Ghembold



Ghembold is a country in the central-south-eastern quadrant of Siv. It is ruled by a Duchy known as the Duchy of Ghembold. The land has a rich history in the art of magic.

People and culture
The populace of Ghembold is primarily composed of humans of three primary ethnic factions: the Suntoched, the Seaspars, and slaves from Harvthenia known as the "Harvo". Other races include the Elves and those that claim to descend from Djinn. Most other races are considered unsightly and were exiled as a result.


 * Nobility
 * Members of Ghembold's nobility take up positions in the nation's government, often as scholars, performers, or artists. These individuals bear their hair with specific ornaments to denote their position.


 * Middle Class
 * Ghembold's middle class is composed of landowners and craftsmen. Members of this social class are often wealthy, and are considered for marriages by members of the nobility as a result.


 * Servants
 * The majority of people in Ghembold fall into this category, the people who do not fall into the Nobility or Middle class are typically sworn into servitude to members of those classes as handmaidens and manservants, however they are guaranteed humane treatment by law, but despite this the life of these individuals is a hard one, as they do not make money and are simply working to earn their place in society.

Society
The people of Ghembold are arrogant individuals that consider themselves better than any rival nation, physical beauty has an incredible importance and governs many duchal decisions in the nation including sentencing at court and even the Crowning itself. It is not unusual to see an academy turn down students due to their lack of physical Charisma. Law is paramount to the nation's citizens, and change is avoided whenever possible. The government is run by the most charismatic of scholars more than the duchess herself, though her opinion is always saught for any major decision.

Customs
As a Duchy, the country is generally ruled in a monarchy-like style, ruled by a duchess that is chosen by her predecessor each decade. This event known simply as the Crowning is a widely celebrated event in the country. Other customs include a high respect for the Arts and Education, so it is not uncommon to see cities filled with many and art museums within the Ghemoldian borders.

Language
People native to Ghembold primarily speak the Common Tongue, though Witch Chanty is also a popular and common language within the country. A few of the eldest scholars speak the language of the Djinn as well. Elves, being significant in population in Ghembold, though far less significant than the human population, generally speak Elvish or Sandspeech, a newer language that has roots in the language of the Djinn.

Geography
Ghembold is located in an arid region stretching between the Deadwater Basin in the north-west to the Shadowsand Mountains in the south-east. The nation's western border is marked by the coast of the Deadwater Basin, and it possesses no established border to the east.

Bodies of Water
The Deadwater Bastion is a large salt-water lake that borders Ghembold on the west. This sea is an important trade route for the continent of Siv, and the majority of Ghembold's profit come from it.

The Bay of Black Sands borders Ghembold on the north and east. This sea is known for pirate activity and is generally avoided by merchants when possible.

Lake of the Shy Marid is a large fresh-water lake that harbors the majority of the settlements of Ghembold. As well as it's capitol on the western shore.

 Deserts 

Ghembold has a single large desert in its heart that makes up the majority of the surface of the country, it has no name but is often referred to as the Djinni Sands due to the concentrated population of Djinn within.

Mountains
Ghembold is mostly flat, but a large mountain range known as the Shadowsand Mountains lies silent on the country's southern border, not much is known about these mountains as many of the settlements of Ghembold lie on the opposite side of the perilous Djinni sands.

Plains
The south-western border of Ghembold is shared with the eastern border of Harvthenia, a land known for it's vast plains, though these plains lie at the bottom of a large cliff known as the Sanddrop which marks the border of the two countries. Ghembold has no large plains of it's own but the thin belt of land between the Deadwater Bastion, and the Lake of the Shy Marid consists primarily of grasslands.

Rivers
There are many nameless rivers that connect Deadwater Bastion with it's neighboring Lake of the Shy Marid. Though none are much more than thin streams of no significance.

Cities
Chante is the capital of Ghembold. Chante is also recognized as the oldest continually inhabited city on the Continent of Siv. It has a rich history of art and education. Jade is a large port city on the northern border of the Lake of the Shy Marid, and is slightly larger than Chante to the south. The coast of the Lake of the Shy Marid is dotted with many smaller cities as well. The thin strip of land between Deadwater Bastion and the Lake of the Sky Marid however holds over 60% of the country's settlements, with another 30% on the eastern coast of the Lake. The remaining 10% are scattered along the coast of the Bay of Black Sands,  there are no known human or elven cities within the sands themselves and it is unknown if the Djinn have some kind of city therein, but should they, it is certainly out of the juristiction of the Duchy of Ghembold.

Provinces of Ghembold
Chante: Chante is notable for being the home of the nation's capitol, it is located on the south-western end of the nation. It is noted for its lush palms, and beautiful beaches and is home to many of the noble families of Ghembold. People from Chante are used to the powers of magic in the air and have a +1 to saves against evocation. Their familiars tend to be Djinn.

