Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Enchanted Trinkets Complete--a hardcover book containing over 500 magic items for your D&D games!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rhineglade" data-source="post: 6783679" data-attributes="member: 6801931">MERIDIAOfficial Name:  Kingdom of MeridiaRuler: His Majesty, King Leofric of Meridia, Duke of Edgewood, Count of Squiregate (LN male human, Pal 14)Government: Independent feudal monarchy with hereditary rulership; king often competes with leading aristocracy for control over the region; rulership follows the Salic Law allowing only males to inherit the throne though women are allowed to rule as regentsCoat of Arms: Gules, a unicorn rampant argentNotable Figures: Prince Adelund, Duke of Northwick (LG male human Pal 9); Aelfwyn, the Queen-Dowager (CG female human, Rgr 7); Prince Bronwic, Duke of Highcrest (LE male human, Rog 10); Viceroy Nardo Nazarine (LN male human, Clr 12 of Brannoc); Queen Eilonwy (CG female human, Brd 9), Radigund the Magister (LN male human, Wiz 17)Rule of Law: Lawful Neutral.  Strongly ordered and regimented society with many written laws.  Traditions and organization are greatly valued often with strict interpretation of the laws.  Order will sometimes outweigh morality and the letter of the law is generally accepted over the spirit of the law.  Discipline outweighs mercy.Population: 450,000Capital:  Caerwall (100,000)Major Cities: Dragonwick, Edgewood, Highcrest, Nevermore, Northwick, Shorehaven, SquiregateMajor Religions: Kronum, Galdor, Eileania, Meru, Solovar, Seralise, Brannoc, AinuMajor Resources: Foodstuffs, wool, gold, silver, platinum, iron, gems, coalMilitary: 22,500 (composed of light and heavy infantry supported by heavy cavalry; navy consists of 10 war galleys, 6 cogs and 8 caravels)Allies: Hrathgar, Rendore, Selenir, Trytheria (sometimes), Pryderia, Dunwyn (currently), Galiwyn, AldimirEnemies: Aelinore, Golgathor, Avernia, Rhuthune, Draugmore, Wyngard, Barren Raiders, Dunwyn (formerly)The Kingdom of Meridia is often judged by its long and illustrious line of kings.   Royalty in Meridia did not always follow the traditional path common in other kingdoms throughout Hyperion.  During the Brythonian ascendancy, the Altari tribal system prevailed in the region with hundreds if not thousands of petty tribal chieftains competing for control over their small territory.  Although little is known about these petty lords, they did establish the foundation upon which the line of Meridian royalty is based.  Since its origins, the rivalry between the kings and the nobles have been instrumental in influencing the history and development of the kingdom.Arguably the preeminent kingdom of Hyperion, Meridia occupies the strategically significant land between the Stormcrest Sea in the north and the Brightwater Sea in the south.  The western and eastern boundaries are traditionally held by the Rushwind Mountains and the Wychwood respectively.  The climate of the kingdom is strongly influenced by a number of geographical features including the Rushwinds, the proximity to the sea and the active volcano located to the far southwest of the region.  Weather is typically Continental and mild throughout much of the year with average rainfall during the summer months.  Temperatures generally do not fluctuate greatly though they can dip below freezing in the higher elevations in the west and north.Historically, much of the population gravitates along the mighty Grayflood river which bisects the kingdom into asymmetrical regions.  The North and Northwest are generally more rugged and rocky while the south, particularly along the long coastline, is flatter and far more arable.  Much of the hinterland is heavily forested with a great many deciduous varieties.  Rivalry and even occasional open conflict have occurred between the north and south.  The northern provinces are more rural and independent with a distinctly chaotic bent.  Galdor, the chaotic god of war and freedom is seen as the patron of the region.  The south, on the other hand, is generally more urbane, provincial, lawful and dominated by the church of Kronum, the god of law.  The Meridian kings have often been at odds with their more independent-minded barons.  Competition between these two political forces have long been a recurring theme throughout Meridian history.The Royal Capital of Caerwall, sometimes called the 'Jewel of the Grayflood,' is one of the largest urban centers on the World of Dragonwick with almost a quarter of the kingdom's population dwelling within its walls.  It is a chief center for trade, learning, religion, adventure, politics, culture and even magic.  The politically powerful kings maintain a number of castles and fortified palaces within the city limits and in the surrounding hills.  The royal entourage travels extensively from stronghold to stronghold throughout the year with the court following.  Leofric, the current king, is a young royal with a strong-will and firm belief in the Divine Right of Kings.  He became king at the tender age of 10 upon the death of his father King Theofric in 1643.  Theofric's widow, Queen Aelfwyn, a Galiwyn princess, ruled as Regent though the true power was held by Viceroy Nazarine, a leading cleric of Brannoc.  When Leofric came of age in 1651, he was officially crowned king and took control over the affairs of state as was expected though Nazarine, and even his mother, maintain considerable influence.  Significantly, an almost 30-year war between the neighboring Kingdoms of Meridia and Dunwyn came to an official end with the Treaty of Oldcastle signed in 1648.  The treaty established acceptable borders between the two kingdoms and likewise lead to a union between the two royal houses which helped solidify the peace.  The eldest daughter of the Dunnish king was betrothed to Leofric of Meridia and the two were wed in 1656 when Leofric was 27 and Eilonwy was only 18.  Negotiations for the marriage were long and arduous partially due to the laws of Dunnish succession.  Dunnish princesses could inherit the throne and this worried the nobles of Dunwyn who feared becoming subservient to Meridia  should the crown of Dunwyn pass to a Meridian heir.  A renunciation clause was written into the marriage contract which excluded Eilonwy and her offspring and heirs from the Dunnish throne.[ATTACH]72544[/ATTACH]</blockquote>

Verification