- Overview -
Mauridahl is quite a peculiar kingdom when compared to the others in the area. Much of it's history is shrouded in mystery and intrigue, though most are too frightened to learn its tales. Not the largest, nor the smallest, kingdom compared to the others, Mauridahl differs quite drastically with her sister kingdoms. The kingdom is always covered in a somewhat unnatural state of night, shifting from dusk to pitch darkness, it's only light provided by an unusually ever-present moon and stars. There seems to be no sunshine present at all, which makes it curious as to how the country can sustain life. Its fauna consists of the most unnatural plants, usually giving off their own mystical glow. Few animals are in the country save for its inhabitants, so the animals they can cultivate are coveted - nothing is wasted or killed unless necessary.
- Leader -
The king or queen themselves are not appointed by succession. The new rulers are chosen by the spirits of the deceased kings and queens. Though it is common to choose from their own bloodline, it is not uncommon for them to choose a completely random stranger to take up the throne. The current king or queen is given their strength and power by the old, and knowledge is passed down from their predecessors to the new ruler. No one is truly sure how this happens, but many rituals are required that are unspoken of by many for their dangerous nature. The current ruler at this time is a Queen by the name of Meliana. She has history deeply routed in the dark arts and black magic and the Dunstan Castle where she resides is full of spirit soldiers she calls upon to guard her and her secrets. She remains distant from the other kings and queens in the area, mostly out of their fear or distrust in her and her kingdom.
- Relationships -
Mauridahl has few relationships, if any, with the other kingdoms in the surrounding area.
- Income -
The country makes her revenue on the market of selling their unusual plants, herbs, and other materials that do not grow elsewhere in the kingdoms. Its unique ecosystem make their herbs, plants, and some animals unique in the aspect that they can grow no where else. These materials are important components for healers and alchemists and are at a high demand at all times. Mauridahl ships their materials out often to other countries for crafting, cultivating, alchemists, and cooks.
Secondary to their output of unique materials, Mauridahl makes a large portion of their income from the Deadmarks - the assassin guild. The guild pays fealty to the leader, King or Queen, for their power and resources and a portion of their earnings goes directly to the ruler for the upkeep of their kingdom.
- Army -
Mauridahl has no formal army, commanders, or generals; However the equivalent of their military is separated into two separate branches. Despite their lack of proper military forces, Mauridahl is in no way defenseless. Their soldiers are composed of a large guild of assassins, called the Deadmark. The Deadmark take in members of all shapes and sizes, and from many backgrounds, so their members are skilled in a wide variety of defenses. The Deadmark do not hide from citizens in Mauridahl like other assassins would - they are very much in the open unless on assignment to do a particular task. The Queen and the citizens of Mauridahl are protected by the Deadmark if they were ever to be under siege. Since that has not happened in many years, members of the Deadmark usually form in small groups to carry out missions, or can opt to stay loners to work their craft. No matter what they choose, members swear fealty to the leader of the Deadmark - the current ruler of the country, King or Queen. Despite lacking a military, these members are very capable of not only fighting against disarray within the country itself, but also protect the citizens and Queen if they are called upon to do so. Members of the Deadmark are given unique abilities if they take the oath - they have the ability to shroud themselves in shadows and become invisible for a short period of time. Some say the power is given by the old gods; some say the Queen; and some day demons - though how they get this power is uncertain. Though the power only lasts for a short moment, it is long enough to get their job done or confuse their foes.
The second branch of Mauridahl's defenses is much more sinister and secretive. The current ruler of Mauridahl has the power to call upon the souls of the dead to aid him or her in combat. These soldiers are ghostly apparitions who will fight to the death - again - for their leader. Queen Meliana uses these soldiers as her personal guards for the castle. They are difficult to be killed by normal means and are only used for the most dire of circumstances in battle.
- Citizens -
Mauridahl is eerie in its own right, and its inhabitants are no different. Most of the citizens of Mauridahl are outcasts from other kingdoms, either cast out or sent as punishment. Many are mages who practice the dark arts, which are welcome in Mauridahl and not in other kingdoms. Many necromancers and dark mages learn their arts here, calling upon the old gods and the undead for their unusual powers. Alchemists and enchanters find their calling here as well, for many of their most prominent predecessors learned their craft in Mauridahl due to its secluded nature for their studied and the abundance of materials for crafting.
