Riverdans (Riverland Retainer States) of Dunstrand

Steel Realms

Geo-Location: Grand Duchy of Dunstrand

The Riverdans is a settled (though many consider uncivilized) area of the Grand Duchy of Dunstrand. The term ‘Riverdans’ is a corrupted version of ‘River Lands’ in the eastern accent of the old families that rule the ‘dans which became Gladorian, and part of the vernacular. These territories once straddled the Nanford River as it wound its way through the Duchy, each territory had a fording as a means of rewarding the ancient families that helped to conquer and civilize Dunstrand Vale. In 7950-7986 the river suffered a cataclysmic shift in course, and these territories lost their value. Once the greatest and most wealthy, now they are an isolated pocket of ancient Riverland Culture and relegated to a minor role in the Duchy as a whole. Their inhabitants are thought of as poor, less civilized/simple, and hostile to outsiders – few remember the epic and ancient history of the Riverdans. Gladnorian is spoken, with a bit of recognizable local dialect.

General Traveling in the Riverdans

Travel Speed: Travel is slow through most of the Riverdans. The roads are almost non-existent, most fallen into disrepair and muddy, bumpy and dangerous. The places where the river washed out have deposited stones and created gulches, gully’s, sinks, mud flats that make anything more than ponderous travel of about 10-15 miles a day a labor. The locales find this does more good than harm, and make little effort to repair the ‘roads’ which, when present, have ruts and meander through areas where villages, steads and farms had to be moved many time. Mercantilism relies heavily on the peddlers role – going from stead to village trading and transporting what they can.

Travel Hazards: The locales are not friendly to outsiders. Banditry against outsiders (except peddlers) is not investigated very diligently (Lore check to know). Many outsiders are robbed while traveling on isolated stretches of country or roads late at night. Bandits rarely ever take more than they can carry, maybe the occasional mount, but never large goods, carts, or anything they cannot stay mobile with.


Known For:

Ruled By: [Structure]
Rulership: Active; [TITLE] (Titled, peerage based, patriarchal lineage)

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Armed Forces

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[Approximate] Professional = / Volunteer = / Mercenary = / Levy =

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Transient: (occasion)

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Typical Perspective: [Alignment]

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Dress and Fashion: The eastern culture of the Riverdans has a tradition of larger, brightly colored clothes for all people, young and old. It is not garish, but it is bright. Flairs, wide shoulders and bloused are common elements; silk and cotton are preferred though few can afford much silk.

Commerce, Economy, and Travel

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The river-side territories on the south are mostly lush flood plain lands. The river rarely floods any more, and all settlements are built on rises above the river levels, but when it does, it deposits silt and nutrients; orchards and grasses are plentiful. The silver crown is accepted everywhere, but many transactions between those who live here are on a barter system due to the monetary poverty of the fiefs.

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Culture and Social Perspectives

Death Observances: Common Death and Cultural Observances of the Heartlands.

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