Harnendor (The Southmaren Empire) (updated 2005/10/14)

  654-656 - Lean Times in Aquila ...    Aquila    Edun hao'nath    Edun path'andim    Grand Canal of Mrmym    Imperial Harnendorian Legions    Imperial Highway (Road of Ruins)    Migdia (the Sea of Fallen Stars)    Nan-Surinen (The Valley of the Wind)    The Jade Isles    The Plains of Fire    Tuln    Uruinen (The Boiling Sea)    maps: Harnendor 

This ancient southern empire once controlled all of the cities along the southern coasts of the Dragon Sea, and even lands beyond. Ruled from the imperial seat of Aquila, its vast fleets and legions ruled the seas, stopping at every port and sailing beyond to discover and claim new lands. Many southern realms reachable only by ship were claimed as colonies, such as the island city-states of the Sea of Fallen Stars, the Jungles of Klesh, the everglades of the Jade Isles, the Weeping Moors, and the mangrove swamps of Vokrazum. Magic was at its zenith when the vast empire of the Southmarens ruled Ambar, and scholars flocked to visit the famed Imperial Library of Aquila. Now, only a few of the great Black Wizards of Aquila remain.

Long ago, this dominance ended when the empire came up against a rival in the deep south--the Great Goblyn Empire. Many battles were fought but in the end only one of the once great city-states remained--Aquila. The southernmost lands, hardest hit by the Goblyns, are scorched earth below brown clouds and dusty winds. Now only a few of the great Wizards remain, attempting to regain the knowledge they once had. Even their grip on smaller towns has slipped, most of which now only bend one knee to the Emperor.

The original lands of the Harn people that surround Aquila are called Harnendor, and are still safe in Southmaren hands. Harnendor is a hauntingly beautiful land, bewitching visitors with its natural beauty and ancient Guldurine ruins. Protected by tall crags, rocky straits, and hidden reefs, it is almost impossible to take and hold this large valley peninsula by force, or even find it without a guide. Once within the barriers that guard the realm, the landscape is stunning, with tall cedar forests lining dazzling white beaches.

The symbol of Harnendor is a golden falcon and a sable falcon rampant. Southmarens naturally dominate this region, although diplomats and merchants from many nations visit here.

Capital: Aquila was once the Imperial seat, but most regions now consider themselves to be autonomous.

Population: 20M (Southmarens 65%, Alu 10%, Other 25%)

Religions: It is said that every religion is worshiped in someone in Harnendor. Aquila is the home of the famed Street_of_the_Gods, where it is said a temple exists to every god. Ancient shrines to forgotten water gods dot the seashores, and the Great Goblyn Empire in the south seeks to revive their worship.

Trade: Trade: The region imports gold and silver, exporting exotic spices, luxurious silk, jewels, and the finest steel.

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654-656 - Lean Times in Aquila (campaign)

  654 - The Elixir of Transformation    654 - The Lost City of Taujuchen    654 - White Plume Mountain    Aquilan Heroes 

A rough crew of bravos from the Aquilan Tenderloin met with a series of mishaps and adventures that transformed them into true heroes of Ambar.

This campaign took place from 1998-1999.

Aquila

  A Rogue's Guide to Aquila    Districts and Landmarks    Garrisons and Regiments    Overview    Politics & Factions 

When you're in need of something and don't know where to find it, go to Aquila. There you can surely buy it. - Saying (author unknown)

The "City of the Black Falcon", also known as the "City of Thieves" and many other names, is still the most powerful city in the realm. An ancient city, Aquila was once the heart of the glorious Southmaren Empire, but is now a single city ruled by a figurehead Emperor. The Emperor's mighty fleet still controls the sea-lanes for many leagues surrounding his capitol, sweeping away pirates. Aquila is a major center of trade, particularly for the rice and grain of its surrounding fields, which are still watered by the ancient Grand Canal of Mrmym. Aquila trades grain with the northern cities for timber. Aquila is almost an island, at the tip of a peninsula bounded by the sea and the Great Salt Marsh. [ more... ]

Edun hao'nath

This is the Haradjinn Alu stronghold (Edun) of the hao'nath clan.

Edun path'andim

This is the Haradjinn Alu stronghold (Edun) of the path'andim clan.

Grand Canal of Mrmym (updated 2005/10/14)

The Grand Canal of Mrmym is a massive aqueduct that collects the waters of the Shard Mountains and distributes them to the famed grain and rice fields of Harnendor. Created by Dwur under command of the Baal to feed their armies, the canal symbolized the treaty pact between the Harnendor and Draconian empires. The canal flows from the Peregrine Cliffwall to Aquila, and also serves as a vital supply line in these times of war. This massive undertaking took over a decade and countless workers, and spans the length of the valley of Harnendor.

