This thread is for worldbuilding and lorebuilding for the League of Kings. It is not RP. Reading and likes are of course welcome, but no posts please. This thread will be continuously expanded and also improved in terms of design, so forgive it for now :p
League of Kings World- and Lorebuilding Thread
Old and heavy is the book
The dust of centuries
The bones of the glorious
And the ashes of the lost
The chronicle knows much
But the shadow is great
Time and sorrow covers the face of mankind
- Title verse of the Dusty Book, Chronicle of the Oldducal Citadel of Knowledge
Table of Contents 1. General
2. Geography
General
The League of Kings is a confederation of various small and large states in the north of Sorras. For centuries the associated states have been exposed to various influences within and outside the confederation and developed their own identities. This includes diverse political systems, cultural traditions and human characteristics.
All these differences are united under the Confederation, which is led by the noble with the most power, influence, money and strongest allies. He is the so-called Greatking. In this office he has many different duties, such as maintaining unity and the Great Peace, upholding the Greatking's Law and managing the subjects and states.
Many different political systems developed from the various influences and are also geographically recognizable as such. The League is not a unified nation-state, but is composed of a wide variety of people and sovereign realms. Between two large mountain ranges there is a vast plain, intersected by rivers and hills. The largest river of the federation rises from the mountains and flows through the entire plain, being the heart artery of the entire region with its fertility. Along its banks and its countless branches are settled ancient noble houses, which had a great influence on the politics of the Confederation in the so-called river kingdoms, but today they are losing more and more influence.
The great plain, however, is populated by the Great Kingdom of the South, which is the largest, most fertile and one of the most populous states of the federation. It is the breadbasket of the entire federation and, consequently, has an incredible influence on politics. The South itself does not have a large division, but a few Grand Dukes who administer the vast land areas. There is a steady food trade from the south, but this has been interrupted in the past by far-reaching problems such as wars and natural disasters, weakening the kingdom.
The second major faction in the confederation is the Lion Kingdom in the mountains of the east, from which a huge amount of ores, especially gold, brings incredible wealth to the ruling house. The kingdom itself is small and not heavily populated, but has a large immigrant population and many miners who extract the valuable ore from the depths. It can also count on several neighboring allies involved in the ore trade, serving as vassals to the rich lions. The ore is not necessarily processed here, but rather in the hot forges of the high mountains.
The high mountains are found in the east of the country and have been completely developed. Small counties and duchies remind us of the glorious times of the Highkings and their past power. Strongly involved are these small towns in the ore trade, which, however, leads here again and again to conflicts between the houses. Dozens of these small states compete for the favor of the Lion Kingdom and make themselves more vulnerable through the dependency with them.
To the north of the confederation is the sea, and other countless old dominions. Small coastal kingdoms compete against each other for the large and important sea trade, which brings them their prosperity. Especially for this, the interesting culture of the federal cities developed. These are small free cities without feudal lords that became powerful enough through sea trade. Their security is guaranteed on the one hand by several guild systems, Hanseatic alliances as well as by the inofficial third power of the League, the Confederation of Free Cities. Here is the knot of all trade routes and the establishment of several "trade kingdoms".
Following northwest of the trade kingdoms and west of the river and the southern kingdom are the vast territories of hundred smaller states. Dense forests, hills, and finally the western mountains make up the landscape here and provide another variation of political and geographical features. Due to the dense and dangerous forests, the monsters of the mountains and also bandits, as well as barbarians beyond the West Mountains, this region is very dangerous. Old and smaller knight's houses, as well as larger order territories cover the region and provide security. Particularly notable is the Order of the Border, an organization of several thousand members who protect the safety of the border from barbarians in the northwest, the west and also the southwest in three large order territories.
This thread is for worldbuilding and lorebuilding for the League of Kings. It is not RP. Reading and likes are of course welcome, but no posts please. This thread will be continuously expanded and also improved in terms of design, so forgive it for now :p
The morning dawns, has time flown by so quickly already? Lucius straightens up and yawns. He has spent all night reading this book. He stares in disbelief at the thick leather volume before his eyes. "The Council System of Midran, Third Printing," an expensive piece. But he needs it, it is time to introduce the endless mysteries of the council system to the princess. He laughs softly, she will hate it, but it is her duty. With a grunt and renewed energy, he sets off for the study.
Title of Monarchs Emperor
A short-lived title, given to sovereign rulers over a kingdom and several other lands. Was used only a short time for the Lionkings of the East and then replaced. The title was a sign of sovereignty and wealth, and accordingly used only in the east in the rich mountains. The title lost more and more importance due to the wars in the Broken Century and was finally completely replaced by the title of "Greeting".
Greatking
The Greatking is the most powerful person in the League. This is required, because the Greatking is ratified by the Assembly of the Greats, for which you need money, power and strong allies to be successful. Accordingly, most of the Greatkings had the title of king before their rise in rank. The Assembly is composed of members of different ranks, but mostly kings, archdukes and dukes, as well as various religious, economic and other important representatives. The Greatking is given power, but also obligations. He must ensure that the Great Peace and the Greatking's Law are upheld in the country and by the member states. For this purpose, he can call a mandatory session of the Assembly whenever he wants, even though most of the decisions passes through his own personal staff. He must legitimize his family and manage to consolidate his power. The Assembly can also ratify an entire dynasty, so it is not uncommon for a noble house to hold this position for several generations. The Greatking has his seat either in his personal lands, or moves around the League on a wandering basis. The assembly can take place anywhere.
King
The title of king is an ancient and much-used title throughout history with dozens of variations. Basically, the title indicates the status of lands and elevates them to the rank of a kingdom. This is the second highest rank and gives the monarch new rights, but also duties. As a king, one can be elevated to the rank of Greatking through an election with enough support. Due to the cultural variety and diversity of the League, there are also geographical variations of the title, such as the Highkings and the Riverkings. Another honorary title is the Lowkings, granting the official legal status of a king, but lacking the clear power and influence of a normal kingdom. It is mostly used by older houses that have inherited this title through the centuries. Currently, the title of a true kingdom is held by only three sovereign monarchs. The Great Kingdom of the South, prosperous from the fertile lands, the Lion Kings of the East, prosperous from the rich gold resources of the mountains, and the Sylvania Dynasty, an ancient noble house, who through their often tactically smart fulfillment of the office of Greatking have maintained the status even though their land is only arch-ducal.
Lowking
This title belongs to the monarch titles, but unlike the previous titles, it has no significant increase in power. This title is mainly historically based and is always different for each culture. It involves the official appointment of a king, with no changes in terms of power and geography. In historical basis, there are many different titles. In the mountainous east of the League, independent Highkings with their dynasties formed. Untouched for a long time, the eastern expansion resulted in the incorporation and loss of these titles. From time to time, there are still attempts to claim this title and unify the mountain region. There were also various royal titles in the ancient heartland of the League, the Great River. The first people to settle the area were still tribes, but over time they evolved into the First Kings and spread that ideal further to the south, west and east. The Riverkings later established themselves and finally put an end to tribal life, as the feudal system was introduced. Today, no one holds the official title of Riverking
Title of Dukes Archduke
The Archduke is the highest-ranking title among the ducal titles and belongs to the upper nobility. Specifically distinguished from the Grand Dukes and the Duke title, this title includes a permanent place in the Assembly of the Great, based on the money and lands that an Archduke receives. The title is at the same time equivalent to the Archmasters, the highest members of an Order. This title can only be given by Greatking and is a sovereign honor.
Grand Duke/Prince
The Grand Duke is on the intermediate level from the Duchy and the Archdukedom and corresponds to the clear ambitions of a ruling family. This title is given upon receipt and use of lands and a certain wealth, as well as proven service to the Grand King or another king. It is the highest title a normal king can bestow. Prince is a special title and is given to the heirs of wealthy nobles. It does not include land but is the hereditary requirement for the title of Grand Duke.
Duke
The title of Duke implies a sovereign position in a kingdom or as a self-governing entity in the League. Formed from other small units, the principalities, baronies and counties, duchies exist and are all indirectly administered by the duke. Appointed by a high-ranking position, such as a Kingdom, the Great King, or in some cases even the Archduchy, they fulfill important administrative tasks and have an important military status.
Title of Counts Count
Counts are the first dependent unit from the mother state, the Duchy. They have no independence or sovereignty, but merely administer the territory for the Duke. There are many different classifications of a count. Margrave is the name given to counts in border regions that may have increased military and economic status. Landgrave, Burgrave and the Castellan, belong to the Viscounts in that case. As a landgrave, one owns land granted by a duke and administers it. As a Burgrave, one administers a castle and as a Castellan, one administers land as well, but this time lent by higher positions, such as the Great King (as Grand Castellan), a King (Royal Castellan), an Archduke (Arch Castellan) or the normal Duke.
Baron
The Baron is an even smaller unit than the Count and is often appointed by them. Territories with special status, such as economic and military importance, or of special size require special administration through their own title. Barons are of low nobility, and are usually family members, other familiars, or even deserving knights.
Knight
The Knight is the lowest title in the hierarchy. Each of the above titles, except the Baron, can appoint a Knight. The knights's rank depends on the noble title appointing them. Thus, knights of the Great King receive vast territories and hold knightly duchies, while knights of an Count hold at most the rank of a Baron. They are warriors and commit themselves to serve the liege lord according to a chivalric code. Furthermore, there are special knights, such as the Knights of the Greatking, the Guard of Protection, as well as the Knights in Orders and the Robber Barons
Lord
Basic title of address for any person of nobility
