Difference between revisions of "Serendipity"

Revision as of 02:55, 16 September 2009

The Kingdom of Serendipity is the oldest of the Three Kingdoms and was built upon a wide expanse of flat country with its borders stretching from the Terrin Mountains clear to the Hivan ocean, where its port town of Cerenis can be found. Its name comes from the Old Le'raani words siiri and diat, meaning 'peace' and 'land' respectively. Hence, the Peaceful Land.

Serendipity is the middle kingdom, located between Adela to the south and Connlaoth to the north. The Terrin Mountains form its western and northern borders. Because of its proximity to Connlaoth, Serendipity gets a number of Connlaothan refugees who are brave enough to scale the mountains in between the two kingdoms. That arm of the Terrins acts as a buffer zone and neither country makes claim to them. Serendipity is also located directly across the sea from Thanatos, and exports much crop and livestock to the island nation.

Serenians value academia, social progressiveness, and philosophy. Their country enjoys natural defenses in the form of the Terrin Mountains to the west and north, which are nearly impassible even for small groups, and the Hivan ocean to the east. Serendipity's only major vulnerability lies to the south where it borders Adela, it's long-time ally with whom it has never had a major military dispute after Adela's secession. Any hostile force seeking entry into Serendipity from the south would first have to make it past Adela's forces. Because of its relative safety from invasion, Serendipity has formed little in the way of defenses. Few of its cities have walls and the palace in Arca was built for beauty rather than for ability to withstand a siege. Most defenses are laid near the northern mountain passes and the coast.

History

Pre-history

The ancestors of modern Serenians migrated from the Niahi Woods far to the west. Jagged, artificial rifts in the mountainsides and towering piles of boulders in precise locations suggest that numerous passes once lay between the eastern grasslands and the Niahi Woods, and that these passes were deliberately blocked. Residual energies left by violent magics linger over much of the mountains, the reminders of a truly earth-shaking war fought upon that land at the time of the migration.

These first settlers were fey folk and people born of unions between humans and fae. Over the centuries their loose collection of settlements developed more and more into an organized state. Their influence spread north to the border mountains and east to the coast but the expansion halted as it moved south and the fertile grasslands turned to dense forest. Basilisks, wyverns, and chimeras ruled these midland forests, and the warlike native tribesmen there pushed ever northward, contending with the settlers for land.

Once these early Serenians reached their natural borders and encountered the dangers beyond, the need for more cohesion became apparent. Three of the most powerful clans—Siilan, RHI NAME YOUR HOUSE, and Talii—came together in Arca, the land's largest town, and there they raised up their first queen, called Shaith the Moonspear. They began keeping written records of their history and called their kingdom Serendipity.

Growth and expansion

Efforts to further consolidate the settlements and clans of the land marked the reigns of the early sovereigns, who have been mostly queens and few kings even to this day. At the time the eleven major Houses began solidifying their realms of influence, the Serenians' natural curiosity and drive to explore pushed frontiersmen north past the mountains and south into the savage midland forests.

The northern excursions resulted in tragedy as those explorers who had survived trickled back to Serendipity with tales of a savage people in command of packs of demon dogs. These people, they said, were as poison to the mageborn and wielded cruel iron weapons and shackles, the likes of which Serenians could not abide to touch. The throne charged its northern fiefdoms to close off the passes and protect the realm from this menace.

Explorers in the south had more success and discovered tribes open to friendship among the native peoples. Further settlers soon followed, interbreeding with the tribespeople and bringing with them knowledge of Serenian agriculture and architecture, but the constant wars between the tribal groups frequently cut off the growing settlements from Serendipity. From the never ending disputes emerged Ysaryk of Adela, who first conquered and unified the warring tribes and then demanded sovereignty from Serendipity. Faced with hostility from both north and south, Serendipity withdrew all claim to the lands under Adela's control.

The Threefold War

After enjoying decades of peace, Serendipity endured it's first and only major war when the Connlaothan army spilled through the mountain passes and into the northern provinces. Taken by surprise, Serendipity at first suffered crushing defeats and the invasion pushed near to Arca. Their mageknights proved ineffective against the Mordecai-lead legions of Connlaoth, and though every major House called their banners to war, Serendipity's efforts had always been spent on training up its warrior mages, leaving its infantry and cavalry outnumbered by Connlaoth's efficient forces.

