The Kingdom of Sarkozsy

[Grandmaster]

Geography:

Sarkozsy is the largest kingdom in the world with the Artonese Empire a somewhat distant second. Due to its size, the almost every landscape imaginable can be found within its borders, save for jungles. However, a large portion of the nation is too far north to be settled outside of a handful of native tribes. The broad frozen tundra as well as its many mountains make it a difficult for potential invaders.

The capitol of Lensk is found along Sarkoszy’s western shore. The land’s foremost port, the city is home to the Royal Family’s summer palace and a major trade center for the kingdom. It is also the only port that remains open during the long winters; the waters of Lensk are fed by a hot spring to prevent them from freezing over.

A good portion of the land is considered uninhabitable. A large range of mountains protects Sarkozsy to the east, leading to a tundra where the snow is measured by the foot in the winter, and bakes to cracked soil in the summer. To the south and spreading west are forestlands that sustain and support the independent holds of the boyars, barons who pay the Royal Family for the privilege of nobility.

A large network of rivers snakes across the realm, allowing for easier travel. Traveling by wagon, carriage or horseback can take weeks, whereas barges and river-cruisers can accomplish long voyages in days. River traffic is swift, thick and profitable for all involved.

[Grandmaster]

Politics/Law:

Unlike the surrounding realms, the politics of Sarkozsy are notoriously simple. They prefer peace. If that peace is disturbed in any form, they move to suppress or quell it swiftly and ruthlessly. Conflicts are settled, regardless of social or economic rank, by arbitration or hearings before local magistrates or Knights of the realm.

Attempts at coups or uprisings are crushed, the instigators made public examples. Despite that, the royal family requires fair treatment of the people by the boyars. Codices are reviewed semi-annually by the Kingdom’s Administrator of Justice; any boyar whose codices are not in compliance faces a loss of title and lands, fines, or worse, sentencing to the tundra’s labor camps. The rationale behind this is: content people have no reason to cause trouble.

Crime is dealt with every bit as harshly as coups d’etats. Theft results not in a loss of a hand but indentured servitude until the theft is repaid. Murderers are sentenced to hang until dead, or committed to hard labor on prison farms. Rape in Sarkozsy results not only in castration, but the rapist’s belongings are sold, the proceeds given to the victim. If a child results, the rapist must work to support that child until the age of 16 under royal supervision.

[Grandmaster]

Military:

Though Sarkozsy is the largest country in the world, it is not necessarily the most populous. Furthermore, even if the geography of their great nation aids in their defense, they never slacked in producing a fine military. Though swords are a common weapon, many within Sarkozsy prefer to use axes, maces and polearms. This is mostly due to tradition, as the original settlers of the land had to not only clear the land of its dense forest, but also fend off wild animals and wilder humans. Cavalry also plays a considerable role in their military. Their steeds tend to be considerably larger than those of other nations, as well as being in possession of thicker coats to fend off the cold winter months.

Officers of the military are drawn from noble and, very occasionally, the most talented of the merchants and peasants. In addition, Sarkozsy has its share of Knights, but they are considered to be an entirely separate branch from the military and have little interaction with them. Instead, Knights are used to form the Royal Guard and serve as Peacekeepers throughout the lands. They are arbiters of justice, often serving as judge, jury and executioner for the various villages and hamlets.

[Grandmaster]

Religion:

The inhabitants of Sarkozsy, except for a handful of outlying villages and tribes, worship a single deity called the Creator. It was the Creator that formed the world and all that one sees within it. However, the Creator does not direct the lives of the people, but rather guides and influences them. The Creator, in essence, built the world and allowed it go mostly under its own devices, intervening only when absolutely necessary.

The Father or Mother of the Church is deemed the representative of the Creator in the world. That role is, in turn, elected by a college of bishops. The bishops are the religious heads of their designated area of the Kingdom. Bishops can ordain priests into the Church. In the past, women were not allowed to be priests, but over time, that tradition faded away, as did the tradition of priests not being allowed to marry.

The Church is commonly known for its preaching of temperance, moderation and kindness in all things. They frown upon overindulgence, especially given the harshness of the land they call their home. As such, at the arrival of every season within Sarkozsy, the churches throughout the land host a feast, encouraging the nobles and wealthy merchants to donate. The feasts are open for all, and are typically week-long affairs with food, dancing, music and general merriment all while giving thanks to the Creator not only for the food provided, but that people choose to be generous.

[Grandmaster]

Culture:

A strongly feudal society, Sarkozsy is divided into three classes - the nobles, the peasants and a minor merchant class. It has been this way for generations, though it has become mainly an institution. The peasants enjoy relative freedom so long as their nobles receive the appropriate tithes of labor, products and cooperation; the nobles do not inflict harsh penalties or cruelties unless the peasants take advantage of the situation. The merchant class, often itinerant, profits from both trade with the peasants and sales to the nobles.

Socially, it is primarily equal. While there is currently a King on the throne, whose heir is male, Sarkozsy has seen its share of queens. Women may own their own properties and titles, decide their own marriages and declare their own heirs.

Sarkozsy also allows divorce under specific circumstances. If a woman divorces her husband, her dowry must be returned to her, whether in lands or money. The former spouse is not permitted to speak with or see her again unless she permits it. Children over 10 decide with which parent they wish to go; children under 10 go with their mother and must be financially supported until they are 16.

Perhaps because of the harsh environs, Sarkozsy cherishes the family, music, dance and artistry of any kind. The exteriors of homes are often bleak, built to withstand snow, cold, wind and strong summer storms, but within, they are ablaze with color, light and life. Hospitality is offered freely and one day a week is reserved for family time. Even those who have no family are welcomed by others. Holidays are festive times, with feasting, singing and gift-giving.

It is no paradise on earth, but to those who call Sarkozsy home, it is a good place to live.

[Grandmaster]

Trade:

Sarkozsy has a great deal to offer to other realms, making it one of the premier allies in this part of the world. Raw ores such as iron, copper, tin and nickel are found in the hearts of the mountains and the riverbeds. Rich furs are trapped in the dense forests. Granite, shale and slate are found in abundance. Horses bred for stamina and strength are also a prime export.

There is some additional mining to produce diamonds and emeralds, as well as crops of tubers (potatoes, turnips, rutabaga, winter squash). Distilled liquors are also exported.

[Grandmaster]

Royal Family:

• Anatoli Fyodorov – Ekaterina Kolstatin
  
  • Nikolai Fyodorov
    
  • Demetri Fyodorov
    
  • Anastasia Fyodorov
    
  • Katya Fyodorov
  
  
• Alexei Fyodorov – Sofia Rostov
  
  • Mikhail Fyodorov
    
  • Ilyena Fyodorov
    
  • Yevgeni Fyodorov
  
  
• Valentina Fyodorov – Grigorii Tchaikantov, Count of the Blackwood
  
  • Maria-Elena Tchaikantov
    
  • Tatiana Tchaikantov
    
  • Vitasha Tchaikantov
    
  • Natalia Tchaikantov
    
  • Feliks Tchaikantov