Earda

Earda

The Mark of Earda is a successor realm to the lost realm of Aquilegia, which was itself built on the ruins of the ancient realm of Chersonis. It was founded by the Morek Empire as a bastion of Sanguis Astroism. Occupying the geographically unique Flow Peninsula, it forms a strong defence for the Astroist heartlands to its north. Its capital is Flowrestown.

History

When the Colonists arrived, they found an uneasy mix of people's inhabiting the lands. The dominant group were of Rekjak origin, descendants of those barbarians who had originally founded Chersonis under the rule of the Cushixa Dynasty. In the intervening centuries they had becaome celebrated horse warriors on the southern plains of Morek, but had been driven south by the expansion of the Morek Empire. The next largest group were the survivors of Aquilegia. People of mixed Eastern and Dongese origin. The last group were a select group of aristocratic families who claimed direct descent from ancient Chersonis.

The colonists convened a council of all the ethnic groups, under the authority of the Morek Empire. They convinced the majority of the chiefs gathered there, that their best hope of prospering was to found a new realm sanctioned by Morek. The Colonists recognised the fighting prowess and numerical superiority of the Rekjak, and they agreed a pact with the Chieftains, that the Rekjak would accept Sanguis Astroism and allow the Colonists to lead them if the Colonists were formally adopted into the Rekjak nation with the rank of Clan Chief. Thus they were able to command the tribesmen and found the Mark of Earda.

Religion

Although not a theocracy, Aquilegia is solidly Astromancy. No other temples may exist in the realm.

Military

The Eardans are noted horse warriors and their armies are heavy in cavalry. By law, every region lord musr erect a cavalry recruitment center before he erects any other type. This results in a unique method of warfare not prevalent anywhere else on the continent.

Politics

The Mark of Earda is run by Clans which are as important and powerful as the government. The region lords are also Clan lords, and their relationship to their knights is closer than in other realms. By Law, no knight may be prosecuted without the agreement of his clan lord. But equally, if the Clan lord does not ensure the proper behaviour of his knights then he is as liable as if he committed the offence himself.

Culture

The Mark of Earda combines the militaristic culture of the Rekjak horse barbarians with the organsation and discipline of the Morek Empire. It is a vigorous fusion under which many arts, crafts, poetry and storytelling thrive. Underpinning it all is a heroic approach to life.

Language and Key Words

The language of Earda is a variant of Old Rekjak interspersed with more modern terms:

[NB Old English, with a nod to Tolkien's "The Riders of Rohan"]

Eard - Homeland

Mark - Borderland

Hence "The Mark of Earda"

Cyning/Cwen = king/Queen

Hildcyning = Battle King.

Hordweard = Guardian of Treasure (Treasurer)

Heretoga = Leader of the Army (General)

Domwita = Doom Advisor (Judge)

Eohere = Horse Army

Eohrod = Horse Troop

Fyrd = General Levy

eg. "The Eohrod of the Hearthmen"

eg. "The Eohere of the Great Fyrd"