Name of Nation:

Territorial Claims:

Species:

Population (total and by species):

Culture and Society:

History:

Economy:

Army:

Navy:

Traits:

Foreign Relations:

Rolls: (Rolled by GM in the Discord Server. Just ping me, and I’ll roll as soon as I’m able.)



Other:

Religion has been a vitally important aspect of life for nearly all of history - and in this RP it is even more crucial, being central to the performing of magical acts. Religions in this RP fall into two broad categories - Elder and Gestalt. These terms reflect both the nature of the gods or pantheons they worship and the ways in which their followers pay homage.

Elder gods are ancient, primordial beings, having existed long before the emergence of life as we know it upon the world and possessed of natures wholly Eldritch and unable to be fully comprehended by mortal minds while retaining what we might call sanity. They are heavily influenced by the works of HP Lovecraft and such, and while many of them are not actively malevolent as his creations were (some may even be more benevolent in nature), they are inscrutable, powerful forces that exist on a level of reality far beyond that of mortal ken. However, they do have their ambitions and goals, esoteric and incomprehensible as some of them may be, and will grant knowledge of the workings of the arcane and more in exchange for service and devotion. With this knowledge, a nation can construct magitechnological devices and works to further their goals. Elder god religions are recommended for those who are not only familiar with the writings of HP Lovecraft and other contributions to the Cthulhu mythos, but who prefer the slower, more definite and permanent nature of their magic.

Gestalt gods are those new ones formed by the collective minds, thoughts, and spiritualities of their followers. They are myriad and varied, ranging in power as widely as they do in their nature. Being an innately ‘human’ construct they follow mortal morals and whims, and are much more in line with the nature of various historical deities of a humanoid and personified nature. Gestalt gods, being of a wholly different make and nature to their Elder counterparts, likewise interact with their followers and the universe in a wholly different manner as well. Instead of conferring upon their followers the knowledge of the cosmos and the arcane, for such knowledge is beyond them too, they utilize the collective might that makes up their being to bend the laws of the universe to their whim - or more accurately, to the whim of their followers. Magical power and capabilities of such beings can wax and wane rapidly and drastically as the size and strength of conviction of their following grows or shrinks. With this power, a nation can call forth works of the divine to suit their ends, instead of constructing the elaborate and dizzyingly intricate works of those nations following an Elder god. Gestalt religions are recommended for those players wishing to create gods and religions more heavily inspired by the culture and mythology of our own planet earth, are unfamiliar with or do not like the work of HP Lovecraft, or prefer a more ‘traditional’ means of working magic as an inscrutable force of the arcane.

Magic, in this world, is significantly different from that of most fantasy settings. In most settings, a mage conjures a fireball in his hand from the ether and propels it at the enemy - that is not how it works here. Imagine the magic of the world as a shallow puddle with the breadth of an ocean, covering the entire world, but not ‘deep’ enough to allow much more than low level cantrips, or a telepath to communicate with others. But within this puddle there are spots that could be considered ‘low lying’ - where the magic of the world collects and concentrates, manifesting physically as a crystalline material that can be mined and processed, brimming with the magical energy of the world. These magical crystals can be used as power supplies for the magical works of those nations advanced in the arcane or possessed of a powerful god, a machine to cast bolts of lightning or launch balls of fire for those of great sophistication, or a contraption to draw water from the earth or a stone circle to communicate at great distances for the middling. A nation’s magic roll is related to the prevalence and size of these ‘hotspots’ - determined by the magical reserves roll. Just as with material resources for a nation dependent on tech, the supplies of this crystal are crucial for the war effort of a nation dependent on magic.

Magic is performed and learned of through two primary routes, through communion with an Elder god to learn of the ways of the universe through their revelations in exchange for some service, or through prayer and devotion to a Gestalt god to gain their intervention in the working of magic. As explained in the section on religions, the ways in which different peoples will use these capabilities vary widely. Those following an Elder religion rely upon what is essentially magitech, imbued with its nature through myriad means of channeling and shaping the forces of the universe, in much the same way that electronics or mechanical devices must be carefully manufactured and arranged for all of their components to function together. Those who follow a Gestalt religion will invoke the power of their god, and, provided sufficient crystal is available and the faith has the power to do so, the desired effect will be worked through the divine intervention of the deity in question.

