The Golden Kingdom

Description
The Golden Kingdom is a powerful nation in the northern portion of the Golden Continent. It is populated largely by humans and the non human populations that do exist face varying degrees of persecution throughout the kingdom.

Political Structure
The Golden Kingdom is divided into five dukedoms that owe loyalty to the monarch. The dukes and duchesses tend to local government. Their power has waxed and waned throughout the history of the kingdom.
 * Queen Catherine I rules the Golden Kingdom from the City of the Sun.
 * Richard, Duke of the West, governs from Westerly.
 * Alastair, Duke of the North, governs from the Northern Hall.
 * Bridget, Duchess of the South, governs from Southfront.
 * Fiona, Duchess of the East, governs from Eastport.
 * Godric, Duke of the Sun, governs from the City of the Sun.
 * Lord Henry of Harmon commands the Golden Army.

Foreign Relations
The Golden Kingdom is currently at war with the Empire in the Second Imperial War. They enjoy a close alliance with the Confederation to the south. They have strained diplomatic ties with Aelyria. They have almost no contact with Clyngunn.

Creation
The Golden Kingdom was founded in 7,854 B.A. by King Nelson I, a young nobleman from the City of the Sun. The kingdom slowly grew in power and size until it was strong enough to challenge Aelyria, the dominant power in the region. In 894 B.A., King Nelson XIII led the Golden Army to victory, conquering Aelyria and establishing the Golden Kingdom as the dominant power on the continent.

Golden Age
For the next several millennia, the Golden Kingdom was prosperous, but a series of weak monarchs and bureaucrats eventually caused the kingdom to stagnate.

The First Imperial War
In 13 B.A., the Empire revealed its existence and launched a massive attack on the Golden Kingdom. The Golden Army suffered a series of defeats, most notably at the Battle of Westerly in 12 B.A.. The Imperials reached the gates of the kingdom's capital before they were finally defeated in the Battle for the City of the Sun. During the battle, King Nelson XIV was assassinated and Queen Catherine I succeeded to the throne. The Golden Kingdom and its new ruler redoubled their efforts finally crushed the Imperial Army in the Battle of the Tower in 4 B.A..

The Second Imperial War
In 2 B.A., Queen Catherine launched an invasion of the Empire at the urging of Richard, Duke of the West. The Golden Army entered the Dark Lands seeking to remove the threat to the west. After a series of initial victories, the army's advance was halted at the Battle of the Peaks. The war rages on.