Kingdom of Arran

The Kingdom of Arran, known simply as the Kingdom, is a sprawling realm tucked between the Pessamit and Moraine mountains. It covers a wide valley, with the Leben river at its base. The populations here are varied and diverse, with each duchy having a strong regional identity. All of them converge in the cities of the realm, which are broken down into neighbourhoods drawn along these cultural lines. The Kings of Arran have ruled over this land for generations, their hegemony stretching back to rival even the great Noreya Empire. The Kingdom has warred continually with the Routot to their east, and the legacy of that conflict still marrs their current relationship.

History

The Kingdom was once a simply collection of petty fiefdoms like the Routot. These groups grew close with the Dwarves in the mountains, and benefited greatly from this early relationship. They leveraged the advanced technologies and craftsmanship of the Dwarves into exerting their power, with one of the kingdoms in particular having tremendous success. Over the course of several generations great gains were made, the Kingdom controlling or laying claim to much of the western portion of the continent. They rivalled the Noreya in the late stages of that empire, before the Aetherbreach collapsed. Since then, the attrition of time has worn away at its holdings. The Princedom of Premyslid broke away in a violent bid for independence, splitting the northern part of the kingdom off into its own realm. The Routot have pressed into the March near the Tintry, bitterly fighting for any scrap of that territory they can pry out of the Arran’s grasp. King Berengar and his forebears have spent much of their reigns keeping the realm together, binding it tightly lest they lose any more ground.

Society

Nobility

Arran is ruled by a King, King Berengar, whose seat is in Werben. From here he commands absolute power over the realm, taking an active interest in its defence and maintenance. Beneath him are his Dukes, charged with governing established regions of the kingdom. These dukes have a great deal of autonomy, though they serve at the pleasure of the King. The relationship between the dukes and the crown has seen turbulent episodes over the centuries, but the dynamic between them has remained relatively the same over the years. Beneath the dukes are smaller vassals who owe them their allegiance. Social mobility is much more difficult in Arran than in the Routot states, and few commoners can hope to can admittance to the nobility.

Conflicts

Inheritance

King Berengar has had a fairly successful reign. A pious man of Koraldur, he has kept excellent relations with the crusader states in the Midlands, making modest gains there by inheriting and bestowing some lands to church officials. This, combined with his stalwart defence of the March and the general safety he has brought over the realm, has provided for a good relationship with his vassals and subjects. His reign has been long, and yet there is one pressing issue that seems to elude him. Berengar is currently without a male heir, his three wives unable to provide one for the crown. Whispers blame his impotence on everything from the supernatural to the mundane, yet no solutions seem to be found. Facing these accusations, the King’s quest has grown somewhat desperate as age presses down on him, and talk abounds that he has turned to infidelity to solve his problem.

Whatever the reality of the situation, there are certainly those who seem set to benefit from the looming succession crisis. Berengar’s nephew, his sister’s son Leutke, is currently next in line for the throne. Unpopular among the Dukes, and indeed among most people who have interacted with him across his life, Leutke is an extremely unpopular candidate to wear the crown. And yet, without passing over him to favour some cadet branch of the family, it seems as though there are few other options. Unless, of course, the Dukes were to entertain the idea of supporting Berengar’s daughter Agnise for the title. While a woman, Agnise has studied in place of Berengar’s son, having a more than capable education in stewardship and taking to it with natural talent. She is fiercely independent, and seems eager to claim what may be her birthright if pressed. Of course, none of this budding rivalry may come to pass if Berengar is able to recognize a son of his own as heir.

External Threats

Orcs have been a problem for the Kingdom since its earliest days. They first pressed from the south, travelling across the Pessamits to raid and pillage the lands there. Over time, they became a permanent problem in the Obertal, hiding in the deep places within that forest to plague the isolated villages and hamlets. The city of Tauche became a stronghold against Orc incursions into the rest of Arran, preventing them from spilling out of the Obertal and into the rest of the Kingdom. Since the crusades into the Midlands, however, these incursions have since ceased. Isolated pockets of Orcs still hide in the mountains, but they are a far less serious problem than they once were. And yet, in the Obertal, they seem to have been simply replaced by another threat. Monsters of various sorts now lurk beneath the dark canopy of the forest, doing far more damage and harm than the Orcs ever could. Tauche has resumed its role as a bulwark against this menace, offering some protection as well to the foresters and farmers that hack their living from within the woods. Adventurers can often be found in the city and its surroundings, helping to cull any monsters that roam too far from their homes in the forest.

