My take on Borca (The Land of Poison and Duplicity)

[Mistmaster]

Borca:The Land of Poison and Intrigue
Official Name : The Barony of Borca
Culture level: Chivalrious
Ecology:Full
Climate & Terrain: Continental, Borca is a fertile plain beetwen the Balinok Mountains, the Vasha and Strecura river and the Blight Marshes;
Languages:Common, Darkonian, Lamordian, Vaasan, Okrainian .
Religions:Church of Ezra the Preserver
Races:Humans 96%, other 4% ).
Governement: Hereditary Aristocracy.
Ruler:Baroness Camille Dilisnya .
Darklord: Camille Dilisnya .
Lightlord: Ivana Boritsi.
Inhabitants: 7 millions.
Surface :47,000 square kilometres.
Analog: XV-XVI Century northern Italy.
Capital City:Levkarest (115,000 in, Standard, N/E),
Important towns:Sturben (89,000 in Standard L/E), Chiara (54,000 in, standard, N), Patterbone (30,000, non-standard, L/G)
Borders: Richemulot, Falkovnia and Nidala, East: Dorvinia and Barovia, South-East:Lazendrak, South:Gundarak and Invidia, West: Verbrek.

Domain Overview
The Balinok Mountains in the south east and the Blight Marshesin the Soth-West make up much of the Borcan borders; the last one is delimited by the river Vasha and the River Strecura in the North-west; In the middle we have the River Luna which cut the country in two halves; Levkarest, Borca's capital city, lays on the western bank of the southern course of the Luna River. Sturben, the second city in Borca, guards the only crossing on thes outhern half of the Vasha River. Chiara lays in the Blifght Wood, south-west of the Luna river. Patterbone is an heavily fortifued town wich guards the border with Falkovnia.

The People
Borcan are a shrewed and trade-orientated people; they believe in the value of experience, and usually believe in something only with enought proofs; Borcan are familiar with poison so they are cautious eater and drinkers. However, they develop a fine sense of taste and smell, which made Borcan cooking one of the best in the world;
Borcan people knows that look decieves, but they also know that appearance has a value, so they seek both practicality and beauty in theyr craft. Borcan people are cautious and respectfull yet they know how to hold a grudge; Borcan feuds are prolonged yer discreet affairs, as Borcan favours subtly over violence. All Borcans know theyr numbers and how money works; even a Borcan peasant grasp at least a bit of financial and economic matters making them good bargainers.

History
Age of Creation
During the Clash of the Gods Ezra found a boy named Boric defending his sister from horrible monsters; Touched by the boy's courage she saved them; Boric e Borica became the first followers of the Goddess, and spread her gospel in the core.

Age of Empires:
The Olympian Empire conquered much of the Core and Borca was one of the richest provinces; Ezra was identifyed with Athena and what is nowaday Levkarest was once an Olympian city called Athenapolis.

Age of Darkness
After the fall of the Olympian Empire, the Terg invaded and conquered Borca, persecuting the Church of Ezra.


The Modern Age
The von Zarovich Crusade freed Borca from Terg domination, the Church of Ezra became once again legal, and Borca became a part of the Kingdom of Barovia; unfortunatly the rich feuding familis of Borca chaffed under Barovian domination and tried to assassinate the von Zarovich family at the Wedding of Sergei von Zarovich; it backfired, and the Dilisnya, Bosco and Boritsi families had to pass the Balinok mountains to avoid extermination; here they proclaimed the indipendence of Borca and Dorvinia, and at the end of a bloody war with Barovia, it was reckognized under the agreement that the Count-King of Barovia was nominally reckognized as both Borca and Dorvinia's overlord, an arrangement which is still in effect. Borca saw four pretty bloody civil wars beetween the Dilisnya and Boritsi family, called the II, III, IV and V Silver Knives War which were ended by the marriage of the eldest Botitsi, Klaus, and the eldest Dilisnya Camille.

The Current Age
Camille Dilisnya reign as Baroness of Borca has seen the bloody invasion of Falkovnia repelled thanks Barovian military support, and the signing of the Seven Towers agreement; Under her shrewd guidance, after the untimely death of her husband and Co-Ruler Klaus Boritsi, Borca became a major economical and finamcial power in the Core. Recently, she has renounced to the ancient Borcan overlordship over the Dorvinian Lordship, after her favourite nephew Ivan, the Hero of the war against Falkovnia succesfull rise in power there.

