Pajas Völgy
Pajas Völgy (Pajas Valley) is the southernmost Comitat of Boljova, with Lybkovria to the northeast and a northern border with Kopca Divoký. The Mogu River, known colloquially as the ‘Little Mogu’ runs from the Challieann Mountains, through Lake Rabezko and through the seat at Var Pajasai as the ‘True Mogu’ before leaving the Vojvodina to empty into the Temesh River. The Pajev River, which lends the region its name, also feeds into Rabezko from the mountains. The Tacha and Ornok rivers feed Lake Chirsa in central Pajas Völgy and the Tacha continues on to feed into Lake Gradesh. The Padetza and Archom rivers feed the Deep Lake, which then feeds into Lozarel and empties into Gradesh itself. Other than the small valley carved out by the Mogu River southeast of Vár Pajasai, the region is entirely composed of rocky, forested hills and deep vales, becoming gradually more steep before rising into the peaks of the Challieann mountains.
The seat of the Comitat, Vár Pajasai, is primarily a military fortification under the command of the Pârcălab Konrad of House Temežlav. Konrad was a former Bȃn who served well under the Voievod Ljupcho in resisting the rebellious Boltjovan Legions. Upon the defeat of the Legions at the Battle of Bazresh Fields, Konrad was raised to the Comitat of one of the defeated rebellious nobles, Boris of House Zorsav. Something of a counter-balance to his Voievod’s viciousness with the rebellious Comitat, the Pârcălab Konrad has proven to be more even-handed in dealing with former rebels, extending amnesty to those rebels who were not captured and willing to return peacefully to their former lives. Vár Pajasai, ravaged but unfallen in the rebellion, is rapidly being rebuilt and reinforced.
Pajas Völgy has three small towns that serve as the trade centers of the Comitat: troubled Bogonci, wealthy and rough Dran, developing Mashi and the remote outpost of Padetz.
Bogonci is a small town nestled between two large hills known locally for its wool production. At one time, it was a major center of metalsmithing in the region, but internal strife in the local Guild of Smiths lead to the loss of several major Masters and the town has yet to recover its former dominance in metalworks. Under the Bȃn František of the tiny House Dragomir, Bogonci was something of a lawless town, known to be a center for smuggling and with quite a few brothels and drinking houses. František himself remained relatively neutral in the rebellion, claiming that the Banat of Bogoncia needed his direct attention to recover its markets (rumors suggest he was in the pocket of some local criminal elements who were funding the rebellion). These connections did not seem enough to preserve the Bȃn, however, as he was recently murdered, along with several prominent town leaders, in a barn fire by reputed rebels. His young wife, Mirna of House Vãduva, has since assumed sole leadership of the town, though few expect her capable of ruling effectively.
Dran is a remote town in the northern hills of Pajas Völgy that was one of the centers of the recent rebellion by the defeated House Zorsav. Upon conclusion of the war, the former Bȃn was executed for his participation and the Banat given to the son of the Pârcălab Konrad, Srećko of House Temežlav. Dran is known for dog training (primarily guard and hunting dogs), wool production and agriculture (particularly cabbage, a staple of the region). It is also home to several major inns and taverns, most of which are associated with the Church of Pavor Longshanks, god of travel, the dominant church in the town. The semi-annual Dran Fair is an important event for the region, where many hillfolk make the trip to Dran to purchase much-needed supplies for the year and re-establish necessary trade agreements. Vár Dranova, the town’s castle, is an important fortification in the region and the base of most of the infrequent patrols on the northern roads of the Banat. Much to the new Bȃn’s lament, the other major fortification in the Banat is Věž Dražova, a small stronghold of the worshipers of Britomaris the Rogue, goddess of Thieves, not three miles up the Padetza river from Dran proper.
Mashi is the main town that serves Vár Pajasai, lying only about five miles northeast along the Bogonci Road. Another town who saw its Bȃn executed for treason, the current Bȃn is Feliks of House Kárpáti, a minor but rising star in the small noble house who was rewarded for service in the army of Pârcălab Konrad during the rebellion. Despite recent turmoil, Mashi is the town that replaced Bogonci as the primary source of metalworks in the region and the town has recovered quickly under the able, if somewhat stern, guidance of Bȃn Feliks. The Church of Mulciber the Forgemaster is well established in the town, though Bȃn Feliks’ patronage of the Church of Zelos Goldenhand, god the state, has brought the latter church into prominence.
The small town of Padetz, high in the Challieann Mountains, is one of the more remote Dracian settlements, situated high in Padetza Völgy (Padetza Valley). Ruled by the steady hand of Bȃn Vladimir of House Tzoresc, Padetz is known for its hardy, headstrong folk who work long hours in the nearby iron mines and are often called upon to defend the valley against ogre raiders from higher up in the mountains. Padetz remained loyal to the Voievod and the Crown of Dracia in the recent rebellions, closing off the valley to all but trusted traders bringing foodstuffs into the valley. Unsurprisingly, Baelthor Stonehands, god of earth, is the predominant Church in the valley and is worshiped by the vast majority of its inhabitants, including the Bȃn Vladimir.
