Karameikos

Description

Karameikos is described as deeply forested flatlands and hills bordered by rugged mountains to the North. The territory is largely untamed, haunted by many monsters and tribes of goblins. Civilization is tenuous and engaged in a constant struggle to push the wilderness back. Ancient nations once ruled there, and many mysterious ruins are hidden about the land. There is also cultural struggle between the native Traladaran people and the new Thyatian settlers trying to build Karameikos into a powerful nation. Karameikos is one of the most frequently visited areas of the 'Known World' in publications for the Basic Dungeons & Dragons game.

Karameikos is ruled by King Stefan Karameikos, a Thyatian who gained rulership over the nation in AC 970 by trading his ancestral lands, the Duchy of Machetos, to Emperor Thincol of Thyatis in exchange for autonomous rulership over the Imperial Province of Traladara. The nation was originally called the Grand Duchy of Karameikos, and theoretically owed fealty to Thyatis, but following the great war between Thyatis and Alphatia, which greatly damaged Thyatis and resulted in Alphatia's sinking, Duke Stefan sold out his homeland and friend and declared himself King, and Karameikos gained greater prominence in the Known World.

Publication history

The Grand Duchy of Karameikos was first briefly described in the 1981 Dungeons & Dragons Expert Rulebook, where it was presented as a sample wilderness adventure area. Soon following, adventures were published specifically set in Karameikos.

The definitive references for Karameikos are:

Other print sources featuring information about Karameikos are:

The adventure module King's Festival is set in Karameikos.

The adventure module X12 Skarda's Mirror by Aaron Allston is set in Karameikos.