Orrland
The Kingdom of Orrland is a small landlocked state on the Jakonian Peninsula, sandwiched between the Jakonian Empire's remnants and the Kingdom of Columba. The Orrlanders are best known for their occasional use of revolutionary technology and constant experimentation with new ideas and concepts. Their people are respected first and foremost as entertainers, with some of the greatest actors and artists of the world coming from their lands. Their celebrations and festivals are legendary among even the most distant nations of Emicara.
Structure
The King of Orrland is an absolute monarch in a way that very few sovereigns can claim, much to their envy. All elements of the government work their way up to the king himself, and he appoints various nobles of his house to oversee operations and development. Army, taxation, infrastructure, and everything else is typically handled by direct agents of the king, with staff recruited for each particular job. To make matters more simple, all territories in Orrland are ruled directly by the royal house, House Durling. House Durling is the main permanent government of Orrland, keeping out other noble and aristocratic interests in favor of keeping everything in the family.
History
The origins of Orrland are older than all but the Nasites in the Jakonian Peninsula. After the fall of the Nameless Empire, the Orrlanders were the survivors of a major city that had been destroyed by the enemy's weapons and magic. They built their citadel and new home atop the ruins of a park dedicated solely to the entertainment of thousands. The fortified walls meant to keep the locals out during better times proved to be strong defenses for a young city, known as Universo. For a time it appeared that Universo may well have become the center of the region's population and commerce. Only the creation of the Fruitlands put paid to this dream. The Fruitlands themselves gave rise to the Jakonian Empire, which marked the downfall of an independent Orrland.
At first the Orrlanders attempted to align themselves with the Nasites and Columbans, but both proved unreliable for defense, so Orrland began working more and more closely with the Jakonians. Although they continued to undertake independent ventures, and settle the region around the ancient city that gave their kingdom its name, Orrland found itself under the increasingly greedy eyes of the Jakonians. In 103, the King of Orrland died with no apparent heir or leadership in the making. It had been previously arranged by the king that the nation would merge with the Columbans and form a more powerful state. Needless to say, the Jakonians were not eager to allow such a thing, and they invaded, bringing Orrland under their control.
Under the Jakonians, Orrland developed its reputation for entertainment. The Orrlander Carnival became one of the great cultural events of the Jakonian Empire, traveling around the imperial holdings and providing feats of acrobatics, entertainment, and magic for all, regardless of class or origin. Universo remained an important urban center, and the development of the Iron Road brought massive amounts of food and commerce into the interior. Orrland was one of the wealthiest provinces of the empire and treated constantly with velvet gloves by the emperors, even in periods of unrest.
Orrland's participation in the Great Northern Rebellion came at great reluctance from the nobles of Orrland that had been put in place. Most of these nobles sided with the empire and they found themselves soon ousted out of hearth and home by the rebels. Led by House Durling, the one noble house that advocated for the people, the Orrlanders helped liberate their towns and cities from Imperial occupation and joined with the Columbans in the storming of the Fruitlands. They were able to negotiate the liberation of the entire province in the aftermath.
Having gained independence, House Durling struck fast to eliminate all possibility of other noble houses taking up residence in the nation. A series of assassinations, skirmishes, and buyouts took place that eliminated any other claimants to lands within Orrland, consolidating House Durling's power. The kingdom developed once again into an economic powerhouse, shipping through their lands mass quantities of food that would be transported by the Iron Road to Nasite lands or up into Columba from the Fruitlands. The entertainment industry continues to thrive, bringing in plenty of wealthy tourists from Jakonia, and the San Jon River brings in others from Kiralyno and Augustin. Now, the young kingdom continues to try to make a new path of wealth and development independent of its more powerful neighbors.
Demography and Population
The majority of the population of Orrland consists of Nasite, Jakonian, and Columban humans and halflings. Many halflings have migrated into Orrland from The Villages, attracted by the ease of work within the entertainment industry and commerce. Orrland, despite the king's own devotion to the Church of the One Sun, has chosen to allow members of all races to enter into the nation, although any beyond humans, elves, and halflings are very closely monitored by the king's spies. Some of these have settled in Universo, especially those with great talent or notoriety, as the Dragon Hotel has suites paid for by the king to any adventurers who have displayed particular feats of power. Orrland is a popular destination for retiring adventurers of all stripes, as they find that the kings go out of their way to associate themselves with such people.
