Kingdom of Brire
"(...)From there we travelled north to the kingdom of Brire, land of fine horses and brave men who are skill in the arts of war and horse ridding, many say they are the finest cavalrymen in the world and they are very proud of it. The realm is home to many great cities and sanctuaries renown across the land .All of their cities have tall stone walls and citadels, and their streets are well layered, the same as our own and those of the Blatians that I described before. Most of its inhabitants are half elves, result of the mixing of Oronai settlers and the elven natives. This is not strange in our own Homeland as we're acostumed to that mixture to happen but the scale in which it happened in the southern regions of the Oronai world is quite unique. They're all very welcoming and fair, curious about nature, very pious towards the gods and some of them highly skillful in the ways of Magic (...)."Barzanes of Aranda, Seris traveler, on his book Chronicles of the embassies to the Western lands ca.745 AP.
"From difficult times, difficult measures are needed, The Kings of Steplia, occupied warring against their own relatives in Oronia and Sylvania for every inch of Magas's Empire left the South unprotected, and.... as the barbarian threat increased it sought to defend itself. And thus, the Oronians across the Mountains chose Boros's youngest son Zoisos as its first independent king. From then on, the decendants of the great King Boros in these lands have bore the title King of Humans and Elves (today contested with their relatives of the Kingdom of Stormitia, a branch of the Oronai royal house too).
Its proud population has preserved both oronai and elven traditions and will defend their homeland till the last man. The country is rich in timber, gold and agriculture, and its in the middle of the great trade route that goes from south to north between the territories of the old Empire of Magas the Great, from Boria on the Delta, capital of Stormitia to Phagias the capital city of Oronia where things like amber, precious stones, Parana valley horses, Seris silks, Elven ivories, Blatian sculptures and weapons or Wesdalian steel travels across this famous route. Thus making the rulers of Brire very wealthy. And all this wealth is destined to two basic things, the wellfare, splendour and prosperity of the Brirean people and to found the Brirean army, the instrument of the Brirean kings of asorting their rule over their lands and to defend and even expand their kingdom.
To the West lies the treacherous Wesdalandians a mixture of highlanders, sephenian refugees and barbarians ruled by a Seris aristocracy descended from adventurers that through marriage claim the right to rules these lands. To The north, we've established a non agression pact with our Oronian relatives of Steplia, who once tried to reconquer these lands, and to the south lies the other Elvish Oronai Kingdom, the kingdom of Stormitia, despite our common ancestry we used to fight among us to see who was the rightful King of Humans and Elves, specially since the death of the last King who unified the elvish oronai lands, Menander I. For now relations with them are peaceful, but who knows, ambicious kings could make war return to these lands, Would you, oh Mighty King, ensure the survival and prosperity of your peculiar people?, if thats your objective, may the gods favour and protect you!".
Structure
As every Oronai state, the head of the goverment is the King, who, in theory holds supreme power and is the commander in chief of the army. Although he reigns supreme and has the final word in matters of state, he is assisted by two Councils, the Synedrion or Council of friends and the Council of the Meridarchs.
Culture
We can fairly say that the culture of the kingdom of Brire is a hybrid culture melting both oronai and elven culture. Despite the regions of the north being more closely linked to the oronai culture of the neighbouring kingdom of Steplia, elven traditions and psyche have also permeate into these regions.
The brireans see themselves nowadays as not oronai or elves, but as part of a distinctive elvish-oronai culture and ethicity ( see more in
Elvish-Oronai peoples), in which elves and humans are members of the same group binded by their common culture and the knowledge of both the oronai and elven languages and praying the same gods.
The elvish-oronai people believe in a sincretic religion comprised of syncretic gods derived of the religions of the two main groups that populate the kingdom. They also pay a higher respect to nature than their full blooded oronai relatives, and they saw themselves as more sophysticated that their "cousins" to the north (although the oronai humans might have dispute that). Because of this respect and piety towards the gods of nature the Brireans and the elvish-oronai peoples in general have the feeling that they are more blessed by the gods than the rest, thus assuring the prosperity of the realms and the internal peace.
Public Agenda
In the past, various Kings of Brire tried unsuccesfully to reunite the Kingdoms of Steplia and Brire under one single ruler and thus waged war against their cousins to the north. Today, due to the efforts of King Zoisos III, relations with Steplia are considered somewhat friendly, and trade is allowed between both states. Relations with the other Elvish-Oronai Kingdom seems to have improve to, although the kings of Brire still have aspirations to unite the entire elvish-oronai territory as in the past did the great Brirean king Menander I.
