Kewes

# Overview

Kewes is the southernmost country on the island of Ritian. It is a country in a tenuous peace, after years of repelling invaders. The country is the poorer for the loss of the last King, who oversaw a lot of changes in the country; increasing its resilience to attack, encouraging everyone to learn at least to read and write, encouraging trade, and supporting many Thebian religious (scholarly) foundations. His son and successor King Edal will have a lot to do to live up to King Alfen.

The land is fertile and productive, despite damage done by raiders and invaders. Many new walled market towns have recently been built, with many more still in various stages of completion or repair. Trade is slowly burgeoning, though years of war have destroyed a lot of what used to be.

Alliances with surrounding countries aid with the current state of stability, although given the recent change of ruler some of the subordinate states are showing signs of restlessness. The country’s closest ally is Mierrsa to the west, a client kingdom ruled by Ealdor Erred and his wife Erflaed, who is the oldest child of King Alfen. The rulers and the kingdoms work well together, with the system of defensive towns being continued into Mierrsa. Mierrsan forces also played a critical part in the repulsion of the Norsvik invaders.

The south of the island of Ritian, of which Kewes is a part, was once ruled by the martial Namorian empire, but when that empire collapsed all Namorian forces and administrators were withdrawn, leaving an urban network with no means of maintenance and a country devoid of systematic rulership. Slowly, over five centuries and more, various countries coalesced from the disorder that ensued. At the current time, Kewes is the most powerful in what was once Namorian territory.

# Court and Government

              There is some instability in the court at present, as alliances change with the death of King Alfen and the succession of his son Edal. The Tawin, the group of Ealdors, high priests and honoured scholars who have chosen his successor, are a bit uneasy as there were quite a few contenders, some more appropriate than others. Some of his relations are considered capable fighters and administrators, and one in particular considered himself to have a greater claim on the throne than Edal.

              Every town, village, and farm must have one fifth of its adult population on military duty at any time. This was a great improvement on the previous situation, where the entire adult population could be called to fight at once if the kingdom was under stress, leading to ruined harvests or desertions as the forces left to get the harvest in. It also allowed some people to become career soldiers; though this was not lucrative they would at least get fed. Military duty varied from manning the town walls to serving in armies against the Norsvik. This does mean that any character with a home base in Kewes must have arrangements made to fulfil this obligation.

              Once the country was at relative peace, Alfen began to increase the availability of education - it had dropped to practically nothing, as the religious centres that had been responsible for it were plundered and murdered to oblivion. The centres of education he set up are thriving, and many satellite schools are present in the towns. All are religious, but then almost all the population are religious. Attendance is not compulsory, but most townsfolk can at least read and write. Literacy is lower in the country, but as all clerics must theoretically be literate and well-versed in theology, anyone who attends temple services should have access to basic education. Edal is perhaps less devoted to scholarship than Alfen, but the scholars and magicians of his court are still held in high regard. Though many of the Tawin are primarily concerned with military strength, it is not the only thing that matters.

Justice is often dispensed in the form of fines, although execution is also possible. People still have a blood price, and even a price on each part of them (if a punishment for theft would be cutting off the hand, a fine could be paid instead). Even slaves have a blood price, payable to their families (if they are known), or their owners (if their family is not known), or, should the owner be the guilty party and the family not known, to the state. The only crime punished by death as a first offence is treason. Ealdors dispense justice, though there is a right of appeal to the king. Imprisonment is not a punishment used, as prisons are small and only used to hold those awaiting trial or execution. The Ealdors move around their domains collecting rents and taxes, dispensing justice, and ensuring everything is as it should be. Below the Ealdors are the Thegns, who are the lower lords, village heads and guild leaders. Then the free farmers and labourers, and then the indentured, and then the slaves.

Landowners have a responsibility to maintain roads and bridges, in addition to any taxes they pay. Around the towns, a general tax is raised whenever repairs are needed. The temples are not exempt from the duty of roads and bridges, and tolls may be charged – not everyone demanding money to use the road is a bandit.

