Avanil
Principality of Avonlae
Prince Darien Avan
Avanil has nine provinces, but one is the Imperial City. The seat of the Iron Throne, the Imperial City is not controlled by Prince Darien as many other claimants to the Throne have established presences in the City.
Law: Darien Avan controls all the law of Avanil—no one else has even a holding in the realm. The prince also holdsmost of the law of Taeghas in his grasp, as well as some in the Imperial City.
Temples: The Southern Imperial Temple of Azimir controls nearly all the religion of Avanil— though the Celestial Jewel of Dashanii is establishing itself— and Avan controls the priests of the Southern Temple.
Guilds: Arron Vaumel, Governor of Mieres, has some say here, as does Eriene Mierelen, Duchess of Brosengae. However, the sizable balance is held by Parnien Anuvier Iniere, who has fallen under Avan's control.
Sources: In exchange for the law in the kingdom of Taeghas, Avan allows Harald Khorien, Count of Taeghas, to control the magic of Avanil. Though other wizards have gathered influence in Avanil, Khorien's power remains nearly absolute.
Army: The army of Avanil is as mighty as the kingdom's treasury. Much of the forces are spread through the domain and nearby allies, but a core unit or two remains near the prince. The army includes:
Temples: The Southern Imperial Temple of Azimir controls nearly all the religion of Avanil— though the Celestial Jewel of Dashanii is establishing itself— and Avan controls the priests of the Southern Temple.
Guilds: Arron Vaumel, Governor of Mieres, has some say here, as does Eriene Mierelen, Duchess of Brosengae. However, the sizable balance is held by Parnien Anuvier Iniere, who has fallen under Avan's control.
Sources: In exchange for the law in the kingdom of Taeghas, Avan allows Harald Khorien, Count of Taeghas, to control the magic of Avanil. Though other wizards have gathered influence in Avanil, Khorien's power remains nearly absolute.
Army: The army of Avanil is as mighty as the kingdom's treasury. Much of the forces are spread through the domain and nearby allies, but a core unit or two remains near the prince. The army includes:
• 3 units of archers.
• 2 units of artillerists.
• 3 units of cavalry.
• 6 units of infantry.
• 3 units of elite infantry.
• 4 units of knights.
• 4 units of pikemen.
Regent: Darien Avan, Prince of Avanil, runs not only his own kingdom, but significant portions of other provinces as well. Though he inherited much from his father, Veladan Avan, he has managed to amass an even greater portion of wealth and power than any had dreamed possible. It did help that partial stewardship of the Imperial City itself passed to him with the death of his father. Nonetheless, Darien Avan capitalizes on any opportunity to expand his domain.
The middle-aged prince seems well versed in the uses and abuses of power. He strives for law and moderation in all things, but he, like the Archduke of Boeruine, appears willing to sacrifice his compatriots to gain the Iron Throne. He believes that his knowledge of power will serve him well, and that he could be the best thing to happen to Avonlae since Roele himself. None dare to gainsay him.
• Lieutenants: Avan believes that a monarch can not carry his burdens alone. Thus, he has entrusted his lieutenants with much of the governance of the realm, allowing him the freedom to work the strings of politics in his domain and others. Dheraene Bhailie, chief of the lieutenants, handles the prince's foreign affairs. She plays the game of politics like few others in Avonlae. Of course, she has flaws like everyone else—she's just more careful to hide them.
Important persons: The best goldsmith in the city of Daulton, Laestier(person), is a half-elf who has foregone the use of his surname. The big, bald man always proves a font of information and gossip. He makes no claim to the truth of his talk, but he seems accurate far more often than not. Though one of the most friendly, gentle people a traveler is likely to meet, he possesses an underlying sadness. He also charges a pretty price for his work.
Description: Like the rest of the Southern Coast, Avanil's eastern provinces are covered by grasslands. Grains grow here, and cattle roam—but neither product matches the quality of that produced elsewhere in Avonlae. Avanil's grasslands give way to the hills and mountains of the western provinces, where miners constantly pull forth the earth's precious metals. Sometimes at night, the lurid glow of smithies casts an infernal light across the clouds. The common folk whisper that the Shadow World creeps closest on those nights.
• Capital: Since the Prince of Avanil never controls the City of Avonlae, the ruling family long ago established the domain's capital city of Daulton in the province of the same name.
• Trade Goods: The main wealth of Avanil arises from the mines in the hills and mountains. Gold, silver, and iron are pulled from the mountains and exported around Avonlae. The smiths of Daulton work these metals into some of the finest jewelry and weaponry produced by human hands.
Allies: Taeghas, just to the west of Avanil, has sworn fealty to Avanil. With the Count of Taeghas's sanction, the prince's armies march up to the border to match their might against Aerie Boeruine 's. Brosengae, though under Avanil's rule, is not a strong ally.
Enemies: Avanil's most powerful enemy is also his chief rival in his quest for the Iron Throne—Boeruine. The prince and the archduke Aerie Boeruine remain constantly at each other's throats, and no force in Avonlae can stop their mutual hatred. They watch the moves of other regents, each always looking for the hand of the other so he can counteract the plots of his counterpart. Though they seem to act civilly in public, their words carry barbs apparent only to the other.
Regent: Darien Avan, Prince of Avanil, runs not only his own kingdom, but significant portions of other provinces as well. Though he inherited much from his father, Veladan Avan, he has managed to amass an even greater portion of wealth and power than any had dreamed possible. It did help that partial stewardship of the Imperial City itself passed to him with the death of his father. Nonetheless, Darien Avan capitalizes on any opportunity to expand his domain.
The middle-aged prince seems well versed in the uses and abuses of power. He strives for law and moderation in all things, but he, like the Archduke of Boeruine, appears willing to sacrifice his compatriots to gain the Iron Throne. He believes that his knowledge of power will serve him well, and that he could be the best thing to happen to Avonlae since Roele himself. None dare to gainsay him.
• Lieutenants: Avan believes that a monarch can not carry his burdens alone. Thus, he has entrusted his lieutenants with much of the governance of the realm, allowing him the freedom to work the strings of politics in his domain and others. Dheraene Bhailie, chief of the lieutenants, handles the prince's foreign affairs. She plays the game of politics like few others in Avonlae. Of course, she has flaws like everyone else—she's just more careful to hide them.
Important persons: The best goldsmith in the city of Daulton, Laestier(person), is a half-elf who has foregone the use of his surname. The big, bald man always proves a font of information and gossip. He makes no claim to the truth of his talk, but he seems accurate far more often than not. Though one of the most friendly, gentle people a traveler is likely to meet, he possesses an underlying sadness. He also charges a pretty price for his work.
Description: Like the rest of the Southern Coast, Avanil's eastern provinces are covered by grasslands. Grains grow here, and cattle roam—but neither product matches the quality of that produced elsewhere in Avonlae. Avanil's grasslands give way to the hills and mountains of the western provinces, where miners constantly pull forth the earth's precious metals. Sometimes at night, the lurid glow of smithies casts an infernal light across the clouds. The common folk whisper that the Shadow World creeps closest on those nights.
• Capital: Since the Prince of Avanil never controls the City of Avonlae, the ruling family long ago established the domain's capital city of Daulton in the province of the same name.
• Trade Goods: The main wealth of Avanil arises from the mines in the hills and mountains. Gold, silver, and iron are pulled from the mountains and exported around Avonlae. The smiths of Daulton work these metals into some of the finest jewelry and weaponry produced by human hands.
Allies: Taeghas, just to the west of Avanil, has sworn fealty to Avanil. With the Count of Taeghas's sanction, the prince's armies march up to the border to match their might against Aerie Boeruine 's. Brosengae, though under Avanil's rule, is not a strong ally.
Enemies: Avanil's most powerful enemy is also his chief rival in his quest for the Iron Throne—Boeruine. The prince and the archduke Aerie Boeruine remain constantly at each other's throats, and no force in Avonlae can stop their mutual hatred. They watch the moves of other regents, each always looking for the hand of the other so he can counteract the plots of his counterpart. Though they seem to act civilly in public, their words carry barbs apparent only to the other.
Another enemy of Avan is the Imperial Chamberlain of Avonlae, Caliedhe Dosiere. The Chamberlain knows the prince and his politics, and Dosiere's work playing Avan and Boeruine off each other has continued to fuel their passionate hatred. However, the Prince of Avanil doesn't realize Dosiere considers him and the archduke both unfit; he does what he can to win the Chamberlain's favor, knowing the man's word could make the next Emperor.
Fortunately, enough other kingdoms border the Elf's domain to take Rhuobhe Manslayer's attention away from Avanil some of the time. Yet the abomination does present danger enough that Avan keeps a permanent garrison in the north to ward against him.
Special Conditions: The Avanese feel cautiously devoted to their liege. They do not praise him with every word, but they take quick offense at deprecating remarks against him. Though no law forbids speaking against the prince, someone doing so might want to leave the domain—quickly, for even rogues here believe with pride that their lord is destined to become the next Emperor of Avonlae.
Special Conditions: The Avanese feel cautiously devoted to their liege. They do not praise him with every word, but they take quick offense at deprecating remarks against him. Though no law forbids speaking against the prince, someone doing so might want to leave the domain—quickly, for even rogues here believe with pride that their lord is destined to become the next Emperor of Avonlae.
