Sutheria
Compared to some, the human nation of Sutheria is relatively young, having only been in existence for around two and a half centuries. Originally founded as a coalition of settlements for mutual protection against the wilds that surrounded them, the nation has expanded along the shores of the Sea of Souls, becoming a bastion of peace and prosperity - provided you aren’t living on the frontiers. However, for a variety of reasons over the recent years, this peace has become more and more fragile, with threats from beyond the borders as well as within beginning to menace the nation.
Sutheria is made up of five duchies - Longmoor, Baysedge, Highplain, Seawall and Mornay - each of which have their own customs and beliefs. The five dukes advise the king but are generally left to rule their provinces unfettered. Each duchy has it’s own strengths and own problems, but each is certain in the belief that without their input, the nation would crumble. In the early days of Sutheria, conflicts between the duchies would have been settled with warfare, but for now such disagreements are dealt with via the murkier waters of politics.
The northernmost duchy, Mornay, is home to the nation’s capital of Dun Mornay, a metropolis of trade and learning. The surrounds are mainly farmland until the major river in the west that marks the border with Longmoor. To the north lies the coalition of dwarves and gnomes known as Spineridge who are allies and trading partners to the human nation. To the south-east, further along the coast of the Bay of Souls lies the duchy of Baysedge. Both duchies are fenced in by the high mountain range that contains the isolationist dwarven nation of Underholme.
The people of Mornay are friendly and confident, their lives mostly secure and prosperous. However, as you get further from the capital of Dun Mornay, or off the major trade routes, communities become more and more insular, and distrust of outsiders grows.
Sutheria is made up of five duchies - Longmoor, Baysedge, Highplain, Seawall and Mornay - each of which have their own customs and beliefs. The five dukes advise the king but are generally left to rule their provinces unfettered. Each duchy has it’s own strengths and own problems, but each is certain in the belief that without their input, the nation would crumble. In the early days of Sutheria, conflicts between the duchies would have been settled with warfare, but for now such disagreements are dealt with via the murkier waters of politics.
The northernmost duchy, Mornay, is home to the nation’s capital of Dun Mornay, a metropolis of trade and learning. The surrounds are mainly farmland until the major river in the west that marks the border with Longmoor. To the north lies the coalition of dwarves and gnomes known as Spineridge who are allies and trading partners to the human nation. To the south-east, further along the coast of the Bay of Souls lies the duchy of Baysedge. Both duchies are fenced in by the high mountain range that contains the isolationist dwarven nation of Underholme.
The people of Mornay are friendly and confident, their lives mostly secure and prosperous. However, as you get further from the capital of Dun Mornay, or off the major trade routes, communities become more and more insular, and distrust of outsiders grows.
Structure
Five dukes maintain order across Sutheria in the king's name. The royal family can only come from one line, but the line of succession is chosen and approved by the dukes. It is a constitutional monarchy, with the king creating laws and dukes enacting them.
Sutheria has been moving rapidly away from feudalism since it was founded, but many of the trappings remain; most significantly, the hierarchy of the civil servants. Civic positions usually come with a title and report to a higher ranking noble figure. This goes from the king down to the local village reeve.
The government of Sutheria is secular, but religion and the gods are held in high regard. Authority figures accept advice from religious leaders, but are under no compunction to follow that advice.
Sutheria has been moving rapidly away from feudalism since it was founded, but many of the trappings remain; most significantly, the hierarchy of the civil servants. Civic positions usually come with a title and report to a higher ranking noble figure. This goes from the king down to the local village reeve.
The government of Sutheria is secular, but religion and the gods are held in high regard. Authority figures accept advice from religious leaders, but are under no compunction to follow that advice.
History
Sutheria has existed as a nation for approximately two hundred and fifty years, ever since Theoburn I welded together the individual settlements. Centuries before, some forgotten empire had built a fortress at what is now Percy's Point, and Theoburn quickly took control of this to protect the entry to the Sea. Following the invasion of the hobgoblin horde of One-Eye Gulgrim, Sutheria expanded to the west and has continued to do so at a steady rate, pushing back the untamed wilderness and bringing civilisation to untouched areas.
Numerous threats have menaced Sutheria over the years, both internal and external, but the line of Theoburn has remained true.
Sutheria is currently undergoing a period of rapid expansion following the decline of some of its neighbours.
Numerous threats have menaced Sutheria over the years, both internal and external, but the line of Theoburn has remained true.
