Grand Kingdom of Farid'zai
Named the "Faraway Kingdom" by the realms around the Ilyonic Sea, Farid'zai is the largest and most powerful realm in Ëaqelun. It is ruled and inhabited mostly by the species of Kjai, who refer to their home country as "Farid'zai", "The Realm beneath Trees and Stars". This name certainly holds true for the vast jungles of Tanari, the home of the Kjai and capital region of Farid'zai. However, many of the settled and conquered regions of the evergrowing realm do feature drastically different climate and vegitation. Farid'zai spans across the great deserts Smali and Smatagaii as well as the marshes of Yiherat up to the Martirian Massif. The constant expansion of Farid'zai, pushing in direction of the Ilyonic Sea itself, brought the realm into conflicts with the successors of the Empire of Carodin, the Empire of Vodjin and the Kingdom of Edrun. This conflict is further fueled by the factor that many Kjai are living outside Farid'zai, called Siraaj. Farid'zai uses these "exiles" to claim the lands inhabited by them, stating that only Kjai should rule other Kjai. The fact that many Siraaj don't even want to be part of their "Homeland" and are often seen as outsiders by their own kin is ignored in this context.
The Kjai regard their rule over foreign lands as mandatory and constantly push to expand their borders. The military of the kingdom is highly regarded as the strongest in Ëaqelun with power over innerpolitical topics as well. Civil positions of power are monitored by military institutions, often a board of officers. High ranking military officers are the most fanatical of believers in the supreme rule of Kjai and fiercly believe that the Grand Kingdom of Farid'zai is destined to eventually rule the world.
Structure
Farid'zais power structure is strictly hierarchical, with the Grand King at the top. Below him exists a court of royal advisors as well as the bureaucracy to support the monarch in his decisions. The Grand King debates laws and decrees with his circle of advisors and takes decisions according to their suggestions. He is not bound to their advice but often acts accordingly. The kings decision are kept broad and provide targets which are to reach by the lower levels of administration.
The kings laws are carried out by governors, who act as link between the central court and the lower levels of administration. They are expected to reach their goals by dividing the efforts on all their governed land, avoiding too much pressure on specific cities or regions in the process. They are also responsible for the proper supply of the governed population via a system of trade hubs and warehouses, controlled and operated by state officials. The construction and maintenance of public buildings also falls under their agenda. To achieve this they need extensive knowledge of their governed realm and an able administration on their side. Governors may introduce their own decrees based on the kings decisions, without diverging from the original specifications. They are also allowed to muster local population for necessary labours such as construction, transport or temporary military drafts. Due to the position of intermediary, governors are very powerful and influencial people who build a local power base in opposition to the monarch. To balance this, military attachés are permanently sent by the king to control the actions of the governor. This attachés may inspect actions and decrees of a governor at any time and can even demand modifications. Representatives of the royal council are sent to act as judges if quarrels between governors and their military counterparts cannot be solved by themselves. Cities, towns and settlements have to carry out the governors orders without modifying the demands. They do however have the right to appeal to the governor on specific days of a month, where they send representatives to report their problems. The military attaché of the specific gouvernement and representatives of the royal council take part as well. Those days of appeal are an important event for all sides and come along with their own rituals and festivities.
Farid'zais culture and social structure is heavily influenced by a two-class system based on social hierarchy of the Kjai:
The upper class, the Djarvi, control all higher positions in national and regional governments as well as the military and many spots in trade and economy. City centers are almost exclusively inhabited by Djarvi who live in big, luxurious homes and enjoy separate (or sometimes exclusive) access to amenities like bathhouses, etc.... Their homes are often the only ones protected by city walls as well, which functions as another isolator from the Olavi. Olavi on the other hand represent the working class (and obviously the majority) of the Kjai. They are obligated to keep the structures and logistics up and running while they are guaranteed that the Djarvi, who lead them in all aspects of life, will put their positions forward for the greater good of their people.
The upper class, the Djarvi, control all higher positions in national and regional governments as well as the military and many spots in trade and economy. City centers are almost exclusively inhabited by Djarvi who live in big, luxurious homes and enjoy separate (or sometimes exclusive) access to amenities like bathhouses, etc.... Their homes are often the only ones protected by city walls as well, which functions as another isolator from the Olavi. Olavi on the other hand represent the working class (and obviously the majority) of the Kjai. They are obligated to keep the structures and logistics up and running while they are guaranteed that the Djarvi, who lead them in all aspects of life, will put their positions forward for the greater good of their people.
