Corone

Coronè (Core-oh-nay) is one of the major regions of Althanas.

At a Glance

Capital: Radasanth
Form of Government: Republic
Ruler(s): The Assembly, a ruling body made out of five separately elected members with The Steward, Arno Erriades, as their leader.
Legal System: Civil Law, with courts in every major city.
Official Language(s): Tradespeak (Common)
Population: Approximately 2,500,000
Racial Breakdown: 60% Humans, 25% Elves, 10% Dwarves, 5% Other Races
Religious Type: No official religion, though most citizens practice polytheism
Literacy: 45%

Foreign Relations: Alerar – Neutral, Fallien – Friendly, Haidia – Neutral to Distrust, Raiaera – Friendly, Salvar – Dislike, Scara Brae - Very Friendly
Size of Military: Approximately 100,000 trained infantry (80,000 footmen, 20,000 archers), 10,000 cavalry units (7,000 heavy, 3,000 light), 5,000 rangers, 150+ warships, another 250,000 conscripts during wartime
Military Branches: Infantry, Archers, Cavalry, Navy, Rangers
Specialized Military Units: Corone Rangers, experts of guerilla warfare

Technology level: Late Medieval
Major Imports: Ore. Spices
Major Exports: Lumber, Grain, Pearls
Natural Resources: Concordia forest, Yarborough farmlands, mineral and ore deposits in the Jagged Mountains
Major Terrain Features: Tall mountains in the north, dense Concordia forest, flatlands in the west.
Elevation Extremes: Lowest Point – 10 feet above sea level (Tylmerande barony), Highest Point – 3475 feet above sea level (Jagged Mountains)
Climate and Seasons: 4 seasons – Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter; significant fluctuations between Summer and Winter
Natural Hazards: Floods, sea storms

Geography

Starting from north, Corone seems like an inhospitable land at best. The Jagged Mountains descend to the shores in a series of sharp outlets and capes that made many a sailor lose their vessels. One of the tales of old even speaks that the great sea behemoth known as the Nomad ripped his side at these ridges and gave birth to the Corone folk, but the history has a tendency to lean towards more probable explanations. The Jagged Moutains stretch to the east shores as well, where they are brought to an abrupt end by countless fjords that are inaccessible and deadly for all that try to venture into them.

However, once beyond this thick outer shell, the land of Corone unrolls like a fresh parchment, unraveling a land with as many faces as one could possibly imagine. Beyond the Jagged Mountain range is the valley of the Niema river on which banks the capitol of Radasanth is erected. Contrary to the belief of most foreigners, Radasanth is not situated on the delta of the Niema river, but rather a couple of miles inland. The mistake is an honest one because the delta is so wide and littered with docks that one easily mistakes the docking area as the city limits itself since it stretches down the river all the way to the city itself. The valley itself is tame and well irrigated, but mostly used for orchards because the majority of farming is done further southwards.

Continuing the descent, the Comb Mountains are a mere crease in the parchment. This mountain range is nowhere near to the Jagged Mountains in height and inaccessibility, but rather a set of hillocks and elevations that separates the valley and forms the border of the Radasanthia barony.

Beyond it lays Concordia forest and the barony that bears the same name. Claimed by some (mostly locals) to be the largest most magnificent forest in all the known world, Concordia is a place of serenity and bliss. Evergreen trees that grown closer to the mountains slowly give way to the deciduous ones that compose the majority of the great forest. The forest itself is less then two thousand years old, but the ruins within it date as far as the island itself. The capitol of the Concordia barony, the woodsman’s town of Underwood, is situated in the middle of the forest and is the center of the woodcutter industry that is the very foundation of Corone’s economy. Countless trees are cut annually only to be replanted by the foresters that dwell in the midst of lush foliage and mighty trees. Two rivers are notable in Concordia forest; the Firewine river that flows through Underwood itself, and the Bradbury river a little further to the east. During the spring’s snow melting and the autumns heavy rains when the tide is high and stream is powerful, these two rivers take the chopped wood downstream to the ship builders in the south baronies. As the great forest comes to a close, the two remaining baronies stretch to the south.

Towards the southwest is the barony of Yarborough, a flatland as far as the eye can see, littered with farms and green pastures that put food to the mouth of the Coronian people. Its capitol is Gisela, a city built as a celebration of the first union between the local men and the foreign elves at the site of one of the greatest battle that the Corone ever witnessed. Ironically, it is the place where the generals from all around Althanas come to play their wargames and compete under the enchantment of the illusionist that allow them such battles. In a way, once a year, history repeats itself in Gisela. Also, the Yarborough barony is the one connected to the adjacent Scara Brae island further westwards via a magnificent bridge build by both sides.

Towards the southeast is the barony of Tylmerande that despite its lack of major forests or flatlands is considered to be second richest barony in the land of Corone. Most of the bridge building takes place in this barony and the gentle warm shores are perfect for pearl foraging. Given the time that was needed for the pearls to become, it is no wonder that it was the elves that took upon themselves this line of work. The capitol of the barony is Serenti, yet another place in which warriors come every year to cross their blades and take the title of the champion.

