Dwendalian Empire

The Dwendalian Empire is a nation on the continent of Wildemount, dominating the western half of the region of Wynandir. Founded thirteen generations before the events of Campaign 2, the Empire has slowly encompassed territory of the continent and now mainly minds itself. The capital of the Dwendalian Empire is Rexxentrum, a massive city more than twice the size of Emon.

Geography
The Empire is landlocked aside from the very far north waters of the Frigid Depths, holding ice floes and treacherous waters. In the north are the Dunrock Mountains, where the Quannah Breach leads to the Greying Wildlands. To the east are the Ashkeeper Peaks forming the boundary with Xhorhas; to the west are the Cyrios Mountains. In the south where these mountain ranges come together is the Wuyun Gorge holding the Wuyun Gates, the passageway to the Menagerie Coast.

Crispvale

 * Grimgolir_Grey_2.png Grimgolir: a mountain-based dwarven society on the far eastern side of the Marrow Valley.
 * Bladegarden_Icon_Grey_2.png Bladegarden: houses the military training facility used by both the Crownsguard and the Righteous Brand along with a substantial garrison and additional support facilities with which the imperial armed forces back up both the Rockguard and Ashguard Garrisons.
 * Hupperdook_Icon_Grey_2.png Hupperdook: an industrial town largely populated by gnomes.
 * Nogvurot_Icon_Grey_2.png Nogvurot: a town at the northern end of the Marrow Valley. It is the base of operations for The Stubborn Stock adventuring party.

Labenda Swamp

 * &rarr; Main article: Labenda Swamp.

The Labenda Swamp is a thick swamps that surrounded the town of Berleben and the Ounterloch.
 * Berleben_Icon,_Grey_3.png Berleben: a small swamp town.

Marrow Valley
The Marrow Valley is a formerly independent region, now under the control of the Dwendalian Empire. The valley runs up to the Quannah Breach. Notable locations include:
 * Alfield_Icon_(Grey_2).png Alfield: a small town between Trostenwald and Zadash. It is a farming community and current base of operations of Bryce Feelid.
 * Felderwin_Icon_Grey_2.png Felderwin: the hometown of Nott the Brave of the Mighty Nein. Also a farming community, it is the source of a significant portion of the Empire's food supply.
 * Trost_Icon_Grey_2.png Trostenwald: the town where the Mighty Nein first met. It is known primarily for its three well-known breweries, so much so that outside of Trostenwald an ale is often simply called a "trost."
 * Zadash_Icon_Grey_2.png Zadash: a medium-sized city that was formerly the capital of the Julous Dominion. It is now the geographic center of the Dwendalian Empire.

Zemni Fields

 * &rarr; Main article: Zemni Fields.

The Zemni Fields are the birthplace of the Dwendalian Empire. The Zemnian language and the culture of the Empire itself grew from a society known as Zeidel. Zeidel was one of approximately three extremely erudite societies in the Age of Arcanum that had harnessed brumestone crystals to make their major cities hover aloft and could travel across Exandria. As far as most people know, all of them had been wiped out during the Calamity. Halas was one of the surviving mages from Zeidel as noted in.
 * Blumenthal: childhood home of Caleb Widogast, it is a farming center and the main source of Rexxentrum's produce and meat.
 * Bysaes Tyl: an elven city that has agreed to submit to imperial rule in exchange for some limited autonomy. It was founded by refugees from the disaster which befell the Savalirwood.
 * Icehaven
 * Pride's Call: known for its production of silk and populated by hill dwarves.
 * Rexxentrum_Icon_Grey_3.png Rexxentrum: capital of the Empire.
 * Ruins of Shattengrod: recently discovered by the dwarves of Pride's Call. It was a quarry that turned into a sinkhole that slowly uncovered elements of a very ancient ruin.
 * Yrrosa

Truscan Vale
The Truscan Vale is the far western area of the Empire, overseen by the Truscan family under King Dwendal. It is bordered on the north by the Bromkiln Hills and Cyrios Mountains, and on the south by the Cyrengreen Forest. It is known to be one of the richest areas of the Empire.
 * Deastok_Icon,_Grey_2.png Deastok: Home of Taryon Darrington of Vox Machina, it is located in the southern Truscan Vale at the edge of the Cyrengreen Forest.
 * Kamordah_Icon_Grey_2.png Kamordah: Hometown of Beauregard of the Mighty Nein, it is known for the production of fine wines. It is located in the northern Truscan Vale in the Bromkiln Hills.

