Gaz F10 The Kingdom of Kaarjala - Vaults of Pandius

SOCIETYkingdom into any future Heldannicempire, but that may change if the frostgiants become more organized, or ifAlphatia strengthens its presence.Leeha: The halfling traders of Leehawill probably pursue opportunities inKaarjala with greater energy after theybecome established in Littonia, but anadvance team has already arrived inKaarja.Littonia: Kaarjala and Littonia haveextensive trade and political ties, giventheir similar circumstances and sharedhistory. Relations are generally friendly,and Kaarjala depends on Littonia to act asits trading gateway to the south. Littoniais well aware of this fact and may try tocompete with foreign interests that wantto build any networks this far north.Oceansend: No contact has beenestablished yet, but an alliance could beformed if King Ericall seeks to expandhis influence too vigorously.Ostland: Ostlanders have beensailing up and down the coast of Norwoldfor centuries, and on some occasions theyhave even sailed up the Maanselkä Riverto raid Kaarjalan settlements. Some ofthe more forward thinking Ostlanders –typically those allied to Queen Yrsa – arelooking at Kaarjala as part of a futurenorthern trading network.Qeodhar: Baron Norlan considersthe Alphatian Sea and the Norzee hisprivate domain, and he would take a dimview of the Kaarjalans establishing astronger maritime presence – especiallywhen tensions with Littonia are on therise. For now, however, Kaarjala israrely mentioned in the halls of Farend.Shonak Tribes: Shonak tribes onceoccupied the lands of Kaarjala, but theywere driven north after the kingdom’sfounding. Relations have been hostileever since, though individual trade doesoccur.Thyatis: The Empire has notestablished diplomatic relations withKaarjala. The general thinking in ThyatisCity is that Kaarjala is simply too remoteto be of strategic interest, but this maychange as agents operating out ofOceansend and Alpha learn more aboutthe nations of this region.The Druid Council of Norwold:Early druids played an important role inIsanmaa, but their influence declinedsharply after the fall of the old kingdom.Although the noaide are very natureoriented,they are not true druids andhave no representative with the Council,but there is a loose circle of Kaarjalandruids. There is conflict within theCouncil over Kaarjala. Some arefavorably disposed to the Sampo’s lifegivingwarmth, but others – particularlythose whose heritage is with theViaskodas and Shonaks – see thedestruction of the Arctic climate and thepotential for wider damage caused by theSampo’s warming. Other druids,opposed to the arrival of the greatempires to Norwold, support theactivities of the Followers of the Forge.The MilitaryOwing to its relatively decentralizednature, the only standing force thatKaarjala maintains is the king’s personalguard. In times of need, they areaugmented by the militia resources of thenobles, which are of variable quality. Allwater-based forces are under the king’sdirect command, by tradition.The Vaarana maintain an informaldefensive force known as theRauhanturvaaja (Peacekeepers), whowatch the frontiers of the kingdom. TheRauhanturvaaja are not formally part ofthe Kaarjalan military; however, they dotrain extensively with their Saamaricousins.In the royal and noble forces ofKaarjala, an alikersantti (undersergeant,F2-3) leads squads with five soldiers (F1-2). Typically four of these squads arethen commanded by a kersantti (sergeant,F4-6). Finally a kapteeni (captain, F7+)commands four kersantti. Thus a unit atfull complement will have 101 men. Akapteeni normally reports directly to thelocal governing noble, but in largecampaigns a kenraali (general, F12+)may perform this role.Unless noted otherwise, assignedequipment includes: kapteeni (plate mail,normal sword), kersantti (banded mail,normal or bastard sword), alikersanttiand soldiers (scale mail, normal sword),and archers (leather, shortbow).The Royal Army of KaarjalaPersonnel: 2 (F10) mounted kapteeni, 8(F5) mounted kersantti, 32 (F3)alikersantti, 120 (F1) soldiers, 40archersNon-combat Personnel: 50Leadership: K. Kaarlo Taavinen (F26)Troop Class: AverageBR 88Although his soldiers technically servehim as a feudal lord, King Kaarlo’sdecision to name his forces the RoyalArmy of Kaarjala has grated on some ofthe more independent-minded nobles.The Defenders of UusimaaPersonnel: 1 (F10) mounted kapteeni, 4(F5) mounted kersantti (plate mail,normal or bastard sword, spear), 16(F3) alikersantti (banded mail, normalsword, spear), 60 (F1) soldiers (chainmail, normal sword, spear), 20 (F1)archersNon-combat Personnel: 25Leadership: Kreivitär Meeri Saarela(F13)Troop Class: AverageBR 72The Defenders of Uusimaa are thepersonal militia of the Saarela family.They spend much of their time patrollingthe western hills, and have fought theYrgun on many occasions – hence theirheavier armor. They train togetherextensively, and have a reputation forbeing very steadfast in battle, especiallyagainst charges.The Army of the EastPersonnel: 1 (F10) mounted kapteeni, 4(F5) mounted kersantti, 16 (F3)mounted alikersantti, 30 (F1) lightcavalry (as soldier), 30 (F1) soldiers,20 (F1) archersNon-combat Personnel: 25Leadership: Rasmus Varvikko (F18)Troop Class: AverageBR 84The Army of the East, led by KreiviRasmus Varvikko, guards the frontierwith Itämaa. Rasmus has structured thearmy as a rapid response force to raiders.20