Table of Contents
Welcome to James Kemp's Wiki
This is a collaborative web platform that allows people to edit1) the web pages to provide additional content for some of the stories I have written and the roleplaying games that I am involved in, whether as a player or GM.
There are several namespaces operating slightly different wiki subjects. These are, in no particular order:
- Skyss - Story Background - a fantasy novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo 2016.
- Perfects - background for the near future story and some police roleplaying that I ran in that universe
- Theocracy of Daprav - A D&D campaign that I ran with Glasgow University Games Society around 2002-3.
- Jim Wallman's Universe - a roleplaying by e-mail campaign that I play in, this is an unofficial wiki and none of it is canon unless Jim says it is.
- Interstellar Freelance Unlimited - subset of the Universe pages covering the activities of a mercenary company that we are currently roleplaying every Full Moon.
- Earth Imperium pages. These cover the activities of the Government of the Solar republic (aka Earth Empire) in Jim's Humanity Will Prevail campaign, including the Earth Imperium News Items.
- Free Worlds Alliance - covering the activities of another emerging polity in the Humanity Will Prevail campaign. Mostly contributed by Eric Moroney.
- Universe Background - page collecting the various bits of background info that have come up in various e-mail discussions for the campaigns set in Jim Wallman's Universe.
- Master map of the Universe (6Mb PDF, as at 3212).
- Delta Green - some roleplaying campaigns about horror and conspiracy. The main one was set in Berlin in 1953.
- Free games rules - a collection of free rules for wargames and other sorts of face to face games that I have designed or run.
- Wargames rules - I'm not just a player of games, I also do rules for them from time to time as well as one-off games. A primary outlet for this is through Chestnut Lodge Wargames Group.
- Other free rules - at the moment just those for the 1689 (Orange or Lemon? and Bonnie Dundee, respectively about the debates in the Scots Parliament and then the military campaign of Viscount Dundee during 1689) and The Other Side of the COIN (about what makes people become insurgents). All games that I have have produced for Chestnut Lodge Wargames Group.
- Background for a near future universe where I have written some fiction and also run some roleplaying games in.
Comments and complaints to me at webmaster@full-moon.info please.
James Kemp
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Kingdom of Berenicia
Berenicia is a large and prosperous kingdom situated in the north of The Continent of Osnines. It has a population of four million people and is bordered to the north by the Kingdom of Dael Riata, to the west by the Kingdom of Zushonia, and to the east by the Electorate of Bledal. The nation is a major producer of processed wool and iron ingots, which it exports to Skyss and other northern realms. It is currently ruled by Queen Eleanor I, whose reign has been marked by stability and the growth of international trade.
Geography
The landscape of Berenicia is varied, ranging from the fertile Fruitbar Plain in the south-west to the rugged Dipthorn Range which runs through the heart of the country. The border with Zushonia is defined by the River Wackle, a volatile waterway that frequently changes its course. Along the eastern frontier, the River Dunkle separates Berenicia from Bledal. Because much of the south-western territory is at risk of flooding, many towns use earth banks and canals to protect their fields and homes.
The primary industries of Berenicia are hill farming and metallurgy. The kingdom is a major producer and exporter of wool, supported by rich farmland in the Fruitbar Plain. The heart of the kingdom is bisected by the Dipthorn Range, a mountain chain rich in iron ore and coal deposits. These resources feed the massive smelters of Ironburgh.
People
The kingdom is a monarchy supported by a powerful class of nobles. The high nobility includes five Dukes (Deira, Rheged, Goddodin, Mercia, and the attainted Whithead) and ten Earls. The government is currently managed by Bernard Wallis, the first Earl of Stylhet, who serves as the Queen’s Chancellor and spymaster. Berenician politics are often influenced by the succession, as the aging Queen has no clear heir. Leading candidates include her nephew Oliver Postumus, the Earl of Whithead, and King Alasdair V of Dael Riata.
Berenicia is ruled by a hereditary monarchy, currently held by Queen Eleanor I, who took the throne following the death of her brother, King Edmund IV. Unlike the faction-riven Daels, the Berenicians are highly organised, maintaining a well-kept legal system.
The social structure is dominated by a wealthy nobility that outnumbers the peers of Dael Riata. Higher learning is centered in the university town of Stylhet, which serves as one of the few academic hubs on the continent.
