Welcome to another installment of our preview series for Reign, Second Edition. Today we wanted to introduce (or potentially re-introduce) you to the cultures of the core Reign game, as well as link them to their depictions on the cover of the Reign: Realms book, and clue you in on just who that woman on the cover of the Reign: Rules book really is. Without further ado, here’s a rundown on the countries and cultures of Reign.
The Empire
Five disparate cultures that clenched like a fist to conquer their neighbors on two continents, The Empire is now in decline but still vast, wealthy, and cruel. A coalition of stylish nihilists, energetic broadsword fighters, cold pragmatists and passionate scholars once shook the world with military prowess, a variety of enchantments, and a breathtaking willingness to eradicate entire royal lineages. The rebellion of their blood sorcerers halted their conquests generations ago, but the struggle to consolidate power and reclaim their lost vassals continues. Especially now that a new Empress sits upon the throne, one whose predecessor’s assassination is still mysterious…
The Empress
The Empire is the greatest political force in the known world—even if it’s only 3/4 the size it was at its height. It still fields massive armies, funds itself despite rampant corruption, and commands a legion of spies and saboteurs operating far and far outside their own borders. Which is still, perhaps, scant consolation to the Empress, who is seventeen years old, newly crowned, and widely suspected of conspiring in the assassination of her mother.
The Obb-Lobs
The Ulds
The first country to fall to the Empire was Uldholm, but a funny thing happened when their noble families were decimated: Their extensive network of trade guilds stepped up and started governing. Surprisingly, people who had achieved their ranks through achievement and compromise instead of being born to it turned out to be decent leaders, and in the decades since, guild rule has only solidified. Those in the fifteen guilds enjoy a level of political participation unheard-of in most other nations, and it has propelled a renaissance in magic, art and civic development. But rivalries within the guilds are bitter, and competition between them can be vicious. That’s before you factor in the powerless citizens whose jobs deny them representation.
Forsaken Birthright
Dindavara
A stiff-necked warrior culture whose religion teaches that they are meant to govern the rest of the world for their own good, Dindavara is the rock upon which the Empire breaks. Their name means “the nation of the sword” and their forges produce blades of unparalleled quality—even before their sorcerers sacrifice animals, people or demons to empower them with enchantment. These swords, magical or not, are then borne by five noble houses who train to a martial ideal. Of course, every house has someone ambitious who longs to lead the entire nation, but only one man has claimed the throne, leaving the other great families seething at perceived slights as they scheme to amass power—by duel if possible, inter-clan battles at worst, and through skullduggery if it’s deniable.
Haves and Have-Nots
The Truils
There are dark lands where the sun never falls, where noon for others is twilight. Those cold and barren lands are where the Truil nomads roam, scavenging, hunting, and moving on. But now Uldish interlopers are trying to settle in their territory, coming in greater numbers every year. Can the Truilish culture of cannibalism, religious lycanthropy and staunch individualism survive?
Great stuff. Is there an ETA on the kickstarter itself?
Before the end of the month. We should be announcing the exact date after the weekend.