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Vindomora

"I will be honest with you: I do not make the laws. I look at them, I bring them to fruition or I send them back. For what you're asking of me, you'll have to go to the Senate -- and they may not listen."   His Majesty Lucius Fadius Eumenius, King of Vindomora

Structure

The reigning monarch (currently King Lucius Fadius Eumenius) rules absolutely with the help of the Senate. The monarch is styled as His/Her/Their Royal Majesty. If the monarch must be addressed at all, then they should be addressed as Your Highness.   Below the monarch is the Senate and the Senatori. Senatori are addressed as Senator, and addressed as Your Grace.   Beneath the monarch and the Senate are the Nobilis Judices, styled as Judex and addressed as Your Imminence.   Beneath the Nobilis Judices are the various noble houses, styled as Lords, Ladies, and Ser and addressed as My Lord, My Lady, or Serrah.   Beneath the noble houses are the Plebeian Judices, also styled as Judex and addressed as Your Imminence.   Beneath the Judices are the Adiutori, styled as Ser and addressed as My Lord, My Lady, or Serrah.   Beneath the Adiutori are the Patricians, also styled as Ser, and addressed as Sir, Ma'am, or Ser.   Beneath the Patricians are Plebeians. They are not styled as anything, but the polite way to address a Plebeian you do not know is Mr., Ms., Mrs., or Mz.   Foreigners and folk without citizenship are not styled, nor addressed, as anything in particular.

History

Prior to the Great Schism, Vindomora was part of the Old Ilethian Empire, which stretched across the continent and even past the Greatwood. After the Schism destroyed the world, the mortal populations were left to pick up the pieces of their lives and histories after the death of their gods.   300 years after the Schism, a wandering trader by the name of Gaius discovered the ruins of an Old Ilethian city. The riches he plundered from those ruins would make him wealthy beyond measure -- 20 years after his initial visit, Gaius returned to the ruins with his extended family and decided to make his home there.   Over two centuries, Gaius's family would invite settlers and friends to live in their burgeoning settlement with them, repairing old buildings and making new ones out of the guts of unsalvageable ones, naming his new village Goldthrone, after the elegant golden throne still standing in the center of the city, which monarchs are crowned on still to this day. Eventually, a village turned to a town, and a town needed a leader. Gaius was named Saint Gaius the Founder in 738 AS, and his death day is a national holiday in Vindomora.   In 550, Gaius's descendant Remus Favius Gaian was named Rex Sub Theo, and used his absolute rule to implement several policies to improve the city of Goldthrone. After his death, he was named Saint Remus the Builder, the patron saint of Goldthrone and the Royal Family.   His daughter Thea Rema Gaian was not quite so gifted with city-building. Instead, she was a militant ruler who levied a militia to protect her village from raiders and bandits, which had been a constant headache over the five centuries her city had existed. Leading a (at the time) massive and well-trained group of adventurers into a nearby bandit camp, she swiftly made an example of all of them. Her reign was relatively peaceful after that, not counting the harsh penal policies she implemented, which were rescinded by her heir and youngest child, Reme Theie Gaian.   Several centuries later, in 1045 AS, the First Revolt ripped the now-metropolitan city of Goldthrone asunder. King Vibius Caecilius Gaian, latest in the Gaian dynasty, was a weak and ineffective ruler who allowed the economy to spiral into destitution. His bastard sister, Rabiria Eliphas, lead a revolution against him and killed him on the dais of the Throne of Gold, taking up the mantle of Queen Rabiria Eliphas Gaian. Her reign was peaceful, if beset by assassination attempts and uppity Senators attempting to disprove her parentage. Some satirists say that the number of Senators during Rabiria's reign fluctuated so much from assassinations, that Senators drew straws to see who would try and disprove her legitimacy that year.   Between then and 1525, the now-country came to be officially known as Vindomora, after Rabiria's wife.   Her great-great grandson, Tiberius Barbitius Gaian, was the last ruler of the Gaian dynasty and certifiably insane. The Second Revolt in 1525 deposed him, and he spent his life imprisoned in a secluded wing of the royal palace until his untimely and mysterious death, his name struck from all historical record with the exception of a single manuscript kept carefully under lock and key in the royal library. For all intents and purposes, his parent Aule Lucilies Gaian was the last Gaian monarch.   After Tiberius's death, the country was thrown into chaos, known as the Hundred Year Fires. Anarchy was abound for 100 years, until a group of five adventurers from various parts of Vindomara came together and re-established order, naming one of their own as the new queen and instituting a policy in which the title of monarch was elected, not inherited.   Queen Licinia Hibera's reign was marked with harsh discipline and the foundation of the judiciary policy still in place today, but also a time of prosperity.   Her successor, Amulius Cornelius Osterianus, took inspiration from Queen Thea and began expanding the borders of Vindomora in 1620 AS. Each successive elected monarch followed in his footsteps, assimilating neighboring city-states and people until the expansion was stopped by Venessos in 2150 AS. After 500 years of war between the two states, the Jarl of Venessos and the Monarch of Vindomora came to a non-aggression treaty called the Great Accord.   The Great Accord is still functionally in place, although there are occasionally still skirmishes between the two countries.   In 3306, the Coastal Alliance States, which were previously territories of Vindomora, revolted against the crown and won their independence.   Slavery, which had long been a government sponsored institution, was outlawed in 3813 by Lucius's grandparent, Their Majesty Decies Varie Eumenius.   Lucius Fadius Eumenius was elected King in 3893.

