I plan on separating out the rather long history of the Krondaharians (like I will the Kaelics) later on and having a short summation of it relating directly to the Principality of Krondahar as I did with the Flaem and Bergdhoven when this all gets sent to Pandius. As it is this is a rather long writeup. Note I corrected what I found to be errors in Gaz3 regarding Singhabad's base dominion status and it's AC 1000 PV.
Krondahar, Principality of
by Michael BerryArea:
1,176 square miles
Population:
AC 1000 - 26,540
AC 1014 - 23,886
Towns: (population values are given for AC 1000 and AC 1014)
Braastar (7500/7000)
Selected Villages: (population values are given for AC 1000 and AC 1014)
Bajanchongor: (1,381) Lies at southern side of the bridge connecting Bergdhoven with Krondahar.
Sajnšand: (790) is a large village in the hills just to the north of the Palace complex of Singhabad. The village is considered a ‘bedroom’ community of Singhabad with many of the village’s residents working in numerous facets at the Palace.
Altaj: (478) is a new settlement 16 miles southeast of Braastar, on the border with Dunvegan to the south. The village was formed by refugees displace when they were relocated from the Dunvegan region when it became a Marquisate. Prince Jherek personally oversaw the relocation and financed the construction of the new village. The village is engaged primarily in tend to the large populations of cattle in the surrounding hills.
?rd?n?t: (619) is farming village in the northeast corner of the Principality close to the border with Klantyre. The region provides a bounty of nuts and spices which are used for traditional Krondaharan cuisine and for export throughout Glantri.
Ethnic groups:
Ethengarian 70%, Flaem 15%, Kaelic 10%, Fen 3%, Lupin 1%, Others 1%
Languages:
Ethengarian, Thyatin Common
Ruler:
Prince Jherek Virayana IV: Khan (Count) of Singhabad, Supreme Judge of the Council, Commander of Jherek’s Division AC1000-1005, Commander of Army Group Center AC1005-1009, Deputy Commander of 3rd Army Corp and Commander of Glantrian 5th and 13th Div.
Born AC 958, M27 (AC 1000) M36 (AC 1014), Dream Master of 5th Circle, AL-Neutral
Family:
Lady Lan-Syn (wife): born AC 970, M17 (AC 1000) M19 (AC 1014) 4th Circle Illusionist, AL - Chaotic
Aleah (wife): born AC 970, T17, AL - Chaotic
Waira (wife): born AC 976, F14, AL - Chaotic
Sir Ralindi (son and heir): born AC 990, M4 (AC 1000) M11 (AC 1014), 3rd Circle Illusionist, AL - Neutral
Sir Rejladen (son): born AC 993, M1 (AC 1000) M8 (AC 1014), 1st Circle Illusionist, AL - Lawful
House:
Singhabad
AC 1000 - Voting Power: 24 at the Council, 38 at the Parliament
Allies: Lord John Beaumarys-Moorkroft, Duke of Hightower (M16); Lord Urmahid Krinagar (M15), Count of Skullhorn Pass
AC 1014 – Voting Power 24 at the Council, 33 at the Parliament
Allies: Lady Judith Beaumarys-Moorkroft (M11), Archduke of Westheath
Military:
Prince Jherek is a commander of the Grand Army of Glantri. Prior to the Great War he commanded a single division. During the Great War he commanded Army Group Center. After the Great War the Glantrian Military Reorganisation Act of AC 1010 was passed. The Glantrian Grand Army was now to consist of 16 Divisions. In times of peace the divisions are organized into 8 2-division sections, with the further tactical flexibility available in times of need to be organized into 4 4-division corps. Jherek was designated deputy command of the Glantrian 3rd Army Corp, the Shield of the East, which includes of the two divisions of Corp Commander Princess Carnelia and the two divisions of Prince Jherek, his original division the 5th Infantry Division and the 13th Infantry Division. The 5th Division’s 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Banners are currently stationed at Camp Bramyra. The 13th Division’s 2nd and 3rd Banners are stationed at Skullhorn Pass Tower. The 1st Banners of both the 5th and 13th is stationed at Skullhorn Pass Camp. The 4th Banner of the 13th Division is currently stationed at Braastar and polices Krondahar and free territories within 48 miles. Prince Jherek maintains a personal garrison of 150 infantry and 50 cavalry, plus 15 city guards in Braastar and 10 elite guards for personal defense.
Jherek's Divisions
Division Commander 5th and 13th divisions: Prince Jherek Virayana IV (M36, Dream Master 5th)
Brigadiers - 5th Div: Subutai Virayana (F24), 13th Div: Goibban Bushgu (M16)
Head Mage - 5th Div: Lan-Syn Virayana (M17 Dream Master 4th), 10th Div: Kogotal Goihan (M18)
Knight- 2nd Div: Kassar (F30, Plate +5, Lance +4, Short Bow +2, Longsword +3, riding superior warhorse), 10th Div: Tuda Solem (F24, Leather +5, Short Bow +4, 20 Arrows +3, riding superior warhorse)
Fighting troops: 860
Total (including officers, aids and logistics banner): 950
Headquarters: Bramyra Camp
Peacetime Deployment - watching and protecting eastern border from the Khan of Ethengar
War deployment: primary mission of the divisions is the defence of Skullhorn Pass ... at any and all costs. Secondary mission is the defence of Bramyra and Glantri east of the Colossus Mountains until reinforcements can be brought from Glantri City to hold the pass in case of a major invasion.
Breakdowns of Jherek's Divisions
Jherek's divisions are fully mounted. Soldiers of sergeant status and higher have magical items (about 5%). The entire division is almost totally made of Krondahar warriors. All the Banners are highly trained and have the unique ability of shooting missiles, and casting spells while riding. Spellcasters of the 1st Banners are recruited from Krondaharan noble families, and service within the banner is generally 'expected' of young male arcaner nobles. The divisions take their responsibility as defenders of Glantri to the east very seriously knowing the cultural bias, and distrust that still exists against them in some quarters of Glantri.
The following applies to both the 5th and 13th divisions
1st Banner ('The White Lions'): 120 elite (M3) human cavalry armed with slings and staffs, riding warhorses; plus 4 sergeants (M5), 2 Lieutenants (M7) and a captain (M9). All mounted on superior riding horses.
unlike many divisions where the 1st Banner is the scout, reconnaissance unit the Krondahar divisions use the 1st banner as a combat formation usually holding it in reserve or as shock troops. Due to the upper class, noble membership of the Banners every mage in the banner has at least one magical item. Many of them are gifts from family members who served in the Banner themselves in their generation. Most of the Banner have been educated at the Great School and have learned special techniques for casting spells while riding.
2nd Banner ('The Black Lions'): 240 Brataks (T4) daggers and short bows; 8 sergeants (F6); 2 Lieutenants (F7) 1 captain (F9). All mounted on riding horses
The scout and ambush Banner of the Krondahar division.
3rd Banner('The Blue Lions'): 240 elite cavalry (F3) short bows, lance, banded armor, riding superior riding horses; 8 sergeants (F5), 2 Lieutenants (F7), 1 Captain (F9)
4th Banner ('The Grey Lions'): as 3rd Banner
The 3rd and 4th Banners are the main combat formations of the Krondahar divisions
History:
The history of the Principality of Krondahar and its population of ethnic Ethengarians is a long and complex one, and one that is not told in any of the available texts on Glantrian history. Yes, children in Glantri all have read stories of the bloodthirsty men of the Steppes raiding Glantri. All have read of the invasion of AC 645. However one growing up in Glantri today might be surprised to know that the ban of immigration from Ethengar has not always been in place, that there was a time where immigrants from Ethengar could come to Glantri and not risk death or imprisonment.
It is a fact that clans of Ethengarians have resided in Glantri since well before the 40 Years War. What is unclear from other sources is just when they arrived. One recently discovered document, one ascertained to be of a high degree of reliability, has claimed the Ethengarian clans that later made up the Krondaharan Principality were the remnants of invaders that were caught on the western side of the Colossus Mounts when raids and invasions were pushed back from the Highlands back into the Steppe. The leader of the isolated group, a Hakomon , insisted upon staying in the Highlands instead of trying to fight their way back to the Steppes. It is suspected he was drawn to something within the Highlands, but this might be just speculation. They adopted the land they were caught in as their own. They rejected overtures, in effect orders, from the Great Khan to continue raiding and create havoc for the Flaem. Thus the clans that remained in Glantri were forever labeled as traitors against their nation.
As might be expected in such a hostile environment, the three clans that made up the majority of those left in the Highlands banded together and lived in the Elf dominated areas of the southern Highlands. The three clans, the Tsembu, Virayana, and the Nargabai; remained an insular community with regard to the rest of the Highlands. Their numbers grew slowly but steadily with the additions of the rest of the three clans members from Ethengar who came to join them and the addition of other clans which came over the next 100 years before the border was in effect sealed. They remained a nearly invisible segment of the Highland population even as great events began to sweep across the area. In the years after the Ethengarians settled in the Highlands two major wars between the Flaem and Ethengar broke out. The Khan launched a full scale offensive against the Flaem which was repulsed at Skullhorn Pass in AC645 and a counter-offensive by the Flaem against the Khan 17 years later. The ‘3 Clans’ as they were known as, stayed out of those events and fighting between the Flaem and the Belcadiz Elves, but soon events were to come which the clans could not stay out of, thus they finally did become a true part of the Highlands. The Ethengarians, over the years, adapted to the Highlands and lost their nomadic nature. They founded settlements and grew crops in addition to tending to their herds of cattle. Ethengarian spellcasters learned magic in the style of the Highlands and were no longer called Hakomon but were called mages and wizards.
A large scale wave of immigration from outside the Highlands started in the 8th Century that raised tensions substantially in the Highlands. Large numbers of Thyatian, and Traladaran settlers came to the Highlands and pushed against the Flaems, who already were fighting sporadically with the southern Elves and who felt entitled to the whole of the Highlands. Finally war broke out in AC785 between the settlers and the Flaems. The 3 Clans felt as if they had no part in the fight and stayed out at first, as did the Belcadiz. After the settler’s crushing defeat at Braejr, the Belcadiz were persuaded to join the settler’s side and the 3 Clans were approached by Halzunthram, the leader of a recently arrived group of Alphatian settlers that immediately joined the side of the settlers. The Alphatian leader was politely refused and was told the Ethengarians just wanted to live in peace and did not want to get involved. Events soon outstripped their desires as the Flaems were defeated at the Battle of Braastar and a new ruling council was set up but was immediately captured by Halzunthram who declared the Highlands now a part of the mighty Alphatian Empire.
After staying out of the war for the first years of what came to be known as the 40 Years War, the son of the leader of the Nargabai clan, the mighty warrior, Bogdo Khan finally had enough of sitting a good fight out on the sideline and announced to the other clan chiefs that he would entering the war with the permission of his father. He was to lead his clan, with the Belcadiz who had finally entered the war. The other two major clan heads, both wizards; Humudin Tsembu and Toktai Virayana , seeing that war was going to find them and now was the time to make their mark in the shaping of their land agreed that the Ethengarians should join the rebels and against Halzunthram.
The rebels were hard pressed at the time with a major offensive by Halzunthram having defeated the rebels at the 2nd Battle of Braastar and were on the Nil River and making preparations to attack the Flaem heartland directly. New battle plans were drawn up to take advantage of the new Elf and Ethengarian formations available to the rebel generals. A plan was made to relieve the pressure on the Flaem and possibly end the war by trapping and capturing Halzunthram himself. In the spring of 805 the rebels launched their counter-offensive and in the 3rd Battle of Braastar the troops of Humudin Tsembu cracked the centre of the Imperial lines held by Hattian heavy foot and won the battle forcing the Imperial forces to withdraw. Plans to trap their forces against the river had to be dropped due to horrible casualties the rebels suffered. The Flaem were slow to pursue out of the Bergdhoven region and Halzunthram escaped. The Ethengarian troops and their battle leaders were the toast of the army that evening and earned great praise and honour from rebel leaders.
In addition to gaining the respect of the rebel leaders, they also gained the enmity of the Imperial leaders, especially Halzunthram himself, and in the fall of the same year a major Imperial operation was directed at the Ethengarian lands to the south. Before the attack was repulsed hundreds of innocents were killed or disappeared and much of their livestock killed or taken away. The 3 clan heads demanded that they be allowed to move their people to the north away from the front lines to the south. The clan heads were told to move their people to the ruins of Braastar since it had been pretty much depopulated and destroyed in the fighting of 804 and 805. By 807 the ‘3 clans’ had resettled to the north. By account of his part in the victory in Braastar, Humudin Tsembu had his clan settle in the Braastar area and he directed his clan to begin picking up the pieces and rebuild as best they can. The clan of Virayana settled in the hills to the east of Braastar, and the Nargabai’s under supervision of Bogdo Khan’s father, Gegen settled around the Kaelic village of Tavish to the northeast of Braastar. For the remainder of the war, the Tsembu clan worked on rebuilding Braastar, the Virayana’s founded the village of Sajnšand, and called their new area Singhabad, while the Nargabai’s treated the Kaelics of Tavish very badly. They ruled with an iron hand to make sure that Ethengarian values and culture would predominate here, even making alcoholic beverages forbidden.
