Calix

Calix is a kingdom in Eastern Glirelle, comprising of 4 Dukedoms; Equitaine, The Fjord, Valles and the Maris. According to the Calixian customs, The King is chosen by a witan made up of the Four dukes and five most influential knights from each dukedom.

Calix's political capital is Sainte-Dame, the primary residence of the Elected King of Calix. Although many still consider East Calix the Capital as it had been for many years.

Calixian Tribes
The heritage of the people of Calix originated from a land to the east of the continent. They were made up of several nomad tribes who fled their homeland after what was called the great orc calamity, wherein a large orc force rampaged through the land destroying hearth and home. The Caluxi, seeking land free from the green-skinned plague, fled to Glirelle, and settled in the land that would be Calix. The tribes settled in different territories. And would in time make up the dukedoms that still reign in Calix today. Though orc attacks followed from across the sea, they were fewer in number. Each village of the Caluxi would choose the strongest individual, feed him the best food, and treat him to the nicest home and women, and his duty would be to defend their land to the death. This was the origin of the Knights of Calix, and would be the foundation of Calix as a whole.

Unification of Calix
Calix would not be formed until the age of its first Grand Chief and tribe leader, Louen Calix. And his first crusade against the orcs. Uniting the clans to eventually form the Grand Tribe of Calix. After a successful crusade the leaders of each tribe, calix, Foster, Maris, and Niln would unite under the first Grand-Chief of Calix.

Unification of Glirelle
Under the threat of invasion from the Repherian Empire, Grand-Chief Edward Calix bent the knee to King Reginald  Gervaise in his quest to unify Glirelle in preparation for a full-scale assault. The Grand-Chief was granted the title of Duke in this newly founded kingdom.

War of Repheria
Many knights of Calix took part in the front lines during the war against the repherian empire. Similar to most this was a costly war that left the duchy in ruin. They were defeated in the war and lost the blessing of the Lady of the Lake. which would not be gained again until the time of King Guille Dugraal.

Glirelle Civil War
Under the reign of Sir Guille, Calix would earn its independence as a Kingdom during its conflict against the south. Calix and allies took part through the entirety of the war, defending neutral lands from the invasion of Aldair.

Notable conflicts
Siege of Slywallow, Siege of Artis

Women of Calix
Women in Calix are considered to be blessed, as they share a special relationship with the  Lady. Women are usually given higher value lives then men due to this, so are not usually put into military positions that may cause harm or forced to work the field. Though they may do so.

Class Divide
Calix is separated into two very distinct classes, Peasants and merchants who work the crop and trade goods, and knights and priestesses who train the sword and preach the Lady's word. Any individual, if they are worthy, can become a knight, likewise a knight may lay down arms to work he field. A peasant is to pay his liege lord no more than 90% of their crop yield, at the discretion of his reigning lord, to be distributed across the land. In return they get a wider variety of food and protection.

Religion
The people of Calix are devout followers of the Cult of the Lady. Blessed by the lady of the lake with at times supernatural abilities for her most devout followers, the Calixians take great pride in their religion and defend it with their lives. The Lady is the goddess of nobility and purity, and is the patron goddess of Calix. The Cult of the Lady is preached by women possessing foresight  known as Damsels, who spread the word of the Lady across the land and advise those they deem worthy. It is the dream of every knight to sip from the Lady's grail and be bestowed with godly power.

Knighthood
Knighthood is held in the highest esteem in Calix. A knight will protect his lands and his people from any and all threats, at the cost of their lives. Even the lowest of knights in calix vastly out skill the ordinary warrior. The orders of knights of the Lady are

knights errant: Knights seeking to prove their prowess as knights to become recognized as knights of the realm.

Knights of the realm: Proven knights in service to their liege lord

Questing knights: knights who have forsaken their lands to seek the grail

Grail knights: demigod like beings who have drank from the Lady’s grail

The combined vows of the knights' order are as follows.

"I give my body, heart and soul, to the Lady whom I seek. No plea for help shall find me wanting. No obstacle will stand before me. No evil will taint the lands bequeathed unto me. When the clarion call is sounded, I will ride out and fight in the name of Liege and Lady. That which is sacrament, I shall preserve. That which is sublime, I will protect. That which threatens, I will destroy, for my holy wrath will know no bounds. Honour is all. Chivalry is all. Rejoice, for we, the Knights of Calix... will be your shield.".

Monarchy
Calix is a monarchal feudalist society, wherein land is granted to nobles as a knights fee to provide income to provide for their military exploits and the costs to raise an army. In return they will answer the call of the King should he beckon. The current ruling family is Dugraal, with the head being King Guille Dugraal. More commonly known as Sir Guille. The king of calix is voted by a group of nobles, made up of the four Dukes, and five knights from each dukedom. This voting tends to follow bloodlines but is not restricted by them, as seen when Sir Guille is voted in by the wicken despite not being of noble blood.