5001-HârnWorld/3rd Edition/7

Kanday is a feudal kingdom in southwestern Hârn. Created in 589 after the collapse of the despotic Theocracy of Tekhos, Kanday now stands as a realm committed to peace and prosperity. Despite its tradition of enlightened and peaceful government, the kingdom has seen three major wars over the past 60 years, mainly because its policies are in direct conflict with those of its neighbors, Rethem and Tharda.

King Andasin IV is unmarried and there is some pressure on him to provide an heir. Negotiations are underway for him to marry the daughter of Earl Cassean of Heroth. Andasin is privately reluctant, as Dorthea Cassean is well known for her shrewish temper and plain appearance.

Some lords are troubled by the power of the king’s father, the Earl of Sarkum, who has considerable influence over Andasin IV. The king’s younger brother, Prince Anaflas, is widely seen as the more pragmatic and energetic of the two. Many would prefer his leadership should war break out.

Relations between Kanday and its neighbors are peaceful but tense. Although the Agrikan Order of Copper Hook and the Laranian Order of the Checkered Shield have frequently skirmished across the Rethem-Kanday border since the end of Ezar’s War, neither monarch officially recognizes the conflict nor supports the combatants. Both claim it is a religious dispute; should either order make substantive gains it is likely that the secular governments would become involved. The Rethemi Earl of Tormau, who detests King Chafin III, has been covertly giving aid to both orders to keep the conflict simmering. He has also approached Anaflas through intermediaries to explore alternatives should war break out between Kanday and Rethem.

Kanday recently suffered defeat at the hands of the Thardic Republic during the Kuseme War (712–713). King Andasin fears the martial skills and expansionist designs of Marshal Kronas Elernin. The problem is made greater by the erratic (from Andasin’s point of view) policies of the Thardic Senate. Andasin fears that the pro-Kronas and Imperial factions will gain dominance. His greatest worry is an alliance of his northern neighbors against him.

Kanday and Tharda are also at odds over the range of the Gozyda tribesmen. King Andasin I swore an oath that his kingdom would always defend the Gozyda. The Republic claims most of the Gozyda lands and occasionally captures the tribesmen as slaves.

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