Counties of Rostilla
Please forgive the chaotic numbering system. The numbers on this map correspond to the numbers on my large GM map. I'm sure they had some significance at some point... but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was. Changing the GM map would be a major pain, however, so y'all are stuck with nonsensical numbers.
Geographical Divisions
South-West South-East Eastern Coast Rogatus Valley
Rostilla North of Dearthwood Northern Dales
Alphabetical List
Annona Aperte Benobles Circulus Corresanti Galens Harrans Harrowford Humilior Ignis Invitus Laevus Largitas Molossus Nimborus Ossarius Paloralvus Pelasgus Proinde Recondus Rite Rostilla Rotullus Saltus Sandapilla Signarum Sodaliford Solistraford Surrexus Tenebrus Tillaford
The South-west: The Queen's Gate Plains
South-western Rostilla is primarily grassy plains, sprinkled with small hills and scattered copses of trees. It is bounded by mountains on three sides: by the Ered Helain to the west, the Ered Losthain to the south, and the smaller Ered Farain to the east. The Rogatus River (and the marshes at the bend of the Rogatus) forms the region's northern boundary. Two passes connect the region to Bendigroth -- Lanshar's Gap in Surrexus and the Twinhorn Pass in Sandapilla. Lanshar's Gap is a narrow ravine, treacherous even for one person on horseback; only shepherds and wandering paladins use it frequently. Twinhorn Pass is larger. A division of the Royal Army is quartered there, to defend the pass from Viridians.
The south-west is divided into four counties: Invictus, Rite, Sandapilla, and Surrexus.
Invictus is universally recognized as the worst county in Rostilla. It sits at the mouth of Queen's Gate, the enormous valley that leads into the Fallen Lands. Its southern border is thus continually harassed by monsters which wander out of the Witch Lights. The county's villages are clustered in its northern and eastern sections -- as far away from Queen's Gate as people can get. Most Invicti are herders, with some farmers. The lands are generally fertile, the grass lush. Were it safer, the county would have many more settlers.
The life-expectancy of Counts of Invictus is so bad that when the previous count was slain by a black wyrm, King Errans could not find a nobleman who was willing to claim the county. He eventually elevated an adventurer, Durus, who seemed strong enough to keep the creatures at bay.
Politics: Invictus takes no role in political matters. In fact, it currently doesn't even have a counselor at court. Generally, all of the county's energy goes into survival. And none of the other counts bother Invictus, because everyone has a vested interest in making sure it does well. Invictus is what keeps Rostilla safe; if it falls, monsters flood north -- something no one wants. Traditionally Invictus has had strong ties with Surrexus, the one county that frequently sends men to Invictus' aid.
Rite (pronounced "REE-tay") occupies the north-eastern corner of this region. As is usual for southern Rostilla, Rite's plains are dotted with farming and herding villages. The manor of Rite lies to the east, in the foothills of the Ered Farain. The Farains are nowheres near so tall as the Ered Helain and Ered Losthain; numerous small passes connect Rite to the counties of south-eastern Rostilla.
Count Arius of Surrexus always loathed Rite. Count Sorvus, he complained, never sent aid to Invictus. He simply hid behind other men's shields. Moreover the county is an extremely poor one -- and Arius said that the Rite had no one except themselves to blame. Bad management, poor treatment of their peasantry, excessive spending... all add up to a miserable county.
Politics: Rite is not an important county. Occasionally, when they've beaten enough money out of their villagers, they throw a great party at Rostilla, hoping that the other counts will (erroneously) believe that they're richer than they truly are. So far this ruse hasn't impressed anybody.
Sandapilla (san-dah-PEE-yah) is one of Rostilla's great Houses. The county is rich in resources, mining iron, tin, and copper from the Ered Helain. Wood from the lower mountain slopes supplements the grain and crops of the plains. Its greatest source of wealth, however, is the town of Birus. The Ered Farain run up to the Rogatus and make it difficult to cross the river from the south. Birus is situated on the Rogatus, right where the Farain end. It's the main trade route connecting the southern counties to Rostilla and the north. Taxes from the town have made Sandapilla quite wealthy. The count of Sandapilla does not live in Birus -- the port town is too crass, busy, and dirty for his tastes. His castle lies further west in the county, near Twinhorn Pass.
