Government
The lightfoot Land is a kingdom, Under the influence of the Greyhard family, the royal family. The same King (or Queen) rule over gnomes, hallfings, and verdans without distinction, and this since the creation of the lightfoot land.
To be more exact, the Greyhard family was ruling over those people before the official unification but gained the status of royal only with the official unification. The unification laking official a system of caste already existing back when there were still tribes but putting on new names on those titles, such as the noble caste.
Nowadays, the system of caste, and political system greatly improved, still rather restrictive in its access, it brought numerous change, most of them in favor of the population.
The Royal family still maintains the strongest power and has the final say on any decision. But there is now an intricate political system helping that decision making process.
Admission. Nobles who wish to take an active role in the nation's political life are invited to participate in a grand evaluation held every three years. The results of this examination determine eligibility for the Assembly and, for the most exceptional candidates, the Great Council.
This entrance evaluation tests the participants' wisdom, knowledge of the kingdom’s history, and understanding of national institutions.
The assembly
An assembly of 500 members is elected by the people and represents them, tho only noble can be part of this assembly. This assembly proposes changes, laws, taxes, and other regulations. These proposals are then sent to the Grand Council.
The Great Council
It is a council of 5 people, each representing an important domains; science and education, trading and economy, culture and tradition, military, justice. The member of this council are also noble, and most often part of an incfluencial organization or family. They debate on the proposal sent by the assembly, modify it, and send it back to the assembly. When this game of back and forth is over with the agreement of both the great council and the assembly, the proposition is sent to the King (or Queen).
The King or Queen
He has the final word, can once again amend it and send it back, or decide to apply it as it stands. The King has the supreme power of decision and decides everything in the end, during a crisis, he can even edit the law without having to use the whole system.
This system, sometimes controversial as it is only accessible to noble, has slowly evolved over the year to become what it is. The great council was created during the unification, long before it was made official, as representant of each tribe were gathering for the decision-making process and discussing with the already powerful Greyhard family.
Slowly, the member of the great council became experts in various domains instead of representant of tribes, and as the population was begging for a better grasp on the politics, the assembly was created.
Royal Succession. The firstborn of the royal family is always destined to become the future King or Queen of the nation.
The current Queen,
Tulia Greyhard, is half-dwarf, and her birth and rise to power provocked the conflict with the dwarven kingdom.
Culture
The lightfoot Kingdom is credited for the invention of the
Golaroxy, a sport invovling magic and purpose crafted golem. It is a national sport beloved by locals, whose competition are followed by many.
Justice
Justice is modern in the Lightfoot Land, The authorities try to understand the case, evidence are extremely important, and there is an order of importance for evidence:
Confessions, Witnesses, Material evidence, Oath
An illegal and underground trade revolves around the trafficking of sirens and merfolk, coveted by the wealthy for various purposes. Some unscrupulous individuals purchase sirens to exploit their unique features for their own gain. This includes chefs who create exotic and rare dishes incorporating siren tails and wings, appealing to those seeking unconventional culinary experiences. There are also individuals who use sirens to satisfy their carnal urges and indulge in their darker kinks.
Valour
Order
The population of the Lightfoot land understands the value of organized civilization, may it be to face the threat together, or to provide a common set of rules for all of its inhabitants. Early on, kids in the nation are taught to respect authority. Despite a lack of school (the education of the wealthy is handled thanks to private tutors), the children of the nation learn quickly to obey the law. Of course, some deviant becomes criminal like in any other nation, but people lean toward the respect of the authority in the lightfoot land.
Gnomes tend to be the most chaotic of all the races living in the lightfoot land, their fey origin giving them a natural inclination for chaos with various tricks, and pranks.
Science
by Svetlin Velinov
Science is seen as extremely important. An example of which are the various school of magic, the resources given to this institution been far greater in the Lightfoot Land, and Darvik, the founder of the Academy of magic, regrouping the various school of magic, was a gnome. The politician know the value of technology in its various form; magical experimentation, crop growing field, mechanical engineering. The domains of application of Science are numerous.
This emphasis on science is made keeping in mind the gods of Toriel, it would be damageable to provoke their wraith.
Yet very few experimentations are banned. Necromancy, as in the art of playing with the dead, not the magic school ain’t illegal, it is not well perceived, but not fully illegal as long as you don’t raise the dead, or corrupt/capture souls. Similarly, the contact with lower plane, ain’t illegal, but is restricted, and need to be done under the control of the local authorities.
Names
To their maid-children Halfling of the lightfoot kingdom commonly gave the names of flowers or jewels. To their man-children, they usually gave names that had no meaning at all in their daily language, and some of their women’s names were similar. Of this kind are Bilbo, Bongo, Polo, Lotho, Tanta, Nina, and so on.
Most of the surnames in the lightfoot kingdom fall into three broad categories: Descriptive surnames, geographical surnames and botanical names.
Male names: Adelbert, Adelgrin, Alaric, Albéric, Andouise, Bingeau, Blanchaud, Briffon, Brunet, Caradec, Cédilvare, Dodeau, Erlin, Fastolphe, Ferdinan, Folchaud, Fortebras, Gérontis, Griffeau, Hamilcart, Holphast, Inigeau, Lamoracque, Lothou, Mériadec, Milaut, Orlandeau, Pérégin, Pipinot, Rodéric, Théobalde, Vigaud.
Female names: Adaldrine, Alfrine, Amaldine, Amarande, Améiste, Angélique, Arabelle, Asphodèle, Belbette, Bélinde, Bellissime, Belle, Belladon, Béra, Bériline, Camélise, Carette, Caramille, Célendine, Coranne, Cornélie, Chiquette, Daisine, Diamande, Dineau, Donamirie, Doraine, Duenne, Églantine, Élanore, Ésméralda, Estéline, Gerdine, Gilliane, Gloriane, Dorépoux, Grimalde, Hildaine, Jasminette, Lalienne, Laurine, Lavinie, Liliane, Lindette, Lobélie, Malvine, Marigonde, Mantisse, Mathilde, Maximienne, Maïe, Melbée, Mélilote, Mélissane, Ménégilde, Ménaïde, Mimose, Mirabelle, Mirande, Myrtille, Ninelle, Norine, Pamphile, Pandorine, Pensine, Perlise, Péonine, Pervine, Pimprenelle, Poppeline, Primette, Primose, Régine, Rhodine, Rosine, Rosamonde, Rosette, Rouanne, Rubine, Salvine, Sélina, Semoline, Tantine, Yolande.
Family names: Baguin, Banques, Bolgeron, Bonenfant, Brasségironde, Brandebouc, Buraux, Brunet, Chubaut, Cordier, Cornesouffle, Deuxpied, Dorvaloir, Fèreberne, Fouisseur, Gamgé, Jardinier, Piedblanc, Piedléger, Piedfier, Potier, Sacville, Sablieman, Souscolline, Terrier, Têtedure, Touque, Vertemains, Vieuxbouc.
Diplomatie
Relations
Over the years, the Kingdom managed to build many relations. Their history influenced many of their contact with other nations over the years. A summary of the important pact, and can be found below:
Tana's Empire & Lightfoot Kingdom trade exchange agreements
Tana's Empire and Lightfoot Kingdom have entered into a trade exchange agreements to strengthen their economic ties and mutually benefit from their respective resources and expertise.
- Tana's Empire agree to prohibit the sale of any goods or resources to the Ice-peak Concord. Any breaches of this agreement will result in termination of the trade agreement.
- Tana's empire shall provide the Lightfoot Kingdom with a steady supply of magical raw materials, including rare herbs, crystals, and other materials used in the practice of magic.
- The Lightfoot Kingdom shall provide the Tana's empire with technological innovations and inventions, including machinery, weapons, and other advanced technologies.
- Both parties agree to regularly review and update the terms of this trade agreement to ensure mutual benefit and fair trade practices.
- The trade agreement is set to last for a period of 10 years and will be renewed by mutual agreement.
- If any of the parties wish to terminate the agreement, they shall provide a written notice to the other party with a minimum of 6 months before the effective date of termination.
This agreement is made and entered into on the date below, by the authorized representatives of the Tana's Empire and the Lightfoot Kingdom.
Other agreements
- Lightfoot land & Hobgoblin empire: Trade agreements (Lightfoot land buy raw materials)
- Lightfoot land & Aaqa (plane of air): Trade agreements (Lightfoot land sell the inventions of artificier devices, such as airships)
- Lightfoot land & Ice-peak Concord: Trade agreements (Lightfoot land buy raw material, and sell inventions to the Ice-peak Concord)
- Lightfoot land & Ice-peak Concord: Non-aggression pact (technically still at war)
Lightfoot land and Tana’s empire built strong relations over the years, mainly thanks to trading, and are now economical partners.
As for the Lightfoot land and the Hobgoblin empire, their relation is not as old, and the constant tension with other tribes of Green earth can make their relation sometimes tense.
When it comes to their relation with the Ice-peak Concord, the relation are extremely conflictual since the war begun. With the non aggression pact, trading was possible again, but limited, thankfully for the lightfoot land, their pact with tana’s empire, preventing them to trade with the Ice-peak Concord, make them a privileged partner.
