Pre-History of the Confederation of the Danfel

There were three polities that co-exist and eventually united to form the Confederation of the Danfel.

The three constituent parts usually referred to themselves by their traditional names - "Danfelgard", "Estasea" and "Sara", and when it was neccessary to emphasise that all three polities, or the union thereof, was meant, the term "Confederation of the Danfel" , or just "the Danfel" was more commonly used.

The three societies were -

Danfelgard (or Danfelgor - an older variant which is still sometimes used) - a constitutional monarchy, largely controlled in fact by its Merchants. Every now and again they overstep the mark, and they get knocked down, but they always come back. Arrangements can be put in place from time to time to make the balance of wealth and power a bit more equal, but the Merchants always bide their time, and have another attempt at increasing their share. 

Danfelgard is a major river port and trade hub, with a very lively manufacturing and commercial sector. They are not (as a generalisation) particularly interested in the arts, except perhaps literature. They have retained the old style gods in a token fashion, but have usually downgraded them - thus, the Storm Father of the Sara has become the God Of Bad Weather. Danfelgorians follow the philosophy (not religion) of Kentumirto, as modified by the nun Mirana. There is more detail on the Perfidam Philosophy page on this website. Some of the traditional stories on this website are in the nature of fables, explaining aspects of Kentumirto's philosophy.

Estasea was a major trade hub, having harbours on both the river and the open sea. The people don't really subscribe to any religion, and their philosophy is to work, trade, make money and live life. They love good food, wine and they are much more enthusiastic about the arts than the people of Danfelgard. They say "You can always tell whether you're in Estasea or Danfelgard because in Estasea the buildings are made of golden-coloured stone, but in Danfelgard, the stones are grey." The balance of power and wealth is more equal relative to Danfelgard, and Estasea is a republic (which caused problems in the Empire period). Danfelgorians drink more tea and Estaseans drink more wine.

There are levels of poverty, crime and corruption in both cities (of course).

There were various tribes on the steppes which in time united to become the Sara nation. They adhere closely to the old religion (which was also the religion of Danfelgard pre-Kentumirto), and their chief deity is the Storm Father, god of the sky, the wind, storms and war. Each tribe has its chieftains and shamans, but the Sara nation is led by a (non-hereditary) Ouaq. The greatest shaman, who is not affiliated to any one tribe, is the Shaman of the Tree, who appears in the Song of Sara Ouaq. The tribes are formidable warriors, being very swift mounted archers, who mount guerilla-style hit and run attacks and largely avoid set-piece battles. The Sara are pastoralists, trappers and hunters, and their principal trade with the cities is in furs, skins and livestock. 

As the Song relates, Valubani, a Sara Prince and Pellae, a Danfelgorian Princess, marry and unite the two polities in the persons of the monarchs (the then Gorak of Danfelgard and the Ouaq of the Sara relinquished their positions to make way for the newly-weds).

From this beginning comes the Dual Monarchy.

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