Government Type/Structure: The Caliphate of Chicago (Arabic: Khilafat Shikaaghu; Nordic: Kalivdum av Chjekaga) is a government based in the teachings of Islam (or at least the form of Islam that has come into existence in the post-war Americas), as dictated by the restored Qur'an. In addition to the Qur'an, the government has had influences from the traditional divisions of power found among the Tribesmen of Illinois and Lower Michigan. Coming from a people who were largely semi-nomadic, and farmed the many tributaries of the Mississippi, as well as the Great Lakes, they had a very advanced system of law and governance that has contributed much to the Caliphate. Some influence from the Tribal Law includes division of land ownership, traditions of payment by employers to his workers, and the division of power into tripartite tribal courts.

Further north, in Wisconsin, the government is largely autonomous and decided by the native Nordic Tribes. Due to the presence of the native Nordic Religion, and the Caliphate's willingness to accept the Norsemen's faith so long as they make regular payments of Tribute to the Caliph, the way of life is much more rooted in Nord traditions.

Leader(s):

Caliph Yusuf ibn Mikhail ibn Jayrard al-Datruyati
Caliph Yusuf is a descendant of an indigenous tribe native to the Detroit region of Michigan and the 4th Caliph. His people are a fairly recent conquest, however, his tribe, the Bootmen, were willing to convert to Islam to keep their position as rulers over the city of Detroit. Caliph Yusuf is a descendant of the Restorer, 'Iskandar as-Sayf, on his paternal lineage, which aided in his bid for Caliphate. Yusuf is sometimes known as the "Poet King" due to his fondness for the arts of the word and pen, and has a fairly good reputation among his people, and has strengthened Michigani pride, with one of their own on the Throne.

Culture:
Following the Uniting of Illinois under Iskandar as-Sayf, the national language, and the lingua franca of the Caliphate has been Arabic, as it was reconstructed by associates of Iskandar from books found in the libraries of Mosques that he searched for the pages of the Qu'ran in, as well as from the wording of bilingual Qu'rans themselves.

The Nation is largely divided into 3 similar, but distinct groups, the Illinoyi, the Michigani, and the Norsemen. Perhaps the most similar are the Illinoyi and the Michigani. Both were for the most part semi-nomadic people living in areas controlled by the more powerful city-states, controlled by City-Tribes. Following the establishment of Alexandar's Caliphate, Islam, in its restored form, came to dominate over the territory. The tribes of the Illinoi converted fairly quickly, while full Islamization of the Michigani is slowly coming, with 70% of Michigan following the religion to some extent.

To the North are the Norsemen (Nordic: Narchmenns /nɚt͡ʃmɛːnz/), the descendants of the people of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Upper Peninsula. They are a much more tribal people, with their own religion (Nordic: De Oldhpjet /də olðpʰjɛːʔ/), their own much more distinct culture, and their own language, Nordic (Nordic: Narchtun /nɚt͡ʃtʌn/, Narch /nɚt͡ʃ/), a descendant of Midwestern English, though very simplified and with its own grammar and new words. Norsemen are a warrior culture, who have long controlled the Mississippi River (Nordic: Mjesusjefe /mjɛːsʌs'jɛfɛ/) and used it to raid the tribes living along it and its tributaries. When they finally came under the control of the Caliphate, they were given the right to continue their raiding, under the condition that they give 5% of their raiding goods to the Caliph as Tribute.

Demographics:

Racial:
75% Caucasian (Faranji)
10% African (Zanji)
5% Arab/Semitic ('Arabi)
5% Latin American (Muwalladi)
2% Native American (Turki)
3% Asian (Sayni)

Tribal/Cultural:
52% Illinoyi
22% Michigani
26% Nordic

Religion:
68% Islam
20% Tribal Religions (Oldhpjet, Machine Cult, Pre-Islamic Illinois Paganism, Native American Religion)
12% Ahl al-Kitab (Christianity and Judaism)

Islam is the state religion and predominant faith of the Caliphate. Pagan Religions are varied in how they are treated by the Caliphal Authorities, with Oldhpjet and Native American Religion being tolerated under special agreements, while the Machine Cult of Michigan and Indiana, as well as the Pre-Islamic religion of Illinois are officially banned and heavily persecuted.

Nation History:
The History of the Caliphate begins with that of the Warheads Tribe, and in particular, the Czupowski clan. Of these people, native to the land of Illinois, were cattle herdsmen who wandered in between the great Lake of Michigan, and the waters of the Mississippi, but found themselves often subject to raids by the more powerful and warlike Nordic Tribes who sailed the Mississipi and its tributaries. The Warheads were a rather destitute little tribe and often took refuge in the ruins of old cities and towns. One member of this tribe was a young man named Alexander Czupowski, who liked to explore the ruins of buildings that he liked the sight of. While exploring the ruins of a domed building marked by strange writing and the remains of a tall tower, Alexander fell through the floor and into a room filled with books. Alexander had previously learned to read, as a result of his adventures, but found he could not understand much of the text in these books. However, he found among the books that he could read, remnants of a faith that he found much to admire in. He found in this burnt-out mosque as well, a book detailing the basic tenants of the faith of submission, a half-burned book teaching basic Arabic, and a burnt out Quran with the 3 Juz and a half still legible. Alexander took them with him. And sought to complete the book, as shown by the directory of surahs in the text he had. Later Generations would refer to this discovery as the first revelation.

At this time, Alexander shared not his discovery of the text but continued to meditate on the words he found in the ancient tome and study the writings that would help to teach him the Arabic language and alphabet. Within 2 months of the first revelation, Alexander had a decent knowledge of the Arabic language. He continued his plundering of former Mosques, though while he was collecting the lost pieces of his text, the tribes of the Illinoyi were falling under the control of a powerful tribal confederation, the Miracles.

The Miracles were a collection of several powerful tribes in the area of Illinois and some tribes from the North Way. They had established power over other tribes through religious means, taking control of sacred sites to the Illinoyi to gain power through profit of pilgrimage and the social status controlling these sites held. In the time of the rise of The Miracles, and their solidification of control, Alexander had reached the age of 33 and had found half of the total Quran. In this timespan, Alexander had begun to preach the message of this ancient book, speaking of one god, and a complete way of life that he had created for the people. Men from all over Illinois flocked to see this strange preacher.

