Jantalar

Jantalar is a barony of the Turamzzyrian Empire.

Crest

• a black triskelion on a field of gold and red

"The triskelion was adopted early in the history of Jantalar to symbolize the barony's mission to the Empire: to defend, to serve, and to expand the glory of Tamzyrr. The colors reflect the long role the Hochstib family has played in the governance of the barony. Field armies under direct command of the baron or baroness have a white border on their flag, and it is considered the highest honor of a Jantalarian soldier to be buried wrapped in this banner. This has led to the Jantalarian compliment, "Wrapped in the flag" for someone of great honor and achievement."

— Culoney of Hendor, The Crests of the Turamzzyrian Empire

Geography

"Jantalar is a hilly region with interspersed fertile plains and large, fast-flowing rivers. It is bordered on the west by the mountains of Mestanir, now a subjugated territory and considered part of Jantalar. To the north, Jantalar has also taken over Talador. Due to the position of Jantalar, with humanoid threats on the northern and eastern borders, there is a strong military presence and an unusual fervor in the application of Chaston's edicts.

Jantalar is a recently expanding territory in the Empire. The expansion of Jantalar has now consumed two other territories, Talador and Mestanir, and now threatens Vornavis and the wilds to the northwest including Wehnimer's Landing. The geographical position of Jantalar, combined with the obvious military effectiveness of the army garrisoned there, makes Jantalar a natural seat for the Northern Sentinel.

Jantalar (city) was originally a northern outpost of the Empire built in 4735, to guard the Empire from incursions by the barbarians and humanoids from the north. With large forests to the north and east, Jantalar guards very fertile plains to the south, and quickly grew into a major city and the capital of the barony now known as Jantalar."

Jantalarian woodworkers are exceptionally skilled in their trade, and their fine furniture and decorative craftsmanship are in demand throughout the Empire. While Jantalar has plentiful forests of its own, non-indigenous woods are imported by the craftsmen, giving the woodworkers a wide range of styles and flavors for their craft."

— Deinirius Antroydes, A Traveler's Guide to the Turamzzyrian Empire, 5102

Independence of Mestanir

"With the failure of Baron Lerep Hochstib's conquests and his subsequent death, coupled with the assassination of Empress Mynal'lyanna Anodheles in 5103, the newly anointed Emperor Aurmont Anodheles, first cousin to the late Empress, has appointed Earl Eddric Jovery of North Hendor as the new Northern Sentinel.

Furthermore, the Emperor has invested Hochstib's surviving sister, Lady Delphinuria, as the new Baroness of Jantalar effectively bringing the Barony's ambitious expansionism to an end. The former Barony of Mestanir was released from Jantalar's control, restored to sovereignty, and is now governed by the newly appointed Baron Seurdyn Moraughton Chydenar."

— Deinirius Antroydes, History of the Turamzzyrian Empire

Independence of Talador

"Hear ye, hear ye! For the first time since it fell to Jantalarian occupation, the Barony of Talador is reclaiming its power after an Imperial Decree relinquished the land back to its people and appointed a new ruling class! Among the most noble, Lord Kuligar Gardane has been selected to ascend to the position of Baron of Talador!"

— Talador Baronial Coronation Festival, 5114

Customs

"About four miles from Jantalar is a large white stone, called Emil's Lamb by the locals. It is said to have fallen from the sky, and the powder formed by scraping it with a knife is said to be most efficacious in curing rabies and gout.

The custom of Cockle Court is still followed in some of the villages of this region. This elaborate mock trial is performed to expose quarrelling spouses and serve as a warning to the young. A judge and jury are appointed, along with counsel for the prosecution and defense. All of these parties proceed to the Moot Hall, banging on pots and pans and drawing behind them a wagon carrying two men disguised as the husband and wife in question. Once assembled, the quick-witted counselors present their case and the judge and jury decide upon a verdict (usually something to the effect of charging the couple with keeping the peace lest they be set on the dunking-stool). At the trial's conclusion, all involved adjourn to a nearby tavern to drink to the good health and happiness of the husband and wife."

— A Traveler's Guide to the Turamzzyrian Empire

Religion

"From Mestanir to Jantalar stretches a devout band of faith for the God King Koar. While all in view of the Everwatch Tower provide the strongest support of the Church outside of Tamzyrr, the forces of Jantalar have done much to spread faith. It is not to say that the Jantalarian expansion was without controversy. Rumors have spread that the Prelate of Jantalar, who had accompanied the Baron Hochstib in his conquests, had turned to darker arts to assist the baron. Needless to say, it was Koar’s hand, or fist rather, which played a role in the defeat of that province’s forces in Mestanir. Koar’s Fist has since been restored to its position of prominence in that city. Of Koar's Crown, located not far from Everwatch Tower, the Jantalarian occupation did not affect it. Pilgrims continue to flock to its base, to walk its circumference three times, and to light prayer lanterns that float away into the night."

