The High Kingdom
The High Kingdom, also known by some elves as the New Kingdom, and by others as the Old Kingdom, is the first of the elven realms east of the great mountains, founded after the The Rain of Fire , mainly by refugees from S'el.
It being founded after the fall of S'el (at which point it was called K'el) accounts for it being called the New Kingdom, especially by those who remember those days. Being older than F'erend'ar or the The Great Kingdom is why it is also referred to as the Old Kingdom. The name of the High Kingdom is a result of its rather federated nature, which is a result of the travails of its early history and the unusual time-limited kingship model that developed.
Of all the elven kingdoms of the east, the High Kingdom is the one where, in general, elves and humans are most integrated, although if you were asked to hazard it, most elves would be higher up the social scale than humans. Intermarriage is common however, and as a result there are very few pure-blood elven or human families, unlike F'erend'ar where purity of bloodline, especially among the nobility, is paramount.
Structure
The ruler is the The High King, an elective title with a set term of office of 24 years.
The High King is elected by the Lords Principal, who are the main territorial rulers of the constituent territories of the High Kingdom, with a few guild, military and religious figures as well.
These constituent territories have a considerable degree of autonomy (in some cases to the point of hardly accepting that they are really part of the High Kingdom, except to the degree that still allows them the legal privilege of electing the High King). In general the more peripheral the territory, the more tenuous the relationship.
History
K'el, the New Kingdom was formally founded by elves who had fled the destruction of S'el in the Rain of Fire. They did not form the bulk of the population though - S'el expeditions had crossed the great mountains for many years, especially for the timber of the lands, and there were many S'el outposts in the land to secure these resources and those harvesting them against the barbarian human tribes of the forests. In addition, there were those amongst the S'el who disagreed with the ruling archmages and their excesses; and for them the empty forests of the east offered a safe refuge to escape the depravities of S'el.
When the few archmages who had escaped S'el arrived with the remnants of their retinues and slaves, they rapidly gathered together those warriors they encountered in the garrisons, and set about re-establishing a new S'el in these virgin lands. It was not S'el, indeed, but they were sure they could soon create a new land for themselves. They set about enslaving the human tribes and forcing them to build a new city for them, as well as pressing many into their new armies.
Years passed, and K'el became a mirror of old S'el. For the archmages, it seemed to them that they had survived the fall of S'el as best they could. But underneath their facade of power, dangerous currents were running. Many of the elves that served them were those who had served in the east because they of their disquiet at the decadent excesses of the archmages, and they felt little loyalty to their new masters. Many elves had fled further east in order to avoid them, and they now started to harry the borders of K'el, provoking desperate responses from the archmages.
Demography and Population
Demographics:
- 15% pure elvish
- 60% half-elves of varying degree
- 20% pure human
- 5% other humanoids (mainly halflings, gnomes and dwarves)
Military
The High King commands a small standing army, which is well regarded for its skill, training and equipment.
In general, the armed forces of the High Kingdom are supplied by the territorial lords.
Traditionally most of these are comprised of mounted knights, who are more lightly armoured than those of F'erend'ar or the The Great Kingdom , and longbowmen on foot. Some territories vary from this though - the The Freeholds are famous for their peasant pikemen for example.
Traditionally most of these are comprised of mounted knights, who are more lightly armoured than those of F'erend'ar or the The Great Kingdom , and longbowmen on foot. Some territories vary from this though - the The Freeholds are famous for their peasant pikemen for example.
Foreign Relations
The oldest of the The Kingdoms.
An enemy of The Great Kingdom from its founding, and an enmity that has continued practically unabated until the present day. The main theatres of contention are in the Midmark , where both seek to extend their influence over The Petty Realms , and in naval conflict on the Azure Sea.
The relationship with F'erend'ar is not so deep-rootedly antagonistic, but the two have competing territorial claims in the Midmark and Grand County of Bec that means that any rapprochement between them is only to gather breath or seek advantage by other means.
Trade & Transport
The main transport route of the High Kingdom is the Shammar River, which winds lazily up the eastern border of the realm. At its mouth lies the city of Gerrale - the largest city of the High Kingdom and the main trade centre. From Gerrale, the main trade route runs north up the Shammar and then through the The Iron March and into the Grand County of Bec which lies at a three way intersection where routes then run west into the lands of the Temukar Elves, north into F'erend'ar and east into the The Petty Realms (although trade for the Petty Realms from the south will normally take the sea route rather than overland).
The Jadaar River does not act as a similar trade route. Its access to the sea is cut off by the sinister and impenetrable Kadroth Marshes, and for most of its length it runs through inaccessible gorges and over cataracts that prevent navigation. It acts rather as a barrier to travel than a route for travel.
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Alternative Names
The New Kingdom, the Old Kingdom, K'el, The Land of the Two Rivers
Formation Type
Training Level
Elite
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Demonym
Kelish
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Major Exports
The principle exports of the High Kingdom are agricultural - wheat, oil, fruit and wine.
Legislative Body
The High Council
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments