Brontha (brawn-thuh)
The Song-Bright City, Sun-Crowned Parapets of Shining Stone, day-kissed streets, fire-hardened walls of red clay, blessed be its name! The sword that flashes in the light of noon shall never falter, the springs and rivers that enrich her flow beautiful and pure, hope's flame burns at her heart!
A mighty Priest Kingdom dedicated to the worship of Zeilar the Sun Rider, Brontha stands in defiance against the Imperial Province of Eythgos.
Structure
Leaders of Brontha
| Role | Leader |
|---|---|
| Ruler | Priest King Pothinus |
| Consort | Hemaka |
| Councilor | Duanre |
| General | Meresan Tohsaka |
| Grand Diplomat | Spitamanah |
| Heir | (VACANT) |
| High Priest | Walagash |
| Magister | Jaleh Rashbar |
| Marshal | Inaros Ardashir |
| Royal Enforcer | Yorkul |
| Spymaster | Sear |
| Treasurer | Tycarus |
| Viceroy | N/A |
| Warden | Sisuthras Farnaka |
- Priest King
- Elder
- Fire Keeper
- Acolyte
Culture
All Bronthan culture revolves around Zeilar and cultural unity in opposition to Infernal forces.
Each day is a reminder that death is a part of life and vice versa. The armies of the Iron Empire march just outside the walls. The sun's light cascades from across the eastern horizon only to vanish beneath the west. Each Bronthan subject is raised from birth to understand that death is inevitable and not unwelcome, that each stage of life is important, and that sacrifice is what turns the eternal wheel.
As such, Bronthans are raised to be grateful, diligent, dutiful and compassionate. They are to help each other when in need, give what they have to those without, endure hardships to preserve their neighbors and ultimately, some day, die. Until then, they're encouraged to celebrate every day under the light of the sun.
Bronthans have a strong cultural tendency towards honesty, or at least of mistrust towards those keeping secrets. The Light of Truth shines into the darkest corners, so keep those corners clean of evil thoughts and deeds.
Life in Brontha follows the pattern of the sun, with prayers, chores, markets, meals and social gatherings dictated by the cycle of dawn, day, dusk and darkness. There is a rhythm to this life, a pattern in which they are taught to find comfort.
While not every Bronthan is called to take up arms against the Demonic Imperiums, it is every Bronthan's holy duty to resist the Infernals and their servants, through prayer, work and sacrifice.
- Law
- Purity
- Truth
- Bravery
- Sacrifice
Public Agenda
Destruction of the Infernals and those who serve them, preservation of the good people of Brontha, spreading the light of Zeilar to those languishing under Infernal rule.
Assets
Built upon a rich river delta in an otherwise barren area, Brontha is well situated. Supplied by springs and rich mineral deposits, they have a heavily trained and fanatical army, a dedicated populace, well organized agricultural systems with canals and irrigation, and massive red-clay brick walls in all directions.
The greatest asset of Brontha is the faith of its people, empowering the clergy to wield the literal power of the sun.
History
The site that would one day come to house Brontha has been inhabited ever since mortals arrived in the Four Kingdoms. It rests on a cluster of natural springs that sustain a wet lowland environment conducive to farming.
When Uzhul destroyed Erecura's mortal avatar, the Infernals swiftly spread across the Mortal World. While Uzhul was busy conquering the western continent, Tillibec's power spread rapidly, driving mortals into a frenzy of bloodlust and destruction. Such a horde approached the bright city of the springs, and the people took shelter behind their red-clay brick walls.
Then Flamefather Kalor returned from the desert, wearing a cloak adorned with feathers in every color of fire and a censer burning with fragrant incense. By the light of the noonday sun he walked through the Raveners unharmed, for the glare of the day shielded him from their eyes. He came to the walls and rallied the people, calling upon them to pray to Zeilar for deliverance. For though the earth lay broken beneath us, the light of the Sun is behind us. The people gathered and burned offerings and prayed for four days and four nights, and on the fourth day the clouds in the east resembled a great bird of prey, illuminated a shining red, and as the day passed it grew closer, and at noon the Phoenix descended upon the raveners, scattering them with radiance and terrible burning fire. The deserts beyond the walls of the city melted and became a wasteland of jagged glass.
