Maps and such

The last true strongholds of paganism in Europe run from Pomerania east until Lake Chudskoe in Russia.  The area between are lushly forested, dotted with deep swamps, and blessed with very bitter winters.

The people who live in these lands aren't well known to their western and southern neighbors, though the Byzantines traded with them through the Russian river system.  You have heard the names of the major tribes as Livs, Letts, and Estonians.

The Church turned it's attention to the area around 1170.  They sent missionaries and established small churches.  They began working on converting the various tribes in the area.  They met with little success.

Then a new bishop, Bishop Alfred, founded a bishopric in the town of Riga. He also invited crusading orders to enter the area.

Currently, an independent crusading order named The Knights of the Sword has established a headquarters in Riga near Alfred's under construction cathedral.  They began operations 15 or so years ago.  Word is the Knights of the Sword have stabilized a good amount of the area around Riga.  But that the Church's influence is still rather dim.

Riga has grown in importance however.  The crusades brought traders, and the traders have discovered how handy it is to have a functioning port on the voyage to Lake Chudskoe and Novgorod.

There are rumors of some internal conflict between Bishop Alfred and the officer corp of the Knights/Sword (KOTS going forward).  But the source of the conflict, if a conflict even exists, is unknown.  It is known that the KOTS seem to be struggling.  Their recruiters are scouring every major port in the north, trying to drum up recruits.  And word on the street is a couple of the larger merchant houses have cancelled some contracts with KOTS.  But this is just gossip.
This message was last updated by the GM at 03:56, Sun 24 Dec 2023.