The lands of the City-State encompasses the upper reaches of the Padizan peninsula, bounded roughly by the Tharian coast to the north, the Ghinorian successor states to the east, the jungles of Altantia to the south and the Empire of Viridstan to the west. Halius, Overlord of All Tharians, united the lands of the City-State, over a hundred years ago.
The mighty Cloudwall mountains are the spine of the Padizan peninsula. The Cloudwalls start in Orchia at the "fingers" of the Padizan peninsula. From Orchia it runs north through the Altainian Jungle until it reaches the vale of Dearthmead where the range splits into two with the Cloudwalls continuing northwest towards City-State and the Mountains of (Ered) Losthain to the northeast.
Between the Cloudwalls and the Ered Losthain is the Vale of Dearthmead. The southernmost parts of the Vale, near where the Cloudwalls and Ered Losthain join are known as the Queans Waste. The Queans Waste is a dry and desolate region. Several tribes of Reptile men are known to inhabit the waste. At the junction of the Cloudwalls and Ered Losthain is the Southern pass. This pass leads south from the Queans Waste to the Halkmenan empire.
The northern end of the vale is Dearthmead proper and is bounded by the Estuary of the Roglaroon along the northern edge. This land is fertile and farming is easy here, as you move southward toward the Queans Waste the land become drier and farming gives away to sheep herding.
The Padizan peninsula is a great
north-south mass of land that suddenly takes a turn to the west where it
connects to the main continent of the Wilderlands. The
The
The Estuary of Roglaroon is
perhaps the greatest of rivers of the
Running between the beginning
of the Estuary and the
Finally the last major region is the Elessarian plains. The plains stretch west from the Howling Hills into the Empire of Viridstan. The Plains are bounded in the north by the Tharian Coast and in the south by the Romaillion Sea. The region is one of the greatest farming lands in the Wilderlands, only northern Dearthmead known compare.
Culturally the Lands of the City-State are divided into three regions: the Tharians to the west, the Ghinorians to the east, and the Elessarians to the south along the Romaillion Sea. The Tharian dominate the Lands of the City-State militarily, and politically, while the Ghinorians provide much of the arts, sciences, and literature of the Lands of the City-State.
The Tharians are primarily
clan based, this reflects their origins as horse nomads on the
The Old Tharians primarily herded cattle and raised horses. The Tharians developed the art of horse-raising and are known as the finest of their art. Every free Tharian must own a horse and have the means to upkeep it. When a Tharian comes of age his Lord presents him with a horse and welcomes him into the ranks of the warriors. A Duke or Baron can recognize a particularity gifted warrior and with his Lord's permission grant the rank of Knight and welcome him into the personal service of the Duke or Baron. Knights of the Duke typically calls themselves Knights Banner to distinguish themselves from those knights in the service of a Baron.
Instead of becoming a warrior upon accepting a horse, a Tharian may become a Bondbuyer. The Bondbuyers are those Tharians who go out and buys what the Tharian clan cannot make for themselves. Also they serve as diplomats between the clans often purchasing bonds of loyalty with the trading of horses hence the name Bondbuyer. Those Bondbuyers with great age or wisdom are called Master Bondbuyers.
Tharian females are allowed to choose either route on their majority. Even marriage doesn't mean that a Tharian women has to stop being a warrior or a bondbuyer. However when a Tharian women gives birth to a child that women has to take care of the child until the child's majority. Much of the horse breeding of Tharian breeds is supervised by the women of the clan.
In the City-State the Tharians make up much of the nobility, and the least warrior is the social equivalent to a squire and the bondbuyers are consider to have equal rank with the merchants of the guilds.
The Ghinorians are the descendents of the rulers of a once mighty empire that spanned the world. A Ghinorian believe in the goddess Mitra. They believe that they are her chosen people and are called to a greater destiny. Mitra teaches the Ghinorians about duty, honor, and compassion. Every Ghinorian, from the Kings to the least peasant is expected to live their lives to the creed of Mitra. Every person in a Ghinorian society has his or her place and owes duty to his superior and expects compassion in return. The Ghinorians have great love for organization and hierarchy.
The Elessarians are clannish like the Tharians but they believe in the rights of the individuals as well. Elessarian clans are smaller than the Tharian clan, usually no larger than a extended family. Also when a Elessarian reaches the age of 16 he or she is allowed to choose the clan in which he or she will receive their adult training.
A Elessarian Clan usually has a single Occupation, and all the clan members help in the clan occupation. Typical occupations are: farming, blacksmithing, arcane lore, innkeeping, mercantyling, and more. The property in a clan is used by everyone, but is held by one of the individuals in the clan. This is so if the clan splits both clans will know which property belongs to who. It is from the Elessarians where the "classic" adventuring band stems from, under Elessarian law it is a legal occupation to form a clan under.
0-1500 Orcs inhabited the lands of the City-State. This was time when Viridstan and the Elves of Silverwood fought many battles with the Orcs as pawns.
1500-2000 Elessarians invade the lands of the City-State driving out the Orcs
2493-3182 The Elessarian Empire ruled the Lands of the City-State
3000 The
Empire of Ghinor, expanding northward, reaches Orchia at the tip of the
3100-3300 The
Ghinorian Empire establishes several colonies in the north Modron,
3379 Caelam(
the old name for the City-State) founded by the Order of
3386 Caelam proclaimed a colony of the Ghinorian Empire
3498 The Last Ghinorian Imperial Prince is slain by barbarians
3502 Teran, Governor of Caelam is proclaimed Teran II, Prince of Caelam (Teran's father, Teran, was Governor from 3436 to 3467). The Bishop of Caelam anoints Teran in the name of Mitra
3620-3840 Caelam spreads westward toward Viridstan; forming alliances with various Elessarian states between Caelam and Viridstan.
