Kingdom of Miskunas
The Land of Forests and Hills
The Kingdom of Miskunas is a feudal kingdom with several tribal elements. Miskunas was founded when the hero Zigmautas united the tribes of the three regions of Miskunas and defeated invaders and monsters. The capital of Miskunas is Karnius.
The Kingdom of Miskunas is separated into four distinct geographic regions. The first region is the Zalius Forest is the northernmost section of Miskunas and consists of most of the land north of the Didžiausias River. As the name implies, the Zalius Forest is a heavily forested area with some sections of hills. The cities, towns, and villages in the Zalius Forests struggle for resources to survive the brutal winters. This forest is also filled with a variety of monsters which often cause problems for the settlements in the region.
The second region is the Didžiausias River Valley which stretches along the Didžiausias River from its beginning in the Frostspine Mountains to where it empties into Mituva Bay. The river valley consists of mostly flat grassland that is some of the most fertile land in Miskunas. Much of Miskunas’ agriculture comes from this area. Karnius, the capital of Miskunas, is located in this region well as the busiest port in the kingdom, Mituva. The valley is also home to the busy trade route to the frost dwarven city of Holmlond. All of these contribute to the river valley being the most wealthy and populous region of Miskunas even though it is the smallest region geographically.
The third region is the Grifas Highlands which is in the southwestern section of the kingdom, south of the Didžiausias River Valley. The highlands borders the Sea of Strife to the west, the Drakunas Forest to the east and the Bluerock Mountains to the south. The region consists of mostly high hills and low mountains and has the highest elevation in Miskunas. The region is rich in valuable minerals and gems, and the mining of these is the chief economic activity of the region. The Grifas Highlands has a large griffon population which can cause problems for the settlements in the area. Hill giants have also been known to cause problems in this region.
The fourth region is the Drakunas Forest which is in the southeastern section of the kingdom, south of the Didžiausias River Valley and the Frostspine Mountains and east of the Grifas Highlands. This forest is thick and old and can be difficult to travel through. The area is mostly flat with some hilly areas close to the Frostspine Mountains. The region also has a few swamps in it. The name of the Drakunas Forest comes from the fact that there is a large population of wyverns that inhabits the forest as well as a larger than normal green dragon population. White dragons have also been known to create lairs in this forest.
Structure
The Kingdom is Miskunas is ruled by the Karalius who is advised by the Council of Elders and the Valdovas Council (equivalent to the Dukes). The king rules from Karnius, the capital of Miskunas. When a king dies or abdicates, the heir is chosen by the Council of Elders from among the members of the Karalius’ dynasty.
Underneath the king are the valdovai who rule over a particular territory. The valdovai are tradtionally the leaders of the largest and most influential tribes that existed before the kingdom and the lands of the valdovai are the lands that tribe had settled. The area that a valdovas rules over is called a valdovai.
Each valdovas has the option to assign portions of their land to a baronas (plural: baronai) who swears fealty to him. These baronai pay tribute to their liege and fight for him when he is called. The area that a baronas rules over is called a baronai.
There are fourteen valdovai in Miskunas. Each valdovas rules his or her valdovai from their seat, which is usually, but not always, the largest city in the valdovai.
Zalius Forest is divided into five valdovai:
- Valdovai of Kalvos
- Valdovai of Miksodis
- Valdovai of Valerava
- Valdovai of Skorbuciany
- Valdovai of Ežeras
- Valdovai of Mituva
- Valdovai of Zervinos
- Valdovai of Ditava
- Valdovai of Abakai
- Valdovai of Vankos
- Valdovai of Vievis
- Valdovai of Gudelis
- Valdovai of Rubinaskraigo
- Valdovai of Vejos
Public Agenda
When Zigmautas became the first Karalius of Miskunas, he proclaimed that it was the duty of the Karalius to protect that people of Miskunas all threats, both internal and external. To protect from internal threats, he set up a fund to support monster hunting contracts and created the Defenders of Perkunas(organization)
History
The Kingdom of Miskunas was founded by Zigmautas of the Miskunas tribe. Zigmautas united the tribes of the Zalius Forest first against raids from the Fellmen of Jardersfell and then against a full-scale invasion by the Fellmen. After the Fellmen were repulsed by the Zigmautas, they turned their eye towards the fractured tribes of the Grifas Highlands, but Zigmautas moved his united army to support and unite and incorporate the highland tribes into this army. The Fellmen were not expecting the such a strong and united force and their invasion was crushed even though they fought bravery.
