In this article, I will introduce the world setting of "Brigands’ Quest."
Theme ⑤: "In-Game Technology: Heretic Engineer"
This theme explores the developers of various weapons that appear in the game, focusing on heretical engineer.
The Empress's Hidden Child: Rebelling Against Parent
The "Heretic Engineer" you encounter by destroying the Dreadnought of the heretic army in the game's "Fallen Castle" is, as mentioned in "②The Adulterous Path of the Lewd Empress" set up as the hidden child of the Empress. However, both characters end up opposing each other without knowing they are parent and child.
The daughter born from the clandestine affair between the Empress and the Cardinal, a close associate of the former Emperor, was falsely reported as stillborn to prevent assassination attempts and was raised in a certain church. Showing intelligence from a young age, she was selected as a member of the joint research team between the King and the Holy See, established at that time. She was then assigned to engage in inhumane and anti-doctrinal research at a secret research facility beneath a monastery.
The monastery where forbidden practices such as human dissections, experiments with drugs from the East collected during the Holy Campaign, heretical theological studies, translation of ancient pagan texts, and the development of mechanical technology threatening the guild-based production methods were conducted corresponds to the "Abandoned Monastery" in the game. In the catacombs beneath the monastery, accessible with a secret password, players can glimpse some of this clandestine knowledge.
The cooperative relationship between the king and the Holy See (especially the Cardinal who gained high position in the ecclesiastical hierarchy) soured over the rights to utilize the knowledge and technology developed. Both sides sought to hire thieves to target the monastery in an attempt to cover up evidence. The scene of violence and massacre that ensued is recalled by the "Blind Sister" in an H-scene. The Blind Sister herself is unaware of the monastery's secrets and believes that innocent nuns were attacked.
The Engineer who survived the massacre seeks protection from the king and the church by approaching the empress, aiming to have her appreciate his knowledge. Unaware of their true relationship as mother and daughter, the two meet in a manner reminiscent of Renaissance-era intellectuals seeking patrons for their work.
However, the empress expelled the Engineer who showcased abundant knowledge. She did so because she did not want to follow the same path as the King, her late husband, who had tried to spread cutting-edge technology that was not welcomed by society and had failed. Unaware that the Engineer possessed dangerous knowledge and was her own child, the empress attempted to capture and have them killed by her torturer (who operated from a farm near the river). However, she was thwarted by sympathizers of the heretical faction lurking in the court.
Thus, the Engineer, unaware of their true mother, harbored resentment towards the empress and collaborated with the heretical faction. They turned against the papal court, the kingdom, and even the empire where their true father, the cardinal, resided.
The main theme of "Brigands' Quest" revolves around the Mob Brigands protagonist, who "can only steal, destroy, and kill." However, the fate of the named characters (such as the Princess, the Princess Knight, the Empress, and the King) serves as a sub-theme, illustrating how "lovers turn against each other, betray, and kill."
It's crucial to incorporate this sub-theme into the destinies of the Empress and her hidden child, the Heretic Engineer, to add depth to the story. Revealing their relationship and backstory can evoke empathy from the players.
Adding a scenario focused on heresy after the ongoing "Dirge of Sows (tentative)" scenario is a great idea. By further tormenting the characters and enriching the narrative, you can captivate the players' interest. While "Eight Brigands" is also an intriguing concept, it's essential to depict character growth and changing fates to maintain engagement with the storyline.
"MAD Engineer" and "Over-Technology"
I titled it "Over-Technology," but the technology provided by the heretic engineer did not exceed the realm of late medieval technology. Standards of measurement, armored combat vehicle quantities, the use of gunpowder, bronze-cast cannons – all of these were possible at the time, and it was because of this that her demonic weapons existed. Despite being on the decline, the heretical army, devoid of the vested interests of the warrior class of knightly nobles, was able to change the traditional ways of war.
War Wagons and Handgunners
In the historical Hussite Wars, combat wagons (known as War Wagons or Wagenburg) were utilized for troop transport, logistical support, and during combat, they could form wagon circles akin to those seen in Western movies, providing a defense line against feudal cavalry charges. Wooden panels shielded against enemy arrows, while gunports allowed for the firing of primitive firearms such as handguns or for thrusting spears outward for attacks.