Politics: The counts of Sandapilla have always been ambitious. They also have strong ties to the merchant houses; many younger sons of Sandapilla take their wives from trading families. The current count, Probatus, has seven sons. At court, he has occasionally urged the king to invade Bendigroth, to open up more land for nobles... such as his sons.
Surrexus owes her fortune to solid leadership. The county rivals Sandapilla in wealth, even though its northern neighbor has far more natural resources. Surrexus' fields are the finest in southern Rostilla, however -- a fact that the lords of Surrexus attribute to the numerous temples that grace their county.
Politics: Currently the House of Surrexus is in limbo. The current count, Severus, has broken with King Albanus, and the king responded by declaring the county forfeit. Albanus has not yet set a regent over Surrexus.
The plains of south-eastern Rostilla are not dissimilar from the south-western lands -- rolling plains, scattered trees, villages and herding camps sprinkled throughout. However the south-east, some say, is cursed. Rain is uncommon. The soil is poor and over-farmed. As a result, most of the south-eastern counties are neither wealthy nor powerful.
The Drylands are divided into five counties: Annona, Circulus, Laevus, Largitas, and Proinde. All except Laevus are lesser Houses and play small roles in Rostilla's politics.
Annona lies just north of the Ered Losthain mountains, where the Rostillan coast is still too rugged for safe harbors. Hardy shepherds and goatherds make it their home. Count Peritus himself is little more than a goat-herd (or so some of the crueller courtiers say). He and his knights are good warriors, however. Witch Lights frequently lap over the tops of the Ered Losthain, and while Annona is not as wretched as Invictus, its counts cannot be weak.
Known for its goats and horses, Circulus is the most prosperous of the Dryland counties. That isn't saying much, however. Count Lentus has little to do with court, being content to stay home and tend his lands.
Laevus raises sheep, goats, cattle -- the traditional resources of the south. In addition the hills on its north-eastern edge produce gemstones. The town of Laevus is home to a large number of jewellers, making it a prosperous and industrious town.
Politics: Count Solus is a great moderate in the King's Council. Anything that upsets trade, wealth, and well-being horrifies him. War is dreadful, and should be avoided at all costs. Currently he's somewhat out of favor with King Albanus, because he criticized Albanus' decision not to send tribute to Viridia.
Whoever named this county "Largitas" ("wealth", "bounty") either had a sharp sense of humor -- or was trying to lure in foolish settlers. Largitas is a dry, wasted, desiccated land, plagued by Witch Lights. Its people barely scrape by. Count Suppromus never sets foot in court. Most courtiers say it's because he doesn't own an unpatched set of breeches.
Besides the usual farming and herding, Proinde (pro-IN-day) has a large population of fishermen. None of its harbors are particularly good, but decent fishing can be had near to shore. Most of its fishermen go out in small corries and dinghies, tiny boats that can be hauled up on shore at the end of the evening. Count Betulus is rarely seen at court. Courtiers call the counts of Proinde the "Fish-Lords" of Rostilla. Betulus doesn't have a good sense of humor, and loathes being mocked. As a result, he generally avoids Rostilla.
When people talk about the wealth of the southern lords, they're generally referring to the counties of the Eastern Coast and the Rogatus Valley -- not the true southern counties. Six counties cover Rostilla's hilly coastline: Benobles, Ossarius, Paloralvus, Pelasgus, Solistraford, and Tenebrus.
Benobles is Rostilla's great wine-making county, a land of sunny, rolling hills and ancient farms. It is a peaceful, contented land. It also boasts the Golden House, one of Rostilla's greatest libraries and scholastic establishments, run by Abbess Halaessa. At court, Benobles sets the standard for elegance, refinement, and good taste. Unlike some of the younger Houses, Benobles eschews ostentatious parties.
