Galifeld

Galifeld is the westernmost of the three Dreothan successor realms. It has a large population, just short of that of Trimoris. It has a very efficient and productive agricultural industry, with large areas of fertile farmland and advanced logistics and technology for optimizing it. The government is rather authoritarian and theocratic, with a strong focus on religious adherence and loyalty to the realm. The realm is ruled by two individuals: the monarch, who holds political power, and the Grand Arbiter, who holds religious power. The Arbiters are an order of elite paladins who report to the Grand Arbiter.

### History

Galifeld, along with Menvegir and Trimoris, is one of the three successor realms to Old Dreotha. It is the second largest of all three (after Trimoris), and the third-largest human realm on the continent (after Jormoth and Trimoris). During the years of Old Dreotha, Galifeld was a province overseen by the Vallier family, who became the ruling line after the Shattering. The first lord of Galifeld was Lord Halinard. After the Shattering, the first sovereign ruler of Galifeld was Queen Ghislaine.

When Dreotha was founded by settlers from the Federation of Nations, the provinces of Trimoris and Menvegir were populated with mainly a combination of people from the nations of Atreria, Stravandar, and Lothrelus. This resulted in consistent linguistic patterns across Trimoris and Menvegir that combined the traditions of all three. However, Galifeld became home to people almost exclusively from the nation of Mardrelier, and their distinct dialect is still present today in their place names and personal names.

Another distinguishing factor for Galifeld is their unique government and strong religious imperatives. Although Trimoris and Menvegir are monarchies, there are consistent codes of laws and a degree of checks on the crown. In Galifeld, however, the law is decreed at the near whim of the monarch, and the upper nobility are entirely subservient to them. There is a strict hierarchy of nobility that is adhered to at all times. The only check on the monarch’s power is the head of the religious authority, known as the Grand Arbiter. The religion in Galifeld centers around four lawful gods: Tempus, The Raven Queen, Tyr, and Auril. Worship of other gods is not exactly outlawed, but is discouraged, and is only tolerated if the worshipper also worships one of the four “approved” gods.

The current rulers of Galifeld are King Rathar and Grand Arbiter Malaric. King Rathar is the head of state and head of government, and commands both the Crown-Sworn and half of the military. The Grand Arbiter is the head of the church and commands both the Arbiters and the other half of the military. Both positions are hereditary and within the same family (The Vallier family). When the sovereign realm of Galifeld was founded after the Shattering, the position of Grand Arbiter, and the Arbiter organization, was created in hopes to prevent another catastrophe on par with the War of Undeath. The first monarch, Queen Ghislaine, appointed her brother Abelard to the position. Ever since, the monarch and the Grand Arbiter have been cousins by blood, however, an adoption ceremony is always performed upon the monarch’s ascension to make them siblings.

### Government

The monarch commands the secular side of the government, and a strict hierarchy exists beneath them. The highest tier, known as the Crown’s Chosen, oversee specific areas of government at the monarch’s command. One such role is the role of the First Crown-Sworn. Another is the Sovereign’s General, who commands half of the military.

The Grand Arbiter commands the religious side of the government. The top tier below them are the Knight-Arbiters. Each of these takes on a particular role. One such role is the First Inquisitor, who commands the Arbiters themselves. Another is the Cleric-General, who commands the second half of the military. The high clerics of each of the Four Gods are also Knight-Arbiters.

There are two separate judicial systems. One for secular crimes, and the other for religious crimes. The latter is notoriously more strict, and being tried by an Arbiter Magistrate is very likely to result in a conviction. However, such trials are almost never conducted. Usually, a lesser punishment is decreed by an individual Arbiter to avoid such an intense official process. And a person is not brought before an Arbiter Magistrate unless their guilt is certain.

### Authorities

#### The Crown-Sworn

The Crown-Sworn have two main duties. The first is to protect the monarch and the Crown’s Chosen from all threats. The second is to serve as elite law enforcement and complete special assignments at the monarch’s command. This latter duty is similar in some ways to that of the Sentinels in Trimoris and the Road-Wardens in Menvegir. They are led by a member of the Crown’s Chosen known as the First Crown-Sworn.

#### The Arbiters

The Arbiters report directly to the Grand Arbiter, and are not commanded by the monarch. Their purpose is to enforce certain religious laws, as well as to seek out sources of extraplanar evil within the realm (fiends, undead, etc). Unrestricted arcane magic can sometimes be seen as falling under this umbrella as well, though it is not officially forbidden. The Arbiters have a great deal of authority and answer to no other authority than the Grand Arbiter. However, the monarch is capable of overruling the Grand Arbiter is the Grand Arbiter is determined unfit by a unanimous vote of the royal council. This is rare, as the monarch and Grand Arbiter are almost always on good terms and work closely together.

### Points of Interest

The capital city of Narmont is home to the royal palace, the Arbiter’s Keep. and the main temples of the Four Gods. There is also a Fargate hub.

Goldmeadow valley is a large swath of land containing multiple rivers that contains vast fields of fertile farmland. Export of agricultural goods to other human realms is a major area of trade for Galifeld.