The Shrine of Hamaskis.

The Realm of Gallantaria

The Shrine is indeed fortunate to be able to bring our visitors Jared Milne's Cyclopaedia of the Old World and Sly Erill's Almanac. It should be noted that there are a number of inconsistencies between these two accounts. Sir Jarvis is widely recognized as the world expert on this whole continent, but Mycherley (the author of the Almanac) is perhaps in a better position to know the details of his own country, which may even throw doubt upon Sir Jarvis's credentials. However, the Almanac contains some curious items, such as the unknown calendar and the habit of spelling Gallantaria, Gallantria. The history of Gallantaria is the longest and perhaps most interesting of any old world nation.

A Dissertation upon Said Realm and the Peoples Thereunto

While no longer the greatest nation on the continent, Gallantaria is still a grand state of ancient tradition, hardworking citizens, and rich history. It is likely the most storied of all the nations on the continent, as well as being the oldest. From the ancient patron of the kingdom, Orjan the Builder, to the current king Cormak Flamestaff, Gallantaria is still a cornerstone of the continent. However, rumblings from the northlands continue again - there are those who sympathize with Brice in its ambitions of the Third Ruddlestone War. King Cormak has had one eye turned towards the rebellious Northlands, and the other turned towards warlike Brice, whose ambitions against Ruddlestone are becoming better known. Some whisper that it is only a diversion, and that Brice aims to re-ignite the War of the Four Kingdoms. If so, the Lord Regent Tinardo will find his job is much more difficult, for King Cormak currently wears the Crown of Kings upon his regal head.
Sir Jarvis of St. Wymerios University, Crystal City, 293 AC.

Guide To Gallantrian Minutiae, Lore, and Accumulated Wisdom

Here follows some selections from my common-place books during the period 284-291. I wrote them while living in Royal Lendle and, later, Weirtown. I have brought these rags and patches at the request of some Allansian friends, eager for information about the Old World. If you, dear reader, can herein glean something you find interesting, then my efforts will not be unrewarded.
Werrant Mycherley, Royal Academy of Gallantria, 16-Sarmarta

Geography

According to Sly Erill's Almanac, The Eight Baronies As Of 284 AC are:
Royal Lendle: traditional post of the Prince or Princess Heir; currently held by the future Constantia II.
Weirtown: seat of the Couwerts since the 175-9 War.
Fickling: home to the longest surviving family, the Rasseys.
Forrin: currently home to the half-elf kingroup, the Krows.
Casper: since the War, it has been ruled by the Steaderens.
Cygnet: seat of the Elivagars for about two centuries.
Medwall: encompassing the hobbit shire and the western ports; currently occupied by the Morands.
Blackhaven: unoccupied since 175 AC.

However, this does not seem to take into account the known divisions of the kingdom, such as the Ham, so it may indicate the changing emphasis from the aristocracy to the peasantry following the accession of a commoner to the throne as a result of the Tasks of Tantalon just over a century ago - High Priest's comment.

Climate and Weather	Physical Resources	Creatures and Vegitation
	The central and far eastern parts of Gallantaria are dales of excellent farmland, interspersed by several large forests of pine and other evergreen trees. The Northland mountains do not offer as much mineral wealth as do the Diamond Islands or the Witchtooth Line, but Gallantaria is hardly destitute, especially now that it is the current possessor of the Crown of Kings.

Inhabitants

Gallantaria has a large number of demihumans of all sorts-dwarfs, elves, hobbits, chervah, gnomes, even some sprites and pixies live in their own small communities or, more commonly, in their own quarters of human towns. They are generally not allowed as many civil rights or regarded on the same scale of nobility as the humans in Gallantaria, which leads some, particularly the dwarfs in the far Northlands, to be grumbling and rebellious towards their king in Royal Lendle.