Places of Interest:
Levkarest is the Core financial heart, even more than Corvia, second only to Paridon on Zherisia for importance worldwide; the Boritsi, Defraya and Dilisnya Banks and Trade companies are seated in Levkarest.
Also Our Lady of the Shield the great Chatedral of Ezra, the most ancient and splendid Ezrite Temple in the world, dominates the central square of Levkarest. Marsav Hall houses the Governement of Borca and it's were Lady Camille resides. Misericordia, Boritsi country home and Lady Ivana's current residence is just outside the heart shaped walls of Levkarest.The renowned Academy of Style is seated in Levkarest along the headquarters of Borcan State Militia.
The ruins of ancient Athenopolis lay under Levkarest, forming a huge labyrinthine complex.
Several Inns, hotels and restaurants dot the city, the most populated the Dark Lady, Desfraya Manor (Owned by eccentric and very rich noblewoman Margarethe Desfraya) Rosebud's Thorn, Sun's Peak and Tinfella Tavern

Sturben is a trade hub, and houses the main factories in Borca. The Merchantile Guilds prefer Sturben as theyr seat, as Levkarest is too close to the central power. The Cerulean Hall is the seat of the Guilds. The Green Mirror is a famous inn and restaurant. The local Temple of Ezra is the Azure Cathedral.

Chiara is a thriving merchantile town, which control the wood market in Borca thanks to its position in the Blightwood. The local Temple of Ezra was builted on the ruins of an Olympian-age temple of Athena. The Walker's leg is the principal inn and renowned meeting place in the city.


Patterbone is a fortified city on the border with Falkovnia, and house the national militia; The Maiden's Shield, the local temple of Ezra, houses the Holy Order of the Maiden's Shield which is the military arm of the Church. The Mistway Refuge is the most famous inn in the zone, it is ruled by a rugged veteran of Collodian origins called Benito Spadaforte.

Religions

Ezra the Preserver
This L/N religion teaches to build strong relationship inside the community, to follow rules and to partecipate to public life; success in any honest activity is seen as proof of Ezra's benevolence, while failure is the price of human fragility, but not necessarily a sin. The Mists are the materialization of the hazards any faithfull will find on the road; travelling and communicating is seen as a way to keep civilization alive. Ezra do not praise stagnation, but teach her followers to preserve what is good. The Borcan sect is the most tied to tradition and ierarchy; Base priests are called Anchorites, intermediate ranks are the Sentinels, while the Arch Priest is the Bastion. It's holy symbol is a shield with a belladonna flower and a sword on it; the favourite weapon of the church is the Longsword; Ezra's domains are: Community, Law, Mist, Nobility, Protection and Travel.
In Borca Ezra's church is the state religion and it's holy days are official holydays in Borca.

The Famed and the Infamous:

Ivana Boritsi
(Human Ermordenung Rogue Courtier 12, N/G)
Lady Ivana is Lady Camille elder daughter and heir, and she is also her first political opposer; Ivana's boulder is that her touch is poisonous, and that make difficult her marital life; in spite of all circumstances she has managed to conceive three daughters, all of them must live undercover for theyr own protection; theyr grandmother wouldn't hesitate a second to use them against Ivana; Ivana has also to bear the luckily distant attenction of her morbiously affictionated cousin, Ivan, Lord of Dorvinia. Ivana is a devout follower of Ezra and count her uncle as a close ally.

Alexander Manduchi
(Human Alchemist 10 L/G)
Lord Manduchi is a scholar and a brilliant alchemist, but his own acquired immunity to poison isn't enought to allow him riskless intimity with his wife; a truly devouted husband he makes the best of the difficult situation he is.He is still researching for a permanent solution.

Bastion Jakov Dilisnya
(Old Human Cleric of Ezra 11 L/N)
Younger brother of Camille Dilisnya Bastion Jakov is the hightest member of the Home Faith of Ezra and he is also a poweful political player in Borca; while fundamentally honourable and loyally devout to the church and its tenets he is also a refined and ambitious political actor well versed in the art of navigating the treacherous, poisonous sea which is borcan politic.

Hight Anchorite Claude Dulocq
(Middle Aged Human Heretic Cleric of Ezra 10 L/E)
Dementlieuse by birth, Dulocq is the Chanchellor of the Council of the Hight Anchorites the ruling body of the Borcan Chuch of Ezra; Dulocq isn't as faithfull and orthodox as Jakov is, and he is even more ambitious.

Captain Victor Momeala
(Adult Human Fighter 8 L/G)
The head of Levkarest Militia is an idealistic man, a veteran of the Falkovnian invasion and an honest man; this means there is no one less qualified to that job being an honest man in a viper's pit.

