Djanesborg
This region was part of the Empire del'Nord until the year 200SA. With the defeat of its army by barbarian invaders (201SA) civilization was destroyed in the area. For the next 100 years the barbarians ruled. Those civilized citizens who remained in the area lived as barbarians, or as their slaves. Those who lived free were known as the Djani.
In the year 307SA Rori the Reaver united the Djani clans. During his reign as their chief (307-321SA) he drove the Vandamen, Puessen, Thurani and Larbani out of the Djani lands. In the year 321SA, he tried to extend the borders of his realm by invading the Nethagen. Driving deep into the swamp, his army was ambushed by a horde of Kotothi creatures. Rori was slain by their leader, Mab ac'Mab.
Rori was succeeded by his cousin, Thos the Lucky (321 - 369SA). After searching for Rori in vain, Thos declared him to be dead and took over the realm. His reign was dedicated to civilizing his people. In the year 340SA, to spur this movement, he claimed the title of Duke and gave lesser titles to his major chieftains. The reign of Thos saw the rebirth of civilization in the area, the growth of trade with the forest and the creation of a powerful army in the duchy.
Until the assassination of Criegar the Blind (529 - 537SA), by Lobar the Black, Thos's policies ruled the land. Under Lobar (537 - 557SA) the Duchy of Djan became a Korchi puppet. From 551-557SA, a violent war was fought to place Criegar's heir on the throne. With victory the Korchi were driven out of the land and Lobar, with his entire family, was executed. (The first order of Djaris the Unforgiving (537 - 550SA), Criegar's heir).
For the next three centuries the Duchy rebuilt. In the year 763SA Homar the Bold (754 - 789SA) married into Clan Bara of Caldo. After forming this alliance, he renamed the nation Djanesborg, instituted a new calendar and crowned himself king (0DJ - 763SA). During his reign, he dedicated his efforts to keeping the trade road with Caldo open and began a campaign of high seas piracy against A'Korchu (22DJ [785SA]).
Eventually, A'Korchu sought a permanent solution to the Djani problem. In the year 158DJ [921SA], after years of planning and espionage, their fleet struck Djanesborg, caught most of the Djani fleet in harbor and destroyed it. The next day, A'Korchu's royal army, led by the God Emperor himself, landed and took the city of Djanesborg. From 158-166DJ [921 - 929SA] war raged through the land. Finally, after a dramatic victory at Loch Svear (164DJ [927SA]), the tide turned. Over the next two years the Korchi were driven out of the kingdom.
NOTE - In the Battle of Loch Svear Djanesborg's forces were supported by 200 Caldan guardsmen, 400 Kazi riders and part of the Caldan Dagger Legion. Many historians believe that the Dagger of Caldo was also present at the battle.
Since this war, Djanesborg has founded Novholm (236DJ [999SA]), opened a colony on Goidan (303DJ [1066SA]), continued their campaign of piracy against A'Korchu and dedicated themselves to rebuilding the realm.
Population
The capital of the nation is the city of Djanesborg (26,000). Its other mainland cities are Loch Svear (10,000) and Novholm (9,000). The total population of mainland Djanesborg is 250,000. The kingdom also controls the fortress island of Noatun (3,000) and a small colony, around the city of Sokkvabbek (6,000), on the island of Goidan. The total population of this colony, including the island of Noatun and 24,000 Goidanese residents, is 40,000. The total population of the nation is 290,000.
Each of Djanesborg's major nobles has his own forces. The King commands 3,000 footmen, 200 cavalry, 6,000 militia and a fleet of 200 warships. The Count of Loch Svear has a personal guard of 400 elite footmen and 400 cavalry. He can raise 6,000 militia. The Baron of Novholm controls 400 footmen, 100 cavalry and 2,000 militia. His fleet has 5 warships. The Baron of Sokkvabbek has 1,200 footmen, 1,600 Djani militia and 1,200 Goidanese militia. His fleet contains 15 warships. In addition to these forces, lesser nobles and pirates (Vikings) control another 1,500 footmen, 4,000 militia and 20 warships.
Economy
Djanesborg's economy depends on piracy and the southern trade road. It is a wealthy land with many resources. It depends on the south for fine goods and textiles.
Religion
The Djani worship gods of war, the sea and battle. Each city has its own major deity. The titular god of Djanesborg is Odin, Loch Svear worships Tyr, Sokkvabbek worships Mimir and Novholm is devoted to Ull.
NOTE - Ull is a god of archery. Some of the finest archers in the world come from Novholm.
