Powers and Perils

The Kingdom of the East (The Fomorian Empire)

Fomoria entered this area as a result of a commercial coup; the supplanting of Lemasa as the tenants of Hunki Island (105FO [306SA]). Fourteen years later, over the protests of the Lemasans, they also "stole" the rights to Tyan (119FO [320SA]). For the next generation, Lemasa and Fomoria's merchants competed against each other. Finally, Lemasa would tolerate no more. With the Tyan massacre, and the blockade of Pildan on Hunki Island (140FO [341SA]), competition flared into war.

In the Great Lemasan War (140 - 153FO [341-354SA]) all of the Fomorians sent forces. At its end, Lemasa was badly beaten. The war ended when the Fomorians suffered severe defeats in their campaign to conquer Lemara itself. After this war the Kingdom of the East was founded (153FO [354SA]), with ten islands and Lemdan (formerly Lema) under its control.

The new kingdom remained at peace until Katai's Duke of Coasa demanded a doubling of the rent for Hunki Island and Tyan (203FO [404SA]). The Kingdom responded by declaring war. In this war (203 - 207FO [404-408SA]) the southern half of the Coasa Peninsula, including the duchy's capital (205FO [406SA]), was captured and Tiansur was sacked (206FO [407SA]). After peace was declared, the Fomorians changed the name of Coasar, the duchy's capital, to Ocedan and moved their capital to the mainland.

In the year 357FO [558SA] the kingdom aided Chunrey against Katai. In this war, they sacked Tiansar (357FO [558SA] and 369FO [570SA]), Si'chava (368FO [569SA]) and Musdao (370FO [571SA]). The war ended, in 370FO [571SA], when Chunrey made peace with Katai without consulting the Fomorians.

Thirty years after the peace, the Duke of Coasa attacked to regain his ancestral capital. This war (401 - 403FO [602-604SA]) led to the total conquest of the Coasa Peninsula, the capture of another city, Pirasar (renamed Fadan), and the den of the Duchy of Coasa. Immediately after this war ended Chunrey attacked.

In the Chunrey war (403 - 410FO [604-611SA]) the kingdom advanced into the Chun Hills, sacked Mokasa (404FO [605SA]) and burned every ship in Ita harbor (607). As a result of this half-century of war, the Kingdom of the East found that it lacked the resources to conquer Katai and Chunrey. They were nearly exhausted in gaining what they had. For the next 270 years they maintained a defensive posture and used diplomacy to strengthen their position in the area. During this period, alliances were formed with Teos (593FO [794SA]) and Taolisa (630FO [831SA]).

In the year 688FO [889SA] the Kingdom attacked Lemasa. Their war plan was ruined when Taolisa chose not to get involved. After a bloody naval victory off of Atla, the Fomorian forces landed with insufficient strength to take the city. Their army was decimated by the defenders and barely made it back to the boats. In Lemdan, the kingdom made minor territorial gains at the cost of tremendous losses. All in all, the war (688 - 689FO [889-890SA]) was a debacle.

Since this loss, the Kingdom of the East has remained at peace. It is the dominant naval force in the region and, at present, is dedicated to defense above all else.

Population

The Kingdom of the East controls four cities. The capital is Ocedan (54,000). The other cities are Fadan (32,000), Lemdan (23,000) and Pildan (13,000). Ocedan and Fadan are located on the Coasa Peninsula, Lemdan is on the island of Lemara and Pildan is on Hunki Island. The areas that the kingdom controls, including its small islands, are the Coasa Peninsula (450,000), Lemdan (105,000), Hunki Island (60,000), Tyan (8,000), Musmasa (2,000), Na'Asida (2,000), Pira (1,000), Na'Innamu (1,000), Nara (500) and Na'Chobar (500). The total population of the kingdom is 630,000.

NOTE - Only a small percentage of the kingdom's population is Fomorian. The nationalities in the kingdom, and their numbers, are as follows:

Nationality Population
Katai 360,000
Fomorian 120,000
Lemasan 115,000
Chunrey 35,000
Total 630,000

The royal army only contains citizens. It has 4,000 elite footmen and 8,000 trained militia. The kingdom's navy is the backbone of its defense. It contains 100 warships, 40 of which are well-constructed and sea-worthy triremes. It is an elite force with 1,600 marines.

