Falkovnia

Falkovnia is ruled by Vlad Drakov, a mad tyrant (and former Krynnian mercenary) with a love of impaling as an execution method.

Falkovnia produces much of the Core grain and wheat, which Drakov uses to fund his war machine. As absolute ruler of Falkovnia, everything is his property, including the population, which are branded with the mark of a hawk on their foreheads shortly after birth (perhaps a reference to Italian fascism symbols).

Background

Nominally, Falkovnia is a feudal monarchy, albeit one with a simplistic structure of holdings, complete with feudal contracts and a council of Lords (called the falkfuhrer). In reality, it is largely a military despotship, with the "Talons of the Hawk" holding both military and police powers. To challenge Vlad Drakov is to invite execution, and few question him openly, those his ministers are close enough that in private they may offer contrary council - at least while they're getting results.

The country's backbone is largely farming - indeed, many of Drakov's excesses gain a blind eye even from its neighbours because it exports an almost prodigious amount of food. However, it is also an industrial powerhouse of high-quality armour and weapons - the Talons get the best, or the smiths behind the work suffer heavily. Despite the lash, they do indeed provide, for the most part. The steel out of Falkovnia is considered some of the best in the core, an easy competitor for Barovian Steel. Weapons seized from invaders are a common trophy in Darkon.

Drakov has attempted to invade Darkon, the vast domain to the north, no less than four times since Falkovnia was formed, and every time his army reached the border, an army of undead creatures rose again to stop them. Every man in Drakov's army who fell rose to fight for Darkon, stymieing any progress. Four domains around Falkovnia (Borca, Richemulot, Dementlieu, and Mordent) have signed a mutual defense treaty in the event that Drakov invades any of them, although he believes that they are not worth invading, being run by women and fops. Nonetheless, Drakov has made occasional advances on them when he feels that he can "get away with it."

Titles

There are three levels of noble title in Falkovnia:

• Kingsfuhrer, the soveriegn, held by Vlad Drakov
• Falkfuhrer, the ministers of the various ministries of Drakov's government.
• Stadtfuhrer, the nobles whom hold the various municipalities of Falkovnia.

Only Kingsfuhrer and Stadtfuhrer could be considered "landed" - though even that is considered Vlad's property he merely leases; the Falkfuhrers are an appointed ministry title, though the hold much greater sway than a Stadtfuhrer in the end, since they are Vlad Drakov's personal advisors.

The current ministers are:

• Falkfuhrer Calons Weir, Minister of Intelligence
• Falkfuhrer Jardian Kovedknochen, Minister of Finance and Trade<ref="gaz2_99">Canon:^(?) page 99, Gazetteer, vol 2, Arthaus Publishing (John W. Mangrum, Ryan Naylor, Chris Nichols, Andrew Wyatt), 2003, ISBN: 1-58846-830-5</ref>
• Falkfuhrer Mikhail Drakov, Minister of the Arcane<ref="gaz2_99"></ref>
• Falkfuhrer Vigo Drakov, Minister of the Central Prison<ref="gaz2_104">Canon:^(?) page 104, Gazetteer, vol 2, Arthaus Publishing (John W. Mangrum, Ryan Naylor, Chris Nichols, Andrew Wyatt), 2003, ISBN: 1-58846-830-5</ref>
• Falkfuhrer Vjorn Horstman, Minister of Science

Holdings

• Kingdom of Falkovnia, held by Kingsfuhrer Vlad Drakov.
  • Municipality of Aerie
  • Municipality of Grashen Falls
  • Municipality of Lekar
  • Municipality of Morfenzi
  • Municipality of Silbervas, held by Stadtfuhrer Lonz Schzonspeigel.<ref="gaz2_110_111">Canon:^(?) page 110-111, Gazetteer, vol 2, Arthaus Publishing (John W. Mangrum, Ryan Naylor, Chris Nichols, Andrew Wyatt), 2003, ISBN: 1-58846-830-5</ref>
  • Municipality of Stangengrad
  • Municipality of Delmunster