A Definition of the Kingdom

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

In all four Lands, there are political conveniences called Kingdoms or Realms. They have an analog in the Dragon States of antiquity, for these rulers of old kept such boundaries as they called Ranges. Those Ranges were all that might be held by a single ruler and were dependent on the strength of that ruler. Where a weak and modest Prince might govern a Range comprised of a single Reach, or province, a wise and mighty Prince might hold a Range composed of scores or hundreds of Reaches. A Range then, was not a fixed entity, but would wax and wane according to the strength of he which held them.

The Dragon Princes of old held to this truth, "A Prince and his Range are one!"

Modern sages of political truths have found that the same thing is true. While Kingdoms are known by various names and take a multitude of forms among the various peoples of Erenth, it is nevertheless true that these Kingdoms boundaries are not fixed. The Realm of an Elf Rane may give and take with respect to the Kingdom of his neighboring human King. These things can be established and abrogated by treaties and conquest, and even neglect -- for wherever their is an absence of power, it is true that something rises to fill it.

Even the goblins who are simple and savage and have no respect for the laws and institutions of any, will form themselves naturally into Kingdoms and seek rulers who might lead them. Even their rudimentary states will wax and wane with the strength and health of the ruler.