Koritan

Kingdom of Koritan
Capital	Prevela
Ruler	Great Servant of Malavisch Antan Haritir
Government	Theocratic monarchy
Demonym	Koritanite
Adjective	Koritanite
Languages	Razgovir, Common, Koritan
Religions	Malavisch; animism; other deities to lesser degrees

Koritan (pronounced KOR-ih-ten), formally the Kingdom of Koritan, is a realm north of the Phiora Sea where the clergy of Malavisch hold great influence. The rulers and upper classes of Koritan have come to believe in Malavischan teachings of strict order and structure as the ideal basis around which to build their nation, and have forged close ties with the church of the Author of Contracts.

Geography, flora, and fauna

Geography and climate

Located across a vast expanse of the north coast of the Phiora Sea and stretching up to the Northern Wall, Koritan is a colder realm than most. Cool summers and freezing winters are common most years, though the worst of the winter weather is usually moderated by the Phiora. While plains are somewhat common in the coastal regions, in the north boreal forests cover most of the landscape. A number of rivers run through Koritan, mostly originating in the Northern Wall or the Scrios Mountains - the largest of these are the Rivers Iskartan, Veleda, and Yanten.

Parts of the Sciath Bay, particularly near the strait at its entrance, feature a unique geological phenomenon. Interlocking basalt columns form an incredibly distinctive beach and coastline.

Some ancient underground ruins and abandoned mines burn seemingly eternally under Koritan. These fires make the exploration of many ancient ruins in Koritan far more treacherous.

In some parts of Koritan, especially in the north, seemingly natural-looking rises are actually the remains of ancient hill forts. Certain types of fey seem to be attracted to these hills in particular, and many rural Koritanites remain highly superstitious around them.

Flora

Hawthorn, apple, elm, oak, and poplar trees are common around the southern regions of Koritan, as are a number of other types of trees. In the north, these give way to the spruces and pines of the boreal forests. A wide array of bushes and other types of underbrush are commonplace as well.

Animals

Some of the megafauna that live in Talgazan also regularly cross into Koritan, particularly megaloceros, smilodons, and cave bears. Most wildlife of the region is smaller than these, however, and includes wolves, brown bears, pine martens, beavers, stoats, lynx, wolverines, mountain goats, moose, ermines, sika deer, and dall sheep. Common birds include condors, bald eagles, ducks, puffins, ptarmigans, lapwings, great auks, and spectacled cormorants. Salmon, char, trout, and other fish live in the rivers of Koritan.

Stellar sea cows are common sights on the coastline of the Phiora Sea near Sciath Bay. Absolutely gigantic sea-dwelling mammals, these creatures can grow up to thirty feet long. These sea cows acquired their name from the speckled, constellation-like patterns on their tough outer hides. These patterns seem to shift as the sea cows travel, apparently reflecting the status of the night sky at their location. When the animal dies, the patterns stop changing, providing a permanent indication of where the creature met its end. Traditionally, some sailors believe it is possible to navigate by using the stellar sea cow hides as star charts.

Magical creatures

Magical creatures abound in Koritan, ranging from the simple and mostly harmless to the highly dangerous. Rocs, griffon, and gorgons are common sights in the region of Koritan closer to the Scrios Mountains. Mandragora can be found throughout the southern plains, hiding among the taller grasses. Gholes and gowrow are some of the more terrifying creatures in the region, though they are mostly limited to the far north.

Large amounts of fey live in Koritan, as they do across much of the northern side of the Phiora Sea. The Malavischans strongly dislike the chaotic nature of the fey and try to control or eliminate them when possible.

History

Old Razgovir

Together with Izgrev, the lands that are today Koritan were for many centuries known as Razgovir. Razgoviri society was led by innumerable druids, who served as protectors, leaders, and guides to their communities and local areas, often consulting and working alongside local fey. While the druids were generally benevolent, this situation was often highly chaotic and unstable. The human, orc, and giant tribes of Talgazan frequently launched raids into Koritan in search of loot and captives.

