Mammalia
Sitting on the western coast of the continent, the Kingdom of Mammallia is hemmed in geographically by the Sea of Squids to the west, the Bay of Seals to the north, the Great Desert to the east and the Dark Mountains to the south. Unusually peaceful compared to its neighbours, it is an idealistic blend of the many races that live in harmony, yet it is a powder keg ready to explode.
Made up of six duchies, each ruled by a member of the dominant species of the region. Mammalia in its entirety is ruled over by the elderly Lion King Leopold XI. Nearing fifty he has been the ruler and bedrock for decades, controlling the divergent people with a steady paw and commanding his armies in defending the Kingdom from the harsh outside world. But now, as his mane is a shock of white and he sleeps more, his time is very soon coming to an end. The many royal progeny from his pride are beginning to position themselves for the succession and the heir to the Kingdom Prince Luceifor is considered ill prepared to weather the storm as half a dozen siblings scheme for his demise.
The scenery of Mammalia is green and fertile, farms and forests dominating much of the countryside outside of the few big cities. It's inhabitants are made up of many species, the vast majority being what was once considered prey, but is now considered equal in most regions.
The Royal Domain is ruled directly by the King and draws taxes from all the Duchies. In return it trains and houses the royal armies, dilapidated though they are and sits in judgement for domestic issues. The grand Manecastle is the seat of the Lion house of Greatroar, the sitting royal family, a massive stone masterpiece carved by the finest worksanimals on the continent with a mile wide moat inhabited by the famed Otterguard.
To the very south is the Duchy of Baconopolis. Ironically named by the brutal King Roaran X the Mad a hundred years before. The scene of heavy fighting during the Reign of Scorched Bacon the region took a defiant pride in its terrible name. The ruling Piggly family binding the region together under the yoke of Lion oppression and leading the revolution that overthrew the tyrant. In the present the region retains little of its fierce pride, near twenty years of peace has bred a complacent populace used to peace, truffles and plenty. The majority of the populace are pigs though there is a substantial number of sheep and goats maintained as cheap foreign labour. Baconopolis is an agricultural powerhouse, renowned for its great output compared to most other duchies with only Hareston proving close to its rival. Between them they provide the vast majority of vegetables for the Kingdom. The eating of pig in this region is a huge taboo and punishable by death.
To the south west sits Wooltopia the Duchy of the Sheep. Inhabited by goats and sheep it is the location most clothes are created and famed for its natural beauty. With little industry the region has sporadic houses almost planned at random, with even a few hardy goats raising shacks on the side of the Dark Mountains. Ruled by a Sheep governor the region has little military might and relies on the royal army for protection, though its exceptionally low crime rate leaves it rarely concerned with such matters.
To the west sits Hareston region of the rabbit. Carrot farms dominate the landscape and to outsiders it looks purely like long rolling empty fields, yet below the grass exist entire towns. These burrows have great pathways running between them allowing for rabbits to traverse the entire region without ever going above ground. This shadowy underworld shows little to the outside world and information is not always forthcoming, especially to tax collectors and bureaucrats who have next to no idea what the actual rabbit population or wealth is.
To the north is Meowsville the least productive domain. Ruled by cats it is rarely traversed by the prey species who not unfairly fear the feline hunters who live there. Within the borders hunting is technically illegal but not enforced. It is from this region that many of the fiercest soldiers come, but also many of the worst for courage is not a consistent skill amongst cats. Many an unprepared general has suffered the sudden flank crash of a demoralised cat army, who suddenly stop caring about the greater good. The cat race is one of the few who can raise wizards, with the eldest cat in each family often having magical power. This could pose a threat but the independent and uncaring nature of felines causes severe disloyalty and the eldest is often assassinated before they can come into power. As the closest relative to the King, the Duke of Meowsville is often involved in politics.
Shelldon the land of turtles is in the north east. Granted acres of land to provide a strong shield against the Seal Kings to the north, the turtles are a fiercely marshal people. Decades of raids by the bands of penguins has meant that manned fortresses now exist across the coast. Strong and tall the turtles are slow to anger but devastating when roused. The region has several massive citadels that house the breeding pits where eggs are guarded. If any of these areas were to fall the turtles would face severe population issues, their slow gestation preventing them from raising many young.
Duke Barklin of Ruff rules the west, protecting against the Hyenas to the east and providing the bulk of the royal armies. From the great city of Barking the region is heavily regulated and loyalty considered the prime trait. The region has not once been involved in rebellion against a King - though it has on the rare occasion dragged its paws when called - answering the call even when it was not in its own interest. As a result it is showered with favours, much to the lament of the other regions.
Outside of the Kingdom of Mammallia there are six powers in their own rights. The Isle of Owls, the Bay of Seals, Monkhead, Hyrula, the shadowy Empire of Bamboo and the Devastation of Ratland. Once dominated by Bats, what is now known as the Devastation of Rats came about due to a sudden and brutal uprising from below. Less than ten years ago thousands upon thousands of rats ascended on the Bats and slaughtered them in droves. With the resources of the region to devour the rat population has exploded and now there are rumours that it has engaged the Empire of Bamboo in war and there are ever more reported sightings of rats coming over the Dark Mountains, whether in aggression or fleeing their own kin is yet to be decided.
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Our story starts to the south in Truffleton. One of the larger towns in the Duchy of Baconopolis it is not far from the Dark Mountains. Considered the greatest hub in the area it is hosting a regional county fair, the most splendid display of wealth and enjoyment of the year attracting many species and citizens from all over Mammallia. The heroes have journeyed to the town for their own reasons, be it work, pleasure or just happen to be passing through.
The hand painted posters all over the town show that there is a collection of exciting things to do at the fair.
Come one and all to the greatest fair in all of the
land! You’ll find no where more exciting than this!
Just look at the activities to be had!
- Archery Contest!
- Beat the Town Champion!
- The great Magic of Mike the Magician!
- Bash the rat!
- Sheep Sheerdressing Competition! (5 Gold Prize!)
- Beer from the famed Porko Pogloi!
(Opens at 1pm)
