Samonight

The Kingdom of Samonight (sæ.moʊ.naɪt) is a human nation on the northeastern coast of Kalesten. It is north of Kosony and south of the Lands of Kaius, and bordered by the Green Sea to the west. It only has one major city, Atite, located in the southwest corner along the Vies River. Samonight is a moderately sized country, but much of the land they claim is timberland uninhabited by humans.

Samonight is known for a rigid, patriarchal culture, but are highly valued as a resource for timber around the Green Sea.

History

Samonight's roots trace back to the Sæmheim settlement of eastern Kalesten. Their ancestors integrated with the native population before the War of the Gods. Following the Cataclysm, survivors rebuilt society in near isolation, which resulted in a culture that was rigidly traditional and independent.

Samonight's joining of the Kalesten Union was reluctant, as they were opposed to the influence of outside cultures, but the benefits were hard to deny. While many former nations that made up the union dissolved into it, Samonight's physical isolation and culture obstinacy maintained a sense of cultural identity distinct from the rest of the Union. Gradually, the Kalestan tongue supplanted the common language spoken in Samonight and the Religion of Light was partially adopted.

When the Union began to crumble, however, Samonight was one of the first nations to withdraw and return to their independence.

Government

Like many Kalesten nations, Samonight is a monarchy, ruled by a strict male inheritance. There have been multiple dynasties, the current being the House of Reveigh for the last four generations.

Beneath the ruling family is a noble class, but they do not follow the tiered ranks common to many other Kalesten states. The structure of Samonight's government is more akin to their ancient structure of chieftains of clans beholden to a high chieftain. As Samonight has a rather small population, each settlement is ruled by a Lord of the Land, who is responsible for his domain on behalf of the king. The lords sit in council beneath the king, and can oust a king or entire dynasty. In the change of dynasty, one lord can be chosen by his peers to become king, thus establishing a new dynasty. The families holding the role of Lord have also changed over the years, either by being ousted by their own people or lines dying out and their people choosing a new lord.

People

Samonightans have a rather uniform appearance. They are of fair skin with a warm cast, commonly with dark eyes and brown or black hair. Light colored eyes are rare and found to be highly attractive in their rarity. Hair texture is commonly straight or wavy.