Lourden

The Senatocracy of Lourden
Capital	Pforodon
Demonym	Lourdenian
Government	Senatocracy
Ruler	Senate of Arlcor (MS 5050)
Population	106,000 (MS 5050)
Currency	Lune
Resources	Cloth, textiles, agriculture, silver, minerals, iron ore
Relations	None Anari (ally)

The Senatocracy of Lourden, commonly referred to as Lourden, is a country in Northern Magnamund. It a country that attempts to remain neutral at all costs, although this ideal cannot always be kept. Its capital is Pforodon.

History

Lourden was settled by Aluvian explorers looking for an independent land away from the competing Vaderish tribes and Vassa horsemen for safety. Lourden possesses abundant rich soil and natural resources, which has helped it exert a strong degree of independence. The initial settlers fortified each town of Lourden, delaying initial progress but paying off handsomely in the long run.

Around MS 3900, its neighbour Anari was settled, creating a buffer state between themselves and the hostile Vassagonia. In MS 3900, Vassagonia invaded Anari, in the largest threat to Lourden's independence since its inception. Anari managed to defeat Vassagonia, and since then, Lourden has subtly worked to ensure that Anari has never signed any lasting agreement with Vassagonia.

In MS 5061, during the events of The Cauldron of Fear and the period known as the Darklands War, Zakhan Kimah of Vassagonia allied with the Darklords, and invaded Tahou, the capital of Anari. Lourden was forced to take a side due to the threat of the Darklords, and together with Firalond and Kakush, they sent forces to defend Anari. Kimah's forces were defeated after Lone Wolf, in Tahou to retrieve the Lorestone of Tahou, slew Kimah and sent his forces into a rout. Lourden itself was spared aggression until MS 5065, when Darklords Tomogh and Khatellu prepared to invade Dessi, and the Freelands setup defenses in the bordering nations of Lourden, Firalond and Kakush. However, Darklord Tomogh, dubbed "Master of Magic", took control of an ancient Shianti artifact used to heal Lord Ardan from a coma, and used it to empower himself and his army. With this power, his army swept through Lourden, Firalond and Kakush with ease, and drove deep into Western Dessi. The Darklands were defeated in MS 5070, when Lone Wolf slew Archlord Gnaag and destroyed the Transfusor, and the Darklords were destroyed, unable to use the Tanoz-tukor, which allowed them to survive outside of the Darklands.

Geography

Lourden is located in the south of Northern Magnamund. It is bordered by Bautar and Chaman to the south, Caron to the west, Slovia to the north, and Firalond and Valerion to the west. The River Storn demarcates its western border, splits at the tripoint of Slovia, Caron and Lourden into the River Adon, which demarcates Lourden's northern border. The River Adon eventually flows into Lake Adon. Its eastern border is demarcated by the River Galdon, which joins with the River Pforo near Comana, and both rivers eventually flow into the Midsea of the Tentarias.

Politics

Lourden is governed by a democratically-elected Senate of Arlcor, which is seen to be a wise, just government.

Economy

Lourden possesses rich soil and many natural mining resources, allowing its citizens to live a comfortable life, and for the country to stay neutral and self-sufficient.

In the gamebooks

Lourden is not visited in the gamebooks, although minor characters from Lourden can be found in The Plague Lords of Ruel and The Buccaneers of Shadaki.

List of named characters from Lourden

• Noraa and Monad, orphans captured by the Cenerese
• Gregor Luggs, sailor