Creative Exercise: The Sovereign Dominion of Eyros

[Arkhandus]

Well, I've been too distracted in the last few days, and haven't gotten the three foreign gladiators all finished in the Rules thread, nor my little blurbs about their countries that I intended to contribute here gradually. So for the moment I'll contribute something else while I wait for inspiration to strike again.

Contribution:
For many centuries the nation of Saagersberg has been governed by an odd collection of community-elected grafen, currently four landgrafen, two markgrafen, an altgraf, a wildgraf, and two burggrafen, each of which manages a township. Each township is a collection of various small communities such as towns and hamlets, since Saagersberg has few true cities. While the solar Conquers Twice commands the nation, each graf handles the lesser matters of his or her towns and villages. Each township also has a militia commander titled herzog, as Saagersberg hasn't bothered with forming a true military since the old tyrant-barons were deposed by Conquers Twice.

 

[Sarellion]

I know the german words, but can you tell what´s the difference between the different grafen in Saagersberg or is it just a title? (Ok I would like to know the difference in the original meaning, too, out of personal interest).

The only one I know is the markgrafen, who rules a mark, the county behind a border, with potential enemies on the other side.

A herzog is the german word for duke for the last 1200 years or so. The original meaning was the leader of a big wandering tribe eager for warfare, in the era when the germanic tribes moved into former roman territory. Was that the word you are looking for?

 

[Arkhandus]

I know. But as hinted at in my contribution, the solar deposed the hereditary tyrants of Saagersberg long ago. Herzog is now simply the title given to the militia commander in each township, and the current herzogs have only limited influence; the graf of each township holds the political power, the herzog has control of the militia, so no one holds too much power; can't recruit militiamen if the politico has soured them to your cause, right? The grafen each control a township, basically a collection of towns and villages reasonably close together, probably surrounded by a fence to separate townships. The grafen are all relatively equal, though the wildgraf has few subjects, and most of them are militiamen so he shares power of his territory with his herzog.

The wildgraf rules a wilderness territory that hasn't been cultivated for agriculture or whatnot yet, and has hardly any population, mostly consisting of forests and such with a few border posts and maybe a major borderfort. The altgraf controls a highland region of mostly rough hills and/or mountains, little arable land, and a smaller population than most of the other townships. The markgrafen each rule a mark (aka march), relatively large but bordering hostile territories where Saagersberg typically suffers attacks from Kwlloch, Eyros, Indracca, barbarians, or whatever. Markgrafen have some good political power since their territories are important defensive positions, keeping the other townships safe, but the position of markgraf is generally one for unpopular politicos because it's tough and dangerous.

The landgrafen each control a typical township of farmland, hunting grounds, and other relatively normal, easy-to-manage grounds, mostly around the inner portions of Saagersberg. Burggrafen each command a castle, likely on the oldest danger-facing borders, well-established and highly populated but with large militias like the markgrafen's townships. I figure they have large, long walls around their burgs, probably two or three such walls surrounding them, and an inner castle at the center or perhaps right at the border. Y'know, I do leave things open for others to elaborate on..... Not like I want to detail every last tidbit like some obsessed wannabe-overlord. :^D Do whatever you want with the Saagersberg grafen and herzogs for all I care. I'm just establishing some basics of the region since no one's really bothered to yet.

 

[Khorod]

Contribution:

The gundabah howdah's can be broken up into 11 pieces, enabling twelve men and some ropes to set it up in the course of half an hour.

This is often done in extended forays of Gundabah units away from their homes.

The original Gundabah place was along a rocky enscarpment. Long ago, one of the Lich-Kings of Xaleris went mad, searching for something that is said to have never existed. He dug deep stone furrows out of the walls of the enscarpment, and down into the earth.

The Gundabah's were trained to climb into these tunnels, allowing a group of twelve to attach the howdah's in a matter of minutes. The Gundabah's are big enough to climb out readily.

Since that time, most Gundabah (bases?) have a number of ramped pits that make the howdah placement easier.

The original site has taken on a historical importance, and is used as a Gundabah training and breeding center.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Awesome art Tonguez!

 

[Sarellion]

Contribution:
Most monks in Eyros don´t mind fighting when necessary. Other monks adhere to the teachings of Vana, a female gnome monk who lived 200 years ago. She postulated that violence against another person is wrong. As all people are part of the world being, violence against someone else is like self mutilation and sign of an unenlightened mind. Only self defense is a viable option. Her pupil Janys later postulated that fighting aggressors is allowed so to prevent further damage to the world.
The teachings of Vana are popular among a minority of the eyrian monks and in every monastery are a few monks who adhere to her teachings.
One monastery in the Taljik province incorporated Vanaism in their teachings and all monks there follow it.
Detractors point out that Vana had some valid points but think that she was part of a Praes Thanatos plan to weaken the martial prowess of the monks.

