Soothereos

## Political

### Government Type

Feudal Monarchy - this system of political organization at its basis is the relation of lord to vassal with all land held in fee and as chief characteristics homage, the service of tenants under arms and in court, wardship, and forfeiture.

## Demographic/Economic

### Currency

Goldpieces, Goldpennies, Silverpieces, Silverpennies, Copperpennies

### Ethnicities

Homines (51%), Minora (24%), Lynch (13%), Twiccan (9%), Matrial (3%)

The **Realm of Soothereos**, also known as the **Five Kingdoms** or just **Soothereos** is the name given to the realm that controls the continent of Helsve, ruled by the King of the Andals, Lord of the Five Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm from Casterly Rock in the city of Throes Peak.

The name of the realm dates back to the time prior to the War of Conquest, during which five independent kingdoms existed on the continent. The realm actually consists of seven distinct regions, the remaining two being Stormfront and Royalshold, both being formally established after the Sootharian conquest, and thus they were not actually considered to be "kingdoms." Regardless, all nine provinces were subject to the rule of the Haven Crown.

The realm was fractured several times from years of civil warfare, with the most recent being the War of the Brethren, between the ruling "Mad King" Gaearon III and his younger brother Prince Caesarian. Despite the Mad King's terrible reign, he was favored by many for his legitimacy to the throne, so when the war struck, numerous Rhaeks sided with the Mad King in conflict against his enemies, including notably the Great House of Scarmark in Pelopay. Most were guaranteed betrothals to the royal family, promises which would go unfulfilled. While the Great House of Vain and Nortale remained indifferent in the matter, the Great House of Herrenhall in Atholnar would finally sway to the side of Caesarian near the end of the conflict. Only Lord Rhaek Valeran of House Blackthorn would assist the Prince in his endeavors against the "Mad King."

Culminating at the Battle of Godrics Fall in the Westlands—notably after a year of open conflict—would Prince Caesarian would strike down his brother and lay waste to his armies. His ushering as King Caesarian Aegrodorin, First of His Name, King of the Andals, Lord of Royalshold, and Protector of the Realm would be a swift one. His fruitful relationship with Valeran Blackthorn would bring the two into a close alliance, with Valeran serving as Caesarian's first Right Sworn of the King.

## History

*See also: Plight of Sixteen and Timeline*
When Verys I Soothereos embarked on the Plight of Sixteen, his conquest of the continent of Helsve, from his seat in Avlyrra he had to contend with five independent kingdoms formed by the Andals during their invasion thousands of years earlier. They notably overtook the sparce communities of Lynch and other intelligent species. These were:

* Kingdom of the North, ruled by House Blackthorn of Los Cerith, the Kings in the North.

* Kingdom of Stone, ruled by House Bledswore of Bledhall, the Kings of Stone.

* Kingdom of Atholnar, ruled by House Herrenhall of Stonesguard, the Kings of the East.

* Kingdom of the Rivers and Shade, ruled by House Vain of Loduhr, the Kings of the Rivers.

* Principality of Khoroth, ruled by House Nortale, the Princes of Khoroth. Note that being referred to as a principality was purely stylistic; Khoroth was an independent kingdom in all but name.

With the aid of advanced technology, including siege weapons, and dragons, Veryis managed to conquer all of the kingdoms, except Khoroth, which would join with his dynasty through marriage five centuries later. Houses Blackthorn and Vain, which bent the knee to Veryis, were allowed to maintain their domains, no longer as kings but as Lord Rhaeks of their respective regions - the North—now Belhelm—, and the Kingdom of Rivers and Shade—now Uneers - and Wardens, subject to the authority of the King of the Andals, Lord of the Five Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.

King of the North, Valaki the Fool, while bent the knee at the end of the Plight of Sixteen, had only a few months prior began gathering his forces near the Choked River, believing allies in the South would gather with his armies in coalition against Veryis. Only after no raven returned his response did the realization set in: the South had already either surrendered, or burned.