For example - to draw water from an underground aquifer:

An Elder worshipping people possessing the relevant knowledge will construct a device reminiscent of a pump, perhaps covered in various runes to focus and channel the power of the arcane, which when supplied with crystal, performs the work of a pump and mechanically pulls water from underground through a hole drilled through the rock.

A Gestalt worshipping people will, provided sufficient crystal is available to power the ritual and the faith is capable of the task, assign a priest to call upon the intervention of the god. The god will then act, and the water in the aquifer may be transported into an awaiting reservoir, cast into the sky to fall as rain, or so on.

Those learned in the ways of magic’s use are known as mages - almost anybody can become a mage, as the use of magic is for the most part a matter of learning and applied technique, rather than any inborn attributes.

There are other means of supplying magic in the field, but these are costly. The sacrifice of living beings, for instance, - dozens or hundreds - can create enough energy with the turmoil of death to supply magical devices for a limited time. This method is widely abhorred in much of the world, and those seeking to use such means with any frequency will find themselves similarly shunned.

Magic’s use, however, comes with a darker side - one that can and has spelled doom for many civilizations and empires before. Excessive extraction of magical crystal can lead to depletion of the magical field in the area - ‘dry’ spots can occur, and should action not be taken to dramatically lessen or outright halt crystal extraction, calamity can occur. There is always ample forewarning - magically sensitive individuals will experience splitting headaches and full body pain, for instance. A basic (and somewhat silly) visual guide can be seen here.

Should such a calamity occur, it will become immediately obvious. At the point wherein the depletion reaches a critical point, the very landscape will begin to change. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, vast lightning storms, and all manner of natural disasters are likely to occur, greater than any recorded on earth in living memory. The land itself will turn fallow, life becomes twisted, corrupted, a shadow of its former nature as universal forces unknown to the living crash into the mundane world. Such land is tainted, and for the first centuries at least the land will be unlike anything of the natural world. Warped abominations will prowl through toxic streams, plants and animals molded into new, perverted mockeries of life, unable to live outside of the hostile, abnormal conditions that gave rise to them. The only mercy is that those who created such conditions rarely live to see the worst of them. To survive, let alone remain sane and uncorrupted within such land is all but impossible, and it can take a millennium or more for the area to truly heal.

Magic is a flexible system - but it is far from omnipotent; and with great power comes great responsibility.

And now, a brief explanation of the rolls, tech trees, and other aspects of the sheets.

Your rolls are a guideline for your nation, and they serve as an upper limit. If your roll is large, but you wish to go smaller, you are welcome to. With your rolls, you can subtract a total of ten points from wherever you wish and redistribute them elsewhere. Additionally, you can choose any two stats within a roll to swap - changing fertility with land area, for instance. However, to increase a stat from 19 to 20 will require the use of two points, in order to prevent minmaxing and to reflect the significant jump in capabilities from 19 to 20. Likewise, decreasing a stat from 20-19 will yield two points.

Stats can be increased in game. Players wishing to increase their stats must make a post describing in at least some moderate detail the events and efforts of their nation to begin this process - be it gathering the wisest heads in the land or plundering lost forgotten cities of old lore, posts need not be in excruciating detail. This post may even take the form of a direct message to myself with a bullet point list of actions if time is short. The GMs will then roll a d20 to determine the success of these efforts. Increasing a stat has four tiers, to advance in tier the roll must equal or exceed the current value of that stat, if a 20 is rolled you may even advance multiple tiers at once. Once finishing tier 4, the stat is increased by one.

Your Land Area: This roll determines the amount of land you have under your sway. It covers how much of the map is under your control.