Military
The House Guard of House Durling represents the main military force of the Kingdom of Orrland. These are dedicated soldiers, many of which are veterans of wars in other states. These positions are well paid and filled with the best military muscle that money can buy. Theoretically, these forces could be supplemented by militias from Universo and the other communities, but some of the weapons possessed by the militias are over one hundred years old, as the the kings have sought to forestall the civil wars and revolutions experienced by other Jakonian successor states. The military force that most fear however, is the First Orrlander Volunteer Regiment, otherwise known as the "Regiment of Heroes." Adventurers who retire to the luxury that Orrland offers them must agree to serve in the First Orrlander Volunteer Regiment, and some of these are the most powerful spellcasters and warriors ever known. Many fear what could happen should these people ever be committed to battle.
Technological Level
The Orrlanders typically remain mostly up to date with modern technologies and ideas, largely thanks to proximity with the Jakonian Empire. Those who are college educated in the Kingdom of Orrland typically receive that education at the Imperial University, and therefore the ideas and advances made there are usually brought home to Orrland. The Orrlanders have not made any truly new advancements into science or other research, but they have often been some of the best and brightest at restoring old Nameless Empire technologies that are still occasionally found intact in Terror Kingdom. Experts in methods of restoration are found all throughout Orrland.
Religion
The Church of the One Sun is the only faith allowed to possess public places of worship in the Kingdom of Orrland. Although the practice of other faiths is not illegal, they cannot do so publicly. For the most part this isn't an issue, as the population remains devout followers of the Church, and tend to stay in line with their policies. The xenophobia of the Church has been discouraged, but both the Monastic Brotherhood and the Fellowship of the Palm have been allowed to practice exercises and pogroms within the Orrlander borders. The Monastic Brotherhood has even established a castle to observe the Terror Kingdom, within Orrland borders, to monitor adventurers that enter, and any things that may exit.
Foreign Relations
Although the San Jons River opens up greater international trade for the Kingdom of Orrland, there are truly only two important relationships for the nation: Jakonia and Columba. The tensions between these two powers has led many to believe that another war could rest upon the horizon, and many wonder which side will Orrland take. Diplomatically, the kings of Orrland have always lauded their alliance with Columba and the feats of their armies in the course of the Great Northern Rebellion, but in recent decades, the majority of trade ties have instead been with Jakonia. The wealth of Jakonia is not to be denied, and the current king has proclaimed neutrality for Orrland, seeking to stay out of the disputes of those two powers and the internal issues that the Jakonians have been suffering in their Nasite lordships.
Agriculture & Industry
Although Orrland possesses a decent agricultural base, and a thriving lumber industry, the biggest income for the kingdom comes from entertainment and commerce. The town of Terminus rests upon the north end of the Iron Road, and it acts as a conduit for those from the Imperial City who seek out a good time. Terminus itself has some entertainments available, but it is in Universo that even some of the old thrills of the Nameless Empire still stand intact or restored. These thrills that exist provide a place for leisure that's safe and protected from the horrors of the world. For adventurers, Orrland offers the Terror Kingdom, a location that has stood since the fall of the Nameless Empire, and a popular destination for those looking to create a name for themselves.
Education
The Kingdom of Orrland has very little in the way of public education, with only the members of House Durling receiving state-sponsored learning from their youth. Wealthier families tend to pay for tutors from Columba or the Jakonian Empire, and the poor typically have to do without. Those who attempt to prove themselves as House Guards or otherwise receive renown may receive at least a basic education from House Durling, simply out of respect for accomplishments. There are no centers for higher learning within Orrland, and most who wish to possess a college education travel to the Imperial City.
Infrastructure
House Durling has invested heavily in the infrastructure of the Kingdom of Orrland. Maintenance of the Iron Road and the fortifications which protect it are some of the highest budget priorities for the king. The roads that travel between Terminus and Universo are paved, and constantly maintained from overgrowth and flooding. Most of the infrastructure development beyond there goes into the entertainment foundations and defenses for Universo, making it the pride of House Durling. The other communities receive typically what taxes and funds are leftover from that development.
Enjoyment of Life is the Foundation of Sanity
Founding Date
Bloodset 10, 948
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Demonym
Orrlander
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Copper/Silver/Gold
Major Exports
Lumber, Nameless Empire artifacts
Major Imports
Foodstuffs, steel goods, military equipment, mercenaries, luxury goods
Judicial Body
Subordinate Courts of the King
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Official Languages
Comments