Viridian conquest and retreat

The reign of Viridian king Avus IV, commonly referred to as the Sun King, marked a time of rapid expansion and conquest for the Dominion. In conjunction with the legions sent to invade Dalbanu, armies were also directed to bring Viridian rule to the lands north and west around the Phiora Sea. Beginning in Y9356^*, Viridian legions made quick progress in their conquest of the disunited territory, securing most of what would become modern Izgrev and Koritan by Y9368^*. The druids were swept aside, and Viridian nobility were appointed to serve as leaders in their stead.

Viridian governance was not precisely benevolent. The nobles and senatorial families granted positions and titles in Razgovir continued their old disagreements and feuds, but now in a land where they were free from the laws of the Dominion. Cities, divided amongst multiple rulers, became repressive and squalid, as Viridian rulers were more interested in enriching themselves and furthering their position than in caring about their new subjects. The countryside across most of Razgovir descended into a land ruled by anarchic bandit warlords. A small number of the new Viridian rulers attempted to rectify this situation, but any efforts proved ultimately futile.

In the decades of their occupation, as their communities crumbled and their families suffered, many in Razgovir attempted to fight against the Viridians. By far the most effective group within the Razgoviri resistance was an alliance between clerics of Malavisch and the nobles of the city of Prevela. A church to the Author of Contracts had long existed in the area, originally set up by zealots cast out of eastern Thadria centuries prior but with a growing following amongst the local population - just like many others, in the chaos of the invasion the clergy too sought to impose their ideals and expand their power. Out of desperation, the Prevelan nobility entered into a pact with the Malavischan church, receiving the aid not only of trained battle-clerics but also of great and fearsome creatures summoned in from planes beyond, which together significantly bolstered their forces. Combined, the Prevelans and the church were able to halt the Viridian legions and stop their city from ever being taken, even going so far as to march southwest to nearby Neyli and break the Dominion's years-long siege there. Despite many misgivings about their methods - extraplanar creatures were traditionally considered manifestations of evil spirits by the Razgoviri - Prevela soon became a symbol across the region, with many professing their support.

After the death of the Sun King in Y9402^*, Viridian control of their new territories quickly fell apart. Viridian nobles retained their firm grip on the nation that would become modern day Izgrev, but were unable to effectively counter the rising tide of resistance elsewhere north of the Phiora. Soon after the abandonment of their Dalbanu territories in Y9410^*, the legions left Koritan as well.

Early Koritan

In the power vacuum that followed, the Prevelans were able to quickly consolidate control of other cities and their surrounding countryside. Decades of struggle against the Viridians had left many of the people of Razgovir tired and searching for anything to bring stability and peace. The Prevelans and the church, presenting themselves as the answer to the lawlessness and squalor that had long held sway, quickly expanded their control and influence. While in many places the arrival of the Prevelans was cheered for their role in kicking out the Viridians, in others they used the extraplanar creatures following their bidding to maintain order by force. In Y9414^* this new realm was declared as the Kingdom of Koritan, stretching from Ezetoro in the west to Edis in the east.

By Y9418^* Koritan had grown farther, expanding to additionally encompass all of the cities between River Yanten and River Athea, except for those already under Razivian control. By this time worship of Malavisch had spread and become quite popular throughout the realm, helped in no small part by the declaration of the church of Malavisch to be the state religion. Particularly devout (and shrewd) Koritanites were granted titles, becoming a new ruling class. Unlike the Viridians they replaced, however, they worked towards building a unified nation, one where inequality might be commonplace but at least there was stability and order.

