Rhoman

Rhoman is the predominant land of Men on Lamaria, and the first region touched by the empyreans. It borders what is now Danrith in the north and Saaramurya in the east. The oceans known as the Voyagelands and the Southsea lie to the west and south respectively. The gulf between north Rhoman and south Danrith is called the Ostre Bay.

## Toponymy

There are few records regarding where the name 'Rhoman' came from, and how early it was attributed to the realm. The land is not evidently credited with further titles, suggesting 'Rhoman' was the first name for the nation. A passage in the Genesis Annals stored in the Sanctre of Scripture in High Palace reads:

*"He* (Ostre) *found a royalty in the words King and Queen, and thus named the rulers so."*

Many speculate that Ostre, or even his first-created, found a similar association between the name 'Rhoman' and the land.

## The Pillar of Ostre

After seeing other empyreans do the same, Ostre raises a Pillar in the lands north of Rhoman. It is argued amongst scholars whether this strategy was to encourage the growth of his peoples northward, or to discourage mindless or incessant use of it.

The Pillar enabled Men to commune with the empyrean, and seek guidance of morals or apptitudes. Those given the right to use the Pillar to speak to Ostre were known as the Priests of Ostre.

### 0-1000

Considered the first era of Rhoman history. This time spans the Gathering in the First to placing of the celtes.

### 1000-2000

This period saw the completion of the empyreans placing their peoples.

### 2000-3000

Growth happened for Rhoman, with the last of the kinged cities being formed.

### 3000-Present

This period interlinks the events of Lost world and Silent Pillars. The most significant thing to happen in this era was the arection of the Orthenwick, and implementation of parliament.

## Governance

### Politics

Rhoman has traditionally been ruled by an absolute monarchy, with the royal line successfully remaining direct descendants of Gwathredion and Irennae. Since 3487, however, Rhoman has exercised a constitutional monarchy in which the power of rule is shared between the King and Skard. During the fallout from the Ruined King that led to the denouning of a monarchy and the conception of parliament in Rhoman, both factions strove to retain their rights to rule. The battle to wrestle right of rule from blood to qualifications was always considered detrimental to the welfare of High Ostre.

Each major city of Rhoman houses its own government in which the hold is allowed, to extents, to impress its own laws upon their land. These rulerships are considered sub-monarchies, and their leaders considered kings or queens, rather than the High King or Queen. The major cities of Rhoman to exercise such rulership are Steaderstone, Crianta, Marketown, Westing Vale, Highcliffe, Fayrevale, Darkarches, Calling Hill and Valonbreach.

Even several centuries after the rulership of monarchy was compromised, there remains a great rivalry between the Skard and High King or Queen, and is referred to as the 'feud between High Palace and the Orthenwick'.

### Law

The laws exercised in Rhomanare derived directly from the scriptures the first king, Gwathredion. Such was the sanctity of his link with Ostre, it is considered that the will of their patron empyrean is told within the legislature, and these writings are called the Living Rites- the ways of life. Such documents are beleived to instruct Men to behave as Ostre wished them to.

Whilst all cities of sub-monarchy stature have the power to enforce their own legislations, all amendments must be approved by both the King and Skard. The only city to significantly deviate from the Living Rites is Darkarches. This is heavily influenced by its corruption and crime circles, and attempts retake control of the law have been futile.

### Cities

#### Kinged Cities

* Rhoman
* Crianta
* Marketown
* Steaderstone
* Westing Vale
* Highcliffe
* Fayrevale
* Darkarches
* Calling Hill
* Calvern-Out

#### Non-Kinged Cities and Towns

* The Triad
* Olde Rannock
* Low Harrow
* Steading
* Vinewater
* Shuddenwood
* Valonbreach
* Harren
* Carriston-Rumdell
* Brumall
* Riverrest
* Veinhammer
* Westermere

### Regions, Holds and Districts

Though most regions are defined simply by the city they fall around, further sub-divisions and relationships exist.

#### Outbound Lands

The south-westerly peninsula is largely marsh area and difficult to build upon, meaning few settlements on the terrain. This finger is calls the Outbound Lands, and has no official governance to it. A triangle can be drawn between Westing Vale, Calling Hill, and a military shipyard on the very corner of the map, and each of these holds unspoken law over the surrounding land. The centre of the 'triangle' is called Idleland, and is and area of many small villages and hamlets, rather than one whole township, and this civilisation typically follows its own way of living.