This waterway was influential in transforming Harnendor into an empire, for the food produced in these fields fed countless sailors, explorers, settlers, and was the coin with which merchants returned with timber to build even more ships. In Harnendor, fountains and well-irrigated grain fields flourish along its length. Canal boats and barges ply the waterway downstream carrying grain or other trade goods. Hundreds of villages, hamlets, and towns line the shores of the wide [ more... ]

Imperial Harnendorian Legions

  Castrums and Castellums 

Aquila is guarded by the old Harnendorian legions (which are similar to the Roman legions of our own history.) Legions are highly trained and heavily armed, but slow-moving and bureaucratic. The gilded war chariots of officers and disciplined phalanxes of legionnaires are the most renowned fighting force in Ambar, even though more modern armies like those fielded by the Kitanians are likely more effective. In history, only the Goblyns with their foul warlocks ever defeated the Harnendorian Legions.

Legionnaires wear bronze plate armor and wield shortswords and pilum. Many of the arms and armor used by the Legions is of exceptional quality or was enchanted by the Imperial Battlemages in past wars, and Alchemical metals such as Orichalcum often replace bronze. Legionnaires are expertly trained, well-disciplined, seasoned troops.

The Imperial Legions and navy are highly-disciplined troops renowned for their battle prowess. The Harnendorian Navy consists of enormous, heavily armed and armored Dreadnoughts patt [ more... ]

Imperial Highway (Road of Ruins) (updated 2003/07/30)

The Imperial Highway connects Aquila with the coastal towns and trade cities such as those in Dorthonien. The road is very well guarded by mounted patrols and legionnaire castrums. Along the length of the Imperial Highway are numerous sculptures of enormous size, depicting sea birds and ancient avian gods of the Harnendorians to bring luck and swiftness to travelers.

In the South, the Imperial Highway is usually called the "Road of Ruins" due to the many razed cities and towers along its length—-remnants of the ancient Southmaren Empire. Goblyn hordes now occupy those lands and none travel the road south of Gorgoroth.

Migdia (the Sea of Fallen Stars) (updated 2007/06/25)

Migdia is a region centered on the Sea of Fallen Stars, a middle-sea between the Dragon Sea and Southern Oceans. Located only a short distance east from Aquila, the cities of Migdia have not fully declared their independence from the Harnendorian Empire, and still bend one knee to the Emperor.

The eastern trade routes to Haradjiaa and Urulokidor pass through Migdia, whether by land along the Glittering Road of Xohm or by sea. This has made the city-states of Migdia extremely wealthy, powerful, and decadent. [ more... ]

Nan-Surinen (The Valley of the Wind)

  Edun da'amon    Edun da'atma    Edun da'on    Edun ha'anari    Edun ka'anomin    Edun ka'ari    Edun ka'atil    Edun ka'onoha    Edun na'am    Edun sa'ari    Edun sa'ar    Gaermaegor (the Sea of Knives, the ... 

The Valley of the Wind is a warm southern valley filled with the breath of the divine winds, and home to diverse ecologies: craggy peaks, mountain forests, and the unique savannah known as the Sea of Knives. [ more... ]

The Jade Isles

The Jade Isles are actually an archipelago that extends from the southern tip of Nan-Surininen. Abandoned long ago for unknown reasons, and embargoed by order of the Emperor, the Jade Isles are a mystery that most leave well enough alone. The land looks untouched by the hand of man, save for ancient obelisks and temples carved entirely from jade, and eerie stone idols adorning the rocky headlands above the straits.

The Plains of Fire

The Long Sand is a vast desert that guards the western entrance to Harnendor. Alu Haradjinn rule this harsh land, roaming in nomadic bands across its breathtakingly beautiful dunes. The area is home to fearsome predators such as sand wyrms and dune beests, but they are secondary dangers to the lack of water.

Tuln (updated 2003/07/30)

Tuln is the largest city along the Grand Canal of Mrmym, an infamous port city neighboring the even more infamous Aquila on the border of Harnendor and Nan-Avathar. The Tulnites are of Southmaren and Avathar descent, generally indistinguishable from Aquilats except for their fascination with a large number of beast cults. Due to heavy taxes and its position on the trade route leading to Aquila, Jasri has a disproportionately large number of smugglers, with a reputation as a city of thieves second only to Aquila. The city flag is three gold coins on a black field.

Tuln is an extremely convenient port stop for canal barges and has prospered considerably on the midpoint between Aquila and Madrigal. However, in recent years canal sailors have begun to consider the town a strange, cursed place and avoid port if possible, preferring to stop at the smaller towns of Sarresh or Jasri for resupply. Whether it is the proximity to Nan-Avathar or beast witchery of the bogs, Tul [ more... ]

Uruinen (The Boiling Sea)

The ocean is timeless, haunting, and filled with mystery. The Boiling Sea is particularly unusual, for its waters roil with gases escaping from underwater volcanoes.

maps: Harnendor