Kingdom of Heterland

A sodden and weary realm of reeds, fog, and stubborn survival, Heterland endures where firmer kingdoms would have drowned—guarding the Middlelands not with walls, but with vigilance, ships, and sacrifice.

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Overview

• Capital: Stoneward Hold

• Government: Feudal Monarchy with Strong Admiralty Authority

• Ruler: King Gregor the XIV

• Primary Culture: Heterlish

• Religion: The Pantheon (River and Sea Aspects Emphasized)

• Allies: Kingdom of Valin, Iron Union of Arkon, Free City of Gax

• Rivals: The Infernal Empire (cold war), border tensions with Iron Union of Arkon

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Geography

Heterland is defined by water in all its forms—river, marsh, fog, tide, and rain—making travel slow, borders fluid, and defense difficult.

• Terrain: Vast wetlands, peat fens, marshy rivers, and treacherous coastlines

• Climate: Cool, damp, and fog-bound; storms roll in quickly from the sea

• Seas: Blackwater Coast, Astral Bay

Notable Regions & Landmarks

• Graymere Fens – Endless reeds and shifting ground

• Mistbound Reaches – Fog-choked depths of the wetlands

• The Sunken Miles – A drowned road measuring hardship more than distance

• Wailer’s Pool – Sinkhole lake feared after nightfall

• Blackwater Coast – Brackish shoreline of wrecks and half-sunk ruins

• The Drowned Shore – Where maps lie and land disappears

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History

Heterland has always been poor in coin and rich in obligation.

• Settled after The Uprising by those pushed into marginal lands

• Grew into a buffer kingdom between Valin and Arkon

• Invested heavily in shipbuilding and navigation over land armies

• Became a key naval power protecting trade throughout the Middlelands

In recent decades, Heterland has quietly fortified its coast and increased patrols in response to the rise of The Infernal Empire.

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Major Settlements

• Stoneward Hold - Demanding fortress city of the king.

• Driftmark – Fishing village atop ancient ruins, exposed at low tide

• Stonewake Crossing – Fortified ferry town controlling passage over the Lornwater

• Reedway Causeway – Lifeline road threading through the fens

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Factions & Organizations

• Heterlish Admiralty – Controls naval operations and convoy protection

• Fenreach Council – Local power brokers balancing survival and politics

• Riverwardens – Guides, scouts, and patrols of the wetlands

• Beacon Keepers – Maintain towers along the coast and rivers

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Culture & Customs

Heterlish culture values endurance, fairness, and shared burden over glory.

• Values: Responsibility, restraint, mutual aid

• Food: Eel stew, peat-baked bread, pickled vegetables, dark ale

• Social Structure:

  • Practical merit outweighs noble blood

  • Naval officers hold unusual social prestige

• Traditions:

  • Lanterns lit for travelers lost in the fog

  • Bells rung for ships overdue at sea

• Taboos:

  • Abandoning travelers in the fens

  • Breaking escort oaths

  • Mocking the drowned

Outsiders are treated politely—but tested quietly.

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Sites of Interest

• Lowfen Shrine – Half-submerged shrine to an old river god

• The Drowned Observatory– Ancient astronomical ruin claimed by water

• Highwatch Point – Coastal watchtower reporting strange lights at night

• Old Beacon Cliffs – Ruined signal tower overlooking the sea

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Notes for Players

Heterland is wet, wary, and honest.

Adventurers are valued as scouts, escorts, and troubleshooters.

Roads lie, maps age quickly, and locals know more than they say.

If Heterland falls, the Middlelands will have no warning when the tide turns.