The Verdant Expanse

Overview

The Verdant Expanse is a land of boundless potential and striking beauty, its rolling plains and sparkling rivers stretching as far as the eye can see. Fertile and rich with resources, the Expanse is both a breadbasket and a cultural heartland for its people. Its openness offers opportunity but also danger, with marauding tribes, wild beasts, and political intrigue shaping the lives of its inhabitants.

At the heart of the region is the Samanid Confederation, a loose alliance of city-states renowned for their horsemanship, trade, and military prowess. Alongside them dwell the Stygorn, a race of half-giants tied deeply to the land, whose nomadic clans and ancient traditions enrich the fabric of the Expanse.

Key Geographical Markers

1. The Rolling Plains:
   A vast ocean of grasslands and wildflowers that dominates the region. Home to grazing herds, nomadic tribes, and scattered farming communities.
2. The Rivers of the Spine:
   Fed by the melting glaciers of the Spine of the World, rivers such as the Silverbend and Vyrna provide life to the region and serve as vital trade routes.
3. The Great Lake of Elarron:
   A massive freshwater lake in the heart of the Expanse. Surrounded by fishing villages, it is a spiritual and economic hub for the people.
4. The Windrift Steppes:
   Untamed lands bordering the Spine of the World, where nomadic horsemen and Stygorn roam. A dangerous frontier region prone to Orc raids.

Religion in the Verdant Expanse

Religion in the Verdant Expanse reflects the region's connection to nature, life, and the land’s bounty. Worship varies across the city-states and the Stygorn clans but centers on the following themes:

1. The Great Skyfather:
   A central deity representing the skies and winds, believed to guide riders and ensure bountiful harvests. Worshipped through open-air ceremonies and sky-dancing festivals.
2. The Lady of the Lake:
   Revered as the spirit of the Great Lake of Elarron, the Lady is said to bring fertility to the land and peace to its waters. Pilgrims from across the Expanse visit her shrines, casting offerings into the lake.
3. The Earthshapers:
   A pantheon of minor deities associated with the land, rivers, and beasts. These gods are particularly important to the Stygorn, who honor them through cairns and chants.

Society

The culture of the Verdant Expanse is shaped by its openness and the intermingling of its peoples.

1. The Samanid People:
   • Known for their egalitarian approach to leadership, with emphasis on merit and personal achievement.
   • Deeply tied to their horses, which are treated as family and status symbols.
   • Their art, such as intricate tapestries and decorated saddlery, often depicts their connection to the land and sky.
2. Social Hierarchies:
   • Nobles: Wealthy landowners or prominent figures in the Confederation’s Council.
   • Merchants: Respected for their role in connecting the Expanse to the wider world.
   • Farmers and Herdsmen: The backbone of society, revered for sustaining the region.

The Samanid Confederation

A coalition of independent city-states united for mutual defense and prosperity.

• Governance:
  The Council of Hooves meets annually at Arvandor, where representatives debate trade agreements, military campaigns, and laws. Decisions are often contentious but generally respected.
• Military:
  • The Samanid Riders, an elite cavalry force, are the Confederation’s pride.
  • City militias provide additional defense, particularly in frontier regions like the Windrift Steppes.
• Economic Strength:
  • The Confederation thrives on trade, exporting grain, horses, textiles, and goods crafted by skilled artisans.

The riverways and Golden Bazaar of Arvandor are central to commerce.