Bevel Boritsi
(Young Adult Human Rogue 5 C/G)
Idealistic cousin of Lady Ivana Bevel is determined to use the family fortune for a good cause.

Clotilda Taroyan
(Human Adult Number Wizard 8 N)
Clotilda is the head of the Tollere Service, an organization of financiary investigators. She is a detached and cold woman with a troubled past.

Margarethe Desfraya[/i
(Middle-aged Human Feytouched Bard 6 C/G)
Lady Margarthe is the anti-conformist aunt of the current head of the House. A patron of the arts, she invests her considerable patrimony in funding worth causes.

Lord Robert Tatenna
(Human Adult Aristocrat 7 L/E)
The rich and ruthless head of house Tatenna, a young yet most successfull borcan noble house, Robert is a very ambitious businnessman, who was recently stroke with misfortune when his family manor in Levkarest burned in a roaring fire.

Garret Tallgallows
(Adult Halfling Rogue 12 C/N)
Garret Tallgallows is the most successfull thief in the Core; he is wanted in almost all the states of the Core but not in Borca, where he keeps a low profile;

Gato Foukai
(Adult Human Ronin 8 L/E)
Rich Rokushiman exile Gato is one of the richest man in Borca and he is in the businness of speculation, with a sinister reputation. Recently he is interested in the activity of the masked vigilante Nightclaw. Gato may be involved in the activities of the Black Lotus, a Rokushiman guild.

Doran Muchaka/Nightclaw
(Middle-aged Human Vigilante 8 C/G)
Doran Muchaka is a renowned socialitée during the night and a crimefighter during the nights; in his youth he was an adventurer until his wife was killed in Levkarest by a robber, then he stopped travelling, and he changed his life completely; he is a good friend of Van Richten and a supporter of the Van Richten Society.

Kirgo Talnikto / The Jongleur
(Adult Half-Vistani Half-fiend Rogue 11 N/E)
Camille Boritsi personal bodyguard, he is also a masked assassin and an Half-Fiend which often clashes with Lady Ivana and Nightclaw. He comceals his true demonic aspect under his jester attire or using magical disguises.

Arch-Anchorite Levin Postoya
(Old Human Cleric of Ezra 9 L/N)
Levin is the Former Sentire of Ilvin in Dorvinia, and would be Jakov first choise as a successor, should he die, but his health is not as good as it used to be, even if his mind is still sharp and his faith is still strong.


Sentire Geofri Solda
(Middle-aged Human Cleric of Ezra 7 L/N)
A wandering missionary in his youth he was often involved in dangerous adventures; he earned his rank with his deed, but he payed for it with many scars; some of those scars, are not visible, but hurt way more. He provides a strong spiritual guide coated in useful practical advices.

Captain Marcu Nutretta
(Adult Human Fighter 6 L/E)
Merciless, unforgiven and ambitious the Captain of Sturben City Guard is an expert loop-hole abuser, more interested in ensuring his own advancement that in serving justice abd upholding the law.


Gran Maester Iohannes Severin
(Middle-aged Human Paladin of Ezra 8 L/G
The head of the Holy Order of the Maiden's Shield, a war-hero and a man of very strong beliefs, Severin has been victim of several suspicious accidents after clashing against the Baroness Mother. He resides in the fortified city of Patterbone.

Organizations
The Black Lotus : a L/E Rokushinan criminal Organization who formed a chapter in Borca, under the blessing of the Baroness. The head of the Borcan branch organizaton is the mysterios Chimamire Notsuki ( Ogre Magi Monk 5, L/E), a close ally of the Baroness.

Boritsi Trading Company: L/G businness enterprise with interest in the whole Core continent and behond, the financial power of the Boritsi family made them one of the most influencal families in the world; while local represents may dib in unsavory activities the Company mantains a strong ethicalo code, pursuing profit together with the advancement of the communities they operates in; its C.E.O. is Ivana younger brother Anton Boritsi.(LG Adult Human Aristocrat 8 )

Dilisnya Businness Bank: L/E aggressive businness and financial company with many shadowed operations and a reputation for ruthlessness; it's CEO is Camille's ruthless younger brother Stepan Dilisnya (Middle aged human L/E Aristocrat 7).

Desfraya Bank: L/N Businness Bank, headed by the powerfull house of Desfraya, they are. together with the BTC, the financial arm of the Ezrite Church; its CEO is the mistyrious Lady Izabelle Desfraya (L/N Adult Aristocrat 2 / Sorcerer 7 of the Shadow Bloodline)

The Deadly Rose Borca L/E secret service and Camille's personal secret police is exclusively made up of Ermordenung women. Lady Nostalia Romaine (Adult Ermordernung Slayer 9, L/E) directs the Thornes from Sturben.

