Human Kingdom Of Valior

Kingdom Name: Valior

Kingdom Description:

Valior is a prosperous human kingdom nestled in the Dragonspire Mountains, known for its agricultural prowess, military strength, and mastery of griffin riding. The kingdom’s wealth and power come from its fertile lands, which provide food not only for its people but also for trade with other kingdoms. Valior is deeply involved in political, military, and economic maneuvers, with noble houses vying for influence and favor from the crown. Its military tradition is bolstered by the elite dragon riders, and its cities are fortified against external threats such as orc tribes and monsters from the Burnt Sea.

Population: 1.8 million

Capital City: Valoria

• Population: 200,000
• Description: The sprawling city of Valoria is the political, military, and economic heart of Valior, located on the peaks of the Dragonspire Mountains. Home to the Queen's Citadel, where Queen Lyria Valen II resides, the city is known for its defensive fortifications, bustling marketplaces, and military training grounds for dragon riders.

Ruling Structure/Ruling Figure:

• Queen Lyria Valen II
  • Role: Queen Lyria is a respected and wise ruler, overseeing the vast kingdom and its many noble houses. She continues her family’s legacy of bonding with dragons, ensuring that Valior remains a dominant power in the region.

Important Figures and Their Houses:

1. Duke Roland Ashford – House Ashford
   • Role: Duke of Ashford Keep, commander of Valior’s knights, and seasoned dragon rider.
   • House’s Position: House Ashford is one of the most powerful military houses, controlling a key fortress near the orcish border. They maintain the kingdom’s best cavalry and dragon riders, always prepared to defend Valior.
   • Internal Politics: Leadership is based on martial skill, with successors chosen through trials of combat and strategy. Tension exists between Roland and his younger brother, Cedric Ashford, who seeks more control over the family’s forces.
   • Family Members:
     • Duke Roland Ashford: Patriarch and dragon rider.
     • Lady Elira Ashford: His wife, a master healer.
     • Sir Doran Ashford: Eldest son, an ambitious knight.
     • Lady Riona Ashford: A promising griffin rider.

2. Baroness Evelina Fairwind – House Fairwind
   • Role: Baroness of Port Windfall, a major coastal trade city.
   • House’s Position: House Fairwind controls much of Valior’s wealth through trade and commerce. Their influence is vast, and they are known for shrewd diplomacy.
   • Internal Politics: The Fairwind family’s power comes from its control over the nation’s trade routes. Baroness Evelina maintains strict control over her family’s interests, though her daughter, Lady Celeste, has begun to assert her own political ambitions.
   • Family Members:
     • Baroness Evelina Fairwind: Matriarch and political strategist.
     • Lord Adrian Fairwind: Her husband, a diplomat.
     • Lady Celeste Fairwind: Their eldest daughter, poised to inherit.
     • Lord Peter Fairwind: Youngest son, involved in trade.

3. Commander Darius Stormblade – House Stormblade
   • Role: Commander of Valior’s army and leader of the dragon riders.
   • House’s Position: House Stormblade holds military power through its elite dragon riders and soldiers. They focus on increasing their control over the army and dragon riders.
   • Internal Politics: House Stormblade’s leadership is merit-based, with family members proving their worth through battle. Recent tensions have arisen between Darius and his son, Captain Marcus Stormblade, over military strategy.
   • Family Members:
     • Commander Darius Stormblade: Patriarch and military commander.
     • Lady Helena Stormblade: His wife, a scholar of rune magic.
     • Captain Marcus Stormblade: Eldest son, a promising commander.
     • Lieutenant Clara Stormblade: Younger daughter, a talented griffin rider.

4. Lord Victor Hightower – House Hightower
   • Role: Lord of Kandria, a mining city and center of rune magic.
   • House’s Position: House Hightower is known for its wealth from mining and crafting magical weapons, controlling vital resources necessary for Valior’s defense and economy.
   • Internal Politics: The family’s leadership is decided by a council of elders, but Lord Victor Hightower’s control is threatened by his cousin, Lady Sybella, who believes the house should focus on commerce.
   • Family Members:
     • Lord Victor Hightower: Patriarch and master of Kandria.
     • Lady Margery Hightower: His wife, an influential merchant.
     • Sir Benedict Hightower: Eldest son, an expert in rune magic.
     • Lady Sybella Hightower: Cousin, rival to Victor.

5. Duke Alaric Dawnfire – House Dawnfire
   • Role: Duke of the Eastern Plains, an agricultural region.
   • House’s Position: House Dawnfire oversees Valior’s vast farmlands, producing most of the kingdom’s food. Their wealth comes from agriculture, and they are politically influential due to their control over resources.
   • Internal Politics: The house is led by Duke Alaric, though his younger brother, Lord Cedric, is pushing for more land and power, creating internal family tensions.
   • Family Members:
     • Duke Alaric Dawnfire: Patriarch and leader of the agricultural efforts.
     • Lady Isabella Dawnfire: His wife, a prominent socialite.
     • Lady Vivienne Dawnfire: Eldest daughter, a specialist in agricultural magic.
     • Lord Cedric Dawnfire: Younger brother, challenging Alaric’s rule.

6. Duke Gideon Blackthorn – House Blackthorn
   • Role: Lord of Ravenholt, a city known for its griffin riders.
   • House’s Position: House Blackthorn provides elite griffin riders and serves as the kingdom’s primary defense force against monster incursions from the Burnt Sea.
   • Internal Politics: The Blackthorn family emphasizes strength and unity, with leadership typically passed from father to eldest child. Currently, Lady Serena Blackthorn is poised to take over as head of the family.
   • Family Members:
     • Lord Gideon Blackthorn: Patriarch and master griffin rider.
     • Lady Serena Blackthorn: His eldest daughter and successor.
     • Lord Alec Blackthorn: His son, known for his bravery in battle.

