Developer Diary: Duiden

Alright; vacation's over and it's time to do some writing! This time it's all about Duiden: the small country with a big future (read about it in the Age of Knowledge)! Duiden is located on the west coast of the Northlands. In the Age of Steel it is a rather backwards, if progressive, place. It's neighbors are Gwendellor to the north, Usabia to the northwest and Arbea to the south (though the Umo mountains lie between).

Duiden is perhaps the best setting for a down-to-earth campaign as much of the country is wilderness or at least not densely populated. The people have banded together against nature and, perhaps more critically, the surrounding orc tribes.

In Centuria, Duiden has about the same role as the Shire in Lord of the Rings; its the quiet homeland of the would-be heroes yet to experience the real dangers of the outside world. Its a place ment to portray a simple society where people, generally speaking, are trying to help each other and make for a better tomorrow. The challenges are of a practical nature and so are the solutions.

Fitting Duiden into the world of Centuria poses some challenges. An explanation is needed as to why the general sentiment of the nation is different - especially given the rather extreme differences among their neighbors. And, as with any country, it needs a background to explain how it came to be. Thankfully, these difficulties come together to explain themselves.

It seems most plausible that if the nation of Duiden is different in its culture then this is related to its history. With the war that tore apart the human empire, Duiden is geographically a good place to retreat to for those seeking to escape marauding armies. So a combination of not very organized settlers and war refugees making up the population explains both the sentiment and also the state of the nation as a whole. Nationhood is not a given status; it is a circumstance born out of necessity. As Gwendellor to the north was formed after the civil war it seems plausible for the Order of the Falcon to have attempted to establish itself in Duiden first (it being closer to Gothia) - but apparently failing (possibly - even likely - contributing to a stronger sense of unison among Duiden's inhabitants). This also gives a hint as to the continued relation between the Order and Duiden.

The emerging picture is of a nation where those in charge came to be, not because they were powerful warriors or land holders, but because they were the sort of people that could get others to work together. They rule with the support of the people below them and know they stand to loose if that support should dwindle. The idea of a benign though perhaps not very advanced or powerful country arises quite easily from this train of thought. And this is where Duiden stands - and as for now it is all it needs to be.