In desperation, Serendipity turned to it's southern neighbor and called for aid. Incensed by the tales of genocide perpetrated under the Connlaothans and chaffing for battle after too many years of a stalemate with the Duhjari plains people, Adela raised its banners and marched. Relying far less on magic and more on strategy, unaffected by Connlaoth iron traps, the Adelan host bolstered Serendipity's armies and halted the Connlaoth march, though being the least populated of the nations their numbers were too few to break the siege on the midland strongholds.

With the time bought by the Adelan host, Serendipity marshaled its mageknights one last time. Armed with newly developed long range techniques, the mages took the field once more and rained devastation upon the Connlaoth forces from outside the Mordecai's range. With the Connlaoth line broken, the Adelans then took up as scouts, directing the mages to key targets until they had pushed the invading army up against the mountains.

The Adelans attempted to follow the routed Connlaoth forces into their homeland and continue the conflict, but Serendipity sued for a white peace. Relations between Serendipity and Connlaoth remained forever difficult, but the war resulted in a formal mutual-protection alliance between Adela and Serendipity.

In-game history

Queen Charumati was the first in-game queen of Serendipity. Her reign was short and after her death Queen Dawn ascended the throne. A controversial queen in the beginning for her familial connections to thieves, she nonetheless proved a strong force of leadership. Relations with Adela at this time grew shaky because of a personal dislike between she and Akkiel, an influential prince of Adela.

After her disappearance, King Fenway ascended the throne, and is Serendipity's current leader. Fenway was the Lord Knight Commander of Serendipity's military under Dawn's rule and has increased the size of Serendipity's standing army and promoted a new dedication to defense.

Government and politics

Serendipity is a monarchy of equal primogeniture, meaning that inheritance passes to the oldest surviving child without regard to gender, and the kingdom prides itself on smooth transitions of power even in the event of succession struggles. An appointed regent acts as adjunct to the King and Queen.

The core of Serendipity's government lies in the eleven Great Houses who swear fealty to the throne and rule the eleven provinces that divide the kingdom. Kia's Court, the twelfth province, is always under the power of the House who holds the throne. The provinces are further divided into fiefdoms, dukedoms, and baronies. Sworn Houses oversee the fiefdoms in pledge to the the Great House of the province. The collective High Lords and High Ladies of the Great Houses are often simply called the Eleven, and they form a council of sorts that both upholds the law of the throne and checks its power. A unanimous vote from all of them can remove the sovereign from power. Once a year the High Lords and Ladies answer the Calling and travel to Arca to sit in conference with the King and Queen regarding the state of the realm.

Succession

The title of Prince or Princess of the Blood is held by the children of the King and Queen. Should the sovereign die with no chilren, their eldest sibling assumes the throne.

Prince/Princess of the Realm is a stylization held by any of the Great Lords or Ladies who have a standing blood claim to the throne through a past relation. The more recent the relation, the stronger their claim in the event of a succession vote. A relation older than five generations is not recognized.

Within the sovereign's power is the ability to grant to any person the status of heir, be they of royalty, nobility, or commoner, but if no legal heir exists upon the Sovereign's death, the fate of the Throne goes to a vote of the Eleven, in which they are required to cast their support to one of the Princes or Princesses of the Realm. It takes eight votes to lawfully lay claim to the throne. Should anyone attempt to take Kia's Court without the eight votes, all other provinces will call their banners to put down the offending House and strip the family of its lands and rights. In this way Serendipity ensures nonviolent successions. If, in one year's time, the eight votes cannot be found, then the Oracle of the Daygate shall seclude herself for a fortnight and, upon emergence, hand down a holy proclamation naming the new King or Queen.

Most nobles are nobles by birth but the crown can grant this title, as well as land ownership, to commoners should it see fit.

Ranks of nobility

King/Queen

The sovereign monarch of Serendipity and the centralization of power in the kingdom. They make their home in Arca and rule over Kia's Court personally. They enjoy the stylings of Your Highness, Your Majesty, Your Grace, or Sire.

High Lord/High Lady

The highest rank of nobility, a High Lord or Lady rules over one of Serendipity's twelve provinces as the head of a Great House. They swear fealty directly to the throne and in turn receive fealty from all nobility who live within their province. Stylings include High Lord/Lady, Lord/Lady.

The twelve provinces

Ravensway

Located in the south, Ravensway borders Adela and consists largely of forested land. It has gained a reputation as a place of illusion and fey trickery. Hosts a large population of faerie folk and gained it's name from the sentient white ravens who serve them. House Siilan has held Ravensway since the Founding.

