Ket CY594

Recent History

Let's be blunt about it: Ket allied with the forces of evil in the last major war
(the Greyhawk Wars). The reasons for doing so are myriad but they come down to a
simple maxim: take what you can, when you can, if you can. Ket attacked a
neighboring state, Bissel, to re-claim lost "historical" territory. The forces of
Bissel were positioned to defend another area and the nation fell in 6 weeks (see
France, 1940). The repercussions of this act have been many. Ket suffered
internal upheavals when it was realized that the Beygraf (ruler) was evil and he
was assassinated and replaced with a moderate. The nations of the Sheldomar
Valley united to reconquer Bissel however a treaty was signed that left Ket with
the lands it claimed, divided the Bissel capital of Thornward into four sections,
each ruled by one of the parties to the treaty, and returned the area to peace.
In the aftermath, the nations around us (save for Tusmit) hold us in contempt and
suspicion for allying with the forces of evil, and we are also in the ill graces
of the Empire of Iuz (the forces of evil) for stopping our campaign when we did.

Even more recently (CY 593) we entered into a cold war with Tusmit, the only
neighbor not to threaten us in the last war. This relates to diplomatic
difficulties and could erupt into a real war at any time. Ongoing difficulties
with Veluna have led that nation to withdraw most of the troops (end of CY593) it
had stationed throughout the Flanaess fighting evil and Ket watches uneasily,
unaware of what implications this might have for it. Bissel constantly threatens
a war of reunification but does little and is generally held in contempt by Ket.
The border states with Iuz (such as Furyondy, Highfolk, and Perrenland) all have
mixed to poor feelings about us as they continue to fight the power of the Empire
of the Old One, with Highfolk suffering a recent invasion (CY592 and CY593).

Ket Military

Although all of our neighbors (currently) do not trust or like us, Ket is not in
serious danger. The military is well trained and professional, supplemented by a
feudal levy of above-average quality. The combination of medium-armored cavalry
archers, pikemen, and crossbowmen is an army that is justly feared. Lightly armed
cavalry scouts and light infantry supplement this core while both Dwarf and
Halfling contingents make up additional units in the predominantly human army.

Thanks to the riches of Ket and the long-term thinking of prior Beygrafs, the core
of the armor is professional. Each regiment is tied to a district or province and
usually to the lands of a noble, but much of the funding comes from the central
government. Recruiting is almost always local and military service is one of the
few ways that non-Kettite citizens can gain acceptance and citizenship.

Ket Citizenship

Citizenship in Ket is restricted (by birthright) to humans, dwarves, and halflings

born or living legally in the kingdom. Military service and meritorious conduct
allows others to gain citizenship, although it is frowned upon to allow elves to
elevate to such standing. Those who leave the kingdom automatically see their
citizenship revoked and are considered foreigners. One common misconception is
that non-citizens have no protection - this is not the case but it is true that
horses are more important in the eyes of the law.

Game Mechanics: Any human, dwarf, or halfling is a Ket citizen if they choose Ket
as their home region. Anyone can become a citizen through Special Missions or via
campaign certification however access is rare, although some of the original
metaorganizations did offer this benefit. Changing regions to other than Ket
automatically revokes citizenship unless it is provided via campaign
certification. Elves are a special case - those choosing Ket as a home region
have no protection under the law and are considered monsters. Even elves with Ket
citizenship have no protection save that which might be afforded by a powerful
patron.

Ket Government

Ket is a feudal monarchy with the beginnings of a strong central state allied
closely with a powerful church structure. The Beygraf (ruler of Ket) is in
charge, with Grafs governing different provinces of the land. Below the Grafs are
Beys, who comprise the rest of the nobility (yes, there are only three effective
levels of nobility, through differences in wealth/status make simple designations
more complicated at court). Allied to the governmental structure is the Church of
Al'Akbar (True Faith), a Lawful Neutral church intent upon the continued worship
of its version of the scriptures of the god. They have a large say in the laws of
the land and most Kettites pay at least lip service to the worship of Al'Akbar.
Despite the feudal nature of the regime, the emphasis on the law (Ket is a Lawful
Neutral country) to the exclusion of all else serves to unite most of the country
under the banner of common legal grounds.

Ket Law

The law in Ket is absolute. While a feudal monarchy in structure, the practical
application of the law in all facets of daily life is difficult to ignore. There
is an absolute restriction on killing - even in self-defence it is unacceptable
and subject to harsh penalties. This restriction does not apply to monsters (such
as elves) and other lesser creatures. The law in Ket is administered by Jurats
who are frequently chosen from the ranks of the Mullahs (the clergy of Al'Akbar)
and enforcement is by the Threshers. Larger cities have actual Watches but most
direct contact is with either the Threshers or the Jurats when it comes to the
law.