3895-3898 The Great Viridian War
3898 Anarin is proclaimed Overlord of the Dragon Empire by Caelam and various Elessarians. The Viridian Emperor accepts Anarin as a equal.
4000-4010 Various Tharians on the northwest frontier of the Dragon Empire begin raiding both Viridstan and the Dragon Empire.
4010-4100 Viridstan and the Dragon Empire cooperate in defending against the Tharians. But still continue have occasional battles against each other.
4100-4130 The Dragon Empire wracked with strife as two factions start fighting each other. One faction believes in destroying the Viridians while the other want to cooperate with the Viridians and destroy the Tharians.
4120-4130 A series of excellent growing seasons and mild winters causes a boom in population throughout the Wilderlands. By the 4130's the climate returns to normal.
4130's The Elves of Silverwood, Dwarves of the Majestic Fastness, and the Dragon Empire all experiences increasing Orc raiding. The Dragon Empire ignores the pleas of the Elves and Dwarves.
4143 The Orcs smash into Silverwood and destroys the Argent Halls. King Levarol of Silverwood is killed.
4144 With the aid of the Great Wyrm, Ancelgorn, the Orcs sack the Majestic Fastness.
4145-4150 The entire northern half of the Dragon Empire is lost as the Tharian attack from the northwest and the Orcs from the northeast. The Overlord Anarin VII reorganizes in the south.
4150-4153 Anarin campaigns against the Tharians and the Viridians in the West, Caelam is left unprotected against the Orcs
4151 Atrabilorin, a Dwarven refugee from the Majestic Fastness, arrives in Caelam with a 100 dwarves.
4152 Atrabilorin successfully defends Caelam against the Orcs, the city makes him a lord
4153 Anarin VII dies in battle, his son Nermar is proclaimed Overlord. When Nermar returned to Caelam gather more troops, the city council, embolden by Atrabilorin refuses. Nermar expels Atrabilorin and the council and leaves the Marshal of his army in charge of Caelam. Many stories are told of the conflict between Atrabilorin and the Marshal of Caelam.
4155 Nermar dies in battle against the Tharians. As Nermar had no heir the line of the Dragon Kings come to a close.
4156 Atrabilorin successfully overthrows the Marshal of Caelam, and is proclaimed Overlord of Caelam by the restored city council.
4156 The Bishop of Caelam flees to Dearthmead
4158-4163 Caelam
fights for it's independence against the
4163 The Kingdom of Modron recognizes Caelam's sovereignty, and makes Atrabilorin a Lord.
4178 Atrabilorin
with other survivors of the Majestic Fastness, defeat the Orcs and establishes
the
4186 Modron is forced, by Atrabilorin, to give Dearthmead it's freedom and recognize Teran as Duke of Dearthmead. The Bishop of Caelam returns to Caelam and rededicates the Cathedral of St. Caelam.
4180's Caelam is now commonly known as the City-State of the Invincible Overlord.
4189 City-State,
with Dearthmead, Gaehill, Haghill, and Thunderhold form the Lord's
4190's The
Lord's
4209-4263 The
Lord's
4228 Atrabilorin dies at the age of 221. He leaves the choice of his successor as Overlord to the city council. The council decides not to name another Overlord and proceeds to rule the City-State.
4239 After
the pitiful performance of the
4258-4263 3trd Hill War.
4263 Tharians
of Bulwark were decisively defeated by the Iron Guard and the Guild of
Arcane-Lord. Halius I of Bulwark and his clan are forced to join the Lord's
4270's rising tension between the Guild of Arcane Lore and the Iron Guard.
4281-4287 Civil War between the Guild and the Iron Guard.
4283 The Iron Guard takes the City-State
4287 With the aid of the Duke of Dearthmead, Larus; the Guild of Arcane Lore defeats the Iron Guard and retakes the City-State. In gratitude the council of the City-State elects Salm-Lorin as Overlord. Bishop Halen of Caelam strongly objects and refuses to cooperate with Salm-Lorin. Duke Larus restrains Salm-Lorin from attacking the Bishop and the Church.
4288 The
Iron Guard is utterly destroyed at the Betrayal of Darkfield. The Iron Guard is
tricked by Salm-Lorin that a parlay with Duke Larus was genuine. At the
4289 Duke
Larus, and Salm-Lorin seizes control of the
4290-4293 Both Duke Larus and Salm-Lorin attack the Tharians of Bulwark and the Dwarves of Thunderhold.
4292 Both Duke Larus and his son Teran perish in battle against the Tharian.
4292 Teran's son infant son Larus is crowned Duke Larus II of Dearthmead. Salm-Lorin is appointed Regent of Dearthmead.
4293 Both Bulwark and Thunderhold are forced to submit tribute to Salm-Lorin but remain independent.
4293-4348 The Tyranny; Salm-Lorin rules with a iron grip, with the City-State and Duke Larus II of Dearthmead under his control. Salm-Lorin conquers the surrounding lands.
4295 The Bishop Halen of Caelam is forced to flee to Modron. Salm-Lorin seizes the Church of Mitra in the City-State.
4300's Salm-Lorin conquers the Orcs of Dearthwood.
4311 Salm-Lorin takes the Principality of Modron. The Bishop Halen of Caelam is killed. The Bishop Andramos of Modron successfully flees to Kalnala.
4310's After Modron Salm-Lorin attempts to take the halflings of Limerick Shire.
4324 At the urging of Bishop Andramos, the Ghinorian Successor Kingdoms (Nome, and Kalnala) organizes a crusade and retake Modron. After Modron is retaken Salm-Lorin stop his wars of conquest and consolidate his control over his remaining lands. Bishop Andramos claims all of the former Bishopric of Caelam and demand the return of Church property.
4329 Halius is elected Halius II, Clan Lord of Bulwark.
4330's The Viridians taking advantage of the Tharians feuding starting marching on Tharian lands.
4334-4338 Halius start organizing the clans against the Viridians.