Halzunthram made several attempts during the following years to invade and conquer the new Ethengarian areas but was never able to penetrate the powerful cavalry divisions of the Ethengarian forces with formidable mages as support. It was during one of these campaigns, in 828 to the southeast of Braastar in the present day Marquisate of Dunvegan when Halzunthram was relaxing from the rigors of campaigning with a little Dwarf Hunting that he was captured by the Thyatian commander Lord Glantri. Thus finally the 40 Year War came to an end and the process of creating a new nation began.
The Ethengarians, having played a pivotal part in the war as well as being a large ethnic group within the Highlands, were granted a seat on the ruling council. Birkai Virayana took the position on account of having more experience dealing with the internal politics among the various ethnic groups. While Bogdo Khan was at the front leading the Ethengarian forces, and Babayun Tsembu remained in Braastar overseeing the rebuilding of the town, Birkai represented Ethengarian interests at the headquarters of rebel forces. With the political realignment of 828 all three were given Marquisates under the new Glantrian political system. The hills east of Braastar was now the Marquisate of Singhabad and was given to Birkai. The town of Braastar and the rich river valley around the town was called the Marquisate of Braastar and was given to Babayun. In spite the protests made by the Kaelics, the Council gave the village of Tavish and the surrounding area to Bogdo Khan in recognition of being one of the rebel alliances greatest commanders. The area was designated the Marquisate of Tavish. The post year wars were not quiet ones for the Ethengarians though. Babayun Tsembu passed away just two years after the war and his grandson Humudin succeeds him, a powerful mage who was a combat veteran of the 40 year war and with no shortage of ambition. Bogdo Khan as a result of his father’s tyrannical rule found himself engaged in a guerrilla war against Kaelic rebels in Tavish. The Kaelic rebels used the County of Kopstar as base and hideout knowing the Ethengarians wouldn't be willing to follow them in Flaemish territories thus risking a war with the Flaems. Authorities in Kopstar supported the Kaelics with the blessing of the Flaem Council member Frederick Vlaardoen. Bogdo Khan had previously asked Birkai Virayana and Babayun Tsembu to help him against Kaelic rebels in his fief, but they both refused which infuriated the fiery leader of the Nargabais. He was refused again by Humudin thus Bogdo stepped up his attacks against Kaelics, vowing to have his revenge on the other two Ethengarian nobles when the time was right.
In AC 835 Birkai Virayana’s life ended in one of the most notorious events in Glantrian political history. Birkai was killed along with the hero and founder of the Republic which bore his name, Alexander Glantri, by Vortram the Council member of the Alphatian faction. There was no apparent motive at the time for the murders which occurred suddenly during a normal, peaceful Council meeting. However a book circulated the capital around 20 years ago that offered some new analysis. The books are said to have disappeared however, as well as the author and the publisher. It appears that someone’s relative didn’t like what the book insinuated. A few copies are rumored to be in private collections but due to the disappearances, no one will admit to having one for obvious reasons. Vortram was quickly executed after the murders and Birkai’s son, Toktai Virayana, took over Singhabad. The position of Ethengarian Council member though took a year to resolve and finally came down to a duel between Toktai and Humudin. Toktai won the duel, and Council seat, and surprised everyone by sparing the life of his rival when he had him defenceless and beaten. However like much in Glantri what is seen is just the tip of the iceberg. In exchange for having his life spared, Humudin is forced to swear to Toktai he'll offer his help against Bogdo Khan if such necessity will arise in future. Of course this was not divulged publicly. In 836 Toktai took his place on the ruling Council of Glantri. Meanwhile the war in Tavish continued on. In 847 Moritz Vlaardoen succeeds his grandfather, Frederick, as Viscount of Linden and head of the Flaems at the Council. Moritz institutes a policy of materially assisting the Kaelic rebels instead of merely letting them hide in Flaemish lands which continues to prolong the fighting. Toktai is aware of what Moritz is up to and Toktai didn’t care that much, it was better for him for the Flaems to scheme against his bitter enemy Bogdo Khan than him.
The defining event of Glantrian history, the Light of Rad in occurred in 858, when nobility was restricted to arcaners. The Light of Rad decision in a stroke made a commoner of Bogdo Khan, who was a fighter of high level, and took his Marquisate away from him. Soon after the Light of Rad was approved, Alexius Glantri, Archduke of Westheath was the first to raise his voice against it. He declared that was not was his father had in mind for the country and that he wouldn't accept the decision. He rebelled against the decision with other now mundaner ex-nobles such as Dieter Löwenroth, Baron of Graez; Eberhard Wechsen, Baron of Altendorf; Giselbert Vantte, Baron of Vorstadt; Julius Kern, Viscount of Ostbruck; Bruno and Kurt von Drachenfels; and Bogdo Khan, Marquise of Tavish. When Bogdo Khan rebelled against the Council and Parliament, Toktai took the opportunity to eliminate his political rival for good. Toktai Virayana, with the help of Humudin Tsembu, who had promised this long ago, attacked Bogdo Khan. In the following campaign against Bogdo, Humudin saw firsthand how much the Kaelics in Tavish were against Ethengarian rule, and knowing how politically savvy Toktai Virayana was, Humudin Tsembu realized what was to come of his fief in Braastar. Humudin had thought that Braastar would remain independent and that the new Principality would involve Tavish and northern areas. After seeing the resistance to Ethengarian rule he realises that only other direction for Toktai’s principality is Braastar. In 859 Humudin challenged Toktai Virayana to another duel, and lost again. However this time there was no mercy offered by Toktai and Humudin lost his life. After the duel, Toktai killed all Humudin's male relatives and sold the women to slavery. The campaign continued against Bogdo for some years and the matter of Toktai’s Principality was left open by the Council until Bogdo’s rebellion was crushed. Bogdo was known as a skilled military leader and in the rebellion he lived up to his reputation and continuously befuddled the Council with his hit and run tactics and guerrilla warfare. After 860, the last remaining rebels including and led by Bogdo Khan combined their forces and continued waging guerrilla war, with the rebels striking here and there and combined forces made up of: Ethengarians, Kaelics, and Elves, trying to capture them. Bogdo Khan finally fell in battle in 868 and the rebellion finally came to an end.
With the end of the rebellion the borders of the new Principality of Krondahar could finally be established. The Principality was formally established with the former Marquisate of Braastar being annexed into the lands of Krondahar which includes the old lands of Singhabad which will be the seat of Virayana power. The resistance of the Kaelics to Ethengarian rule was noted by all and it was decided to leave the area under Council supervision for some time. The borders of Krondahar were established in a 1200 sq miles area between the Vesubian and Til Rivers in the west to the Colossus Mounts in the east with Tavish being the northern limit of the Principality. Tavish would later become part of the new Principality of Klantyre.
Toktai ruled over Krondahar for many years till his death in AC896 at the age of 85. During the years of peace he oversaw a strengthening of relations with the Kaelics, the completion of the rebuilding of Braastar into a masterpiece of Ethengarian architecture, the completion of a massive palace complex at Singhabad, and the establishment of a vibrant economy with the flourishing of the manufacturing of high quality silk, vast cattle herds, and substantial quantities of spices for export. After Toktai’s death and the disappearance of his oldest son Kublai Virayana, the eldest son and heir apparent of Prince Toktai who had been an apprentice of his uncle and Toktai’s brother, the legendary Jherek Virayana, also known as ‘Jherek the Dream Walker’, Toktai’s youngest son Momai became the Prince of Krondahar. Prince Momai was far more interested in research than ruling and spent all of his time in his laboratories deep within Singhabad. Upon Kublai’s return to Glantri after renaming himself Jherek II he demanded his birthright as Prince of Krondahar. Naturally Momai refused repeated requests and finally after Jherek survived a particularly vicious assassination attempt in 940; one of the legendary duels in the history of Glantri ensued in the halls of Singhabad where Jherek II was slain. After some years, Jherek’s son, Jherek III returned to Glantri from exile in Ylaruam after hiding from Mumbai’s assassins.
In 950 Jherek III challenged Mumbai to a formal duel at the Wizard’s Court for the throne of Krondahar where one of the stranger duels in the history of Glantri occurred. What followed was probably best described in the notorious Glantrian book 'A View to a Kill... 10 Famous Glantrian Duels' (Reprinted without permission...though we tried haha. It seems the author went missing a short time after the book was published... as well as the publisher)
“…….the gathered crowd was surprised to witness a haggard-looking Prince Momai, too exhausted from lack of sleep to complete his famous long-ranged fireball spell. Jherek did not even move, as Momai began trembling and collapsed to the ground. When the duelling shield is dispelled, Prince Momai was dead on the ground, his face locked in a mask of abject terror.”
Prince Jherek III was confirmed that day as the next Prince of Krondahar. He was succeeded by his son Jherek IV, the current Prince of Krondahar in 989 after Jherek III fell to his death while mountain climbing. Today Krondahar is known as one of the most peaceful and prosperous Principalities in Glantri.
Food:
Surplus food, exported throughout Glantri.
Trails:
The Northern Principality road enters Krondahar from Taterhill to the south. It is the major north-south thoroughfare in the central Highlands. It has rated a good quality trail, though some at the Capital have wondered if it might not be wise to have the road paved. The road from Taterhill comes into Braastar then and continues to Bajanchongor and over the Wilembrug Bridge and into Bergdhoven. The Braastar-Rymskigrad Road leaves Braastar to the north. It continues through the heart of Krondahar and north into Klantyre. A smaller fair trail connects smaller settlements to the larger ones. The Vesubian and Til Rivers are navigable to large ships.
Economics:
Krondahar is a rich region with its silk being quite famous and exported throughout the known world. The area also handles large amounts of grazing animals such as sheep, goats, and especially cattle. The Principality also is known for its leather working and Krondaharan saddles are much in demand for their rugged quality and superb craftsmanship. Spices such as paprika, pepper, especially marjoram are grown here and are a great cash crop for the Prince. The craftsmen of Braastar are renowned for their craftsmanship with metalworking. Finally Krondahar is noted for a breed of small horse that is raised here that is often used for children of nobles throughout Glantri.
Krondaharian Monthly Financial Ledger (figures from AC1000)
Main Resources: 1 vegetable (silk), 1 animal (cattle)
8 hexes: hills; rural; pop. 2240; tax 224 dc
8 hexes: clear; rural; pop. 8960; tax 896 dc
1 hex: clear, suburban; pop. 1120; tax 336 dc
4 hexes: clear, river; rural; pop. 6720; tax 672 dc
Braastar: large town; pop. 7500; tax 3000 dc
Total population: 7500 large town, 1120 suburban, 17920 rural
Tax Income: 5128 dc
Resource Income: 15384 dc
Standard Income: 27680 dc
Council Tax: 9638 dc
Net Cash: 10874 dc
Overhead (60%): 6524 dc
Available Cash: 4350 dc
With 246144 XP/year, in 10 years Jherek Virayana gains 2461440 XP, rising from M27 to M36!
Alternate: 61536 XP/year, rises to M31.
Cultural Curiosities:
FOOD
Welcome back Micky the Mage with the latest installment in his culinary travels. Today we find him in Krondahar!
Hi all! A short stop on the way back home to Glantri City from Glenmoorloch finds us in the old town of Braastar. So what is Krondarian cuisine like? It is not like Bramyrian thank goodness at least. Peasants in Krondahar eat, generally-speaking, the same vegetable-laden diet typical of the Glantrian low-born. The culinary habits of the nobility, however, are interesting if exceedingly lavish. Although the nobles of House Singhabad are of Ethengarian descent, once in Glantri they found Ethengarian food far too austere to serve to courtiers accustomed to the cuisine of exotic Belcadiz, subtle Nouvelle Averoigne, or spicy Caurenze. So court cooks added liberal amounts of cream, ghee (clarified butter), yoghurt (for which Krondahar is famous), spices, raisins, and nuts to meat dishes, pullaos (rice dishes), and samosas (savoury filled pastries). They developed their own delicacies and cooking methods, as well. The number of meat dishes was increased and often included spiced meats ground with wheat. Slowly braising meats or vegetables with a spiced yoghurt and butter sauce in a tightly-sealed pan--a preparation known as dumpukht--is associated with Krondaharan cuisine.
Tikkas--spiced and barbecued beef, mutton, or chicken--are also popular. Vegetable dishes include dhal (lentil mush), spicy spinach, cabbage, and peas. Baked and deep-fried breads, such as roti, chapattis, puri, halwa, and nan, pepper the menu. Those early cooks also developed their share of sweets: the rich, mountain-frozen confection known as kulfi (made of ground almonds and pistachios, cream and sugar, and flavoured with saffron), and the jilebi, a swirl of fried pastry soaked in sugar syrup. The most common sweet is barfi (it pays to overlook the name), which is made of dried milk solids and comes in a variety of flavours. To wash it all down, there are a very few brewers in Braastar, but their fare rivals that of Bergdhoven to the northwest. Tea with milk is appreciated and loved by everybody, in any season. Tea is an essential part of the daily diet.
Well friends. I am due for another vacation. Yes, I'm sorry but what good is being rich and famous if you can not enjoy it!! The good news is when I return I will going to the culinary hot beds of Glantri; the two Averoignian Principalities so it will be worth the wait. Cheers everyone!
