Allied Dukedoms of Camdyn
Structure
The Allied Dukedoms of Camdyn are a confederation of 9 smaller kingdoms that inhabit the Prairielands. Each of the kingdoms are ruled by a Duke and are subdivided further into Earldoms and Baronies. The 9 Dukedoms of the Prairielands Include:
- Camdyn City
- Lakeside
- Sweetwater
- Gateskeep
- Smallport
- Crossroads
- Haven Bay
- The Pass
- Highkeep
Culture
Vast majority of the people of the Prarielands worship the gods Baedu'u and Imix, and as such, many of the virtues these gods represent are inherent to the Plainsland culture.
Respect for Land and Craft: A high regard for agriculture, craftsmanship, and construction pervades the culture of plainsmen in general, celebrating those who work the land and build the infrastructure. Farmers, craftsmen, and builders are highly regarded skilled trades by everyone. Even the royalty partake in working their land with their people as a form of worship to the Gods.
Valor and Discipline: Courage in battle and discipline in training would be highly valued, reflecting the martial aspect of Imix and the enduring nature of Baedu'u. All able citizens are trained in the martial arts and are expected to practice an art for life. Feats of strength and skill are displayed in tournaments held in Imix's name. It is expected that they could be mustered at anytime to defend their realms from foreign invaders.
History
The current iteration of the Allied Dukedoms of Camdyn is the fourth version of the kingdom. It was established by the current Archduke's grandfather Otto the Indomitable who united the Prairielands by a terrible and vicious military campaign called the Third Unifying War. The Alliance is the youngest of all the kingdoms on the continent.
Religion
The primary religion in the Alliance is a combination of Baedu'u and Imix . In every major city, the worship of these two gods have been combined into an organized religious organization called the Earthtillers.
Every head of state is a professed member of this religion although each's piety is varied from person-to-person.
While worship of other Gods is tolerated it is more uncommon the further West in the Alliance one is. Worship of a deity other than Baedu'u or Imiix east of Camdyn City is strange.
On the other hand, in the western Dukedoms that border The Holy Republic of Elysia or the Elven City-states of Q'Manelothor it is more common and not considered strange. Shrines dedicated to Ravi, Tsuki, Melikki, and Olastra are often found in towns along major trading roads.
In the South, worship of Olastra is also common, given the dukedoms of Southport and Haven Bay's dependence on fishing and trading on the Metiaashan Sea.
Worship of Jern is increasing in popularity due to the large Gnomish populations coming from Gnomastra. Although for most humans, the worship of Jern is antithesis to their traditional adversion of magic.
In general, the religious culture in the Alliance is one more of tradition rather than actual piety, and because of that the powers of the various religious institutions are limited.
Foreign Relations
The Alliance has more borders more nations than any other on the Continent and has varied relations with each of them:
Adara and the Mages' Guild
The Alliance has the most antagonistic relationship towards Adara than any other nation. Adara expands its sphere of influence by promoting the use of and regulating magic on a grand scale which is direct opposition to the Alliance views that magic is morally wrong.
The alliance maintains no diplomatic relations with the Adara and does not intend to do so in the future. In fact, there are rumors that a clandestine arm of the Alliance military is actively trying to destabilize Adara and the Mages' Guild to limit their geopolitical power.
Fu Dao Guo
Currently, diplomatic relations between the Fu Dao Empire and the Alliance are icy. They both maintain an emissary in each others' capitals, but their power and influence is greatly limited by each others' governments. Both fear that the other will try to cross over the divide and invade, and both have setup grand fortifications to keep the other from doing so. Any strong provocation from either nation towards the other has a high chance of ending in full scale war.
Gnomastra
The Gnomes of Gnomastra have an equally antagonistic relation with Adara and the Mages' Guild, and as such have found friends in the Dukes of the Alliance. The Alliance has opened its borders to new Gnome immigrants and has benefitted from the Gnomes ingenious ways to increase economic productivity without the use of arcane magic. Diplomatically the Alliance has decreed that they will protect Gnomastra from foreign invasion, and in return, Gnomastra has provided powerful military technology to the Alliance.
