Pcghastria

Is the tongue an afflicted organ, cursed to taste but ash and dust?
Or is it the other
senses that deceive, mocking the heart with beauty that does not exist? Perhaps the
tongue merely knows the true flavor of the world...
Stezen D'Polarno
Landscape
esting in the Sea of Sorrows, the island of Ghastria is over one hundred
miles west of the Mordentish coast. The small isle lies nearly at the edge of the Sea's
navigable waters, for the Mists writhe anxiously only a few miles from Ghastria's
shores. Beaches of rolling sand dunes are constantly being transformed under the
crashing surf. A natural harbor lies on the north edge of the island, though the only
settlement lies about four miles inland. Ghastria's flat landscape is distinctly
agricultural, characterized by fields, orchards and vineyards that are broken only by
scattered patches of woodland. The food grown in Ghastria's soil is flavorless,
however, possessing only a bland suggestion of its taste. Despite the ocean's bitter
winds, the climate in Ghastria is moderate, with pleasantly mild summers. Oddly,
some older Ghastrians insist that their land was not always an island, and that it once
rested in the southwestern Core.
Government
Marquis Stezen D'Polarno rules the entire island of Ghastria. D'Polarno is a
benevolent lord, but is something of a curmudgeon. The few who have met him
personally describe him as a bitter man with a foul temper. Oddly, however, the
Marquis treats his peasants in a benign fashion. He expects the Ghastrians to tend the
fields that surround his estate, but is not cruel or oppressive. Any reasonable needs
that the common folk have can be brought to the attention of the Marquis' servants,
and the matter is usually quickly seen to. D'Polarno even protects his people quite
diligently from the abuses of outsiders. Many Ghastrians surmise that their lord is a
good man at heart, but that loneliness has destroyed whatever joy he once had for life.
Though the island has no formal militia, most Ghastrian men are skilled with a blade;
wild beasts and terrifying creatures plague the countryside.
Despite his vulgar disposition, D'Polarno is known for his fabulous seasonal parties.
Four times a year, the Marquis holds a grand gala featuring feasting, dancing,
entertainment, and all manner of refined debauchery. These occasions are strictly for
outsiders, however; Ghastrians are never invited. Nonetheless, after one of the
seasonal galas is over, the Marquis donates all leftover food to his people. The party's
invitation is open to folk from all classes and walks of life, and the Marquis asks for
nothing in return. Accordingly, despite the island's remoteness, strangers always seem
to find their way to Ghastria in search of sensual delights. D'Polarno's parties have
become legendary in foreign lands. In recent years, many nobles on the western coast
of the Core talk of making the arduous ocean journey just to attend one of the
Marquis' galas.
Foreign Relations
Ghastria does have contact with the outside world, but it is limited. Though D'Polarno
attempts to encourage trade with the Core, few ships are willing to sail so far from the
western coast. Still, Ghastria is one of the few islands in the Sea of Sorrows to receive
outsiders warmly, and a brave merchant with a reliable vessel can turn astounding
profits from even the simplest wares. Foodstuffs in particular are a greeted with
enthusiasm by Ghastrians.
Aside from such trading expeditions, the only travelers who come to Ghastria are
those seeking the hospitality of the Marquis. At any given time, there are handful of
strangers on the island, biding their time until the seasons turn and the revelry begins.
Goods and Services

Ghastria produces a bounty of food. At harvest time, the land is covered with golden
fields of wheat, ripe apple orchards, and vineyards of succulent grapes. Unfortunately,
outsiders will not purchase the tasteless wares. If nothing else, this means that the
Ghastrians themselves eat well, even if the food is not particularly enjoyable. Humble
fishermen brave the cold sea in search of tuna and sardines, but fish caught off
Ghastria's coast are also strangely bland. Merchants who make the journey to Ghastria
will find a handful of worthwhile crafted goods, but most simply take the Marquis's
gold in return for food, and then quickly sail for home.
People
Ghastrians are slim and handsome folk with fair skin. As farmers, however, their
shabby dress and dirty skin gives them a somewhat wretched appearance at first
impression. Men and women both dress in simple, earth-toned clothing meant for
rugged work. Although the Marquis himself lives quite opulently, the common folk of
Ghastria are generally poor, although not desperately so. They make do with what
they have most of the time, and D'Polarno sees to their needs in exceptional
situations.
The Ghastrian Mindset

Ghastrians tend to be pragmatic and even-tempered people. Although not really
optimistic, they make the most of their situation. They have little patience for either
bullies or complainers. The Ghastrian model for life is to put in a day's hard work and
then relax in the evening. In foreign lands, they are always voracious eaters, and most
put on a little weight when traveling abroad.
Language
Ghastrians speak a pleasant language and throaty language unique to their island.
Ghastrian syntax is quite similar to Mordentish, and though the two have radically
different alphabets, they are easily translated from one another. Unfortunately, few
Ghastrians speak any language other than their own. However, at least one translator
for common Core tongues can be found in East Riding.
Religion
There are no organized religions on Ghastria. Most Ghastrians are content enough
with their lives, and see little need to pine for divine guidance or an intangible
afterlife. East Riding once had a church, but the structure is now a burnt-out husk.
Elderly Ghastrians say that long ago the small chapel was a popular place of worship,
until D'Polarno destroyed it. The church's priests supposedly stole from the Marquis'
coffers, and were harshly executed when their theft was discovered.
Places of Interest
East Riding is the only village on Ghastria, and it houses less than a hundred people.
Still, nearly every road on the island leads to the village. It is a pleasant hamlet of neat
little stone and thatch homes. The only remarkable feature in East Riding is the open-
air market, where farmers and craftsmen sell their wares under colorful awnings and
tents. Though the foodstuffs are tasteless and the crafted goods of poor quality, the
market is a favorite gathering place for locals all over the island. Folk from the most
remote corners of Ghastria come a few times a month to catch up on gossip and look
for imported food. The Marquis' elegant estate rests on the outskirts, which lends its
grandeur to the otherwise humble village.
Character Creation
Character Races: Human.
Character Classes: Fighters, avengers, wizards, thieves and psionicists. Also
numenists.
Special Considerations: The Ghastrian palate has become highly sensitive from
eating tasteless food for generations. A Ghastrian character's chance to detect ingested
poison just before consuming it is increased by +20%, and a Ghastrian character
always has a 5% chance to detect even ordinarily "tasteless" poisons. However, due to
their inexperience with flavorful food, Ghastrians are likely to gorge themselves at
every opportunity when adventuring abroad. Whenever a Ghastrian consumes rations,
he must make a successful Wisdom check or eat twice the normal amount.

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Is the tongue an afflicted organ, cursed to taste but ash and dust?

Goods and Services

The Ghastrian Mindset

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