Clima
Until the year 727TH [194SA], Clima was a freeport. In that year, fanatics of the Dark Temples, led by Heirana Ghova (High Priestess of the Temple of Sammael), began a civil war and 23-year religious pogrom that eradicated that noble class and resulted in the death of more than 25% of the island's population. Heirana assumed the throne, proclaiming herself the first Immortal Ghova, in the year 23Cl [217SA]. Two months later, she was poisoned by her daughter, the second Immortal Ghova.
NOTE - By the time that she assumed the throne Heirana was insane. She was killed to prevent her from destroying the island through her mad policies.
Under the second Immortal Ghova (23 - 99CL [217-293SA]), Clima stabilized its economy, quintupled its military strength and indoctrinated the people into the worship of Chaos. Under the third Immortal Ghova (99 -162CL [293-356SA]) their Empire began. During her reign Clima occupied the islands around her and founded Fort Kira (161CL [355SA]) and the colony of Affea (142CL [336SA]). The fourth Immortal Ghova (163 - 244CL [357-438SA]) continued Clima's expansion with major operations against the Rogizini Empire, Bhamotin and Marentia. Her only defeat was suffered at the hands of Salaq (227CL [421SA]) in a naval engagement that ended a short war.
During the reign of the fifth Immortal Ghova (244 - 309CL [438-503SA]) Clima dominated the Sea of Tears and her fleet massacred the combined fleets of Thaliba and Bhamotin. The massive tribute paid to end this war (and taken in two years of raiding Bhamotin) was used to plate a large statue, some 60 feet in height, in the harbor of Ho'Daiva with gold.
The sixth Immortal Ghova (309 - 406CL [503-600SA]) led Clima to a major defeat. In a running battle, her fleet was defeated by Gom and Xan. As a result Gom won commercial freedom in the Sea of Tears and Xan looted Fort Kira. After this defeat, the Ghova worked to break the alliance between Gom and Xan. In the year 402CL [596SA] she maneuvered Gom into breaking its treaty and the alliance ended.
The seventh Immortal Ghova is revered by commoners as Massa the Wise. During her reign (407 - 504CL [601-698SA]) Climan culture blossomed and the realm knew peace. Her reign also saw a massive naval rebuilding program that greatly enhanced Clima's naval might. Under the eighth Immortal Ghova (504 - 589CL [698-783SA]) Clima went to war. She defeated the Empire of the Ced in battle (504 - 509CL [698-703SA]) and sacked Nerid (509CL [703SA]). In the year 515CL [709SA] she married the third son of the King of Salaq and formed an alliance with that kingdom. Together, Clima and Salaq shattered Gom's sea power and dominated the Sea of Tears. This policy continued under the ninth Immortal Ghova (589 - 712CL [783-906SA]). By the end of her reign, Gom's mercantile Empire was shattered and her vessels were required to pay tribute to use the seas.
The tenth Immortal Ghova (712 - 799CL [906-993SA]) was Clima's greatest. Her maneuvers led to the conquest of the Kingdom of the Three Nations (723 - 726CL [917-920SA]), Climan political control in Gom (745 - 837CL [939-1031SA]), a draw against Donara as Salaq's ally and a massive victory that shattered Bhamotin's fleet (789CL [983SA]). She is known as the Master Ghova, the ruler that all seek to excel.
The reign of the eleventh Immortal Ghova (799 - 837CL [993-1031SA]) began the reversal of Clima's fortunes. Through her stupidity she failed to aid Salaq in time to prevent its conquest by Donara (805CL [999SA]). In war with Bhamotin (827 - 830CL [1021-1024SA]) she lost Maske and Tassa. In the year 837CL [1031SA] she allowed Gom to slip away from Climan control. Throughout her reign the fleet suffered reverses against Xan and Affea and Fort Kira were sacked repeatedly. Finally, in the year 837CL [1031SA], she committed suicide rather than reign any longer.
The twelfth Immortal Ghova (837 - 857CL [1031-1051SA]) exceeded her predecessor's incompetence. During her reign, Clima lost the Three Nations, the islands of Thesovia and Rhida, and suffered a foreign invasion in which the city of Vizan was sacked (854CL [1048SA]). She also led the nation to defeats at the hands of Bhamotin, the Rogizini Empire and Xan. Finally, the priestess of Sammael turned on her and, in a holy ceremony, sacrificed her to their god in hopes that he would bestow his favor on the realm. From 857 - 891CL [1051-1085SA] a Council of Regents ruled Clima, she kept a low profile during this period. After the ascension of the thirteenth Immortal Ghova (892CL [1086SA] - present), Clima recaptured Merin and Murani from the Rogizini Empire (896CL [1090SA]) and began political maneuvers aimed at the ruin of Donara, the Confederacy, the Empire of the Ced and Bhamotin. She has, in her short reign, served notice that Clima is still a power to be reckoned with.