Main Nobles
The main nobles of Berenicia identified in the records are:
- Queen Eleanor I, Sovereign of Berenicia.
- Duke Simon of Goddodin, a veteran commander with strong royal claims.
- Duke Arthur of Mercia, a young peer of the blood.
- Bernard Wallis, 1st Earl of Stylhet, Chancellor and Spymaster.
- Oliver Postumus, Earl of Whithead, illegitimate son of the late King Edmund IV.
- The Duke of Deira.
- The Duke of Rheged.
- The Earl of Dinbaer.
- The Earl of Dinguaire.
- The Earl of Metcaur.
- The Earl of Elmet.
- The Earl of Cadfan.
- The Earl of Penda.
- The Earl of Elfhed.
- The Earl of Ebrauc.
Urban Hierarchy
Berenicia supports a total population of approximately 4,000,000 people. The major settlements follow a rank-size distribution:
| Rank | City | Population | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastport | ~110,000 | The Capital; main port for wool exports. The leading administrative and commercial centre, located on the north-east coast. It handles the bulk of the nation's wool exports and trade with the Kingdom of Skyss. |
| 2 | Ironburgh | ~55,000 | An industrial powerhouse located near the Fruitbar Plain. It houses the kingdom's largest smelters and serves as the main collection point for mountain ores. |
| 3 | Westport | ~37,000 | Strategic northwest port on the Dael Riata border. |
| 4 | Middleton | ~27,500 | Inland collection hub for hill farming. A strategic port on the north-west coast, linked to the capital by a 70-mile road. It manages trade coming from the Northern Ocean and monitors the border with Dael Riata. |
| 5 | The Bend | ~22,000 | Riverine city on the Wackle; built on a rocky outcrop. |
| 6 | Strongport | ~18,000 | Naval bay guarding northern shipping lanes. |
| 7 | Oakwood | ~15,500 | Logging hub for shipyard timber. |
| 8 | Woolwick | ~13,750 | Primary raw wool processing centre. |
| 9 | Stylhet | ~9,500 | University town and seat of Earl Wallis. |
Relationships
People
- Queen Eleanor I: The current monarch of Berenicia.
- Bernard Wallis: The Earl of Stylhet and Chancellor of the realm.
- Oliver Postumus: The Queen's nephew and a claimant to the throne.
- Alasdair Ranald V: The King of Dael Riata and potential successor to the Berenician crown.
- Elizabeth Wallis: The daughter of the Chancellor and future Queen of Dael Riata.
Places
- Kingdom of Dael Riata: The northern neighbour and historical military rival.
- Kingdom of Zushonia: The western neighbour and partner in flood-defence engineering.
- Board of Trade: The Skyssian authority that manages many trade missions to Berenicia.
Concepts
- Succession: The ongoing political crisis regarding the heir to the Berenician throne.
Zushonia
Summary
Zushonia is a powerful and fertile kingdom located on the Continent of Osnines. It occupies a strategic central position, bordered by the Okkar Sea to the north and the Central Sea to the south. The nation is defined by its warm temperate climate and its sophisticated mastery of water management, which allows its people to thrive in a landscape defined by low-lying flood plains and river deltas. As a hub of continental commerce, Zushonia is a primary exporter of agricultural commodities and a vital relay point for both terrestrial and riverine trade routes.
Description
Geography and Climate
The kingdom is largely flat, characterised by a complex network of water courses, fertile fields, and low ridges. To the east, the border with the Kingdom of Berenicia is defined by the River Wackle and the wide Fruitbar Plain. To the west, the border with Spuetan follows the wide River Pigri and Lake Solenni. The interior is dominated by the River Zuss, which meanders across the central plain toward the northern coast. The southern coast is noticeably warmer than the north, housing the capital city of Crucivia at the mouth of the River Crook.
Water Management and Engineering
The Zushonian people possess an expert understanding of civil engineering, treating their landscape as a component of their national security. Because most of the country is at constant risk of flooding, communities collaborate to maintain an extensive system of canals, dykes, and sluices. A unique feature of Zushonian farming is the common practice of keeping fields lower than farmsteads. This creates a controlled flood zone that enhances soil fertility while protecting homes and livelihoods. This constant battle against the elements has fostered a culture of direct, plain speaking; Zushonians are known for being blunt and honest, a trait they view as a necessity for safety but which outsiders often mistake for rudeness.