Personality
The Djani are independent, obstinate and warlike. They are violent when angered and their hatreds are long cherished. As a rule, they are a loyal people. When a Djani swears fealty to another man, he remains faithful until he dies or until his pledge is fulfilled. The same does not apply to other interpersonal relationships. A common Djani saying illustrates this:
"Women are a warm fire, bringing pleasure to a cold and joyless night. A good lord or loyal sword-brother is food for a hungry soul. Fire is a comfort that may come or go, but will surely come again. Food is a need that powers the soul and gives meaning to life."
Women are chattel in this society. Those who are not protected by a warrior or their family are fair game. If a women is spoken for, it is dishonorable for a warrior to make advances to her, without the proper courtesies, or to demean her name in any way. To do so is an insult to her protector and can be fatal. (A warrior who takes a woman is honor bound to protect and provide for her. Except when dealing with foreign women, harlots or slaves, no warrior can take a woman without committing himself to serve her in this way.) In this society, pride and honor are of paramount importance to all.
Legal System
Djanesborg is a weak and feudal state. Each noble is the master of his realm. Each landholder is the lord of his land. All owe service to the nobles who are above them in war. They owe nothing else. No lord can honorably compel his vassals to pay taxes or provide other than war service to him.
EXAMPLE - In Novholm, the Baron collects a tax from his vassals. Any who choose not to pay are on their own if the area is raided or a neighbor decides to attack.
Justice is a family matter in Djanesborg. Within the legal code, the family that is affected by a crime decides the penalty that the felon suffers. Citizens may appeal harsh penalties to the family and their neighbors. (If a majority agree that a sentence is too harsh, the family must set a lesser penalty.) Others suffer the penalty as it is set. Common punishments in Djanesborg are weregilds, corporal punishment, mutilation, slavery, banishment and death, in order of severity.
Allies
Djanesborg has strong ties to Caldo.
Enemies
A'Korchu is dedicated to the destruction of Djanesborg. The northern Fierazi detest the Djani. They have an on-again, off-again truce with the Fierazi to facilitate the southern trade.
Language
| Djani | ||
| Goidanese | 5% | (60%) |
| Dirlla | 5% | |
| Caldan | 15% | |
| No'reas | 20% |
Basic Characteristics
| Height | 70" | |
| Weight | 195lbs |
Common Weapons
Axes, Heavy Swords, Spears
Ancestry
These people are descended from the Empire del'Nord. They are light-haired and heavily built.
Calendar (Solar)
With the formation of the Kingdom of Djanesborg a new calendar came into force throughout the land. It is the year 337 by the Djani calendar.
Population Detail
Djanesborg has an urban population of 51,000 in three mainland cities (Djanesborg, Novholm and Loch Svear) and one colony city (Sokkvabbek).
Djanesborg (Capital) has a population of 26,000 and is supported by 5 towns:
| Name | Location | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Holbar | [Djanesborg] | 1,470 |
| Nikaspek | [Djanesborg-11] | 1,390 |
| Kadja | [Djanesborg-5] | 1,190 |
| Svaki | [Djanesborg-334] | 1,300 |
| Kvanden | [Djanesborg-2] | 1,900 |
Loch Svear has a population of 10,000 and is supported by 2 towns:
| Name | Location | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Thosek | [Loch Svear-5] | 1,700 |
| Kirvak | [Loch Svear-661] | 1,500 |
Novholm has a population of 9,000 and is supported by 2 towns:
| Name | Location | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Djeka | [Novholm-56] | 1,120 |
| Larkenk | [Novholm-45] | 1,320 |
The colony city of Sokkvabbek is supported by 1 town:
| Name | Location | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Godjada | [Sokkvabbek-2] | 1,020 |
In addition, there are four fortress towns:
| Name | Location | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Ft. Harkdjal | [Djanesborg-21] | 1,330 |
| Ft. Garvanka | [Djanesborg-44] | 1,320 |
| Ft. Thobbek | [Loch Svear-455] | 1,210 |
| Ft. Noatun | [Noatun Isle.] | 3,000 |
The remaining population is broken into 790 villages with an average population of 280 each.
Total population is 290,000.
NOTE - This information assumes that each "fort" is a fortress town.
Notes
- Loch Svear is named for the lake next to which the city is built: "Svear's Lake". The lake is an oval shape about 15 miles long and 7 miles wide. Fed by spring water rushing through cracks at the bottom, the water is extremely pure and clean and very cold all year round. The lake flows out to form the Svearitra river.
- The Djanitra river starts as a series of waterfalls at the cliffs near Ft. Thobbek and flows past Djanesborg.
- Other major lakes in Djanesborg are: Loch Kankar and Loch Hobra at [Noveholm] (Loch Kanka is the larger lake to the west); Loch Makkeb [Loch Svear-45] and Loch Crikva [Loch Svear-455].