The Campaign Builder's Guild

Black eyes glow with an unnatural light behind the hideous steel mask of the unnamed one. His bloodstained frame shivers in ecstacy as he raises a bleeding heart and his dripping blade to embrace the rising sun. Horns of the purest black cradle the distant sun as its brilliant light fades. Writhing veins of darkness burst from inside to envelop the sun in their sickly embrace. A halo of white is all that remains of the once vibrant sun as The unnamed one turns his magnificent frame. Blood drips from the rivulets on his mask and greaves, painting his pale skin in streams of crimson. He kneels, raising the pale corpse of a woman to his face as he rises. In one motion his steel claws embrace the bleeding womans head and twist. Her scream echoes in the darkness of the forest as her body crumples, falling with a sickening crash to the forest floor, revealing the gaping hole in her chest as she rolls off of the black stained altar. A shudder passes through the earth as the unnamed one roars in exultation, levelling the snow laden forest with his cry of "Vae Victus".

The north holds many secrets, but none so dangerous as those surrounding the unnamed one. War will scar the earth as it did over a thousand years ago, the chains that bound annihilation have broken with the rise of the dark sun.

Sounds like a delicious setting, I just hope your material lives up to the introductory text.  Two quick questions, what is "Vae Victus" and were you intending the Otto von Bismarck reference?

The north refers to northwestern Mar-Kanan, my ever evolving campaign world. It is comprised of the Argheid Empire,Grand Duchy of Aurath, Principality of Niveim, Causetian alliance, Kareig Tribal lands, Kingdom of Kruscia,Kingdom of Ausservia,Kingdom of Auschfeld(Occupied by Argheid empire), The Northlands(home of the Valhar and Aegir), The Western principalities and three mid-sized kingdoms as of yet unnamed. Any contributions made with those three kingdoms or the western principalities (there are 9 of them) would be greatly appreciated. The setting is low-magic, high combat and low race dispersal. Humans are the dominant race with rapidly reproducing species after (much after) and only patches of the "eldritch" races.

Vae Victus= woe to the fallen, a warning that the dead will not rest in peace.
Otto Von Bismarck is a personal hero of mine, i did think twice about using "Blood and Iron" but a lot of my other campaigns have had similar names (Sand and Steel). It really fits the setting despite the industrial reference. The setting is actually as feudal as it gets, a very dark and gritty alternate reality.