#### Lowing Lands

The Lowing Lands are the centre of trade in Rhoman, for it is near the lakes and deltas of the Great Tornwater river that provides fertile land for farms and crop fields. The dominant three communities of such produce are Olde Rannock, Lowharrow and Steading. Though technically in the jurisdiction of Marketown- due to geographical controversy and ambiguous distances some would argue Lowharrow falls under the rule of Westing Vale- the farms have proven themselves to be fair and honest peoples, and such lands are left to their own devices.

#### Starfell Lochen

The Starfell Lochen is the fishing colaboration of the three townships built upon its namesake's lake. These towns are Crianta, Valonbreach and Shuddenwood, and whilst the former two have sub-monarchies of their own, the trio are bound by their own private arrangements, and in this community each has equal say.

#### Keeper's Quarrel

The northeast of Rhoman is governed by a stationed military unit that guards against the kulmen of Danrith. The bastion holds unofficial governance over everything north of the Darkarches hold, east of Highcliffe and west of the Velgen Mountains.

## Geography

### Natural Landscape

#### Location

Geographically, Rhoman occupies the wouth-westerly corner of Lamaria, and takes up approximately one tenth of total land area. The only known coastal islands are the Lancing Isle in the Bay of Ostre, and the rocky spicule thought to be the Spear of Mendoah. The terrain is largely rocky, although there is a constant transformation of uninhabitable land to that which can be farmed. The Lowing Lands, in particular, are naturally in fertile abundance.

#### Rivers

The Great Tornwater is the longest Rhoman river and although it runs the length of the country in constant flirtation with the Five King's Road, the actual source is disputed between the Mountain of the Mari at the end of the Velgen Mountains and the southerly ridge of Saaramurya. Other rivers include Bluewater and Highfalls around Highcliffe which empty into the Bay of Ostre, the Whiteward Flow which joins the Tornwater in the Lowing Lands, the Lazy River which empties into the Voyagelands and the Rattling Creek that feeds the Southsea.

#### Elevations

Though not shy of mountains, there are three elevations that can be grouped in clusters or ranges. The Splittern Mountains is the largest range exclusive to Rhoman in the central-north of the country. The Velgen Mountains border Rhoman against Saaramurya in the west, whilst the Miner's Mountains by Calling Hill are coverted for their richness of ore.

### Climate

Rhoman has a temperate climate subject to seasonal deviation. Even in winter it is rare for the temperature to drop below freezing, whilst in summer heights can be reached of 30. Rainfall is prevalent throughout, and is largely to blame for the vast amounts of boggy terrain, especially in the west where stormfronts frequently blow in from the Voyagelands.

### Plants and Wildlife

#### Fauna

Fauna in Rhoman is considered modest comparted to the vast abundance of animals elsewhere. The lowlands are occupied mainly by small mammals and rodents, or amphibious creatures who can bask in the marshes in the west. Herds of deer roam where population of Man is scarce. Occasionally a pack of wolves will migrate from Saaramurya to the eastern sleeves of Rhoman. Off the coast south coast there are rare sightings of great marine beings cresting.

#### Flora

The forests of Rhoman are largely deciduous, though coniferous woodlands exist to the snowline of the mountains. Native to Rhoman amongst the trees are the blue alders, ashen, royal beech, white-steel birch, great cedar, and the oaks of redfall, Sagramore, and Ostre. The most imfamous plant in Rhoman is the Mari flower that was said to be designed by Ostre himself by combining the seeds of all three oaks.

## The Five King's Road

The Five King's Road almost perfectly laterally bisects Rhoma, and is said to be laid in the shadow that Ostre caste as he looked over the land in the very beginning. It is thought to have been built sometime after the Gathering in the First. Along the road lie the five original city-kingdoms, said in lore to sit upon the boot, knee, girdle, breast and helm of the shadow, of Steaderstone, Crianta, High Ostre, Marketown and Westing Vale.

The road offers a direct route through the heart of Rhoman, and allows trade to be easily shuttled between jurisdictions from Marketown.

## Economy

The treasury of Rhoman is held in the Goldvault of High Palace, and is fuelled by a tax rate of one fifth the earnings of people.

Rhoman is a self-sustaining nation. The Lowing Lands are the centre of agriculture, and the produce here alone is thought to be enough to feed the country. Despite this, each city has its own agricultural industry allocated. In close proximity to the Lowing Lands, Marketown is the centre of trade of the crops produced.

The Crystobal Road reveals itself between Crianta and Steaderstone, and is mined in the town of Veinhammer. Any ore mined is deemed property of the king or queen, and must be presented in High Palace before further trade is organised.

The Starfell Lochen and the Farmlakes, combined with pools along other rivers, are frequented fishing ports.