Your Land Fertility: This roll dictates the suitability of your land for your people. A low roll may be host to a harsh climate (natural or artificial) difficult to inhabit, it may have soils that yield small crops or those inedible to your people. Conversely, a high roll will have rich, fertile soil and a climate that lends itself to habitation by your people.

Your Army: This roll dictates the size of your nation’s land forces, and the level of training and sophistication of your land forces. A nation with a large army roll is likely capable of raising powerful forces, numerous, well trained, and well equipped.

Your Navy: This roll dictates the size of your naval forces. In addition, it represents the sophistication, extent, and other facets of your marine infrastructure - dockyards, drydocks, ports, and so on. This roll does not solely determine the quality of your warships or ability to field advanced designs, as these are also tied to your economy and technological development. A nation extremely high in all of these may well be fielding fleets of early steam ships.

Your Economy: Your Economy is a representation of the wealth of your nation. It stands for the money your people hold, the amount you import and export, and to some extent how connected with others your nation is. A nation with a high economy is able to fund and finance more expensive works, and can maintain a war for considerably longer periods of time.

Your Societal Development: Societal Development represents the sophistication and development of your nation’s culture, civilization, and governmental structure. It is essentially the difference between a country with bustling cities and intricate systems of trade and taxation, and a collection of thatch roof villages loosely controlled by a reigning warlord.

Your Technological Development: In contrast with Societal Development, Technological Development represents the sophistication of techniques, tools, materials, and equipment available to your people. A more technologically developed nation may field a train network, steam powered industry, and will likely be on the verge of or in the midst of an industrial revolution.

Your Magical Reserves: In this, Magic is not powered by an unseen ethereal force - but by a physical, tangible object. An iridescent crystal that goes by many names is the physical manifestation of magical energy that permeates the universe. Its scarcity varies greatly throughout the world and the universe at large, and this roll dictates the reserves of crystal you have available.

Your Arcane Sophistication/Religious Strength: In this world, magic is a potent force but a tricky one; it requires intensive study to understand and requires expert training and meticulous technique to harness - or a powerful and numerous faith to bend reality to its whims. It is better described as “the Science of the Arcane” rather than “Magic” for those of an Elder bent, and as “Collectively powered works of the Divine” for those of the Gestalt. Capable of impressive feats when properly used, a magically potent nation can create massive contraptions to unleash a ball of flame upon their foes or invoke their god to cast lightning from the sky, or more mundane uses - a trained individual can communicate remotely with a similarly trained individual in a manner akin to a radio (range dependent on the power of the system) or water can be drawn from deep underground aquifers.

Every single stat is an important one, not to be overlooked and ignored.

Traits - The Traits of a nation are miscellaneous additions outside the base rolls and tech tree system. A nation can have up to five different traits. Traits must carry a trade off past the first one, or be countered by another trait with negative effects. Traits can confer a number of effects, such as bonuses or other effects upon your militaries, populations, climates, or other elements of your nation not touched on by other mechanics.

Your traits can carry some flexibility with your rolls, but nonetheless they are still constrained - for instance, a nation with a fertility score of one may not have a trait that describes their land as being a bountiful nation of plenty. An example trait, for instance, may reference an age old warrior culture and boost the morale of their armies, ensuring that flight is only a possibility in truly dire circumstances.

Battles will be decided in two ways. Battles between player nations, where the two players have agreed upon the story they wish to tell require no GM involvement, and can be written in whatever style chosen. Battles between a player and an NPC nation, or between players who disagree on the outcome of the battle, will be decided by rolling. Players will describe the actions they wish to take, and dice will be rolled to see if that action succeeds or fails, with bonuses being applied based on relevant stats. The exact details of the battle will then be written according to the players’ desires, in line with the results of the rolling. This is for multiple reasons - to ensure a way to break stalemates while remaining fair and impartial, to prevent immediate steamrolling of NPCs, and because the element of uncertainty and randomness adds some excitement!