People and Powers	Occupations and Skills	Trade and Commerce
Gallantaria has changed little in the centuries since its foundation. Its grand feudal system of each level owing power and fealty to the next, from the lowest peasant up to the King himself still exists, and is still well-founded. The people of the land live under strict rules, giving the land a very lawful bent. Harsh justice is dispensed in the courts, although at least the judges try to maintain some goodness and balance in their decisions. Each successive layer of nobility has authority over its lesser layers. These may only dispute the word of their betters through the Courts Of Grievance in Royal Lendle. The southern and central territories of Gallantaria are tightly drawn under the rule of the king and his lesser nobles. The Knights of the Wyvern, the ancient military order that has been the greatest and most elite line of defense for Gallantaria since being founded by King Werkel, ride tall and proud here, their banners and lances striking fear even into the hardened nonhumans and chaotics that haunt the wildlands. The Kingship is an hereditary position given to the eldest son of each ruler. If no suitable male heir can be found, a cousin or the son of another very high - ranking noble will be found. This has led to intrigue and politics for the throne of Gallantaria, and even assassination attempts, all veiled under courtly smiles and covered diplomacy. In keeping with its grim character and strong feudal system, taxes in Gallantaria are fairly high, and punishments for crime severe. However, the judges are usually fair, if sometimes cold. King Cormak has passed some judicial reform in the last few years, but taxes have remained relatively the same. Murder, Piracy, Sedition and Counterfeiting are all punishable by Death, whilst Rape results in castration and branding. Kidnapping and Banned religious worship warrant permanent exile and banishment, with all goods becomming property of the nation. Rioting results in two days in the stocks, minimum. Imprisonment (for the following minimum terms) is the punishment for Assault (one to four years), Burglary (four years, plus fine), Fraud (one year, plus fine), Home invasion (ten years), Incitement to riot (two years), Robbery (seven years), Arson (hard labor for life) and Banditry (hard labor for ten years. Minor crimes are punished by 3 weeks of indentured labor, minimum. Minor crimes include disturbance of the peace, sneaking into a city, unlawful entry into a city, vandalism, public intoxication, slander, etc. Fines are also used for the following crimes: Burglary (100 suns, plus gaol), Fraud (200 suns, plus gaol), Smuggling (400 suns), Drawing a weapon in a public place (100 suns), Tax evasion (200 suns, plus payment of all taxes due).		According to Sly Erill's Almanac, 10 coppers = 1 (sliver) shill, 5 shills = 1 demiregal (dems), 10 shills = 1 regal (regs, shinies). The Cyclopaedia, however, tells us that one gold sun equals ten silver moons. Moneychanging fee: 90% for other Old World nations, and 80% for coinage from other continents. Property taxes: Property taxes are equal to about five percent of their entire worth. Businesses are worth seven percent, both annually. Income taxes: Eight percent of all income is to be given in annual taxes, with foreigners paying eleven percent in income taxes. 150 suns allows the foreigner to have Gallantarian citizenship, and a corresponding reduction in taxes. Adventurers pay twenty percent in taxes of all loot found in Gallantarian/Northlands territory. Trading duties: All merchandise passing into Gallantaria must pay eight percent of its total value before being approved. Northlanders and dwarfs of the Northlands pay a reduced three percent for goods passing into Gallantaria proper.

People and Powers

Occupations and Skills

Trade and Commerce

Gallantaria has changed little in the centuries since its foundation. Its grand feudal system of each level owing power and fealty to the next, from the lowest peasant up to the King himself still exists, and is still well-founded. The people of the land live under strict rules, giving the land a very lawful bent. Harsh justice is dispensed in the courts, although at least the judges try to maintain some goodness and balance in their decisions. Each successive layer of nobility has authority over its lesser layers. These may only dispute the word of their betters through the Courts Of Grievance in Royal Lendle. The southern and central territories of Gallantaria are tightly drawn under the rule of the king and his lesser nobles. The Knights of the Wyvern, the ancient military order that has been the greatest and most elite line of defense for Gallantaria since being founded by King Werkel, ride tall and proud here, their banners and lances striking fear even into the hardened nonhumans and chaotics that haunt the wildlands.

