Difference between revisions of "Category:Lands of Dwarden"

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Southern Dwarden, known as the Kald, near the Barony of Merándan, the place of Cecil Ul'mure's birth.

Introduction

Dwarden is a rocky and rough land near the ocean, and has always been a challenging place in which to live. At the dawn of Mandadorianism, this proud people worshiped Vandadon, the Capserian god of pride and power, but whose reverence and influence had been waning for some time. Dwarden was converted by the Holy Legate Yathamian the Sea Elf, who was incredibly successful. The many petty kings of Dwarden, who knew only war with one another, submitted to the great Sea Elf. Yathamian, to this day, remains the Patron Saint of Dwarden. They later became great knights under the first emperors of Mandadoria.

Towards the decline of Mandadoria, one of the priest-kings, a powerful monarch-bishop named Thagdion, returned from wars in Hollapse, near the Phalein Mountains. He had become so powerful that he achieved dominance over many of the other kings, destroying many of them and their royal lines, creating a power vacuum which he quickly filled. The kings that managed to resist were mostly the sea-kings of the south and some of the east mountain kings. By the fall of Mandadoria, this priest-king, who was by then incredibly old, had made himself a living saint, who was crowned by kings and metropolitan on Mount Kernej, the eventual seat of his power, and proclaimed the King of Dwarden. The insane devotion of his followers was such that upon his demand for them to worship the dark icons of a pagan god, they did so blindly. Thagdion however underestimated the resolve of the kings and knights outside his fold. A great war was thus begun, a war which has lasted for over three centuries.

Early in the war, the kings proved again and again too fractious to lead the war of the resistance. At length, Dwarden's knights, themselves exhausted from fighting both Thagdion and themselves, and facing the complete collapse of their defenses and their nation, unified men of their status and profession into a coherent body with a definite purpose and goal. It was a last-ditch attempt. Thus was born the Order of the Knights of the Beleaguered Shield.

Thagdion the Mad still rules from the Kernej, now a war cleric lich of awesome power who worships the god Yalesti, whom he brought back from his campaigns in the Phalein Mountains.

In the 700s there was an attempt by Pompiers and Thousiers to help the order cleanse Dwarden of the undead. This sudden and massive import of military support into Dwarden gave the Thousiersian leaders great confidence and ambition, and after guaranteeing their continued support, the kings of Dwarden agreed to crowning a Thousiersian noble the King of Dwarden, for such was their desperation. Despite all this, the Thousiersian king of Dwarden was outmaneuvered by Thangion, and the entire army was destroyed. For decades Thousiersians continued to support their royal claim in Dwarden, prompting eventually three crusades, but each was less supported than the last. By the 9th century, the last Thousiersian claim to the throne of Dwarden had fallen to a disinterested noble line in the Thousiersian homelands, and the Order of the Beleaguered Shield once again assumed true leadership of Dwarden. One of the lasting impacts of the Thousiersian adventure in Dwarden was the change in language and outside blood, especially amongst the nobility and knightly classes. Another major change was the waning of royal titles in Dwarden. The Thousiersian kings of Dwarden were displeased at the number of petty-kings throughout the country, which in turn brought about an attempt to label these petty-kings as the nobility instead of royalty. One attempt was even made to force the kings to resign the royal title and replace it with titles of peerage. The Thousiersians found their real solution in granting the baronial title to those whom they favored, as well as the creation of powerful Thousiersian knights as barons of Dwarden. The title became fashionable and more coveted than that of king. The petty-kings still remain in Dwarden, but their numbers are quite diminished, and there are a number of cases in which barons are more powerful than neighboring kings.

Mount Kernej, the seat of Thagdion's power. Western Dwarden.

