Kardath

## Economy

### Exports

Cotton, Leather, Wool, Peppers, Peanuts, Pecans, Fruits, Tobacco, Sunflowers, Hashish, Tin, Silver, Clothing

## Government

### Alliances

Beorh

Kardath is a large human country in central Alderyon and is composed mostly of rugged hills and ranch-filled prairie land. The humans in this area are used to constant raids and siege from orcish hoards and have grown into a culture that values strength and resolve.

## Geography & Climate

#### **Locations & Borders**

Kardath is a large country in east-central Alderyon. It is bordered to the north by Marasena & Boskfallow, to the west by Beorh, to the south by the Narrow Sea, and to the southeast by the territory of Fenara. Kardath is sometimes called the "Gateway to the Free Lands" as the safest route into Fenara, the Hope Trail, starts in Kardath's Capital City.

The capital city is Gerustdal and it's largest port is Vallichport.

#### **Climate & Geography**

Kardath on the whole has a relatively dry climate, except for in the south, which is subtropical and far more humid. Areas along the coast are properly tropical and some bits of rainforest can be found. It gets dryer and borders on arid to the northwest. Near it's northeastern border the weather is less dry and more temperate.

The country of Kardath is primarily composed of a large north-central valley (Kardath Valley) surrounded by rugged hills to the west (the Geergafol Highlands), the northeast (the Bone Hills), and the southeast (The Ogoth Hills). To the south is a coastal plain that is more humid and at the far south is the Ildori Jungle. Its northeastern border, where it meets Boskfallow, follows the Silver River throught Kermesk Gulch.

#### **Flora & Fauna**

The grasslands and hills are dominated by small patches of wild grains, grasses, bushes, cactai, and shrubs. In the far south is a tropical rainforest full of rare plants, fungi, and flowers. This area is famous for it's wild peppers and sunflowers.

Many dangerous beasts roam the outlands of Kardath including roving packs of worgs and dire wolves. The hills are especially dangerous for their giant scorpions and cougars. Hippogriffs are exceedingly common here.

## History

### **Culture**

#### **Views on Magic**

The people of Kardath are simple folks, and in general they are suspicious of magic, much like Marasena. That is not to say there are sanctions against it; it's just rare to see and most people might mistake it for acts of divinity or demons. It's more common in the ports and the capital city of Gerustdal, but not by much. Magic performed to protect and heal by clerics is more welcome, but necromancy is highly taboo and could result in arrest or lynching. Warlocks in contract with infernals would do well to keep it a secret, for it could end in execution. This is due to a history of infernal invasion and manipulation within their government. Divination is often feared and could result in persecution in a small or suspicious enough village. Alchemy, which is sort of magic-adjacent, is not too uncommon in larger towns and cities. Large cash-crop farms or extremely wealthy ranchers may employ wizard types to create protective wards and enchantments on their land to protect their livestock or crops.

#### **Religion**

People in Kardath tend to be quite religious. Most cities have large temples dedicated to Eldthar and Torav. The worship of Pelenei and Galatea are also very common, especially in smaller towns. They don't disallow the worship of any gods per se, but they are typically suspicious of any worship outside the Common Pantheon. The gods Ilianna, Khalil, & Zindala, as well as any member of The Dark Pantheon are considered taboo to openly worship and the erection of their temples is forbidden (except for one temple to Ilianna in the capital). In towns closer to the border with Beorh, any number of gnomish guides may be worshiped, most often Isolda and Geirr. In the far south where elvish populations may be found, an assortment of elvish gods have temples, most commonly Talrenir, Mythelea, Avarel and Darseros.

#### **The Arts & Architecture**

The Arts don't play an important role in Kardath other than the art of local story telling and song.

Architecture tends to be rudimentary and utilitarian. Simple square cabins with pitched roofs are common, built from stone and (often imported) lumber. Larger cities have buildings constructed with concrete and clay bricks. Older cities are sometimes partially built with wood and it is likely that this area once had far more forests but they were cut down to build all the earliest human settlements.

### **Society**

#### **Racial Tolerance**

Kardath is not quite as backwards as Marasena and the other central human kingdoms due to the major trade routes located here, but it's not nearly as tolerant as Fenara. The population is mainly human, and though they have come to accept neighboring gnomes and the occasional halfling resident, they hold reservations towards both elves, half elves, and dwarves, and downright suspicion for the more 'exotic' races like dragonborn or genasi. They are prejudice towards tieflings and will be outright hostile and often violent towards those with orcish blood.