DRESS
Class also determines, to an extent, how one does dress in Krondahar. The peasantry fashions their clothing--usually plain brown or grey homespun tunics and trousers or belted robes--themselves, and they tend therefore to resemble the peasant class anywhere. Members of the Ethengarian nobility, however, tend to their own personal tastes. Prince Urmahid Krinagar of Bramyra prefers to dress in a Glantrian manner: tunics in greys and blacks with gold trim, loose-fitting black pants, and a dark grey cloak with a hood. He is extremely fond of gold jewellery. His wife, Rinnath, dresses in traditional Ethengarian clothing, although she tends toward the plainer del (traditional robe) of western Ethengar, which is very free and loose-fitting, with a large collar. Prince Jherek Virayana dresses like an Ethengarian lord, in long, ornate robes and headgear (the malgai hat--made of plush with a velvet upturned brim and pointed crown). In the winter, he wears costumes decorated with much fur (he prefers silver fox). Prince Jherek also adheres to an ancient Ethengarian custom which declares that a man grows his hair and does not cut his braid (which may be decorated with tiny bells or beads for dress occasions) until he is beaten in combat (Jherek changes this to "until he is beaten in a magical duel"). Needless to say, Prince Jherek still has his braid. Lady Lan-Syn, Jherek's first wife, also dresses in the traditional manner of central and eastern Ethengar: a del with high shoulders and the collar, hem, and sleeves decorated with intricate designs. On formal occasions, Lady Lan-Syn styles her head-dress by combing her hair smoothly back and fastening it with silver and gold grips, then mounting the arrangement with strung pearls and gems. Lady Aleah, Prince Jherek's second wife, prefers to dress in a Glantrian manner except on the most formal of occasions, when she can be coaxed into a formal del. Lady Waira, Jherek's third wife, and dresses in the western Ethengarian style, much the same as Rinnath Krinagar.
ARTS AND LITERATURE
Prince Jherek is fond of the arts and literature in all forms, although he prefers paintings in the Glantrian style (flattering to personages of high prestige) and a mix of scholastic and poetic literature above all else. Prince Urmahid loves music, especially traditional Ethengarian folk music and dances, which tend toward the lusty and vigorous. Both princes sponsor the arts, although Prince Jherek has actually founded numerous art galleries in Krondahar (admittedly, most of them are within his palaces at Singhabad.
ARCHITECTURE
The domain of architecture is where Bramyra and Krondahar pull away from their Ethengarian roots. In Ethengar, there are few, if any, truly permanent structures; conversely, Bramyra and Krondahar (especially Krondahar) are renowned for their breathtaking architecture. While the palace in Bramyra is impressive, it is Krondahar which so far has cornered the market on extravagance: Prince Jherek and his ancestors built the lavish and ambitious palace fortresses, administrative buildings, and tombs that have become emblematic of the principality. The most famous of these is the Taj Mahka, the tomb built by Prince Jherek Virayana III to honour his favourite wife, San-Jai Mahka Virayana.
Another distinctive building is the Barak-i-Ortu, a monument to the great general. The great dome of the monument is claimed to be the largest of its kind in the world. And, of course, Singhabad Fortress itself is awe-inspiring, with its fortified walls surrounding stately palaces, halls, library towers, and gardens.
SOCIAL CUSTOMS
An especially interesting Bramyran/Krondaharan custom is the marriage ceremony. This ceremony is conducted not to marry the couple, but upon completion of the marriage contract (so, in fact, the couple is already married at the time). The groom stands, in full Ethengarian finery, on a dais at the head of a lavishly-appointed feast room, with a large crowd of family and friends present. The bride, covered head-to-toe (it is not possible to see any part of her, save her hands, which are decorated in her dowry jewelry) in long robes embroidered in many festive colours, enters and is escorted by a relative to her new husband. The husband lifts the wife's veil and looks upon her, for the first time in many cases (it is actually quite amusing to see the anxiety on the bridegrooms' faces at this moment). Then, finding her satisfactory, he turns her to face the crowd, signifying that he has accepted her as his wife. (It has happened that husbands have been very displeased with their wives at this time; in these cases, the husband leaves, and the girl--who averages about 14 or 15 years old--is left to deal with the shame of rejection). A great feast ensues, and concludes three to six full days later with the procession to the bridal chamber. (Note: This ceremony is Ethengarian/noble in origin and in the principalities is typically performed only on the occasion that a nobleman takes his first wife.
