Kingdom of Catania

## History

The Kingdom of Catania was formed in Year 30, of the Age of Dynasties after a period of rapid expansion, and when **House Kellin** gained power and influence, convincing the Council of **Catania** to convert into a proper Monarchy with the Council at it's back. As time went on, and the original members of the Council formed their own Houses, it gave way to a standard Monarchy, backed by it's Nobility, which was vast and powerful.

With rapid expansion, came exploration, and the sending of numerous colonists out to claim more land, resulting in the Kingdom of Catania effectively becoming the largest Kingdom in the world, not just on **Tolreiya**.

## Geography

The Kingdom of Catania is home to enormous tracks of flat, arable, fertile land, which has caused most of the communities and towns to have sprung up within the Kingdom to be primarily focused around farming, but also dedicated to the raising of animals. This fertility has been largely in part due to the river of **Reiya's Run** that cuts directly through the center of the Kingdom, serving as the lifeblood of the Kingdom, as it provides an enormous amount of utility - flatbed riverboats traverse it, helping to transport goods along the many other parts of the Kingdom that are on the river.

In addition to the river, there are several splits from the river, and of course, **Avim Forest**, as well as the forest near Whitestall that help serve as places to attain valuable wood.

### Settlements

The Kingdom of Catania has numerous settlements, the most out of any of the Kingdoms due to the influence from numerous famous, and influential individuals who pushed Catania to spread itself across Tolreiya.

* **Derstable**: Derstable is the nation's leading provider of the **Avim** beast that dwells within the nearby forest, and also has a rather thriving farming community.
* **Hazelwell**: Hazelwell is a small, quaint farming community next to the nearby Avim Lake.
* **Stillfall**: Stillfall is one of the more out of the way communities of Catania, and primarily produces wood from the nearby Forest, which is then shipped down to Carabridge via the lake and river.
* **Carabridge**: Carabridge is the most northern town of Catania; known for it's extensive fleet of riverboats, and the wooden wall that surrounds it, it is the first stop for merchants coming or going northward, and the communities from Hazelwell and Stillfall send their goods to Carabridge as it's a cheaper, and less difficult alternative than Catania.
* **Shizukumura**: Home of the **Heroes Archive**, and the largest population of Kitsune within Catania, Shizukumura serves as the most exotic and unique location within the Kingdom, and is a fairly popular location for Nobles to visit due to this exoticness.
* **Parthon**: A small town near the hills. It has a small mining community, but is otherwise relatively non-descript.
* **Cronard**: The largest producer of crops within Catania, Cronard directly supplies Catania itself.
* **Clayside**: Clayside is a smaller town on the shores of Reiya's Run, and in particular, as it's name suggests, it is well-known for it's production of clay for use in building and production.
* **Ravenyard**: Ravenyard is a smaller town that receives wood from upriver, and turns it into lumber.
* **Bredon**: A farming+lumbering community, Bredon often ships it's goods directly to Cronard, which then goes to the Capital.
* **Whitestall**: A coastal town with a large industry for fish and lumber.

### Points of Interest

* **Avim Forest**: Avim Forest is known for being home to an abnormally high amount of **Avim**, a species unique to the world of Mythgate.
* **Shosan Taiyo Beach**: A beach in the southern part of Catania. It has significance to the large Kitsune Population of the Kingdom.

## Inhabitants

The Kingdom of Catania has a large population, full of numerous varieties of races and cultures. Most notably, the largest one is, of course, Humans. Due to it's proximity to Senfalas, it also has a large population of Elves, although by far it's next largest is Kitsune, followed up by Dwarves and Half-Elves.

### Government

The Kingdom of Catania is primarily run by the King, who is currently **Gerald Kellin**. and the Royal Family of **House Kellin**. However, much of the running of the Kingdom and government is left to the several branches of it, but mostly coordinated by the **House of Nobles**, a Council Position reserved for Heads - or selected representatives - of their House.

### Nobility

The Kingdom has hundreds of Noble families, but the vast majority of them are minor, non-land holding noble families that are really only nobility in name, rather than standing. Nobles hold significant power in Catania, and if you are a land holding Noble, your House is allowed to be represented within the House of Nobles, an esteemed, powerful group dedicated to the running of the Kingdom.

Catania has several Noble Ranks, as listed:

#### Lesser Noble

Lesser Nobles are typically very minor, holding no more than a village, or hamlet, with the exception of a Knighthood, which is a very low rank and cannot be inherited. Lesser Nobles are numerous, and make up the bulk of the Nobility in the Kingdom.

