Difference between revisions of "Umberland"

Revision as of 13:40, 26 July 2017

Flag of Umberland

Kingdom of Umberland is an Arcadian feudal monarchy which lies North of Fynwell and East of Argyle. While vast, it is mostly agrarian and contains few major cities. This is in part attributed to it's rigid, uncompromising feudal system and conservative culture.

The kingdom is allied with both of it's prominent neighbors: Argyle and Fynwell and maintains trade relationships with most major nations. It's rulers, for the most part have been uninterested in any kind of expansionism but are known for fiercely defending their lands. Umberland is famed for it's heavy cavalry, and heavy infantry and it is said their forts and castles are near impervious to siege.

Politics and Turmoil

Umberland is ruled by Old King Angmar. In his youth he made a name of himself with his feats of strength and bravery and his imposing stature. Even in his old age he is a mountain of a man, still capable of wearing his ornate full plate armor and swinging his heavy mace which he likes to demonstrate during official functions.

Angmar is considered to be a an extremely good statesman and politician, always able to get an upper hand when negotiating with foreign powers, while at the same time keeping his quarreling underlings in check. He has an uncanny ability to know which of his vassals can be trusted, which can be bought and which must be made to obey him by application of leverage of force. He rules against all odds, and while many disagree with his strong arm politics, none dare to openly oppose him.

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  Old King Angmar

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  Crown Prince Roderic

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  Lord Graymane

While blessed with impressive health, fortitude and longevity, the king has never able to sire an heir. Despite three marriages, and countless royal concubines, and much gold spent on medics and mystic cures, he remains childless. To preserve the dynasty Angmar has adopted two sons - something that is frowned upon by the Umberland nobility. His first adopted heir Cedric was assassinated by infamous Namfoodle Fizzlebang but it is not known who has funded it. It is widely suspected it was paid for Lord Graymane who is next in the line of succession.

His second adopted son Prince Roderic is a shy, quiet, withdrawn man who possesses neither the strength nor character of his father, and is quite unpopular among the Umberland nobility. When the Old King dies, it is unlikely he will be able to keep the kingdom from fracturing.

Lord Graymane has, on many occasions criticized adoption as improper and illegitimate way to secure succession as per Umberland traditions. Agmar himself has stripped lordship from bastards and adopted sons at multiple occasions to resolve local disputes. Thus it is widely suspected that Graymane and his supporters will either force young prince to peacefully step down, or usurp the throne by force.

Separatists

The potential succession trouble is not the only problem Prince Roderic may face in the future. There are two separatist factions among the Umberland nobility who remain loyal to Agmar but have no love for neither the young prince nor Lord Graymane.

The first of these factions is known as Firstborn Daughters and lead by Lady Agatha. It consists of number of daughters of Umberland lords frustrated by the fact that the succession rules of the nation favor male heirs. Should they swear the allegiance to Argyle and join the Pride they would be recognized as rightful heirs or heads of their households, rather than being skipped in favor of younger siblings, or their less deserving husbands.

Agatha is one of the very few Umberland women to hold the title of the Lord, and this is mostly due to a combination of her father's tragic death (falling off the castle tower) and her refusal to marry. She has supporters in the western provinces that border Argyle and is said that she has secured Queen Gertrude's favor and friendship. Agatha and her supporters are likely to secede from Umberland as soon as Old King dies.

The second separatist faction is lead by young Lord Bastian who has been educated in Fynwell and has grown to appreciate the city's culture and custom. He cuts his hair and neatly trims his beard after the fashion of Fynwell aristocrats, wears southern made clothing, and even affects Fynwell accent (except when he forgets) and mannerisms. He is enamored by the great city's democratic process. He is a good friend of Lord Gruzwell and has close ties to many members of the Cavalieer political faction. It is said that it would be his dream to establish his family as a new Great House of Fynwell.

His lands border the Flatside district and should Lord Graymane expansionist ambitions take him South they would provide an excellent buffer zone for the city and further weaken Umberland. So it is not unlikely that the Fynwell Senate would pass a resolution to induct Bastian as new Fynwell Lord, provided that senators could secure the vote of White Hand and Brass Lions.

Rebelion

While western, southern and central regions of Umberland are relatively orderly, it's eastern reaches are in turmoil due to a protracted peasant revolt. The eastern provinces of the country have been traditionally less developed, and have fewer arable land and worse quality soil. Since most of the Umberland economy revolves around agriculture, the east has been poor and prone to famines and disease. Eastern lords are famous for ruthlessness and cruelty towards their serfs. Umberland society is also famously intolerant towards non-humans and humans of different races (such as Deep Folk, Verandans, Zoranderans and etc..).

The endemic poverty combined with class and racial tensions have lead to an open rebellion lead to an open rebellion lead by young Half Orc woman who goes simply by the name of Mika (and refuses to use any titles or honorifics). Her mother was an escaped serf, who made her way to Fynwell and managed to get her child enrolled at the University of Fynwell. Mika was an exceptional student and finished her education with high marks. Her favored area of interest was political theory.

Much to her mother's horror, she has decided to return to her homeland to fight for the rights of the common people. Her criticism of the horrors of feudalism as well as Umberland's entrenched racism and patriarchal tendencies have captured hearts and minds of thousands of commoners, especially women and minorities. Her movement grew to the point it became a formidable force and became an open armed rebellion that toppled two eastern provinces. The rebels have beheaded the local lords, captured their castles and freed their serfs, establishing what is known as People's Republic of Umberland.

The Republic is not yet officially recognized by any of Arcadia nations but the western nobles are too preoccupied with royal succession, potential usurpation of the throne by Lord Graymane and the separatist factions in the West and South to bother sending armies to the east. Meanwhile the Republic's armies grow every day with escaped serfs and disillusioned commoners.