In the north, Orcs are still a concern for many. The nearby Kayung have proven much more resistant to pacification than their southern cousins, protected as they are by the northern spur of the Moraine mountains. Orc canoes carry raiding parties are common during spring and fall, pillaging and looting as much as they can before returning to their homes. Sarzig and its surroundings are the main targets of these attacks, and hold a bitter hatred for any Orc. The population along the coasts is mostly too spread out to fortify effectively, and so tower houses have become the norm, offering peasants some form of communal protection against their attackers.

Multiculturalism

Arran is made up of several proud regions, each ruled by a duke in service to the King. These each have a strong identity unique to them, and in some cases even several within their own borders. All of these groups combine in Arran’s cities, as merchants and other travellers mix and move amongst eachother. This, combined with settlers of other races and from other countries, makes Arran into a very multicultural society, encompassing a wide variety of peoples under the King’s dominion. While they blend much more readily than in the Routot kingdoms, there is still friction between many groups. This affects life for all within the cities, as tensions spark bar brawls and other disruptions to public order. Most neighbourhoods are built somewhat segregated, a patchwork of cultures clustered together for their own shared beliefs if not safety. Most rivalries between human groups stem from old wars, their legacy lingering on in the minds of their descendants. Aside from this, human supremacist movements like the Bright Hundreds have targeted non-humans for harassment, adding another layer to some of the intolerance across the realms.

Daily Life

Most Arrans live a relatively simple life. Peasants, bound to the land, farm and tend to their master’s estates. These make up the bulk of the population, spread out over the huge landmass the Kingdom covers. In the cities, the population is much wealthier, and flirts much more closely with the barrier between noble and commoners. Here, rich merchants are able to make the most of their wealth, and indulge in the vast cultural exchange that Arran’s cities are able to provide. Goods from other human realms and beyond can be found in abundance, along with their ideas and traditions. Arran is a melting pot of sorts, mixing numerous cultural identities together to form one united kingdom.

Notable Factions

Knightly Orders

An aspect of Arran culture that is relatively unique to them is the existence of knightly orders. These groups are not necessarily religious orders, as exist in other realms, but instead are more political affiliation of brotherhood and fraternity. Linked through some common goal, they live in close proximity (typically in a monastery or keep) and train together. They are often patronized by some important or influential noble, typically using them for some shared purpose or goal. The knightly orders are immensely popular among the youth in the Kingdom, attracting noble boys from a very young age to join their ranks. Open almost exclusively to nobility, there are a notable few that accept commoners into their numbers. The amount of orders within Arran is enormous. Some count no more than a handful of knights as members, while others operate sprawling networks of keeps and supporters. They tend to have some unique accoutrement, typically tying into their name, that sets them apart from other orders.

Notable Places

Sarzig

A major city in the north, Sarzig is the maritime capital of Arran. With the rest of the country landlocked, Sarzig is unique among Arran settlements. Its population is composed of fishermen and whalers, making their living in the cold northern sea. Built on the confluence of two rivers, the Sizau and Leben, it sits atop a marshy estuary. Most of it is built atop stilts, allowing it to spread out over the shallow and murky waters. Rain constantly pours in from the north, giving it a dark and foreboding atmosphere. This, combined with the mud of the shallows, gives the city a dirty reputation. This is matched by its populace, seen as cutthroat and untrustworthy by the rest of the kingdom. Nonetheless, its position as Arran’s main port has made it reasonably wealthy, off the backs of its whaling trade especially. The hinterlands of the city deal with raids from Orcs to the northwest, but the city itself is relatively safe from their reach.

Werben

Capital of the Kingdom of Arran, Werben is also its largest city. A sprawl of urban living, merchants and travellers gather here from across the kingdom and beyond. The fortress of the Blackrock overshadows the city itself, used as a seat for King Berengar and the royal family. Its hard rock walls contrast sharply with the wheat fields that surround the city, ominously rising from the plains. The two are connected by a small city of barracks and stables, housing the King’s soldiers behind a curtain wall. Anything and everything can be found within the walls of Werben, the city housing a dazzling array of national and racial ethnicities. Its neighbourhoods are drawn along these lines, broken into a patchwork of different cultures and traditions.

Dessen

The largest city in the Arran Marches, Dessen sits on the shores of the Tintry. Much smaller than Bordeaux, its rival on the lakeshore, the city is little more than a fortified town. Merchant traffic tends to head directly to the Routot city from Werben, making the town a somewhat bypassed stop for many. Nonetheless, it is a major hub for Arran activity in the region, functioning as a capital for soldiers and the regional Duke. Fortified with a series of keeps, it is emblematic of the region as a whole. Dessen has little else to offer travellers, aside from a sizeable presence of Koraldur worshippers in the area. The city is home to an imposing cathedral to the Arran god, and houses several smaller temples and monasteries in his name as well. One of the keeps outside the city walls is devoted to his followers. The city also hosts supporters of the Bright Hundreds, gathering in such a holy city for their deity.