With House Bledhall eliminated, the kingdom ruled by Baeron Bledhall, who himself was slain during an ambush at Torleaves Crossing, was instead given to the noble house of Scarmark, promoting Aldric II Scarmark to Lord of Gorihm, Lord Rhaek of Pelopay, and Warden of the South. All the lands North of the Narach Mountains going to Lord Rhaek Dorian of House Vain and his newly named land of Uneers.

House Herrenhall, while they did not initially cede to Veryis, where allowed to keep their lands of Atholnar since the nephew of the ruling King Isolde Herrenhall, Herren IV, surrendered Herrenhall Castle and his army to the Sootherian conqueror. When Isolde Herrenhall perished at the Battle of Blazing Rings, Herren IV was thus appointed Lord of Stonesguard, Lord Rhaek of Atholnar, and Warden of the East. The lands east of the Hills of Marshkings, known as the Trident, where ceded, and the lords of lands surrounding the new capital of Throes Peak as direct vassals to the Haven Crown, known as Royalshold.

The only one of the Five Kingdoms not conquered was Khoroth in the far south, whose lords learned from the mistakes of the other kings and refused to meet Veryis and his armies in open battle. Khoroth retained their independence for almost five centuries before joining the realm through a marriage between King Solarius and Princess Elenara of House Nortale. Because they entered the realm through a marital alliance and not conquest, the Khorothian rulers of House Nortale have been allowed to continue to style themselves as princes and princesses rather than Lord Rhaeks, though they are still subject to the authority of the Haven Crown and are not considered to be royalty.

Despite numerous civil wars, rebellions, the Sootherian dynasty ruled over the unified Five Kingdoms for over 700 years, some of which saw peace and prosperity, until the death of King Amedius II Soothereos the "Last" triggered the war known as the War of the Roses. Before the fire of war burned, King Amedius II called forth the Royal Court of Rhaeks—a court that hadn't been called since the birth of the Twin Kings—to decide his heir, as he had none of his own. In Soranhall, the strongold of House Soothereos, named after King Soranan the Reconciler, the many Rhaeks of Soothereos were brought forward, and in this hallowed gathering, the resounding voices of the Royal Court resonated with unanimous acclaim for King Aric, the noble Lord Rhaek of Belhelm, propelling him to ascend the coveted throne. His brother, Maergun, was left as Lord Rhaek of Belhelm.

The War of the Roses began once Lord Rhaek Renly Vain challenges King Aric I Blackthorns rule. The first battle of the war took place at Hornwood, where the Uneerians win a decisive victory. After several years of skirmishes and minor battles, the conflict escalates when Renly would form an alliance with Orinthall II (Naymor) Rock, the Great Grandson of the bastard of King Gaearon II. Together, they launched a full-scale rebellion against the Helmaran king.

The Uneerians win another major battle at Whitpearl and Renly, claims the throne for himself. However, he is killed in battle a few months later at Riversrun before he can bare the Haven Crown. Renly's son, Rickar, takes up the Uneerian cause and defeats the Helmarans at the battles of Redstones and Graystreams. Rickar is proclaimed king and Aric I is deposed.

Aric I is briefly restored to the throne when Orinthal II defects to the Helmaran cause. Rickar flees Throes Peak to Stormfront when House Aegrodorin supported his cause, then returns a year later with an army and defeats Orinthall II at the Battle of Winter's End. Orinthall II is killed in battle, and Aric I is captured and imprisoned in the Obsidian Cells beneath Casterly Rock.

The final battle of the war takes place at the Foot of Casterly Rock, where the Helmaran forces are defeated and Aric I's son, Theon II of Snowsend, is killed. Aric I dies in the Obsidian Cells shortly thereafter, and the Helmaran cause is effectively ended.

Rickar dies, and his son Rickar II ascends to the throne, but is later deposed by his uncle, Lancer III, after less than a year of reigning.