The handguns wielded by the heretical rebel peasant militia could be used as flails, familiar tools for threshing grain, when turned upside down. This allowed inexperienced peasants to engage mounted enemies or armored soldiers in combat, leveling the playing field for those unaccustomed to warfare.
Dreadnought Tank
The weapon, resembling the A7V tank used by the German Empire during World War I, was named the Dreadnought. When faced with this unknown weapon, enemy soldiers trembled in fear, scattering in all directions as its massive form approached. Equipped not only with gunports for offensive attacks but also featuring small-caliber cannons mounted on the top and a battering ram at the front, the Dreadnought proved its effectiveness in sieges conducted by the heretical army. While vulnerable from the rear due to the oxen serving as its power source, this weakness was compensated for by accompanying infantry hiding behind the armored plating to protect the oxen.
However, both the War Wagon and the Dreadnought were vulnerable to attacks from above or fire, requiring the use of urine-soaked animal hides during combat to defend against flaming arrows. In the game, we saw Brigands defeating the Dreadnought by dropping a massive statue onto it.
While the weapons of the heretical army were powerful, they required precise use to unleash their full potential. It was due to the presence of not only Engineer but also former generals who once protected the Empress and commanded the Imperial Army that the peasant-based army could stand against feudal forces, who were experts in combat.
The Empress's Leviathan
Although the Empress rejected the presentation of the Heretic Engineer, it doesn't mean she dismissed all of the ideas outright. Instead, she allowed for the creation of a monstrous weapon that combined all the elements of the heretical arsenal: polished armor, tasteless decorations, and numerous protruding guns and cannons.
The Leviathan, created more as a tool to instill authority and fear rather than as a military force, is the Empress's creation. When facing resistance from rival lords and the Papal See, the Empress brought out this weapon as the Empire's mobile command center in battle. Its mere presence struck fear into the hearts of enemies, often leading to victories without engaging in combat. The inscription "Gott Mit Uns" ("God with us") on this weapon, which was used to pressure the Papal See into signing the Concordat, serves as nothing but a sarcastic jab from the Empress.
However, enraged by the Empress's "imitation," the Heretic Engineer decides to provide the Brigands with weapons to defeat the Leviathan.
Iron Fist Panzerfaust
Resembling the Panzerfaust used by the German army during World War II, this weapon takes the form of a fist (Faust) attached to armor (Panzer), as its name suggests. Its warhead, propelled by black powder, contains a rare cotton-based explosive and liquid explosives serving as a substitute for a fuse. The launching tube ejects asphalt as a counter-mass behind, allowing it to propel a massive projectile to a great distance without needing a large cannon.
Although it is a disposable weapon, each shot carries the power to bury all enemies encountered in the game.
"So, in this presentation, I focused on introducing the technology of the enemy units in the game world. While I'm progressing with the writing of additional scenarios, I'm also adding and organizing details in the world guide to streamline the setting.
So, please continue to enjoy the life of a Brigands!"
In this article, I will introduce the world setting of "Brigands’ Quest."
④Theme: "The Holy Empire is neither Holy, nor an Empire".
I'll explain the setting of the "Empire" in the central basin which serves as the backdrop for the game.
Grolomagne, born in Vlaank clan, chief of Groman Tribes
The "Imperial Central Basin," the setting of the game, is the land situated at the center of a country referred to as the "Empire" in the game. For those who read the previous World Introductions, it should be clear that this refers to the "Western Empire," contrasting with the "Eastern Empire" surviving as the Omantine Empire after the collapse of the ancient Remian Empire.
In the wake of climate change leading to the influx of various ethnic groups into Western Narope, the region lacked a unified political authority. Amidst this situation, the Latin Archbishop of Latio, seeking political protection, bestowed the imperial title of Remia upon the Gromans, particularly Grolomagne, who had halted the incursion of the Southern Church forces into the Galouis region. Unsurprisingly, the Eastern Omantine Empire, claiming succession to the Remian throne, opposed this move. Subsequently, relations between the Eastern and Western Empires soured, and Archbishop Latio distanced itself from the Eastern Church, increasing its independence and organizing the Western Church.