Those agreements and pacts are possible thanks to delegations of representatives who are sent or received in the country to discuss.
When it comes to trading route and flow of wealth, Lightfoot land managed to place themselves as a central force in the eastern economy. The trade routes snaking through the kingdom connecting them with their partners.
But, due to the tension, the borders are heavily secured, and crossing them is not possible with the necessary papers.
Conflicts
The people of the Lightfoot land are united against the threat to their nation, fighting, and dyings as one. Of course, they prefer era of peace, but they know the world is a dangerous place, especially when you tend to not be taller than 1.5 meters.
Most conflicts are on the border of the nation, as the various tension with the Green earth pushes invading minotaurs to try and plunder the bordering village, the Lightfoot land outpost and army often have to face them. As the Yuan-ti send spies and other agents to influence their behavior, the authorities are on the lookout for them.
But, the tension with the Ice-peak Concord is still present, despite the non-aggression. The war is very likely to stay until Queen Tulia dies, her mixed heritage preventing the tension from totally fading. Every person or caravan coming from the north has to go through a detailed inspection, and papers are necessary to be allowed from one side to another.
This ongoing war, named the blood war, is due to the birth and access to power of the current queen. As the Lightfoot land law state, the firstborn of the royal family is destined to become king (or queen).
Queen
Tulia Greyhard mother was the previous queen, but her father is the king of the dwarves, Trone Frozen, and as such, the dwarves wanted her to stay as a high member of the Frozen family. This created a conflict of interest, tension rising when Tulia Greyhard came back to the Lightfoot land.
The target of multiple kidnapping attempts, she stood strong, and accessed the power, and became the queen, this was the spark of the war, and for years to come, the dwarves poured down from the mountains, slaughtering those who dare to face them, as a revenge from the treason of Tulia Greyhard.
The country army gathered north, stopping the invading forces. A new law, making obligatory a period of 2 years serving the army was created and applied. And the population eager to defend their land were not demoralized. The inventions of the gnomes finally been put to use, the war changed when canons were introduced, their use, still limited, was the proof of Lightfoot land military power.
Corruption of the noble. It is quite common for members of the assembly, or members of the great council to be invited to party, and great banquet to discuss the latest law, generous donation been offered to those noble, as a hidden way to pay them for their choice. This kind of behavior is severely punished by the royal family.
Economy
Exchange
The Eastern Trader's Alliance watch over the merchant of the east, influencing the commercial exchange in the whole region, the Eastern Trader's Alliance is not to underestimate. The great council, impacting each of the country's decisions, as a seat for someone in charge of the economy and trading in the country. This person is the head of the Eastern Trader's Alliance.
Recent Event pushed the current leader, Verna BrushToople, to be banned from the country, her title revoked. Therefore, the Eastern Trader's Alliance is currently undergoing internal conflict for succession.
The price of goods, like in tana's empire, is defined thanks to supply and demand. Having a system similar to their main foreign trading partner make exchange much easier.
Lightfoot land was, with Tana's empire, the original creator of the common ecu. It is them that, after years of economical partnership with tana's empire, started the idea of a common monetary system. It is the gnome who made the first ecu.
And as the gnome were those designing those coins, they keep on the exclusive right to cast those coins. Or rather, the Eastern Trader's Alliance has the owner ship of the only legal coins foundry. Of course, counterfeit can be found but inspired by coins of the ancient civilization, such as those previously found in Yuan-ti hand, gnomes are working on imbuing the ecu with divination magic, making their copy much harder due to the identification provided.
The ancient coins of the Lightfoot Land were square or triangular coins, with a hole in the middle, and overall smaller than the empire coins. Mixing copper, silver, gold, and platinum coins.
The ancient coins can still be found, and are still valuable, but they might not be accepted everywhere. Electrum Ecu are not accepted in the Lightfoot Kingdom.
The bank in Lightfoot land isn't as independent as one may think. The headmaster of the Eastern Trader's Alliance ending up as a member of the great council, he ends up having a grasp and certain control on the banks. In addition, the Trader's alliance owns half of the coins foundry, the other half being the bank property.
Said banks are used for the same purpose as everywhere else, storing valuable resources, and use protection just as strong as those found in Tana's empire. In addition to the magic protecting the vault, sets of traps make it a dungeon for the rare that could penetrate the extradimensional vault.
The vault uses an extradimensional vault, and valuable deposited in one bank can be retrieved in any other bank of the country.
