Wrestling Smarks D&D

[Barry Poppins]

@The Gipper
@Chris
@Comrade Khan
@Samoa Looch
@CakeWalker

Little question time, would y'all prefer extended descriptions of each city-state or would a small summary be more suffice?

Once the city descriptions are posted we'll start working on characters

 

[Chris]

Whatever is easier for you, if you want to add a lot of detail then I say go for it. More to reference is good but we can work with summaries if that's best for you

 

[Comrade Khan]

Dealers choice I prefer giving dm carte Blanche n know Lil going in

 

[Spitfire]

Details of where we start great. Minor details of the rest

 

[Barry Poppins]

I will also note that it doesn't really matter which race you pick since in this scenario there is no "homeland" for each race; each city state is home to a multitude of races that have all had an upbringing together, but classes do have a very loosely defined locale that you're more likely to see someone in.

 

[Barry Poppins]

Just letting y'all know this is still happening, I'm just doing a lot more work on it than expected, and kind of expanding it beyond what I originally intended.

Currently working on the religions themselves before turning my attention to the individual cities.

 

[Barry Poppins]

The Postrian Church​

A Brief History of the Church

The Postrian Church was allegedly founded some time between 500-750 years before the establishment of the Postrian Era, known as Pre-Postrian Era (archeaological studies narrow it down to about 680 PPE), by Saint Luna LeMaine. The legend goes that Luna was an Elven orphan from Vanguardia who fled the city during civil unrest. In the forested hills beyond the city, she discovered an altar to an unknown deity. Having prayed to it for safety, Luna was visited by an embodiment of said Deity, the archangel Postrianis.

Luna became Postrianis' follower and primary disciple, in exchange for spreading his name across the feral lands and bringing peace across the continent. Luna was given incredible magical powers. After leaving the altar, a storm set the forest alight, and the altar would be destroyed; Luna would start gaining followers, and after several years, garnered a large enough following that she was deemed a threat by the leadership of Vanguardia, and she and her followers were exiled.

Eventually Luna founded the city of Postria and utilized it to become the home of a new religion, Postrianism. She was unanimously elected as the Pontiff by her closest followers, whom she subsequently nominated to the Council of Cardinals. How the religion spread throughout the continent is largely undetermined, though evidence suggests that it gained prominence through a series of conflicts with city-states and their local faiths; the most recognizable rival of the Church would be followers of the Goddess Y'rlith, the deity of nature and the wilds. Another great enemy of the Church were followers of the Queen of Destruction, an evil archfiend.

Saint Luna LuMaine died circa 300-200 PPE during the legendary Devil Invasion of Dystraea (circa 355 to 290 or 270 to 213 PPE). The Postrian Church, allied with the city-states of the continent, mobilized and managed to defend the land from the evil fiends, but Luna would be betrayed by one of her most loyal followers, August Citrius, and Luna would be ambushed on the road between Postria and Lavendera by a horde of Devils led by the Queen of Destruction According to legend, she sacrificed her life by sealing her soul within a black diamond, which with enormous celestial power, washed holy rain across the continent and closed all fiend portals, and killed this Queen.

The black diamond is allegedly now held in the Most Holy Temple of Saint Luna in the center of Postria, and the magic within the diamond maintains a seal around the city, keeping both Undead and Fiendish creatures from entering the city. To make sure that no such invasion could be so devastating again, the next Pontiff, Brumel Orestea, formed what would become the Order of Brumel. During the 1st Century Pre-Postrian Era (which has since become known as the Deadly Century), the Church and its allies entered a war against the Empire of Kythanarea and its vassals,

Deities of the Postrian Church

Postrianis [Lawful Good]

Postrianis is the primary deity of the Church, with the epithet of "The Archon of Justice" . Legend states that he was a celestial who descended upon Saint Luna Lumaine and granted her incredible powers in exchange for spreading his name and helping all mortals across the land. He is worshipped as the supreme deity in the Church; remnants of his magical power fluctuates throughout the holy city itself.

Saint Luna Lumaine [Neutral Good]

Luna LuMaine is the Elven founder of the Postrian Church and an important figure in the legendary history of Dystraea. Luna became Postrianis's disciple and host; through this, she founded and set the foundations for the church to grow into what it would become. According to legend, she died sacrificing her life to end the Devil Invasion, killing the archfiend in the process, and sealing her soul within a rare black diamond, which is now held deep in the Most Holy Temple of Saint Luna. She was significant for her Abjuration and Evocation magic, and she is worshipped as the Patron Saint of Clerics, Artificers, and Bards. Her epithet is "The Savior Saint".

