Iron Confederacy - Revision history

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial navy" to "[[navy"

2026-01-16T09:44:03Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial navy" to "[[navy"

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	The priesthood has been responsible for maintaining the confederacy ever since. There have been squabbles between the duchies in the centuries since, but they have never again erupted into civil war. The legal system of the Iron Confederacy leaves some 'safety valves' which the duchies can employ to work off their frustrations and engage in struggles for land and dominance, but these are suspended in times of national crisis such as attempted orc invasions (or their occasional united attacks against outside forces).		The priesthood has been responsible for maintaining the confederacy ever since. There have been squabbles between the duchies in the centuries since, but they have never again erupted into civil war. The legal system of the Iron Confederacy leaves some 'safety valves' which the duchies can employ to work off their frustrations and engage in struggles for land and dominance, but these are suspended in times of national crisis such as attempted orc invasions (or their occasional united attacks against outside forces).

	There have been several skirmishes between the Confederacy and the Empire. The [[The Brass Coast\|Freeborn]] have borne the brunt of these conflicts, but not uniformly. During the [[Highguard history\|Highborn civil war]] they attempted naval landings south of Necropolis and attempted an invasion of the (then) free city of Sarvos. Both attacks were rebuffed. In the early years of the Empire, while the Imperial army was busy facing the threat of [[Alderei the Fair]], a major assault was against the Brass Coast that was defeated by a combination of Freeborn and Marcher armies supported by timely intelligence gathered by [[The League]]. During the reign of [[Empress Brannan]] the Suranni [[~~Imperial~~ navy\|navy]] landed a small army south of the [[Necropolis]] near [[Redoubt#Rebekah's Leap\|Rebekah's Leap]] in response to a perceived threat from the Empire. The fighting was short-lived and ended with the surrender and repatriation of the Confederacy armies.		There have been several skirmishes between the Confederacy and the Empire. The [[The Brass Coast\|Freeborn]] have borne the brunt of these conflicts, but not uniformly. During the [[Highguard history\|Highborn civil war]] they attempted naval landings south of Necropolis and attempted an invasion of the (then) free city of Sarvos. Both attacks were rebuffed. In the early years of the Empire, while the Imperial army was busy facing the threat of [[Alderei the Fair]], a major assault was against the Brass Coast that was defeated by a combination of Freeborn and Marcher armies supported by timely intelligence gathered by [[The League]]. During the reign of [[Empress Brannan]] the Suranni [[navy\|navy]] landed a small army south of the [[Necropolis]] near [[Redoubt#Rebekah's Leap\|Rebekah's Leap]] in response to a perceived threat from the Empire. The fighting was short-lived and ended with the surrender and repatriation of the Confederacy armies.

	For the last century, the Iron Confederacy has mostly concerned itself with protecting its borders from the raids of the [[Grendel]], slowly expanding its reach to the south and south-west, before conquering Kalino as its eighth and newest duchy in [[379YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Kalino.2C_the_southern_hills\|379YE]].		For the last century, the Iron Confederacy has mostly concerned itself with protecting its borders from the raids of the [[Grendel]], slowly expanding its reach to the south and south-west, before conquering Kalino as its eighth and newest duchy in [[379YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Kalino.2C_the_southern_hills\|379YE]].

Rafferty at 08:54, 28 June 2025

2025-06-28T08:54:54Z

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	A background that would require you to have further information about the religion of the Iron Confederacy or [[Suranni pantheon\|its gods]] is unlikely to be approved. The nature of the Suranni deities is intentionally left vague, and precisely how their divine blessings work is a secret that is intended to unfold in play, not in a 'secret briefing sheet'.		A background that would require you to have further information about the religion of the Iron Confederacy or [[Suranni pantheon\|its gods]] is unlikely to be approved. The nature of the Suranni deities is intentionally left vague, and precisely how their divine blessings work is a secret that is intended to unfold in play, not in a 'secret briefing sheet'.
			{{Suranni Links}}
	[[Category:Foreign Nations]]		[[Category:Foreign Nations]]
	[[Category:The World]]		[[Category:The World]]
	~~[[Category:Iron Confederaxy]]~~

