The Kingdom of Avalon

The Kingdom of Avalon is a realm located on the continent of Mycenia, ruled typically by a monarch styled King of Avalon, Lord of Ravensport, and Temporal Representative of the Lady of Swanford. Historically, the King of Avalon has ruled from his seat in the capital city of Ravensport. Since the kingdom's founding, the realm has been ruled by House Valdwyn, often styled as "the Royal House of Valdwyn".

Organization

The Regions of Avalon

The Kingdom of Avalon is divided into seven distinct regions or provinces. Each region is administered by the most powerful noble house of the region, referred to collectively as the Avalonian Houses Major. The overlord of the region, typically the head of the ruling house, is styled Highlord. The Crown grants each Highlord a degree of autonomy and authority over their bannermen and smallfolk. The Avalonian Houses Major and their respective administrative territories are:

• The Royal House of Valdwyn, Lords of the Crownlands
• House Swyft, Lords of the Clearwater
• House Ashmont, Lords of the Dragonfall Valley
• House Aldon, Lords of the Avalonian Heartlands
• House Blackmont, Lords of the Lowlands
• House Marcos, Lords of the Sarhepi Marches
• House Valdwyn of Greenfield, Lords of Shade's Rest

Lords of Avalon are typically styled Lord, though regional variations exist. For example, the lords of the Sarhepi Marches are typically referred to as Marcher-Lords.

The Crownlands

The region surrounding the capital of Ravensport, the Crownlands are administered directly by the Royal House of Valdwyn. The region consists of a large coastal region, the mouth of the Swanford River, the Royal Woods, the Raven's Grove, and two islands: Gull Island and Crab Island. The major houses of the Crownlands are:

• The Royal House of Valdwyn
• House Kent of Whitetree
• House Ravenwing of Ravenwing Hall
• House Whitetyde of Gull's Point
• House Crabb of Crabber's Roost

The Crownlands also consists of several minor aristocratic families based out of Ravensport:

• House Valendwell
• House Sitwell
• House Merryweather
• House Vane

The Clearwater

The Clearwater is the northernmost region of Avalon and is named for the primary geographic landmark of the region, Clearwater Lake. The region is most known for its diversity, both geographic and ethnic. Clearwater consists of long coastlines, dense forests, rolling hills and light desert. The area is also host to large populations of Elves, Orcs, and several Forebearer clans collectively known as the Howlers. The Clearwater is the domain of House Swyft of Terford Crossing. The major houses of the Clearwater are:

• House Swyft of Terford Crossing
• House Lupercal of Moonstone Grasp
• House Rainer of Mistmoor
• House Talbot of Rosebridge
• House Mason of Mason's Hill
• House Pendleton of Issilden

Several minor aristocratic families reside in the port city of Terford Crossing:

• House Forder
• House Penrose
• House Gyles
• House Beesbury

There are five Howler Clans that operate out of the Howling Woods. However, they are not sworn to any Avalonian House, nor the Crown. These clans are officially designated by the Kingdom of Avalon as rebels and brigands:

• The Silver Fangs
• The Skin Dancers
• The Bone Gnawers
• The Silent Striders
• The Black Furies

Dragonfall Valley

Surrounded by dense forest and wooded foothills, the Dragonfall Valley lies nestled in between the Dragonfall Mountains, and the Swanford River. The Dragonfall Valley is ruled by House Ashmont, who has looked over the domain since before the first Valdwyn kings. Due to its proximity to the mountains, the Dragonfall Valley is also home to most of the mines in the Kingdom, which has greatly enriched House Ashmont and their bannermen. The major houses of the Dragonfall Valley are:

• House Ashmont of Castle Ashmont
• House Bancroft of Wyrmwatch Keep
• House Caswell of Lochmere Keep
• House Marston of the Ashmont Mines
• House Petritt of Camp Simon

House Ashmont also holds the loyalty of the local Forebearer clan, known as the Weepers.

The Heartlands

The Heartlands is the breadbasket of Avalon. A region of lush farms, ripe harvests, beautiful maidens and handsome knights. The Swan Road connects the two capitals of Avalon: Ravensport, the seat of the Royal Family and the economic capital of the Kingdom, and Swanford, home to the Lady’s Lake and the cultural capital of Avalon. On the North Bank, you will find the quaint Halfling villages of the Hills, famed for their breweries, rhyming, and hospitality. Travel up the Swanford river to the foothills near the Marches, and you’ll find some of the finest wineries in Mycenia. The Heartlands are ruled by House Aldon of Swanford. The major houses of the Heartlands are:

• House Aldon of Swanford
• House Brightflame of Brighton
• House Spellswindle of Spell's End
• House Miller of Miller's Village

A handful of minor noble houses reside in the city of Swanford:

• House Hastings
• House Harwick
• House Ladybright

The Lowlands

A vast and ancient swamp in southeastern Avalon, the Lowlands form a natural, secondary line of defense against the Sarhepi to the East. The marshes of the Lowlands are home to all manner of deadly creatures and plant life that almost certainly require a local guide to navigate safely. The Lowlands are ruled by House Blackmont, another old house that predates modern Avalon. The major houses of the Lowlands are:

• House Blackmont of Arlton
• House Colbey of Southshield
• House Tabor of Pinewatch

Several minor houses exist in the swamp-city of Arlton:

• The Beauvillier Family
• The LeBlanc Family
• The Arleans Family
• House Horne
• House Saltcliffe

A clan of Forebearers resides in the unclaimed swamplands between Lowland settlements known as the Marshwalkers. These Forebearers are not sworn to any Avalonian House, nor the Crown. The Marshwalkers are officially designated by the Kingdom of Avalon as rebels and brigands.