Saint Brumel Orestea [Lawful Neutral]

Brumel Orestea, according to legend, was the second Pontiff after Luna Lumaine's sacrifice, and developed what would become the Order of Brumel in order to prevent another catastrophe like the Devil Invasion. Brumel sought to aggressively expand the influence of the Church across the continent, uniting all city-states under its banner. This led to a series of conflicts with the Empire of Kythanarea and its vassals in the 180s PPE. The conflicts ended with the signing of the Treaty of Kythan Mount, which ended hostilities in exchange for religious toleration within the Empire's borders. This treaty would serve as the historical basis for the Postrian Accord. Brumel is worshipped as Patron Saint of Paladins, Fighters, and Barbarians. His epithet is "The Oathmaker".

Saint Katarina Jones [Chaotic Good]

Katarina Jones rose to prominence during the Deadly Century leading up to the official adoption of the Postrian Accord. Katarina ascended to the position of Pontiff in 47 PPE following an undetermined interregnum. She became the Pontiff at the height of the Dystraean Great Killing (62 PPE - 3 PPE). She utilized her position as Pontiff to unite all free-cities of Dystraea against Kythanarea's aggressive expansionism, and in the proceeding years, liberated several vassal cities from the Empire. In 3 PPE, a ceasefire was announced and negotiations began to settle the order of the continent. What became of these negotiations is the Postrian Accord, and with it, the Postrian Era. Jones was also notable for her Conjuration and Transmutation magic; she is the Patron Saint of Druids, Rangers, and Monks. Her epithet is "The Peacemaker".

Heirarchy of the Postrian Church

Layman

The Layman is the lowest rung of the Postrian Church, and is the most common. They serve as collectors, ushers, carpenters, servants, cooks, and other menial positions used within the Church to aid and abet the continued function of the church within their respective cities. These members of the church have either failed to pass the test to become an Acolyte or are permanently disqualified from becoming one, whether as punishment or from disability.

Acolyte

Acolytes are members of the Church who are in training to become full members of the diocese, and are in essence apprentices to a Brother/Sister of the Church. They are trained in church doctrine, law, and require memorization of passages within the official Book of Postria. To become full members, the Acolyte must pass an inquiry made by the Deacons of their church.

Brother/Sister

A Brother/Sister of the Postrian Church is a full member of the diocese who has passed not only the Acolyte's test, but have also passed the Deacon Inquiries. This member of the Church serves as scribes, librarians, merchants, and groundskeepers of the Church within their respective city-state. They are also required to pray daily, fast on holidays, and attest their faith upon the dawn of each new year. Those within the position for a long time will maintains seniority over newer Brothers/Sisters, and when a Deaconship position opens up, the eldest Brother/Sister will become a new Deacon.

Deacon

Deacons serve primary roles within the Church’s daily business, overseeing confessions, weddings, funerals, and baptisms. They also are appointed to a council as a sort of buffer against potential local corruption, voting on any financial developments, investments, or remodeling/overhaul of the church grounds. There are eight Deacons per city-state. Among this group, one is selected by the High-Priest/High-Priestess to become the new Head Priest/Priestess when a vacancy opens up.

Head Priest/Priestess

A Head Priest/Priestess is the major figurehead of their respective branch of the Postrian Church, in essence the face of the religion for their city-state. They give mass to the public bi-weekly, ordain new Deacons, oversee the council of the Deacons, and is the primary subordinate of the High-Priest/High-Priestess. In this role, they play a major role in the faith of their followers, and give guidance to those who seek it.

High-Priest/High-Priestess

A High-Priest/High-Priestess is the administrative head of each branch of the Postrian Church within each city-state. Their purpose is largely to maintain the structure of the Church in their respective city, administrate its finances, oversee Church holidays, as well as city holidays. They will only give mass to the populations of the city on these special occasions, otherwise they leave it to their subordinate Priest/Priestess. When a vacancy opens up in the position, the subordinate Priest/Priestess will become the High-Priest/High-Priestess, thus appointing a new subordinate in their place.