Social Order of Dwarden

Dwarden is an essentially feudal country with a deeply entrenched hierarchical system of social classes and customs. Influenced by the two ancient and largely complimentary systems of societal organization of Dwarden itself and the social customs of the Kingdom of Thousiers, modern Dwarden at once presents a sense of the centuries-old and pagan customs of a country rooted in its simple feudal and internecine past, complimented by the more developed aristocratic and administrative systems of the Kingdom of Thousiers and the Order of the Beleaguered Shield itself. The result is a complex societal superstructure, in which social order, class, rank and state are variously defined even in a single person, dependent upon context. For example, a serjeant of the Order of the Beleaguered Shield may be defined as being of the order of serjeantry and not the equestrian order because of his position and oath (a serjeant forsakes the position of karden by virtue of his oath), as a member of the equestrian class by having been born the son of a karden-knight and maintaining the minimum wealth and dignity of an equestrian, , of the rank of serjeant-commander for having been named the commander of his own commandery but not a knight of the Order despite succeeding to his father's position of hereditary knighthood, and of the status of a demesne lord with the Thousiersian title of "baron" for possessing his private knight's fiefs or the ancestral lands of his inheritance apart from the lands under his commandery's jurisdiction. Often enough such distinctions are quite important in Dwarden, and can play a major part in the paths men lead in those lands.

Order: The sworn profession of a man. These are traditionally the order of knights, the order of clerics, the order of squires, the order of serjeantry...

Class: The status of a man, often based upon his wealth and the amount of arable land he owns. In Dwarden, the classes are typically, from highest to lowest: (nobility), equestrian, esquire, serjeantry, standman, yeomanry, freeman, villein, bordar, serf, indentured-serf, slave.

Rank: A man's actual de jure and designated position.

State/Status: A man's de facto position, generally

Nobility: Nobility as such is a newer concept in Dwarden. To foreigners in earlier times, the karden fulfilled the role of the nobility in other lands, receiving the appellation of "lord" and ruling the people in their lands as such. However, unlike the nobility of Thousiers, Pompiers and old Encyclon, the title of karden does not automatically pass without question to the firstborn male under the rules of kalnistry, and indeed can be lost by accepting subordinate roles in certain organizations deemed below the dignity of karden (lay-brother or minor orders in the Church, or armiger/low-serjeantry roles in the Order of the Beleaguered Shield)

Karden, the Hereditary Knights of Dwarden

In traditional Dwarden culture, the order of karden is the highest social order which a man might hold. An ancient term that existed even before the coming of King Dwarden himself, the karden (the word can be used to indicate both the singular and plural) are the hereditary "knights" of Dwarden, the warrior-lords of castles and keeps with enough attendant lands to support themselves, a war horse, their axe and shield, and their armed retainers. By ancient tradition, karden are considered sovereign, being without liege-lords, and are traditionally extremely jealous of their independence and freedom from any higher political power. Variously translated as "knights" (Thousiersian), "baronets" (Pompiersian) or "kings" (Abbadonian/Encyclonian), the karden derive their positions by a special form of patrilineal descent common in Dwarden called kalnistry, or inheritance by declaration, in which the patriarch nominates a blood-line descendant to succeed him in his position who is ideally the eldest son, but who in theory may be anyone he chooses, although by custom the closest most suitable blood-relative must be considered first. Once declared, the new heir apparent of a karden is called a kalnist, literally translated as "high son", but often as squire, knight-apparent, or prince (princeling).

Traditionally karden are to demonstrate certain manly virtues in order to be considered true karden by their people and peers, and preserve the "kardenate virtues" as they are called. Karden must be strong, in both mind and body. Karden must be warriors, and capable with "axe and shield", a famous saying in those lands. They must be "master of horse and men" and "lord and master" or their people and lands. They must strive to raise sons for war and battle. They must not shrink from war or combat, and although given the right to command, must fight personally when the foe is a worthy challenger. Karden must uphold the laws of Dwarden, and be the arbiters of judgment and justice over their lands and people. They are to be just but not soft, and should excite fear before love. They must build a fortress or strong place to defend their keep, and must employ men-at-arms to serve in their defense and fight in their wars. They must be wary of their lieutenants such as their manthane (seneschal) or their kaldian (castellan), for how can a karden truly rule lands that he cannot ride to in a day? They must be fair to their women, strict with their daughters, and harsh with their sons. They must be faithful to the gods, or god in the time of Mandador, and must respect the traditional priests of the land, but must not be overly religious or obsequious to the divine, for enthroned karden are not priests. Karden must not be above manual labor, and must work the land and tend to the beasts as do his people. The karden must take care that the customs, legends and traditions of Dwarden are preserved, and thus must sponsor the bards of Dwarden as they are able. The best of the karden must also be a slayer of monsters, and achieve great feats of physical strength and legendary combat. A karden must aspire to be rich and yet not horde, being bounteous to his subjects, and yet not spoil his women or children. A karden must eschew overly fine clothes and personal effects, and reject effete art and foods. A karden's gold is very important, but his prowess and warrior-reputation are just as much so. Upon growing old, a karden must have wisdom enough to see to a replacement for his throne, and appoint a kalnist to assist in the rule of his lands and people, and to succeed him. Lastly, karden are to keep table with their family and warriors, as well as special servants such as wizards, priests and bards. They are also to keep their table open to travelers from different lands, and shelter, feed and entertain them according to their station. Of course, not all karden match the ideal mold, and in modern times there are many examples of them failing to live up to the kardenate virtues.

