Krolar

About

Krolar is a collapsed empire. A collective of approximately two dozen small kingdoms, duchies and other variants of feudal statehood, in a general disarray without clear leadership or established new identities beyond the glory of the former empire.

Dominant Culture

The majority of the Krolaryn sub-nations follow a similar socio-cultural pattern. Having a common history, language and religion helps maintain a connected cultural identity.

Government

Krolar is no longer a cohesive empire under a singular government, instead it has broken into a large number of smaller city-states, kingdoms, and republics.

Composite Sub-Nations

There are twenty four sub-nations which claim former membership under the Krolaryn Empire.

• Fellmarch
• Galweelg
• Principality of Perhan
• Westermark

Religion

Dominant Religion

The dominant religion throughout the former empire of Krolar is worship of the Twinned Goddess. Regional differences in the church exist, but the core tenets and structure remain consistent across all sub-nations.

Minor Religions

There are very few alternative religions represented within Krolar. Persons from adjacent tribal nations may still follow their old beliefs, either in addition to, or as a hybrid belief system incorporating, the Twinned Goddess.

In some coastal areas, worship of Ytrure the sea goddess of the Ru-Pani has taken root, and even completely replaces belief in the Twinned Goddess in small settlements.

Integration with Civil

For most of Krolar the link between church and state is fairly strong, as the various monarchs turn to the church to give them legitimacy. The succession of monarchs and most criminal legal proceedings are strongly influenced by the doctrine of the church.

Architecture

Most buildings in the former empire follow similar patterns in materials and design. Some variance has arisen during the past few centuries with regional preferences shifting away from a singular national aesthetic.

Materials

Locally quarried stone, clay bricks, timber, and daub and wattle are common. In some areas, particularly around the Krolaryn Wastes, adobe is also a frequent material choice.

Designs

With allowance for regional differences, the general designs follow a preference towards practical and efficient floor plans, with some inventive methods for summer cooling and winter heating.

Houses

Typically a singular large communal room for social activities with a separate bed chamber for the whole family. Wealthier homes may have individual bedrooms for the parents, and for each occupant over the age of 4 sols. In urban environs, multi-family dwellings may be subdivided by floors, or into apartments. Row housing is common in more densely populated town districts, and three or four story dwellings are possible.

Workshops

Workshops are often incorporated into the familial common room in rural areas, but may be a third room in urban dwellings depending on the trade, and wealth of the family.

Warehouses / Barns

Barns tend to be shallow peaked rectangular structures with, with separate single story storage sheds attached with covered walkways, or shared awnings. Urban warehouses rarely exceed 2 stories in height, and include ramps for accessing upper levels.

Fortifications

Fortified structures will typically have a perimeter wall with small turreted towers at key points along their circumference, and a gatehouse strong point. One or more defensible buildings inside this outer wall will serve as a keep, and home for local noble residents.in border or frontier regions such structures may include a variety of workshops and storage within the walls, rather than in a separate village nearby. The wealth of the owner dictates the materials used, typically some combination of timber or stone.

Temples / Churchs

Most churches to Peolu and Ryla are stone and timber constructions which include a primary chapel that is circular in design, with a few attached dormitories, or other purposed buildings arrayed in a petal-like manner. Larger complexes in a few cities have more in common with keeps than with rural temples.

Palaces / Castles

Every sub-nation of the former empire has some sort of fortified structure used as the base of governance. These cover a range from simple keeps, to elaborate walled towns with impressive palaces as a centerpiece. These are usually of a stone and timber construction.

Timekeeping

Timeline

Founding

The original empire was founded by Umahn Krolar, who united several tribal groups and subsequently conquered the entire region.

Collapse

Mostly due to a lack of confidence in the empire after it conceded to an independent Iskander in 197 YG. The ruling family was fractured, and the empire split into smaller warring kingdoms and principalities. Different regions ceded at different times, but once the momentum was built it couldn't be stopped. Local groups found more in common with the immediate neighbours than the people in more distant parts of the empire, and united over these similarities and differences. The whole process took about two centuries. Even though people across the whole region still consider themselves Krolaryn, they are split into roughly two dozen different states at this time.

Key Events

• 98 YG - Subjugation of the Isk Archipelago
• 131-138 YG - Iskandean War for Independence
• 189 YG - End of hostilities with Iskander

Geography

Location

The Empire of Krolar spanned the central north of Annexea from the shores of the Torcastan Sea north to the Krolaryn Wastes, and from the forests of Western Annexea to the Sildar Mountains in the east.

Persons

List of Krolaryn Persons

See Also

Krolaryn (culture)

Krolaryn (people)