Culture
The dualism of Kjai social structure is omnipresent in the realm. Cities (which are planned in advance) have separate districts for both classes, with Djarvi living inside and Olavi outside of the circular shaped city walls. Most public buildings exist twice (if possible or feasable) or do at least have two separate areas for Djarvi and Olavi. Exceptions are the palaces of local governors and the main temples in any city. These areas are some of the few places where the two classes meet regularly, with others beeing specifically defined plazas, warehouses for the daily needs and bathhouses.
Kjai are fond of water and known for their cleanliness. Bathhouses are therefore a necessity for every city in Farid'zai, with bigger ones having several complexes. Public places and streets in the cities are build with water canals and greenery on the sides, plazas often contain fountains. This requires a sophisticated network of canals as well as a constant supply of water, which is both provided by extensive city planning and masterful engineering.
Every day live of the people is heavily structured by religion and their rank in society. Free-time leisures like bars, taverns or theatres are unkown (Bathhouses are a notable exception). Major gatherings only happen for religious purposes in temples and for one of many festivities, which often have a religious background as well.
People of Farid'zai spend most of their normal days at their homes and with their family. Notable highlights of a normal week are the communal meals, which happen once or twice a week (as Kjai don't need more food than that) and the veneration of the ancestors, happening once a week.
Farid'zai is unique in that almost none of its inhabitants can read or write. Scripture is in fact not used except by the administration of the High King. His decrees are sent to his subordinates via specifically designed symbols, carved into stone slabs which can only be read by highly trained administrators. The rest of faridite life is organized via oral communication. There even exist specific professions like runners, who are sent from town to town to bring messages and "rememberers", who are tasked with remembering specific historical events, cultural and diplomatic traditions as well as religious practices, festivities and lore.
The use of magic is almost non-existent in Farid'zai and only praciticed by a small portion of the population: Priests, who use magic for certain rituals, and a small military elite, who are trained from childhood. All users of magic are part of the class of the Djarvi, Olavi are not allowed to use magic at all. The users of magic in Farid'zai actually belong to the elite of the realm, because magic requires specific materials and the use of scripture. Spells are cast through specifically designed symbols (their research is one of the mostwell kept secrets of the realm) and the writing material is won from a specific type of tree in the rainforest of Tanari, specifically its bark. The procuration of this bark is done by the casters themselves and often part of rituals similar to the ones for hunting.
Public Agenda
Expansion of the realms borders to gain more land for Kjai is the highest goal for Farid‘zais leaders. The High King of Farid'zai - Khalalj sees his right to rule as divine, given to the Kjai through hard trials and a constant power struggle. Life is predetermined and should be served for the greater good of the realm and the species of Kjai as a whole. This social hierarchy is forced upon all non-Kjai living in Farid'zai as well. Kjai governors are installed at all positions of power with former local elites either beeing chased away or forced to accept their new leaders and swear allegiance to them. The grade of self-rule is depending on the resistance during and after the occupation.
Military
The faridite military consists of a core of professional soldiers, who come from military families and are trained in their profession since childhood. Their equipment, quarters and needed supplies are provided by the state. Families of soldiers travel with them and get provided a home when the soldiers are stationed in a city.
The professional soldiers fullfill many roles and are used as labourers as well, building roads, bridges and even public buildings, if the need arises. During wars, the professional soldiers are the backbone of any faridite army and fight in the center, often clad in armor and using shields, swords and spears.
The rest of an army is consisting of mustered levy troops, often local citizens. Their task is to defend the flanks of the heavy armored center. Skirmishers such as bowmen, abundant thanks to the heavy hunting traditions of Farid'zai, complete the army. They also double as flanking force and as a replacement of cavalry, which is absent in any faridite army (as Kjai don't want to rely on any creature and therefore don't ride). These hunters, although only lightly armoured, are feared for their flexibility and speed on the battlefield.
The Grand King also has his own guard, the Wardens of the High King - Bhaiirdat ja-Khalal. These soldiers are the best of their realm and accompany their lord at all times. If a faradite army has a contingency of the Wardens in their lines, everybody knows about the seriousness of the fight ahead and the importance of the campaign.
Religion
The The Faridite Faith is the state religion and the only one permitted without any restrictions.
Foreign Relations
Farid‘zais diplomacy is agressive and reflects the realms notion of beeing an exception and destined to rule. Winning land is the highest priority, threats are common practice by faridite diplomats. This lead to many wars in the past, ranging from small border skirmishes to massive battles and long military campaigns.
Non aggression pacts are only reluctantly agreed to and avoided if possible. Alliances are always declined as this would put the ally on the same step as Farid’zai, which is not compatible with the realms divine right to rule. Vassalization is used in cases where outright conquest of a region is not possible due to political pressure or constant rebellion. Other forms of diplomacy, such as trade agreements, are almost unknown to faridite diplomats.
