The World Of Khoras - Civilization - Nations

"There can, in fact, be no magic and no gods in the realm where the craftsmen rule. These things require something that the Kalimurans refuse to yield... belief."
-Unvar Ilethus, Mage Priest of Vorkayne

Proper Name	The Republic of Kalimura
Ruler	His Most Enlightened Potentate of Knowledge, Scourge of Magic, Leader of the Technomancers, Prime Minister Albert Myrasen, the Clever
Estimated Population	12,400,000
Demographics	Human 30%, Dwarven 25%, Grum 15%, Elven 11%, Karthasian 8%, Phellysian 5%, Orc 4%, Ogre 2%
Adjectival/Demonym	Kalimuran/Kalimurans
Languages	Southern 80%, Drakkellin 15%, Elven 5%
Capital City	Orrojek (Population: 135,400)
National Colors	Red and grey.
Year Founded	1523
Currency	Kalimuran bills of credit
Natural Resources	Methkari crystals, lumber, coal, granite, iron ore, copper.
Manufactured Goods and Major Exports	Methkari crystals, timber, quarried stone blocks, weapons, armor, ships, timber.
Wealth	Very Wealthy
Government Type	Democracy
Government Stability	Very Stable
Allies	Drakkellian Alliance
Enemies	Myria
Technology Level	Pre-Industrial
Primary Religion	None
Other Religions	None
Climate	Temperate
Approximate Land Area	2,000,000 square kilometers
Arable Land	40%
Terrain	Coastal grassland

Description

Kalimura is an anacronism of sorts... a nation of science, engineering and technology in a medieval world ruled by magic and faith. Kalimura is a technological nation where science and progress are praised and magic is outlawed. Within the nation of Kalimura, magic and mages are actively discouraged. Enchanted items are best kept hidden away and mages will find discrimination everywhere.

Within the capital city of Orrojek, all magic is outlawed. Great prejudice is exhibited toward magic and those who practice it. Mages are considered second class citizens and are forbidden from casting magic within the city. Enchanted items will be confiscated and actually casting a spell within the city walls is a punishable offense. This ban on magic applies to priests of certain faiths who also have magical abilities.

However, this prejudice is limited to mages and priests. As far as politics and race go, Kalimura is tolerant. All people are welcome here, regardless of their race or nationality. The only intolerance shown in Kalimura is toward magic and spells.

Because of its focus on science, engineering, progress and technological advancement, Kalimura is roughly the technological equivalent to 15th century Europe. Kalimura has developed a number of inventions that can be found no where else in the world. Kalimura produced the finest steel, rivaled only by the dwarves. It's glasswork is unrivaled and the nation has produced spy glasses, telescopes, monocles and spectacles. The nation has invented the printing press, movable type and high quality paper. Bound books outnumber scrolls in this nation. Full plate armor is worn here by commanders and knights. Kalimura also produces a type of heavy crossbow with steel limbs with a draw weight exceeding one thousand pounds. Their engineering of gears and mechanisms is unparalleled. Complex traps, locks and mechanical clocks can all be found in Kalimura. Finally, the nation recently developed gun powder. This has led to the recent development of cannons which have started to appear on Kalimura ships and at the tops of guard towers.

Due to vast distances between nations, the lack of efficient long distance communication and the influence of magic in other realms, technology has developed at uneven paces between nations throughout history. Because of its views of science and magic, Kalimura is well ahead of all other nations technologically (and has a vested interest in staying ahead). Much of Kalimura technology is kept within the nation and transporting certain items beyond Kalimuran borders is forbidden.

Geography

Kalimura is mostly flat, featureless grassy plains in the north. Much of the region is arable and Kalimura has huge tracts of farm land. Wheat and other grains are grown in huge fields that stretch to the horizon. The lands here are known for being quite windy and this wind is harnessed. Windmills are a common sight throughout the realm. These mills turn endlessly to grind the grain to produce bread and more. In fact, windmills are so common that it is featured on the national coat of arms.

With such resources, Kalimura is able to produce a surplus of food which it trades to other nations. Kalimura is bordered on the south by the Iron Hills, an area which is disputed between the Kalimurans and the Myrians. Kalimura is bordered on the east by the Sea of Chaos.

Notable Fauna and Flora

The ekril is a native animal to this region and it is often served in taverns in Orrojek. Kalimurans also favor the sweet red meat of the Stone Beak as well as its large eggs. However, some animals provide much more of a threat. The local forests occasionally have a shimmer cat which pose a danger. On rare occasions, a krallinar will venture north into Kalimuran territory and terrorize a village or two before the militia is able to drive it away.

The kalimurans do not generally concern themselves with plant lore, but herbal healing is popular to compensate for a lack of magical curatives. Blood root and emerald moss are two common local plants. Battle spice grows here, but the use of it is outlawed within Kalimura. A black market trade exists for the valuable root. Much of it ends up in Drakkellian markets.

History

Orrojek was founded by a trio - a dwarven master weapon smith, a karthasian scholar and a human craftsman. These three turned their backs on traditional thinking and magic to embrace the philosophy that the Universe could be conquered by science and rational thought and hard work. The location of Orrojek was selected because of a large deposit of methkari crystal there.

Kalimura has had a long history of slow, steady growth. Over the centuries, craftsmen and scholars from all over have settled here to learn and master their trades. In its infancy, Kalimura was not considered a political or military threat and was ignored by the larger nations. Now, Kalimura commands great respect. Although it is smaller than many other nations, its technology gives it the best equipped army in the world.

Government

Kalimura is Ithria's first attempt at a functioning democracy. Certain positions (offices) exists with predetermined powers and responsibilities. A vote of all qualified Kalimuran citizens is taken and officers are assigned. Only citizens which have met strict requirements and paid certain fees are qualified to vote (less than 25% of the population). 

The government is ruled by a group of men, each with a specific title and station. These men are "ministers" of their respective organizations within the government. The following titles rule Kalimura:

	The Prime Minister
	The Minister of Defense
	The Minister of Finances
	The Minister of Foreign Relations
	The Minister of Science
	The Minister of Guilds
	The Minister of Commons
	The Minister of the Guard

The government is intertwined with the Guild of Technomancers to the degree that the guild is the government. The Guildmaster also holds the title of Prime Minister, the chief executive officer of the government. Currently ruling is Prime Minister Albert Myrasen, a master engineer, artist and inventor.

A little known fact about Kalimura is that the government maintains close tabs on certain people in the nation that have "too much" technical knowledge. Any individual craftsman who possesses enough technical knowledge that his emigration to another nation could compromise Kalimuran technological superiority is monitored closely. The group which performs this monitoring, known on the streets as the Watchers, is not officially acknowledged by the government. Virtually nothing is known about its policies or resources, but rumors hint at a complex spy network which extends throughout Kalimura and beyond. Normally, the Watchers are not involved in the day to day affairs of the populace. After all, this group is interested in a very small segment of the population (less than 1 in a 1000).

Legal System

Kalimura is a very fair and just nation on most matters. Criminals are given a fair trial and judgment is passed on the basis of evidence. This justice only extends to non-magical matters. The legal system is much more strict with regards to magic and mages. Magic, the promotion of magic, magical research and the creation of magic items is forbidden. Kalimuran judges will be much more critical in such cases and always rule against the mage. Kalimura is an enlightened society. Torture and execution are not used. Such tools of punishment are considered wrong and to be left to the churches. Instead, those guilty of breaking Kalimuran magic laws are simply banished. For minor offenses, community work and fees are common.

Slavery is prohibited throughout Kalimura. All slaves brought into Orrojek are considered free citizens. This law is absolute and the city guards will fight for the freedom of any slave, even if that means arresting and jailing the slaves' master.

Military

The Kalimuran military forces are well trained and very well equipped due to advanced Kalimuran technology which employes better alloys, new designs, etc. The rank structure is: foot soldier, lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander and commander general. The typical Kalimuran lieutenant commander wears field plate armor, wields a fine steel, serrated blade and has a spyglass on his belt. Artillery units will often have several wagon mounted catapults and ballistae. The common foot soldier wears studded leather or chainmail and a steel serrated long sword. Mounted cavalry all use the finest steel weapons and plate armor. Archers use recurved composite long bows. Crossbowmen use 2-shot heavy crossbows. There are plans to outfit all artillery units and seafaring ships with cannons, but it is estimated that this will take about 25 years to accomplish. The Kalimuran army is overseen by Commander General Sath Athogar.

The Kalimuran navy consists of a small fleet of warships is led by Commander General Dras Eldor.

Economy

The Kalimuran economy is very strong. Because of its obvious superiority, Kalimuran technology is in great demand. Kalimura limits the amount of equipment that is exported and such exports demand exorbitant prices. Drakkel is the largest importer of Kalimuran goods and a continuous river of money flows from Drakkel to Kalimura. This has made Kalimura a wealthy nation.

Kalimura possesses the largest concentrations of methkari crystal anywhere on the continent. It mines and cuts these crystals. About half are exported to the Drakkellian Alliance and other trade partners. The rest stay in Kalimura. The Kalimuran view of magic requires a way to detect magic and therefore utilizes methkari crystals in great numbers.

Culture

Most social life revolves around the Kalimuran philosophy. There are technology clubs, guilds, master craftsmen, etc. There are no classes or castes within Orrojek. The individual citizen achieves recognition on the basis of skills, talents, hard work and contribution to science.

Organized religion is subtly repressed throughout Kalimura as the Kalimurans believe it opposes free thinking. It is not outlawed (except in Orrojek). However, practitioners of religion are treated as second class citizens, are taxed more heavily and are held to more stringent laws. In the capital city of Orrojek, organized religion in all forms is strictly outlawed. Priests are simply turned away at the city gates. Holy symbols are confiscated. The Technomancers guild has no tolerance for people who rely on "faith".

Kalimura has some of the best libraries and archives in all of Ithria.

Magic

Magic is outlawed in Kalimura. There are no schools of magic and no great sorcerers. There are, however, a great number of laws governing magic. Priests are turned away at the city gates of Orrojek. Mages are allowed entry, but they are forbidden to use magic within the city.

Common Names

Male Names

Anton, Arn, Boris, Gustaf, Henrik, Hubrek, Jerben, Jorran, Josef, Killian, Lars, Ludvik, Pieter, Rubart, Rykard, Sebastiaan, Willem, Viktor, Yurgan

Female Names

Anneke, Calijina, Elvia, Famka, Helena, Ilsa, Jolina, Karenia, Lisbet, Mariska, Patreena, Safia, Tressa, Willemina

Notable Noble Family Names

Burkauer, Dyksver, Graafgoot, Hudeval, Kleijkraft, Kohnlar, Jaagar, Mueldar, Pranz, Rynsborg, Stoeptkan, Theuling, Vilhelmik, Vlyett

The Iron Hills

Beyond the south border of Kalimura lies the Iron Hills. These hills have rich deposits in iron, copper, nickel and other useful metals. Kalimura operates several large mining operations in the area which are heavily guarded to protect them from frequent attacks from myrian raiding parties.

Towns

Villages (Population less than 1,000)

Akrobi, Bacharak, Biggs, Corilan, Cronin, Crossroads, Fort Imbar, Fort Ironsides, Fort Laudimyr, Fort Madoch, Fort Tretik, Gulken, Mekelin, Ponder, Quaid, Stagos

Travel and Distance

Kalimura has a network of excellent paved roads connecting all of its major towns and the capital city. The paved roads are regularly patrolled and relatively safe. Dozens of villages are connected to these main roads by much smaller dirt roads and footpaths. There is also a great deal of river traffic on the Wandering River between the major towns. Finally, Orrojek is a major port city and ships are constantly arriving from and leaving to Penketh, Drakkel and even more distant ports.

For more information, see the Travel and Distance page.

This website was last updated February 29, 2024. Copyright 1990-2024 David M. Roomes.

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