 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
* These population numbers were low throughout. We had the Dark Ages in mind,
but the
societies that developed in the story were noticeably more advanced.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Priests are muscular and war-like. Bonfires on the Altar. Choral
singing. Sermons are biting attacks on personal sinfulness. (Like the
Scottish Dominie.) Incantations for luck.
THE CULT OF THE BEAR
A group of warrior monks (like Templars) dedicated to the service of
Belar - chapters in Drasnia, Algaria, Riva and Sendaria.
* The Bear-cult makes its first appearance here. At the time we had no idea how
important
it would turn out to be.
These form the core of the armies of those nations - fundamentally an Anti
Angarak society - arch conservative.
Drasnia
GEOGRAPHY
Drasnia is a large northern country lying between the mountains
of the east and the Gulf of Cherek. It is, by and large, a plain
extending from Aldurfens up through Mrin Marsh and thence to the
Drasnian Moors which extend northward to the polar ice. The
principal Drasnian preoccupation is with the vast herds of reindeer
which provide the mainstay of Drasnian economy.
*The reindeer were later eliminated.
Drasnia's
strategic position astride the North Caravan Route has provided a
vast wealth from time immemorial. The two major cities, the capital
at Boktor, northern terminus of the Great North Road and western
terminus of the North Caravan Route out of Car og Nadrak, and the
island seaport of Kotu at the mouth of the Mrin River have been
important commercial centers since before the dawn of recorded
history.
With the possible exception of the sphinx-like Rivans, the Drasnians
are the most enigmatic of the Alorns. Perhaps because of their
isolated frontier situation and the brute savagery of the Drasnian
winter with its winds howling down across the Drasnian Moors,
they are at once openly friendly but with a certain reserve, seeming
to draw a line beyond which a stranger is not invited. They are hard
traders, but are scrupulously honest. Their profits are gained from
certain advantageous trade laws and toll arrangements. Like all
Alorns, they are warlike, and warriors from the northern reaches of
Drasnia - as a result of their life-long following of the reindeer herds
- are the finest infantry in the world, easily able to keep pace with
cavalry units on long marches. Like all infantry units, their weapon
of choice is the long spear.
The Drasnians are not as clannish as other Alorns, their culture
appearing to have progressed to the stage where district and
regional loyalties are at least on a par with blood ties.