The Kingdom of Calbesh
The ballads of great heroes, the tales of mystical realms, and the rythmic din of the Arcana Instrūmentum; these are staples of Calbesh, the land of song and battle. The people are dutiful, and honorable, fueled by the righteous music that their lord provides, they march at his command, ready to defend their kingdom with their lives, whether it be from the beasts of the Wildelands to the south, the elves of Aerendyll to the north, or Nataun to the east.
History
The kingdom of Calbesh is one of the few united fronts of the realm, with most being simple city states. Calbesh, like its neighbors was once a land of the wild, home to a few prominent cities, or hunting grounds of mighty beasts, but through the acts of Harald Argent, the realms were cleansed, birthed into the lands they are today through thunderous blasts and whispered songs; however, the beasts have been pushing back, ever a threat to the south, these barbarians seek the destruction of this mighty land.Geography
Calbesh is a land filled with lush forests, rolling hills, open plains, and towering mountains. While most of the wooded lands within the realm have been replaced with grasslands and a few taken by the Curse of Vestrel, turning into vile swamps that surge through the land like a disease. The remainder of the forests are full of the mystical and primal, a connection to the old world stirs within these wooded realms, with the old faith protecting these bastions of life. Major geographical features act as natural boundaries between the kingdom and its neighbors. To the west the river Rhinemark protects the realm from The Free Marches, a land of city states of lawless folk. To the south, the vast Wyrmsmoke Mounains, with Morgullan Pass being one of the few entries from the southern side. The east the Terunan Mountains shield the kingdom from The Realms of Nataun. While the Celwynne River runs along the northern border between the kingdom and The Empire of Aerendyll. The lifeblood of the nation is the Celwynne River, which has its sources in the Wyrmsmoke Mountains and winds its way through The Wheeping Vale tundra before pouring into the Bay of Ghosts, and the Verydean Ocean. The capital, Troubadour, is located at the mouth of the river. Calbesh's natural resources include great darkwood trees of the Roena Woods, the countless iron mines of the Wyrmsmoke Mountains, the apiaries of Bryndol duchy, and the fever iron of The Wheeping Vale.Government
Calbesh is ruled by the king, a hereditary title. The current King, Merek Lyrdron, has two heirs, his first-born son Prince Callen, and his daughter Princess Alycia. Calbesh is home to a noble class, bred from war and song, earned through the victories in the southern wars, or through the prestige won during The Battle of Skalds. While the bureaucracy is headed by these nobles, much of the government is left in the hands of these nobles agents.Structure
Royalty
Calbesh's royal class is comprised of dynasty-inheriting houses, most of which trace their lineages back to one king or another. Its members hold titles such as duke, count, earl, baron, and others. The scholars of the Gilded Tower keep and update the genealogical records within the realm.Ranks and Privileges
The noble titles conferred upon Calbeshian citizenry maintain a specific function within the governance of the state. While the meanings and grandeur of these titles may change over generations, the current government recognizes the following noble titles in hierarchy from greatest to least.- Duke: Ruler of a duchy within the kingdom, this title is limited to the five duchies of the realm; Bryndol, Hoardrun, Narvost, Troundel, and Velken.
- Count: The count serves as the guard of a wilderness or border region, typically serving with a standing army, ready to defend their realm.
- Baron: Landed barons rule large territories known as a barony. A barony may contain a sizable portion of land with numerous villages, or a large city. Barons who do not administer a barony often serve as advisors to the Crown.
- Viscount: Oversees a portion of a county, typically a couple of small villages and their connecting roads.
- Lord: A ruler of a specific land. Lords often report to barons, though occasionally they report to a viscount.
- Knight: The lowest rank among Calbeshian nobles. Typically children of nobles are conferred this title first, especially those with military service.
- Earl: Typically serves as mayor and justice for a community, such as a village or a neighborhood within a larger city. This is often an elected position, though it may be conferred upon an individual for political reasons. Earl's usually report to Barons.
Religion
The Kingdom of Calbesh has its pantheon grounded in the three loves of the country; Music, Duty, and Battle. The grand cathedral of Shelyn, The Blooming Rose, is found within the capitol of Troubadour, for she is the the patron deity of the nation and of the city. Abadar, master of the first vault, and lord of civilization is the second favored. Lastly, Gorum the god of battle and strength is the third and final god amongst the holy tribunal; however, while these three are the most prominent within the kingdom, several other deities are recognized as official members of the pantheon, they are as follows:
Erastil, the horned huntsman and keeper of the hearth. Cayden Cailean, the drunken reveler, and patron of adventurers. Sarenrae, the dawnflower. Lastly, Gozreh, lady of sea and sky.
While it is not illegal, the worship of Asmodeus is often looked down on, although his cults grow in strength within the country.
The worship of Lamashtu, mother of monsters, and demon queen is banned within the kingdom, her people, the folk of the Wildelands revere her as their patron.
Time to rise for our tale has just begun!
Maps
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Elderscrest
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Demonym
Calbeshian
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Federation
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
The lands of Calbesh use an array of coins, all minted with the face of their king. Most are made from nickel, with additions of silver or gold, depending on the value of that coin. The lands use the Rycket (cp), the Myrk (sp), the Dracha (gp), and the Crown (pp).
Subsidiary Organizations
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
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