A Definition of the Province

A Definition of the Province
a study by Sage Lochro of Peakshadow

The modern Province in all four lands owes its establishment to the political philosophy of the Pax Vyruma. The so-called Dragon States of antiquity discovered those geographically favorable areas called Reaches. It is no coincidence that the Province of today matches almost exactly with the boundaries of these ancients Reaches. For they were able to intuit naturally what systemic study has revealed today -- a Province is no accidental thing.

In the Land of Eastrun the Province is known as a District, while in Southrun they are called Satrapcies and in Northrun they are known as Jarldoms. But, regardless of their name, it is well-established that a lord and his land are bound in some fashion by mystical ties. By most astute political sages it is agreed that these units of land are neither divisible nor accretable. The manageable area of land which may be invested to a noble is considered its lowest unit and that these areas, the priests of many cultures say, is bound by the nature of the energy which is bound up inside Erenth itself.

Of course, nothing prevents the edict of one lord or another from attempting to supplant the boundaries of these natural Provinces. But long historical study has proven that when such attempts are made, the regions so divided tend toward lawlessness and chaos and may only be restored to some semblance of fruitful use and peaceful existence when the ancient boundaries are restored by a wise and informed nobleman.

It has been advanced by some that the idea of nobility is an artificial construct. According to these fools a noble man and a common man are separated only by words appended to their name. They state further that such a title of nobility does not confer an actual change of character upon the bestowed. In the same fashion, these people say that those born of noble lineage do not inherit any lordly character from their sire.

As proof, they offer that some cads among noblemen are no less given to the passions and weaknesses of common men. They state that the actions and decrees of such men may be by turns cruel, wanton and capricious; just as often as they are kindly, chaste and just. What may we say to such foolishness?

A nobleman is as far from a commoner, as a commoner is from a pig. Now, it may be true that a nobleman may act like a commoner, but this does not change his nature. Rather, it serves to indict him as regards conduct. In the same way, a commoner may rut, or may soil himself, or may even root in the mud if given the chance. But no one, except in a spirit of jest would say that the commoner was in fact a pig. Rather they would allege that he acted like a pig.

Logic aside, a methodical approach to history has revealed that a common man simply cannot hold any Province entrusted to him. The surest test of all is the test of time. Time shows that a man who is not a noble, may hold some area by claiming to, but again, his so-called rule will be fraught with lawlessness and chaos.

Nothing must be inferred from these obvious facts about the number of Provinces which may be ruled by one noble, however. Only that he must take care to rule to the very line of each ancient boundary. Failure to do so is the origin of much trouble.