Elector-Kingdom of Hamhafen (Ham-haf-n)

Hamhafen is an Elector-Kingdom, however, the term Kingdom may be a bit deceiving as in effect Hamhafen is a city state which has control over the surrounding region. Hamhafen is a Imperial Free City and with its proximity to major trade routes it is a major port, and a populous and prosperous one at that. The prosperity of Hamhafen and the great port has made Hamhafen a metropolitan city, with traders from practically every kingdom and race.

Level of Autonomy

Within the Kasari Dominion power is greatly decentralised, as the Holy Kasari Emperor is not an absolute ruler; they act as the primary arbiter within the judicial system, the ceremonial head of state, and only a member of the Council of Elector-Princes. Given the Holy Kasari Emperor is not considered the ruler of all provinces and Elector-Kingdoms, each has broad power to act autonomously and as a semi-sovereign entity. Given this they have their own set of laws and traditions. Hamhafen was given the special status of an Imperial Free City, with this status came the right to impose its own tax levels with the Kasari Dominion taking a percentage of the total tax collected.

Nonhuman Relations

The racial relations of the Kasari Dominion are complex and based upon religious doctrine. The religion of the region following the Age of Blood was the Radiant Lady worshipped through the Church of the Eternal Flame, however the Kasari state intervene and caused a schism resulting in the creation of the Church of the Crimson Flame created; the deviations being on the nature of the races. As a result racial relations towards nonhumans in the Kasari Dominion can be broadly positive, while discrimination does exists it mostly casual lacking venom, legal discimnation, and violence; however, this is only the case when nonhumans embrace and accept the culture of the Kasari Dominon, and the religion of the Crimson Flame. Those who do not are subject to violent and legal discrimination, similar to that experienced in other kingdoms.

Views on Arcane Magic

The Kasari Dominion has amongst the worst outlooks upon magic and mages of Human kingdoms. The Kingdom proclaims that magic is the most dangerous force in all of Runetalras, and has led to the greatest catastrophe in all of history, the Age of Blood. Magic is outlawed within the Kasari Dominion, all who are capable of casting it save for the priests of the Radiant Lady are condemned to among the worst Arcane Bastille in all of Runetalras.

History

Hamhafen, previously known as Hammahafen, is both an Imperial Free City and an Elector-Kingdom, it is commonly called the Kasari Dominion's second city. Hamhafen has been destroyed and occupied countless times, and the weeping plague killed approximately sixty percent of the population; however each time Hamhafen has fallen it has rebuilt stronger and become more prosperous after each disaster. During the Unification War the city of Hamhafen itself was under a protracted siege by Prussari forces; it was in this context that the Free City joined the Kasari Dominion.

Religion

The Church of the Crimson Flame is the official religion of the Kasari Dominion and is the most popular religion of the kingdom. The Church is fully integrated into the state structure of the Kasari Dominion. The dogma of the Crimson Flame is based upon belief that the Radiant Lady is the only true faith. The Crimson Flame believe that arcane magic and mages are the greatest threat to all good people of the world, as mages have incredible power with little control; this is demonstrated in the numbers of mages practising forbidden magics, summoning of fiends, and creation of Weave Aberrations all of which wreak havoc and destruction upon the faithful.
Despite the illegality, there are other deities and faiths worshipped within the Kasari Dominion, some of these are the Seldarine is the most popular pantheon among forest gnomes and elves, and the Morndinsamman among dwarves and rock gnomes. Likewise the Draconic Pantheon are favoured among the draconic races.

Culture

A yearly festival called Hafengeburtstag is a funfair to honour the birthday of the port of Hamhafen with a party and a ship parade.

Freedom Earned Through Adversity

Type

Geopolitical, Province

Parent Organization

Kasari Dominion

Runetalras

Open full size