Demography and Population

Humans, half-elves, elves, and dwarves are the dominant races. There is a sizable population of half-orcs on the eastern border, and half-orc medics and mercenaries are not uncommon in the more central parts of the country. Tieflings, dragonborn, and halflings are less common due to a long history of oppression, and after the banning of slavery several decades ago a majority of the newly-freed tiefling, dragonborn, and halfling populations migrated south, to the coast.   Goblinoid races are less common than their half-orc brethren, although they can still sometimes be found in large cities as merchants and bodyguards or, barring that, thieves and loansharks.

Territories

Vindomora occupies most of the Ilethian Heartland, including half the northern coast, right up to the Greatwood. The eastern edge of the country stops right at the base Coldiron Mountains, which belong to Venessos.   The western portion of Vindomora is mostly uninhabited due to its position near the Greatwood, which is rumored to be cursed or at the very least impassable. The crown is attempting to sponsor families and caravans who wish to migrate west in an attempt to settle, with the primary frontier settlment being Ironharbor to the north-west.

Military

Military service is compulsory for all Vindomoran citizens age 18 to 40. Compulsory military service lasts for two years -- six months of basic training as infantry, six months of basic training in their chosen field (which may be advanced infantry training), and one year spent in the levied militia or levied officer corps.   Levied enlisted milita or officers may choose to continue their military career as soon as their compulsory service is finished.

Religion

Worship of evil deities, such as Rhulbus, Khetarr, Vimbria, and Dendia, are explicitly banned.   Several monastic and clerical organizations dedicated to specific gods exist, and besides the worship of traditionally evil gods being forbidden, citizens are free to worship any god and their associated saints freely.   Much like the rest of Niria, saints are primarily honored in the home and in feast days, since the major pantheon is now deceased.

Foreign Relations

Being the dominant trade and political power on Ileth comes with its pros and cons.   Relations with the Coastal States are very good, while Ileth enjoys a professional, if slightly chilly, relationship with Venessos to the east. Goldthrone is in the process of sending emissaries west, bast the Greatwood, though it seems that every time the crown sends an ambassadoral retinue west, none of them return...

Agriculture & Industry

Vindomora became the dominant country on Ileth by being a strong military power and expanding out. Through several concords, alliances, treaties, and agreements, Vindomora beat swords into plows and now has a sizable agrarian population.   Wheat and grains are the most common and viable agricultural products, while fruit such as citron, olives, dates, grapes, and pomegranate are close seconds. The most common meat products are chicken and pork, or fish such as herring, oysters, and tuna on the northern coast. Wine is the favored beverage of Vindomora, while ale and beer are considered wastes of valuable wheat and rye and are mostly made with surplus or low quality grain.   Beef is less of a valuable commodity than in other places thanks to the ready availability of arable pastureland.   Cheese and dairy are often made from goat or sheep milk, and herbal goat cheese is a staple of most every Vindomoran household, from the lowest Plebeian to the reigning monarch.

Trade & Transport

Vindomora is crisscrossed by ancient Old Ilethian roads, which have been steadily improved and cleared over time to create and extensive caravan network. Goods are moved along these roads to either forts in Venessos or ports in the Coastal States.

Education

School is not compulsory, although there is a high rate of literacy among even Plebeians thanks to the compulsory military service.   Education is mostly focused on oratory skills and leadership, particularly among the noble families, whereas a patrician education might focus on mathematics for balancing books, managing a household, or brewing wine.   Currently some nobles are attempting to instate a country school program for the peasantry, though it's been met with mixed success.

