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Locations  »  Euskalerria

Euskalerria

Euskalerria

Founded: 1524 IR
Continent: Northern Kalisharica
Government Type: Kingdom
Capital: Etxebarria
Errege: Ekaitz Ybarra

Pronunciation

YU-ska-LAIR-ee-ah


Euskalerria is a fairly small but proud realm in the northeast of Eard. The current errege, or king, is Ekaitz Ybarra. They are very devout, with the sun goddess Ekhi their primary deity. Ekhi's priesthood is a major factor in Euskalerrian society.

 

Politics

It is not divided into provinces or regions in the traditional sense. Towns and villages are placed under the protection of an order of chivalry, which handles governmental functions. The errege, or king, theoretically has the right to command all of the heads of those orders of chivalry, but all Euskalerrians tend to defend their independence and their prerogatives zealously.

The Royal Household is the Order of Ekhi's Light. One of the advantages the errege has is the priesthood of Ekhi support this order and thus it has more prestige than other orders.

Zalduns are generally warriors. However, the technical definition is anyone who is a member of an order. It is accepted practice for any order to admit someone who has some skill or renown in other fields into their order. Since the Order of Ekhi's Light is the most prestigious, the errege generally can recruit the best talent into their administration.

Hence, while the errege must maneuver among a shifting variety of alliances and motives from the orders, they usually have the most competent support. Furthermore, since nearly all orders put Euskalerria in their oaths, it is rare for the leader of an order to actively work against the country's interests, although that is almost always shaded by their order's self-interest.

Euskalerria has essentially two neighbors, Periaslavl and Amaranth. The Euskalerrians have better relations with the former over the latter, but feelings are always tense on their border. Zalduns, those who are warriors, are expected to prove themselves in combat. Generally, their only real opportunity for such is to raid across the border and fight their neighbors. These raids tend to focus on seeking battle instead of plunder, but nevertheless mean both Periaslavlans and Amaranthines tend to view the Euskalerrians as dangerous.

Zalduns might be better warriors than Periaslavlan pomestniki on a one to one basis. However, Periaslavl's wealth, even factoring in her wide array of military responsibilities, mean the zalduns rarely have numerical superiority. Even if they were able to defeat the eastern troops of pomestniki, the Kolyvan Mountains are rugged enough to make it nearly impossible for the Euskalerrians to win a full war against the Periaslavlans.

Hence, the Euskalerrians tend to wage a constant war against Amaranth, though this is usually between competing raiding parts. Unfortunately for both sides, the border between the two is the Bashkal River and the area on either side of the river is some of the most fertile and productive around. Hence, neither realm can step back from the conflict, even if they wanted to.

 

Economy

Euskalerria is not an economic powerhouse. One reason why is that while Euskalerria owns a great deal of territory, much of it are tundra wastelands. They take advantage of the fruits of that wasteland, and Euskalerrian furs are especially prized.

Thanks to the needs of the orders of chivalry, Euskalerrian smiths are known for making some of the best arms and armor in Eard. However, it rare for such items to be sold outside of Euskalerria.

The orders of chivalry off a series of challenges. These tournaments serve as local fairs and tend to boost the economy where a tournament as held. In many ways, these drive the Euskalerrian economy.

 

Military

The primary military force of Euskalerria are the members of its intricate system of orders of chivalry. These warriors are known as zalduns. They are highly trained and well armed.

However, while Euskalerria would be an incredibly hard challenge to invade, the orders of chivalry do not always fight well together. This has made it difficult for the errege to wage offensive warfare, even if their strategic situation allowed for more opportunity.

Zalduns tend to wear heavier armor, prize horsemanship, and are arrogant about their sword skills.

Along the Bashkal River, an area often raided by the Amaranthines, each order recruits a number of infantry out of the local populace trained to hold off those raiders. However, these are not always effective in part because raiders almost have the ability to strike before this infantry can muster in large enough units to matter.

 

Founding

Euskalerria's founding is dated to the coronation of Zigor Bengoetxea, precept of the Order of Ekhi's Light, in 1524 IR. The worship of Ekhi is prevalent throughout Euskalerrian society, and its leadership tired of the competition between the various of orders of chivalry.

To an extent, their coronation of Zigor worked, as the Ekhi priesthood has remained prevalent, but the orders merely codified their conflicts in different ways. These ways have made Euskalerria stronger and wealthier, but those conflicting orders remain very powerful.

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