Return to the RoK (a few Comments/Questions)

[LucaCherstich]

II did not have time to finish reading this book yet, but I have already a few comments/questions:

1)
I really appreciate this book but certainly the few maps provided are not of the same quality of the text.
I would have appreciated (even if at an higher cost) the presence of at least a map per chapter (especially Vincent's maps from http://hyboria.xoth.net/maps/index.htm).
There are plenty of sites mentioned in the main text which, quite often, do not appear in any of the maps in the book.
And this is certainly a bother.
I like the general map but it is clearly a deformed version of Vincent's general map (As I have read somewhere in this forum): e.g. the Southern Deserts is simply toooooooooo small to be that vast area described in the main text.

2)
The general map (and I think at least 1 detail map) put the city of “Yaralet” in Corinthia.
However that name does not appear in the Corinthian’s chapter, neither it appears in the sites’gazetteers of the nearby Brythunia, Zamoran and nNemedia.
I get the feeling that Yaralet is a Turanian city and it ended up in Corinthia after some morphing of the orginal maps, but I’m not so sure.
Anybody knows the answer?

3)
It is so fine to have a RPG book with bibliography!
I would have appreciated some footnotes saying what is taken from where (e.g. I get the feeling that the village of Lucerthan in the Border Kindgom comes from a Marvel comic of the early 80's) but I understand this is still a RPG book and not an academic text.
Nevertheless, even those parts which are clearly Vicent's creations and not taken from somewhere else (e.g. I think, all those customs of so many different Black Kingdoms tribes) are so good and they show how much Vincent worked on them. The similarities with real world nations make the whole thing much more coherent and intriguing.

More questions & comments will come when I get time but, I must stress it, I really appreciated this book, even with its faults in maps.

 

[Yogah of Yag]

Yaralet should be mentioned on 280 of the Atlantean Edition, if that helps any. I don't have my copy nearby, so I can't check it.

On the colour map in the old AE, Yaralet is placed in northern Corinthia on the border with Brythunia along the southern slopes of the Karpash Mountains, but the maps are much less accurate than Vincent's and Mr. Sturrock's texts, IIRC.

An online Conan Gazetteer states:

"Yaralet:---a city in the eastern Zamorian Marches, on the northern bank of the Nezvaya River. It was conquered by Turan. (Hand of Nergal, City of Skulls)"

 

[VincentDarlage]

1)
I really appreciate this book but certainly the few maps provided are not of the same quality of the text.
I would have appreciated (even if at an higher cost) the presence of at least a map per chapter (especially Vincent's maps from http://hyboria.xoth.net/maps/index.htm).

The maps on that site are the guideline maps I sent to Mongoose and are fully compatible with the book. Unfortunately, I have no approval rights in the art or maps included or not included in the book. That may have even been out of Mongoose's hands since it is a license - the license holders may not have wanted such a radically changed map as I proposed.

You can find more map discussion here.

2)
The general map (and I think at least 1 detail map) put the city of “Yaralet” in Corinthia.
However that name does not appear in the Corinthian’s chapter, neither it appears in the sites’gazetteers of the nearby Brythunia, Zamoran and nNemedia.
I get the feeling that Yaralet is a Turanian city and it ended up in Corinthia after some morphing of the orginal maps, but I’m not so sure.
Anybody knows the answer?

In Howard's original story fragment, evidence suggests it is in Corinthia, but in L. Sprague de Camp's rewrite, he moved it to Turan. I prefer the Corinthia placement, but most maps go with de Camp's placement.

How is that for an answer? They are both acceptable placements, depending on how you prefer the source material.

3)
It is so fine to have a RPG book with bibliography!
I would have appreciated some footnotes saying what is taken from where (e.g. I get the feeling that the village of Lucerthan in the Border Kindgom comes from a Marvel comic of the early 80's) but I understand this is still a RPG book and not an academic text.

Although there was little editing done, 99% of the editing took out such notes. I did specify which author and source the locations came from, but those were edited (for space, I presume).

If you want to know where a specific location came from, I can usually come up with the information, so just ask.

