Kingdom of Kaldor
Located in the eastern interior, Kaldor is a feudal realm ruled by King Miganath Elendsa from his royal castle in the City of Tashal, Hârns second-largest city. This kingdom, with a population of around 105,000 is stable and well-governed, following the traditional principles of feudalism and chivalry.
However, in its 500-year existence, it has known baronial revolts, civil wars, barbarian uprisings, war with its neighbors, and four ruling dynasties.
It is a major trade hub, an intersection of 4 trade routes;
- The Silver way to Dwarven Kingdom of Azadmere.
- The The Salt Route to the west including the Thardic Republic, Kingdom of Kanday and Kingdom of Rethem.
- The Genin Trial to the tiny Kingdom of Chybisa and the wizards Kingdom of Melderyn.
- The Fur Road to the Ivinian ruled Kingdom of Orbaal.
The nearby tribes can cause some concern with the chaotic drug crazed Pagaelin to the south, the Chelni Horse Lords and Amazonian Kath to the West, and the somewhat more peaceful semi-nomadic, Taelda to the north. The Gargun (Orcs) have several nations nearby but to date, they disintegrate into civil war before they become a major threat.
However, King Miganath is old and frail and has no clear heir. If he was to die without naming one, it might trigger a succession crisis or even a civil war between his 14 nieces and nephews, 3 bastard sons, and perhaps other great lords who believe their time has come. Even if he was to name an heir, it is possible that the other claimants will not accept the decision.
Structure
The royal government of Kaldor is an extension of the royal household, and many of its officers travel with the king.
The monarch appoints all senior and several minor members of the bureaucracy, with the Sheriffs and Wardens being kings agents within their shires or marches.
Key government officials
Lord High Chamberlain, is responsible for the operation of the royal household. He has daily access to the king, which makes him one of the most influential men in the realm.
Lord High Chancellor, oversees the judiciary of the kingdom. He appoints various legal officials and presides over the chancery court.
Exchequer Royal is the chief financial officer. He collects royal revenues through the sheriffs and advises the king on budgetary matters. He also presides over the royal mint.
Marshall of the Royal Guard. Responsible for defending the king and leading his armies.
Lord High Sheriffs, these number 7 dealing with law, order and tax collection.
Wardens of the Marches, these are military governors of Oselmarch and Chelmarch.
Public Agenda
King Miganath has the following agendas.
Ensure peace with neighbors. However, maintain pressure on the Kingdom of Chybisa so that a future justification for the annexation of this territory is possible.
Grow and expand the economy. Ensure the trade routes are safe and unobstructed.
Maintain a good standard of justice and continuation of the established social structure.
Ensure the steady development of the Oselmarch and Chelmarch regions with the long-term goal of turning them into Shires.
Assets
Kaldor is rich and fertile and blessed with an abundance of natural resources.
Grain, vellum, and wool are exported.
Mineral deposits are widespread and rich.
Game, herbs, fur, and hides are abundant.
Grain production is excellent.
Cattle, sheep, and horse thrive.
All Khuzdul (Dwarven) goods must travel through Kaldor.
History
Founded from a series of petty kingdoms and the intermingling of indigenous Jarin and invading Lythian tribes not long after the Battle of Sorrows in 683BT. After the collapse of Lothrim the Foulspawners Empire in 120TR, the states amalgamated into the four Kingdoms of Nurelia, Kephria, Pagostra, and Serelind.
By 178TR, waves of Barbarians incursions during the Mitigation Wars forced the Kingdoms to merge into a state that is now considered the Kingdom of Kaldor ruled by the House of Tane.
The Kadoric Civil War (362–377) leads to a series of uprisings and the short-lived and tyrannical House of Orgael.
After the King's assassination in 406TR, a minor branch of the House of Tane was placed in power. The House of Artane ruled until 599 when the king died without an heir. A few years of conflict and a Baronial Revolt followed.
The House of Elendsa eventually rose to power in 603TR and have ruled to this day.
In 673, King Torastra, the Warrior King, won a decisive battle against the Thardic League, wining valuable trading concessions in the Salt War.