It is sometimes said that nobles are given preferential treatment but that is a
rumour, given examples of nobility in the stocks or sent to the mines. These last
two punishments are the primary means of enforcement in Ket: the stocks are the
destination for those who commit minor crimes and are deemed able to be
rehabilitated - permanent services in the copper mines is for those whose crimes
are severe. There are fines for lesser crimes in addition to time in the stocks,
and execution of lawbreakers, but this latter punishment is used very
infrequently. Make no mistake about it, the laws in Ket are harsh - there is no
consideration given to circumstance or emotion. Those sent to the copper mines
are sentences permanently under the law of Ket - their lives are forfeit for their
crimes and they work until they die. It is possible to be set free but examples
are rare.

Indentured Servitude and Hard Labour in Ket - Ushdari and Qashari

There are two forms of indentured servitude in Ket. Civil Indentured servitude,
common to the Middle Ages, is practiced, but for set terms and only for the
payment of debts. Such service must conform to all of the practices of the Four
Feet of the Dragon (see Ket Society) and is, by the demands of society, a
dignified position. The designation for such people is Ushdar (plural: Ushdari)
and they are afforded all of the protections of the law and must be treated as
family (albeit poor and impoverished relatives) by their patrons.

Hard labour is restricted to those working in the copper mines and is permanent.
This is considered punishment, not rehabilitation, with no apologies on the part
of Ket society. All people sentences to the mines are considered beyond
redemption, having committed acts any civilized person would abhor. They are
given the name Qashar (plural: Qashari) although many curse words and similar
feelings are vented when discussing them. The designation is not hereditary,
despite the impressions of some, and children born to Qashari are delivered to
churches to be raised as citizens/immigrants. This type of servitude is reviled
throughout the Flanaess by other nations however the application of the law and
the terrible actions of the individuals are rarely considered in their
"enlightened" approach. There is no enjoyment in the use of Qashari nor is it
defended as anything other than the punishment that is intended.

Ket Society and Religion

The society in Ket is mostly Baklunish (Arabic) however the country is quite
mixed. Many different cultures play a large role in Kettite society, ranging from
the practices of the nomads who conquered the country some time ago (thus
elevating the horse to a prominent position in society) and those of our neighbors
(who have either conquered or been conquered by Ket in the past). Architecture,
in most cities, varies dramatically, although the nobles consider themselves
"purebred" Baklunish to a great extent. Common is the dominant language in Ket
while Baklunish (identical to the ancient version of the language) runs a close
second. The Four Feet of the Dragon (Honor, Piety, Family, Respect) are the
accepted basis for society in the country along with the prominent worship of
Al'Akbar and the Baklunish Pantheon. Mullahs, the title for priests of the True
Faith (the Lawful Neutral worship of Al'Akbar), are highly respected. As might be
considered typical for those in a position of power such as this, there is an
undercurrent of intolerance about Mullahs stemming from their prominence and their
own proclaimed tendencies toward the Lawful Neutral.

The interwoven society and faith of Al'Akbar is a common theme in Ket. The theft
of the holy symbols (the Cup and Talisman) of the god some time ago by Elves has
only served to intensify a dislike and hatred for such people in Ket. The
hostility with the elves of the Bramblewood Forest is one result, as well as the
general antipathy toward most elves by everyday Ket society. Stemming from this
heavy influence is a similar dislike for chaotic gods of any type and their
worshippers although, by the same reasoning that is seen as indicative of our
outlook by outsiders, lawful gods are generally supported, even though with evil
alignments such as Hextor.

Game Mechanics: All open worshippers of any chaotic god are at a -4 circumstance
penalty with respect to social interaction with residents of Ket (eg. Gather
Information checks, Diplomacy checks, etc.). This has been reinforced by recent
actions by Bisselite dissidents (see Ket3-07) and chaotic elements in society (see
the worship of Olidamarra in Lopolla and the halflings involved in that).

Ket Geography and Climate

Ket is bound on the North and East by the mighty Yatil mountains, to the Southeast
by the Bramblewood Gap and Bissel, to the Southwest by the Plains of the Paynim
and to the West by the Tusman Hills. Profitable trade routes from Tusmit to the
west, travelling both to and from far countries through Ket, is the primary source
of wealth in the country. The pass to the Perrenland heads north through the
Yatil mountains and another source of revenue. Nations around Ket are Tusmit to
our west, Perrenland to the north, Veluna to the east and Bissel to the southeast.
The tribes of the Paynim are not a nation but dominate the Plains to our
southwest.
The vast Bramblewood Forest dominates the southern half of the country. The
periphery of the forest is harvested for yarpick nuts (from the yarpick or
daggerthorn tree), a staple in the diet of Ket. The inner parts of the forest,
broad and wild, are home to wild and wood elves and monsters of many different
types. A single road, the Irafa Rd, passes through the centre of the forest and
allows passage, although it is considered dangerous without heavily armed escorts.

Ket is a temperate region, with hot summers and cold winters. The presence of the
mountain ranges trap weather formations in the country, leading to long-term
weather patterns that are usually predictable. Most Kettites wear the long,
flowing robes and turbans that are typical to the west, relying upon them for
cooling in the severe heat of summer and bundling up in the depths of winter.