Imperio Hispania

The players start in Toledo!?!?

To Do:

Religious Head, and develop Carlos a tiny bit. A handful of interesting local rulers and military leaders. A pretender. Handful of interesting characters/organisations/locations in each city.

If a Reconquista happens instability will happen - massacres like this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1066_Granada_massacre

= Hispanian Empire =

Imperio Hispania has the entirety of Hispania (except for Gibraltar), the Palma islands, the Balearic Islands, Aquitaine and in theory the Madeira and Canary islands, but there are many a pirate there who would heartily disagree – then kill you.

The British Royal Navy and the Spanish Armada completely rule the waves. There are pirates in the Canary Islands giving the Spanish trouble, and Sino-Viking Raiders giving Britain trouble!! Vikings will raid the Spanish a bit and Pirates the British, mostly though it’s as I just said. Both raid the French, depending on the region.

Quiet temples in Barcelona.

Hispania: Sea-Faring. Everyone has rapiers. Their architecture is Spanish. They have Saints and Martyrs. (And Angels?). The Lord of Light.

The Dragonfolk of the Hispanic Empire are said to be as strong as anyone to be found, pilgrims from all over Europa say they feel the greatest holy presence while inside Hispania’s borders and adventurers laud Hispania as the most exciting place to travel and earn coin. Hispania itself faces a constant threat of piracy in the seas surrounding it, and Eastern Britannian and Hispanic France face regular monster-folk raids from Germania.

Politics
Tensions between Rightguarders under al-Andalus and between Scalesons under Hispania

Political System
The Hierarchy of Angels/the Fire-Winged possess huge power. They are genderless - referred to as either his, her or they depending on appearance. Their leader is el Arco (The Arch) - their name is unknown.

Carlos the Dragonking rules with an Iron Fist, but his nobles and bishops are also powerful. The nobles have Bishops as their senior advisers, and some Bishops rule over their areas too. Carlos’ chief adviser and enforcer is… (come up with powerful Spanish pope or bishop or whatever). Carlos will be swayed somewhat by his closest nobles and cardinals/bishops, but when he picks a path he is tough to dissuade from this path. There is a College of Cardinals!!! Whatever the Cardinals decide will ultimately be what Carlos decides, Carlos considers them to be the enforcers of God (Bahamut) on Earth. (Or maybe have the Cardinals decide who the Pope is and the Pope is the enforcer of God on Earth, basically the same thing but Carlos would take advice from the Pope). But this way the players can go around the country convincing Cardinals.

Rulers and Pretenders
Rulers: Carlos the Dragonking, who was anointed by the Fire-Winged (Based on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_V,_Holy_Roman_Emperor).

El Arco - the most powerful angel. Dragonborn. Rumoured to be able to turn into a Dragon.

Geography
The stuff about Oman/Muscat too? I think it's probably just planned... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afonso_de_Albuquerque

Most of the topography of Spain consists of flat plains that are surrounded by rugged, undeveloped hills. The northern part of the country, however, is dominated by the Pyrenees Mountains. The climate of Spain is temperate with hot summers and cold winters inland - and cloudy, cool summers and cool winters along the coast. So I can tell them 'as you round the hill, you're hit by a cool breeze. The temperature drops.'

At the top of Spain there is lots of forest - central Andalusia has some parts too but not loads.

Toledo
The model par excellence of coexistence of the three great cultures; Christianity, Islam and Judaism. It was known as the city of three cultures - and the Imperial City. The Alcazar of Toledo is a key site and was first used as a Roman palace. The city is on a hill with the Alcazar at the top. It’s a cosmopolitan hub full of all sorts of intrigue, and has bazaars as well as features of Awaiter culture - though most prevalent is the dominant Rightguarder features. ​Inspiration

Very tempted to have them start in this city, Toledo. They can experience all three cultures, they’re stuck in Hispania for now and have to travel quite far to get out so are forced to experience some of Hispania.

They could encounter a guy who expresses incredulity at their plan to charter passage to Rome. He looks them up and down and says he doesn't think they could take on the pirates who are currently raising hell on the shores and have been for some months - all trade has basically stopped. Only the ships with the very best protection are passing through - and passage on them is exorbitant. He suggests either making a lot of money fast, or finding passage by land. He can point them to a way to make money - maybe another vaguer way too.

