Kythus

National Overview

Kythus occupies a length of the western shores of Anexëa. Bordered on the north, east and south by the Darlom mountains. The cliff coast of Kythus is on the Mërlëan Sea. The extent to which the country’s borders extend into the mountains is generally accepted to be the first set of mountain peaks, forming a jagged line.

The prevailing weather comes from the west over the Mërlëan Sea. The climate is generally moist, as the cliffs force the cool sea air up the mountains, causing frequent precipitation.

Population

The population of Kythus is almost exclusively treahni of Kythan stock, with the occasional Layor, Tabrani, Aralian or Corinthean immigrants, and quite rare Qulani.

Dominant Culture

Kythan

Government

Head of State

Üprewyna

Üprewyna Duncana II

Kythus is ruled by a Üprewyna (Over-chief/King). The title is hereditary, usually going to the first born son. There has only been a single family holding the crown since the amalgamation of the various great clans into a single nation.

Capitol

Möjres

Levels

National

Kythus is ruled by the Üprewyna, who sets the laws and policies for the nation. Administratively the nation is subdivided into four provinces, and in addition to the regional ministers, the Üprewyna has a council whom advise the monarch on key matters of state.

The current councillors are:

• Agriculture - Bakreövena
• Industry - Atonölna hyKlecüävy
• Military - Äsputhätna hyPälydotger
• Trade - Edäluva hyKwotülyu

Provincial

Provinces are administrative regions of the nation.

Divisions

Kythus is divided into 4 provinces (listed from north to south):

• Karelëa - The northern most province of Kythus, Karelëa's southern border is the Celvan river. The provincial seat is in Möjres.
• Estëva - Located south of Karelëa, this province's northern border is the Celvan river, and it's southern border in the Narn river. The provincial seat is in Zoöcger Pemep.
• Tenerëa - Located to the north of Südëa, this province's southern border is the Yges river, and its northern border is the Narn river. The provincial seat is in Osk.
• Südëa - The southern most province of Kythus. Südëa’s northern border is the Yges River, which flows from the Darlom Mountains to the Mërlëan Sea. The provincial seat is in Farsë.

Nybwymü

Each Province is under the supervision of an appointed Nybwyna or Nybwyva (provincial chief), who ensures that taxes are collected, and that the crowns laws are enforced. The position usually held by an important noble, who has good standing with the Üprewyna.

The four Nybwynü of Kythus are:

• Karelëa - Dëycna Naved
• Estëva - Owrëna Pënëla
• Tenerëa - Klecüna Pälöfrag
• Südëa - Häjena Bagavra

Elätwywymü

A portion of a Province under the control of a singular Twywyna or Twywyva.

Twywymü

Nobles who hold title and are the administrators of a provincial subdivision containing several Eläwymü.

Eläwynü

The lands possessed by a Wyna or Wyva through vassalage to the Üprewyna of Kythus. These are further subdivided into several smaller fiefs owned by the Wyna's or Wyva's own sworn vassals in turn.

Eläëdhëmü

The fief of an ëdhëna or ëdhëva, is usually a single village and associated land holdings granted to a individual noble vassal by their liege.

Ëdhëmü

A landed noble who controls at least one eläëdhë. They may benefit from the wealth of their lands, but owe a vassal fee in taxes to their liege in addition to any military support requirements.

City

Kythus has only a small number of settlements which qualify as cities. Such populous places are usually the holds of the Nybwyna, or other important nobles landholders. The noble landholder is free to appoint others to administer the daily business of city life, and many have a small council similar to that of the Üprewyna on a national level. Such positions may be appointed or elected as fitting with the desires of the landholder.

Commerce

Currency

The most common currency in Kythus is the penë, agaäcaspenë (simply a penë cut into halves) or wroäcaspenë (cut into four equal parts). Each province of Kythus mints its own coins, which bear the provincial crest on the obverse, and the name likeness and year of reign of the Üprewyna on the reverse. Occasionally Qulani Döls will surface, but most foreign coins such as Aralian or Tabrani currency are kept for trade with those nations and do not circulate in general. Usurers notes are common in Kythus for both international and inter-provincial trade. Among commoners, barter is the most common method of trade.

Military

Conflicts

Past

The War That Wasn't

721 YG

In the autumn of 721 YG, Üprewyna Sköharna III of Kythus declared war for a few hours on Kwakwolna, a Wyna in the southern province of Südëa, over a simple misunderstanding.

Religion

Dominant Religion

The majority of the population follow the Twinned Goddess. Peasants and commoners tend to worship Peolüva while the Nobility and wealthier merchants worship Rylava.

Minor Religions

Minority populations who retain much of their cultural roots will usually keep their religion as well, most notably the Layor

Integration with Civil

While the majority of the population are followers of some religion, the church does not directly dictate policy for the government. Many high ranking clergy often come from noble roots, which further blurs the lines between church and state, as most leadership and lawmakers do follow the moral code of their faith when determining right and wrong. As well, important ceremonies will include some role for the church to lend credence to the rightfulness of the proceedings.

Architecture

Materials

Timber and stone are used primarily for foundations and frames.Ground floors are typically packed dirt, or flagstone, while upper stories have plank floors. Planks or daub and wattle is typical for upper story walls. Roofing materiel may be thatch, cedar shingles or slate tiles.

Designs

Houses

Houses vary in design with the wealth of the occupants. Typical cottages are a three bay style, with two-thirds treahni, and one third livestock. Additional bays may be added to the end of the structure as needed to accommodate a growing family.

