Borovia

Borovia

Revised Arms 825 WK
Status	County Palatine
Location	North-East of Midheim.
Area	~3500 square miles.
Geography	Rugged foothills and deep forest, small settlements.
Population	~5,000 (825 WK)
Urbanisation	70%
Languages –Common –Elven –Reichspiel –Barovian –Erelheine –Literacy	90% 30% 25% 20% 15% 20+% (mostly urban)
Exports
Imports

The County Palatine of Borovia is located north-east of Midheim in the foothills of the Drachenzahnberge Mountains at the farthest navigable point of the Ruv River. Occupying some 3,500 square miles most of the County is rugged foothills and deep old growth forest with relatively few settled areas.

Settlements consist of one major town Borovia (population: approx 3,000), one smaller town Vallaki and a number of villages in the surrounding farming areas.

People of the County

Prior to the 813 WK invasion the population of Borovia was around 12,000: 8,000 human [including 2,000 native (Old) Borovians, and 1,000 Domani.], 1,500 elves, 1,000 halflings, 700 dwarves, 500 Erelheine, and 300 other races.

Current population (as at end of 825 WK) is perhaps half that. Contributing factors are a lack of accommodations and reluctance of some former inhabitants who resettled in Borovia Hold to move again.

There is no official religion, but about 10% of the population (mostly the older native Borovians) have some association with the Raphaelite sect of the Elohim. There is some adherence to other religions, including Erelheine animism.

Trade

There is no official currency, but most common currencies can be freely exchanged, and merchants from many parts of the Baronies can be found in Borovia. Trade runs south along the new road into Midheim, by river down through Borderlay, by canal (via subterranean tunnel) to Alfheim, and by permanent portal gate to the city of Kyoshin in Kinlu.

Armed Forces

The use of militia-only and lack of a standing army has been accepted as a contributor to the ease with which the Drow occupied Borovia. Post-825 changes include the formation of permanent guards and two military orders:

Order of the Silver Dragon

• Technically reformed as the original incarnation of this order predated the Vampire and was destroyed during his reign.
• Head of the order is Lady Alexandra Anestasiova.
• Alexandra re-created the order to inspire the Borovian exiles, tapping into the old stories and myths of knights that stood against the darkness.
• Headquarters established at the Burgsilber ruins. Work is underway to rebuild the castle.

Order of the Ebon Wing

Created for the Exiles training as rangers and covert operatives.

• Ravens trained in wilderness survival, tracking, shadowing enemy forces, etc.
  • The Ravens are led by Valentina Belasco (Borovian native, mid-20s in 825 WK, was only a teen at time of the invasion).
• Crows trained in stealthy direct action to decapitate enemy formations.
  • The Crows as led by Laszlo Radanavich (Domani, mid-30s in 825 WK).

The Borovian Guard

More conventional trained soldiery intended to

• provide visible patrols on roads throughout the County,
• to operate border posts,
• act as a reaction force in the case of invasion or significant bandit activity.

The Borovian Guard in 825 WK are well equipped with dwarven-made arms and armour and are in the process of setting up defensible outposts with fresh horses are key locations.

Borovian Navy

There is also the Borovian Navy, comprising both river and lake boats and (rather unusually) ocean going vessels that operate on land.

• The fleet is commanded by Admiral Silverfoam

Settlements

Borovia Town

Borovia Town had a population of ~5,000 prior to the Drow Invasion of 813 WK. It was finally liberated in Summer 825 WK but was by then virtually destroyed. Many of the dwellings that had survived the initial attacks succumbed over the next decade due to the blizzard weather used to defend the area, and the few sturdy buildings being used for quartering troops in 825 suffered badly in the attacks to drive out the drow. Many of the damaged buildings were subsequently demolished after surveying by dwarven engineers.

A notable exception is the large inn and public house "Blood o' the Vine" which came through the twelve years of occupation virtually unscathed.

Rebuilding from Summer 825 has begun to reclaim the town but it is expected to be some years before the population reaches pre-invasion levels.

Vallaki

A small town on the southern shores of the Rabensee (Lake of the Raven). Vallaki was outside of the worst of the Drow's weather effects but many were still ruined over the course of the twelve years of occupation. Some rebuilding is taking place here as of 825 WK but the emphasis has been on getting the docks reopened so that canal traffic can be accommodated once that is reopened (expected end of 826).

