The Kingdom of the Unwanted Crown
Carnithal
The Jester King Nation
The Crown of Coin and Mockery
“The Land Where No One Rules”
Carnithal is nestled between mild coastal breezes and forested valleys, its capital built into a craggy bluff where colorful banners flap against ancient stone. The cities are mismatched, as if built in layers of contrasting styles by rulers with wildly different ideas—because they were. Bright paint peels from patchwork rooftops. Statues of past kings stand beside satirical carvings mocking them.
The weather is mostly temperate but known to shift unpredictably. In true Carnithal fashion, the people claim this is because the land itself enjoys a joke now and then.
No one wants to be king in Carnithal. That’s not a saying—it’s the law. Rulership is determined by lottery, and all eligible citizens must participate. The unlucky winner is crowned Jester King, gaining full legal authority over the nation… but not a single coin of tax money. Their only income comes from donations, which creates a unique incentive: rule well and people might pay you to keep doing it.
Carnithal is a nation of performers, satirists, and philosophers. Mockery is a political tool, and art is often more powerful than law. However, behind the laughter lies deep civic engagement. Citizens pay attention because they have to—anyone could be chosen next. And while the king rules by decree, all laws must be announced from the public stage, in costume.
It’s a strange land, but not a foolish one. The people of Carnithal know that laughing at power is the surest way to keep it from becoming dangerous.
The Jester King is both ruler and court fool—a symbol of the absurdity of centralized power. Chosen by lottery, they serve for life, unless deposed by popular consensus (rare, but not impossible). The role is ceremonial in many ways, but all decrees carry the force of law.
A rotating Council of Commoners, drawn from the general population every two years, serves as a public advisory body. Their role is to challenge the king’s ideas and stage theatrical debates, many of which are open to spectators and wagered upon by citizens.
The king’s palace is more a gilded prison than a seat of power. While they can move freely within the city, leaving the kingdom requires formal approval—just in case the king tries to “accidentally” exile themselves.
The tension between satire and serious governance is constant. Some believe the nation should transition to a republic; others fear it would lose its soul.
Scandals involving unpopular kings often erupt into impromptu festivals mocking them into resigning.
Neighboring nations view Carnithal with amused skepticism—or strategic concern, depending on the political season.
Carnithal’s beloved competition is The Fool’s Arena, a performance-based challenge where contestants gain points not just by succeeding, but by how they succeed. Judges award points in three categories: Success, Style, and Spectacle.
Participants are encouraged to take risks, lean into their characters, and captivate the crowd. Even failure can be rewarded if it’s dramatic enough. While often comedic in tone, the sport is also a fierce contest of wit, agility, and improvisational brilliance.
Carnithal is surprisingly adept at diplomacy, using its unorthodox charm to catch other nations off-guard and disarm political tensions with humor.
Tolerated:
Drenvalis – Finds Carnithal inefficient, but oddly likable. Cultural exchanges are frequent, and Drenvalis citizens secretly admire Carnithal’s passion.
Kaelvira – The matriarchs of Kaelvira find Carnithal frivolous but mostly ignore them unless mocked too publicly.
Allied or Friendly:
The Squirrem – The two nations share a love for chaos with purpose. They celebrate one another’s absurd holidays and regularly exchange performers, druids, and storytellers.
Vaurholm – There’s no formal alliance, but Carnithal shows surprising sympathy to Vaurholm’s people. Underground art from Carnithal often makes its way into Vaurholm's camps.
At Odds With:
Orvith – Finds Carnithal’s political structure laughably dangerous. In turn, Carnithal parodies Orvith in an annual festival featuring cardboard golems and invisible bureaucrats.
Tarsendral – Relations are cold. Carnithal considers Tarsendral repressive and has mocked its leadership too many times to be on good terms.
Drakhalm (The Pirates) – Piracy is mocked in Carnithal’s traveling shows, which has led to minor skirmishes. Some pirate crews retaliate by targeting Carnithal trade ships during festival seasons.