Ellada

The island of Ellada once formed the bulk of the old Graecian mainland, but was devastated during the cataclysm. As the waters rushed in, the mainland was split into many tinier islands. Northern Macedonia sank, along with the Thracian Lowlands to the far north, Thessaly was drowned under a tidal wave that only left its highland areas intact and Boiotia lost its lowlands separating the newly formed islands of Attika and Morea to the south. What was left of the mainland was rechristened as the island of Ellada, the largest of new Graecian chain.

Provinces of Ellada

Macedonia

Stoic Macedonia breeds warriors as fierce as you’ll find anywhere. High up amongst the impossibly high valleys of northern Graecia there is little comfort to be found from the land and so the Macedonians have become known as soldiers of fortune, willing to sell their arms to soft southerners or further abroad. They took to the sinking of their northern lowlands with grit and determination and rebuilt in their old mountain fortresses overlooking the eastern steel sea.

The Macedonians were long represented in the Senate by the Order of St. Michael, crusaders in the service of the ancestors. However the Order has stayed at home to aid in the rebuilding effort and it had become increasingly rare for Macedonia to send a representative to the senate. These days Macedonia has become a haven for refugees from war-torn Maurabia led by Cossimara in the Senate.

Thrace

Northern Thrace suffered terribly during the cataclysm. Ravaged by tidal waves, the lowlands between Bithynia and Thrace were sunk leaving only the rocky outcrop of Athos, more akin to a spear jutting out of the water than an island. The followers of Ares have claimed Athos for their own and now call it their most holy of sites.

The mainland is heavily forested and features severe peaks and harsh gorges cut out from the savage land. Its people are hardy and warlike, well-used to their uncompromising surrounds and, like Athos, pay homage to Ares, Lord of War. Thrace’s size and military standing has always assured them a place on the senate, but in recent years they have only rarely made an appearance.

Thessaly

Much of the former breadbasket of Thessaly is underwater as their once plentiful lands were flooded mercilessly during the cataclysm. The more highland plains to the west however still remain and the Thessalians have carefully cultivated them to be a fertile as their old territories. The Thessalians are really farmers, not soldiers, although they’re staunch in the defense of their lands. Food crops fetch a fair price in Graecia and so they are relatively wealthy. In the east the cliffs of Magnesia have become separated by the sea from the mainland and formed a new island chain.

The Thessalians consider themselves apart from the rest of Graecia and do have a very different, more agrarian culture than elsewhere. They’re influential enough that they’ve always had a seat in the senate, but only fill it when they consider a political matter relevant to their own interests.

Epirus

Heavily forested Epirus (known to some as Epiros) is largely a wilderness of majestic mountains and unspoilt shores. Deep within the forests the native Pelasgi roam, living of the plentiful game and fruit of the interior. Epiros has a small human population, but the successful ones have quickly learnt to adapt and live off the land much like the Pelasgi. At the heart of the forest the ancient shrine of Dodona, maintains its vigil to the all-father Zeus.

The calm and thoughtful Senator Drew has long represented Epirus in the senate and in many ways epitomises the province. He leads a group known as the Trappers who are well-respected within Graecia.

Aetolia

Rugged Aetolia is a quiet region to the north of the Korinthian Gulf. Its people are mainly human settlers from Morea or Boiotia, but there remain a sizable population of Cyclops, one-eyed Ologs. The old ruin of Stratos in western Aetolia was once the capital of their kingdom before it was torn down by Hellenikan invaders, forcing them to eke out a miserable existence amongst the surrounding hills.

Aetolia is politically part of Boiotia to the extent that many of its human inhabitants actually consider themselves Boiotian. The Cyclops would be unlikely to recognise the legitimacy of the senate even if they were invited to take part.

Boiotia

Boiotia is a hilly, yet prosperous province at the very heart of Graecia. It used to form a huge spur of land connecting Attika and Morea to the mainland, but the southern regions, around Lake Kopaida, have sunk into the ocean. Luckily most of its inhabitants lived in the highlands to the west, centred around the great city of Delphi and so were spared a watery fate. Boiotia is home to the Delphic Oracle, the primary source of the provinces wealth; pilgrims visiting the Oracle need to eat and find lodgings after all.

Boiotia has been led by an esoteric cult known as the Witnesses of Rufus for many years. The leader of which traditionally also stands as Senator. The last incumbent had been Senator Ash, a military man of proud virtue, although he, along with rest of the Witnesses have not been on the Senate floor for many years.