Keoland, Kingdom of

Keoland, the oldest human kingdom in the Flanaess, rose from a beacon of cooperation to an imperial power before retreating into diplomacy and stability. Now a realm of culture, military strength, and political intrigue, it remains a dominant force in the Sheldomar Valley, balancing tradition with ambition.

History

Keoland was the first major kingdom founded in the Flanaess after the destruction of the Suloise Imperium. In its early centuries, Keoland was a tolerant and prosperous realm, a beacon of cooperation between Oeridians, Suel, and the demihuman races of the Sheldomar Valley. The kingdom expanded through diplomacy and limited conquest, eventually encompassing the entire Sheldomar Valley and several regions beyond, including Bissel and a portion of the Wild Coast. Its alliance with Celene and the Ulek States strengthened its influence in the region.

However, Keoland’s peaceful policies gave way to imperial ambition in the 4th century CY, as the ruling monarchs sought to extend their influence beyond the valley. Keoish armies pushed into Bissel, Verbobonc, and northern Veluna, facing fierce resistance. The expansion was halted by the Short War, where the combined forces of Veluna and Furyondy turned back the Keoish advance. At the same time, the elves of Celene and the Ulek States objected to Keoland’s militarism, expelling royal garrisons from their lands and severing ties with the kingdom.

In 453 CY, King Tavish III was slain at the Siege of Westkeep, and his son, Tavish IV, reversed Keoland’s expansionist policies. He engaged in negotiations that led to the recognition of Celene, the Ulek States, and the Yeomanry as independent lands, while securing Keoland’s authority over Gran March and Sterich, which remain semi-autonomous to this day. Since then, Keoland has embraced a return to diplomacy and internal stability, reclaiming its reputation as a tolerant and cultured nation.

Politics and Society

Keoland is a hereditary monarchy with a strong aristocracy, where the ruling king is chosen from one of two Suel noble houses. The Court of the Land, composed of representatives from noble families and demihuman states, holds significant influence over national affairs. A skilled monarch can wield great power, but must navigate the complex political landscape of Keoland’s noble houses and merchant guilds.

Keoland is renowned for its arts and culture, particularly in its capital, Niole Dra, which is a center of sculpture and literature. The port city of Gradsul has become a hub of fashion and trade, with noble houses competing for the finest garments crafted in Gryrax, the capital of Ulek. Keoland’s long history of cooperation with demihuman realms has resulted in a diverse and vibrant society, where elves, dwarves, gnomes, and halflings play prominent roles in governance, trade, and the military.

Religion

Keoland is a bastion of religious tolerance, with temples dedicated to many deities of the Oeridian, Suel, and Flan pantheons. While the kingdom as a whole leans toward law and good, faiths of all alignments exist, with only openly evil cults being suppressed.

• Lawful Good pilgrims often visit Shiboleth, home to a great healing shrine of St. Cuthbert, or travel to Niole Dra, where the Temple of Heironeous Triumphant stands as a beacon of chivalry.
• Chaotic Good devotees of Kord participate in the famous strength contests held annually in Hookhill and Gradsul.
• Followers of Olidammara, the god of revelry, make pilgrimages to his temple in Gradsul, where the great marble statue within is said to grant fortune and glibness of speech to bards and musicians.
• Evil cults operate in secrecy, with shrines to Hextor and Syrul hidden in Flen, Cryllor, and Niole Dra.

Military

Keoland’s military is among the most disciplined and versatile in the Flanaess. Its forces include:

• Light cavalry armed with javelins, crossbows, and lances, forming the backbone of Keoish skirmishers.
• Infantry wielding polearms and long spears, supplemented by heavily armored noble cavalry.
• Demihuman contingents, particularly dwarven heavy infantry, elven archers, and gnomish scouts, which bolster Keoland’s strength in varied terrains.
• Gran March and Sterich provide additional troops, maintaining Keoland’s presence in the region.
• A modest but effective navy, which primarily defends Keoland’s coast against piracy from the Sea Princes.

Keoland’s military doctrine prioritizes mobility, strategy, and cooperation, relying on well-coordinated forces rather than overwhelming numbers. The kingdom remains ever vigilant, wary of threats from the north and west, particularly from the Baklunish states and the ever-troublesome pirates of the Azure Sea.

Notable Locales

• Niole Dra – The grand capital of Keoland, home to the Court of the Land and the Kingdom’s finest centers of art, learning, and culture.
• Gradsul – A thriving port city and Keoland’s gateway to the Azure Sea, renowned for its shipbuilding, trade, and fashion.
• Hookhill – The seat of Gran March, a semi-independent military state sworn to Keoland.
• Saltmarsh – A small but growing coastal town at the edge of the Dreadwood, known for its fishing industry and occasional pirate troubles.
• Shiboleth – A religious center famous for its grand shrine to St. Cuthbert.
• Cryllor and Flen – Frontier towns at the edge of Keoland’s influence, known for their mixed human and demihuman populations.

Conclusion

Keoland, the oldest human kingdom in the Flanaess, has seen both conquest and diplomacy shape its destiny. Once an imperial power, it has since returned to prosperity and stability, maintaining influence over its neighbors while avoiding reckless expansion. Today, it remains a kingdom of culture, military strength, and political intrigue, a beacon of civilization in the Sheldomar Valley, and a power to be reckoned with in the Flanaess.

---

Proper Name: Kingdom of Keoland

Ruler: King Kimbertos Skotti (human)

Government: Aristocratic federation with elective monarchy

Major Settlements: Niole Dra; Cryllor, Flen, Gradsul

Resources: Foodstuffs, cloth, gold, gems (III)

Population: Human, Elf, Gnome, Halfling, Half-elf, Dwarf

Law: NG

Allies: Bissel, Gran March, Geoff, Sterich, Ulek states

Enemies: Celene (distrusted), Ket (distrusted), Sea Princes (distrusted)

---