Zigmautas became a hero of the Miskunasian tribes and this caused a priest of Perkūnas, the thunder god, declared that Zigmautas was a chosen of Perkunas. These two factors caused Zigmautas to declare himself the Karalius of the Forests and the Hills and named his kingdom Miskunas, after his tribe. The founding of the kingdom was not the end of Zigmautas’ role of uniter. The tribes of the Drakunas Forest were attacked by a tribal kingdom to the east that had made a pact with a mighty green dragon of the Drakunas Forest, and Zigmautas decided to come to their aid. Zigmautas’ united army defeated the eastern army and Zigmautas himself killed the green dragon. After the defeat of the army and the green dragon, the tribes of the Drakunas Forest declared their allegiance to Zigmautas.
Demography and Population
The majority of the population of the Kingdom of Miskunas is humans of Miskunian descent. The largest minority groups are frost dwarves, Yurinovic gnomes, blue dwarves, and Polskian and Zhekovian humans. There are small number of halflings who long ago migrated from the Richlands to Miskunas and culturally assimilated and primarily live in the Didžiausias River Valley. There are also a small number of Estronasian elves who live in Drakunas Forest.
Religion
The traditional Miskunian gods are the most worshiped gods in Miskunas with Perkūnas, Saule, and Medeina having the highest number of worshipers. Worship of Velnias is typically frowned upon, but as of now, it is not illegal to worship him.
The dwarven gods, such as Tholgrim, Forger of Worlds, the Yurinovic gnomish gods, the Polskian gods, and the Zhekovian gods are typically worshiped by their corresponding minority groups. Larger cities will even sometimes have temples to some of these gods.
Foreign Relations
Miskunas has good relations with both of its dwarven nation neighbors. Kuzad-Nikar and Miskunas have a strong trade relationship, and it is rumored that they have a pact to defend one another should either one be invaded. The relationship with Kuzad-Blavik is not as strong as the one with Kuzad-Nikar, but they have a healthy trade relationship and seemingly good diplomatic ties.
Miskunas' relationship with Polsk is quite strong. The leaders of both kingdoms realize that the Tsar of the Empire of Zhekov will eventually want to expand in their direction and recognize that they are stronger together than apart. Trade between the two nations is also quite strong with land route through the Drakunas Forest being important for both nations.
The relations with the Empire of Zhekov are strained. Beyond the simple expansionist nature of the Zhekovian Tsar, there are territories that Miskunas controls that many Zhekovians think is rightfully theirs. It seems like war is inevitable, but nobody knows when the first blow is struck.
Agriculture & Industry
Miskunas is primarily an agrarian economy that is focused on the Didžiausias River Valley region. The other regions also contribute to this part of the economy with the raising of livestock being prominent in the Grifas Highlands and mushroom foraging being popular in the forested regions.
Whaling is incredibly important to the small communities that live in the frigid northern coastal regions. These communities will trade products that can be procured from whales for the things they can't get on their own.
Mining is incredibly important to the economy of Miskunas, particularly in the Grifas Highlands and certain sections of the Zalius Forest and the Drakunas Forest.
Trade & Transport
The port city of Mituva is extremely important for much of Miskunas' trade. Mituva is a popular trade hub because it is allows easy access to the markets in the dwarven city of Holmlond.
Maps
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Kingdom of Miskunas
The Kingdom of Miskunas is in the far north of the continent of Kadrun. This is a map of this kingdom and the lands surrounding it.
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Demonym
Miskunian
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Comments