The Witch Son
and a swift justice to those that got away with it
Country: Theren consists of a mountainous area surrounded by flatlands at their base on one side and a valley on their other. The actual mountain range extends far beyond their lands to both side but no one but the Theren people have populated it due to the level of difficulty that comes with mapping and making such an environment habitable. The majority of the population of Theren is spread out on their lands at the bottom of these mountains and in the valley on the other side of it, but the valley’s city is small and mostly for the wealthy. It is their capital and they have named it Maidos, the valley of riches, where the nobles come to court. It’s no coincidence that this part of Theren is in the valley where it is better protected and separated entirely from the commoners, save of course from the servants who tend it and the supply parties that come by. Up near the middle of the living mountain, as they call it, is where the castle of the royal family lives. It’s called the living mountain because of the fires that used to live in its middle, because it’s not a mountain at all, but an inactive volcano. The story goes that mountain housed a dragon, and when it was enraged it spat liquid fire out of the top. But the first king tamed this dragon, and built his castle into the mountain, and the dragon has been sleeping inside ever since. This is why the royal family’s sigil has always been a sleeping dragon, even when their last name has changed.
The lands surrounding as stated before are where the majority of the population of Theren is, where the castles that belong to the lords and ladies are located and where real life happens. During times of war those populations are threatened and vulnerable, and it’s what happened during Theren’s most recent war. Fortunately for them, their Princess had the good sense to evacuate many villages where necessary and take in refugees, holding them safe inside the mountain’s hidden fortresses. Their supplies during this time period were heavily depleted, and while they had the money to pay for supply, no one would trade with them because of who they were at war with. Their neighbors feared Beleth’s ire more than they feared Theren’s. Theren was blocked in and alone up until they agreed to the marriage treaty with Beleth.
Economy: Precious metals, gems, and crystals all harvested from the mountains. They are also famous for their textiles, wine and inks. Agriculture is a small but essential part of their economy, most of their livestock are goats and alpaca.
Imports: Spices, Fur, wood, livestock, grain, misc.
Exports: Precious metals, jewelry, textiles, wine, ink, misc.
Currency: Dragoons; coins that come in silver, gold and copper.
Religion: They follow the old gods, the ones that have to do with nature and magic. The ‘spirits’ of any given place are honored via shrines, and respected though not necessarily prayed to. Praying is for the fertility goddess or perhaps the god of goat herds.
Culture: Stale, old, dignified, conservative and proud are all things that can describe Theren and its people. The commoners are much more free to act as they will but among nobility propriety and dignity are held high. This is reflected in their clothing, which is heavy and layered, embroidered beautifully but often showing little more than the neck and hands. Court is austere and stuffy, conniving and malicious. Secrets layered with more secrets hang line a mist in the air and one must wade through the pleasantries in order to get to the true meaning of things. This is not to say that the nobles are too up tight to hold debaucherous parties it is quite the contrary, it’s just done in secret and traditionally with masks.
Royalty is often isolated in their castle for half the year and for the other half court, in other words business, is held. That is when the castle fills up with nobles and parties that are more like formal dinners are held. The King is allowed to take an official mistress, and it isn’t reproached. In fact the title of official mistress is a respected one, with influence and power, but this is done only after heirs are produced. And the official mistress must always mind the Queen, who is partner to the King in running the country. The Queen is expected to acknowledge the mistress and the role she plays in pleasing the King, and while she has the power to banish her from court it is considered undignified to do so without good reason. You can imagine the mind games that end up taking place when there is discord between the two. Normally a minimum of two are expected to be produced by the Queen and preferably male. Theren has passed the crown to women in the past, but it is rare.
Commoners believe in doing a good day’s work, having a decent meal, honoring your family and having a little fun along the way. They hold various festivals and traditions in their villages, often their buildings are made of stone and very old.
Military: Theren has a standing army made up of “Rangers” who are trained for war from the age of fifteen. These elites are experts in scouring the mountains, guarding and guiding Therens through them to the valley or wherever else they need go. They make up the royal guard and are always outfitted in greys and greens. They do not make up the majority of soldiers during times of war however, the majority are those men are under the various lords and ladies of Theren who oversee lands and castles beyond the mountains. Theren has no need nor do they have the means to keep a navy of any sorts.
The lands surrounding as stated before are where the majority of the population of Theren is, where the castles that belong to the lords and ladies are located and where real life happens. During times of war those populations are threatened and vulnerable, and it’s what happened during Theren’s most recent war. Fortunately for them, their Princess had the good sense to evacuate many villages where necessary and take in refugees, holding them safe inside the mountain’s hidden fortresses. Their supplies during this time period were heavily depleted, and while they had the money to pay for supply, no one would trade with them because of who they were at war with. Their neighbors feared Beleth’s ire more than they feared Theren’s. Theren was blocked in and alone up until they agreed to the marriage treaty with Beleth.
Economy: Precious metals, gems, and crystals all harvested from the mountains. They are also famous for their textiles, wine and inks. Agriculture is a small but essential part of their economy, most of their livestock are goats and alpaca.
Imports: Spices, Fur, wood, livestock, grain, misc.
Exports: Precious metals, jewelry, textiles, wine, ink, misc.
Currency: Dragoons; coins that come in silver, gold and copper.
Religion: They follow the old gods, the ones that have to do with nature and magic. The ‘spirits’ of any given place are honored via shrines, and respected though not necessarily prayed to. Praying is for the fertility goddess or perhaps the god of goat herds.
Culture: Stale, old, dignified, conservative and proud are all things that can describe Theren and its people. The commoners are much more free to act as they will but among nobility propriety and dignity are held high. This is reflected in their clothing, which is heavy and layered, embroidered beautifully but often showing little more than the neck and hands. Court is austere and stuffy, conniving and malicious. Secrets layered with more secrets hang line a mist in the air and one must wade through the pleasantries in order to get to the true meaning of things. This is not to say that the nobles are too up tight to hold debaucherous parties it is quite the contrary, it’s just done in secret and traditionally with masks.
Royalty is often isolated in their castle for half the year and for the other half court, in other words business, is held. That is when the castle fills up with nobles and parties that are more like formal dinners are held. The King is allowed to take an official mistress, and it isn’t reproached. In fact the title of official mistress is a respected one, with influence and power, but this is done only after heirs are produced. And the official mistress must always mind the Queen, who is partner to the King in running the country. The Queen is expected to acknowledge the mistress and the role she plays in pleasing the King, and while she has the power to banish her from court it is considered undignified to do so without good reason. You can imagine the mind games that end up taking place when there is discord between the two. Normally a minimum of two are expected to be produced by the Queen and preferably male. Theren has passed the crown to women in the past, but it is rare.
Commoners believe in doing a good day’s work, having a decent meal, honoring your family and having a little fun along the way. They hold various festivals and traditions in their villages, often their buildings are made of stone and very old.
Military: Theren has a standing army made up of “Rangers” who are trained for war from the age of fifteen. These elites are experts in scouring the mountains, guarding and guiding Therens through them to the valley or wherever else they need go. They make up the royal guard and are always outfitted in greys and greens. They do not make up the majority of soldiers during times of war however, the majority are those men are under the various lords and ladies of Theren who oversee lands and castles beyond the mountains. Theren has no need nor do they have the means to keep a navy of any sorts.
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