# Religion

The Thebian faith originated nine hundred years ago, when a magician of great power and compassion was killed by the Namorians. Her ghost haunted the place where she had died, and her followers began to revere and then to worship her. Eventually, some of those who worshipped her found themselves filled with divine power. Ever since, she has been venerated as a god. Her ghost has not been seen since the first divine acts done in her name.

Though all those of the Thebian faith acknowledge Thebe as the First, most of them follow their own gods. Many of these gods are very specific, tied to a place or a profession, and have existed since long before Thebe lived, but joined the Thebian congregation either defensively because of Namorian persecution, or strategically to gain the support and cooperation. There are some few more powerful gods in the pantheon, depending largely on how many faithful they have. This faith is found from Kewes to Atturia, and West to Zantian.

The first in Ritian to join the Thebian faith were the Namorians – by the time the empire collapsed, the worship of Thebe was widespread among the soldiers and the elite. Although not every god in Ritian has joined the congregation, all those native to Kewes have.

Large communities of priests and monks gather in the temple towns. Most of these have their own gods, as well as acknowledging the existence of Thebe. There is some competition between these temple towns as to which is the holiest, most cultured, and possessing of the biggest community. The temples are some of the biggest landowners in the country (as in most of the congregation of Thebe) and are tax-exempt to a large degree.

Feast days of the various gods are scattered through the year, many celebrated only locally. The Year’s End is observed throughout the country, and most places have at least one god celebrating the summer solstice and each of the equinoxes.

# Towns and Cities

The court of the King of Kewes is an itinerant one, moving between royal tribute points in peacetime. The land is fertile, but the population is thin - cities in Kewes, and indeed over the whole island, are a small fraction of the size of the great cities elsewhere. New walled burhs are springing up everywhere - some have been finished for decades and are now bustling market towns, with crafters of various goods plying their trades and merchants buying and selling as foreigners start to bring their goods to the country.

The long-established towns have also had their defences improved since Alfen regained the kingdom. In all, the towns act as a deep-defence system, aiming to be a day’s march apart, though this is still some way in the future. But its worth was proven in the last Norsvik attacks, for the invaders could not forage food as they were wont to, and the forces of Kewes had safe, well-provided spaces to retreat to. So important did Alfen consider these defences that he granted years of tax exemption and grants of freehold land within the towns to those who helped build them.

**Idester** is officially the capital of Kewes. It has several temples, dedicated to varying gods and of varying ages, and rulers of tribes in South Ritian have been buried there since before the Namorians invaded. The town and its defences have been extensively rebuilt in the past two decades, following the new model. The walls follow those built by the Namorians and can be fully garrisoned with the town’s population on standard military service. The market square, the oldest part of the town, is flourishing. King Alfen was buried here last year, in the oldest of the temples, dedicated to Withune (god of rainfall and planting weather), Roche (god of harvesters, shoemakers, and travel), and Thebe. The new Idester temple is almost finished, and is already home to a community of priests and scholars. The royal manor is close by the new temple. The ruler and the court spend important festivals here, but are out proceeding around the country the majority of the time.

**Cantiaco** is the official seat of the High Priest of Thebe in Ritian. There has been a Thebian temple here for three hundred and fifty years, since the Primary High Priest of Thebe in Namor sent missionaries to Ritian, fearing the people there had lost sight of Thebe. This proved not to be the case, but there was little organisation of the faithful and the missionaries gained great status from having been sent by the Primary High Priest, and founded both a temple and a separate religious community in the still-extant Namorian town of Cantiaco. The temple is one of the few dedicated only to Thebe, and the religious community has a higher concentration of elementalists than anywhere else in Kewes.

**Aweburh** is where the oath was made on a Norsvik arm-ring, which when broken sank the Norsvik ships. There had only been a small Kewes settlement before the Norsvik fortified themselves here. Years after the famous incident, Alfen saw that where his enemy had been able to successfully fortify themselves, his people could also. Aweburh is almost entirely a new town of about 2000 people, only a few of whom originated in the town. Some came for the tax and land benefits of being part of a new burh, some were retired soldiers, some were crafters or traders looking for new customers. The inhabitants have varying degrees of enthusiasm for the military and construction duties they must perform for the privileges they are given. Those who didn’t sign up for them (the newly adult children of those who originally moved here) are somewhat resentful of tasks that take them from their primary occupations.