Wealthier urban homes tend to be built upwards, adding floors above a ground floor common room or workshop, for bedrooms and storage as required. Row housing is common in larger towns and cities.

Workshops

Small shops tend to occupy the ground floor of a home. Noisy or dirty professions are separate structures with more ceiling space, wide doors that open the shop to air flow, and a small yard area for supplies and outdoor work.

Warehouses / Barns

Large timber framed structures with an open interior. Some have lofts for storage, accessible by ramp, ladder, or stairs. Upper doors opening to a block and tackle or lift are common on larger structures.

Fortifications

Typically built of local stone, town walls and other defensive forts usually have small watch towers and gatehouses. A perimeter walkway along key lengths of the walls, and some crenellations or hoardings may be present as required by the defending forces.

Keeps

Built from local stone, Kythan Keeps are typically a square tower of three to four stories, with a walled court and small gatehouse. Some smaller watch towers may defend the corners of these perimeter walls, which usually have some walkway along the inside behind a crenellated parapet.

Castles

The design and architecture of castles are unique to each structure, although typically they are built from stone with nested walls, and a larger fortified keep. Such grand structures are usually built over a long span of years in several stages.

There are five significant castles in Kythus:

• Thaflat Pelabyger HyMojres / Mojres Castle - The royal seat, located in the capitol city of Mojres, stands high on a coastal cliff overlooking the two harbours and the split fjord which leads out to sea.
• Farsë - Provincial moot and the seat of the Nybwyna of Südëa province in Kythus.
• Zoöcger Pemep / South Hold - Provincial moot and the seat of the Nybwyna of Estëva province in Kythus.
• Jäl - The walled city of Jäl is the seat of Baron Ewen.
• Thaflat Pelabyger HyKödah / Castle of the Moon - Named for the red moon, this Kythan castle in Tenerëa province has been held by priestesses of Rylava, the Order of Seven Sorrows by royal charter since 728 YG.

Churches

Churches in Kythus vary from small timber and stone chapels in rural villages, to larger open spaced buildings high vaulted ceilings and large floors for congregations. The style and amount of decorations will reflect the relative wealth and age of the parish associated with a church. Most chapels or churches will have a few chambers attached to serve as living space for the parish priest and a few acolytes

Timekeeping

Calendar

Kythus uses the Saynoh Calendar and counts years in the Year of the Goddess reckoning.

Timeline

Founding

599 YG

Dynastic Timelines

Kythus has been ruled by the same dynastic line for the past 203 years.

The nine Üprewynü of Kythus are:

1. Sköharna (600-615 YG)
2. Cönokna (615-623 YG)
3. Cëratna (623-678 YG)
4. Sköharna II (678-712 YG)
5. Sköharna III (712-735 YG)
6. Duncana (735-757 YG)
7. Adalmërna (757-787 YG)
8. Adalmërna II (787-798 YG)
9. Duncana II (798 YG --) Current monarch

Key Events

190 - 213 YG - First Pëlöryk Wars

213 YG - Plague of Grey Death

275 - 297 YG - Second Pëlöryk Wars

590 - 599 YG - Third Pëlöryk Wars

599 YG - The great clans of the region united under a single monarch, founding the nation of Kythus.

625 YG - Construction began on Thaflat Pelabyger HyMojres

627 YG - Founding of the Arögoth hyVykrupelabüsnu by Üprewyna Cëratna

641 YG - Construction completed on Thaflat Pelabyger HyMojres

728 YG - Order of Seven Sorrows granted Thaflat Pelabyger HyKödah

Geography

Landmarks

Constructed

Thaflat Pelabyger HyMojres / Mojres Castle - The royal seat, located in the capitol city of Mojres, is quite impressive in size and design. Qulani masons were employed in its construction, and no other Kythan stronghold compares in strength, or beauty.

Natural

Celvan - A river which flows out of the Darlom mountains. Two falls of note exist upon the Celvan, Kemp’s Bluff, and the Calshan.

Yväcëskup - East Pass - A pass through the Darlom Mountains, linking Kythus with Tabras.

Kemp Hylaböm - Kemp's Bluff - A long escarpment which runs north south roughly half way between the coast and the foot of the Darlom Mountains proper.

Lake Saf - A large lake on the Saf River.

Narn - A river in Kythus flowing out of the Darlom Mountains. The Narn delimits the border between the provinces of Estëva and Tenerëa.

Saf River - A large river in Karelëa Province which flows west from the Darlom Mountains, South into lake Saf, then further south to meet the Celvan at Calshan Falls.

Ucepëskup - Silver Pass - A pass through the Darlom mountains, linking Kythus with Aralia.

Yges - A river in Kythus, flowing out of the Darloms mountains, then west into the sea. The Yges delimits the border between the provinces of Tenerëa (northern bank) and Südëa (southern bank).

Population Centres

The largest settlements of Kythus listed in order of population are:

1. Mojres - pop. 45,000
2. Farsë - pop. 27,000
3. Zoöcger Pemep - pop. 20,250
4. Jäl - pop. 15,200
5. Löcanth - pop. 11,400
6. Kwyger Pemep - pop. 8,550
7. Karnum - pop. 6,400
8. Arketh - pop. 4,800
9. Osk - pop. 3,600
10. Kemp Hylaböm - pop. 2,700
11. Ködah - pop. 2,050
12. Tuln - pop. 1,500

People

List of Kythan People

See Also

List of Kythan Settlements