The Crescent and Cross:Setting Overview

From Flagon With The Dragon

Jump to: navigation, search
The Crescent and the Cross is an RPG campaign setting based in a mythical version of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 1130's. A firestorm of cultures and faiths rages atop ancient layers of power and knowledge lost to the memory of mankind.
Crusader States.
Crusader States.

Contents

Setting Elements

Themes

In this setting I intend to use deeply passionate themes of tense cultural conflict, high stakes political maneuvering, brutality of war, conflicting of morality and faith, and the power and danger of lost mystic arts.

A Historic Setting

While this is going to be a game weaving in mythic elements and trying to use dramatic license, I want to try to use the historic backdrop of the region as much as possible and as accurately as my limited research will allow. Since I'm not an expert on history I will probably use elements in their broadest sense and run the risk of getting things wrong but I thought it would be fun to both play through a game and gain a bit of insight into history at the same time. We're not attempting to relive history here so think of this as a movie history of sorts. We still need to create drama and story so that may trump other concerns at time. Also, the players story is meant to be the focus of this experience and history will serve as a backdrop for the players.

A Mythic Setting

Though based on a historic period the setting will delve into ideas of mysticism prevalent at the time or from the ancient past. A theme of the setting will be the recovery of holy artifacts and religious texts as a means for power amongst the faithful and a search for even older relics and mysteries from those few still seeking to unlock arcane powers from the past.

Game Systems

I don't specifically intend to tailor this setting to a specific game system but as a function of Actual Play we'll end up using one. Right now I'm in an experimental phase and want to try a few systems with the setting. Specific Adaptations for this setting are:

The Kingdom of Jerusalem

I'll be putting stuff here about the details of the Kingdom of Jerusalem around the year 1131.

Situation

The game will focus on The Kingdom from 1131 onward, 32 years after establishing the kingdom the Crusader armies continue to win great victories and have secured most of the region. Still the kingdom teeters on the brink as war rages along the borders with the Suljek Turk Empire and Fatimid Caliphate and civil war brews within. King Baldwin II has died passing the throne to his daughter Melisende and her powerful crusader husband Fulk V of Anjou to joinly rule. The European minority lords over the Islamic natives and a new generation of children born to the first generation of Crusaders struggle with thier idenity.

Northern Crusader States

These crusader holdings are independent allied or vassal states to the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

County of Edessa 
One of the first territories captured during the first Crusade, it is rule by Joscelin II who shares close ties with the King of Jerusalem. King Balwin I and II are both former Counts of Edessa before taking the crown in Jerusalem. Count Joscelin II has just taken control of the embattled area in 1131 after the death of Joscelin I during a siege.
County of Tripoli 
Normally a vassal state to the King of Jerusalem it has broken with King Fulk after his ascension and many are now talking of war.
Principality of Antioch 
King Fulk of Jerusalem acts as regent of this territory after having foiled an attempt by his wifes sister, the princess of Antioch to seize the regency for herself over her infant daughter by forging an alliance with the Muslim general Zengi of Mosul. Alice was nominally reconciled and has retreated to her holdings southern coastal Antioch, the cities of Latakia and Jabala. It is heavily populated by Armenians and Eastern Orthodox, having been taken from the Byzantine Empire just before the end of the First Crusade. Reynald Masoier acts as Stewart on behalf of Fulk.

Armenia

The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia is closely allied with the Crusader States having married into several powerful families in the Kingdom and Northern Crusader States. King Leo I of Armenia is a bold leader seeking to expand his territories and his aggressive raids have begun to concern even his Crusader allies along the boarder.

Territories of the Kingdom of Jerusalem

Specific information in territories in the Kingdom in 1131 is sketchy at best but here are some mentioned in Vassals of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

County of Jaffa 
Controlled Hugh II of Le Puiset, a proud and powerful lord and with close relations to Queen Melisende.
Principality of Galilee
One of the four great seigneuries of the Kingdom of Jerusalem it includes:
Lordship of Sidon
Held by Eustace II Grenier since 1128.
Lordship of Oultrejordain
The lands east of the Jordan river held by the powerful military commander Pagan the Butler.
  • Montreal Castle - Held as property of the Crown and outpost of the Knights Templar.
Other seigneuries
  • Lordship of Bethsan
  • Lordship of Caesarea - The once great learning center is being rebuilt under the new kingdom. The current lord, Walter I Grenier, is the stepson of Hugh II of Le Puiset and renown for his physical strength.
  • Lordship of Dera
  • Lordship of Hebron (Abraham) - Taken by the crusades in 1099 it is ruled by Baldwin of St. Abraham.
  • Lordship of Scandeleon
  • City of Acre - Held by the crown it was directly governed by Queen Melesende before her ascension to the throne, it is the main port city of the kingdom and a powerful economic power.
  • City of Tyre - Captured in 1128 it was governed by Fulk until he assumed the crown.
  • Lordship of Naples (Nablus)