Thus, under the coronation of the Pope, the imperial crown of Remia was established as the "Holy Remian Empire." However, due to the decentralized nature of tribal governance, the historical tradition of Groman chiefs being temporarily elected military leaders through tribal conferences, and the low population density leading to the practice of divided inheritance from ancient times, the Holy Remian Empire remained far from a centralized authority in Western Europe.
Holy Remian Empire Looking around the current "Holy Remian Empire," there are conflicts with the Eastern Empire, now a force of the Southern Church. To the west, there's the centralized Galois Kingdom and the Lothierbourg Duchy, which holds territories in both Galois and the Empire. The Duchy enjoys a splendid royal palace culture as patrons of the Vandijke Trading Compagnie. Additionally, there's the Bund, a league of mountain people who have essentially seceded from the Empire, posing a threat to its unity.
In the northeast, the Colony Order has conquered the surrounding regions, but they have become uncontrollable, not heeding commands from either the Emperor or the Pope. Exploiting this vulnerability, the ruthless descendants of Vikings, the Skaanen Union, eye the territory across the sea. Even looking to the south, the Imperial flag is scarce in Remia, indicating that there are only enemies or potential enemies surrounding the Empire.
Looking inside the "Holy Remian Empire," its appearance is far from the grand and majestic nation one might typically envision, with overwhelming imperial power, an absolute emperor, advanced centralization, and a bureaucratic organization supported by a standing army. The emperor's authority is limited in the face of powerful feudal territories, and the relationship with the Papal See for the coronation ceremony has been strained since the death of the previous emperor. Despite bearing the name "Remia," the control of the empire only extends to a portion of the Remian states.
The ambitions and setbacks of the emperors
The once-divided tribes became the various regions of the empire, and tribal leaders transformed into feudal lords under the expansion of feudalism. The emperor, elected at a council of feudal lords, held a lifelong position but was not hereditary. After an emperor who pursued forceful reforms or external campaigns, the subsequent emperor, chosen to comply with the wishes of the feudal lords, often nullified the reforms.
While this system could be seen as a means to eliminate reckless leaders or incompetent hereditary monarchs, it also made it challenging to implement consistent state policies. Therefore, attempts by successive emperors to create a centralized state through laws based on their authority, standardization of weights and measures, and the establishment of a unified bureaucracy with a common language mostly ended in failure.
The Pope as the Sun, the Emperor as the Moon
Surprisingly, the elements that fulfilled the dream of the emperors for a centralized state were found not within secular states but rather in the sacred realm of the Western Church. This included the hierarchical order from believers to the Pope, organizational management through classical texts in Remia, and standardization of rituals, such as the specifications for bread and wine.
However, the dirty work necessary for military and governance had to rely on secular power to some extent. Thus, unless in open conflict with the Pope leading to excommunication, emperors could establish a symbiotic relationship with the Church organization to maintain the status of the "Holy Empire." Both emperors and nobles placed clergy as advisors, and to avoid the downfall of their house through the division of inheritance or succession disputes, they often designated second or third sons as clergy and sent their daughters to convents to control dowry expenses. During this era, convents served as places of prayer, industry, and scholarly pursuits, becoming essential infrastructure.
Kings and nobles not only provided their offspring with a starting sum but also viewed the returns from these arrangements as investments. They made significant donations to excellent churches and convents. The mutually beneficial relationship between feudal lords and the Western Church strengthened the Western Naropean world, leading to the momentum for Crusades against pagan lands.
The Fat and Rotten Pig, and the Swarming Flies
However, excess wealth, as preached by clergy members who claimed that worldly riches couldn't be taken to the afterlife, ended up corrupting the Western Church itself. The bloated bureaucratic organization gave rise to uncontrollable corruption and waste. Those who held the title of clergy were often nobles' offspring in name only, indulging in debauchery within the sanctity of the church.
Taking advantage of this situation, secular kings instigated righteous and incorruptible clergy and monks against the corrupted clergy and initiated interventions into church organizations and assets. The King of Galois even confined the Pope, placing him under his control, and conflicting kings set up puppet anti-popes, leading to the Great Schism in the Western Church.
