Dunsland
The Lioness Throne and the Church of Thirasmus
Dunsland is one of several kingdoms that form a longitudinal band across Sondrana. It is a place of strong traditions, close ties to the Church of Thirasmus and a proud military. The country has positive diplomatic relations with all its neighbours barring the empire of Vhark with which it has a tense peace. Dunsland's primary exports are silver, seafaring vessels, horses, cheese, cider and ale but the country produces a wide range of other goods. Organised guilds have a strong presence in Dunsland and the proximity to Thir Met produces many strong warriors.
Counties and Regions
The country of Dunsland is divided into five regions that formed from historic areas of governance. Three are duchies, one is controlled directly by the crown and the fifth is ungoverned.
The Western Reach
Western Reach
An expanse of flat scrublands and farms nestled between the line of hills that forms the natural border to Pennersfel to the west and the God's Hope Woods to the east. It is governed from Teris in the north and has two other notably large towns: Bastion at the southern border to Vhark and Kingsrest about a days travel - at a quick pace - to the north from there. There are many villages and hamlets surrounded by crop and livestock fields that feed the whole region and trade beyond.
God's Hope Woods
God's Hope Woods
A large, ancient woodland that is almost entirely left ungoverned. A paved thoroughfare, The King's Road, crosses the narrowest point to connect the Western Reach with the rest of Dunsland. The forest itself is deep, thick and untamed. Druids, goblinoid bands, fey creatures and wild beasts roam the deepest parts of the woods while rumours of drakes abound near the mountains to the south. While not well documented, it is certain that there are thresholds to the Feywild found within.
Silvershire
Silvershire
Named after the mines that gave Dunsland wealth in the kingdom's infancy, Silvershire is a region of rolling hills and sparse trees. It stretches down to the village of Upper Ulmer and is bordered by the Blessed Lake. The land is not as arable as that in the Western Reach so there are larger areas set aside for grazing livestock. Silvershire is a duchy, governed from the mining town Argentis by Jerref Farhawk. It has the closest ties to the neighbouring city state of Thir Met.
Crown & Anvil
Crown & Anvil
The seat of power in Dunsland is based in this small, southern region. The reigning king, Justinian, resides in the crown palace in the city of Dun. The dwarven settlement of Brightanvil is included in the region, nestled in the mountains forming the top of the Demarcation. While the city is within the borders of Dunsland, the dwarves were granted ownership of all lands beneath the peaks and are therefore self governed.
The Herring Coast
Herring Coast
The third and final duchy, the Herring Coast, is the easternmost strip of land in the country. The two largest settlements, Dunsport and Geremouth are both major ports for trading and fishing. The duchess has a residence in both, spending half of the year in each location.
Structure
Dunsland is ruled by a monarch, currently (and usually) a king. Succession follows the male line - the eldest male heir inherits the crown; if a monarch has no male children, the eldest daughter may inherit. Otherwise, the title would pass to a sibling, cousin or uncle. This is a point of contention and concern in present days: King Justinian Regnar has two daughters, the princesses Esme and Cassie, and it has been nearly a decade since the queen, Ptanna Regnar, has been with child.
The three duchies of Dunsland are titled lands that are passed down through their own lineages. However, unlike the crown, if succession can not be found within two generations, the title passes back to the ruling monarch and may be granted to a new family. Lower titles, including count and baron exist within Dunsland but there are not many such lords. Towns and villages are usually governed by a mayor and the process for selection varies widely from region to region.
The dwarven settlement of Brightanvil is considered an independant entity within Dunsland and has the complete right of self-governance. However, they are closely allied to the crown and both organisations rotate divisions of their respective militaries between each other.
Culture
Both the Crown and the general population of Dunsland are tightly bound to the Church of Thirasmus. This lends stability and peace to the country and is almost exclusively viewed as a positive. For the peasants and labourers of Dunsland, the worship of Thirasmus is a relatively passive prospect - they may visit a shrine or temple once a week and offer small prayers at mealtimes but are unlikely to be more zealous than that.
Outside of the Church, the common people of Dunsland are a hardworking, humble folk who enjoy communal activities - particularly eating and drinking - and good music. The volume of guilds, traders and adventurers throughout the country means that most inhabitants have seen outsiders but there is still a degree of curiosity in less cosmopolitan areas.
History
Dunsland was founded in the year 348AA after the consolidation of the family lines of a couple of petty kingdoms. The resulting peace and negotiations vassalised willing neighbouring tribes as protection from each other. In the year 362AA, the alliance with Brightanvil was brokered, finalising the line of the southern border and giving Dunsland the remaining military strength it needed to remain independant.
Dunsland has briefly sparred with its northern neighbour, Svirath, in the years 513 through 515AA but a stalemate was reached and the death of the king of Svirath - the aggressors - ended their willingness to fight. Both countries were at risk of emptying their treasuries funding their militaries, especially when mercenaries from Thir Met were being bid for. In modern times, the two countries have a lasting peace and strong trade connections.
- Gold Pieces (crowns) - minted
- Silver Pieces (shields) - minted
- Copper Pieces (chits) - used
- Trade Bonds - used
- Electrum Coins - used in Brightanvil
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