Madman, Blasphemer, Prophet, Restorer; all words that those who came to see Alexander used to describe him. However, Alexander only described himself as "a servant of the one god"

Needless to say, the sudden rise in a foreign religion, spread by a scavenger from an unremarkable clan in a worthless tribe caught the attention of the Miracles, who came to the Warheads and demanded that they take care of the rogue preacher and his followers, or face consequences.

Thus began the Night of Sorrow, wherein, the leaders of the Warheads came upon the gathering of Muslims and attacked, killing many and taking others to be executed by the Miracles. The prisoners were taken back, where they were skinned alive, and placed, nailed into wooden poles around the holy shrine of the Mirror Dome in Holy Chicago. Alexander and his surviving followers were horrified and realized that they could not live in Illinois any longer, and thus, decided to take upon them a migration, to the land of Michigan.

Michigan was sufficiently far from the long arm of the Miracles, a different people of a different culture, but similar enough to relate to. Thus began the migration, as the Muslims left and traveled east to Michigan. Therein, they found a land of machines and gears, a people less agricultural than themselves, living in tribes centered around the City, each fighting and decorating themselves in cogs, steel, rust, and Gears. The Muslims found themselves attacked and dispersed by the powerful Mod Tribe, who drove them further north, to a city taboo among the Michigani tribes. The City had no name, though it was informally known as the Dwelling of the Deer. In this place, the Muslims would find an unlikely ally. Alexander found himself connecting with a people known as the Hanifs, a group of semi-monastic monotheists, who were found to be practicing from the same text that Alexander himself. With the aid of the Hanifs, Alexander completed the Quran, and united his followers and the ancient people, establishing a state based out of the city of Deer. The Deer Caliphate fought hard, first wrestling control of the territory of the Mods, the same people who attacked and dispersed the migrants. They were met with a similar fate, being decimated and dispersed. Conquering tribe and city one after the other. Soon, all of Michigan had come under their control, and Alexander turned his attention towards Illinois.

With little organization, the armies of the caliphate swept over, taking tribe by tribe under their control, and making their way back to Chicago, where Alexander himself approached the holy shrine, and purified it, destroying all traces of the Miracles' cult of personality, and officially disbanding and outlawing the tribe. The Cloud Gate was designated as the New Kaaba, as the previous was unknown, and would be the new center of Hajj. The people rejoiced, and Alexander earned the title of As-Sayf.

There came again, a problem with the north.

Although they had been a problem for all known time, the River raiders of the North were increasing their ferocity with the newfound wealth, power, and security that the unified caliphate brought to the Midwest. With the wealthy, open plains dotted by the cities of Illinois made the raids by the Norsemen rather common. Following the movement of wars against the tribes of the north, the Caliph made a deal with the Norsemen, allowing them to practice their animistic religion in peace and raid the lands of outsiders, so long as they were willing to pay regular tribute and pledge allegiance to the Caliphate. The Norsemen proved a valuable asset, and one of the Later Caliphs took to the practice of enlisting Norse converts to Islam as his personal bodyguards.

The Caliphate has taken steps in modernization, such as taking advantage of sedentary farming of the river plains, and moving towards sedentary lifestyle, by routing irrigation systems from the larger tributaries. Steadily, the nation has been growing in power.

Description of Economy:
The Economy of The Caliphate comes from various sources, such as crafts being made and sold in the urban areas, as well as money earned through trading with neighboring countries through trade caravans. As well, the raids being done by the Norse has accumulated a nice supplement to the income of the cities and producers in city areas.

Agriculture and Raiding are found mostly in the Northern Areas, particularly the Northwoods and Michigan.

Weapons production is centered around the cities of Daytruyat and Shamsul-Gharb. It is said the best swords come from Indiana and the best guns from Michigan.

Territory and Description of Environment:

The Rebuilt Holy City of Chicago
The Environment of the Caliphate centers around the Flatlands and the Northwoods, with the former comprising most of the South, and inhabited mostly by urban dwellers, farmers, and Muslims, while the Northwoods is primarily inhabited by Norsemen, farmers, and raiders living in close proximity to rivers.

The climate consists of hot, humid summers, and cold, harsh winters. Farming starts with the thawing of spring and ends with harvest at autumn. Farther north, the climate gets even colder, with corn and soy farming being the predominant form of agriculture, supplemented by hunting in the north. Norsemen follow the rivers to raid tribal and city state areas and bring the loot back to the Caliphate.

A village in the North

There are a few cities, whether founded a new or restored from pre-war settlement. The Largest cities in the Caliphate are Madinatul-Gharb in Indiana, Daytruuyat in Michigan, Bijwar Al-Misiffiy in Illiois, Milwaaqi in the Northwoods, and of course, the Holy City of Chicago


Chicago (Arabic: Shikaaghuu; Nordic: Gretton /ɣeːʔ'toːn/) is home to the New Kaaba and Sacred Mosque, designated after the loss of information as to where the original Kaaba was following the war. Most of the previous sites of Hajj were repurposed with areas of Chicago's Millenium Park. Such as the Cloud Gate filling in the role of the Kaaba, and the AT&T Plaza being repurposed into the Sacred Mosque. Pilgrimage to Chicago is a lucrative business, and thus provides much income to the city and thus to the Caliphate.

Description of Military:

Soldiers Passing through a Farming Town in Illinois

The Average soldier of the Caliphate is equipped with Chainmail, a spear and sword, and basic camping equipment provided by the government as well as any other armaments that a soldier can afford to provide for himself. Noblemen will fight with more advanced armors and on Horseback, with a few soldiers being able to afford guns to fire while on Horseback.


The Norsemen are often called into battle as Auxiliaries (Nordic: De Hardh /də hʌrð/ "the army"), who provide their own weapon and equipment, usually woodcutting axes, homemade spears, a wooden shield and locally crafted chainmail if he can afford them. One Norse auxiliary will differ in his equipment from one to another, some having more or less than the others.

