D'Hara

United D'Hara Kingdom of the Dragon, the Lion and the Sun United we are strong!
Overview
Island	Dwilight
Capital	Port Raviel
Largest City	Golden Farrow
Government	Monarchy
Duchies	4
Regions	15
Population	282,518
Gold	15036
Food	3834
Nobles	27
Council
Dragon King	Pawl Paxwax
Lord General	Ulfang Mormont
Royal Confessor	Cotys D'Anglos
Lord Treasurer	Roland Brennaborg
Regions
Region Lord Celtiberia James Liverpool Chesland Antoon Finch Chesney Katrina Dragul Demyansk Roland Brennaborg Farrowfield Perdita Esotericus Golden Farrow Zayfrax Plaraveen Gretchew Kite Drakhen Larur Nerida Everlight Maeotis Dawn Ketchum Paisland Harman Prestongreen Paisly Ulfang Mormont Port Nebel Salvador Zond Port Raviel Pawl Paxwax Raviel Rasputin Zingari Vashgew Cotys D'Anglos

Located on the Tomb Islands (locally referred to as the Dragon Isles) in the Middle Sea of Dwilight, D'Hara is home to fishermen, sailors, and merchants. The peasantry is fickle, hardy, and rife with superstition. The elder lords of D'Hara historically come from the eastern continents, primarily Atamara. The nobility is deeply religious, with several lords also holy priests. Some nobles are dedicated traders, a frequent sight in the ports of Dwilight. The realm has traditionally focused on diplomacy and trade, yet hostilities have given birth to a burgeoning warrior caste.

Abroad, D'Harans are generally mistrusted, if not loathed. Sitting in the middle of the continent, the realm has become ensnared in many regional wars. The keen D'Haran sense of self-preservation is often interpreted by her neighbors as double-dealing and backstabbing. The isolation of the islands lends to speculation and rumor amongst the peasantry.

History

On the Dragon Isles the cultures of Luria and Madina met. Melodia was a Madinese colony based in Paisly, which managed to expand to Raviel Island. Shadovar was a Lurian colony on Nebel Island. Shadovar won the war and Melodia was destroyed. However, Shadovar needed help against monsters and lured the Lurian Katayanna Ogren and her knights with the promise of land. But the Shadovar leadership betrayed her, so she seceded and started her own realm in former Port Raviel: D'Hara. Many of the Shadovar nobles were angry about her mistreatment and joined, resulting in the destruction of Shadovar.

Katayanna went west to also take Paisly, making D'Hara heir to both Shadovar and Melodia, thus becoming a mix of Madinese and Lurian. During the early days D'Hara would also secure Sallowtown, adding yet another culture to the mix. Paisly would, however, result in war with D'Hara and Terran against Madina and Ordenstaat. This war was won, after which D'Hara became the dominant power on the Maroccidens, which allowed D'Hara to eventually destroy Ordenstaat and replace it with Barca. This was the foundation of the Véinsørmoot: an alliance between D'Hara, Terran and Barca. D'Hara then focussed its attention east to support its mother realm Pian en Luries against the rebellious Solaria and Luria Nova. But could unfortunately not save the day.

During the third decade, D'Hara was part of two continental wars. The First Continental War was when anti-Astroist forces and Aurvandil on the Occidens decided to work together against the east. The Véinsørmoot struggled against the Occidental alliance. However the war was cut short due to the Geat Monster Invasion. D'Hara then helped its allies to find a new home east and fought a fierce war with Luria Nova. Unfortunately the war was not successfull and D'Hara saw a lot of destruction.

D'Hara tried to go a more isolationist course, but saw itself forced to use a more agressive diplomacy after two rebellions. This would result in the Gold Sea Conflict: the Third Continental War. Nevertheless, D'Hara saw hardly any destruction during this war and prospered, influencing even politics in High Toprak. But the seventh decade would shock D'Haran society. After loosing Sallowtown due to shrewd diplomacy, a surprise attack by Luria Nova would result in the loss of all region east of Port Nebel.

