Realm of Lyria
Located on the eastern shore of the Lakelands, Lyria is a land of stout mountains and rolling hills that taper into the sea. The Realm is famous for its peaceful environs, calm and helpful people, and connection to the sea. While it is wealthy and well-governed, Lyria is well-liked by many other realms and peoples for their wide engagement in charitable work and patronage of truly diverse adventuring parties the world over. For all their good intentions, many leaders in other realms see them as overly meddlesome and often treat anyone connected to the green and gold banner with frustration at best and suspicion at worst.
Structure
Lyria is an absolute monarchy, most often led by a Queen as befitting the prevailing wood elven culture of the realm. The current Queen is Amnestra the Second, who currently rules without a consort nor an heir. At sixty years old, she is still relatively young but she has been well-prepared by her mother. As an absolute monarch, Amnestra holds Court regularly -- observing all of the holy days and nights of the Old Faith, she generally holds court four out of every seven days. At the height of Summer, she takes leave from Court to travel to meet with the leaders of foreign countries. During the beginning of Winter, Amnestra breaks Court to observe religious purification rituals until the Solstice in the Lyrian highlands. She then travels to the nearby Winter Palace where Court is held on a more intensive and frequent basis until she returns to the capital on the Vernal Equinox.
The Queen takes a direct hand in most of the discussions at Court, but she also relies on a cabinet of close advisors who she has empowered to make many decisions on her behalf in which they are merely reported afterwards. She has chosen a prime minister in Siria Hellenthil, referred to as the Royal Steward by convention, and they preside over the cabinet and generally sets the agenda for Court. Siria has a close relationship with the Queen, and they have an unspoken understanding at nearly every level. The other Ministers are assigned to specific areas of responsibility: agriculture and forests, fisheries and ocean trade, roads and bridges, cities and towns, foreign affairs, the army, the navy, and fellowships. That last position was added during the reign of the first human Queen, Amara Lorien of Orliac, following the deep demonstration that fellowships of what we would call adventurers were instrumental in the safety, security and stability of the realm and even the region. Many of these Ministers inherit established bureaucracies and idiosyncratic methods of governance. The minister may preside over a change in the culture of the place, but the efficacy of such change is dependent on how long they last in the position.
Culture
Culturally, Lyria is wood elven. Though the Queen herself and most of its inhabitants are half-elven, there is a large minority of wood elves who came to the New Realm thousands of years ago after taking the Oath of the Sea. This is why there is such a heavily-elven realm in the midst of human dominated lands. Before the Lakeland realms were established and solidified, the Realm of Lyria was old. During the Age of Heroes, a veritable wave of wood elven refugees came from what are now the Free Realms fleeing the dark empire of Nymarga the Worm King. They traveled as far southeast as they could, and came to the site of the capital city, Cedres Lyria, and agreed to build a new realm in that place. The Oath of the Sea was spoken by the leaders and priestesses of the wood elven peoples, and they agreed that while they would cherish and honour their wood elven ancestry, they would honour the Gentle Queen of the Earth by serving the seas as intercessors and caretakers at the place where earth meets water meets air. The white cliffs of Cedres Lyria are small in comparison to the great city of Bluffside in dwarven lands, but they are still formidable compared to all other places in Aresia. Here, the elves stopped running from darkness and started to build a kingdom that stood for everything good and bright and free in Creation.
As befitting wood elves, Lyria is very free-wheeling but culturally and ethically centered on the power of individuals to do good for themselve and for everyone. Lyrian folk are taught from an early age to understand the responsibilities each individual carries to take care of themselves and others, as well as the responsibility they have to live their life in a way that would make the world a better place now and in the future. Generally, Lyrians oppose strict social controls often employed by the high elves and eschew the harsh legal approach that dwarves tend to favour. They embrace a more positive inclination, striving instead to build good things and to preserve them actively, rather than orienting their hearts and minds against something whether it be a concept or a rival person, group or nation. This is reflected in the way they conduct themselves and participate in their religious observances of the Old Faith. Where the High Elves might focus greatly on Yhera and preserving the abstract notions of order and the great cycle, or where the orcs fixate on the struggle to survive and the pride one can take in the living of that hard life, the wood elves of Lyria embrace the gentle, calm and connecting tendencies of Geniché, Ami and Diva, Garda and Equis, as well as Yaro and especially Mishra the Purple.
