Arugonum

The Magnificat and Cursed Dukedom of Arugonum

From very modest origins that they do not like to mention much, the little Urlandic city of Arugonum rose to became The heart of the Marble Renaissance.

For almost a century Arugonum was amazingly wealthy center of fashion, literature and art. This in addition (or because of) a sizeable maritime fleet, both warships and merchants, made them a powerhouse that rivaled Grand Parthesain. They decided the fate of nations and civilizations.

Alas, this was not to last. Despite the warnings of Oldfaith priests and scientists, the nobles started to consume the new fashion drug sold by the Grand Partesain called Upium. The decline was swift but they managed to drag most of other fellow dukedoms with them into deep addiction.

Arugonum has stayed independent however, as they currently are one of the main growers of the dreaded Upium, which in turn they sell to other post-Urlandic states. Although "The Curse" has almost every noble and citydweller in their grips, rumor is that a secret pious order is keeping the state standing - their the coffers surprisingly full of gold even now. And no-one wants to attack the city, for probably only thing that can gather the post-urlandic states together is trying to stop the flow of Upium

The Arugonumians themselves are proud and arrogant even now, despite their sorry state. They really did have the most glorious painters and poets of the Renaissance and the city is a temple of marble even now, but they have not produced almost anything after that except few of the finest duelists and most depressing plays ever to grace the world

Such is the fate of the Cursed Arugonum.

Politically they are allied with Underland, for Merentallt started as _their_ bank, a fact that Arugonumians like to point out as often as they can. Marcomania in turn is a frequent source of jokes and ridicule. It is not known do their lords even realize what Reich is doing east of them.