Even before it was occupied by the undying, Krakova was regarded as a strange land, by most peoples of Midgard. Traditionally, it chose its kings not by birth, but by their achievements: the king would be voted for by all the landholding, married nobles of good character in the kingdom within a season of the death of the prior king. This election might be held frequently (as in times of plague or war) or only once or twice in a lifetime. The nobles that make the decision are called the Slahta, and they chose King Eynryk from among their number 25 years ago. At the time the choice was thought to be a good one, in most ways. History has proved that he was not equal to the task.

Things are very different now in the former Electoral Kingdom of Krakova. The surviving members of the royal family are in exile in Dornig, reaver dwarves from Wolfheim have seized the peninsula to the northwest of Krakova and the city of Jozht, and the rest of the country is under vampire rule.

~ Midgard Worldbook by Kobold Press

Princess Hristina, Grand Marshall of the Ghost Knights, rules the newly formed Province of Krakovar as its Protector from its capital Krakova, the City of the Mermaid. The Slahta, the thousands of landholding nobles who used to elect the king and make the laws of the land, have been forced to tow the Protector’s line following a series of bloody executions of those who proved recalcitrant. They still administer much of the government of the province, but their power has been hobbled. Princess Hristina abolished the annual Gathering of Envoys where new laws were promulgated and had the most senior members of the Slahta—the High Posol and the Magnates—killed for treason against the crown.

~ Midgard Worldbook by Kobold Press

Throughout the land, Wotan’s temples were razed and the priestesses of the Red Goddess established new shrines to Marena in the cities and towns, while Perun’s places of worship were rededicated as temples to his mask as Mavros. New commanderies of the Ghost Knights have been established at Heiderbirg and at Tannenbirg, rebuilt following its destruction in the conquest.

Despite all this, the vampires’ hold on Krakovar is tenuous. The undead were able to conquer the kingdom by launching an aggressive blitzkrieg spearheaded by the Ghost Knights and fearsome darakhul troops. Now, they find themselves in day-to-day control of a province with a population more than seven times that of the Principalities. For the time being the nobles live in fear of their new masters, but resistance is growing among the peasantry, …

~ Midgard Worldbook by Kobold Press

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The Province of Krakovar

Provincial Ruler: Princess Hristina, Protector and Duchess of Krakovar, Grand Marshall of the Ghosts

Gods of Krakovar
New Gods: Marena, Mavros-Perun, Vardesain
Peasant Gods: Svarog, St. Charon, Ceres the Provider
Banned Gods: Wotan, Sif, all “Northern Gods” as well as all “Elven Gods” and all “Sun Gods”

Trade Goods: Platinum, tin, amber, horses, wool, apples, and honey

Krakova, City of the Mermaid

The provincial capital Krakova remains the largest trading hub of the Nieder Straits, even after falling into vampire hands. The city’s docks are among the finest in the region, with excellent shelter and quays for cargos. Krakova drives trade to Bjornshafen, Courlandia, Tanserhall, and as far west as Bemmea. In the past, the city’s size and power worked for it: attempts by dwarves or the guilds of Vidim to dominate shipping in the Straits were met with fierce reprisals and open piracy. Princess Hristina is determined to keep trade flowing and has put General at Arms (now Admiral) Ungur, the highest-ranking living officer in the Ghost Knights, in charge of the navy. The province’s merchant fleet must remain ever vigilant against attack from the reaver dwarves based at Skogarholm and Jozht.

~ Midgard Worldbook by Kobold Press

The city is built on dozens of harbor islands connected by bridges. The largest of them is Mermaid’s Island, more than a mile long, where the first kings and queens of Krakova were crowned and where the Slahta used to meet to elect new kings. Mermaid’s Island and its Golden Fields, where the nobility would gather during the envoy season, are now off-limits by order of the Protector. The impressive Assembly Hall of the Magnates has begun to fall into disrepair …

~ Midgard Worldbook by Kobold Press

Heiderbirg Castle

This formidable castle built of bricks at the mouth of the Yoshtula River defends the entire river system against northern reavers, who come primarily in longships and sometimes carracks, both capable of navigating 50 miles or more up the river if unopposed. Previously the Krakovan headquarters of the Order of the Storm, Heiderbirg is now a commandery for the Order of the Knights Incorporeal under the authority of Commander Ciobanu, newly promoted by Grand Marshall Hristina for his valor and tactical nous on the battlefield.

Some of the more bloodthirsty knights of the Order of the Storm returned to the castle after swearing allegiance to Mavros and Blood Priestess Sonye of the Spear—the fledgling Order of the Bloody Blade also falls under Ciobanu’s command. Survivors who remained loyal to Perun fled northwest to join the reaver dwarves at Jozht.

~ Midgard Worldbook by Kobold Press

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Gybick, City of The Press

Gybick thrives on its book trade and its excellence in accountancy. Before the invasion, the city was also the center of the Krakovan “mice,” the covert spy network of priests of Loki and Wotan who maintained careful watch over the kingdom, looking for signs of diabolism or vampirism and carrying out secret instructions on behalf of the king.

