Kingdom of Caldaven
Structure
Caldaven
Caldaven is a Monarchy ruled by the half-eadun king Conn Benn Calad. Sharing almost the complete east border with the Norn empire of Cun Moragh Norn, the realm of Caldaven has, in the course of its history, clashed with the Elves quite often. Although a peace stands now for ten years already, thanks in no small part to King Conn himself, mistrust against the pointy eared "bastards" is usual among the common folk. The reign of the king over the different cities is loose, yet the cold climate, the constant threat of Norn and plague incursions have exerted enough pressure to form the people into a tight knit community. Caldavians are used to harsh climate and honor strength. Warriors are well regarded and Caldaven remains strongly bound by the traditions of chivalry. The Caldavians mainly follow the Faith of the Seven, even though the Church of the Creator has gained in influence again in the last decades. King Conn however has made sure that no secular power falls into the laps of any of the religions, something which greatly helped to broker the truce with the Norn, who are deeply distrustful of the Church. The Tower of Caldaven, which is located in Amn, is ruled by the Oromi (actually Sand) Headmistress Ashar Nirudi, and although the Church of the Creator has sent several demands to empower at least the Sentry, King Conn has refrained from doing so, referring to hints of a possible involvement of the Sentry, and by that extend probably even the Church of the Creator, in a coup to dethrone the King several years ago. Although it could never be proven conclusivly, the Sentinels of Amn are thus left to a counseling role, and will stay that way for the foreseeable future. With the Shearwind Monastery, Caldaven also houses one of the four great monasteries that exist on Ardu. The Monks of the Shearwind monastery practice the monastic tradition of the Way of the Four Elements, and have proven to be a valuable ally in battle but, in peace times, also to be a skilled negotiator between Caldaven and Cun Moragh Norn.The Monarch of Caldaven
Caldaven is a union of 18 Duchies, whose ruler elect a King for life. The actual Monarch of Caldaven is Conn Benn Calad, a half eadun, who was elected after being proposed through the initiative of Romburak Roxifex Ronduin, at that time the freshly crowned Duchess of the Northmarch, in order to enable peace between the Norn of Cun Moragh Norn and Caldaven. Although heavily contested by Duke Greifax Ordywnn V of Faroden , who wanted to establish his own son and was heavily opposed to peace with the elves, Conn Benn Calad managed to gain the necessary votes. Once a Soldier, then Knight and later Duke of the Northern Nornweir and Marshall of the Realm, he became the Duke of Amn, the traditional charge of the King, and handed the title of Duke of the Northern Nornweir and Marshal of the Realm to his long time friend and general of the Caldavian forces, Ronan Giantshield, the protector of Blade Grove. Supported by Romburak, and Ashar Nirudi, King Conn has established many new laws which ease the fate of Elves in the Kingdom of Caldaven and limit the secular power of the The Sentry. Yet, after ten years of his rulership, Elves still remain citizens of second class even in Amn itself, and the Attempts of The Sentry and Greifax Ordywnn V of Faroden to seize more power remain a constant challenge.The 18 Duchies and their Rulers
The Duchy Amn
Although large on paper, at least according to the number of square miles it encompasses, the effective size of the duchy of Amn is small, as most of the area is covered by the Forest of Amn, a large impenetrable thicket. The true Duchy of Amn consists of a few cities along the shore on the way south to Faroden or Northwards to Widewater and the region around the Lake Amn, where about 9 of ten people in the Duchy of Amn live.City of AmnThe duchy is traditionally goverened by the Monarch of Caldaven , it's small size ensuring that the monarch can actually concentrate his or her full attention on the job of governing Caldaven.
The main Export of The Duchy of Amn is Wood and Hides, Leather, Spices and Herbs from the forest, then Fishing Tools, or Felt and peat products which are coming mostly from Endmarsh close to the Southern Marsh.
Main import of the Duchy of Amn is Steel, Gems and Metals, either all over the year from other caldavian regions like Northmarch, North Nornweir(organization:16638154-feb1-46be-a970-f8894ce7ebd7), Duchy East Nornweir, South Nornweir and Shearwind, or via ship from all over the world during the times the Drift Ice Bay and the northern part of the Moonstream are ice free.
Duchy Aquira Bordermarch
The Aquira Bordermarch is governed from Faroden by Duke Greifax Ordywnn V of Faroden, whose son Prince Greifax Ordwynn VI of Faroden leads the Sentry of the Bordermarch from his bureau in Faroden more so on paper than factual.The Duchy, just like the Southshore and Midland serve as a breadbasket for the Country, moreso for the cooler north than East Nornweir or South Nornweir.
At the same time peat product and fabrics are an export, as are Wool and Wines, even though the wines rarely can measure up in quality to the wines from Aquira. But they are cheap.
Duchy Southshore
The Duchy is blessed with access to fertile fields (the Acres of Andrath), Access to wood and a good fishing industry. It is Governed from Andrath by Duke Oberon Anduin Albenshield IV, a mid fifty warrior type who, despite his martial nature, is a great supporter of King Conn Benn Calad.
As a breadbasket for much of Caldaven, the main export is grain, but also fish and cheese and Beer (the famous Usterbrew) from the Uster Lowlands. Furthermore as a collector of Art (a long kept secret by Oberon) he saw to it that artists from all over the world settled in Andrath, which has led to a new but slowly growing artist quarter in Andrath.
Duchy Northmarch
The Duchy of Northmarch is governed by Duchess Romburak Roxifex Ronduin III from her Throne in Donarfall. Northmarch is deeply bound to The Duchy of Amn in commercial and political ties which are called "The Two Forest Pact", a set of contracts forged by Romburak Roxifex Ronduin III and Conn Benn Calad. It takes it's name obviously from the Forest of Amn and the Blackfir Forest which are both covering large parts of the duchies they are located in. Where Amn consists mainly of forest though, the Northmarch has fertile plains and hills stretching out to the Duchy Galwerland, Rider's March and towards the Northern Nornwall in the East. It furthermore, with the Thur, has access to the Moonlake via ship, something the regents of The Northmarch have kept open by occasionally digging out the river to keep it deep enough, and by keeping good relations to the Duchy Galwerland. Northmarch exports Steel made from iron mined from the Northern Nornwall and Silver and gold coming from the same mountainside, which is exported almost uniquely to Amn to be the basis of Caldavens Coinage. Due to the much better relations which the Duchy holds to the elves which are living in its territory, nornish artwork and weapons have become exported and sought after goods too.
Maps
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Caldaven Political
This Map depicts the borders of Caldaven, as well as the 18 duchies of Caldaven.
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Demonym
Caldavian
Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
- Duchy Aesland
- Duchy Amn
- Duchy Aquira Bordermarch
- Duchy Balland
- Duchy East Nornweir
- Duchy Galwerland
- Duchy Midland
- Duchy North Nornweir
- Duchy Northmarch
- Duchy Revland
- Duchy Rider's March
- Duchy Ridland
- Duchy Sealand
- Duchy Shearwind
- Duchy South Nornweir
- Duchy Southshore
- Duchy Umberland
- Duchy Wildemarch
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Comments