Lucerthan, for example, came from Conan the Barbarian #134, "A Hitch in Time" (by Bruce Jones), featuring one of my favorite Conan demonesses - Ishiti (I made stats for her in the Stygia sourcebook).

Nevertheless, even those parts which are clearly Vicent's creations and not taken from somewhere else (e.g. I think, all those customs of so many different Black Kingdoms tribes) are so good and they show how much Vincent worked on them. The similarities with real world nations make the whole thing much more coherent and intriguing.

More questions & comments will come when I get time but, I must stress it, I really appreciated this book, even with its faults in maps.

Thanks!

 

[LucaCherstich]

Although there was little editing done, 99% of the editing took out such notes. I did specify which author and source the locations came from, but those were edited (for space, I presume).

I knew that such notes exist! (and the kind of bibliography you choose really suggested the existence of such notes).
I do not know who in Mongoose had the authority to choose what to cut but, as a customer,
I would like to tell him that I would have prefered to pay even 5 or 10 euros more and get those notes and some better maps.
Return to the RoK is not just a RPG sourcebook but, probably, the best book on the Hyborian Age which came out in the last few years and cutting those notes really damaged a good book.
I really do not care if you cut useless artwork (and really do not care about nude females and conanesque-warriors on the border of the page, so please, next time save money and ink there) but I feel it is a pity if you cut those notes.
Moreoever, it is a pity you used those bloody maps.
WHO chose those maps?
Does he really understand the value of a map or does he think that a map is nothing more than useless art (like women and warriors on the border...).
What's the meaning of Pictland and Nordheim detail maps?
Those maps do not show the location of any tribe/clan or of any particular site, they are just USELESS enlargements of parts of the general map.
And WHY you do not put any map of IMPORTANT regions like, for example, Shem?
Vincent mentions plenty of city-states but you do noty produce any map showing all those cities!
And what about teh quality of the general maps?
The Southern Desert is so tiny!
Poitain is still north of the moutains WHILE HOWARD EXPLICITELY SAYS in "the hour of teh Dragon" that it is SOUTH of the Mountains and it is separated from Zingara by just a river.
I must confess I'm really UPSET for the maps and lack of notes, for the rest the book (TEXT) is just marvellous.

 

[VincentDarlage]

Return to the RoK is not just a RPG sourcebook but, probably, the best book on the Hyborian Age which came out in the last few years...

Thank you!

 

[Majestic7]

I finally bought RRoTK. I've decided not to turn to the Second Edition - the changes seem far too slight to justify the cost for the benefit - but I when I started running Conan the original Road of the Kings was already impossible to get. Luckily a friend has a copy that I've been borrowing.

General quality of the book as a gazetteer is good. I certainly think it is worth its money. However, a few things were certainly different from what I expected. As the name of the book points towards Road of the Kings I expected it to concentrate its attention on the realms near and around it. Instead, it has a substantial part of pages regarding the Black Kingdoms, even really obscure southern ones. At the same time the portion for Ophir is really, really short - is it even shorter than in original RotK? At least that's what it felt like with a first reading. I had certainly wanted to rather read several pages on each of the Hyborian Kingdoms and leave the realms south of Stygia for less attention - perhaps waiting for a separate Black Kingdoms supplement. Now it feels like the "core area" of Hyborian culture is being neglected.

The main map has certainly some oddities, such as the northern border of Vendhya. The maps in general could be better. However, I was positively surprised about the general graphic quality - it seems B&W is not a such bad thing after all. I must state that I have some doubts about quality of the paper used though. It feels rather thin and like it could rip and tear easily. There is no sign of any binding trouble or the pages actually becoming damaged in use yet - just that they feel more...flimsy than those of, say, Atlantean Edition main book.

 

[VincentDarlage]

General quality of the book as a gazetteer is good. I certainly think it is worth its money.

Thank you!

However, a few things were certainly different from what I expected. As the name of the book points towards Road of the Kings I expected it to concentrate its attention on the realms near and around it.

I never thought of that angle. Of course, I am not convinced the Road of Kings is a physical road; I think Howard's use of it was more metaphorical. L. Sprague de Camp and/or Lin Carter turned it into a true, physical road.

