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Tales of Cross
The continent
Plus 11 min

The sub-regions

Every terrain with altitude, climate, produce, who rules — and what that land can afford to refuse.

Each entry runs the chain of The nine wounds: altitude and climate → soil → product → surplus → who rules → what the region can refuse.

The last column is the most important. The real power of a region is measured by what it can refuse without starving, and it is that which explains every policy on the continent.


CLERICAL ORDER — seven States

Aurum Romana — the Pontifical State

Fertile plain, 100-300 m, continental Mediterranean. The alluvium of a deep river. Produces: wheat, vegetables, table wine, and liturgical gold in a surface seam. Surplus: it feeds the capital and nothing else. Aurum Roma consumes everything Aurum Romana produces, and imports the rest. Ruled by: the Curia, directly. Can refuse: nothing. It is the State most dependent on the continent and it is the seat of power — and that contradiction is why the Order can never close its borders to anyone, not even on doctrine.

Vallia Sacra — the sacred valleys

Hills, 200-600 m, dry summer, humid winter. Produces: olive, vine, lavender, monastic honey. The Coronata Vine — consecrated wine for exclusive liturgical use. Holy Ash in diffuse production, ~30,000 t/year. Surplus: oil and wine for the continent; Holy Ash for the whole defence. Ruled by: monasteries and smallholdings. The only sub-region of the Order without large estates. Can refuse: to raise the price. It never has.

It continues

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