Points of Interest

Rabenschloß

Seat of government is the Rabenschloß (Castle of the Raven) which stands on a high bluff overlooking Borovia town. Heads of State since 787 WK are Countess Anestasia Desiree and Count Kree Taijin.

Head of the civil government is Mayor Ismark.

Mechanician's Guild and Seige Warfare training facility

An unusual point of interest is the Mechanician's Guild and Seige Warfare training facility run by Katerina, daughter of the late Duke Frederick of Aquila and wife of Baron Silverfoam, Admiral of Borovia, which lies at the foot of the hill upon which is perched the resplendant blue-and-silver Chateau Neuf-de-Pap, the Baronial abode.

Kinlu Portal

Inactive in the aftermath of the liberation.

A large inari torii (gate in the Kinlu fashion) spanning a road in Borovia Town that provides permanent public access to the city of Kyoshin in Kinlu.

Built in 788 by mages from Kinlu the Torii was instrumental in establishing Borovia as a trade hub between the local Duchies (now the Western Kingdom, Alfheim, and the distant eastern lands.

During the Drow occupation the gate was redirected to connect with the Elven Isles, providing a vital supply line to the invaders. Actions by a Guild party resulted in the portal's control being wrested from the Drow at the point the liberation forces arrived, preventing both reinforcements and retreat.

The portal remained inert for the rest of Summer 825 WK but in the Autumn contact with Kinlu was re-established, though additional security measures now exist on the Kinlu end.

New Portal

The "New Portal" was initially established as a temporary portal immediately after the 825 WK liberation and converted in Spring 825 to a permanent portal. Open to the public it links Borovia Town with Borovia Hold at the foot of the Superstition Mountains. The portal has been set up to support the many dwarven masons, builders, engineers, and miners heading north into the County, and the mineral wealth of the Dragonspine mountains that is being shipped South.

History

825 WK

Autumn 825

Rebuilding of Borovia begins.

Kinlu portal reopened.

Permanent portal established to Borovia Hold

Summer 825

Exile's Raven Baner

A multi-pronged attack is launched against the few remaining Drow forces.

The allied liberation force comprises:

• Borovia Hold soldiers and militia under Lady Alexandra Anestasiova, daughter of Countess Anestasia, transported in by Baron Silverfoam's ground travelling ships.
• Dwarves from the Superstition Mountains reinforced by some Axe Alliance troops.
• A contingent of Alfheim, Elvandar, and Beltan elves.
• Several sonae of Kinlu troops.
• A host of spectral knights of the Silver Dragon, called from beyond the grave to defend the land to which their oaths bound them.
• One dragon
• A Guild party.

After a day's hard fighting in multiple areas around the County the much diminished enemy forces are defeated. Many of the human auxiliaries surrender, while the remnants of the Golden Desert Wolves retreat through the portal that unexpectedly fails to take them to the Elven Isles. Their whereabouts remain unknown. Confronted by a dragon-led spectral host the remaining commanders at Rabenschloß make use of one of Count Kree's extra-planar portals and escape to "Earth".

A fuller accounting of the action first recounted in the Seagate Times Issue 126, Autumn 825.

822 - 824 WK

Mining mostly ceased post-821. Levels of silt and pollution flowing down the Ruv decrease over these years. There is still considerable ash on the ground to the north-est of Borovia Town but the sulphurous and poisoned air has mostly cleared.

Weather in the area centred on Borovia Town and radiating out to Vallaki remains appalling. This is however a reduction in area from before; while defences are being kept in place the number of mages available to maintain them has been reduced.

Troop numbers further decreased, more shuffled back home to ease supply issues. Many of the buildings in what remains of the town of Borovia are ruined while those still usable are home to the remaining regiment in the Borovia town area, the Golden Desert Wolves, while the poor quality Dozar City Regional Guard hold the town of Vallaki, and a large mercenary company are stationed in the south and west. The few remaining nobles and leaders continue to occupy Rabenschloß.

821 WK

Actions taken in Not just a simple comb further weaken the Drow in Borovia and crucially introduce a temporal uncertainty around the the retasked Kinlu portal.