There are two major roads that go through the mainland; the South Road that starts at Radasanth, passes through the Comb Mountains, descends down into Concordia where it passes through Underwood and continues down to Serenti. It is considered the more important of the two roads given the fact that three out of four most prosperous cities are found on that route. However, all know that while the East Road is the artery of Corone, it is the West Road that gullet with Gisela being the mouth that feeds the rest of the land. On top of that, it connects the bridge to Scara Brae with the only major eastern shore, the town of Jadet. The two great roads intersect in the town of Underwood.

Places of Interest

Racial Structure

Though the diversity is the word most commonly associated with Corone, humans are still the dominant race by a rather large margin. They form around sixty percent of the local population, the half-breeds not included. Elves are the second most dominant race with some twenty-five percent of their kin living on the surface of the island. The dwarves are small in number and mostly keep to their mines, but with their ten percent, a person is bound to run into one, especially in Radasanth that is close to the mines. But as the racial percentage shows, there are other races in Corone as well, which is one of the charms of the realm because people are used to the strange creatures and mostly hold no prejudice against any race.

Economy

While there are several of economic branches in which the realm or Corone excels, there is one paramount to them all and that is trading. Being an island nation forced the Coronians to seek the market for their goods beyond the seas and soon after the commencement of the Age of Resurrection, Corone ships spread across the known realms almost like a plague. One of the largest one is the ferry called “The Juggernaut” that constantly travels between the mainland and the island. Buying cheap and selling expensive has become an art for the merchants of Corone.

However, without the solid industry that is the foundation of every healthy nation, the trading would be pointless. Rye, corn, wheat and pretty much every other edible plant from the barony of Yarborough that is the surplus, is being traded to the less fortunate lands that are willing to buy... with a minor profit of course. Concordia forest is a seemingly bottomless source of wood that is being sent down the Firewine and Bradbury river to the mills. Some are sold as raw wood, some are turned into glorious ships, while others are used as firewood, but the common denominator is that they all bring profit. The mines of the Jagged Mountains aren’t too shy either as the dwarves still carve new halls beneath and produce more ore and metal from the bowels of the earth.

All in all, the economy of the Corone is flourishing, making it one of the richest nations in the known world.

Religion

Apathy is probably the best word that describes the nearly non-existent relationship that Coronians have with the known deities. The most prominent of all religious groups in Corone are probably the Clerics of Draconus that have a temple in every larger town on the majestic island. They offer their services to the common folk, preaching of their Dragon Lord, but most of their words fall on deaf ears. Some say that’s mostly because the very nature of Draconus whose mannerism is known to be depicted with a rather slow reaction time. This is probably the reason why the clerics accepted a handful of demi-gods as well, most of them drawing roots from the tribal worshiping back in the Age of Commencement, making the religion somewhat polytheistic. Three of these half-deities are most common amidst the common folk.

Wyron – The deity of harvest, mostly worshiped in the Yarborough county, but it is not rare that people in Radasanthia are caught with an idol of this deity in their homes. Usually depicted as a reaper with the head of a bull and a tail of a dragon. By his blessing the crops grow and the trees bear fruit.

Am’aleh – The deity of the sea, worshiped in most of the coastal areas, especially in the Tylmerande area where the seashell crops supposedly rise and fall by the desire of this deity. Am’aleh is also the idol to which most of the sailors tell their prayers if facing a tremendous storm, and to which most fishermen thank for their catch. Though gender of this deity is unknown as of yet, it is mostly described as a creature with a lizard’s head and the tail of a tail of a fish, holding a pitcher of water.

Trisgen – A demi-god of strife and war. Most soldiers of the Royal Armed Forces have a minute idol of this god around their neck just to stay on the safe side of this deity. It is said that when the humans and the elves rode against the massive force of the demons, Trisgen rode with them, wreaking havoc amidst the demon lines. While there was an unknown hero during that strife, it was never confirmed that it was Trisgen himself. The figure of Trisgen mostly resembles a gallant warrior, mounted on a back of a winged lion, holding a hammer or an axe.

These three are the most known, but by no means the only ones that can be heard throughout Corone. It is said that there is a god in Corone for pretty much anything and that is the thing that angers the Y’edda Druids the most.

Though the druids remain hidden in Condordia, mostly around the town of Ruild, both the druids and the fabled town are ever elusive to the outsiders. It is suspected that this town stands on the back of something known as the Rootwalker, but nobody got more information about this to make it anything more then a rumor. Their enmity towards the clerics is not an open one, but if a wandering druid meets a Cleric of Draconus, there is a good chance he would give him a piece of his mind. The druids think of the polytheism as heresy and they remain loyal to Y’edda despite the fact that “The Rogue” gives them little in means of presence and blessing.

For more information on Draconus and Y’edda, please consult the Book of Thayne.

Government

The Assembly

The Assembly is consisted of five figures, each chosen by the people whom they represent, each one’s vote worth the same. Only the Steward has an ability to veto any decision, and only when he doesn’t have four votes against himself. The members of the Assembly are on a ten year mandate after which the new elections are preformed. Only males are able to vote. The members and their roles are as follows:

The Steward of Corone – Arno Erriades

Steward’s importance compared to the other members of the Assembly is somewhat more eminent, since the Steward that is the representative of Corone in foreign affairs. Also, even though the Assembly is the crown figure of the government, it is the Steward that is considered the governor of the realm, despite the fact that every decision must be ran by the entire council (except in dire situations when the Assembly can’t be summoned).

