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The New Kingdom

Canidium has existed for just over a century. Before then, there were no Canidaur, Serzy Montaigne was a forgotten Viltmank noble presumed to have died in her father's haunted cabin, and The Montaignes were a depopulated no man's land of a mountain range following an ill-advised territorial war, presumed to be teeming with Beastmen, Haunts, or worse.

Within three generations, a new race of chimera called Canidaur have been established and multiplied into a small kingdom, and now assert the royalty of their lady the alchymist.

The Montaignes were nobility of the Kingdom of Viltmank, and despite having some minor princesses and royal consorts, they were hardly royal. Count Victor Montaigne himself was but an amiable traveler, whose military exploits got a mountain range named after him (after it was wrested from The Mashayan Dominion, who still call it the Al Safas.

The regency has a relatively large large proportion of military purebreds (the "dobermen"), and a small number of ruling, religious, and bureaucratic classes modeled after other canine breeds. While barons are appointed by the queen to rule the land, barons are entrusted with electing doges to conduct matters of state at the court of Prima Canidia on their behalf. A small ruling council of doge then delegate various assignments and efforts to a large following of courtiers, who are assigned to committees either as rewards or punishments. In this way, the kingdom is managed somewhat haphazardly, but with great enthusiasm.

Rejecting Traditions

While class divisions hew closely along breeding lines, the sensibility within canid culture is to largely overlook differences in breeding unless they pose an insurmountable practical difficulty. Laborers can be conscripted for military service at need for archery or as engineers. Canidaur value individuality and justice, preferring to reject received wisdom and ancient traditions, and their music and fashion choices are unique and ever-changing. No other culture is more accepting of magic and even heretical beliefs so long as they are harmless. Faith is most often viewed through a lens of metaphor, but some unusual theologians also have a voice. The head of the local Cult of Karna holds that the sun is not even god, but an eye or perhaps a window looking out of god’s head into Profundum. The light of sentient witchfires are then reflected on the moon, which is taken as an explanation for why the moon is a source of evil; Karna must watch the other world to protect this one, but even looking upon it allows some evil in. It is therefore, according to this kind of sermon, every canid knight’s holy duty to resist Demonic influences. Often by barking at them. 

Though the Queen herself is of Viltfolk descent, her subjects have revived Armorcian architectural styles from examples in the old family library. They build exceedingly quickly and well, but rigidly. Their architecture primarily serves a political function, demonstrating the power of the Regency of Canidium to any who visit. They have massive aqueducts, shrines to Speed and Karna that humble even visitors from Athos, indoor plumbing and gardens, clear indoor pools, massive amphitheaters, and heated floors covered in beautiful carpetry, upon which they sleep.

Accommodation and Tolerance

Due to their larger bodily sizes, their interiors are almost uncomfortably expansive and enlarged for any human occupants. Certain inner areas of Prima Canidia are built to human scale however, where only smaller breeds of canid like to enter. Humanoid-sized furniture can be hard to come by in most domiciles, and visitors often complain that they feel like they're 'camping' indoors.

However, they do embrace all peoples willingly. The only thing the Canidaur can't tolerate is old-fashioned ideas. They will render aid and offer friendship to Beastman, Svinx, Theri, Fey, Pollies, Mothfolk, Goblin, Mythians, even Puka - so long as they are peaceful and tolerant of others. Guests are permitted to work and live in the Regency of Canidium, provided Serzy Montaigne has not taken a dislike to them.

The Pueri and the First Canid Republic

Early canid had some trouble with strong instincts and intense fondness for the queen. In its nascency as a constitutional republic, the capital (then the regency's only city) was the center of an insurrection. Records show that a hunting pack formed a brutal yet furtive matriarch-worship cult known as The Pueri that ultimately assassinated the entire civil leadership in secret.

