Dereth
Kingdom of Tarse
Pronounced: Dare-eth
Conqurerd in ___.
Sigil
A swooping black; the Black Hawk.
Banner
A black swooping hawk on a field
of green and two white horizontal stripes.
Capitial City
Tarse.
Symbols include the White Stag,
and the Great Hammer of Raith Dereth.
Race
Human.
Dereth commands a the western duchy within the Kingdom of Tarse, and lays to the south west of the capitial city.
Dereth and a number of other western cities were conquered and brought into the Kingdom, and so the people are different to that of Tarse and the founding Kingdom. Though over the long years they have adopted many of the Kingdoms customs, and can now barely remember in their history ever not being in the Kingdom, they have kept to many customs of old, and their garb is somewhat different to the eastern cities.
It is whispered on the edge of legends and folk tales that the people of Dereth and other such cities came from a small group of people by boat to the south in the name of claiming new land. It is faintly rumoured by those with an ear for it that way to the south below the Empire of Kanth is a country named Makiar of clan like folk whose garb and ways are like that of Dereth. A connection to the past perhaps?
This may also go to explain Dereth's,
and hence the Dukes, sigil of he swooping Black Hawk; it is thought that
he sought not to force the common people under his reign by force of wil
but by friendship, and the Black Hawk seemed to be some sort of totem spirit
to the conquered commoners (as best Raith could figure). The fact
that the black hawk is very rare in those parts around Dereth goes to support
this theory.
They are of like thought and custom
of their capital city, but they are more concerned with true honor and
justice (a result of the their old customs) and have yet to be deeply infected
by the pompousness of politics and nobles schemes.
They guard the southwest flank of the Kingdom from the Empire of Kanth. Though the Empires main body is separated from Dereth by a large river of the salt-water of the sea and makes it difficult for any prolonged attack to be sustained, it has not stopped it from attempting to extend their borders to the continent to its north.
A cease-fire of sorts is currently in place, as ambassadors and diplomats once again meet on the neutral Ashmoore Isles to discuss terms of a formal treaty or ending of hostilities, but these talks often break down into squabbling.
Because of animosity between the two nations trading between them is small and ponderous, but citizens of each desire the ‘exotic’ and well-made items of the other, making for a profitable black market for smugglers willing to risk the laws wrath.
At the duchys northern border, along
part of the Blue Mountains, more mongrel foes lie in wait, those of the
Dark Elf and T'Lukta races. Yampi (and to a lesser degree Kembla)
are charged with the protection of this stretch of Mountain within the
duchys borders.
Dereth has a sea port, but that is only secondary to its more land based design, gathering most of their food from crops of wheat instead of fish from the sea, and trading over-land within the Kingdom (not taking into account Dereths seedier market) and to the far north at the dwarven towns, for those feeling to taking the long journey.
Duke Nathan Darsh currently reigns over Dereth. The people love him for he is generous and his justice is even-handed, tolerating no corruption within his administration. The Duke is 45, and has ruled since the age of 25 when his father took ill and soon after died.
Dereth has a large garrison because of the threat to the south and so has a standing light cavalry, but is renowned for its ‘Trail Seekers’, the scouts and trackers whose skill is almost as good as their near legendary reputation (Stemming from the conquring of the then named Notham by Raith Dereth).
The people of Dereth dabble little in vain politics like those in the east, and concern themselves with the running of an honest government.
As Duke, Nathan Darsh has command
over the Barons of Natalla, Yampi, and the Mayor of Kembla within his duchy.
Dereths buildings are made from a mainly grey stone, carted down from the large quarry of Yampi at the edge of the Blue Mountains, and though expensive for the length of the journey, it is a sturdy and durable rock.
The original Keep however, which has been built around and added to, was made of a creamy brown sandstone like rock that was local to the area soon after Dereth was conquered by Raith Dereth over two centuries ago.
Great tapestries line the halls of the Dereth Palace, once the old Keep, depicting great battle scenes of their many victories and the legendary hunt of the White Stag.
On the wall behind and above the
throne of Dereth rests the huge battle hammer of the conquerer and first
ruler, Raith Dereth. It is the most prized artifact of Dereth and
is kept well persevered for it is almost ancient in age by the measure
of man, constantly tended with reverent hands. The oak of its making
was tough, and has only become tougher with age to that almost like stone.
The Thornwood forest stretches out
and encases Dereth like a crescent moon from the northeast. It is
the forest wear in folklore Raith Dereth undertook the hunt of the White
Stag that lasted a week and a night before one of Dereth’s arrow finally
felled the evasive stag.
The people of Dereth wear clothes very different to those of Tarse. Men wear elbow length shirts of stout thick wool over long sleeved shirts (often of a thinner weave) that reaches to the wrists, with belted trousers. Women commonly wear ___.
The only difference between the clothes
of the common and noble people is mainly the quality and type of material
used, such as silk and metallic threads. The peoples of Natalla,
Yampi and Kembla’s also wear clothes similar to that of Dereth and not
Tarse, for they two were also conqured into the Kingdom, not founded by
it.
Those of Dereth use a different common greeting of respect like then that of Tarse City; it is a slight inclination of the head whilst pressing the right hand to forehead, mouth and chest in that order. This indicates they come to you with clarity of mind, truth of tongue, and compassion of heart.
Military
The Captain-General or Swordmaster,
as the title is also called, who is appointed by the Duke, is the leader
of the military forces of the duchy and the Dukes Military Advisor.
The current Captain-General is Justin Ruane.
The garb of the City Guard is like that of the army, for the City Guard is a contigent of that, with enlisted officers charged with keeping the peace in times of war, and also freely levied if needed, and therefore have two titles. The current Captain of the Dereth Guard is Troy Sterk, whose rank also makes him Sheriff of Dereth.
The uniform is.... <Look below>.
The uniform of the Kings Guard is ....
The common weapon is a longsword, used in congunction with a shield in times of open war, but bare-handed brawling style fighting is taught along side it. The Captain-General wisely see's that the more well-trained an army is to handle any situation, the long it will, literaly, live longer.
Fighitng with a mace, war hammer or great hammer is encouraged, in honor of Raith Dereth, but is not mandatory.
Surronding Geography
Salters Point.
Persons of Note
Troy Sterk, Captain of the Dereth
Guard, in uniform with a Great Hammer made in the image of Raith Dereth’s
fabled own -
Valhad El’Tain. Dark Elf
Advisor to Duke Darsh of Dereth –