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Proper Name:	The Duchy of Almor
Ruler:	Duke Younard
Capital:	Mithat
Notable Locations:	Appolled, Blazebane, Bloodcrystal, Castle von Flessern, Darkwatch, Harskern, Millennium, Mithat, Newtown, Onyxgate, Silverwat, Tirian, Tomkin (note: Narsel Mendred is in Womtham, and Chathold is in the Marchland of Chathold)
Resources:	Fishing, Farming, Animal Husbandry, Trade, Wine-making.
Population:	305,420
Languages:	Common, Old Oeridian, Flan, Silberi
Religions:	Procan, Beory, Zilchus, Norebo, Celestian, Pholtus [Bright Path], Pelor, Wee Jas, Heironeous, Ralishaz
Geographic Features:	Northern Hills, Flessern Valley, Badlands
Notable Personalities:	Younard, Duke of Almor [Male Human 13: Fighter(13)] Lael Pirlon, Lord in Almor [Male Human 11: Bard(8), Spymaster(3)] Vayan Darol, Mayor of Mithat [Male Human 3: Expert/Merchant(3)]

Overview

The chaos following the Flight of Fiends left the evil Almorian factions at each other's throats. Szeffrin disappeared, his whereabouts unknown (though rumored to be Rauxes, before it was engulfed in magical strife). In his absence, King Lynwerd of Nyrond ordered three legions to the field in Almor, claiming it as a protectorate. In the end, the small portion of Almor south of the Harp river remained with Ahlissa (the Marchlands of Chathold). The rest is claimed by Nyrond, but was subdivided when Nyrond's principalities were reorganized. The portions of Almor north of the Flessern river were granted to the Duchy of Womtham. The remaining and sizeable mass of Almor was unified with the northern part of the Duchy of Korenflass (including the city of Mithat) to become the Duchy of Almor, now ruled by Duke Younard, a retired General.

The original nation of Almor had two great cities: Chathold and Narsel Mendred. Chathold was completely destroyed, and is claimed by Ahlissa as the marchlands of Chathold. The remnants of Narsel Mendred are working to rebuild, but now as a part of the Duchy of Womtham. The Duchy of Almor was granted the northern lands of the Duchy of Korenflass, providing it with the Nyrond city of Mithat, which is now the capital of the province.

History

The Nehron Oeridian Kingdom lasted for many years, until it was vanquished by the Aerdy Oeridian Kingdom in -110 CY after a great battle which became known as the Battle of a Fortnight's Length. The Nehron Oeridian Kingdom was split in half, with the western portion being granted to Aerdy house Rax, which assimilated the Nehron ruling class (later taking the name Rax-Nyrond), and the eastern portion being granted to Aerdy house Cranden.

The Cranden's named their land after the head of their house, Grand Prince Almor. From its beginning, Almor had a strong theological presence, but it wasn't until after years of passive management by the Cranden's that they truly lost sovereign rights, and rulership was passed to an enclave of churches. This politically encumbered and bureaucratically bound ecumenical council had many forms, and at its end was composed primarily of priests of Pholtus, Pelor, Heironeous, with lesser seats held by priests of Zilchus, Rao, Beory, Delleb, Celestian and Zodal.

Eventually Nyrond split from the Great Kingdom, and later Almor also managed to wrest independence, but only to find itself as a buffer nation between two great powers. This changed when, after a few years of descending problems, Overking Ivid of the Great Kingdom focused his rage upon the small nation. In 584 CY Almor's capital, Chathold, was surrounded by the forces of Duke Szeffrin. But rather than laying seige to the city, his priests and mages called down lightning, fire, acid, poison and all other manners of destruction upon the city, leaving it a devastated wastland and the first of the Badlands. The rest of the nation collapsed soon after as the Duke's forces led a lightning three week march with the goal being Rel Mord. They were brought up short at the Nyrond border-keep Blazebane, just outside of Mithat. The battle raged for weeks, ending only when the Pact of Greyhawk was signed. The Duke retreated to his summoned castle Bloodcrystal and ruled the conquered lands with an iron fist.

During the reign of Duke Szeffrin, his troops ravaged the Almorian lands. Undead, demons and worse marauded freely, often as squads of the Duke's army. This changed in 586 CY when the Crook of Rao banished Pazrael's minions (the flight of Feinds). The Duke's armies were greatly weakened, and in the absence of key demonic officers they fell into disarray and chaos. Meanwhile, Duke Szeffrin became more and more reclusive, only to disappear later in the same year, presumably having teleported to Rauxes when he learned of an opportunity to exact his vengeance upon Ivid. He has never been seen again, as the city of Rauxes fell into a magical Limbo that same day and nobody has left the city since.

With the Duke missing and his troops disintegrating, Kind Lynwerd ordered three legions into Almor and declared it a protectorate of Nyrond. Ahlissa, the southern remnant of the fragmenting Great Kingdom, disputed the claim, but was involved elsewhere and unable to provide force to the dispute. Almor was divided, and although many fiends and denizens prowl the countryside, it's proud people have managed to survive and remain.

The Almorian Badlands

The Fourth Legion

The Fourth Legion by this point had been reduced in size through battles and outposts along the way throughout their course to Onyxgate, and only 3,500 men decamped at the keep and grounds of Onyxgate. When the snows melted, however, all had vanished. Searches of the place revealed no evidence of foul play. It was as if the army had never come.

Political Situation

The Almor Freedom Movement is politically pushing for a new independent Almor ruled by house Cranden, as they believe it should be. The movement has gained interest among the old nobility of Almor, and has also found some sympathetic ears in both Nyrond and Ahlissa. Whatever the motivation, the cause is even appreciated by some patriotic peasants. There is also a small following among the Flan rangers in the northern hills. The leader of the movement is known only as the Sable Phlox, who is becoming a popular folk hero.

Castle von Flessern is a small castle on a hill ten miles south of the mouth of the Flessern River and Narsel Mendred. It overlooks the Flessern Valley and used to be ancillary to the fortifications in Narsel Mendred, during the times of the Prelacy of Almor. In recent times, it was the site of a battle throwing back forces drawn from marauding bandits roaming Almor (some left from Duke Szeffrin's army) and malcontents from the Great Kingdom. After the battle the small keep was awarded to a new Baron, who has been working to revitalize the area. The keep has become home to the Flessern Militia and the Council of the Wilted Rose, dedicated to chivalry, the rebuilding of Almor and cooperation between worshippers of good gods. The land surrounding the keep is only barely able to support life, but refugees have been slowly returning to the area in the hopes that the baron will be able to make good on his dream.

The Harp River Trading Company is one of the older merchant houses of Almor, and one of the only to survive the ravages of Duke Szeffrin's occupation, if not thriving during the time with contracts from the Duke. Although many are unhappy with the company, they always maintain a lawful presence, are economically and politically strong, and are careful to never associate with shadowy activity.

For Builders Only

The Harp River Trading company is carefully orchestrating smuggling and slaving operations, taking advantage of the chaos of the region to relocate thousands of Almorian refugees into the lucrative slave industry.

[ Gazetteer ]