* **Knight**: Knights are the lowest rank of Nobility; they do not typically hold land, unless they have purchased it themselves. This does not qualify them for the House of Nobles. Knighthoods are granted to dozens of individuals every year, sometimes as a show, sometimes it is purchased as a way of gaining influence, and sometimes it is awarded to those individuals who have shown bravery or skill used for the benefit of the Kingdom. Knighthoods cannot be inherited.
* **Baronet**: The lowest rank of land-holding Nobility. Baronets are often granted land on the fringes of the Kingdom, and are similar to a Knighthood, but can be inherited. Baronets are generally expected to help defend the land surrounding them, as well as help develop the fringes of the Kingdom.
* **Baron**: Barons are similar to Baronets, but typically more powerful. Barons coordinate with local Viscounts and Counts to help provide defense. They often rule from Castles and are allowed to raise and train troops within the Kingdom, for the good of the Kingdom.

#### Moderate Noble

Moderate Nobles tend to hold a decent amount of land, up to a small Town, and are usually the ones you will see in charge of a Town.

* **Viscount**: Viscounts are the lowest rank of Moderate Nobility; they often hold a portion of land within a County, and answer directly to the Count. Typically a Viscount's duties are purely economical, helping to oversee land that the Count is too busy to handle. Viscounts in particular are often the ones in charge of villages, hamlets and towns.
* **Margrave**: Where Viscounts handle the economical aspects of a County, the Margraves handle the Military aspect - they control the Barons, coordinating them and distributing them where they are needed. They are also often responsible for deciding where a new Castle should be built, or Outpost.
* **Count**: Counts are the bread and butter of the Nobility; they hold large portions of land, and are responsible for much of the Kingdom's wealth. Counts are expected to attend the House of Nobles regularly.

#### Greater Noble

Greater Nobles are the highest rank of Nobility; powerful, and incredibly influential Many Greater Nobles own land, but simply delegate it to those beneath them - Counts and Viscounts more often than not.

* **Duke**: A duke is incharge of a Dukedom, a collection of Counties. Dukes are well-respected and hold significant power within the Kingdom. They often decide the direction of the Kingdom, and hold the most weight within the House of Nobles.

## Religion, Magic, Technology & Military

### Religion

Religion within the Kingdom of Catania is varied, as there is no Kingdom-wide forced religion. Many people, towns, and organizations worship other deities. As long as a deity isn't attempting to cause trouble, they're typically fine - that said, some deities may have a stigma that other's do not, even if that deity's followers do not cause trouble.

The most widely worshiped Deity is Abadar, followed closely by Sarenrae and Iomedae. There are large temples within the Capital devoted to all three deities.

### Magic

Magic is a large part of the Kingdom, with numerous small schools and organizations devoted to it's teaching. There is no restriction on Magic within the Kingdom, and all non-evil magic is welcomed, although some countryfolk may be superstitious.

### Technology

Technology is widely accepted and utilized in most of the Kingdom. Although much of technology is relegated to very minor things, such as working sewage systems, or plows that run on fuel, instead of using animals. Or, the technology is relegated to the wealthy, or the military.

### Military

The Catanian Army is relatively well-organized, and specializes in it's usage of Cavalry and utilizes a decent navy as well. The vast majority of their troops are focused on cavalry, with their unmounted troops mainly serving to help keep foes in place so the Cavalry can get into position. The Catanian Army has several ranks.

#### Non-Officer Ranks

* **Recruit**: Recruit is the initial rank of all individuals who enter the Army.
* **Men-at-Arms**: The default rank of most individuals in the Army.
* **Corporal**: Corporal is the next rank up from Men-at-Arms, but generally serve the same purpose.
* **Knight**: The highest rank one can achieve without being an Officer; Knights are individuals who have proven themselves capable in combat and typically serve as mounted cavalry.

#### Officer Ranks

* **Sergeant**: Sergeants often have a small group of Recruits under their command, and sometimes have specialized roles.
* **Master Sergeant**: The second Officer Rank. These Officers typically serve as Squad Leaders, or vital roles within Companies.
* **Lieutenant**: The next up; Lieutenants are often a rank of some esteem, and frequently awarded to those who have shown significant prowess and ambition within Catania, but not always leadership skills.
* **Captain**: Captains are the first major rank of leadership within the Army, and Captains often control relatively large amounts of Soldiers.
* **Commander**: The Commanders of the Army are those who have shown expertise in strategy, tactics and their own fighting prowess, and are typically only sent to participate in major field battles.