History
After the death of Boros the Conqueror his eldest son Amyntas ascended to the throne of Steplia and his brother Zoisos was name Vicerroy of the Southern territories. Soon due to the barbarian invasion and the wars against both Silvania and Oronia, taxes were increased more and more across the kingdom, specially in the ancient Elven lands and troops were diverted to the north to deal with the incomming threat, left the South exposed, seeing this as an act of tyranny and a treason by the king.As Vicerroy, Zoisos had opposed such measures and continued defying his brother until the situation became hopeless, the king of Steplia continue to look to the north instead of the South, and once the first barbarian raids penetrated into the Souther provinces, the South decided to break away from Steplia. In 610 AP most of the aristocrats of the region rebelled and convinced the much beloved Vicerroy to declare himself King, and that was what he did, became the fist King of Human and Elves. The Kingdom of Brire had been born. Zoisos I campaigned succesfully agains his brother defeating him at the battle of the Thermion river in which a massive cavalry by the Brireans took the Steplian army by surprise while they were at their camp. Both Kings signed the treaty of Phais (615 AP) in which Amyntas I of Steplia recognized the independence of the Kingdom of Brire. After the death of Zoisos I, his kingdom was divided between his sons Zoisos (Zoisos II of Brire) and Pantaleon I.
It was his son, Menander I who reunified both kingdoms, and starting a brief golden age for the elvish-oronai pleople. But when he died his son couldn't avoid the division of the kingdom again into two separated entities, the kingdom of Brire and the Kingdom of Stormitia. After this event brirean and stormitian kings have waging war for supremacy over the half elf territories. But suddenly in the 8th century and the rise of the kingdom of Wesdaland both elvish oronai kingdoms united to fight the expansionist ambitions of Wesdalandian kings such as Barzanes I or Thorin "the Fat". The latter was defeated and killed by a combined elvish-oronai army lead by the kings of Brire and Stormitia.
The kingdom again enjoyed a second golden age with the rule of king Zoisos III who signed an alliance with the kingdom of Steplia by marrying princess Tylis, grandaughter of Boros the Conqueror, the most beloved of the queens of Brire. It was during this time that the cities of the kingdom increased its population and became very wealthy, Learning of Science and Magic also experienced a golden age due to the patronage of both the king and queen. This golden age continued with their son, Demetrios I "the Invincible". It was during his rule that the first Seris embassy arrived to Brire. The Seris Western Fleet had arrived to the capital of Stormitia, Boria on the Delta, and after this visit they travelled by land to the north where they reached Bazira and were recieved splendously by the Brirean King.
Demography and Population
Around 40% to 50% of the population of the Kingdom are half elves while the rest are mostly Oronai humans (15%) and Elves (35%). Most of the half elves and the humans live in towns and cities across the realm. Those who live in the towns and villages tend to live from agriculture, cattle and horse breeding . While those who live in the cities tend to be artisans, merchants, smiths, lawyers etc... .
It is true that many elves decide to live in the cities alongside humans, most of them working as craftsmen, medics, teachers, adventurers and at shops related to magic (specially doing potions for curing deseases, creating magical items...) but most of them tend to live in villages in the woods, specially on top of big trees. There they live acording to their own customs and laws as the kings of Brire have stated that those elves living in the woods shall rule themselves and live acording to their customs and traditions, but for those of them who live in the cities, they should obbey the so called Law of the King ( The Oronai law).
Military
Contrary to their elvish-oronai brothers to the South, the Kingdom of Brire 's Royal Army still fields quite decent numbers of pike phalanxes formed by both Oronai descent subjects, half-elves and elves who formed the backbone of the army, There are also hoplites and more mobile swordsmen and spearmen for protecting the flanks of the pike phalanxes. But the cavalry is certainly the most famous branch of the Brirean army with their horsemen mounting the famous, gracile and fast Parana valley horses, they are considered by many the best cavalry in the world. Also due to his proximity to the Kingdom of Steplia, the King of Brire can summon the heaviest cavalry in the Oronai world, the cataphracts, a special type of cavalry in which men and horse are full covered in armor.
True to the military traditions of the elves, the Brirean army has also good projectile units. Its archers are very skilled with the bow and are famous for their range of fire and their outstanding precision. Also another unit inherited from the elven military traditions are the axemen and the so called "shock" infantry. The first ones are an elite unit used for surprise attacks from the flanks and destroy both heavy and light units with their big axes, while the second are expertsin lightining or speedy attack. Its main role in the past was to attack enemy elephants or magical beast, today under the Elvish-Oronai Kings their role also include night attacks on enemy positions and accompany the cavalry and helping them once they got into melee with other cavalry. Because of that they are lightly armed. They wear oronai helmets and wear either leather armor or no armor at all, they also carry and spear, a sword as a secondary weapon and either an elven kite shield or a hoplite shield.
