Curiya
From Almeopedia
| Curiya | |
| Native: | Curiya |
| Verdurian: | Coriya |
| Characteristics | |
| Capital: | Kulža |
| Government: | Absolute monarchy |
| Language: | Verdurian, Curiyan |
| Relative prosperity: | 31 |
| Population: | 2.0 million |
| % Pagan: | 71 |
| % Eleďe: | 29 |
| % None: | 0 |
| Currency | |
| Gold | oř 10 |
| metoř 5 | |
| Silver | kop .9 |
| felát 1/4 | |
| Emur | stanse 1/16 |
| < CURIYA |
Curiya [ku ˈri ja] is a large kingdom in the south of Eretald. The heart of the country is the Satos river valley; its capital and only large town is Kulža.
Neighbors: Verduria, Isiza (to N), Peleu (to NW), Obenzaya (to SW), Deštai (to S), Dracnáe, Pakšohan (to SE), Bažra (to E), Ctésifon (to NE)
Contents |
History
The Curiyans were originally a nomadic people, a division of the Coruo which lived along the Meuna for centuries, sometimes harrassing the Caďinorians and sometimes aiding them— as mercenaries— against other harrassers. They became independent from the Gelyet c. 2600. They were strongly influenced by the Caďinorians, to the point of adopting their religion.
Curiyan nobles still keep large parts of the country for their herds, and it’s known as one of the most rural and primitive parts of Eretald.
Conquest of Ctesifon
In 2792 their king (drabon, from Caď. atrabion) Meugi conquered Ctesifon, putting an end to the Caďinorian Empire. This was less dramatic than it sounds; the various provinces were effectively independent anyway, and when the emperor Melisör’s army was defeated, resistance to the invaders simply melted away— especially as Meugi made it clear that he was willing, even eager, to confirm accomodating nobles in their positions. He did his best, in fact, to act like a Caďinorian— dressing in Caďinorian style, patronizing the temples and the arts, looting only in the form of taxation.
Nomads who conquer settled kingdoms face a dilemma: their very success derives from the military superiority of a nomadic cavalry, which requires a lifelong training in riding and cavalry tactics, but governing peasants and townspeople requires accommodation to their ways. Few dynasties manage to retain competence in both areas. Meugi apparently hoped to be accepted as a Caďinorian emperor, much as empress Mália was; but his commitment to his nomadic roots was greater. He lived most of the year in Kulža and raised his sons there. As a result, he continued to be seen as a barbarian, no matter what he was wearing.
He died in 2812 and his young son Eroz required all Curiyan chiefs and Caďinorian lords to travel to Kulža to be confirmed in their titles; this mečidoz would be repeated on the accession of a new Curiyan drabon or their own replacement by an heir. Eroz’s own authority was underlined by the procession of lords on their knees before him; but the ceremony, though not onerous, was a constant reminder of Ctesifon’s subjection to barbarians and engendered resentment.
| Dynasties of Caďinas | ||
| Preceded by: Dascoro d. | Curiyan rule 2792-2917 | Succeeded by: Dalmaž d. |
Loss of Ctesifon
In 2909 the new drabon was Ecuz, just 21 years old. The ensuing mečidoi, rather than ensuring acceptance of the new king, gave many the impression that he was immature and uncertain. This feeling was fanned by Bura, surcont of Dalmaž, who began raising a rebel army. Bura’s plans were betrayed to Ecuz by cont Tulimër in 2917. (Tulimër has been a reliable villain to the Ctésifoni ever since. His motivation seems to have been not so much pro-Curiyan as anti-Buran; Bura was by no means the top-ranking Caďinorian noble and his bid for power was not welcomed by all.)
Ecuz immediately mobilized his army and marched to Dalmaž, hoping to find Bura before he could assemble a large force. It seemed that he had come in time: he found only a small army, and he gave the orders to attack immediately. But Bura had hidden two reserve forces in the hills. His total forces were still outnumbered by Ecuz’s, but he knew the terrrain and the hills favored his infantry. Ecuz lost the battle and his life; Bura marched to Žésifo and was proclaimed emperor.
His brother Sočole tried again a month later, and was defeated in turn (though he preserved his life). In 2923-5 Bura pressed south and occupied Zariaspa.
Decline
Bura’s son Ertala was defeated by Verduria’s king Caleon in 2950. The Curiyans under king Namafo saw an opportunity and raided Zariaspa Caleon invaded Curiya in reprisal, taking and burning Kulža (2953). Weakened, Namafo was unable to prevent the rebellion of his southern reaches as Deštai (2955).
The Curiyans retained the portion of the Meuna from the fortress of Duvon upstream to Dracnáe, but this region rebelled in 3202-6, forming the independent duchies of Dracnáe and Pakšohan.
Language
The Curiyan language is a sister of Caizuran, related to ancient Cuêzi. It was spoken by the nobles as late as Namafo’s time, but both nobles and commoners now speak the Curiyan dialect of Verdurian (which retains a large number of lexemes of Coruo origin).
Etymology: Curiyan Curiya, earlier Coriya, cognate to Cuezaîe, Karazi, Caizura; Ver. Coriya, Bar. Kori.
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Countries and important regions in or near Eretald: |