Instead, it has a substantial part of pages regarding the Black Kingdoms, even really obscure southern ones. At the same time the portion for Ophir is really, really short - is it even shorter than in original RotK? At least that's what it felt like with a first reading. I had certainly wanted to rather read several pages on each of the Hyborian Kingdoms and leave the realms south of Stygia for less attention - perhaps waiting for a separate Black Kingdoms supplement. Now it feels like the "core area" of Hyborian culture is being neglected.

Yes, Ophir is a bit shorter than the original because I didn't want to cut and paste information from other locations, which is what I did for some sections in the origional (esp. religion) to make each entry complete. Now the entry references pages in the Aquilonia chapter and Faith and Fervour.

Also, I read these boards a lot, and there have been lots and lots of requests for more Black Kingdoms information, so I decided to add more detail to those much-requested lands. I don't recall anyone asking for more information about Ophir.

Also, much of Ophir's economy and government is similar to Aquilonia, that the Aquilonia sourcebook can be used with minor modifications for the whole of the Hyborian kingdoms. I didn't want to reprint that sourcebook within this sourcebook, so I focused on the ways Ophir (and the other Hyborian nations) differed from Aquilonia, so someone using the Aquilonia sourcebook could use it for Ophir, Nemedia, et. al.

Another complaint I often see is the use of reprinted information, so I tried not to do that. So the focus on differences, and leaving out the similarities, left for some shortened chapters, such as Ophir.

 

[Majestic7]

I never thought of that angle. Of course, I am not convinced the Road of Kings is a physical road; I think Howard's use of it was more metaphorical. L. Sprague de Camp and/or Lin Carter turned it into a true, physical road.

Yes, I see it myself as a major trade route like the Silk Road or the Amber Route of post-Hyborian Age history. Not certainly as one certain physical road, but a network of rivers, roads, mountain passes and caravan trails used by majority of land trade passing between the countries mentioned to be on its route. However, I think being located "on the Road of Kings" is still some sort of geographical marker inside the world of Hyborian Age - it tells that the country has high economical importance and is able to obtain considerable sums of coin from trade tolls. Realms on the route may as well plausibly have more exotic goods available at their markets, even if at high price.

Also, I read these boards a lot, and there have been lots and lots of requests for more Black Kingdoms information, so I decided to add more detail to those much-requested lands. I don't recall anyone asking for more information about Ophir.

That is most likely true. I'd just rather see a lot of information about a few places in one book and have another book dedicated to other parts of the world, then have any country neglected. Ophir kind of stood out because the player characters in my current campaign happen to be passing through the realm at the moment.

 

[VincentDarlage]

I'd just rather see a lot of information about a few places in one book and have another book dedicated to other parts of the world, then have any country neglected. Ophir kind of stood out because the player characters in my current campaign happen to be passing through the realm at the moment.

One can find tidbits about Ophir in the Hyboria's F series, also, which I didn't want to reprint. If you have questions about Ophir (or any other kingdom), just ask here or send me an email or private message. I have a rather large amount of notes for just about all the nations taken from a large number of sources.

Also, here are the two (admittedly non-essential) pieces that were edited out of the original manuscript:

The Military of Ophir
Ophir maintains a powerful army composed of its noble knights and heavy cavalry. Infantry are considered fodder for archers and not an honourable field of military service. Most of the infantry are commoners that are given minimal training or mercenaries. They are easily demoralised in combat.

The Ophirean army favours a standard formation for Hyborian hosts. The centre, made up of heavily armoured, plumed knights, is the strongest section. The wings are composed of lesser cavalry units in gilded mail that may be supported further by infantry conscripts and mercenary archers. The wings move in advance of the centre. The cavalry units move in next, followed by the knights on their enormous horses.

Ishtar
Ishtar is worshipped as a goddess of sexuality, fertility and war. She is usually depicted as having wings and is symbolized by the lion. She is a goddess imported from Shem, but her worship here disdains human sacrifice, although animal sacrifice is still practiced in her exotic and ornate temples. Her lavish temples include ivory idols, and she is believed to inhabit those idols. The idols are sensuous and are cared for by the priests and priestesses, often dressed and painted daily depending on the ritual needs of the day or season. Her followers are expected to approach the statues naked and on their knees, as befitting a supplicant. More information about Ishtar can be found in Conan: Faith and Fervour.