Technological Level
Brire has achieved a high tecnological and scientifical advance due to the interest of their rulers in magic and science and to attract scientist, sages and wizards of every corner of the known world. For example it is said that Brirean scientist have developed an early version of a machine move by steam, based on ealry experiments done by scientist in Evergetia and centuries ago in the Ikarian Empire.
In comparison with their neighbours to the east, the Brireans have higher technological levels than them and quite similar to their Oronai cousins of Steplia to the North.
Religion
Brire and its southern neighbour, Stormitia, are quite unique also in their religion regarding the rest of the so called Oronai World. Most people believe in a syncretic religion between the oronai and elven gods, but since King Menander I conversion to the Seris sect of the Followers of Yemmu, the famous sect that proclaims that every human has the power of magic within, the numbers of adherents to this faith has grown drastically, specially in the cities, although some "preaching" has also been done in the rural areas. Opposite to what happened in the kingdom of Stormitia, the Brirean Kings haven't declared the believes of the Followers of Yemmu as the official religion of the Kingdom. In this case they have adopted a more tolerant approach, as, although Yemmu is considered by many as a Messenger of the Gods, a Saint, its not a God (in some cases it has been stated that Yemmu is a demi-god) , so both the Brirean Kings and their people can still worship their gods.
Aside for the main religion of the elvish-oronai and this seris sect, there is also another faith present in the country, although their numbers are smaller than the previous two. The faith we're talking about is the so called Church of the Prophet, a movement inside the Blatian religion that has spread also to Oronai territories, and that at a certain point became the faith of the Ikarian Empire and their successor states. Because the Blatians and the Oronai being so closely related share the same pantheon, it was not difficult to this Church to spread its message across Oronai lands. The members of the Church of the Prophet believe that Blaticuski (meaning the Wise men of Blati), also known as "The prophet" who was born centuries ago was non other than a personification of the King of the Gods and God of Wisdom, Abbon Shabai, who came to the world to reform the Blatian faith and guide the people to the "correct path" of good morals and piety.
Foreign Relations
Brire had long fight against its neighbours, specially with their fellow half-elves of Stormitia and to the east to the kingdom of Wesdaland. Through marriages and political alliances over time, the Wesdalandian Kings have claimed the throne of Brire. For some time, in previous centuries the Brireans have managed to unify the elvish-oronai lands but after the death of King Menander I the two kingdoms split again. Nowadays relation between both half elf kingdoms is more peaceful but there is still mistrust between the two kings.
To the north the kingdom of Steplia tried to reconquered the recently independent lands specially during the first decades of the history of the kingdom. Today the relations are more friendly specially since both kingdoms share a common enemy (the wesdalians) and also the barbarian-nomadic threat to the north.
There also have been some contact between the Blatian and Seris Empires with the kingdom of Brire. Mostly non agrresion pacts and trade agreements. And finally the kingdom have very good relations with the Kingdom of the Green Elves, although Brire has a very small land border with that state, there is a lot of trade going on across the Thyssalis Sea between both states.
Agriculture & Industry
The vast majority of the wealth and the main role of the citizens of the kingdom is agriculture. Each farmer must give 10% of the harvest to the Estate each year plus a little tax paid this time with money that is called the Anaxeia or King's Tax of 2 Myrelion (the silver coin issued by the kingdom). The only farmers that dont pay taxes are those who serve in the royal armies.
Also those farmers that are specialized in horse breeding can became quite prosperous as the demanding of horses of Brire is quite huge.
Mining can be also a prosperous but dangerous entreprise, most of the mines are controled by the State, but those who decide to work on them can earn a good ammount of money although putting their lives at risk working on the mines, so most of the work there is made by slaves.
Trade & Transport
Most of the trade inside the kingdom is conducted by caravans. Thousands of merchants cross the prosperous kingdom trading good they've adquired in the southern ports belonging to the kingdom of Stormitia and following the main roads of the kingdom they go to the main cities selling their goods. it is across these very same roads that a great network of inns have been created, to help the travellers and merchants rest at night.
Rivers can also be good highways for transporting goods across the country. The Brireans kings have created little channels that connect different rivers and provide much safer and quicker transport for both goods and people.
Education
Basic education (reading and writting) could be found in the main cities of the kingdom. Higher education is found in the capitals of every Merides, and finally the highest education is found at the royal capital of Bazira. There only the most talented and rich can study.
