Kingdom of Torza
Torza is often called "The Shield of Esken"; stewards, protectors, those who defend the flank of The Golden Crusade. They have a great reputation: Diplomats, architects, and sailors who accept refugees from anywhere and serve as a bulwark of civilization against a sea of hostile territory. Much of Torza is held together by this illusion- the idea of a serene, ingenious peacemaker monarch keeps the fractious and decentralized kingdom together.
The force that keeps the facade together is the war to the North- the endless violence of No Man's Land spilling forth from The Feywilds. For centuries, land from No Man's Land and the threat of Feywilder invasion have served as a carrot and stick that keeps the nobles and factions of Torza in line.
Structure
The king or queen of Torza rules under an unwritten constitution. Traditionally autonomous regions are granted Royal Provosts from among the regional elites to rule as the monarch's representative. Rural heartlands lands are only slightly more directly controlled, as aristocrats own much of the land and do most of the local governing. The three Marquis rule as the highest of the nobility, managing most of the local nobles for the monarch. The current families holding these highest of titles are:
- Tanizad, in the West; one of the older of the noble families, known for piety. Sigil is a burning tree
- Rasilun, in the Central Heartlands; known for close connections to the cat community; sigil is a shining pyramid
- Reven, in the East, comparatively new as aristocracy, known for their martial training; sigil is a red mountain lion on a blue background
History
Confederations of kingdoms in the area that is now Torza date back to as early as 450ME. They rose and fell organically in response to Feywild threats over the centuries, occasionally feuding but rarely going to war against each other in earnest. The Golden Crusade has long served as a unifying and protective force in the region, acting as reinforcements and mediators in one.
Torza itself was a relatively inconsequential border region- prestigious but not particularly important or populous. It was defined not by its economic or martial power but by its diplomatic force, as Torzan nobility had a reputation in the region as team players of sorts. Over time, Torza became a site of regional diplomacy for both local kingdoms and crusaders. It was Torza that organized the great drives Eastward, campaigning against Feywilders, bandits, and pirates. When the effort was victorious, it was Torza that emerged as the de-facto leader.
In 1100, Torza's royals married the royal family of Katea- the naval superpower of the region, Crusading supply center, and urban sanctuary for the region's refugees. The same year, Torza called together a conclave, which elected the royal family as permanent leaders of the Esken Confederacy. Within a few generations, the Esken Confederacy became a defunct concept.
Torza has since been relatively stable- a few civil revolts and palaces coups notwithstanding. The greater threat to the kingdom has long been the war with the Empire of Nefka, which was intensified since 1450. Nonstop military campaigning Northward has become the norm- and while the Feywilders have never captured the monarch or razed Katea, raids have punched deep into the Torzan heartlands. The fall of Nefka in 1890 has put a stop to this, and given Torza some breathing room.
Demography and Population
100,000 people live in Torza- 18,000 in Kitea, 12,000 in other towns scattered across Torza. 10,000 cats live in this area.
Territories
Torza is 105 miles long and 25-40 miles inland. Torza's borders are defined by the Kordata mountains in the West and Northwest, but in the Northeast boundaries are far more fluid. The war against Nefka and other Feywild tribes contributes to constantly shifting borders. Since 1850, Torza has been pushing continually Northwards with watchtower networks and subsidized homesteads. The past few decades have been a shock as Torza has had to readjust under a new onslaught of raids that have reduced its borders once again.
Military
The Three Marquis are expected to regularly provide military support for the Northern war, led by a member of the royal family (the Royal Martial). Small contingents of crusading forces on their way to the Golden Crusade are regularly absorbed into these military efforts, often for promises of land grants in the North. The Martial's army typically holds the defensive line and patrols the border, while small aristocratic and crusader expeditions launch their own raiding parties into No Man's Land.
Religion
Orthodox Desmianism is the unchallenged religion- Torza is fiercely loyal to the Perpetual Conclave and religious courts are the basis for most of Torza's legal system. Priests and priestesses meet annually to prepare the festivities for the The Day of Blood in a gathering known as the New Year Conclave. During this meeting, promotions, replacements, and other administrative decisions are confirmed or decided.
The most prestigious religious position is the Curate of Torza- keeper of the royal family's bones while at peace and consecrator of battlefields while on campaign. The Curate is the court chaplain and bears the full force of royal authority in religious matters. Just below the Curate is the Temple Priest of the Temple of the Four Winds in Katea- the largest and most important cathedral in Torza.
The Curate and Katean Temple Priest also share an important role in hosting the Regional Ecclesia of East Esken. The regional priestly body manages critical crusading functions and selects a speaker to represent East Esken in the Perpetual Conclave. Moving between the Royal Holdings in Torza and the Citadel in Katea, the Ecclesia is theoretically not involved in local religious or secular government but their control of crusading supply lines makes them a very real political force in practice.
Foreign Relations
Torza maintains healthy relationships with most other Orthodox Desmian states- providing naval support for neighboring states and often working as a regional mediator. There is some border friction with Kidon and some princes to the West chafe at Torzan regional dominance, but the close alliance with the Ecclesia ensures that no issues any state has with the Torzan monarch are aired in public.
Agriculture & Industry
Torza's mainland is primarily agrarian, with large wheat and rice farms criss-crossing the landscape. The lands of the East are more fertile and productive, but often look more like fortified estate farms than the small village farms of the West. The West also produces wine and olive oil along the coast. Further inland in the West, the hills and mountains produce wool, horses, beef, and copper. In the East, massive lumberyards feed the great dockyards of the coast.
Katea and the coastal townships transform these goods into ships, weapons, and textiles.
Trade & Transport
Torza sits on the West-East Desmian trade route, taking advantage of Desmian merchants, Golden Crusade convoys, and Selkie merchants. Selkies in particular have a larger presence here than anywhere else in mainland Orthodox Desmia, with a large permanent community in Katea as well as small permanent outposts along the coastline.
Education
The majority of education is guild-based apprenticeship, often with family members. Religious education also teaches children literacy, discipline, and religious lore once a week from ages five to sixteen. Children acting as shrinekeepers often work and study at the temple one or two additional days or the week.
"No Storm Can Break Us"
Founding Date
1100ME
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Demonym
Torzan
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Asalayan Gold Dragons, Silver Eagles, and Copper Bulls
Major Exports
Wine, naval equipment and ships, textiles, print culture, leather, food (to Kidon)
Major Imports
Iron, tar, weapons, furs
Legislative Body
While the monarch could proclaim any edict or law, meaningful enforcement would require approval by the Council of Princes- a small temporary assembly of the Marquis, Provost, and the Curate (religious head).
Judicial Body
The Royal Court is the highest form of justice, led by the royal-appointed Master of Scales
Official State Religion
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
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