The crowd surged upon the gates of the Black Palace, a ragged mass of starving peasants clamoring for the royal granaries to be opened. Wagons and carraiges were overturned, the well-dressed beaten to death with rocks and crudely fashioned clubs. It seemed to all watching as if the whole nation should fall to such a ravenous horde until the charismatic Aitrich leapt upon the wall of the gatehouse. "You dare defy your soveriegn! With blood and iron shall your hunger be spent!" Panic erupted as archers mounted the steep basalt walls, sending huge streams of people stampeding towards the poor quarter. The screaming started only a minute later. Horsemen, wielding blood drenched maces and foot soldiers brandishing wicked pikes pushed the crowd once more against the walls of the Black Palace. With blood and Iron they were fed.
Grand Duchy of Aurath
Leader:Lord Aitrich Autrovha (Upon Death of Viktor Autrovha) Archduke of Aurath
Capital:Corschtavoc
Pop:1.6 million
Description: Once the seat of the Aurathian empire, Aurath was reduced into splintered states after Luther Kaustriche led the eastern nobility and the brutal Witch Knight clans into an eight year civil war against his uncle and reigning emperor Vilerion Kaustriche. Known as the Bastard's War, it created the more powerful Kingdom of Ausservia and destroyed the imperial power of the Kaustriche dynasty. In the political vacuum rose the Autrovha family, distant heirs to the imperial lineage. Since the Bastard's War, the Autrovha family has raised a formidable army to repel any invasions by the "bastard-kings" of Ausservia. The people of Aurath choke under the increasing burdens of serfdom. Hunger riots and revolts are common, but the Autrovha family crushes any resistance with the staunch warriors of the mountain clans. Archduke Viktor Autrovha, crippled and sickly, is only days away from being replaced by his charismatic and violent son Aitrich Autrovha. Troops have already begun mobilizing for the impending conflict.
Key Ideas
Aurathian empire: A large empire carved out of small regional kingdoms by the powerful Kaustriche Dynasty and their allies the Kirschau and Autrovha families. Fell apart during a civil war between the illegitimate heir Luther kaustriche and his uncle the Emperor Vilerion Kaustriche.
Bastard's War: War perpetrated by Luther Kaustriche, The Kirschau family and The Witch Knight clans in favor of Deposing the reigning emperor Vilerion Kaustriche. The Autrovha family sided with Vilerion Kaustriche, but failed in repulsing the army of the crucifex (Luther's Heraldic symbol: an "X" made from nails). Luther Kaustriche threw his uncle from the balcony of the Black Palace and seized the imperial throne for only a month before the Duchess of Barascia stabbed him to death as he tried to rape her.
Witch knight Clans: Ancient aboriginal tribes of Aurath and Ausservia that dwell in the heavily wooded hills and mountains of Ausservia. Their lifestyle is primitive, but their warriors are the elite of the North. The Witch Knight peoples have an unusually high percentage of innate sorcerors. They have been trained by their Witch Lords for centuries and make their own plate armor, decorated with roc feather plumes and forge their own steel blades. Most ride great black stallions, but commanders are mounted on Ur-Wolves, semi-intelligent bear-like creatures that use lion statistics.
Mountain Clans: Hardened by constant conflict with the Kareig goblin tribes, these distant cousins of the Witch Knight Clans fill the ranks of Aurathian hosts with their wild and dangerous veterans. Clan loyalty and allegiance to the Autrovha clan from which the dynasty emerged has instilled the mountain warriors with unflinching devotion for their Duke.

The encroaching night blazed with flickering explosions of light and flame.Smoke drifted in plumes of oily darkness, billowing from the charred remains of a small hamlet. Corpses littered the fields and streets, twisted parodies of human life. Amidst the ash and flame rode a solitary Witch knight, hellish shadows dancing across his gleaming black armor.The massive blade on his back slid free with a metallic shriek, piercing one of the charred and broken corpses, lifting it to the black plumed helm. With blood spattered gauntlets he tore a gleaming necklace from the shattered corpse, proof that the squire of the hamlet had been eliminated. He had only been charged with this one man's death, but Witch knights leave no witnesses.
Kingdom of Ausservia
Leader: Severian kaustriche, King of Ausservia and "Rightful Emperor of Aurath"
Pop:3.1 million
Description: Ausservia is the seat of what survived of the Kaustriche Dynasty after the Bastard's War. Led by the megalomaniacal Severian kaustriche, it prepares for another titannic conflict to regain the imperial throne and restore the Power of the kaustriche Dynasty. Ausservian aggression has alienated the powerful Argheid empire and weakened relations with Niveim. Herobite "missionaries" have begun to convert some of the lower nobility in the south, but an open proclamation of faith still invites persecution. The Witch Clans control much of Ausservia along with many ennobled Kaustriche supporters. Civil unrest has not infected the well-fed population of ausservia, but this may change as the gears of war grind the peasantry
underfoot.
Key Ideas
Herobite Faith: Herobites are a sect of the Praetorian church that believe the teachings of Mikhail Arestrov and revere above all other teachings that of the unnamed prophet and the Guardian Wars.
Praetorian Church: Church of the One God, spread across a great portion of the North. It is composed of the primacy, the main theological branch and the Dictum, the extremely powerful militant branch.
Guardian wars: prehistoric wars fought between the first Northern Praetorians and a powerful group of Nature Demi-Deities known as the guardians. The Guardians tried to halt the advance of the "true faith" and were crushed by the power of the Praetorian prophet.

It has a very german-esque feel to the world,a dn I can't say too much bad about it.  You mentioned this was an alternate reality world?  If so, that could explain many of the pseudo-earth vibes I'm feeling in the setting.

