Kingdom of Clairmont

The Kingdom of Clairmont is the country where The Chronicles of Rapina took place.

The original spelling on Dragon's Inn appears to be Claremont; and early in the Chronicles, this spelling was used. However, subsequently, the spelling changed to Clairmont.

Political Organization
The country appears to be feudal, with individual lords having significant independence, exercising local justice up to capital punishment, and having individual armies. The king appeared to have little influence, but was still the one to ennoble barons, and to approve (sometimes after the fact) of annexations of his vassals' territories. The vassals owe him support and probably troops in time of war; but there was also a King's Army and a King's Navy (also called the royal navy).

See Locations for political subdivisions.

Social Hierarchy
Social status largely followed the traditional political power, which was based on land holdings and titles. The highest status was generally attached to the hereditary, landed nobility. See also Noble Titles.

However, because of a largely market-driven economy, money-based status also played a role, although money without a title was less highly regarded than noble rank and associated holdings. "Even a knight is technically greater than a wealthy gentleman with no title, although a wealthy gentleman might actually have more influence."

Note that some nobility eagerly participated in trade, so there was no stigma attached thereto. For instance, the Jordells were extremely wealthy due to trade.

Priests and magicians had status, although often below that of landed nobility.

Currency
Several copper, silver and gold coins were in use; their values seem to be well standardized. Bank branches were not commonly seen; but Robert Rothe was a banker, and a cage-room was compared to a "bank teller"; so banking existed.

See Currency for more information.

Languages
Common and, less frequently, Elfish were spoken in the kingdom.

Religions
The people of the kingdom were polytheistic. The intensity and formality of worship varied widely, with some people centering their life around ceremony, and others remembering the gods only in distress and oaths.

There was no single state church, although some regions like the Marquisate of Avengene were being strongly dominated by one church.

The Winter Solstice was celebrated, but was not dedicated to any particular god.