Kingdom of Viltmank

A kingdom of high fashion and the arts. Its capital is Vilan. The region is vibrant and lush. It began as a province of Old Basom, and eventually prospered sufficiently to buy its own sovereignty outright. Much of the wealth in The Reign of Eld was taken in this fashion, and they are servicing the debt still. This has led to a certain amount of tension over the years (putting it mildly). They have since established a royal lineage of some nobility, though by unconventional means.

In the Kingdom of Viltmank, there is a peculiar custom of royalty. There, the king takes as many consorts from noble houses as necessary to sire a firstborn prince, all but guaranteeing an heir and a stable aristocracy. The firstborn son is called the Athalprinz until he succeeds the throne, upon which he is crowned Royark.

Legally, the Royark holds all the titles and rank of a king within the realm of Viltmank, but also the hereditary debts to Orchalannon. The title is a legal requirement as part of the peace treaty that guarantees the kingdom's emancipation from The Reign of Eld. If the debt is not serviced by the Royark, the treaty is nullified.

Royal consorts remain sub-royal nobility, but rarely remarry unless it is politically advantageous. Consorts to the king often take their own consorts in turn, however. The sisters of the male heir are called "prime princesses", and are frequently married off formalize foreign ties. The consorts who could not produce a firstborn son are dubbed "minor princesses", and are married off to other houses, creating an interconnected lineage of nobility with deep ties to royal blood. Sons of minor princesses are usually bought into military positions.

Through this system, the nobility gains a measure of control over the royal house when daughters are scarce, as they are not obliged to turn their daughters over if they do not approve of the monarch. The king is insulated from the influence of any single house, but beholden to at least enough to ensure an heir. Increasing the number of noble houses would increase the King's political options and power, engendering fierce competition among the existing houses, especially those with many daughters. As such, noble houses are not often inclined to approve of the formation of new noble houses, which dilutes their influence.

The economic system is equally unusual; A small group of large companies constitute most of the region's commerce, and company members pay membership dues to the king. Nobility owns all shares in these companies, which are dearly expensive and rarely sold. Company shares are the true currency of Viltmanker nobility, and shareholders assiduously conceal their portfolios in order to best protect their interests. Why advertise how best to harm you?

In matters of faith, they adhere to the Cult of Karna, perhaps even more devoutly than the folk of New Baz. The solar cult remains subordinate to the State of Calgar, which is controlled by The Reign of Eld, another matter of contention between the two kingdoms.

Singularly, their cavalry are Azhdarchs. This is perfect for their knights, as their reputation abroad paradoxically combines spineless high-handedness with recklessness bordering on suicidal. The sight of a flying Azhdarch regiment plucking apart a formation on the wing is a splendid sight, though often it is accompanied by a frightful number of accidental fatalities, which makes the endeavor either more impressive or quite farcical - depending on your frame of mind.

The Reign of Eld are viewed as an ancient line, laggards in culture and finance but still too powerful to ignore completely. The folk of that land are viewed as rustic, and the debts owed to the crown are treated as a scornful triviality.

Owing to the earnest solar faith of Viltfolk, they view the State of Cerentuin and the Isle of Nierenn as rightfully sovereign. They think it is disgusting to keep old king Goreleth a prisoner at Terebinth. They love old tales of The Order of the Sunlight Knights and whisper still that they will rise again.

The Kingdom of Orisaar and the people of Sunsteda Bay are seen as wonderfully peculiar, if a little severe. Their huge flat-bottomed Wavetreaders have captured the imaginations of Viltfolk, as have their odd religious beliefs. Most of their folktales have at least one comedy relief Orisaar.

The Grand Duchy of Breccia are close trading partners. By reputation, they are seen as gutsy and devilish. The Tempest's Elect is often talked about as an enticingly rebellious but harmless affectation within the solar faith, rather than a serious belief system.

The Mashayan Dominion are viewed as disreputably potamic in their faith, as well as much too concerned with magic and Elves. Their spices equally disliked, however their books, scrolls, and (non-magical) paper products are sought above all other imports.

Due to the Alsuriean Solar Schism, the Military Republic of Altonbrun is viewed as the bulwark of western solar faith. It is regrettable therefore that they are adherents of Speed rather than Karna. Making matters worse, they are not even monarchists and they openly defy The Pandect. Viltfolk want to like Altonians, but there are too many difficulties for more than cordial enmity from afar.

The main thing one must do in order to impress Viltfolk is to be audacious and new. The Regency of Canidium, though problematic for most, are well liked in Vilan. Their Canidaur dignitaries are fêted, and any trade that can be done across the north of Midvale is welcomed. However, the highly fashionable Viltfolk often see canid neoclassical Armorcian revival attempts as bumbling and oafish. Canidaur are regarded as a daring and exciting curiosity for the most part.

Due to their distance and remoteness of trade impact, Kurzmarch Ford is little regarded. When they are thought of at all, they are characterized as scrappy underdogs who have fought to carve out a cultural hub in the west. The Tamar Towpath Cartel is not well known.

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