Eridor

The second largest land in the continent, Eridor boasts rocky beaches on the Bencaster sea in the south, beautiful and bountiful farmlands, breezy flower fields, and lush forests with majestic views of the Verwitch mountains to the north west. While the winters get cold due to their northern position, the climate in Eridor is comfortable for most of the year. In addition to farming, Eridor has a large textiles trade. Main exports include produce, specifically apples (everyone craves Eridor apples), wool, cotton, and glass. Eridor shares a western border with Thelrendell, separated by the small Lediac sea, a north western border with Mogroth, and a northern border with Asonas. The rulers of the land historically have short tempers, which has caused riffs between most lands with Eridor. However, Eridor has the strongest army in Ane Dorai, and many rely on their exports and resources, so the other lands know better than to get on Eridor’s bad side.

Capital City: Leroy

Other Major Cities: Brea, Taillis, Newray, Kelelin, Ossinian, Moyen

Colors: Violet and Gold

Flag: Solid Violet purple with a golden nine ray sun

Current Leader: King Hedrick Raoliss

Terrain

 * Eridor is a north eastern land on the continent of Ane Dorai.  The soil in Eridor is very fertile, making it an ideal location for farming.  From the middle of the continent to the southern border, farmlands are bountiful.  The northern part of the territory is heavily forested, and becomes more mountainous in the northwest as one approaches the Verwitch mountains that separate Eridor and neighbor Mogroth.  The north and north eastern borders are hilly and elevated, but they are not classified as mountains. Eridor is a peninsula, and it’s ocean borders hold rocky beaches.  There are also numerous rivers scattered through the land.  The Verwitch mountains serve as the source for the largest river that runs southeast from Taillis to Kelelin. Several other rivers branch from this river as well.

Climate

 * Eridor experiences all four seasons every year.  Spring starts in the middle of Moz, when the first rains come instead of snow and one can comfortably walk outside with a light coat, and lasts until the end of Miff. Summer starts the first of Jono, and lasts until the 30th of Axuss.  Autumn starts the first of Solsahm, and lasts until the first snowfall, which usually happens near the end of Kninoss. Winter starts after the first snowfall, and will last until the snow transitions to rain.
 * Spring generally starts out cold, but will gradually get warmer.  There are lots of rain showers in spring, so much that river flooding becomes a concern for most cities, especially when combined with melting snow.  Because of all the rain, travelling is hard between some cities that have dirt roads. Most major cities have stone roads, but the paths between them may be blocked or too muddy to easily walk.  In the mountains near Taillis, rockslides are common.  Because of the rain, thunderstorms are common as well.  Thunderstorms make ocean travel difficult, which reduces the amount of trades that go in and out of the land.  Wind can also be an issue during spring.  During Avelf, wind can become strong enough that roofs are torn from houses. As Miff is approached, the rains slow down and when the flooding reseeds, crops can start to be planted.
 * Summer in Eridor is usually very comfortable.  Light breezes from the oceans help control the heat and humidity.  There are rain showers occasionally, usually about once every two weeks.  The only time they are heavy and thunderous is the middle of Jaits and the middle of Axuss.  Lots of festivals and parties are held in summer.  The Summer Solstice is a week long celebration throughout the entire land, occurring near the end of Jono. Some crops that were planted in Miff will be harvestable during this time, and this is the prime season for planting flowers.
 * Autumn is arguably the best season in Eridor.  While the temperatures start to cool off from the summer, they are consistent and comfortable.  During this time, the harvest begins to come in, bringing an abundance of delicious food.  This is also the best time to hunt wild game.  It rains very little during the beginning of autumn, but Olverk can be wet and rainy.  As the season progresses, temperatures will gradually decline.  Eridorans will typically need to go outside with a coat on around the second week of Kninoss.  Colder temperatures come faster in the north than they do in the south, but the middle of the land stays the warmest the longest.  The first snow occurs in Taillis every year, usually right after Hunter’s Eve.  However, it never sticks.  The first snow that stays in Leroy determines the start of winter.
 * Winters in Eridor are hit or miss.  Every season in Eridor is predictable, except winter.  Sometimes there is a lot of snow, other times there is not.  Sometimes it gets brutally cold, sometimes it does not.  There are only two locations in the land that have predictable winters: Taillis and Moyen.  Taillis is in the mountains and heavily forested.  They will always receive more snow and colder winters than the rest of the land.  Moyen is located in the middle of the land.  Their winters will get cold, but they will be the warmest in the entire land.  They will receive less snow than other locations. On average, most of Eridor will receive about 30 inches of snow year round.  Roads are almost impossible to travel in the winter.  Province workers try to keep the paths between major cities clear enough for carriages to go through, but it all depends on when the snow falls and how much they get.  Temperatures tend to stay below freezing the entire winter, warming up briefly in the beginning of Felles before becoming brutally cold again.  Jessis is always the worst month in winter.  It is when they receive the heaviest of snow and the coldest temperatures. The only holiday hosted during this time is Ane Novus, the largest holiday of the year, which signifies the start of a new year.  Most years, the temperature and weather cooperates enough for the royal family to hold their annual party, but there have been years where they have had to cancel.  When the weather is bad on Ane Novus, it is seen as a bad omen for the new year to come.

Farming

 * Eridor is best known for its farm lands.  They grow an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as livestock and chickens.  The best produce in Eridor are their apples.  Apples grow in abundance in Eridor, and they have a more desirable taste than apples from other lands. Other produce Eridor grows well are courgettes, swede, squash, tomatoes, yams, potatoes, cucumbers, green beans, peppers, peas, carrots, onions, leeks, lettuce, garlic, turnips, cauliflower, strawberries, grapes, apricots, peaches, melons, plums, and cherries.
 * When it comes to animals, the primary choice is cow.  Milk is a popular choice of drink in Eridor, so cows are valued for their milk and meat.  The next choice is chicken.  Chickens are primarily kept for their eggs, however families of higher societal status will eat chicken meat for meals.  The next choice is fish.  Being surrounded by ocean and with abundant rivers, fish are an easy resource for all people living in Eridor. Pigs are kept, but they are not as popular as other choices for an everyday meal.  Most are kept for the abundance of fat on their meat, which is used to make lard. Suckling pigs are treasures during holidays, however, and one can often be found at the royal family’s Ane Novus party.

Culture

 * Most of the Eridoran population values art and education.  Food is a large part of Eridor’s culture. Dinner parties and sampling tours are common in every city with every class level.  Schools in Eridor teach lessons in cooking and gardening. Military and athleticism are highly valued by the upper echelon of the Eridoran population, and their interests have been pushed onto the lower classes. Many nobles in Eridor have done away with art and literature institutions, in favor of military posts and training yards. They have provided endless opportunities for people to join the Eridoran military, but have restricted access to everything else.
 * Clothing in Eridor is simpler than other lands, preferring more subtle designs with few accessories.  When it comes to colors, clothing tends to be darker; the only exception is during the Summer Solstice and Ane Novus when bright colors are encouraged. Their clothing tries to stay modest in design, with many favoring dresses over pants.  Hairstyles vary across the land.  Higher class men tend to have clean shaven faces, with shorter, well kempt hair.  Lower classes tend to have more facial hair and longer hair.  Some nobility though, will keep facial hair if they prefer the look of it.  Women in Eridor tend to wear their hair down if they are unmarried, and up if they are married. Hair can also be styled for practicality as well.  Someone working on a hot summer day in the field is not going to want their hair down.  Hats are only worn for fashion or practicality.  Compared to the common language of Ane Dorai, Eridorans tend to exaggerate and over-annunciate their speech, and it is in their nature to want to show off. Eridorans have a tendency to act entitled, which has led to many disputes with other lands.
 * Eridorans take their names very seriously. It is commonplace for male names to end with an n, while female names end with an a.  Most common Eridorans are addressed by their last name rather than their first name.  Nobility are always addressed by their title first, and then usually their last name.  An exception is the Royal Family, where they are addressed by title and then first name.  Middle names are occasionally given to common folk, but are primarily reserved for nobility.  Usually if a child is named after a parent or close relative, they will receive a middle name to differentiate between the two.  Nobility always have middle names, since it is considered an extension to their title.  In noble families, male heirs are always named by their father, and typically take their grandfather’s name as their middle name.  For example, Hedrick’s father was named Remgel, so Daegan’s middle name is Remgel.  Remgel’s father was named Doran, so Hedrick’s middle name is Doran.  Daughters and non-heir sons are usually named by the mother. Names are given anywhere from right after birth to a few days later.  Typically a name isn’t publicly announced until the child has their blessings ceremony, which occurs three to seven days after birth.

Government

 * Eridor is ruled by a hierarchical monarchy.  Their government is similar to Feudalism, where the king of Eridor rules over all the land in the area.  The land is divided into provinces, each of which is ruled by a Lord.  The Lord serves the king and is on his council, and has control over everyone and everything in the province in which he is given.  The Lord is responsible for maintaining the order in his land, including setting his own taxes and ensuring loyalty and support from those living on his land.  There are seven provinces in Eridor: Kelelin, Leroy, Brea, Taillis, Ossinian, Newray, and Moyen.  Newray and Moyen are both small and less inhabited than the other provinces, so they are governed over by one Lord. Each province contains a number of Marches and Counties. Marches are territories along the country's boarders, while Counties are all inland territories. The leaders of these territories are called Marquess and Counts respectively. Within the Marches and Counties, there are numerous cities, which are ruled by a Mayor.  The civilians report to the Mayors, the Mayors report to the Marquess/Count, the Marquess/Count reports to the Lords, and the Lords report to the King.  Each position is hierarchical except for Mayors, who are nominated by the people in their city.  A nomination occurs every five years, but the people can choose to keep their current mayor rather than nominate a new one. This type of government is also held in Thelrendell, Wheaserin, and Sheaserin.
 * The council of the king is the group of people who have notable influence over the king, the kingdom  and other nobles.  These people are considered only one step below the king, and are free to make decisions on his behalf, within reason and within their jurisdiction.  Their primary responsibility is to uphold the integrity of the King and the kingdom.
 * Members of the council are:
 * Dalton Spriggs: Lord of Taillis, Lead Advisor to the King of Eridor, Designated Regent of Eridor
 * Vaemin Legis: Lord of Ossinian, Grand Master of Military
 * Laren Adquen, Lord of Brea, Chancellor of Foreign Affairs
 * Siral Suviall, Lord of Newray and Moyen, Chancellor of Finance
 * Niks Reinduer, Lord of Kelelin, Chancellor of Intrigue
 * These positions are hereditary throughout their designated families, and are exclusively reserved for province lords. A king may reassign them if desired, but he should prepare for some major backlash.
 * In addition to the province lords and marquess/counts, there are many other noble houses throughout Eridor.  The head of the houses serve the court of the king, but are not part of his council. In addition, the King can appoint someone as a Thane. A Thane is an honorary noble, usually given to someone who is recognized by many throughout the hold. The title doesn’t really serve much purpose, other than proving the person has been recognized as nobility by the king, which to some that’s all they need.
 * Notable members of the court are:
 * Gael Vidament: Chapel Master
 * Solen Comraich: Head of the College of Arms
 * Muriella Boudreaux: Head of Education
 * Avielour Morvan: Master of Arts
 * Volo Affly: Grand Veneur
 * Ronan Galand: Master of Harvest
 * Viviana Tangi: Grand Panetier
 * Tassin Darche: Archbishop of Eridor
 * Sulien Rouillier: Keeper of Horses
 * Kerrien Kernivinen: Cofferer
 * Allore Le Moal: Master of Ceremonies
 * Groomsmen to King Hedrick and Prince Daegan
 * Ladies in waiting to Queen Celesse, Lady Navis, and Princess Solaea
 * Thanes and other members of noble families
 * Not every member of the court is given an official title.  To join the court, a family must be recognized by the King of Eridor, and be granted a nobility title by the Head of the College of Arms.

Currency

 * Eridor uses their localized currency, called Creds.  There are different forms of Creds with different values: Copper, Silver, Gold, and Paper. 1 copper is worth one Cred.  1 Silver is worth 25 Creds, and one gold is 50 creds. Paper can be any amount of Creds written on the paper.  To be considered legitimate, Paper Creds must have the raised seal of the land of origin, as well as a stamp of legitimacy from the province of origin.  For example: If a merchant from Brea were to write a Paper Cred for 50 creds, the paper must have a raised seal of Eridor and the stamp of Brea on it. Paper Creds can be used internationally, but coins would need to be traded in for that location’s currency. Banks are used to hold personal accounts for people.  Money in personal accounts can be accessed with Paper Creds.

Food

 * Food is very important to Eridor culture.  Dishes are often brightly colored and well presented. In Eridor, the appearance of the dish is more important than the taste.  Spices are generally reserved for higher class families and nobility, but there are many common, relatively cheap spices that are sold in markets.  Most of the population eats fish, egg, and beef, with whatever vegetables they have.  Higher status families will eat chicken and wild game if it is available.  Food schedules run on the medieval standard: Breakfast, dinner, supper, with dinner being the largest meal of the day. Breakfasts tend to be light: some eggs, toast, or fruit.  Dinner has multiple courses and can last for hours.  Supper is lighter, often containing leftovers from dinner. It is usually a small serving of meat or stew, some fruit or vegetables, and cheese or dessert pastries.  Vegetables are usually eaten raw or boiled, but many enjoy frying the more savory options.  For the winter, vegetables can be pickled and preserved in jars. Meat is smoked and roasted. For the winter, it is preserved with salt rubs, or frozen in ice huts.  Eridorans enjoy having sauces to compliment their foods.  Most sauces are thick and mustard based.  When it is available, residents will drink water, but wine, ale, and tea are very popular in Eridor.  If beans have been imported from Sheaserin and Wheaserin, coffee can be made.
 * The Raoliss family of Eridor is provided with some of the best food in the land.  The family eats breakfast separately, and usually within their first hour of waking.  Hedrick and Solaea like to eat fruit for breakfast, while Celesse and Daegan prefer an egg and milk.  They gather and have dinner together around 12 pm every day. Members of Hedrick’s court will join them if they are available, as will any high status visitors.  The meal is divided into multiple courses, but the primary dishes are served all together.  They start with a serving of bread with jam or butter, and are served their drink. Wine or ale is usually served, but many prefer tea or water.  They then eat a small bowl of soup: usually a beef or vegetable based stock.  After, the side dishes are brought out.  Side dishes usually consist of a variety of vegetables and potatoes, the most popular being courgettes, squash, and green beans.  Potatoes are often mashed with a beef gravy available.  Food handlers will serve everyone their servings. After the sides have been passed around, the meat is brought out.  The meat is usually beef steak, chicken, or wild game.  It is either sauced or spiced.  After the king is finished eating, dishes are cleared and they have  samples of cheese, as well as a glass of wine.  When it is time for supper, which is usually between 6 and 8 pm, they eat separately again.

Education

 * Eridorans pride themselves on their education. in 3L 750, Wrenwel Raoliss proposed an overhaul to the current education system.  Educational standards were now in place across the land, ensuring everyone received the knowledge they needed. Wrenwel created a vast system that allowed new buildings and academies to be built.  Women were now allowed to go to these educational institutions alongside men, but only allowed to study certain topics. Before his overhaul, children could only receive an education at private institutions or monasteries. Wrenwel introduced universal educational institutions, which allowed children across all cities to come and learn for a smaller fee than the private institutions. This allowed children of lower-income families to earn an education, but many still couldn't afford it.
 * Wrenwel's biggest pride was the introduction of Academies to Eridor. Academies are large educational institutions that offer students specialized studies in certain subjects, while still learning the education fundamentals taught at the current schools. Academies allow students to attend school for longer as well, further developing their skills well past the current age limit for most schools. Children can join academies as young as 10-years-old, but they cannot pick a specialization until they are 13. They are allowed to shadow and observe the students in the areas they are interested in once a month.  As prestigious as the academies are, they come with a hefty tuition.  Many parents start saving before their children are even born, and many students have gone into debt trying to raise enough money.
 * Academies have seven areas of specialization students can choose from:
 * Military
 * Medicine
 * Art
 * Governance
 * Architecture
 * Agriculture
 * Religion
 * There is often further specialization available in each subject.
 * There is one academy in each province, except Moyen and Newray, which share an academy.
 * Leroy: Wrenwel Raoliss Academy
 * Taillis: Damora Academy
 * Brea: Church of Aden Academy
 * Ossinian: Fhandell Academy
 * Kellelin: Tigerran Ara Academy
 * Moyen/Newray: Saint Caenious Academy



Marriage

 * Marriage is one of the most sacred practices in Eridor.  Most Eridorans aspire to marry.  Marriages can be arranged or they can be willing.  Willing marriages are more common in the lower class.  In the higher classes, marriages are almost exclusively arranged, since they are uniting two families rather than two people.  A person is considered “of age” in Eridor when they turn 16, and are allowed to marry then. Same-sex marriages are common in Eridor, however in higher class families, especially those with hierarchal titles, they are extremely taboo and unwelcome.
 * To become married, there are two steps involved.  The first is that the couple must sign a marriage license.  The license declares the couple as legally married, and must be signed by the couple, the mayor of the city they live in, and two witnesses.  The license must also be dated the day the couple wishes to be considered legally married, which is usually the day they have their ceremony. After the license is signed, the marriage is considered valid, and all the benefits of marriage are applied.  However, most couples aren’t considered “officially” married until they have a ceremony. Marriage ceremonies in Eridor are huge and glamourous.  The ceremony is usually held in a church or chapel, or a divine minister can be privately arranged if the couple wants a ceremony in their home or in a remote location.  A Cradist divine minister officiates the ceremony, reading passages of the god Coldite from the book of beliefs.  The couple being wed will both wear white and gold.  During the ceremony, they exchange vows of devotion, read passages from the book of beliefs, and have their hands bound.  Afterwards there is usually a dinner party to celebrate the new couple.  After the marriage is finalized, the couple can join their last names, take only one person’s last name, or keep them the same as they were. Because the ceremony is based in Cradism, almost all ceremonies in Ane Dorai follow this same structure. A wedding is usually payed for by the groom and his family, in exchange for the bride's dowry. Additionally, the family with the higher status will host.
 * Unfortunately, not every marriage can work out, but there isn't much that can be done about it.  Marriage is sacred to Eridorans and Cradism; it is seen as defying the gods if a couple wishes to divorce. There must be significant reason for divorce, a divine minister will not just grant one at will. Nobles have been known to influence priests in the past, and if there is no evidence of consummation, an annulment can be granted.  Being the divorcee of a noble is a giant stain on a person, as well as their family, and it is unlikely they will find another beneficial marriage.

Law Enforcement

 * Eridor heavily values their safety.  It is considered honorable to be a guard or watchman.  Guards patrol every territory in Eridor.  How populated the area is determines how many guards are needed.  Smaller cities tend to have watchmen instead of guards.  Lords and Marquess/Counts have their own personal guards, which are recommended by the mayors.  These guards patrol their liege's land, the main city in the territory, and the main roads between cities and provinces. Lords and Marquess/Counts are required to send guards to the King when he requests, as well as they can request guards from their mayors.  When guards are brought to the king, they serve as castle guards.  If a guard stands out to the King and Castellan, they can be promoted to be a royal guard.
 * One of Hedrick’s greatest accomplishments as king is redesigning the security and military of Eridor.  Crime has lowered significantly across the land, and more people sign up to be a guard or watchman than ever before.  Alongside Lord Legis and the Royal Guards, he has taught the Eridoran law enforcement and security new techniques and strategies to keep them one step ahead of everyone else.