Kingdom of Umbak in the Steel Realms

Steel Realms
Located on Ustermaya .
Rulership: [traditional lineage] of the Teilhard family
The Kingdom of Umbak is truly a marvel of the Steel Realms. Umbak enjoys one of the most unique positions in all the realms. It was one of the ‘first kingdoms’ – i.e. before the High King. It is also the only truly independent kingdom of men (other races are viewed with suspicion or hostility). The laws, justice, and all other aspects of society in Umbak are, by grand-fathered provisions, outside the reach of the High King. Umbak is a land of order, light, faith, and militarism. The Church of Light is stronger here than almost anywhere else in the realms – it houses the High Temple to Balthazaar. It is considered a throw-back by almost everyone else, though has proven extraordinarily resilient and powerful. Its society is very insular and the strict observance of tradition and social status has kept the kingdom a bastion of power and focus. While nominally a kingdom under the banner of the High King, it is the territory with the most autonomy in all the realms. Umbak, once much bigger, has never given up its claim on being the “High Seat” of the realms. Everything about the infrastructure, guilds, and production of goods is highly controlled and regulated. It is perhaps the safest place in the realms due to its heavy use of law, knightly orders, and militaristic culture. Though class mobility is next to nothing, everyone is provided for. The old are cared for, food and shelter are assured, and there are no orphanages – adoption is the only option. Entertainment is regulated as well, and focuses on nationalistic presentations, songs, and games. The culture is forcibly homogeneous and xenophobic – they are not accepting of diversity and excessive prideful in their militaristic organizations, knights, tradition and conservative values.

Known For: Umbak boasts the lowest rate and criminal behavior anywhere in the realms. Due both to its installation of respect for the law and draconian penalties for breaking it. The roads, bridges and docks are safe, poverty virtually unheard of, and a public works program that keeps citizens who may be on hard times employed and their basics provided for. Sports are a large part of regional experiences, and the competition and rugged nature prepares many for the life of sacrifice, duty and war that Umbak is known for.

Military

Standing Army & Disposition: They can field roughly 4000 medium and heavy infantry, and 1000 heavy cavalry at a moments notice. If given a few weeks for activation, 3x the numbers of retired professional military.

They have little in the way of a navy, except coast hugging and military vessels. T

  • War Time Policies: The sale of armor and weapons is NOT allowed.
  • Peace Time Policies: The sale of armor and weapons is through approved/permitted sellers ONLY. Availability may limit even this.
Cultural/Regional Experience – Characters
A quick reference for learning some common elements of society and place of the prevailing race/culture

Their land is and culture is organized into strict peerage rule. The Church of Light and King holds sway equally at the top. The nation is most self-reliant and all commerce is highly regulated – expressly to be non-dependent upon other nations. They have little in the way of a navy, except coast hugging and military vessels. The culture is forcibly homogeneous and xenophobic – they are not accepting of diversity and excessive prideful in their militaristic organizations, knights, tradition and conservative values. The church has a well organized education arm, and devout followers of even lesser social standing are often allowed a minor education programs – which includes indoctrination influencing loyalty and patriotism of nobility and church.

Full Campaign Reference…

The people of Umbak are law-abiding and somber. They are devout in their pursuit of the values of the Church of Light – Balthazaar is the nation’s patron god and they are always crusading to spread their faith. Their cities are well organized and they are disciplined craftsmen. Umbakians have an extreme gender bias – women are limited in their roles, but revered as the managers of the home and hearth. They are xenophobic to almost all other outsiders and hostile to non-humans.

Regional Experience

D20 Umbak Characters

Human: This region is limited to humans (Faelen). Cultural Emphasis | D20 Human Std. | D20 Human Variant

These replace the standard Human Trait “Ability Score Increase”.

Incarna Core

Social Standing % Population
Outcast 0-3 Outcasts flee to the countryside – there are no slums.
Least 4-10
Lower 11-29
Average 30-87 DC 13 CHA check for Primary Education (PC’s)
Upper 88-95 DC 10 CHA check for Primary Education (PC’s)
Privileged 96-99 DC 5 CHA check for Primary Education (PC’s)
Elite 100 Primary Education (PC’s)

Languages: All characters are Conversational in Gladnorian (All are rudimentarily literate), Rudimentary in High Umbakian if they are above average in Social Status.

Background Restrictions: None (possible limitation by Social Status)

Unique Backgrounds: The Ravager – The shock troops pf the righteous crusading armies of Umbak!
Common Names: Settienne, Eerid, Deviery (male); Hellene, Abelle, Dione, Nadia, Urilla (female)

Umbakian Character Path: Ravager

Knightly Orders

Treasonous executions are public – but its somber. No cheering. Children unbloodied must sit at the front, in the hopes of blood splashing on them. Blooded often go into the service of one of the orders of Balthazaar or (less often) Whelm. This is one of the few means which a person of lower birth may rise above their station.

Crusaders: This group is made up of knights that carry the bold flag of Umbak out from the Kingdom. They spread the word Balthazaar and Ikribu to the unenlightened. This is mostly a front for blood thirsty warriors, the core of which are Balthazaar worshipers. They are brainwashed into glory hounds and simply live to revel in battle. They are usually send through South Gate and against the Bandit kingdoms, or shipped to Nakria or even Graska to fight against the Lich Lords or Spectre Lord.

  • Balthazaar Orders: Iron Palm, Even Shroud (based on an artifact of Balthazaar), and Iron Seekers
  • Ikribu Orders: light-bringers and Thunderites

Commerce, Economy, and Travel

Annual $:

Roads and Transport: Always in perfect working order. Damage to any road is dealt with immediately. Rivers and streams are generally left alone and not used for transport.

Primary Imports: Metal ores.

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Primary Exports: Books (the binders of Umbak are renowned for the quality of their book making), Lightbringer pilgrims, Proselytizing Priests, Barristers (services and training)

The nation is most self-reliant and all commerce is highly regulated – expressly to be non-dependent upon other nations. The silver crown is accepted everywhere, though each year the King’s Mint in Havluck re-asses the silver weights against the High Kings to ensure precision. They also use letters of writ within Umbak to reduce any draw for brigandry and to keep accurate records.

Crime/Criminal Element(s):

More Materials

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