Amber Road

 * &rarr; Main article: Amber Road.

The Amber Road is a major north-south highway from the Wuyun Gates to Rexxentrum that passes through Zadash, Alfield, and Trostenwald.

Wuyun Gorge

 * &rarr; Main article: Wuyun Gorge.

The Wuyun Gorge is a large ravine between the Cyrios Mountains and the Ashkeeper Peaks. In this ravine the Wuyun Gates form the passageway between the Marrow Valley of the Empire and the Menagerie Coast.

Other Areas

 * Druvenlode_Icon,_Grey_2.png Druvenlode
 * Talonstadt

Environment
The climate in the central part of the Dwendalian Empire is similar to that of the real world's Central Europe and Western Russia. Farther south is warmer. In addition to its towns and cities, the empire contains several wilderness areas, like the following:

Wilderness Areas

 * Cyrengreen Forest
 * Labenda Swamp
 * Pearlbow Wilderness

Demographics
Trostenwald is a small town in the Marrow Valley, with Alfield to the north being even smaller. Zadash, the second-largest city in the Dwendalian Empire, is the geographic center of the Marrow Valley and the Empire.

In Zadash, and other regions previously ruled by the Julous Dominion before being conquered by the Dwendalian Empire, some of the cultural practices and beliefs had initially been merged and adjusted to enable a more stable integration with the laws and rules of the empire. This is reflected by the fact that the peoples of the empire and those that enforced its rule were progressively more tolerant and willing to bend the rules as one headed further away from Rexxentrum towards the outskirts of the empire.

Politics
In both the first and second campaigns of Critical Role, the current head of state is King Bertrand Dwendal. His law is absolute throughout the kingdom.

Whether or not he created the law himself, King Bertrand enforced the kingdom's ban on necromancy and was prepared to seize the estate and lands of Sylas and Delilah Briarwood when they were accused of practicing the forbidden magic. The local citizens appeared to greatly distrust the school of necromancy, as a mob razed the Briarwood homestead to the ground shortly after, leaving the couple presumed dead.

In exchange for protecting its citizens from chaotic horrors and shadowed evils beyond its borders, the crown of the Dwendalian Empire demands that its citizens pay it tithes, follow its laws, worship its gods, and bow to the installed local leadership (known as "Lawmasters", such as Norda in Trostenwald). This accord has led to a prosperous century, primarily for the Dwendalian political elite. Otherwise, most citizens of the Dwendalian Empire are left to their own devices. However, tensions brew beneath the chafing watch of the Crownsguard.

Tensions are also rising with the land of Xhorhas, which borders the Dwendalian Empire to the east. In the past, the Dwendals have mostly left Xhorhas to its own devices. However, there is unrest at the border caused by incursions of creatures from the east. The creature Kylre, who caused multiple deaths in the town of Trostenwald, is presumed to have come from Xhorhas.

Tithe Collectors
Every six months, tithe collectors (known to the commoners as "Reapers") go through the empire, each usually escorted by a couple of Crownsguard. They are recognizable by their black cloaks with gold trim. Reapers go building to building, business to business. They inspect ledgers, ask about each business, look at the means by which citizens are living, and then make an estimation of what each Dwendalian citizen would owe for the biannual tithe. Reapers then collected the money and moved on their way. Officially, this process is so each citizen could contribute to the military spending and social programs of the Empire as a whole. Unofficially, this is also used as a means of inspecting for any illegal activity and anything that goes against the Crown. Often, a lot of people get arrested for illicit goods and activities discovered while tithes are being collected.

