The Kingdom of Holden

The smallest of the empires is also one of the youngest. Throughout the wars and tribulations of the past century, the Valley of Holden has become a refuge of sorts for the free people of Countermay. Home to free thinkers and individuals from all regions, this refugee camp grew into a city that grew into a ragtag nation of adventurers, militarily weak but cunning and resourceful, an X factor the rest of the world could not ignore. In the War Against the God-King, Holden’s greatest hero, Simm Buxtehude, played a critical role. He forged an unstable alliance between Malchior, Arcanix, the Seelie of the Tuatha, the Ord, and the newly arrived Displaced against the might of the God-King’s forces. With the help of the Seelie prince Dundareel, Buxtehude tricked the God-King into committing his forces, allowing their alliance to sneak the Displaced’s city-killing bomb into His presence. The resulting explosion vaporized Shad-Hujem and buried the Godhead Seat—his source of power—under a mountain of stone.

Simm’s final action before he died of a strange wasting illness—“radiation poisoning,” the Displaced called it—was to crown Queen Genevieve and force the other empires to recognize Holden as their equal. Holden now has a permanent place in the Circle of Nine, though many are there who would see this upstart pretender nation smashed and its people scattered.

Council of the Nine Empires
Holden’s reputation for openness and acceptance has come with a heavy price. The country swells with refugees, fleeing the constant warfare between the Nine Empires. Even with their comparably-verdant lands, there is not enough food and fresh water to supply all the hungry mouths Holden has to feed. Food riots have begun in the countryside, and rumors of refugees being beaten have trickled into the capital. To add to the tension the disappearance of the beloved Myriad Buxtehude, daughter of Holden’s greatest hero, on the night of her wedding to Malchior’s Prince Rannon have the country on edge and ready for war.

For these reasons Queen Genevieve of Holden called the Council of the Nine Empires to find a way to heal the damage done to the world of Countermay. The success of the council causes more concern than joy however, as the people of Holden are well used to the tricks of the enemy empires.

Colors
GREEN and BROWN with BEIGE highlights

Faction Composition
People of the woods and forests originally, Holden’s warriors favor stealth and cunning over bulky armor and big weapons. Experts at guerrilla warfare, the warriors of Holden work best in small groups, slowly wearing their enemies down with hit-and-fade tactics. The faction is typically considered to be made up of the "good guys". Their heroes dress as rangers and rogues, lots of earth tones, light armor. Think Robin Hood and his Merry Men.

Notable Figures

 * Simm Buxtehude
 * Queen Genevieve
 * Myriad Buxtehude
 * Tuatha Dundareel
 * Elbeth the Weeping Duchess
 * Coeli Quando

Notable Players
This is Cass and Natalie's faction.