Rafferty at 08:54, 28 June 2025

2025-06-28T08:54:38Z

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	</onlyinclude>		</onlyinclude>
	<!--Of particular interest to Imperial citizens is the [[Iron Confederacy ports\|Suranni port]] which is open to trade with the Empire.-->		<!--Of particular interest to Imperial citizens is the [[Iron Confederacy ports\|Suranni port]] which is open to trade with the Empire.-->

	===People===		===People===
	The ancestors of the Iron Confederacy came from across the sea around 800 years ago. They quickly subjugated the local human population and engaged in a gleeful war of extermination against the orcs, driving the survivors north into the Lasambrian Hills. At this time, according to their legends, they were ruled by a single divinely inspired Queen who, on her death, ascended to heaven and became a goddess. Her eldest child followed her onto her throne, and for several centuries the ''Surann'' as they called themselves were ruled by a hereditary monarch.		The ancestors of the Iron Confederacy came from across the sea around 800 years ago. They quickly subjugated the local human population and engaged in a gleeful war of extermination against the orcs, driving the survivors north into the Lasambrian Hills. At this time, according to their legends, they were ruled by a single divinely inspired Queen who, on her death, ascended to heaven and became a goddess. Her eldest child followed her onto her throne, and for several centuries the ''Surann'' as they called themselves were ruled by a hereditary monarch.

Rafferty at 08:54, 28 June 2025

2025-06-28T08:54:28Z

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	===~~Introduction~~===		<onlyinclude>
			===Overview===
	The Iron Confederacy lies to the south-west of the Empire, beyond the [[The Brass Coast\|Brass Coast]]. Their nation is made up of a number of large duchies allied in a loose confederacy. The northern duchies are heavily forested, while the western duchies are hilly and craggy rising to a low mountain range. The central duchies are warm, fertile plains that serve as a breadbasket for the rest of the nation.		The Iron Confederacy lies to the south-west of the Empire, beyond the [[The Brass Coast\|Brass Coast]]. Their nation is made up of a number of large duchies allied in a loose confederacy. The northern duchies are heavily forested, while the western duchies are hilly and craggy rising to a low mountain range. The central duchies are warm, fertile plains that serve as a breadbasket for the rest of the nation.

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	The people of the Iron Confederacy call themselves the Suranni, the Children of Surann, and believe they are descendants of a divine forbear who ascended to heaven after founding their nation. Their noble families trace direct lines of descent to this deified ancestor. They are a highly warlike people, characterised by cruel and uncompromising nature, respect for martial might, suspicion of 'magic' and said to be envious of the Empire and indeed all other human nations.		The people of the Iron Confederacy call themselves the Suranni, the Children of Surann, and believe they are descendants of a divine forbear who ascended to heaven after founding their nation. Their noble families trace direct lines of descent to this deified ancestor. They are a highly warlike people, characterised by cruel and uncompromising nature, respect for martial might, suspicion of 'magic' and said to be envious of the Empire and indeed all other human nations.
			</onlyinclude>
	<!--Of particular interest to Imperial citizens is the [[Iron Confederacy ports\|Suranni port]] which is open to trade with the Empire.-->		<!--Of particular interest to Imperial citizens is the [[Iron Confederacy ports\|Suranni port]] which is open to trade with the Empire.-->

Responsible1: /* Iron Confederacy Social Structure */ (removed gendered terms)

2025-05-31T13:14:49Z

Iron Confederacy Social Structure: (removed gendered terms)

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	The lowest of the low are the slaves. Most slaves who work in fields, mines or households are humans. The Iron Confederacy does not have many [[orc]] slaves, and they primarily serve in the military as shock troops, considered ultimately expendable because they are not human. They are routinely set to fight to the death for the entertainment of their masters, and any signs of rebellion are brutally put down. Some humans who breed orc soldiers function as mercenaries in the rivalries between the duchies, offering bands of murderous inhuman troops to the service of one duke and then another.		The lowest of the low are the slaves. Most slaves who work in fields, mines or households are humans. The Iron Confederacy does not have many [[orc]] slaves, and they primarily serve in the military as shock troops, considered ultimately expendable because they are not human. They are routinely set to fight to the death for the entertainment of their masters, and any signs of rebellion are brutally put down. Some humans who breed orc soldiers function as mercenaries in the rivalries between the duchies, offering bands of murderous inhuman troops to the service of one duke and then another.

	While outsiders see the people of the Iron Confederacy as brutal and amoral, they consider themselves disciplined adherents to a harsh code of justice. They think nothing of cutting the hand off a thief or beheading a magician. A ~~man or woman~~ who breaks their marriage vows, regardless of station, will be exiled and imprisoned for their crimes. Those who voice or teach heresy against the divinities ''deserve'' to be hanged, because they are attacking the very basis of Suranni society. Cruel as it may be, the foundations of the Suranni legal code lie in mutual respect, filial piety, duty to the nation and loyalty to the state - married to an absolute conviction that the nobles are simply ''better'' than everyone beneath them in status - after all, divine blood flows in their veins.		While outsiders see the people of the Iron Confederacy as brutal and amoral, they consider themselves disciplined adherents to a harsh code of justice. They think nothing of cutting the hand off a thief or beheading a magician. A person who breaks their marriage vows, regardless of station, will be exiled and imprisoned for their crimes. Those who voice or teach heresy against the divinities ''deserve'' to be hanged, because they are attacking the very basis of Suranni society. Cruel as it may be, the foundations of the Suranni legal code lie in mutual respect, filial piety, duty to the nation and loyalty to the state - married to an absolute conviction that the nobles are simply ''better'' than everyone beneath them in status - after all, divine blood flows in their veins.

	===Iron Confederacy Military Concerns===		===Iron Confederacy Military Concerns===

Dre at 21:33, 6 May 2025

2025-05-06T21:33:26Z

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	They are a hard, proud, jealous people whose society is fundamentally feudal. All real power rests with the dukes and duchesses, and they appoint barons to oversee their lands. The peasants are at the bottom of the pyramid and have few rights. Unlike their Imperial neighbours, they believe that people are born into their station in life and should accept their place in the world. The reward for living one's life according to one's status is to be ''reforged'' (reborn) with a higher status in the next life - the most virtuous and hard-working servants of their kingdom are reborn into the noble families. The most respected form of service to the gods is to serve as a soldier, and soldiers who die in battle against the enemies of their duchy are guaranteed to be forged as soldiers in their next life.		They are a hard, proud, jealous people whose society is fundamentally feudal. All real power rests with the dukes and duchesses, and they appoint barons to oversee their lands. The peasants are at the bottom of the pyramid and have few rights. Unlike their Imperial neighbours, they believe that people are born into their station in life and should accept their place in the world. The reward for living one's life according to one's status is to be ''reforged'' (reborn) with a higher status in the next life - the most virtuous and hard-working servants of their kingdom are reborn into the noble families. The most respected form of service to the gods is to serve as a soldier, and soldiers who die in battle against the enemies of their duchy are guaranteed to be forged as soldiers in their next life.

	All lineages are known in the Iron Confederacy, but the [[naga]] bloodline is among the most common. It is very rare outside the nobility or the priesthood, but all the noble families of the Confederacy have threads of naga lineage running through them. Naga children born to commoner households, as well as non-naga lineaged children born to nobles, are usually given up to the priesthood which has ~~lead~~ to a very strong lineaged presence among the priests who are themselves prohibited from marriage.		All lineages are known in the Iron Confederacy, but the [[naga]] bloodline is among the most common. It is very rare outside the nobility or the priesthood, but all the noble families of the Confederacy have threads of naga lineage running through them. Naga children born to commoner households, as well as non-naga lineaged children born to nobles, are usually given up to the priesthood which has led to a very strong lineaged presence among the priests who are themselves prohibited from marriage.

	The duchies are ruled by a duke or duchess, a member of a hereditary noble caste that enjoys many privileges at the cost of grave responsibilities. There are eight duchies in all, each with a reasonable amount of autonomy within the confederacy but bound together by their shared faith and a politically neutral priesthood.		The duchies are ruled by a duke or duchess, a member of a hereditary noble caste that enjoys many privileges at the cost of grave responsibilities. There are eight duchies in all, each with a reasonable amount of autonomy within the confederacy but bound together by their shared faith and a politically neutral priesthood.

Rafferty at 10:37, 27 June 2024

2024-06-27T10:37:01Z

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	[[Category:Foreign Nations]]		[[Category:Foreign Nations]]
	[[Category:The World]]		[[Category:The World]]
			[[Category:Iron Confederaxy]]

Hailmur: /* Look and Feel */

2024-03-22T11:43:15Z

Look and Feel

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	===Look and Feel===		===Look and Feel===
	{{~~CaptionedImage\|file=DeCourceyHouseKnight.jpg\|align=right\|width=400\|caption=A knight of the deCourcey ducal house.~~}}		{{stub}}
	The strongest influence ~~of the costume of~~ the Iron Confederacy is 12th- or 13th-century Norman ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1000-1100,_Norman._-_033_-_Costumes_of_All_Nations_(1882).JPG wikipedia] has a passable reference here). ~~Their knights wear chain~~, ~~fight~~ with ~~kite shields~~, ~~and wear the iconic nasal helm. They top the entire thing off~~ with ~~brightly coloured surcoats or tabards in~~ the ~~colours~~ of their ~~noble~~ house. ~~Plate is less~~ common ~~than~~ in ~~the Empire~~, and ~~usually~~ a ~~sign of nobility~~.		*The strongest influence for the Iron Confederacy is 12th- to 13th-century Norman ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1000-1100,_Norman._-_033_-_Costumes_of_All_Nations_(1882).JPG wikipedia] has a passable reference here).
			The most common colour throughout the Iron Confederacy is grey and almost everyone owns a tunic: a serf's would be dull in undyed linen, cotton or wool; a noble's in finer fabrics, often with a high collar; a duke's finer still, occasionally with embroidery depicting the greatest deeds of their house. A common element in both noble and serf clothing is a short cloak, worn over one shoulder and secured with a brooch or simple cloak pin.

	Noble heraldry is much more rigid than that used in Imperial nations ~~such as~~ [[Dawn]] or [[the Marches]]; each ~~duchy~~ has a ~~simple~~ livery ~~that is generally two colours~~, favouring dark shades. These are often combined in simple geometric shapes. ~~Each Duchy has~~ a ~~single image that is strongly associated with it~~ and appears regularly on surcoats, banners. ~~Commonly known~~ symbols are the raven, the wolf's head, and the coiling dragon~~. While a shield may bear this heraldry, it is much more common for the shield to be unadorned or daubed with a simple symbol, in preference for a finely coloured surcoat or tabard~~.		Noble heraldry is much more rigid than that used in the Imperial nations of [[Dawn]] and [[the Marches]]; each ducal house has a livery made up of a single base colour, favouring dark shades, and the grey that is common throughout the nation. These are most often combined in simple geometric shapes or using grey as a simple shape on the base colour, with lesser houses following the example of their duke. Lesser houses occasionally claim a symbol to use as part of their heraldry - often involving a lengthy period of petitioning their duke for recognition - and which appears regularly on the surcoats, banners, and occasionally shields of that house's knights. Known symbols are the raven, the wolf's head, and the coiling dragon.

	~~Knights~~ of the ~~High Temple favour heater shields over kite shields~~, and ~~are more likely to wear mithril plate over heavy steel chain~~. ~~They~~ wear ~~surcoats~~ or ~~tabards~~ of ~~a single colour~~, ~~rather than the~~ dual-~~colours that represent allegiance to a noble house~~.		The most common armour is a simple breastplate of iron or bronze which are crafted in the grand forges funded by the dukes. Peasant levies and militia are often equipped with a breastplate and polearm or bow, depending on their skill and the needs of the noble. Knights supplement their breastplate with chainmail, wear the iconic nasal helm and complete their ensemble with a surcoat or tabard in the colour of their house. Lawkeepers are outliers in the Iron Confederacy, often wearing dual-coloured tabards or surcoats over their armour.

	~~People of all genders~~ wear ~~their hair~~ long, ~~often tying it back in~~ a ~~long strip~~ of ~~cloth~~. ~~The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimple wimple] sees extensive use~~, especially ~~among older people.~~		Priests wear long, grey tunics under loose robes that they accessorise with a stole of a single colour. Some priests, especially when performing ceremonies, cover their entire face with a veil or shawl, in honour of [[Suranni_pantheon#Kavol.2C_the_Veiled_King\|the Veiled King Kavol]]. Priests almost invariably wield staves, and never bear weapons longer than a dagger or wear armour.

	~~A common element in both noble and peasant costume is a short cloak~~, ~~worn over one shoulder and secured with a brooch.~~

	~~Priests tend to a slightly more Roman-inspired look. They wear loose single-coloured robes or long tunics and invariably cover their heads with a wimple or long cotton shawl. Some go so far as to~~ cover their entire face with a veil or shawl, in honour of the ~~god-king~~ Kavol. Priests almost invariably wield staves, and never bear weapons longer than a dagger or wear armour.

	~~Peasants wear whatever scraps of leather and wool they can get together, often in the form of shapeless smocks with hose and sandals~~.

	===The Iron Confederacy in Play===		===The Iron Confederacy in Play===

Rafferty: /* Magic Traditions */

2023-05-20T13:06:21Z

Magic Traditions

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	===Magic Traditions===		===Magic Traditions===
	There are few magicians in the Iron Confederacy, because most people would rather rely on the tried-and-trusted rites of the priesthood. Magicians are suspicious, untrustworthy characters seen as being in league with [[Suranni pantheon#Dumon the Liar, the Wicked One\|Dumon the Liar]], the dark god of the Suranni pantheon. ~~Some~~ magicians, accepting their innate corruption, seek out the priesthood and live out their lives in seclusion using their magic under the watchful gaze of the priests~~; others~~ denounce Dumon and make the priesthood their vocation.		There are few magicians in the Iron Confederacy, because most people would rather rely on the tried-and-trusted rites of the priesthood. Magicians are suspicious, untrustworthy characters seen as being in league with [[Suranni pantheon#Dumon the Liar, the Wicked One\|Dumon the Liar]], the dark god of the Suranni pantheon. Stories have always claimed that some magicians, accepting their innate corruption, seek out the priesthood and live out their lives in seclusion using their magic under the watchful gaze of the priests. In practice this actually means imprisonment in places such as [[Bay_of_Catazar#Axiom_Prison\|Axiom Prison]]. Others denounce Dumon and make the priesthood their vocation, but by all accounts they are never allowed to use their magic again.

	Magicians who do not accept the corrupt source of their power and denounce Dumon are executed without mercy. A foreign magician taken in battle by the Iron Confederacy is often summarily executed unless there is a priest present - in which case there will usually be a quick trial followed by execution. The most common form of execution is beheading; the head is taken by the priests and incinerated in a furnace along with certain aromatic herbs. Magical tomes and implements are usually thrown into the furnace alongside the heads.		Magicians who do not accept the corrupt source of their power and denounce Dumon are executed without mercy. A foreign magician taken in battle by the Iron Confederacy is often summarily executed unless there is a priest present - in which case there will usually be a quick trial followed by execution. The most common form of execution is beheading; the head is taken by the priests and incinerated in a furnace along with certain aromatic herbs. Magical tomes and implements are usually thrown into the furnace alongside the heads.

Rafferty: /* Look and Feel */

2022-05-20T17:50:14Z

Look and Feel

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:50, 20 May 2022
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	Knights of the High Temple favour heater shields over kite shields, and are more likely to wear mithril plate over heavy steel chain. They wear surcoats or tabards of a single colour, rather than the dual-colours that represent allegiance to a noble house.		Knights of the High Temple favour heater shields over kite shields, and are more likely to wear mithril plate over heavy steel chain. They wear surcoats or tabards of a single colour, rather than the dual-colours that represent allegiance to a noble house.

	People of all genders wear their hair long, often tying it back in a long strip of cloth. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimple wimple] sees extensive use, especially among older ~~women~~.		People of all genders wear their hair long, often tying it back in a long strip of cloth. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimple wimple] sees extensive use, especially among older people.

	A common element in both noble and peasant costume is a short cloak, worn over one shoulder and secured with a brooch.		A common element in both noble and peasant costume is a short cloak, worn over one shoulder and secured with a brooch.