Arilaand
The Kingdom of Arilaand is an older kingdom. It has been around since the Second Era, and withstood many tests of time. Arilaand was once a major seat of power within Auzera, its trade reaching both shores, and its people diverse. But after the Third Era, when the alliances of Men, Dwarves, and Elves were forsaken, trade routes were abandoned, economies fell, and each faction blamed the other for this tragedy. Arilaand was hit the hardest due to being in the center of the landmass, and has been in decline ever since.
The current ruler of Arilaand is King Gavus Harwin, successor to Aleus Harwin. With the Imperial war raging on as hard as it is, King Gavus has quite a road ahead of him. The people of Arilaand go hungry, and their fields suffer, but the people are kind, and have a temperament of those with a wise king. But Kindness and temperament do not make for a strong country. Arilaand shares a border with the Theozzian Empire, who eyes it with desire. It was a fear of King Aleus Harwin that should the Empire ever invade, there would be no withstanding them. He looked to his neighbor, The Kingdom of Haeloth, attempting to treat with them, but never to any avail. Arilaand currently fights to its last breath against the Empire's hazardous advance. To the south are the elves of Eshma Thalas, and they do not welcome men within their forests. They will find no help there.
If King Harwin and his people are to survive the Fourth Age, then it would seem some drastic changes... and luck... must be made.
The current ruler of Arilaand is King Gavus Harwin, successor to Aleus Harwin. With the Imperial war raging on as hard as it is, King Gavus has quite a road ahead of him. The people of Arilaand go hungry, and their fields suffer, but the people are kind, and have a temperament of those with a wise king. But Kindness and temperament do not make for a strong country. Arilaand shares a border with the Theozzian Empire, who eyes it with desire. It was a fear of King Aleus Harwin that should the Empire ever invade, there would be no withstanding them. He looked to his neighbor, The Kingdom of Haeloth, attempting to treat with them, but never to any avail. Arilaand currently fights to its last breath against the Empire's hazardous advance. To the south are the elves of Eshma Thalas, and they do not welcome men within their forests. They will find no help there.
If King Harwin and his people are to survive the Fourth Age, then it would seem some drastic changes... and luck... must be made.
Structure
There are several powerful Houses in Arilaand. They are -
However, on the Eastern side of Arilaand, there are several minor Houses and nobles who oversee regions in small keeps and settlements. They provide personal levies to the ruling regional Lord, and see to the peace and security of their personal lands. These families operate autonomously until they are called to perform tasks for their Lord, who resides at Castle Leydford. These families are as follows- These houses are important and old. Even though they are minor noble Houses, they are integral to maintaining the region and keeping the populace in check, trade profitable, and war prepared for. In a time of war, The ruling Lord will summon noble levies - forcing the Houses that are loyal in this region (that should be all of them) to raise a percentage of their personal troops, and send them to the ruling Lords army. They will then bolster his ranks and obey his commands without question. The minor nobles will act as commanders in the field on the Lord’s behalf. Once the conflict comes to an end, the levies will be sent home.
On the Western side of Arilaand, there are several minor Houses and nobles who oversee regions in small keeps and settlements. They provide personal levies to the ruling regional Lord, and see to the peace and security of their personal lands. These families operate autonomously until they are called to perform tasks for their Lord, who resides at Cadworth Keep. These families are as follows- These houses are important and old. Even though they are minor noble Houses, they are integral to maintaining the region and keeping the populace in check, trade profitable, and war prepared for. In a time of war, The ruling Lord will summon noble levies - forcing the Houses that are loyal in this region (that should be all of them) to raise a percentage of their personal troops, and send them to the ruling Lords army. They will then bolster his ranks and obey his commands without question. The minor nobles will act as commanders in the field on the Lord’s behalf. Once the conflict comes to an end, the levies will be sent home.