 

[Faraer]

They are both acceptable placements, depending on how you prefer the source material.

How are they both acceptable? De Camp either made a careless mistake or ignored the story's intent to serve his contrived schema of Conan's travels.

Although there was little editing done, 99% of the editing took out such notes. I did specify which author and source the locations came from, but those were edited (for space, I presume).

It's thought that some readers are put off by what looks like scholarly apparatus. I think it's a shame: source notes would have been really useful here, and done better credit to the creators than the bibliography alone.

Of course, I am not convinced the Road of Kings is a physical road; I think Howard's use of it was more metaphorical.

I thought so too, but draft d1 of The Hour of the Dragon suggests otherwise.

The book as a whole is an excellent piece of work.

 

[VincentDarlage]

How are they both acceptable? De Camp either made a careless mistake or ignored the story's intent to serve his contrived schema of Conan's travels.

For people who like de Camp's pastiche, then his location of the city might be acceptable to them. To those of us who prefer the unaltered Howard, then it isn't. To each their own. Its a game.

It's thought that some readers are put off by what looks like scholarly apparatus. I think it's a shame: source notes would have been really useful here, and done better credit to the creators than the bibliography alone.

I agree; which is why I wrote the source notes to begin with.

I thought so too, but draft d1 of The Hour of the Dragon suggests otherwise.

Well, that draft isn't available to me - and the posting date of that excerpt is in October 2007. Return to the Road of Kings was submitted in August of 2007, so I couldn't possibly have known of Howard's original intent. Also, Howard originally intended the Acheronians to be a Hyborian race, but he apparently changed his mind, so too he could have with the Road of Kings, but it is convincing evidence it was intended as a physical road.

Thanks for the link, though. Just now was the first time I had read those excerpts. I wish I had known the Cimmerian warrior women excerpt in the draft before; I certainly would have included that in Return to the Road of Kings.

“Amalric, delving into the scenes of a turbulent life, recalled a desperate battle on the northern frontier, and wild figures rushing into the melee – tall, supple women, stark naked, their black hair streaming, their eyes blazing, swords dripping redly in their hands. He shook his head.”

I would love to see a publication of all the drafts.

However, holding me to draft versions that are unavailable to me is a bit much (someone somewhere was taking me to task because I didn't include a Zingaran city on my map that appeared in one of the drafts).

The book as a whole is an excellent piece of work.

Thanks!

 

[Faraer]

For people who like de Camp's pastiche, then his location of the city might be acceptable to them. To those of us who prefer the unaltered Howard, then it isn't. To each their own. Its a game.

I don't see the purpose at this point of perpetuating the Turanian placement in print.

Well, that draft isn't available to me - and the posting date of that excerpt is in October 2007.

No criticism, I just knew you'd want to see the passages.

I would love to see a publication of all the drafts.

It's a conceivable project for the Robert E. Howard Foundation.

 

[VincentDarlage]

I don't see the purpose at this point of perpetuating the Turanian placement in print.

I don't either, which is why in the books I write, it is never placed in Turan. I do get asked why it isn't there a lot, though (see the first post, point #2, for an example).

Of course, it is also possible there is more than one city named "Yaralet." I live in Columbus, Indiana, but there are A LOT of cities in America named "Columbus." So there may be a Howard-created Yaralet in or around Corinthia, and a de Camp-created Yaralet in northern Turan. Just a possibility to satisfy all parties.

Anyway, in my campaigns, and in my writing, Yaralet is a Corinthian city.

 

[Axerules]

It's thought that some readers are put off by what looks like scholarly apparatus. I think it's a shame: source notes would have been really useful here, and done better credit to the creators than the bibliography alone.

I agree; which is why I wrote the source notes to begin with.

They already did it for the first Road book.
Can I add my voice to second Faraer's statement and Vincent's opinion ? It's a SHAME those source notes were edited out.

Also, Howard originally intended the Acheronians to be a Hyborian race, but he apparently changed his mind, so too he could have with the Road of Kings, but it is convincing evidence it was intended as a physical road.

