The World of Haylene

The world of Haylene is relatively small, and the part inhabited by what the elves call "the People of the Art" (races that have independently developed arcane magic) is limited to the area shown below.

This region, commonly called the "Middle Reaches" (or the "Imperial Reaches" by humans) is dominated by the former Imperial lands.  At its height, shortly after they conquered the Woods of Tulone, the Empire of Rhysone spanned nearly a thousand leagues.  The regions of the former Empire consist of:

• The Imperial Coast, the home of the Imperial City itself, and the only area still under the direct control of the city.
• The Heartlands, which have broken down into a collection of petty "kingdoms," none of which are more than a few days rides across.  
• The Northern Marches, a collection of five large baronies that still maintain the culture and organization of the fallen Empire.
• The Hinterlands, a series of large region consisting of the distant county of Durrington, the Marches of Metrol, and the Imperial Runs... all of which are now outright controlled by the Guilds.
• The Tulone Woods, whose conquest was relatively brief, and is rarely thought of as Imperial Lands.

Beyond the fallen Empire, the Middle Reaches contain most of the elven and dwarven lands in Haylene.

• The Five Nations of Prydain contain the once proud lands of the high elves.
• The Aelwode is the home of the reclusive and xenophobic drow elves.
• The Dwardok Mountains contain all the dwarf holds in the world.
• The Chasmn of the Broken Pact is a monstrous region, inhabited by chitins, ettercaps, and malign fey.
• The Dragon Ride, to the north, has recently been invaded by goblins, and whose hobgoblins seem on the verge of joining the People of the Art.

Further, to the South, there are three lands influenced by the lich-lord's kingdom of Xynalin.

• The Midnight Sea is an inland sea known for its dark waters, and is home of the Midnight Coast, home of petty warlords and nations that last a generation, maybe two.
• Norden Darkane is a vassal state of Xynalin, and known for its necromancer princes.
• The Keldoran Wilds are known as orcish lands, and have never been conquered by any foreign people, but who often serve as mercenaries in Xynalin's armies.

Tulonian Circles

Lands: Tulone Woods

Races: Elf (Wood), Gnome (Forest), Halfling (Stout), Half-Elf, Human

The woods of Tulone have long stood as a land apart, separating the old Imperial lands from the forces of Darkane.  Loosely organized into small villages and tribes, they eschew any central authority, and are instead lead by their tradition of the Bond… a war leader and a druid who lead groups, never larger than 200 people.  

History

Historically, the Circles of Tulone were powerful, and able to resist the advances of the Rhysonian Empire.  However, during the events leading up to the Great Conflagration, the Circles were broken, never to return to their state of former greatness.  For the past centuries, they’ve existed in smaller, weaker tribes, that survive mostly by hiding from invaders.

Goals

• Each circle is concerned only with the welfare and survival of its tribe, and led by two individuals, a Kael (war leader) and a Gunth (a spiritual leader).  One refers to an individual by their title, then their rank (so a war leader, rank 2, would be a “Kael of Modest Repute.”)
• By tradition, the tribe is never so large that the Kael and the Gunth cannot know everyone by name.

Key Individuals

• None.

Rank and Associated Abilities

Associated Subclasses Barbarian (Totem Warrior), Druid (Circle of the Moon), Ranger (Beast, Hunter, Stalker)

• Of Little Repute (Rank 1): Barbarian, druid or ranger training available (required for 2nd level of druid or 3rd level of barbarian or ranger).
• Of Modest Repute (Rank 2): Druidic or ranger training available (required for 5th level of ranger or 6th level of druid).
• Of Notable Repute (Rank 3): Barbarian or ranger training available (required for 6th level of barbarian or 7th level of ranger)
• Of Great Repute (Rank4): Barbarian, druid or ranger training available (required for 10th level of barbarian or druid or 11th level of ranger).  Currently, there are no Kaels or Gunths of Great Repute.
• Of Highest Repute (Rank 5): Barbarian or druidic or ranger, training available (required for 14th level of barbarian or druid or 15th level of ranger)