**Sillester** is a Namorian settlement, long abandoned, which should be a burh. Several attempts have been made to rebuild the walls, but none have led to people living there. The builders and soldiers speak of voices and shady figures speaking in archaic phrases. Accidents happen.

**Roceburh** is a Namorian town with rebuilt stone walls, proud to have seen off the Norsvik when they returned. It saw first-hand the benefit of the new defence system, and as a result the populace have more enthusiasm than most for elaborating and maintaining their walls. The largest temple is dedicated to Andreia, the god of fishers, rope-makers, and water mages. Roceburh is growing quickly, as it sits at the mouth of a river at the end of the old but still functional Namorian road that crosses South Ritian from south-east to north-west. It was recently given permission to mint coinage, and its traders are going from strength to strength – though this is relative and does not compare to the trading ports of Nevicia, Anhia, or even the kingdoms across the sea to the south.

**Suddingewrak** is a settlement on the south of the Hames River, opposite Dolinium. A new fortified town, set up to control the other bank of the Hames so that the allied countries of Kewes and Mierrsa could close the river to invaders if required. There are plans for a bridge joining the towns, but nothing has been done yet. Many of the occupants are retired career soldiers, but there are also crafters and a shiny new temple to Bruin, the god of soldiers.

# Trade

The currency is the copper deci and the silver penny, with gold coins being a rarity. Minting is increasing rapidly as the market towns get up and running; there are ten times as many minters now as there were twenty years ago, and the common people are beginning to use coins rather than barter. Many coins are minted in the temple towns – as major landowners, the temples are among the wealthy of the kingdom, despite all their losses to the Norsvik.

The crafts of Kewes are not as sophisticated as those of many other countries. When the centralised government of the Namorians collapsed, the market for luxuries also collapsed, and just as recovery was gathering speed, the country had to concentrate on defence against the raiders. Many innovative crafters are now beginning to develop a distinctive Kewsian style, though there is not much call for its export at present. Pottery, silversmithing, and woodcarving are among the luxury crafts that are becoming important sources of income. Alfen was a generous patron of crafters, and a prolific giver of gifts (as is expected of a leader).

# Magic

‘Mage’ is rarely a primary description of anyone in the kingdom. Religious magics are fairly numerous, but elementalists are less common, and totemic magic almost unknown. Crafters sometimes have magics that help with their trades, and some career soldiers have supporting magical skills. It is not unknown for priests to also be reasonably skilled elementalists, but as this does not enhance their status as holy people, they tend to play this down except at need. There isn’t anything preventing the humans of Kewes gaining magical power, but most of them don’t seem interested. Even the magicians at court are imports from across the sea, brought over by Alfen to teach those capable of learning.

# People

The Ealdors are the highest ranks of society, beholden to the monarch. Ealdors are mostly drawn from old families, related to tribal leaders from before the kingdoms coalesced, but some few have earned their positions by competence alone. They lead the military forces, collect rents and taxes, and dispense justice. The High Priests leading the largest religious foundations have roughly equivalent rank but slightly different responsibilities, as they are not expected to lead in battle but have greater educational responsibilities.

Thegns are the next rank; whilst they are often from the same families for a generation or two, they are not hereditary positions either. These are the village leaders, master crafters, experienced career soldiers, and guild leaders. They have responsibility for smaller areas and fewer people, and are beholden to the Ealdors. The High Priests of smaller temples have similar rank.

Freepeople may own their own land or pay rent (which may be in coin or in kind), but they always own their own labour. The indentured own themselves but not their labour (they owe it as a debt until it has been worked off), and slaves (mostly those captured in battle) are owned by others. Being indentured is a temporary state and the majority of those who find themselves in it will manage to work their way out. Slaves can only be freed by their owners.

Soldiers are those who have elected to be a permanent part of the 1/5 of the adult population on military duty. As military duty is collated by settlement rather than individually, this allows others to be excused or reduce the time they spend. Fighters who distinguish themselves may earn more than the board and a few deci that is the standard for military duty.

Those on military duty will be provided with a large shield and a spear or sword. No armour is provided, but many will manage to get a few pieces of leather armour. Chain mail is uncommon and usually only worn by Thegns or above, and steel plate is almost never seen. Bows of all kinds are rare.