The Icebound Wars

The turmoil that had characterized Razgovir for almost two thirds of a century did not end with the establishment of the new kingdom. Soon after, beginning in Y9422^* and lasting until Y9426^*, several years of bitter cold descended upon the region - ice- and snow-cover lasted well into the spring and descended again very early each fall, greatly shortening the already rather brief growing season in Koritan. Within the kingdom, hunger led to famine and then to riots and rebellions. At the same time, tribes of giants migrated south out of eastern Talgazan and into the relatively less-cold lands of Koritan, coming into conflict with those living there as they hunted and scavenged as they chose. Malavischan and Prevelan control of the region nearly collapsed several times in this period, especially in the first two years, as the combination of marauding giants and local rebellions proved too much for even their summoned armies to control. But the kingdom ultimately survived, and towards the later years of the cold even began to opportunistically use the mass discontent as cover to eliminate their few remaining political and religious dissenters and rivals. As the climate returned to normal, the kingdom's rulers were able to present themselves as valiant unifiers and protectors who had driven off those who wished to return their communities to the chaotic days of the Viridian occupation.

Peace and stability

For the next three hundred years, the kingdom's promise of order and prosperity for all loyal subjects appeared to bear fruit. The cities and countryside alike rebuilt, trade with far away nations returned, and even the rougher regions of the north were peaceful. But while some flourished, happy and in their new wealth, others began to realize just what a society in the Malavischan ideal looked like as they were forced into lives of indentured servitude in service to the church and upper classes.

Wars with Izgrev

Resenting the continued rule of Viridian nobles in Izgrev, and wishing to further expand their influence into all the lands once called Razgovir, the monarchs of Koritan waged many wars against their neighbor to the southwest. In the culmination of their last conflict in Y9735^*, Koritanite battlemages cursed the entire border region between the two realms, leaving it incredibly hostile to life. The Cursed Barrens, as they are now known, is now a no man’s land of warped creatures and dangerous hazards.

Independence of Talam Galta

The easternmost part of Koritan declared independence in Y9956^*, calling themselves the Free People of Talam Galta. This region especially had long chafed under the iron-fisted rule of the kingdom, and clerics of various faiths, particularly those of Marya, had carefully cultivated a network of rebellious individuals. Unwilling to accept the loss of its subjects, Koritan immediately went to war against the breakaway state. In a long and brutal campaign, the forces of the rebellion were slowly pushed back. The rebellion quickly lost control of the cities on River Yanten, and over the next six years was forced to withdraw all the way to the current borders at River Archar, fighting at great cost against the armies of Koritan. Since Y9962^*, the conflict has cooled somewhat. Both sides maintain regular patrols along the Archar, and small skirmishes are commonplace. Most in Talam Galta believe Koritan is simply gathering its strength for one final push, and are waiting for their revolution to reach its conclusion one way or the other.

Demographics

Koritan is largely human but has sizable populations of other ancestries as well. There is a very significant number of orcish citizens in particular - the land that is now Koritan has been inhabited by orcs since long before the kingdom existed, and in the modern day many orcs find themselves far more welcome in the kingdom than in many other regions, notably Viridia, that also grew to control their ancestral lands. The region is also home to notable populations of half-orcs, ratfolk, tengu, and goblins.

Culture

Religion

Malavisch is the primary deity worshiped within Koritan, especially fervently by the upper classes - the Black Swan is generally less popular among the poorer parts of society. The worship of other deities is somewhat tolerated, as long as one does not preach beliefs that undermine or contradict the Malavischan clergy. Certain gods, in particular Marya and Taliash, are outright prohibited, with their faithful and clergy persecuted.

Among worshipers of Malavisch elsewhere in the world, the Koritanite clergy are strongly respected and their proclamations heeded. Most consider Koritan to have received the blessing of Malavisch, and therefore the Koritanite clergy to be above other mortal Malavischans. The Malavischan clergy is hierarchical and well-defined. Every devout follower of the Author of Contracts is aware of their role in the structure, and would only dare to usurp their superiors if those above them are seen as weak and undeserving. Malavischan clergy in Koritan dress in fine black clothes with striking red accents, and sometimes include two-faced masks in their wardrobes for ceremonial purposes.

