Who shall know what is, but he who seeks it?

Who shall know the answer to a question but he who asks it?

Knowledge is power, they say... but even more, knowledge is knowledge.

The Libararian's Books

Salinia: The Kingdom of the Dregs of Darkness

Salinia is a new kingdom, aggressive and raw – and was birthed as a kingdom when rival outcasts from all over the world banded together. Their numbers were initially so diminished by this deadly rivalry in the desert regions beyond the Baltherese Mountains that eventually they saw sense, and decided they were more likely to survive if they worked together. Thus came about the period known as the Banding, a period roughly 250 years ago from this 16th year of the Gryffon – during a time when Corwyth's Empire was undergoing some internal upheaval (due to the heir to the Throne attempting several times to usurp the Imperial authority) and had little time or resources for external worries.

Fifty years later, the Banding period had solidified, and the Kingdom of Salinia was born. That year, 200 years ago, corresponded with a change in rulership in Corwyth, and was the 213th year of the Horn, and also the 1st year of the Camelepard. It is unknown why the new Emperor of that time, Emperor Bostralo, did not deal with Salinia by making it part of the Corwythian Empire and extracting the usual taxes from it in exchange for military, economic, and artistic support, but one thing is clear: the Treaty of Nichtfechten was signed at this time, and all the succeeding Emperors and Empresses of Corwyth have honoured its policy of non-invasion, non-aggression, and so on as regards Salinia. There have been an unusually high number of rulers since that time, for Emperor Bostralo died mysteriously (as mysteriously as his predecessor, Emperor Darun the Wise), and his successor, Empress Volya, was thought to have been murdered by her son Glith, who ruled for mere months before taking his own life in full view of his people, claiming insanely that he would not die. He misjudged, obviously… but he was succeeded by the father of Empress Almirena, the Emperor Agarlus, and also by the father of Emperor Sciefyr. These distantly related men both had an equal claim to the throne, and rather than fight, they agreed to co-rule. Their rulership was long and successful, and their joy when their two children married was great, for the peacefulness and prosperity of the Empire seemed secure.

The formation of Salinia is an interesting one, and of recent years this has become increasingly more important to Corwythian concerns, since Salinia has actively pursued a course of infiltration and subtle strikes against the kingdom. Some say that Salinia, as insane as the idea may seem, plots to take over Corwyth. Of a certainty, as has been established by secret dispatches sent by Corwythian travellers to Salinia and, later, by spies for the Corwythian Empire, Salinia has for some time been quietly attempting to gather information about Corwyth, and also attempting to place individuals loyal to it in positions of authority. Its attempts to do so have largely been thwarted by the magical protection around Corwyth, cast and established by Spelucetia and her line, as well as the protection afforded by control of the Elements by the four Bishops. A late-to-emerge fact gives further elucidation of the power of the Empire, and that lies in the Imperial Rulers' powers. Although in every respect human, the Emperors and Empresses of Corwyth have, almost without exception (one notable exception springs to mind), a remarkable power known as the Imperial Power. Exactly what this power is capable of is not known, and it is certain that the vigour of this power is variable, and can depend upon a number of factors.

Nonetheless, none of the formidable intangible powers aforementioned, nor the extraordinary military and naval power of Corwyth, have prevented Salinia from attemping subversively to wreak its will upon the Empire. For this reason, it is important to understand the nature of those who formed Salinia as a Kingdom, especially since most of the founders are still living (being of some of the long-lived races).

Those who control Salinia are, without question, users of Black Arts. Many were expelled from various Magical Institutions for attempting to control the Dark Side, and others were thieves and assassins of such depravity that their brethren expelled them from the rather primitive precursors to Guilds that existed at that time. This collection of depraved individuals congregated somehow in the desert area beyond the Balthereze Mountains, and by finding the Lake Scelera (the only water source in that region), they managed to establish a camp. Their aim was control – control by any means necessary. They were prevented from immediately spreading their influence (as their numbers grew), by the tight-knit Corwythian Empire, and although the Salinians essayed a foray or two against the Empire, they quickly realised their error in doing so, and desisted from any such overt attacks.

Over the fifty years of the Banding, the Salinians succeeded in establishing a kingdom. This was accomplished remarkably quickly – which gives rise to the oft-repeated speculations that this was performed by Black Magic. No definite information on this head has been obtained, but there is no doubt that the founders of Salinia COULD have used such arts. The Salinians initially survived by preying upon unwary travellers and merchants, and while it is possible that they amassed sufficient wealth to establish the Kingdom, it is puzzling that they managed to do so in such a short time.

At any rate, the kingdom stretches the breadth of the Mountains, and its length is roughly the same. Its outskirts are girded by a tall wall, through which entry can be obtained only through the various gates. Within the Kingdom of Salinia, the capital is also known as Salinia, and this capital is exactly in the middle of the Kingdom. There are magic portals from the centre to each of the gates, enabling swift transporation from the outskirts to the capital. However, these portals are locked, and can only be used by the rulers of Salinia.

The kingdom is divided into four regions: Salnord, Salsud, Salost, and Salwest. The economy of the kingdom depends heavily upon what is termed "imports", but might cause the dubious to dub it "thievery." Slavery is officially frowned upon, as Corwyth has made it clear that THAT would not be tolerated, but it is difficult to say whether this is strictly enforced in Salinia. The Dark Arts are specifically taught in the capital's University of Arcania, and the Thieves' Guild is huge. It is sometimes said that the only requirement for entry into the Thieves' Guild is to be born in Salinia.

The government of Salinia is an extraordinarily complicated set-up. In some respects, Schlechtius Magus is the most powerful ruler, but then again, Obsid Zauber is also powerful. There are other mages/thieves who exercise power, including Aspo the Widow-Maker, Verstol the Splinter, and so on… and many below them on the rungs of power jostle for supremacy. The head of the Secret Service is Unsar Arz, but it could be Blicken Stalis, or even the young but aggressive Registus Stolzus. Spies sent out to work in the field must be wary lest they report to the wrong superior, and a complicated series of protective passwords have been devised, a measure which does little to clear up the confusion. This may in part explain the somewhat garbled information gathered thus far by Salinia against Corwyth.

How many spies Salinia has sent into Corwyth is moot… but that there are some is beyond doubt. Corwythian citizens therefore have a duty to maintain the security of the Empire by exercising discretion. As matters stand, Salinians are not prevented from entering Corwyth, but must submit to thorough searches upon entry, and upon intense scrutiny while on the island. Needless to say, such measures are not regarded with favour by those who would work against the good of the Empire, and thus intense secrecy is maintained.

Of course, the Salinians, with their love of secrecy, would probably be JUST as clandestine in any case – it is a well-known saying that the Salinian left hand not only doesn't know what its right hand is doing, even its FINGERS conspire against each other.