Themson Keep

Themeson is disputed land, seized from the Thardic Republic just over a decade ago. Although technically part of the Kingdom of Rethem, Themeson is more of an independent petty state controlled by the Cohorts of Gashang, a fighting order dedicated to Agrik, god of fire and war. The order is strongly influenced by the priestesses of the Order of the Eight Demons, the dominant Agrikan clerical order in the Thardic Republic. The Cohorts took control of Themeson just over five years ago as part of their split from the Red Shadows of Herpa, a rival Agrikan order. Since then, the order has not sworn fealty to King Chafin III of Rethem and has also publicly maintained its independence from the Thardic Republic. Talks are taking place with representatives of both realms to settle the matter.

Life on Themeson's lands is harsh for peasants, craftsmen, and others who aren't part of the Agrikan orders. The conflicts of the past 12 years have reduced the population considerably. The agrarian economy is barely sufficient for the region; many folk go hungry. The region is short on labor and some fields lie fallow for lack of peasants to work them; demand for slaves is high. Those who cannot pay the abusive fines and taxes have no choice but to cover their debts by selling themselves or their families into slavery.

Themeson was once a stronghold of the Theocracy of Tekhos, a brutal regime devoted to the god Morgath, lord of chaos and master of the undead. A dark legacy of that time lingers over the area.

The Themeson Keep article describes the settlement's history, government, religion, economics, and military forces. It includes color GM and player maps of the settlement, color floor plans of the keep, and brief descriptions of many local craftsmen and other locations in the town. Special attention is given to the locations related to the Morgathian legacy, including a watchtower, mausoleum, and ruined chapel.