Byanbo

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Byanbo
Byanbo, illustrated on The Scarlet Brotherhood poster map, by Sam Wood (1999).
General information
Region:southern Hepmonaland
Government
Ruler:The Terrible firelord, Steam of Dawn, Prince Okadi (human male, F13)
Alignments:LN
Demographics
Capital:Byanbo
Population:9,000 (capital)
Races:Human (Touv), gnolls (1,000?), wemics (1,000?)
Languages:Touv (language),
Groups
Religions:Touv Pantheon
Allies:Kundaxa, Vay Nama
Miscellaneous
Resources:food, cloth, iron

Byanbo is a Touv city on the southeastern coast of Hepmonaland.

Description

"Byanbo is at the base of the Ino Hills known for its extensive iron deposits. Byanbo's mineral pools draw crowds for their supposed healing properties, as do its cooler weather and aquatic geysers. While it lives under the threat of two small volcanoes, neither has done more than sputter and steam since the place was founded.[1]"

History

Byanbo is a city of the former Kingdom of Kunda. Byanbo started as a mining settlement and grew to a moderate-sized city. As the kingdom began to decline, Byanbo's prince chose to break away from the kingdom, following the precedent set by Jolan and Ichmamna[1]

The twin peaks of the Ino Hills began to spout black smoke in 590 CY, and a fine layer of ash settled on the city of Byanbo, accompanied by a terrible stench. A mysterious glow from the mountains lit the black plumes, and the resounding drums of the fire giants kept people awake at night.[2]

Geography

Byanbo is on the southern coast on the Sea of Sharks. It is nestled directly at the foot of the Ino Hills and partially encircled by forest. The only approaches are through forest, over hills, or by sea ... the only direction with ease of approach is north, toward the Kabrervo Plain.

Being in a relatively protected position and with no other notable ports in the region, Byanbo's location gives it a critical position in trade. It is roughly 350 miles from all its neighbors and trade partners: Kundaxa (330mi W), Kundanol (350mi NW), and Vay Nama (380mi N). This puts Bynabo in a very strong trading position.[1].

Flora and Fauna

Creatures known to lair near Byanbo include: dragonnes, and giant lizards.

People

The vast majority of the population of the kingdom of Byanbo are Touv.

Other humanoid or demihuman cultures around Byanbo include bullywugs, lizardfolk, gnolls[1][3][4] (particularly in the western Inos), fire giants (presumably near the volcanoes) and wemics[1].

The lizardfolk and bullywugs of the Byanbo swamps are primitive and remain cloistered[5]

Population

The nation of Byanbo as a whole has a population of about 22,000, making it one of the largest three cities on the continent.

Religion

The people of Byanbo worship the Touv pantheon in the same ways as other average members of the Touv culture.

Languages

The normal languages found in Touv culture and in Hepmonaland in general are spoken in Byanbo.

Heraldry of Xapatlapo, from The Scarlet Brotherhood, art by Sam Wood (1998).

Government

Heraldry

The heraldry at right depicts Byanbo's national symbols (indicating the local volcanoes and the water of the coast).[6]

Military

Byanbo has a few wooden ships, mainly cargo vessels; its navy is largely composed of small boats made of woven reeds sealed with tar.[1]

Economy

Resources

The largest assets are its iron mines. The steel purified by the heat of the volcanoes there is of very high quality. It is considered very desirable and Byanbo uses it for trade with other nations, especially Vay Nama and Kundaxa. This has helped Byanbo grow a strong economy and develop into a formidable nation.

The volcanoes offer another benefit—very fertile soil for growing crops.

Rumors and legends

Reports surface from time to time of unusual ships on Byanbo’s shores piloted by beings the locals call "The Fall Walkers."[1]

References

Citations

  1. a b c d e f g The Scarlet Brotherhood (1999), p.48.
  2. The Scarlet Brotherhood (1999), p.61.
  3. The Scarlet Brotherhood (1999), p.56.
  4. The Scarlet Brotherhood (1999), p.59.
  5. The Scarlet Brotherhood (1999), p.44.
  6. The Scarlet Brotherhood (1999), p.47.

Bibliography

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Byanbo City Settlement Settlement, The Scarlet Brotherhood 47, 48, 50, 54, 56, 58, 61, Map
Byanbo, kingdom of Kingdom The Scarlet Brotherhood 47, 48, 50, 54, 56, 58, 61, Map