In modern times, the families and individual holders of the order of karden are variously defined. Typically, the term "hereditary knights" is the preferred nomenclature for the Order when referring to the institution of karden. Alternatively, individual karden prefer various labels. "Knight" is the most popular term, but in certain circumstances such as when karden-paladins of the Order are knighted they are dubbed "knights-banneret", or knights authorized to display their house colors and lead their household warriors into battle in addition to any warriors the command from the Order. Some karden, especially in the west, insist upon the sovereign translation of their station, declaring themselves kings, even though this appellation has fallen out of favor for most modern karden families. Families who still claim such a title are often referred to as "regnal knights" by the order, but the "royal" claim generally earns them no more respect than any other knight or karden. Many karden, especially since the beginning of heavy Thousiersian influence starting in the 6th century, have accepted foreign titles, that of baron being the most popular, and this is preferred in many circles, having gained a dignity greater than the ancient and pagan term of "karden", which for these nobles has a acquired a certain tone of meanness or cheapness. Still many others much enjoy the appellation of "knight", utilizing the honorific of "sir" and otherwise acting much as a traditional Thousiersian knight, even to the point of knighting their successors, even though such a custom has no basis in karden tradition. Many families further mix these traditions, and depending upon occasions are variously called "sir", "king", "karden" or "baron", and more.

Traditionally, karden wore no crowns, as crowns are a foreign tradition to ancient Dwarden. Towards the end of the pagan era however, this custom became overwhelmed by foreign practice, especially with the examples provided by Thousiers and Tresia, and it became normalized for the various high kings of Dwarden to wear crowns, usually awarded by the most respected karden present. Karden are however enthroned, and by tradition the seats of karden are treated with the majesty and respect of a sovereign lord. In the case of accession to the kardenate by right of conquest or other merit in which a non-karden man becomes a de facto great lord, he may either achieve accession to the kardenate dignity either through popular or accepted self-acclamation, or if in doubt the local karden of the region might gather in kardenate-assembly or a "congress of kings" and declare the candidate a karden with a general hail. Aside from the throne, for traditional karden there is no accepted token or insignia of his order or office, although in modern times they are entitled to display their own standard, to which men of the inferior orders have no right . Many traditional karden hold a simple axe while sitting upon their throne as a symbol of their office, and make their decrees while raising the axe in accusation or judgment.

In modern Dwarden, the immediate family of a karden is considered a member of that social order, and thus may be more likely to receive special consideration for positions in the Church or in the Order of the Beleaguered Shield. The karden himself and his family are considered, in modern terms, to be of the "equestrian order"

Karden and the Order

Knighthood

Paladins and Knighthood

The precedent of the Mandadorian Empire had long established that the laying of hands was the essential element of paladinship, for of old the first paladins were not "knighted" by Ramian nor the emperor. However, in the decay of the empire, and the rise of independent kings, it became popular in the Core Lands for princes and lords to raise the sons of their vassals to comprise their trusted household servants and warriors, and the term knight soon developed and became respected. However, paladins still received holy blessing from the Church, and as these were especially cherished by good and honorable lords, they were often knighted in their own right, and were even from the first considered the most ideal knight.

