County of Dawn
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In the southwest of the continent of Varenfall lies the County of Dawn. Many of its settlements are spread out across a vast expanse of mostly untouched fields and forests. Cities, towns, and villages within the region are smaller than their average counterparts, and often try to incorporate the surrounding natural landscapes into their designs.
The people of Dawn are a modest lot. Their wealth comes from using the nearby natural resources to their advantage, without taking too much from the environment. In recent years, the general mood of the populace has improved as well, though many are still weary of Dawn’s monarchy.
People from this county are called "Dawnites{TBC}".
Shades of blue depict clear skies. Three circles - coloured red, orange, and yellow - depict phases of the rising sun.
Dawn's enemies, those that have been victimised by their violent warpath, mock that the red circle on their banner represents the innocent blood that has been almost gleefully spilt.
A History Written in Blood
Despite being respectful of the nature surrounding settlements within the County of Dawn, those in charge were surprisingly violent to their own citizens and the citizens of other nations.
Little more than a century ago, Dawn’s monarchy was full of warmongers. They boasted a long lineage of like minded individuals, intent on waging war against the neighbouring Counties of Archon and Scarmoor, as well as subjugating their citizens through a notorious amount of fear. They called it strength. Others saw it for what it was; senseless cruelty.
There was little anyone could do. The monarchy had surrounded themselves with advisors who shared their views and those who suggested a different path were stripped of their power and position.
Up until one fateful night where a horrid illness crippled them.
Have you heard? There’s rumours coming out of the palace. A horrible sickness. Everyone’s coughing up blood - the King, his family, his advisors, even the poor servants!
It’s probably just something they ate. Trust me, give it a day or two and they’ll all be back on their feet.
It came on after a gathering. So many members of the royal line had been in attendance, alongside their advisors, only for each and every person in attendance to fall ill. Days were spent trying to cure their ailment, but to no avail. Each person who had contracted this mysterious disease got worse and worse over the coming days, until eventually all of them passed away.
After the last of the infected monarchy had passed, there was a brief moment of chaos. Who would be in charge now? The answer came in the form of Lady-Dawn-Queen{TBC}, a distant relative of the previous king who, up until that moment, had been 27th in line for Dawn’s throne.
Under New Management
If I am to truly better the lives of my people, then I need to be prepared to make my own sacrifices. Why should I and I alone boast of riches untold when my people starve? Why should I be given a castle to call my home when others go without the safety and comfort of having a roof over their heads?
My life shall no longer be a privilege to lead. I will share my wealth with those who need it and strive to restore my position to one of honour.
The coronation of Lady-Dawn-Queen{TBC} marked a new era for the county. She has paved the way for a brighter, more peaceful future.
From introducing better laws to protect the citizens of Dawn, to appointing advisors with the interest of both the citizens and the county in mind, everyday life for the people has improved significantly over the last century. Especially now that they aren’t being drafted into a war with the neighbouring counties.
Continuing on from Lady-Dawn-Queen{TBC}’s legacy, her grandson - Lord-Dawn-King{TBC} - has started to mend the broken relationships between Dawn, Archon and Scarmoor. Whilst he still has a long way to go before others can truly trust Dawn and its leadership again, progress is slowly but surely being made.
As a way to reassure the people of his intentions, Lord-Dawn-King{TBC} has refused to take the title of King. This new trend was started by Lady-Dawn-Queen{TBC} and was also adopted by Lord-Dawn-King{TBC}’s father.
International Relations
Dawn and Archon
Despite fairly recent events, the Counties of Dawn and Archon have an amicable relationship that strays more towards business than actual friendliness.
In the past, the Archon-Council{TBC} paid the warmongering rules of Dawn to leave their lands alone. Now, the Archon-Council{TBC} lends its wealth to Lord-Dawn-King{TBC}’s relief efforts. This has the citizens of Dawn viewing the Archon-Council{TBC} and the people of Archon very favourably.
What the people fail to realise is Lord-Dawn-King{TBC} is now indebted to the Archon-Council{TBC}. A point the council members never fail to remind Lord-Dawn-King{TBC} of.
My Lord, the way the council treats you… it is an affront to your achievements. You shouldn’t stand for it. You should–
Should what? Start a war? Incite violence? No. Their words and actions come from years of our own tyranny. We must do everything we can to earn their respect once more, even if it means tolerating their snide remarks.
Dawn and Scarmoor
The transition from enemies to tentative allies has been an awkward and tense affair for these counties. King Reza Jasem finds it difficult to trust the word of a man who inherited a legacy of bloodshed, but Lord-Dawn-King{TBC} is determined to make things right between the two counties.