4338 The Viridians start all out war against the Tharians.
4338-4350 The Great War.
4340 Halius is proclaimed Overlord of All Tharians by the combined Clan council.
4342 Thunderhold aid Halius against the Viridians.
4340's Many noble in Dearthmead are disgusted by Salm-Lorin's control over Duke Larus II. Many of the dissatisfied nobles rally around Larus's brother Kelen. The Principality of Modron at the urging of Bishop Andramos aids Kelen.
4343 Salm-Lorin attacks Bulwark, while Halius is off fighting the Viridians. Halius orders his son Lucius to organizes the remaining Clan Bulwark forces.
4343 The Dwarves of Thunderhold come to Lucius aid. With the dwarves aid Lucius fends off Salm-Lorin's attacks.
4345 The Viridstan Empire and Salm-Lorin formally ally.
4348 In a great victory Lucius and his Dwarven allies take the City-State. Salm-Lorin kills himself by throwing himself off the Cryptic Citadel when the city was taken.
4350 Halius forces the Viridians to sue for peace; the Viridian agree not to attack Tharian lands no more.
4350 Duke Larus II is defeated by Lucius forces. Larus is captured by his brother Kelen's forces and is killed. Kelen becomes Duke of Dearthmead and swear fealty to Lucius.
4351 The Tharian army disbands and Halius returns to Bulwark. The Clans allows Halius to retain his title of Overlord of All Tharians. Halius make his son Lucius Overlord of the City-State and Duke of the Hills.
4354 Halius II dies and his son Lucius is elected to be Lucius II, Clan Lord of Bulwark. The combined Clan Council is split between those who wish to make Lucius Overlord and those who wish to return to the old days.
4354 Lucius journeys to the Tharian Kingdom of Thygamus where the Shrine of the Great Lars is located. The Great Mystic tells Lucius that the Great Lars wishes him to:
Assume the titles of
your father and become Overlord of all Tharians. You are granted all the lands
where Tharians dwell save for those lands given to the protector of this
shrine.
With that Lucius rallied his allies and ordered the remaining clans, except the clans of Thygamus, to submit to him as Overlord of All Tharians.
4354-4357 Lucius
conquers all the Tharian lands except for the
4355 Duke Kelen of Dearthmead dies, his son Nolus becomes Duke
4356 At the urging of the Bishop of Modron, Nolus swear loyalty to the Prince of Modron.
4356-4364 The Dearthmead rebellion.
4364 Nolus is defeated and is imprisoned by Lucius, Nolus's son Telen III acts as regent until Nolus's death in 4370.
4368 Lucius and the Dwarves of Thunderhold finally break the Orcs as a threat. Lucius creates the Northern March between the City-State and Thunderhold
4372 Lucius organizes the Codex Tharia and institute the present form of the City-State Government. The Senate, Duchies and the Provinces were organized at this time. Much of Lucius's Clan is reorganized into the Duchy of Gaenost. Lucius retains Bulwark and it's lands.
4379 Lucius II dies and is renamed Lucius the Great. His son Varius becomes Overlord.
4384 Varius reorganizes his forces into two Legions 5000 men strong. One Legion is to be comprised of full-time soliders while the other Legion was to be comprised mostly of levies from the Clans and the Duchies.
4386 Varius conquers the Eastern March with his new Legion and builds a series of castles to act as a buffer between Modron and Dearthmead.
4388-4394 Varius
attacks the Elessarians around the
4392 Varius and the Senate admit those Elessarians allied with the City-State as the Province and Duchy of Halnost. Duke Teran IV of Dearthmead aid Varius greatly in the wars.
4394 Varius and the Elessarian Kingdom of Antil agreed to peace. Varius creates the Prydon March as a buffer zone.
4397 Varius dies, his last words were "Only if the heir of my flesh was made of strong wood"
4397 Tomius is elected Overlord by the Senate in a close race against Duke Teran IV of Dearthmead.
4398 Tomius restores the Guild of Arcane-Lore to it's hall. Also Tomius fills his court with many nobles and wizards from the City-State.
4400 Tomius formally move his court from Bulwark to the Silverlight Palace in City-State.
4401 When Duke Kelen submitted to Lucius the Great, Lucius promised Kelen he would eventually grant the City-State to the Duchy of Dearthmead. However the other Tharians Lords opposed this, so the matter was dropped. In 4401 Duke Teran IV petitioned the Senate for the granting of the City-State to the Duchy of Dearthmead. Duke Teran cited Lucius's promise and the fact that the City-State was historically Ghinorian.
4402 Angered
by Tomius conduct the Senate grants Duke Teran the City-State. Tomius refuses
to cede the
4403 Duke
Telan sends Baron Cormas to be the Overlord of the City-State. Duke Teran order
Cormas to purge the City-State and restore the
4403-4406 Baron
Cormas places many restrictions on the Guild of Arcane Lore, and levies many
taxes on the Guilds and other
4404 Tomius invites the
4405 Mong, a heretic priest of Hamakhis, arrives in the City-State with a few of his followers. They gain a reputation of honesty and justice.
4406 Fed up with taxes and the restrictions the Craftsmen of the Guilds revolt. Baron Cormas is killed. Before Duke Teran could send troops. Mong quells the riot by promising to bring their grievances before the Overlord and Senate.
4406 Before the Senate, Duke Teran, and Overlord Tomius; Mong gives his sermon of Paradoxes. The Senate agrees to return the City-State to the Overlord. Tomius adds the City-State to his title, making him Tomius I, Overlord of All Tharians and the City-State.
4407 In gratitude Overlord Tomius grants a temple to Mong and his followers. Mong builds the Temple of Pegana. Overlord Tomius start using Mong's followers in his courts. Under Mong's guidance Tomius settles down. Duke Teran and Tomius remain rivals.
4412 Mong dies; over 10,000 attend his burial.
4415-4425 The City-State prospers and her merchant trade throughout the known Wilderlands.