7. Lord Eryndor Mirrorguard – House Mirrorguard
   • Role: Lord of Mirrorglade, a house known for producing the finest swordsmen.
   • House’s Position: House Mirrorguard is famed for its mastery of swordsmanship and use of the Mirror of Reflection, an ancient artifact that creates a perfect copy of the user, which they must defeat in training.
   • Internal Politics: The current lord, Eryndor, was once a commoner. He now focuses on training his children. His eldest daughter, Lady Karina, is a renowned dragon rider and was one of Valior’s champions. Lady Karina was also a commoner who won her chance at bonding a dragon in a tournament then rose rapidly until her service made the queen elevate her as a noble house. She then married Eryndor in a move that made offended a lot of nobility and transferred leadership to him.
   • Family Members:
     • Lord Eryndor Mirrorguard: Patriarch, former commonor.
     • Lady Elaina Mirrorguard: His wife, a skilled griffin rider.
     • Lady Karina Mirrorguard: Eldest daughter, 26, a dragon rider and champion.
     • Lady Lyanna Mirrorguard: Youngest daughter, 17, training to be a swordswoman.
     • Lord Athel Mirrorguard: Eryndor’s younger brother, a master swordsman.

Internal Kingdom Politics:

Valior’s internal politics are shaped by the ongoing rivalry between the noble houses, each seeking to increase their power, wealth, and influence with the queen. House Ashford is locked in a military rivalry with House Stormblade, while House Fairwind uses its economic dominance to curry favor with the crown. House Dawnfire, controlling the kingdom’s food production, holds a critical role in internal politics, using its resources to leverage influence over the other houses. House Mirrorguard, with its martial prowess, seeks to prove itself through military service and personal duels, maintaining its reputation for swordsmanship.

Cities:

1. Valoria – The capital city, center of politics and military training.
2. Ashford Keep – A military stronghold near the orc border.
3. Port Windfall – The largest trade hub, controlling maritime commerce.
4. Kandria – A mining city, producing magical weapons.
5. Ravenholt – A city known for griffin riders.

Important Locations:

• Dragonspire Mountains – A mountain range known for dragon nests.
• Burnt Sea – A dangerous region, home to monsters and raiders.

Important Buildings:

• Queen’s Citadel – The royal palace and seat of power.
• Griffin Aviary – A large aviary for griffin training.

Society & Culture:

Valior values strength, honor, and loyalty. Nobility and military service, especially as a griffin rider or dragon rider, are highly revered. The kingdom holds regular festivals to honor the harvest and military achievements.

Language and Swear Words:

• “By the gods' flames!” – Common exclamation of surprise or frustration.
• “Curse the orcs!” – Used in moments of anger.

Harvest Moon Festival:

The Harvest Moon Festival is a significant event in the kingdom of Valior, marking the transition into adulthood for 17-year-olds and determining their future roles in society. The festival is a grand celebration, with feasts, music, and games, but its core purpose is to evaluate the accomplishments and abilities of the young adults.

The Queen's Agent:

During the festival, the Queen's Agent, a high-ranking official, travels to each town or a city to assess the 17-year-olds' achievements. The Agent reviews their academic records, skills, and contributions to their communities, seeking to identify the most talented and dedicated individuals.

Assigning Roles:

Based on their evaluations, the Queen's Agent assigns each 17-year-old a role in society, taking into account their strengths, interests, and the kingdom's needs. These roles may include:

• Apprenticeships: Young adults may be assigned to learn a trade or skill from an experienced mentor.
• Military Service: Those with martial prowess may be recruited into the kingdom's army or navy.
• Academy Enrollment: Exceptional individuals may be offered a place at one of the kingdom's prestigious academies, where they can hone their skills in magic, diplomacy, or other specialized fields.
• Dragon or Griffin Bonding: In rare cases, 17-year-olds who demonstrate extraordinary abilities may be given the opportunity to bond with a dragon or griffin, becoming a revered dragon rider or griffin rider.

Seer Selection:

In addition to evaluating 17-year-olds, the Queen's Agent also tests 12-year-olds for signs of attunement to the Time or Vision essence. These young individuals may possess a natural affinity for magic, allowing them to see glimpses of the past, present, or future.

• Seer Training: Those who show promise are taken to the capital city, where they will undergo training to become a Seer in the Queen's palace. Seers play a crucial role in advising the monarch and guiding the kingdom's decisions.
• Seer Trials: The selection process for Seers involves a series of trials, designed to test the young candidates' magical abilities, intuition, and mental clarity. Only those who demonstrate a strong connection to the Time or Vision essence will be chosen for Seer training.

Festival Celebrations:

The Harvest Moon Festival is a joyous occasion, with music, dance, and feasting. The kingdom's people come together to celebrate the transition of their young adults into their new roles and to honor the Seers who will guide the kingdom's future.

Traditions:

• The Lighting of the Lanterns: The festival begins with the lighting of lanterns, symbolizing the illumination of the young adults' paths.
• The Queen's Address: The monarch delivers a speech, encouraging the young adults to strive for excellence and serve the kingdom with honor.
• The Banquet: The Harvest Moon occurs at the end of the first week of harvesting and hence it is tradition for every family to contribute to hosting a community banquet.

Values:

Strength, loyalty, and service to the kingdom are paramount in Valior. Martial prowess and economic power define one’s place in society.

Main Conflicts and Power Struggles:

• Internal Conflicts: Rivalries between the houses, particularly between House Ashford and House Stormblade, with House Fairwind manipulating economic power.
• External Conflicts: Constant raids from orc tribes and monsters from the Burnt Sea keep Valior’s military on high alert.