial time as each year the Corrupt stop their ceaseless attacks for sixty days. Many games and tourneys are held during this time, unions and rites of passage ceremonies are typically scheduled during this time to give the participants a “good start” in their new lives. Action against the Corrupt during this time is forbidden.
The Festival of Remembrance – Held near the end of October, this festival marks the end of the Respite. During this more somber festival, those who have fallen in the previous year are remembered and honored with good acts, ranging from simple good works to large donations to more organized efforts against longstanding bastions of undead and other creatures.
The Gaden Military
The Bonded Guard – Easily recognizable by their large flat blades, the bonded guard of Gaden are considered the elite of the Gaden military. Unshakably loyal to the royal family, there are never more than two dozen at any given time. As each of the guard is spirit linked to a specific blade, anyone caught with a bonded blade will be under immediate suspicion of murder and treason.
Returning such a blade is always well rewarded as the spirit link must be transferred to a new guardsmen very quickly to keep the corps sound. Bonded guards have vast authority and are answerable only to the royal family and their direct servants and seneschals; it is extremely rare to see more than two of the Bonded at any time unless they are guarding a member of the Royal Family.
The Gaden Army – Charged with the protection of Gaden’s borders, the army is lead by the Crown Prince and his generals. Members of the army will often be found within an internal training camp, at one of the many border forts, or on campaign. The army is made up primarily of draftees, although volunteers are allowed to join if they commit to at least a four year service (some youths in the kingdom will do this to avoid following their family craft). All citizens of Gaden are subject to be drafted into the army, and all nobles are required to train as officers for a total of eight months by their age of majority (the equivalent of 22 years, by Human count). Military service is required of the nobility so in the event of a true emergency all nobles can be called upon to lead the citizenry in battle. Functionally, the nobility of Gaden has never been subject to a draft, although about two of every five has served a two year tour.
The Gaden Militias – The militias of Gaden vary by the areas they patrol. In some areas of the central kingdom, they are effectively the policing arm of the local nobility, charged with keeping the peace and serving the local area. In the outskirts, and villages on the border, the militias are a group of like minded hunters or soldiers that seek to keep their familys safe. Officially, no militia member has any political power; any clout they hold comes from a local noble or town council. Militia ranks vary from militia to militia but generally are limited to a local commander and a couple of lieutenants; often an influential member of the community serves as the unofficial leader.
Guildsmen – Not technically a part of the Gaden military, the two primary guilds of Gaden, the Greater Gaden Earth guild and the Performers of Celestial Arts, both have a number of men at arms and scholars they can field for a variety of duties and interest. During times of significant marches and engagements, there will usually be groups of skilled Guildsmen forming their own platoons. Guildsmen often have strong civilian authority but rarely, if ever, have the authority to supersede an officer of the general army. Occasionally, a ranking Guild Master, or extremely experienced journeyman, may command a militia if their goal is in the interest of the country.
Adventurers – A poorly defined category, “adventurer” is often used as a catch-all term for itinerant folk with above average martial skill. Known for their poor discipline and overall lack of organization, they are rarely dependable and never the first choice for assignments of importance. Local adventurers will often be sent on long shot assignments, or be employed as scouts and skirmishers to help irritate and annoy the enemy. Many adventurers are not considered citizens of the land and thus are not subject to the draft, although they may still be pressed into service when needed to protect the area they inhabit. The adventurer who refuses the occasional indenture will see his holdings seized and possible treason charges leveled.
Important Locations of Gaden
Tunaria – The capital city of Gaden, Tunaria rests in the northern region of the kingdom a few dozen leagues south of the Roskarian border. Resting in the center of the city is the Royal Palace. The palace holds quarters for the sitting king, his queen, the crown prince, and the king’s two brothers along with a number of additional state rooms for larger royal trees. Some fear for the line as Prince Talon is unmarried, but since he has never suffered a death most citizens rest easy knowing there is time for a family. Outside the palace grounds is a ring of military hostels and training camps used for the training of the Bonded Guard and the noble officers; these facilities are the most difficult and unforgiving of all the training facilities in Gaden. The final rings of Tunaria comprise three concentric towns which provide the food and basic resources to the capitol and the many forts along the Valley of Solace.
Kethunaira – A midsized city located a few leagues to the northeast of the Gaden capital of Tunaria. Kethunaira is wealthy and most of the estates are large, orderly and safe. This houses many of the upper level seneschals, army leaders, and other high ranking non-nobles that serve the Royal Family and the lesser noble houses.
Hopes Reach – Formerly a military base known as Fort Miller, Hopes Reach was expected to fall to the advancing Corrupt. In the 11th hour, the arrival of a number of traveling, and local, adventurers provided enough muscle to hold off the swarm. Impressed with their vigor in defending the region, Crown Prince Talon declared it to be a settlement zone again, even allowing non-citizen adventurers to settle and build a community. This has led many citizens to fear and avoid the region as it has become a draw for visitors through the Mist Wall. Most prominent merchants refuse to trade with the region, regardless of the profit.
Emilton- Located in central, south-western Gaden, Emilton is a town at odds with the rest of the country. Far from the borders, and more active Corrupt encroachment, this town focuses much of its energy on exploration of the western wilds. Emilton trades with many of the Wilderkyn, Elves, High Ogres, Sarr, and other races that emerge from the wild. It is known for both its eclectic population and its co-mingling of custom.
The Western Outposts – A thin line of three small outposts guarding the edge of Gaden against any assault from the western wilds. The units stationed here are made up of rotating soldiers from more dangerous postings. Those soldiers on heavy combat posting are rotated to the western outposts for a couple of years after their three year period on the front lines. Usually. this two year period happens to straddle the four year reenlistment renewal.
The Valley Line – A series of five closely knit, stout keeps sitting along the western ridge of the Valley of Solace. Aside from the town of Hopes Reach, this Line is the primary point of contact with the Corrupt. Aided by the steep valley walls, the keeps watch over a small number of natural ravines that run up the valley to the ridge line. A large number of talented guildsmen provide large amounts of Celestial and Earthern magics to help keep the lines of Corrupt at bay. Deaths are uncommon enough that morale continues to be high. In general, a large number of Corrupt are slain for every resurrection taken by the defenders. Though the line has been held now for over a decade, the tide of Corrupt is undeterred and continues to grow apace.
