Difference between revisions of "Duchy of Adria"
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== Culture == | == Culture == | ||
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== Social Organization == | == Social Organization == | ||
Revision as of 12:41, 1 August 2018
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The Duchy of Adria was originally one of the four major regions of the Reformed Kingdom of Oren, along with Savoie, Haense, and Vanaheim. It was first formed in 1510 by Franz Vladovic from the eastern counties of Oren after years of consolidation by the de Montfort family. In Atlas, the Duchy of Adria was reformed in the city of Belvitz and in the present day occupies the central lands of Renatus-Marna, located within the estuary of the Baltas River. It is ruled by House Sarkozic.
Contents
History
After the fall of the Kingdom of Renatus, the feudatories that first made up Adria were sovereign and self-ruled. The Briarwoods in the County of Owynswood to the north, the Vladovs on the mountain peak of the Barony of Woldzmir to their south, the Sarkozic de Montforts running a mercantile Barony of Montfort in the plateau on the southern foothills of Woldzmir, and the sprawling County of Werdenberg filling the fertile farmlands below.
The Baronial Council of Montfort decided that it would be in their best interest to work with their northern neighbor, and cousin by Carrion blood, House Vladov, to provide protection for Montfort and political guidance for Woldzmir. The two signed a treaty which established the Confederated County of Adria, named for the St. Adrian whose blood ran through the de Montforts' veins, and elected Franz Vladov as Count.
Through political manipulations and shows of force, the House de Montfort managed to wrest the County of Owynswood from the control of House Briarwood, and were on the edge of a war with the Briarwood's lords, de Savoie, were it not for a settlement of a paltry sum of 8,000 minas for the land to become part of Adria.
Continued political machinations of the House Sarkozic de Montfort, backed by the cold steel and international renowned of the Vladov Vanguard, led to the acquisition of the County of Werdenberg as a vassal, the Count Athelstan Stafyr swearing to Adria in exchange for the payment of the House Stafyr's back taxes. This expansion made the now March of Adria three counties large, and the Comital Council of Adria sought promotion to Ducal status for its great size.
After acquiring its Duchy, the Duke of Adria set his sights on a treasonous Barony to his west, Dragonspeak, into which he installed the Baron Illaustious Horen of Marna, and the southern County of Fursten and Barony of Kazirmir, all of which fell under the Adrian yoke.
When the great ships sailed for Vailor, shortly after the election of Hugues Sarkozic de Montfort to the Ducal seat, the Adrians sailed too, finding the fertile new heartland desirable for settlement. There they reestablished the Duchy of Adria, with the City of Brelus as its capital and the Vladov owned County of Barrowyk as its military center.
After the defeat of Adria at the hands of Augustus d'Amaury during the Dukes' War the lands and titles belonging to the former Duchy were given to Augustus who renamed the Duchy to Lorraine.
Reformation
The Second Duchy of Adria is an duchy located in the lands surrounding the estuary of the Baltas River. Located just south of the Cloud Temple and encompassing the frequently traveled "Whispering Crossroads" which connect most of the major nations of Atlas. The area quickly fell in favor with merchants, craftsmen, and laborers alike due to the easy access to waterways and frequently patrolled roads.
History
Initially the lands of Adria were settled by wayward farmers and fishermen. Its strategic geographical position allowed it to quickly grow out to become an important centre of trade in central Atlas. The first rulers of these lands were the Mercenarial Free Company of The Black Reiters, a group of equestrian mercenaries who settled the region along with the first wave of commoners.
Their rule did more to contain trade than to let it flourish, as they sought to live of these lands like any princely state would: By means of heavy taxation and curbing the rights of merchants and commoners in favour of the ruling elite. Eventually learning that their style of governance was detrimental to the region’s prosperity; and in turn their own; the company gradually began to delegate governmental power to local oligarchs. This increased the efficiency of trade flow and the general prosperity of the region. It also relieved the Reiters of their duty to govern, allowing them to pursue their mercenarial profession more efficiently.
This shift of governmental power to the oligarchs eventually culminated in the establishment of the Republic of Vrakai, in which the Reiters merely hold a handful of privileges and maintain an employment contract with the state. This strictly professional relation between the republic and the Reiters allows both parties to be left to pursue profit by merit of their profession in an independent political climate.
Culture
The Culture of the Duchy of Adria has seen a rather tragic change in the second coming of the once bastion of Raevir. Upon the diaspora of the Adrian people, half fled to the Hansetian Crown, sticking true to their highlander roots, while the other half, who would later come to inhabit the new settlement, integrated and were assimilated into Heartlander culture, most bearing Raevir names, but very loosely resembling anything of the sort. Most speak plain common, the vestiges of Raevir speak popping up occasionally.
Social Organization
Notably, the citizens of Adria are divided into two social classes: The commoners and the Burghers (or Bourgeoisie). This class system is maintained by rigorous laws that protect the rights and freedoms of the Burghers in order to allow them to pursue their mercantile ambitions. This eventually brings prosperity to all of the duchy as the wealth of the Bourgeoisie trickles down to the commoners.
Commoners make up the general population of the duchy and practise generic labour oriented professions like farming, carpentry, fishing, etc. In contrast with the local Bourgeoisie, they hold few freedoms. But compared to commoners in order human reams, they are relatively more free.
The Burghers are the elitary citizen class of the Duchy. As the driving force of the city’s trade oriented economy, the Burghers enjoy well deserved privileges such as: various trading rights; the right to bear arms; the right to bear heraldic arms; the right to suffrage in the election of consuls (provided they pay the suffrage tax upon casting their vote); the right to be tried by a burgher judge.
Government
The Duchy of Adria is governed by a ducal council made up of seven individuals: The Marshal, Seneschal, Ducal Purse, Lord Justicar, Scribe, Maer and Bishop of Belvitz.
The Senseschal and Chamberlain are mostly dedicated to the Ducal administration, such as the inner workings of the palace and the well being of the Duke. The Ducal Purse, Lord Justicar and Scribe control the inner workings of the Duchy, such as the flow of money, the rule of law and the written word from the Ducal Court. The Marshal controls the entire Adrian Military, including the all levies from noble houses and the Order of St. Emma, the local military order.
Perhaps the most interesting and unique part of Adria's government is its electoral succession. The patriarchs of every noble house in Adria, from Vladov to Valic, are given a vote upon the Duke's death in the election of a new Duke. The Successor must be of Carrion Blood, one drop being sufficient, a male, the patriarch of his house, and land-owning.
All positions in Adria are elected, however some are not bound to re-election, and are lifetime positions.
Law and Justice
The Duchy of Adria maintains three books of law, each concerning itself with an important aspect of society and the organisation thereof:
The Ducal Law covers the lawful workings of the duchy's institutions. It includes legislation on matters such as: government structure; vassals; and trade & monopoly rights.
The Common Code covers the legal rights and duties of the commoner class.
The Bourgeois Law determines the rights and freedoms of the Burgher class.
Security
For its security, the Duchy of Adria leads its own brigade, called 'the Greycloaks,' organised to protect the various trade caravans passing along the duchy's roads, but also to patrol the surrounding area and fend its domain from banditry. It also relies on privately contracted groups and companies.
Geography
