counts-of-hven

[counts-of-hven]

Realms of Hven, Corvary

Borrowing its Helengoric roots, Corvary is a state that once conquered and consolidated the people of the northern Sun Mirror Lake (Mzisacha) and one of its river valleys, called "Corvalè" by its Helengoric and Corvar residents, and occasionally "Dynkvelo" by the others. It's masonric and silverworking traditions contribute to its influence over Hven, serving as a point of trade between Helengor, Chalby, Bechedy and the southern Hnoli lands. It's currently ruled by the avaracious Countess Tamar Crow.

The smaller and winding Avchali Lake is defined by a short, yet wide outlet into the Mzisacha, allowing smaller vessels to traverse it without issue. The Bechial town of Avchaly rests upon this passage, enforcing tolls and controlling a strategic point between Corvary and Bechedy.

Directly to its east, the marshy townships of Chalby steer trade directly from the Chalkis River and its many tributaries, competing with Corvary but managing to stay afloat thanks to the harsh terrain and mercenaries offering to maintain this important, neutral hub.

Morgan is defined by its mighty castle and walled village, once serving as the frontier with the Ravsby County and the Hnoli, and is ruled by the iron-willed count, Gavin Akdaw. Nowadays, it enjoys a steady influx of trade and is a major centre for Corvary's military.

[counts-of-hven]

Of Bark And Basin

In Hven, two primary groups of gnolls coexist in a tenuous alliance: The fearsome Hnolishte, who live largely independently of Hven within the southern Dogwood, save for Count Snotta "The Betrayer's" domain; and the Tbilete, who, under the cunning Wheezer clan, have dominated the central Mirror Lake area within Wheezerton and struck an alliance with Corvary, establishing the alliance of Hven around 372 years ago.

22 years ago, the lands of Hven were threatened with an invasion from the Dogwood, spearheaded by the clan of an ambitious warlord by the name of Snotta, which until then was a meager and restricted Hnolishte clan, seeking to find space to herd animals and grow crops. The two major counties of Hven agreed to bestow them land and let them settle under their protection, with much reluctance from the now late Count Wheezer VIII "The Blue", who wished Snotta's land for themselves.

Ever since, Snotta has been branded a Betrayer by the people of Dogwood, turning coat for Hven and growing to be a major power within the alliance's southern front, exerting dominance over the minor townships of Viakkoc, Graney and Tilis and specializing in providing high-quality lumber and game to the rest of Hven, as well serving as a useful deterrent against the Dogwood horde.

Nowadays, Count Snotta proudly governs his lands, being the oldest of the three major counts and engaging in friendly rivalry with his northern neighbour, Wheezer IX "The Snake", cementing the Hnolishte and Tbilete as friends within Hven.

Credits: @GroundImpressi1 - Photo of Doagh Holestone, Ireland

[counts-of-hven]

The (Un)disputed Countess

Countess Tamar Crow is the avaricious monarch of Corvary. Daughter of Count Tverein, she was raised to succeed him and protect Hven - but Tamar had other plans, and her fascination with riches, rarities and the world outside, alongside Corvary's bountiful silver has made her an unrelenting purveyor of treasure.

"Good morning! I am lady Crow, Countess of Corvary and Hven, and– thanks be to our prosperous lands– a very rich woman."

She enjoys long walks, her favourite walnut-and-pepper paste and anything that glitters and glows. While Tamar keeps many odd things to herself, she is a surprisingly charitable young woman that devalued the merchants' internal power for an increase of the peasants' rudimentary welfare, sending the former off to explore and profit from outside of Hven's reaches.

Her position in Corvary's and Hven's balance of power is uncertain, as many of the old count's court dissaprove of her methods and direct engagement with the affairs of other nobles, keeping her monopoly on the town's silver locked for her selfish goals. The other counts of Hven seem divided on the matter, but can sparsely oppose her influence and Wheezerton's own support for Tamar, calling her "A cunning, but friendly face in a maze of snakes."

Credits: https://picrew.me/en/image_maker/1744829, https://johnbarclayphotography.com

[counts-of-hven]

Gnolls

Gnolls (Hnoli) are a species of sapient humanoid mammals of diverse ancestries linked to both felids and canids, spread throughout Tsethyl in various forms, cultures and countries. They are primarily carnivorous and are known to be uniquely sensitive and emotional beings, rarely living secluded lifestyles and emphasizing physicality in social interaction. Many practice eating their dead comrades or enemies for various reasons, sometimes based on spiritual beliefs and sometimes entirely on their environmental circumstances.

Although there is great variance between the gnolls, three distinct forms distinguish themselves among a spectrum, spread throughout Tsethyl.

Qx'hnoli are native to Tsethyl's mountains, deep forests and swamps, growing an abundance of fur to protect them from their surroundings and using their strong, spindly paws to maneuver all forms of harsh terrain. They are one of the few omnivorous gnolls, having extremely refined tastes and a liking for food that would be considered extremely spicy or otherwise harmful by most.

Velhnoli originally inhabited the various grasslands, plains and praires of the continent. They possess a less-prominent mane with spotted pelts. Their constitution and build lets them digest meat, skin, bones, blood and other animal waste, allowing them to survive in some of the harshest environments known to life on land. Groups of Velhnoli most often practice cannibalism and make use of remains in their tools, structures and clothing.

Adhnoli sport a striped fur complexion, raccoon-like facial masks and large ears. They're often the smallest of the gnolls, being less physically impressive but making it up for their unique inner workings, with heightened senses and a wide range of hearing as well as a uniquely-scented breath that intoxicates the air around them. They often feast on smaller prey and insects and protect themselves dearly in packs, being aware of eachothers' sensory vulnerabilities and living more secluded, quiet lives compared to the rest of the gnolls.

[counts-of-hven]

Counties of Hven

Hven is collection of loosely allied townships and counties surrounding the Mirror Lakes within central Tsethyl. The gnoll-dominated Dogwood guards its South, leading the way into the vast sea beyond. The northern Helen Hills are a collection of unspoilt uplands fought over by independant warring counties and tribes, emergent from ancient times.

Hven has a roughly semi-arid climate, with rare downpours but surprisingly low temperatures, causing occasional snow during the coldest months of the year. Pockets of humidity can be found in the scattered marshes bordering the Mirror Lakes. The north of Hven has vastly higher altitudes, with its highest being located on the northern border, being called Hog's Hill.

The counties of Hven are populated by a majority of Dogwood Gnolls, Humans from the Helen Hills (Helns), lake-dwelling sea species such as the canine Hvelill and shape-changing Bechials inhabiting the Moonlake. A variety of dialects are spoken across these different communities, with them largely forming the languages of Gnollish Yipperspeak, Corvien, Ravsbyese, Hvelilli and Hvenian - used during most inter-county affairs and diplomacy across Hven.

The most prominent houses of Hven, often recognized as its de-facto juries, are house Crow of Corvary and Wheezerton, under the leadership of countess Tamar Crow and Wheezer IX, "The Snake".

As emerging powers begin their journey to greatness, it will be up to these disparate and feuding counts to pave the way to a brighter tomorrow. Will they succeed? Or will Hven fall into obscurity, devoured by the shadow of empires as nothing more but a footnote in the records of history?

Only time will tell.