The Darklord

Camille Dilisnya
Medium Middleaged Human (Rogue Poisoner 13, N/E) (130 HP)
Speed:30 feet
Initiative:+4 (+3 in Marsav Hall)
Senses: Perception +19 True Sight (+3 in Marsav Hall )
Armor Class: 25, Touch 17, Flat Footed 21 (+4 Dex, +8 armour bracers, +3 deflection)
Space/Reach: 1 square /1 square
Combat Manouver Bonus/Combat Manouver Defense:+9/25 (+3 in Marsav Hall)
Str:10, Dex:22(18), Con:12, Int:22(18), Wis:20 (16), Cha 18
Saving Throws: Fort +5 Ref +14 Will +9 (+3 in Marsav Hall)
Special Qualities: Curse of the Dark Lord, Immune: Poison; Detect lies, Useof Poison, Modify Poison, Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, Improved Uncanny Dodge, Rogue Talents (distracting attack, lasting poison, surprise attack, swift poison, deadly coktail, hidden mind); Ageless Body . Mastery 3, Sinkhole of Evil 3.
Special Attacks: Poisoning Touch (CD 25), Sneak Attack (+7d6), Poisonous Words, Seductive Stare.
Attack: Melee: +2 Unholy Quick Dagger:+18/+18/+13 [1d4+2 +Poison (see Posoning Touch) (CD 25) and 2d6 unholy damage against Good aligned targets) (+3 in Marsav Hall)
Range:+2 Endless Ammunitions Darting Ring of Poison +178/+12 [3 + Poison (Sleep, CD 30) and Poison (See Posoning Touch) (CD 25], 20 ft.(+3 in Marsav Hall)
Skills: Appraise (+22), Bluff (+23), Craft (alchemy) (+22,+28 with poisons), Diplomacy (+23), Disguise (+20), Escape Artist (+22), Intimidate (+23), Knowledge (local) (+22), Knowledge (nobility) (+22) Knowledge (religion) (+19), Linguistics (+22), Perception (+21), Perform (oratory)(+19), Sense Motive (+24), Sleight of Hand (+25), Stealth (+22). (+3 in Marsav Hall)
Feats: [Iron Will, Skill Focus (Bluff, Diplomacy B, Intimidate B, Sense Motive., Sleight of Hand) ,Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Dagger).


Challenge Rating:15
Proprieties: Components for 10,000 GC value, 100 PC, +2 Unholy Quick Dagger headband of Mental Prowless (Intelligence, Wisdom) , Belt of Incredible Dextery +4,+2 Endless Ammunition Dart Ring of Poison, Cloack of Resistence +3, +8 Armour bracers, +3 Protection Ring (House Dilisnya family seal), Dilisnya Silver Teaspoon, a single dose of every known poison in every possible variant and the antidote.

Background
Camille Dilisnya was once an innocent girl, but innocence don't last much in a country ablaze in civil war; when she was not even 10 years old, her father and her mother died in front of her, theyr troths pierced by crosbow's quarrels. Under the tutelage of her shrewed uncle, she became a practical woman, and out of practicality she accepted to marry Klaus Boritsi, putting an end to the Fifth War of the Silver Knives and ascending to rulers hip of Borca; Camille and Klaus marriage was an happy one for a while, then he started to cheat on her. She retaliated cheating on him, but what she doesn't tolerated was the rumor and the ribald songs, so she killed her husband mistress as she flaunted it too much, and Camille will never forgive a direct slight. Growing obsessed with her look, she started to dabble in alchemy, which she used to poison her husband's illegitimate off springs, as they were a threat to her own, in her mind, and, finally, Klaus himself. But she did not kill Klaus out of jealousy for his infidelity, no, she killed him because he ignored her plan to have theyr dughter Ivana marry her favourite nephew Ivan Dilisnya. Camille last betrayal was trying to destroy her daughter happiness killing Ivan's husband along with her own grand children. She did so transforming the pregnant Ivana in an Ermordenung, a living poison vehicle. But Lord Manduchi was able to save himself and his children. Camille actions earned her the embrace of the Mists who fully promoted her to Borca Darklordship.

Current Sketches
Camille still rules on Borca with an iron fist in a silk glove, and she is always at the center of the gossip chronicles. She is in a tenuos relationship with her brother Yakov, who insists in putting the church interests above his family's ones. Her subterranean war against her daughter goes on but Ivana is demonstrating herself a better player then she thought. That at once makes her proud and enraged. Her goal is that to preserve the fortunes of her family and to promote her power.