- House Warranus
- House Foucaut
- House Godefray
- House Serell
- House Harwin
However, on the Eastern side of Arilaand, there are several minor Houses and nobles who oversee regions in small keeps and settlements. They provide personal levies to the ruling regional Lord, and see to the peace and security of their personal lands. These families operate autonomously until they are called to perform tasks for their Lord, who resides at Castle Leydford. These families are as follows- These houses are important and old. Even though they are minor noble Houses, they are integral to maintaining the region and keeping the populace in check, trade profitable, and war prepared for. In a time of war, The ruling Lord will summon noble levies - forcing the Houses that are loyal in this region (that should be all of them) to raise a percentage of their personal troops, and send them to the ruling Lords army. They will then bolster his ranks and obey his commands without question. The minor nobles will act as commanders in the field on the Lord’s behalf. Once the conflict comes to an end, the levies will be sent home.
On the Western side of Arilaand, there are several minor Houses and nobles who oversee regions in small keeps and settlements. They provide personal levies to the ruling regional Lord, and see to the peace and security of their personal lands. These families operate autonomously until they are called to perform tasks for their Lord, who resides at Cadworth Keep. These families are as follows- These houses are important and old. Even though they are minor noble Houses, they are integral to maintaining the region and keeping the populace in check, trade profitable, and war prepared for. In a time of war, The ruling Lord will summon noble levies - forcing the Houses that are loyal in this region (that should be all of them) to raise a percentage of their personal troops, and send them to the ruling Lords army. They will then bolster his ranks and obey his commands without question. The minor nobles will act as commanders in the field on the Lord’s behalf. Once the conflict comes to an end, the levies will be sent home.
History
In its founding in the Second Era, the Kingdom of Arilaand was incredibly powerful. It was a seat of power respected by both dwarf and elf alike, and its power exponentially more than it is now.
Arilaand, led by the then-King Haerig, conquered part of what is now known as Eshma Thalas, and part of Vurnfalduhr, bringing to an end the War of the Red Mountain, A genocidal conflict that took place in the early years of its life. This war began when a dispute took place between the humans and their dwarven counterparts over borders of the mountain range. The humans, disregarding this, continued to open more mines, and delve into the territory of the Dwarves, seeking to expand cheaply, by using easy to reach ore deposits, rather than have it caravanned from far off. The dwarves, having no choice, declared war to protect their home, and clashed with Arilaand. Envoys from Vurnfalduhr convinced the elven kingdom that should mankind succeed, they would come for the trees and animals of Eshama Thalas next. Elves, by nature, are unforgiving towards those that would destroy their home, and this riled them to war.
As part of an end to this conflict, King Haerig released conquered ground at the anger of his vassals, back to the elves and dwarves. He made them swear an oath of allegiance so that if his bloodline should ever need allies, they would be honor-bound to march to Arilaand’s aid. Before this could be consolidated, however, King Haerig and his family were betrayed and butchered by the dissenting nobles at a celebration feast to commemorate this newfound peace. This made the barely constructed treaty null and void, and both elves and dwarves alike withdrew, offering no help to Arilaand as it tore itself apart in a civil war between the nobles fighting for King Haerig’s throne.
By the end of the Third Era, Arilaand was already a shadow of its former self, the power struggles and inner turmoil bringing the once great nation to its knees. By the time King Aleus ascended the throne, Arilaand was in a downward spiral.
Arilaand, led by the then-King Haerig, conquered part of what is now known as Eshma Thalas, and part of Vurnfalduhr, bringing to an end the War of the Red Mountain, A genocidal conflict that took place in the early years of its life. This war began when a dispute took place between the humans and their dwarven counterparts over borders of the mountain range. The humans, disregarding this, continued to open more mines, and delve into the territory of the Dwarves, seeking to expand cheaply, by using easy to reach ore deposits, rather than have it caravanned from far off. The dwarves, having no choice, declared war to protect their home, and clashed with Arilaand. Envoys from Vurnfalduhr convinced the elven kingdom that should mankind succeed, they would come for the trees and animals of Eshama Thalas next. Elves, by nature, are unforgiving towards those that would destroy their home, and this riled them to war.
