Na Rathanna

From Breaking Worlds

Part of a series about the nations of the world of Arginet.

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A loose coalition of powerful, cultured city-states.

The Rathanna cities are fiercely independent but, aside from occasional internal conflicts, they stand together against the other great powers. Each city is ruled by a hereditary or elected prince and administered by the druíd or derwyddon, a scholarly class of priests, magicians, and judges.

The arts, in particular music, calligraphy, and jewellery, are richly patronised in Na Rathanna and are famous throughout the world. The western cities are also known for their mercenaries - heavily armed and armoured infantry called gallóglaigh or ‘gallowglasses’ - and the eastern ones for their architects and engineers.

The most important cities in the west are Killara and Cathair Ghlas; in the east, Dinas Affaraon and the port of Ker Is.

Arginese characters may have traded or studied in one of the cities, or fought alongside or against the gallowglasses in a local war. Rathanna music and dances are also popular and even an Arginese peasant may know a few songs.

Rathanna names and terms are Gaelic for the western cities, and Welsh and Breton for the east.