For me a draft/note/synopsis holds as long as it doesn't contradict a published story, which takes precedence.
But I don't think REH changed his mind about Acheronians. Only according to a "Rippkean" paradigm. I don't think Darkstorm's Elder Race=giant-kings=Acheronians theory was really convincing. Too much holes and some blatant inconsistencies:
Where did REH said that Thuron/Guron was a member of the Elder Race ?
Why is Prince Kutamun, the Stygian's king BROTHER, dusky and not white ? Xaltotun's description was the same in the draft published in the Del Rey book and in the story, AFAIK. How could the same description, of an Hyborian (in the draft), suddenly be used as an evidence of Xalt's "un-Hyborianness" ? And I could list a lot of other discrepancies... IMHO it was certainly not DR's best take.

“Amalric, delving into the scenes of a turbulent life, recalled a desperate battle on the northern frontier, and wild figures rushing into the melee – tall, supple women, stark naked, their black hair streaming, their eyes blazing, swords dripping redly in their hands. He shook his head.”

A great quote.

I would love to see a publication of all the drafts.

You're not alone !

It's a conceivable project for the Robert E. Howard Foundation.

It is my understanding that the purpose of the REH foundation is to have everything written by REH appear either in print or on the web. Now how much time will be necessary to complete this task, who knows ?

However, holding me to draft versions that are unavailable to me is a bit much (someone somewhere was taking me to task because I didn't include a Zingaran city on my map that appeared in one of the drafts).

What, you don't know everything related to REH ? :wink:
Seriously: that was a little bit unfair and exaggerated. Vincent's passion and dedication for the original source material and his treatment were the main reasons who made me like this line.
Who would be interested in a cheaply printed/desperately lacking of proofreading/badly edited/with poor or nonexistent maps RPG book without an excellent written text ? This one will probably be the last Mongoose product I'll buy. Solomon Kane, here I come !

 

[VincentDarlage]

For me a draft/note/synopsis holds as long as it doesn't contradict a published story, which takes precedence.

I agree there; also, the draft must be available.

But I don't think REH changed his mind about Acheronians. Only according to a "Rippkean" paradigm.

De Camp also came to that conclusion, and Robert L. Yaple did as well (Acheron: A Revisionary Theory). Both of their theories (which are the ones I grew up with) predate Mr. Rippke's. Of course, Ian Sturrock presented them in the RPG as a separate race, so (out of consistency) I continue that until irrefutable proof he is wrong pops up. Of course, that draft was unavailable to Mr. Sturrock (and probably to Mr. Yaple and Mr. Rippke as well, when they wrote their analysis).

I don't think Darkstorm's Elder Race=giant-kings=Acheronians theory was really convincing. Too much holes and some blatant inconsistencies: Where did REH said that Thuron/Guron was a member of the Elder Race ?

I have to admit that his claim there gave me pause. I re-read the story many times trying to find that statement, and never found it. We are in agreement there! The Thuron argument is weak.

Xaltotun's description was the same in the draft published in the Del Rey book and in the story, AFAIK. How could the same description, of an Hyborian (in the draft), suddenly be used as an evidence of Xalt's "un-Hyborianness" ?

Xaltotun is described as being of a race of wizards, and talking to people of a strange race in the Nemedian hills, people of his race. That implies a non-Hyborian race - but implication is not the same as proof. I could see the argument going either way, with implications on both sides of the debate.

What, you don't know everything related to REH ? :wink:
Seriously: that was a little bit unfair and exaggerated. Vincent's passion and dedication for the original source material and his treatment were the main reasons who made me like this line.

Thank you.

 

[Hervé]

Here's some info on Ophir taken from the old CN3 module, Conan the Triumphant, adapted from the Robert Jordan book by William Carson. This is thus non canonical but might help some GMs around.