Non aggression pacts are only reluctantly agreed to and avoided if possible. Alliances are always declined as this would put the ally on the same step as Farid’zai, which is not compatible with the realms divine right to rule. Vassalization is used in cases where outright conquest of a region is not possible due to political pressure or constant rebellion. Other forms of diplomacy, such as trade agreements, are almost unknown to faridite diplomats.
Agriculture & Industry
Farid‘zai relies heavily on hunting and husbandry, with agriculture beeing almost non existent and only practised to feed herded animals in cases of non-sufficient grazing grounds. Farid‘zais power relies on the self-sufficient way of living of its members and a strict planned economy. Families often specialize in the production of certain goods and pass on the traditions to their children. Surplus is rarely produced and mostly ordered by local governments to meet the demand for an important trade deal or a planned festival. The vastness of the realm also ensures access to a huge range of natural ore deposits, which makes mining an important area of economy and heavily promoted by local officials.
Trade & Transport
Farid'zai has no official currency as all transactions are either concluded via trading of natural resources or manual labour. The governors and state officials are tasked with providing and distributing the necessary means of production and living for citizens and are allowed to draft local population for important projects like transports of major amounts of goods or temporary drafts for the military.
Goods are, if possible, produced in the vicinity of a settlement or city. Great roads are built between cities if the supply of certain goods needs to be established. This road network stretches across the whole empire and connects the most important cities, with smaller roads branching of the main network. Little hamlets and settlements are normally not linked up to this network and only reachable through small paths or no visible path at all. The road network also serves for quick communication and transport of troops.
Traded goods are mostly raw materials with limited availability. This often includes rare woods and ores, sometimes regional breeds of cattle, raw fabrics or specific materials needed for administrative, cultural or religious purposes. Produced goods are rarely transported over greater distances. Food is only traded in times of need, for example during regional famines or for stockpiles in times of war. Farid'zai officially imports nothing and claims self-sufficiency. Trade gets also hampered (or stopped) by the fact, that the faridite economy is a planned one and no currency for trade, except the goods themselves, exist. However, the border regions of Farid'zai are known for its smuggling, especially in regions that are occupied by the realm and consist of other species than Kjai in most cases. The only notable "offical" imports are tributes and presents to the Grand King, which are collected by faridite officials. These tributes consist mostly of gifts or luxuries that are sent straight to the court of the Grand King and may only be consumed or enjoyed by the Grand King and the courtiers.
Traded goods are mostly raw materials with limited availability. This often includes rare woods and ores, sometimes regional breeds of cattle, raw fabrics or specific materials needed for administrative, cultural or religious purposes. Produced goods are rarely transported over greater distances. Food is only traded in times of need, for example during regional famines or for stockpiles in times of war. Farid'zai officially imports nothing and claims self-sufficiency. Trade gets also hampered (or stopped) by the fact, that the faridite economy is a planned one and no currency for trade, except the goods themselves, exist. However, the border regions of Farid'zai are known for its smuggling, especially in regions that are occupied by the realm and consist of other species than Kjai in most cases. The only notable "offical" imports are tributes and presents to the Grand King, which are collected by faridite officials. These tributes consist mostly of gifts or luxuries that are sent straight to the court of the Grand King and may only be consumed or enjoyed by the Grand King and the courtiers.
Education
The state controls the basics of education via stately controlled schools. Most Kjai enter this schools at the age of 3 years, after reaching their adolescence. They stay between 3-5 years, depending on when a Kjai reaches adulthood.
Education consists of basic rules of Kjai society as well as religion, culture and physical excercises. This lasts for two to three years and is done parallel to the parental upbringing, which focuses more on family traditions as well as teaching the child the basics of the craft of the family, whatever this might be. Most Kjai chose to stay in the family business, which leads to long lines of craftsmen and greatly skilled specialists.
The omnipresent divide of the classes is also present in the school system, with the children of the Djarvi, who are taught in separate schools, getting a deeper look into the history and religion of the realm, preparing them for future roles as leaders of the country.
The end of school-time is reached with The Naming Ceremony and followed up by The Transition.
Infrastructure
Farid'zai has a vast network of public roads and fortresses.
Ever Onward
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Alternative Names
"The Realm beneath Trees and Stars"; "The Faraway Kingdom"
Training Level
Semi-professional
Veterancy Level
Trained
Demonym
Faridite
Leader Title
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Command/Planned economy
Currency
Payments are provided through natural resources and manual labour
Legislative Body
The Grand King decides on laws after debating them with his circle of advisors
Judicial Body
The local governors recieve orders by the king and carry them out accordingly
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Related Traditions
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Comments