The Mamluks

The most elite of the Norse Auxiliaries are given a chance to convert to Islam and become part of the Caliph's Guard, the Mamluks. These guardians are provided with the status of nobility, and the most advanced armor that the Government can provide. These elites number no more than 100 at a time, and follow the Caliph as his personal retinue. They are effectively the personal property of the Caliph, existing as Slave-Soldiers, abet with significantly more freedoms than the average slave, but obliged to submit to every whim and desire of the Caliph, until their retirement. Mamluks serve until the age of 60, after which they are released from their contract of slavery and given a grant of land, a pension, and status of Nobility to them, their immediate family, and descendants. It is considered a high honor to become one of "De Kalevsholchas" (/də kɑːlɛvshoːlt͡ʃəs/), as they are known in Nordic.

The Armor of the Mamluks is High-Quality steel Lamellar, worn over a mail hauberk. Thier most distinguishing feature is arguably their mail masks, which are said to function in removing their individuality while in service, reinforcing their status as extensions of the Caliph. They function as Guardsmen to the Caliph and of his personal property. One group of 12 functions as personal escorts on his trips into public, the others acting as hired security of his home, and in other places of importance, such as the Kaaba and the Sacred Mosque.

Other:

State of Islam:
At the Current State, Islam is divided between 5 Madhabs; Al-Hanifiyyah, a system of Fiqh devised by Ibn Qasi, the Grandson of Iskander as-Sayf based on the way of life of the Hanifs of Michigan; Al-Asudiyyah, an ultra-literalist interpretation created by Tariq ibn Umar, a Nordic Muslim born as Erek Kharaldhssun; Al-Qu'raniyyah, an interpretation intended to reform aspects of the Hanifi Madhab that were seen as non-Quranic and purely derived from Hanif culture, devised by Mariyam bint Qasim; Al-Jihadiyyah, a gnostic and ascetic system that rejects the material world, and behoves its followers to actively fight against the world; and Al-Mutakatumiyyah, a system with notoriety for its emphasis on empirical research and logic. The Hanifiyyah are the majority of Muslims, with official support by the Caliphate as the state Madhab.

Name of Nation:
Tabernacle Empire



Flag:


Government Structure:
Theodemcratic Confederacy

Leader(s):
Thomas Monmont
Josiah Brown
Enrique Young
Alan Carpeter

Culture:
The nominal and official language of the Empire is English, though Spanish is widely spoken as well and many of the leading individuals in the Empire have grown up to speak English, Spanish, and any number of minority languages within the area.

There is an informal cultural divide persistent within the Empire that carves the Empire into two ambiguous cultural districts. The more southerly regions having adopted many Mexican fashions and traditions where as the north contains more persistent antiquated habits of the old American culture.

In general, the ruling religion of the Empire is Mormonism and on-again, off-again concentrated missionary work or even violent local pogroms has strengthened The Church of Later Day Saints throughout. Minority populations of Catholicism persist in Mexican villages as mainstream protestant religion remains elsewhere.

The hierarchy of the Church of Later Day Saints was revived after a period of darkness after the bombs fell by a man calling himself Alex Smith, since its restoration it has for the passed several centuries persisted as a political force among the scattered Mormon communities and it currently presided over by its president; Thomas Monmont

Demographics:
70% - White
20% - Hispanic
5% - Asian or Pacific Islander/'descendant'
3% - Black
2% - Native American tribes

Nation History:
Following the fall of the bombs the communities of America's south-west and Mexico's north tried to pull themselves through for a time. The waning of government power in either country saw to a reliance on growing local power in the towns and cities of the region, as with the rest of the two countries.

With the devastation of either country though came the growing ambiguity of the border and eventually the whole dismissal of it. As communities settled into the post-apocalypse new orders of local rule came into fruition and so did the general habits of man. Warfare re-emerged as larger towns skirmished against each other for feeble resources, trying to maintain populations and economies roughly equal to those that had kept these desert towns alive in the years before the bombs. In a few years, the power of the cities came into play and polities began to form around the major cities of the south-west.

Among this shifting power structure was the coalescence of the Mormon community from Utah who banded together in loose defense pacts against their enemies. These pacts would mature into alliances and eventually into a sense of governance and the Mormon kingdom in southern Utah came to take it upon themselves to take the fight to their enemies and they began to march south, proactively seizing land and reinforcing their base.

The Mormon Kingdom was however a “kingdom” in name only, as an easy identifier among themselves and the people that came to fight against them. The governance of this kingdom was a loose and decentralized affair in some ways reminiscent of the political styles of the Native Americans. To the Mormons it was an emergency attempt at government focused on their local community and church leaders who took to reviving the Tabernacle to not just pray but to organize their communities in the face of opposition and war.

It was in this atmosphere that a man named Joseph Smith stepped into the political scene. An otherwise unnoteworthy man who had sat quietly in the pews, Alex Smith claimed himself to be a conduit of the lord's power; a prophet on Earth. Joseph, who had been known by his small group of friends as being otherwise erratic soon defined and underscored his legitimacy as a prophet through flashes of genius so profound that it could not help but consider him as a prophet of the Lord.

His visions and work was sporadic, but came with lightning force. At times he would spend days or weeks silently only to suddenly burst forth with strings of commands or confused tongues that managed to find the road ahead for the communities.

Young Smith often talked about separated communities far to the south, who were warrior in nature and need but required help. This sparked a Southern Crusade and men from across the territory of Utah came to him out of need for purpose. Converting them all to Mormonism, he ordered them south to the old lands of Mexico. A war-path was initiated across the deserts of Nevada and it would take years before they reached Mexico. Alex Smith would not live to see them cross into Mexico's northern deserts and he passed away at the age of 58.

The church meanwhile went lost for a year while the community attempted to decide what to do. It was said that one night in the Nevada desert a young mother awoke from a clear dream where she claimed to have been spoken to be the angle Moroni who confided in her that it would be God's will to take up after Joseph Smith. When she managed to return to Salt Lake City she confided in the leaders there what she had seen and triggered then and there an election for the next president and prophet of the Church.

The second president after Alex Smith was named, Thomas Olds. Olds first mission was to revive the Mexican Crusade and the scattered forces of the Utah army was reorganized for its purpose and sent south.

