The Westlands (Dominaria Supplement)

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The Mantaéri States

The Mantaéri States are the remnants of the first men who came to Dominaria. The 1st Age is most often taken to begin with the founding of the city of Athon on the shores of Starfall Bay (Not on the map, new idea this summer). The city of Sartos was founded soon after on the opposite side of the bay, and human civilization began its rapid expansion. The humans cities fought together during the Lowland Elf War and again during the 1st Beast Wars, triumphing in both cases and expanding their territory into modern day Arcadia, Cormyr, Illyria, and Beldron. By the 2nd Age major highways began to spread across the countryside like vines; the Dromos Athos (up through Cormyr and Illyria) and most of the Dromos Korenthos (Through Andor into southern Ramosia and Arcadia) are still in use today.

But a brutal civil in the mid-1st Age war ended the solidarity that had pervaded over humanity and shattered the burgeoning Mantaéri Empire. For nearly a decade and a half the newly formed ‘Athon League’ fought the ‘Sartan Coalition’ fought all across an ever shrinking empire, both cities bringing their progeny together under one banner. The stalemate was broken by the Council of Cartaan, an independent city that later became capitol of the Kingdom of Cormyr. Cartaan joined the war on the Athonian side and Sartos was soon forced to the table. The treaties of Thessala (Sartan Coalition) and Korenth (Athon League) ended the fighting. This first civil war broke the Mantaéri Hegemony irreparably. Border areas fell and many cities and settlements outside the core Mantaéri territories broke away. The cities of Andor, Arcadia, and Cartaan, as well as the Kingdoms of Beldron and Kyprus were born from this death.

The Mantaéri cities have now existed for four Ages. Over the long years of history they have prospered and fallen in cycles again and again. The entire world has changed around them, empires have risen and fallen, and literally dozens of countries have sprung up, prospered, and fallen under their gaze. For whatever reason the inexorable march of history has spared these cities, nestled near the crossroads of the world. The long annals of time record intercine wars as often as peace, and wars against outsiders eyeing the long prosperous cities nearly as often.

In 70 FA the Hellenic States are prosperous, but not notable. Their fishing and farming keeps them alive, and a healthy trade with Arcadia, Beldron, and the Islands of the Southern Seas brings in the money. But a surprising new market for Hellenic men is mercenary work. War has barely touched the Hellenic Territories this Age – a brief incursion by the Dragon’s forces was brutally checked at the Battle of Ankaros Falls – so men of fighting age are in ready supply. Against the better wishes of many older Mantaéri, this could be a generation of warriors.

The Athon League

The ‘Athon League’, sitting along the east side of Starfall Bay, has ever been in flux. At times its bonds are tighter than family, and at other times it is nothing but empty air. Athos, Korenth, Saracuse, and the island city of Rhodes form the alliance and have (with the exception of Mycenae joining in the 3rd Age) since the first civil war. The Athon League has always had close ties to trade with Ramosia, Arcadia, and the multitude of countries that have risen and fallen throughout Cormyr. The Athonians influenced large parts of western culture and civilization and have in turn been molded by the development of Arcadia and the great Imperiums.

The Sartan Coalition

The ‘Sartan Coalition’ is much the same as the Athon League in terms of flux, with the notable exception of Thessala. Sartos and Thessala have been tight allies almost since the 1st Age. A few wars have broken the brotherhood but they always return to each other; Hyraklea and Aretria round out the Coalition. The Sartan strain of Hellenic culture has always identified more with the Beldroni and the peoples of the Sword Coast. Sartan academics even claim to trace the settlement of the northernmost countries of the west, and especially their hardy warrior culture, to Sartan settlers.

The Hellenites

Despite the vast differences in culture, the two sides of the Mantaéri breed inhabit a relatively small area of Dominaria. The rocky Mediterranean-esque area features scrub grass, Cypress evergreens, hardy shrubs, and short fruiting trees. Many small settlements dot the landscape. Some live in and around unfathomably old ruins overlooking the sea-sized bay, going about their daily activities in the shadows of history. Some inhabiting the same valley, island, or small port town their ancestors settles in Ages ago. The cities have been built and rebuilt over the ages, but the glories of the 1st and 2nd Age have long past. The most impressive buildings in the cities are those of that era, with columns and domes to match anything in Arcadia or the Centrality.

The 4th Age has been an Age of relative prosperity: the streets and markets are bustling, nearly every building is used, the ancient baths and aqueducts flow every day, and new construction is underweigh in many places. But none of it rivals the impressive structures that still dominate the center of any old Hellenic city, and the evil that looms to the north (of the Hellenic States) threatens it all. Aside from the mercenary culture that has begun to spring up, the Mantaéri cities have sent men, individually (by city) to aid the Coalition. Neither the late crisis nor the current situation has united the cities.