Combat
Camille is loath to engage her opponents directly. She usually prefers to operate behind the scenes. If forced to act herself, her favorite weapon is poison, followed by her dagger Viper's Tongue.

Special Abilities:
Poisoning Touch: Once for round she can coat any object with a contact poison as long she has a champion of the poison with her. The DC of the St is 25 or that of the regular poison, whatever the higher.


Seductive stare: It works like Charme on every humanoid, with the difference that instead of trusting her people lusts after Camille. DC 25 Will save negates. It does not works on people Camille lusts for.

Poisonous Words:It works like the Rumor Monger Rogue talent, but it also allows Camille to actively infect a target with a mental condition as long as the rumor is active: Paranoia, Insomnia, Oclophobia (fear of mobs) or Crippling Insecurity. DC 25 Will save negates. The target can repeat the St every day, and can't be influenced two times by the same rumor.

Curse of the Dark Lord:
Camille body is immutate in the outside but she feel herself getting older. Not only in the mirror, but every time she is alone with a man or women she lusts for she can feel her body sagging and she takes any word as a slight. She did not have a decent intimate relationship since the moment she attempted to kill her daughter's family.


Lair:
Marsav Hall is a luxurious mansion and it's halls bore witness to Camille's most infamous deeds, because of witch it became a Rank 3 Sinkhole of Evil. It can bestow the Paranoia, Lust and Sickened conditions. (Will Negate DC 25)

Closing Borders:
When Camille wish to close the border black lotus-like flowers grow all over it and they release a poisonous aroma. Every non poison-immune person who smells the aroma fell asleep if they do not pass a DC 25 Temper Save every round for 100 round. Camille can close the border up for a month.

Feedback, as always is appreciated, and sorry for the eventual typos.

[ewancummins]

Questions:

Were Ivana Boritsi and Nostalia Romaine friends in this version? If so, have they had a falling out?

What is the attitude of the state religion toward outside cults? Any laws that restrict clerics or other gods?

What is the source of the country's wealth? You mention wood. Anything else?

How poor are the common people?

What is the money like? Coins? Paper notes?

General comments:

I like that you went with Camille as the darklord and Ivana as lightlord. That's a fun twist.

I take it that the Olympian Empire a sort of fantasy Hellenistic civilization. The place-name, Balinoks, has always put me in mind of the real-world Balkans.
Macedon and Greece/Hellas certainly fit that set of associations. I like that you have an empire which appears in the histories of multiple domains. Good source of ancient ruins.
And I note that some references to Greek/Classical mythology do appear in the Black Box.

[Mistmaster]

Questions:

Were Ivana Boritsi and Nostalia Romaine friends in this version? If so, have they had a falling out?

What is the attitude of the state religion toward outside cults? Any laws that restrict clerics or other gods?

What is the source of the country's wealth? You mention wood. Anything else?

How poor are the common people?

What is the money like? Coins? Paper notes?

General comments:

I like that you went with Camille as the darklord and Ivana as lightlord. That's a fun twist.

I take it that the Olympian Empire a sort of fantasy Hellenistic civilization. The place-name, Balinoks, has always put me in mind of the real-world Balkans.
Macedon and Greece/Hellas certainly fit that set of associations. I like that you have an empire which appears in the histories of multiple domains. Good source of ancient ruins.
And I note that some references to Greek/Classical mythology do appear in the Black Box.

Thanks for reviewing.

Yes, Ivana and Nostalia were friends, but Nostalia was seduced by Camille and used in her plan to kill Klaus.

The state religion is fairly tolerant, but it will keep an eye on outsiders clerics. A proselitizing one can at least expect to be engaged in a public debate against the best orators money can hire.

The country wealth comes from its silver mines and its medicinal herbs cultivation. Silk is another best selling good, and Borcan craft is highly appreciated.

Commoners are usually never poor enough to starve. The Church does provide in case of calamities.

They use copper and silver coins or exchange letters for the richer families. Gold coins are rarer.

Thanks it was actually an idea matured recently to make Camille the ruling evil one.

[kourkenko]

Interesting take. You changed Ivana history in a original way, just by saving her loved one, everything old is new. It remind me of the "what if ?" comics.
It's good.

[Mistmaster]

Interesting take. You changed Ivana history in a original way, just by saving her loved one, everything old is new. It remind me of the "what if ?" comics.
It's good.

Thanks.