Governance and Political Structure
Zushonia is divided into 11 provinces that nominally owe allegiance to a central monarch. However, the kingdom operates with significant decentralised authority. In the central plains, towns are often free and manage their own affairs, including the maintenance of their own watches for peace-keeping and crisis management. The King relies on these provinces for financial support and the mobilisation of armed forces during times of conflict. In the southern regions and along the major trade roads, the nobility exerts more direct influence to coordinate the high volume of international traffic.
Economy and Trade
The economy is a hybrid of intensive agriculture and mercantile service. Zushonia is a major exporter of grains, cured meats, and dried fruits, which are transported along the kingdom's four major roads or via its extensive canal network. The nation supports a large fleet of flat-bottomed barges and coastal cogs, with recorded hull counts exceeding 1,900 vessels. The Skyssian Board of Trade maintains a significant presence in ports like Dry Hook to coordinate the export of Zushonian surplus to the northern realms.
Relationships
People
- The King of Zushonia: The sovereign authority who relies on provincial cooperation for national stability.
- Yngvild the Fierce: A Skyssian hero who transited through the kingdom during her southern travels.
- Erik: A Board of Trade operative familiar with Zushonian customs.
Places
- Crucivia: The capital city and junction of the continent's major trade roads.
- Dry Hook: A primary riverine port and terminal for deep-sea exchange.
- River Wackle: The volatile waterway forming the eastern frontier.
- Kingdom of Berenicia: The eastern neighbour and trade partner.
- Spuetan: The western neighbour.
- Bledal: A neighbouring electorate to the east.
Concepts
- Water Management: The core technical expertise defining Zushonian civilisation.
Wolfburg
Summary
Wolfburg is a secondary urban centre within the Electorate of Bledal, situated on the Continent of Osnines. It is located in the south-western reaches of the nation, positioned just north of the Great East Road. As the second city of the electorate, it serves as a vital junction for commodities and intelligence moving between the eastern steppes and the western kingdoms. The city is defined by a cultural and philosophical attachment to Freki, the wolf god, which manifests in its social organisation and the unique character of its residents.
Description
Urban Demographics and Scale
Based on standard urban hierarchy patterns, Wolfburg supports an estimated resident population of ~11,000 people. This scale makes it the second-largest settlement in Bledal, following the capital port of Breite. Unlike the more rigid administrative centres of the north, Wolfburg functions as a bustling market town where the agricultural surplus of the central plains (specifically grain, wine, and wool) is exchanged for eastern livestock and metals. Its proximity to the Great East Road ensures it remains a preferred stop for the trade caravans.
Pack Philosophy and Social Order
The city’s culture is deeply influenced by the tenets of Freki, prioritising communal solidarity and a “lack of ego” over individual ambition.
- Communal Aid: The local governance reflects the wolf god's directive to “help the weaker get stronger.” This often results in highly collaborative guild structures and mutual-aid societies that ensure the city operates as a cohesive pack.
- Integration with Nature: Following the principle of “nature over man-made,” the city’s layout is less intrusive than the stone-heavy fortifications of Kronstadt. Buildings are often designed to follow the “cycles and flow” of the landscape, and the city may lack traditional walls in favour of natural defensive terrain and the vigilant scouting of its residents.
- Freedom and Equality: The population prides itself on being “equal and free,” a trait that sometimes puts them at odds with the more hierarchical Skyssian visitors but facilitates a thriving environment for independent merchants and rogues.
The Opener of the Ways
Given Freki's affinity as the “Opener of the Ways,” Wolfburg is the centre for scouting, hunting, and overland navigation in the region. It is a known haunt for specialists in information brokering and clandestine services. The city serves as a node for the electorate’s post system, and its residents are regarded as the finest guides for navigating the Dipthorn range or the eastern grasslands. This reputation attracts figures like Rolf Wolfson, a rogue and spy whose lineage and behaviour are directly linked to the city’s patron deity.
Economy and Labour
The economy of Wolfburg relies upon its status as a “middleman” for international trade. It features extensive infrastructure for the livestock industry, including large-scale stabling and leather-working manufactories to handle the herds of cattle and horses moving west from Smaenia. Because the nation’s primary revenue is generated by customs charges at the port of Breite, domestic taxes in Wolfburg remain exceptionally low, encouraging a diverse population of independent craftsmen and traders.
