Hyspedes League

The Hyspedes League is an odd cluster of twenty-six small principalities and city-states, located in a region of rugged hills in the heart of the Keller Lands. Most of the states are ruled by hereditary princes, others are republics, and a few are military dictatorships. All of these cities pay homage to a "Genius", a city spirit or local demigod, each with a small but functioning priesthood. In many ways, the cities exist as extensions of the will of the "Genius" as expressed through the priesthood. This arrangement dates back to the era of the “Black Emperor” a millennium ago, when the city-states first banded together to defend themselves from his undead armies, forming the “Hyspedes Commonwealth”. This structure remained intact when the area was incorporated into the Keller Empire around 100KY. Three hundred years later, the Keller Civil War resulted in the shattering of the old Hyspedes Commonwealth, and fighting raged in the region long after the civil war had ended. After a century of internecine warfare, the remaining city-states agreed to a set of treaties called the Treaties of Bisleon in 475KY. This established the Hyspedes League in its modern form. The cities follow a similar pattern of a dense urban core, extensively fortified on elevated ground, surrounded by heavily cultivated farmland and mines. In between the territories of the current city states can be found the ruins and remains of former city states... nearly any elevated ground in the region might have some defensive works built upon it. Many of these ruins are considered "haunted", and some are occupied by goblins, trolls, or worse. All of the states of the Hyspedes League are intensively militarized against foreign invasion and war with each other. Any single city-state would be a major task to defeat, even for the large kingdoms that surround the Hyspedes League. To make matters worse, each of the cities of the Hyspedes League is a highly magical area. The militaries of the league make extensive use of Stone Golems, which are also used for large scale construction of defensive works. Since they are unified by treaty, an attack against one would quickly draw retaliation by most of the Hyspedes League.The Stone Golems are apparently driven by the will of the "Genius" spirit, and must be awakened and commanded by the clerics of the city. The various states maintain a relatively toothless “League Assembly” charged with matters of interstate relations, trade, and defense. The Assembly remains in session year round, with one representative for each city-state. The site of the Assembly varies, relocating every decade to a new site – currently it is in Pteo, where it will remain for the next four years. The Hyspedes League maintains good relationships with its neighbors as a whole, but suffers from a great deal of foreign interference in its internal politics. The potential power of a unified League means that neighboring states have a vested interest in keeping them both divided against each other, and if possible, aligned to one faction or another. Four neighboring states meddle extensively in Hyspedean politics:

Keller Empire: The Keller Empire, which once indirectly dominated the Hyspedes League, supports the “Linealist” city-states in their struggles with other factions. Since treaties forbid direct foreign involvement within League Affairs, this must take place covertly, or through mercenaries. Nevertheless, a few of the city-states host Keller troops under their own colors, and speak openly of reunification with the Empire.

Alastin: This kingdom supports the “Selectionist” factions – while Alastin supports the idea of a unified Keller Lands in principle, they believe that the Alikai Dynasty forfeited their divine favor when they called down dark forces to smite the rebellious southern kingdoms. As such they oppose Imperial efforts to expand control over the League. They also hope to suppress the “Gemiri Heresy”, which they see as a spiritual threat nearly equal to that of the Empire.

Gemric: Though Gemric’s official position is fairly secular and cynical, they do in fact remain connected to the Keller Pantheon. Gemric resists the primacy of Aurintuli, and presents a more nuanced balance of relations between the deities. Gemric supports the “Reformist” factions within the League, which are somewhat fewer in number than the other two large factions. Gemric’s main priority is to increase its own influence, with the aim of establishing portages and connections in the Keller Sea, to gain access to those markets.

Moon Shoals: This island kingdom doesn’t have a direct stake in the religious struggles within the League, so it has murkier strategic aims than the three larger factions. Moon Shoals focuses on preventing either Alastin or the Empire from having too much influence in the region, and they maintain an ambiguous relationship with Gemric. They also act to support those few city-states that wish to pursue a more independent course, as well as small groups within the other states. Moon Shoals has fewer allies within the League than the other factions, so these city-states tend to be more self-reliant and less likely to abide by all the terms of the Treaties of Bisleon.