The Book of D'Hara details much of the recorded history of D'Hara. The Book is a collaborative effort by many of the nobles who have served the kingdom since its founding. The Book is occasionally written with open subjectivity, and should be read in such light. The Tandareen Council was tasked with the Book's maintenance, but the Undead Investation of Raviel Island at the beginning of the fourth decade would mean the end of this council. The destruction would cost many lifes, but also result in the loss of many books - including the Book of D'Hara. However, when Luria Nova supported the Véinsørmoot against Aurvandil, a copy of the book was gifted to the University of Askileon. When Westgard got into a war with Luria Nova, they found their knowledge lacking and an covert investigation was started. Westgard obtained a copy, which is now at the University of Gelene, and made its own updated version.

Government

D'Hara is a constitutional monarchy with strong republican traditions. The reason for this might be the rebellious origins of D'Hara, requiring usurpers to gain support from powerfull allies. The House of Lords was established as an influential institution in D'Hara, composed of all the regions' lords. The House of Lords would elect the General, Confessor, and Fiduciary, as well as new lords. Historically, any Prime Minister who attempted to bypass the House of Lords met with stiff opposition and lordly discontent.

Dragon Queen Katayana Ogren had sought to curb these powers, but was ousted by her general Cenarious Stormrage, who then became Dragon King. He initially gave much power to his own general, the Demon Prince, but when the Demon Prince sought to become Dragon King, Cenarious Stormrage realized he should continue to pursue an active military role. However, as he grew older, he saw himself forced to delegate more responsibilities, so he empowered a Prime Minister as a counter weight for a mighty general. He would formalize this relation: the Prime Minister should carry on with his affairs of state and government, while the Dragon King should lead the realm to glory in battle as the head of the Military Table.

All these reforms could, however, not save the king: while a debate about his successor was going on, he was suddenly assissinated. Although the culprit was never caught, it should be noted that Machiavel Chenier now instantly became the new Dragon King. But his power was limited by the energetic Prime Minister Rynn JeVondair, who would introduce major reforms which would even further increase the power of the nobility: the Midlands Council had the task to represent the realm's knighted nobility. The knights would elect a Chairman, who represented them in the House of Lords. The Chairman would also preside over the Tandareen Council, tasked with the maintenance of the Book of D'Hara.

When Dragon King Machiavel Chenier passed away (some claim under mysterious circumstances), Prime Minister Estion Tarcyn became the new Dragon King. He is mostly known for proclaiming the Official Laws of D'Hara, which give structure to obligations and responsibilities of D'Haran nobles, as well as other nobility who find themselves within D'Haran territory. He also introduced the D'Haran War Bonds, in which nobles whose families invest in a D'Haran region during times of war, may be repaid during times of peace.

However, as is customary for Dragon Kings, Dragon King Estion Tarcyn would meet a violent end: during the Undead Investation of Raviel Island at the beginning of the fourth decade, the D'Haran capital was overrun. This lead to a consitutional issue: since the Dragon King was undead instead of dead, no new Dragon King was elected. Therefore the Prime Minister became the head of state. This also meant the end of the Tandareen Council. With D'Hara struggling to survive and down to only 6 regions (and therefore 6 Lords), the realm had to rely more than ever on its knights. This allowed the knights to demand more power, which resulted in dissolving the House of Lords and the Midlands Council and the creation of a parliament where Lords and Knight would have equal say.

At the end of the fifth decade Prime Minister Pawl Paxwax managed to free Paisly from the monsters of the Geat Monster Invasion and was granted the title Dragon King again. However, his power is not absolute, as his power is still similar to that of Prime Minister. D'Haran government is a complex maze of competing powers, different cultures and interest groups seeking to restore laws that once favoured them.

Culture

The Dragon Isles (known earlier as the Tomb Isles) have served as commercial crossing lanes for people all over Dwilight for generations. It is a central location and thus has experienced many different ethnic groups passing through, settling, and integrating into D'Haran society.