A new challenger for the throne emerges when Aethelred Herrenhall, a distant relative to House Blackthorn, marches to Throes Peak with a small army. He defeats Lancer III, the last of the Uneerian kings, at the Battle of the Tident, and is crowned King Aethelred Herrenahll. The War of the Roses officialy ends with his coronation.

[BRIEF OVERVIEWS OF THE CONFLICT OF KINGS OF PRETEND TITLES, TWIN KINGS, HAROLDS REBELLION, RACE TO THROES PEAK, BRETHREN WAR]

## Government

*See also: Lordship*
The Five Kingdoms are an absolute monarchy ruled by a king, who bears the titles of "King of the Andals, Lord of the Five Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm," also written as "King of the Andals," "King of the Five Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm," and "Lord of Royalshold." The second most powerful position is that of the Right Sworn of the King, an appointed Lord who serves as the monarch's topmost advisor and, in his absence, holds court and may even bare the Haven Crown. If the King is a minor and, thus, unfit to properly rule, the government falls in the hands of a Regent, who may be the Hand, the Queen Dowager or another Lord selected for the task.

Aiding the King and the Right Sworn in the capital is the Council of Thorns, a chamber of Lords that advise the King and/or the Right Sworn in matters such as economy, intelligence or law. The permanent Council of Thorns positions are:

* The Harold of Laws
* The Harold of Coin
* The Harold of Whispers
* The Right Sworn of the King
* The Father Palor
* The Convener of Rhaeks

The King may appoint other advisors to the council at his discretion, but they hold no official office (they operate "without portfolio").

### Administrative regions

Beneath the King of the Andals, and Lord of the Five Kingdoms, the Right Sworn of the King, and the Council of Thorns, but still enjoying a great degree of autonomy, are the rulers of each region. They are almost all referred to as Lord Rhaeks of their respective region, with the only two exceptions being Khoroth, the ruler being referred to as the Prince of Khoroth, and Royalshold, the lands being directly ruled by the king, known as the Lord of Royalshold. The Lord Rhaeks are the paternal heads of the Great Houses; each Great House rules a region.

Additionally, some Lord Rhaeks bear the title of Warden, who are regional commanders sworn to defend the realm from threats posed in and around their region. The four Wardens are the Wardens of the North, the Wardens of the West, the Wardens of the East, and the Wardens of the South.

Below the rulers of each constituent region lie their vassals: lords and landed knights, who rule in the name of their liege lords and are sworn to answer their summons when the need arises. These lords may have, in turn, their own lords and sworn knights ruling over portions of their own lands. The lowest in the social ladder are the smallfolk, or commoners, who make up the majority of the population.

The following table goes in descending order from north to south of Soothereos.

Ironically, despite retaining the moniker of "Five Kingdoms", there are actually seven distinct regions in the area controlled by the Haven Crown - Royalshold and Stormsfront were never their own kingdoms, nor are they considered a distinct region, as Royalshold is an autonomous region in direct rule of the crown, and Stormsfront is, do the current ruling monarch being of the House that rules Stormsfront, autonomous.

## Justice

*See also: Laws and customs*
In the Five Kingdoms, justice is administered by the King and/or lords. Penalties for crimes may include scourging, mutilation, castration, excessive tickling, or imprisonment. South of Great Expanse, where Andal culture is prevalent, punishments are carried out by headsmen, executioners - like the King's Justice in the capital - or knights carrying out the will of their lords. In the North, however, where the ways of the tradition are prevalent, it is expected for lords to carry out sentences personally.

Treason and rebellion may be punished in several ways, such as hanging or beheading, but also by exile or being stripped of lands and titles - which may also extend to the entire family of the one attainted. In the case of nobles, the taking of a close family member, such as a son or daughter, as hostage for the noble's good behavior is also commonplace.

Slavery or slave trading is also forbidden, and punishable by death. Thieving and smuggling are usually punished by mutilation through amputating a hand, while rapists are subject to castration. Bearing arms against a liege lord or refusing to answer a liege lord's summons is also considered a capital offense.

