"Name-calling, ear-pulling, lots of giggles and jeers thrown my way. Where I come from, people gawk since there's hardly any of my kind around."
"Sounds like Paladia to me. Close-minded bunch of twats."
The Kingdom of Paladia is one of the two largest realms of the Heartlands that spans across the inlands centre of the continent south of the River Blueblood east of the Fen'Tural so far as the barrier of the High Peaks, now ruled by the young King Osric the Redeemer after the demise of his mother, Queen Katharina IV in the War of the Risen King.
History
Paladia's history spans back to among the very first new civilizations to flourish following the Forgotten Age, it's storied ascension to one of the Heartlands', and indeed Aranor's, foremost kingdoms comes in as many variations as there are bardic colleges but it is agreed that it's founding was built on the bones of heroes who fought to eke out a future for their descendants in a wild and untamed land.
The true beginnings of Paladia as a kingdom began with it's first true ruler King Osric the Just and the golden dragon Aeiolathar after a pilgrimage to it's lair in Mount Ferrod where the noble creature swore the people of Paladia under it's protection and blessing for as long as it stayed true to the virtues displayed by Osric himself. A golden dragon has since been the symbol of Paladia and Mount Ferrod a sacred site of nearly religious significance to it's people, immortalized in art and song, and the subject of oaths.
It's recent history was shaken terribly by the dreaded War of the Risen King when the former adventurer and once-revered cleric of Daal, Arturian the Challenger, committed a ritual in secret that would resurrect the long-dead grandfather of then-Queen Katharina to dispute his descendant's claim to the throne whom Arturian consider a negligent and disgraceful as ruler. King Denar III the Even-handed was soon convinced the purpose of his return was divine in nature as decreed by his benefactor, setting him on a path of crusade to usurp his granddaughter's crown.
The consequences of these actions would result in a long and bitter civil war that cost countless lives, including that of all the three great actors in this drama. Katharina denied Denar's (now called 'The Risen King' by his followers) claim and in response he rallied her dissatisfied subjects and led a bloody rebellion, which while eventually successful and ended with Queen Katharina's death in battle, soon turned to war against Calindra. Their neighbor and centuries-long rival had supported Katharina in fear of the overzealous army Denar had been amassing, fears that turned out to be justified in the following clash that would claim the lives of both Denar and the Calindran ruler Queen Ophelie.
Arturian himself was tried and executed for his crimes by Katharina's son Osric as his first action as king, entering an uncertain rule where he must struggle to both rebuild his shaken kingdom and mend the lingering hostilities between his people and Calindra's. Worse still, Aeiolathar's once protective aura across the lands east of Mount Ferrod appears to be abating, suggesting their ancient guardian may have forsaken them.
Society
The Kingdom of Paladia is primarily composed of humans and halflings with a smattering of minorities, most notably wood elves. Ruled by it's many noble families most of whom can trace their lineage back to Paladia's heroes of old which means advancement in Paladian society is largely dependent upon one's station from birth, but the standing of a noble family is largely decided by it's capacity to live up to the legacy set by their heroic ancestors, meaning even the wealthiest families can be without influence or reverence if they earn a reputation for cowardice or ill conduct. As a side effect of the many noble men and women that perish prematurely in search of glory, it is not unusual for adoption or even marriage above one's station for particularly distinguished individuals in the common ranks to find societal advancement.
The title of paladin began as the name for the devoted holy warriors of the Daal, the god of justice, although it is no longer a concept the Paladians are able to claim as their own since the breadth of it's meaning has spread to encompass many forms of holy warrior across Aranor. While the Radiant Church of Alissa has gained a firm presence in Paladia, the sun goddess must compete with the god of justice for the Paladians' worship.
As a people with a long history of valourous heroes and noble deeds, they have a similarly strong reverence for those who record and retell them, making Paladia home to the most esteemed bardic colleges in the Heartlands. Festivals and tournaments are frequent events in Paladia where past heroes are comemmorated and new ones are made. Naïvete is however an unfortunate downside of the starstruck worship of heroes perpetuated in Paladia sometimes utilized by corrupt nobility and shady elements who hire unscrupulous bards to fabricate a respectable image for their masters.
The War of the Risen King has left a lingering impact upon Paladia, including a new law that strips any individual who has died and later been raised by magic of their titles and inheritance to ensure such an event can never happen again. Tension lingers between Paladia and their neighbour to the west, the great coastal kingdom of Calindra, most recently culminating in a brief but violent conflict at the borders west of Mount Ferrod before the intervention of both of it's kings.
Politics
The Kingdom of Paladia is a feudal monarchy divided into seven principal duchies, each ruled by descendants of King Osric and his seven companions:
- The Duchy of Eribourne, currently held by the royal family of Paladia and founded by Osric the Just. It is ruled by King Osric the Redeemer and serves as the seat of the King.
- The Duchy of Éstrelle, currently held by the de Éstrelles and founded by Éstrelle the Zealous. It is ruled by Duke Rochard d'Éstrelle.
- The Duchy of the Ostermarches, currently held by the Leonemaisters. It is ruled by Duke Elton Huevet Leonemaister.
- The Duchy of Farroweald, currently held by the Corventhuses and founded by Corventhus the Wise. It is ruled by Duchess Erin Corventhus of Farroweald.
- The Duchy of Wallandor, now lost to the orcish hordes of the Baradani and founded by Valantine the Honest. The new independent city of Aurum's Crossing now stands where it once did.
- The Duchy of Linfid, currently held by the Sparrowborns and founded by Linfid the Clever. It is ruled by Duchess Irina Loreana Sparrowborn and the only Duchy whose descendants claim Elvish blood.
- The Duchy of Barinor, currently held by the Rinveltors and founded by Barin the Generous. It is ruled by Duchess Morgana Sinelde Rinveltor.
Spread among the various duchies are numerous vassal counties that serve underneath the six great duchies, in additional to various smaller baronies who answer to those counties in turn.