Land Area sizes:
1 up to Lebanon in size (4000 mi²)
2 up to Denmark in size (16,000 mi²)
3 up to Ireland in size (32,000 mi²)
4 up to Bangladesh in size (50,000-60,000 mi²)
5 up to United Kingdom in size (90,000-100,000 mi²)
6 up to Japan in size (140,000-150,000 mi²)
7 up to Thailand in size (190,000-200,000 mi²)
8 up to Turkey in size (300,000 mi²)
9 up to Ethiopia in size (400,000-430,000 mi²)
10 up to Assyrian Empire in size (550k mi²)
11 up to Iran in size (630,000-640,000 mi²)
12 up to Almohad Caliphate in size (850,000 mi²)
13 up to Song Dynasty in size (1,200,000 mi²)
14 up to Seleucid Empire in size (1,500,00 mi²)
15 up to Tibetan Empire in size (1,800,000 mi²)
16 up to Achaemenid Empire in size (2,100,000 mi²)
17 up to Ming Dynasty in size (2,510,000 mi²)
18 up to Brazil in size (3,200,00 mi²)
19 up to Canada in size (3,800,000 mi²)
20 up to slightly below Qing Dynasty in size (5,500,000 mi²)

NPC nations are nations controlled either by the GM or players that create them, intended to serve as flavor, flesh out the region, and provide a rich playground for our greater powers to frolic in. NPC nations have stats much the same as our own nations do, rolled by me, the GM.

In place of a tech-tree system, as in other RPs and in my own older NRP Takanis, you will write up a description of the capabilities of your nation in the selected fields below and append this to your nation sheet below under the “Capabilities” section. I will give you feedback and guidance on it. You will write a description of your capabilities for the following stats:

Societal Development:

Technological Development:

Economy:

Land Power:

Naval Power:

Arcane Sophistication/Religious Strength:

Technological advancement will be a matter of good writing, and if I or a co-GM decide that something is to our distaste, we will inform you.

Name of Nation: The Empire of Reborn Luminescence or the Empire of Achik
Territorial Claims: This is a complicated subject and for many years the historians of the Empire of Achik have sought to compile archives about the actual extent of the empire. From ancient maps to forgotten texts that now lie in the ruins of the ancient libraries and palaces of the Achik Empire. All of them deep within the territories of the two most powerful nations of the globe and also the sworn enemies of the empire and its ruling dynasty. Much was indeed lost with the great scorching a catastrophic event that leads to the fall of the empire.

Species: This is not a complicated subject at all, during the time of the empire. The great Achik didn't have the same diversity in terms of intelligence races as other continents. Instead for a long time, the continent remained dominated by humans or at least the parts where the Achik governed didn't have a sizable majority of non-human species to compete with, however, this didn't diminish in any way the lack of cohesion between groups and nations previous to the unification of great part of the empire's land borders in posterior times. After the great scorching and the conquest of the continent by the eastern empires, most of the population of Achik settled around the capital and since then they have remained a human majority with few minorities due to the isolated nature of the remnants of the empire.

Population: 119,174,022

The demographics of the empire are also simple, while the empire is not by any means a small nation it has a high-density population living within its territory. The results of decades of industrialization and agricultural revolutions that basically revolutionized and have forever changed the population dynamics within the country. Most of this population is concentrated in the valleys of the empire in the highlands of the empire, where once nature and man coexisted together as one. But that time has been lost forever and the era of machine and man have begun in earnest in the empire of Achik.

Culture and Society: A complex culture yet a mix of the old and the new. Achik can be considered by many as an equalitarian society, however, many believe that this is not due to a development in social and economic equality but rather a matter of necessity in the empire of Achik. For, when the great catastrophe struck the empire and the invasions from the easterners continued, every arm was needed to maintain the empire afloat, sometimes even kids were conscripted into the army for the sake of having numbers on their side or whatever numbers they could muster against their ever-expanding and growing neighbors.

This is equality is certainly reflected in today's society. Where both men and women have access to education and most importantly are not differentiated for military conscription. Thus one can see men and women in the battalions of the impressive military of the Achik Empire, a policy that only helps increase the numbers of soldiers within the military but also its expense. This said it is not far fetched to see women in positions of power both within the military and the bureaucratic apparatus of the empire. Although vestiges of the once patriarchal society still remain they are very well hidden within the fabric of society and only a good observer may be able to spot them.