~ Midgard Worldbook by Kobold Press

In he present day Gybick is a place of prosperity and industry, having fared vary well and in no small part because its nobles and citizenry were quick to surrender to the advancing Vampire army. While he castle and government buildings housing the so called Krakovan “mice” were stormed and ransacked, the city its elf and its residents were left largely unmolested. Today Gybick is administered by a council of local Slahta. The richest of these is the once poor Gohannes Jutenberg. Jutenberg had long had the inspiration to make a more efficient “scribe” but could not convince others to invest in In the present day Gybick is a place of prosperity and industry, having fared very well and in no small part because its nobles and citizenry were quick to surrender to the advancing Vampire army. While the castle and government buildings housing the so-called Krakovan “mice” were stormed and ransacked, the city itself and its residents were left largely unmolested. Today Gybick is administered by a council of local Slahta. The richest of these is the once poor Gohannes Jutenberg. Jutenberg had long had the inspiration to make a more efficient “scribe” but could not convince others to invest in his idea. Tipped off a few days in advance that the city would fall, he ran to his workshop. When the aminy of Morgau came pervading through the gates he presented to the accompanying Red Priestess’s a gift of a single printed page form the “Song of Blood & Winter.” Soon he received start up money and an advance payment to print on mass all of the Red Goddesses holy books, but this was not the end of his ambition. Jutenberg is a lover of stories and information long proposing that both deserve to be spread far and wide. So with his profits he produced the first issues of the “Gybick Gazett” which today produces a weekly “sheet” that is delivered and read kingdom wide. The success of the endeavor lead Jutenberg to seek royal warrant to establish “The Broadsheets Guild,” which in addition to printing books for the Red Priestesses also produces the “Bratislor Bat”, the “Varshava Revanant”, and the “Krakova Breeze” all at least partially owned by Jutenberg.

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Lodezig, City of Amber

Wealthy and somewhat isolated from the rest of the kingdom, Lodezig controls the inland waterway of the River Runnel leading up to the Cloudwall Mountains, and its citizens fear the dragons, rocs, and ogres living in that wild range of peaks. The city is built on an island in the river mouth, with a silty and dangerous harbor. Lodezig has grown in importance now that trade with the gnomes of Niemheim is on the increase; the city also sells amber to the Northlanders.

~ Midgard Worldbook by Kobold Press

Lodezig is administered by a council of local merchant families who had purchased their way into the Slahta. By tradition the leader of this council is elected by the local Slahta each year. The current office holder Ludomił Wolinski, an enchanter and potion maker, easily recognized by his great curly eyebrows and mustache which he waxes black in stark contrast with his white beard and bald head. Ludomił has the position because he was instrumental in negotiating the peaceful surrender of the city with minimal loss of life after the previous officer holders attempted a foolishly patriotic stand. Ludomił never wanted the job and he is hoping to pass it off to another but until he does he has a tremendous amount of say as to what happens in the city. But ultimately everything he does needs the support of the local Slahta.

The local garrison is headed by Ghost Knights Captain of Arms Sandra Soja. She is short for a vampire, probably having been turned before fully grown. She herself accepted the city’s surrender much to the chagrin of her commanders who had to acknowledge the accomplishment even if it frustrated their appetites. … she was consequently “promoted” to the position of acting garrison commander to be stationed with the small city which just so happens to be surrounded on all sides by running water.

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Wallenbirg, City of Pines

Known for its carved and colorful wooden toys, the skill of its archers, and the dangers of its forests, Wallenbirg is Krakova’s nearest city to the Tomierran forest. Timber and charcoal make up much of its trade, but it is also the seat of the former royal hunting lodge and the jumping-off point for expeditions to the ruins of Thorn. Wallenbirg’s walls fell to a deadly assault by the darakhul during the undead invasion—the ghouls poured over the battlements in great numbers to slaughter the city’s defenders.

The shroud-eaters always enjoy hunting and Count Warin, the vampire lord who now rules the city, makes good use of the woodlands, hunting human peasants and fey alike. The creatures of the woods don’t take too kindly to this: the count’s men disappear and the city is sometimes subject to fey revenges, leading to citywide distress when children vanish or swarms of mice strip the granaries bare.

Tannenbirg Castle

The great forest castle of Tannenbirg fell to the darakhul army on the first night of the invasion. The ghouls entered the castle through a hidden tunnel known to the undead through the double agents they had placed within Krakova’s spy network. A night of terrible slaughter followed, ending with the castle being burned to the ground. Since the conquest, Princess Hristina had the fortress rebuilt to ensure that the province’s western border with the Grand Duchy of Dornig is properly defended.

~ Midgard Worldbook by Kobold Press

Day to day operations within Tannenbirg Castle and along the Dornig border are administered by Ghost Knights General At Arms Bodgan “Bonebreaker” Lacusta. Lacusta is the highest ranking ghoul in the Ghost knights. He got his nickname for his dislike of using skeletons as troupes in battle, using up and crushing his entire allotment of “Bone Legion” in training exercises for the men and other ghouls he commands. His men have a reputation of fighting hard for him become he has a reputation of fighting hard for his men and making sure they are well rewarded for their service. They take their assignment on the boarder seriously and getting past their patrols is no easy task.

