String Kingdom

The **String Kingdom**, also known as the **Strings Kingdom** or the **Stringdom**, is a kingdom in Orchestria, home to the string people. Its capital is Stradivarius.

## Geography

Being so spread out, the String Kingdom's geography is very varied. In the north is the capital, Stradivarius, it is a hilly area, good for protection from other kingdoms. This land has enough farming capacity to support its population but it is not arable enough to produce a large surplus.

In the center of the kingdom is the Mezzo Plateau and Glissando Peaks, a series of large mountains. These mountains are perfect for funneling enemy armies into the thin mountain passes or for forcing them to go south of the mountain range or north through the Mezzo Plateau. This land is hard to farm on and is in constant need of food shipments, making them vulnerable to flanking armies going around the large range. There are very few towns in this area but the few that do exist are hard to capture due to the terrain.

The south is defined by its large, flat plains. This serves as the bread basket of the kingdom and has provided it with a large population boost before. Lentando Lagoon has also provided the inhabitants of this region with a source of fresh water for their crops. These lands are hard to defend due to the flat terrain. To prevent wasting warriors here the String Kingdom deploys its troops in the central mountain range to prevent enemy armies from ever reaching this area. Of the many towns and villages found here, Treble Town is a notable location.

The coastal west has flat land as well, allowing for enough farming to sustain its population and for large settlements to be built. The coast has proven invaluable to the inhabitants of this area since it allows for trade with all of Orchestria. This has caused this area to become rich, perhaps even richer than Stradivarius. To protect these riches, the String Kingdom has built large walls around every major settlement, making any meaningful advance through this territory slow and bloody.

## Political System

The String Kingdom's political system is a more mainstream absolute monarchy, where all power is invested in the monarch. The String Kingdom's politics are surprisingly stable since there are very few plots and no revolutions. One of the reasons for this is that the king is encouraged to have appointed at least one heir, preventing most power struggles after death. However, this wasn't always possible, so a new plan was formed. Rulers that died without a heir would plan a brand new noble family to inherit the kingdom, creating a new "heir" that would prevent a power struggle. This is why despite the vast number of different instruments that have served as ruler of the String Kingdom, (such as the Fiddles, Mandolins, Cellos, and more), almost no power struggles have occured.

The Brass Kingdom has, in recent times, attempted to recreate the string form of government's stability, so far to great success.

## Culture

String culture is generally seen as very complex by other kingdoms. It is very influential and the kingdom is the cultural center of Orchestria. The string's culture promotes unity and loyalty above all else, this is often sighted as a reason for the stability of string politics. This culture also praises cunning and diplomatic ability, making the string people competent merchants and diplomats. This natural cunning is also displayed in war, as string generals prefer to study big picture strategy instead of battle tactics. This is not to say their tactics are inferior however. It is in fact on par with the other kingdoms.

## Royals

### **Rulers**

**King Guitar l** [1S0 - 1S1]

**King Fiddle l** [1S1 - 1S 89]

**King Fiddle ll** [1S 89 - 1S 169]

**King Fiddle lll** [1S 169 - 1S 243]

**King Fiddle lV** [1S 243 - 1S 306]

**King Fiddle V** [1S 306 - 1S 361]

**King Harpensus** [1S 361 - 1S 425]

**King Mandolin l** [1S 425 - 2S 12]

**King Mandolin ll** [2S 12 - 2S 65]

**King Mandolin lll** [2S 65 - 2S 66]

**King Mandolin IV** [2S 66 - 2S 67]

**King Mandolin V** [2S 67 - 2S 102]

**King Cello l** [2S 102 - 2S 159]

**King Cello ll** [2S 159 - 2S 182]

**King Cello lll** [2S 182 - 2S 186]

**King Cello IV** [2S 186 - 3S 27]

**Queen Viola l** [3S 27 - 3S 35]

**Queen Viola ll** [3S 35 - 3S 46] *(ALIVE)*

## Inhabitants

Within the String Kingdom reside the elegant, higher class citizens and warriors such as the Corrupted Violin Fencer, the Violin Legionary and other infamous figures. The String Warriors used to be noble knights, who would put warriors pride above all else during battle. However, with the recent actions of King Tuba II many have thrown out these ideologies and will stop at nothing to ensure that the king cannot conquer all of Orchestria. The String Kingdom has always tried to separate itself from the other kingdoms, as they see themselves as superior in many ways. And while they may have the most wealth, they do not share the same ferocity in battle. The String Warriors try to keep everything well thought out.

## History

### First Stanza

By 1S 0, the kingdom was founded by King Guitar l, however he died months after the kingdom was founded, and it was inherited by King Fiddle l. The lands encompassed by the kingdom grew south, quickly reaching the Mezzo Plateau and soon the Kettledrum Outlands. This is when contact with the Percussion Kingdom was established. Relations were initially friendly, although tensions began to simmer beneath the surface over the ownership of the Kettledrum Outlands. In 1S 40, the Grand Accord occurred, bringing peace to Orchestria, this delayed the war with the Percussion Kingdom and helped relieve tensions between the two kingdoms.

#### String-Percussion War

Soon the tensions between the String Kingdom and Percussion Kingdom became too large to ignore. The situation was a powder keg. In 1S 298, the Percussion Kingdom lit the fuse and declared war on King Fiddle IV and the String Kingdom. After King Fiddle IV's death in 1S 306, the Percussion Kingdom launches an offensive; this was stalled the next year.

##### Battle of High Tide

In 1S 324, the battle of High Tide took place. The battlefield was a large coastal valley. Both sides were encamped on a hill and descended into the valley to give battle. The Percussion Kingdom favored a strong center, in an attempt to pierce the string lines. While the String Kingdom favored strong wings in an attempt to encircle the Percussion army.

Both armies advanced and began combat. Soon after combat began, the tide began to rise, separating the two armies. Some still attempted to fight but either drowned or were cut down when they reached the other side. Due to the contrasting configurations of both armies lines, many troops were cut off from support and were trapped on the other side of the water. These troops, on both sides, made a last stand before being killed.

This battle made both sides of the war more cautious, since their armies were depleted and they did not want to lose more men.

##### End of the war

The war eventually ended in 1S 356, after King Timpani VII led a botched assault on a mountain pass in the Glissando Peaks. The peace deal was kind to the Percussion Kingdom as the String Kingdom only demanded half of the Kettledrum Outlands. This war caused a distrust between both kingdoms that still lasts to this day. Whether this is the war that ended the peace brought by the Grand Accord is unknown and is still under debate. In 1S 361, King Fiddle V died with no heir, and King Harpensus, who wasn't actually from the String Kingdom, somehow managed to become the ruler.

#### Three Nation Alliance

In 1S 424, King Melodica V of the Key Kingdom died with no heir, the Brass Kingdom and Woodwind Kingdom seized the opportunity to invade. This invasion went well for the Brass-Woodwind alliance due to the Key Kingdom being pacifists. King Glockenspiel I was killed in battle. The next year, Queen Celesta VII "The Peace Maker" arrived in both the Percussion Kingdom and String Kingdom's courts to appeal for help. Both kingdoms accepted and together they formed the Three Nation Alliance.

Once the armies mustered, they marched to Organ City to relieve the siege. When arriving, they saw the gates of Organ City open and the Brass-Woodwind army charge inside. Attempting to prevent the capture of the walls, the Three Nation Alliance's troops followed them. The found the Brass Kingdom and Woodwind Kingdom's armies still fighting just beyond the gate, facing multiple barricades. The Three Nation Alliance attacked the rear, killing the vast majority of the troops inside, although a few pockets, including the kings of both kingdoms, fought their way out. King Harpensus, however, was somehow separated from his troops and was killed by a group of brass soldiers. Surprisingly, King Harpensus still died in his city of birth, as he was actually originally from the Keyboard Kingdom. King Mandolin l was appointed as the new king.

This battle ended the war and a peace was signed. Very little changed, much to the dismay of the Key Kingdom, but due to the String Kingdom and Percussion Kingdom's relative strength they had to obey. The major kingdoms in the alliance wished for the southern kingdoms to remain strong in order to preserve the balance of power. After the war, the alliance disbanded.

#### Era of Instability

In 1S 426, the Era of Instability began. The String Kingdom was the least affected. The only result of it was a few local rebellions that were crushed easily. The main reason for this stability through these supposedly unstable times was the string culture. The string culture promotes unity and loyalty and remaining true to this very few people joined the few revolts. King Mandolin was praised as a strong leader for being able to survive the era after being so recently appointed king.

### Second Stanza

In 2S 12, the String Kingdom expanded into the modern south of the kingdom. While they claimed this land, the local tribes put up fierce resistance and were not pacified for a while. Due to unrelated causes, King Mandolin l died, and King Mandolin ll took his place.

#### Ukulele City Landslide

In 2S 36, a massive landslide occurred in the Glissando Peaks, burying Ukulele City in rubble and killing thousands.

#### The short-lived reign of King Mandolin lll and lV

In 2S 65, King Mandolin ll died, leaving the kingdom to his eldest son, King Mandolin lll. King Mandolin lll went down in string history as one of their worst rulers of all time, creating bizarre laws that neither the citizens nor the string nobles liked. An assassination was planned on King Mandolin lll, but he died before the plan could be executed, when he attempted to ride on an untamed Stringed Beetle, leading to it skewering him. King Mandolin lll was widely regarded as a smudge of dishonor on the noble line of String Kingdom rulers, and his younger brother, King Mandolin lV, removed all of King Mandolin lll's laws upon becoming ruler, thankfully.

