Dans of the Riverlands

Steel Realms

The Riverdans (“River Lands”) of The grand Duchy of Dunstrand is mostly a homogeneous mono-culture. It is based on the values and structures of the ancient Fallen East that have evolved over time.

Riverdan Culture

The Riverdans are some of the oldest settled territory of Dunstrand. It consists of small tracts, initially parceled to the family leaders and knights of the Lords of noble families from The Fallen East, who helped to settle Dunstrand Vale. These holdings have been passed down hereditarily for years, they taking great pride in preserving their bloodlines (on the female side – as the tradition of the east). Some blood lines may have died out, and have been assimilated into the larger counties but many yet continue. Many of the traditions of the east are preserved in their culture – the animism, veneration of animal spirits, generosity to strangers, the kingly tradition of service to the people (‘The Lord Should Live no Better Than the People Who Serve Under Them’).

The Nanford River changed course starting in CY 7950, devastating the Riverlands and taking from the ancient families their prominent position in Dunstrand political and economic scenes. These ‘dans (Riverdan, Danlands) are tracts are usually no more than a few dozen miles in each direction – once magnificent with road markers, rest stops, and endless fields of wheat… now though, roads are in disrepair and traveling is rough. Lavish old keeps and manors with villages or small towns are the center of each, few have more than that single large center… although some have smaller villages on remote edges.

The people of the Riverdans are bitter, singularly set in their ways and fiercely independent. Their place in politics has gradually been usurped by the larger counties – who they consider their enemies since no one came to help when the counties north of the Nanford made their play to rule all trade in Dunstrand. Since the river course changed, the lands and keeps have become destitute and dilapidated over time, but the people still cling to their traditions and ways proudly. The land is fertile enough, but control of all the trade is through routes and merchant houses owing their allegiance to the Twin River powers in the north. What happens in one territory tends to stay there, and they long ago took oaths so that no one could have power over the others and have clung to this federation loyalty over the ages. Now however, they squabble and argue over borders and rights and cannot seem to band together in any way except to defend against military incursion. Faith is one of the few bonds of the Riverdans. The Wyld Faith and Green Church is strong, especially Rastur; Remnants of the ancient faith of Osten-Paullus (vanished sect of the Fallen East). The Earldom of Bar-Innis has decent relations with the Riverdans as it shares some of the historical period and meaning.

Riverlands/Danlands

Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic