Overview of Curath

The Empire of Curath spans from the northwestern coast to the central plains and base of the Urun Peaks. Curath is one of the most powerful players in Aropria. This ancient dynasty rules with a firm hand and an unmatched military. The royal red standards of Curath wave in every hamlet within its borders. The Curathian military proudly patrol the roads and streets. There doesn’t seem to be any part of Curathian life that isn’t at least somewhat managed by these royal guards. Land owners pay taxes to the Emperor in exchange for military protection. Curath is a feudal system with land owners at the top, merchants and craftworkers in the middle, and peasants/slaves at the bottom.

The borders of Curath sprawl from the northwestern edge of the continent to down into the central plains, where it butts up against Caliharah and Nashriam. What little of the north western continent isn’t controlled by Curath is controlled by Rowlem, an insular war-mongering nation. The border between these two nations is riddled with violence as they fight constantly over land and resources. Curath would see Rowlem absorbed completely into their glorious empire.

The Emperor

Curath is currently ruled by Emperor Danren Ethelstanjen. He is generally well respected, mostly because his wife, Crown-Empress Gil, is beloved by the common folk for her fashion and kind mannerisms.

The Emperor oversees the military and deals with foreign powers in the interest of these ruling elites. The Emperor follows a set of codes engraved into platinum sheets when Curath was founded. These codes are militaristic in nature, but leave room for interpretation. At the end of the day, the Emperor/Empress is sworn to follow these codes as they personally interpret them, as long as the strength and stability of Curath is central.

The Curathian military is an everyday part of life. When any human citizen turns 18, they must present themselves for 2 years of mandatory military service. This mostly consists of patrols along the roads through Curath and running down escaped slaves. Most people return to their homes afterwards. Those who choose to stay have a variety of career paths to choose from within the army, from engineering to command to scouting. It’s generally considered an honorable choice to remain in the army, although most farm folk dissuade their kids from joining, preferring they return home to help.

At the end of an Emperor/Empress’ life, the land owners vote by majority to elect the new Emperor/Empress. Emperor is a precarious position, and they are regularly assassinated by land owners who prefer their own person in charge. Whenever one abdicates or dies, a new vote is conducted. The Emperor claims to represent the lower classes as well as their sponsors, but in reality the lower classes are completely ignored. The lower classes have no voice in their government.

Slaves in Curath

Land owners control large estates, of which there are about 250 across Curath. These estates are the center of life and employment for most people, and the landowners act as de facto governors. The most powerful estates encircle the lake outside Dreza, the capital city. Although they are the most powerful, they rarely agree. Each primary estate in the Heartlands has a sprawling handful of lesser estates that ally with them. The estates on the other side of the mountain range to the north west are firmly split into two camps, however, the lack of population in that area prevents them from becoming a major player. Those estates closest to the borders with Caliharah and Rowlem are tasked with defending the borders, and thus have a certain amount of extra respect and sway.

Slavery in Curath is a major institution, where humans are both slavers and the most common slaves. Slaves from other races, specifically synthoids, are highly prized. Wealthy households can own up to a few dozen slaves, and most craftworkers will have at least one. Some slaves are kidnapped by the Prosperity Guild from weaker nations or are captured as part of military conquest. Some races, mainly the undead, are automatically slaves and are used widely across Curath for menial labor.

People from other nations are free to come and go from Curath without fear of being forced into slavery. Slaves are able to earn their freedom, although the actual ability to do so varies widely from master to master. It’s far more common for slaves to attempt to escape, often risking the wildlands to get to the free state of Karg.

Major Noble Curath Estates

Land owners control large estates, of which there are about 250 across Curath. These estates are the center of life and employment for most people, and the landowners act as de facto governors. The most powerful estates encircle the lake outside Dreza, the capital city. Although they are the most powerful, they rarely agree. Each primary estate in the Heartlands has a sprawling handful of lesser estates that ally with them. The estates on the other side of the mountain range to the north west are firmly split into two camps, however, the lack of population in that area prevents them from becoming a major player. Those estates closest to the borders with Caliharah and Rowlem are tasked with defending the borders, and thus have a certain amount of extra respect and sway. There are six Estates that are the largest, oldest, most powerful, and most respected. There are six Estates that are the largest, oldest, most powerful, and most respected.

Estate Ethelstanjen

The most powerful and noble Estate of Curath is the estate of Emperor Danren Ethelstanjen, Estate Ethelstanjen. The noble Estate of Ethelstanjen has enjoyed the top position of power for the last two generations. They reside primarily in the magnificent Dawn Palace in Dreza, on the shore of Lake Drazieu. The Emperor is generally well respected, mostly because his wife, Crown-Empress Gil, is beloved by the common folk for her fashion and kind mannerisms.

Estate Ruehost

Estate Ruehost spans the delta where the Storjot River meets Lake Drazieu, and therefore controls the flow of trade between Nashriam and Curath. They have the highest number of Emperors and Empresses in their history, and are expected to take back control in the next few generations. Apart from the shipping trade, they are extremely wealthy due to the rich soil of the delta, which means they can grow a huge amount of crops. The main Estate itself is a huge, lush garden with low marble mansions scattered throughout.

Estate Ilune

This estate resides on the east coast of Lake Drazieu in a heavily forested area. Lumber is their primary industry, closely followed by mining. They are a wealthy Estate, and generally peaceful. They build themselves huge lodges that are elaborately carved with monsters and hunting legends.

Estate Elrick

Vast fields of silk plants define this estate. Fashion stems from Estate Elrick for the rest of Curath, and you can always tell when they are in town from the high waving banners and gaggles of young people following their caravans, sketching the newest looks. Their fields cover the northern coast of Lake Drazieu. The silk plants bloom in rainbow colors during the spring and summer, making it a lovely place for nobles to stay. Often, the yearly meeting of Estates takes place under vast canopies on those rolling hills.

Estate Longhorn

Colloquially known as the people’s Estate. The largest estate is also fairly far removed from the rest of Curath. It is located in the upper northwest corner of Curath, primarily along water sources between the mountains and the sea. They enjoy a thriving shipbuilding industry, which they sail down the coast to the rest of the continent. Estate Longhorn is agriculture where it is not industrial, and the people on the Estate enjoy great freedoms and an overall lack of control. The head of the Estate is currently embroiled in scandal for sending huge amounts of money to pirates, for reasons hotly debated. The head claims it was a mistake in the books, the pirates claim he was paying them off to keep his own ships safe, and rivals claim it was so the pirates would protect his waters like their own military should.

Estate Rane

The Rane Estate occupies a wide strip of grazing land along the Curath/Rowlem border. Rane primarily raises horses and are especially known for their warhorses. All good warhorses come from Rane, along with the strongest draft horses and fastest racers. Because of this, Estate Rane has always been an important part of the wheeling and dealing of the Estates. In recent years, as tensions with Rowlem have increased, they have gained power in return for their strict protection of the border.