Valcay

The Kingdom of Valcay is a feudal Boldic kingdom, though many Sormen live in its southern regions.

Valcay is a land known for its vineyards; in fact, wine is more popular than ale, even among the peasantry.

History
Ancient Valcay was home to the Valgalds (also known as the Grape Galds), who were colonized by the Empire of Aedor. Just as in other regions, the local Galdic tribes were 'civilized' into the Bolds. They formed the Kingdom of Valba, a constituency of Aedor.

The Valgaldic chiefs were in charge of keeping rosters of a tribe's members, as well as cooperating heavily with imperial governors. These men came to be known as 'counters', which led to the title of 'count' becoming their title for middling nobles instead of 'earl'.

In the Late Imperial Age, Valba converted to the Emmortal Church. During the Faith War, an Aedorian emperor was killed in battle by a Valban peasant with a halberd.

Many years later, the Kingdom of Valcay was formed as an independent nation. The title of 'duke' was abolished to curtail the power of the nobility after a series of wars were fought between royalist forces and several dukes.

Society
Valcay is led by a King, though its feudal system bears several differences from Carmondy. The kingdom is separated into numerous counties, led by lords known as Counts (the equivalent of a Carmon earl).

The counts are all direct vassals to the king. Although Valcay possesses Barons, rather than being direct vassals of the king, many barons are vassals to a count. Viscount is a title held by the most powerful or trusted baron of a particular county, appointed by his liege. Border counts hold the higher title of Marquess, their charge of protecting the border coming with increased rank.

Valcay is a land known for its vineyards; in fact, wine is more popular than ale, even among the peasantry. Purple dye was used to color the first royal standard, and is also used to distinguish most Valcayan retainers.

Valcay does not have many chartered towns compared to Carmondy, as its nobles are very possessive of their urbanities. Thus, almost all towns in Valcay are ruled feudally, or by townlord dynasties. However, townsmen are given special rights just the same, and Valcay has many vintners' and merchants' guilds.