Wegun
05-12-2007, 01:58
The Oblast of Kirov
World Map (http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4209/91434341yh3.png)
http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/7610/72769727ab6.png
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/r/ro-val6.gif
Head of State and Government: Tsar Urskoy Decebal
Population: 1 million
History
Kirov is almost two nations in one. On the one hand, there are the more civilised peoples of the East and the cities, where the lands are close to the sea and trade. In the West, there are the villages and the gypsies.
Circa 1250 BC, there was a large westward migration of tribes from the eastern steppes, and of particular importance was the arrival of the powerful and wealthy Dhevich. Torn with strife, the local tribes were in no position to contest these lands, and the superior arms and tactics of the Dhevich drove the Ghols, the biggest native tribe, to the west and south, who came into contact with the Roten tribe. The Roten were a nomadic people who were overwhelemed by the Ghols. To defend themselves they lived in villages, tribe members rarely leaving thier community, only allowed to have children with members of the village. Over the following century, the power of the Dhevich grew, and the city of Kirov was founded.
The settlement of Praag, a city in the west, grew in size as the Dhevich used it to launch incursions into Ghol territory, eventually forcing the Ghol to accept Dhevich rule (who were now beginning to be called Kirovites after their capital city). By this time, the former Ghol city of Wodengrad had grown into a busy port ruled by the Kirovites, and from here the Kirovites were able to sail the Black Sea, trading and fighting with local tribes and pirates, as well as keeping the Ghols in check.
This state of affairs has existed for over 750 years, and Dhevich, Roten and Ghol society has merged over the centuries, to a greater or lesser extent, into the Kingdom of Kirov. The ruling elite, from whom the Tzars and Tzarinas hail, are of Dhevich heritage. The influence of the Dhevich language and beliefs is more evident in the East, particularly in the cities of Kirov and Wodengrad, while further west the land becomes more wild and the ancient villages and gypsy bands(Ghol) still hold sway. In fact, Praag itself has been reclaimed in a large part by the old Ghol nobility, and in many ways is a separate power in the West.
Kirovites are known as dour, taciturn people, and this is not surprising considering the harsh lands they inhabit. They are as unforgiving as the climate, with a grim, even morbid sense of humour. Frequently the bulwark against the tribes of brabarians, they relish in part the debt owed to them by the people of the Mediterrianian to the south who they protect. However, this does not stop a Kirovite bitterly complaining about this state of affairs at any opportunity. Most Kirovites think that their neighbours have gone soft from easy living in fertile lands, and would benefit from a year or two in the north, or ‘living in the wind’ as the Kirovites like to describe it, in reference to the fierce north winds that often herald a battle.
Kirov breeds hardy people, not only because of the harsh climate and superstitious lands, but also due to the constant depredations by raiders from the Northern Wastes. These are usually constant, small-scale affairs as individual warbands and tribes head south in search of glory and plunder. Known by the Kirovites as Kyazak, these raiding parties are an ever-present threat to settlements and caravans across the border. The incursions are short-lived, lasting perhaps only for a season at a time, and either end when winter draws in, or they are driven back by the armies of the Kirovites.
Trade: 4
Western Kirov is a fertile but isolated land, and few trade manges to get through. However the land is rich in crops, livestock, silver, gold and game. Eastern Kirov trades along the Black Sea, primarily with Kansiov and the Olympion League and trades in what goods it can aquire.
Government: 7
The power of the Tsar is unquestionable, and his word is law. However, the Tsars have made it a custom to leave the people of the west to their own devices, only passing laws over them if a neccessity. The West, in return, has come to view the Tsars as holy individuals, and often pray to them like saints. The gypsies follow no law but thier own.
Production: 6
The west is fertile and excellent for crops, providing surplus food stuffs that can be traded to other nations. The east is a land of cities, where artisans and philiosphers are provided for by the Tsar. Textiles, farm equipment, and weapons from Kirov is quite famous for quality in the region.