The Kingship is an hereditary position given to the eldest son of each ruler. If no suitable male heir can be found, a cousin or the son of another very high - ranking noble will be found. This has led to intrigue and politics for the throne of Gallantaria, and even assassination attempts, all veiled under courtly smiles and covered diplomacy.

In keeping with its grim character and strong feudal system, taxes in Gallantaria are fairly high, and punishments for crime severe. However, the judges are usually fair, if sometimes cold. King Cormak has passed some judicial reform in the last few years, but taxes have remained relatively the same.

Murder, Piracy, Sedition and Counterfeiting are all punishable by Death, whilst Rape results in castration and branding. Kidnapping and Banned religious worship warrant permanent exile and banishment, with all goods becomming property of the nation. Rioting results in two days in the stocks, minimum.

Imprisonment (for the following minimum terms) is the punishment for Assault (one to four years), Burglary (four years, plus fine), Fraud (one year, plus fine), Home invasion (ten years), Incitement to riot (two years), Robbery (seven years), Arson (hard labor for life) and Banditry (hard labor for ten years. Minor crimes are punished by 3 weeks of indentured labor, minimum. Minor crimes include disturbance of the peace, sneaking into a city, unlawful entry into a city, vandalism, public intoxication, slander, etc.

Fines are also used for the following crimes: Burglary (100 suns, plus gaol), Fraud (200 suns, plus gaol), Smuggling (400 suns), Drawing a weapon in a public place (100 suns), Tax evasion (200 suns, plus payment of all taxes due).

According to Sly Erill's Almanac, 10 coppers = 1 (sliver) shill, 5 shills = 1 demiregal (dems), 10 shills = 1 regal (regs, shinies). The Cyclopaedia, however, tells us that one gold sun equals ten silver moons. Moneychanging fee: 90% for other Old World nations, and 80% for coinage from other continents.

Property taxes: Property taxes are equal to about five percent of their entire worth. Businesses are worth seven percent, both annually.

Income taxes: Eight percent of all income is to be given in annual taxes, with foreigners paying eleven percent in income taxes. 150 suns allows the foreigner to have Gallantarian citizenship, and a corresponding reduction in taxes. Adventurers pay twenty percent in taxes of all loot found in Gallantarian/Northlands territory.

Trading duties: All merchandise passing into Gallantaria must pay eight percent of its total value before being approved. Northlanders and dwarfs of the Northlands pay a reduced three percent for goods passing into Gallantaria proper.

Culture

Despite its civilization, this nation has a savage character to it in the wild north, being slow to anger, but a terrible foe when aroused. The Northlanders have always been a source of headaches for the Gallantarian monarch. These people are fiercely independent and wish nothing more than to be left to themselves and their own government. When Regulus the Unifier brought his banners north into their territory, there were fierce clashes all across the terrible mountains, and the humanoids there fought savagely with fang and claw to keep the men out of their lands. However, it must be said that trade is mutually beneficial - the Northlanders give mineral wealth to Gallantaria, and the Gallantarians send food to the north for the Northmen to consume.