On reaching Mexico the Utah army did indeed find a lost branch of their own people who had defined themselves as warriors. Long beset since even before the bombs by their own trials, the tribes in Mexico had become incredibly combatants and had fended off long sieges from cartel groups. So much so in fact that they had managed to forge a kingdom of their own in northern Chihuahua state called The Kingdom of Dublan.

The warriors of Dublan nearly went to war themselves against the men from Utah who had come to relieve them by divine mandate and it wasn't until the interference of Thomas Olds that the two forces were drawn into an understanding and there was much relief. Being reunited, the two communities combined their efforts against the boundless enemies in the desert.

Some generations after, the large Mormon kingdom went through reforms brought on by civil strife and conflict within. The third church president – now uniformly referred to as The Prophet – Howard Paines had to initiate a council between all the major rulers in the kingdom. Under this conference the men present begrudgingly built a fully fleshed model of government to control the expanding political mass and to define the rights within. Drawing from antiquated inspiration the rights of the realm evolved into respect in and towards regional governing bodies. They were called democratic in principle, and enjoyed the structure of old state government organization but it became apparent in time that these young democracies could not hold to the virtues and models of such government and powerful families came to rule in the strongest of these states. While retaining the trappings and titles of a democratic state they became very much monarchies, thus giving rise to the Tabernacle Empire.

Since then, four major polities have emerged in the realm that surround various independent counties and free cities: The State of Chihuahua, Deseret, Baja California, and the Church itself.

Description of Economy:
With most of the Empire in the desert, much of the agricultural economy throughout the realm is simply subsidiary for the local populations. But large scale ranching is a major industry in the east and the estates of Chihuahua maintain large maize and chili plantations in the dry rocky climbs. On the coast in California there are much richer farmlands where orchards of fruit-bearing trees and grain is grown.

Regions in the north in and around Deseret Utah are rich mining fields, bearing the metals for the empire.

Description of Military:
There is no standard imperial army, instead every political unit raises in some way their own military. The smallest counties and municipal governments can only manage volunteer, self-armed and equipped militia forces for their own defense and use. However the larger states like Deseret and Chihuahua can raise their own standing military force and they are trained to those own local expectations.

Name of Nation: Kingdom of Alamoa



Government Structure:
Matriarchal Monarchy

Leader(s):

Queen Joanna Cash
King Diego Cash
Royal Council

Culture:

The Kingdom of Alamoa is a culture centered around hard work, sacrifice, duty, and acceptance. This drive comes from the story of the legendary Alamo, now rebuilt as a glorious palace/fortress. The Alamo is the closest thing the kingdom has to widespread religion, The Story of the Alamo and The Alamo itself being sacred. Alamoa is known to many travelers as a safe haven for those who wish to live life the way they want. People escaping the Tabernacle Empire and Chicago Caliphate's religious persecution often end up in Alamoa, protected by its laws regarding freedom of religion. Many refugees also travel to Alamoa in the wake of bandit attacks on their homes outside the borders of the small nations.

While a monarchy with a fair bit of control over its citizens, Alamoan royalty understands that some rights are non-negotiable to keep a kingdom of this size running. Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Enterprise, and Freedom of Thought are the three major rights allowed in the kingdom. The job of the royal council (aside from advising the royal family) is to inform the King and Queen of the concerns of the people. And welcoming in immigrants strengthens the civilian population as a whole and keeps them family informed of the activities outside their borders. The monarchy is Matriarchal, meaning the female royals will ascend to power before males.

Demographics:
White - 45%
Latino/Hispanic - 30%
Black - 15%
Asian - 5%
Native American - 5%
Other - Unknown

English and Spanish are the two languages spoken in the kingdom fluently by 95% of people.

Nation History:

When the world went to hell, many fled to Refugee center that was established in downtown San Antonio. People have a way of surviving, even when life as they know it has ended. As the years past and it dawned on people that this was how life was going to be, they began to rebuild in their own way. San Antonio was a haven in the madness of the world and as the population grew, the citizens began to reorganize and expand, searching the wastes for other survivors. Most opposition was by raiders, slavers, and bandits looking to establish their own dominion. The scouts who fought off these attackers as they searched for life were deemed as Rangers by the blossoming new government.

Time went by and small wars with armies of bandits, cannibalistic tribes, and cultists raged. Finally, due to the dire nature of the world, a monarchy and council of trusted people were put in place. Armies were organized and walls were built. In the spirit of the Alamo in San Antonio, who never surrendered even in the face of certain defeat, they named their new government the Kingdom of Alamoa. Years and years went by and Alamoa expanded. The news of other large groups like their own disturbed them and they kept to themselves, bolstering their defenses. Alamoa welcomed travelers and craftsman, with their news, diversity, and skills. It has been a time of relative peace, but Queen Joanna is ready to expand even more and no one will get in her way...

Description of Economy:
Alamoa is a rural and rising industrial powerhouse. Much of her territory is in the former states of Texas, Oklahoma,, Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, and a tiny part of Mexico. She has thousands of miles of farms and plantations. Travelers keep business stimulated and the rights of freedom of enterprise has allowed business to expand by and large.

While housing many major cities, The Alamoan Army Corps of Engineers has gotten basic functions up and running so that big cities in Alamoa are fairly advanced by preset day standards. While with many resources, they keep trade inland, as Alamoans don't trust those from the outside easily, even if they do welcome them.

On the coast, ships have been rebuilt, built, or restarted to fish and find whatever else. This allows for work and enables Alamoa to have a small navy.

Description of Military:

The Alamoa's military force is quite impressive, that being the primary reason for their success. While Alamoa is a monarchy, there are no 'noblemen' per se. There are the military commanders, the governers, the royal council, and the royal family. The Alamoan military is very much structured like old world armed forces.


Alamoa Army



Leaders:

Marshal General Rosa Rodriguez

Brigadier General Anson Kirkman

Brigadier General Nigel Hoffers

Lieutenant General Duane King

Lieutenant General Jessie Shoemaker

Total Garrison:

200,300 Troops

Structure:

Alpha Corps - 50,000

Omega Corps - 50,000

Epsilon Corps - 50,000

Zeta Corps - 50,000

Army Corps of Engineers - 300

All Corps save for Army Corps of Engineers are Infantry, Cavalry, Archers, or Support Units. Zeta Corps is the home of all special units such as the Rangers of Alamo or the elite Rifle Battalion, the only battalion in the army to use rifles as their primary weapon. It is also the home of the heavy stormer unit, the Alamo Legionaries.

