O'lory Entitlement

The O'Lory Entitlement is a large kingdom on the northwest side of the former Halfling Patchwork. Trustee Kendra Cloudfall took possession of the entitlement in 4746 with the passing of her mother Alora "The Merchant" Cloudfall. Kenrda keeps up her mother's heavy, and sometimes aggressive, involvement in trades that cross the territories lines.

In 4544, Ronder Cabbage published probably the most well-known work from the O'Lory Entitlement, "From Juniper to Gold, a handbook on making deals". As a result, he went from being an unknown library in Runebridge to a much sought-after economic advisor. It turned out he was actually quite brilliant and his book and lectures changes the financial shrewdness of the citizens.

In 4555, a caravan company in Xiretta View set up a trade route to the Dagu'yi clan. This was celebrated as a clear implementation of the Cabbage principles, because they largely took oats, a common good, to the Sea'ek Tribes, but brought back Boars, Geese, and Quill feathers, all of which the people the entitlement valued. In later years, some people have looked at this arrangement and criticized the "abusive" and "taking advantage" of the Clan, but the trade route remains until this day.

In 4578, Kilbride Electrum Works, built on the success of the ancient metallurgy guild, opened for trade. They worked out an arrangement with the Xiretta Caravaners to bring gold from Otore and started their own trade route to bring silver back from Streithbury Rough. This made this location the only location in the world to consistently produce electrum goods. It is for this reason some people will refer to electrum coins, which are only produced by this company, as O'Lorys.

Grinvale and Dundraken became the two cities that became the home to the Gnome Mechanocorps and tinker's guild, in 4600. The gnome's knack for technological invention paired with the O'Lory business acumen became a powerful combination. As a result, Dundrakan became a destination for very high-end mechanical luxury goods for the very wealthy.

In 4676, Luth Poppy, a Halfling miner in the iron mines south of Falshire discovered a polished piece of obsidian. Even though he was under contract to turn over any and all items found in the mine shaft, he smuggled it back to his tent. After a single night of sleeping with it in close proximity, he discovered he had the sudden appearance of magical power, though he had never studied. That obsidian stone, "the heart of the fiend", was always on his person. He walked away from his job, his family, and his friends and made his way to Runebridge. For those who knew him beforehand, he was not the same man. He was dark, plotting, powerful, and charismatic. He started the most secret guild in the kingdom in a windowless, stone building that can only be entered by invitation.

In 4717, in the aftermath of the Streithbury Rough cataclysm, Kilbride used the silver trade route to send assistance to the people who had been displaced. This included supplies for quick temporary housing, food supplies, and cloth. These care packages were put together by the people of the city and as a result, when the people of Kilbride travel to Streithbury Rough they still get a "hero's welcome," and are often told stories of how this assistance saved their family members.

In 4766, the C.O.G.S was formed in the city of Dundraken, with the idea to create a mechanical cavalry force. At nearly the same time Runebridge was being destabilized by a blood cult that had taken up residence in a large manor house. After taking a simple escort mission into Runebridge, they uncovered and drove out the cult. This set them up as a recognized special unit within the O'Lory Entitlement military.

Government

The O'Lory Entitlement is led by a single leader called the Trustee, as stipulated by the agreement which allowed the breakaway of the five cities of the entitlement. The service of the trustee has no set length of time, the trustee can step down at any time. Some carry this until death, but others take retirement. The very first act a trustee needs to do is set up a successor, in the event of their untimely demise. The trustee has the responsibility for the defense of the participating cities and surrounding lands, addressing states of emergency, and securing any international trades. Additionally, they represent the interests of the entitlement in treaties and multi-kingdom agreements.

The succession of the trustee has been handed down within the same family or handed to someone outside of the family. There is no limit or prohibition on who can be appointed to be the trustee.

Military

The military of the O'Lory Entitlement technically rolls up to the Trustee, but for almost as long as the entitlement has existed there has been a commander over the collective armed forces. This commander is appointed by the Trustee. This commander can adjust the structure and deployment, but there is typically one general over each of the cities and one to three generals who can be used for foreign deployments. C.O.G.S, the newly establish gnome cavalry, currently reports up to Lieutenant Moss, who reports up to Genera Mudding, the General of Dundraken.

The military handles international defense, the policing of cities, and expeditions. Soldiers in the O'Lory Entitlement are well-paid and learn skills that will serve them when they choose to leave the military. The make-up of the army is mostly infantry, but also includes pony-mounted cavalry, Luckblades of Charese, Runebridge Elderich Knights, and most recently the C.O.G.S a gnomish mechanical cavalry. Recruits are given basic training at Fort Falshire and then travel to other stations for specialized training.