The Holy Campaign and The Struggles of the Empress's Father
While it was a crisis for the holy realm, for secular rulers, it was a golden age. The legitimacy of the social death penalty, excommunication by the Church, was in question, and they could strengthen their control over Church territories. The once sated beast became docile, and the incessant conflicts between Western Christian nations, which the Church had repeatedly urged, subsided into a state of uneasy peace.
The Hundred Years' War between Galois and Albion was also in a temporary truce during this period. Knights from both countries engaged in jousting and tournaments, deepening their friendships, while commenting on the Church as being barbaric and cruel.
On the other hand, the influential lords within the empire, insatiable in their desires, began to target the wealth of the prospering cities that had emerged at the time. Originally considered as places where fleeing peasants sought refuge, cities were seen as an annoyance by the landlords.
However, with the development of a monetary economy, the cities' abundant procurement capabilities became indispensable for the lords. The economic power held by the cities also became an attractive asset for these lords.
The cities, evolving from commercial alliances, formed urban leagues to counter the threat posed by the powerful lords. Several cities sought protection and began to submit to the emperor as "Imperial Cities." This situation became a headache for the emperor of that time (the father of the empress featured in the game). The emperor's power increased, and it was easy to anticipate the resentment of jealous lords. If the lords were to unite their forces, the emperor, no matter how many urban factions were on their side, would have little chance of winning. Plunging into such a civil war would likely prompt surrounding nations to seize the opportunity to divide and devour the empire.
The father of the empress decided to redirect the hungry beasts within and outside the country, akin to lords hungry for power, away from the influence of the Western Church. It was the emperor, not the pope, who initiated the Holy Campaign. The target was the region of Vojvodina, situated at the border with the Eastern Empire (the historical Balkan Peninsula). The principality, which had maintained a delicate balance as a buffer state between the Eastern and Western Empires, faced succession issues and internal strife due to an influx of nobles and refugees escaping from the Eastern Empire.
Leading the dream team of the Western Church, the emperor swiftly pacified Vojvodina. The fervor of the Wheelader army, however, became so intense that it marched into the Eastern Empire, reaching the city of Zemnja, beyond the emperor's control.
The Death of the Emperor and the Era of the Great Interregnum
The enthusiastic Wheelader army fell into a trap set by the Eastern Empire in Zemnja. Disregarding the emperor's orders to halt, the charging forces were individually defeated, surrounded, and captured. The emperor himself perished in the battle. The retreating armies of various nations faced resentment in Vojvodina, where they encountered guerrilla warfare from the local population, leading to their dispersal.
The failure of the Wheelader's expedition rekindled tensions between Gallouis and Albion, prompting the imperial nobles to convene multiple conferences to select a new emperor. However, despite various attempts to influence the proceedings through bribery, maneuvering, and strategic marriages facilitated by wealthy merchants, "The Congress dances, but it does not progress". While the coffers of influential merchants thrived, the nobles only intensified their conflicting interests, exacerbating the situation.
The relative rise in the power of the ecclesiastical forces, coupled with the decline in the status of the aristocracy, was a phenomenon witnessed not only within the empire but across the entire Western Church world. The grassroots movement for the purification of the Church began ejecting the corrupt offspring of the nobility from the upper echelons of the ecclesiastical organization. Moreover, the unresolved issue of antipopes spurred theological debates and competitions for ecclesiastical governance among competing factions, fostering progress in these realms.
Amidst the squabbling among nobles, merchants skillfully navigated their way through the chaos, accumulating wealth. The guilds of urban crafts grew in strength as they fought for entry into autonomous realms, monopolized by these merchants. In this era of political and religious turmoil, the common people, torn between decadence and seeking salvation, denounced the corruption of antipopes and nobles. The voices of itinerant preachers resonated through the streets, bringing tears to the eyes of those who listened.
The Prodigal Prince Aims for the Throne
From here, the history of the empire links to the journey of the Count Palatine and his entourage, as discussed in the in-game "former Emperor" in world indroduction②, who is also the fiancé of the Empress.
The companions of the Count Palatine, bearing the stigma of the prodigal prince, were moved by a reformist saint girl during the tumultuous era of the vacant imperial throne and the proliferation of popes. Impressed by her call for reform, they decided to accompany her on the journey. The Count Palatine, with a resolve to become the emperor and enact positive change, and his entourage pledged to support him in realizing each of their desired futures.