The Principality of Malta

The Island of Malta is the only outpost of Mantaéri culture in the Sea of Swords. Kyprus was once have been Mantaéri, and still bears a name of ancient Mantaér, but the seven Families that now vie for control of the Island are far from. The city of Mycenae dominates the central plateau of Malta, its sharply angled redstone walls visible from the sea. The city was founded by Hellenic explorers in the early 2nd Age and has stood mostly unmolested, due to its location, since. Pelican Bay is the island’s port, located on the the east side of the island and connected to Mycenae by a winding stone road. Most of the north and south sides of the island are farming and small fishing communities, although there is a large glassblowing economy beneath the falls on the west side of the plateau. The far west of the island is the fortress of Redhawk, ancient bastion of Malta and easily the largest fortress off the mainland.

Life on Malta is very peaceful. People live off of trade or farming and people from all over come to study at the island’s renowned library. Mycenae is almost the Alexandria or Beirut of Dominaria: a tropical Greek center of learning and culture. Pelican Bay is one of the most frequented ports in the Sea of Swords and has a robust nautical culture.

Fragments

The Imperium has taken and lost Beldron, Valmorra, the Sword Coast, and territory north of The Verge, but never before has the very heart of the great Empire been so thoroughly cut out. The Barbarians swept through the Westlands but were routed in central Illyria. Grand Caliph Suzerain may have burned the countryside, but many cities and fortresses held out. Arcadian troops crossed the Melidaa River, but were stopped at the gates of ancient Cartaan. Cormyr and Illyria have often ceased to exist as such, individual houses and countries appearing in their midst, but never before have the storied names completely fallen away.

But these are dark days. The great cities of these ancient countries have fallen, and many are in ruin. The forces of darkness occupy their storied halls and once bustling streets and lick their wounds. It is perhaps an irony that all that remains of the Imperium are the Northern Houses, frontier of the empire in olden days and reluctant member in this Age, and the new province of Ramosia. High Seat Jared Roden of Malkier, head of the only Northern House to voluntarily join, leads the Northern Houses and High Seat Adam Renzel of Ak’Kritar, unifier of Ramosia, leads the Ramosi Houses. During The Wandering One’s rampage many fled to the North and East. The Imperial Remnant is now swollen with refugees, armies, Lords, and even entire guilds of merchants and mages that are settling into their new home while clamoring to return to their old ones.

18 Great Houses once had a High Seat on the Council in Centara ruling alongside the Emperor, serving as advisors and legislators and enforcing the rulings of the council. These Houses ruled an area the size of almost any country outside the Imperium. Proud cities with tall walls ruled over the townships and counties of Cormyr and Illyria, but these now lie in ruin or in the hands of darkness. Emperor Charles Tionne was the last Emperor, and his legend now spreads across Dominaria. He elected to stay in Centara and lead the defense of the city, selling the city dearly to give the Coalition time.

Government: When King John of Illyria formed the Imperium he laid down a system of governance which, while including the powerful Royal families of the West, would allow a new system of unified provincial government. He decreed that henceforth each of the ruling families of the constituent countries of Cormyr and Illyria, at the time more geographical designations then countries, would become 'High Houses' with a 'High Seat' on the Imperial Council. One of the Houses would become the Provincial Head and lead his delegation on the Imperial Council. The system has been used through each iteration of the Imperium, and many times 'Lower Houses' have been admitted on to the Imperial Council, although with the recognition that they are Lower houses and ought to follow their High Seat's lead.

Military: The current Imperial military format evolved out of the treaty that formed the 2nd Imperium. In the treaty, every House was expected to muster 'Legions' for the common defense and, "In time of need", to realize "Imperial aims". These Legions were defined as discrete 10,000 man fighting units and raised according to population. The equipping and training of each Legion was originally left to each House, although supply was provided for through Imperial tax. Emperor Anthony of Tarabon reformed the system in the early days of the 3rd Age, and it was these reforms that many argue propelled the Imperium to it's greatest heights. Under 'The Antonian Reforms' organization, ranks, pay, and equipment were defined; training too was standardized but left to the Houses. As part of the 'standard' however, 'auxiliary' formations were built in and each House was allowed to field these as whatever they saw fit. Now in the 3rd Imperium, Legions are trained and equipped by House with standard ranks and supposedly standard pay. Since the Dragon Wars and the return of the Wandering One however, most every legion has been put into one Coalition or Alliance Army or another and is equipped and supplied en masse.

Judicial System: Under the 3rd Imperium each House was responsible for the maintenance of order within their boundaries. Outside of a standard 'Bill of Rights' written during the 1st Imperium each House is allowed to make it's own laws and taxes as it sees fit.

The Zantar Gap

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