Politics: Count Coronatus Benobles, a widower, rarely travels to Rostilla himself, though his counselor is very active at court. His daughter Clarissa is married to Magnus Tillaford. His aunt Velata is the widow of Tempus Harrans, the father of Count Dignus Harrans, Sir Darius Harrans, and Matina Harrans.
While not war-like itself, Benobles has traditionally encouraged any and all feuding with Viridia. (The Barony of Sulis, in Viridia, is said to be the one land in Terra that produces better wine than Benobles -- a statement that the counts of Benobles seem to resent greatly.) Benobles' great strength is its formidable wealth.
The key to Ossarius' success is slavery. Its resources -- grain, cattle, and fish -- aren't much better than its neighbors'. The county has a fine harbor -- but no one to trade with. Sobel Ka is far to the north and prefers to deal with and other rich ports. Dulsanius, which lies east across the ocean, trades little. So generations ago the counts of Ossarius turned to the one trading partner that wanted them: Insula Mollita, "the Soft Isles". And the "product" the necromancers of the Soft Isles wanted, more than anything else, was slaves.
Politics: Count Lassus continues in his ancestors' footsteps. While necromancers are not welcome in Ossarius itself, their agents trade freely. For the most part Ossarius stays out of court politics. However the count of Ossarius resents any attempts (by the king or by other counts) to "meddle" in the affairs of his land.
The county of Paloralvus is pretty forgetable. Average land, producing average livestock. Average fishing grounds, nothing remarkable. A small bank of pearl oysters off the coast provides some extra income -- and some extra friction with fishermen from Benobles and Tenebrus, whom Paloralvus accuses of poaching on "its" traditional fishing spots.
Politics: Count Gyrus is a follower, through and through. Paloralvus never does anything to draw attention to itself.
Fish and farms are the stables of Pelasgus, a bland, hilly county north of Ossarius. Occasionally Count Veterinus is accused of allowing pirates to operate out of his county's southern harbors. But if there are really Pelasgian pirates, they appear to only attack ships from Insula Mollita (an island of necromancers, far to the south). Now and then the counts of Ossarius grumble about this. But historically the kings of Rostilla haven't been quick to defend necromancers. And so the hypothetical pirates of Pelasgus have continued unmolested.
Politics: Pelasgus isn't particularly active in Rostillan politics, though it has a counselor.
Blessed by the same sunny hills as Benobles, Solistraford is famous for its dairy cows and fine cheeses. Its villages are bustling and well-tended; no one can remember when the last peasants' revolt occurred.
Politics: Count Adantus of Solistraford is quietly ambitious. Solistraford throws some of the finest parties in all of Rostilla and uses her wealth to impress the lesser Houses. Traditionally they have been strong supporters of the House of Roster, though the current king, Albanus, is closer to Tillaford than Solistraford. Adantus would very much like to change that, and has a couple likely daughters who he hopes will catch the king's eye.
Tenebrus ("shadowy") gets her name from the thick woods that cover her hills. Oak, maple, and yew supplement the more usual farming and fishing.
Politics: Like many of the other smaller Houses, Tenebrus does little to stand out. Count Vescor attends the right parties, chats with the right people, and works very hard to do all the right things. Tenebrus is conservative and primarily a follower.
The broad Rogatus River cuts Rostilla in half, and is the main conduit of trade through the kingdom. The Rogatus' northern bank is covered by the trackless wilds of the Dearthwood, an ancient forest once home to elves. The southern bank, hilly and wooded, holds some of Rostilla's most notable counties. The five counties of the Rogatus Valley are Aperte, Recondus, Saltus, Signarum, and Tillaford.
Aperte's steep hills are riddled with mines, producing gems, lead, and copper. Not much of the county's wealth stays home, however.