Soldiers:

Alamoan Infantryman



Equipped with a sword, shield, and some form of armor, these units are the backbone of the army. This particular soldier is a member of the Alamo Legionnaires.

Alamoan Cavalry



Equipped with spears and lances, swords and hammers, these units are crucial in mobile warfare. They tend to get better equipment than infantry due to their importance.

Alamoan Archers



Though very important for long range combat, the archer is the least armored unit and is kept in safe places and in the back of battle for maximum usefulness.

Rangers of the Alamo



The rangers are the elite scouts of Alamoa, and work year round inland and out in the wastes. They are the only unit that is allowed any weapon and armor of their choice. They answer directly to the General in command of Zeta Corps.

Khanate of Geiselne





Government Structure: Tribal Confederation
Leader(s):



Khan Seigeisel: A one-time mercenary who participated in the former Khanate’s wars against the Caliphate and the former Kingdom of Oxhall. The sellsword Blutigarm came to prominence after his horsemen captured the city of Oxhall, before becoming Khan of his own tribal confederacy. Seigeisel has a reputation as a callous and calculating figure, willingly using violence and intimidation as tools of state.

Ghenges Reiteherschen—The elderly Chieftain of the Tribe of Horse Lords, Ghenges was named for a great conqueror of a past empire. A lifelong friend and advisor to the old Khan Helleschar, the Chieftain refused to fight by the Khan’s side when he set out to kill Blutigarm, stating raising sword against a servant of the Khanate was an affront to Amur. Ghenges came to regret this choice when the Khan was slain in battle, and his son deposed. He joined the new Khanate’s council, hoping to guide the new Khan with temperance and piety. Childless in spite of his concubines and prayers, the now seventy year old Chieftain has grown quite depressed at the realization the Chieftain to succeed him will be a young warrior who idolizes his new Khan.

Efeuger Daggreif—The Tribe of the Dawn Griffin is among the most illustrious and respected names in all Amureik, said to be descended from the Prophet of Amur himself. The tribe is large, with many young members famed for their skill in combat. Chieftain Efeuger Daggreif is no less respected. Known as the ‘Ivy Spear’, the young Efeuger slew his first Chwarkin with an ivy-coated old spear. Young and glory-hungry, he was one of the first to flock to Seigeisel when he raised the banner of his new Khanate. It is said Efeuger’s eyes glisten with joy at the sound of battle.

Kunegunde Helleschar—The eldest child of Khan Kaisimir, the princess Kunegunde could already ride as well as any warrior by the time she was seven. Yet the Helleschar--'Brilliant Sword’--Tribe had no place for a female heir. Despite her own dreams of leading her father’s men in battle, Kunegunde was little more than a pawn to her father, to be wedded to win an alliance from a Weiskin or a truce with a Chwarkin. The fall of her father’s Khanate however would prove her opportunity for greatness. After the death of her father, Kunegunde quickly asserted herself as the ruler of the Helleschar Tribe. Seeing the chance to bring the tribe of his former overlord into his new confederation, Siegeisel nurtured her power. The only female Chieftain to serve the Khan, Kunegunde has a reputation for callous and capricious deeds to maintain her power.

Urhard Krietheud—The War People or Kretheud are a tribe aptly named. One of the more warlike tribes, they are also considered one of the most honorable. Kretheud are aggressive and proud, preferring to defeat their enemies fairly. Not for haughty concepts such as honor, but to prove their own skill at the art of war. Urhard is no different, with a history of raids, sieges and battles to his name. The Kreitheuds maintained a Khanate of their own, refusing confederations with other tribes in favor of their nomadic ways. Many of their young warriors became mercenaries serving under the mercenary Blutigarm, regaling their tribe with tales of conquest and plunder. Eventually, Chieftain Urhard Kreitheud chose to ally with the famed Seigeisel Khan rather than see his youth leave one by one to join the Khanate.

Other Characters:

Khan Kaisimir Helleschar: The former Khan of Helleschar and the leader of its tribe, he was seventeenth in his family line at the time of his death. Though a capable enough leader when at the height of his power, his inconclusive war with the Caliphate and the treaty with Oxhall has given him a reputation among the Khanate’s youth. Warriors who were only boys at the time see Kaisimir as a weak and cowardly ruler, slain in battle by Khan Seigeisel.

Heike Helleschar: Born feeble and sick, the heir of House Helleschar had never even set foot on a battlefield when his father died. Lacking loyalists to assert his claim and with his tribe deserting him for his elder sister, the weak Heike fled for the Kingdom of Alamoa. The boy travels from province to province, always in the wake of an army or official for fear of encountering another Amurik tribe, seeking support from political and military leaders to reassert his claim as Khan of his father’s tribes.

Twice-Born Bison: Captured in a battle with the Chwarskin Oglala Sioux tribe, Twice-Born Bison served his tribe as a shaman and Baptist preacher. After his capture by the Khanate’s forces, Twice-Born has been kept at the Khan’s court as a hostage. As one of the few educated men in court, Twice-Born has taken to transcribing what he has witnessed during his time spent among the Geiselne Khanate.

Culture: From the foothills of the Yukon to beyond the Rio Grande, wandering tribes of nomads may be found, tending to their herds or embarking for war on plains and praries. These are the Amurik People. Horsemen descended from various Midwestern towns, ranches and farms spared by atomic fire, these tribes have wandered beneath Amur’s own sky for centuries.
Individually Amurik tribes are quite peaceful, only attacking settlers who encroach on their territory or travelers who refuse to pay for safe passage. At times however tribes will gather into confederations. Meant to defend their lands against aggression or retake their rightful soil, these tribes are typically led by the most successful chieftain among the group, who is granted a new title out of respect. Among the Chwarkin, both ‘High Chieftain’ and ‘Warchief’ are common titles. The Weiskin however prefer the title of ‘Khan’. The Khan is the supreme authority over the Khanate, though his power comes from the support of his Chieftains. If his influence over these Chieftains wanes, they may reduce their tribute, send fewer warriors in times of conflict, or even withdraw support. Small Khanates may be found here and there along the plains, though the most powerful is the Geiselne Khanate along the northern plains of the former United States.

