[h1][b]House Crowe of Reinoa[/b][/h1] [img]http://i.imgur.com/awM15mW.png[/img] [b]House Specialty[/b] Reinoan Long Bows, or more accurately, the archers that wield them are unique to Reinoa. The rate of fire and range available to the archers of Reinoa exceed those of archers employed by other kingdoms, though crossbows have better armor penetration, and short bows can be used while mounted. [b]Ancestral Weapon[/b] A spear of some renown, made of a stout beech shaft and a cold-iron leaf head. It has served the many generations of the Crowe family well, serving in hundreds of battles through the centuries. Used most frequently to defend the land from foreign invaders, it is an aptly named weapon, the Boar's Tusk. [hider=Important Members] [hider=King Emyr Crowe, the Winter King] Always calm and level headed his capacity to keep his cool in even the hottest of battles and most raucous celebrations have earned him the exaggerated title of "Winter King." He rules with a just heart and clear head, but sometimes he forgets that even the best of men can make mistakes. He is an excellent commander and administrator, but he has little grace for those who waste his time or try to trick or cheat him. [u]Skills[/u]: An ardent academic, especially in the needs of a kingdom. A moderately skilled warrior with a spear and shield. Logical and detached, able to see the bigger picture consistently. [u]Flaws[/u]: A perfectionist, he does not accept failure from anyone. Personal doubt, he views his inability to sire a male heir as a personal failure.[/hider] [hider= Queen Dilys Crowe] Patient, kind, and always looking to keep the peace where it can be kept. Queen Dilys has been King Emyr's balance in many things, especially in his insistence that everything be done perfectly the first time. She usually handles the arrangements at official functions. Having grown up as the daughter of the previous Duke of Arlvek, she is a skilled warrior in her own right, though few know it, as it has been a family secret since just after the split of Stormtir and Reinoa. Proficient with a sling, shield and short spear, she is even more of an oddity on the battlefield in that she is left handed; and is capable of making the most of the awkwardness it causes in combat. [u]Skills[/u]: Slinger, diplomatic, good singer. [u]Flaws[/u]: Stubborn[/hider] [hider=Princess Maudhnait Crowe] A headstrong and willful woman, like her mother, Maud, as her friends and family call her, is determined to be the prince her father had hoped for, and his nobles wished for. Her parents, mostly her mother, thankfully have kept her from going too far, though that definition is in dispute. She a skilled rider, and few can handle a mace as well as she, whether mounted or on foot. She is often seen wearing a chain mail hauberk over leggings(the source of many arguments with both her mother and others) with her mace at her side and her shield on her back. She has a royal guard of Reinoa's five best warriors(another series of arguments, and eventually accepted as a compromise for the battle dress) who are with her almost constantly, especially when she travels through the realm. Her dark brown, wavy hair is usually pulled back into a single braid that hangs to the small of her back. It is tucked into her jerkin when she fights, so it doesn't catch on something or get used against her. Despite her stubbornness, she seems to have inherited her father's ability to see things play out before they actually do, and is not often surprised by events or people and has only had to apologize four times in her life. (three times to her mother, once to the new cook) Her constant state of fighting everyone for something, has hardened her heart, and those that break the law, or take advantage of it, will find no mercy left within her heart. [u]Skills[/u]: Natural Leader, good planner, listens to advice and wise council(usually), excellent Knight [u]Flaws[/u]: Headstrong, Merciless.[/hider][/hider] [b]Courtiers & Retainers[/b] Chancellor- Aurbeul Lywelyn High Priest- Giolla Ruaidh Marshal- Eoghab Rattray Sage- Haul Goronwy Spymaster- Meurig MacNeil, the Wandering Bard (everyone knows who he is, but few know what he is) Steward- Murchadh Torcuil [b]Vassals and Holdings[/b] [list][*]Rimad, held by house Crowe[*]Mocan, held by house Glynder[*]Warsten, held by house Caerwyn[*]Sengenid, held by house Wynael[*]Bledfa, held by house Lewar[*]Wrexham, held by house Ryderch[*]Randirwyn, held by house Brynearn[*]Trefriw, held by house Tudyr[*]Cefnar, held by house Gwyntra[*]Arlvek, held by house Rudgal[/list] [b]Realm[/b] [i]Kingdom of Reinoa, The Hinterlands of Orlandis[/i] [b]Primary Holding[/b] Rimad, Reinoa. [img]http://downloads.sega-europe.com/blogs/totalwar/June07/Britannia_devdiary_pt1/King_Fort.jpg[/img] A notable fortress, not too far from the shore of Reinoa, the better to dissuade raiders, it is supported by nearby towns and serves as the official capitol of Reinoa. Emyr has been able to avoid those members of his nobility who merely wish to hang from his every word by living here since his coronation, unfortunately it had other consequences as well. Still, no one has ever successfully assaulted the walls of Rimad in written history, though rumors abound of armies stirring, and these walls may yet again be put to the test... [b]Influence & Relations[/b] Reinoa's influence is substantial, having spent generations building up their continental trade routes and improving the survival rates of their maritime routes. It isn't quite enough to start a war by itself, but if paired with any of its neighbors it is indeed a formidable force. Most of Reinoa's force is economic, in that it supplies a large portion of the continents raw and worked Iron, tin, and copper. If it decided to withhold these, economies all around them would crumble. (of course their own would quickly stagnate and die as well, unless a new buyer was found) Relations with each Reinoa's neighbors are uneasy acceptance. To the north west a common culture is shared, though the difference in religion has been a sore spot for centuries now. To the north, a bastard king rules, so the kingdom is viewed by many nobles as illegitimate, and a blight upon society. To the East a more sensible nation looks down at Reinoa as barely tamed savages, and to the south lays a country that share only the long history of being targeted by Stormtir raiders. [b]Exports & Imports[/b] Exports: Iron, raw and processed Tin, processed, Copper, raw and processed Precious Stones, processed Precious Metals, processed Timber(soft and hard), processed Slaves, raw Imports: Grain Wine Livestock Slaves Books Salt [b]Recent History[/b] Seeking to build a kingdom that will run itself, in place of a proper heir, King Emyr is drafting many changes in the kingdoms laws, changing what taxes are owed to and by whom, how much taxes are owed, number and quality of levies for each duchy, as well as a reducing the restrictions on trade and replacing the previously complex and tedious system of tariffs and import export taxes, a flat rate of a minimum fee per lb of goods being traded, plus a small percent of profits made in kingdom. Other changes are less influential on the daily lives of Reinoa's populace, and are largely ignored though they often lay the ground work, or make possible the bigger changes being implemented. The biggest change is the offer of a grant of title and land to anyone who can prove their citizenship and their worth to the kingdom. Opening up the nobility to men of common decent, if they can prove their worth. The easiest way to do this of course is to lead a company of men into battle and perform some outstanding feat of bravery. This isn't the only way of course, just the easiest. In this provision, nobles and the heirs of nobles already in existence are not permitted to participate, unless they forfeit all their current holdings, or their right to inherit any holdings. Most of the available holdings are in Cefnar and Wrexham.