Brotfelder

Located on the Eastern coast of Rehu, Brotfelder is the historic home of the Human race and one of the first five nations. Founded by the Primarch Kester after the Creation War, Brotfelder has acted as a center of trade and culture on Rehu for all of history. While not known for its military might, the natives of Brotfelder have had to weather conflict from their neighbors throughout history, most notably with the Orcs of Járnlenda. The lands within Brotfelder's borders are lush and its geography timid, allowing for the great farms that stretch across the territory. With the notable exceptions of the Sigao and the various forests that dot the western border, most of the land is taken up by agriculture or mild wilderness. Rainfall is regular and the seasons mild, all lending to the bounty that is the Champion granaries. Due to these facts, the lands are considered valuable and the whole of Brotfelder has been come to be known as "The Bread Basket of Rehu".

Campaign Appearances

The Theocracy- This was the first canonical appearance of the country, which acted as its primary setting. The capital of Kesterstadt acted as a major location for the party and many other townships were referenced or visited during the campaign.
The Calignance- Once again, Kesterstadt is utilized as a base of operations for the party, with visits to other locations in the country.

Notable Citizens

Yubrix
Chant
Alperion McChester
Ellowyn Marr Charles Locke
Yuriel
Ivan
Quinn Virtuelli
Venza Duskblade
Mager

Places of Interest

Kesterstadt
Kesterberg
Kestermeer
Südenkester
Bovado

Geographical Features

The Sigao
The Ellu River
The Eastern Coast
The Ahit Tanti Forest

Structure

The King of Brotfelder: This is often a figurehead position as there has almost always been a greater power presiding over Brotfelder in the different ages. During the First Days, Kester himself was the true ruler, opting for a monarchy under him mostly because "Yubrin was doing it so I thought I would too". It is often said that the reason the Humans were the first to bow to Archbishop Sapphira's Theocracy was because they were unused to having an actual ruler and felt comfortable giving the job to someone else. After the Night of Sorrows, The Unified Government took up residence in Kesterstadt and managed affairs directly. It wasn't until the Age of Discovery that the Champion king was regarded with anything other than disdain by the other nations, and that was due mostly to the efforts of King Ketmarten and the rapid expansion of Brotfelder's navy.

Culture

Humans make up the vast majority of the citizens of Brotfelder though their massive, shared border with Kurush had led to a notable population of naturalized Orcs and Half Orcs. Champions are some of the most flexibly minded people of Rehu- being in contact with so many different countries and power structures has meant that adaptability is more a cultural facet than any other one thing. They are quick-witted; while they have never been known to invent or pioneer change, they find it easy to adopt technologies and ideologies that they deem valuable. This has led Panchamp to rival Kurush in military might, Aitala in technological integration, and Kiraga in exploration, while never intentionally excelling in any of these fields.
The one thing Champions are known for, however, is their art. Whether it be music, acting, or a physical medium, the noble halls of Panchamp are full to bursting with raw, enthusiastic talent. Taverns around the world take great pride in hiring a graduate of the Chesterton Bardic University and kings will travel weeks to see the latest offerings of the Ellu Theater. It is said that Montague Montgomery of the Feywild studied at CBU before opening his Menagerie across the Planes.

Demography and Population

The population of Panchamp is largely an agricultural, feudal society for most of history. Towns dot the landscape which each house a noble family who owns the surrounding territory.  The bulk of the population is comprised of farmers who work the land owned by the nobles in exchange for housing and the meeting of basic needs.  Farmers may opt to join the military and serve as enlisted soldiers in exchange for better pay and the possibility of education to fulfill special roles.  Nobles either live in the country as land lords or in the city as political officials, thought most cities are comprised of the burgeoning middle class of skilled laborers.  The Bardic University is open to all who show talent and promise and is regarded as one of the few means by which a peasant may hope to advance their station.

Military

The Military of Panchamp is divided between the peasant forces and the noble officers.  Any peasant may enlist for duty and all may be conscripted in times of war.  Enlisting is considered by many to be a last ditch effort to survive- a failure by a farmer to properly tend their land, though no lord or king may deny a citizen of Panchamp from joining the military, assuming they are of sound body and mind.
Peasants make up the bulk of the Champion army, equipment and training paid for by their commanding officer who may strike wages to pay for repairs or replacements as they deem fit.  This method has led to massive disparities within the Panchamp army, with wealthy or intelligent nobles leading professional fighting forces while many lead rabble as they try to eke a profit from cutting corners.
Nobles within the army are all granted an officer's rank upon joining and are trained at an Officer's Candidate School within one of the great cities.  They are afforded enormous leeway in leading their forces, only answerable to nobles of a higher rank than themselves.  Many second sons and daughters, unable to inherit their family's lands, will turn to a military commission, as it provides a salary and suitable living arrangements to all officers.  The gear of an officer may be improved upon by the noble in questions, leading to the best armor and weaponry saved for the wealthiest of nobles.
The only branch of the Champion army that borders on Egalitarianism is the Fortuna Majors, the special forces of the King of Panchamp.  These are each and every one a graduate of the Bardic University's College of Swords, a school open to all who show promise.  Any Fortuna Major is granted lands of their own and a title, making them one of the only avenues for a peasant to gain lordship.  While this is a pleasant thought, most Fortuna Majors are nobles who could afford training for the position at an early age, though some of the greatest heroes of the land are farmers who were able to, through sheer talent and hard work, join this illustrious organization.

Foreign Relations

Panchamp is the center of many crossroads in Rehu and as such, must maintain positive relations with all of their Eastern neighbors in order to keep trade open.  It is considered by many to be the Bread Basket of Rehu and as such, has held a strong hand in commerce on the larger continental stage.  
Historically, Champions have only regularly feuded with Kurush over their shared border, with many conflicts of note in the pre-Theocracy days.

Agriculture & Industry

Panchamp is first and foremost a farming community.  The entire infrastructure of the country is built around the collection and transport of foodstuffs internally and abroad.  With the bounty that the land provides, they have had little need for anything else.  In instances where other needs must be met, Panchamp would use its wealth to hire external contractors, as with the case of the great sewers of Chesterton.

Trade & Transport

Most trade within Panchamp done via boat along the Ellu River, which runs North to Aitala and South through Littany. By the Age of Discovery, coastal trade became a massive player, making Chester-By-The-Sea a powerhouse within the global economy.  The great Merchant Road, which connects Kurush and Chesterton, is maintained by the King's coffers and utilized for any inland trade to this day.

Das kaum gesungene Lied

Founding Date

2056 BS

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Capital

Kesterstadt

Alternative Names

The Bread Basket, Chesterton

Demonym

Kestersons

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Market economy

Currency

The Silver Song is the backbone currently, with it being subdivided into fractal pieces for smaller denominations.  A Bit is 1/10 of a Song.  This is considered a reasonable tip for a struggling musician and thus was the phrase coined "play me a Bit of a Song"

Official State Religion

The Pentan Church

Controlled Territories

• Kesterstadt