Ruler: Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Elidyr of Keridwen, Duchess of Highcrest, Countess of Penmark (N female human [Aldari], Ftr 11)
Government: Independent matriarchy with hereditary rulership; government is controlled by females and run by a queen; most powerul nobles are women with males holding only secondary titles; only women can own land; rulership is passed on to the eldest daughter
Important Figures: Aspirim Serpentide, General of the Royal Legions (LN female human [Aldari-Zentradi], Ftr 16); Grand Matriarch of Darkspire (NG female human [Aldari], Wiz 19); Princess Royal (N female human [Aldari], Ftr 4/Rog 2)
Rule of Law: Chaotic Good. Carefree and fun-loving society with very few written laws where the freedom of the individual is the common goal. Generally the nation has a small central government with most members of society following their conscience rather than the law of the land. The pursuit of hapiness is a common theme among the people.
Capital: Highcrest (pop. 33,400)
Major Towns: Middleton (pop. 17,600), Penmark (pop. 9,800), Portwick (27,500)
Population: 330,000- Human 90% (Azjf), Elf 4% (fair 40%, coast 35%, wood 25%), dwarf 3% (brown), gnome 2% (hill 80%, tinker 15%, forest 5%), other 1% (includes some centaurs and half-elves)
Major Religions: Anarya, Anu, Aersiline, Celinia, Dione, Endorie, Galdor, Jocasta, Maya, Thune, Vestra, Auralia, Glanya, Henei, Ostra, Seralise, Elf pantheon, Dwarf pantheon
Major Resources: Gold, silver, copper, textiles, some gems, some timber
Military: 16,500 (includes light, medium and heavy infantry, light, medium and heavy cavalry, and a minor navy of 7 warships)
Allies: Pheldore, Arcania, Hyland, Galiwyn (sometimes)
Enemies: Eidolon, Helacar
Coinage: Platinum matron, gold crown, silver shield, copper cauldron
The ancient Kingdom of Keridwen is a powerful matriarchy ruled by a long line a powerful warrior-queens. Nestles along the Gladden River valley, Upper Keridwen is a rocky countryside between the major woodlands of Glenhaven and the Whispering Wood. Lower Keridwen is known for its more fertile and rolling landscape and is dominated by numerous castles and strongholds. Some of the structures date to the dawning of the New Age. The climate is seasonal with warm summers and cool winters. Lower Keridwen tends to be more mild with less temperature extremes due to the prevailing winds that blow in from the bay to the south.
The folk of Keridwen have always believed in an equality of sexes but the female role has always taken a more dominant position in government, landownership and family dynamics. To the Keridwenian, this is just the most logical way of organizing things. Although many men fill the ranks of the infantry footmen, it is the women that hold the positions of officers, cavalry and nobility. Physical fitness and athleticism have also been long prized attributes in this society. The land is also known for a unique order of female warriors that form a military sisterhood with close ties to the monarchy.
The dominating feature of this powerful kingdom however is the ancient stronghold known as Darkspire. This enigmatic castle is said to possess great secrets from the time of the Draconic Age. This castle is protected by the 'Matriarchs of Darkspire,' a magical sorority of witches and sorceresses. These lands were once the site of numerous invasions from the Meridian Empire to the south. The Southern Provinces of Keridwen are said to have been built upon the bones of those warriors that fell defending their Motherland.