Military: 8
The soldiers of Kirov are all battle tested and nearly every man is a combat vetern, due the constant incursion of barbarian tribes. There is a combat instructer put in every village and city by the Tsar to make sure all males are constantly drilled once a week. There is only a small army in peace, just enough to man the forts and make up the Tsar's personal guard. Kirovian Military Doctrine states that if on the attack, all civillian soldiers are entitled to keep whatever they can return home with, and this has lead all Dhevich and Ghol's to look forward to military experiance. The armies are drawn from the scattered stanitsas and towns of the Kirov Oblast, which each provide a standing force of warriors, much like a militia. Ghol horse archers patrol the most western reaches of the country, while settlements with a great Dhevich heritage pool their resources to create squadrons (or rotas as they are known) of the famed Winged Lancers. This tradition is continued by the cities, and the Tzar can command a large number of Winged Lancers drawn from the richest families and their household troops. At extreme times, the various rotas of Kirov are drawn together into larger army groups called Pulks. These Pulks are invariably under the command of a noble of Dhevich heritage and are the closest Kirov has to a standing army. Sometimes, a single Pulk is enough to see off the threat, but other times two, three or more Pulks may combine their forces to counter an ambitious barbarian warlord.
Navy: 3
The Navy is just big enough to defend the small coast and only a handful of vessels are available to protect trade. As such, captains of merchant vessels have taken it upon themselves to arm their ships to protect from pirates. The weapons are not devastating, but do well enough to shy off any barbarians on a boat. Most ships in port during peace.
Production Details
Agriculture, Apiculture, Viticulture, Livestock, Ceramics, Metal Working, Gold, Silver
Major Cities
Kirov
The capital of the nation and seat of the Tzars and Tzarinas who rule the land, Kirov is the largest and most developed of the three cities. Situated in the North it is virtually on the border with the Slavs, and many slavic customs and aesthetic values have influenced Kirov life, literature and architecture. Founded as the capital by the Khans and Khan-queens of the Dhevich people in Year 1 (1150 BC), it has been besieged several times in its history, though has never fallen to an enemy.
At the centre of Kirov lies the Bokha Palaces, the hereditary seat of power rebuilt during the reign of Tzar Boris Bokha after the original Palace Dhevich was all but destroyed during the Great War against the Vodniks in 778 BC
Wodengrad
Originally the Ghol capital, when it was merely a walled town known as Norvard, and later overrun by the Dhevich, Wodengrad is Kirov’s main trading city and its largest port. Situated on the coast of the Black Sea, vessels from across the Kansiov and the Olympion League come here with goods, slaves, gems and precious metals. Kirov does not have a standing navy as such, but the waters of the Black Sea are dangerous, despite the patrols of the Royal navy, and all merchantmen are armed in some fashion, many to the standards of other nations’ warships, and can be pressed into service by the Tzar when needed.
Praag
Also know as the Cursed City, Praag is the most westernly of Kirlov’s largest settlements and has been overrun by the northern tribes several times. During the Great War against Vodnik, the walls and buildings themselves became completly covered in gore and blood. Wailing screams echoed from roof tops and the ground beneath the city seemed to shift and wraithe. After their victory at the siege of Kirov, the Kirovites razed Praag to the ground and rebuilt it, though it is still rumoured that a dark taint remains there. The people of Praag are regarded as shifty and nervous by most outsiders, paranoid and potentially in league with gypsy witchcraft. Praag also acts as a rallying point for the scattered horse tribes in times of war, and has a considerable Ghol population. This has led to Praag attempting to cede from the power of the Tzars on three occasions; twice the city was starved into submission by trade embargoes from the south, and on the third occasion, the city was reclaimed by military force and is now ruled by a Dhevich governor responsible only to the Tzar himself.
Religion
TOR
Description: Tor is the god of thunder and lightning, and is worshipped as a warrior god. He is portrayed as a muscled, square-jawed warrior with a long and curly moustache.. He wields a massive axe with a haft of oak, and uses it to cleave the sky to create the thunderbolts for which he is famed. A warrior god, Tor is the most active of the Kirovite gods, and quite frequently his name is used as a curse on others. For example, the phrase ‘Ty Tor!’ means ‘By Tor!’ and is an exclamation of surprise. On the other hand, ‘Do Tor!’ means ‘Tor’s Bolt!’ and is an entreaty for the god to unleash his anger upon the enemy.
Symbol: Tor is usually represented by the symbol of a thunderbolt, or an axe with a thunderbolt for a haft. Silver is considered the favoured metal of Tor, and it is usual for a famed warrior to have threads of silver woven into his moustache or beard as a sign of thanks to the storm god.
Temples: Tor’s temples are built atop hills and mountains. They are imposing structures of large stone blocks with heavy roofs of wooden logs.
Friends and Enemies: Tor has an indifferent approach to the other gods, and his followers have no particular allies.
Holy Days: No formal holy days. However, during a mighty storm, adherents to the Torian faith will gather outside and give praise to their god. Warriors pray to Tor before and after battle.
Strictures: There is only one known stricture for the cult of Tor, and it is a sensible one – never stand under a tree in a thunderstorm.
DAZH
Description: Dazh is the god of fire and the sun. It was Dazh who took the secret of flame from the sun and gave it to the ancient warrior chiefs of the tribesmen. Without Dazh’s fire, the long winters would be fatal, and tributes and prayers are regularly offered up to him. In more civilised lands, he rules over the hearths of homes, and is also the patron of guests and the needy. Thus, hospitality to those who call engenders safety for a household, while a poor host or hostess may find that their fire will not start, or that their roof springs an unexpected leak.
Dazh is portrayed as a handsome youth, with long flowing hair and wreathed in fire. He is beautiful to behold and none can look at him directly without being blinded by his divine appearance. He is said to live in a golden palace in the east where he rests every night after travelling the world during the day. In his palace, he is accompanied by warrior-consorts called the Arari, who can often be seen dancing and fighting for his amusement in the northern skies.
Symbol: The symbol of a sun, or a flame, are most commonly used as talismans by followers of Dazh. Gold is a sacred metal to the cult, and higher ranking priests will wear increasingly more gold decoration and jewellery.
Temples: The temples of Dazh are large, open arenas so that worshippers may pay homage to their god under the sky in which he lives. The richest of these temples are dominated by a large gilded statue of their god, and all contain many burning braziers and firepits which wreath the heavens in scented smoke and can never be allowed to go out.
Friends and enemies: The cult of Dazh is on genial terms with other main religions of the World
Holy Days: Every day is holy day to Dazh. Worshippers must give brief thanks every morning when Dazh arises from his bed of coals, and wish him well when he returns to sleep every evening. The summer solstice is the most holy day of the year for the cult of Dazh, it being the day when their god walks amongst his followers for the longest time. Amongst the most barbaric of the western tribes, the ancient tradition of offering up a sacrifice to Dazh on a pyre, whilst chanting praise to the sun god, is still practiced on the solstice. In the more cultured lands of the south, this has been replaced by the burning of an ox or horse upon a fire of parchments on which the worshippers’ prayers are written.
Strictures: Always offer hospitality, even to strangers and enemies.
Never let a fire go out during the night.
Never set a fire on a dirty hearth.
Offer prayers to Dazh on the first morning that the winter snows cover the ground.
Relations With Other Lands:
World Map (http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4209/91434341yh3.png)
http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/7610/72769727ab6.png
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/r/ro-val6.gif
Head of State and Government: Tsar Urskoy Decebal
Population: 1 million
History
Kirov is almost two nations in one. On the one hand, there are the more civilised peoples of the East and the cities, where the lands are close to the sea and trade. In the West, there are the villages and the gypsies.
Circa 1250 BC, there was a large westward migration of tribes from the eastern steppes, and of particular importance was the arrival of the powerful and wealthy Dhevich. Torn with strife, the local tribes were in no position to contest these lands, and the superior arms and tactics of the Dhevich drove the Ghols, the biggest native tribe, to the west and south, who came into contact with the Roten tribe. The Roten were a nomadic people who were overwhelemed by the Ghols. To defend themselves they lived in villages, tribe members rarely leaving thier community, only allowed to have children with members of the village. Over the following century, the power of the Dhevich grew, and the city of Kirov was founded.
The settlement of Praag, a city in the west, grew in size as the Dhevich used it to launch incursions into Ghol territory, eventually forcing the Ghol to accept Dhevich rule (who were now beginning to be called Kirovites after their capital city). By this time, the former Ghol city of Wodengrad had grown into a busy port ruled by the Kirovites, and from here the Kirovites were able to sail the Black Sea, trading and fighting with local tribes and pirates, as well as keeping the Ghols in check.
This state of affairs has existed for over 750 years, and Dhevich, Roten and Ghol society has merged over the centuries, to a greater or lesser extent, into the Kingdom of Kirov. The ruling elite, from whom the Tzars and Tzarinas hail, are of Dhevich heritage. The influence of the Dhevich language and beliefs is more evident in the East, particularly in the cities of Kirov and Wodengrad, while further west the land becomes more wild and the ancient villages and gypsy bands(Ghol) still hold sway. In fact, Praag itself has been reclaimed in a large part by the old Ghol nobility, and in many ways is a separate power in the West.
