Danuch

The Druids once ruled most of what is now Weidany. Backed by the power of the Elders, they ruled through magic and fear. With the coming of the Rornic people however, the power of the Druids was broken, and they were driven back to a small corner of their lands. This place is now called Danuch.

Danuch is a hilly, lightly forested land, heavily populated compared to neighbouring regions. During the 960s, a great plague swept across the southern half of the kingdom, killing many people. The Arch Druid declared the land cursed, and ordered that everyone move north. Most did so, leaving the south practically deserted. These lands were eventually annexed by Weidany, and became the shire of Scarondy.

Geography

Glas Caer, the Grey Wall, is the western boundary of Danuch. It is foothills and heathland generally left alone except by those unable to find a home on the lowlands. It is said to be haunted by the spirits of the dead, commanded by powers of the Ice.

The eastern boundary is mostly defined by either of the Scaedwen or Tuffin woods. The latter is made up of typical woodland, and the edges are used as a source of timber. Attempts to encroach too far into the woods are driven back by the Rangers.

The Scaedwen forst is a different matter entirely, and is generally considered to be home to dark spirits and fell beasts.

The rest of Danuch is fertile and heavily populated. There are few large towns however, for most of the population is rural. Travel and trade is limited.

Politics and Government

Danuch is a kingdom, and as such it has a king who is the nominal ruler of the country. In the case of Danuch however, the king is dead. He sits on his throne in his hall, and presides at important meetings of government. He has done so for as long as anyone can remember. Officially he is alive and well, served by his chief advisor the Arch Druid. Unofficially he is dead, and the Arch Druid rules the kingdom with an iron fist.

The current Arch Druid is Malach, and he rules from the stone citadel at Du Caerfa.

The People

The Druids rule Danuch, using fear and tradition to keep a tight control over what everyone does. It has been this way for at least 500 years, and the Druids are descended from those who worshipped the Elders since before the time of the Betrayel.