The Master General – Emien Harthworth

The Master General is the representative of the armed forces of Corone. His dominion over the army is complete, even though just like any other member of the Assembly, he cannot make any decision unless it is the will of the council. He is elected by his own subordinates within the ranks.

The High Baron – Sivien Arundiel

The High Baron speaks for all members of the royalty in Corone. Given the fact that Corone is divided into four baronies, his influence spreads throughout the entire land, since it’s the barons that are the local governors that dictate the minor issues within the republic. As it is with the Master General, the High Baron is chosen by the members of his ilk, meaning the royalty of Corone.

The Grand Marshal – Aidan Johnston

The Grand Marshal is the commander of the Corone Rangers. Since it’s the rangers that patrol all the lands of Corone, he and his men are the overseers of the realm. Little goes by in Corone that doesn’t reach the ears of the Grand Marshal. He is elected from the Ranger ranks and it is the only position on which a person can not serve two successive mandates.

The Revered Congressman – Athenry Sergio

The Congressman is chosen by the ministry (that is ultimately also chosen by the people) and serves as their voice in the Assembly. The fact that the ministry is the one that plans the internal affairs of the kingdom makes his position that much more important.

The Ministry

The ministry is the bureaucracy of Corone. They are on the end of the all the information, they file it, sort it by importance and ultimately present it to their Congressman that brings it before the Assembly. Their mandate is ten years. The ministers and their positions are:

Minister of Foreign Affairs – Eldir Nathaniel
Minister of Defense and Security - Gawain Derun
Minister of Agriculture - Henry Downs
Minister of Trade and Commerce - Chrysanth Otello
Minister of Transportation - Roland Hearth
Minister of Internal Affairs - Jerrand Beats
Minister of the Treasury - Xera Ferenor
Minister of the Justice - Marion Kereness

The Baronies

Formed mostly by geographical features of the land, the four baronies have relatively little autonomy. Every barony excels in one trade that is dependant on the other baronies, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that most of the commoners disregard the existence of these unseen borders. However, for the simplicity of governing such a large realm, the baronies and their governors are a necessity. Baronies, capitols, barons and their trade are:

The Barony of Radasanthia/Radasanth – Paige Relvest ~ mining
The Barony of Concordia/Underwood – Sandril Varntel ~ lumber
The Barony of Yarborough/Gisela - Lessli Ormandet ~ agriculture
The Barony of Tylmerande/Serenti – Aniel Marwena ~ ship building

Military

Corone Armed Forces

Led by the Master General, the Corone Armed Forces (CAF) are the main bulk of the Coronian military power. Holding a garrison in every larger town, they are the prominent law enforcement that is supposed to wrestle any and all disturbance, foreign or domestic. However, during the times of peace, only the very essential were kept garrisoned while the rest are reassigned to more mundane duties. Still, once every year they are called back to receive one month of training in order to keep them on the edge. While their uniforms vary of their service within the ranks, they all bear the official insignia of the CAF, a feather and sword crossed on a scarlet background.

Corone Rangers

Unlike the bulk of the CAF, the rangers’ duty is full time. Their offices are carefully strategically positioned so that no part of Corone is left without their presence. They are hardy folk, stern in posture with incisive eyes, and they overlook everything that goes on in their dominion. Their skill with arms is only comparable to their trekking abilities and the nature knowledge, and though they often carry no armor, they are a force to be reckoned with, surpassed only by the Scarlet Brigade. The hierarchy in their ranks is a bit different from the usual military ranking, consisting of Marshals and Deputies that each oversee their county. They have no official uniform, but their insignia is a rifle crossed with a sword. Chances are if you are looking at this insignia that you are already in more trouble then you can handle.

The Scarlet Brigade

The Scarlet Brigade is where the best of the best go. Chosen from the finest that the Corone has to offer, regardless if they were rangers, mercenaries or just mere grunts, the Scarlet Brigade takes them under its wing and trains them even further. Though basically their task is to protect the Assembly, the Scarlet Brigade is in fact an intervention crew that is called when all other choices were exhausted. The identities of the members are unknown, they bear no insignia save for the crimson capes, but what is beneath them none lived to tell. The Brigade is not under the command neither of the Master General nor the Steward and it is unknown to the public who stands behind the elite warriors. A veil of secrecy is only amplified by the rumor that the final test of joining the Brigade is to cut your own tongue out. None can join the Brigade because it is the Brigade that chooses its members and not the other way around.

Corone Navy

As an island nation, it is no surprise that Corone has a strong navy, especially since the Tylmerande barony makes good use of the Concordia wood in building vessels and great magnificence and durability. War galleons with dozens of guns constantly patrol the seas around the Corone shore, although they too, in the time of peace, are mostly docked and maintained. The dispute with Antioch made a rather large gap in their ranks, during the last seventy years the number of the galleons is replenished and doubled.

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