PASTIMES
Pastimes in Krondahar tend to be much the same as anywhere in Glantri. A great pastime in Krondahar is hunting, especially of mountain tigers (Prince Jherek, to this day, has captured 112). Prince Jherek also occasionally organizes hunts of convicts in the mountains for his noble friends--if the prisoner survives a full day and night, he is granted a pardon. In thirty years, two men have been pardoned. Recently belly-dancing is becoming popular among the Krondaharians.
Notable sites: Braastar
Braastar is the capital of Krondahar and is the oldest settlement in Glantri. Braastar was founded immediately after the Flaems arrived in AC 395 and today is Glantri’s second largest settlement.
Map Key: 1 - Grand Keep, 2 - Noble District, 3 - Merchant’s Consortium, 4 - Central Market, 5 - Old Flaemish District, 6 - Viryana Temple, 7 - Upper Class District, 8 - Middle Class District, 9 - Army Barracks, 10 - Grand Theater.
The town is dominated by the hill the town was built around. The Flaems built a stout keep on top of it soon after settling here and though it has been damaged many times over the years during the many wars this town has seen it has always been rebuilt. Today it is the home of Batbayar Virayana, a cousin of the ruling Prince Jherek. Below the tower on the hill are lavish mansions and towers owned by Krondaharian nobles. Seperating the hill from the rest of the town is a 10 foot stone wall patrolled by City Watchmen who walk the top at night and man the 4 entry gates during the day and let through only those with passes given by Batbayar or by residents of the hill.
The lower section of Braastar is protected by a 20 foot high wall with 3 main entry gates. The gates remain open 24 hours a day but are manned by Glantrian Army troops of Prince Jherek. Inside the main walls the town is divided into 3 main areas. In the northern section of town there is a small Flaemish district in which many historic original homes built when the town was settled still exist. The western third of the town is populated predominantly by upper class Krondaharians while the eastern third of the town is populated with middle class Krondaharians. Just inside the Flaemish gate is the Great Market which is one of the busiest and most vibrant town markets in all of Glantri.
Two great buildings are famous in Glantri and considered the epitome of Krondaharian architecture. Just off of the main market is the pride of many Braastar residents; the Grand Theater where the greatest artists of all Glantri perform regularly.
Built soon after his accession to Prince of Krondahar to honor Rad and his family the Virayana Temple is one of the largest Temples to Rad in all of Glantri and perhaps the most opulent. Built on the site of a smaller Temple of Rad in the southeast section of Braastar it is the now by Prince Jherek’s wishes the only Temple of Rad in the town. Other temples were torn down or re-designated for private and public use.
Bajanchongor
Bajanchongor lies on the Til River on the Krondaharan side of the Willembrug Bridge connecting the Principality of Krondahar with the Principality of Bergdhoven. This massive stone bridge is named after Prince, Willem Vlaardoen IX, who finally approved his construction as Treasurer of the Council, and paid with his own life "his rash deed". It took thirty years to build, more than 3000 workers and the most renowned engineers and Caurenzan architects took part in its construction. It has a road 20’ wide, and twenty-one arches support it. There’s a wooden drawbridge to let ships in. The town is where the most exclusive and prized of silks in all of Glantri and the known world are known to originate. It also happens to be one of the wealthiest communities in all of Glantri. What makes ‘Bachong’ , as it is known on the street, so special is it’s remarkable high tensile strength and its fibres are very hard to tear or to damage. It is also even more elastic than other silks, and will recover to its original size unless stretched beyond 30-35% of its original length. The reason for the difference is known only to the silkworm tenders in Bajanchonger. Many surmise the silk has magical treatment that other competitors have not managed to duplicate. Only Alphatian Spider silk is more in demand, however due to the difficulties of producing a large quantity of spider silk, ‘Bachong’ is the silk of choice for the rich while Spider silk produces just enough to satisfy the very-rich. Large White Mulberry groves line the banks of the Til and Vesubian Rivers in this area. The region also produces a rather quaint Mulberry wine, from the fruits of the trees.
Coat of Arms:
Useful links:
The Secret Craft of Dream Magic - Giampaolo Agosta and Kit Navarro
Glantrian Political History 828-884 - Harri Mäki and Giovanni Porpora
The Economy of Krondahar by Aleksei Andrievski
Principalities of Krondahar and Bramyra by Jennifer Guerra
Lan-Syn, Aleah, Waira, Ralindi, and Rejladan Virayana by Jennifer Guerra
History of the Ethengarians in Glantri and The Grand Army of Glantri AC 1000-1014 by Michael Berry