The Jointed Provinces

The Jointed Provinces is a collection of 12 duchies that was founded by King Ellis Graven and is now under the rule of King Rewnan IV. It is currently considered the strongest nation, both in economy and military strength.

Overview of The Jointed Provinces
The Jointed Provinces, was founded over a thousand years ago by King Ellis Graven. The empire grew outward from the capital city of Cortesia, forming alliances with the towns and cities around until finally reaching what it is today through war and diplomacy. The Jointed Provinces consists of 12 duchies (a territory owned by a duke or duchess who answers to the King), where the duke has three counts underneath him that deal with their respective counties. As such, the terrain make-up of the Provinces is extremely varied, from heavily wooded areas to great plains to mountain ranges. The most recent area added to the Provinces is that of Dourland, the northern most duchy in the kingdom which was taken 150 years ago in a conflict with The North called the War Under The Mountain. 15 years ago, during The Overreaching War, the Jointed Provinces established a foothold in Agralan by taking the city of Gokashka and it’s surrounding areas. Not large enough to be considered a true duchy, it is seen mostly as a “base of operations”. Slavery has been “abolished” there, much like in the rest of the Provinces, but the trade is still alive and well in the city, an awkward subject that many politicians and nobles refuse to address.

The current king of The Jointed Provinces is King Rewnan IV, who is in quickly declining health, and his two sons Prince Aester Rewnan and Prince Ernon. The King has a court of advisors that each oversee a specific job for the kingdom. A major force in the Provinces is the King’s Truth, which is an inquisition force that seeks out traitors and dissenters of the crown, as well as policing the city as a whole. A feared and shadowy faction, they are widely seen as a necessary force by the nobles, but a grim fact of life by the common folk.

The Sapphire Tournament is held in Cortesia, the Province capital, every year.

A shadow government also rules in the seedy underbelly of the Jointed Provinces, spanning across the duchies with a headquarters in most of the major cities. An organization known as the Cor’a’tai controls almost every aspect of organized crime and vice where they are located. The council is ruled by a mockery of the King’s own advisor system, one individual in charge of an entire branch of crime (for example there is a man in charge of all the brothels, there is a man in charge of all of the smugglers). Much like a union, each member pays their dues but they fall under the Cor’a’tai’s protection. Many criminals work outside of the Cor’a’tai, but often it puts them at odds.

The military force of the Provinces is quite large, with the entire war effort reaching about 150k troops, but the main force is the navy. With over 200 long boats and 50 frigates, the Provinces' ocean presence is the strongest of all neighboring countries. It’s reliance on the large mercenary companies is next to none, but often dukes or their counts will hire smaller bands to help defend their counties from wandering bands of bandits or raiders, specifically up in the north by Dourland.

The Duchies
Cortesia - Capital City: Cortesia, ruled by King Rewnan.


 * The most well managed of all duchies, roads are almost always repaired and brigands are the lowest in number out of any of the other duchies. Level, treeless ground almost the entire distance across, it is peppered with towns and major cities.

Dourland - Capital Northclave, ruled by Duke Issac Grant. Current Reagent Lord: Ophelia Irons


 * Extraordinarily cold compared to the other duchies, Dourland is a somewhat rough area to live. While not extraordinarily populated but extremely important as a foothold against the north as well as the iron trade. Duke Henchester is a proud man, but brash, refuses to ask for help when under attack by raiders, preferring to use his own knights and militia.

Waycre - Capital Chagton, ruled by Duchess Eileen Terra


 * Duchess Terra is a well liked duchess by her people and the country itself is fairly prosperous but she is a tad ineffective as far as military goes, way below quota in terms of soldiers for the Kings Army, the country is known for it’s relaxed attitude and the constant fairs, tournaments, and festivals that are thrown.

Gonlund - Capital Balanta, Ruled by Duke William Joven


 * Duke Joven is a 13 year old boy who rules, his parents both died from a mysterious illness when he was 12 with no other living relatives. Rumors of their death range from Gonlund’s counts conspiring to murder the Duke and Duchess to use William as a puppet to William himself orchestrating their deaths to gain control. Regardless, the country is heavily taxed but mostly a safe place to travel and live.

Prell - Capital Astrakane, Ruled by Duke Castor Layton


 * A small collection of islands off the coast of Gonlund, well known for their fishing and pearls, main exporter of fish in the Provinces and a majority of the naval vessels are built in Prell. Duke Layton is an honest man, his family has governed Prell since it’s joining of The Jointed Provinces.

Venaro - Capital Theem, ruled by Duke Shidar Ashar


 * A coastal duchy, centered around a peninsula, biggest trade market in the Provinces with traders coming from the North, South, Grastrum, and others. Very wealthy and is seen by the other duchies as decadent. Some of the best goods in the entire world can be found here. Duke Ashar keeps trade taxes low and turns his eye to the Cor’a’tai who run their smuggling operations out of Theem.

Odein - Capital Solaris, ruled by Duke Jean L’Beaux


 * Considered a dangerous place, this densely wooded mountain range has proven to be difficult to defend against roving bands of bandits and mountain men that call it home and have since before the Provinces took Odein as a duchy. Duke L’Beaux has tried hard to keep the roads safe but has not received much support from the King and has resorted to hiring mercenaries to help defend, which often does more harm than good.

Amdale - Capital Hammer’s Head, ruled by Duke Phillip Barrows.


 * More of a military state than any other of the duchies, Hammer’s Head is built  into a mountain side. A small duchy that was a tactical advantage at one point before Odein was taken, now it’s massive forts and fortifications mostly sit unused and crumbling, prone to squatters and vagrants. Duke Barrows is of failing health and the duchy is mostly ruled by the Counts.

Melenar - Capital Skygorge, ruled by Duke Finneas Strout.


 * A mountainous area, population is low but the people are hard and tough, bred to be large of body due to the harsh conditions. Melenar boasts the largest number of “heroes” born to it’s lands. It is even said that Gradius the Flathead was born and raised there. Duke Strout is a a man in his 60's, but is considered a great war hero, having survived and excelled in every major battle during the Overreaching War (including the siege of Gakoshka) in his 40's and countless battles prior in the South as a young man.

Glaeden - Capital Archmouth, ruled by the High Priest of the Exemplari Faith: Xenophon III

After the passing of the former high priest, The holy consensus named a priest from Theem as his successor. This priest took the name Xenophon III upon his commencement of the Apprentice’s Throne. Xenophon has proven to be a very conservative and Fundamentalist High Priest. His policy has been has been very aggressive to the undevoted pressing for more and more followers of the church. Despite some concern over his philosophy and teachings, the church has never been stronger.