Arendia
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Arendia is the country of the people of the god Chaldan in the David Eddings book series The Belgariad and The Malloreon. It consists of two warring duchies, Mimbre and Asturia, though there used to be two more as well: Wacune and Erat. The war of the three duchies†is one of the darkest periods of Arendish history. The only thing that united the kingdom was the annihilation of Vo Wacune by the Asturians in 2943, and the later destruction of Vo Astur by the Mimbrates in 3793, resulting in the Mimbrate-dominated monarchy being sovereign over Arendia.
The nation is a kingdom with the throne jointly held by the king and queen, who are also the duke of Mimbre and the duchess of Asturia. Due to the delicate political balance, the king and queen give up their given names to rule as Korodullin and Mayaserana, the names of the first Arendish monarchs, in order to promote greater unity. There has also been an excessive degree of inbreeding to preserve the familial ties. Though technically these two duchies are equals, Mimbre treats Asturia as a vassal state.
Arendish society is feudal, built on the institution of serfdom. Rival lords seem to be continually skirmishing, and when they are not, they are holding tournaments during which they hone the skills used for skirmishing. Arends are typically viewed as not too bright and sometimes overly proud, though they are universally hailed as being loyal and brave. Unlike the gods of some other peoples, Chaldan does not intervene much in human affairs.
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[edit] Asturia
Asturia lies in the forested north and west portions of Arendia, bordering Sendaria and the Sea of the Winds. Asturian patriots engage in guerilla warfare against their Mimbrate overlords. Despite vigorously protesting Mimbrate oppression, they fail to see their own oppression of the serfs in their country.
Many among the Asturian nobility are renowned archers. Serfs are used to provide support.
[edit] Erat
Erat was the far north part of Arendia before Polgara acted to create Sendaria from it after the Asturians smashed Vo Wacune.
†Erat remained largely neutral during the civil war because of Polgara's rule as duchess.
[edit] Mimbre
Mimbre lies in the south, bordering on Tolnedra and Ulgo. Mimbre refuses to recognize titles of Asturian nobility, and defends against insurgencies by Asturians.
Mimbrate forces typically fight as heavy cavalry, with armored knights riding armored warhorses. Serfs are used to provide support.
[edit] Wacune
Wacune historically formed the north and west section of the country, before being destroyed by Asturia during the Arendish Civil War. Large portions of Wacune were absorbed into Asturia, though some portions joined Erat in forming Sendaria, ending the Wacite duchy. Wacune is heavily forested and adjoins the foothills of the Ulgo mountains. Sometimes algroths descend from the mountains to hunt, and can be dangerous to travelers in this region.