Among the rural populations who are less under the thumb of the otherwise iron-fisted leadership, druids continue to keep alive ancient animistic practices and the worship of the natural world. Other old beliefs, like soul-dreaming, also survive on the margins of Koritanite society. The Malavischan arch-priests have long attempted to stop these traditions, viewing them as a threat to their order and stability, but the traditional ways have proven quite resilient in some parts of Koritan. In large part this is due to their popularity amongst more isolated communities in the north, who support, hide, and protect their druids, mystics, and other religious figures when necessary. Elsewhere, non-pantheonic beliefs are far less common.

Traditions

All wealthy and powerful families in Koritan have their own intricate coat of arms, and heraldry is widely used to mark possessions or relations. Religious symbolism is the most widespread on these coats of arms, but imagery from other sources also makes frequent appearances.

Old traditional practices in Koritan were markedly different from the dominant modern practices. Historically, Razgoviri society relied heavily on druidic leadership - druids were leaders and guides to the people they lived around, and also watched over the surrounding lands. Old Razgoviri had complex relationships with the many fey that lived and still remain in the region - sometimes hostile, sometimes helpful. While some of the lower classes still ascribe to these beliefs and follow these traditions, the Malavischan ruling class has spent much time and effort in stamping out the old practices, with a large degree of success.

The old holidays and special occasions of Razgovir have been nearly entirely suppressed within the cities of Koritan, replaced with religious and civic observances sanctioned by the church and monarchy. Those that do continue are largely relegated to very private affairs, out of the eyes of the Malavischan censors. The sole pre-Koritanite holiday to survive the last few centuries is the yearly midwinter festival. Traditionally this was a time of both revelry and solemnity, a week where feasts were enjoyed by the living as well as offered to nature spirits in the hopes they would ensure the second half of the winter was short and mild. Its spiritual significance has been stripped away by the Malavischans, however, and now it remains only as a time to celebrate with banquets and entertainment.

Society

Society in Koritan, especially for the upper classes, is fundamentally self-interested. Following Malavisch’s tenets, those with the ability to exploit others view such actions as morally correct and obligated by their society. As such, despite the pleasantries that are often shared between members of the upper classes, and all their social gathering and events, wealthy and powerful Koritanites are permanently attempting to gain an upper hand over their peers. Friendships are frequently negotiation tactics rather than a genuine display of goodwill. This is far less the case among the common people of Koritan, who generally view their sense of community as a collective good.

Languages

The majority of the common people of Koritan are fluent in Razgovir and use it as their primary language. Common is understood widely as well. Other regional languages are less frequently spoken, though some citizens of Koritan are fluent in Thadrian. Racial languages see common use among individuals of relevant ancestries, but little outside that context. More recently, the Malavischan clergy have begun attempting to introduce a new language in Koritan, called simply Koritan. This constructed language has more in common with Hellean than it does with Razgovir, and features an altered vocabulary as well - for example, words to easily describe concepts like the rebellion are nonexistent, but there is a huge variety in precise honorifics.

Art

Traditional art in Koritan includes metalworking, stone carving, and painting using highly stylized motifs featuring depictions of plants, animals, and geometric shapes. Most ancient ruins in the region incorporate these designs heavily, and they remain somewhat popular with the lower classes. The wealthier part of Koritanite society, however, favors extremely realistic artwork displaying Malavischan symbolism. Most self-respecting members of the upper class commission regular portraits of themselves, which are then displayed in their places of residence. This practice is extremely lucrative for skilled artists, many of whom travel to the kingdom despite the sometimes unsavory characters that are the subjects of their portraits.

Magic

Koritan has a relatively high proportion of divine casters, including clerics, warpriests, and especially inquisitors. The Order of the Black Swan, inquisitors of Malavisch in service to Koritan, are widely feared among those in the kingdom who do not follow the Black Swan. Besides their Malavischan membership, the inquisitors also make heavy use of summoned creatures, especially imps, who they deploy as spies to observe individuals under suspicion. Undercover agents and rogues are also often contracted by the Order in order to expand their influence without stretching themselves too thin.