In regards to isolationism and foreign policy, the Achik can be considered to have had a huge cultural shock with the better-equipped armies of the great powers who once conquered and colonized the entire continent. This cultural shock hasn't faded off and rather has been used by the more populist elements of the empire to try and get the empire on war foot and the mentality of being alone in the world against the colonizers and imperialists. This mentality has also solidified the power of the empire into few hands, a government that was already quite absolutist and centralized now turned into the hands of generals, who seek to impose their revolutionary ideas on the empire and abolish the monarchy.

This new faction that has arisen in the empire has turned away from the theocratic and virtuous ideals of the ancient empire. The men who once worshipped the sun as a sacred god now see religion as superstition an obstacle to the restoration of the great empire of Achik. The emperor, a young man who hasn't grown up to be a full man yet is controlled by the council of five. The five most powerful generals in the empire, people who with their charisma and leadership have managed to divide the army into various cliques

In economic terms, the empire has adapted quite well to the surplus of an industrialized society and on its own is a rightly powerful nation. Railways and schedules have both transformed the mindsets of the workforce of the Empire bringing them together as a sort of collectivized mind that seeks to follow rules and attend work schedules for the sake of being part of the larger society and thus receive the safety net that the state guarantees. It is important to remember that the empire was even before the great catastrophe and the fall of most of the empire, a collectivist society to the extreme. Where the state-managed production to a high degree and thus society as a whole learned that way and albeit it was one of its biggest strengths it was also one of the worst weaknesses. For when the state bureaucracy collapsed during the great catastrophe many villages and cities were left without bureaucrats to govern it, without orders to follow and without leaders to lead them through the harsh times ahead. Many of these territories that lost imperial control fell apart or were integrated into the colonies of the easterner invaders.

Albeit a weakness as said before, it is one that the Empire is not willing to go away with. It is part of the culture and the cosmical vision of the people of Achik cannot simply do without. Thus the collective nature of the Empire must be recognized if one wishes to fully understand the empire of Achik, this collectivization can be defined in the totalitarian nature of the state. The state controls production, demand, and policy. Rights to citizens are not given but rewarded to those who belong to the system. Thus one may say there isn't a pinch of salt in democratic terms and it remains true. The only meritocracy and contacts can get you forward, either be the best of students or be well connected enough to be given a good position in the bureaucratic machine.

As such, the industrial sector is also controlled by the government. National corporations and companies dominate the market, the surplus is distributed amongst the populace but wealth mostly goes to the bureaucrats and army officials, the rest get enough to live and a little bit more. The standard of living is relatively well enough and above-average just not by much. However, the main difference lies in the social services and safety net available to those within the country. Unemployment is considered to be only temporary and as such, one will still receive payment for a certain amount of time until they are reassigned to a new job. Retirement exists within the country and worker's rights are somewhat recognized and protected.

History: The constant of civilization applies all the same to the empire of Achik. For once, the empire of Achik stretched through a large portion of the continent and yet its origins were as humble as that of any other nation in the world. For Rome is never built in a single day, the Achik as they are called now was once but a small ethnic group at the foot of the great mountain range of Biraq. A mountain chain that goes from north to south and separates the east from the west, and also serves as a natural geographical barrier for what used to be the Achik core territories.

While one cannot skip through the process of unification and conquest of the Empire of Achik, it is also important and even more so to go straight to one of the most eventful eras of the Empire. For it is at the same time one of the least recorded and most mysterious eras of the Empire. An important piece in the puzzle in the history of the Empire of Achik. Many believe that the lack of records is due to the invasions and civil wars that took place during the era of the fall of the Empire. One can never be too sure though and archeologists funded by the state apparatus continue their work in far off and foreign lands, more often than not in secret and without alerting the colonial authorities of the neighboring nations. For it is believed that they would hamper any attempts at recovering the lost artifacts and history of the empire, at the same time, these archeologists sometimes double as spies for the imperial army and as such are well rewarded for their services.