With failure of Borovian ritual the value of holding the area is significantly decreased. Disagreements arise regarding retention of Borovia and Elven Isles.

The Elven Isles to Terranova portal begins to go slowly out of alignment. Portal becomes increasingly laggy, transport time begins slipping: 25 hours, 26 hours…

819 - 820 WK

Western Alusian merchants pressured to not supply the Drow on the Elven Isles, shipments are interdicted, and ships seized. The Elven Isles under effective blockade outside range of land-based defences increasing reliance on direct transport from Terranova via portal.

Occupying forces on islands reduction to ease supply issues. Troop numbers decreased, more being shuffled back home. Slaves/sacrifices used but not replaced at same rate.

818 WK

Borovia as at Winter 817

Borovia remains occupied by a stubborn remainder of the 813 WK Drow invasion of western Alusia. The tunnel between Alfhiem and Borovia has been closed for years. The Borovia portal to Kinlu has been retasked to act as a two way portal between Borovia and the Elven Isles.

Defensive works have been thrown up to the south and west of Borovia. Western Kingdom forces a stationed there to prevent any forces within Borovia crossing into Midheim.

A large portion of the general population of Borovia who escaped as poor refugees are now living in the "new town" of Borovia Hold near the Superstition Mountains Dwarves south of Carzala. In recent years the younger Borovians have been training as soldiers under dwarven teachers.

The Elven Isles has been sold to the Kingdom of Destiny and is said to still be largely occupied by the Drow. Few details are known at this stage. The Elvish Court of Alfhiem wishes to have the Drow removed from Borovia ASAP, and hopefully, information which will assist the liberation of the Elven Isles.

The Elvish Court of Alfhiem have requested that Ambassador Isil Eth to support any mission by way of - Coin, Land & Favours, as she sees fit.

In Winter of 818 the Black Fleet of Lord Azzur is no longer working with Drow and supplies to the Elven Isles from Western Alusia (Calder, etc) become increasingly difficult.

817 WK

Most of the forest north of town has been milled and is now a large open mine.

816 WK

Silverfoam is actively paying ~20,000 sp per quarter to the Dwarves of the Superstition Mountain for the upkeep costs.

815 WK

Silverfoam gets a message -

Count Kree was lost in the fighting and was reportedly captured by a serpent snake creature working for the Drow and then sold as a 'charmed' servant of the Ruby Savior (formally the Ruby Scourge). The Ruby Savior sent Silverfoam a message to come find his former master in the Pagan Mountains (the wild dangerous area north of the Duchy of Brandenburg). The Ruby Savior wants Silverfoam to come and get his master.

Silverfoam failed to recover Kree. It is said by the top clairvoyant Alfhiem that without Axis Silverfoam will fail.

814 WK

Silverfoam is actively paying ~20,000 sp per quarter to the Dwarves of the Superstition Mountain for the upkeep costs.

813 WK Drow Invasion

An Elite group or Mages and Mercenaries (which was the closest the Guild saw to an extremely strong military) quickly took control of Borovia. A large portion of the general population of Borovia escaped as poor refugees.

Baron Silverfoam got out around +90% of the population (around 11,00 people) by surprise ships that could travel over land (who would have guessed).

They were settled by Silverfoam in the Superstition Mountain Dwarven stronghold where they are currently still guests.

The Elite Drow army holding the portal which once went to Kinlu now goes to the Elven Isles which are in Drow hands (mostly - totally).

Count Kree was said to be killed allowing for Countess Anestasia Desiree to make it safely away with her guard and family to Kinlu or Alfhiem - later relocating to Borovia Hold.

The Royal Court of Alfhiem close the trade tunnel and canal between Borovia and Wintergarden of Alfhiem.

The Royal Court of Alfhiem have made it clear to Silverfoam that they wish him to clean up his mess (Borovia and Elven Isles).

795 WK

Borovia town map from 795 WK.

790 WK

Count Kree Taijin opens the tunnel to the Queendom of Alfheim

788 WK

Trade portal to Kinlu opened.

Although unknown at the time, a Guild party interferes in its construction.

786 WK

The fear in Borovia is lifted.

786 WK

The Vampire of Borovia