Quests:

Parole Office official start.

Scaleson character offers a quest - perhaps a Djinn's lamp? Or snatch one from Arabian Nights or Ornament of the World. I like the idea that it's help needed for a festival or something - maybe he needs some errands to be run to get his store ready but no one will work for him for some reason. 'Er, I have a bit of a reputation - it's better you hear this from me. People think my shop gives them food poisoning, people think if they even work at my store they get food poisoning - so no one wants to work at my store. Last year the Scaled Sun rated my Kebab shop the worst in Hispania... And because of all this, everyone thinks I'm broke... which is true. But if you help people will come, then I will be able to pay!'

Awaiter character offers a quest - perhaps they need some bodyguards to cover a wedding. Several things are going wrong and it's a lot of work (keep the two grandma's away from each other, keep uncle Shakem from drinking too much, make sure the bride's dress doesn't catch fire on the low torches - perception checks galore). Have them wander around a bit to find the wedding - maybe need to ask someone for directions.

Riteguarder character offers a quest - perhaps a jaded ex-priest turned dragon hunter. That is their equivalent of a satanist. Only specific dragons designated as fakes or fallen ones can be slain - and those who perform even that act are regarded with suspicion, no one wants to do it. He needs help with something, maybe just protection getting out of town - maybe his partner has been captured by a mob.

Key People:

Key Landmarks:

Tarragona
The capital of Roman Hispania, so a site of interest for Rome to reconquer. Port city, city walls, cathedral, impressive amphitheatre, lots of alleyways. Inspiration

Quests:

Someone lost at sea.

A quest about tunnels? Find out which Spanish city this would work for. You're in luck - the Praetorium Tower is connected to the Roman Circus by underground Tunnels. https://www.universalholidaycentre.com/en/experiences/travel-guide-costa-dorada/things-to-do-in-tarragona/

Something about a play being on at the amphitheatre - need to find a lead actor. Someone who has what it takes. Could say 'Well my lead actor was MAIMED/ASSAULTED/WHATEVER' - have it be one of the party who incapacitated the actor in a previous encounter!

Something about the undead - tunnels beneath the cathedral?

The guards need a lead following up - something to do with someone from Aquitaine.

They come across someone from free France - he's interested in getting the Catalans to rise up as well.

The Roman Circus - chariot races!!

'''In ancient Tarraco, this massive complex was where chariot races would take place. In ancient times, up to 30,000 people watched the races. The Roman Circus is considered as one of the best-preserved in the Western World. It's impressive to walk through the old tunnels and learn more about the city's history. The kids will love it!

The Praetorium Tower is connected to the racecourse by underground tunnels. From the roof of the tower you have an amazing view of the city, the amphitheatre and the impressive Cathedral.'''

A temple at the Roman Colonial Forum to Roman Gods! This is a great option for quests - could have a Roman Priest in attendance, somehow tolerated by the local authorities? Maybe he's only unofficially there.

Could spread some of these quests around? Unless they seem really interested in Tarragona.

Key People:

Key Landmarks:

Salamanca
Salamanca, in northwestern Spain, is the capital of Salamanca province, part of the Castile and León region. With a history dating back to the Celtic era, it’s known for its ornate sandstone architecture and for the Universidad de Salamanca. Founded in the 1100s and a key intellectual center in the 15th-16th centuries, the university continues to add to the city’s vibrancy with its international student population.

Quests: Something is hiding under the Roman Bridge in Salamanca.

This spoiled girl wants the best flamenco dancer in her class knocked out of contention. Whether that's a fall, a break, convincing her to quit or plain old murder. That way she'll be the best flamenco dancer and can catch Antonio's attention.

Bullfighting is popular, the matador is hurt so needs someone to step in.

This old matador has been kicked out of contention by a new guy. He needs you to get him back in for one last dance.

Key People:

Key Landmarks:

Lisbon
Still need to justify. Need somewhere Portugese.

Quests:

Key People:

Key Landmarks:

Valencia
Captured 15/20 years ago by Hispania, this one is still full of Scalesons but new Hispanian ruling nobles have been given land in the area and are attempting to force conversion of the Scalesons. It's a hive of hot tension and conflict - the polar opposite of Toledo - there is plenty of coin to be made here. Al-Andalus has aspirations of recapturing this city in the near future. Link - one of the oldest cities in Spain.

