Bautar

Plenary of Bautar
Capital	Talon
Demonym	Bautarian
Government	Plenary
Ruler	Magnalord Fennic (MS 5050)
Population	8,000 (MS 5050) 7,000 (MS 5000)
Currency	Gold Crown
Resources	Rare herbs, timber, fish, copper, bronin
Relations	Freelands (ally) Ruel (enemy) Darklands (enemy)

The Plenary of Bautar, commonly referred to as Bautar, is a country in Northern Magnamund and home of the Herbalish.

History

Origins

After the defeat of Agarash the Damned, the Cenerese were once a force for good, using their powers to heal the people and the land throughout Magnamund. However, one day, the Cenerese betrayed the land, hosting a dark ritual in each of their groves, except one in Talon in Bautar. This ritual brought a foul pestilence that could not be combated with any power or art. Within one month, most of the Drodarin races were dead or dying, leading to the rise of the Cener Empire. However, they were opposed by a group of Druids in Bautar, who refused to join in their ritual. In 1968 MS, during the Druid Wars, the Cener Empire fell, and the shattered remains of the Cenerese were forced to hide, with the majority concentrated in Ruel. The two countries have remained sworn enemies since.

Darklands War

During the Darklands War, Bautar aided its Freelands allies.

In MS 5065, the body of Lord Ardan, comatose after a fight against Darklord Menashga, arrived in Bautar to be healed. The Herbalish discovered the only way to save him was to channel energy from the Plane of Light directly into his body. Grey Star repurposed an ancient Shianti artifact that originally channeled energy from the Plane of Darkness for this purpose, and Lord Ardan was revived. However, Darklord Tomogh, dubbed the "Master of Magic", took control of the artifact, reverted it to its original intent, and greatly-empowered himself and his army. Tomogh's invasion destroyed Firalond, Louden and Kakush, and between MS 5067 and 5070, their neighbours Chaman and Bautar were invaded by Darklords Zhanshal and Shebnar.

Earlier in MS 5065, the Herbalish had earlier helped the Slovians fight against Darklord Shebnar, and thanks to Shebnar's carelessness, leaving a Lajakeka enchanted with the power of the Nengud-kor-Adez, unprotected on the battlefield, the Herbalish had discovered that the reason why the Darklands was a wasteland was due to the power of the Nengud-kor-Adez. In Bautar, the Herbalish continued to experiment with this, and had found a way to slowly counteract its power. Archlord Gnaag sent Darklord Nhorg to Bautar to foil their efforts. Bautar was no match for Nhorg's power, but Nhorg was stopped by the returning Lord Paido, who fought Nhorg and killed him at the same time as the destruction of the Transfusor. Both their spirits were captured by Naar, and sentenced to an eternity of torment.

Geography

Bautar is a small country located in Northern Magnamund, on the northern coast of the Midsea of the Tentarias. It is bordered by Chaman, Lourden and Valerion by land, and sits opposite to Siyen across the Tentarias.

Bautar is a lush, fertile country, and contains some of the rarest herbs and medicines in Magnamund.

Politics

Bautar's exact form of government is unclear. The Herbalish, however, are not closely-involved with government policy, but will form advisory circles of five to seven Druids to advise Bautar's leaders.

All of Bautar's gardens and natural sanctuaries are under the control of the Herbalish. The country is patrolled by the Bautarian Border Rangers, with the Herbalish sometimes joining them.

Bautar is traditionally a peaceful country, with the exception of when it comes to the Cenerese. They first opposed the Cenerese in 1968 MS (see History), and have opposed them ever since.

Demographics

In MS 5000, Bautar's population was 20,000, 8,000 of which were Herbalish. By MS 5050, this population had fallen to 8,000.

In the gamebooks

See also: Herbalish: In the gamebooks

Bautar is not visited in the gamebooks, although a small number of Herbalish are encountered by Lone Wolf and Grand Master in their adventures.