Politics: Count Vitellus is one of Rostilla's most famous bon vivants. The Aperte villa in Rostilla is a grand and glorious affair, reknowned for a mosaic of the Roster family tree -- done entirely in precious and semi-precious stones. Vitellus is very fond of King Albanus and thinks he'll make a fine ruler.
Recondus isn't technically part of the Rogatus Valley -- it's an isolated county in the rocky hills between the Valley and the Coast. But it doesn't fit much of anywhere else, so here it gets put.
Recondus' rocky soil doesn't produce much in the way of crops. It ekes out a living raising goats and stubby mountain ponies (which are not very popular, except in counties which mine). Countess Meta Recondus (daughter of the previous count) avoids court -- it's simply too expensive. Having no brothers, she married one of her father's knights and now rules -- the only ruling countess in Rostilla.
Politics: Recondus avoids politics like the plague. However Countess Meta loathes Count Sorvus of Sandapilla. Sorvus urged King Errans not to recognize Meta when she "usurped" her father's throne. Instead, he suggested that the King might place a ward over the county. Someone like... well, one of his sons. Or the King could force Meta to marry a proper nobleman (like one of his sons) rather than some subservient hedge knight. Errans refused to interfere in Recondus' affairs, and Meta and Sorvus have never gotten along since.
Like Surrexus, Saltus owes its wealth to good management. Grain, crops, and trade provide most of its wealth.
Politics: Count Rotus is an elderly man, and no longer one for court. For the most part, his son/counselor Tressis represents the county. Tressis is fond of parties and would happily throw some of his own -- if his father wasn't such a dreadful cheapskate. Tressis feels that Saltus doesn't do itself justice. More celebrations, more festivities, more lavish gifts to the Temples... that's what the county needs.
Signarum's hills are full of gold and silver, making it one of the wealthiest counties in all of Rostilla.
Politics: Traditionally the counts of Signarum have been some of the brightest lights at court. They were famous for their parties, their brilliant costumes, their patronage of the arts. That changed about ten years ago, after a Mother Night party at which King Errans Roster doted upon Lady Morina, the young daughter of Count Iambus Signarum. Morina became "ill" after this event. She returned home to Signarum and stayed there until the malaise passed... some ten months, in all. Speculation ran wild... but the count never accused the king of debauching his daughter. Morina herself refused to speak of the illness. She still lives at home, unmarried, her father's favorite child. Count Iambus is welcome at court, but rarely goes there.
Tillaford is the Flower of Rostilla. Her main city, Tillaford itself, sees as much trade as the capitol. The Rogatus is too shallow for ocean-going ships. Therefore everyone who wishes to trade with Rostilla either hires a caravan at Tillaford, or switches their cargo into small river-barges at Tillaford's docks.
The Rogatus also dumps a continual stream of rich sediment on Tillaford's shores, giving it fields and marshes of legendary fecundity. Tillaford is famous for its "fen-cows", a special breed of cattle breed to be fat and lazy. Fen-cows laze about in Tillaford's balmy marshes, hidden in the tall grasses, almost never moving. When slaughtered, they give a silken meat that's almost soft enough to cut with a spoon. Fen-cow is terribly expensive, but one of the staples of fine parties.
Politics: Count Robertus has strong ties to Benobles, now that his son Magnus has married Clarissa Benobles. His son is the best friend and trusted counselor of King Albanus Roster. Relations with Molossus and Surrexus have deteriorated, ever since Robertus' knight Sir Pelius murdered three of Satus Molossus' grandsons (including Brennus Surrexus). Despite his unparalleled wealth, Count Robertus appears to have no ambitions. He is content with his peaceful county.
Rostilla and the Golden Fields
The rich grasslands near the source of the Rogatus are divided into two regions. One is the county of Galens, the Bread-Basket of Rostilla. The other is the Royal Estates, the personal property of the House of Roster.
Galens is the only county that can challenge Tillaford for wealth. Every inch of the county is covered with old farms. Temples to Crescens are a common sight; Galens is the goddess' greatest supporter. Galens may not have trade income, like Tillaford. But it lies on Rostilla's border -- and thus provides most of the food for the capitol city.
