Kingdom of Arvas



''The modern Kingdom of Arvas is a strenous pact at best. Melodists, followers of the Druids, Ukars, Bravilians, Brumish, and Arvans together under one crown. We have differences and hatreds among us. However, if we can truly be united, our nation would be unstoppable. Our land is fertile and flat, we cultivate vast oceans of grain. Our horsemen are the finest in the world, their steeds are like thunder and their lances like lightning!''

''Arvas is a kingdom with the opportunity to become legend yet we remain in the shadow of failure. ''

Long Live The Horselords!

Origin
The Kingdom of Arvas was founded by the fabled King Christoph who allegedly burned most of the forests in the land so his cavalry could fight against all opponents. His dynasty ruled for a golden age lasting 200 years. The throne was then occupied by the Slavar family until 175 years ago when Lazlo Strelok rebelled against King Igor Slavar and became king.

The Ukar people and the Kingdoms of Bravil and Bruma swore fealty to the King of Arvas after General Brutus's Invasion and defeat.

Government
The Kingdom of Arvas is a feudalistic society ruled by noble families called Houses. Unlike other feudalistic societies, however, there are no land-tied serfs, every Arvan farmer and miner is a freeman. A lord rules a settlement but must swear an oath of fealty, pay taxes, and offer his troops to a higher lord who then technically owns the lesser lord's land as well. The King is, of course, the ultimate lord and charged with keeping peace and prosperity. Each lord has autonomy on their own land and may impose whatever laws they wish.

Slavery is allowed but is limited to prisoners of war who may only be enslaved as long as the war they fought in lasted. After their service is over, they are to be set free or offered permanent and fair employment

The Feudalistic Order Is As Follows:

War Slave

Freemen

Knight (apointed)

Landed Knight (hereditary)

Baron (hereditary)

Earl (hereditary)

Hetman* (appointed)

King (hereditary)

*The Hetman is the leader of the Ukars, he is elected by a council of elders

Regions and Territory
The original land of  Arvas is generally divided into three regions. The Great Plains is the largest and is dominated by very flat land only broken by the Grey River and Kingswood. The Hinterlands are a wet lowland along the eastern coast and are known for fertility and fishing. The southern highlands are a rugged landscape and the source for most of the metal in Arvas.

After the Wars of Brutus, the Kingdom of Arvas absorbed three new regions into its holdings. The maritime Kingdom of Bruma pledged fealty to Arvas after Lazlo the Great defeated their Vagi overlords. The semi-arid Kingdom of Bravil was taken by King Lazlo once he drove out the Kaltish. The Ukars allied themselves with the King and he gifted them The Reach, a disputed flatland that once seperated Arvas from Bruma and Bravil.

Economy
Trade in Arvas is conducted with emeralds, lapis lazuli, gold, or blood silver nuggets. The common folk often barter with animals or crops and most commonly pay their taxes in grain or ore.

Southern Arvans mine and sell metals and metalworks to the north who provide most of the staple crops and lumber from Moss Tower.

Religion
Melodism: The vast majority of Arvans are Melodists who worship the Holy Aura and the Angel Guardians.

Ukar Melodism: The Ukar tribes of The Reach have their own unqiue version of Melodism with a more rugged Holy Aura and different Angel Guardians

Druidism: The people of Southern Arvas and Bravil still follow the ancient ways, they believe in the spirit of Mother Earth and the teachings of the reclusive druids. Their religion, however, is under attack by the clergy of Melodism