Krat

Krat (pronounced crat) is the newest of the human kingdoms. Though it started as a colony of Navelorn in the port city of Dunlow (the current capital), the citizens of Krat rebelled from Navelorn. They had grown into a wholly different culture at that time, and the large number of Kratians who worshipped the Old Gods helped spur on the revolution. It went disastrously for the Kratians at first. The Navelorn fleet blockaded the port while a large force landed near Dunlow and besieged the town. Eventually, supplies ran out and the newly crown king of Krat surrendered. The forces of Navelorn strode into the keep at Dunlow and began killing all the king's attendants. Eventually, the king himself was hung right outside the keeps doors with the whole city watching. A general was sent to find the Kratian king's family and kill him, but he was a good hearted man and sent them to live at an Olorist temple instead. This was the decision that would bring a country to its knees.

The Kratian king's youngest daughter, Sadhbh (pronounced sive, long i) , only fourteen at the time, traveled the countryside gathering the lords who were loyal to her father. The Kratian people were furious at how their self-chosen monarch was treated, and a bloody rebellion began. Guerilla warfare was waged throughout the country, and eventually Sadhbh showed up at Dunlow with a sprawling army that helped her retake her home. She charged into battle with her supporters and was drenched in blood when the fighting was finally done. By the end of the day of fighting, the Kratian flag flew over Dunlow once again. With nearly unanimous support, Sadhbh was put on the throne. The people had been greatly inspired by their warrior queen, and Kratian pride saw them through to victory.

There have been wars with Navelorn since then, but Krat remains an independent country, and their warrior queen still leads them to victory in conflicts along with the help of the mercenary forces of the dwarves.

Trade with the dwarves and elves has made Krat incredibly wealthy, especially since most of the trade into the human lands of Revelin flow through Dunlow and other Kratian ports. They are by far the wealthiest of the human kingdoms, but they control the least amount of land. There have been some conflicts with the elves of Dothraynma, but full on war has been avoided. All this interaction with dwarves and elves has had a lasting impact on Kratian culture, and they have adopted many aspects of their culture from those other races, with some even worshipping elf or dwarf gods. Krat is also home to the highest concentration of half-elves in Ardthra.

The Kratian military is relatively small, but it is highly elite. Their forces are outfitted with the best equipment gold can buy, and their soldiers employ Dwarven and Elven arms and armor as standard kit. A large number of Dwarven mercenaries from the hill clans supplement their army, as well as a few Elven spellcasters and archers who provide covering fire during engagements. The most elite unit within the Kratian military are the Banshees. Personally overseen by Queen Sadhbh, this unit is comprised entirely of women who have known loss in their life. Daughters who have lost parents, widows who have lost their husbands, and mothers who have lost their children can be recruited into their ranks. Lightly armored, they wield Elven spears and charge into battle with ear-splitting battle cries powered by their seething rage at the cruelty of fate. These women who have lost everything fight to ensure that others never know the feeling.

Currently, they keep a vigilant gaze toward the Crossing Sea, ever wary of an attack from Navelorn at its allies.