The Kingdom of Harkath

Overview

Harkath is the dominant military power of northern Erna, rivaled only by Gastonia in the south. The stern hand of the Harkonnen family keeps a firm grip on the affairs of state, and military garrisons can be found in every settlement, large and small. This disciplined rule has led to a lasting intrastate peace and a highly focused economy, which makes Harkath a force to be reckoned with.

History

The frosty pine forests of Harkath were the last lands to be cowed by the Burtow Empire and the first to revolt when its power began to fail 300 years ago. Hale Harkonnen, now a mythical hero in Harkath lore, rallied his people into an army that marched Burtow forces all the way back to the Grand Line Mountain Range. It was then that reinforcements arrived, and the people Harkath had to fight a long and bitter conflict to earn their freedom. Luckily for the rest of Erna, this war tied up most of the ailing empire's resources, allowing most other nations to slip their bonds fairly painlessly. The one-sided bloodshed left the citizens of Harkath with a powerful sense of patriotism and a deep-seated resentment of the other nations that persists even to this day.

Harkath continued a slow, gradual expansion until it met Gastonia 15 years ago. Already used to war, Harkath was quick to defend itself from Gastonian aggression, especially since the mark of Burtow culture was still so clear upon the people there. Six long, bloody years fueled a power enmity on both sides, and the signing of a treaty known as the Clash Accords halted the fighting for only two years. However, despite the Harkathan's natural eagerness for war, major Harkath advances mysteriously tapered off, and only ocassional pitched battles occur along the border.

Government

Harkath is ruled by a traditional monarchy, with the king also serving as the leader of the military. The Harkonnens govern from the ancestral family seat of Ardatov, deep in the impregnable pine forests of the Northern Highlands. The nation is divided up into baronies, ruled by members of the royal family and the ocassional influential Harkathan.

Political Relations

Harkath is in a state of open war with Gastonia, but most of its forces were called back into the Highlands three years ago, leading to an end in major engagements. Tensions remain high in towns and cities near the border, but the attractiveness of Gastonian trade keeps tempers from flaring too high.

Harkath and Jetstone, both being monarchies, are very friendly, and though Jetstone maintains an official neutrality in the war, Jetstone miners regularly plumb the depths of the Grand Line in Harkath territory. Both Willesa and Ruud have fended off Harkath incursions in the last 100 years and are cold to the Harkonnen family.

Culture

The people of Harkath have been fending off miltary and cultural incursions from other nations and peoples for hundreds of years, and as a result the nation is predominantly human. Harkaths are a tall, pale, sturdy lot, quick to anger and quick to forgive. There is a strong sense of national pride in every Harkath settlement, and service in the military is considered a rite of passage, even if it isn't a legal requirement.

Living off the land is both a Harkathan ideal and a necesity of life for most, as the tundra land is mostly inhospitable to crops, but Ecaz and Gastonian foodstuffs (funneled through Ecaz) make their way in from the south.

Notable Organizations

• Royal Apothecary Society