Completely changed by the Cataclysm, it went from a welcoming forest nation to a wasteland occupied by the Dragonarmy. Let’s learn more about the nation of Balifor. Buy Tales of the Lance: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/16961/Tales-of-the-Lance-2e?affiliate_id=50797
Transcript
Cold Open
Once a forest home for Kender and Wild Elves, it is now a wasteland dominated by the Dragonarmy.
Intro
Welcome to another DragonLance Saga episode. My name is Adam and today we are going to talk about Balifor in the War of the Lance Era. I would like to take a moment and thank the members of this channel, and invite you to consider becoming a member by visiting the link in the description below. You can even pick up Dragonlance gaming materials using my affiliate links. I am referencing the Tales of the Lance boxed set and War of the Lance sourcebook for this information. If I leave anything out or misspeak, please leave a comment below!
Discussion
There are few juxtapositions as drastic as Balifor pre and post Cataclysm. Since the Age of Dreams in the Time of Light, Balifor has been a richly forested territory, granted by Silvanos himself to its namesake and military hero Balif. This land was populated by playful Kender, Wild Elves and beasts of all kinds. However, the Cataclysm caused much of the land to crumble and sink beneath the ocean waves of the South Courrain. This forced those who survived to travel elsewhere. Many of the Kender traveled east to found Kendermore, and wandering human tribes clustered near the shore to capitalize on the rich soil for farming. Until the Black Dragonarmy settled here and occupied it throughout the War of the Lance.
The population of Balifor is primarily human, making up over eighty percent of the roughly eighty-eight thousand and five hundred residents. Split in half between civilized and nomadic. Fifteen percent of the remaining are Kender, with elves and dragonians at two percent each. The primary source of trade comes from spices, diamonds, glass, petrol and Istarian artifacts. The rugged land with its harsh deserts to the north, expansive savannahs to the south and jagged cliff covered coastline belies its rich and bountiful soil. The Maelstrom to the north forces marm weather and moisture south, which enriches this once vibrant land, adding much needed elements of life necessary for the growth of plant life. For the hardworking who are able to protect themselves, they can truly make a bountiful living off the land.
Much of the savannahs are dominated by the nomadic human tribes of the Fin-Maskar, its Khan rules unquestioned over the People of the Stag. These proud warriors led by Abdus-Khan Ranic, were forced into the Dark Queen’s service or executed, surrendering their land to the Dragonarmies’ might. There is rumor of a larger resistance of the Fin-Maskar being led by the mysterious Silver Fox. Due to the political and geographical difficulties of travel through Balifor, sea is the preferred mode of transportation. The people native to this land are by and large honest folk, just trying to make a living. The nomads are natural enemies of the Khur tribes. Black and Green dragons can be seen lazily flying in circles over the myriad armies of ogres, draconians, goblins and humans who occupy in and around the towns of Port Balifor, Flotsam and Calihand. The vast number of native peoples of Balifor avoid these areas as much as possible.
The capital is Port Balifor, a dangerous place for even the dangerous, though it is only referred to as the capital because Flotsam and Calihand are physically smaller as settlements, though not always by population. Port Balifor is a town of just under two thousand five hundred people. It is nestled along the shoreline, but spreads out to encompass every inch of the cove, even out into the water through a series of docks and wharves. It is known as a den for pirates and smugglers, and is seen as the gateway of trade from the lands to the east. There are rumors of a new cult called the Duskmen, servants to Hiddukel, residing in and around the port city. Flotsam is populated by just over three thousand and six hundred. It was built from the wreckage of Istar, and is a hotspot for pirates of the Blood Sea. It is a rough town where business is run by its citizens who carefully cater to the pirates, merchants, and those foolhardy enough to sail the Blood Sea of Istar. Calihand is a small town with just over twelve hundred citizens. It is known as the center for fishmongers, farmers, Khurish roughnecks and elves. The locals do their best to keep pirates and smugglers out of their port town, who tend to visit the ports of the Khurman Sea instead. While the city is ruled by a former Knight of Solamnia, Garlic Di Feros he was not prepared to resist the Black Dragonarmy which occupies the town today.
The villages of the Fin Maskar tribe, Ak-Bodin, Ak-Lir, Ak-Matar, and Ak-Rol, each contain roughly a thousand residents. They are situated around the rare springs that dot the savannas and deserts of Balifor. The people of the Fin-Maskar are tolerant of newcomers if respect is given in return. Brightfield has a population of just over five hundred, and is the largest farming community in Balifor. It is situated on the most fertile lands and is seen as the center for agricultural trade, though most of its production is being used by the Dragonarmies. The village of Patience has under five hundred residents, and is built over an ancient Silvanesti outpost. It was once a home to Kender, but the Black Dragonarmy uses it as a meeting-place for would-be troops from the north and east.
There are a couple of other important sites of note, like the Cloven Hills. These are south of the Window of the Stars, beside the Khurman Sea coast. It is the home to Niedar Dwarves of the Stonecutter Clan. They do their best to avoid visitors, but they do travel to ply their wares. Their hills are known to be filled with geological riches, and the Dragonarmy has been known to raid the area for slaves. The Window to the Stars is an ancient Mystical Site in Khur’s southernmost border. It is an uncharacteristic feature of the overwhelmingly flat countryside. It is a plateau of sandstone with nearly vertical walls rising over a mile to its summit! On the summit is a dark and highly polished glass surfaced monument which is seemingly impervious to the harsh weather. The tribes of Balifor believe this to be a religious site, once a tower, where if you ascend its heights you could convene with the court of the gods themselves. As its surface reflects the constellation of the gods, there are some missing as you gaze into its surface during the War of the Lance.
While Balifor is only a shadow of its former self, the Dragonarmy has made good use of its resources, and the residents operate as well as they can, hoping their occupiers will someday move on.
Outro
And that is all I have to say about Balifor in the War of the Lance Era. What do you think about the savanna’s of Balifor? Would you try to homestead with the Dragonarmy occupying the nation? And finally, who do you think built the Window to the Stars? Leave a comment below.
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