I. CULTURE
Goldshire is a green land of rolling hills, shady woods, and gold-filled streams. Its culture is a blend of Celtic, Arthurian, Oriental, and native Shirerithian elements. It is up to the citizens of Goldshire to determine exactly how these strains interweave in any particular age to create something uniquely Goldshirerithian.
II. GOVERNMENT
Goldshire is ruled by a Duke of noble Goldshirerithian blood. When such a Duke is not available, one without noble blood may take the title of Steward and rule until a worthy Duke is found. The Duke may do as he likes, with nine exceptions:
He may not move the capital from Goldshire Hamlet
He may not defile the sacred places of the Duchy
He may not bar a freeman from leaving the Duchy
He may not consort with demons
He may not visit the city of Demonsfall; this ground is taboo to higher nobles
He may not block the Piscatores and their representatives from Goldshire
He may not kill or eat a hovercat; this is taboo and will make him cursed
He may not deny a noble the rights accorded those of noble blood
He may not erase this Codex, passed down by his ancestors, without the unanimous consent of Goldshire
The Duke may appoint lesser nobles to rule over his lands in any way he deems fit.
He may appoint a Rishi, a master of lore, to instruct him and the people of Goldshire. If he does not know in his heart who should be Rishi, he will gather together all the people of the land, and ask each to recite a poem to him. Upon hearing the poem of the true Rishi, his heart will leap up, and he will immediately give him a robe of honor and a harp and declare him Rishi.
He must command the Order of the Vajra, who guard the Duchy from harm. The Order must have another commander, if possible one not of noble blood, who will lead them into battle.
Finally, the Duke may relinquish any powers that he likes to another, to a council, or to the populace at large. Once he relinquishes powers he may not take them back, unless he explicitly reserved himself that right. But one Duke's relinquishment of powers will not bind his successors.
III. FOREIGN ENTANGLEMENTS
Goldshire owes Brookshire a debt of honor for granting its independence. It will remember its debt and protect Brookshire against its enemies. And if Brookshire should stray from the values that so endear it to us, Goldshire will use any means necessary to redeem and renew it.
The ancient legends say that Goldshire was founded by Treesians and Istvanistanis. This binds us to Yardistan, the protector of Istvanistani culture, and to Elwynn, the protector of Treesian culture. Goldshire will aid these lands' efforts to preserve their heritage, and seek peace with them to honor our common forefathers.
The Kaiser is and will always be monarch of Goldshire. Let the people of Goldshire offer up to each new Kaiser a golden crown made from the wealth of our hills.
IV. OFFICIAL THINGS
Goldshire Day will be October 21, the day that Harvey Steffke regained Goldshire's independence.
The official colors of Goldshire are green and gold.
The anthem of Goldshire will be:
The patron deity of Goldshire will be Mo'll, God of Rain and Farming. A celebration will be held the first day of Mo'lluk in his honor. A second celebration will be held on the first day of Semisuary, the month that Goldshire is featured on the Shireroth calendar, in honor of Semisa.A golden land, by the shining sea
Where the sun shines golden eternally
Where the rain falls, softly and quietly
On the Goldshire that I love.
How springs and winters alike have flown
Without a country to call our own
Till a Duke returned to the golden throne
Of the Goldshire that I love.
So many glories and years have passed
Like flowers felled by the winter's blast
But a golden age has returned at last
To the Goldshire that I love
V. LANDS
The city of Demonsfall is taboo to those of noble blood. All taxes are waived on the city of Avakair; it will be called "The Market City of Goldshire" The city of Mejor will be called "The Second Capital", and the Steward will make his home there. The mouth of the Elwynn River is a free zone, and all ships may pass through unmolested except those that Goldshire or Shireroth are at war with. The islands of the Elwynn Delta are likewise free. Let no Duke of Goldshire try to extend his reach there, save to hunt the demons. The castle of Wintersong Keep is sacrosanct to the Line of Wintersong. Let none violate its walls.
The high mountains of north-central Goldshire are sacred to Breiza. Let no road be built towards or through them.
The city of Wendor is the easternmost point on Benacia. Let all who seek wisdom go there, look out toward foreign lands, and reflect upon how lucky they were to have been born Goldshirerithian and of Shireroth!