Royal Assassins
The Volstrucker (known colloquially as "Scourgers") are regarded by most Dwendalian citizens as ghost stories and urban legends told to children as bogeymen to warn against disobeying parents or staying out too late. Only the Empire's elite are aware that the Scourgers truly exist. Even the Expositors of the Cobalt Soul have difficulty verifying the truth about the Scourgers. The Scourgers answer directly to the Dwendalian crown.

The Augen Trust
The Dwendalian crown's spy network is called the Augen Trust.

Nobility and Influential families
There are several noble houses in the Empire, whose influence is determined by their wealth, their relationship with the royal family, and their political and geographical position ruling certain lands.

Some of the noble houses are the following:
 * Brentahill family: Noble house involved in the textile commerce in Pride's Call.
 * Darrington family: Now impoverished house affiliated with the Darrington Brigade.
 * Dummaroff family: Dwarven house ruling Grimgolir with a council that includes several lords and ladies and the Crown-appointed starosta.
 * Graf family: Influential house with diplomatic contacts.
 * Lorelei family: Helped the Empire in the Marrow War, obtaining lands near the Cyrengreen Forest.
 * Sauer family: Minor noble house from Druvenlode.
 * Saugiss family: Noble house related to the royal family through the marriage of Suria Saugiss and Prince Eidys.
 * Seledo family: Noble house in Rexxentrum.
 * Sutan family: Prominent house from Zadash, now disgraced due to its Lord's corruption.
 * Truscan family: Longtime allies of the Dwendalian bloodline, and unofficial rulers of the Truscan Vale.

There are also some families and clans that, even though they lack a title or a settlement, they gain prominence in different ways:
 * Arness family: Family known for their connections within the merchant guilds of the Empire.
 * Felder clan: Halfling clan that gave name to Felderwin.
 * Odakar clan: Orcish clan, once affiliated to the Julous Dominion, that became militar allies to the Empire.
 * Uludan family: Athesias Uludan is a member of the Cerberus Assembly and Zhafe Uludan is marquis of the Nicodranas.

The Crownsguard

 * &rarr; Main article: Crownsguard.

The Crownsguard is a paramilitary gendarmerie that serves as the primary law enforcement arm of the Dwendalian Empire, as well as its military reserve. They are sent throughout each major city in order to keep the peace, while also acting as a national secret police that observes and eliminates any opponents to King Bertrand Dwendal's reign. Their standard uniform and equipment consists of vermilion or maroon robes, bronze scale mail breast and arm plates, a shield, greaves, a helmet, a crossbow, and a basic longsword.

The Righteous Brand

 * &rarr; Main article: Righteous Brand.

The Righteous Brand is the military of the Dwendalian Empire. They wear plate mail with a silver and dark crimson design. They (along with the Crownsguard) are trained in Bladegarden.

Laws
As judged by the eyes of the local lawmaster, appointed hands of the lawmaster, or the The Lawbearer herself, any criminals discovered and/or convicted of crimes within local halls of judgement throughout the empire are subject to punishment befitting the crime. All fines and punishments for crimes against a Crownsguard member, Righteous Brand soldier, or noble are doubled. All fines and punishments regarding crimes against an imperial official of the Cerberus Assembly are tripled.


 * Theft: 5-10 days incarceration and/or a fine of twice the worth of the stolen goods.
 * Worship of Non-Empire Gods: 30 days incarceration and a fine of 250 gp.
 * Slavery: 12-20 months incarceration and a fine of 1800 gp.
 * Trespassing: 12 days incarceration and/or fine of 215 gp.
 * Tax Evasion: 5-30 days incarceration and a repossession of property equal to the amount owed.
 * Damage to Private Property: 5-15 days incarceration or a fine of twice the worth of property damaged.
 * Damage to Crown Property: 15-60 days incarceration and a fine of twice the worth of property damaged.
 * Kidnapping: 60 days incarceration and/or a fine of 800 gp.
 * Assault with Intent to Injure: 30 days incarceration and/or a fine of 350 gp.
 * Assault with Intent to Kill: 250 days incarceration and/or a fine of 1800 gp, or execution.
 * Murder: 8-15 years incarceration, and/or a fine of 6000 gp, or execution.
 * Treason: Execution.

