River'reach

Vexillology
The flag originates from the founding of River’reach and has been named “a river shared”. The flag is composed of symbolic material such as the national fish, the “Trout”, as well as the winding rivers that take up mostly all of river'reach geography and culture. The flag's colors come from the blue orchids which are commonly found around river edges. However the blue is strongly inspired from the freshwater rivers found in River’reach. Commonly in offensive wars, or in battles, you’ll see the banner men and knights waving “a river for us” which is another flag with the missing detail of the trout in the center.

Nomadic Era
The Chiefdom of River’reach was founded in 450 PK when a large group of tribes decided that if they were to oppose the greater threat of the Polocone Mountain Barbarians, they would need to form a mutual pact, which later turned into the formation of the nation. The first leader, in this case, was Lord Chief Halef. During this time the economy was non-existent with little evidence that the trade of river dates existed. Around 455 PK the peace that ruled river’reach was broken when local ecosystems began to die out leading to devastating amounts of malnutrition and famine. The human’s of river’reach then decided that it was best to go to the local tribe of the river elves whom they had little to no previous connection with. With the aid of the river elves the Reachians were able to successfully replenish the ecosystem and cure their famine. This bond between the humans and river elves would lead to the later construction of the Citadel in 458 PK. During this time the river elven population would slowly begin to influence the majority of river’reach, causing the population of humans and river elves in the chiefdom to imbalance. It was the creation of the Citadel that led the nation of river’reach out of the Nomadic Era and into the Feudal Age.

Feudal Age
Fearing that the river elves would become superior, Halef the II began conspiring against the populus of elves that resided near and in the capital. It was two days prior to the lunar festival when Halef II began gathering his knight’s on the outer wall of the reach. Marching through the streets, Halef II began demanding the exile of each and every elve. Upon hearing this the vassal Berhugun of Arch sent a superficial announcement to the tribes of the river elves fearing that a war could break out. Shocked and scared of what could happen next, the small brittle militia consisting of elves and archian troops marched for the capital. It was around this time that Halef II demanded the slaughter of any noble elves, starting city wide riots. Berhugun marched his army into the smoke that engulfed the casten, finding a knightless Halef II surrounded by his marshals. Here the small militia put an end to Halef, however were cut down by the arriving knights. Scared and hurt, the population of elves went into hiding far away from the now acclaimed Tivrdom. After the death of Halef, Berguhun’s nephew, Fehnir the III was crowned in the halls of the Citadel. As he sat upon the Salt Rock Throne, Fehnir gathered his scholar’s and made the decision to create the Tivrdom of River’reach. Shortly after the second ecosystem loss was experienced, Fehnir began proactively hunting River Elves in search of a cure. With little evidence they had survived Halef’s rule, Fehnir began to drive himself mad searching every nick and corner. Whilst his people grew hungry, and his vassals despised him, Fehnir found an ancient ꌃꂦꂦꀘ ꂦꎇ ᖘꋪꂦᖘꃅꍟꉓꌩ, which is what scholars believe drove him to the brink of madness. It was sometime during the summer of 489 PK that Fehnir’s storm had been brewing for far too long causing his vassal “Argon the River’washed” to declare war for his claim on the reach and the Tivrdom. Three battles would occur prior to the army of ten thousand vassal knights arriving at the gates of the Reach and commenced the largest river’reach battle to date. Loosing and half-mad, Fehnir II demanded that twelve ships of explosives be thrown into the casten before Argon arrived. Unfortunately this knocked out the casten foundation, and the residencies below. Fire spread, and vulnerable buildings such as the fort and the citadel were engulfed in smoke leaving nothing but rubble behind.

Present day
Argon ascends the throne in hopes to repair the destruction that his predecessors have caused.

Language
The state language of river’reach is kolken, a superficial language that was introduced by nomad immigrants that had ransacked the lands of river’reach in its early days. Now kolken has both cultural and traditional ties to the people of river’reach, and has the majority of the population speaking it. Kolken has been described as a very easy language to understand upon first visiting river’reach, and may be one of the largest languages due to its lesser challenges for its communicator. Some example words are, Tivr (River), Casten (Castle), Kul (Keeper), Vardian (Guardian), Doomus (Fool), Beer (Funish). Over time the language of kolken has seen both edits from the citadel, and sub-languages that are similar to it.

Races
Riverfolk Elves

River Elves are one of the oldest races that reside within River'reach. To the untrained eye, these elves commonly hold occupations such as arcane practitioners, native fishing experts, and religious' devouts. However, those well versed in the Reach's political undercurrents see more... Culture tensions between Elvish natives and the Humans have led to Elves who accept humans to enjoy higher occupations as scholars, researchers, and occasionally nobility. Neutral Elves live quieter lives as local experts revolve around the Reach's rivers, while the dissented elvish populace turn into religious activists or even turn to the criminal underclass as smugglers. Riverfolk Elves are on average 8'1 with an affinity to water. To those gifted in the Arcane, they have an even higher strength in the magical field.

Riverfolk Humans

Riverfolk Humans are neither a subspecies or a special kind of humanoid, but instead they represent the largest cultural group within the Tivrdom. These Humans reach every crevice of Reach Society. From Nobles, Valiant Shields, and Earthly Scholars to Swindlers, Jesters, and Merchants to simple Farmers, Boatmen, and Messengers. Humans in all their lack of specialization have instead become jack of trades through sheer numbers. Riverfolk Humans in particular hold a dominant skill set in Swimming with the average Riverfolk boasting broad shoulders, long torsos, and an above-average height of roughly 5 inches compared to the average human. The River Reach cultural group is noted for their river green eyes as well, a trait that is seen in around 70% of all Riverfolk humans. Their respect towards the River ranges from how educated they are. While simple Farmers rely on the rivers, they take its boons for granted. In comparison, Merchants may be more apt in it's value, while the Nobility vary based on their moral code.

Koken River Toads

A sub-species of Toadmen, Koken River Toads share characteristics to the native river toads of the Reach. They hold a small but lively population in the Tivrdom's agricultural districts and slums. Like humans, Koken River Toads have five digits with limbs on the stumpy side but walk with a posture that seems more bow-legged to most humanoids. Koken River Toads come in a variety of colors of native river toads: Green, Spotted Orange, Mud Pink, River Blue, and pebble gray. Koken Toadmen are significantly larger than their average wildlife counterparts but are far from having human wisdom making Koken Toadmen to be more naive and free-spirited. Among the diverse races of River'reach, Koken Toadmen specialize in waterworks and agriculture revolving paddies and flooded fields. They are known to have a loose partnership with common river toads, often taming or goading larger variants of wild River Toads to pull wagons or farming instruments.

Alch’tael Slime-Folk

The Alch’tael are a race of man-made slime-folk created through the use of advanced alchemy, the very same alchemy that had rendered them synthetic and sterile creatures, unable to raise themselves past what their creators concocted. An extreme rarity within River'reach, only a few HIgh Scholars devoted to the study of Alchemy utilize such slimes as familiars or expendable lab rats. To look upon an Alch'tael is to look upon an imitator. While they might craft themselves unique bodies, the features upon them are often lifted from things they might've found to their taste. Though even so, there are a few things that stay noticeable in whatever form they might take. A slimy exterior, most often consisting of one singular color often corresponding to whatever chemical, liquid, or even essence they're holding within. Alch’tael Creation requires that one first knows the recipe itself.

Temperature
The average temperature during the summer is around 28° celsius which is just the right temperature that all of the species in River’rush can thrive. The winter average stands around -2° celsius which has seen some devastating effects on the brittle and delicate species such as the Alch’tael Slime-Folk.

Natural geography
The natural geography of river’reach tends to be winding rivers running through plains, forests, and even flower fields. Most of the natural geography still remains even though it is exploited by the cities of river’reach, and it’s natural preservation that is one of the main aspects that the people of river’reach truly adore.

Ecosystem
The ecosystem in the river region’s in far more diverse and populated than the inland ecosystems, this is mainly due to the native preservation tactics that are used by the people of river’reach today. On the other hand the inland ecosystem was at one point rich with deer, moose, and even beaver, but were sadly driven to the brink of extinction during Fehnir’s reign. We see that culturally back then over-hunting wasn’t a large concern, or even really heard of, and now some of the species native to inland river’reach have started to return.

Government
The government structure in river’reach is unique to its region. It is known as a Tivrdom in kolken tongue with no apparent translation to english being made. Its main aspect making it so different from common governments is that within a Tivrdom there is no one singular government body, but rather two government bodies that lead the nation. However the Salt Rock Throne is the leading government and has full authority over the Citadel.

Salt Rock Throne
The Castenkul is the leading king over the Tivdrom, and has full authority and absolute power. Castenkul usually tend to have succession lines that follow their bloodlines and will appoint their heir and successors. In some cases the Castenkul will resign or die, and one of the highest ranking members of the Knight’s of the Reach will take his place until his heir is of age. Heirs need to be the age of eighteen before being appointed to the castenkul position.

Casten Court

The Casten Court is led by the Castenkul, and is one of the councils that leads the Tivrdom. The court is composed of court-chairmen, lords, vardians, and slum lords. The Casten Court is the heart of the system, and has the full right to override any decisions made by the Citadel. The members who join the Casten Court are of the highest ranking positions in River’reach, and only make it via dedication and or reputation. The Court Chairmen are the head of any discussion, and serve as the advisors to the Castenkul. The Casten Court is responsible for the proper growth of the river’reach, any large decision making choices, the distribution of products, the command of the knights of the reach, and foreseeing the benefit of the people of river’reach.

Citadel Court

The Citadel Court is the lower ranking court led by the Voice of the Citadel who is a largely influencing political figure responsible for the river’reach’s progress of knowledge, religious standings, and war tactics. However the Voice of the Citadel personally responds to Castenkul, and cannot make important decisions without him. The Citadel court is composed of high scholars, and apprentice scholars.

Vardian Ministries
Ministry of Growth

Responsible for all and any architectural challenges, and manages the construction of infrastructure and residencies.

Ministry of Economy

Responsible for the management of the economy, and proper flow of currency. Manages the Vardian budget, and makes sure that no singular ministry is using more money than needed.

Ministry of Tax

Responsible for the management of border tax, and distribution of products between cities. Usually works in synchrony with the MoE.

Ministry of Enforcement

Responsible for the management of law enforcement in the cities of river’reach, able to launch campaigns against espionage, illegal goods trafficking, wanted persons, ect.

Ministry of Logistics

Responsible for the logistics of war, infrastructure, border growth, and defense tactics. Regularly manages the knights of the reach at fort trout alongside higher ranking personnel. Keeps the interest of training high.

Ministry of Law

Responsible for the management of Judges, and law systems. Sees the upkeep of law’s being made through.

Knights of the Reach
The Knight’s of the Reach are a symbolic unit unique to River’reach, and follow the high command chain and the Castenkul. The Knight’s of the Reach is nothing more than a name for the large group of military personnel that fall under it. The Knight’s of the Reach are known to serve and protect the realm of the river, and the people that live within it.

Kulvardian’s “King Guardians”

The Kulvardian’s are an elite group of knight’s responsible for the protection of the Castenkul, and are vital to his ultimate protection. They are both physically and intellectually superior to the common knight, and are chosen by the Castenkul directly. The Kulvardian’s do not have any authority over other ranks whatsoever.

Valor Knight

The Valor Knight’s have seen their time as River Knights and are experienced in the art of warfare. It is a Valor Knight’s duty to pave the way for River Knight’s by training them at Fort Trout. In order to become a Valor Knight you must be personally knighted by the Castenkul in a ceremony for experienced swordsmen. The Valor Knight’s tend to lead a large regiment of River Knight’s during battles.

River Knight

The River Knight’s are semi- experienced fighters who have chosen to fight for the Tivrdom, and willing to put their lives in harm's way for the benefit of the people. River Knight’s follow the direct command of Valor Knight’s but have the authority to lead a small regiment of bannermen upon further command. In order to become a River Knight you must finish training as a Bannermen at Fort Trout. The River Knight has a large amount of authority over citizens.

Bannermen

The Bannermen are a group of enlistees, training in the heart of the nation. They have no authority over civilians.

River Levy

The River Levees are usually citizen’s from slums or extreme poverty that are forced to fight in defensive situations, this tends to be a rare occurrence but has happened multiple times in river’reach before.

Culture
River’reach culture consists of three main aspects that being militaristic, tivr feudalism, and bridge architecture. Early river’reach author, and valor knight describes the militaristic patriotism of River’reach as something found nowhere else in the realms of which exist. From the knighthood folklore, to the chivalry events, it’s obvious that the majority of the culture found in river’reach today surrounds the patriotism that exists in the citizen’s pride for their national unit. However we do see that in the river slums the majority of the popularity of the Knight’s of the Reach seems to be quite low, with some groups genuinely despising authorities. This has led to some diversion in River’reach culture creating what is known as tivr feudalism. Slums that have later become towns or even cities, carried this culture leading to a large sphere of influence for the tivr feudalism. Tivr feudalism is the preservation of rivers, and influences the river-agro that we see today such as fishing, farming near rivers, or even the consumption of seaweed. Due to tivr feudalism being so dependent on rivers, those who are traditional to the culture have a hard time connecting or even liking those who live inland which has some devastating effects on the diplomatic relations of river’reach. “I stood before a bridge, mighty tall, and mighty wide.. And all I could think about was what was the Castenkul feeding these damn reachians?” - Passerby of Fort Trout. Now although many may not consider the bridges of river’reach a culture, it is the practice of building one that is vital to the people of river’reach and is implemented in their traditions and architectural styles.