During his journey across the empire, the Count Palatine struck deals with the major lords. Upon hearing the Count Palatine's words promising "extraordinary privileges for eternity if they endorsed him as emperor," the major lords gladly agreed to the deal. To them, it seemed like the foolish prince had come to be their puppet.
As the Count Palatine continued, stating, "Let's keep this as a opened pact and announce it to the entire empire upon my coronation," the major lords, while internally chuckling, signed the parchment, thinking, "It's as if a dog came begging for a collar."
When they heard the Count Palatine's words about his betrothed becoming the empress as a co-ruler, some major lords couldn't help but think, "The famous princess, known for her imminent self-destruction due to her notorious whims, will struggle with a collar too heavy for her position." They suppressed their laughter, realizing the princess would soon find herself in a difficult situation.
None of the major lords noticed that the contract was a clever trap set by the Count Palatine, nor were they aware that his companions had sown troublesome seeds in the major lords' territories throughout the negotiations.
Thus, the Count Palatine became the Emperor, and as his co-ruler, the Empress. The Count Palatine's contracts designated the major lords as Electors, appointing them as the imperial electors, stripping away the right of the regional lords across the empire to participate in the imperial elections. Additionally, he granted them the status of top of regional lords (Kreis), making them arbiters in local incidents and territorial disputes.
Furthermore, the Count Palatine bestowed upon the Electors numerous privileges, such as mining rights, the right to mint currency, and customs duties—rights traditionally reserved as the Emperor's prerogatives (Regalia). The Golden Bull of the Emperor, adorned with the signatures of the Electors, ironically became a heavy collar placed around their necks.
With the positions granted to the Electors, the envy and anger of the smaller lords were directed towards them. The economic privileges pushed forward the monetization of the economy, making it impossible for the Electors to complete economic activities solely within their territories. Instead, they found themselves entangled in an imperial-scale economic sphere.
One of the Count Palatine's companions, who became the Imperial Chancellor, successfully subdued the Electors using legal knowledge and industrial techniques.
Furthermore, the champion among the companions gained fame in tournaments during their travels, attracting skilled warriors to join the newly established Imperial Standing Army.
Similarly, the companion who became the Cardinal conducted negotiations with the church organizations throughout the major lords' regions, laying the groundwork to resolve the Great Schism in the Western Church.
However, the seed of the greatest and only problem had also taken root at the feet of the Emperor. The ideology of the saint girl, eliminated by the Emperor's companions and the Empress as a heretical threat to order, sparked a rebellion among heretical peasants in the central basin of the Empire, which serves as the stage for the game.
This is how, amidst the chaos of the Empire, you, as a bandit, will sow even more disorder! That's what "Brigands' Quest" is all about!!!!
The regions (Kreis) of the Empire and the Electors The five Grand Electors who secured their positions with the Emperor's Golden Bull. Among them are those who rejoice, those who wear pride on their faces, and others who show signs of unease. Some are already eyeing the territories of the fellow Electors. While they are survivors of the era of the Great Interregnum and are accustomed to betrayal, their ability to cooperate may be considered amateurish at best.
Western Border Kreis and the Western Archbishops
The western part of the empire, blessed by the Rhine River, has experienced high population density and early urbanization since the ancient times of Remia. Agricultural production, the cornerstone of feudal power, thrived with numerous cities crowding the landscape, supported by a multitude of sacred and secular territories, roads, and water routes. Consequently, the western regions of the empire became a land of prosperity intertwined with conflicts of interests and petty quarrels, preventing the establishment of a dominant ruling power.
The powerful Galouis Kingdom to the west has long coveted this land. The Gauloises-Lothierbourg family, a branch of the Gaulois royal house, holds territories in both Galouis and the western part of the empire.
Archbishopric of Kössen (modeled after cities like Cologne, Aachen, and Mainz), appointed as the Elector of Kreis, serves as the Archbishop struggling to lead the disorganized small lords. He faces the military threat from the Rochebourg Principality and the economic challenge posed by the Vandijke Trading Company, their patron. This presents a dilemma that requires careful navigation and strategic planning.
