The Saga of Symbaroum

The world of Symbaroum is a psuedo-medieval setting with many comparisons to real life.  It has some really evocative, watercolour artwork which is truly breathtaking and in part is what has inspired me to start this project, or rather to take the project beyond just a simple set of miniatures for use in an RPG.  What the game doesn’t have is a dedicated set of miniatures to support it so part of the fun of this project will be selecting miniatures that I can use to capture the ambience of the world.

The Inhabitants of Symbaroum

The sentient inhabitants of Symabroum are split into three broad groups;  Ambrians, Barbarians and Elder Races (Elves, Goblins, Ogres etc etc).  These are very broad groups and there is a great deal of variation within each group, however there are many cultural similarities which define the groups.

The Elder Races are a collection of non-human races loosely based on traditional fantasy lines, but always with some weird twist.  Elves for example look like the Elves we know at certain ages but turn into some weird monstrous creature as they age.  I will cover the non-human races at some point in the future

The humans are split into two broad factions, although disctinct sub-factions exist within each.  There are the Ambrians and the Barbarians.  The story generally seems to centre on the Ambrians,  although it is possible to play any species or human faction.  They are technically invaders, having migrated to what is now known as Ambria from the south after their homeland was destroyed.  The Barbarians are humans who inhabit the forests of Davokar to the north of Ambria and the plains to the west of the forest.  The Barbarians and Ambrians do share, some distant history, or at least it is hinted as such in the game but culturally they are very distinct.   In the story the state of Ambria has for some time and they have established several thriving cities.  Culturally they are very much a medieval faction.  Although there are sub-factions within the nation of Ambria, it is still very much a unified state.  The different factions that the for influence may have their own agendas, hidden or otherwise, but when threatened, the whole state would rally to her banner regardless of their own goals.  The main factions are the Church of Prios (itself formed of three branches), the Ordo Magicka, the noble houses and of course the Royal House (i.e. Queen Korinthia) and her Army (the Queen’s Army)

The Barbarians are not as culturally or technologically advanced as the Ambrians; the difference being something akin to that between mid-medieval civilisation (Ambria) and late classical/dark age (Barbarians).  They are a real eclectic mix that can include anything from woad and tattooed barbarians to dark age vikings or saxons to tribes of nomadic horsemen.  Each clan is a unique, distinct and self contained entity.  While they do form a loose confederation under the High King (an elected position but which lasts for life), there are rivalries, grudges, feuds and disputes between them all.  Some are more amenable to the Ambrians and some openly hostile.  If threatened it is by no means guaranteed that they clans would unite and it is even possible that some would side with Ambria if it came to a war.

As well as the main human and non-human factions and species, the forest of Davokar, where most of the adventures occur, is full of mysterious, dangerous, terrifying and majestic animal life, from spiders to huge bears and boars.  Not to mention bands of undead that linger in the dark places and the ruins.

My mind was absolutely racing with ideas seeing all of this beautiful artwork and reading all of the background and I will be dedicating more posts to the factions to share my thoughts on them and how that influenced decisions about miniatures