The World Of Khoras - Civilization - Nations
"Home to beauty and wisdom in the mortal realm. The
favored land of the one true god."
- from the Carrikosian Philosphies, Book III, Chapter 15, Verse 41
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| Proper Name | The Enlightened Realm of Carrikos |
| Ruler | The Light of Carrikos and Well of all Essence, Radiance of the East, Destroyer of Infidels, Slayer of Ignorance and Keeper of the Sacred Texts, His Holiness, the Lord Mage Priest of Carrikos, Valyrian Syr |
| Population | 16,800,000 |
| Population Density | 31 people per square kilometer |
| Demographics | Human 80%, Grum 10%, Dwarven 5%, Elven 3%, Borrellian 1% |
| Languages | Carrik 50%, Northern 25%, Rukemian 25% |
| Capital City | Arcanum (Population: 25,000) |
| National Colors | Blue and yellow |
| Year Founded | 387 |
| Currency | Carrikosian |
| Natural Resources and Manufactured Goods | Magical paraphernalia, literature and knowledge, enchanted weapons and objects, crafted glass ware, fine metal work, quarried granite and stonework, potatoes, sheep, cattle, Orichalcum and sunstones |
| Wealth | Very Wealthy |
| Government Type | Magocracy |
| Government Stability | Very stable |
| Allies | Rukemia, Falkir Clans, Vorrik |
| Enemies | Duthelm |
| Technology Level | Dark Ages |
| Primary Religion | Carrikos (Official State Religion) |
| Other Religions | None |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Total Land Area | 544,000 square kilometers |
| Arable Land | 44% |
| Terrain | Lightly forested, rolling hills |
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Carrikos is culturally and politically focused on magic, mages and the worship of the god for which it is named. Here, the mages rule. Arcanum, also known as Magus Prime and the City Of Light, leads the religiously based nation.
Carrikos is dominated by the Great Flow river valley. North of the Great Flow, the land is mostly forest and numerous villages dwell along the border of the Dark Wood. South of the Great Flow, gentle rolling hills are farmed. To the east, the land becomes very hilly as one approaches the Ice Rock mountains and Duthelm. The western border of Carrikos is formed by the Mist Forest and the northern border is the Crystal Deep. The geography of Carrikos is intertwined with its culture. In general, the closer a town or village is to Arcanum (which for many villages is simply their location on the Great Flow), the greater social status it enjoys.
Carrikos has no serious predators within its realm, but must content with predators and monsters roaming out of the Dark Wood. Bears and large cats will occasionally make off with livestock. Within the Dark Wood, there are reports of groups of arachnicons (partial humanoid spiders). A number of greater draconi have been reported in the depths of the Dark Wood. As a matter of fact, many carrikosian magicians and trainers will pay handsomely for a captured, uninjured greater draconis. Carrikos also has an abundance of larrin’s fowl. Carrikos grows a wide variety of herbs, flowers and plants… many of which end up in apothecaries and wizard's spell pouches. Notable trees include the goodberry tree and the mist tree. The latter grows in great quantities in the mist forest in eastern Carrikos.
Many years ago, a great schism occurred in the Church of Carrikos. An extremist faction broke away from the main religion and founded Arcanum. Other Carrikos priests spread out and they became diffuse. They lacked the central, focused power of Arcanum. Many mages and priests flocked to Arcanum. The religion took over and now the Church runs the government and oppresses the people.
Carrikos is ruled by the wizards. Those with magical power rule, those without it serve. In practice, most mages are content to let the Church of Carrikos rule the government. The Church is an extremely powerful organization and also quite corrupt. The Church is led by his holiness, Valyrian Syr, the lord mage priest of Carrikos. Valyrian is an aging human male with a neatly trimmed grey beard, piercing steel grey eyes and a thin, bony frame. Beneath him is a strictly tiered hierarchical structure of offices and titles. Directly serving Valyrian Syr is the High Council which consists of twelve archbishops. This council is responsible for all executive and legislative decisions in Carrikos. They directly support Valyrian. Each member of the High Council is served by a staff of five bishops. These 60 bishops hold various offices in the government and carry out many of the administrative duties. Serving the bishops are several hundred priests who directly administer to the people, lead congregations, heal the sick and generally promote the faith. At the lowest level of the Church are a large group of Templars, also known as mage knights. These Templars are a blend of knight, wizard and priest who use steel, spell and faith to accomplish their tasks.
Citizens wear badges to indicate their rank and position within the government: church member, Templar, priest, bishop, archbishop, etc. These badges vary in color and design and are often incorporated directly into clothing. Only non-citizens and non-believers do not wear these badges.
Laws are very strict in Carrikos. Most weapons and armor are restricted. Penalties include fines, imprisonment, public beatings, banishment and service to the Church.
The Common Guard is the "army" of Carrikos and consists of 5,000 foot soldiers, 1,000 archers and 500 mounted soldiers who patrol the lands and borders of Carrikos and guard against incursions from the creatures of the Dark Wood and Duthelm. These common soldiers are footmen, archers, cavalry and such. They patrol the cities and towns, watch the borders and keep the peace. They have no spell ability and only average equipment and training. All are loyal to the Church.
The officers commanding the troops are specially trained in the arts of both swordplay and spellcraft. These men and women are a hybrid form of spell caster - being in some part both wizard and priest. Although not overt in their actions, their presence is often a palpable threat to foreigners and non-believers... convert or suffer the consequences.
The Common Guard is led by General Torian Damdroch, the highest ranking non-mage in the nation. The general and his armies receive their orders from bishops appointed to military supervisory roles by the Church.
Stable, but closely monitored. Much trade is censored and many items are considered illegal or blasphemous. Literature, especially, is restricted. Only books that have been approved may be possessed. A strong black market exists.
Carrikosian lands tend to be divided up into large agricultural estates. They grow many grains and have an abundance of fruit orchards and vineyards. They tend not to raise much meat or dairy. These estates are farms held in tenancy from the great nobles of the realm. At the lowest tier of this hierarchy are the commoners and peasants who work the soil.
The guilds represent a middle class of citizens who have achieved some education and provide skilled labor. Sandwiched between the poor commoners and the wealthy, educated nobles, the guilds do basic administration and keep the economy running.
Since the entire nation is skewed toward magic, Carrikos is great for mages and worshipers of Carrikos. Visiting mages who do not worship Carrikos will often find themselves the recipients of gifts and exaggerated attention designed to attract them to the church. Non-mages may find this nation slightly oppressive due to its laws, taxes and the habit the government has of monitoring the city with spells.
Education is, perhaps, the most valuable thing in Carrikos and strict laws govern who may and may not be educated. Only the privileged wealthy can read and write. Schools have expensive tuitions and strict policies about admittance (only nobles or you must be sponsored by a noble). This keeps the mages and scholars in a secure position of power while the uneducated illiterate masses toil in the fields.
| Name | Population | Notes |
| Stormy Lake | 15,400 | A small city on the banks of a small lake through which runs the Great Flow. Primarily a fishing town and popular retreat for some Arcanum mages. |
| Southfield | 11,500 | Bordering the Falkir Clans to the south, Southfeld is an excellent center for commerce and culture. There is a good school for magery and general studies. Some sections of the Carrikosian Philosophies are said to have been written in this town. |
| Ranheim | 8,200 | This port city services the small naval fleet of Carrikos. Many sorcerers go to this town to hire on as "shipmages" to help defend traders from Borrellian raiders. |
| Drallus | 7,600 | Sitting at the edge of the great Mist Forest, Drallus must deal with frequent disturbances from the forest's inhabitants. A strong militia is stationed here. |
| Craggenmor | 5,200 | This heavily fortified city sits on the border between Carrikos and Duthelm, where Carrikos' wisdom and power is most needed. Craggenmor, though small, has a well-trained militia, stout stone walls which ring the entire town and a large keep. |
Alarrin, Coven, Daema, Emilstone, Frangut, Kagera, Mathea, Northdale, Orb, Quar, Sairon, Sansabrin, Seer, Sevard, Thiawyr, Torlief, Val
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This page last updated Monday, October 08, 2007. Copyright 1990-2008 David M. Roomes.