Infrastructure

Aquaducts run from large bodies of water, such as lakes or the northern coast, all across the Ilethian Heartlands to provide fresh water to settlements. Many of these aquaducts are remnants of Old Ileth and run along the Old Ilethian road networks. Both are well-maintained and have been repaired over several centuries of good infrastructure policy.   Because of its mostly-landlocked state, Vindomora has a lack of ports, with the exception of the northern coast, and so maintaining a good relationship with Venessos and the Coastal States is paramount.   The Orcish clans who make their homes in the eastern Ilethian Heartlands are sometimes a problem, and so often you'll find lookout towers and fortresses stationed along road networks and around settlements in the east.

"Victoria Et Ignis" (Victory and Fire)

Founding Date
550
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
Goldthrones, wine-suckers, Vindos, White Suns
Demonym
Vindomoran
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Old Ilethian Coinage. Old Ilethian Coinage is a pre-Schism currency whose denominations haven't changed since 4,000 years ago, though inflation and deflation may have affected the worth of each individual coin. Coins are broken down into Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Copper.   Worth in CP | Worth in SP | Worth in GP | Worth in PP
Copper | 1 | 1/10 | 1/100 | 1/1000
Silver | 10 | 1 | 1/5 | 1/10 / 1/100
Gold | 100 | 10 | 1 | 1/10
Platinum | 1000 | 100 | 10 | 1
Major Exports
The main exports are agricultural products such as grains, woods, and artisinal wines and cheeses. Mercenaries from Vindomora are also in high demand due to the compulsory military service meaning every citizen is trained infantry.   Mage scrolls from Goldthrone are beautifully decorated pieces of art and are well sought-after as centerpieces.
Major Imports
The main imports are metals, salt, some fish, and luxury items such as silks, velvet, and richly dyed fabric.
Legislative Body
The Senate is a coalition of a representative from each Vindomoran noble house from all over the country, elected by the Patrician families that swore fealty to them and approved by the rest of the Senate.   Senators make, argue, and propose the laws, which then go to the reigning monarch to either be signed into practice or sent back to the Senate for review. If a proposed law is sent back to the Senate a total of three times, the Senate may no longer send the law to the office of the reigning monarch, and will have to wait a period of three years before proposing it again.   Currently there are 716 Senatori sitting in Senate, one for each of the 716 Vindomoran noble houses.
Judicial Body
The judicial body is separated into the High Courts (Nobilis Judices) and Low Courts (Plebeius Judices).   High Courts are specifically for trying and convicting people of noble houses and the landed gentry.   Low Courts are for trying Plebeians and people without Vindomoran citizenship, such as foreigners or immigrants.   Each Court is presided over by a Judex -- either a Nobilis Judex or Plebeius Judex -- and the supporting Adiutors (or supporting judges). Both are elected, although the Nobilis Judex is elected by the noble families in their area and the Plebeius Judex is elected by popular Plebeian vote. Both Judices are allowed to hire an unlimited number of their own Adiutori. High and Low Court hearings are both conducted in special buildings dedicated entirely to trials.   The High Court jex domus ("law house") is most often a large, marble building resembling an amphitheater, but closed off. The central stage is for defendants and plaintiffs arguing their cases (which they do by themselves, without the aid of a lawyer), while the seats are for the Nobilis Judex, their Adiutori, the witnesses, and the defendant and plaintiff's families.   The Low Court nomikae are more often than not longhouses with a raised dais for the Plebeius Judex to sit, with benches for the Adiutori, witnesses, and the families of the plaintiffs and defendants. Both the plaintiff and defendant are brought before the Plebeius Judex to present their cases, also by themselves.   After the defendants and plaintiffs have given their statements, they are ordered outside the building (or room, if the building is large enough to hold multiple judgement halls) to let the judge and their Adiutori make their decision.   The Adiutori, or supporting judges, are hired to help present evidence and to assist the judge in coming to a satisfactory conclusion to the trial.   Both the Nobilis and Pleibius Judices wear special bracers, and a special toga to denote their position. Nobilis Judices wear gold bracers and a blue, embroidered toga. Pleibius Judices wear silver or pewter bracelets (depending on the wealth of their jurisdiction and the availability of material) and a deep red, embroidered (though not as nicely embroidered) toga.
Official State Religion
Location
Controlled Territories

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Articles under Vindomora


Divinity Age

... 3000 BS

Before the Divine War, Old Ileth ruled. Their empire was destroyed with the Schism, and has never recovered.

The Divine War

3000 BS 0 BS

A conflict between gods that lasted 3000 years.

  • 0 BS


    Old Ileth is destroyed.
    Disaster / Destruction

    An empire wiped out in a day, its people scrambling for purchase.

    Location
    Ileth
    More reading
    Ileth
    Additional timelines

Heroic Age

0 BS 1000 AS

After the Great Schism and the death of the gods, powerful people become commonplace. Followers of gods become Saints, and Saints become worshiped.

  • 0 AS


    Old Ileth is destroyed.
    Disaster / Destruction

    An empire wiped out in a day, its people scrambling for purchase.

    Location
    Ileth
    More reading
    Ileth
    Additional timelines
  • 300 AS

    300 AS


    Gaius discovers the Throne of Gold
    Discovery, Exploration

    A wandering trader and a dream.

    Location
    Goldthrone
    More reading
    Vindomora
  • 320 AS

    550 AS


    Gaius returns to Goldthrone
    Construction beginning/end

    A family on the march finds a place to settle.

    Location
    Goldthrone
    More reading
    Vindomora
  • 550 AS

    28 Month of Harvests

    Remus Favius Gaian is named king
    Cultural event

    A new settlement, a new home.

    Location
    Goldthrone
    More reading
    Vindomora
  • 583 AS

    16 Month of Hares
    583 AS

    16 Month of Hares

    Remus Favius Gaian dies. Thea Rema Gaian is crowned Queen.
    Political event

    A dynasty begins.

    Location
    Goldthrone
    More reading
    Vindomora
  • 613 AS

    18 Month of Snows
    613 AS

    18 Month of Worms

    Thea Rema Gaian dies. Reme Theie Gaian is crowned Monarch.
    Political event

    Location
    Ileth
    More reading
    Vindomora

The Dark Age

1001 AS 2000 AS

An era of war and conquest.

  • 1045 AS

    Month of Flowers
    1046 AS

    18 Month of Flowers

    The First Revolt
    Revolution

    A decadent dynasty is in shambles. A hero rises from the ashes of a slum.

    Location
    Goldthrone
    More reading
    Vindomora
  • 1050 AS

    1525 AS


    Vindomora is named after Rabiria's wife
    Cultural event

    No one knows exactly when.

    Location
    Ileth
    More reading
    Vindomora
  • 1525 AS

    17 /12
    1530 AS

    3 Month of Hares

    Tiberius Barbitus Gaian is deposed.
    Revolution

    A dynasty lasting 1500 years is shattered.

    Location
    Goldthrone
    More reading
    Vindomora
  • 1533 AS

    1630 AS

    21 Month of Flowers

    The Hundred Year Fires
    Disaster / Destruction

    A country thrown into chaos.

    Location
    Goldthrone
    More reading
    Vindomora
  • 1533 AS

    6 Month of Thunder 15:00
    1533 AS

    6 Month of Thunder

    Tiberius Barbitus Gaian dies.
    Life, Death

    The bloodlines ends...

    Location
    Goldthrone
    More reading
    Vindomora
  • 1630 AS

    23 Month of Flowers
    1630 AS

    23 Month of Flowers

    Licinia Hibera is elected Queen
    Cultural event

    New policies, and a new Vindomora.

    Location
    Goldthrone
    More reading
    Vindomora
  • 1680 AS

    28 Month of Snows
    1680 AS

    28 Month of Worms

    Licinia Hibera dies. Amulius Cornelius Osterianus is elected King.
    Political event

    The beginning of conquest...

    Location
    Goldthrone
    More reading
    Vindomora
  • 1685 AS

    2150 AS


    The Age of Conquest
    Military action

    Expansions, wars, bloodshed.

    Location
    Ileth
    More reading
    Vindomora

The Peace Age

2000 AS 3000 AS

A millennium of relative peace and harmony.

  • 2150 AS

    2650 AS

    10 Month of Frost

    The 500 Year War
    Military action

    A massive conflict between Venessos, Vindomora, and their vassal states.

    Location
    Ileth
    More reading
    Vindomora
  • 2650 AS

    10 Month of Frost 10:00

    The Great Accord is signed
    Diplomatic action

    The end to a 500 year conflict.

    Location
    Ileth
    More reading
    Vindomora

Modern Day

3000 AS and beyond

A time of new beginnings for all things.

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