Kingdom of Daphinia

The Kingdom of Daphinia is a major human kingdom located in the center of the Bridge of Worlds, bordering Elmethid and Bethe to the west and Tharon to the southeast. Its capital is the city of Aurore. Daphinia is almost exclusively inhabited by Daphinite humans, though scattered populations of Bethite elves, Lucilians, Luborneans, and dragonborn of Maldrath can be found throughout the kingdom. The current ruler of Daphinia is Queen Charlotte IV of the Aquivingian Dynasty. She is a member of the Pact of Three alongside High King Mythanar of Bethe and King Prospero of Lucily.

Culture

Daphinite culture is extremely artful and diverse, with Aurore as a hub of constant change and novelty.

Cabaret

Over the past decade, the cabaret has emerged as a quintessential element of many Daphinite cities and larger townships: taverns, music venues, and nightclubs geared towards underground and adult-oriented theatrical performances.

History

Daphinia traces its origins and name back to the mythic leader Daphne the Harper, believed to have lived during the late Age of Arcana. Through both diplomacy and conquest, by 2912 PA she had united the disparate tribes and petty kingdoms of what was then known as Verdia. In her left hand, she bore the enchanted Argent Del'aurore, the Sword of Silver Dawn, and in her right she clasped the Harp of Lucinium, an artifact of the Lucine Empire said to have divine properties. At its greatest extent, Daphne's empire encompassed present-day Daphinia, Elmethid, Maldrath, and significant parts of Tharon and Lucily. However, Daphne's children and grandchildren would fall to squabbling over the remains of her empire, breaking off into independent successor kingdoms. Fortunately, her nephew Maxime I succeeded in holding Daphinia itself together, allowing the kingdom to persist into the modern era. Daphinia is currently a traditional monarchy ruled by the Aquivingian Dynasty, who succeeded the Daphines as the ruling house of Daphinia. They were installed, beginning with King Aurélien III, by consensus of the Daphinite aristocracy in 29 MA, following the death of Queen Madeleine VI with no legitimate heirs. Through Daphne's second daughter Célia, however, the Aquivingian monarchs still claim direct descent from the kingdom's legendary founder.

Territories

Military

The Daphinite military tends to be well-balanced between its army and navy, who are among the best-equipped on the Bridge of Worlds. Its soldiers wear a dark navy uniform with light green details, and a point-topped pickelhelm sporting the symbol of Daphne's Harp.

Notable Individuals

The Royal Family

Queen Charlotte IV: The sovereign Queen of Daphinia herself.
King Léon Giradot of Aritlan: The King of Daphinia by marriage to Queen Charlotte. He is originally of the renowned Giradot family of Seletaine.
Princess Claire: Charlotte's heir apparent; she is beloved by much of the population for her charm and various avenues of scholarly and artistic interest.

Aristocracy

Grand Duchess Renée Giradot: The younger sister of King Léon, and currently the Grand Duchess of Seletaine. She is considered among the most influential people in the kingdom, and is a close confidant of the Crown.
Duke Julien Devereaux: The current Chamberlain of the Queen and Duke of Mana-Déti.
Marquise Lucrèce Beaugendre: The current Marshal of the Queen and Marquise of Col Violante.
Clémentine Celice: The Archmage of Queen Charlotte's court, and overseer of the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts.
Count Marius Passereau: The Count of Fer Brûlant in the Duchy of Lourd, and controller of some of the largest iron mines in Daphinia.

Player Characters

Don Kieves: An enigmatic half-elven detective, swordsman, and accordionist from an unknown part of Daphinia.
Tsukuyomi Kagayaku: An Auriledi wizard currently traveling with Don Kieves.

Others

Félicité Subercaseaux: A playwright from the town of Cormonteslo.
Alceste Boffrand: Daphinia's most renowned chef, known for his gourmet restaurant in Aurore.
Quentin Pomeroy†: A traveling gentleman-warrior of House Pomeroy, a smaller Daphinite house who hold the fief of Liesson, in eastern Daphinia. Perished August 15th, 1056 M.A.