The Sarhep Marches

The smallest administrative region in Avalon, the people of the Sarhep Marches have been hardened by generations of harsh desert heat and intense conflict. The Marches were created as a buffer against the Sarhepi Caliphate, and the marcher-lords have cultivated a well-deserved reputation for rigid discipline, martial prowess and blunt language. The Sarhep Marches are ruled by House Marcos, and the Marches are defended by the following houses:

• House Marcos of Drakehall
• House Kenning of the Drakehall Mines
• House Greystone of Greystone Keep
• House Malor of Runespire

Shade's Rest

Named for the large island off the coast of mainland Avalon, Shade's Rest consists of the southernmost portion of the Kingdom. While the Heartlands hold the title of "Breadbasket of Avalon", the lands of Shade's Rest are a close second. The lands of the South are fertile, but more importantly, suffered the least during the Sarhepi raids that plagued the rest of the country in the year 295 AM. The hardwood trees of the Crimson Coast and Saltshore serve as construction material for most Avalonian ships, and have become Shade's Rest's most valuable export. Shade's Rest is ruled by the Greenfield-Valdwyns, a cadet branch of the Royal House of Valdwyn. The major houses of Shade's Rest are:

• House Valdwyn of Greenfield
• House Rafford of Midmouth
• House Mullyn of Alabaster Point
• House Greywind of Greyguard
• House Halpine of Last Light
• House Grafton of Brigham's Stand
• House Argen of Red Coast Hall

Several noble houses reside in the city of Greenfield:

• House Longmoore
• House Graves
• House Connington
• House Bywater

A clan of Forebearers reside on the island of Shade's Rest. A clan of blood mages, witches, and demonologists, the locals of Shade's Rest refer to this clan as the Shadowbinders. Due to their isolation on the cursed island, the Kingdom of Avalon maintains no diplomatic relations with the Shadowbinders.

Other Regions

There are other regions within the Kingdom of Avalon that do not fall under the jurisdiction of any of the seven provinces of Avalon. In the West Sea, the Kingdom of Avalon rules over the islands of Kovaris and Canora. Ownership of the islands are frequently contested by the Themnar Imperium. Currently, Kovaris and Canora are ruled by House Byrne. To the South-East, in the Corsair Sea, Avalon also controls the island chain of Summerstar. The Summerstar Islands are ruled by House Galford.
The central mountain range of Avalon, the Dragonfall Mountains, are not ruled by the Crown. Instead, the Dragonfall Mountains are under the control of various Forebearer clans that are collectively referred to as the Eac'lyrt (in High Draconic), or the Scaled Ones (in Avalonian Common). The Scaled Ones have been in conflict with the Kingdom of Avalon since the days of its conception, bitterly fighting to maintain their independence from the kingdom. There are dozens of clans of varying sizes that exist in the mountains. The major Scaled One clans are:

• Clan Bramak
• Clan Huytic
• Clan Shatterscale
• Clan Yashcheritsa

Royal bureaucracy

The central government of the Kingdom of Avalon is organized and managed by the Royal Council, a group of advisors and administrators handpicked by the King of Avalon. Throughout the kingdom's history, several kings have attempted to expand the Crown's authority over the Avalonian Houses Major to varying degrees of success.

The Royal Council

The Royal Council of Avalon consists of the following positions:

• Lord-Regent. The right hand of the sovereign. The Lord-Regent is the king's prime minister and chief advisor. The Lord-Regent's main duties are to maintain foreign relations, and to rule in the king's stead when he is otherwise preoccupied.
• Lord-Adjudicator. The highest legal authority of the realm. The Lord-Adjudicator is tasked with the interpretation and enforcement of the king's laws. The Lord-Adjudicator also typically commands the Ravensport City Watch and the High Courts of Avalon.
• Lord-Steward. The chief financial officer of the realm. The Lord-Steward maintains the royal treasury and has the all-important task of collecting taxes on behalf of the Crown.
• Spymaster. The chief intelligence officer of the realm. The Royal Spymaster gathers intelligence, foreign and domestic, for the king.
• Court Mage. The Court Mage is the realm's foremost expert on the arcane. The Court Mage of Avalon is tasked with advising the king on all matters related to magic. More often than not, the title of Court Mage and Headmaster of the Ravensport Academy of Magic are often held by the same individual, which has caused most to believe that the titles are one in the same.
• Lord-Admiral. The chief naval officer of the realm. The Lord-Admiral of Avalon maintains and commands the Royal Navy. The Admiralty of Avalon is the first line of defense against naval invasion and seaborne threats to the kingdom.
• Lord-Commander of the Knights-Protectorate. An honorary position, the Lord-Commander of the Knights-Protectorate does not act as an advisor to the king, but rather was granted a seat on the Royal Council for the king's protection.

The Knights-Protectorate

The Knights-Protectorate is an Avalonian Knightly Order tasked with the protection of the Royal Family. The Knights-Protectorate consists of seven knights, and is often considered to be the most prestigious and honorable position a knight can aspire to. The Knights-Protectorate are led by the Lord-Commander of the Knights-Protectorate, and are sworn to obey the King of Avalon above all others. The Knights-Protectorate also serve as the highest ranking commanders in the Royal Guard, a larger organization tasked with policing the Royal Quarter, in addition to protecting the Royal Family.

The Faith Protectorate and Avalonian Inquisition

For generations, the Faith of the Lady of Swanford was largely decentralized. To provide a unified front against threats to come, Prince Alfred IV dissolved the Avalonian Inquisition, and created the Faith Protectorate. If the Inquisition of the Lady was the sword of the faith, the Faith Protectorate is its shield. The High Templar is the highest ranking military officer within the Faith Protectorate, reporting directly to the Archbishop of the Lady, the head of the official Church of the Lady of Swanford.

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Feudal state

Subsidiary Organizations

• Knights-Protectorate