Kingdom of Bethune

The Kingdom of Bethune was a strong regional power in South-East Arlec, spanning from the 3rd century before being absorbed into Tamwull in the 5th century. They are known for not caring too much about fighting, rather keeping their people prosperous.

Though it has been absorbed by Tamwull, it still keeps a fair amount of autonomy, having a close relationship with the democratic nation. Meaning it still exists today.

## Leadership

The Kingdom of Bethune is a monarchy, under the leadership of the current King James Bethune, who achieved the throne after Horace, his father, abdicated in favour of him. Most succession disputes were dealt with by Tamwull acting as a third party, both before and after their absorption.

### Pre-Tamwull

Before their absorption by Tamwull in **512PR**, the Kingdom ruled itself. With the centralised power coming from the royal family, the Bethunes. They had the ability to make any decision they wanted, with no balance system in place. Thus, they often assigned loyal followers high positions, one as a gift for the followers and the other to spread their influence.

Though having so much power did not go the royal families head, instead they preseved their people and kept them happy. A similar things the Uhekians have done after the Mage Wars. This increased their culture and riches, though meant their military was weakened.

### Post-Absorption

When the Kingdom of Bethune accepted the absorption into Tamwull, the royal family kept most of their powers. Simply, they were to act like an allied country to Tamwull, though if a dispute were to occur, it is the Tallian Executive Head who has the final say. These disputes are very rare, with the Bethune family keeping their people happy along with themselves, only providing troops and resources when requested.

Major differences of the absorption was that the Kingdom no longer had its own military, instead providing troops. Their taxation system was overhauled, with a portion going to the nation, with the rest remaining with the region.

## Military

The Kingdom of Bethune never had a strong military, being taken from them when they were absorbed by Tamwull in order to provide troops instead.

Before their absorption it was simply made of conscripts and a very small amount of professional soldiers. Their only major military action was to take Tanju, with the help of Tamwull, and take care of some of the tribes raiding them in the uncontrolled lands between them and Hashin.

## Society

### Commoners

Commoners were the backbone of the Kingdom of Bethune and the Royal family treated them as such. While they were unable to help lots financially, a lot of help was given to them, such as farming equipment when requested. Festivals are even held every year for the farmers and commoners, who over time had reached a good level of income themselves, though understanding the need to keep up their work.

Post-absorption they are still relatively the same, but also have added political groups since they have the ability to vote in Tamwull elections. In the end, they are very loyal to the Royal family who treats them so well.

### Nobility

The Nobility were the rich and influential in the Kingdom of Bethune. Before the absorption they had all claimed loyalty to the Bethune family, who kept them happy as well, by mediating many of the feuds they had and always being fair and just. Since the absorption they still have that loyalty to the family, but now use their money and influence to play their hand in Tamwull politics, with many having a member in one of the houses.

## Geography

The geography has changed over time, especially since their absorption. Now they simply hold onto a single city and towns in their old region, which they held in **400PR.** One of their agreements was to give up Tanju to a different region, no longer being held by the Bethune family. Which was eventually lost to Hashin in the war anyways.

They also gave up the island nearby, which was one of the main requests from Tamwull, since they were not fully controlled by Bethune and kept raiding the Tamwull coast.

## Commerce

### Exports

Art, Beef, Instruments, Leather and Pearls.

## Culture

Tamwull culture is different due to their connection with animals. Each house having an animal that they truly resonate with, keeping them as pets that are close by. These animals are not the normal cattle, such as cows, sheep, chicken and pig, but rather something like a wolf or a goat. They have a very close connection with the animal, so much so that the Royal family has their own tomb for their animals, resonating with the Raven. Some families can double up on an animal, making them cousins in a way, except for the Raven, which is reserved.

### Clothing

Clothing is similar to their animal, such as the Bethune family having a lot of black and blue, with feathers on top due to their connection with the Raven. The clothing is done in a way that doesn't mean harm to the animal, such as people connected to the wolf not wearing wolf pelts. Instead they can wear normal clothing, just with a colour scheme of the animal, or containing some of the loose fur they have gathered without harm.

#### Formal

Bethonians just wear a cleaner, less complicated version of their normal clothes.

### Food

Food for the Kingdom of Bethune is different, while they have the same meal for breakfast as Tamwull, with warmed bread and some soup, their lunch and dinner is very different. Instead they make something they invented called a burger, which they have for lunch and dinner, accompanied by whatever they are fancying. There are different types of burgers, though usually it is beef with some sort of salad or cheese that they enjoy.

### Education

Education is very important in the Kingdom of Bethune, with the Royal family creating schools for commoners to enjoy while the Nobles often build and run their own, more expensive schools. Nonetheless, both standards of education is good. This was further added with Tamwull's focus on education, though they do not control the cirriculum in Bethune, rather the current King does.

### Arts

#### Literature

With so little effort spent on warfare and more spent on prospering the nation, literature has boomed in the Kingdom. There are many genres that are covered, with most of the worlds best scholars coming from here. While containing their own history, they also write others. With more popular genres including adventures, fantasy and romance.

#### Visual Art

Visual art did not dominate Bethune culture as much as literature, but still had its importance. Enjoying pictures of animals and famous events, usually a lot less realistic than they actually are.

#### Music

Music was not of importance in Bethune, instead they just used their skill to make some of the best instruments in South-East Arlec with some crafters being on par or even further than most Trosstins. With their access to the world, it's a lot easier for them to trade the instruments, not caring too much for the music that followers.

### Sport

Other than the influence from Tamwull with wrestling being a very popular sport, they have handball as their major sport. Once again, due to their lack of military actions, they are incredibly athletic. In handball, they have some of the greatest teams, pushing them to win international finals in the sport.

### Entertainment

Unique to the Kingdom, readings of books is very popular. With entire halls being reserved just for them to listen to someone read, and many book clubs have been made for them to discuss the current book they are reading.

Outside of their literature and sports, personal entertainment can come from board games, including checkers, a game they invented. Competitions are held every 2 years for board games, including them all in a stadium and letting the spectators watch what game they like.

## History

**349PR** - The city of Bethune is under attack by the Necromancer of the South, later saved by Tasos.

**512PR** - The Kingdom of Bethune willingly gets absorbed by Tamwull. Making it a region within their nation.