Kirovites are known as dour, taciturn people, and this is not surprising considering the harsh lands they inhabit. They are as unforgiving as the climate, with a grim, even morbid sense of humour. Frequently the bulwark against the tribes of brabarians, they relish in part the debt owed to them by the people of the Mediterrianian to the south who they protect. However, this does not stop a Kirovite bitterly complaining about this state of affairs at any opportunity. Most Kirovites think that their neighbours have gone soft from easy living in fertile lands, and would benefit from a year or two in the north, or ‘living in the wind’ as the Kirovites like to describe it, in reference to the fierce north winds that often herald a battle.
Kirov breeds hardy people, not only because of the harsh climate and superstitious lands, but also due to the constant depredations by raiders from the Northern Wastes. These are usually constant, small-scale affairs as individual warbands and tribes head south in search of glory and plunder. Known by the Kirovites as Kyazak, these raiding parties are an ever-present threat to settlements and caravans across the border. The incursions are short-lived, lasting perhaps only for a season at a time, and either end when winter draws in, or they are driven back by the armies of the Kirovites.
Trade: 4
Western Kirov is a fertile but isolated land, and few trade manges to get through. However the land is rich in crops, livestock, silver, gold and game. Eastern Kirov trades along the Black Sea, primarily with Kansiov and the Olympion League and trades in what goods it can aquire.
Government: 7
The power of the Tsar is unquestionable, and his word is law. However, the Tsars have made it a custom to leave the people of the west to their own devices, only passing laws over them if a neccessity. The West, in return, has come to view the Tsars as holy individuals, and often pray to them like saints. The gypsies follow no law but thier own.
Production: 6
The west is fertile and excellent for crops, providing surplus food stuffs that can be traded to other nations. The east is a land of cities, where artisans and philiosphers are provided for by the Tsar. Textiles, farm equipment, and weapons from Kirov is quite famous for quality in the region.
Military: 8
The soldiers of Kirov are all battle tested and nearly every man is a combat vetern, due the constant incursion of barbarian tribes. There is a combat instructer put in every village and city by the Tsar to make sure all males are constantly drilled once a week. There is only a small army in peace, just enough to man the forts and make up the Tsar's personal guard. Kirovian Military Doctrine states that if on the attack, all civillian soldiers are entitled to keep whatever they can return home with, and this has lead all Dhevich and Ghol's to look forward to military experiance. The armies are drawn from the scattered stanitsas and towns of the Kirov Oblast, which each provide a standing force of warriors, much like a militia. Ghol horse archers patrol the most western reaches of the country, while settlements with a great Dhevich heritage pool their resources to create squadrons (or rotas as they are known) of the famed Winged Lancers. This tradition is continued by the cities, and the Tzar can command a large number of Winged Lancers drawn from the richest families and their household troops. At extreme times, the various rotas of Kirov are drawn together into larger army groups called Pulks. These Pulks are invariably under the command of a noble of Dhevich heritage and are the closest Kirov has to a standing army. Sometimes, a single Pulk is enough to see off the threat, but other times two, three or more Pulks may combine their forces to counter an ambitious barbarian warlord.
Navy: 3
The Navy is just big enough to defend the small coast and only a handful of vessels are available to protect trade. As such, captains of merchant vessels have taken it upon themselves to arm their ships to protect from pirates. The weapons are not devastating, but do well enough to shy off any barbarians on a boat. Most ships in port during peace.
Production Details
Agriculture, Apiculture, Viticulture, Livestock, Ceramics, Metal Working, Gold, Silver
Major Cities
Kirov
The capital of the nation and seat of the Tzars and Tzarinas who rule the land, Kirov is the largest and most developed of the three cities. Situated in the North it is virtually on the border with the Slavs, and many slavic customs and aesthetic values have influenced Kirov life, literature and architecture. Founded as the capital by the Khans and Khan-queens of the Dhevich people in Year 1 (1150 BC), it has been besieged several times in its history, though has never fallen to an enemy.
At the centre of Kirov lies the Bokha Palaces, the hereditary seat of power rebuilt during the reign of Tzar Boris Bokha after the original Palace Dhevich was all but destroyed during the Great War against the Vodniks in 778 BC
Wodengrad
Originally the Ghol capital, when it was merely a walled town known as Norvard, and later overrun by the Dhevich, Wodengrad is Kirov’s main trading city and its largest port. Situated on the coast of the Black Sea, vessels from across the Kansiov and the Olympion League come here with goods, slaves, gems and precious metals. Kirov does not have a standing navy as such, but the waters of the Black Sea are dangerous, despite the patrols of the Royal navy, and all merchantmen are armed in some fashion, many to the standards of other nations’ warships, and can be pressed into service by the Tzar when needed.