Commerce and fiscality
Merchants, shopkeepers, and other traders often have to follow a certain set of laws, in order to work. A shopkeeper in the Lightfoot Land as to be part of the eastern trader's alliance or to pay a monthly fee to the alliance to be allowed to sell his products. Even if the member of the great council expert in economy and trading is the headmaster of the Trader's Alliance, other members of the great council can call out the alliance if it misbehaves, and offer the assurance to trader over the realm that the trader's alliance do not abuse its power.
Alliance support merchant in the Lightfoot land, even those that aren't part of the alliance, of course, the benefit won't be as important if you're not part of the alliance, but at least, thanks to regulation about competition, or created scarcity, it assures equal chance to most merchants.
Benefits such as connection, equipment, etc. are reserved to the Alliance member.
As for the specific, the ability of a merchant to buy a product or sell another one often depends on his shop, as except for a few exceptions, merchants are rather free when it comes to the product they can sell and buy.
But depending on the nature of goods it sells (common gear, magic item, jewelry, etc.) the taxes won't be the same. Overall, a merchant in the Lightfoot land as to give 5% of its benefits to the trader's alliance each year.
Thankfully for the merchant in the lightfoot land, foreign traders and products go through a much harder taxation process, making local commerce able to compete.
Wealth
On one hand, a regular halfling, gnome, or verdan in the lightfoot land earn around 1 gold ecu per day, the exact amount varies depending on the area and job of course.
On the other hand, a small percentage of the population (around 1.5%) is noble, and has a grasp on political power. But, thankfully, a bigger percentage, (around 5%) of the population is considered rich.
Thanks to their inventions, trade, and other methods, some Common folk managed to become important business man, scientists, and other prestigious titles. Those Bourges manifest in high society, mixing the arrogance of the nobles, and the lack of manners of a peasant.
loan to inventors. If requested, inventors can get a loan from the bank, with little to zero interest. This is thanks to the kingdom's support for an engineer, scholar, and other inventors alike to develop their craft.
Even if, asking most peasants, they'll go for hours and hours about the inequality of this world. None of them would refuse some coins, nor would they refuse to access the shining world reserved to those with enough money to buy good wine and fine dress.
Lightfoot Land use the genius of its people to create wander and miracle. To do so, they require components, buying them from tana's empire or the Ice-peak Concord, but they production are famous across Toriel.
History
Halflings tribe fiercely resisted the dragon armies in the lightfoot land, fighting off against the third dragon army who occupied the lands. After the war, the resistance gathered in a large clan, forming town and cities, soon joined by the gnomes and verdan, they took on a form of independence by declaring themself a kingdom and grow into the civilized people we know now.
As ancient tribes, they didn't conquer most of the wilderness, and the vast lands were filled with monsters and unspeakable horror. Thankfully, their reunion made them stronger, the gnome ingenuity, the halfling courage, and the goblin (verdan were not yet fully transformed) combined allowed them to push the border of civilization, the villages, and town closer to this untold border with the wild always on the lookout.
The unification of those races was made official only once the majority of the land was safe, in 434 AD.
This declaration gave rise to many conflicts between the peoples of the new kingdom, and those of the free Green Earths. The countless raid, and plundering of the towns bordering Green earth been a mark of those conflicts.
The combined power of the halflings, gnomes, and the new verdans, made for a sufficient power to resist the onslaught of the conquering minotaurs and orcs. Years of fighting the dangerous monsters of the vast lands of their territory made for quite a powerful army, and a force to be reckoned with.
This military prowess of the Lightfoot land came in handy more recently, with the conflicts against the
Ice-peak Concord. Most likely the most impacting war of recent history for the people of the lightfoot land.
Despite this rather recent conflict, the Lightfoot Land Evolved a lot over the years, with great trade routes snaking through the landscape, their economy is stable, and the constant progress in science and other magical discovery make sure they always have things to sell.
The people of this kingdom unifying willingly, the regent never had to face revolution or civil war. The population is well aware of the importance of being strong, holding together against the threats, and this mindset was still strong even with the cruelest of leaders. A leader, as bad as it may be, is better than no leader at all.
The Royal family, the Greyhard, are halfling, or at least for the most part. Various marriages and other mingling over the generations mixed the royal bloodline and may have created tensions, as demonstrated by the conflict with the Ice-peak Concord.
Said Royal family rule with an iron fist, its authority uncontested. The taxes are high, and politics is centered on the expansion of their technology. Said technology providing goods to trade for an economical aspect, but also an advantage for their army.
Pirate's crystal conflict
In 1136 AD the
Great Sea Civilization started to send emissaries to the land above the water, prompting Tana's Empire, the Hobgoblin empire, and the Lightfoot Kingdom to send their ships looking for the pirates.
All accepted, threatened by the end of their maritime commercial roads if they refused.
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