Religion	Fashion	Daily Life
The Gallantarians pray to gods of just about all affinities, praying primarily to Throff, Galana, Farigiss, Filash, Telak, Courga, and Fourga. Church tithes: All churches operating within the realm must pay six percent in total income.		Notes on the Gallantrian Calendar This calendar is described in Sly Erill's Almanac, but the usual Allansian Calendar is used in Gallantaria as in the rest of the Old World. It is possible that this alternative is actually an academic or religious calendar, rather than for general use - High Priest's comment. PLAGIAR (58 days) begins the new year in Gallantria. The name comes from an old Lendle phrase meaning the frozen days. 2-Plagiar is sacred to the Geomancer's Church; it is the Day of the Horned God, when human sacrifice was performed centuries ago. Now it is marked with the ceremonial burning of a symbolic effigy god. 22-Plagiar is King Orjan's Day, which celebrates Gallantria's past victories (it is also the main feast-day in the temples of Osmani/Telak). TURGOT (61 days) is an ancient name for Galana (whose holy day is 9-Turgot). 33-Turgot is the feast-day of Courga and Fourga (they are twins, after all, as my friend Viril said). In the past, this day has been marked with violent riots, as rival factions fight through the streets of RL. Through the ninth day of Turgot to the thirteenth, the Geomancers and most other religions of Good celebrate the Endfrost with a massive feast to which all Lendlefolk are welcome. SEVAR (62 days) brings the hot summer to Gallantria. The origin of the name no doubt has something to do with Sevena, the Goddess of the Sun (or Glantanka, as my Kharean friends call her). 5-Sevar is the anniversary of the Battle of Skynn, the mighty victory in 177 AC when our outnumbered and battered little army defeated the Brican hordes. 50-Sevar is Harvest Day, which has many different traditions across Gallantria. The hobbits of the Medwallshire often run a week-long market; small towns like Narbury and Perkhull shut down as the whole populace goes into the fields. The last day of Sevar is sacred to Fulkra, and is said to be good for starting a great journey or new project. SARMATAR (61 days) is also the name of one of the greater Cragrock Peaks. The connection I have been unable to trace, but it may be Dwarvish. The first week of Sarmatar is the time of the Eedetide, a period of great festivity as the water-spirits are feted. 2-Sarmatar is the holy day of Hamaskis, and is when the Royal Academy (of which I am a senior tutor) starts its academic year. The Officer's College, the Sacred Citadel of the Templars and the Mage's Reginium also follow this tradition. SCHIR (62 days) is a lot like shriamen, an old Lendle word for Dark Elf. It also is the name for a type of sooty rock found in Mauristantia. The first five days of Schir are an ancient holiday, the reason long forgotten. It is probably the oldest secular tradition in Gallantria, if not the Old World. Even the Palace is vacated as the Royal Family dismiss their servants for the period. Of course, it was also during the Schir-Days that the evil rulers of Brice have launched their invasions of our noble land. The second week of Schir is sacred to the Earth Mother, as she begins her long sleep over the winter. The Dwarfs of northwestern Gallantria conduct an aweinspiring ritual in their town of Ripdrock. Citizens of RL have always enjoyed the Geomancer's Parade through the city, from their church to the River Gate. EDDERN (59 days) is an old hobbit term meaning (to) warm a room. The middle of Eddern typically marks the first snowfall in Gallantria, and some silly old superstitions are still connected with it. 55-Eddern is Rememberance Day, when the Sacred Order of Templars lead the Guards of the Royal Army through RL to Hornhelm's Tomb. The following day is Endyear, and 57 to 59-Eddern are a time of great revelry as Gallantrians prepare for the new year. Days of the Week: Roksda, Spara, Sitix, Tibir, Osli, Niobb, Niph. Niph is a holiday; Niobb also is during Plagiar. A Selection of Beverages Lendale: light and tangy; strong aftertaste; more of a cider than a beer; also called Eedewater. 3sl for a pint, 3 dems for a bottle. Steadman's: a stout, very thick and alcoholic; dark brown head; brewed in Ralagh, in Medwallshire, by hobbits, since 66 AC. 1 dem for a pint, 1 regal for a jug. Bacarach: very grainy; heady taste; only carbonated drink on Titan; comes from the Northlands. 1 regal a pint, 5 for a bottle. Meddrun: notoriously strong; Weirtown's speciality (also called Border Brew by soldiers); no colour; foul-smelling. 1 dem a shot, 3 regals for a bottle. Paxariti: Gallantria's own whiskey; popular with Dwarfs; brewed in the Croyden Wood; bright orange in colour. 3 shills a shot, 3 regals for a bottle. Sillery: hobbit wine; made from some very famous grapes of ancient vintage. 10 regals a bottle. On the same subject, Sir Jarvis has the following to say: Lendale is the national drink of Gallantaria, brewed since the days of Orjan the Builder, founder of what would become Gallantaria. Available mostly in Gallantaria, obviously, this beer has a very strong, potent kick, and will make any non-Gallantarian drunk in three mugs. It costs five moons a half-flagon. Northern Rivers Finest is a thick, powerful, foamy mead brewed by Northlanders. Said to be nearly twice as potent as Lendale, this is quite possibly one of the most potent drinks in the Old World, if not all of Titan, and is in large part responsible for the Northlanders' fighting character. One wag joked that if and when the Northlanders secede from Gallantaria to form their own kingdom, they will instantly become the wealthiest nation in the Old World from selling and exporting this potent brew. It costs two suns and four moons a tankard in Gallantaria. The Old World also has many other Famous Drinks and Spirits.