Money and Economy

The kingdom mints it's own coin with denominations modeled on the French Denier and similar systems are found throughout the other European Nations of that time. Coins and denominations of the Islamic States are set out by Islamic law and seems based on the Dinar, as a meta-game note I cannot find an exchange rate so for no we'll assume 1 Islamic Dinar = 1 Denier. Denominations are as follows:

  • Kingdom of Jerusalem (French): 1 livre = 20 sols = 240 denier
  • Islamic States: 7 dinar = 10 dihrams

Religion & Politics

The relationship between the secular throne and religious leaders in the Kingdom of Jerusalem is complicated. Tensions between the Latin and Eastern Orthodox churches have risen since the Great Schism but hopes for reconciliation continue. Original treaties with the Byzantine Empire were to return any lands originally held to them during the crusade but this was later reneged upon and what was to be a power sharing arrangement between Latin and Eastern Orthodox clergy turned decidedly in favor of the European Latin Church. Still however, Eastern Orthodox orders have a presence or control a large number of sacred sites throughout the holy land having been the custodians during Byzantine rule and allowed to continue under the Islamic Caliphates. While Orthodox order may possess many holy sites, the Latin Church controls the majority of the powerful military orders as well various holdings held directly by bishops in the Kingdom. But the structure of the Latin Church is in question with two popes contending for loyalty amongst the Bishops and Kings of Europe. Pope Innocent II holds his seat in Piza and is supported by the Holy Roman Empire to the North, while Pope Antecletus I sits in Rome with the support of the Kingdom of Sicily and Aquitaine.

Though founded by Papal decree and despite the power of the Latin Church, the Kingdom of Jerusalem is yet a secular one ruled by a Monarchy. The Crown has been known to contest with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, but with enemies on every border and rebellion seething within none question the power or necessity of the Feudal Lords.

Other Regions & Cultures

Overview

Europe 1100
Europe 1100
The Crusades brought a large number of Europeans into the Holy Lands as combatants and pilgrims and although a powerful force in the region, they were still a considerable minority to the native Islamic population.

Here are just a few of the major cultures in the area at the time, but by no means all. There are smaller Duchies and Kingdoms throughout Europe and Asia and any of them could conceivably be found in Palestine, so if you've got a jones for something that isn't listed let me know. For a good picture of Europe and the Mediterranean around 1100 check out the map linked to the right.

Prominent Countries of the Time

  • The Almoravides are a militaristic Islamic dynasty covering the eastern portions of North Africa and Southern Iberia.
  • Arabia beyond Jordan is a vast plane of sand mostly inhabited by Bedouins belonging to no single nation.
  • The Byzantine Empire (Basileía Romaíon) during the period is a thriving Orthodox Christian empire tracing it's origins to the Roman Empire. The current emperor John The Beautiful is renown for his wisdom and piety.
  • Europe during the 12th Century is a highly fragmented and dynamic region. The First Crusade created the Kingdom of Jerusalem and while they are a significant minority in the region they wield considerable power. Some of the major cultures in Europe during this period are:
    • England covers most of the British Isles and a large areas of what is modern France. Although Saxon-Norman tensions are still high England still send considerable manpower to the Holy Land.
    • Scandinavia consists mostly of the Kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway which is still undergoing a Christianization during this period. It is a period of waning military power and considered the end of the Viking Era.
    • Iberia (Spain) divided between the Muslim rulers in the southern half and a number of smaller kingdoms controlling the north including Aragon, Navarre and Castille
    • France during this period is mostly under English rule due to the unification after the Norman Invasion of England. France remains a separate political power in name but culturally strong regardless of the political situation.
    • The Holy Roman Empire (Germany & Central Europe) covers most of Central Europe including northern Italy during this period and constantly teetering on the brink of civil war. Lothar III is a key figure in the succession and return to Rome of Pope Innocent II following the antipope schism of 1130.
    • The Kingdom of Sicily controls the southern half of Italy and Isle of Sicily. Officially became a kingdom in 1130 and supports the antipope Anacletus II during the antipope schism if 1130.
  • The Fatimid Caliphate is a progressive but crumbling Islamic dynasty that extends across the eastern half of North Africa. The Kingdom was taken from the Caliphate through a series of bitter battles only a few decades ago.