Darnforse: On the northern border of Ghembold lies the valley of Darnforse, a heavily forested region. Darnforse is amongst the least populated of countries in Ghembold, and for good reason, as this wooded region is home to the Dryad Queen. People from Darnforse have a +1 to stealth, and tend to have a tree nymph familiar. This tree nymph does not have the Wish ability of the other genies, but 1/year may call upon the aid of the dryad queen. This acts as a Miracle spell, though must pertain to nature, such as imitating druid spells up to 9th level, or summon a number of forest guardians to fight for a short time, etc.

Deneb: Deneb is a country that lies on the northern coast of Ghembold. It is also known as the Garden of the Gods, due to the high concentration of blossoming plants found within it's deep but beautiful valleys. The home of the legendary Vadiani Family resides here, known as the most persuasive diplomats on lesser Siv, many people from this country have picked up a few of their tricks and have a +1 to diplomacy.

Eleswyn: Eleswyn is known as the Land of Music, many of the artists and scholars here devote their lives to the musical arts. Around the bay known as Songspell Sound are numberous musical academies. Performance is a central part of their culture, so naturally, people from here have a +1 to perform checks.

Genovia: Genovia is the largest country in Ghembold, and the most populated, many of the middle class call this arid region their home. It is borded to the south by the greater desert known as the Djinni Sands, and has many of its own deserts. People hailing from Genovia have a strong connection with the element of earth due to Genovia being the primary agrcultural region of Ghembold, and thus their Genie familiar tends to be a shaitan, also due to the adjacent Djinni sands they have developed a slight resistance against compulsion effects constantly used by the Djinn (+1 to saves against compulsion).

Regole: Regole, much like Darnforse to the north, is a heavily wooded region known for it's alchemists. People of Regole tend to have a +1 to save against poison due to the history of alchemists from this country, and many tend to have an efreet familiar instead of the normal djinni one.

Rhys, Wetlands of: Nestled between two vast, nearly endless forests, the Wetlands of Rhys is the second least populated region in Ghembold, If not for the large port city on it's southern coast many would consider this to be a frontier. People hailing from Rhys tend to have Marid familiars rather than the normal djinni familiar granted by the backgroun trait, and +1 to perception due to the experience of hunting for fish and other creatures in the dense bog.

Shadowfield: Isolated on the eastern coast lies the Shadowfield, it lies on the far end of many deserts and forests and is home to dark practices such as the arts of necromancy. The country is isolated enough that it does not suffer the mainstream laws of Ghembold making it a haven for the uncharismatic. People hailing from shadowfield tend to be resistant to necromancy due to its heavily practiced use in the country and have a +1 to save against necromancy effects.

Shame, Island of: The isle of Shame is a Penal Country built on the ruins of a city removed from the history books of Ghembold. This city was a large city of demons that had reaches many miles beneath the ground in what is known as the Labyrinth of Shame. People who escaped from Shame tend to have a bonus to intimidation of +1.

Navy and seafaring
Ghembold Vessels are named after various creatures renown for their charisma such as the Mermaid or Nymph, and no expense is bypassed for ornamentation, the majority of the ships have what is called a Sundeck on the bow of the ship which is usually occupied by a sea wizard.

Roots of Magic
There is a legend that long ago the Djinn were worshipped by the people in the area that is now known as Ghembold as a result the people of Ghembold were taught how to control the magic that the Djinn use. The religion is still loosely followed in the religion of the country today, but the Djinn are revered much less, as their magic itself is given a physical manifestation in the beliefs of the people of Ghembold, putting the Djinn on the same levels as their selves, the Djinn no longer make much contact with the people as they feel disrespected in the birth of their new religion. Djinn are even known to kill Ghemboldian's on sight.

The Shadowrat Uprising
In the year 324 many of the slaves who were disrespected for their physical appearance rose up in a short-lived rebellion. This rebellion was felled in less than a week by the powerful magic of Ghemboldian Scholars. This has not done anything for the people of Ghembold other than strengthen their prejudice against uncharismatic individuals.

The Root of Slavery
In response to a plague that killed much of its people, the Duchy of Chante captured over one hundred thousand humans through the use of a portal opened to another country. This portal was then closed and all connections between the two countries were sealed; the captured peoples were enslaved by the Duchy.

In the year 428 war broke out between Ghembold and Skold. The conflict has yet to end, though an uneasy truce is being maintained.

Notable Inhabitants

 * The Sunken Beauty, Duchess of Chante (12 Sor/4 Brd)
 * The Dryad Queen (Fey 34)