 

[domino]

Disguised as traders, or diplomats, the military of Eyros has recently started sending in teams of spys or soldiers to neighboring countries. They are tasked with observing the tactics and state of readiness of their foreign counterparts. Whether it is a precursor to invasion, or simply information gathering for a warning of an attack against Eyros, only the Legionary HQ knows.

 

[Rhialto]

The Xal Emperors are drawn from the Cult of the Fools, ascetics who learn to deny worldly distractions by focussing body and mind. When they appear in public these monks wear brightly coloured clothes adorned with feathers and streamers. Singing and yelling in a strange language they act the role of madmen and children engaging in energetic dancing, acrobatics and buffonry throughout the streets. Nonetheless they are greatly respected for their wisdom and ability. It is known that the play the fool in order not to be seen as a threat to the Emperor whom the serve and whom one of them will eventually replace.

Often accompanying the Cult of Fools on these outings is the similiar Order of Jugglers, merrymakers whose impressive tricks and acrobatics are a common sight on the streets of Xaleris. The Jugglers are a mendicant order who train their bodies and minds to perform elaborate stunts, gaining what little money they can call their own by performing them for onlookers. They invaribly defer to the Fools when they around, and will often act as servants and factotems for the monks.

Of course, both groups have another side that is certaily less innocent then their public faces. When the Cult of Fools are not performing or studying their ascetic disciplines, they act as the Immortal Emperors magistrates and enforcers, investigating the affairs of nobles and priests to make sure that everything is following the Emperor's will, and settling disputes and legal matters. Their authority in such matters is absolute, and they may only answer to the Emperor himself.

As for the Jugglers, they act as the Emperor's spies, sabateurs, and in the senior branches of the Order, his assassins.

 

[Arkhandus]

Often accompanying the Cult of Fools on these outings is the similiar Order of Jugglers, merrymakers whose impressive tricks and acrobatics are a common sight on the streets of Xaleris. The Jugglers are a mendicant order who train their bodies and minds to perform elaborate stunts, gaining what little money they can call their own by performing them for onlookers. They invaribly defer to the Fools when they around, and will often act as servants and factotems for the monks.

Of course, both groups have another side that is certaily less innocent then their public faces. When the Cult of Fools are not performing or studying their ascetic disciplines, they act as the Immortal Emperors magistrates and enforcers, investigating the affairs of nobles and priests to make sure that everything is following the Emperor's will, and settling disputes and legal matters. Their authority in such matters is absolute, and they may only answer to the Emperor himself.

As for the Jugglers, they act as the Emperor's spies, sabateurs, and in the senior branches of the Order, his assassins.

Contribution:

House Vajar controls the northernmost territory of the Sovereignty, Korvaj Province, a mixed territory of forests and plains around the Kohoal River and its tributaries. Vajar's provincial capitol is Tol-Vajar, built on the banks of the Kohoal many leagues northeast of Mhur, amidst some light woodland.

((This link leads to the most recent map from IronRegime, I think from several pages ago. It has not been updated for a bit, and neither Nientei nor Mo'ahhi are supposed to be on the map as yet, so the islands marked as such are actually still unclaimed, or property of Indracca and Nistadeen respectively))
http://www.enworld.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=19233

 

[Tonguez]

I was thinking about the animals of Eyros and it seems so far that we have Dhazi, Longstriders and Gundabah as definites, other Reptiles are implied too. What about other creatures? Do we have mammals? birds? vermin?

So just as an addition heres the Ngaraf (aka Eyros Vermin Sheep)

The Ngaraf is another herd animal of Eyros and greatly prized for the silky wool that it bears and which is used to make Eyros silk cloth. The Ngaraf stands about 3 ft at the shoulder supported on six thick legs each ending in a claw, a shorter set of chelae are set by the head and used for feeding, digging and defense. The mouth is small and adapted for tearing vegetation and two smooth eyes sit mounted on short eyestalks.
The Ngaraf grows its silk during the cooler months of the year and it is harvested in spring. The silk comes naturally in colours ranging from a light lavender through white and even lime and pinks are known to occur depending on diet and region. A Breed feed exclusively on the leaves and bark of Bloodwillow has recently been developed and produce a distinctive reddish tint to their silk. The silk can also be dyed for a variety of other colours.

Another larger species of Ngaraf (the Ngaraf Bullock) is known but doesnot produce silk though it is sometimes kept for food or as beasts of burden.

Picture of a Ngaraf Bullock
http://www.uidaho.edu/so-id/entomology/gwa.jpg