Unfortunately, King Mandolin lV died shortly after becoming king due to a heart attack, and King Mandolin V, the youngest brother of the three rulers, was appointed in his place. In 2S 102, years after the incident with King Mandolin lll and IV, King Mandolin V died with no heir, and King Cello l became king.

#### Woodwind-Percussion invasion

The String Kingdom began expanding into the central lands of Orchestria. This alarmed the Woodwind Kingdom and Percussion Kingdom, and in 2S 172, they invaded. They pursued a scorched earth policy, attempting to destroy string power in the center of Orchestria. This was met with little to no resistance by the String Kingdom. After a year, they started to become paranoid, both armies split up and left for home. This was when they were ambushed by string armies. The Woodwind Kingdom's troops were completely destroyed but the Percussion Kingdom's troops survived the Battle of Datong Forest, although they were seriously wounded.

After this, a peace treaty was signed. The String Kingdom's expansion was not stopped but due to the pillaging it was severely slowed.

#### Pacification of the Southern area of the Kingdom

In 2S 179, King Cello II led an army south to pacify the local tribes. After a large battle, this was successful and benefited the kingdom greatly. Due to the new farmlands the String Kingdom's population exploded, quickly becoming the most populated kingdom in Orchestria. This helped the String Kingdom immensely, increasing both trade and tax income.

#### Invasion of Brass and Woodwind Kingdoms

Seeking revenge for the previous invasion, the Key Kingdom made an alliance with the String Kingdom and, in 2S 183, invaded the Brass Kingdom and Woodwind Kingdom. This forced both of the southern kingdoms to make an alliance with each other for the last time. The invasion caught them off-guard and it advanced deep into the Woodwind Kingdom.

##### Battle of Harpsichord Pass

In 2S 184, both armies met at Harpsichord Pass, a narrow mountain pass. Being the defenders, the Woodwind Kingdom and Brass Kingdom set up a shield wall and, knowing the land, sent a small detachment to climb the mountains. The String Kingdom and Key Kingdom set up three wedges and advanced, underestimating their enemy. As they advanced, the Woodwind troops that climbed the mountain began throwing rocks down at the wedges, breaking the tips of them. Seeing this, the Brass-Woodwind line charged, inflicting heavy casualties. But this did not break the String-Key lines like they had hoped and a brutal melee broke out. After a few hours of a stalemate, a few Brass troops began to flee, this made the rest of the army panic and retreat too, winning the battle for the Key Kingdom and String Kingdom.

After this war the String Kingdom annexed most of the Woodwind Kingdom's northern lands, while the Key Kingdom, once again, gained little. This nearly caused a revolt in the Key Kingdom, but it was avoided after a speech by Queen Celesta IX.

#### Great War

Due to the growing influence of the String Kingdom, in 2S 199, every kingdom of Orchestria formed the Alliance for String Containment (ASC) and they started the Great War. This was the largest war ever seen on Orchestria. The ASC split their army into two, the Percussion-Key army marched to the north and the Brass-Woodwind army marched through the south, towards Lentando Lagoon.

##### Battle of Tremoloa hill

In 2S 200, the Key-Percussion army exited the Mezzo Plateau they met with the String army encamped on a hill. Both sides deployed and prepared for battle. Due to a disagreement with the percussion and key generals, the percussion troops advanced without keyboard support. They attacked the String army's right flank, hoping to collapse it before reinforcements arrived. The string right flank retreated a short distance, giving time for the string center to reinforce the right, leaving the left to guard against the stationary keyboard army. This meant that the percussion troops were surrounded on three sides, the situation was unwinnable, but regardless the percussion troops proved their reputation and held their ground.

The keyboard units finally saw their chance and attacked the string left flank. After heavy fighting, the string left flank was routed. Seeing this, the string army retreated, denying the Percussion Kingdom and Key Kingdom the decisive victory they wanted.

##### Battle of Lentando Lagoon

After the Battle of Tremoloa hill, the String Kingdom's army marched south towards Lentando Lagoon and picked yet another battleground, this time for the Brass-Woodwind army. The battlefield had Lentando Lagoon to the string's right, blocking off any flanking attempts, and a small stream in front. Once the two armies met, they both deployed for battle.

The Strings placed their wounded units in front, fooling the ASC army into thinking the battle would be quick. As a result of this, both sides deployed in a standard shield wall formation. Once the brass and woodwind units were close, the strings pulled back their wounded and charged. This caught the ASC army by surprise and forced them to give ground.