Quests:

Back alley stuff - shisha deals, smuggling, prison breaks. Make each quest playable by working with the criminals to make it happen or working with authorities to stop it.

Seaside - a quest around that.

Key People:

A contact with the guard - could be a leader or not.

A criminal contact, or multiple.

Key Landmarks:

Barcelona??
Important historical city. Sagrada Familia is under construction. Inspiration

Quests:

Key People:

Key Landmarks:

Galicia
Forested region - good for adventuring.

Look this up to check for historical connection.

Quests:

Key People:

Key Landmarks:

Tomar
If you have a penchant for following the history of the Knights Templar, make a trip to Tomar, a town that was once a sort of headquarters for this mysterious Catholic group. Visit the 12th-century Convento de Cristo (Convent of Christ), a medieval fortress and church where the local branch of the Templars met for religious mass and gatherings. Tomar is also the location of one of the best-preserved synagogues in Portugal in addition to many other Catholic churches dating between the 12th and 15th centuries, the 17th-century Pegões aqueduct, and the stunning park and gardens called National Forest of Seven Hills (a perfect spot for a stroll). Link

Headquarters of the Knights Templar. This place is Rightguarder as hell.

Quests:

Key People:

Key Landmarks:

Coimbra
The oldest University in the country and one of the oldest in Europa. Way more tolerant than Tomar, Conimbriga nearby is old Roman ruins/maybe pld Roman but still in use. FIND OUT WHAT IT IS. Link

Perhaps have a Library here?

Quests:

University quests.

Key People:

Key Landmarks:

The Azores - Angra do Heroísmo
The centre of Angra do Heroísmo is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site for the role it played as a port of call and trading centre during and after the Age of Discoveries. It is also the oldest continuously settled town in the Azores, located on the third largest island, Terceira (after São Miguel and Pico). Be sure to visit the 18th-century Praça Velha, the central town square surrounded by lovely churches, museums, hotels and restaurants. And don’t forget to snap photos of the 16th-century town cathedral, which is rimmed in peach-coloured borders, and the baby blue and white Igreja da Misericórdia (Misericordia Church). Link

Evora
The Évora portfolio is an expansive one. It is the regional capital of Alentejo – the large, sleepy wine region and farmland of Portugal where locals tend to move to the beat of their own drum. In the 15th century, Évora was the residence of many of Portuguese royals; now it is a town that doubles as a Unesco World Heritage Site and triples as an open-air museum. Major landmarks include the Roman Temple of Diana, the medieval 16th-century Chapel of Bones, the 13th-century cathedral, and the ancient Royal Palace of Évora, the latter reflecting the Portuguese Manueline architectural style. Link

Demographics and Borders
THE SOUTH IS STILL SCALESON. Could just be the lowest part like the Emirate of Granada - though really I'd want Cordoba included so the lower section of the map below might be closer to the mark (from Silves to Denia and excluding the top big chunks). Either an independent Emirate or a vassal state of the Scaleson Caliphate. Or even associated with Carthage but I haven't decided what's going on there with their religion... The British Empire could have conquered Gibraltar to 'help' and act as a staging post for the rest of the invasion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Andalus#/media/File:Taifas2.gif

Certainly at the very least it's a puppet state of the Scaleson Caliphate.

The British Empire have conquered Gibraltar to 'help' and act as a staging post for the rest of the invasion.

Races: Dragontouched (humans with slight Draconic features)/Dragonborn (most common, at least half)/Fire-Winged (like Dragonborn but have actual wings) – many will be partway between Dragontouched and Dragonborn or Dragonborn and Fire-Winged.

The Dragonbloods of Hispania: The Dragontouched are humans with slight Draconic features due to Dragonborn heritage, these are one of the most common races of Hispania and are considered blessed by Riteguardians. The Dragonborn are also common in Hispania, and there are rumours of humanoids even closer to Dragons than the Dragonborn. I’m not listing stats for these because there’s a blurred line between the Draconic races, it will depend on how much human blood/dragon blood your character has.