Elysia
Historically, the Elysian government has tried to stay neutral or friendly with all of its neighbors. The various religious organizations that govern Elysia have a religious mandate to spread their various faiths and promote worship of their respective gods. As such, Elysian churches are allowed to set up temples, shrines, and churches in the various dukedoms as directed by their respective governments. Their missionaries are allowed to travel freely among the dukedoms and fulfill their religious mandates.
Elysia is the most important trade partner of the Alliance as the vast majority of the Alliance grain is either purchased by Elysians or passes through its borders on its way to Le Royaume du Terdiore
Q'Manelothor and the Elven City-states
The Elves generally have a laissez-faire attitude toward the human kingdoms and their affairs except for when they would directly affect the Elven cities. To the elves, the constantly changing political situations among the different dukedoms happen too quickly and are too insignificant for them to meddle directly. The city-states collectively send an elven advisor/diplomat to Camdyn City to ensure that the brash decisions of the Archduke do not affect elven affairs.
Economically, the elves prefer the white granite and marble quarried from Alliance quarries in the Divide. Since it is estimated that the reconstruction of Q'Manelothor will take at least another millenia, the Elves provide a steady source of income for the Alliance.
Laws
Every monarch within the alliance is allow to create an execute laws as they fit. Laws that apply to a smaller political subdivision may be overridden by a higher authority. For example, laws created by a Baron of a Barony my be overturned or overridden by the Earl or Duke of the same location. Ultimately, the Archduke holds ultimate power in the Alliance.
Anti-arcana sentiment
Unique to Alliance is their aversion to the use of arcane magic. In all allied dukedoms the use of arcane magic is highly regulated or banned outright. In Camdyn City, the use of the Panzerung completely inhibits its citizens to use arcane magic or magical items.
To enforce anti-magic laws and root out, capture, and punish renegade mages, sorcerers, and warlocks, the Alliance train and employ a regiment of Magebreakers. A military unit specifically trained and armed to nullify arcane threats.
Agriculture & Industry
Agriculture
Agriculture Agriculture is far the largest and most important industry in the Alliance. Not only are the Prairielands some of the most fertile and ideal lands for growing grain, growing holds an important religious tradition in the culture of the Prairiemen.
In general wheat and rye are the staple crops in southern dukedoms while rice is grown in the northern ones. Grain is exported and traded by water via the Bae'Gesh River river valley out to the Metiaashan sea or overland over established and well maintained roads leading into Elysia or the Elven City-states.
Trades
There is a large trade culture in the Alliance in order to support the agriculture efforts of Dukedoms as well as to support and arm the Alliance military. Traditionally there are no specialized armor or weaponsmiths in the alliance as that knowledge is spread out among the various blacksmiths. Blacksmiths will be experts in fabricating components for farm equipment and will often be a master at making one type of arm or armor.
Stoneworking and roadbuilding is also a very important industry to the Alliance. Stones gathered from fields are turned into blocks for masonry. Stronger and more beautiful types of stone are quarried in the foothills and mountains near and in the Divide and are transported across the Prairielands or exported.
There is also a very robust and competitive ale and spirit making industry. Alliance ales are highly sought after and continent-famous is aged Sweetwater whiskey.
Because of the influx of Gnomes from Gnomastra, there is a developing clockwork industry although the majority of it is centered in Sweetwater and Camdyn City.
Education
Education in the Alliance is traditionally done by one's family. Sons and daughters are usually apprenticed to their father and mothers and continue with their same trades and occupations. Specialized schools for highly skilled positions like diplomacy, science, and religion do exist but matriculation into these institutions is rare and expensive and are normally reserved for royalty.
All citizens are trained in the martial arts as part of their worship to Imix.
Founding Date
4739
Capital
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
Camdynites, Prairiemen
Leader
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Family Leader
Founders
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Gazetteer
- Camdyn City
- Sweetwater
- Crossroads
- Haven Bay
- The Pass
- Highkeep
- Gateskeep
- Lakeside
Currency
Camdyn Mark
Major Exports
Major Exports include:
- Grain (Wheat, Barley, Rice, and Oats)
- Ale and Spirits
- Agricultural Products (Animals, Leather, Cheese)
- Specialty Stone (Marble, Granite)
Major Imports
Important imports to the Alliance include:
- Timber
- Metal Ore (especially in western dukedoms)
- Art, Artistic and musical instruments,
- Salt
- Spices
Official State Religion
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Comments