Due to the Battle of Tremoloa hill, the String Kingdom's army was outnumbered and so once the surprise wore off, it was the string's turn to be pushed back. After heavy fighting, an element of the string army began routing, this caused the string commander to order a general retreat. Once again denying the decisive victory the ASC wanted.

##### Skirmishes

In 2S 201, The String Kingdom employed hit and run tactics and fought multiple skirmishes similar to the Battle of Tremoloa hill, being defeated but ultimately never losing their army. This slowed the ASC armies and they were slowly worn down. The Brass-Woodwind army preferred to damage the String Kingdom as much as possible by pillaging the land they entered, successfully rallying the southern strings to use guerilla tactics, sabotaging the supply lines. This was countered by the Brass Kingdom as they diverted a detachment of units to protect the supply lines. The Percussion-Key army preferred to use a more honorable form of warfare, where conquered land was treated with respect, even more so if they fought back.

Both armies turned north towards the String Kingdom's capital of Stradivarius. They merged south of the city, while the String Kingdom's army sallied forth and chose their place of battle.

##### The Battle of Harp River

The String Kingdom chose a plot of land near the Harp River, forcing the ASC to cross it if they wished to attack. The river was in a valley and so the wooded hills on either side of the river severely slowed flanking maneuvers. They had picked their place well and when the ASC army approached they paused.

Once the plan was decided the Brass Kingdom's troops made two wedges on the left flank, the Woodwind Kingdom would form two more wedges in the center and the Key Kingdom would form a standard shield wall on the right. This was to prevent the String's left from being pushed too far back, since the Percussion Kingdom's troops were sent to climb the hill to the right and to flank the String Kingdom's army. If the string left was pushed too far back the percussion troops may not be able to flank the strings because of the rough terrain slowing their movements.

When the percussion troops were half way across the hill, the rest of the ASC army advanced. As the troops stumbled through the river the String Kingdom's units charged them. This assault killed many ASC soldiers but once the alliance's troops regained their footing they began to push back. Slowly, the String Kingdom's units were giving ground, except for the string right. This was because the Key Kingdom's units were only in a standard shield wall and were not trying to push.

As the battle became a stalemate, the percussion units descended from the hill undetected due to the forest. They slammed into the string left and trapped them, killing almost all of them. This caused string morale to plummet, some units attempted to flee while others fought, as chaos reigned in the String Kingdom's army.

Thoroughly humbled by the result of the battle, King Cello IV began negotiations.

##### Peace treaty

The Brass Kingdom and Woodwind Kingdom argued for large land concessions in the center of Orchestria, but the Percussion Kingdom and Key Kingdom argued that the String Kingdom should instead have minimal land concessions and instead limit their diplomatic abilities. The Key kingdom hoped to keep a strong ally doing this, while the Percussion Kingdom were afraid of the Brass and Woodwind Kingdoms and wanted to preserve the balance of power.

Eventually, the Percussion Kingdom and Key Kingdom won the argument and the Brass Kingdom and Woodwind Kingdom begrudgingly signed the treaty. This marked the last time the kingdoms of Orchestria were united and the end of the second Stanza.

### Third Stanza

The Great War ended the second Stanza, but things were quick to return to how they were before, mostly anyway. Nothing major happened in the Stringdom until 3S 27, when King Cello IV died with no heir, and Queen Viola l was appointed.

#### Tuba wars

After the Brass Kingdom's annexation of the Woodwind Kingdom, in 3S 33. They began to prepare for their conquest of Orchestria. In 3S 35 the invasion was launched and became known as the Tuba Wars. The String Kingdom was the first to propose an alliance with the other kingdoms but it was denied due to the mistrust earned during the Great War. However, the Brass Kingdom didn't want any chance of an alliance forming, and King Tuba II sent out the Tuba Wizard to kill Queen Viola l. This act of violence rocked the String Kingdom, and Queen Viola ll especially, changing their attitude of war. Before the war, the String Kingdom was honorable and did little to damage non-combatants. But now, Queen Viola ll will stop at nothing in order to contain the Brass Kingdom.

## Trivia

* The String Kingdom's 6th (or 7th if you count King Guitar l) ruler, King Harpensus, was actually a Harpsichord refugee from the Keyboard Kingdom. It was unknown until a public sermon after he died, making him the first, and last, Keyboard ruler of the String Kingdom.
* The String Kingdom invented the term, "Maestro." It was first said by Lyre Monks in the upper regions of the Trill River area.
* String Kingdom officials travel via chartered Bassoon Bus. They say it is to keep in tradition.
* One of the rulers, Queen Viola, before being tragically killed by the Tuba Wizard, was seen fleeing to a bunker under the Trill River. But, her bow was caught on reeds, and she lost the ability to move before her death.