Population
Clima's main island has a population of 700,000. Its capital, Clima (58,000), is its holy city. Its other cities are Shimama (30,000), Melecin (18,000) and Vizan (14,000). The vast majority of its people live in small hamlets scattered around the island. Clima's colonies are located in the west, surrounded on three sides by the Wild Forest. Affea (5,000) controls a colony with a population of 20,000. Fort Kira (2,000) has a total population of 6,000.
Clima controls nine small islands. Five of them are used for religious purposes. They are Ho'Daiva (4,800, training temple of the Immortal Ghovas), Ghova (7,000, the main training temple for the priesthood), Ba'helos (300, dedicated to demon worship), Lys (300, dedicated to Sammael) and Mera (700, dedicated to the forces of Chaos in the sea). The other islands are Khat'u (1,000), Chala (400), Murani (300) and Merin (200). The total population of the Climan Empire is 741,000.
Clima's army guards the home island. It contains 4,000 footmen, 400 cavalry and 16,000 militia (8,000 of the militia are trained). The Temple Guards (4,000 footmen) protect the religious islands and the city of Clima. They are fanatics with good training and equipment. The colony of Affea has a militia defense force of 2,000 men. Fort Kira has 200 footmen and 600 militia.
Clima's primary defense is its fleet. It has 160 warships. 25 of these ships are quadremes or larger. Another 40 are fast triremes. Clima's vessels are as good as those of any nation in the Sea of Tears. Her shipwrights are competent, highly-trained specialists.
Economy
Clima's economy is based on fishing, piracy, raiding, mining and exacting tribute from non-Climan shipping. The majority of her needs are met through her access to, and control of, the sea. Without it she would be a pauper island with little military power.
NOTE - The wood that comes in from Affea and Fort Kira is Clima's lifeblood. The trees on her islands are not good enough to fill her needs for ship timber.
Religion
The main gods of Clima are Sammael, Tiamat and Aeshma Daeva. Group ritual plays an important part in the Climan faith. On feast days entire cities join in the revels and human sacrifice is practiced with enthusiasm. The Climan faith is exuberant, perverse and evil. It is practiced by the vast majority of the populace.
Personality
Life in Clima revolves around religion. When a Climan is not celebrating the energetic, often violent, rites of his faith he is stoic and fatalistic. Most citizens are shy of strangers and nervous in the presence of the upper classes, especially those who dabble in magic. Climans with power are uncompromising, greedy and aggressive people. They care nothing for the rights of underlings and demand instant obedience, especially if they are a priestess. There is no harsher master than a Climan lord.
Legal System
Clima is ruled by the Immortal Ghova and administered by a Council of Priestesses. Their word is law. Both civil and religious law operate in Clima. Crimes committed against the church are judged by the priestesses. Any person found guilty is punished in the most demeaning way that that priestess can imagine. The punishment can take years and is always exceptionally painful.
Civil crime is judged by a caste of judges. Standard punishments are public humiliation, mutilation, slavery, death by slow torture (crucifixion) and death by drowning. The actual severity of a sentence varies with the attitude of the judge, the station of the litigants and the size of the bribes from either or both sides.
Allies
Clima has no allies.
Enemies
The Confederacy, the Empire of the Ced, Bhamotin, the Rogizini Empire, Gom, Xan, Donara and Marentia all hate Clima. In the case of the Confederacy, Bhamotin and Xan, this hatred is fanatical.
Language
| Climan | ||
| Shandar | 5% | |
| Salaqi | 30% | |
| La'Ced | 15% | |
| Kolari | 5% | |
| Bhamoti | 5% | |
| Rogizini | 5% | |
| Gomese | 5% | |
| Fomorian | 5% | |
| Donaran | 5% | |
| Marentian | 5% |
Basic Characteristics
| Height | 66" | |
| Weight | 140lbs |
Common Weapons
Spear, Sling, Mace
Ancestry
The Climans are of Rogizini stock (sun-darkened skin and brown hair, agile), though smaller with shorter legs.
Calendar (Demonic)
According to the priestesses of Sammael, the Climan calendar attunes Clima to the sacred cycles of Hell. By their reckoning, it is the 906th year of Sammael's Blessing. The actual beginning of the calendar dates from the ascension of the first Immortal Ghova to her hoary throne.