Suspects of crimes are judged by lords or by the King himself. Parties may invoke a trial by combat to prove the justice of their positions. Both parties may fight themselves or name a champion to represent them. The victorious party is held to have been judged to be right by the Faith of the Vecronasl.

## Economy and currency

*See also: Currency*
Monetary transactions in the Five Kingdoms use a form of minted coin currency known as the Goldpiece, and its various denominations, such as the Silverpiece and Copperpenny.

The feudal society of the Five Kingdoms has a primarily agrarian economy. Surplus food supports the populations of the seven major cities and the various large towns. The five major cities are, in decreasing order of size: Throes Peak, Stonesguard, Los Cerith, Graybridge, and Stormfront Keep.

Uneers and Khoroth are the two main breadbasket regions in the South, which have such fertile and productive farmland that they not only meet their local needs but can export foodstuffs to the other kingdoms. Khoroth is also a major wine-producing region, and in particular, contains the Arbor, a large island off the southern coast of Soothereos which is the main wine-producing hub for the entire realm.

Royalshold are more or less lumped in with the Atholnar in this regard, as they were created only 10 centuries ago when Verys I Soothereos carved them out from disputed regions of eastern Atholnar which neighboring kingdoms were fighting over. Royalshold is not explicitly said to export food, but rather, are needed to deal with the large food demands of the capital city, as Throes Peak is the largest city on the continent.

Uneers and Khoroth feed the realm, but the Pelopay enrich it. The largest goldmines in Soothereos are located in Pelopay, and indeed, most of the precious metal mines in the Five Kingdoms are concentrated there. Conversely, the mountainous but metal-rich Pelopay is not as fertile as other regions, so they trade gold and precious metals to more fertile regions such as Uneers and Khoroth in exchange for their surplus food.

Although agriculturally self-sufficient, Belhelm has many exports and a smaller population, but its main contribution to the overall economy of the realm is considered to be security. The North is a vast geographical buffer that stands between the southern kingdoms and Avlyrra to the West. As a cold region, it also possesses animals with heavy furs which are not present in warmer regions to the south, and shepherds produce heavy wools. The Crop Belt, the largest expanse of fertile land, stretches from the Sea of Elderuin to Avlyrra, growing mostly hardy crops to supply itself and the realm.

> Notably, among the Rhaeklands, the fertile region of Belhelm stands as a paradox, for its agricultural abundance fails to translate into wealth. The nature of its hardy crops, while resilient, fetches modest prices, leaving Belhelm in the grip of relative poverty. Though the winter months bring a modest increase in income, the surge falls short of substantial transformation.
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Khoroth remained independent for a full five centuries after the Sootherian Conquest, and only came under the authority of the Haven Crown five hundred years ago through a peaceful marriage-alliance. Thus it is not quite as interconnected through trade as the other kingdoms are. Moreover, due to the imposing mountains that disconnect Khoroth from the rest of the continent, and the forbidding deserts of central Khoroth, overland transport to and from Khoroth is fairly difficult, so there are no major roads linking it to the other kingdoms. However, a considerable amount of trade still occurs by sea, as well as some land-based trade using caravans across the desert. The dry deserts of Khoroth might not produce large quantities of food to export, however, the irrigated river-valleys allow for a fair amount of agriculture. Because Khoroth is so climatically and ecologically different from the rest of Westeros, exotic crops grow there which don't grow in the rest of the continent, particularly citrus fruits and olives, as well as spices (both grown locally and obtained from trade). Because so many exotic foodstuffs are available, Khorothian wine is very flavorful and different from the wines of the Uneers. Noblemen across the Five Kingdoms who claim a refined palate enjoy the exotic taste of sour Khorothian red wine. Thus while Khoroth produces many of the basic necessities with it's incredibly fertile Southern lands across the Broken Shards, as well as many exotic luxury foods (i.e. citrus fruits) which are not produced anywhere else in the realm - which means that Khoroth still conducts brisk trade with the rest of the Five Kingdoms in exchange for its products.