= Al-Andalus: The Emirate of Cordoba =

Politics
Tensions between Rightguarders under al-Andalusia and between Scalesons under Hispania.

Achievements that advanced Islamic and Western science came from al-Andalus, including major advances in trigonometry (Geber), astronomy (Arzachel), surgery (Abulcasis Al Zahrawi), pharmacology (Avenzoar),[10] and agronomy (Ibn Bassal and Abū l-Khayr al-Ishbīlī).

Biggest population of Awaiters in Europa. More than one in twenty of the population are Awaiters. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_age_of_Jewish_culture_in_Spain https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Andalus#Non-Muslims_under_the_Caliphate

Most important Jew in Muslim Spain, warrior, poet, merchant, politician, scholar. And he's gay https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_ibn_Naghrillah

Political System
A puppet state of the Scaleson Caliphate - the Emir is fabulously wealthy.

The Chancellor is Almanzor, he has schemes to become independent of the Scaleson Caliphate and reignite the Umayyad Caliphate. A brilliant strategist, he intends to halt the might of Imperio Hispania with crippling military blows, and even turn the tide backwards. He has aspirations of a Caliphate spanning both sides of the Alboran Sea through a conquest of Carthage - potentially with support from the Roman Empire. From this powerbase he could then expand and reignite his northward march on the Riteguarders, overturning the Reconquista and taking over Aquitaine to become a major power in Western Europe.

The current Emir is Abd al-Rahman. The players can convince him otherwise, but essentially he's willing to work under the Scaleson Caliphate. He has won some fierce victories recently. Almanzor essentially wants him gone as he let Valencia fall, though for the last few years things have been better.

The key difference between the two is Almanzor wants a sprawling Caliphate of their own, whereas Abd al-Rahman is content to fight off the Hispanians, fracture their Kingdom and take Iberia back piece by piece. He has been building up his army for years, even tactically withdrawing from Valencia as it was too difficult to defend, for just this purpose.

The other two candidates are his son, the loyal Al-Hakam, who would be keen to make peace with the Rightguarders - favoured candidate of Hispania. Or his grandson, the weak Hisham II - a pale imitation of the Caliphate's former glory and total pushover who would do whatever a strong figure says - favoured candidate of Almanzor.

Al Hakam II, the son of the Emir, is a learned man and well connected around the Arabic world - including Aegyptus. He also has friendly contact with many in the kafir (non-Scaleson) lands.

Cordoba
Largest city in Roman Spain and a great caliphate of the Moors. The Mesquita is the pride of the province - a grand mosque. Inspiration

Granada
Another key city in al-Andalus. Key site is Alhambra - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhambra The most significant construction campaigns, which gave the Comares Palace (or Court of the Myrtles) and the Palace of the Lions their definitive character, took place in the 14th century during the reigns of Yusuf I and Muhammad V. After the conclusion of the Christian Reconquista in 1492, the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. Inspiration

Seville
Moorish important city. Alcazar Seville is the key site. Inspiration

Gibraltar
Unique, British-occupied. A city being geared up for war - the Rock is a thing and interesting. Staging post for the rest of the invasion. Maybe it's under siege by Scaleson armies so would be tough to sneak in.

Demographics and Borders
WHY NOT HAVE THE SOUTH STILL BE SCALESON?? It'd be way more interesting! Could just be the lowest part like the Emirate of Granada - though really I'd want Cordoba included so the lower section of the map below might be closer to the mark (from Silves to Denia and excluding the top big chunks). Either an independent Emirate or a vassal state of the Scaleson Caliphate. Or even associated with Carthage but I haven't decided what's going on there with their religion... The British Empire could have conquered Gibraltar to 'help' and act as a staging post for the rest of the invasion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Andalus#/media/File:Taifas2.gif

The British Empire have conquered Gibraltar to 'help' and act as a staging post for the rest of the invasion.

= Plothooks =

Hispania
Pirates (Kidnapped at some point?)! Also the unease some feel with the Angels living among them (the Angels may give missions as well). Also just religious artefact hunting. Also the 9 planes of hell. Possible False Atlantis/Murloc raids. The Fountain of Youth and Christopher Columbus. Tension between the Fire, Frost and Thunder Draconic races.