OPHIR
No significant documents on Ophir have been found or translated. It is known the land was ruled by a king and that a large battle was fought against Aquilonia on the Plain of Shamu, somewhere near the Aquilonian border.
PEOPLE: The Ophireans are of medium height, with dark hair and eyes. A few have yellow eyes—a mark of the ancient cross-breeding with Acheron. Many are lean, especially in the rural areas, but the city-folk tend toward plumpness. Those dwelling in the eastern uplands of Alwona tend to be a bit stockier, while those dwelling in the Plain of Shama have browner skins and darker hair. The language is an ancient dialect of Kothian. Characters who speak Kothian are able to communicate in Ophir.
GEOGRAPHY: The westernmost tip of Ophir is Gurian’s Heart bordered by the Alimane and Tyborg Rivers, and by the hills of Poitain. The climate is dry, like that of Argos and Poitain, and there are many groves and vineyards. To the east is the Plain of Shama, the granary of Ophit, one of the most fertile areas in all Hyboria. Through the center of the plain runs the Red River, which derives its name from the copper sediment it carries down from the Nutian Hills bordering Nemedia, where the gem and gold mines lie. Further east is Alwona; forests and grasslands predominate. There is much grazing and game, even fish in the high lake of Dalisthanes. The open areas are settled, but the forests are often avoided as the homes of wolves and other nocturnal beasts, particularly the ancient forest of Synamort. Flora and Fauna: Olives and grapes grow in Gurian’s Heart; barley, oats and wheat in Shama. Sheep graze in Alwona, nestled between the mountains’ arms. Game is plentiful in the forests, particularly deer.
SOCIETY: Ophir has been ruled by dynastic kings for a millennia. Beneath them is an elaborate structure of lords, barons, and counts. Each noble is accountable for his fief, but directly responsible to the king. The king’s will is imposed by a standing army, in which most Ophireans have served during their youths. This army enforces the law, supporting the King’sjustices (judges). The nobles are allowed small armies of their own, but are forced to hire mostly foreign mercenaries. It is this strong feudal structure that has allowed Ophir to endure. Border skirmishes are frequent, especially with Koth, but not even the evil of Acheron was able to gain a victory over the might of Ophir. Relations with Aquilonia are uneasy but friendly, not yet breaking into the warfare of later years.
Trade is not one of Ophir’s strengths (the Road of the Kings bypasses its borders) but a fair amount passes between it and its neighbors. Foreign goods found in Ophir’s markets are expensive. Ophir is known for its bronze-work, gems, and gold.
The Ophireans are a religious people. Temples to Mitra are everywhere. Forgotten Jhebbel Sag is remembered in the eastern highlands. Human sacrifice is forbidden. The dead are entombed; thieves and the poor are cremated.
Slaves are common and are recognized by white tunics trimmed in their master’s colors. Most are victims of debt or war, but some are kidnapped from as far as Vendhya.
Physicians are scarce now. Most are in the Royal Palace trying to cure his majesty.
CITIES AND TOWNS: The king’s army controls the three fortified cities. The greatest of them is lanthe, the ancient and prosperous royal city on the banks of the Red River. The Royal Palace is there, an immense fortress. In the west, Kothalsia (Koth’s Doom) sits astride the River of Shining at the site of a great Ophirean victory over the Koths. To the east lies small Suvian, where the treasures of Alwona are gathered before shipment to Ianthe or Corinthia. Small villages dot the open countryside. Every clear hex on the map holds one village, but many have been burned by enemy nobles or bandits, sometimes acting in cooperation.
CASTLES, FORTS, AND FIEFS: Numerous forts and castles guard the trade roads. All castles on the map belong to the nobles in whose fief they lie, and are heavily fortified with stone. Most nobles prefer living in their city palaces, but many have fled to their castles for safety (although Ianthe is actually much safer). All forts are royal property, staffed by 30-50 soldiers at all times. Most forts are wood, but the most important are stone. Castles can house up to 200 troops.
NOBILITY: The nobles of Ophir continually develop new alliances, but none dare challenge the king. After his death, open warfare breaks out. There are claims of blood to the throne. The various titles are ranked as follows: Count, Baron, Lord, Knight. All titles include grants of land, except the title of knight, which is largely ceremonial.
A partial listing of Ophirean nobles follows, ranked according to influence. These nobles have received land grants directly from the king. Under each of these are other nobles who have received leases on the land from these principal nobles.
The number following lists the number of troops at their disposal. At least a third of these troops are garrisoning the castle at all times. Troop composition varies slightly by noble, but in accordance with general Ophirean military principles and technologies, an army would be comprised of 50% light infantry, 25% men-at-arms, 15% light cavalry, 10% cavalry. The number preceding is the Succession Rank. It indicates that the noble has a bloodclaim to the Ophirean throne and indicates the order of succession. Although Countess Synelle is first in line of descent, women cannot inherit the throne.

