The Mountain Kingdoms

Kalynthia Morendia Rhydia Torellia Vitoria

the Mountain Kingdoms

Kalynthia

Capital: Kalyn
Ruler: King Lukas
Royal Family: Prince Keven (betrothed to Princess Valadine of Morendia), Princess Selina, Queen Lista (stepmother)

For most of its very long history, Kalynthia has been an alliance of trading cities under a central ruler. Today, its considerable wealth is based entirely upon commerce, and there isn't much to the kingdom outside of the cities. Kalyn is one of the world's major centers of jewel work, but the focus of the mining industry has shifted to Kirdenar. Sereth specializes in textiles and, because of its isolation, is considered to be a little strange. (For example, a small mage school locally referred to as the "Brotherhood of the Tree" makes its home in the mountains just above the city.)

In years past, the Kalynthian cities clashed with Arranas over trade and Morendia over territory. Also in the past, Kalynthia is said to have had frequent contact with dwarven cities in the mountains, but if there are still dwarves in the mountains they don't come out anymore.

Morendia

Capital: Miranvyr
Ruler: King Valdek
Royal Family: Princess Valadine (betrothed to Prince Keven of Kalynthia), Queen Naderna (d.)

Morendia's founders came down from the mountains in the north, and, although today the northerners and natives are indistinguishable, it is of note that the kingdom's nobility, particularly the royal family, all came from northern stock. Morendia is historically the second powerful Mountain Kingdom, and Torellia's natural rival. The two kingdoms have been on fairly amicable terms ever since the creation of the Briarsville Zone, which ended a recurring series of conflicts over control of that region.

Rhydia

Capital: Arranas
Ruler: King Ambren
Royal Family: Queen Felcia (Felsha), Princesses Alania & Felicity, Princes Fredrik & Arthur

Modern-day Rhydia is a union of two distinct groups. The independent city-state Arranas, established by outlanders, traditionally held its own against all contenders and developed into a major trading power. Traders and merchants run the city, and with their location and strong connections to the Northern Kingdoms, they do very well. The Rhydians were the people who lived north of the Aranis river, and were native to the area. The groups did not mix until the Great War of Alliance when the city became an impromptu sanctuary as the region was invaded.

Unlike the other arranged marriage that came out of the Mountain Alliance (see Vitoria), the marriage of King Ambren (from a trading family in Arranas) and Queen Felcia (a Rhydian of distinguished lineage) has been quite successful. Currently, the king and queen have four young children, and their subjects proudly expect this number to increase.

Torellia

Capital: Torell
Ruler: High King Devan
Royal Family: Prince Evander (has a fiancée, Alethea), Queen Zenora (d.)

Torellia has been the largest and most powerful Mountain Kingdom for a long time. The Torellian Plain means that the kingdom is easiest to access and generally most hospitable. It's also more open to invasion, and Torell has very high walls. Being especially concerned about trade, Torellia maintains both of the large roads in the southern half of the map. Modern Torellians are descended from peoples who came from other areas, particularly the south, but also the west and other Mountain Kingdoms.

It has long been the custom among affluent Torellians to send their children away for part of their education, but they're not usually very creative about it. Merchants and nobles based in Torell send their children to Tarzith, and those in Tarzith go to Torell. Traditionally, royalty send their offspring to kingdoms in the east, as the other Mountain Kingdoms aren't considered sufficiently civilized.

Vitoria

Capital: Tyrinton
Ruler: King Hyren
Royal Family: Queen Jakari, heir is a nephew, Prince Martius

Vitoria is only barely a kingdom. The Vitori are a mostly nomadic people who never had much formal government. Tyrinton was began by the Torellians, and most of its inhabitants aren't descended from the Vitori. The Vitorians don't take their kingdom very seriously. King Hyren and Queen Jakari haven't been on speaking terms for years, and the palace is divided into three groups: the king's partisans, the queen's partisans, and those few people who actually do the business of the government. Prince Martius (it is not a good idea to call him "Marty") spends little time in Tyrinton, which actually enables him to handle a lot of the kingdom's business.

Just in case you're wondering, the conflict in the Vitorian palace hasn't actually resulted in bloodshed—yet. (Some argue that it's only a matter of time.) The Vitori always were just as likely to fight themselves as outsiders.

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