The thrill of the hunt and primal instincts have a lasting stigma. Behaviors deemed ‘primal’, such as territoriality, marking, barking needlessly, and unseemly teething are all viewed as low class, or disreputable. After the fall of the First Canid Republic, Serzy Montaigne felt that the Canidaur race might not be ready for self-rule, and the regency was established as a compromise. There are still like to indulge in their instincts. It is not unusual to hear growls, barks, and snarls mixed into canid speech in a deliberate, stylistic manner. Such canidaurs are often accused of being closeted Pueri.

Observations Abroad

Relations with the Kingdom of Orisaar are bad, due to Orit prejudice against the Canidaur, who are not permitted in the lands or navigable waters of that kingdom. Both adhere to The Pandect, though the Regency of Canidium is not an official signatory. As such, those legal provisions exist for people of Orisaarland within their lands, but not vice-versa. Also, Canidaur culture is nascent and highly inclusive. They are modern individualists, whereas the Sunsteda Bay Islands are home to a very clannish and culturally traditional people. On nearly every level, they clash.

The Military Republic of Altonbrun is a useful trading partner and a spiritual ally. Canidaur are welcomed in the Krokesteppe. Altonians are at worst distrustful or boring, which is most of the time. They tend to laugh at canid culture, which is no trouble.

The Order of the Crystal Sword is always sizing up which kingdom might be the first to attempt a war of extermination. The Mashayan Dominion is regarded as an unlikely candidate. Although Mashaya have insurmountable religious differences and a historical claim on The Montaignes (once known by the name Al Safas), it is believed by the Order that the Zerzuran Wordbearers  aren't a threat outside the badlands. Since Mashaya are generally accepting and not viewed as a credible threat, they are generally liked.

The Kingdom of Orisaar is strictly opposed to "the Canidaur menace". As neighbors with a powerful navy and strong economic relations with the Military Republic of Altonbrun, Orit are regarded as a primary concern. The forest and plains at the northern foot of The Montaignes are a no-mans' land as a result of this tension. Their foothold at Rantaan allows Orisaarland to project its power inland, and it remains a grave concern. Beyond the insurmountable diplomatic, economic, religious, and racial concerns, Orit and canid characters could not be less compatible. While Canidaur are open-countenanced, enthusiastic, and trusting, the folk of Sunset Sound can come off as scowling traditionalists.

The Reign of Eld in Orchalannon is hesitantly friendly. They share certain cultural touchstones, but lack a genuine connection. However, Athosian wanderers sent west have often arrived in Buckstadt, leading to more familiarity. The Athos Highlands are regarded as a kingdom that would be wonderful to visit, but not for too long. There is much distrust of the court sorceress Maerlyn D'Ambrosio and her tightened grip of domestic affairs.

The State of Cerentuin, were they in the fullness of their sovereign power, would surely have moved to destroy Prima Canidia long ago. It is seen as lucky that they have been reduced to their present state of vassalage and ruin. It is not known if any Cerentians have ever met a Canidaur, but there is not much need to ask what they would think.

Serzy Montaigne maintains her house's shares in certain companies operating within the Kingdom of Viltmank, and remains an account holder in good standing at the royal bank. Relations with Viltfolk are as good as could be expected, but there is a rivalry between her and Ingrid that has colored some canid perceptions of Viltmank. Further, the highly fashionable Viltfolk often see canid neoclassical Armorcian revival attempts as bumbling and oafish, leading Prima Canidia to be constantly looking for new ideas in order to please them.

The Grand Duchy of Breccia are generally seen as a kingdom of Bad Humans; Canidaur emissaries have nearly caused diplomatic incidents after choking back the urge to bark. Perhaps they smell wrong. Nobody is quite sure, but Breclanders are rarely made to feel welcome in The Montaignes.

The Tamar Towpath Cartel is difficult. Canidaur travelers and traders love to visit Kurzmarch Ford and gain nearly effortless access to the downstream markets. However, the cartel are too inconsistent, inscrutable, and unscrupulous for canid tastes. Criminality and exploitation run counter to their values.