The concepts of honor and loyalty are an important part of D'Haran culture, and thus the noble Oaths of D'Hara are a seriously regarded matter. Oaths are generally recorded after having been made publicly. Recorded oaths which are no longer applicable to their adherents are kept for posterity. This has been attributed to merchants building systems of reliable trade networks. Oath-taking is very significant in warrior circles too - due to D'Hara's occasional political instability, many knights seek to protect themselves by forging strong personal connections with friendly nobles.

With the formation of D'Hara, the two islands comprising the core of D'Haran territory are united under the cultural blanket provided by the monarchy. D'Haran culture and ways are rooted in old Shadovar but constant trade has kept a constant flow of influences from the northern theocracies, the Lurian kingdoms to the east, the seafarers and pirates of Madina & Fissoa, and beyond, with great influence from Atamara. D'Haran islanders are an incredibly adaptable people who blend the line between religion and mysticism, trade and piracy. Each village has its own local set of legends. Some still cling to old tribal lines and customs descending from the ancient Dwili. Dragon Islanders are a hardy people, as everyone still alive on the islands today survived the madness of the Long Winter.

D'Haran culture has also extended beyond the Dragon Isles:

• Across the channel from the Qubel Lighthouse live the Sallowsians. Although part of Toprak, they stand out as having a culture which is distinctly different from the four founding nations. Many Sallowsians maintain a rugged sense of independence, yet longtime immigration from the Dragon Isles has integrated the local people into a uniquely D'Haran populace. Duke Kendal Forbes oversaw the growing wealth of the Sallowcape, making Sallowtown even richer than the cities on the Dragon Isles by milking the unique position between the northern theocracies and the Lurian kingdoms.
• On the other side of the Dragon Isles lays the Occidens. The traditions of D'Hara have travelled with its ocean-bound people, mixing with Madinan culture and other local mannerisms. As a result, Paisly and its surroundings are an interesting confluence of cultural traditions and beliefs. As it often sat on a battlefront, it saw many opportunistic merchants and soldiers of fortune. After the Geat Monster Invasion many people from the Occident found refuge in D'Hara and excitedly joined the recolonization of Paisly. As such the area has not only become home to Paislians, but also Barcans and even Aurvandillians. This has resulted in a unique Maroccidental culture.
• Terrans also found refuge among the D'Harans, but went north immediately after the recolonization of Paisly. As such they managed to maintain their seperate identity. Terrans are known to be advanterous and may even overestimate themselves. However, they also easily make friends, so there is usually one around when they get into problems.
• The settling of Golden Farrow has resulted in a new group of people: the Mesoccidentals. They are a mix of D'Haran idealists, Upper Occidental frontiersmen, Wiccan refugees and Tol Goldoran traditionalists.

At certain points in D'Haran history, a census has been taken. These can be examined to see the evolution of D'Haran high society.
07 YD First Census
21 YD Second Census
69 YD Third Census

Religion

The first major faith of D'Hara was Verdis Elementum, though it's influence among the peasantry has waned since the decimating famine of the Long Winter. Since the famine, the majority of the D'Haran population now follows Sanguis Astroism. Nevertheless, by decree of the Dragon King Cenarious Stormrage, D'Hara has remained a bastion of religious freedom. Because of this, Aetheris Pyrism was also allowed to prosper for a while, until it waned like Verdis Elementum and became indistinguishable from other pagan traditions. Merchants have brought Lux Nova to Port Nebel, but it is distrusted by most D'Harans due to its Lurian origins.

Despite the many devout Astroists in the realm, the D'Haran nobility is actually very diverse in religious views and most prefer to blend worshipping the Stars with legends of the Dragons, Bloodmoon mysteries and seafaring superstitions. This make them pagan in the eyes of many, but D'Harans are pragmatic thinkers who are used to a multiculteral society.