Cheshire is my favorite of the human kingdoms to visit. It just might be my favorite kingdom to visit period. The primary reason for that is that I’m not shot at as I’m approaching. Even without my reputation preceding me – and you can take that anyway you desire – Cheshirans while cautious tend to be more of the ask questions first, bows later type of people.
Cheshirans have a saying: “Life ends and begins in Cheshire.” This has many meanings. The kingdom of Cheshire overlooks the Sea of Kings via the Cliffs of Fate. They literally have their backs to a wall. Any invading force, would be foolish to think that the Cheshirans are trapped. They choose this location and defend it fiercely.
The Cheshirans are descended from the Armer tribe of humans, and their first king took the name Armer the First as homage. Every king after takes on the Armer honorific as much as they take the Silver Throne. A little known fact is the Armer tribe was not the most numerous of the seven great tribes. They were the first to adopt and perfect the use of armor though. No one is quite sure who taught them the skill, the elves and dwarves both deny it.
Unsurprisingly, their armorcraft is what they are best known for. It is also one of their major exports. As a rule, they limit what they sell to the neighboring kingdoms. They are a practical people after all. Dwarves and elves from all over though come for their armor when they are in the mood for something unique. The dwarves love the range of motion of the human made heavy armor. The elves appreciate the delicateness the light armor. In both cases, either race makes subtle alterations to the design to better benefit them.
Cheshire is a metropolis, but the native Cheshirans look fairly similar. Dark hair, mostly brown and black dominate the realm. Redheads are rare, but not as rare as blondes. Their skin is fair, and can come in ranges of pale to heavily tanned depending on the individual’s profession. A farmer will alway be tanner than a noble.
As a metropolis though, the Chesirans are welcoming to all races and sentient creatures, provided they behave of course. While it is common to see elves, dwarves, gnomes and halflings among the humans of Cheshire towns and cities, occasionally a half-orc or gnoll can be found drinking alongside them as well. In fact during the Founding Festival, a week long event where the Cheshirans celebrate the founding of their kingdom, all creatures are welcome within their borders (with fair warning). It is during this time that a lone goblin, or a less than cannibalistic dark elf can enter the kingdoms and find a home.
Cheshire also attracts humans from the northern kingdoms, particularly those looking to start over. The unique almond eyed humans from the Jade Empire are a common sight, especially at the rival monasteries Temple of the Fallen Moon, and the Temple of the Rising Phoenix. In the sewers of Shire proper, there is the Goblin King, an amusing little fellow that somehow not only acquired the knowledge of magic, but became a lich as well. He is quite content to keep the sewers of that great city running flawless, and his minions, mostly goblins maintain them for him. He has been seen above ground only a few times, and those cases he sought counsel from the Royal Archmage, Talos the Mad.
As one would expect, the closer to the city you get, or any of the capital cities of the four duchies, the more rural it becomes. The farmers support the cities, and the cities provide protection and other goods for the farmers. More than any other human kingdom, there is a symbiosis here.
On my next discussion about Cheshire, I’ll explore the four duchdoms: Shire, Castin, Vaxin, and Perth. Each part of the grand realm of Cheshire is unique, one would never mistake a native Vaxin from one from one who grew up in Cheshire. Cheshire holds many beauties, and just as many dangers. Before I go, if you choose to visit Cheshire before my next discussion, avoid the Forest of Souls.
Always take time to enjoy some music
– Chord, the Ivory Bard
A Darkness Rising 