For most people, clothing is entirely functional. Wool is the most common fabric used, often undyed. A knee-length or longer belted tunic, with or without braes or trousers, is the usual attire. Cloaks and hoods are also commonly worn. Linen and leather are also used. For those of higher rank, or for special occasions, the cut will be the same but the fabrics will be more opulent and the colours brighter. Jewellery is worn to make a statement by anyone who can afford to, and is a common gift from leaders to those who report to them.

Priests usually wear robes, though they don’t have to. Those primarily devoted to Thebe often wear white if they can afford to, as in other places.

Most people live outside the towns, in single extended family farms. The land is fertile, but decades of raiding by the Norsvik mean that much of it has been poorly tended and neglected. Great crops are very possible, but there is still reluctance to invest in improvements as it is still a risk that any investment might be destroyed by invaders.

The Dowran who live around the coasts and waterways are few in number. Technically subject to the ruler of Kewes if they live within the territory, they pay their taxes in fish and may have a bargain with human settlements to trade fish or crafted objects for military duty. Spending time in barracks or marching across the whole country on land would not go well for them. Their skill in Artisan can be valuable, though, and some pay their military duty designing and building weapons and defences.

The Herri and Pasitaurs are known only as exotic visitors. Some of the Herri may come as traders, but most people in Kewes will not even recognise a Pasitaur.

# History

Before the Namorians invaded in NY 803, the island of Ritian was a patchwork of tribes, unable to prevent the occupation of their lands. Three hundred years of Namorian overlordship and direct governance made a huge change in the peoples and cultures of the island. The lands completely controlled by the Namorians in the south differ greatly from those in the north, where they never reached. The middle part of the island, always contested, is a grey zone where Namorian influence was felt and Namorian rule was theoretically imposed but never wholly overcame native resistance. Kewes is entirely within the southern area, along with the kingdoms of Mierrsa and Haleren.

The Namorian empire, weakened from internal strife and barbarian incursions on their core territories, abandoned Ritian five hundred years ago and collapsed entirely fifty years later. Without the central imperial administration and the Namorian legions, the province fragmented once more into many competing kingdoms. The population dropped drastically as well, as the military camps and the elite left. The towns were almost completely depopulated, as urban living had few advantages. The ruins of forts, towns, and opulent villas sit empty and brooding in some places, harbouring bandits and other unpleasant creatures. In other places they sit beneath other dwellings built on their foundations.

Over time, the population recovered, and the small kingdoms slowly coalesced into larger. Kewes has emerged as the southernmost, after absorbing what is now the sub-kingdom of Cient.

The Norsvik (pirates and raiders from the countries to the northeast) first arrived in the region of Kewes in 1519. At first they came in small numbers, raiding, murdering, and plundering, showing no mercy or compassion. Later, they came in larger groups, established beachheads, and overwintered. Eventually, they became clearly invaders rather than raiders, still not acknowledging the humanity of any who were not of the Norsvik.

In the time of Alfen’s father Edwilf, raids by the Norsvik were common and feared. A fleet of some 350 ships sailed up the Hames River, the border between Kewes and Mierrsa. The occupants attacked and defeated the Mierrsa forces, but were in turn defeated and repulsed by the forces of Kewes, led by Edwilf. The new king in Mierrsa married Edwilf’s daughter, and Mierrsa became the junior partner in an alliance. Though the raids continued, and loss of life and property was common, the kingdoms were stable.

Edwilf had five sons, and left the second of them in charge of the main part of his kingdom with the next in charge of Ceint, the lesser, southern part whilst he went on a pilgrimage in 1608 to Noma, where the Founder of the Thebian pantheon has her temple city. His oldest son had died in battle years before. He took with him his youngest son, Alfen, who was at that time only a small child. As the King of a small but significant country, Edwilf met with the High Priest, who sponsored Alfen’s blessing into the faithful worshipping the gods in the Thebian congregation.

