Introduction to the Crimson Reach

 I am not creating a generic rule set. Instead, I am crafting my blend of old and new rules and tying them tightly to my campaign world. The rule books for all editions have always implied a lot about the default game world and expectations of play. I am leaning into that, and part of my blending will be choosing what fits my world and discarding those things that do not. 

As a starting point, here is the introduction to the Player's Guide for my Campaign.

The Crimson Reach is a fertile land of lush, rolling pastoral meadows situated between the shores of the Sea of Strife in the south and the Riesen Highlands to the north. To the west rise the rugged Kaskoi Mountains and the headwaters of the Bourannos. Vast grassy steppes march to the east beyond the verdant valley of the River Bourannos.

The Reach is home to the Tauri, tribal humans who are primarily peaceful herdsmen; and occasionally pirates. The capital of Taurica, the Tauri kingdom, is Symbolon, a newly built and bustling city at the Great Bend of the Bourannos. 

On the shore of the Sea of Strife at the mouth of the Bourannos lies Chernessos, a colony city founded by the Sea People. Much trade flows along the river between Chernessos and the towns and villages of the Tauri. 

In the hills and dales of the Riesen Highlands live two peoples, the Vilk and the Riesen. These people live intertwined in small villages and hamlets scattered throughout the highlands. Few outsiders travel among the folk of the highlands, and the folk seldom travel outside except for the occasional contingent seeking a market for their furs. 

A small number of other people live and travel in the Reach. 

Lizard-folk from the swamps along the sea's western shore can be found in small bands of mercenaries or fighting in the gladiatorial games in the arenas at Chernessos and Symbolon. 

Tribes of Chaos Beast-men live beyond the swamps of the lizard-folk. Orcs and Hobgoblins from these tribes are sometimes found in the Reach, usually working as mercenaries or gladiators. 

Emissaries and traders from Cyrenica, the empire from the far side of the eastern steppes, have been making the arduous journey from their homes on the business of their Empress, Cybele.

The region surrounding the Sea of Strife is busily racing towards civilization, building shining cities of stone and marble, creating extensive trade networks of fine goods and raw materials, and studying arts and culture. For the citizens of Chernessos and Symbolon, it feels like a golden age of peace, wealth, and culture. Debates of new and exciting ideas occur daily in the forums. Actors and poets perform their plays, songs, and poetry in amphitheaters and private villas. Fine clothes and jewelry adorn every shopkeeper and artisan. 

Life outside the cities is a very different story. The tribes and villages in the outlands of Tuarica are growing restless, chafing at the growing cost of finished goods from the cities and ever-lower prices paid for their foodstuffs, hides, and furs. The Riesen and Vilk must remain tirelessly vigilant against intrusion from the north; whispers race like the wind of something sinister that drives monsters and beastmen south into the Highlands. Merchants in great caravans crossing the steppes from Cyrenica speak in frightened whispers of horrifying monsters threatening to end their trade in fine metals and jewels of the east; they offer bounties on the monsters that threaten their livelihoods and hope that it is enough to secure the caravan routes.