The Kingdom of Arnast



The kingdom of Arnast came into being eight hundred and seventy three years ago, some time after the fall of the Saadeth Imperium (precisely how much time after the Fall is hotly debated amongst scholars to this day). At the time, it was little more than a single city-state centered around the capital, Arn. In the next few decades, it expanded rapidly into the vacuum that was left behind when the Imperium crumbled. Its military became extremely adept at quelling the warring tribes that ruled the land outside its borders, though once through the northern mountain ranges the fight became rather more bloody. The barbarians of the far north, it seemed, were happy with their way of life and willing to fight to the death to resist the interloping southerners. In time, the cost to Arnast in men and material became too great, and the northward expansion of the realm ceased to be a priority. Despite this, by 125 A.R. the kingdom's borders had expanded to more or less where they are today. In the following years, the southern kingdoms came into being one by one, pushing back against their own wilds until the southern part of the continent was pacified. Due to the relatively tranquil state of affairs this began, and which has lasted until the present day, the southern kingdoms have no significant military to speak of.

Though it is almost entirely within the northern mountain ranges of the continent of Saadeth, the cities of Arnast are not as isolated as one might expect. This is largely due to the staggeringly vast construct known as the King’s Road. As wide and smooth as a palace courtyard and built of enormous blocks of whatever bedrock is nearest, the King’s Road winds over, around, and in a few notable cases through the mountains of northern Saadeth. Any scholar will tell you that it is a relic of the Saadeth Imperium, yet none know when or how it was built. Some historians say that such a road could not have been made by means other than magic. Others counter that even the fabled Mage Tyrants of the Imperium, were they anything more than fairy stories to frighten children, could not have managed such a feat.

 Regardless of the method of its construction, the King’s Road binds the kingdom together. In the centuries since the rise of Arnast, the road has never once been rendered impassable by either foe or nature, and it is almost unheard of for it to need any kind of maintenance. It makes possible fast and (mostly) safe travel from the capital city to any of the four major cities of the realm, and lends speed to trade and messengers that is the envy even of the gentler and flatter lands to the south.

Citizens

 * The Silver King and Icons
 * Prince Terrance
 * Ullman
 * Ex-Harbormaster Stotts
 * Harbormaster

Cities and Notable Landmarks

 * Capital City of Arn
 * Port City of Threfall
 * Magehold of Threfall
 * Siddorn, City of the Plains
 * Lorenfall, Home of the Librarian and the Great Library of Lorenfall

Money
Before the rule of King Stranton, the economy of Arnast had largely been dependent on the vast silver mines in the northern mountains. The new king, however, has been making a concerted and mostly successful effort to increase trade with the southern nations beyond mere silver and metalworking trinkets in exchange for agricultural items and knowledge. The kingdom has thus become a major exporter of, luxury items, skilled craftsmen, and military experience and in turn received a substantial amount of wealth. Capitalizing (aha) on this, Stranton has just last year introduced, for the first time in the history of the kingdom, currency made of gold. These new golden 'Suns' are ostensibly set at a value of ten silver Moons (which in turn are worth 10 copper stars). In practice, however, two factors are at play which often mean that ten silver coins are not necessarily equal to a gold coin. First, among the wealthy in the kingdom, the new Suns have not yet lost their novelty and are often worth more than you might expect simply because people are anxious to acquire them either for their own sake or to be seen as keeping up with the times. Second, among the lower classes gold (which is not found anywhere in the kingdom) has always been seen as a de facto currency of the wealthy and two years of circulation has not been quite enough to entirely rub off the perceived status inherent in being able to carry around a purse full of the stuff. Those fancying themselves on the way up in the world, therefore, will often go to great lengths to obtain the new currency. What all of this means in practice is that the holder of gold Suns will often find himself receiving anywhere from a ten to twenty five percent discount at shops. Furthermore, when trying to bribe those who are (or feel themselves to be) somewhat high status, currency that is NOT gold will often be looked down upon rather severely.