Krovian Empire

Welcome, friend, to the remarkable city of Krov, Crown of Tonarian. His Majesty who sits upon the Golden Throne marks Krov as the premier city of the world. Indeed, the capital city of the Krovian Empire reflects its people, full of revelry, zest, and a lust for the finer things that life can offer.

The capital city of Krov wears its Rashemi heritage proudly on every building, tower, and rooftop. As one of the oldest human cultures and largest city on the Tonarian continent, Krov considers itself the founding seat of civilization in a chaotic world. Thanks to both the Krovian Empire and adventurous spirit of the Rashemi people, Krov has become a relatively safe place to live. However, Krov does not reign supreme within Tonarian or even its immediate vicinity. War is constant with the Caelian barbarians of the north and a considerable threat to the Krovian way of life.

Demographics

• Human, mainly Rashemi 82%

• Dwarf 4%

• Gnome 4%

• Ursus 3%

• Elves 3%

• Sanguis 2%

• Other 2%

Government

The government of Krov is comprised of differing branches, each with unique influence. The monarchs of Krov must share power with strict government entities that have been around since the founding of the Monarchy.

Monarchy

At the top of political power sits King Marivaldi Dominus III, son of the late Queen Isabel Dominus. King Dominus III enjoys expanded monarchical powers thanks to political maneuvering by his powerful and popular mother. Declarations made by King Dominus III from atop the Golden Throne becomes law almost by default, although the Wardens retain the ability to counter anything brash or foolish that violates the Krov City Charter.
One noble from each of the Seven Great Houses sits on an advisory council named the Court of the Golden Throne. The king cannot dismiss the Court of the Golden Throne but also does not need to respect their input. However, politics dictate he at least listen to arguments presented as the Seven Great Houses have substantial power in Krov. Because the king cannot regulate every aspect of the city, nor does he want to, a set of magistrates divide responsibilities.
Living in the keep with the King and his family is a powerful figurehead and commander of the Golden Claw known as The Voice. The Voice is considered the second most powerful individual in the city and is the only one who can begin the process of removing a corrupt monarchy. Calling the Golden Claw to evict a monarchy places the Court of the Golden Throne in much higher standing according to the Krov City Charter. This act has never been executed in the over 500 years of its existence.

Magistrates

When a new monarch takes the Golden Throne, they appoint several magistrates to delegate responsibilities. No one exactly knows what all the magistrates or their staff does, but most Rashemi suspect they enjoy wasting time and money. The most well known magistrate is the Magistrate of Commerce.
Magistrate of Commerce The most hated magistrate and person in Krov is the tax collector. The Magistrate of Commerce oversees the collection of taxes, regulation of city fees and works with the Krovian Guard to break unionization.

Wardens

More powerful than judges, the Wardens have legislative oversight. Any declarations made by the king must first face review from the Wardens, who vote on its legality in regards to the Krov City Charter. To amend the city charter, five Wardens must examine the decree, and three of them must accept it to become law. If the Wardens review and reject, one of the Wardens who voted against the decree must advise the king on what must be down to make it more acceptable.
The main task of Wardens is to try criminal cases and settle civil disputes. For most crimes and all civil disputes a single Warden will oversee the proceedings; however, on major cases, it is not uncommon to see more Wardens present.

A Warden's judgement carries the authority of the cities leader, although a convicted criminal is allowed to appeal certain punishments directly with the king. Most citizens do not know this right and it is rarely invoked.

Defences

Krov benefits from the protection of three military organizations. Each military group focuses effort in different areas, interacts with the city government in unique ways and is important in providing balance to the political powers in the Krovian Empire.

Golden Claw

The Golden Claw is an elite force of 50 Griffon Riders dedicated to the defense of the skies and waters of the Krovian Empire. The commander of the Golden Claw reports directly to the Voice and does not answer to any other leadership position in Krov. However, when a new monarchy takes the Golden Throne, the Golden Claw make a display of riding to Castle Krov and pledging loyalty as their ancestors did before them.
To qualify to be named the Voice, a Golden Claw officer must be a pureblood Rashemi.

Krovian Guard

The 800 soldiers that make up the Krovian Guard serve the city first and the Church of Rezmir second. Working closely with the King, the Krovian Guard act most often as a police force but will turn into a military operation when the city is threatened. Possessing a long and proud history augmented by the Church of Rezmir, the guard counts among its highest officers clerics, paladins, and priests almost all of whom are of Rashemi descent.
It is the duty of the Krovian Guard's commanding officer to appoint a new Voice of the Golden Claw when the previous Voice passes or retires.

