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====== Galdor ======

===== Social and political structure =====

==== Ruling class ====

Galdor is still a feudalistic society with several rivalling noblemen. However, since the reform of Sirimon and the treaty of the 5th council, the rivalry is mostly limited to wealth and art. While it is almost impossible for the noblemen to achieve huge areas of land or have violent conflicts among each other, rivalry is still existent and nobility has found a way to take their conflicts to another level by trying to get as much influence within the guilds.\\ The guilds represent the second power in Galdor. While being independent from Galdor and therefore not forced into the rules made by Sirimon, they found generous supporters among the Galdor nobility, who sought a way to gain back the personal power they had before the reform. Still, no nobleman has yet achieved to take control over a guild and the complex structures of the guilds keep the influence the noblemen have on them somewhat balanced.\\ This led to a rather peaceful and prospering period for Galdor over the last 400 years.

==== Commoners ====

Most of Galdor citizens are somehow bound or at least connected to one of the big noble clans. While in the city itself, there can be found an independent craftsman every now and then, most are under the ruling class´ control, having to pay sometimes huge fees for their houses or materials. Still, beside some exceptions, most citizens of Galdor are at least allowed to sell the wares they produce on the local markets. The situation for the farmers is different. Almost all the land surrounding Galdor belongs to either the guild or a noble clan. While the most powerful families are not able to expand anymore, the smaller ones quickly absorbed the few local farmers that still owned some land. For the farmers, this means in most cases, that all they earn has to be sold to the clan, who sells it again for much higher prices. The only way to escape this was to give the land to the guilds, who, depending on the guild, sometimes take much smaller fees.\\ Still the number of independent and free farmer in Galdor is almost non-existent.

==== Organization ====

Galdor has no ruler in the usual understanding. Each family is responsible for their part of the city and its surroundings. Still, any decision concerning at least two of the clans or problems between one of the clans and an outside party are to be brought before the Galdor council. Every 5 years a chairman (or woman) is elected by the council, the Kylarch. The Kylarch represents Galdor in the Kaerthia council and is the first to be contacted if problems between two or more families occur. However, the Kylarch can only make suggestions. If no solution is found, the decision is given to the whole council. Furthermore, the Kylarch decides on what the Galdor tax income is spent. Taxes are only paid by the noble families, and each of them is responsible where to get this income from, but actually it is taken from the farmers, merchants and craftsmen. The Kylarch is responsible on spending that gold in the improvement of the Galdor infrastructure, expansions, etc. The problems that occur are evident. As the land doesn’t belong to the Kylarch, but to the clans, one-sided investments will quickly lead to discontent among nobility. Beside that, the Kylarch has little power. However, the council can decide to give the Kylarch full command over Galdor troops and inner politics for a temporary limited amount of time if the city is in danger. But except Sirimon in 1551, no Kylarch has been given this privilege, yet.\\ The Kylarch resides in the Galdor palace, where both the Galdor council and the Kaerthia council, if called, is held. During the 5 years, the Kylarch is, officially, not allowed to take care of his or her family affairs, but has to install a deputy, which usually is a close relative. However this is not handled very strict, so usually the Kylarch stays responsible for his clan, even if not obviously.\\ The current Kylarch is Lady Cryshania from the house of Leonalley. The council is also responsible to control if the rules made by the reform of Sirimon are obeyed and to punish those who break it. Because of the growing influence of the guilds, there are parties within the council longing for new rules on who is allowed to be in.\\ The Galdor government is still fragile. Long lasting rivalries are still evident. Nevertheless, the past 400 years have showed no remarkable conflict.

===== History of Galdor =====

  * **The early years** The first years of Galdor after its foundation were busy with building and organizing a new place for the refuges. However, after most races had left to explore the world and find a place for their own, human families or clans practically took over the political power as the gnomes and deep gnomes who also stayed in Galdor showed little interest in this. The council became more or less a tool of the human ruling class and throughout the years, it vanished almost completely. The early ruling class of Galdor was, still under the impression of the exodus, not hostile towards other cities or races, but as time passed, the borders of Galdor could no longer feed the hunger for expansionism. Galdor grew and grew, which led to the foundation of Caddancia and Ashandor, who had the status of colonies of Galdor in their early existence.
  * **253** Quarrels among the noblemen of Galdor lead to a civil-war like situation. Two defeated clans , the Sigerlsons and the Meynolds, found a refuge in Caddancia. Caddancia, still being a colony of Galdor was not allowed to grant the clans amnesty. However the weakened troops of Galdor didn’t go after them, as they were bound with inner problems as well as marauding bandits and Orcs, trying to take an advantage of the turmoil. This incident marks the beginning of Caddancias longing for independence.
  * **314-344** 30 years of the Black cult: Ashandor falls under a sect, which claims to know about the return of Blackavar. Ashandor citizens call Galdor for help against the extremely brutal ruling sect. Some noblemen agree on intervening and freeing Ashandor. On the way back attempts are made to capture the leaders of the two families immigrating to Caddancia during the civil war, but are repelled by the Caddancian forces.
  * **421** The 2nd council is held in Galdor. (Although there have been more councils before, it is now common to use this description for the council held in 421, as, except the first one, no real decision was made, due to the political situation in Galdor). The council was called to clear the situation of several cities of Kaerthia. The towns of the several races were given official independence from Galdor. However, this merely gave the existing status quo an official note. The real problem, concerning the independence of Caddancia was not discussed, leading to the Caddancian embassy angrily leaving the council.
  * **434** Foundation of Throck-Badd: In its beginning Throck-Badd was founded by Galdor citizen as a strategic outpost to surround Caddancia and keep it away from the sea. This increased the conflict between the two cities, which led to
  * **451** Ashandor occupied by Caddancian forces. Ashandor, still friendly to Galdor, because of the help they were granted during the 30 years of the Black cult was attacked by Caddancia, who searched for a way to get access to the sea. Galdor declared war on Caddancia. Beginning of
  * **451-455** 1st Capitol war: Capitol war is the name given to two wars between mostly Caddancia and Galdor. The name comes from the effect the wars had both times, namely that the place where the council is to be held changed.\\ In the 1st Capitol war, starting with the occupation of Ashandor by Caddancia, an alliance between Caddancia and the dwarves from Natu-Dum, resulting from difficulties between Galdor and the dwarves because of the foundation of Throck-Badd, Galdor suffered an embarrassing defeat during the battle of Dragon’s march in 454. Sirimon of Galodr later held one of his most impressive speeches on the battlefield. He gave the place its name, The Fields of Sorrow as a reminder of the terrible things that happened there.\\ The results for Galdor were harsh:

  * Caddancia was made the new home for the council. 
  * None of Galdors noblemen were allowed to support any troops, as they were all under the command of a Caddancian governor. 
  * The city walls were destroyed and 
  * Galdor had to give up all pretension towards Ashandor and Caddancia. 
  * All citizens of Throck-Badd were returned to Galdor and 
  * Throck-Bad itself was completely destroyed. 
  * **455-712** The period between the two Capitol Wars has no remarkable incidents for Galdor. It was Caddancia who made history there, not the former Capitol. Caddancias reign over Galdor was harsh, but nevertheless Galdor nobility were unable to unite. Therefore it required changings outside Galdor to improve the situation for the City.
  * **712-856** 2nd Capitol war:\\ Inner conflicts in Caddancia led to a rebellion by the people of Ashandor and the Galdor nobility against the Caddancian rulers. The war itself was companied by only a few battles, but this time marked a period of almost no economy or progress for the three Surface cities. Alliances changed regularly. Especially the Galdor nobility was unable to build a united force. The indecisive war ended with the 3rd council, called by Rasanar of Galdor and the Caddancian mayor Barnard. Both searched or a way to end the conflict between the two cities. To grant a fair and objective decision the council lead was given to the Elf Itrishiel. The decisions of the council were mainly:\\ - Neither Galdor nor Ashandor are to stay under Caddancian occupation any longer.\\ - The council is to be held in Galdor again. However, it will be separated from inner Galdor politics. That meant that the council returned to its former function, being an instrument to decide politics for all races of Kaerthia, independent from their cities.\\ - Throck-Badd is to be built again, but will not be a colony of Galdor.\\ - The declaration of the 2nd council is to be extended to all cities, making Ashandor theoretically independent\\ - Galdor military is given back to the Galdor nobility.
  * **856-1000** After the 3rd council, Galdor returned to its former social structure. Although rivalry between the noblemen was still existent (It actually was worse then before, because of the disunity during the 2nd Capitol War) no remarkable conflicts occurred. Several guilds were founded during this time, but had no actual influence, yet.
  * **1000-1550** After the gods gave up their injunction, not to contact the races, there were several attempts to change the Galdor society. However, the nobility showed good skills in adapting the new situation and separating religion from politics.
  * **1125** 4th council: The 4th council was held to solve problems that occurred be cause of the new intervention of the gods. Political decisions were not made
  * **1234** The 1st Galdor council was held: This council was set together by the leaders of the Galdor clans. An agreement on the council to elect a Kylarch every 5 years, as well as the option to equip the Kylarch with full power over Galdor was made.
  * **1476-1547** Conflicts between the nobility of Galdor grew stronger again. Several attempts were made b different clan leaders to take control over the Galdor council. Attempts to return Ashandor to Galdor were made.
  * **1540** The Galdor council was held in the rooms reserved for the Kaerthia council, causing both Caddancia and the dwarves of Natu-Dum to build an alliance again. However, the conflict was ceased by Sirimon of Galdor.
  * **AE: 1547-1581** Sirimon, Kylarch of Galdor:\\ Sirimon took over the lead over one of Galdors most wealthy families in 1547 He managed to cease the problems within Galdors nobility at this time, who fought among themselves over the land surrounding Galdor and a rather large group who wanted to adapt Ashandor again.\\ After 1551, he was given full command of Galdors troops, as well as having all necessary power to decide diplomatic agreements. But despite of turning Galdor into a monarchy, he searched to remain the status quo among the noblemen, which led to the reforms of Sirimon in 1560. The reform contained three main points. No family or clan may posses more then one quarter of any land in the possession of the city. Any attack on one of the families by another has to result immediately in an alliance between the other families against the aggressor. The troops of each family have to stand in coherence to the possessed land. Sirimon was aware of the danger that lay in this reform. The noblemen might want to expand their land by simply expanding Galdor and agreeing on war against the other cities. Therefore his foreign politics had to follow the same goal. He called for the 5th council, which not only made Caddancia give up all pretension towards Ashandor, but also realized a protection part of all cities against possible aggressors, which lasts until today.
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