Politics: Galens has marriage ties to many different counties. The current count, Perlucens, is married to Mara Nimborus. Perlucens' mother was Prima Tillaford. His sister Parilla married Count Caius Surrexus (thus he is the great-uncle of the Surrexi -- though as far as you know, he never paid a visit to Surrexus, nor entertained any of your family). Finally his sister Lata is the countess of Sodaliford.
Galens has traditionally advanced through marriage -- and many people suspect that Count Perlucens hopes to marry one of his grand-daughters to King Albanus Roster. A hope that may put him at odds with Count Adantus of Solistraford.
The lands north of the Dearthwood are rocky and make poor farms. Counts who wish to prosper must find innovative ways of making money. Four counties have made the attempt: Humilior, Ignis, Molossus, and Sodaliford.
Humilior was in her glory a hundred years ago, when solid copper and iron mines let her pass as a great House for many years. But the mines played out and the family squandered its wealth. Count Percomis rarely leaves his county these days -- and many people forget that Humilior is even a county.
Ignis, like Humilior, has seen better days. It is one of the newest counties, formed only 150 years ago. The first counts of Ignis made a lot of money cutting down the oaks and ebon-wood of the Dearthwood Forest... until weird plagues began to afflict their lands, and people murmured about a curse left by the elves. Eventually the counts abandonned their lumber mills, but Ignis' farms have never done well. Today Ignis is a poor, forgotten county. Count Medullus, like his neighbor Count Percomis of Humilior, mostly stays at home.
Molossus is one of the more properous counties of Dearthwood North -- though that isn't saying much. They are famous for their hounds and horses. The produce of Molossus' small farms is supplemented by meat from wild game, and from great herds of pigs that roam about the edges of the Dearthwood. In addition, peasants gather medicinal and cooking herbs from the forest. Molossus also harvests some timber from the Dearthwood. Oddly, it's never been hit by plagues like those that landed upon Ignis. Perhaps this is because it never engaged in wide-spread clear cutting.
Politics: Like many of the smaller Houses, Molossus eschews court politics. Count Satus Molossus has very strong ties to the House of Surrexus; his daughter Cara was Count Arius' first wife and the mother of most of the Surrexus children. Recently, relations with Tillaford plummeted, after Sir Pelius of Tillaford murdered three of Count Satus' grandsons... on Molossus territory. King Albanus Roster blames Molossus for this incident and has insisted that the count come to Rostilla and make amends.
Sodaliford is an up-and-coming county. A few small silver mines were discovered there a few decades ago. This, combined with some successful trading, has given Count Varius far more wealth than any of his ancestors. Enough so that Count Perlucens of Galens married his sister to him -- a great honor, for a smaller House like Sodaliford.
Politics: Sodaliford is a vocal supporter of the House of Roster, and well-liked by King Albanus. Count Varius is always on the look-out for some new and interesting delicacy that he can present at his Mother Night party.
Northern Rostilla is a mountainous region, capped with snow for much of the year. Most of the land is empty, far too inhospitable to settle. Vermis Head -- the north-eastern-most point of Rostilla -- is "flat" enough to farm; it is divided into two counties, Harrowford and Rotullus. There are also three great valleys that split the northern mountains. Each of them is home to a county: Corresanti, Harrans, and Nimborus.
These three valley counts call themselves "Dale Lords", and sniff disdainfully at the "soft" counts of the south. (By which they mean the counts of the Rogatus River Valley and the Eastern Coast; no one considers the counts of Queen's Gate soft...) Southerners usually reply that Dale Lords are fractious, arrogant provincials -- impossible to get along with.
The least of the Dale Lords, the Corresanti are still a great House. Small gem and silver mines supplement their farms. They are famous for their black-fleeced sheep and sturdy mountain goats. The Corresanti are also blessed with a very strong streak of mage-talent. Four of Count Currus' seven children are mages, and live at the Tower in Rostilla. The count's wife, Mata Signarum, also lives in Rostilla. Corresanti winters proved too much for her, and so she and her husband have agreed to separate living arrangements.