- Lore -
Mauridahl is quite a peculiar kingdom when compared to the others in the area. Much of it's history is shrouded in mystery and intrigue, though most are too frightened to learn its tales. Not the largest, nor the smallest, kingdom compared to the others, Mauridahl differs quite drastically with her sister kingdoms. The kingdom is always covered in a somewhat unnatural state of night, shifting from dusk to pitch darkness, it's only light provided by an unusually ever-present moon and stars. There seems to be no sunshine present at all, which makes it curious as to how the country can sustain life. Its fauna consists of the most unnatural plants, usually giving off their own mystical glow. Few animals are in the country save for its inhabitants, so the animals they can cultivate are coveted - nothing is wasted or killed unless necessary.
- Leader -
The king or queen themselves are not appointed by succession. The new rulers are chosen by the spirits of the deceased kings and queens. Though it is common to choose from their own bloodline, it is not uncommon for them to choose a completely random stranger to take up the throne. The current king or queen is given their strength and power by the old, and knowledge is passed down from their predecessors to the new ruler. No one is truly sure how this happens, but many rituals are required that are unspoken of by many for their dangerous nature. The current ruler at this time is a Queen by the name of Meliana. She has history deeply routed in the dark arts and black magic and the Dunstan Castle where she resides is full of spirit soldiers she calls upon to guard her and her secrets. She remains distant from the other kings and queens in the area, mostly out of their fear or distrust in her and her kingdom.
- Relationships -
Mauridahl has few relationships, if any, with the other kingdoms in the surrounding area.
- Income -
The country makes her revenue on the market of selling their unusual plants, herbs, and other materials that do not grow elsewhere in the kingdoms. Its unique ecosystem make their herbs, plants, and some animals unique in the aspect that they can grow no where else. These materials are important components for healers and alchemists and are at a high demand at all times. Mauridahl ships their materials out often to other countries for crafting, cultivating, alchemists, and cooks.
Secondary to their output of unique materials, Mauridahl makes a large portion of their income from the Deadmarks - the assassin guild. The guild pays fealty to the leader, King or Queen, for their power and resources and a portion of their earnings goes directly to the ruler for the upkeep of their kingdom.
- Army -
Mauridahl has no formal army, commanders, or generals; However the equivalent of their military is separated into two separate branches. Despite their lack of proper military forces, Mauridahl is in no way defenseless. Their soldiers are composed of a large guild of assassins, called the Deadmark. The Deadmark take in members of all shapes and sizes, and from many backgrounds, so their members are skilled in a wide variety of defenses. The Deadmark do not hide from citizens in Mauridahl like other assassins would - they are very much in the open unless on assignment to do a particular task. The Queen and the citizens of Mauridahl are protected by the Deadmark if they were ever to be under siege. Since that has not happened in many years, members of the Deadmark usually form in small groups to carry out missions, or can opt to stay loners to work their craft. No matter what they choose, members swear fealty to the leader of the Deadmark - the current ruler of the country, King or Queen. Despite lacking a military, these members are very capable of not only fighting against disarray within the country itself, but also protect the citizens and Queen if they are called upon to do so. Members of the Deadmark are given unique abilities if they take the oath - they have the ability to shroud themselves in shadows and become invisible for a short period of time. Some say the power is given by the old gods; some say the Queen; and some day demons - though how they get this power is uncertain. Though the power only lasts for a short moment, it is long enough to get their job done or confuse their foes.
The second branch of Mauridahl's defenses is much more sinister and secretive. The current ruler of Mauridahl has the power to call upon the souls of the dead to aid him or her in combat. These soldiers are ghostly apparitions who will fight to the death - again - for their leader. Queen Meliana uses these soldiers as her personal guards for the castle. They are difficult to be killed by normal means and are only used for the most dire of circumstances in battle.
- Citizens -
Mauridahl is eerie in its own right, and its inhabitants are no different. Most of the citizens of Mauridahl are outcasts from other kingdoms, either cast out or sent as punishment. Many are mages who practice the dark arts, which are welcome in Mauridahl and not in other kingdoms. Many necromancers and dark mages learn their arts here, calling upon the old gods and the undead for their unusual powers. Alchemists and enchanters find their calling here as well, for many of their most prominent predecessors learned their craft in Mauridahl due to its secluded nature for their studied and the abundance of materials for crafting.
- Lore -