Religion

Fashion

Daily Life

The Gallantarians pray to gods of just about all affinities, praying primarily to Throff, Galana, Farigiss, Filash, Telak, Courga, and Fourga. Church tithes: All churches operating within the realm must pay six percent in total income.

Notes on the Gallantrian Calendar
This calendar is described in Sly Erill's Almanac, but the usual Allansian Calendar is used in Gallantaria as in the rest of the Old World. It is possible that this alternative is actually an academic or religious calendar, rather than for general use - High Priest's comment.
PLAGIAR (58 days) begins the new year in Gallantria. The name comes from an old Lendle phrase meaning the frozen days. 2-Plagiar is sacred to the Geomancer's Church; it is the Day of the Horned God, when human sacrifice was performed centuries ago. Now it is marked with the ceremonial burning of a symbolic effigy god. 22-Plagiar is King Orjan's Day, which celebrates Gallantria's past victories (it is also the main feast-day in the temples of Osmani/Telak).
TURGOT (61 days) is an ancient name for Galana (whose holy day is 9-Turgot). 33-Turgot is the feast-day of Courga and Fourga (they are twins, after all, as my friend Viril said). In the past, this day has been marked with violent riots, as rival factions fight through the streets of RL. Through the ninth day of Turgot to the thirteenth, the Geomancers and most other religions of Good celebrate the Endfrost with a massive feast to which all Lendlefolk are welcome.
SEVAR (62 days) brings the hot summer to Gallantria. The origin of the name no doubt has something to do with Sevena, the Goddess of the Sun (or Glantanka, as my Kharean friends call her). 5-Sevar is the anniversary of the Battle of Skynn, the mighty victory in 177 AC when our outnumbered and battered little army defeated the Brican hordes. 50-Sevar is Harvest Day, which has many different traditions across Gallantria. The hobbits of the Medwallshire often run a week-long market; small towns like Narbury and Perkhull shut down as the whole populace goes into the fields. The last day of Sevar is sacred to Fulkra, and is said to be good for starting a great journey or new project.
SARMATAR (61 days) is also the name of one of the greater Cragrock Peaks. The connection I have been unable to trace, but it may be Dwarvish. The first week of Sarmatar is the time of the Eedetide, a period of great festivity as the water-spirits are feted. 2-Sarmatar is the holy day of Hamaskis, and is when the Royal Academy (of which I am a senior tutor) starts its academic year. The Officer's College, the Sacred Citadel of the Templars and the Mage's Reginium also follow this tradition.
SCHIR (62 days) is a lot like shriamen, an old Lendle word for Dark Elf. It also is the name for a type of sooty rock found in Mauristantia. The first five days of Schir are an ancient holiday, the reason long forgotten. It is probably the oldest secular tradition in Gallantria, if not the Old World. Even the Palace is vacated as the Royal Family dismiss their servants for the period. Of course, it was also during the Schir-Days that the evil rulers of Brice have launched their invasions of our noble land. The second week of Schir is sacred to the Earth Mother, as she begins her long sleep over the winter. The Dwarfs of northwestern Gallantria conduct an aweinspiring ritual in their town of Ripdrock. Citizens of RL have always enjoyed the Geomancer's Parade through the city, from their church to the River Gate.
EDDERN (59 days) is an old hobbit term meaning (to) warm a room. The middle of Eddern typically marks the first snowfall in Gallantria, and some silly old superstitions are still connected with it. 55-Eddern is Rememberance Day, when the Sacred Order of Templars lead the Guards of the Royal Army through RL to Hornhelm's Tomb. The following day is Endyear, and 57 to 59-Eddern are a time of great revelry as Gallantrians prepare for the new year.
Days of the Week: Roksda, Spara, Sitix, Tibir, Osli, Niobb, Niph. Niph is a holiday; Niobb also is during Plagiar.