Homfe

Homfe is a typical Arran city, built near the headwaters of the river Leben. It rests in a valley, ruling over the southeastern corner of the realm. Here, Duke Anselm rules over a fertile and relatively undisturbed pastoral landscape. The city is a large town, with a bustling produce market filled with crops from around the region. The summer especially sees a vibrant array of goods, and food from here is often considered some of the best in the entire country. Homfe also offers the largest population of Dwarves outside of a Dwarf hold, sitting in close proximity to one of the major Dwarf Kingdoms in the Pessamit mountains. They practice their crafts, selling them downriver in Werben or other Arran towns. The architecture of the city is a curious mix of human and Dwarf, the pair having each contributed to the growth of the settlement.

Tauche

On the fringe of the Obertal forests sits a curiously fortified town. As deep as it is in the Kingdom of Arran, the stern sincerity of its heavy palisades may take some by surprise. Tauche has long functioned as a bulwark against the threats from within the Obertal, and continues to do so into the modern day. Thick logs anchored by chain protect refugees that occasionally stream from the woods, while semi-permanent refugee camps welcome the displaced with open arms. The town sits along the Bost river, its slow waters providing an easy link between itself and the capital of Werben. Tauche also acts as a link between the Dwarven High King in Highclear and King Berengar, ferrying goods and diplomats between the two capitals.

Trelpin

The furthest extent of the Kingdom’s influence, Trelpin was once a major aspect of Arran’s conflict with the Noreya. The city sits near to where plains give way to the Swidnican steppe, farmland gradually disappearing as herds roam and graze. It is surrounded by relatively sparse land, and as such is a minor city as best. Its once vital role as a bulwark for the realm has been long forgotten, and now it sits as a backwater. Nonetheless, its Dukes are fiercely loyal to the crown, having remained loyal rather than fought for independence alongside the Premyslid. Culturally, the city is torn between a more northern or southern identity, mixing the two into a strange patois of unique language and traditions. Swidnican traders frequent the region, providing a steady stream of horses for the nobles of the region.

Notable Personalities

King Berengar, King of Arrans

His reign has been stable and relatively peaceful, and yet King Berengar is rarely described as more than a fine king, average and mediocre. Affection without kindness, generosity without charity and temperance without restraint round out his qualities. Most of his rule has been about allaying the fears and problems of his dukes, ensuring that they are satisfied to create a stable realm. In this endeavour he has been successful, and despite his lack of distinct virtues, is considered a fairly benevolent King. The biggest scandal to plague him, and perhaps his only true shortcoming in the role, is his inability to produce a true heir. His past wives have died in childbirth, bearing him only daughters. Queen Katerina, his current wife and junior of over thirty years, has continued this legacy, with three being born over their decade together. The issue has slowly consumed the King, growing to dominate his temper. As age weighs on him the topic grows particularly sensitive, easily pushing Berengar into a foul mood. In his youth a strong and capable knight, his perceived impotence has enfeebled him, making him pudgy and soft as his age advances. A graying man in his sixties, his hair thins to balding beneath the crown. Paunch pads his muscles everywhere, accumulated from years of feasts and banquets. He his still tall, however, and carries the added weight with a regal confidence. His face is ironically gaunt and wrinkled, the stress of his situation aging him beyond his years.

Princess Agnise, the Lioness

Unofficial heir to the Kingdom, Agnise is well worthy of the crown. A tall and strong woman of twenty, She is neither the oldest or most influential of her sisters. And yet she has distinguished herself particularly well as a leader, studying stewardship and warfare from her father’s councillors. All of her tutors have remarked at her quick study, and her devotion to Arran institutions makes her a patriotic favourite. She spent much of her teen years in the crusader state of Dobruja, fighting Orcs along the Bolgra river. Here she again set herself apart, as comfortable in front of soldiers as she is at court. Several dukes have gone out of their way to watch the young princess, probing her quality and assessing her suitability as a potential ruler. Agnise is nearly six feet tall, and well-muscled due to her time soldiering. She is lean and youthful, her movement showing off a relentless energy. Her hair is brown and cut short, or otherwise braided.

