Kingdom of Merras (Mer-ras)
Ruled by Queen Berea Alonna Arkan, a former Zalarite turned mercenary and bold opportunist. After leading a band of mercenaries on behalf of the former King she overthrew him in a brutal coup in which the much of the extended royal family was slaughtered. However the King’s eldest daughter was captured by Berea the Usurper, who she promptly forced her into marriage. Since then the Queen has acquired several other wives. Despite her violent rise to power, Berea has proven to be a fairly effective queen. In the decade that she has ruled in Kingdom she has avoided major conflicts, built alliances with neighbors and fostered trade.
The core of the Queen's support is her royal guard consisting of four hundred former sect warriors, many former Zalarite and Alyite warriors. The warriors wear green surcoats over silver three quarters plate. All of them are trained cavalry and have high quality warhorses. They are supported by a half dozen mercenary sorceresses some of whom have married the Queen.
Demography and Population
The Kingdom has a population of roughly 500,000. The population is roughly ten percent Corgerian with small Danite and Dark Corgerian populations. While Northron Corgerians predominate, the nobility is largely composed of Mountaineer Corgerians who migrated to the area several centuries ago and conquered the Kingdom. The former royal family were Mountaineer Corgerians, but the current ruler, Queen Berea is a Northron Corgerian. The majority population are Northron humans, but have a significant Mountaineer human community that came to the Kingdom during the conquest. The major cities have small communities of Southron humans and Corgerians typically part of trading houses that work the trans-mountain routes across the Spine.
Military
The Kingdom's professional army consists of a royal guard of four hundred former sect warriors, many former Zalarite and Alyite warriors. The warriors wear green surcoats over silver three quarter plate. The Kingdom's three major cities each have a garrison of roughly 200 professional soldiers each. This garrisons are a mixture of heavy infantry and crossbow men. Each city and town maintain a trained militia of roughly ten percent of the populations. The realms ten Barons typically maintain retinues of anywhere from 20-50 professional soldiers which they can supplement with peasant levies. If conflict is expect the Queen will typically supplement her forces with mercenary bands.
Religion
The Queen and her family are Zalarites, but despite her background grants official toleration to the Sect of Khanna, the religion of the majority of the peasantry. Many other sects are allowed as long as their behavior does not work at cross-purposes with the Queen's agenda.
Agriculture & Industry
The kingdom has an extensive forestry trade including mast timber. The rural areas of the kingdom produce wool and hides in large quantities. Barley, rye and oats are the main grain crops while apples are the main fruit crop. Much of the apple crop is processed into hard cider. The plains of Merras are home to large herds oc cattle and the hill areas are used for sheep herding. Its furriers have a reputation for producing fur hats and fur lined caftans prized for their warmth and quality.
Education
The Kingdom has a single university located in the capital. Guilds tightly control training in the skilled trades, they train to a very high standard, but are highly selective about who is allowed to receive apprenticeship.
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Demonym
Merrins
Leader
Family Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
Merran Crown - These are gold coins stamped with the crown of Merras on one side and the profile of Queen Beria on the other. The more common silver coins are known as Marks, they have the image of the Queen's most senior wife on one side and the crown of Merras on the reverse.
Major Exports
The kingdom is well-known for the exports of quality furs, a trade managed by a well organized furriers guild. The kingdom also has a reputation for quality hardwoods especially prized for ship building.
Major Imports
The kingdom tends to import iron, wine and lighter types of cloth like silk or cotton.
Legislative Body
Barons Council - Once a year the Queen summons the realm's barons to Vantara to consult on new laws, however the Queen makes the final decisions.
Judicial Body
The highest judicial body is the Queen's court, which consists of three judges appointed by the queen. Royal Courts are permanently placed in the Kingdom's major cities. Local justice is enforced in Lord's courts run by the local Baron.
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
Comments