Economy and trade

The principal export of the O'lory Entitlement is gin because it is the only place in the world where Juniper berries are grown. There is a large group of berry harvesters that supply every city in the entitlement. These cities produce a collection of dozens of kinds of Gin, made with different kinds of distillation and botanicals, but there has never been more supply than demand. No bar is complete without at least one kind of O'lory gin.

In addition to gin, the entitlement has unique exports of black leopards, as pets and skins, and electrum goods. A single O'lory leopard pelt is worth about 50gp and a kitten about 100gp. While leopards are fairly common, O'lory leopards are very rare. Just as Otore is known for gold, the entitlement is known for electrum, which has half the value of gold. This electrum was historically stamped into coins, which are still recognized. It has also been used to make cups, plates, dinnerware, jewelry, and about any other thing you might make from precious metal. Other exports include oats, potatoes, vodka, iron goods, lodestones, and grey and cobalt feldspar.

The entitlement is very self-supporting, with far greater exports than imports, but with an overall fairly rich population they do import items for luxury and cultural reasons. They import lamb, linen, emerald ironwood, and white marble from Duchy of Coterii. They import sugar, molasses, rum, wine, brandy, leather, and cotton fabric from the Province of Tilbury. They import rye, red cedar, pearls, and horses from State of Chardon. They import packed fish, platinum, black onyx, and ink from Estrand. They import pork, bear meat, and copper from Shashland String. They import geese, boar, carrots, quills, and clay from the Sea'ek Tribes.

Society and Culture

The majority of humanoids in the O'Lory Entitlement are Halflings, with some diversity, especially of those who have prized skills. In Xiretta View there is a significant population of humans, because of its proximity to the human kingdoms. Because of the Mechanocorps and Tinker's guild, there is a large number of gnomes in Dundraken. In Runebridge, the fiend's guild has drawn changelings, ostrich and half-elves. Fort Falshire, with a military that is already well paid, has paid extra for troops that are of Goliath descent and the Kilbride Electrum Works has specifically brought in dwarven metallurgists to refine the process. Also there have been elven distillers who have moved to the entitlement to have an opportunity to produce gin.

The homes in the entitlement are almost uniformly made from the local feldspar., meaning they are single-story and dark grey, which have a cobalt sparkle when hit by sunlight. It is very common to have emerald ironwood or red cedar door. It is common for homes to have workspaces, small personal libraries, and offices that are suitable for doing business.

Outside of their gin, probably the most famous culinary item from the O'Lory Entitlement is their tarts. They are not famous for their deliciousness, but because the combination of juniper and oat dough is an acquired taste. Additionally, it can have surprising gastrointestinal effects. In restaurants and taverns there is usually a meal of a small portion of imported meat with a large portion of potato mash. Also, in recent years there has been an increase of high-quality vodka which has become a favorite for locals who have grown tired of the gin.

Religion

The O'Lory Entitlement is a moderately religious society. Almost all businesses have a patron deity, but most times they are not strongly linked to the church. The reason for the association is usually practical, drawing worshippers of that God or Goddess, and also related to the business. Holelaw was once the primary god of gin, but after his destruction, he was replaced by Morris. Those that work with black leopards are often linked to the gods of darkness, Khohshek and Kawkasha. The Kilbride Electrum Works declares Kawshafa, the Goddess of the Forge. Ktisis, as she is in many places, is the goddess of farmers. Finally, the deity worships by nearly all of the tradespeople and caravaneers is Hoofshaw, the God of Travel.

Education and Magic

Education is an important part of the development of the people of the O'Lory Entitlement. In their early years, the children are taught to read, write, simple mathematics, history, and logic. When they get a little older they start doing "children jobs" which are apprenticeships designed to prepare children to successfully work in and operate a business. Most are taught lessons from "Juniper to Gold" and taught that a strong work ethic is the secret to success. In Runebridge, there are "children jobs" which lead to magic occupations. In Dundraken, there are several guilds and businesses devoted to tinkering. These children jobs end in a gift ceremony, which is a kind of right of passage signifying the student is an adult, about to support themselves. The "gift" is usually a kind of starter kit for the business they are going into.

In Runebridge magic is actually much more common than in most places of the world. Because the "Runebridge" in the middle of the city is one of the oldest and most mysterious arcane artifacts it draws people interested in research, which means the population of magic users is quite high. This is also a location of a significant temple of Kawshafa.