Culturally, the Amurik people are divided into two groups. Chwarkin (‘Dark People’) and ‘Weiskin’ (‘Pale People’). The term ‘Chwarkin’ came about more than five centuries prior, when the Native Americans began to adopt the lifestyle of their forefathers. It can be used to refer to others such as Latinos, Hindis, Arabs and blacks. Chwarkin are regarded not as inferiors, but rather an alien ‘other’, to be ignored, avoided or repelled as the situation warrants. Weiskin on the other hand refers to nomadic tribes of lighter tones. Though East Asians and Jews fit into this group, the term is overwhelmingly used to refer to Caucasians. Most Weiskin can trace their ancestry back to German, Scandinavian or Polish settlers who came to the region centuries ago. Piety, hardwork and self-reliance are all traits prized by the Weiskin, as is skill in war.

Unlike their neighbors, English is uncommon as a first language. Fewer than one in three Amurik nomads speak English with any degree of fluency. Instead they speak Amurik, a bizarre hodgepodge of English, German, Scandinavian, Polish and Native American words. Amurik dialects are quite abundant. The form of Amurik spoken by the Daggreif or Helleschar of the Dakotas can vary considerably from the tribes along the Rio Grande or Rocky Mountains. There is no formal written form of the language, with most priests and scholars writing in English, German or Arabic instead.

The chief religion of the Amurik is Amur Christianity. Though it follows the central tenets of Christianity, it incorporates elements of traditional Native American faiths and Germanic paganism into itself. For instance, it is believed that Thor is a spirit in service of Amur or God. The will of Amur is interpreted by Shamans, who look to divinations and communions with the natural world to read Amur’s intentions. Amur was passed on by the prophet of Amur centuries prior, who taught that the war was punishment from Amur for straying from His will. Though not explicitly condemned by Amur scripture, it is often held that sedentary lifestyles and a reliance on technology is an affront to Amur, and nations with large urban populations are often looked down upon. They hold that all the land beneath the sun and between the waters is the Amureik, the kingdom of God, free for His people to wander, explore and protect, and any that would deny His people passage are to be expunged from the Amureik.

Demographics:

Race:

Caucasian: 74%
Native American: 9%
Latin American: 5%
African American: 4%
Arabic: 3%
Asian: 2%
Semitic: 2%

Religion:

Amur Christianity: 68%
Christian (Protestant): 17%
Islam (Reformed): 7%
Christian (Catholic): 5%
Christian (Mormon): 2%
Traditional Native American: 1%

Nation History:

After the fall of the United States, much of the East and West coasts were left in ruins, Hundreds of thousands were dead in mere moments. The Midwest on the other hand was virtually untouched. Few military targets or population centers stood in the Great Plains, leaving dozens of small cities and towns standing in the wake of the war. At first, these small towns shifted into city states and tiny nations, relying on interconnecting networks of trade to survive. After the first few years however the situation began to deteriorate. Native American tribes abandoned their impoverished reservations, taking up their ancestral heritage. Some say the conflict between the Chwarkin and Weiskin began with the Chwarkin raiding villages. Others say the fearful Weiskin attacked roving Chwarkin bands. In either case, this was the beginning of the blood feud between the Weis and the Chwar.

This only changed with the coming of the Prophet of Amur.

Records of the Prophet have been lost, but it is said he was a tall man, whose skin glowed a dark green. Claiming to be a prophet sent by Christ, he taught the people of the Midwest how to survive. How to ride. To hunt. Craft a composite bow. He traveled from town to town, urging the citizens to abandon their impoverished settlements in favor of the wide open plains. These tribes would spread across North America, with some ranging as far afield as the North Passage, and as far south as central Mexico. At times, these tribes would form confederations. Khanates. Geiselne was no different, rising from the fading ashes of the confederation before it.

Sixteen years ago, an ambitious mercenary known as ‘Blutigarm’ appeared in the court of Kaisimer Helleschar. Skilled in battle and with a small band of mercenaries at his side, he was hired by the Khan for his upcoming planned war with the Caliphate. Though the war would prove to be a futile endeavor for both sides--ending in a humiliating final battle and a White Peace with no lands gained or lost--Blutigarm distinguished himself in the war, winning more followers. He joined Kaisimer’s army in the subsequent war against the kingdom of Oxhall, taking half their lands before the Khan chose to end the war. Blutigarm however was not satisfied. On the eve of negotiations, Blutigarm launched a surprise attack on Castle Oxhall. Though said to be unassailable even by the Khan, Blutigarm succeeded in taking the Castle and its town. His archers lined the walls, releasing volleys of arrows on the surprised guards even as his lancers ran down all resistance in the streets. The unexpected victory won Blutigarm much praise, even from many esteemed Chieftains, and made the Khan look weak and cowardly by comparison. Outraged that a mere mercenary would overshadow his own reputation, Khan Kaisimer Helleschar rode out with what forces he had, intent on crushing Blutigarm’s small army. Instead of cowering away in the captured fortress, Blutigarm chose to ride out and meet the Khan, bearing the banner of Oxhall’s citadel in one hand and waving it tauntingly at Khan Helleschar. The sight of this caused the elderly Khan to fly into a rage, and he led his forces in a charge. The mercenary did likewise. When the two armies parted hours later, the Khan was found trampled to death where their lines first met. Lacking a firm leader to take his place, the army of Helleschar withdrew.

Though Helleschar’s son attempted to take his father’s place, his young heir was widely despised among the various tribes. Seen as inept, unintelligent and weak, his few loyalists melted away when the boy fled in fear from his father’s Khanate. Now with no heir, the chieftains convened to determine what was to be done. It was at this meeting that a shaman informed the chieftains that it was the will of Amur that Blutigarm should be Khan. A mere two weeks later, the former mercenary was hailed as the new Khan. He took a new name, Seigeisel--Victorious Scourge--and applied that name to both his new tribe and his Khanate. For the past eight years, Seigeisel has quietly been consolidating his control over the numerous other clans (both Chwar and Weis) in his domain. Though for the first time in a decade, rumors of scouting parties from the Khanate are emerging from the borders of the Caliphate, Tabernacle Empire and Alamao Kingdom. Rumors that may be far more than idle gossip. With an abundance of young warriors who view him as a living legend, Khan Seigeisel is in place to assert his rule across the Amureik, even against the nations that would divide it as their own.