#### **Sex, Gender & Orientation**

In Kardath, they hold somewhat backwards (or in their terms "traditional") views on gender roles and sexual orientations. It is expected that most men will do the hard and skilled labor while women will take care of children and the home. It's not so extreme that women can't own property or are forced to marry, but it is typically expected that they will find a husband early and produce children for him. Marriage is typically based on love and not a dowry, at the very least. There are always outliers and it's not necessarily uncommon to find female laborers or skilled professionals (especially in tailoring). It's not common to see women in positions of political power either though.

Same sex marriage is not performed in Kardath in any way that is recognized by local governments, but if one can locate a temple of Ilianna or E'ah, a priestess will bind any two people of any sex or gender in holy matrimony. One would not be expected to be assaulted or derided publicly for same sex relationships, but there would be a general social ostracization of those individuals in most communities. It could be something as simple as a scowl or as intense as outright refusing service. The same goes for those of non-cis-gendered individuals who do not *pass* or conform to the local norms of gender roles. This is more often found in small communities and locals tend to turn more of a blind eye to those who are just passing through. In larger cities and on major trade routes where there is a bit more diversity, this wouldn't be as obvious and locals do tend to be slightly less judgmental.

#### **Demographics**

Kardath is overwhelmingly human- about 70%. It is about 14% gnome, 10% elf, and the last 6% other races (most often Dwarf, Halfling, Half Elf, and Dragonborn).

## Politics

### **Government**

Kardath is governed by an absolute monarchy under the King. Many larger cities are ruled by dukes, barons, and other royal-blooded aristocrats. At the city level, some cities have a government more oligarchic in nature, but still based primarily on prestige or wealth.

### **Laws**

Necromancy and Fraternization with demonic elements is against the law and possibly grounds for execution.

### **Foreign Relations**

Kardath has an alliance with the gnomes of Beorh against orcish threats and Marasena, should it move to expand it's borders south as it has in the past.

## Economy

### **Agriculture**

There are only a few areas in Kardath suitable for farming and these are mostly dominated by plantation owners. The largest cash crops cultivated here by far are cotton and tobacco. They also grow fruits that really only thrive in subtropic areas, like pecans, peaches, and strawberries. They also cultivate peanuts, peppers, and pumpkins. Subsistence farmers typically plant corn, beans, squash, barley, and potatoes. They are famous for cultivating the hottest peppers known to anyone. Their largest crop is actually corn, which is a staple of their diet.

Kardath has some of the largest areas of grazing land (focusing on cattle, goats, and sheep) and actually out-produce Marasena on leather, wool, beef, and goat products. Kardath and Marasena have long had an agreement to trade dairy cows for beef cattle.

### **Major Industries**

Kardath is mostly known as "ranch country" and much of it's large swaths of rugged hills and dales belong to it's cattle and horses. Kardath ranches are generally leather and beef producing, as well as wool. They are the largest producers of wool and leather in Alderyon and production of woolen cloth, clothing, and leather goods is a huge portion of their economy, along with cotton. Goat products are more of a local delicacy than a major export. They are the largest breeders of horses, and all the finest horse bloodlines ultimately come from this area. Kardath is also known for breeding Hippogriffs. Kardath also has some decent mining areas in the region known as the Bone Hills which produces silver and tin. Agriculture has it's place in central Kardath, focusing on large subtropic crop exports to the north in competition with Fenara. Their biggest seller is probably tobacco as well as, (on the downlow) a breed of cannabis from Shathaar which they also make hashish and hemp from. Corn is also grown here specifically for the production of bourbon, which the area is famous for.

### **Trade**

Kardath is in a prime location for trade, being the main thoroughfare between the central kingdoms and the south. They mainly export their animal products, cotton, bourbon, and subtropic produce like peppers and tobacco to the north in return for grains, fruit/vegetable crops, and linen textiles. To the south they trade their animal products for more tropical fruits, wood, and luxury items from the far south.

## Crime & Major Threats

### **Crime & Criminal Organizations**

Mostly Horse Theft, honestly. Cowboy Outlaws. Claim Jumpers.

#### **Drugs & Smuggling Operations**

There is a notorious drug trade within the black market that runs between Beorh, Kardath, Fenara, and Ilann. Kardath trades Cannabis and Hashish with Beorh for Lopho, with Fenara for Koka, and with Ilann for Opium Poppy.

### **Outside Threats & Raiders**

GNOLLS. SO MANY. Occasionally goblinoids. Raiding orcs are constantly a problem as well, especially to mining towns. Bulettes are a constant issue for ranchers. Historically there is a history of infernal invaders and threats within Kardathian royalty.