When they arrived home (Edwilf having married a royal bride on the way), Edwilf retired to the lordship of the southern part of the country, leaving his oldest surviving son in charge of the greater part. He died three years later, and his third son took over the lordship of the south as his oldest officially took over the crown. These men must have been capable leaders, as the Tawin of noble Ealdors had to confirm their accession - this was by no means a formality, and that holds true to the present day. The oldest son married his stepmother (who was some years younger than him) immediately upon his father’s death. His aim may have been to stabilise the alliance with her father, or it may have been a love-match, but it shocked the country, and when he too died two years later, it was held to serve him right. The third son then took the throne, but again lasted only a few years.

The Tawin had a choice - pick one of the young descendants of the three previous monarchs, or elect their younger half-brother Eddraed. It is rumoured that, to avoid conflict in trying times, the five sons of Edwilf had made a bargain that each would succeed the other until there was only one left, whose children would then inherit. This seems unlikely, though, as Alfen would have had to swear it when eight at most. In any case, whether influenced by such a pact or not, Eddraed was elected by the Tawin to the throne of Kewes.

In the first few years of his reign, the troubles caused by the Norsvik raiders became ever more serious. For the first time, they did not hit and run, but stayed. They first landed in the South, and took silver from the Ealdor there to go away. However they did not, but plundered the area anyway. Then they left, temporarily.

In the fifth year of Eddraed’s reign, the Norsvik again came up the Hames and landed at one of the royal estates and tribute points, which they fortified. Although a northern Ealdor had success against a large foraging party, Eddraed’s attack on the fortified camp was a heavy defeat. However, the Kewes forces had a success against the Norsvik forces when they left their camp. Alfen was very prominent in this victory, impressing his forces and Ealdors. That year, battle after battle was fought, and in the late spring Eddraed died and Alfen succeeded.

Eventually, the fighting reached a stalemate and Alfen purchased a temporary peace with silver. The Norsvik forces retreated to the deserted Namorian capital of Dolinium. Two years later, they moved north, built a great camp, and were joined by a further force which included families and non-combatants. The raiders were now definitely invaders, though they still lived by foraging (aka stealing from the natives).

Two years after that, the forces split in two. Half of them travelled back to the Kingdom of Burdam, which their kin had taken years before, and half moved only a short way, taking the town of Shaftsbrig, where they stayed another year. A further party landed not far along the coast. Alfen tried to treat with them, exchanging hostages and (for the first time) making every party swear on their own religious symbols, but the Norsvik forces murdered their hostages and left. They split up into a land and a sea group, but their gods took exception to their faithlessness. A storm came from a clear sky, destroyed all of their 120 ships and drowned those aboard, leaving their land-bound forces to come to an actual treaty with Alfen. After this, they went back to Mierrsa, where they had installed an amenable king recently, and split the land with the aforementioned amenable king. Their descendants dwell in that area to this day.

The darkest and most perilous time for the country’s independence came soon. Betrayed by some of the Tawin, Alfen was attacked as he celebrated the Midwinter festival in Chipenhaeme. His older brothers’ children thought to use the Norsvik to gain the throne, but they were discarded as soon as the Norsvik forces held the power in Kewes. Alfen escaped, though, fleeing with his family to an island in the marshes known as Athelyen. He and a small number of loyal forces fortified the island, waging a guerrilla war against the Norsvik, spying, and stirring up support.

In the spring, Alfen left Athelyen and marched to an ancient muster-point, and there waited for forces loyal to him to arrive. And arrive they did. He led them against the Norsvik forces, drawing them out from the defensible town of Chipenhaeme and inflicting a heavy defeat. That amenable king in Mierrsa turned his coat again, occupying Chipenhaeme and preventing the Norsvik forces from retreating to there. Thwarted in their attempt to find safety in Chipenhaeme, the Norsvik forces occupied a deserted, ancient, hilltop fort, where Alfen’s forces sieged them for a fortnight until they broke.

Their sole surviving Jarl, Hruthgum, submitted to Alfen, took on a new name, joined the congregation of Thebian faith, and took the eastern kingdom of Halaren. Halaren had been held almost as long as Burdam by the Norsvik, and many of them had settled there. The newly renamed Edstan held Halaren as a faithful Ealdor to the end of his life, keeping his new faith and his new name.

