Alderi Dominion
The Alderi Dominion is loose alliance of Alder tribes which each recognise the High Kings in Guthrum's Gate. Alder clans are extremely widely spread, and the territory 'controlled' by the Dominion is sparsely populated and hostile in many places - so it cannot be thought of as a nation according to many definitions.
However, the necessary elements of statehood are there - all major clans accept the High Kings' Seal (and they in turn keep smaller 'separatist' clans suppressed and loyal), all accept the relatively modern Code of the Alder as the source of their laws, and there is an increasing willingness to send men and resources to defend the whole Alder 'nation' in times of need. There is not yet much sympathy for the idea of taxation (and thus very little state infrastructure) - but the High Kings' have appointed particularly loyal clans as sub-kings, who draw tribute from their clans to fund military defence and some limited building.
Demography and Population
The Alder population is extremely sparsely spread across the mountains and valleys, with perhaps 2 million Alder in the variety of clans and tribes reaching to the foot of the tundra.
Although, during the Exile, the wide Alder Valley was home to millions of refugees of every race of Sammerden outsiders are not now welcomed. Guthrum's Gate is the only area officially open to none Alder, and permission to leave into the hinterland must be sought both from the subject's own embassy, and the High Kings. This is usually granted for pressing reasons (and always for reasons accompanied by coin) - but often under escort. Only the Elosi from the Kingdom of Eyoit have easier passage - and perhaps 40,000 Elosi are settled near Alder villages.
Owing to the extreme height differences (an Alder may be three times the height of an Elosi), they rarely live in the same settlements - but instead form partner settlements and meet in market squares and carefully designed drinking halls.
Foreign Relations
The Dominion is not so much isolationist as isolated and disinterested. The advantage of Guthrum's Gate during in the Exile - that it lies at the end of a 450 mile long valley - also makes it difficult for most people just to approach the Dominion's borders. There is a collective memory of the problems of the Exile, which explains why outsiders cannot pass beyond Guthrum's Gate freely, but no lingering political resentment to other powers. All the courts of Sammerden (including, controversially, the Kingdom of Free Zoenaald) have some level of representation in Guthrum's Gate, and the High Kings are happy to engage in diplomatic negotiations - even if they are unlikely to without prompting.
The Dominion's strongest relationship is with the Kingdom of Eyoit on its northern border - frequent trade mission pass between the two, and Eyoit hires Alder soldiers and mercenaries to protect their own borders and security.
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Government System
Tribalism
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
The Crown (a large silver coin bearing the seal of the High Kings on the obverse, and a stylised image of legendary Guthrum on the reverse.) Universally accepted, but not exclusive - any valuable metal will be considered for barter.
Controlled Territories
Related Species
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