Iron Vanguard

Some 10 miles away from the city walls stands the Iron Citadel. When the Caelian barbarians invaded the Sundering Tip mountains centuries ago, the Ironbelly Dwarven Clan were forced from their mountain homes and fled south into the Krovian Empire. King Dominus the first accepted the nomadic clan providing them with purpose and a place to call home. The Iron Vanguard was formed pledging unwavering loyalty to the Dominus bloodline for as long as they hold the Golden Throne.
Strong martial traditions, strength, force, and intimidation are the primary virtues of the Iron Vanguard along with a deep hatred for any of the Caelian people. Both the Krovian Guard and Golden Claw seethe at the occasional unrequested aid of the Iron Vanguard, but will begrudgingly accept their aid in times of war due to their effectiveness. The cities government has little interaction now with the Iron Vanguard, except for occasionally employing them on a case by case military basis, much like mercenary work. Although they do welcome their contributions in policing the Tonarian Grasslands and pushing back the Tonarian Bandit Lords.

Alternative Name(s)

Crown of Tonarian, City of Sails

Type

Capital

Population

38,462

Location under

Tonarian Grasslands

Owner/Ruler

King Marivaldi Dominus III

Characters in Location

• King Marivaldi Dominus III

The Shanty

This cramped ward has become flooded with poverty following the recent war and destruction of the village Val'dore. As the ward ran out of room for fleeing survivors, residents built upward, with shacks creating an impromptu third, fourth and even fifth story in some areas. The irregular roof lines now give a home to the cities poorest and most desperate people. Seeing the potential before them, criminals have begun moving in and taking territory, preying on the unfortunate circumstances of others.
The dense Shanty roof lines provide hidden and convenient paths leading to rooftop communities with some areas being large islands surrounded by lesser rooftops. However, with all the dirt, darkness, and filth, dangerous surprises have moved in including large spiders and beasts that will snatch prey in the night.

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Crimes and Punishment

Punishment for violent crimes in the Krovian Empire is harsh, but the general populace consider them fair. Non-violent crimes carry differing punishments depending on reputation of the criminal. Branding the criminal is a popular punishment leaving markings under the criminals left eye. The following selections of crimes and their punishments should not be considered all-inclusive as the legal system is ever changing.
Accidental Death: Pay restitution or torture and imprisonment for 5-10 years
Arson: Pay restitution or branding, imprisonment for 5-10 years and murder charge if fire kills
Murder: Torture and death
Robbery: Pay restitution or branding and imprisonment for 2-5 years
Treason: Torture and death
Unionizing: Branding and imprisonment for 5-10 years

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Krovian Coin

The Bank of Numis mints unique Krovian coins used throughout Erenel. Many establishments will only take coins minted by the Bank of Numis but do offer ways to convert currency into legal tender.
Copper Pinch: Usually referred to as simply a pinch for both the plural and singular form. Calling multiple copper coins "pinches" will bring about laughter from the citizens.
Silver Anchor: Referred to as the Anchor due to it being the most commonly used coin in Krov.
Gold Crown: Occasionally referred to as simply a crown.
Platinum Denar: Always called by its full name mainly due to nobles possessing them and wanting to draw attention to their purchase.

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Taxation

Much like everyone else in the Krovian Empire, the people of Krov hate to pay taxes. The city does not cripple their citizens but they do have a notable fee structure in place.
Any ship ranging from row boats to merchant vessels that dock in Krov must pay a dock fee. The dock fee ranges from 1 Silver Bolt to 10 Platinum Denar depending on the vessels size and dock location. 25% of this fee goes to the city while the dock owner pockets the rest. As Krov is the largest trade city on the Tonarian continent, this fee makes up a large part of their overall revenue.
A standard property tax is based on the size of land and the district in which the land is owned. This property tax has secretly been waved for decades for the Seven Great Houses in an attempt to buy loyalty for the King.
By Krov City Charter, it is not allowed for merchants or tradesmen to form guilds or unionize. This practice is put in place to prevent groups from price-fixing, a major concern for Krov's magistrates that allows the city to maintain control over much of the labor force. Thanks to the Rashemi drive for success, this does not dampen their entrepreneurial spirit.

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Krov, Crown of Tonarian

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