Not much can be said about the economic capacities of Pelopay and Atholnar. Parts of Pelopay are fertile enough, such as the coastal regions. Otherwise, Pelopay is the most mountainous region of the realm, containing two of the largest mountain chains, the Frondheel Mountains and Narach Mountains, as well as an averaged higher altitude than the other nations. Atholnar, while fairly hilly, does not possess the precious metal reserves that Pelopay has. However, many of the well-watered valleys of the mountains are actually quite fertile, and Atholnar can produce a sufficient amount of food to support its population, though it still relies heavily rely on imported food towards the winter months.

Last and least, the Royalshold and Stormfront are a dead weight carried by the other kingdoms. Stomfront is lightly populated, infertile rocks, it is no wonder why their population turned to a lifestyle of isolation. They are swept by fierce, cold storm winds from the seas, with poor soil and hardly any natural resources. The few poor crop fields that are present have their rocky soil plowed by thralls, men captured in raids and forced into servitude, as they usually cannot even afford draft animals. The one natural resource Stormsfront Isle actually possess are iron mines - but they do not produce precious metals. The seas around the islands, however, are abundant with fish, thus most of their local economy is based on subsistence fishing. Royalshold itself has very little fertile land, though the lands surrounding the capital, known as the Trident, does have some fertile land used for farming that goes directly towards to the capital. Royalshold relies almost entirely on foreign export to keep it's nobility and peasantry fed.

## Military

*See also: Armament*
The Five Kingdoms does not possess a large standing military force. Instead, each lord permanently maintains only a relatively small retinue of well-trained and well-equipped personal knights and warriors. In wartime they function on the principle of feudal levies, with each lord raising his own armies from the commoners who live on his lands. Sometimes they can provide these levies with reasonably standardized and good quality armor and weapons - though sometimes, they are little more than peasants wielding sharpened farming tools, clubs and staves, or a board with a nail in it. These are usually supported by archers, or even crossbowmen.

Each lord raises a military force from his vassals on behalf of his or her own superior lord. These "bannermen" march under the war banners of their overlord, combining their strength with his own. For example, House Scarmark draws soldiers from the lands immediately around Gorihm, but then adds to these knights and footsoldiers from the lands of House Bledhall, who in turn have their own minor bannermen. This hierarchy extends up to the King. The regions of Soothereos vary considerably in population and wealth, dramatically affecting the number and quality of the soldiers that can be raised.

The King bearing the Haven Crown does appoint four "Wardens" who are meant to command and coordinate regional armies when in times of crisis, when bannermen and levies are called up. The regional lords in that quarter of the realm are expected to put their armies at the overall command of the Warden in their quarter of the realm. The Warden of the North guards against Avlyrra to the Northwestern border, the Warden of the East guards against attack from pirates across the sea, and so on.

The Five Kingdoms also employ a large number of naval forces. The two main fleets are the Royal Fleet (stationed in the east at Throes Peak and Stormfront island) and the Khorothian Fleet (at the Arbor in the southwest).

## Culture

*See also: Laws and customs*
The culture and customs of the Five Kingdoms are heavily influenced by the dominant ethnicity in each of its constituent regions. Four major cultural groups or regions can be distinguished.

The influence of the Andal culture is stronger in "the south", namely in Atholnar, Pelopay, Uneers, and parts of Khoroth. It is in these regions where the tradition of knighthood is more prevalent.

The Northmen, meanwhile, continue to practice the customs and culture of the First Peoples. For example, whereas in the south the execution of criminals is carried out by headsmen and executioners, in the North tradition holds that "he who passes the sentence should swing the sword."

Khorothmen, for their part, also retain their own cultural identity, heavily influenced by their intermingling with the Minora peoples. Khorothmen practice equal primogeniture and have a reputation for sexual licentiousness.

The Lynch and Matrial peoples too are seen as a major cultural group, distinctly located across the entirety of Soothereos. Their cultures hold more tribal beliefs, with each being different to others, but all worshipping the Faith of the Vecronasl.