Economy

The Kingdom of the East is a trading Empire. It controls sea trade from east to west. Her islands are rich in minerals and the jungles of the Coasa Peninsula supply spices, medicines and other valuable goods. Except for a lack of food production, and a desire for luxury goods, the kingdom is self-sufficient.

Religion

The Fomorians worship Ashur, Vahagn and Enki. Their subject peoples give lip service to these gods, to keep the Fomorians happy, but continue to worship their own gods in secret.

Personality

The Fomorians in the East are energetic, aggressive and calculating. Because less than 20% of the population is Fomorian, there is a great deal of ethnic prejudice. The Fomorian rulers consider non-Fomorians to be lesser men without the wit, or innate ability of any Fomorian and are somewhat paranoid about their numbers. Selfishness is a prime motivator of this realm. The East has little to do with its brother kingdoms, except through trade.

They would never weaken their own defenses to help another kingdom. Their tie to the Empire is as ineffectual as they can make it. Subject peoples have the personality specified for them in the description of their nation. They have a publicly subservient attitude toward Fomorians. They fear and hate their masters.

Legal System

The King of the Kingdom of the East is an absolute ruler. The sentence for all crimes is as specified for Fomoria. Once guilt is proven, the sentence stands regardless of the wealth or power of the felon.

NOTE - This applies for citizens. To be a citizen a person must have Fomorian blood in his family tree within the last three generations. If not, he cannot become a citizen regardless of his wealth or power. (30 - 35% of the people in this kingdom are citizens.)

A stern legal system applies for non-citizens. Minor crimes are punished by mutilation or imprisonment. Major crimes are punished by slavery and death. Only citizens and trusted foreigners may bear arms in public. For non-citizens to do so is a major crime. Non-citizens may not leave the lands of their liege lord without a written pass. Forging or stealing such a pass is punishable by death. Non-citizens who do not have a liege lord, or whose wealth or business requires them to travel, must check in with the local authorities or they are subject to imprisonment and the confiscation of all property if they can't show a just cause for not reporting.

NOTE - All citizens of Katai, Chunrey and Lemasa are subject to the non-citizen justice system. Other foreigners are subject to the Fomorian system. In all cases, the attitude of the local lord or magistrate will vary the severity of the system. Where he is kind, it is lightly felt. If he is cruel or prejudiced it can be unbearable.

Allies

The Kingdom has undependable alliances with Teos, Chunrey and Taolisa. They have little to do with the other Fomorian kings. Their only supporter among the Fomorian kingdoms is Vahear.

Enemies

Lemasa is dedicated to the destruction of this kingdom. To the Lemasans, the Fomorians are monsters who defile the sacred soil of Lemara with their presence. Katai is "irritated" at the gains that they have made at its expense. Chunrey is quite willing to see the kingdom destroyed and is likely to join forces with Lemasa or Katai if either nation attacks the east.

NOTE - A secret society exists in the cities of the Coasa Peninsula. It is led by the descendants of the Dukes of Coasa. Their stated goal is to reclaim the peninsula for its rightful ruler. At present, it is a low-profile criminal organization specializing in assassination and smuggling. Their current leader gives little to thoughts of revolution.

Language

Fomorian70%
Dawanese5%
Cerulean10%
Lemasan20%
Chunai15%
Katai50%
Taolisan5%
Teosan5%

Basic Characteristics

Height67"
Weight 166lbs

Common Weapons

Swords, Spears, Polearms

Ancestry

The Fomorians are of the same stock as the Kolari, Shandar and Goidanese. Their appearance is a composite of these groups. The Fomorians of the Kingdom of the East have bred with Katai and Lemasan stock. Their appearance merges Fomorian standard appearance with that of the culture they have bred with.

The Culture Book

Location on PL Maps

121722
711162126
3610152025
259141924
148131823