VI Count Antimedes: 250
II Count Tiberio: 1000
(I) Countess Synelle: 50
V Count Clavanedes: 750
III Count Valentius: 500
Baron Burio: 750
Baroness Gornelle: 1000
Count Genio: 500
Baron Timeon: 500
IV Lord Kathus: 300
Baron Claudes: 500
Baron Scipius: 300
Lord Cayades: 250
Lord Taramenon: 100
Lord Tonio: 75
Lord Vomenos: 75
Count Inaros: 50

LAWS: Ophirean law is harsh and the King’s justice inequitable at best, favoring the rich and noble, discriminating against the poor and foreign. Women may not hold property once married, inherit the crown, or build a palace in Ianthe. Ophir is not an oppressive land, but all wish to avoid the courts.
General punishments: first theft, ears slit; second theft, nose slit; third theft, life in the mines; witchcraft, burning; cut-purse, cheek branded; madness, imprisonment; bankruptcy, enslaved; murder, beheading; offense against the crown, imprisonment or impalement; kidnapping, beheading; poisoning, death by torture.
Torture is the customary method of gathering information. The rack, the scourge, and the hot irons are well-known. Suspicion of guilt is enough; there need be no trial or verdict. Nobles can flout the law freely. Their word is usually accepted as truth, especially if “witnesses” are supplied for a fee. If, for example, a noble accuses a man of theft, the noble can go to that man’s house, accompanied by a King’s Justice and the Ophirean infantry, and demand anything that man owns, saying it was the stolen item. A noble who killed a foreigner would not find it difficult to be acquitted. Conversely, a foreigner who killed a noble, even in self-defense, would find it very hard to escape beheading. Any adventurer whose patron is found dead, is immediately suspect and in danger of the King’s hot irons. It is common to put a price on the head of suspected criminals. General Iskandrian is responsible for this, but is stingy. Even Katela the bandit has only a reward of 20 GL on her head, whereas in Zamora, the price on her head is 20,000 GL. The succession to the throne is governed by law. After the King’s death, the royal crown and scepter must be left unattended on the throne for nine days and nights.
During this time of civil disorder, crime is common. Kidnapping is widespread. People are followed. Masked men (often nobles or wealthy merchants) offer adventurers gold in exchange for foul deeds which they hope will increase their status or protect them from rivals. Common prices are 50 GL just to meet with a famous thief;
200-300 GL for theft of special item; 500 GL for theft of highly specialized nature; 100-1,000 GL for murder of a noble; 30-100 SL for common murder.
THE ARMY: The army is loyal to General Iskandrian and is being held neutral during the current conflict. To ensure this, the army is confined to cities and forts, leaving the countryside open to nobles and bandits. Great suffering has resulted, but Iskandrian hopes to preserve the army’s strength, thereby saving it for the day King Valdric dies. The number of men in each garrison is as follows:

Fort: 10-20 light infantry; 10-20 men-at-arms; 10 light cavalry
Royal Palace: 200 light infantry; 300 men-at-arms; 500 cavalry
Ianthe: 1,000 light infantry; 500 men-at-arms; 500 light cavalry
Kothalsia: 500 light infantry; 250 men-at-arms; 50 light cavalry; 50 cavalry
Suvian: 250 light infantry; 125 men-at-arms; 50 light cavalry; 30 cavalry
Each city gate is manned by 12 men-at-arms. Each fortress gate is manned by 6 light infantry.

 

[Majestic7]

Thank you, Herve and Vincent. I don't think I'll need much information about Ophir for this trip though - the characters will most likely just visit the capital and then continue onwards towards Nemedia - but that was just the reason why the small amount of coverage for the realm caught my eye.

I've kept things pretty stereotypical now - people being surly, threat of a civil war in the air and references to rich mines deeper inland. Tension between Ishtar and fanatics of Mitra is part of the plot on the run.