Occupations

Many Koritanite nobles become barristers, in keeping with the teachings of the Malavischan church. Experts in their own byzantine and intricate legal code, these barristers form an integral part of Koritanite society by staffing the courts and temples as well as serving as advisors to the upper class. Some choose to take their training and go to other parts of the world, but this is less common.

Food and cuisine

Farms in Koritan grow a number of crops, with wheat as the staple grain. Generally, the types of crops grown are those best suited to colder climates or shorter growing seasons, but this is less the case in the southern parts of Koritan. Vegetables like cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, spinach, and others are common, as are fruits like apples, pears, and grapes.

For many inhabitants of Koritan, the ingredients available are limited to those that are locally grown. While large amounts of foodstuffs from elsewhere are imported, these don’t generally make it to the interior communities of the north. Wine is the most popular drink of choice in Koritan, included in everyday meals. The wineries on the southern coast are world-renowned for their quality. Some dishes that are commonly eaten in Koritan include the following:

• Meat and rice rolled in pickled cabbage leaves
• Thin, flaky pastries stuffed with meats, spinach, or cheeses, usually rolled into a spiral and cut in sections
• Spicy fermented sausage
• Casserole of fried eggplants and other vegetables
• Sweet leavened breads for dessert

Architecture and urbanization

There exists a major divide in Koritan between the architectural styles used in religious and government buildings, as well as for the manors of the elites, and those used to build the houses and shops of the common people of the kingdom. Wealthy and powerful Koritanites have adopted distinctly Hellean-inspired designs, often incorporating tall marble columns, large arches, massive interior halls, adorned gabled roofs, and other grandiose features, but these are not mere copies of the temples and buildings of state that have long been constructed in the Hellean peninsula. Koritanite architects have added their own flair as well, most notably the adoption of black marble as a primary material, instead of the white marble and limestone widely used by those who influenced them. There is also a notable focus on extremely ornate gargoyles and imposing reliefs on the massive black stone edifices, usually depicting Malavischan figures or victories of the state. In contrast to Hellean architecture, however, the cities of Koritan make little use of open public spaces like forums and amphitheaters - the ruling classes of the kingdom believe the expense of such projects would be wasted on the common people and much better spent on their own estates instead. Despite this, city centers and the buildings along major thoroughfares are usually designed in the highly ornamental style, so that individuals of high status traveling along them do not have to see the less grand buildings used by the common people.

Many consider the Koritanite adoption of Hellean-inspired architecture to be an attempt to capture an element the storied and prestigious history of the people of the peninsula. Certainly it is not the only aspect of Hellean culture they have lifted and adapted to their own aims.

In contrast, the common people of Koritan largely continue to build their homes in their traditional vernacular styles. These are much more utilitarian than anything built by their rulers, typically traditional basic stone and wood constructions. These designs have been used in the region for many centuries, long predating Koritan, as they use easily-sourced local resources and can be constructed by families or small teams of workers without the cranes and the like required for the buildings of the wealthy and powerful.

Prevela, the capital of Koritan, only recently completed an almost two century-long project to demolish and rebuild almost the entirety of the city to follow a new design. The old, somewhat haphazard layout of streets was replaced with a new set of major roadways that form an extremely ordered grid within the city. Large expanses of the city had to be destroyed to see this project to completion - while the wealthy largely relocated or rebuilt their homes as necessary, most were not able to do so. Other cities, in particular Havda and Valchitan, have begun similar efforts.

Most of the population of Koritan is located in the east near Razivia, or else around Sciath Bay. The north and west in particular are sparsely populated. The majority of the region’s inhabitants live in small towns or villages, though some Koritanite cities are quite large. The strict laws of Koritan generally hold less sway as one moves away from the major population centers, as the Interrogators are less able to enforce their laws.

Travel

The roads of Koritan vary widely in their quality and level of maintenance. The southern routes that connect the major cities are kept in very good condition, while the roads between the northern towns and cities are generally left to decay unless an urgent need arises. When possible, most Koritanites choose to travel by sea instead.

