AROGANSA (Kingdom of)
Location: South central rim of the floating continent of Alphatia, south of Theranderol, east of Greenspur and west of Eadrin. HW
Area: 135,183 sq. mi. (350,125 sq. km.).
Population: 138,000, including Bluenose (pop. 45,000). [Population figures are tentative, pending census. Ed.]
Languages: Alphatian (Arogansan dialect).
Coinage: Alphatian Standard: crown (gp), mirror (sp), judge (cp). Arogansa also mints platinum argers worth 50 gp each and electrum porpoises (ep).
Taxes: 15% income tax on everyone of servant status or higher. Slaves are counted as the property of the owner and the product of their labour is taxed as income for the owner. Hospitality industries catering to tourists have additional taxes-lodging taxes per diem are imposed, as are meal taxes at restaurants. These are low as a percentage of the total cost, but due to the volume of tourism used to bring in much revenue. With tourism sluggish lately, the revenue has declined, and the queen is said to be interested in finding means of making up the shortfall.
Government Type: Monarchy, member of the Alphatian Empire.
Industries: Agriculture, tourism, exploitation of magic.
Important Figures: Detteria Scarback (Queen).
Flora and Fauna: See Alphatia.
Further Reading: Dawn of the Emperor boxed set, previous almanacs.
Description by Zweibelterm.
Arogansa is a true and proper Alphatian kingdom, second only to my own fatherland of Haven in refinement and taste. Arogansa places almost too firm a hand upon the servile masses, but at least they know to keep them in their proper place, unlike uncouth Stonewall. Still, I find the punishments a bit too harsh, but at least the commoners know to take them as their due, and do not express any of the unbecoming insolence that is sometimes tolerated elsewhere by less vigilant aristocrats.
This proper, enthusiastic application of the norms has made this
kingdom one of the richest in all Alphatia.
Its fine forests and rich plantations are cultivated by suitably
submissive slaves and servants. The
beaches overlook the vast span of the Hollow World as it spins beneath us, a
vision kept to the gaze of those with the taste to appreciate it, because the untalented,
who aren't able to protect themselves with levitation or flight,
may plummet to a deserved death if they get too ardent in looking upon this
vista. Estates and villas of the
aristocrats dot the scenic countryside, abodes of the prosperous elites and
keeping watch over their dependent minions.
Qinn of Arkan has failed to see the tourism possibilities inherent in
his kingdom around Crystal Lake and develop them for those with discerning
tastes, but even now the more visionary and insightful Arogansans are
contemplating how to revive tourism in their nation, which has fallen off
considerably on account of the sudden disappearance of the azure seas. While the queen is more interested in
military matters, as the kingdom has attacked neighbouring Eadrin, others in
Arogansa have turned their attentions to solving the problem of slumping
trade. Truly, with such leadership,
Arogansa will continue to prosper for the foreseeable future. [Unless one is an Alphatian wizard,
Arogansa is probably a place to avoid.
It used to have beautiful beaches, but I've always found that Arogansa's
harsh treatment of those already punished by lack of magic to be too
extreme. The lower classes are already
disadvantaged enough without rules like these adding to their misery, and the
aristocracy of Arogansa really show no mercy for the less fortunate, I
think. Now that those beaches are gone,
there really is no reason to go there, except if one wishes to witness just how
extreme Alphatian wizards can sadly become.
Aritmanes.]