D'Hara
| United D'Hara Kingdom of the Dragon, the Lion and the Sun
Our Dragons, Our Hearts! | |
| Overview | |
| Nobles | 27 |
| Council | |
| Dragon King | Pawl Paxwax |
| Lord Treasurer | Roland Brennaborg |
| Regions | |
Located on the Tomb Islands 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'Haran historically come from the eastern continents, primarily Atamara. Many of the young nobles, knights, and lords are the first native Dragon Islanders to be elevated to noble status. 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 recent hostilities has 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
D’Hara is an island realm that seceded from and subsequently conquered the now-defunct realm of Shadovar. D'Hara itself has experienced rebellion and foreign aggression for both directions and continues to stand tall. Many of its nobles have international ties which benefit the realm's often precarious position.
The realm recently underwent a terrible blight in the Long Winter, when a great famine culled the peasant classes and sowed insurrection throughout the islands. Despite famine and two hostile imperial neighbors, Aurvandil and Luria Nova, D'Haran sovereignty was returned to the entirety of its claim.
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 Tandareen Council is tasked with the Book's maintenance. The Book is occasionally written with open subjectivity, and should be read in such light.
Government
D'Hara is a monarchy with strong republican traditions. The realm is known as the Kingdom of D'Hara or the Merchant Republic of D'Hara, though the latter is generally preferred at present. King Cenarious Stormrage rules as head of state, having empowered the Prime Minister to rule over day-to-day domestic and foreign affairs. The Prime Minister is elected by every noble D'Haran. The current Prime Minister is Rynn JeVondair.
The House of Lords is an ancient and powerful institution in D'Hara, composed of all the regions' lords. The House of Lords elects the General, Confessor, and Fiduciary, as well as new lords. Historically, any Prime Minister who has attempted to bypass the House of Lords met with stiff opposition and lordly discontent.
The Midlands Council was recently established by decree of Prime Minister Rynn JeVondair. Its task is to represent the realm's knighted nobility. The knights elect a Chairman, who represents them in the House of Lords. The Chairman also presides over the Tandareen Council, tasked with the maintenance of the Book of D'Hara. The current Chairman of the Midlands Council is Ismail Tandaros.
Religion
In recent years, religion has grown to become an important aspect of D'Haran culture. Astromancy and Elementalism blend with old pagan ways, legends of the Dragons, Bloodmoon mysteries, and seafaring superstitions.
By decree of the Dragon King Cenarious Stormrage, D'Hara has remained a bastion of religious freedom. 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.
The D'Haran nobility is considered to be very diverse in religious views. According to the Second Census, approximately half of the nobility follow Astromancy, with the other half following Verdis Elementum. A small minority follows old pagan ways or Aetheris Pyrism.
Military
There are two armies in D'Hara; the Dragon Corps and the Scorchers of Notus. The Dragon Corps are a heavy attack force commanded by D'Hara's most ferocious knights and nobles. The Scorchers of Notus serve as a protection and police force in the islands. The marshals of the Dragons and Scorchers are Lord Kay Kinsey and Sir Teodoro de Amaral, respectively.
Culture
- The first census was taken by Bowie Ironsides in the Autumn of 7 YD. It may be sought in the Book of D'Hara.
The Tomb Islands, also referred to locally as the Dragon Isles, have served as commercial crossing lanes for people all over Dwilight for generations. It is a central location and thus has experienced many distinct groups.
With the formation of D'Hara, the two islands comprising the majority of D'Haran territory are united under the cultural blanket provided by the monarchy. In recent history, D'Hara attempted to extend its control to include the Sallowsitte Cape. This military endeavor was ultimately unsuccessful and led to a temporary weakening of the nation's military and financial strength. Though the unorganized collection of villages and hamlets which comprise Sallowsian development remain politically separate and independent from D'Hara, trading and geographic proximity to D'Hara keep the two regions culturally similar.
In Autumn and Winter of 8YD, renewed fighting between D'Hara and Madina resulted in Paisly being returned to D'Hara's control, and Paisland also becoming a part of D'Haran territory. Although these regions are distinct from the rest of D'Hara in that they are part of a mainland continent, the traditions of D'Hara have traveled with its ocean-bound people, mixing with Madinan culture and other local mannerisms. As a result, Paisly and Paisland are an interesting confluence of cultural traditions and beliefs that would otherwise not be seen together due to the longevity of hostilities between the neighboring nations.
Economy
The two port cities of D'Hara, Port Raviel and Port Nebel, are a pair of the richest in Dwilight. Each compares favorably with most, if not all, of Dwilight's other major trading hubs in both economic activity and beauty.
Law System
The Official Laws of D'Hara give structure to obligations and responsibilities of D'Haran nobles, as well as other nobility who find themselves within D'Haran territory.
Oaths
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.