So did Brontha turn to the Light of Zeilar and the wisdom of Kalor, the first Priest King, and together they raised up the people of the springs beneath the sun into a city of bright parapets and shining ziggurats.
Demography and Population
A large concentration of Brontha's population is in the capitol city, Brontha itself (about 40% of the populace), with the remaining 60% in outskirt settlements and nearby agriculturally developed lands.
Classes
Parentages
| Category | Parentages |
|---|---|
| Dominant | Human |
| Minority | Azer, Dwarven, Owlin |
| Enclave | Draconic, Elemental, Halfling |
| Groups | Elven, Goblinoid, Leonin, Tabaxi |
| Individuals | Celestial, Centaur, Equinal, Thri-Kreen |
| Singular | Firenewt, Sphinx |
Upbringings
| Category | Upbringings |
|---|---|
| Dominant | Athletic, Hardy, Healer, Laborer, Skilled Labor |
| Minority | Aerial, Common Defense, Efreeti, Hostelier, Specialist |
| Enclave | Battle Savant, Combative, Defender, Guardian, Stalwart |
| Groups | Banker, Caravaneer, Competitive, Ferocious, Scribe, Stoneworker |
| Individuals | Artificer, Commanding, Consular, Ignan Warrior, Mage, Pyromaniac, Singer, Spy, Story Collector, Volcanic |
| Singular | Celestial Warrior, Protector, Scourge, Sprinter |
Backgrounds
| Category | Backgrounds |
|---|---|
| Dominant | Devoted Parent, Farmer, Homebringer, Soldier |
| Minority | Acolyte, Guild Artisan, Guild Merchant, Pilgrim, Sentry, Servant |
| Enclaves | City Watch, Evangelist, Field Medic, Innkeeper, Knight, Knight of the Order, Noble |
| Groups | Diplomat, Entertainer, Independant Business Owner, Landowner, Sage, Spy |
| Individuals | Cloistered Scholar, Desert Runner, Poet, Spymaster |
| Singular | Destined |
| Class | Subclasses |
|---|---|
| Alchemist (A Touch of Class) | Science of Regeneration |
| Artificer | Alchemist |
| Barbarian | Path of Ashes, Path of the Holy Spirit, Path of the Protector, Path of the Zealot |
| Bard | College of Creation, College of Leadership |
| Cleric | Ash Domain, Dawn Domain, Exorcism Domain, Fire Domain, Grave Domain, Life Domain, Light Domain, Martyr Domain, Sun Domain |
| Druid | Circle of Ash, Circle of Wildfire |
| Fighter | Battle Master, Champion, Combat Medic, Phoenix Knight, Radiant Pikeman |
| Monk | Way of the Sun Soul |
| Paladin | Oath of Devotion, Oath of Enlightenment, Oath of Light, Oath of Radiance, Oath of Sacrifice, Oath of the Dawn, Oath of the Eternal Sun, Oath of the Firebrand |
| Ranger | Dawn Walker, Firewalker |
| Rogue | Dawn Blade, Divine Sniper |
| Scholar | Culinarian, Diplomat, Physician, Tactician, Theologian |
| Sorcerer | Divine Soul, Elemental Bloodline |
| Warden | Godsworn |
| Warlock | Elemental Lord Patron, Great Phoenix Patron, Elemental Patron |
| Wizard | Holy Arcane Tradition, School of Heavens, School of the Elementalist, War Magic |
Territories
Brontha itself is situated on a hill alongside a fertile river. Their territory extends along the river for miles in each direction, extending south and east until it gives way to harsh desert for hundreds of miles. To the south, they run up against the lands of the Duneriders. In the east, their territory eventually reaches the Bothotlo Dragon Tribe. In the North, lands dedicated to the Priest Kings of Leveran meet them as the earth nears the sea, and the lands to the West are often filled with wandering bands of Raveners before finally giving way to the Mountain of Ferrouk.