4422 Tharian adventurers attack the Halkmenan Empire. Duke Teran alarmed at the loss of trade attempt to quell the attacks.
4423 Overlord Tomius steps in with the Legion and creates the Southern March. The Mercantile of the City-State start trading with the Halkmenan Empire. Soon trade became very profitable as the Halkmenan Empire proved to be a gateway to trade with the Sea of Five Winds.
4426 Duke Teran IV dies followed a month later by the Overlord Tomius. Tomius last words were said to be "At least I out-lived the bastard". Tomius son Lucius was elected Lucius III, Overlord of All Tharians and the City-State, by the Senate.
4430 Recognizing the increasing settlement of Dearthwood and the inroad made against the Orcs; Lucius creates the March of Dearthwood.
4432 Lucius begins actively invest in the Guilds and Mercantyler to promote trade with other lands.
4433 PRESENT DAY
CLAN LORDS OF BULWARK(recorded)
?-4263 Halius I
4263-4303 Melius
4303-4329 Lucius I
4329-4349 Halius II
OVERLORDS OF ALL THARIANS
4349-4354 Halius II
4354-4379 Lucius the Great
4379-4397 Varius
4397-4406 Tomius
OVERLORDS OF ALL THARIANS AND THE CITY-STATE
4406-4427 Tomius
4427-? Lucius III Age: 46
Halius III born 4413 heir
DUKES OF DEARTHMEAD
4186-4195 Teran I
4195-4210 Anarin killed in battle
4210-4245 Valens
4245-4276 Anarin II
4276-4291 Larus killed in battle
Teran II killed in battle
4291-4350 Larus II regency of Salm-Lorin 4292-4302 killed by Kelan
4350-4355 Kelan Larus II brother
4355-4370 Nolus imprisoned for rebellion 4364-4370 son Teran acted as regent.
4370-4389 Teran III
4389-4426 Teran IV
4426-? Kelan II Age: 61
Telan V born 4410 "Count of the Roglaroon" heir
DUKES OF BERNOST
4372-4384 Velius
4384-4404 Melius
4404-4435 Lucius
4435- Velius II
Julius born 4413 Age: 31
DUKES OF LAKNOST
4372-4387 Noius
4387-4419 Velius
4419-4433 Noius II
4433-? Noius III Age: 64
Melius born: 4415 heir
DUKES OF THE HILLS
4251-4269 Kolius
4269-4372 Barius
DUKES OF GAENOST
4372-4399 Barius
4399-4417 Noius
4417-? Kolius II Age: 52
Kolius born: 4411 heir
DUKES OF HALNOST
4392-4413 Chilperic
4413-4432 Marovech
4432-? Dagobert Age: 49
Marovech Born: 4432 heir
The present City-State government
was formed by Lucius the Great in the Codex Tharia in 4378, the last major
change was made when Overlord Tomius was granted the City-State in 4406. The
proper name of the City-State is the Confederation of Tharia and the
The City-State is governed by the Overlord and the Senate. The basic duty of the Overlord is to rule in any dispute between the clans, the basic duty of the Senate is to rule in any dispute between the Overlord and the Clans. Each clans is allowed to rule their own affairs as they see fit, the only restriction is that they must bring disputes between them to the Overlord, and must give men and supplies to defend the Confederation when called upon by the Overlord.
The Overlord has used his personal resources to conquer the marches. They are considered his personal territories and the Senate has not jurisdiction over them.
The purpose of the Overlord's government is fivefold:
1) To maintain the judicial system to adjudicate between clans and their members.
2) To maintain a standing army to defend the Confederation and to protect the Overlord's peace.
3) To collect the dues, men, and supplies owed to the Overlord
4) To run and maintain the marches which are the personal territories of the Overlord
5) To run and maintain the City-State
The Bureau of the Archives is headed by the MINISTER OF THE ARCHIVES. The purpose of the Archives is to store all of the records complied by the Overlord. Under the Minister of the Archives are:
Chief Clerk of the Clans;
All records of people and their clans are kept here
Chief Clerk of Revenue;
All records of the Exchequer are here
Chief Clerk of the Record;
All records of the Overlord library and misc. docs.
Chief Clerk of the Edicts;
All records of the Overlord's Edicts
Chief Clerk of the Senate;
All records of the proceedings of the Senate
Chief Clerk of Jurisprudence;
All records of the Chancery
The Bureau of the Census is headed by the MINISTER OF THE CENSUS. The purpose of the Census is to enumerate all the inhabitants of the Overlord's lands, their property, and their clan. Typically the Census is taken every 10 years.
Under the Minister of the Census is:
Chief Clerk of the Provinces
Clerks of the Provinces
Royal Census Gathers
Chief
Clerk of the
Clerks
of the
Royal Census Gathers
Chief Clerk of Administration
Clerks of Census Administration
The Bureau of the Provinces is headed by the OVERLORD.
The purpose of the Bureau of the Provinces is to overlook the Overlord's
properties and interest among the Clans. The primary duty of the Bureaus is
collect the Overlord's taxes and ensure that the Overlord's justice is applied.
The Wardens of the
Under the Overlord are:
Governor-General of the Provinces
Governor of the Districts
Tax Collectors
Toll Collectors
District Justice
Clerk of the Districts
Treasurer of the Province
Inspector of Public Works
Inspector of Markets
Commander of the Castles/Keeps
Garrison Troops
Lord Magistrates (3)
Chief Clerk of the Governor-General
Warden of the City-State
Lords of the City-State
Captain of the City-Guards
City-Guards
Harbormaster of the City-State
Treasurer of the City-State
Inspector of Public Works
Inspector of Markets
Lord Magistrates (3)
City Justices
Chief Clerk of the City-State
Warden of the
Lord Warder of the Castle
Clerk of the Castle
Tax Collectors
Toll Collectors
Tariff Collectors
District Justice
Clerk of the Districts
Warder of the Districts
Tax Collectors
Toll Collectors
Tariff Collectors
District Justice
Clerk of the Districts
Treasurer of the March
Inspector of Public Works
Inspector of Markets
Commander of the Castles/Keeps
Garrison Troops
Lord Magistrates (3)
Chief Clerk of the Warden
The Bureau of Order is headed by the MINISTER OF ORDER. The purpose of the Bureau is to maintain the Royal Prison, the Debtors Prison, and the Royal Constables. The Royal Constables are charged with appending any outlaw and with transferring of prisoners.
