Kingdom of Matta
| Formal Name | Kingdom of Matta |
|---|---|
| Capital | Gish Faya |
| Head of State | Berhanu Tekeste |
| Government Type | Monarchy |
| Cultures | ~95% Mattan |
| Religions | Safaism |
| Population Density | Medium |
| Population | 20 millions |
The Kingdom of Matta is a country located in the rugged and mountainous Mattan highlands, south of Dezabia. They live in the fertile plateaus and deep valleys of their homeland. The Kingdom of Matta is known for a strong warrior traditions, a rich religious heritage and a powerful monarchy.
History
The modern day Kingdom of Matta is the results of consolidation over the past four centuries by various principalities in the Mattan Highland, after the previous collapse of the Old Mattan Empire which see the Kingdom loses its dominance when Ruttenian and Oni invaded its eastern coasts and then raided the inland part of Matta.
One Great Houses in particular, led by the ancestor of the current noble house, the Tekeste, managed to reunify the Mattan highlands under its rule and strengthen ties with the co-religionist of Dezabia to the north. To the east, the Kingdom of Matta defeated rebellious city-states who formed a rebellious entity known as the Slufian League and their Ruttenian backers and successfully re-secured its coastlines and access to the sea. It also engaged occasionally in expeditionary warfare to the southeast in an attempt to project power into Ruttenia.
In more recent history, the Kingdom of Matta suffered greatly from the Tilai Khanate's attempt to invade into Ruttenia and suffered the brunt of its attack, but caught a lucky break with the unexpected death of Erzin Khan - although it lost part of its southern territories which are still held by the Khanate. To the west, the Kingdom of Awarya - who shares a common linguistic lineage but are made of the Awaryan beastkins who are considered cursed, maintain its nominal vassalage to the much more powerful Kingdom of Matta.
Government
The Kingdom of Matta is headed by a monarch who is often considered to be divinely appointed. The nobility play a crucial role in advising and supporting the monarch and controlling regional territories, whereas outside of the core city regions tribal elders play an important roles. Compared to its northern neighbor Dezabia, royal and noble power reign supreme and priests are of very low political importance.
Regions
Broadly speaking, the Kingdom of Matta is divided into two main cultural and economical regions. The western highland is considered the cultural and political core of the Kingdom of Matta, but the eastern land across the Kaen Mountains, bordering the Ruttenian sea, is generally richer and more independently-minded. The most prominent cities include:
- Gish Faya (80,000): The elaborate, splendid and rich capital of the Kingdom of Matta, located on the upper reach of the Faya river. This stretch of the Faya river is navigable between it and the lower city of Dabat - and then rapids make it unnavigable. This stretch make it the core of Mattan civilization and it is from this highland where Mattan ciivlizations initially spread.
- Kobo (60,000): The most prominent eastern trading city, with a large population supporting trade and industry on the upper reach of its neighboring river.
- Idhiit (50,000): The second most prominent eastern city - its relative proximity to the Woreta pass means it is a very important trading port. Goods here are unloaded at the port and then loaded onto massive mules and camel caravan that is then taken across the Kaen mountains, to the city of Woreta, before being send further west by camels or north onto the Saya river. The general hostilities of the Oni have made this land route much more prominent - although mostly high value, low weight goods like coffee, spices, silk and textiles are traded across this land route.
Economy
The economy of Matta is fundamentally feudal in nature with peasants at the lowest point of the social order. The primary exports of the Empire are tobacco, coffee, khat. Textile, honey and ghee are also exported from the Empire. Other exporting goals include sesame, cotton, frakincense, myrrh and cinnamon. The Mattan highlands also export minerals including gold up north to Dezabia.
Military
The Mattan military is a feudal military based on a mixtures of four types of troops:
- The Professional Royal Guards - the royal army based on heavy cavalries and battle mages
- Noble retinues - involving a mixture of cavalries and infantry, fielded by local nobles and forming the backbone of the army
- Levy - peasant warriors drawn from the populated land in time of war, lightly armed with spears and bows and slings.
- Religious Militias - Monastaries and temples often have trained militias that supplement royal forces in time of wars and are meant to protect local community
In addition, Awaryan auxillaries are commonly used as the Awaryan - while shunned, are viewed as ferocious and capable troops.
In general, infantries are expected to be well-disciplined and infantry are generally fielded with spear and shield phalanx alongside sword and shield infantry meant for close combat, equipped with shotel, daggers, maces and axes. Archers often uses composite bows and occasionally crossbows - with firearms currently being rather rare in Matta. Rich troops are commonly protected with chainmail and / or lamellar armor.
Elite shock cavalries supplemented by light scouts are unleashed at decisive moment in battle to rout the enemies.
Mattan excel at defensive warfare and mountain fortifications.