Kingdom of Effali
Structure
The King is the highest ranking nobleman of society and is typically the most powerful person in the country, both militarily and financially. Under the King are a number of Dukes who typically rule over a major city plus several smaller ones as well. The Dukes typically make up the majority of the Royal Privy Council as well. Underneath Dukes are Counts and Earls, who are of equal rank although Count is typically regarded as a more prestigious title. Counts are members of the nobility that have been given control of a settlement or territory, but have been given the right to forcefully raise a levy from their peoples, just as Dukes or the King can. Earls, on the other hand, are nobles who have been given a control over a settlement or territory, but have not been given the right to forcefully raise a levy on their own. Underneath both Counts and Earls are Barons who are typically the lord or lady over a medium to small sized town and similarly to Earls, cannot forcefully raise a levy. At the bottom tier of noble society are the various lords and ladies of the realm who are landed but are not charged with the ruler ship of any cities or towns.
Public Agenda
The Kingdom of Effali is striving to continue improving relations with its neighbors and with maintaining its conquered territories. They are also very interested in exploring Varenlog with the hopes of establishing colonies there.
History
Effali was founded on the banks of the river Gyslane, approximately 600 years ago, with the building of the new city Ubredo. The lands that now comprise Effali (Not to include the lands of Kheseg) were once fragmented city states each ruled by their own Baron. That was until the upstart Baron Roman Moore was able to unify these cities through his political maneuvering and military might. The other Barons bowed to him and thus started the reign of the Moore family and the kingdom of Effali.
Demography and Population
- Farmers, Ranchers, Fishers, Sailors, and Laborers: 50%
- Servants: 15%
- Merchants: 15%
- Craftsman and artisans: 10%
- Clerks and Bureaucrats: 4%
- Soldiers: 2.5%
- Clergy: 2.5%
- Nobility: 1%
Military
The military is compromised of a medium sized standing army under the King, the standing forces of any Dukes and lesser nobility, knightly orders that choose to involve themselves in a conflict, and any amount of levy that may be necessary. Occasionally, mages may find employment here as well, but there are few of them.
- Standing military forces are typically highly trained and are volunteer only, being open to any man or woman above the age of 16 and below the age of 60. Their training, gear, pay, and living arrangements are usually provided by the noble employing them. Standing forces are typically trained as one of three unit types: Light Cavalry, Heavy Infantry, or as Archers. Those with the greatest skill and leadership qualities are designated as sergeants, and eventually officers, over companies typically ranging from 50 to 150 soldiers, depending on unit type. Additionally, individuals who distinguish themselves are occasionally granted a noble title and, rarely, may be offered squirehood with the possibility of being knighted by one of the kingdom's many orders of knights.
- Levy forces are preferred to be men above the age of 14 and below the age of 55. Their needs and limited training are also provided by the noble who levied them, and they are typically payed very little. Members of the levy may be assigned as one of three unit types: spearmen, light infantry or crossbowmen, all of which require very little training. Usually, sergeants and officers will be selected from local guard forces, levied veterans, or from associated standing forces and there will be a greater number of them to accommodate for the larger unit sizes of 100-200 soldiers.
- The Effalian Navy is quite small compared to many other powers and typically avoids large scale conflicts at sea.
Religion
The Cathedral of Might is the only organized religion that is followed within Effali, however the dwarvish and elvish pantheons are recognized as are the other human gods. Typically, you will only find shrines and small churches to these gods. Larger churches are exclusively devoted to the Cathedral and are often the largest civic building within a settlement.
The current head of the Cathedral is Archbishop Magnius IV. Under him are the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons along with associated staff, paladins, clerics, and the like.
The Cathedral is devoted to:
- Pelor: greater god of sun, light, strength and healing
- Boccob: greater god of magic, arcane knowledge, balance and foresight
- Saint Cuthbert: intermediate god of common sense, wisdom, zeal, honesty, truth, and discipline
- Heironeous: intermediate god of chivalry, justice, honor, war, daring, and valor
- Kord: intermediate god of athletics, sports, brawling, strength, and courage
- Pholtus: intermediate god of light, resolution, law, and order
- Lirr: lesser goddess of prose, poetry, literature and art.
- Chaav: demigod of enjoyment, delight, and pleasure
- Estanna: demigoddess of hearth and home
Foreign Relations
- The Dwarvish Peoples: Allied
- Republic of Damu: Warm
- Gralkuz: Neutral
- Arcane Tanish Federation: Neutral
- Illysqua: Neutral
- Assliad Sultanate: Indifferent
- Sahar: Cool
- Edhil Ascendancy: Cold
- Raiders of Raznarak: Hostile
Education
Education varies greatly depending on social standing and location. The nobility commonly have personal tutors or will attend small scale private schools. In larger cities, churches host classes for children under the age of 12 to teach them the basics of history, arithmetic, and literature, however this is usually only attended by the children of the middle class. For the vast majority of the populace, a trade will be taught by a child's parents and they will be expected to carry on whatever it is the family does. They are lucky if they learn to be literate.
Founding Date
392 in the Age of Prosperity
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Alternative Names
- Effali
Leader
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Gold, Silver, and Copper coins minted with the sigil of Effali. Silver is the most common form of currency.
Major Exports
- Common goods: cheese, wool, flax, salt, beer, grains, stone, and vegetables.
- Luxury Goods: silver, steel, and whiskey.
Major Imports
- Common goods: fish, glass, fruits, cotton, and copper.
- Luxury goods: gold, fine jewels, wine, rum, tobacco, pepper, marble, sugar, coffee, tea, silk, and many alchemical goods.
Legislative Body
The laws of the land are determined by the King, but the Dukes are free to make any additional laws as long as they do not contradict the law of the King.
Judicial Body
The nobility are expected to carry out the will of the King, but the King may also rely on the knightly order of the Ordo Magistratus to enforce his will upon the nobility.
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
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