Thure

Thure, also called Turiana, was an independent Arldom. It bordered the Archadian Empire, Whitehaven, which was its vassal, and Blackrode.

History

The origins of Thurians are unknown. However, it is known that in approximately 181 AIC a tribe of seaborne raiders led by Thure Oxen-neck made landfall in the land that would later be known as Thure. The around the river Ragnström was found to be fertile and warm and the Thurian raiders chose to settle, subjugating the natives, known as the Jalhar. The Jalhar were a peaceful people, perhaps related to the desert people of Haram. In Jalhar mythology, the main god is said to return one day riding on wooden dolphins and lead the Jalhar to their paradise. Thus they took the Thurian invaders for gods and submitted to them without a fight. The Jalhar served as servants.

In 206 AIC, the Thurian War of Independence was fought between Thure and the Archadian Empire, which saw Thurian armies besieging Cecasandria after a border incident erupted. A diplomatic solution was soon reached which saw Archadia recognise the full independence of Thure. Tensions between Thure and her neighbours in the empire remained high, with the Rikehovn Incident being a similar border incident which avoided war, and the Wedding Cruise Incident being a diplomatic incident with Lorem Ipsum. These incidents led Thure to ally itself with Nosamo and form the Western Pact.

Thure Oxen-neck died after 28 years of rule in Thure. He was succeeded by Ragnar Firebeard.

During the Great Inner Sea War, Ragnar Firebeard led the country to war with the Archadian Empire to annex Praxidea and Cecasandria. After victory in this war, Thure's men of power suddenly found themselves the masters of large swathes of fertile soil. Soon after the Imperial Spring, Thure fought a minor conflict with Blackrode, taking tribute. Despite being one of Thure's golden ages, with the decline of the old world abroad, trade became less and less profitable and, at the same time, Nosamo's navy ruled the sea and enforced the ban on piracy. Slowly, Thurian raiders and seafarers became farmers and artists. As the Solarian faith began to spread, the Thurian way of life was put to an end - the people no longer following the aggressive propagation of warfare by the Thurian gods.

In around 650 AIC, disaster struck. As if to punish the old Thurian capital for being the only town not yet having renounced the old gods, pestilence broke out in Thure, at the heart of the trade node of an entire region. More than three quarters of the population perished in agony, peasants and nobles alike. Rudwik the Wise recognized the nature of this threat and closed city gates as well as the harbor, thus shutting off traffic into and out of Thure and thereby preventing the further spreading of the plague. But to the simple people on the street it was a sign of the Solarian god that those who do not follow him will get wiped from his world. The big fire of 703 AIC, only one year after the pestilence receded, put an end to the city. There were not enough people left to rebuild what was lost. Cecasandria was separated from the older Thurian territories and developed its own culture. The towns that had lived in the shadow of Thure for many centuries had no interest in paying for its revival.

Throughout much of the Great Migration, Germans were settling in Thurian territories. By around 785 AIC, the old viking way of life was completely gone. The new burgher elite, well educated and following Solarianism, were inspired by the successes of the Tor Ardwen Sotiranity and eventually launched their own rebellion against the Heliarchy which went on to become the Karlsbund.

Politics

All important matters to Thure were decided by the Thing, a meeting hall where all free men could vote and have their voices heard. The Thing was also responsible for electing a leader to wage war and conduct raids.

There was no state religion in Thure, as personal freedom was so highly valued. A variety of religions were present: traditional Thurian mythology, Jalhar mythology, and many other sects and confessions. Kryero was said to have a chapel present.

Economy

Thure was a largely agrarian society, exporting food products and timber throughout the Inner Sea, especially to Nosamo. There were small artisanal mining operations and handicraft, but most metal products were imported. The economy was also supported by raiding foreign lands and through the subjugation of Thure's neighbours.