— Worship in the Turamzzyrian Empire

Organizations

Warlords of Kai

"The Warlords of Kai are a relatively new group among the history of the Turamzzyrian Empire, not officially coming into existence until 5103 after the fall of Baron Hochstib and the end of the Jantalarian conquest. After Hochstib's sister was appointed Baroness and the new ruler of Jantalar, the demilitarization of the region began almost overnight. As funding for the military was downsized and recruitment was halted, many soldiers and knights among the Jantalarian army had little place to turn, and a majority of them had no family or profession waiting for them back at home. Because of this sudden change, many among the Jantalarian army turned to a life of crime, raiding the areas between Talador and Jantalar, and some even joining up to become what is now known as the Murkwood Bandits.

But not all turned to crime, despite having no family or job waiting for them. Many ex-soldiers and knights lobbied the new Baroness to approve the creation of the Warlords of Kai, a group of lukewarm worshippers of Kai, who would be allowed to open a fighting arena in the capitol, pitting their own ranks against criminals, animals, and even captured monsters from the wilds. While many of the Warlords tout praise to Kai and even wear a silver-studded crimson sash in honor of the warrior Arkati, most of their loyalty lies to themselves, as the fighters have become ever prideful over the years. But over the years, some among the Warlords have gained a genuine worship to Kai, thanking him for his protection in their battles within the arena and worshipping him for the skills and expertise they possess.

As the success and reputation of the Warlords of Kai has grown, so too has their gladiators and arenas. Over a dozen fighting arenas exist across Jantalar today, providing a suitable venue for ex-soldiers and even those seeking fame in combat.

Their symbol is of a crimson axe on a field of silver."

— Lord Brieson Cassle of Highmount, Orders of the Turamzzyrian Empire

Blackwood Ravagers

"The Barony of Jantalar is known for a good many things, but while in recent times many reflect on the tyranny of Baron Lerep Hochstib and the wars with Mestanir, Talador, and Vornavis, there exists a side to Jantalar that is not always in the forefront. One of the most thriving industries in Jantalar, even when it was at its military height, its lumber mills and the skills of their woodworkers are unmatched throughout the Turamzzyrian Empire. While Jantalar has many dense and lush forests to the north, many of their crafters even import different styles of wood that help to ensure their craftsmen have a variety of options. However, among Jantalar's forests, there exists a region of thick trees aptly named the Blackwoods, which stretch out like a half-moon on the northern border of Jantalar, even spilling into the Barony of Talador.

It is in the depths of this dark forest that the Blackwood Ravagers have found their home for the last two decades. The Ravagers are cruel, destructive, and often times possessed with dangerous levels of zeal for the V'tull, God of Combat and Lust. Despite their known alignment with the Berserker Arkati, their nefarious tactics of kidnappings and murder make them criminals in the eyes of the Turamzzyrian Empire. Many of the Blackwood Ravagers can date their origins to the fallout after the Griffin Sword Wars, where many of those V'tullian followers who worked with Zerroth, a powerful champion of V'tull, had sought out a new home and purpose. While some scattered and were hunted down, others found the depths of the Blackwoods to their liking, which allowed them to remain close enough to civilization to have access to an ample amount of targets.

Over the years there have been a number of incursions, primarily in Jantalarian territory, when members of the Blackwood Ravagers will strike out at merchant caravans, farmsteads, and sometimes even being bold enough to attack towns, striking deeper into imperial footholds. While the Ravagers always leave a trail of blood and victims, they are always beat back into their Blackwoods, time and again. In recent years, the Blackwood Ravagers have resorted to mass kidnappings as if baiting imperial soldiers and bounty hunters to tread into their forest, meeting them in combat in their familiar territory. It is reported by some eyewitness accounts, that weekly, sometimes daily blood sports and combat rituals occur within the depths of the Blackwoods, as the Ravagers are almost always occupying themselves in some form of bloodlust and battle, even amongst their own."

— Orders of the Turamzzyrian Empire

Murkdeep Bandits

"In 5087, Jantalar invaded and occupied Talador, making it formally part of Jantalar. The reasoning behind this invasion was the lack of noble leadership in the province. This hostile move by Baron Lerep Hochstib caused new rules and edicts regarding inter-territorial relations to be established. In 5103, Baron Lerep Hochstib was killed after an unsuccessful attempt to take over Wehnimer's Landing. In 5107, Emperor Aurmont Anodheles invested Delphinuria Hochstib, Lerep's sister, as the Baroness of Jantalar. As her first ruling act, she renounced Jantalar's claim to Mestanir, finally freeing them. However, Talador remained under Jantalarian control.

As the war machine of Jantalar slowly died down and conquest was no longer it's goal, many Jantalarian soldiers found themselves without work, and many without homes or families to return to. Because of this sudden demilitarization of Jantalar in the aftermath of Baron Hochstib's death and failed war, many returning soldiers fell into a life of banditry, finding new work and more pay in criminal activities.

So it has come to be that there are regions of woodland areas between Jantalar and Talador that are infested with thieves and robbers, loosely organized, but all under the name of the Murkdeep Bandits, so called after the forests in which they dwell. The bandits discriminate against no one, robbing from merchants, nobles, and travelers alike. They seem content with their new lives, or perhaps are patiently waiting for the day another push for imperial expansion provides them with the profits of war over thievery."

— Orders of the Turamzzyrian Empire