The Malkieri Dominion (Dominaria Supplement)
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The ‘Dominion’ of Malkeir was the first large piece of the Imperium to fall away in the wake of the Stormbringer’s death. The northern Houses of the Imperium have never given up their ‘fronteir’ mentality and view themselves as culturally separate from the rest of the West. Although Lugard in Ramosia, the Valmorran Twin Cities, and the lands under High Seat Strake found identities elsewhere, the ‘Northern Alliance’ of the late Third Age persisted through the reformation of the Empire and the last pockets of violent upheaval in the 40s 4A were all in the north. House Malkeir now speaks for 13 Seated Hosues and 2 subjugate principalities, making them the smallest of the Three Swords. This however, should not be taken as an indication of status. House Malkeir’s rule is strong and backed up by a rigid magical aristocracy. If one can cross the many natural boundaries on the way north out of Cormyr and Illyria, they’ll find a driven people inhabiting a well-tamed land. Even south of the Verge, the ‘North’ is a tough place managed by tough people. It is easy to forget that the beautiful pastures and stout cities on clear mountain rivers are only possible because of the hard work of generations.
History
Ever since humanity reached the foothills of The Verge late in the 1st Age the northernmost settlements have been a bit harder, a bit rougher around the edges. Early encounters with the inhabitants of the impossibly tall mountains taught the settlers to constantly be on guard and that every last building must be defendable. The dwarves soon warmed to the settlers, and a brisk trade sprung up, but most of the other denizens of the mountains have been less friendly. Nearly seasonal goblin raids as well as minotaur and barbarian incursions became the norm and over the centuries of the 1st and 2nd the people adjusted and a hardy string of countries cropped up.
Late in the 2nd Age the countries of the north allied together in the face of the greatest barbarian invasion in Dominarian history. The people retreated into the heavily fortified capitals and fortresses and the barbarians swept south like water around rocks. The countryside was devastated as far south as Cormyr and Illyria but the people of the north were safe. Since then the alliance has stood, more or less, and the people have flourished. In the 3rd Age the Northern Alliance joined the 2nd Imperium and the countries became Houses. Several hundred years under Imperial rule went a long way to civilizing the Northern Houses. The people, although hardened to danger, lived happy lives of peace and plenty as often as they could.
So by the 4th Age the Northern Houses have become an amalgamation of the hardy northern border culture and the western society of the Imperium. The rolling fields and deep pine forests blend smoothly into the foothills of The Verge and the northern fortress cities now share the landscape with Imperial highways and bustling trade towns. During the war against the Dragon and then The Wandering One many fled north to hide in the fortress cities of the Alliance. When the time came grim soldiers of the Northern Houses, as well as the soldiers of Cormyr and Illyria that made it north, marched south into a land fallen to darkness. The people, long used to invasion, supported the campaign and when the fighting was done Malkier led the first group of Houses and cities out of the Wars of Succession and into independance.
After the war of the wandering one the current ruler of Malkier and his twin brother crafted a plan to protect their kingdom from further destruction. They combined their magical powers and intelligence and discovered an ancient means of connecting ley lines. The first node was cultivated in the center of their stronghold, they then created 8 other nodes surrounding their territory. Harnessing the power of the ley lines they changed the geographical landscape of the countryside making it more fertile and creating a large forest. Many citizens are thankful for the changes that have been made however rumors say that large flying creatures have been spotted around the kingdom.XXXXXFor Phil: Add in description of specific area, add in Broken Towers, add in Malkier's motives and aims, add in Druidic allies stub.
Country
State ideas: Tarova (The Tarovan River), Malkavia, Volgo, plus Fortress Malkhaz
City ideas (sounds like): Sarjevo (Tarjeva?), Budapest (Malapest), Prague (Darague), Smolensk (Smolena)
Government: The Malkieri Dominion still holds to the Imperial system of governance. House Malkier holds the High Seat of the Dominion.
Military:
Judicial System:
Houses
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