Arduorra (Ar-door-a)
This is a Dark Corgerian Kingdom in the Gray Mountains to the west of the Faroo. The Kingdom is made up of a series of large and small caverns with most important connected by a network of canals controlled by a sophisticated system of locks. The Kingdom extends to the surface with five Dark Corgerian steadings located above ground in mountain valleys the are almost impossible to reach through surface routes, but are connected to the Kingdom Beneath by well-engineered passages. The valley steadings are important sources of food for the Kingdom growing crops and raising cattle. The steadings are all well-fortified and about half their population consists of human slaves used to work the farms surrounding the steadings. The Kingdom has extensive mining complexes which are mainly worked by slave labor.
The enslaved class consists of Dark Corgerian criminals, Danites, Humans and Corgerians. The mines provide diverse products including gems, precious metals, iron, salt and coal some of which is traded. The underground canal network connects to the navigable Oris river which runs on a southward course out of the mountains and onto the Plains of Karmis, where it joins with the River Karm, facilitating trade with the outside world. The Capital of the Kingdom Sustara. The Royal Palace of Sustara is a column of stone reaching from the floor to the ceiling of the cavern. The column is filled with rooms and halls carved from the stone while the walls of the cavern are filled with cave dwellings that climb far up the cavern’s high walls. The capital is also a center of the canal network where four canals meet and form a lake that surrounds the palace.
Territories
The Kingdom controls territory both beneath and within the Grey Mountains. It controls five steadings located in isolated valleys of the Grey Mountains. The Center of the Kingdom is the underground city of Sustara with lesser underground settlements at Kagin and Husetia. The Kingdom makes contact with the outside world through the River Port of Oris Mouth where the Oris River comes to the surface.
Military
The Kingdom can mobilize 2,000 professional soldiers with perhaps and equal number is reserve. But its true military power comes from the magical abilities of the Kingdom's many wizards, priests and priestesses. The Kingdom also uses, large, vicious and well-trained war dogs and has a force enslaved minotaurs known for their ferocity in combat.
Technological Level
The Kingdom is well known for its advanced use of magic and for the education of its upper classes.
Foreign Relations
About half the Kingdom's population are Dark Corgerians with another twenty percent being Dark Corgerian half-castes, some ten percent are Danites. The remainder of the population are enslaved humans, corgerians or half-castes.
Agriculture & Industry
The Kingdom depends on the settlements in the Grey Mountains to provide an important element in its food supply. The settlements also provide lumber. Large underground fish ponds are important sources of protein for the Kingdom. Considerable food is also grown around Oris Mouth with its well watered river valley land. Edible fungus is also grown in well-developed underground farms. Despite these food sources the Kingdom must supplement its food supplies by importing food from surrounding kingdoms.
Trade & Transport
Almost all external trade comes through the port of Oris Mouth. The products of the mines and manufacturing of the Kingdom are shipped out of the port with slaves, food and cloth being the primary imports. The Kingdom uses a very well-designed network of canals connecting underground lakes with the Oris River and various settlements.
Infrastructure
The Kingdom has an extensive network of canals and underground roads. The canals are designed to handle canal barges pulled by animals. The best of the underground roads are meant to accommodate four wheeled wagons while lesser routes are services by pack animals.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
The Kingdom Beneath
Government System
Despotism
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Traditional
Major Exports
Glassware, pottery, precious metals, gems and magic items.
Major Imports
Grain, domesticated animals, dried and salted meat/fish, wood, slaves, leather and cloth.
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
Comments