Karthmere

* **Size**: 1.372.000 km2
* **Location**: South of Applegate, south-west of Malgrave, and west of Stormholme
* **Authority**: Royal household and elected governors

#### **Geography**

Karthmere is distinguished by the great Geris Pasture, a large stretch of fertile flatlands. This fertile soil is split by numerous slow and broad, flowing rivers. The largest among them is the Teima river. After the snow and ice melt in Armathain during the spring, the rivers in Karthmere swell before the summer, creating tremendously fertile fields around the rivers after the spring flood has ended. After the Teima river eventually closes in on the southern coastline, it forks into hundreds of smaller rivers of different sizes, creating a vast and marshy delta. The northern and eastern outline of Karthmere is covered by the Gallant Grove, a deciduous to evergreen leaf forest with gently rolling hills. The forest is moderately thick by the border to both Applegate and Malgrave but is otherwise thinly grown.

Karthmere is generally flat. The border to both Applegate and Malgrave is slightly more elevated than the Geris Pasture's fertile basin. In between the river Teima and Teiran, a stony ridge of hills runs and swells towards the coast. On the southwestern tip of Karthmere, Heden's Height, the landscape elevates to a cliffy coastline and craggy hills between the Viola city and Southwich town. The coastline of Karthmere is mostly shallow with sandy to stony beaches. The long Nalon's Beach is a vast bay full of soft white beaches. There are natural harbors close to the border to Applegate, around Heden's Height, and the southeastern coast.

#### **Summary**

Despite a recently lost war to Malgrave, Karthmere is the largest kingdom on Frostmark, and holds the largest population record. The geography is mostly composed of fertile fields, gently flowing rivers and a lofty leaf forest that becomes slightly smaller for each year that passes. Karthmere has always tried to build a fleet to rival Stormholme's, and even though Karthmere's fleet is larger today, they have never been able to rival the seamanship of their neighboring kingdom.

Karthmere has many towns, many nobles, many newly rich city dwellers, and a huge population. As guilds became more prevalent in Stormholme, they made their existence known in Karthmere, too, by challenging the nobles' power. Karthmere was divided into election districts when it became clear that some nobles were unable to govern their areas in a fashion that the crown wanted. A simple popular vote was cast by a group of representatives from the district to establish a competent region leader. This quickly became corrupted, and the wealthiest soul around could simply buy his or her victory, noble or otherwise. The royal family was saved from this treatment, as the masses of Karthmere find a break from their simple lives by gossiping and swooning over their fair and strong royal household. The Church of Riahn also has extensive influence in Karthmere.

#### ***Living in Karthmere***

Karthmere is fertile and mild, which has been ideal for any civilization settling down within its borders. Despite Malgrave recently won a territorial battle with Armathain and absorbed some land from Karthmere, the nation still possesses the largest population on Frostmark, close second by Malgrave. Karthmere is the continent's breadbasket, with farmlands as far as the eye can see over gently rolling hills and vast expanses of flat and fertile land. The central and northern areas were once home to a large and deep leaf forest, but they need to rival Stormholme on the seas has greatly diminished these woods. Now hunting is a rare food source and strictly controlled by the elite in their protected reserves.

The great river of Teima flows from the Armathainian mountains' foot through Karthmere and brings with it life and easily accessible irrigation. Farming is excellent around the rivers as they swell and shrink with the seasons, leaving nutrients and silt on the farmlands around them. In the south, the Teima river transforms into a giant delta that seems to change its form from year to year. Due to the impossibility of farming around the delta, the area is sparsely populated.

Karthmere has always been culturally influenced, for better or worse, by Stormholme. As Stormholme naturally progressed to a more guild controlled social structure due to their monetary influence, Karthmere inevitably followed suit. The guilds didn't take over completely in Karthmere as they did in Stormholme, as the presence of the Church of Riahn ran deep within the soul of the kingdom, and many nobles early on raised their voices in protest. There was little support coming from the royal family of that time, Arundell, who was seen as aloof and uncaring by the Karthmerian people.

In the decade of 680 AEF, the country was spiraling down a dangerous road. The reality was that the kingdom was growing rapidly, and there were simply not enough adequately rich nobles who could manage such areas. In other parts of the country, the already established nobles were unprepared and without the resources to maintain their growing populations. Where the nobles failed, the guilds smelled opportunity. They pressured Arundell, claiming that they had the resources and applicable experiences to govern these failing areas. At this point, the Karthmerian people wanted safety and prosperity. First of all, They thought Arundell was failing as the regent if he could not even ensure half-competent leadership in all regions of Karthmere. Arundell did not wish to lose their power as the Stormholmish royal family had, and desperation was running high within the palace's corridors. In 683 AEF, Karthmere started a surprise war against Malgrave. The reasons for this were multiple, but the most comprehensive reason was it was a distraction. Arundell thought that the war would rally the Karthmerian people under their banner, and a victory would increase their popularity and support. More sinister rumors abound as well, one claiming that the Arundell household was purposely controlling the size of the population by having Karhtmerian's die in the war. The official reason given to Malgrave was that they wished to conquer more woodlands for their shipbuilding.

Malgrave did not yield as Arundell had hoped. After some initial success for Karhtmere, Malgrave caught up with them after they recovered from the surprise attack. The war grew longer than Karthmere had anticipated. The new merchant class became instrumental for Karthmere's economy during it, which was the opposite of what the ruling class of Karthmere wanted. In the end, it was Arundell who had to yield to the guild, but it was done through a compromise. The "Representative Act" was signed and implemented by Arundell in 687 AEF, which allowed non-nobles to govern areas of Karthmere.

