Grathelle

Description

One of the three 'Blue Lands' (also Remonia and Valeeme) whose ancient folk came from somewhere beyond 'The Out and Beyond' and settled where Great River halted their advance. They are not seafaring folk but manage to navigate their way around the landlocked Sea of Barshelle quite happily. The land is most fertile in the north on the borders with Hagrath and around the sea, tending to turn into vast forests of drier 'clumpy grass' as it marches south towards the mountains of Edrad-Mure. It is there that the blowflies are bred in huge cages woven from the tough, living grass. The western region of Grathelle is a huge tumble of un-passable rocks and what lies beyond Valan's Pass has long been forgotten.

Features

Capital city	Hengest.
City description	Coastal stronghold on Sea of Barshelle.
Bordering lands	Out and Beyond, Hagrath, Remonia, Valeeme.
National Standard	Black blowfly on sky blue background.

Description of Folk

Skin colour	Dark blue.
Hair colour	Black.
Eye colour	Black.
Physique	Slender and wiry.
Main occupation	Fishing (more like whaling to big folk) Raising blowflies.
Background culture	Nomads.
Worship	Pagan.
Insect influences	Water boatmen - haul ships.

Warriors

Helmet	Fly-shell. Black. Conical. Wide nasal. Polished.
Plume	Dark green.
Hauberk	Knee length. Worm-skin. Black.
Hose	Dark green.
Boots	Brown. Worm-skin.
Cloak	Dark green.
Weapons	Long sword.
Shield shape	Round. Solid rosewood.
Shield colour	Black.
Shield insignia	Bluebottle fly painted silver (small)
Mount	Bluebottle flies.
Saddle	Chair-like. Slug-skin.
Caparison	None.

Fly Riders

Helmet	Fly-shell. Conical. Dark violet. Polished.
Plume	Spider-silk strands dyed black. Tall.
Hauberk	Knee length. Worm-skin. Dark violet.
Hose	Black.
Boots	High. Black. Worm-skin.
Cloak	Velvet.
Weapons	Thorn-tipped spear. Fly-shell Long sword black.
Shield shape	Oval. Solid rosewood.
Shield colour	Blue.
Shield insignia	Bluebottle fly painted in black.
Mount	Bluebottle flies.
Saddle	Chair-like. Slug-skin.
Caparison	None.

Soldiers.

Helmet	Fly-shell. Conical. Polished. Nasal. Low back.
Plume	Captains only - short red spider-silk spray.
Hauberk	Black worm-skin.
Hose	Black.
Boots	Black.
Cloak	Black.
Weapons	Thorn-tipped spear and broadsword.
Shield shape	Oval - Interlocking for shield-wall.
Shield colour	Black.
Shield insignia	None.
Mount	Foot soldiers only - sometimes get lift on flies.
Archers/slingers	Dressed the same with worm-skin caps.