Under the Minister of Order is:
Lord Warden of the Royal Prison
Lord Warden of the Debtor's Prison
Commander of the Royal Constables.
Captains of the Royal Constables.
The Chancery is headed by the CHANCELLOR OF THE OVERLORD. The Chancellor is responsible for the general government and judiciary of the City-State. All officials of the Overlord are held accountable to the Chancellor and the Overlord. The Chancellor heads the Privy Council which includes all Ministers of the Overlord.
Under the Chancellor are:
Chief Clerk of the City-State;
personal secretary to the Overlord
Clerks of the City-State
Lord Advocate of the City-State;
represents the Overlord in front of the
Senate
Chancery Advocates
Inquisitor General of the City-State;
chief prosecutor.
Royal Agents
Captain of the Black Lotus;
Overlord's secret police
Royal Magistrates of the City-State (4);
The Chancellor is the fifth Magistrate.
The Ministry of War is headed by the GRAND MARSHAL OF THE CITY-STATE. The Grand Marshal is responsible for the command and maintenance of the Overlord's Troops. Usually the Grand Marshal position is unfilled except in war time due to the powerful nature of the office.
Under the Grand Marshal are:
Lord Marshal of the Legion
(in peacetime only 1 is active)
(see Military)
Lord Marshal of the Troops
Marshal of the Province/March Troops
Chief Ostler
Royal Ostlers
Chief Weaponcrafter
Royal Weaponcrafters
Chief Provisioners
Royal Provisioners.
Marshal of the Overlord's Stores
Lord Marshal of the Castles
Marshal of the Province/March Castles
Royal Masons
Inspector General of the Overlord
Inspector General of the Province/March
Royal Inspectors
Lord Marshal of Gaenost
Marshals of Gaenost
Lord Marshal of Halnost
Marshals of Halnost
Lord Marshal of Bernost
Marshals of Bernost
Lord Marshal of Laknost
Marshals of Laknost
Lord Marshal of Dearthmead
Marshals of Dearthmead
Lord
Marshal of the
Marshals
of the
The head of the Exchequer is EXCHEQUER ROYAL OF THE CITY-STATE. The Exchequer Royal is responsible for maintaining the treasury of the Overlord.
Under the Exchequer Royal are:
Treasurer of the Exchequer
Governor of the Royal Mint
Royal Engravers
Royal Assayers
Collector General of the Exchequer
Collectors of the Exchequer
Chief Clerk of the Exchequer
Clerks of the Exchequer
Lord Architect
Royal Masons
Inspector General of Tariffs
Tariffs Clerks
The Head of the Chamber of the Overlord is the LORD HIGH CHAMBERLAIN. The Lord High Chamberlain's responsibilities is to ensure the personal health and well-being of the Overlord and maintains the Overlord's quarters and dwellings.
Under the Lord High Chamberlain are:
Chief Clerk of the Chambers
Chamber Clerks
Lord Master Herald
(Moonlight King of Arms)
Royal Heralds
(Enclave of the Silver Orb)
Clerks of the Heralds
Astrologer Royal
(Parnswarm the Red)
Master of the Esoteric Arts
(Llewyllyn the Blue)
Alchemist Royal
(Halstaff the Fat)
The Overlord's Fool
Chief Harper of the Chamber
Chamber Harpers
Chamberlain of the Palaces
Seneschal
of the
(In City-State)
Royal Chef
The Overlord's Food Taster
Master of the Palace's Cellar
Ostler of the Palace's Stables
Chief Metalcrafter
Chamber Servants
Seneschal
of the
(Near Thunderhold
in the Northern March)
Royal Chef
The Overlord's Food Taster
Master of the Palace's Cellar
Ostler of the Palace's Stables
Chief Metalcrafter
Chamber Servants
Seneschal of Castle Bulwark
(Overlord's Clan
Home)
Royal Chef
The Overlord's Food Taster
Master of the Palace's Cellar
Ostler of the Palace's Stables
Chief Metalcrafter
Chamber Servants
The Head of Clan Bulwark is the OVERLORD. Since the Overlord has many other responsibilities, he grants the BAILIFF OF CLAN BULWARK the authority to oversee Clan Bulwark's affairs and lands. Clan Bulwark is the Overlord's family and it's holdings.
Under the Bailiff of Clan Bulwark are:
Treasurer of Bulwark
Sept Lords of Bulwark
Marshal of Bulwark
Captains of Bulwark
The head of the Royal Guard is the MARSHAL OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. The Marshal is responsible for the personal protection of the Overlord.
Under the Marshal of the Royal Guard are:
Captain of the High Guard
5 Companies
Captain of the Low Guard
20 Companies
Master of the Squires
Master of the Hunt
Falconer Royal
Master of the Hounds
Royal Weaponcrafter
Weaponcrafters
Royal Ostler
Ostlers
Captain of the Regulators
Regulators
The duty of the Senate is to rule in any dispute between the Clans and the Overlord. The full Senate is the highest court in the land and can overrule any decision made by a Clan or the Overlord. Also the Senate can grant monopolies and special rights to any Clan that the Overlord must enforce. The power of the Senate is balanced by the personal power of the Overlord. It would take the combined might of all the clans operating as one to equal the personal forces of the Overlord.
