Araluen is a small island nation.
Geography
Araluen is an island off the coast of the continent. To the north is the land of Picta, home of the wild Scotti tribes. In the southwest corner is the country of Celtica, at present an ally of Araluen, with a mutual defense treaty.
A map of Araleun is shown here: Araleun
Politics
The Araluans are ruled by King Duncan and the country is divided into fifty fiefs. These vary in size and importance but each is administered in the King's name by its own Baron.
Military
Araluen is an essentially peace loving country but when necessary, it can call on the skill of its warrior knights, trained in the Battleschools attached to its various fiefs. The King also has at his disposal the Corps of Rangers, fifty highly trained men, skilled in archery, camouflage, and secret movement. They are his most valuable fighting force. Araluen is the principal home of many of history's heroes.
Fiefs
Among the most important of the Araluen fiefs is Redmont, where Will grew up and was eventually apprenticed to Halt. Other fiefs include the northern fief of Norgate, a large fief on the border with Picta, Seacliff, a small island fief with a small castle, Meric Fief where Gilan is assigned and Caraway. The most important fief is Araluen Fief, in which sits Castle Araluen, the seat of King Duncan's rule.
Each fief of the kingdom also has a Scribeschool, and Diplomatic school, a Cooking School, and some fiefs have a school to teach people how to tend to battlehorses
Foreign Relations
Currently, with the Hallasholm Treaty signed, Skandia and Araluen are allied, but the Temujai are planning to attack Araleun, so they are considered enemies. The other countries of the continent though, are neutral wih Araluen. There is also a mutual defense treaty and alliance with Celtica.
History
Modern Araluen was established over 150 years ago by King Herbert after he drove the Scotti out of Araluen and back into Picta. He organised the country into 50 fiefs ruled by a baron. Herbert also established the Ranger Corps as the kingdoms intelligence force and assigned a ranger to each fief.