Corlé
I've never seen a people so composed as the Corlén. Maybe it's easier when you wear a mask in public, but even so. Never thought I'd see a crowd non-plused by a murder.
-Jonathan Flemeth, Liason to Corlé from the Iron republic
Structure
A monarchy like many of its contemporaries, Corlé is ruled a person with absolute authority and given the title 'le Roi'. Kept in check, not by an organization, but simply by the plotting of the kingdom's nobles. No one can account for all the snakes in the grass, venomous or otherwise.
Culture
Everything in Corlé is a front. A society based around backroom deals and out of sight jostling of nobles and the crown, everyone puts on a metaphorical face. and a very real one.
Corlén wear a version of a domino mask when dealing with private or public business. It's an outward sign that they are seeking to pursue a way to amass wealth or move up in the world. Probably both.
When the mask is removed, however, all pretenses are dropped. Often enough, families will spend their quality time at home or run errands maskless. Old friends do not wear their masks when sharing drinks, nor do marriages of love have it's attendees and participants wear them.
The masks are a societal rule so strict that it's practically a law, and if you see any Corlén breaking it, it's safer to assume they are simply masquerading as Corlén than to think them some sort of societal-objector or outcast.
Assets
Large tracts of agriculture-ready land
A majority of the world's most famous wineries and producers of fine spirits such as absinthe.
A large culture built around the classical arts, with many patrons always looking for new talent to sponsor.
The Silver Lilies
1.2 million Fusi de Mur
120,000 Cavalier de Aigle
128 Light Tanks
42 Combat Airships
58 Naval Ships
History
While no known nation or kingdom survived the Realmshatter, Corlé is a nation that got close. While the name it went by before the Realmshatter is lost to the mists of time, archeological records indicate it was once a far more violent place than Corlé is now. With differing tribes and families constantly duking it out in a society closer to what one might find in the Union of Vralgard.
After the Realmshatter, and with their tribal structure sundered, their tradition of inter-societal warfare was no longer viable. Resources were too scarce, and outside threats too many to waste their energy and materials tearing each other apart. Thus, a remarkable instance of social evolution took place. Their internal conflict did not disappear but took a different form entirely. Where swords and spears in the daylight would have won out before the Realmshatter, now knives in the dark took president. The cleaner the fight and fewer ripples it caused, the higher it was viewed within society. And the more you could get away with.
Eventually given the name the 'Great Game' by its participants, it's become its own sort of art form. Pushing the nation's nobles to ever greater feats of espionage and skullduggery.
In the modern Era, the Great Game is mostly played between nobles and their retainers. Namely, the Bards. Agents trained in subterfuge and the more flowery skills that get them in with high society such as music, poetry, and other fine arts.
While the citizenry of the nation is totally aware of the Game going on around them, very few will ever see it in person, unless they wish to join the Bards College and wade right into its center. They might feel its effects when a lord loses out and assets are redistributed among his allies and competitors. Or perhaps a cousin might work in the manor of a lord that is broken into and letters stolen from.
And while assassination is frowned upon, it does indeed happen. The Bards are quite adept in the skills of blade and combat magic and regularly employ those skills on both the attack and defense. If you ever come across a person of affluence from Corlé, look around when you have the chance. There should be a well-dressed individual somewhere in the vicinity, watching those around their employer with a charming smile that dosen't reach the eyes.
Demography and Population
Urban centers have been slower to develop in Corlé, attributed to the large percentage of the population dedicated to the fields and wineries that support the nation's income. The cities are populated almost entirely by those that work the few factories of the nation, and the art crowd. Both finding the other repugnant for different reasons.
Military
While respected militarily, it's become an accepted fact that the Corlén military has fallen slightly behind in their ability to maintain an up to date military. Lacking the in-house production capabilities to produce main battle tanks, Hard Skins, or Industrial constructs for civilian or military use. Most everything past standard infantry equipment and heavy weapons has to be purchased out of country and imported.
Religion
Religion plays a large part in the Corlén society, with the three so-called 'sections' of Corlén being devoted to one more than the other two. In fact, it would be accurate to say that each section only worships one of the three gods, as they don't have any reason to worship the other two.
Foreign Relations
Corlé has, unlike many nations, maintained good relations with what could be referred to as their colonies. Places like Ekel Krugx enjoy a thriving working relations with their paternalistic colonizers.
Their relations with other powers is less warm, however, and they find themselves at odds with many nations. Especially the Svartel Dichotomy , where their foreign interests have direct conflict.
Agriculture & Industry
Agriculture is the predominant occupation in Corlé, with the grand majority of the population working the vineyards and accompanying farmlands for their livelihood. The leftover population makes up the urban centers, with the artist the nation is famous for rubbing shoulders with those that work the nations few factories.
Founding Date
532, Age of Wounds
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Alternative Names
Old Corlé, the Empire of Masks
Formation Type
Training Level
Trained
Veterancy Level
Trained
Demonym
Corlén
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Corlén Balles: A Prussian blue note, with an image of a trio of Corlén flags flapping in the wind, and the image of the current monarch on the other.
Neighboring Nations
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