As part of an end to this conflict, King Haerig released conquered ground at the anger of his vassals, back to the elves and dwarves. He made them swear an oath of allegiance so that if his bloodline should ever need allies, they would be honor-bound to march to Arilaand’s aid. Before this could be consolidated, however, King Haerig and his family were betrayed and butchered by the dissenting nobles at a celebration feast to commemorate this newfound peace. This made the barely constructed treaty null and void, and both elves and dwarves alike withdrew, offering no help to Arilaand as it tore itself apart in a civil war between the nobles fighting for King Haerig’s throne.
By the end of the Third Era, Arilaand was already a shadow of its former self, the power struggles and inner turmoil bringing the once great nation to its knees. By the time King Aleus ascended the throne, Arilaand was in a downward spiral.
Demography and Population
The Keeps and Castles of Arilaand are conventional, usually with the poor living outside against the walls, and the wealthier commoners within its walls. Each province attempts to continue the old ways of self-sufficiency, but due to the lack of trade, much needed supplies, both for hunting and farming, are incredibly hard to come by, or forge. What little they can get to repair their tools, and weapons, they buy at exorbitant prices from the dwarves, who take advantage of their plight. Even the capital, where the King himself resides, has witnessed this decay.
Territories
The few castles scattered throughout the Kingdom have almost all shut their gates, in fear of the encroaching Empire. Even the hobbit-folk who live scattered around here are perturbed, and tend to stay out of sight. All provinces have begun to suffer fully, as food and water are quickly becoming a problem. The Lords in these castles that serve the king mutter amongst themselves, wondering if perhaps surrendering to the Empire might be wiser.
The only thing that prevents this is King Aleus' army, though outdated and ill-equipped, are loyal, and serve the royal families interests. The outlying towns have been all but abandoned by the military, as there is just too much ground to cover under the looming threat of an invasion by the Empire. Many of the common folk are left to fend for themselves, making easy pickings for bandits and cutthroats alike. The King is aware of these facts, and is no fool. He is aware that if something is not done soon, his people will not last much longer. His hopes rest with his son, Lord Gavus.
The only thing that prevents this is King Aleus' army, though outdated and ill-equipped, are loyal, and serve the royal families interests. The outlying towns have been all but abandoned by the military, as there is just too much ground to cover under the looming threat of an invasion by the Empire. Many of the common folk are left to fend for themselves, making easy pickings for bandits and cutthroats alike. The King is aware of these facts, and is no fool. He is aware that if something is not done soon, his people will not last much longer. His hopes rest with his son, Lord Gavus.
Military
The military of Arilaand is feudal by nature. Each vassal lord has his own troops and levees from his lands that he is supposed to provide to his King when commanded. The King himself has personal troops for his own protection, that serve him and only his family. These troops wear basic chainmail and leather, with tunics to show their House colors. They have basic armaments expected of such a military, but their gear is outdated, and old. Armors are loose, weapons are rusty, and training is lax. Truly, it is a Kingdom in decline.
Religion
The people of Arilaand worship Miithrax of the Blue Flame, God of perseverance, and survival. He is the patron of the people of Arilaand, a people who have survived so much, for so long. He is thought of as a symbol of courage, and strength, and the ability to survive even the worst conditions.
Miithrax of the Blue Flame is called upon by the hungry, the cold, and the war-torn, often, and loudly. It is said that he helps those who help themselves, but can also cast a caring eye to those who struggle against impossible odds. This is unproven, but widely believed, thanks to the many churches of the Blue Flame.
Miithrax of the Blue Flame is called upon by the hungry, the cold, and the war-torn, often, and loudly. It is said that he helps those who help themselves, but can also cast a caring eye to those who struggle against impossible odds. This is unproven, but widely believed, thanks to the many churches of the Blue Flame.
Maps
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Arilaand
The regional map of the Kingdom of Arilaand
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Demonym
Arilaandi
Leader
Leader Title
Subsidiary Organizations
Deities
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments