The Kingdom of Tiefanue
Racial Breakdown: 65% Human, 15% Elves, 20% other.
Major Industries: Agriculture, Fishing, Technology.
Population: 615,000
Cities: Fort Saline, Leighton, Lexington, Silverwood, Unthar, Ravin
Capital City: Tiefheim, population 352,000
Military: Most powerful naval fleet in existence, medium land forces, extensive use of clerical magic.
Government: Monarchy
Current Ruler: King Roland Tiefanue the First
History
When humans first split off from the Grey Elves a thousand years ago, they formed the nation of Tiefanue (TEEF-ah-NOO). A nation rich in history and culture, Tiefanue is self-sufficient and constantly evolving. Almost a thousand years after splitting from the Grey Elves, Tiefanue became the first nation to ally themselves with the Grey Elven kingdom.
Although Tiefanue has been coexisting peacefully with Berphaunt for hundreds of years (minus occasional "misunderstandings"), Tiefanue perceives the Eastern Kingdom as interlopers and foreigners, albeit friendly ones. Before Berphaunt was formed in antiquity, Tiefanue was already well-established. Citizens of the Eastern Kingdom believe the origins of both nations are lost in history, but the populace of Tiefanue holds their seniority and history with much pride. Citizens of Tiefanue have a well-developed sense of history and tradition, and most calendar dates are holidays of some sort.
Since the disappearance of the Grey Elves, Tiefanue has expanded its borders west under the pretense of protecting the Grey Elven borders. Under the watchful eye of the Church of Light, Tiefanue founded the first settlement in the Grey Elven forest since Pape. This new town is called Jericho, and it was founded with the intention to discover the fate of the Grey Elves and to cleanse the taint from the Grey Elven forest.
Government
A feudalist nation, Tiefanue has no middle class, and is comprised of peasantry and nobles. Although there are minor guilds, they hold far less power than the king and the Church. The Kingdom of Tiefanue holds very little separation between church and state, and the royal family are staunch followers of the Church of Light.
The Kingdom of Tiefanue is a monarchy, with the royal crown being passed down through the eldest male of the Tiefanue family bloodline. The current ruler is King Roland Tiefanue the First. In many aspects, he truly is a great man—perhaps the most ambitious of his line. One of his first accomplishments was the Elven Alliance in which he allied with the Grey Elves of the vast forest to the northeast of the kingdom.
Shortly thereafter, he made peace among the Lords, city-states, and non-humans who dwelled on the western side of the continent. This was accomplished less with sword and spell, and more with charisma. He convinced these disparate elements that he was the wisest, noblest, and richest ruler of them all. This Unification of the West is believed by many to have been achieved because of the dual-threat of King Tiefanue and the Elven Alliance. Once Unification was formalized, King Tiefanue wrote a pact in his own blood to the Grey Elven Prince Rea'lith promising the Elven homeland would be threatened by neither deforestation nor encroaching civilization for as long as the Kingdom existed.
The King's sons have honored this pact, but much tension is caused by the fact that the Eastern Kingdom does not recognize this agreement and looks upon the Grey Elven Homelands with avarice. The woodlands in the center of the continent are strong and old and would service both Berphaunt's Navy and expansionist nature for generations. The tension engendered by this difference of opinion has always been at the core of the relationship between the Kingdom of Tiefanue and the Kingdom of Berphaunt. Some say the Kingdom of Tiefanue will do nothing to endanger the relationship it has with its Grey Elven friends, even if it means war with the aggressive, expansionist Eastern Kingdom of Berphaunt.
Religion
The Kingdom of Tiefanue founded the internationally-accepted Church of Light, and maintains the largest population of clerics and priest in the continent. Tiefanue is also home to the The Citadel, the continent's largest religious army.
Societal Views
Tiefanue considers itself a morally superior nation. An egalitarian society, men and women hold equal rights, and marriage is a mutual decision. Divorce rates are low.
Exports
The chief exports of Tiefanue are agricultural, fishing, and technology.
Agriculture: Tiefanue is renowned for its fine horses and hunting dogs. The Lex is a breed of horse developed southeast of the capital city, known for its fiery spirit and smooth gait. Prized as light war horses, they also serve as riding horses to the wealthy.
The Tiefanue hound is a tall and regal sight hound used for hunting deer and other large game. Prize bitches and studs have been known to sell for the cost of a small estate.
Tiefanue is also known for its high quality mutton and wool, and for its apple and pear orchards.
Fishing: Fishing fleets harvest tuna from the open sea southwest of Tiefanue, and red-fleshed salmon from the rivers. Although the strait is fished, fishermen never venture further east than Day'ten. It is said that fish from east of Day'ten are foul-tasting and deformed.
Technology: Some of the highest-skilled carriage makers in Maud'madir come from Tiefanue. Carriages are known for their excellent suspension systems, which have yet to be replicated by craftsmen in any other nation.
Tiefanue is also known for its high-quality crossbows and ballistas, and these weapons are highly sought after by mercenaries from all over the continent.
Ranks within Tiefanue
King (Your Majesty)
Crown Prince (Your Royal Highness)
The son of the King or Queen who is the apparent heir to the throne. The female form is Crown Princess.
Prince (Your Highness)
There are two types of Prince recognized by the Council of Peers. The first is the head of a city-state or small independent nation. The second is any child of royal birth. The female form is Princess. The dominion of a Prince may be a Principality.
Arch-Duke (Your Royal Grace)
An Arch-Duke is a Duke who is either of royal blood or is the highest ranking noble of an Arch-Duchy. Each of the five Arch-Duchies of Notia are lead by an Arch-Duke. The female form is Arch-Duchess.
Duke (Your Grace)
The highest rank of nobility. Dukes in the Kingdom of Tiefanue are subordinate to either the King or an Arch-Duke. The female form is Duchess. The dominion Duke is a Duchy.
Archbishop (Your Eminence)
An Archbishop is a powerful clergyman presiding over several bishops, generally as a geographic division. The area of authority over of an Archbishop is called an Arch-Diocese.
Primus (Your Arcane Eminence)
The leader of one of the recognized schools of the Arcane College. The title is non-hereditary and often the result of an election among the school's Arch-Mages.
Marquis (Your Grace)
A hereditary noble ruling a March or Marche. The female form is Marquessa.
Arcane Council Member (Your Arcane Grace)
Three mages from each of the various schools of the Arcane College are elected to the Arcane Council. Members are charged with setting policy and resolving disputes within the Arcane College.
Earl, Count(Your Eminence)
A hereditary noble title, The terms are dependant on region, but are used interchangeably. Sometimes owing fealty directly to the king, but usually a second or third tier noble. Female form is Countess, Earless
Viscount, Vizegraf (Your Noble Lordship)
The highest level of nobility which can be bestowed by a noble other than the rank of king. Viscounts may or may not be hereditary. In the case of non-hereditary Viscounty, the lands (if any) bestowed revert to the dominion of the liege at the time of the Viscount's death. Female forms are Viscountess and Vizegräfin.
Baron (Your Lordship)
The lowest level of hereditary nobility, Barons often do not hold dominion over anything larger than a manor and surrounds. Barons are often granted to great knights or adventurers who claim new lands in the name of a greater noble. The dominion of a Baron is called a Barony. The female form is Baroness.
Peer (Your Honour)
The heir apparent of a given noble will often be awarded a lesser included title, in which case, forms of address will be used as appropriate for that title. All other children of nobles will have the honorary title of peer. While not conveying any direct political powers, it does demand respect from lower social ranks. Children and grandchildren of bearers of noble titles retain the title of peer however, any successive generations will lose that right of blood unless a new title is bestowed. Those peers who have lost the right of address will often assume the honorific of Esquire which may be used indefinitely through subsequent generations.
Ambassador (Your Excellency)
An ambassador is an official representative of a dominion. They are usually sent on official business to other dominions. They are people who the liege finds to be very trustworthy as they often speak with the lord's authority.
Bishop (Your Excellency)
A bishop is a cleric in charge of a small geographic division of a faith called a diocese.
All churches in that area will be administered through the bishop's office.
Arcane Master (Your Arcane Prominence)
A high level wizard and member of the Arcane College.
Lord Magistrate (Your Honourable Lordship)
A non-hereditary noble who is tasked with dispensing the liege's justice within the dominion.
High Sheriff (Your Lordship)
An administrative office held over multiple shires.
Lord Mayor (Your Lordship)
A non-hereditary noble granted administrative dominion over a city.
Magistrate (Your Honour)
An assistant to the lord magistrate, usually responsible for one city or number of small rural villages. Magistrates are not considered nobles but as representatives of the law, any slight upon them my be construed as an insult to their liege.
Sheriff (Most Honourable Sir/Dame)
The administrative head of a shire. Charged with administering the liege's justice.
Grand Knight (Most Honourable Sir/Dame)
The highest rank among a knightly order. Each order may have a different method of selecting the grand knight, but it is often done by the order's patron.
Knight Commander (Most Honourable Sir/Dame)
The second highest rank among knightly orders, knight commanders have a great deal of martial authority and often hold other titles as well.
Knight Banneret (Right Honourable Sir/Dame)
The third highest rank among knightly orders. Knights banneret are allowed to fight under their own banners and often command other knights and a large number of supporting troops under that banner. They may hold other titles as well.
Knight Companion (Most Worthy Sir/Dame)
Knights companion are seasoned and trusted members of knightly orders.
Field and Flag Officers (Most Worthy Sir/Dame)
High ranking professional soldiers and sailors hold this order of precedence should they not have higher inclusive titles.
Magus (Arcane Sir/Magus)
An established and competent wizard is referred to as a mage. Most people give a good deal of respect (and room) to mages.
Knight Bachelor (Worthy Sir/Dame)
People who have been knighted by a monarch, but are not part of any knightly order.
Knight (Sir/Dame)
The lowest level of rank in the knightly orders.
Doctor Graduate (Doctor)
Learned scholars possessing one or more doctoral decrees from an accredited university.
Sergeant at Law (Squire)
Professional servants of the crown, chartered to council law within the Kingdom.
Esquire (Squire)
The first born son of a knight is afforded the honorific esquire and will by any terms be considered of free and gentle birth.
Gentleman (Master / Madam)
A reasonably wealthy person who has no claim on a more prestigious title.
Sergeant of Arms (Sergeant)
Professional soldiers who hold rank above conscripted and novice soldiers and sailors.
Yeoman (Socman)
The lowest free and property owning social rank.
Serf (Whatever demeaning term seems suitable)
Owning no land of their own, serfs work the manors and fields owned by others. They are often brutally mistreated.
The following dignitaries precede all of their own degree:
* The Earl Marshal
* Lord Steward
* Lord Chamberlain
* Ambassadors (by date of their credentials)
The following dignitaries precede all Dukes, except those of the blood royal:
* Archbishop of Kael.
* Lord High Chancellor
* Lord High Treasurer