Two things I really like are the Bastard's War and the Witch-Knight clans.  The Bastard's war just ounds aeesome, and it gives legitimate reason for certain countries to exist.  Also, the Witchknight clans just give a gret image, but I wonder about them.  if they're already forging steel and breeeding stallions, are they really that primitive?  

The witch knight clans restrict metallurgy to the warrior class. Witch Knights do nothing other than fight or train. The stallions are actually a part of a mutual trade pact with the kirschau family, the witch clan peasants mill lumber and mine the mountains for iron in return for finished iron goods and the famous kirschau stallions.

The smell of horse and leather filled Von Gered's nostrils with its heady odour. His troop of light cavalry toiled to climb the rocky hill behind them. The mercenaries had already ascended the outcropping, unslinging their powerful kargheid bows as they fanned out around the struggling men-at-arms. With a sharp order in kargheid the bows were raised and bodkins were brought to the maiden hair strings. Von Gered stopped dead in his tracks. Why were the archers readying fire? No enemy presented itself, no enemy was even expected on this routine border patrol. In broken Aurus, the mercenary captain shouted to Von Gered " I h'am sorry, 'ol frand, zha council demahnds it" and then the killing began.
Principality of Niveim
Leader: Gregori Volkov, Prince of Niveim
Population:974 thousand
Description: Once an occupied territory of the Aurathian Empire, the Principality of Niveim was granted independance by Vilerion Kaustriche during the Bastard's War in return for financial aid and neutrality in the growing conflict. Since then it has become an economic power, launching an enormous fleet to protect its vast trading interests. The Prince of Niveim holds little real power outside of wartime, answering to the wealthy members of the Niveim collaborative. All trade and taxation is regulated by the mercantile council of the Collaborative and enforced by a brutal army of mercenaries and ex-patriots from the Bastard's war.
Key ideas
Niveim collaborative: A parliamentary trade consortium controlling much of the Principality of Niveim. It fields a large mercenary army and funds a great part of the Grand Fleet of Niveim.

Smoke drifted across black marble floor as General Nataszya swung open the great iron doors of the Imperial Throne Room. His guards snapping to attention at the threshold, filing into a protective cordon as the massive doors slammed behind the general. Upon the monolithic golden throne lounged the powerful and frightening Immortal Emperor. Swathed in flowing robes of silk  and dripping gold and diamonds, the Immortal Emperor caressed his male attendant, laughing contemptuosly as the youth blanched before his advances. " I assume your presence, General, means that the Kalnya Revolt has been...supressed." Nataszya paused, composing himself. " My Emperor, General Kehric is in bondage...but his commanders fight on. I have come to ask for the intervention of the White Army, to no other force will the wolves of Kalnya surrender." with a sudden flourish the emperor arose, silks dancing sensously through the air to wrap around Nataszya's throat, strangling the general in bands of purple and burgundy. " you will return to Kalnya and you will crush the rebellion. Your life hangs in the balance General Nataszya, your life and your entire bloodline."
Kingdom of Kruscia
Leader: The Immortal Emperor, Undying Lord of Kruscia
Population:4.3 million
Description: A weak and feeble land of starvation and war, kruscia suffers under the hand of its Immortal sovereign. Famine and nomadic incursions sap the strength of the enormous Kruscian army, rendering it a weak and skeletal force, prone to revolt and defection. The Military families, hereditary commanders of the regional armies hold infinite power in their sphere of command, answerable only to the presence of the Emperor himself and the White army. Rumors abound about the origins of the Immortal Emperor, but all can agree that his court is a hedonistic pleasure house of witchcraft and alchemy.
Key Ideas
Immortal Emperor: Appearing in his late twenties, the Immortal emperor has ruled Kruscia for over 300 years, turning this once once proud empire into a desolate land of starvation and destruction. He is a great lover of sorcery and alchemy, inviting strange and suspicious characters from across the globe to entertain his bizarre fancies. Many speculate that the Emperor himself is an accomplished sorceror, if not he certainly possesses extraordinary abilities.
White Army: The Emperor's personal guard and the most powerful standing army in Kruscia. Its members are raised from birth to be the most fearsome soldiers possible. They are bedecked in white wolf fur and followed by their trained wolves.
Kalyna: A border territory of Kruscia, backed by the Argheid Empire in its fight for autonomy.

any criticism, comments, ideas? all are welcome. If you feel like helping me out at all, create a small independant duchy or city-state, even a kingdom if you're feeling adventurous or really bored. It doesn't need to follow my template at all, just post rough outlines and I can add flavor text and format.