While being part of the same Western Kreis, the lords and cities nestled in the mountainous regions upstream of the Rhine River have developed distinct cultures and economic spheres from their downstream counterparts. Gießenthal (modeled after cities like Basel, Augsburg, Nuremberg, etc.) has thrived, with the foundation of its prosperity laid by merchants who, starting with mining and metallurgy, ventured into the financial industry. It has given rise to prominent financiers in this region.
Bürndelke(Modeled after Nuremberg), where the so-called Imperial Parliament is situated, is a renowned cultural city known for song battles where court musicians and wandering poets compete for recognition.
The Northern Border Kreis and the Northern Duke
In Sachßen, or the northern part of the Empire, cultural unity has been maintained since the era of the Gromans. The Elbe River, flowing from the southern mountains to the northern coast, has played a crucial role in preventing the influx of diverse cultures while facilitating the transportation of people and goods through maritime routes.
Rather than the fragmentation of territories due to population growth and inheritance, the pace of unification of territories through familial bonds (patriarchy) and marriages has prevailed. This has led to the dominance of powerful Sachßen noble families in the region.
However, the territorial ties were primarily among the noble class. As surplus population began engaging in activities beyond the agriculture controlled by the lords, the Northern City Alliance, or the Sachßen Städtebund, emerged as a force capable of challenging the rule of the Sachßen nobility.
Key cities within this alliance include Wichshafen, competing with the VanDijke Trading Company through its maritime resources and shipping; Sachßenfurt, strategically located for east-west land transportation, boasting a massive trade and craft guild with significant autonomy, and establishing its city laws as the foundational laws for city-states across borders; and Gösler, known for its prehistoric non-ferrous metal mining history and numerous mines.
These cities collectively form the core of the City Alliance.
The Sachßen Duke, or Duke of the North, who acquired the position of Elector through the Golden Bull uses the received authority as a shield to exert pressure on the City Alliance. However, the unity among the Saxon nobility begins to crumble due to resentment towards the Sachßen Duke, who holds the position of Elector and various powers. The Duke of Sachßony finds himself struggling against numerous obstacles posed by members of the City Alliance, those aligning with other Electors, and individuals seeking proximity to the Emperor.
Eastern Erontier Krais and Markgraf
In the Krais east of the Elbe, border margraves specialized in military service have historically been stationed as a frontier against the Western Slavoi territories. The population in this swampy region is sparse, and apart from amber obtained in Szcko, there are hardly any noteworthy products other than crops. Therefore, the territories of the Margraves have accepted surplus population from the western part of the Empire and engaged in colonization.
The forefront of colonization was led by the knights directly under the Margraves. These knights, as landowners, reintroduced a strong form of serfdom that was fading away in the west. They lured western peasants dreaming of their own land to the frontier with sweet words like "Arbeit macht frei" (Work sets you free). Under their harsh rule, which didn't shy away from heavy taxes and even the imposition of the lord's right on the first night, the peasants were subjected to strict control.
The success in suppressing peasant rebellions seeking their rights was attributed to the martial temperament of the eastern knights and the strength of the military class's organization due to the direct vassalage relationship with the Margraves.
For the inherently authoritarian Margraves, the position of an Elector was particularly unprofitable. For a Margrave who wished to concentrate on managing their territories and maintain power locally, the responsibilities of making decisions for the entire Empire and defense became burdensome.
The challenges he had to deal with included the improvement of productivity spreading throughout the western world, the penetration of a monetary economy, and the relative improvement of the status of peasants and artisans compared to knights and nobles. The economic development in other regions led to a rise in the prices of agricultural products produced in the Margravate. However, in return, a monetary economy began to infiltrate the Margravate, and knight lords, who experienced physical wealth, began to indulge in decadent Western fashion rather than sharpening their weapons.
The Margravate found itself oscillating with the global economic conditions. Despite attempting to promote cities and industries based on the rights gained as Elector, the Margravate, which had monoculturalized under the principle of comparative advantage, found it challenging to produce products that could win in price competition. Even if they attempted to recruit urban residents from the still-growing western regions, the conservative Margravate was less preferred as a destination compared to the cross-border Konfederacja(Poland-Lithuania) by artisans and merchants.