One particular aspect of education in the kingdom of Brire is that its bilingual, kids that have access to more advance education learn both Oronai and Elvish (in basic education only Oronai is tought) . The main method of learning how to read is memorizing famous works of literature such as the epic tale of the
The Siege of Dorstulon, the city of the Ten Walls and famous elvish epic tales and poems.
Elvish is not only important because is the international language for trading and diplomatic relations but also its the language of culture, and most books about magic (that you can find for example in the School of Magic at
Banias are written in elvish and no translations to Oronai exist.
Tradition, Courage and Honor
Founding Date
610 AP
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Alternative Names
Kingdom of the Half-Elves, Kingdom of the Paranas
Predecessor Organization
Formation Type
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Trained
Demonym
Brireans
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
the official coin of the Kingdom of Brire as well as of every Oronai state is the silver coin called Myrelion
Major Exports
Be aware of the Paranas, whose fine horses are swifter and faster than the wind.Nord proverb
The most renown export of the kingdom of Brire are its horses, which are bred in the Parana Valley where they are native to. They are tall and resistant horses, very fast, ideal for cavalry charges and persuing the enemy. The Oronai first face these horses on Magas's conquest of the Sephenian Empire where most of the sephenian cavalry used this imported horses. When the Kingdom of Stormitia took control over the Parana valley and settled their soldiers, the power of the horses and of the oronai equestrian tradition created a fantastic cavalry. Today Parana horses are demanded everywhere, from chieftains of the lands of the Nords, Wesdelandian feudal lords, Blatian Senators and cavalrymen of the imperial army and also they are highly appreciated in the Seris Empire.
Major Imports
Wines from Oronia and Blati to make the soul happier, if you are a civilized man you certainly will need them, also pottery from Evergetia; how beautiful are those paintings in this vase , aren't they?, use it to drink the wine or for an art gallery, do whatever you please with it. Look also at this Seris silk... don't touch it if you can afford it!, if so, you'll surely feel like you're an empress.Fragment from the commedy The Merchant of Bazira, by the Brirean comedian Prousias.
The great number of Oronai colonists and their descendants used to the oronai way of live need products that cannot be produce in Brire. First of all, Brire is much humid than Oronia or Steplia, and so Wine is not produced in these regions and thus, the colonist have to search for their beloved wine in other regions. Thanks of the great trade route that crossed the Oronai world from north to south, these people has access via trade to wine produced in Oronia, one of the finest in the world. And if you can afford it, Blatian wine wouldn't dissapoint you either. Most of the brireans like to drink and eat on pottery that depicts their gods, their epic tales or myths, and the most famous pottery of these kind comes from Evergetia, capital of the neighbouring kingdom of Steplia. Hundreds of thousands of pottery items are produced each week in the city and most of it is exported to the Elvish-Oronai Kingdoms.
Legislative Body
The Kingdom of Brire retained much of the goverment structure of the Kingdom of Steplia and thus for the Kingdom of Oronia too. The legislative body is called the Synedrion or Council of Friends. It is formed among some of the most eminent members of the Oronai and Elven nobility of the Kingdom. It can enact laws and discuss matters of state. The Synedrion can also designate kings and regents.and can work as the Supreme court judging cases which dont involve capital punishment. The Synedrion is ruled by two principles, freedom of speech and equality of word (meaning that no matter the rank of the person, everyone was equal at the Council, and all arguments were valid).
The Kingdom had also another institution, called the Council of Meridarchs (as the name for province in the Kingdom of Brire was not Nomos, but Merides, thus the province governors were called Meridarchs). As it names suggests it is an Council formed by all the provincial governors. It must meet minimum six times a year and in those sessions the governors have to give their reports about the situation of their provinces to the King. Inform him how much food and taxes have been collected in the villages and cities, the status and number of the troops of the royal army in each merides. And regarding to taxation, this institution has the power to suggest a modification of the annual taxation to the King, that would take the final decision after consulting the Synedrion.
Judicial Body
As it has been said before, the Synedrion acts as a Supreme Court of the Kingdom, judging the most important cases that not imply death penalty.
There are provincial courts, usually in the capital of each Merides, presided by the provincial governor hymself. They have the power to impose capital punishment for the most severe crimes. Below these courts, a citizen's court exist in every autonomous city, that is presided by the King's representative in the city and the members of the local Assembly.
Official Languages
Related Traditions
Neighboring Nations
Related Items
Notable Members
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
Although the text walls made reading it harder, the contents of the article were pretty good. So good job!