Cardinal

A Cardinal within the Postrian Church is a position of extreme prestige and power, as they are among those who have the ability to become the Postrian Pontiff. Only fifteen members of the church may be a Cardinal at one time, and they carry out the will of the Pontiff, vote on church doctrine, laws, and select amongst each other the future Pontiff. The position is a lifetime appointment; when a vacancy opens up, either through retirement, death, or the ascension of a new Pontiff, a High Priest or High Priestess is appointed to the vacant position by the Pontiff. Once appointed, a Cardinal is barred from leaving the city of Postria.

Pontiff

The highest position within the Postrian Church, the Postrian Pontiff is not only the head of the church, but also the de facto representative of the Archangel Postrianis; the position of Pontiff is a lifetime appointment that is elected from within the groups of fifteen Cardinals. The Pontiff generally dictates church policy, appoints new Cardinals, serves as a major diplomat to leaders of Dystraea, and maintains the Postrian Accord. The Order of Brumel also serves underneath the Pontiff, though the Pontiff's role within the organization is more as a ceremonial figurehead.

 

[Barry Poppins]

The Order of Brumel
​

A Brief History of the Order of Brumel

The Order of Brumel was founded by the second Pontiff of the Postrian Church: Brumel Oresta. The purpose of this new military order (established some time circa 200s PPE) was to prevent a catastrophe on the scale of the Devil Invasion from happening again. Though founded by a Pontiff, it was specifically made an independent body to the Church, in order to prevent potential conflict from Cities who had adopted the Postrian faith who were fearful that the Order would be used to subjugate them.

The Order quickly grew, and in the 180s PPE, it was the primary fighting force in the Postrian/Kythan War. When the war ended with the Treaty of Kythan Mount, the Order was directed to never establish itself West of Lake Veranis nor South of Lake Osmus. This of course would come back to allow the Empire of Kythanarea to subjugate various other city-states (DragonHeim, Lavendera, Calici, Midborg, and Vestral), and when the Dystraean Great Killing (62 PPE - 3 PPE) began, the Order of Brumel became a major military force again, this time on the side of the Postrian Alliance (Postria, New Gordon, Vanguardia, Falkneth, Morganfeld, and Shankar).

Nowadays, the Order of Brumel is a public service, found in every city, including its former rival Kythanarea. Their purpose is to now defend the cities from the encroaching Wilds, or to investigate and capture members of the Eye of Javon cult.

Hierarchy of the Order of Brumel

Infantry Branch

Fledgling

A fledgling is a newcomer to the Order of Brumel, one that is in-training to become a full member. These fledglings are vigorously taught the tenets of both Postrian Church doctrine, and Brumel policy. Additionally they are trained in the physical art of combat, according to their abilities. Fledglings never serve the public, and they must pass both an oral test of knowledge, and a test of combat prowess to become a Corporal of the Order.

Corporal

A Corporal is the lowest full-fledged rank of the Order, given to those who have passed the fledgling tests. Corporals serve as apprentices to Knights, learning by their example and gaining experience through service and are limited to the bounds of the city walls from which they have been assigned. After a year of service, should a Corporal prove to show promise, their mentor Knight may write a letter of recommendation to a local Prefect for certification to become a Man-At-Arms.

Man-At-Arms

A Man-At-Arms is a common rank of the Order of Brumel, in which they are assigned to a squad of other “grunts”, as the Order alternatively calls them. A squad of Men-At-Arms is maxed out at five, and these squads will patrol the region from where they are assigned (primarily their home city), taking orders, helping the population, or maintenance against the Wilds. In an official military capacity, five squads of Men-At-Arms become a Platoon, which is led by a Knight-Errant.

Knight-Errant

Knight-Errants are the wanderers of the Order of Brumel; they are members who have been promoted from a Man-At-Arms but have not yet acquired a Decree of Ascension. Knight-Errants and above ranks are permitted to freely travel throughout Dystraea, in search of orders, service, or their own purpose. In a military capacity, Knight-Errants lead Platoons, and four platoons become a Battalion, which is led by a Knight.

Knight

Knights are members of the Order who have officially acquired a Decree of Ascension, marking them as experienced fighters or those who have done a service to the Order. Knights serve as regional leaders or mentors to Corporals looking to become Man-At-Arms. They may choose to remain posted to a specific city, or optionally will wander throughout the continent, taking on orders or dealing with higher level creatures within the Wilds. In a military organization, the Knight leads a Battalion. Two Battalions become a Regiment, which is led by a Knight-Sergeant.