While Koritanite rulers and administrators have long attempted to attract immigrants by portraying their kingdom as a haven of law and order, many are put off by the starkly unequal nature of Koritanite society. Still, some find these desirable characteristics and relocate to the kingdom. Conversely, emigration is restricted as much as possible, with outbound ships subject to routine and thorough inspections to ensure all are approved to depart (as well as checking all trade goods are approved and no smuggling is taking place).

Leisure

Wealthier individuals in Koritan often enjoy war games as entertainment, which are usually played against their peers. These are frequently days-long events involving high levels of planning, with the game’s components set up on multiple large tables. Some manors have dedicated rooms for this purpose so that the activity can be set aside for a night and picked up again the next day with no disruption. Physical parts of the games are often enchanted so as to mock out their activities - knight pawns, for example, might be animated to fight each other.

Fashion

Koritanite wardrobes include many layers of clothing, both for practical and fashionable purposes. Most clothing consists of many bright colors, which often contrast with each other. Outfits tend to be more complex and elaborate for the upper class, and more utilitarian for the common people.

Education

The monarchy and the Malavischan clergy have attempted to expand education across the kingdom as much as possible, opening and funding schools that provide free education and encouraging all to attend. Though these have greatly increased literacy, especially amongst the rural populations of Koritan, they have also presented great opportunity for the church to spread their teachings and official histories. Among the more isolated populations, especially those in the north who have long harbored hostility to the Malavischans, the schools and those that attend them are viewed with great distrust.

Government

Though Koritan is a hereditary monarchy, it is widely believed that the the king or queen holds a largely symbolic role. The real power is instead thought to rest with the clergy of Malavisch, who hold great influence in directing affairs of the realm. The highest rank of the clergy are known as arch-priests, with high priests and priests below them. Arch-priests serve on the monarch's council and provide suggestions and advice - while the monarch is capable of unilaterally vetoing any action, in practice the suggestions of the council are almost always accepted.

The kings and queens of Koritan are careful to hold tightly to the laws and commands that originate from their pact with the church. In the past when rulers have slipped, they have been quickly "disappeared" by their advisors and replaced. Few wish to repeat this. The monarchs often use the title “Great Servant of Malavisch” as their honorific.

Laws in Koritan are rigid and punishment is strict. While local guards and courts handle most transgressions, those who severely or flagrantly break the law are pursued by the Malavischan inquisitors and, once captured, tried by the Red Courts. Koritanite inquisitors frequently operate outside Koritan, though they try to obtain the consent of local rulers first (often through coercion).

The laws of Koritan hold that all are provided basic protections, as long as one accepts their role in the hierarchy. While this entails greatly curtailed freedoms, including of religion, speech, privacy, and sometimes even free movement, protection and safety is guaranteed as long as one serves their expected role and pays homage to the Malavischan priesthood and monarchy - crime is next to non-existent in any community in Koritan where the soldiers of the kingdom and church have a presence.

Koritan is one of the few regions of the world to have a standing military, though most of the time it operates at a highly reduced capacity. The military is led by powerful battlemages, who not only direct their troops but engage in combat themselves, providing benefits to their allies and handicapping their enemies.

Economy

Koritan is a major mercantile power in the Phiora Sea, second only to Viridia. The Dominion heavily restricts Koritanite trade through the Tanerde Gates, and as a result merchants from Koritan have to resort to trickery, bribery, or carefully arranged contracts and shell operations to move their goods past the Gates.

Wealthier Koritanites frequently use exploitative contracts, both when dealing with merchants and with their employees. These contracts are often carefully worded to provide advantages to the writer, often in ways that are not immediately obvious. When it comes to employees, these contracts often end up with the employee in a state of indentured servitude, little better than slavery.

Koritan has some valuable natural resources, such as obsidian from the Scrios Mountains, pearls harvested in Sciath Bay, and wood from the extensive northern forests.