Featherfall

Located north of Whitesands along the coastline, Featherfall is named for its picturesque seaside cliffs and the large population of sea-gryphons that make their eyries there. Further inland, the land is mostly flat plains with few hills. House ____ has held Featherfall since the Founding.

Moonspear

Named for being the birthplace of Serendipity's first queen, Shaith the Moonspear. Located directly north of Kia's Court. Shaith's legendary enchanted spear is housed in a temple in this province.

Summervale

A southern province by the sea. One of the newer provinces and swiftly growing in power and influence as trade ships sailing north are docking at its town's harbors with ever more frequency. Famed in Serendipity as a paradise of mild, warm weather and lush gardens.

Darken Vei

In the northwest, in the constant shadow of the mountains to its north and west. Like Featherfall and Northwatch, the lords of Darken Vei are charged to be ever vigilant in their guardianship of the border. The land of Darken Vei is strong with magic and the province produces many mages.

Kia's Court or whatever

The center of Serenian political life, Kia's Court houses Arca and the palace of the sovereign. Whichever House holds the throne, holds Kia's Court.

Whitesands

Named for its long stretches of gentle, sandy coastline. Whitesands holds the port town of Cerenis, the second largest city in all of Serendipity and traditional location of the High Lord of Whitesands' seat of governance. Whitesands contains the highest populations of Thanatosi and Essyrni to be found in the kingdom.

Northwatch

A prideful province charged with protecting the only reliable pass connecting Connlaoth and Serendipity. Of all provinces, they have the largest and most elite militia, and a relatively small mage population compared to the rest of the kingdom. The High Lord's seat of governance is always in the fort town that guards the pass.

Fallial

One of the oldest provinces with a high concentration of heavily fae bloodlines. Its land lies upon a plateau in the Wester Highlands that rises far above the lowlands below. Has a long tradition of allying itself with Tirial, it's neighboring province to the south.

Jadenshine

The largest province in all of Serendipity and easily the wealthiest. Its land holds many rivers and tributaries and was named for the jade deposits found therein, although gold has also been discovered in abundance. A popular province for merchants, as the Ora river runs through it and connects with with both Adela and Connlaoth.

Tirial

Like Fallial, Tirial rests on a plateau in the western part of the kingdom and was among the first regions inhabited when Serendipity's founders first migrated across the mountains. It's ancient heritage is a source of pride among those who dwell here, and many families in this province have held their lands for centuries.

Altas Verde

The southernmost province in all of Serendipity, Altas Verde's land consists mostly of forested highlands. During the troublesome years of difficulty between Serendipity and the foundling nation of Adela, this stretch of land switched control many times before the border was finally settled along one of the Ora's tributaries. Home to a higher population of Adelans than any other province.

Geography and climate

Most of Serendipity consists of flat grasslands, snaking rivers, and sparse forests, making it ideal for agriculture and raising livestock. The most fertile region lies in Jadenshine, where tributaries of the Ora River fan out into the grasslands. South near the border of Adela the forests grow thicker. The Wester Highlands, a region dominated by hills and jutting cliffs, lead up to the western Terrin Mountains.

The Ora River flows south and cuts the country in half. It's tributary, the Illusiath, cuts to the east to meet the Hivan Ocean and its regular flooding is responsible for the marshlands and fertile plains of Whitesands. Long stretches of sandy beach mark the coast up to the sea cliffs of the coastal Terrins.

The climate of Serendipity is temperate throughout with wet springs and summers and mild winters. Because the Terrin Mountains block the westerly winds, the western provinces are dryer than the mid and eastern provinces. The climate near the coast is more changeable due to the oceanic winds coming in off the sea.

Society and culture

Social structure

All native-born people, whether man or woman, Serenian or not, are citizens entitled to the protection of the law and required to meet their obligations to throne and lord in the form of labor, service, and taxes. Only temple servants might be released from these obligations. Commoners who own their own land owe no military service to the lord of the province or fiefdom, but are taxed on the land under their possession. Those who own no land will live under the rule of their lord, who will in turn live under the rule of a sworn House, which in turn operates under the rule of a charter House, which serves the throne.

The usual way for commoners to obtain land is to purchase it, though land can also be granted to them by lords or by the throne itself. Titles of nobility might also be granted for exceptional service. Non-natives may own no land but with enough money and social status may become citizens.