Relationships
People
- Rolf Wolfson: A prominent resident and veteran hero (13% Freki blood) who has frequented the city's trade routes for decades.
- Freki: The wolf god whose bloodline and philosophy define the city's heroic class.
- The Archgraf: The elected head of the Bledal Diet who oversees the city's place within the electorate.
- Heroes of Bledal: The divinely-blooded class who often display the orange eyes and wiry musculature associated with the wolf lineage.
Places
- Breite: The national capital and primary economic partner.
- Great East Road: The major trade artery that dictates the city's strategic importance.
- Smaenia: The eastern neighbour from which cattle and horse herds originate.
- The Continent of Osnines: The broader territory surveyed by Wolfburg's scouts.
Concepts
- The Pack: The core social unit of the city, where group interests supersede individual ego.
Bledal
Summary
Bledal is a northern electorate on the Continent of Osnines, situated between the eastern terminus of the Central Sea and the northern coastline. It is bordered to the north-west by the Kingdom of Berenicia along the River Dunkle, with Smaenia to the east and Bleiria to the south-east. Its southern border is defined by the River Leathan, which separates it from Nagar. Bledal functions as a critical junction for international trade, particularly through its capital, Breite, where the Great East Road meets the Central Sea.
Description
Political Structure and Governance
Bledal is governed as a loose collection of relatively small counties, organised into a hierarchical electorate. The nobility is divided by precedence into Landgrafs, Markgrafs, Burgrafs, and Grafs, with a smaller number of Visgrafs. These lords assemble as a Diet to elect an Archgraf, who serves as the supreme authority for the nation. This decentralised system allows for significant local autonomy while maintaining a unified front for international trade and border security.
Geography and Topography
The nation's landscape is diverse, dominated in the west by the hilly eastern shore of the Central Sea and the southern extension of the Dipthorn range. The Great East Road runs along the River Leathan on the southern border, carrying a constant flow of traffic. The interior is a network of fertile farmlands and small villages, while the eastern border regions transition into wide, open steppes. To the north, the River Dunkle forms a natural frontier with Berenicia, with the town of Mornham serving as a primary checkpoint for cross-border trade and commerce.
Economy and Industry
The economy of Bledal is built upon a foundation of agricultural exports and mercantile service. The fertile central farmlands produce grain, wool, and wine, while the eastern steppes support semi-nomadic cattle and horse farmers. Breite is the industrial and commercial heart of the country; as a busy port serving both river and sea traffic, it collects a customs charge on all goods in transit. This revenue is sufficient to keep domestic taxes remarkably low. The nation also possesses modest mining operations in the west. Significant settlements include Wolfburg, a community situated just north of the Great East Road known for its proximity to major trade routes.
Urban Centres and Demographics
The majority of the population is concentrated in the south and centre, particularly along the Dunkle and Leathan valleys. While the western and central regions are densely dotted with market towns every ten miles or so, the east remains sparsely populated by semi-nomadic tribes. The culture is one of pragmatic commerce, influenced by the nation's position as a “middleman” for eastern and western goods. Despite the presence of rogues and spies who frequent the trade routes, such as Rolf Wolfson, the electorate maintains a reputation for stability that is beneficial for business.
Breite (Capital)
- Estimated Population: 24,000
- Role: Capital and primary customs terminal.
- Key Features: Sited at the junction of the Great East Road and the River Leathan. It serves as a clearing house for international commodities.
Wolfburg
- Estimated Population: 11,000
- Role: Inland trade hub.
- Key Features: Positioned north of the Great East Road, it is a frequent haunt for merchants, spies, and independent heroes.
Mornham
- Estimated Population: 8,500
- Role: Border checkpoint.
- Key Features: Controls the trade flow along the River Dunkle valley on the Berenician frontier.
Relationships
People
- Rolf Wolfson: A notable hero and occasional merchant from Wolfburg who frequented the nation's trade routes for decades.
- The Archgraf: The elected head of the Bledal Diet and supreme administrative authority.
- The Landgrafs and Markgrafs: The high nobility who comprise the electoral college.
Places
- Breite: The capital city and primate port at the mouth of the River Leathan.
- Wolfburg: A settlement in the south-west, just north of the Great East Road.