Knight-Sergeant
Knight-Sergeants are veteran members of the Order who continue to serve out in the field, and are permitted to perform more dangerous missions out in the Wilds, including but not limited to exploration within the Nyxan Swamp, Klevan Mountains, or helping with settling the Northern Isles. Their prowess is generally undisputed, and are regarded as among the strongest combatants in the whole of the continent. Knight-Sergeants will only receive orders from Legates or above. In the military organization, a Knight-Sergeant leads a Regiment; Three regiments are structured into the Brigade, which is led by the Knight-Master.

Knight-Master

A Knight-Master is the highest and most prestigious position a regular member of the Order can achieve, having been a veteran for decades, and performing great feats of mercy and honor in service to the people of Dystraea. Knight-Masters will have been awarded the Postrian Sigil, which is proudly displayed in their custom-made armor, or weapon of choice to signify their new rank. In addition to being the highest rank, a Knight-Master will only receive orders from the Marshals of their region. Knight-Masters will also lead the Brigade, the highest structure of the Order’s military hierarchy.

Clerical Branch

Yeoman

A Yeoman of the Order is a regular servant, whether they be maids, cooks, butlers, weaponsmiths, armorers, messengers, or any other maintenance service. These members of the Order do not receive military orders, and usually they have not completed training to become a full member, or do not qualify for it, but wish to serve the Order in some other way.

Secretariat

Secretariats are a mid-level member of the Order of Brumel. Their responsibility entails keeping a track of records and written orders, storing them for later reference by either Prefects or Legates. They will also take care of the libraries, major halls, and maintain the many commercial stalls, armories, and smithies in the Order.

Recordeir

A Recordeir is a high ranking member of the clerical branch of the Order of Brumel, and is primarily responsible as the head keeper of the Order’s branch libraries. They lead Secretariats and Yeomans throughout the local chapter, and report directly to Consuls. An effective Recordeir keeps a tidy library, full of arcane or history of their region.

Consul

A Consul of the Order of Brumel is the senior most member of the clerical branch, and serves as the second-in-command to the Legate. A Consul’s primary responsibility is to oversee the finances, records, and is a senior advisor to the Legate. Though ineligible to rise above the Legate, the Consul is a position of great prestige, and is usually given to retired knights, Prefects, or Legates.

Administration Branch

Prefect

A Prefect of the Order of Brumel is a prestigious position primarily held by veterans or tenured knights. The Prefect of a local church is responsible for acting as aides to the Legate, seeing to it that hierarchy is maintained and missions or orders from superior officers are carried out. The Senior Prefect is the most tenured member of this position, and is a personal aide-de-camp of the Legate, being next in line for a promotion.

Legate

A Legate is the main administrative role within the Order of Brumel; they are primarily concerned with the city-state in which one has been appointed. They are leaders of their troops and hand down orders and directives as required by their superiors. They are also responsible for the security of the Church, which explains why all Legates are stationed within their city-state’s churches. When a vacancy opens up in the position, the Senior Prefect becomes the new Legate of the city. Legates are responsible for Summons, which are individual calls for members of the Order to deal with matters pertaining to city or local security.

Marshal

The Marshal of the Order of Brumel is the second highest administrative role within the organization, serving as the administrator for their respective region. Four Marshals oversee their respective regions: the Frozen Division (DragonHeim, Falkneth, Yolheim, Kythanarea), the Forest Division (Calici, Lavendera, Midborg, Vestral), the Tropic Division (Q’ura’im, Orenta, Shankar, Morganfeld), and the Gordian Division (New Gordon, Vanguardia, Quetzchi, Jacobin). When a vacancy opens up, a Marshal is voted upon by the Legates and Prefects to determine the appointee. Marshals can call for a Divisional Summons, a lower-tier summons that is primarily concerned with a regional crisis, rather than an existential one. Marshals are headquartered in Kythanarea, Shankar, Lavendera, and New Gordan, respectively.

Grandmaster

The Grandmaster of the Order is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a member; they are the undisputed leader of the Order of Brumel and are based within the holy city of Postria. They oversee the operation of the entire organization, and are the only ones that can call for a Divine Summons, in which, in a moment of crisis, the Order will be completely mobilized into a full army to deal with a situation.