Description of Economy: The Tribes of Amureik are primarily agrarian, producing herd animals such as horses, cattle, bison, sheep and goats. This income is supplemented by plunder won in conflicts with other factions, and tolls imposed on merchants and travelers through their territory. Any merchant from the Tabernacle Empire or Alamoa Kingdom seeking trade with the Caliphate would be expected to pay the Scourging Khan his due.
The wealth of tribes is primarily dependent upon how much livestock they own. Tribes with larger herds are inherently seen as wealthier than those with smaller ones. Though the Khanate has its own currency—golden coins known as Dul—most trade between Amuriks is done through a barter economy, with only the Warriors, Shamans, Merchants and more prominent Artisans making use of the Dul.

Description of Military:



The Amurik tribes are horsemen, through and through, and their military reflects this. Each tribe has a Warrior Caste, with each maintaining their own horse and arms. Mounted cavalry is divided into two types. Mounted archers and lancers. Mounted archers are light cavalry, meant to outmaneuver their enemies. These swarms of horsemen can serve as a distraction for enemy troops, to swarm difficult enemy positions with arrows or to hem their flanks during a battle. Additionally, light cavalry may serve to harry an enemy force on the march and limit their logistics. Nearly 60% of the Khanate’s cavalry are mounted bowmen.



Lancers on the other hand are the vanguard of the Khanate’s army. Designed to serve as the hammer in the field, lancers—both light and heavy—are equipped with the finest arms available. Light lancers are rapid assault troops, attacking light soldiers or slamming from the side. Heavy lancers on the other hand are dressed in scale and plate mail, charging the enemy with long lances to break their lines head-on.
Light cavalry forces wear leather and padded fur armor in combat, while light lancers wear these with leather and lamellar cuirasses. Heavy lancers wear full suits of metal lamellar and scale made of leather and steel. Archers carry composite bows, a shield and a saber, axe or mace, with Lancers using shields, lances and sabers or maces.





Infantry forces are primarily young warriors, lacking wealth or experience enough to buy or earn the arms of older warriors. Others are slaves, offered their freedom in exchange for their service to the Khanate. Infantry are usually lightly protected, wearing fur, padded or leather armor or even marching in their civilian clothes. Spears, axes and maces are common among them, alongside shields. Most frontline foot-soldiers carry one to five handaxes, meant to be thrown before a charge against the enemy. Additionally, they have a number of archers among them, which are used to pepper, harass and distract enemy lines from elevated positions. Arms and armor are rented to poorer soldiers from the chieftain of the tribe, passed down from more experienced warriors or plundered from the slain after the battle.

Geiselne soldiers will recruit military talents and potential soldiers from captured cities, usually drawing from minorities and the existing military. All males from age fourteen are considered eligible for service until death or injury renders that impossible. Geiselne divisions are based on tens. Ten men make a squad, ten squads make a company, a ten companies a division and ten divisions an army. All future campaigns are treated carefully, with generals and chieftains gathering intelligence and reconnaissance months in advance.

Nation Sheet

Name of Nation: The Democratic Nation of Jackson

Flag:



Government Structure: Jackson is a true democracy. All members of the territory vote in all matters. An official head of state is the Commander in Chief of the Democrats known as the Party Leader. The Party Leader serves as executive and enforces the laws of the state, but he can make no executive action without a 2/3rds majority of the people of Jackson.

Leader(s): Andrew Jackson McCullough

Culture: Jackson is an egalitarian haven for those looking to be free. Its culture is one of Republican ideals, a mostly agrarian society that sprung up in the years since the collapse of the world. In Jackson a man is free to be left alone and live in peace from interference from outside forces if he wishes. But on the flip side of that is a a tight-knit community that must look after its own and watch each other's backs in the name of survival. While Andrew Jackson McCullough is a nominal head of state, he has no real power outside of martial leadership. The nation is an ideal Jeffersonian Democracy where the power is invested in the people.

Demographics: 500 total population. Roughly 60% are white, 20% are black, and the remaining 10% are made up of Hispanic, Asian, and other races.

Nation History:

The Democratic Nation of Jackson is a new nation. It is only ten years old and founded by the man known as Andrew Jackson McCullough. His backstory is shrouded in myth, with some saying he is a former military officer that deserted his men in Georgia, while others think he is a bastard son of the King of Dixie.

Andrew Jackson McCullough was said to have destroyed a raider camp on the banks of the Mississippi single-handily. It was on the ashes of that camp that the Nation was born. Taking in rejects, outsiders, and even the odd runaway slave turned the small community into a patchwork nation that keeps to itself and trades with merchants on the river. It is surrounded on all sides by the unfriendly wilds, raiders, and wild beasts. Further through the wilds are the much larger nations that may have designs on Jackson and its spot on the Mississippi. Despite all the hardships, the Nation survives.

Description of Economy: Cottage industry is primarily how things are made. And currency is the barter system.

Description of Military:

The Jackson's military service is the Democratic Party, a militia group made up of those that can and are willing to serve. The Party is split into several different sub-units and platoons. Numbers wise it ranges around 200 to maybe 250, and it is made up of all the able-bodied men, woman, and children above the age of thirteen who can fight.

Name of Nation: The Quebecois Empire
Flag:
Battle Flag:

Government Structure: Feudal Monarchy. The emperor is the head of state, though regions of the empire are divided into Lord-Governorships, who in turn divide their lands into smaller marquises.
Privy councils are formed at the emperor's whim, the highest electable position is that of a Mayor of a city or colony.
Tribute is extracted from the vassal tribes in surrounding lands, who are obligated to relent to Quebecois colonising forces.

Leader(s): Emperor Claude-Davis 2nd, of the house Du Roberts, Empereur des Canadiens, King of Quebec and the Ontario, Lord of Lac Ontario, Warden of the Saint-Laurent River and Conqueror of Anticosti Island.

