Ah me,
One of my favorite kingdoms to visit is the realm of Cheshire. I recommend this kingdom highly if you’re not from here. One of the reasons is they are the most tolerant of “monstrous” races of all the human kingdoms.
To begin with, Cheshire is the jewel of the Great Kingdoms, which comprises of Cheshire, Hammon, Vorlaria, and Cerakin. The Great Kingdoms were formed with the thirteen tribes of nomadic humans banded together to fight against the dragon overlords. At the time the dragon empires were dwindling, due in no small part against the centuries old war with their former vassals the elves, and the newly emerged dwarves who sought to gain a foothold on the surface. The humans eventually joined both races to remove the dragons from the peninsula of Tanaraq. The dragons would never recover.
The Shirans, as they are known are a hardy bunch, not surprising as the bulk of the tribes that formed Cheshire were from the Armer tribe, which the King of Cheshire takes as his honorific. The Armer tribe were known for their armor and shields, a tradition carried on in the Ironguards, the Cheshire Army. Joining the Ironguards grants you a shield and armor of superior make, which is yours to keep once your tour of duty ends. It also doesn’t hurt that Cheshire is seated on the Cliff of Kings. An invading army would face the entire Shiran army, with their literal backs to the wall.
Cheshire is split between four duchies: Shire, Castin, Perth, and Vaxin. The King, currently Armer XII, and his Queen reside in Shire. Perth is the harshest region being so close to the Jagged Hills in the northwest. Vaxin to the south is equally harsh due to constant attacks from the Underrealm denizens. Castin is full of intrigue due to the various guilds competing with one another, but Shire is a jewel to behold, though how long it will shine has yet to be determined.
King Cedric Armer XII is a handsome fellow, for a human, and a former ranger that once operated under the name Silver Saber. He had to stop adventuring after the death of his father and his ascension to the throne. He is married to Selene Arbrose a noblewoman from the realm of Vorlaria. She has given him one son Malcolm, a powerful built specimen, and 3 daughters: Talynn, Bethany, and Meredith. It should be noted that Selene dotes on her son, while the princesses have been raised and cared for by Moranna Brightleaf, a druid and former adventuring companion of the Silver Saber. It has long been whispered that the King worries that Malcolm is not ready to take the throne, due to his cruel streak. It has also been whispered that the King has been looking to break tradition, and perhaps instate one of his daughters instead.
As I have said earlier, Cheshire is tolerant of monstrous races, so long as said races behave themselves. While there are places I would rather avoid, mainly in Perth, my performances sell out whenever I play in Castin or Shire. I have even played for the King and Queen once.
I will say that a moon dragon has taken residence somewhere on the Cliff of Kings, and has often lent its aid when the Ironguard were repelling invaders. It is rumored that the blades the King carries were a gift of the dragon.
Next time I shall discuss each region in detail, as well as points of interests.
A Darkness Rising 