The following is a brief historical record, about the Kingdoms surrounding Valcanne and has been written by King Raughn's first Master of knowledge Rickharton.
This historical record has been edited by King Raughn's current Master of Knowledge Eligeah, it has only been adjusted to correct any errors found and to add new information discovered.
Location and Land:
The Kingdom of Fentone is located on a small island in the center of the four tides, it is directly to the West of Valcanne.
Fentone is also often referred to as the Heart of Balamy, since the Five Kingdoms of Balamy were established many generations ago after the Great War.
The small island has massive hidden caves that were and still are used to mine riches many generations ago, since then the caves have been fortified and now hold the majority of the Kingdom's wealth.
Massive buildings have also been built up over them over the course of generations, masking the locations of the caves that lay beneath - this is also where the moneylenders operate from.
Given the size of the island there is limited surface space available, so the Kingdom of Fentone has built vertically massive buildings stretching into the sky - though this leaves limited space for farmland or the poor.
Basic History:
In ancient times Fentone wasn't considered a Kingdom, the people travelled there with the sole intent to make this island their home - it was only after countless years of mining, that the massive wealth hidden beneath the land was discovered.
Since that time Fentone has presented itself as a Kingdom, they chose a family to act as their rulers and from that day insisted on Fentone being referred to as a KIngdom and that family as their royalty - if you wanted to have any dealings with them that is.
Given enough time repeating this myth, coupled with their immense wealth and soon people believe it as a truth - these days most people don't even realise the truth of how their kingdom was forged.
Fentone has spent generations attempting to elevate their kingdoms status, with the goal to be seen as the greatest and wealthiest kingdom in Keltorin - a title they now boast as a fact.
They use their wealth to hire the best soldiers in Keltorin, to help them guard their massive stockpiles of wealth - they rarely go to war and prefer to buy off their enemies should that not work, they pay for others to handle the issue on their behalf.
Much like Ralteith and Almain, Fentone didn't join our efforts in the Great the War until after the Battle of Four Tides.
When the the invasion by water occurred, the people of Fentone heard the approaching destruction and fled to their long term ally Almain - though it is said for a substantial fee.
When Fentone finally did join the Great War, their main contribution was financial aid that and establishing a diplomatic consul for the FIve Kingdoms.
It was Fentones initiative to establish the Five Kingdoms of Balamy, they knew this was their best chance to gain virtually free protection on all sides.
Given that Fentone suffered complete destruction during the Battle of Four Tides, they knew their only way to survive the Blue Banners forces was if Valcanne finally finished the war - so they financially aided our kingdom to victory, and secured their own victory in the process.
Since the destruction during the Great War the Kingdom of Fentone has since rebuilt their lands, using the opportunity of the complete devastation of those lands to rebuild, now the splendor of their realm is unparalleled on Keltorin - all but the poor quarter.
Social Structure:
Since Fantone has established their kingdom and decided on a ruling family they like the other kingdoms, have a King and Queen and Princes and Princesses - the extended royal family are known by the titles Lord or Lady.
Unlike other kingdoms in the alliance, Fentone relies heavily on the advice and consul offered by the priests and priestesses of the gods.
They allow the superstitions and beliefs of the representatives of the gods, control virtually all aspects of the people's lives and the kingdom itself.
Over the years Fentonians have become faithful to the point of ignorance, refusing any knowledge besides that garnered from the temples or deemed acceptable by them.
Fentone is a classist society in the extreme, they have the second largest population out of all of the Five Kingdoms of Balamy.
Though they have the largest population of wealthy people in all of Balamy, the poorest person of wealth from Fentone is far wealthier than any other in the Five Kingdoms - besides royalty of course.
Within their own community of extreme wealth, they still look down on those with less of a fortune then they themselves possess.
The classes are further established, by the fact that the poor quarter is hidden behind the splendor of the lavish temples dedicated to the honour of the gods.
The poor live in squalor and are offered little if any financial support or aid, only those able to prove they work on Fentonian soil are permitted to live on the island - any found squatting, unable to prove their employment are shipped to Almain.
The other significant difference between Fentone and the other kingdoms, is Fentone is essentially run by the priests and priestesses - they have final say and can even kill if they deem the punishment suitable for the crime.
Relationships and Trade:
The Kingdom of Fentone has gathered many allies and trading partners over the years, possibly retaining the most out of all of the Five Kingdoms of Balamy.
This is because Fentone made themselves the major moneylenders of Keltorin, anyone needing coin has to deal with the Fentonian moneylenders.
Prior to the establishment of the Five Kingdoms, Fenotne had many dealings with both Ralteith and Almain some with Valcanne and even less with Imporo.
They are also known to trade with the Varinese, Irahdah, Kurtah and even on occasion they are rumored to have had dealings with The Empire of Jantel - though they weren't necessarily considered allies.
There have been times where murder has led to all out war, but Fentonians despise long battles and often end the dispute by either paying them off - or the more likely paying someone else to end it on their behalf.
Their main allies prior to the alliance was Almain and Ralteith, since the establishment though Valcanne and Imporo have joined the list of trusted allies and trading partners.
Since the Five Kingdoms of Balamy began, Fentone have honoured all the agreements and offer coin as their main resource offered in trade.
The People and their Skills:
Fentonians are recognised for their wealth and their ability to always come out on top of any situation, no matter how dire it may seem they always survive and thrive.
The wealthy are known for their extravagant living, general gluttony and their pious preaching, about their service to the gods - how their deeds and actions honour all the gods.
The people were once known for their unparalleled skills in mining, though this ability hasn;t been demonstrated in many generations now - it is unclear if they have retained any of their previous knowledge.
Fentonians are generally not considered a great fighting people, yet some of the best fighters ever known have come from Fentone - it is believed that their extreme wealth, saw some of these fighters receive the best training available in all of the kingdoms.
Those that have the means but never acquire a talent, seem to simply pay a minstrel to sing of their heroic victories in far off lands - soon enough a legend is born, even if they don't have the skills claimed in their gallantry tales.
Besides their dominant population of wealthy people, Fentone also have a large group of impoverished people, paid a menial wage and forced to live in terrible conditions.
These people essentially serve the wealthy and are only permitted past the temples that block the view of their existence from the wealthy, in order to work once finished they have to return to the poor quarter.
Fentones relationship with the Gods:
Fentonians have the largest and most extravagant temples in all of known Keltorin, they allow the priests and priestesses of the temples unparalleled control.
The people all worship and make offerings and when a priest or priestess, asserts that a person has dishonoured the gods they tend to buy their way out of the situation - meanwhile the poor suffer the full wrath of the 'god's will'.
Many poor people who aren't even considered to be Fentonian, are subject to the rule of law and as the temples have final say many are punished and there have been numerous public executions.
People have been whipped for simply addressing a high ranking priest or priestess incorrectly, the temples punishments are often harsh and for the poor it can be deadly.
Summary:
Fentone is the financial power center for all of Keltorin, whilst aligned with the Five Kingdoms of Balamy relationships have become strained over many generations.
Once known for their skills Fentonians are now only known for their wealth, and how they decide to use it.
No country wants to be on the wrong side of Fentone, with their endless supply of wealth there is nothing they can't buy including armies.
The temples are ruled with an iron fist and the priests and priestesses, are considered not only above the law - but the enforcers of the gods law unto all people within their reach.
Fentone is best kept an ally if at all possible, the ramifications of not continuing and alliance with them could result in complete devastation and destruction of your home or kingdom.