The knightly class of the Margravate fell victim to an economic curse akin to the underdevelopment seen in historical backward countries.
The Southern Border Kreis and the Archbishop
Looking southward from the heart of the Empire, the Alps separate the lands of Remia to the west, while to the east, the hilly region of Vojvodina, home to the Southern Slavoi, lies across from the Eastern Empire. The mountainous terrain hinders human movement and dulls communication, resulting in a diversity of languages and cultures. This diversity poses a challenge to the dominion as a Krais.
The title of Elector for this region was granted not to the Archduke of Aargau, the major lord of this land from House von Aargau, who ardently desired the imperial throne and its hereditary succession, but to the Archbishop of Vinna, located in the capital Vinna. Having lost control over the Bund (the historical Switzerland) and the imperial throne, House von Aargau had been fervently aspiring to regain the imperial seat.
Unable to secure the position of Elector, House von Aargau directed its ambitions towards territorial expansion in response to the humiliation. The act of an incumbent Emperor enlarging their own domain historically provoked the resentment and rebellion of other lords. Thus, House von Aargau perceived this position as a kind of opportunity.
Yet, this itself was a trap set by the Golden Bull, the imperial decree. For House von Aargau to expand its territory, it had no choice but to entangle itself in the quagmire of the city-states of Remia to the west, fearing the excommunication by the Pope, and to delve into the powder keg of Vojvodina to the east, fearing the mighty Eastern Empire. "O fortunate Austria, leave the battles to others and engage in marriage," was not an option. House von Aargau became the lackey of the Emperor(the rival in the election)'s foreign expeditions.
Vojvodina, caught in the disputes between the Western Empire, Eastern Empire, and the Southern Church, became a land where people of the same language were divided into three religions, each with its own ruling script.
Dachia Bannate and its governor,"Ban"
Beyond the Carpathian Mountains, connecting the Eastern Naropean steppes that extend to the east with the dominion of the Eastern Empire over the Eastern Mediterranean, lies the vast realm of Dachia Bannate, known for its "Ban" or governor. This land has been a miniature representation of the clashes and harmonies among various ethnic groups coming from the east and west, akin to a condensed depiction of the diverse landscape of Naropa.
From the ancient settlers of the Remian Empire, the warriors of the South Slavoi who migrated up the Danube, to the immigrants from the Western Empire who established seven city-states known as Siebenstellen, and the nomadic Khumbani people who traversed the steppes, Dachia is home to a diverse population that spans from settled to nomadic life, and from Western to Eastern , partically southern Church beliefs.
Despite their loyalty to the Western Church and their acceptance of the courtly culture of the Empire and the Western Naropa's aristocracy, the Khumbani people who rule Dachia find themselves exposed to threats from the east.
Throughout the Wheelader Holy Campaign era, Dachia's proximity to the Empire increased. By aligning themselves within the framework of collective security provided by the Empire against eastern threats, Dachia aimed to strengthen its governance, which was not entirely cohesive. The Dachian governor, bestowed with the position of an elector by the Emperor, attempted to consolidate his control using his privileges, but faced opposition from the local aristocracy. Furthermore, he had to address various issues within the Empire.
The strengthened ties with the Empire led to the Siebenstellen city-states, influenced by the Empire, gaining more power and developing the capability to counter the governor. Additionally, the waves of rebellion initiated by heretical peasants in the central basin of the Empire began to spread within Dachia.
Beyond the central basin of the Empire, where the game is set, various lands are simmering with internal strife, power struggles, economic disparities, and ethnic or religious tensions. Therefore, rulers everywhere are at risk of facing predicaments akin to those encountered by the player's character in the main game. The aftermath of the Wheelade's failure, brought back by returning soldiers and the epidemic, is undoubtedly spreading throughout the entire Empire...
In other words, rogues and ruffians like the Brigands in the main game can be found anywhere. While the player is burning down a farm, somewhere else in the same sky, unseen villains are likely assaulting women and incinerating villagers.
This is the world of the Brigands' Quest!
So, that was an introduction to the decaying Empire. I'm currently working on additional scenarios and simultaneously organizing the lore for a World Guide article, which I may or may not add.