The family enchanted Sword of Calsten was stolen, and Torastra used this as a pretext to invade the nearby kingdom of Chybisa, where the sword allegedly has been sold. The kingdom fell after a 3-year siege in 678TR. Although victorious in the Treasure War, the sword was never recovered. Unfortunately, Chybisa was lost 12 years later as the exiled king lead a mercenary army recapturing his kingdom. Before he could organize a campaign to recapture Chybisa, Torastra died from his wounds after a skirmish with the Kath Barbarians during a pacification campaign.
Torastra, the often sickly son, Miginath, took the throne in 693TR astounded all by simply living and ruling well.
Demography and Population
Territories
Kaldor is a traditional subinfeudation consisting of;
Royal domain with 6 baronies.
The City of Tashal.
Earldom of Neph with 2 baronies and 3 vassal baronies.
Earldom of Balim with 4 baronies and 2 vassal baronies.
Earldom of Vermion with 3 baronies and 1 vassal barony.
Earldom of Osel with 2 baronies and 1 vassal barony.
4 independent baronies.
The Church of Larani (Order of the Spear of Shattered Sorrow) has 5 large baronies.
The kingdom is divided into 7 Shires, 2 Marches, and 4 bishoprics.
Military
A large feudal levy consists of knights and yeomen who hold lands in exchange for military service.
Major settlements have a permanent garrison of lightfoot, with some wealthy lords having medium foot or short bow.
Royal Guard is composed of 4 squadrons of knights (High Guard) and 4 companies of medium foot (Low Guard).
Oselmarch and Chelmarch, each of which has a small standing army.
Fighting Order of the Lady of Paladins with chapter-houses throughout the Kingdom and on many on lands held from the Laranian Church.
Religion
Kaldor is dominated by the churches of Larani and Peoni which have tax-exempt status. The Church of Larani is popular among the ruling classes and wields considerable political power in its own right. The Church of Peoni has no political interests at all.
Save-K’nor has some subtle political influence but is not popular.
Sarajin has few followers, mostly immigrants or traders from Kingdom of Orbaal.
Halea has some very rich worshipers becoming very popular among the Merchant class.
Worship of Ilivir is disorganised but widely spread especially in rural regions.
Worship of Agrik, Morgath, and Naveh is punishable by death.
Foreign Relations
Kingdom of Azadmere - Good, however, the dwarves don't talk much.
Kingdom of Melderyn - Good, seen as a trade partner. However, they are seen as a potential rival for Chybisa.
Kingdom of Chybisa - Tense, Kaldor claims this small kingdom.
Thardic Republic - Confused. The Republic is a valuable trade partner but is unpredictable and has a competing claim on Trobridge Inn.
Kingdom of Evael - Disinterest. The elves ignore everyone.
Kingdom of Kanday - Good, seen as like minds, but too distant to influence policy.
Kingdom of Orbaal - Threat, the Vikings are seen as potential raiders.
To govern with perfection is to rule forever, motto of Clan Eldensa
Silver Piece
Sheriffs of the Realm, 7 total, and the 2 Wardens in the Marches on behalf of the Crown.
I see you went through the Chewintin Manor fanon. How as it, I am thinking of running a campaign in the area?
Actually, I found the Chewintin fanon when I well into a campaign based on the Warriors Grave Fanon, I just changed the Manor, People, and Locations. I had a longer-term plot involving the Pagaelin planned, so I based it in Chewintin, given its vulnerability on the border. But had to end the campaign as I had a work transfer to another country. Luckily after a couple of years, I discovered Roll20 and was able to get most of the old team I have been playing with for over 20 years back together.
Fantastic! I have not played for 20 years, I am getting back into things. It is difficult to find a group. I live in the USA; unlike so many of my compatriots I am practicing shelter in place, social distancing, and mask wearing. :/ So I have been teaching myself how to use the online tools and apps. Then I hope to acquire a gaming group to GM. I actually always preferred Game Mastering to playing. I'm a control freak I guess!!!! :P
Good luck getting a game together, it is daunting finding a group on line. As you do, I much prefer to GM, and I spent a long time learning the tools as well before I managed to get my group back together. I agree completely, I am from New Zealand but currently living in the world’s longest and most draconian lockdown in Melbourne, Australia. Hopefully it will be over by Christmas, but I am not holding my breath.
I noticed a potential error, your Kaldor purple map lists Jendes, it is Jedes keep.
Thanks, corrected.