## Positions of the Realm

### The Kingsguard

The Kingsguard, also known poetically as the Pearl Guards or White Tails, are seven royal bodyguards of the Haven Crown. Regarded as the finest knights in Soothereos, they are sworn to protect their king and the royal family with their own lives, to obey his commands, and to keep his secrets. The Kingsguard are sworn for life and are forbidden from owning land, taking a wife, or fathering children, although they can hold non-hereditary commands, such as being Lord Vicar or the Right Sworn of the King.

The current Rhaek Commander is Rhaek Erik Noval of House Herrenhall, brother to Lord Lokir II Herrenhall of Belhlem.

The current Knights of the Kingsguard are:

* Ser Asten of House Ranag
* Ser Benneth of House Branchel
* Ser Erik of House Noval {Rhaek Commander}
* Ser Eryn of House Furgrowth
* Ser Layster of House Nortkep
* Ser Maryan of House Grandar
* Ser Patric of House Marion

### Order of the Watch

The Order of the Watch is a military order that holds and guards the entrances to the kingdom, as well as the lands of Royalshold. The order was founded and led by Rhaek Blackheart of Atholnar, under the title Lord Vicar of the Watch, under the Haven Crown of King Aurielis Soothereos I. The order was originally founded on a quota to defend Royalshold, but as time went on, their purpose expanded to all corners of the kingdom, where they await their duties. The Order of the Watch has two departments: the Holders of the Peak—whose task is to defend the walls of Royalshold—and the Holders of the Wards—those who are tasked with stationing themselves in the far reaches of the kingdom in strategic castles.

### The Right Sworn of the King

The Right Sworn is the most powerful appointed position in Soothereos, second only to the monarch in authority and responsibility. The Sworn is the monarch's closest advisor, appointed and authorized to make decisions in their name. The Sworn is the highest-ranking member of the Council of Thorns and leads meetings of the Council as a proxy for the monarch when they are absent.

During the reign of strong and able monarchs, the Sworn is the chief agent for coordinating and carrying out their plans. During the reign of weak or ineffectual monarchs, the Sworn is often the real power behind the throne and the man chiefly responsible for holding the realm together.

### Lord Rhaek

Lord Rhaek is a title granted by King Veryis Soothereos to some lords of the Five Kingdoms during the Plight of Sixteen, seemingly to those Great Houses who had not previously ruled their respective territories as kings. These Great Houses are now those that rule the Five Kingdoms:

* Belhelm under House Blackthorn
* Uneers under House Vain
* Atholnar under House Herrenhall
* Pelopay under House Scarmark
* Khoroth under House Nortale

## Regions of the Realm

### Royalshold

Royalshold, the autonomous region and seat of the kingdom, is situated in the heart of the Five Kingdoms of Soothereos. Its history is steeped in conflict between local petty kings until Veryis the Conqueror seized control during his Plight of Sixteen, establishing it as his primary foothold on the continent. Since then, Royalshold has been ruled directly by the monarch, first under House Soothereos, then Herrenhall after the War of the Roses, and finally Aegrodorin after the death of King Harold Herrenhall and the Race to Throes Peak, after the brief rule of Aethelred II Herrenhall.

Unlike the other constituent regions of the Five Kingdoms, Royalshold is ruled directly from the seat in Casterly Rock in the majestic city of Throes Peak, the largest city and the capital of the Realm of Soothereos. However, the region has not been without tragedy. During the Plight of Sixteen, Veryis Soothereos lost one of his younger sons, Prince Marion, in an ambush by enemy soldiers on the shores of Havenbay. The devastating loss of twenty-thousand men and prince Marion led Malor Meneset brothers to describe the mood of Veryis as akin to a throe, after which he slaughtered the native peoples and built his capital in their wake.

Royalshold boasts a breathtaking view of Havenbay and the Sea of Wake from its position on the eastern shore of the nation, with it's grand walls impregnable. The Hills of Marshkings lie to the west. With its rich history and stunning landscape, Royalshold the crowning jewel in the **Haven Crown** of the Five Kingdoms of Soothereos.