The Senate is comprised of Senators and Lord Ambassadors. A Senator is a noble appointed by a Great Clan the position is not heredity and upon the death of a Senator and new Senator is appointed. A Lord Ambassador has all the privileges of a normal Senator save for the right to vote in a decision. The purpose of the Senate in creating the Lord Ambassador is to honor neighboring kingdoms. Currently there are four Lord Ambassadors; one from the Dwarven Kingdom of Thunderhold, one from the Empire of Viridstan, one from the City State of Sotur and one from the Principality of Modron.
The Senate composition is the following:
4 from Clan Bernost
4 from Clan Laknost
3 from Clan Gaenost
3 from the Duke of Halnost
3 from the Duke of Dearthmead
1 from the Guild of Arcane Lore
1 from
the
1 from
the
1 from
the
1 from
the
1 from
the
2 from the Association of Guilds
15 from minor Clans and Barons.
1 Lord Ambassador from Thunderhold
1 Lord Ambassador from Sotur
1 Lord Ambassador from Viridstan
1 Lord Ambassador from Modron
The Senate meets in full session once a year on the first full moon after the harvest. The day is called Shieldmeet day. On Shieldmeet day the Senators, with the Overlord and his Chancellor, meet in the Hall of the Lords in the City-State. No weapons are allowed in the Hall except for the Spear and Shield.
The Senate then divides itself into
five Shield Courts each with five Senators; one for each of the provinces of
the Overlord. One of the Senators in the
The following are the Officers of the Senate, their prime responsibility is to run the full Senate on Shieldmeet day.
The Carrier of the Spear
The Carrier of the Spear controls the meeting of the full Senate. At the first meeting of the Tharian Clans, Halius used a spear to control who was speaking. Only the person who had the spear could speak. The person who passed the Spear from person to person was known as the Carrier of the Spear. Today the Carrier runs the full Senate meeting and is the most honored position in the Senate. As a end note, the spear was also useful because those early meetings often got heated and the spear could be used as a weapon to defend.
The Shield Bearer.
The
Shield Bearer is the 2nd highest position in the Senate. His duty is to carry
the Shield of Tharia and also to maintain order in the Senate. Also when the
Senate set up the Shield Courts they used the Shield to draw lots to see who
sat in the Courts that year. The Shield Bearer would then assign the individual
Senator to each Court taking care that a Senator didn't sit in a court in his
home province. One Senator is appointed Shield Lord of the
The Water-Bearer
At the beginning of the meeting, lots are drawn from the Shield to see which two Senators are to be Water-Bearers. Then for the first-half of the meeting one of the Senators has to bring water and for the other half the other Senator has to bring water. It is a source of much amusement among the Senators especially if the Overlord draws a lot.
Seneschal of the Shield
This
person is responsible for maintaining the Shield Halls where the members of the
Captain of the Shield Guards
The Shield Guards are two companies maintained by Senate to guard the Hall of Lords and the Shield Halls. The members of this company are drawn from all across the Lands of the City-State. They were a green tabeld with a white circle in the center to mark that they are Shield Guards. 5 men are stationed at each Shield Hall and the remained 15 are quartered in the Hall of Lords in the City-State where they are used to guard the Hall of Lords and escort various Senators and Lord-Ambassadors.
There are several military units in the Lands of the City-State.
The Legion is main standing army of the Overlord. It is comprised of 5000 men divided into VastThrongs and EquiThrongs. The Composition of the Legion is as follows
Legion (5000 men) Lord Marshal
8 VastThrongs
2 EquiThrongs
VastThrong (500 men) Marshal
5 Throngs
EquiThrong (500 Horses) Marshal
1 Squadron of Heavy Cavalry
2 Squadrons of Medium Cavalry
2 Squadrons of Light Cavalry
Throng (100 Men) Captain
1 Company of Swordsmen
2 Companies of Pikemen
2 Companies of Bowmen
** A Throng can be divided into Two Cohorts of 50 men as follows
1 Maniple of Swordsmen
1 Company of Pikemen
Bowmen are not part of Cohorts and used as support. A Cohort is usually led by the Captain and the other led by a Senior Lieutenant.
Squadron (100 Horses) Captain
1 Company of Heavy Cavalry
2 Companies of Medium Cavalry
2 Companies of Light Cavalry
Company (20 Men) Lieutenant
2 Maniples
Maniple (10 Men) Sergeant
1 Corporal
8 Soldiers
Ranks are as follows:
Lord Marshal: Commander of the Legion usually is in the City-State planning with the Overlord. Except when in a major conflict with Sotur or Viridstan then he commands the assembled Legion.
Marshal: Commander
of a VastThrong; usually at the province or march seat directing the operations
of the various Throngs. In cases of the mass rebellion such as what is
occurring in
Captain: Commander of a Throng. The Throng is the smallest independent unit in the Legion. Comprised of a 100 men and includes pike and bow, the Throng is capable of sustaining battle where the Overlord directs. The Captains is in direct contact of the Throng at all times.
Senior Lieutenant: This rank is given to the most experienced or worthy Lieutenant in the Throng. This ranks marks him as being able to take over the Captain's position in case of death or command a Cohort if the Captain choose to spilt the throng. A Cohort is not a independent unit but is used for tactical flexibility by the Captain.
Lieutenant The Commander of a Company of men. A Lieutenant responsibility is to listen for the Captains order and ensure that they are obeyed correctly.
Sergeant: The Sergeant leads a maniple, and is responsible for the training, discipline, and morale of his maniple. A Lieutenant depends on his sergeants to have the men ready to obey the order relayed to him.
Corporal; The Corporal is the assistant to the Sergeant and aids him in training and discipline.
The colors of the Legion is a red talbard with a black trim.
The Lord Marshal has a Gold Trim
The Marshal has a Silver Trim
The Captain has a Yellow Trim
The Senior Lieutenant and the Lieutenant
has a White Trim
The Sergeant and the Corporal
both have a Blue Trim.