Slaves might own property (never land) and have a family at the discretion of their master, but they have no status or power. Very few slaves in Serendipity are Serenian, as any native-born Serenian who can prove their birth is guaranteed freedom within the kingdom's borders. Only Serenians born outside of Serendipity's borders and later brought into the country would be lawfully owned. Most slaves come in from the southern trade routes, especially those originating in the city-states of southern and eastern Le'raana.

Slaves freed within the borders of Serendipity may not lawfully be enslaved there again. Serenians free slaves liberally and often, usually as a reward for years of good service or if the slave earns back their own price.

Language

Old Serenian was the language spoken at the time of the great migration across the Terrin mountains. Over time the Trader's Tongue, now simply called Common, gradually replaced Old Serenian, a process which began in the cities along the Ora River. Some commoners in rural provinces still know conversational Old Serenian, but it grows increasingly rare and is spoken mostly by scholars and historians. Among the general populace, only a few words remain in common usage.

Religion

Main article Serenian religion

Serenians are traditionally polytheistic and follow a specific pantheon of gods and goddesses. They have their own myths concerning the nature of the world and the origins of life. While the throne acknowledges and honors the gods of the Serenian people, there are no religious laws and people may worship or not as they choose, though anyone who engages in acts that might anger the gods would likely be shunned or even cast out of their village so as not to bring the fury of the offended deity upon the rest of the people.

Serenian people

Their fey ancestry has given Serenians fair complexions and delicate features. They tend to be small boned and a wide variety of hair colors are common among them, even hues such as greens, pinks, and blues. This is due to the magic and faerie glamour that runs strong in Serenian bloodlines, magic which sometimes manifests itself via physical traits. Their individual height can range from tall to short depending on which fey clan they trace their origin back to.

While the glamour in their blood has given Serenians a strong predisposition for magic, it has also given them a weakness to iron. For some the aversion is so acute that the touch of iron will burn their skin. If cut or stabbed with iron they will grow weak and the injury would suffer potentially fatal infection, even though it may be a superficial wound. A Serenian's magic can be contained by iron shackles at their wrists and throat. Nets and traps made of iron produce similar results, and even proximity to iron can interfere with Serenian magic and weaken them physically, sapping their energy and making them feel dizzy or ill.

Economy

The currency of Serendipity comes in the form of copper, silver, and gold coins, all of which are branded with Serendipity's rising sun on one side. Most merchants in Serendipity will also accept Adelan coin and some will accept Connlaothan as well.

Copper coins

One copper coin is a pip. Opposite the sun side is a wheat bundle.

Ten pips make a copper penny, with a lily opposite the sun side.

Ten pennies make a copper shil, with a dragonfly on the opposite side.

Silver coins

Twenty pennies make a silver glint, with a spear opposite the sun side.

Ten glints make a silver moon, with a moon and stars opposite the sun side.

Gold coins

Fifty moons make a gold shiin, with an a portrait of Shaith opposite the sun side.

Fifty shiin make a gold sun, with a rampant gryphon opposite the sun side.

Military

The bulk of Serendipity's military lies in the sworn men of its noble Houses. Every minor House controls a fiefdom, and most require military service of some sort from every family with an eligible man. When the major Houses call their banners, the minor houses answer by rallying their forces to their lord. Kia's Court is the only province that operates differently. The fiefdoms in this province are sworn not to any lord, but to the throne directly, and their forces make up Serendipity's standing army.

Lord Knight Commander

The supreme commander responsible for leading all of Serendipity's military. Answers directly to the king and queen.

Cavalry Commander

Directly subordinate the the Lord Knight Commander, this officer is in command of Serendipity's cavalry forces.

Infantry Commander

Directly subordinate the the Lord Knight Commander, this officer is in command of Serendipity's infantry soldiers.

Head Mage

Directly subordinate the the Lord Knight Commander, this officer oversees the training of mages in the military.

Knights

Heavy cavalry, many of whom hail from noble houses, though it is possible to rise to this esteemed rank on merit alone.

Mageknights

Light cavalry. Mages trained in battle magic who ride swift, clever horses.

Soldiers

Infantrymen and cavalry who form the main body of Serendipity's military. Examples are archers, pikemen, scouts, and swordsmen.

Trainees

Soldiers in training. Also includes squires on their way to knighthood and apprentice mages studying battle magic.