Ferston
Allies of Carthagia. They supply Carthagia with Gunpowder and forging experts in exchange for food imports. They pay off Volyhenia with metal and gemstone shipments in exchange for proof of giant kills. Insular and byzantinely particular their rare mammoth caravans into the wider world hold massive wealth. They don't get along with Lindisbraum or formerly Morea due to an ancient fracture of their populations.
Structure
The land of Ferston is ruled over by the High King. His job is to maintain the security of the land from outside threats.
Under him are the Clan Kings, who each oversee an extensive family unit with a heroic ancestor.
Underneath the Clan Kings are the Clan Patriarchs, an odd title as technically either sex can hold this rank. They keep extended nuclear family units together.
Public Agenda
Battle back the horrid likes of the Risi (Giants) and the Dreki (Dragonfolk) and reclaim the glories of the past.
Assets
Several highly productive, high grade mines for copper, iron, gold, silver, adamant, and mithril.
History
In the grand dwarven epics and histories the High Kings of Ferston were the founders of the first dwarven empire, nemeses of the oldest giants, and the greatest craftsmen in all of time. Sadly this past has seemingly left in all but the beer halls and the fields of battle shortly before a fight. This kingdom still holds what fragments of the old empire it can, though with raiders from Volyhenia, giant incursions from Dami, and the Draconics of Samar seeking slaves, the situation is a constant fight from all sides.
Demography and Population
- Dwarves- 97%
- Gnomes- 3%
- Others- >1%
Territories
Ulfurland Keep, Conscript Training Grounds
Kristalfellur Kingshold, The Capital
Kanna Outpost, Vital Farmlands
Jarnain Hold, Best Mining Location
Harburg Hold, Skolgultonn Training Grounds
Military
Every dwarf in the clan that doesn't actively have a task is automatically part of the levee. As such the entire population can be militarized at the request of the High King. Of particular note are the Skolgultonn Cavalry, Clans of dwarves that train to fight from the backs of mammoths with blackpowder weapons.
Technological Level
The technology of the dwarves is quite impressive compared to their neighbors and a liberal use of black powder in their defensive technology has leveled the field despite their small numbers.
Religion
They worship the ancient Dwarf Gods of their ancestors and their maker, Moradin
Foreign Relations
- Sees itself as actively fighting off barbarians from all sides.
- All but open hostility with Volyhenia, Samar, and Dami.
- Cold relations with the dwarves of Lindisbraum
- Actively expanding into Granea and thus competing with Samar and Lindisbraum
Agriculture & Industry
- Goat Farming
- Rye, Barley, and Other Hardy Grains
- Timber
- Any and All Metals
- Finished products from jewelry to weapons to furniture
Trade & Transport
The economy of Ferston is almost entirely closed to outsiders, though the High King does allow Dwarves to sell "inferior" goods elsewhere.
Education
All dwarves are born into a guild that teaches them what they need to know of their craft. After this training from age 40-60 all dwarves serve in the military and then are allowed to choose either their guild or the military as their full time job.
Infrastructure
Elaborate stone and iron works fill all the ancient halls of their cities. The cities are often split into three parts. These include the above ground farming areas and the first walls, the underground main areas and the main walls, and the keep where supplies are doled out to the citizenry. A natural distrust of magics leads them all to be based on mechanical systems as opposed to arcane ones.
Goats Die, Dwarves Die, Reputation Lives on
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Demonym
Jarntheo
Government System
Despotism
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
Currency in and of itself isn't a thing in Ferston though everything is measured by its worth in a raw metal. This makes it fairly easy to determine prices as "Ham-handed man forged coins" aren't considered artistic enough to warrant any value beyond the raw materials used to make them.
Major Imports
Food imports are the biggest issue in the kingdom as a large supply of non-perishables is kept on hand in case of sieges.
Neighboring Nations