Politics: Corresanti is connected to Signarum. The tie isn't terribly strong, however, because the Count and Countess often argue. (Mata, Currus insists privately, proves why you should never marry southerners.) Corresanti is actually closer to Harrans; Currus' sister Aeria is the wife of Count Dignus Harrans. They might have had ties to Surrexus, had the relationship between Severus Surrexus and Catarina Corresanti flourished. But recent events seem to have nipped that in the bud.
Harrans is the most independent county in Rostilla -- virtually a tiny kingdom unto itself. It covers an enormous valley in the highest reaches of the Ered Helain. Snows prevent travel to Harrans for almost half of the year. The county has no safe harbors, however during spring and summer (when the seas are calm) ships can anchor at the base of its mountains and winch their goods up to the city of Harrans. Dragons haunt the mountains all around, and frequently raid Harrans' farms for food. Because of its isolation, Harrans has become almost completely self-sufficient. It produces its own food and clothes. Its mines produce the finest iron in Rostilla, and Harrans' smiths are reknowned throughout the land.
The counts of Harrans are considered hard, humorless, and hot-headed -- mindful of the slightest insult. While it doesn't have a great enough army to invade anyone, Harrans is the most defensible county in the land. Only one narrow pass enters Harrans, and this gorge is heavily fortified and defended at all times. When Harrans flies into a rage (which happens about once a generation...) it closes its pass. Once it does, it's virtually impossible to dig its defenders out.
Despite its irascible reputation, Harrans has a long and distinguished connection to the Order of St. Cavallius. No other House has sent so many sons to the Order. Though Harrans' grim knights have proven that you don't have to be nice to be a paladin.
Politics: Count Dignus Harrans is married to Aeria Corresanti. His mother (who is still alive) is Velata Benobles. His sister Matina Harrans was the second wife of Count Arius of Surrexus. And his brother Sir Darius is a paladin, the knight of Titus Surrexus. Currently Harrans is the only House that has joined Surrexus in open rebellion against King Albanus Roster. Harrans gates are once more closed.
Harrowford's "mountains" are more like steep hills. The county makes its living fishing and farming in small, terraced villages. Count Desiderus is old and tired, and has little to do with court.
The Dale Lords of Nimborus do what no other counts can: they trade with the dwarves. The northern kingdom of the dwarves, led by King Morraddin, lies beneath the Ered Helain. Dwarves are notoriously xenophobic, however, and refuse to trade with people they don't trust. Only Nimborus has ever won their trust -- and only over the course of several hundred years.
Trade has made Nimborus very wealthy. Count Olivans sells dwarvish armor, jewelry and weaponry to humans -- wonders unrivalled in the Over-World. To the Under-World he sends grain, meat and cloth... all the things the caverns of the dwarves lack.
Politics: Nimborus is actually closer to the dwarves than to any human beings. They know that their wealth depends on the faith of King Morraddin and his people; they will do nothing to risk displeasing them. Count Olivans also has ties to Galens and the lords of Talamanthus in Bendigroth. Olivans' aunt Mara is the wife of Count Perlucens Galens. His daughter Lia is married to Aradar, son and heir of Lord Alamar of Talamanthus.
Rotullus' coastline is plagued with swamps and mud-flats which seemed to breed un-ending diseases. Nothing Count Favus sets his hand to ever seems to prosper. Like most of the Lesser Houses, Rotullus avoids court.
The Most Powerful Counties
Benobles, Galens, Harrans, Nimborus, Signarum, Tillaford
The Great Houses
Aperte, Corresanti, Ossarius, Saltus, Sandapilla, Solistraford, Surrexus
Respectable Houses
Harrowford, Laevus, Molossus, Paloralvus, Pelasgus, Sodaliford, Tenebrus
The Lesser Houses
Annona, Circulus, Humilior, Ignis, Invictus, Largitas, Proinde, Recondus, Rite, Rotullus