Due in part to the rebellious and often criminal nature of its inhabitants, the Comitat is dotted with a large number of fortifications of various sizes throughout its rocky hills. Vár Rabezko, situated on a promontory in Lake Rabezko near the Pajev River, is one of the strongest castles in the Banat, ruled by the Domn Bernard of House Tzoresc. Basta Erod is a small moathouse on the border of the Banat with Temeshava, commanded by Bȃn Bor of House Lyubka and supported by a small but fanatical contingent of paladins of Galea the Triumphant, goddess of victory.
As with most of Dracia, the Church of Minos the Cockerel, god of commerce, is dominant in the region, though Baelthor Stonehands, god of earth, and his son, Mulciber the Forgemaster have no small amount of adherents among miners and craftsmen in the region.
Pokladna Vysoký (the High Treasury), is one of the many treasuries dedicated to Minos the Cockerel sprinkled throughout Dracia. Located north of Vár Pajasai, the Pokladna is the primary treasury for Pârcălab Konrad and many of his Bȃns. It is thus well fortified and protected, both by the champions of Minos and civilian guards who are regularly posted on rotation to the Monastery. The spiritual leader of the Pokladna is Father Karel of House Temežlav, known to be a rough but able priest who balances the economic, defensive and spiritual needs of his community. Hrad Zlatý Kyjak (Temple of the Golden Sword) is a significant chapterhouse of the Order of the Golden Sword, a group of champions and priests dedicated to protecting the followers and interests of Minos the Cockerel, god of commerce. Lead by Brother David the Quick of Minos, the champions of the Order serve as a moderating influence in the central hills of the Banat and, though they remained neutral in the recent rebellion, they worked to protect trade throughout the lake regions during the war from the depredations of both sides.
Other major religious centers include:
- Chodba Reťazí, the Hall of Chains, is a temple of Alecto the Scourge, goddess of pain, technically lies within the borders of the Banat, but is so deep in the mountains that few know of its precise location.
- Věž Dražova is a small keep near the town of Dran dedicated to Britomaris the Rogue, goddess of thieves. Led by the wily bard Brother Dražen (after whom the keep is named), the brothers and sisters of the Rogue are generally despised by the nobility and embraced by the criminal element in the region, which traditionally has had a strangle-hold on commerce in the region. With the arrival of Bȃn Srećko of House Temežlav in Dran, however, it is believed it is only a matter of time before the secular authorities find reason to siege and take the keep from Britomaris’ worshippers, breaking them in the region for once and for all (at least, that is the presumption).
- Chobda Kosti (the Hall of Bone), a monastery of worshipers of Cthos the Doomsayer, god of death, sits atop a high mountain in the eastern part of the Banat. Its mute, masked priests mostly keep to themselves and are generally avoided on the rare occasion they visit the nearby village of Zhinsko for supplies.
- Tulca (The Quiver) is a small temple of Cottus the Archer, god of lightning, situated on a high hill just northwest of the village of Siramir, overlooking Lake Chirsa. Lead by Father Ninosav, the temple is generally despised by the worshipers of Baelthor Stonehands and his children, though as many of the priests offer their services to the nobility as archery trainers, few secular rulers are willing to take a stand against Father Ninosav and the Cotti priests there.
- Chobda Snov (House of Dreams) is a small temple dedicated to the worship of Hypnos the Phantasm, goddess of dreams. Lead by the enigmatic Mother Karmela of House Lyubka, the seers of the Phantasm tend to keep out of local politics, though they are often hosts to those seeking understanding of portents and omens.
- Hram Oceľ is one of the major temples to Kratos the Steelhand, god of war, in the region and its leader, Master Serjeant Branimir, has experienced no small rise in prominence among mercenaries and soldiers alike throughout the Banat. The Church is generally disliked by the local nobility for supporting both sides of the recent rebellion, though none have yet tried take on the Church for its mixed allegiances.
- Kolostor Právo (Monastery of Justice) is a small monastery dedicated to the worship of Meliboea the Farseer, goddess of justice. Located on the road south of Dran on the shores of the Omok River, the monastery is intended to be a place of reflection on justice and worship of the Farseer herself, though its proximity to Věž Dražova, a keep dedicated to Britomaris the Rogue, often results in a need by the monks to facilitate or participate in patrolling local roads for bandits and meting out justice to those they feel have become above the law. Mother Zdenka, the leader of the temple, is known to be wise but aging monk and there is some concern that she will be replaced by a younger and more spirited Abbess in the near future, which is likely to lead to increased conflict with the worshipers of the Rogue and those who enjoy certain protections of the law that the Farseer may see as injust.
- Kováčňaveliteľ Pevnost (Fortress of the Forgemaster) is one of the most significant religious sites in the Vojvodina for the worship of Mulciber the Forgemaster, god of smithing. Seat of the Diocese of West Dracia for the Forgemaster, Bishop Ljubomir of House Neculai has vast influence well beyond the borders of the region, both among miners and smiths. He’s known to be an enchanter himself of no small repute and several of the nobles in the region possess weapons or armor crafted by the Bishop himself.
- The Kolostor z Ruky (Monastery of the Hand), located along the Tacha River between Lake Chirsa and Lake Gradesh, is a monastery dedicated to the worship of Virtus the Hand, god of courage. Though mainly intended as a home for convalescent monks who worshiped Virtus, Father Rudolf is an active leader who often travels to nearby towns and villages to preach on the need for courage among the citizens of the Comitat, particularly against the criminals and raiders who often plague the hillfolk (or enrich them!).
Personalities
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