F'erend'ar

The third of the three main kingdoms of the east, and the most traditional. F'erend'ar differs from The High Kingdom and The Great Kingdom in the degree to which it is still racially-socially stratified. It still holds to what it refers to as 'the old ways' - it is a kingdom where an elven nobility rule over a human peasantry. This is mianly down to the proximity of the Demon Wastes and the northern steppes. This keeps the kingdom in a state of perpetual war, especially against the forces of darkness. There is no opportunity for social change because the kingdom is always on the brink of destruction. The elven nobility also ensure that the human peasantry, while levied for use in their armies, are not trained or given access to too much weaponry. The lot of the peasantry is tempered somewhat because the F'erend'arese nobility have a deep and pervasive system of chivalry, which has the protection of commoners as one of its key tenets. Thus, unlike the Great Kingdom, or K'el of old, human peasants in F'erend'ar have rights which are respected and enforced. Their lives are by no means free or comfortable, but nor are they kept in wretched servitude either. F'erend'ar is famous for its orders of knighthood, dedicated to ideals of chivalry: bravery, honesty, mercy, fairness and nobility. Those who transgress the laws of F'erend'ar will soon be hunted down by these knights errant and handed over to the authorities for judgement. Indeed there are some lesser orders that are exclusively for those humans who have shown their courage on the field of battle. Despite this though, F'erend'ar is a completely racially segregated society, and the ideal of human-elven intermarriage is regarded as abhorrent. This can make relations with the High Kingdom and the Great Kingdom tricky - in both cases, F'erend'ar regards them as degenerates who only survive because F'erend'ar is in the front line, protecting them. The High Kingdom is always careful to make sure ambassadors and emissaries to F'erend'ar come from those elves whose blood-line is purest and least open to accusations of taint. The Great Kingdom cares little for such issues, and the F'erend'arese do not even pretend to hide their distain for its ambassadors and the country they represent. Indeed they regard the recent tribulations of the Great Kingdom at the hands of the Golden Army of the Reavers as showing just how low it has fallen.

Structure

F'erend'ar has two kings (the term is used whatever the gender of the person holding the role), who is the eldest child of the previous king of that line (or eldest sibling if there are no children etc). The dual kingship is regarded as critical to provide stability in such warlike times - the death of one king in battle does not plunge the country into a long winter or sap its ability to resist.

Culture

F'erendar is highly conservative in its traditions. The old ways are clung to fiercely, and innovation is staunchly resisted. Locals will have little time for new ideas, and can be somewhat xenophobic. The only deity pulibcally worshipped in F'erend'ar is Helim, and the cult of Helim is the state religion. Every town or city has a temple of Helim and his priests and high priests are highly regarded. The code of Helim is used to maintain a stern moral code and draconian laws and punishments. The worship of other deities is completely forbidden except in a very very particular circumstances. Due to the proximity of the Demon Wastes, the use of arcane magic in F'erend'ar is looked upon with deep suspicion. Some wizards are permitted to practice under licence from the Church of Helim, but the punishment for any other arcane magic users is death. Wizards by beheading, sorcerers by burning, and warlocks by evisceration.

Tenets of Faith

Helim is the sole cult permitted in F'erend'ar. The key tenets of Helim in F'erend'ar are:

Bravery and courage
Honest and openness
Respect for superiors and the social order
Protection of those below you in society
Justice and adherence to the laws

Priesthood

Priests of Helim in F'erend'ar are exclusively elven, and normally of high blood. They are chosen for their learning, piety and personal courage. Each temple of Helim is ruled by a High Priest, to whom all priests attached to that temple owe allegiance. Each city has a Commandery, ruled by a Clavier. The cult as a whole is run by the Arch-Clavier, assisted by 5 High Claviers, who appoint the Arch-Clavier if the office becomes vacant. The Arch-Clavier in turn appoints High Claviers if positions become vacant. The High Council of Claviers appoints new Claviers when required.

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Economic System

Traditional

Deities