Religion
Around 545 P.D., shortly after the end of the Marrow War, there was a rebellion within the Julous Dominion against the Empire and Emperor Manfried Dwendal, led in large part by many priests of the various religions using religion as their cause. As a result, Mannfried sought to abolish all religious worship within the Empire, but this crackdown further fueled the rebellion. When the rebellion was eventually quashed, a handful of gods that fit easily within the overall goals of the Empire were chosen as "approved". The deities that were chosen were those that fit within its ideas of society and knowledge, and aligned with its goals.

Every temple in the Dwendalian Empire is government-owned and government-run. Religious practices are considered a social taboo, and the Empire looks down on divine magic with general disdain. Worship of unapproved deities (e.g. The Changebringer) results in imprisonment on charges of "idol worship". In Zadash, worked into the government structure, heralds run each shrine. They all give sermons and counsel to anyone who requires it.

The Current Approved Deities 
 * Bahamut_Icon_(s)_grey_2.png Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon


 * Lawbearer_Icon,_Grey_2.png Erathis, the Law-Bearer


 * Ioun_Icon_(EGW_Style)_Grey_2.png Ioun, the Knowing Mentor


 * Allhammer_Icon_g2.png Moradin, the All-Hammer


 * Pelor_Icon_Grey_2.png Pelor, the Dawn Father


 * Matron_of_Ravens_Icon_Grey_2.png The Raven Queen, Matron of Death

History
The Zemnian people were left desolated by the events of the Calamity, struggling to survive in the harsh climate of north Western Wynandir. With the founding of the city of Rexxentrum, civilization once more began to grow, and eventually in 539 PD, Manfried Dwendal became the first Emperor of the newly-established Dwendalian Empire.

Expansion

 * &rarr; Main article: Marrow War.

The Dwendalian Empire spread to encompass its neighbors - namely, the peoples of the Zemni Fields and the Marrow Valley - before finally conquering the Julous Dominion in about 545 PD. With the Empire's victory in the Marrow War, all of Western Wynandir was controlled by the Dwendalian Empire. In the tense atmosphere following the end of the war, as a propaganda move hearkening back to the kings and queens of the Age of Arcanum, Emperor Manfried Dwendal proclaimed that henceforth he would be known as "King" of the Dwendalian Empire.

Zadash was the last remaining bastion of the previous government over the Marrow Valley. However, eventually it was conquered and the whole Marrow Valley became a province of the Dwendalian Empire. With the conquest of the Marrow Valley, Zadash is now the most central and second largest city in the kingdom. This has made Zadash an important center for travel and trade.

War With Xhorhas

 * &rarr; Main article: War of Ash and Light.

On the third of Fessuran 835 PD word reached Starosta Wyatt of Zadash that the Ashguard Garrison at the Brokenveil Bluffs had fallen to the Kryn Empire. With accounts numbering the dead at over a thousand, war was formally declared against the Kryn Dynasty. This conflict became known as the War of Ash and Light. It ended with a peace treaty signed on 11 Unndilar 836 between representatives of the Dynasty and the Empire meeting on ships in the Lucidian Ocean south of the Whitedawn Lagoon.



Trivia

 * It is unknown if the Dwendalian Empire approves of any religious holidays (even for the Empire's approved deities).
 * The word starosta comes from Czech. It refers to a position of the same name within the town/city council that is equal to the position of the mayor in America. It is also translated as such.
 * This conforms with the Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting's description of the Dwendalian Empire's lifestyle and architecture pulling "from 15th century gothic eastern Europe and Russia".