The Representative Act allowed regions to vote into power their rulers, noble or not. This gave the royal household some breathing room, as the Representative Act did resolve the immediate crisis. The system was far from perfect, however. The voting system soon became corrupt, and the lower classes in Karthmere started to suffer from the Act's exploitation. On the other side of the coin, noble families grew hostile towards the crown as they lost their absolute position of power, where some families even fell into the disgrace of poverty. The guilds only wanted more after the small taste of power, consistently pointing to their colleagues' guilds in Stormholme and demanding to acquire what they possess. Amid this political turmoil, the war raged on against Malgrave.

In the end, in 690, the bomb went off, and the royal castle was stormed by an angry mob. The royal family of Arundell was overthrown. In the chaos that ensued, Karthmere started to lose the war against Malgrave, and general lawlessness was breaking out. The former castellan of Arundell, the minor noble house of Somerset, was one of the contenders that stepped forward and raised their voice for control of the country. Somerset had gathered a lot of support from the capital citizens, no matter their social class, from their generosity and warmth. In the end, Somerset won this struggle by the grace of their reputation, experience of the kingdom's governance, and the fact that they were only a minor noble house. This appeased both parties, the new merchant class and the conservative nobles. However, they stepped into a precarious situation. The war against Malgrave had turned into a complete disaster. The guilds were running rampant, corrupt officials governing significant areas of Karthmere and many bitter noble houses.

Somerset performed several drastic and quick changes. They negotiated for peace with Malgrave without losing more ground than what would have been catastrophic. They removed some outrageous corrupt officials by swapping them out for some disgruntled noble peers. They gave them leaner tax burdens and generous territories to improve their economic situation. Here the Church of Riahn was willing to step in and offer aid, as the Church staunchly believed that only a noble has a divine right to rule. Laws were implemented that slightly favored nobility in trade and regulated the power and influence of the guilds. In the end, Karthmere ended up with placation from all sides, a stronger noble presence but also influential guilds and merchants, balancing with each other. Though, even to this day, some areas are rightfully governed by a non-noble. A House of Representatives was established. It consisted of both nobles and influential merchants tasked with advising the king or queen in royal matters to further appease Karhtmere's power institutions. The regent possesses certain veto rights in certain areas within the House of Representatives.

Somerset was also clever to generate love and support from their citizens, making sure to earn their favor wherever they go. They adopted a very low-class friendly rhetoric and spearheaded many projects like schools, hospitals, and elderly care. They try to act with grace and care and adopt the latest fashion to look their best. All in all, they succeeded in making the general population of Karthmere swoon and gossip about the royal family. This project should not be taken lightly, as it is a constant effort for the Somerset family to keep high approval ratings.

The kingdom has a large population and moderately well-armed units. However, their land is hard to defend, both due to the soft, open terrain and gentle rivers. The growth rate of urban settlements is also running away from the speed of building defensive structures, such as walls and towers. Karthmere's army was fashioned similar to the Sacred Arms, but they usually sport more heavy cavalry. Knighthood is indeed popular in Karthmere. Their warships are usually equipped with light catapults and light infantry with bows.

#### ***Royal House of Somerset***

***Ruler***: King Fleurence (36 years)

***Family***: Queen (41 years), two sisters (24 and 19 years old), a son (14 years), and two daughters (6 and 2 years old)

***Coat of Arms***: A purple shield with four conjoined golden griffin heads

***Rule***: Controls formally all of Karthmere but has administrational control of Somerset Capital and Willowwood Town

King Somerset is highly regarded by the masses to be fair and wise. The royal family is a picturesque and idyllic picture, believed to be loving, compassionate, and loyal to each other. Many of the royal family are in charity work of a different kind and keen on showing themselves to their people. There are also other rumors that the king can be somewhat apathetic and slow, and sometimes he spends several days outside of public attention.

#### ***House Wynclair***

***Ruler***: Marchioness Rhoesia (27 years)

***Family***: Marquess (26 years)

***Coat of Arms***: A purple shield with four silver eagles chasing

***Rule***: Wynclair Town, Whithill City, Northpond Town, and Westmeadow City

The Marchioness and the Mistress Nicholberry are the two main spokespersons of the two major political camps of Karthmere, the nobles and the guilds. They are sometimes referred to as "the two wildcats of the podium." And true to those words, Marchioness Wynclair is passionate about her position, that nobles are necessary to impose principles, moderation, and morality for the people of Karthmere. A pure guild controlled government will only descend into the destruction of tradition and standards, falling to the same fate Stormholme has, which no one wants - or so she claims. Wynclair also wants to prove that nobles can be as competent merchants as the merchant class can be and successfully expand her trade empire. Many, quite violent, criminal acts against the guilds have been tied to her, but no substantial evidence has come to light.

#### ***House Nicholberry***

***Ruler***: Governess Giliana (37 years)

***Family***: Deceased husband (26) and a deceased brother (46)

***Business Logo***: A black background with Nicholberry written in white and a purple berry at the end of the name

***Rule***: Millacre Town, Grassborough Town, and Castlebay City

Nicholberry, on the other hand, would argue against Wynclair that they are devolving. If Karthmere would only educate and enrich the population and be the leaders of technology, they could properly surpass Malgrave and Stormholme. The path is forward, not backward - or so she claims. Nicholberry has an iron will to tread on forward. She bounced back from the tragic deaths of her husband and her brother and elevated herself from poverty to a governess. A brilliant merchant and administrator, she has come far in her life. She answers back when Wynclair goes on the offensive against her ideals, answering fire by fire.