Buyleist

For many generations, Buyleist was significantly weaker than its neighbor nation, Unjaarn. Buyleist’s rulers lived under the constant shadow of fear that Unjaar would decide to invade them or cut them off from international trade, and unfortunately this did come to pass a couple generations ago.

As it turns out, this was a mistake on Unjaar’s part. Buyleist made an alliance with Vel, and Vel’s nefarious mages sowed discord in Unjaar’s internal affairs. This eventually led to a complete schism within Unjaar, which resulted in the nation splitting in two. Now, the two split nations - Unjaar and Vadan - are both smaller and weaker than Buyleist, allowing the Buyleistians to flex their muscles in the region.

Academic.

Buyleist is building its first major university and hopes to attract scholars from other nations to help get the educational program off the ground. Vel’s Mages of the Beach are more than willing to assist in this process.

Aristocratic and Political.

Buyleist rejects the notion of aristocracy or a caste system wholesale. Instead, their governing body is a representative democracy elected by any citizen who makes a large enough annual salary to be offered a ballot. While these elections offer the illusion of choice, the Mages of the Beach from Vel are really in charge and make sure that each “election” actually promotes a Buyleistian who will do exactly what the Mages instruct.

Mercantile and Trade.

Buyleist exports many dye pigments, spices, and foodstuffs unique to the swamp delta. While Unjaar and Vadan also export many of the same materials, Buyleist’s economic advantage allows them to undersell their competition.

Militant.

The military in Buyleist is medium-sized and quite competent. It could almost certainly defeat Vadan or Unjaar independently, but if the two made an alliance against Buyleist, then Buyleist might be in trouble.

Religious.

While Buyleistians can practice any religion that they wish, doing so is generally discouraged. The governing body reminds Buyleist’s citizenry that they are in such times of prosperity because of the wisdom and generosity of the Mages of the Beach, and it is truly the Mages who should be venerated.

Social.

Citizens of Buyleist are encouraged to pursue the careers and hobbies that most interest them. This keeps Buyleistians generally content and preoccupied with their own ventures, though some political dissidents speak out against their nation’s alliance with Vel.

Underworld.

The most fervent political opponents to Vel have formed a covert rebellion. This has not yet developed into violence, although many who are aware of the resistance movement think that it’s only a matter of time.

Selmort

The capital of Buyleist is the fortified stilt city of Selmort. The city is built in tiers, with wide, flat barges holding apartments where the poor live. Elevated platform houses, suspended over the swamp on stilts and connected by rope bridges, are home to the middle class and to the marketplaces.

A large bastion built of stone and clay is home to Buyleist’s national governing body. In the fetid swamps behind this bastion, a small M’l’ykkri has buried itself in the water. Political dissidents that upset the Mages of the Beach often wind up as snacks for this horrible monster.

Points of Interest

Swamplands of the Great Chasm. A humid tropical swamp spreads across a vast river delta on the southern end of the Great Chasm. Many small islands blanket this region, separated by shallow waters that would be treacherous for large boats. A wide variety of natural flora and fauna mix with the strange minerals and ancient technologies buried deep in the Chasm; as a result, unnatural land formations and horrible monsters lurk outside of the stilted cities and villages that speckle the swamplands. “Travel by day, and you’ll be safe; travel by night, you’ll get a fright” is a common rhyme in these lands, and children dare one another to explore the swamps outside their settlements.

Quest Ideas

• The heroes get accused of political malfeasance and risk becoming a M’l’ykkri snack if they cannot escape.

• The heroes might get caught up in the three-way trade war between Buyleist, Vadan, and Unjaar. They will have to carefully evaluate who they support.

• The Mages of the Beach promise great rewards to the heroes if they will find and quash a burgeoning rebellion.

• Illegal drug trade is running rampant in the swamps beneath the stilted districts of Selmort. The heroes must find and put an end to these trades.