Kingdom of Faladrion
History
The Kingdom of Faladrion was formed nearly 1,000 years ago as part of the breakup of what was then known as the East Galoressian Protectorate. Faladrion, and its two neighboring realms Hithlinde and Ingum, are all products of that implosion. Faladrion spent the years following its independence spreading and consolidating the hold on the various disparate entities that existed following the Protectorate's collapse. Eventually, Faladrion consolidated a hold on what is now the Principality of Ingum's territory plus its current territorial holdings east of the Lournan River to the coast and north to the border of with the Free Lands in the area of Aebeald's Gap.
Faladrion was at peace until roughly 700 years ago when, what is now known as, the Principality of Ingum declared independence from Faladrion. The war raged for nearly ten years with both sides accusing the other of various atrocities. Ultimately, Ingum gained its independence though Faladrion did not acknowledge this fact until approximately 200 years later. Following the civil war, Faladrion knew relative peace except for the constant raiding of its northern territory by Freelander raiding parties that burned their way across the border. King Philippe II, in an effort to end the threat once and for all, established the colony of Brightshore across from Faladrion by way of the Sea of Steel roughly 150 years ago. Some scholars believe that this was a major cause of what would later be known as the Great Northern War. With the King's support, Brightshore grew through strength of arms to push into former Freelander territory. Brightshore's expansion continued for approximately 40 years before an enormous Freelander army cross the northern border of Faladrion smashing and burning as it went. The massive war wasn't contained to Faladrion alone and soon grew to be a continent-wide crisis. The conflict, now known as the Great Northern War, raged for nearly 10 years with countless dying on both sides and the area of of Aebeald's Gap in northern Faladrion as well as most areas directly south of the Ravenscrag Mountains being totally devastated.
At the conclusion of the War, Faladrion immediately set about rebuilding. Over the past 100 years, Faladrion is enticed settlers back to the area through "rights of settlement" deeds sold by the crown which displace all previous landholders, including those that may still be in exile or refugees elsewhere. The effort has largely been successful and northern Faladrion has attracted a variety of settlers and trading companies eager to re-settle the previously devastated region.
Demography and Population
While censuses during this time are somewhat better described as "guesstimates" Faladrion is believed to contain roughly 17 million people. The population tends towards dwarven, halfling, and human though it has become even more cosmopolitan in recent years due to an influx of settlers attempting to re-settle the northern areas of Faladrion which have been devastated by the Great Northern War. Most of the population lives in the countryside spread among thousands of villages and small townships. The capital, Childarin, boasts a population of roughly 60,000 souls.
Religion
There is no law restricting any particular practice of religions other than isolated cults which remain relatively fringe. The main religious following in Faladrion, like that of most of the continent, is the Church of the Ageless Star.
Foreign Relations
Faladrion is currently at peace with all of its neighbors. It has a constantly antagonistic relationship with the Free Lands to the north where there is no official government and thus Faladrion devotes significant resources to preventing raiding parties from crossing its border. The only other diplomatic relationship of note is the testy peace it shares with the Principality of Ingum to its southwest. Ingum was previously a part of the Kingdom of Faladrion before rebelling several hundred years ago and a general dislike between the two realms, and their people, continues to this day though there have not been open hostilities for decades.
Founding Date
Circa T.A. 1780
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Demonym
Faladrian
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Judicial Body
Noble Courts and the King's Court of Common Pleas
Official State Religion
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