Progress has certainly been made though. 5 years ago, Lord-Dawn-King{TBC} and King Reza Jasem agreed to a meeting to discuss a long term peace agreement between the two counties. Held at the relatively neutral grounds of Scarmoor Temple, it was the first time in over a hundred years that the rulers of Dawn and Scarmoor have met face to face.
So, whilst tensions are still running high between the two counties, Dawn and Scarmoor have managed to reopen trade routes. Scarmoor has also reopened its borders to the wider populace, though citizens of Dawn travelling through the region may find themselves under slightly more scrutiny than those just going about their daily lives. The same cannot be said for Scarmoor citizens travelling through Dawn - the citizens here welcome the fresh faces, especially as it is a reminder that they no longer need to fear the wrath of their leaders.
Click here to get a quick overview
Dawn and Archon
Status: Peace (tentative)
Trade: Fair, via land and sea routes
Travel: Fair, via land and sea routes
Public opinion: Favourable
Dawn and Scarmoor
Status: Armistice, bordering on Peace (tentative)
Trade: Fair, via land routes
Travel: Strict, via land routes
Public opinion: Wary
Dawn and Feren
Status: Peace
Trade: No direct trade routes
Travel: Fair, via sea routes
Public opinion: Indifferent
Dawn and Vassia
Status: Allied
Trade: Excellent, via sea routes
Travel: Excellent, via sea routes
Public opinion: Trusted
Territories in the County of Dawn
Of all the territories in the County of Dawn, by far the most important (or perhaps simply the most well known) are home to figures of prominence. There is, of course, Dermont - the county’s capital city. You would be hard pressed to find a more significant place in all of Dawn. A close second would be the Hastellian Grove which, whilst easy to mistake for any other woodlands, houses the magnificent Sunkiss Spire.
Dermont
A flourishing city and the seat of power in Dawn. The city is open and has expanded in a very uniform manner over the years. Even Castle-Dermont{TBC}, standing tall at the heart of the city, is free of protective walls and gates.
Hastellian Grove
The woodlands of Hastellian Grove are far reaching. Where people have settled in villages or small towns, they have done so respectfully, ensuring that the natural habitat is left relatively untouched.
Sunkiss Spire
Deep within the Hastellian Grove lies the Sunkiss Spire. A marvel of engineering and architecture, the Sunkiss Spire reaches impossibly skywards, housing more than 2000 elves.
Visit the Sunkiss-Spire{TBC}
Outside of the big three locations, the County of Dawn has a few other cities. In comparison to cities in other counties, or even on other continents, those within Dawn are considered to be quite small.
Denris Isles
Off the west of Dawn’s coast are a series of islands known as Denris Isles. Named after the first woman to settle there, the Isles are home to the swashbuckling city of Denris.
Visit the Denris-Isles{TBC}
Dawnport
Along the eastern coast of Dawn is Dawnport. Aptly named after the County proper, Dawnport handles the major trade between Dawn and the County of Vassia. It is also where the majority of Dawn’s navy docks.
Visit Dawnport{TBC}
Evanary
To the southwest, surrounded by fields and rivers, is Dawn’s most diverse city. Evanary’s populace is made up of humans, elves, halflings, goliaths, gnomes, and orcs - though this is by no means a complete list.
Visit Evanary{TBC}
Sanguine
One might think that Dawn’s capital would be the richest city. Unfortunately, with Lord-Dawn-King{TBC} shedding a great deal of his wealth, such claims now belong to the city of Sanguine. There are some tensions brewing between Sanguine and the Sunkiss Spire Elves as the latter feel as though Sanguine’s citizens are failing to respect the natural land.
Visit Sanguine{TBC}
Lesser known cities include Seastead, Dawnside Valley, and Riverkeen. Whilst still important locations in their own right, those outside of Dawn are less likely to have heard about them, or why they are so important in Dawn’s culture.
Seatstead
A coastal city in the southwest of Dawn and a popular location for citizens of the county to vacation to. Although mainly made up of humans, Seastead has a steadily growing population of triton locals.
Visit Seastead{TBC}
Dawnside Valley
Close to the border, Dawnside Valley has lost a lot due to past skirmishes with the County of Scarmoor. Nowadays, it acts as a trade route between Dawn and Scarmoor.
Visit Dawnside-Valley{TBC}
Riverkeen
The city of Riverkeen has become a bit rundown as more and more folk opt to travel to nearby Dermont instead. It shares a trade route with the islands in the western region of the County of Archon.
Visit Riverkeen{TBC}
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