What Kind of World is This?
The landscape is as varied as it is beautiful, containing all the biomes and climates of the natural world, from scorching deserts in the north to icy tundras in the south, and everything in between—dense forests, sprawling grasslands, marshy wetlands, and towering mountains. Hinterdom is the size of a small continent, taking roughly ten days to cross on horseback, and is dotted with hundreds of small villages and farms, along with around a dozen larger towns, and even a few urban cities.
Hinterdom is a land that thrives with community life and cooperative spirit. The technology of Hinterdom is a blend of ingenuity and resourcefulness, featuring glasswork, printing presses, and windmills, all reflective of the industrious spirit of its people.
The Three Kingdoms
The inhabitants of Hinterdom are organized into three primary groups: the Mammalia, Aves, and Herpetón kingdoms. Unlike typical geopolitical entities, these kingdoms are self-governing confederacies, defined more by species affinity than strict territorial borders.
Each kingdom consists of many different tribes and communities, loosely allied under a common cultural banner. The societies of Hinterdom value balance, nature, and mutual respect, with each kingdom contributing to the health and prosperity of the land in its own way.
Abbeys and the Spiritual Heart of Hinterdom
Hinterdom is also home to numerous abbeys and monasteries, devoted to various gods and spiritual practices. These abbeys are not only centers of religious devotion but also serve as sanctuaries offering healing, hospitality, schooling, and counsel to all inhabitants of Hinterdom.
They are places where weary travelers find rest, the injured receive care, and the young are taught. The monks and clerics of these abbeys play a crucial role in maintaining the social fabric of Hinterdom, nurturing both the body and the spirit of the community.
The Hinterwatch
One of the land’s most cherished traditions is the Hinterwatch, a vital ranger network that includes members from all three kingdoms. The Hinterwatch operates across the entirety of Hinterdom, offering protection, information, and guidance to villages and travelers.
Rangers move freely between regions, providing a sense of unity in the otherwise distinct territories, acting as scouts, protectors, and messengers
The Threat of the Kolumbidae Empire
In recent decades, a foreign power known as the Kolumbidae Empire has begun to encroach upon Hinterdom. Human soldiers and merchants, sent by the Empire, arrived by ship with ambitions of colonization. Drawn by the natural wealth of Hinterdom, the Kolumbidae Empire has established ports, mines, and logging operations, claiming Hinterdom’s resources for their own gain.
The Empire has shown a willingness to use force and violence to achieve their aims, including their latest technology of cannons mounted on ships. Their presence has grown steadily, raising concerns among the locals that they may soon attempt to seize more control over Hinterdom.