In Dwarden, the concept was not much different. Paladins existed in Dwarden well before the concept of "knighthood" entered into Dwarden. Typically, in these more ancient times, paladins were layed on hands either by a cleric or more rarely by a senior paladin, and thus their powers were granted. However, by the late 400s, the concept of knighthood had entered into troubled Dwarden, and was popularized by none other than King Thagdion, for it pleased him to create his order of golden knights, and he would appoint these as karden-knights, causing some of the remaining great karden to create their own knights.

Patrilineal Agnatic Descent - Kalnistry: Appointed Succession

Language

The Dwarden language is of old a proud aspect of Dwarden culture. The original core language, Dwar, is unique, and is not related to any known other language group. However, with the arrival of the Sea Kings, some Abbadonian elements entered into the general language, both in grammar and vocabulary, and evolved into what is now thought of as Classic Dwarden, considered now the classic language of the country, the speaking of which can be very formal, and considered by some as quite stilted and formal. However, in the last two hundred years, the Thousiersian crusades and sometimes suzerainty has deeply influenced the language, most especially in vocabulary. This affect on the language is seen most in the nobility, but in certain areas the entire population has largely adopted the new way of speaking. In the deep recesses of the country however, the Thousiersian influence is all but non-existent, and indeed certain areas of the nobility resist the new changes with a stubborn refusal to use any Thousiersian words, preferring instead classical Dwarden.

Maxims, Sayings and Aphorisms in Dwarden

A Man of Axe and Shield: An ancient term of archaic language, it is normally used by Dwarden warriors to refer to karden who hold to the traditional customs of that order, embracing the kardenate virtues, affirmed by karden ancestry and confirmed by battle and action. To refer to a man being of "axe and shield" is an expression of great respect. Example: "Lord Kamden is a man of the old ways, a veteran warrior, a true man of axe and shield, and he will yield to no man on this earth."

By the Ashes of Nanthane: An exclamation, used especially within the Order of the Beleaguered Shield, when expressing amazement of good triumphing over great evil. The expression comes from the great Paladin-Saint Nanthane, the Peasant-General of St. Yathamian, who was incinerated by the red dragon Grandolin just after he stabbed through the beast's eye.

Maldrenian Villain: A villain who is never seen, and who is never encountered. Ex: "The vampire that haunts these lands is a Maldrenian villain, for I prophecy that we will never once see the monster that destroys us." So coined after Indrian Maldren, the King of Thorania who is never once directly revealed in the epic songs sung of him and called after his name.

Masterane's Courage: A term referring to the consequences of wanton desire for power and prestige; used in reference to Lord Masterane of Thrantine, who might have slain the great red dragon Grandolin, but feuded with his companions over who might have the glory of delivering the final blow, and in so doing lost the chance to do it. Masterane displayed his vain courage in slaying his companions and facing the dragon alone, resulting in his doom.

History

Chronology

The Lich Langaria

A former wizard of the Priory of St. Dalangion, Langaria was persecuted as a “white” necromancer whose experiments were extreme. Accused by various fanatics, it was the paladin Alamandon Ul’muré who was the advocate who prosecuted the case for the priory. Langaria was convicted, but before he might be disfigured to stop his wizardly career, he escaped through a transmigration of souls, causing the condemning of the wrong man. Alamandon prosecuted a nearby priory, and expelled the actual Langaria who had assumed the priorship. Alamandon received a command knighthood from the Order for this, a major honor. After many decades, a mysterious sorcerer appeared near the priory of Belareau the Magician, bringing undead evils to the land. Several crusaders and heroes failed to destroy this evil. At last, Cecil’s father, Knight Commander Cevrandeaux Ul’muré, shortly after Cecil was conceived, discovered that after many decades Langaria had achieved wizardly lichdom, and had every intention of destroying the house of Ul’muré. In a significant adventure, Cevrandeaux and his large company were destroyed, and soon after the entire priory fell to the undead. Langaria himself, now a lieutenant of Thagdion the Mad, 11 years afterwards, turned his attentions to Sir Alamandon and his eldest son at their ancestral Castle Ul’muré.