- Kingdom of Berenicia: The western neighbour and occasional military rival.
- Great East Road: The primary economic artery running along the southern border.
- Nagar: The southern neighbour situated across the River Leathan.
Major Duerte
| Gender | Hero status | Allegiance | Role | Apparent Age | Year of Birth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | No | Kingdom of Cottalem | Major in the Cavalry | Adult | [TBD] |
Stories/Function
Major Duerte serves as a senior military officer and tactical liaison within the southern theatre of operations during the events of Fierce. Positioned as commender of the guard force attached to the Cottalemnese army command, he is tasked by the renegade Rojden with the secure transport and oversight of high-value assets, including Yngvild the Fierce and Noren. In the narrative, he represents the professionalised and disciplined wing of the southern forces, ensuring that logistical requirements and military protocols are observed during the movement of crown interests through the Kingdom of Salicia. He functions as a specialised guide for those unfamiliar with the requirements of a cavalry-based army, managing both their physical protection and their basic training.
A minor noble and an officer in the Cottalem Horse Guards. He's tasked as the liaison officer to escort Yngvild Helgasdotir when she is captured by Rojden. Yngvild gives him the slip in a roadside inn on the way to the Citadel of Kingdom of Salicia. He is then tasked with leading a cavalry squadron in pursuit when she flees the Citadel with Noren, having dragged him away from Rojden.
Physical description
Physically, Duerte is characterised as a slim and fit man with a swarthy skin tone and dark hair. His professional life in the saddle is evident in his gait; he walks with a wide stance and is noted as being slightly bow-legged. He presents a highly formal military appearance, wearing a tight-fitting blue tunic decorated with silver lace that loops across his chest. This garment features two rows of silver buttons that form a V-shape from his waist to his shoulders. He wears pine green trews reinforced with brown leather on the seat and inner thighs, held by a silver embroidered waist belt that supports a curved sword in a polished metal scabbard. The trews have a double line of silver lace either side of the seams. For protection, he wore a conical polished steel helmet with a brim, cheek pieces and a wide neck flap. The cheek pieces were tied up just behind a distinctive white horse hair tuft on the top of the helmet.
Temperamentally, Duerte is polite, prudent, and highly efficient. He is a proponent of organised field craft, shown through his clay-and-brick field kitchen which allows for detection-free cooking while on the march. He possesses a characteristically cautious outlook on warfare, a trait that the heroes recognise as being compatible with their maxim “no rush to die”. While he is a capable commander of men and horses, he acknowledges his limitations, specifically regarding stealth operations that require “crawling about in the dark,” which he considers unsuitable for a cavalry specialist.
Personal Life
Duerte’s personal service in the southern campaign is defined by his management of the heroes during their transit between the Citadel and the city of Beretha. He facilitated their integration into the army's logistics tail, providing them with their first formal instruction in horsemanship through his subordinates, Jerre and Javier. During the siege of Beretha, he oversaw the heroes’ movement to the forward infantry lines and coordinated with the local officers to prepare for a distraction that would allow the party to enter the city.
Although he maintained a position with the covering force during the heroes' night-time parley with the Earl of Beretha, he remained ready to extract them should the situation deteriorate. Following the successful negotiation and the cessation of local hostilities, Duerte facilitated the heroes' return to the army headquarters. He was last seen recovering at a wayside inn after a period of intense activity, having been bypassed by his charges as they continued their journey south toward the Sierra Cobre.
Relationships
People
- Rojden: His commander and the architect of his strategic assignments.
- Yngvild the Fierce: A hero he was tasked to escort and assist during the Salician campaign.
- Noren: A ward of the state whom Duerte provided with horsemanship training.
- Jerre: A trooper under his command who served as a primary scout and horse-handler.
- Javier: A trooper assigned by Duerte to provide riding instruction.
- Corporal of Horse: A senior subordinate who managed the cavalry’s day-to-day training and readiness.
Places
- Kingdom of Cottalem: His sovereign nation and the source of his commission.
- Kingdom of Salicia: The territory where he conducted his military service.
- Beretha: The city where he oversaw siege operations and parley logistics.
- The Citadel: The military stronghold where he received his orders from Rojden.
Concepts
- Honour: The professional currency that governs his interactions with both his superiors and his charges.
- Cavalry Tactics: The specialised professional field in which he possesses supreme confidence.
