Kingdom of Galefridus

The Lion Kingdom of Galefridus is a proud, growing nation, whose modern ideas attract great thinkers worldwide. It is a rising human power, and given another century or so, the nation most likely to develop into a new empire.

History
In 811 GD, in response to Gavriel expanding territory northward through conquest, and Matrona not desiring to lend aid to the settlements outside of its lands, a leader arose among the settlements caught between the two kingdoms to form a new kingdom that would protect from invaders any settlement that pledged fealty to it: the Kingdom of Galefridus. The name "Galefridus" came from the old common words Gale and Fridus, meaning Free Men.

Galefridish forces retook the territory of the Kingdom of Folkhard from the Gaves and made the province a duchy within Galefridus, naming it the Main Duchy of Folkhard and crowning the grandson of the first King of Folkhard the first Duke of Galefridus, second only in power to the King himself.

In 897, Galefridus was losing a decisive battle against Gavriel. In order to prevent further bloodshed, Galefridish King Rocelin met with Gavric forces to sign a peace treaty that would forfeit the Galefridish crown - and his life - to Gavriel in exchange for a complete cessation of hostilities between the two Kingdoms. Dragos the Red accepted the terms, killed Rocelin, and became the first Gavric King of Galefridus. His first son Petros Lightfood succeeded him, followed by his second son, Draganos the Red.

In 922, the 25 year Gavric reign of Galefridus came to an end when the first King Eustace I rallied the great army Galefridus had ever seen and took back the Galefridish crown.

In 1005 GD, Galefridus and Gavriel joined to form the Empire of Solis.

Geography

 * Lake Aede

Politics
The Kingdom of Galefridus exists as a monarchy within the Empire of Solis, with the King of Galefridus serving the Emperor.

Government
The head of the Galefridish government is the King. Dukes rule over duchies within the kingdom, answering to the king, and Lord Mayors administer cities and their surrounding towns and villages. Reeves govern towns and villages.

Provinces
The Kingdom of Galefridus includes four provinces: The Realm of Galefridus, the Main Duchy of Folkhard, the New Duchy of Alysandir and the Grand Duchy of Dofngarth. Of these provinces, Galefridus is the largest in terms of population, Folkhard is the second largest, Dofngarth is the third, and Alysandir is the smallest.

Foreign Relations
The Galefridish people have a general dislike of the Gavric people, in part due to the long history of conflict between the two kingdoms. However, since the formation of the Empire of Solis, much of that ill-will has been eroding, particularly among those too young to remember the conflicts.

Demographics
The majority of the population of Galefridus consists of humans, most of whom are natives. The Galefridish people (Galefrides, or "Gales," colloquially) tend to be fair-skinned, with light-colored hair and eyes. In addition to this common trait throughout the kingdom, the Folkhardish people (Folkhards, or "Folks," colloquially) are of above average height; the Alysandrish people (Alysandires, or "Ales," colloquially) tend to have curly, auburn hair; the Dofngarthish people (Dofngarths, or "Dofs," colloquially) tend to have blond hair and blue eyes.

Language
The common tongue is the main language of Galefridus, however a dialect emerged over the years among the lower-class that has come to be known as Galefridish.

Colloquialisms & Expressions

 * Hullo!: an informal greeting used predominantly in the New Duchy of Alysandir

Religion
The government of Galefridus officially espouses worship of Pelor as a principal deity, with a secondary focus on Erathis, "The King and Queen of Light." Galefridish civilization has been heavily influenced by the Church of Pelor and its teachings.

Military
Galefridus' military might is second only to that of Gavriel, as the long history of war between the two nations spurred Galefridus to strengthen its military or be conquered. The Knight Commanders of the Lion enjoy a reputation as some of the best military tacticians in the world, and they directly serve the Galefridish crown. Galefridus' military is also intertwined with the Church of Pelor, with many paladins of Pelor serving as knights within the Galefridish army, and the Knights Hospitalers of Pelor, a faction of some of the most powerful paladins in the world, directly serve the Galefridish crown.

Organization
The leader of the Galefridish military is the High Constable, whose uniform consists of a light blue tabard and cape, both with gold trim and bearing a symbol of Pelor. The current High Constable is Sir Adgar, a paladin of Pelor.

Beneath the High Constable are the Field Marshals, of which there are four: one for each province within Galefridus. A Field Marshal is in command of a regiment, which consists of all the soldiers within his appointed province. The uniform of a Field Marshal is a light blue tabard and cape, both with gold trim, and the tabard bearing a symbol of Pelor.

Captains serve under Field Marshals and command companies of soldiers. Roughly five captains serve under each Field Marshal. The uniform of a captain consists of is a light blue tabard and cape, both with gold trim.

Lieutenants serve under Captains at a rate of roughly five lieutenants per captain. The uniform of a lieutenant consists of is a light blue tabard with gold trim.

Beneath every lieutenant is a half dozen Sergeants, whose uniform is a light blue tabard. Sergeants are in charge of small groups of soldiers, whose uniforms are a dark blue tabard.

Any soldier of the rank Lieutenant or above is an officer within the army, and all officers are colloquially known as "gold trims" among non-officers. In turn, non-officers are called "the untrimmed" by officers.

Architecture
Doorways and windows in Galefridus are rectangular. Buildings have slanted, composite roofs. Houses are generally as tall as the greater of their width or length.

Fashion
Galefridish fashion is pastoral, with garments taking on various shades of brown, as well as pastel colors.

Cuisine
Ale is the most popular beverage in Galefridus.