Military
Every subject of Brontha is required to undergo military training, even before reaching adulthood. In addition to the general army that can be called up, with subjects rotating through their service until they reach middle age, the Phoenix Knights are the elite holy warriors of Brontha. They are a significant political force and one of the only formal bodies that operates outside of the priesthood, though in tandem/alliance with it, and they remain loyal to the Priest King.
Religion
The Zeilarian Faith is not only the state religion, it is the state. No new temples or shrines may be built to other gods within Brontha itself, though the city does house small shrines to other Titans and Sovereigns out of respect for Zeilar's siblings and the aspects of creation under their authority.
Every subject of Brontha is expected to participate in the Zeilarian Faith. Prayers to other titans/sovereigns are permitted, of course, but are expected to take second priority behind Zeilar. Foreigners are allowed to practice their faiths if those faiths are part of the elemental pantheon; faiths outside this pantheon are treated with suspicion and subject to scrutiny. Who knows what guise the Infernals may be using to trick mortals into worshipping them...
Foreign Relations
In the past Brontha enjoyed steady relations with the other priest kingdoms to the west--all of them being dedicated to one Titan or another, they are rarely more than rivals and competitors, never true hated enemies.
Relations with the Dragon Tribes, especially Bothotlo, as well as the Dune Riders have become strained of late. Ever since Garnet Tohsaka went missing in the wake of an attack by Iron Butchers, Brontha grows wary of Infernal influence. The Phoenix Knights patrol more aggressively, searching for signs of corruption and those in league with Infernal powers. Brontha's neighbors do not take kindly to this interference, and both sides are amassing weapons and magic (fueled by the Andarud Alfar refuge) in preparation for an inevitable conflict.
Agriculture & Industry
Fertile riverbeds surround Brontha. Coupled with a brilliant system of irrigation and canals, a relatively small arable territory is able to support the populace. Cattle, goats, sheep and other animals are also raised along the riverbed, though in lesser prominence than grains and beans.
In addition, Brontha has access to its own mines in the rocky hills nearby that supply it with iron, gold, and precious stones for weaponry, tools, and ceremonial purposes. They grow reeds to make paper and scrolls, sheep for parchment, and practice pottery and goldsmithing.
Trade & Transport
Of vital importance is trade with the priest kingdoms in the west, which send metals down from the mountain to supplement Brontha's own resources. In return, Brontha provides them with grains and crops. The river is the chief instrument of this trade, for the power of Li-Ban flows through it and keeps the Infernals at bay.
There is some trade with the Bothotlo dragon tribe to the east, though due to recent conflict this trade has died down.
The Andarud Alfar refuge to the distant north provides Brontha with war magic and enchanted weapons in exchange for gold, crops, and divine blessings.
Education
Most education takes place via the priesthood, who instill the populace with the religious doctrines and key stories of Zeilar and the Four Kingdoms from a very young age. Bronthans enjoy a relatively high literacy rate in the capitol and undergo mandatory school as soon as they show signs of comprehensive language development. They learn to read and write, learn history and religion, and begin learning a trade as well as basic war arts.
Advanced education is almost exclusively through entry to the priesthood. The vast majority of scribes and scholars are Acolytes of Zeilar in some regard or another.
Infrastructure
Brontha is built up in a series of terraces made predominantly from limestone and red-clay bricks. Four massive ziggurats mark the four cardinal points of the city, each featuring a major temple. High walls of the same red-clay bricks surround Brontha itself. Many bridges cross over the river. The river is purified by the clergy to ensure it remains safe and healthy, and adequate water is readily available to the populace.
Founding Date
6412
Type
Geopolitical, Theocracy
Alternative Names
City of the Sun
Demonym
Bronthan
Leader
Leader Title
Founders
Head of State
Government System
Theocracy
Economic System
Mixed economy
Major Exports
Grain, crafted gold, pottery, spices, clay, gemstones
Major Imports
Wood, metal, incense, livestock & horses, war magic
Legislative Body
The Priest King (and the Elder Council)
Judicial Body
The Priest King (and the Elder Council)
Executive Body
The Priest King (and the Elder Council)
Official State Religion
Related Traditions
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Comments