The Royal Guard are the personal Troops of the Overlord. They number 500 men and are divided into the High Guard and the Low Guard. All members of the Royal Guard receive training in sword and shield. The High Guard are also trained as cavalry, while the Low Guard are trained in the Crossbow.
The Royal Guard are normally stationed in the
City-State occupying the Cryptic Citadel and the
The Composition of the Royal Guards are as follows
THE HIGH GUARD
1 Company of Heavy Cavalry
"The
Knights of the
4 Companies of Medium Cavalry
THE LOW GUARD
1 Company of Sword/Crossbowmen
"Guardians of the Gate"
4 Companies of Sword/Crossbowmen
"The Guardians of the Citadel"
5 Companies of Sword/Crossbowmen - II Cohort
5 Companies of Sword/Crossbowmen - III Cohort
5 Companies of Sword/Crossbowmen - IV Cohort
There is a Captain for the High Guard and the Low Guard.
A Commander leads each of the five companies of the High Guard.
One Lieutenant leads the Guardians of the Gate and the Guardians of the Citadel. Each of the other Cohorts are lead by a Lieutenant. Each Company in the Low Guard is lead by a Sergeant assisted by a Corporal.
The Knights of the
The Guardians of the Citadel are the elite of the Low Guard and they reside in the Cryptic Citadel. Four Companies live in each tower while the fifth lives in the Citadel's gatehouse. The fifth is known as the Guardians of the Gate is the elite of the elite. The remaining Low Guard man the outer defense works of the Citadel.
The color of the Royal Guards is a talbard with red on the left half and black on the right half
The High Guard were the talbard with a silver trim
The Knights of the
The Captain of the High Guard wears a Gold belt
The Company Commanders wears a Silver belt
The remaining members of the High Guard wears a Red belt.
The Low Guard wear the plain talberd
The Guardians of the Citadel wear a Talbard with a blue trim.
The Guardians of the Gate wear the Talbard with a white trim.
The officers of the Low Guard wear their belt the same way as in the Legion.
There are three sets of law in the City-State; the law of the Overlord, the law of the Senate, and the law of the clans. The law of the Overlord is the designed to keep the peace and moderate the differences that arises between clans, while the law of the Clans govern relations within the clan.
The law of the Overlord is set up to keep the peace between the clans, and to rule in disputes between the clans. On the day of full moon the Justice of the District sets up court. Any party wishing the justice of the Overlord brings their case in front of the Justice who then listens to any witnesses and evidence and makes a ruling. In order for a person to bring their case in front of the justice a person must obtain a Writ from the District Governor. If the Governor finds just cause then he will issue the writ. Typically a Writ will cost 10d.
If either the defendant or plaintiff is dissatisfied with the Justice's decision, the either one can go to the Governor-General of the province and obtain a Writ of Appeal for a 100d. Then the court case will go in front of the three Lord Magistrates of the Province. Provincial court is held once every three months. Finally if dissatisfied with the Magistrate's judgement, either party may appeal to the Overlord for judgement. The Overlord may then issue a writ to have the case be heard in Chancery Court in front of the Chancellor and the four Royal Magistrates. Chancery Court is held twice a year at Midwinter's day, and Midsummer's day.
Writs will issued only for those case involving members of two different clans and for crimes that violates the Overlord's Peace, or a dispute between two Clans.
The Overlord considers the Following as crimes against the peace.
Abduction:
Detention of another person of another clan against his will without lawful cause.
Penalties: restitution, fine, and servitude.
Battery:
Common assault against a person of another clan, causing injury.
Penalties: restitution, stockade, and flogging.
Cannibalism:
Eating or skinning human bodies.
Penalties: Death by starvation by burial to the neck.
Manslaughter:
The accidental slaying of another clan member.
Penalties: restitution, fine, or servitude.
Murder:
Killing of another clan member without due cause or provocation.
Penalties: restitution, fine, servitude, or hanging.
Rape:
Sexual assault on another clan's maiden.
Penalties: restitution, flogging, and definitely castration.
Adultery:
Sexual relations with a married women of another clan.
Penalties: flogging, restitution, or death by stoning.
Slander:
False accusation, malicious gossip, etc.
Penalties: scolding, removal of the tongue, restitution, or flogging.
Breach of Clan
Privilege:
Violation of a clan's rights on land, or monopoly.
Penalties: restitution, fine, or servitude.
Grand Lacerny:
Theft of another clan's property over 50d.
Penalties: stockade, restitution, fine, flogging, servitude, or hanging.
Piracy, Highway
Robbery
Theft, any amount, on waters or the Overlord's highways.
Penalties: servitude, branding, or hanging
Tax Evasion:
Avoiding payment of any lawful tax or toll.
Penalties: restitution, fine, stockade, flogging, or servitude.
The following are crimes tried in Chancery Court alone and are crimes of abuse of Office.
Abuse of Trust:
Abuse of office or position, including graft, embezzlement, etc.
Penalties: loss of office, title, and property, servitude, banishment, or death.
In 4410 after the revolt of the craftsmen and the admission of the Association of Guilds to the Senate; the Senate empowered the Overlord to hear all contract disputes and to regulate markets.
Breach of Market Privilege:
Shortchanging weights and measuring sticks, selling defective products, etc.
Penalties: Fine, Restitution, Loss of Market Privilege, or Servitude.
Forgery/Fraud
Forging documents or coinage, possession of the same.
Penalties: fine, restitution, servitude, or death.
In 4429 The Overlord Lucius III directed the Governor-Generals to hold Courts of Inquest every three month. The Governor General will gather the Governors and ask them "Do you know of any crimes against the peace?" The Governors are then required to give the particulars of any crime they know of. On the Governor General's discretion he may issue a Writ of Inquest to have the Inquisitor General appoint a Royal Agent to come and investigate the crime. The Royal Agent may then issue a Warrant to force the involved parties to come before the Court of the Justice.