Sutheria is currently undergoing a period of rapid expansion following the decline of some of its neighbours.
Demography and Population
Human (85%), dwarven (8%) halfling (4%) elven (2%), other (1%)
Territories
Sutheria holds the area surrounding the Sea of Souls, in the southwest of the continent. The kingdom was formed from a range of different communities banding together and allying to combat mutual threats. It is gradually expanding to the north and to the west.
Military
Sutheria itself does not have a standing army, save the forces belonging to the king, who act as bodyguards to the royal family. Each duchy must provide military forces to the crown, and maintain their troops in preparation for any potential invasion or internal threat.
Technological Level
Thanks to an influx of gnome and dwarf artificers, Sutheria is undergoing a technological boom. There are printing presses beginning to be available in most major cities. Steam engines have been developed and are slowly starting to be used across a variety of industries.
Religion
While the Eight Gods are given great respect throughout Sutheria, the most heavily worshipped deity is Alanus, the god of the sun. Most communities will have a temple to Alanus, although it may also include shrines to other gods.
Worship of Varesh or any of the Traitor Gods is forbidden in Sutheria. The penalty is death.
Many communities were founded by followers of a certain deity, and worship for that deity will be slightly stronger in that area than for others.
Worship of Varesh or any of the Traitor Gods is forbidden in Sutheria. The penalty is death.
Many communities were founded by followers of a certain deity, and worship for that deity will be slightly stronger in that area than for others.
Foreign Relations
Allies
Underholme - peaceful, trading partners and mutual protection treaties exist
Spineridge - peaceful, trading partners, but no official treaties
Astralaunorith - trading partners, a non-aggression pact, often take part in joint operations against pirate ventures.
Roamini - the Roamini people have been offered safe refuge throughout Sutheria, but no official law has been made.
Enemies
Freecity of Highcliff - open war, but both sides currently at a stalemate
Elethelia - this pirate stronghold preys on Sutherian ships and piracy is outlawed throughout Sutheria
Potential threats
The Necropolis
Akka-latois
The Glorious Empire of Arkania
Underholme - peaceful, trading partners and mutual protection treaties exist
Spineridge - peaceful, trading partners, but no official treaties
Astralaunorith - trading partners, a non-aggression pact, often take part in joint operations against pirate ventures.
Roamini - the Roamini people have been offered safe refuge throughout Sutheria, but no official law has been made.
Enemies
Freecity of Highcliff - open war, but both sides currently at a stalemate
Elethelia - this pirate stronghold preys on Sutherian ships and piracy is outlawed throughout Sutheria
Potential threats
The Necropolis
Akka-latois
The Glorious Empire of Arkania
Education
Nearly all citizens of Sutheria are literate - any settlement will have a schoolhouse, usually combined with temple or shrine to Kaysh, the moon goddess. The vast majority of the population are literate enough to write their name, and numerate enough to handle mercantile transactions.
Infrastructure
Major cities are connected by roads, cared for and watched over by governmental forces.
Maps
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Sutheria and the Sea of Souls
Founding Date
Sutherian year 1
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Demonym
Sutherians
Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
10 copper pieces = 1 silver piece
10 silver pieces = 1 gold piece
100 gold pieces = 1 gold slate
10 gold slates = 1 gold bar
Copper piece - a circle with a hole in the centre, called 'rings'.
Silver piece - a simple disc with the king's blade on the face, called 'swords'.
Gold piece - an octagon, thick, with the royal hawk on the face, called 'hawks'.
Gold slate - not actually gold, but plated with a thin layer, used for trade purposes. About half the size of a hand.
Gold bar - actually gold. Usually held in banks and used for major purchases.
10 silver pieces = 1 gold piece
100 gold pieces = 1 gold slate
10 gold slates = 1 gold bar
Copper piece - a circle with a hole in the centre, called 'rings'.
Silver piece - a simple disc with the king's blade on the face, called 'swords'.
Gold piece - an octagon, thick, with the royal hawk on the face, called 'hawks'.
Gold slate - not actually gold, but plated with a thin layer, used for trade purposes. About half the size of a hand.
Gold bar - actually gold. Usually held in banks and used for major purchases.
Legislative Body
The king creates laws (with advice from the five dukes). The variety of civil servants then enact the laws across the land.
Judicial Body
Judges are usually an elder, selected from the community. In larger towns, the representative of the crown acts as judge. Major cities will have a range of judges - chosen from the community and elevated to the ranks of the civil servants, paid for by the crown.
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
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