Europe at the Time of the Blood Countess

Empire of the One Faith

The Empire of the One Faith is the major power of Central Europe, the home of the Emperor and of the Alchemist, the source of the High Language. The Empire of the One Faith protects the Old Way but tolerates the New Way.

Empire of the Crescent Moon

The Empire of the Crescent Moon has been on the rise for centuries, like an irresistible tide that has crept up via the Balkan Peninsula towards Central Europe. It is the home of the Sultan and the military wing of the Way of the Crescent Moon. Its supply of infantrymen and cavalrymen seems endless.

Commonwealth of the Two Nations

The Commonwealth of the Two Nations is the home of the brave Sarmatians, a freedom-loving people who elect their nobles and their king. The commonwealth is famous for its religious tolerance, with half of the country devoted to the Old Way, and half to Heathenry, with pockets of New Wayers along the coast of the Baltic Sea.

Scedeland

Scedeland, the great New Wayer kingdom of the North, has been marred by the dynastic rivalry between its western and eastern branches. The latter seems to have got the upper hand and to have been envisioning military expeditions to the south.

Albion

Once aloof, ‘Perfidious Albion’ is now rumoured to be sending agents provocateurs all over Europe to fan the flames of the conflict between Old and New Wayers (Albion supporting the latter).

Eastern Lands

After the devastations wrought by the Times of Trouble, the Great Boyar, the new ruler of the Eastern Lands, seems intent on reconquering the provinces lost to the Commonwealth of the Two Nations, or to expand southwards at the expense of the Empire of the Crescent Moon. Whatever his actual aim, one thing is sure: his unnatural armies are soon going to be on the move.

Gaul

This once-proud nation is locked in an ongoing conflict between New and Old Wayers, with most noble families having members in both factions.

Iberia

This old kingdom is officially a fanatical defender of the Old Way, but rumour has it that its monarchs and its nobility are actually dragons disguised as human beings. Since the rumour has been mainly spread by their Gaulish neighbours—who also happen to be their arch-enemies—it is difficult to gauge whether it is true.