Claude-Davis is the 8th king of Quebec and the 4th proclaimed emperor of the Quebecois Empire. Often called "the Fox" after his successful campaign against the Anticosti islanders.
Claude-Davis is a highly trained and intensively schooled tactician, who joins a long tradition of subjugating kings and reformers of wastelands. He is however a stern politician and a cruel occupier.
He is also not a kind soul, it's said that the princess-consort cried at their wedding out of sadness rather than joy.

Culture: The empire is administrated and socially structured under a feudal system. Serfs and peasants are at the bottom, toiling and labouring under freemen, who then pay tribute to chevaliers and marquis, who protect their lands for their people and for the Lord-Governors and the Emperor himself, who rule over and establish laws and edicts over the population.

Depending on where you are in the empire depends on the social circumstances. Along the shores of the Saint-Laurent river, there is more urban development and trade traffic flowing towards the great lakes and out to the east coast. The further north and south however are dotted more with settlements closely pressed against keep walls and fortresses built by imperial military, for safety's sake.

Quebecois is the state language of the empire. A French-English mix more the former than the latter. Minority languages are found closer to administrative centres and trade ports rather than out amongst the rural communities. Many nobles also pay for tutelage in classical English and French, with translators brought in from surrounding regions to communicate between tribal dialects or other governments.
The city folk are more influenced by the cosmopolitan and refined culture of the social elite, with more of a pastoral, nationalistic pride holding communities together along the frontiers.

The state religion of the empire is the Reformed Chalcedonian Church, a Christian religion that is built on absorbing the various Christian sects together into a single religion. Administrated from various bishoprics in the imperial core and upheld by missionaries and preachers in rural settlements. Though not all festivals in the imperial calendar are religious, a religious component is usually included in some form or fashion.

Demographics: Depending on where you are, depends on the density of population. More people are densely packed along the shores of Saint-Laurent river in the cities and citadels close to the imperial courts. There is then a more even spread of population in the rural heartland before becoming uneven along the frontier. Either swelled populations in separate colonies and fortresses along the border.

The majority of people are from a European-Canadian background, with mixed populations intermingled here and there in mainly cities. Ethnic diversity is found most prominently in the trade ports and outposts along the river routes and ocean ward harbours.

Nation History: The Citadelle of Quebec is the stronghold of the first king of Quebec, a shelter and a bastion for the people under his protection. Some people say he was a raider, other's that he was a defender of the people. What's certain is that he was a warlord, a determined king bent on uniting the Quebecois under a strong kingdom.

Eduard 1st was his name and he was followed by Markus the Voyageur, who ventured up the Saint-Laurent and opened up relations with the tribals along it's shores. Then his son, Claude-Davis 1st who conquered the said tribals and took their kingdom of the Ontario. His nephew was crowned king and married into the Kingdom of the Ontario, then struggled for control of Lac Ontario on his father in laws behalf.

The first imperial authority came into force shortly after the coronation of Alice-Marie as the first Empress of the Quebecois Empire, spanning over the Ontario and Quebec kingdoms and uniting them. Empress Alice-Marie's reign is credited with reform and foundation of many of the imperial doctrines and traditions still practiced today.
Her heir and successor, Henri the Zealot, cemented the Chalcedonian church into Quebecois culture and condoned the persecution and cleansing of religious minorities.

The crown passed to his brother, after Henri the Zealot's death whilst crusading against northern heathens. Emperor Eduard is considered a lazy emperor, content with taxing the traders along the Saint Laurent and refurbishing the courts and upper class quarters of the imperial cities. The emperor's only legitimate son, Claude-Davis, hung all of his father's bastards from the parapets of the Citadelle of Quebec, where their skeletons still dangle to this day.

Emperor Claude-Davis 2nd had to cement his political power. So he warred with the Anticosti islanders and drowned their king in saltwater and sand, at the Battle of the Strait.

With military success came political respect and admiration from the populous of the empire. Though now he seeks to reach an open palm to the men of the Canadalands, with a closed fist to the Americain kingdoms of the south and west.

Description of Economy: On the frontiers of the empire are where raw materials (such as timber, furs, metals, minerals and reclaimed bricks and glass) are all packed and shuffled down to the shores of Saint-Laurent, where they are refined and manufactured into refined materials or goods to be traded up the river, to the eastern seaboard or into the great lakes.

The trade that flows from the tributaries of and along the Saint-Laurent river are the life blood of imperial commerce. As there are boats and pack-trains moving towards the imperial cities, so do they pass goods and equipment heading out to the frontier.

The port and city surrounding the citadelle of Quebec and the imperial court is home to major administrative structures and offices of the various trade companies competing for trade rights to many frontier provinces and tribes. The ports that dot the shores of the river are home to various manufactories and industries churning the resources of the empire.

Description of Military:
Chevalier

Recruited from the upper classes, at least those who can afford their own horse. Chevaliers are the heavy cavalry of imperial armies and provide a mobile counter to infantry and cavalry alike. Should the need arise, a chevalier can dismount and fight on foot should they need to. Though martial honor and a lack of empathy for the lower orders often abstains them from doing so.
Dragoon

Trained to utilise their muskets on horseback or on foot. The imperial dragoon is the most moblie of the armies and are sought after to hunt and harass. When met with counter-attack they run, when matched they challenge and when run from they harass. Their purpose is not to deal the final blow, but to fill armour with holes so it's easier.
Arbalist

Behind or flanking a wall of pikes are the arbalists. Poorer armies will utilise crossbows, while more wealthier lords with arm them with muskets. Regardless their purpose is to pepper enemy infantry with protection from cavalry with their pike compliments. The arbalists are also armed with swords, daggers and all other sort of hand weapon should a pike phalanx collapse and a melee breaks loose.
Infantryman

Drilled into phalanx formations, the imperial infantryman is one of many pikes pointed towards the enemy. A spiked wall that can repel cavalry and infantry alike. The Quebecois infantryman, though a pikeman in theory, are also armed with smaller weapons should their phalanx be penetrated. Though their armour is significantly less than that of a chevalier.
Siege weapons

The piece de resistance of Quebecois engineering is the trebuchet, an imposing device often found on the battlements of fortresses or in long sieges. The trebuchet is usually set to depart either the average boulder or a purpose made artillery shell, encasing an explosive ordinance more to kill defenders than tear down walls.