Sign in or 
Share this
Kurland
(Book 6 p6, Book 6 pp12-13, DWR pp4-5, DWR p154)
Kurland is bordered by the Gouge* and Krarth* to its North, the New Selentine Empire* to its east, the Coradian Sea* to its south and Chaubrette* to the west. It is the largest nation in the Western Mainland and, relative to its Western Mainland neighbours, the better described of the main three (the others being Algandy* and Chaubrette*).
Nonetheless, one who is from Kurland is referred to by others as being Kurlish*. Again, this might not be the phrase the Kurlish* use to describe themselves.
Although Achtan* is referred to as the capital of the country of Palados^, this can be accounted for as follows; Palados^ was a region of the Old Selentine* empire that was governed by Thalios^. It encompassed the coastal south-western area of Kurland, from the Chaubrette* border to the Baumer Forest*. After the fall of the Old Selentine Empire*, Palados^ briefly existed as a sovereign state, before being absorbed into greater Kurland.
In the description of the Crown of Kings* Dave Morris tells us that the charismatic Guillarme II* was the king of Kurland who unified divided Kurland (Bk6 pp61-62). This could mean he was intended to represent' Legend's version of Charlegmagne. Perhaps the County of Braeburg* resisted this unification at this time and remains therefore independent to this day (alternatively, maybe it achieved independence at some later stage).
As opposed to western neighbours Algandy* and Chaubrette*, Kurland's wars have more likely been with their Selentine neighbours than across the Glaive* or against Albion*. However, on pages 121-122 of Book 6 Dave Morris explains that Kurland's coastal principalities (perhaps the County of Braeburg* and the region of Palados^) were regularly at war with Algandy* and Chaubrette*.
Kurland, from the sheer size of its territory and a mention in a footnote on page 41 of Book 6, and other clues in Book 6, that it was once a mighty empire (witness the former prevalence of Old Kurlish for instance) and perhaps remains a competitor with the New Selentine Empire* for supremacy in their region.
Kurland is also a True Faith* nation (named as such on page 43 of Book 6).
The central headquarters of the Knights Capellars* is known to be located on Sandraust Island* (Bk6 p75). Dave Morris seems to imply that this location lies within Kurland* (Bk6 pp157-158). The formal title of the Knights Capellars* is the Worshipful Order of Saint Wythan*, who are symbolised by a purple cross with eight points (Bk6 p225). The cross could be a variation on a 'cross fourchee' or 'Maltese cross'. The Order* is divided into many Provinces*, with each possessing a Provincial* headquarters; examples include Crescentium* and the County of Braeburg*.
The Dragon Knights of Palados^ and the Academy of Light and Truth^ are both known to be based in Achtan* (GD2 Background & GD4 Background). Unlike Algandy* and Albion*, Kurland has an 8-day week (Bk6 p100).
Curiously, Kurlish* is the language of Asmulia* also, which in approximation with medieval European nations seems odd. Still, it perhaps suggests in part the cultural differentiation between the Asmulian* nation and the remainder of the New Selentine Empire* with which, one would think, Asmuly* had some synergy.
Linked below are some of the canonical and non-canonical (ie GM-created) features of Kurland:
East
North
West
South
Central
Northeast
North
Northwest
West
Southwest
South
Southeast
North
West
South
It may indeed be that the Kurlish* trade with those in the Ferromaine League* to take their goods to sea, and in return the Ferromainers* rely upon the Kurlish* to transport goods deep inland.
On page 168 of Book 6 Kurland is described as being famed for its salt and silver.
It may be more correct to say, referring to maps of the Middle Ages, that Kurland approximates best to the East Frankish Kingdom of the equivalent European era.
Kurland is bordered by the Gouge* and Krarth* to its North, the New Selentine Empire* to its east, the Coradian Sea* to its south and Chaubrette* to the west. It is the largest nation in the Western Mainland and, relative to its Western Mainland neighbours, the better described of the main three (the others being Algandy* and Chaubrette*).
Name and Proper Usage
It is possible that 'Kurland' is the Elleslandic* name for the nation that might, itself, call itself something different. Witness for instance the difference between the English calling Germany "Germany" but Germans referring to themselves in their own tongue as Deutschland (and see the Approximation section below).Nonetheless, one who is from Kurland is referred to by others as being Kurlish*. Again, this might not be the phrase the Kurlish* use to describe themselves.
History
Kurland's origins are described in passing in Book 6, the only gamebook in which the nation is mentioned. However, the city of Achtan* (in southern Kurland) is referenced extensively in Golden Dragon 2 and Golden Dragon 4. The ruined Old Selentine* city of Thalios^ (in south-western Kurland) is described in great detail in Golden Dragon 4.Although Achtan* is referred to as the capital of the country of Palados^, this can be accounted for as follows; Palados^ was a region of the Old Selentine* empire that was governed by Thalios^. It encompassed the coastal south-western area of Kurland, from the Chaubrette* border to the Baumer Forest*. After the fall of the Old Selentine Empire*, Palados^ briefly existed as a sovereign state, before being absorbed into greater Kurland.
In the description of the Crown of Kings* Dave Morris tells us that the charismatic Guillarme II* was the king of Kurland who unified divided Kurland (Bk6 pp61-62). This could mean he was intended to represent' Legend's version of Charlegmagne. Perhaps the County of Braeburg* resisted this unification at this time and remains therefore independent to this day (alternatively, maybe it achieved independence at some later stage).
As opposed to western neighbours Algandy* and Chaubrette*, Kurland's wars have more likely been with their Selentine neighbours than across the Glaive* or against Albion*. However, on pages 121-122 of Book 6 Dave Morris explains that Kurland's coastal principalities (perhaps the County of Braeburg* and the region of Palados^) were regularly at war with Algandy* and Chaubrette*.
Kurland, from the sheer size of its territory and a mention in a footnote on page 41 of Book 6, and other clues in Book 6, that it was once a mighty empire (witness the former prevalence of Old Kurlish for instance) and perhaps remains a competitor with the New Selentine Empire* for supremacy in their region.
Capital
Kurland's capital is undescribed.Government
Kurland is a monarchy. It could be supposed that King Vorlest* described on page 37 of Book 6 is the present king, but he could well be a predecessor to the current king. Undoubtedly the present King is either heir or heir of the deposer of King Guillarme II* of antiquity, described briefly above.Culture
In Book 6 we are told on page 125 that the Kurlish in Tourney* would not look down upon opponents of low social rank, as opposed to say their Chaubrettan* or Algandian* western neighbours, as they have not had peace to 'soften' them. This suggests that Kurland remains not only warlike and at war (probably with disputes with the New Selentine Empire*) but also a rugged, gritty people. Certainly, Paladosians^ still seem to cling to the patriotic notion of Palados^ as a powerful country, rather than as a region of Kurland (GD2 Background). This strongly developed sense of regional identity must create tensions with the other regions, such as the County of Braeburg*.Kurland is also a True Faith* nation (named as such on page 43 of Book 6).
The central headquarters of the Knights Capellars* is known to be located on Sandraust Island* (Bk6 p75). Dave Morris seems to imply that this location lies within Kurland* (Bk6 pp157-158). The formal title of the Knights Capellars* is the Worshipful Order of Saint Wythan*, who are symbolised by a purple cross with eight points (Bk6 p225). The cross could be a variation on a 'cross fourchee' or 'Maltese cross'. The Order* is divided into many Provinces*, with each possessing a Provincial* headquarters; examples include Crescentium* and the County of Braeburg*.
The Dragon Knights of Palados^ and the Academy of Light and Truth^ are both known to be based in Achtan* (GD2 Background & GD4 Background). Unlike Algandy* and Albion*, Kurland has an 8-day week (Bk6 p100).
Language
The official language of Kurland is Kurlish*. An older dialect, known as Old Kurlish*, once existed but is swiftly passing into antiquity. Given that it is by far the most readily known of the 'lost' languages on page 157, one might infer its use and hence the influence of Kurland was once widespread.Curiously, Kurlish* is the language of Asmulia* also, which in approximation with medieval European nations seems odd. Still, it perhaps suggests in part the cultural differentiation between the Asmulian* nation and the remainder of the New Selentine Empire* with which, one would think, Asmuly* had some synergy.
Geographical Features (not including Places of Interest)
Kurland is somewhat an open canvas geographically, though in Book 6 it is clear that it is in places heavily wooded, though perhaps not as much so as Algandy* and less so in the south approaching the Coradian Sea* and Asmuly*.Linked below are some of the canonical and non-canonical (ie GM-created) features of Kurland:
East
TBA
North
The Gouge*
West
River Arokose*
South
Coradian Sea*
Central
Baumer Forest*
Cities, Towns and Villages
EastBaumersheim*
Wissenstein*
Northeast
TBA
North
TBA
Northwest
TBA
West
TBA
Southwest
Thalios^
South
Achtan*
Heldentor*
Southeast
Skagsfeld^
Places of Interest
EastWotanmere - A great crater lake surrounded by a blasted moor, where once stood ancient forest. It is told the forest was levelled and burned in a battle between Donar and a massive Worm* which laired there.
Wissenstein Abbey*
North
TBA
West
Border adjoins the County of Braeburg*
South
An ancient stone altar near Köln is dedicated to the goddess Vagda, who is a nature goddess linked with trees or woods.
Another ancient stone altar has also been found on Hengstberg (Stallion-hill). It has the following inscription: "Heliste".
In the now flooded sites of Donburg and Belte, on the East Scheldte Estuary, there are the remains of temples each dedicated to a deity called Nehalennia. Over 160 carved stone votives with her image have been dredged up at those sites, and several inscriptions in Old Kurlish thank her for safe passage on the seas.
In Empel there is the remains of a temple to Hercules Magusanus. This was the Selentine* name for the supreme god of the Kurlanders, Donar. Stone votives and broken weapons - placed as symbolic offerings - are found at the location.
Trade
The piece on the Nomad Khanates* in Book 6 suggests the Kurlish* are proficient at trade via caravan, if not the masters at it. By contrast and inference from the table on pages 176-177 of Book 6, it seems the Chaubrettans* and Kurland's cousins in the Ferromaine League* are more proficient sea-goers. Indeed, the Albish* are more likely to be encountered at sea than the Kurlish*.It may indeed be that the Kurlish* trade with those in the Ferromaine League* to take their goods to sea, and in return the Ferromainers* rely upon the Kurlish* to transport goods deep inland.
On page 168 of Book 6 Kurland is described as being famed for its salt and silver.
Approximation
Kurland is approximated, by geographical coincidence but also by a process of elimination comparing its counterparts Algandy* to Spain and Chaubrette* to France, as Germany. However, the shared tongue with Asmuly* and former significance as an Empire* suggests Kurland might be an amalgam of different historial empires, nations or peoples.It may be more correct to say, referring to maps of the Middle Ages, that Kurland approximates best to the East Frankish Kingdom of the equivalent European era.
wodenkrait |
Latest page update: made by wodenkrait
, Aug 7 2010, 7:35 AM EDT
(about this update
About This Update
Edited by wodenkrait
1 word added 1 word deleted view changes - complete history) |
|
Keyword tags:
Deutschland
Germany
Kurland
Kurlish
More Info: links to this page
|
| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DW_Wiki_Admin | Great article | 0 | Aug 17 2009, 5:15 PM EDT by DW_Wiki_Admin | ||
|
Thread started: Aug 17 2009, 5:15 PM EDT
Watch
I know I wrote big chunks of this but I believe this is an excellent article, a high standard set by the Wiki
|
||||
Showing 1 of 1 threads for this page