Tannenbirg Castle is also the new home of the Blood Mage Flaviu. As an adjunct mage attached to the Ghost Knights, he holds an honorary rank as Commander. Though technically in command of Tannenbirg it is well known that he has retired to follow his own pursuits, leaving Lacusta in de-facto command.

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Varshava, City of Ashes

Home to horse breeders and famous for its races, Varshava was the base of the kingdom’s royal cavalry before the conquest. When the Ghost Knights approached the city after taking Yarosbirg, Prince Hardrad Walerska, heir apparent and commander of the First Hussars, gravely underestimated the enemy he faced. Instead of waiting behind the city’s robust defenses and forcing the undead to attack the walls, the arrogant prince rode out at the head of the royal cavalry regiments, intending to attack at first light. Grand Marshall Hristina did not wait that long—the Ghost Knights and warrior-priests of Mavros smashed through the column of hussars over and over again in the darkness, panicking the Krakovan horses and sending the army into disarray. Some made it back into the city. Most, including the hapless prince, were slaughtered. Varshava surrendered the next day.

~ Midgard Worldbook by Kobold Press

Following the city’s capture, Varshava’s celebrated World Tree Temple to Wotan was razed to the ground by the darakhul. In its flames, many saw visions of Ragnarok. The smoke hung heavy over the city for a month, and the smoldering ashes are said to have been imbued with great magical power, stirring the ley lines and sparking magical gifts in some of those who breathed its vapors. The priestesses of the Red Goddess have begun construction of a huge Blood Cathedral to Marena on the site, which will dwarf even the Temple of Aprostala.

~ Midgard Worldbook by Kobold Press

Today Varshava is a mockery of its former self. The center of the city was gutted by fire. The popular now homeless set up encampments outside the city walls. These encampments turned into shanty towns and later into more permanent settlements as the wreckage of the inner city and even parts of the old city wall were looted for construction materials. What is left of the inner city is now inhabited by the “undesirables” of undead society, beggar ghouls and worse. Living people do not venture there unless they have been drafted into the press gangs that are periodically formed to provide labor for building of the new temple to the Red Goddess.

The city is officially administered by Tytus Repetski, though individual districts have developed their own informal “governance”. Following the conquest of Krakovia the old cavalier was part of the delegation that brokered the cities surrender and months later he was raised from the ranks of the common Slahta to the position of Governor General of Varshava by mutual consent of Princess Hristina and the remaining Slahta, not that the later had much choice.

In recent years there have been murmurs that Tytus may be giving more than lip service to the Blood Kingdom. Tytus was one of only a handful of survivors of Prince Hardrad’s disastrous attack, and today no other human witnesses to the battle can be found. Whispers that there was a traitor during the battle have circulated for years.To make matters worse the sudden rise of his nephew Stanislas Repetski to the position of Earl and Lord of Arching Castle in the Grand Dutchy of Dornig has caused Tytus no end of trouble. Stanislas is a known supporter of resistance and war against the Blood Kingdom and Ghost Knight General at Arms Lusa D’hunos who is in charge of rooting out treason in southern Krakovar has openly been looking for an excuse to drink the old Repetski dry. To avoid that end Tytus has leaned into his role as Governor General by becoming an honorary member of the Knights Incorporeal and concentrating his daily efforts on effectively ruling his unruly city. With one hand he supports the Red Priestess temple building project and enforces the the rule of Vampire Law within the city; while with the other hand he advocates for the rights of the living by working most closely with those Vampires who espouse moderation in blood consumption and limiting the number of new immortals created so as to preserve and even hopefully grow the supply of the blood resource in Krakovar.

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Yarosbirg Castle

Now in ruins, Yarosbirg was the third great castle of Krakova, home to both the Order of the Spear (devoted to Sif) and a monastery dedicated to light, faith, and the destruction of the undead. Yarosbirg was taken by the Ghost Knights and the warrior-priests of Mavros on the same night Tannenbirg fell to the darakhul. The paladins and clerics of Sif fought bravely against the undead, who appeared in their midst by phasing through the walls on their fell mounts.

As the vampires and ghouls began slaughtering the defenders, Sister Adelind, a shield maiden of Sif, strode forward and stabbed the notorious vampire lord Otmar the Sallow through the heart with her radiant spear, incinerating him. A pack of ghouls surrounded her, but Adelind continued to fight furiously until she was finally pulled to the ground and devoured. Her death inspired the other paladins to fight until they too were overpowered.

Those who escaped the carnage told the story of Sister Adelind wherever they went. When her tale reached the ears of Queen Urzula, she proclaimed Sister Adelind a martyr and the shield maiden has since become a symbol of hope and defiance to those who stand against the vampires. After the battle, Grand Marshall Hristina ordered Yarosbirg razed to the ground to serve as a memorial and eternal tomb for her cousin Otmar. Some of those who visit the memorial, though, leave tiny wooden spears and white flowers as offerings to Saint Adelind.

~ Midgard Worldbook by Kobold Press