Languages

Arabic and Greek are the most common languages found in the Kingdom of Jerusalem but the influx of immigrants and pilgrims during the Crusade brought many other European languages to the lands as well. Some notes on some of the major languages spoken in the region at the time:

  • English (Anglo-Saxon) was primarily spoken by foot-soldiers from the British Isles and English nobility of Saxon descent.
  • French (Anglo-Norman) is the dialect spoken by French and Norman English troops and most of the noble court of England. It is also a common language among courtiers from Northern and Central England. It is probably the most common language amongst European Crusaders.
  • Latin is primarily used for scholarly exchange and as a liturgical language in Roman Catholic Mass. Vulgar Latin is still used in occasionally in smaller regions in Europe at the time, most notably Portugal.
  • Italian amongst those from Northern Italy and the Papal States.
  • Greek is spoken across the Byzantine Empire and often considered a language of the well educated and the elite, even in Rome. It is also a common language among sailors and merchants and considered a common merchants language in the region.
  • Arabic is the primary language spoken by the common people of the Kingdom and among the Islamic dynasties surrounding it. Along with Greek it is another major commerce language of the time.
  • Slavic is spoken amongst those who have come from the Balkans and many place in far eastern Europe. Although regional dialects are easily identifiable to native speakers, the language is similar enough to be understood between speakers from different regions.
  • Germanic is similar to Anglo-Saxon of the time and is spoken throughout Northern Central Europe as well as in some parts of Scandinavia and Poland.

Names

Names and naming conventions will vary widely based on someones culture of origin. Following here are some resources to assist in names. Note these are some very basic resources that approximate cultural feels but aren't necessarily accurate for that period.

Religion & Faith

The Kingdom of Jerusalem covers some of the most holy territory in Judeo-Christian and Islamic tradition and religious passions run deep in the region.

Faiths

  • Christianity:
    • The Eastern Orthodox church is a strong force in the across the Balkans, Eastern Slavic States and the Byzantine Empire. Orthodox sects also play a prominent role in the Holy Land controlling a maintaining a great many holy sites. A great deal of tension exists between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic church due to the Great Schism of 1054.
    • The Latin Church (Roman Catholic) is primarily the architects of the Crusades and although the Kingdom of Jerusalem is an independent nation they still hold considerable power through the Latin Patriarch and through the military power of tie affiliated fighting orders. It is the predominate faith of the ruling officials and crusader minority in the Kingdom.
    • Nestorism is practiced in the small pockets of Christianity east of the river Jordan and Persia.
  • Islam is a major force across the Middle East and North Africa at this time. It is also the faith practiced by the vast majority of common folk in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The primary divergences in Islamic beliefs are between the Sunni sect of Abbasid Persia and the Shi'ite sects of the north Africa and the Fatimid Caliphates.
  • Jewish sects of varying traditions and small communities exist throughout the kingdom. These communities were shown tolerance under Islamic rule but have been significantly oppressed under Crusader rule.

Miracles

While rare, Miracles of Faith are a moving force in the world of the faithful. Each religion will claim they alone receive blessings from the one true God but there are stories enough to support the claim that God seems not to be choosing a side.

For system specifics on issues of Miracles see:

Magic

The fate of magic in world of faith is a bit of a paradox and while practitioners of minor esoteric arts like alchemy and divination can still be found, the powerful magic of the ancient world have all but vanished. Magic as a source of power, respect, or fear has no place in a world of rigid faith and holy crusades, but it has not been lost completely.

Mystic Faiths

Minor Magic Traditions

  • Oracles
  • Alchemy

Magical Secret Societies

True Magic Orders

  • The Corpus Hermeticum is a blend of Egyptian magic advanced later by Greek and Roman Scholars.
  • Order of the Key of Solomon blends the ancient magic of Babylon with various Semitic magical traditions formalized by the magicians of King Solomon's Court.

Copyright & Disclaimers

Written by Scott Turnbull.

See Also

Retrieved from "http://flagonwiththedragon.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Crescent_and_Cross:Setting_Overview"
Personal tools