NOTE: The Courts of the Marches have all powers to enforce the Overlord law regardless of the person's clan. The marches are not considered territories of the confederation and are the personal domain.
THE COURTS OF THE SENATE
The courts of the senate are known as the Shield Courts. The Shield Courts rule in any dispute between the Clans and the Overlord.
The Shield Courts met every month in each province. To appear in front of the Shield Court the plaintiff goes to the Shield Lord of the Shield Court and obtains a Writ for 100d. The Five members of the Courts will take evidence and hear witnesses and render a decision. If either party is dissatisfied then they may go to the Spear-Carrier of the Senate and obtain a Writ of the Senate for a Crown. Then at the next full Senate meeting the two parties may present their case with the full Senate voting.
The following are crimes under the Shield Courts
Rebellion
Taking up arms against the Overlord.
Penalties: loss of property and title, banishment, or death
Regicide
Killing or attempting to kill a member of the Overlord's clan.
Penalty: Death after torture
Treason
Obstructing, disputing, or conspiring against the authority of the Overlord
Penalties: banishment or death
Impeachment
The Overlord is found of willful obstruction, or disobeying the Senate's judgement
Penalties: Fine, or disthronement.
Also after 4410 Shield Courts may rule in property or contract dispute between a Clan or the Overlord.
Clan Law:
Clan law is much like the Overlord's law except it applies only within a Clan's domain, monopoly, or rights. The Guilds may enforce Guild rules among it's members, Temple enforce rules among it's cleric, and etc.
The Clans of Gaenost, Laknost, and Gaenost.
These Tharian Clans run their courts much like the Overlord and their penalties are much the same. Although their courts lean more to servitude of a fixed length then fines. This the source of the Overlord's tolerance of slavery as most Tharians believe that a slave is also a criminal and thus is worthy of contempt.
The Ghinorians
The Ghinorians have a much more sophisticated legal system than the Overlord. The primary difference is the use of truthsayers. A truthsayer is a mage with the ability to tell if a person is lying. Also Ghinorians abhor slavery and will use imprisonment instead of servitude. In fact it is a law of the Duke of Dearthmead that any slave that lives in his domain for a year and a day shall be considered free.
The Elessarians
Elessarian code of law is much less restricted then the Tharians and the Ghinorians. Rather then have a specific law and penalties for each crime. The Elessarians relies on the concept of Wrong. If in a case that it was proven that a party was wronged then that party is owed wergild.
The establishment of what is "wrong" is based on a common law that goes back over two thousand years. This body of a common law is interpreted by the Trehaen. The Trehaen are the judges and magistrates of Elessarian society. Each Trehaen was recruited by fellow Trehaens at a young age and taught Elessarian Law, which is a series of case histories illustrating various legal points. When the Novice's teacher feel his is ready the teacher will summon five other Trehaen and submit the Novice to a examination. If all five deem the Novice knowledgeable enough then the Novice is allowed to become a Trehaen.
Trehaen wander a "circuit" of village generally stopping in each one once a month. Any cases can be brought then, contracts witnessed, or recorded. If a party is dissatisfied with the result of the Trehaen decision; then the Trehaen will summon five other Trehaen to hear the case and render a final decision. Traditionally the Plaintiff can refuse two, the Defendant two, and the Trehaen originally hearing the case, one.
Trehaen keep their records and have dwelling in the local Hall of the Oak. The Oak being a traditional symbol of the Trehaen.
All members of Elessarian society are subject to the Trehaens including the Duke and the Earls.
The City-State honors all the Gods but honor three in particular; Tharians, the Lars of Ptah, Ghinorians, Mitra, and the Elessarians, Silvanus.
The Tharians believe that Ptah or the High Lord, has set up the Lars for a soul to reside in when the person passes to the hereafter. The Lars is the community of one's clan's ancestors. The Lars watches over the Clan and gives it aid and wisdom through the Mystics. Each Clans has a Mystic and his Acolytes. The Mystic communes with the Lars and ensure that the Clans shows the proper respect to the High Lord and the Lars.
The Ghinorians from their earliest days in the deep south were sworn to the service of Mitra. From their migration north from the Old Kingdoms, to the established of the Ghinorian Empire, and to this day of the Successor Kingdoms; the Ghinorians continued in their service to Mitra. While many Ghinorians today actively worship Mitra, the tenets of the Lady of Battles pervades throughout their culture. They hate slavery, and aspire to honor. They hate lies, and respect those who strive against long odds.
The Elessarians honor Silvanus the Dreamlord. Over four thousand years the Elessarians were one of many human cultures that contacted the Elves. The Elves taught them the ways of Silvanus and to honor him. Later under pressure from other peoples they migrated south toward the lands they now occupy and took the worship of Silvanus with them.
The City-State itself is a special case; since the fall of the Dragon Empire it was transformed from a imperial capital to a trader's paradise. Merchants from north, east, west, and south all converge on the City-State to trade and exchange goods to take back to their homelands. With the merchants came the influences of other gods into the city.
The followers of Thoth are specially prized for their exceptional abilities to figure and keep records.
Many of the merchants giving thanks for their new found wealth turned toward Nephthys the Spider Goddess of Fate.
Fleeing from prosecution in their homeland of Orchia the followers of the High Priest Mong established the Temple of Pegana and quickly won reputation for integrity and wise judgments.
The Overlord Tomius seeking to counterbalance the power of the Church of Mitra in the City-State invited the Church of Set from the south and build a temple. Now the Church of Set is growing; appealing to the younger warriors of the Tharian Nobility.
The Lands of the City-State are diverse and vast and in it's corners are many strange and wonderful places, as well as the dangerous, and as well as the mundane.
The City-State is the largest city in the territory of the Overlord. During the summer mo