Kingdom of Araluen
Structure
Araluen is ruled by a monarch and is split into 50 fiefs, which are ruled by a baron, each baron reporting directly to the monarch.
Additionally, each fief has its own craft masters, who train apprentices in their specific craft. Each fief has a Baron, Diplomat, Battle Master, Scribe, Cook, and Ranger.
With the exception of Rangers, craft masters were to think of the baron of the fief they live in as their leader.
Fiefs are broken down into smaller divisions called shires. Villages are usually led by someone known as a Head Man.
Additionally, each fief has its own craft masters, who train apprentices in their specific craft. Each fief has a Baron, Diplomat, Battle Master, Scribe, Cook, and Ranger.
With the exception of Rangers, craft masters were to think of the baron of the fief they live in as their leader.
Fiefs are broken down into smaller divisions called shires. Villages are usually led by someone known as a Head Man.
History
Around 490 C.E. Araluen was established by King Herbert after he drove the Scotti out of Araluen and back into Picta. He organized the country into 50 fiefs, each one ruled by a baron. Under his reign, the Ranger Corps was established as the kingdom's intelligence force.
Demography and Population
Araluen is broken into 50 fiefs, each of which is ruled over by a baron.
Territories
The 50 Fiefs of Araluen
Anselm fief, Araluen Fief, Aspienne Fief, Caraway Fief, Coledale Fief, Cordom Fief, Culway Fief, Dacton Fief, Drayden Fief, Eagleton Fief, Eisel Fief, Gorlan Fief, Greenfield Fief, Greenleaf Fief, Highcliff Fief, Hogarth Fief, Holder Fief, Holsworth Fief, Keramon Fief, Martinsyde Fief, Meric Fief, Norgate Fief, Redmont Fief, Seacliff Fief, Trelleth Fief, Weslon Fief, Wettborg Fief, Whitby Fief
Anselm fief, Araluen Fief, Aspienne Fief, Caraway Fief, Coledale Fief, Cordom Fief, Culway Fief, Dacton Fief, Drayden Fief, Eagleton Fief, Eisel Fief, Gorlan Fief, Greenfield Fief, Greenleaf Fief, Highcliff Fief, Hogarth Fief, Holder Fief, Holsworth Fief, Keramon Fief, Martinsyde Fief, Meric Fief, Norgate Fief, Redmont Fief, Seacliff Fief, Trelleth Fief, Weslon Fief, Wettborg Fief, Whitby Fief
Military
In times of war, Araluen calls upon the skill of its warrior knights, trained in the Battleschools attached to the various fiefs. Most knights are trained in Battleshools from fifteen years of age. The training is vigorous and highly disciplined, though in some of the more peaceful fiefs it does become slack.
However, the bulk of the army is made up of soldiers, generally, commoners who are lightly trained, and only called upon during times of war. Some soldiers were put into Archer Units, made up of an archer and a spearman.
There are also the Royal Scouts, responsible for training archers and scouting ahead of the army.
The law states that any village with 100 or more residents must train its young men in archery. This is how Araluen maintains a large force of archers ready to be called upon in times of war.
The Ranger Corps made up of fifty highly trained Rangers, skilled in archery, camouflage, and unseen movement can also be called upon for service, although their skills are less suited for open combat and more for gathering information and going on missions separate from the main army. Despite this, some rangers have fought in battles, and there have been rare occasions when the rangers have formed en masse to fight. It is also up to the Rangers to ensure that the disciplinary standards are met. It is part of their jobs to keep tabs on the barons, if a baron and their battle master allow their troops' standards to slip it is the Ranger's job to correct them, as well as report back to the King.
However, the bulk of the army is made up of soldiers, generally, commoners who are lightly trained, and only called upon during times of war. Some soldiers were put into Archer Units, made up of an archer and a spearman.
There are also the Royal Scouts, responsible for training archers and scouting ahead of the army.
The law states that any village with 100 or more residents must train its young men in archery. This is how Araluen maintains a large force of archers ready to be called upon in times of war.
The Ranger Corps made up of fifty highly trained Rangers, skilled in archery, camouflage, and unseen movement can also be called upon for service, although their skills are less suited for open combat and more for gathering information and going on missions separate from the main army. Despite this, some rangers have fought in battles, and there have been rare occasions when the rangers have formed en masse to fight. It is also up to the Rangers to ensure that the disciplinary standards are met. It is part of their jobs to keep tabs on the barons, if a baron and their battle master allow their troops' standards to slip it is the Ranger's job to correct them, as well as report back to the King.
Religion
The religion of Araluen is monotheistic, and whose deity is simply known as God. In the middle of winter they celebrate the holiday Yuletide. There are abbeys, churches, and monasteries present in Araluen. One of which, Wolden Abbey, is dedicated to healing the sick. “Men of the church” are said to wear black robes, and Will Treaty once described a pair of peasant farmers as being "as poor as church mice." Araluen has an outdated pantheon of "old gods" such as Ergon and myths like the Black Troll of Balath. The old religion is connected to the ancient beliefs of the country. There are a myriad of superstitions in Araluen, in relation to the old gods and the new. For example in Araluen's ancient history people were buried in burial mounds, now which are thought to be guarded by barrow wights.
Foreign Relations
Araluen is generally a peaceful and respected country, with several treaties in place. Notable treaties are with Celtica, Skandia, and Picta. However, despite the treaty, Araluen is known to have ongoing conflicts with some Scotti tribes. Even among countries that they don't have treaties with, such as Toscana and Arrida, Araluen is highly trusted. As such a highly trusted country, they have sent Rangers and diplomats to other countries to aid in justice and peacemaking.
Education
Education is generally done by members of the family or community. Craftmasters offer apprenticeships to those that show potential to succeed in their respective craft. Castle wards also are chosen by craftmasters with open apprenticeships, those who aren't chosen go to work for a farm family.
Infrastructure
Castles are located across Araluen, they offer protection to the villages and secure the borders against invaders. Manor houses and the like also offer safety and security to those willing to work there. For the most part all infrastructure is provided by the people for themselves wherever it's needed. If a service needs to be provided, there will usually be someone to provide it for you in return for payment.
The only fief without a baron is Gorlan Fief. Gorlan fief was left leaderless after the First Civil War and is under the rule of its two neighboring fiefs.
Founding Date
490 C.E.
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Demonym
Araluen, Araluan
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Federation
Currency
In Araluen, the forms of currency are gold, silver, and copper coins.
They are referred to, respectively as gold royals, silver crowns, and copper pennigs.
Ten pennigs are equal to one silver crown. There are also silver one-royal coins and gold three-royal coins.
For international affairs, the silver reel is used.
They are referred to, respectively as gold royals, silver crowns, and copper pennigs.
Ten pennigs are equal to one silver crown. There are also silver one-royal coins and gold three-royal coins.
For international affairs, the silver reel is used.
Legislative Body
The king can write and change laws at will. Barons have some degree of authority, and can create laws for their own fiefs.
Judicial Body
The King is the ultimate level of authority and in certain situations he himself acts as Judge, with the help of an adviser. A baron acts in much the same way in his own fief.
On occasions when a baron is called into question, the Council of Barons will be assembled. It is the right of a baron to be judged by a council of his peers.
On occasions when a baron is called into question, the Council of Barons will be assembled. It is the right of a baron to be judged by a council of his peers.
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Related Professions
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Myths
Comments
Author's Notes
In the US version of the books, the Araluen demonym is Araluen, however in the Australian and UK versions it is Araluan.