I like the idea of the Witch Knights. I'm especially interested because of the fact that we're both using similar names for certain groups and the little paragraph of fluff about the lone Witch Knight shows some similarity to the general idea of the entire Following of the Witch in Vilydunn. In that setting Witch is used as a prefix to the names of a certain organization.

I also have to say I like the approach you have to detailing your setting. Your paragraphs of information paint vivid pictures, and the "Key Ideas" section in each helps make the setting seem more real.

Thank you, The witch knights are one of my pet creations. Great minds think alike. I have made a lot of settings devoid of any real format, just huge blocks of text, and I got no response to it, no one wants to read a disorganized mess that makes little if no sense. Its been a goal of mine to organize the setting, thanks for noticing.

Petals drifted languidly, spiraling in waterfalls of vibrant color. The bells of Rhonneaux pealed in thunderous applomb, adding their cacophonous baritone to the roar of the cheering crowds. The Black Saint had returned, resplendant in his shining full plate armor and leading the imposing legions of a new Dictum army. Massive Enforcers, the cream of the Dictum elite, marched in perfect file. Their enormous hammers gleamed, their massive swords slung over their shoulders, grafted to their muscled arms. Never before had the people of Rhonneaux seen the juggernauts of the Dictum. Never before had the Praetorian Church brought their mostrous slaves to the pious city. Not a soul thought of the implications, so lost in their celebration of the Primates return were the humble people of Rhonneaux. The Dictum was taking control.
Western Principality: Primacy of Rhonneaux
Leader: Gerard D'Eveque, Primate of Rhonneaux and Ascendant of Praetor
Capital: City of Rhonneaux
Population: 234 thousand
Description: The Primacy of Rhonneaux holds tenously onto its freedom. D'Eveque, known as the Black Saint, plays a dangerous game with the Argheid Empire. Rhonneaux has time and time again only narrowly escaped war with the Empire. The tact and influence of D'Eveque preventing a full-scale Argheid invasion. A small Argheid army, presented as military aid against tribal invaders occupies the eastern border fortresses, forcing D'Eveque to enlist the aid of the Dictum to counteract the Argheid occupation. Should the Argheid Empire ever look to the south for new territories, Rhonneaux will find itself embroiled in a one-sided massacre.
Key ideas
Primate: Rank within the Praetorian Church that grants lay powers comparable to a Duke or Prince. Used primarily to describe independant rulers, the title of Bishop is more common. Primates, however, may have up to two bishops under their Primacy.
Ascendant Saint: Elector of the Autarch.
Autarch: Lord of the Praetorian Church
Dictum: Military branch of the Praetorian Church. Consists of a stratified army divionalised into regional battalions.
Dictum Enforcer: The Dictum was started by an epic group of paladins, powerful warriors devoted to fighting for the one god. One of those warriors, a massive brute, was half giant. A remnant of the dark and violent Jotun, enemies of his Valhar ancestors. Scarred by battle and warped by ancestry, this paladin had sheared off his right hand and replaced it with an enormous blade of rough steel. Upon his glorious death, the Dictum honored him by using the miracles of the one god to create 500 warriors in his image, instilling them with eternal life and artifacts capable of raising the dead. Only thirty of these powerful juggernauts have ever fallen.

questions? comments? ideas? feel free to contribute or tell me what you think.

The Dictum Enforcer's are awesome.  I love the imagery, and the flavor-text is awesome, as always.  The fact that you even have a story to support their existence makes the world feel even more real and alive.

Keep writing, this stuff is amazing!