Praag
Also know as the Cursed City, Praag is the most westernly of Kirlov’s largest settlements and has been overrun by the northern tribes several times. During the Great War against Vodnik, the walls and buildings themselves became completly covered in gore and blood. Wailing screams echoed from roof tops and the ground beneath the city seemed to shift and wraithe. After their victory at the siege of Kirov, the Kirovites razed Praag to the ground and rebuilt it, though it is still rumoured that a dark taint remains there. The people of Praag are regarded as shifty and nervous by most outsiders, paranoid and potentially in league with gypsy witchcraft. Praag also acts as a rallying point for the scattered horse tribes in times of war, and has a considerable Ghol population. This has led to Praag attempting to cede from the power of the Tzars on three occasions; twice the city was starved into submission by trade embargoes from the south, and on the third occasion, the city was reclaimed by military force and is now ruled by a Dhevich governor responsible only to the Tzar himself.
Religion
TOR
Description: Tor is the god of thunder and lightning, and is worshipped as a warrior god. He is portrayed as a muscled, square-jawed warrior with a long and curly moustache.. He wields a massive axe with a haft of oak, and uses it to cleave the sky to create the thunderbolts for which he is famed. A warrior god, Tor is the most active of the Kirovite gods, and quite frequently his name is used as a curse on others. For example, the phrase ‘Ty Tor!’ means ‘By Tor!’ and is an exclamation of surprise. On the other hand, ‘Do Tor!’ means ‘Tor’s Bolt!’ and is an entreaty for the god to unleash his anger upon the enemy.
Symbol: Tor is usually represented by the symbol of a thunderbolt, or an axe with a thunderbolt for a haft. Silver is considered the favoured metal of Tor, and it is usual for a famed warrior to have threads of silver woven into his moustache or beard as a sign of thanks to the storm god.
Temples: Tor’s temples are built atop hills and mountains. They are imposing structures of large stone blocks with heavy roofs of wooden logs.
Friends and Enemies: Tor has an indifferent approach to the other gods, and his followers have no particular allies.
Holy Days: No formal holy days. However, during a mighty storm, adherents to the Torian faith will gather outside and give praise to their god. Warriors pray to Tor before and after battle.
Strictures: There is only one known stricture for the cult of Tor, and it is a sensible one – never stand under a tree in a thunderstorm.
DAZH
Description: Dazh is the god of fire and the sun. It was Dazh who took the secret of flame from the sun and gave it to the ancient warrior chiefs of the tribesmen. Without Dazh’s fire, the long winters would be fatal, and tributes and prayers are regularly offered up to him. In more civilised lands, he rules over the hearths of homes, and is also the patron of guests and the needy. Thus, hospitality to those who call engenders safety for a household, while a poor host or hostess may find that their fire will not start, or that their roof springs an unexpected leak.
Dazh is portrayed as a handsome youth, with long flowing hair and wreathed in fire. He is beautiful to behold and none can look at him directly without being blinded by his divine appearance. He is said to live in a golden palace in the east where he rests every night after travelling the world during the day. In his palace, he is accompanied by warrior-consorts called the Arari, who can often be seen dancing and fighting for his amusement in the northern skies.
Symbol: The symbol of a sun, or a flame, are most commonly used as talismans by followers of Dazh. Gold is a sacred metal to the cult, and higher ranking priests will wear increasingly more gold decoration and jewellery.
Temples: The temples of Dazh are large, open arenas so that worshippers may pay homage to their god under the sky in which he lives. The richest of these temples are dominated by a large gilded statue of their god, and all contain many burning braziers and firepits which wreath the heavens in scented smoke and can never be allowed to go out.
Friends and enemies: The cult of Dazh is on genial terms with other main religions of the World
Holy Days: Every day is holy day to Dazh. Worshippers must give brief thanks every morning when Dazh arises from his bed of coals, and wish him well when he returns to sleep every evening. The summer solstice is the most holy day of the year for the cult of Dazh, it being the day when their god walks amongst his followers for the longest time. Amongst the most barbaric of the western tribes, the ancient tradition of offering up a sacrifice to Dazh on a pyre, whilst chanting praise to the sun god, is still practiced on the solstice. In the more cultured lands of the south, this has been replaced by the burning of an ox or horse upon a fire of parchments on which the worshippers’ prayers are written.
Strictures: Always offer hospitality, even to strangers and enemies.
Never let a fire go out during the night.
Never set a fire on a dirty hearth.
Offer prayers to Dazh on the first morning that the winter snows cover the ground.
Relations With Other Lands: