The Duchy of EregnorIndex | Time Under Chaos | Concerning Amber | The Golden Circle | Eregnor Head of State: Duke Friedrich Eregnor is said to have been founded by ShadowMasters out of Begma, whose civilisation is now lost. Certainly, the people of Eregnor share much of their language and racial make-up with their neighbours, though their culture has evolved into an odd mix of backward-looking autocracy and emerging industrialised nation. Much of this is due to the influence of the Kashfans, who arrived in numbers when the trade route between Begma and Kashfa was opened up by Oberon's eldest sons in antiquity. The Kashfans, with their large naval resources, began colonising Eregnor and tried to oust the Begman merchants from their privileged positions in the Duchy. The subsequent tensions have ebbed and flowed over the years, and the border has moved back and fore with the political tide. Eregnor and Begma fought together in Amber's cause during the PatternFall War, and in the aftermath the Kashfans invaded in force to reclaim territory they thought of as theirs. It has remained in their hands ever since. In deference to Eregnor's customs, the Kashfans have allowed the Duchy to keep its own laws and government provided it does not do anything contrary to the treaty concluded with Begma and backed by Chaosian Amber. Duke Friedrich and his family pride themselves on placating their powerful neighbours and thereby maintaining the autonomy of their people. The populated regions of Eregnor comprise wide, deep rivers along which busy ports and towns cluster, with low islands rising from the water to provide homes for poor families or extensive wildlife. It is noted for its many bridges, tall golden minarets and towns on platforms in the Venician style. Flood is a rare but serious problem, since any kind of elevation is far from the main centres of population. The Great Iron Pyramid of the Palatine was an attempt to provide a refuge in such times, but the project bankrupted its sponsor, the eccentric Baron Fanerbache, and it has never been completed. Eregnor has no standing army of its own, and dedicates itself to peaceful pursuits. Trading is the most popular pastime for the duchy's residents, though it has a small and dedicated priesthood who worship a local form of the Unicorn church. This is tolerated as it preaches peace and brotherhood with those from Chaos, who are viewed rather like long-lost relatives. The Eregnor First Church of the Revealed Form is tolerant of all religions, though there are certain holy places where only the faithful may go. The Patriarch has visited Amber on occasion and is usually greeted by Prime Minister Mandor, underlining the esteem in which he and his church are held. It is perhaps thought that the cleric may have a positive influence on rebellious Begma. |
