Chivalry's Last Breath

Days filled with honorable competition between the Nobelist warriors in the land and the evenings filled with wine, love, and dance it appeared that the three Kingdoms were united in a peaceful coexistence and the art of courtly love would flourish.

Before the new mindset emerged, Kings were constantly bickering and lords slaughtered each other in the field. The philosophy of Chivalry was more than a code of ethics, but a religious institution supporting a moral social standing that separates the higher classes from those below them. The years of martial prowess and skill being rewarded with titles and knighthood was over with the backing of several deities. The rules regarding honor became an issue of morality and enforced the restrictions that prohibited commoners from reaching higher social status. Regardless of the Kingdom, the struggle to keep aristocrats away from the common rabble had been fought for decades.

Outside of the castle gates, life was very different. The illusion created by the aristocracy was erased the moment one stepped into the streets, that is unless you insisted on believing that mirage. It was an image that storytellers and minstrels avoided mentioning in the presence of court. Noone who enjoyed the luxuries of the wealthy among the clinking of crystal goblets or devouring roasted pig that others were required to prepare. No, outside of the walls presented a colder drearier life filled with betrayal and conspiracies at every shadow.

While the palace tile protected silken slippers, the mud drenched streets through the market spaces. The elegant flirtations in court were replaced by the shouts and boisterous laughter in all night taverns, but also dalliances in piles of hay sheltered by the noble's stable was replaced with the blade of a dagger for a belt pouch in a dark alley. Living and working conditions were filthy and dangerous with little to no empathy of the aristocracy to improve the lives of the peasant class.

Over the course of the last two decades the titled population lived comfortably, curtsying their way through court and participating in a game of infatuation of physical relationships through Courtly Love. Quietly the master craftsmen and merchants negotiated trade deals that only sunk the nobility deeper into their illusions of honor. The deep seeded desire to possess what others could not have gradually grew stronger and created Social rivalries between families and sown the envy into new blood feuds between houses. Through the distractions of nobles, the merchants and shop owners became wealthy, to the extent that many obtained more wealth than that coveted by the lords ruling over them.

The Orquídea Azul (People of the Blue Orchid)

Four Azarian nobles led armies to reclaim the conquered lands from the Armies the dead. After three generations of warfare, the victory was finally achieved only to stoke the fires of the next monarch. Each of the descendants held rights to claim the crown and the inability of the church to decide on one King led to rivalries engaging in open warfare. Small client states swear fealty to the greater power within their vicinity.

The Great Houses of Condello, Granvyr, Chavess, and Lormak hold significant resources, strong enough to survive a war but lacking the strength to challenge the other three. For the time being, nobody is willing to give concessions to potential allies.

The architecture showcases a rich blend of styles influenced by various cultures; From the Necromantic Consortium, Azarian, and elements of Goblinoid Clans. Key features include various styles used in building cathedrals, palaces, and the castles are renowned for their grandeur and defensive features, reflecting the turbulent history of the region.

The large cities provide cobblestone streets where every step leads to an aroma of freshly baked bread. Songs, Playwrights and storytelling from diverse population of minstrels. Merchants from distant lands bartered exotic spices and silks, and craftsman constantly tested new expressions in designing their wares. Knights patrol the cities on foot, enforcing the laws of the local Lord. They actively seek out traitors or members of rival houses. The more experienced Knights remain within their guild halls when not assigned to a major campaign.

The Holy Empire of Endore is comprised of many independent city states of various sizes. The diverse cultures provide an array of unique military resources, but also ensures no national cooperation. The various city states nominally give allegiance to the Emperor, but govern their own borders independent of the crown. This system also hinders the Empire by not requiring one city state from providing aid to a second. Local chieftans cater to the churches of Heironeous and St. Cuthbert as they vie to become the next heir to the Imperial throne. The leaders of the great cities look down on those of smaller and less influential towns.

Endore enjoys a strong heavy cavalry, though it is too fractured to project power outside of their respective city state. Endore has a large contingent of polearm infantry militia troops and crossbowmen.

The Kingdom of Cor Nobilis may appear similar to Endore, yet they are quite different. While Endore are independent from the various districts, they tend to practice fealty to the Emperor within reason. The multitude of Baronies in Cor Nobilis are considerably more patriotic, quick to support and join the forces of neighboring Baronies to accomplish a goal. That loyalty falls short when fealty to the crown is concerned. As Generations have passed, the quality of leadership from King to heir has weakened. The current King of Cor Nobilis is King Edward Chauveau, a feminine leader who tends to participate in private encounters over appearing in Court.

The landed nobility and Knights of Cor Nobilis negotiate amongst each other to build alliances, Queen Lydia has held the service of several older and more respected members of the Knighthood until recently, but shadowed betrayals have risen and she struggles to find enough strength to defend the Kingdom.

Klana Belich has a history unique to any other society of this world. Throughout history the clans living on this land have suffered endless invasions. The land enjoys a vast self sustaining environment with such resources desired by neighbors and Monster societies alike. Early in the history of this land had tribal chieftains who begged Barbarian Warlords to rule over the clans and defend them from the endless encroachments. The youngest son of Balor Redthorn, Boris accepted the offer and over time became the first Velik-Niaz (Great Prince). Niaz Boris built a land of hunter-gatherers and turned them into a flourishing land. Ocean raids of distant lands, Building strong defenses with moats around the great cities, introduced domesticating livestock, and agricultural advancements. He had eight sons during his life and gave each an equal lot of economic zones.

When Boris died, his sons bickered about who should be the one great prince; Instead they attacked each other fomenting deep resentment among the siblings. The eldest, Christov gained fame with several successful raids of global powers, he also formed what is now the legendary Ne-isty Klinoks (Raging Blades) a formation of powerful soldiers swinging great swords as they cut swaths of enemy cavalry. The third son, Radoslav expanded by conquering four independent economic zones and utilized heavy cavalry in conjunction with formations of horse archers. None of the eight sons ever achieved the greatness needed for the title though.

Several generations have passed now, the land has two Velik-Niaz and an army of Niaz (Prince) land owners controlling economic zones. Knights continue to exist, but have never been recognized as peers to the three great powers. The Ne-isty Klinok formations, supported by Goblin Crossbowmen are both respected and feared by the powers. The Niaz and minor nobles maintain large estates within economic zones. Each of the estates lease farms to peasant families who work six days a week throughout the year. The estates feed, trade, and defend all estates within their landlord's zone, but have no concept of loyalty to external zones. The peasants are not allowed to leave their zone and can only marry among the population of the connected estates.

Homes are woven branches of narrow trees and bark used to cover the rooftops and leaned against the walls to block the heavy winds and snows that haunt the land. While Humans, Elves,and Dwarves remain; The endless invasions over the centuries have produced a large population of Half Orcs, Half Ogres, and an acceptance for goblinoids