A Selection of Beverages
Lendale: light and tangy; strong aftertaste; more of a cider than a beer; also called Eedewater. 3sl for a pint, 3 dems for a bottle.
Steadman's: a stout, very thick and alcoholic; dark brown head; brewed in Ralagh, in Medwallshire, by hobbits, since 66 AC. 1 dem for a pint, 1 regal for a jug.
Bacarach: very grainy; heady taste; only carbonated drink on Titan; comes from the Northlands. 1 regal a pint, 5 for a bottle.
Meddrun: notoriously strong; Weirtown's speciality (also called Border Brew by soldiers); no colour; foul-smelling. 1 dem a shot, 3 regals for a bottle.
Paxariti: Gallantria's own whiskey; popular with Dwarfs; brewed in the Croyden Wood; bright orange in colour. 3 shills a shot, 3 regals for a bottle.
Sillery: hobbit wine; made from some very famous grapes of ancient vintage. 10 regals a bottle.

On the same subject, Sir Jarvis has the following to say: Lendale is the national drink of Gallantaria, brewed since the days of Orjan the Builder, founder of what would become Gallantaria. Available mostly in Gallantaria, obviously, this beer has a very strong, potent kick, and will make any non-Gallantarian drunk in three mugs. It costs five moons a half-flagon.
Northern Rivers Finest is a thick, powerful, foamy mead brewed by Northlanders. Said to be nearly twice as potent as Lendale, this is quite possibly one of the most potent drinks in the Old World, if not all of Titan, and is in large part responsible for the Northlanders' fighting character. One wag joked that if and when the Northlanders secede from Gallantaria to form their own kingdom, they will instantly become the wealthiest nation in the Old World from selling and exporting this potent brew. It costs two suns and four moons a tankard in Gallantaria.
The Old World also has many other Famous Drinks and Spirits.

Recent rumours:

In Gallantaria, there is great intrigue afoot, as King Cormak Flamestaff has now agreed to let the Northmen go and form their own kingdom. The Northmen have yet to name their king, but a council of nine speaks for them, negotiating the secession of the Northlands from Gallantaria. The Northlanders demand a great deal of food and money to allow them to begin on their way. Astutely, King Cormak has asked in response why in the hell he should give the Northlanders all that they demand if they will no longer pay taxes to him for it. He also seeks to gain economic concessions that will allow Gallantaria to maintain the rich trade in jewellery from the Northlands. The arguing has become bitter as both sides try to extract more from the other than they give. Nobles scheme to improve their own position, or rise in the feudal hierarchy. Some militant Northmen say they should take what they want from the Gallantarians before they secede. King Cormak has said bluntly that he will allow the Northmen to take their own goods back to their homeland, but if they rob or harm any native Gallantarians, the courts in Florrin will become brutal and harsh in their punishments of the Northmen. This infuriates the militant fools to no end.

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