Leutke, Heir of Arran

The presumed heir to the Kingdom of Arran, Leutke is a controversial figure within the realm. Son of King Berengar’s younger brother Richel, Leutke has been raised in royal luxury. Little was expected from him as a boy, his education brief and incomplete. Study never drew his attention, taking instead to carousing. As a teen, he cultivated a reputation for extravagant mischief, stretching his exploits across lengthy binges of partying with friends. With the king advancing in age, the reality that Leutke may be the next king has only emboldened his behaviour. Pushing the limits of hospitality and decency, he has made himself an unwelcome guest at most major noble estates across the Kingdom, relying on his name and the intervention of the King to keep himself out of trouble. He shirks his responsibilities to stewards, which is perhaps for the best. His judgements are often cruel and arbitrary, causing many to worry about the future of the realm. Leutke is average height, with a decent head of black hair. His face is youthful, despite being in his mid-thirties. A smug smile is often on his face, while his eyes flash with sharp wit and guile.

Duke Anselm

Ruling the lands around Homfe, the region known as Karstal, is a relatively easy task. Little happens in the duchy, as most threats are far away. The odd monster ventures down from the mountains, though it is easy enough to throw adventurers or soldiers at the problem. Despite the ease of its governance, the region has proved to be a fitting challenge for Duke Anselm. A kind and good-hearted man, the Duke is emblematic of the region, caring more for food and song than any sort of vulgar activities like fighting. He is insular to a fault, preferring the safe confines of his own dukedom than making an appearance at court in Werben. His contentedness would be a disadvantage elsewhere in the kingdom, but in the Karstal it is perfectly acceptable. His subjects care little for the affairs of the broader country, happy to farm and live in the peace they are granted. Anselm is a short and plump middle-aged man who lacks the ability to commit intrigue or even difficult diplomacy. His stewards manage the realm, while he simply trusts to their judgements. He is often smiling, and devotes himself to proper hospitality.

Duke Tylo

Ruling a warzone is not an easy task, and it has bred some of the strongest and most hardline leaders in the Kingdom’s history. Duke Tylo is no exception to this rule. Taking immense pride in his bloodline, he views the entire March as his personal domain, including that occupied by the Routot. They stole it from his ancestors, he claims, and seeks to return it to the Kingdom. His aggressions have been kept in check thus far by King Berengar, though Tylo seems emboldened with every skirmish he launches across the Poses. He is relatively young, having taken his title upon the death of his father. The pair were in the Midlands fighting Orcs when the former Duke fell, leaving his son behind to take up the mantle. Tylo, and his father as well, both swayed towards the Bright Hundreds’s interpretation of Koraldur’s gospels, and the young duke has surrounded himself with several of their crusaders upon his return from those lands. Tylo is in his late twenties, and is very assured about his place in the world. He sees conquering the Marches as his destiny, and is eager to get underway. His hair is cut short, and he is very strong for his shorter stature. He practices self-flagellation, and his back bears the scars of some more intense periods of repentance.

Duke Herdan

The Obertal is a wild region, and so it is fitting that its ruler matches its unruly character. Duke Herdan is perhaps the truest embodiment of the wild forests he governs, an untamed and nearly feral man hellbent on scouring his land of monsters. He rarely stays in his fortified home in Tauche, instead roving between several keeps deep in the Obertal. From here, his soldiers patrol to keep a vigil over the disparate hamlets and villages in the forests. His wife and steward are often left to run his realm while he is away, and the two do an admirable job in preserving its stability in the wake of refugees and other unexpected strains. Despite his absence, the Duke has earned a near fanatical devotion among his subjects, who see him as a valiant protector. Many of the other dukes in the Kingdom see him as much more base than that, a savage wildman who cares more for fighting and the woods than ruling as his station commands. Herdan, for his part, enjoys the solitude of the woods and prefers the company of his soldiers to any sort of nobility. He is of average height, bald, and in excellent shape. A thick beard erupts from his chin, which he only shaves upon his returns to Tauche. He has a limp from a run-in with a monster years ago, and several scars to go along with it.

Duke Siffrid

Sarzig is the capital of a dark and poor region, mired in mud and rain for much of the year. Despite its reputation for poverty and criminality, its people are relatively hard-working and honest, clinging to a hard life of fishing and whaling along rocky and inhospitable shores. Perhaps no better example of this undeserved reputation is Duke Siffrid. A proud and honourable man, he has devoted his life to the improvement of his realm. A young ruler, he has nonetheless seen a moderate amount of success in his ventures thus far. His wife is a cousin of Prince Jonas of the Premyslid, and rumours of corruption and demonic influence swirl around the couple. Nonetheless, those who know him think him an honest man, and within his realm he is generally beloved. He is tall and thin, with brown hair and a curiously twirled moustache. His eyes are somewhat sunken, and make him appear more serious than his demeanour suggests.