Galad Aur (Culture)

Eight Arls sit on thrones of gold, merchant kings of their trade kingdoms. Their manors are like castles in all but name, their buttresses tall, their halls lavish and lined with knights in armour. While they live the high life, their coffers full, they also control the flow of silver from north to south and vice a versa. No crown or sterling passes the Spires without first going through the fingers of a Galad merchant.

Structure

The highest in the chain of command are the eight Arls on the council, known as the "Wheel". These lords and ladies decide the laws and preceding of the nation as well as running their own private trading operations completely disconnected from the government. Below the Wheel are all the other Arls, other merchants of high esteem, often having been granted or bought their titles. From their the hierarchy is mainly based on how successful of an entrepreneur you can be. The only other way to rise in the ranks is to fight in tournaments as a knight.

Public Agenda

The safety and security of their nation is no less important to them than any other government, but the welfare of their trade and business is also paramount.

Assets

Two large cities are located within Galad Aur: The capital, Proudmoore, and another coastal town, Drydocks. About five other sizable towns are scattered across the countryside (mostly the south and along the coast), and their accompanying villages do not stray to far east. Only about three functional forts exist outside of cities. These are located in the sulfurous hills of the east and along the Shast Tsus. Their knights are well equipped, and while not in large numbers, it would be easily to amass a force of at least three or four thousand knights if in time of crisis. Their navy is their real military power, host to almost three hundred ships from galleys to carracks. But their greatest asset without a doubt is their wealth and trade. They mint and move a massive amount of silver, and are probably able to buy their way out of a war.

Demography and Population

Galad Aur is home to roughly 300,000 humans, elves, orcs, and myriad other races. Most of the population is located in the south and along the coast, while some enjoy the sunny fields in the heartlands, and few live in the sulfurous hills of the east.

Maps

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  Galad Aur

  A map of the nation of Galad Aur and the surrounding countryside.

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Alternative Names

Sometimes simply called by the name of it's captal, Proudmoore, or by the name of it's people, The Galad. It is also often referred to as the Golden Hills or Black Hills. Which name you get is often dependent on who you're talking to.

Demonym

Galad

Location

Galad Aur