Lyrian folk are generally calm, caring and they have been taught to mind their responsibilities and contribute as they can. Within these wide bounds, there is a great degree of diversity in the values, behaviours and beliefs of the people of Lyria.
Public Agenda
The Queen's Realm has long stood for maintaining peace and combatting evil forces that exist outside the ken of mundane politics. Though the realm follows closely their gentle goddesses of the Old Faith, they enjoy good relations with all but the prickly Realm of Greyvale, which continues the direct struggle against the high elves of the south. Lyria maintains very active Embassies and Consulates, the latter of which especially focused on building and maintaining a good reputation with the people of the realm it has been built. These Consulates are at once places of political discourse, economic opportunity, and great charity for the poor, vulnerable and downtrodden. With their vast wealth, the Queen's Realm is an active patron of fellowships -- what they call adventuring groups -- even outside their own country. Often, the Lyrians use these fellowships as a means to promote peace and understanding, as well as ensuring that the Lyrians have a good understanding of what happens outside their borders.
One of the most well-known services offered by Lyrian Consulates and Embassies is the subsidized messaging service between any other consulate or embassy. In addition, folks with good reputations may apply to become a member of the Royal Society of Scholarship and Research, which allows them access to the Royal Index. From that Index, they may borrow books, scrolls and maps for a lunar month -- though there is a waitlist for several important tomes. Lastly, for a small fee, the Lyrians will store items and money that can be deposited and withdrawn anywhere within a three-day period.
Assets
The Realm of Lyria is very active in three areas: (1) sea-borne commerce and trade, (2) forestry, agriculture and ship-building, and (3) patronage of fellowships across the world.
The wood elves of the northwestern lands came to the lands of Lyria eons ago. Upon their arrival, they took the Oath of the Sea, which proclaimed their promise to use their second chance to honour the Gentle Goddess by serving as the intercessors between the land and the sea. In this, they are very active on the seas -- not only through trade and commerce which provides the majority of their wealth. They also maintain a strong navy that protects many important trading lanes from raiders. In addition, the Lyrians operate some of the largest ships on the sea to act as centers of mercy and charity, healing and succor. They travel alone on the seas, offering unconditional support to any other ships. These ships are well-known across the world, and every nation has been known to use and protect these ships from danger. They are especially beloved by the halfling and gnomish pirates of the Isle of Fairport, they have been known to escort these temple ships to ensure proper navigation, physical safety and repair and refit if needed.
On the land, the elves and half-elves of Lyria are very well known for their high quality timber, excellent lumber, and exquisite finished wooden products. Of these, their small and midsize shipbuilding capacity is only surpassed by the halflings on the subcontinent of Guelphia. Lyria is also well known for their high quality wines, as well as a good supply of cotton and silks -- in fact, their silk is the only source outside of the Guelphian monopoly.
Finally, the Queen's Realm is famous for their patronage of adventuring groups the world over. They engage early and widely with all manner of adventuring group, and in exchange for a percentage of their wealth, regular updates to their whereabouts and activities, and access to any lore or secrets uncovered. From time to time, the Lyrians will send their own agents to support these groups: often Priestesses of Geniché or other specialists like bards, rogues or artificers. This is for two reasons: to protect their investments by keeping adventuring groups alive, and to ensure that these groups are abiding by their oaths and agreements. While trade is the biggest source of income for the realm, the income and information gleaned by their wide engagement with adventurers has been a close second.
Demography and Population
The Queen's Realm has a little over two million inhabitants.
Religion
Focus on Geniché, Garda and Equis, as well as the Twins and sometimes Yaro.
Foreign Relations
Lakelands
- Commonwealth of Mercadia: Very good relationships with each of the city-states, they operate a Consulate in each and an Embassy in its largest city, Aliira.
- Kingdom of Abenton: Good relations with Abenton and operates an Embassy in its capital and a Consulate in the second-largest city.
- Port of Adia: Decent relations have led to the Prince of Adia allowing an Embassy to be built there.
- Realm of Greyvale: Poor relations with Greyvale, the Steward of Greyvale has a well-known hatred of elves.
- Holy Kingdom of Aramon: Middling relations have allowed Lyria to have an Ambassador at Court, but no permanent presence has been allowed.
- Holy Icatia: Lyria has a long history of good relations with the Icatian people and enjoy Consulates in two major cities and an Embassy in the Capital.
- Republic of Westervale: The Queen's Realm has Consulates in each of the Republic's cities plus an active Embassy in the capital Breventon.
- Port of Orliac: The Lyrians have an active Consulate in Orliac, but they have been forbidden by the Dukes to build an Embassy or have an Ambassador there.
- Kingdom of Eos: The Lyrians are held at arm's length by the King, and only have a Consulate in the city of Tannith Vale and an Embassy in Faradan's Folly.
- Confederation of Aldoon: The city itself has an Embassy and a Consulate, but each of the ruling nobles tend to eschew the meddlesome Lyrians in their lands.
- Hart's Cross: The Lyrians are ardent supporters of Hart's Cross and its independence, they operate both an Embassy and a very active Consulate there.
- Kingdom of Othune: The Lyrians have an Embassy and a Consulate there, but they lost the same at the last fall of Okar.
- The Garden of Geniché: Lyrian Ambassadors are often ignored but Lyria enjoys popularity with the commonfolk through their numerous Consulates.
- Qorum, Seat of the Prophet: Lyria has an Embassy, but have been forbidden from building Consulates. They have cold relations there.
- Steppeland Tribes: The Lyrians operate traveling two caravan-style Consulates that travel between several semi-permanent locations.
- Kingdom of Thessidia: The Lyrians have middling relations with the Thessidians, but have an Embassy built in the capital city.
- Conquered Illoria: Lyria has two Consulates built here, one oriented to the conquerors and one for the occupied elves. They are tolerated by both.
- The Eye of Geteema: Lyria has built a single Consulate in the Lands of the Eye, and it often mediates peace between the orcs and the gnomish refugee settlements.
- Imperial Remnant: Good Relations, two Consulates and one Embassy in the Seat of the Saviour.
- The Holdfast Plateau: Very Good Relations, one Consulate.
- The Commonwealth: Poor relations, the Patriarchs have adopted a stance that is wary of the Lyrians, only Bluffside has a small Consulate.
- The Delve Kings: Surprisingly good, if sardonic, relations with the Delve Kings: each has an Embassy.
- Empire of Guelphia: The Lyrians have one Embassy in the capital and one Consulate on the eastern coast of the continent, they have neutral relations.
- Fairport: The Lyrians have an Embassy and a Consulate on the Isle of Fairport. They are very well-liked there.
- The Gold Coast: The Lyrians have four outpost Consulates there and enjoy good relations.
- Farhaven: The Lyrians have an Embassy and a Consulate in Farhaven, and they enjoy reasonably positive relations.
- The Grand Spire: The Lyrians are forbidden from the Spire.
Trade & Transport
They make most of their wealth in trade, commerce and transportation.
Education
Renowned for their personal academies.
The Goddess Above
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Alternative Names
Lyria, the New Realm, the Queen's Realm, the Realm of Queens,
Demonym
Lyrians
Head of State
Head of Government
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Lyria only mints silver coins called silver crescents and copper coins called pentacles. They have gold coins, by they tend to be whatever coins and bullion collected by their dockmasters and moneychangers. They do use gold bars, and the Prime Minister is currently attempting to convince the Queen to enter into an agreement with the Delve Kings for access to using their system of slips, strips, bars and bricks of gold as their reserve currency and unit of account.
Legislative Body
The Queen's Realm is an absolute monarchy and does not have a legislative body.
Judicial Body
The Queen has appointed traveling Courts of Law, which are headed by a High Justiciar who leads two junior Justiciars, three Mediators, five Advocates and up to twelve Inspectors. These Courts tend to have a Priestess of Geniché, a Priest of the Word and a Priestess of Hatha attached to them.
Justiciars are direct agents of the Queen, they are responsible for the application of justice within the realm.
Mediators interpret the laws, and settle disputes that do not venture into criminality.
Advocates engage with common folk and ensure justice is being done on their behalf.
Inspectors investigate crimes and gather evidence to present to Justiciars.
These proper Courts of Law generally have large numbers of hirelings, mostly folks necessary for the operation and upkeep, but also for the logistics involved in having traveling Courts of Law.
Executive Body
The Executive is the Queen's Cabinet, led by her close friend and Prime Minster.
Official State Religion
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Organization Vehicles
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Comments