### Atholnar

Atholnar was once a land of disjointed tribes and factions. Through conquest did it evolve to encompass the lucrative west and southern coasts, focusing their attention instead of trade. They named their new nation Atholnar(the previous name of the city they made their capital) and they renamed the capital city to Stonesguard, in honor of King Lokir I's friend that had fallen during during the March of Death on Atura.

### Belhelm

Same as Atholnar, Belhelm was once a region of autonomous villages that implemented quasi-autonomous laws. The capital, which was originally that of the capital of Atholnar before Belhelm overthrew the yoke of Atholnar, Los Cerith, is built almost entirely below sea-level, with a thick stone wall serving as the only thing stopping the ocean from destroying the city. It is most famous for the three enormous openings, called watergates, in Cerith's wall. When these gates are opened, the ocean comes crashing through the city and the lands surrounding it. This has been proven to be the city's best defense mechanism. These gates were built hundreds years prior the Plight of Sixteen, and are considered an architectural wonder.

### Pelopay

Unlike Uneers and Belhlem of whom were stuck under the power of Atholnar, Pelopay got off easier due to its pure economic output comparative to the costs of conquest.  Gorihm is a rather new city that started out as a small mining settlement but its economically and military strategic location soon allowed it to expand into an important city. When a very rich gold vein was discovered hundreds of years earlier, the city quickly became the richest in the nation. It only became the capital city when Faldhir, the old capital, was destroyed by a huge wave that flooded the southfarthing, which now rests as a static swamp.

### Uneers

Only a matter of years prior to the Plight of Sixteen did Uneers become independent from Atholnar. There were huge cultural differences between the Rhaekland of Unners and that of Atholnar, which led to a bloody war that eventually ended in independence for Unners as well as Belhelm. They are well known for The Smithing Company, a select group of blacksmiths that know the recipe to a special type of steel known as Solarium. It is said that a sword from this steel is the sharpest in the realm, capable of cutting through anything it strikes, as well as having natural weaving-resistant properties. Uneers is a nation plagued by earthquakes which make mining a very risky work. Not that long ago, the capital city was hit by a massive quake, collapsing some of the old mines that run right under the city. An entire district disappeared into the ground that day.

### Khoroth

Khoroth, or as it is known as politically, the Rhaek Principality of Khoroth, is a sprawling duchy situated in the arid and inhospitable desert of the southern reaches of Soothereos. Despite its harsh climate, Khoroth has always been a land of great importance and wealth, rich in resources and trade routes that connect the kingdom's southern frontier with the regions of the North. The lands are ruled by the powerful and shrewd Rhaek Calorin of House Nortale, who presides over a complex political system that consists of a council of nobles, a warrior caste, and the powerful merchant guilds, whose influence stretches far beyond the reaches of the principality.

The council of nobles is responsible for the governance of the duchy's individual settlements, each led by a local lord or lady who reports to the Rhaek. The warrior caste comprises of the Rhaek's personal army and the desert tribes who are fiercely loyal to him. These tribes provide essential support in times of war and act as his eyes and ears in the more remote parts of the principality. The Merchant Guild, on the other hand, control much of the principalities economy, trading in precious goods and resources that are essential to the kingdom's survival.

Despite being a part of the kingdom of Soothereos, Khoroth maintains a degree of independence from the central government. This is due to the principalities unique location, which has allowed it to develop a distinct culture and political system that is separate from the rest of the kingdom. However, the Rhaek of Khoroth remains a loyal vassal of the king, and the principality often sends troops to aid in times of conflict.

Political intrigue and maneuvering are common in Khoroth, as nobles and merchants jostle for power and influence. The Rhaek's personal authority is essential in maintaining order and stability, as the harsh conditions of the desert often breed unrest and rebellion. Despite its challenges, Khoroth remains a vital part of the kingdom, with its resources and strategic location ensuring its continued importance in Soothereos.