And thus, Alfen took his kingdom back, and freed Mierrsa from the Norsvik. Although the Norsvik periodically attacked from overseas and from Burdam, the forces of Kewes and Mierrsa always managed to repel them. The last major attack came only a few years ago, but it ended with the dispersal of the Norsvik fighting forces from Kewes and Mierrsa, though they remained in control of Burdam and Haleren (Edstan having died, Haleren Norsvik forces had been involved in the attack). And so, the kingdom of Kewes has been at peace, with a strong ally in Mierrsa, for four years. Edal is a known warrior, having proven himself in battle over the last decade.

# Notables

**King Edal**, the oldest son of the recently deceased King Alfen. A soldier hardened in battle against the Norsvik, he commands the respect (outwardly at least) of all who know him. Though he is not a scholar and has no magical ability, he has been well-schooled in history, military matters, and religion. His working knowledge of the laws his father inherited and rewrote is impressive. There is a certain ruthlessness about him, though he is known to show mercy to defeated enemies.

**Edflaed and Eddred**, Ealdors of neighbouring Mierrsa (for most of Alfen’s rule a client kingdom), have a seat on the Tawin. Edflaed is Alfen’s oldest child, and has been co-ruling Mierrsa since her marriage to Eddred twenty years ago. The kingdoms are partners in many ways, with the burh system being set up in Kewes now also taking root in Mierrsa. Eddred is not in the best of health, and Edflaed is more likely to be seen in Kewes for important occasions, with their daughter and heir Edwynne. She is a very determined and effective ruler. With the death of her father, there may be a shift in the power balance and relations between the two kingdoms.

**Edwold** was the son of King Alfen’s older brother, King Eddraed. A proven warrior, he spent some time negotiating with the Norsvik and claimed to be capable of creating a lasting treaty that would bring peace to southern Ritian. He was often accompanied by his kindred, and also by Norsvik traders and warriors. After not being selected by the Tawin to rule, he immediately broke his oath of fealty and attacked the royal estate, supported by his Norshame wife and warriors. He was defeated by a group of adventurers who had mysteriously arrived just in time to prevent disaster.

Notable members of the **Tawin** include Ealdor Colena of Cient, Ealdor Bardea of Vonde, and Ealdor Gildu of Keses.

**Essar** the priest, scholar, and biographer was one of King Alfen’s closest advisors. Originally a priest of Davi (god of the land of Fedyi and of vegetarians) in Fedyi, he rose to lead the temple there. King Alfen, hearing of his scholarship, asked him to accept a position in Kewes. As Essar had a heavy sense of responsibility, he initially came only temporarily to Kewes, and returned to Fedyi after six months. A year later, after discussion with his religious brethren in Fedyi, he began to share his time between there and Kewes. His role in Kewes was to help Alfen set up a network of schools, translate useful but archaic documents into something that could be understood by the population of Kewes, and advise Alfen on religious matters. He is a serious older man, approachable and earnest. He is not one of the Tawin, but acts as an advisor when he is there. His presence has created some goodwill for the kingdom of Fedyi, and the people there hope that Kewes might aid them should their neighbour to the north again turn aggressive.

**Egmund**, High Priest of Thebe in Cantiaco and thus in Kewes. Originally a hermit in Mierrsa, he was also persuaded to join Alfen’s educational and theological reforms. Learned, just, but somewhat autocratic, his translations and clarifications of the laws of Kewes and of Thebe are held to be incomparable.

**Algra**, a cleric met by Alfen on his journey when he visited Namor. Quiet and humble, she turned down the position of High Priest of Thebe in Cantiaco, but accepted a position as an advisor. Less brash than Egmund, her mind is equally sharp despite her advanced age.

**Iohanne**, another priest and scholar from the continent, became High Priest of Thebe and Elwin at Thelney. An old temple but one which lost most of its occupants and is now full of refugees and foreigners, it is not an easy place to lead. Alfen and his closest followers had an affinity for the island of Athelyn and the temple of Thelney, because it was there that they regrouped and plotted during the dark time of Alfen’s betrayal by the Tawin of the time. Iohanne manages to keep the occupants of the temple working together despite their many differences, and her diplomatic skill is unwavering.