Well back on track, a couple of hundred years ago the Empire of Achik was going through a period of consolidation, a period of renewal if one must say of establishing the Empire as the new status quo in the entire region and in the hearts and minds of the common people. This was by no means an easy process and rebellions sprouted through the territory constantly, the emperors, however, didn't falter at all. They could not and would not falter in their holy mission and mortal ambition of conquering the world for the sake of glory and wealth. Nonetheless, it was at this exact that time that the invasion fleets from the east began to make an appearance in the empire. Sacking and razing to the ground many port cities of the Empire, the navy of the Empire didn't have any way to fight against the cannons and superior shipbuilding of the easterners and just like that the trade networks of the empire were disrupted. Attempts but without the surplus of food from the south and the exchange of raw materials at a large scale. The empire's cogs began to grind to a halt.

The people began to distrust the capacity of the central government to solve their problems and the promises of integration of the seemingly invincible easterners began to be more tempting with each worsening report at the imperial court. Unable to solve these problems the brother of the Emperor, Amaru the great began plans to overthrow his incompetent brother and once again bring about an earthshaking change to the empire in order to save it from the claws of its enemies and plotting subjects. The plan, however, didn't work as intended. They failed to eliminate the emperor and the managed to take control of the northern half of the empire and force Amaru and his generals to the south, where they began to fortify themselves in preparation for a counter-attack.

And a counter-attack came indeed, one supported by the weapons of the eastern sultanate. Guns and cannons were put against the spears and bows of Amaru's soldiers and without any further support he was defeated, however, in the minds of the followers of Amaru the betrayal of the Emperor would ever be forgotten as he had sided with the eastern barbarians and indeed picking their side would cost him his life later on, as they imprisoned and then executed him, replacing him with a puppet emperor for the northern half of the empire, thus bringing under their control most of the empire's population and resources. Leaving Amaru in an even worst position than before now that the armies of the eastern sultanate began to pour into the border.

Only the great plague would put an end to the sultanate's attempt at conquering the rest of the empire of Achik. For the easterners were seemingly struck with disease and their number began to die off in great numbers, just as entire cities of the Achik empire began to be decimated by plague and disease at a rate never before seen. For many, this was considered to be the end of times and perhaps for the pride of the empire it would have been better for it to be that way, but it wasn't end for civilization all by collapsed in the empire. Entire regions falling under the control of local authorities, warlords, adventurers from the east and the like. Truly, this was a time like no other. Where the great empire of Achik was at its weakest and it would remain so for centuries to come, only staying alive in an isolated corner of the second capital of the empire. The city of Tuqay and the single province of the empire to retain a semblance of civilization and stability. All thanks to the rule of Amaru, who had since then been crowned emperor of whatever ashes remained of the empire.

For the next century or so, the empire would be conquered and colonized by the eastern powers. Achik being left alone only due to the sheer poorness and ferocity of its inhabitants who refused to leave their mountain dwellings at the hands of the eastern barbarians. This would remain true even in centuries to come but also the path of change was coming to the empire, a path that would lead them once again towards a path of glory and a power height that had never seen before by a native empire in the continent.

It was only in the last century that the empire standing and inherent power began to change dramatically. For many economics and even historians, this will remain a strange era for the isolated empire of Achik turned itself from a mostly agricultural economy to an industrialized one in a matter of a single century. Many questions how this even happened, how the inefficient structure of the Achik and the low technological level of its nation lead to an industrial revolution all on its own and the answer is hard to answer. For they are different stories being told by three different persons, from the foreigners, the state government and the imperial archivists. Although, that last one is not so well known due to censorship and suppression of information.

The foreign answer to the industrial revolution that took place lies in the fact that the Empire of Achik was never truly isolated, moreover they continued to trade through their border with the colonial nations, most of which were composed of mostly native inhabitants rather than colonists thus making it easier for them to trade and thus technology slowly but surely diffused to the Empire and then through central planning, the Empire of Achik was able to achieve the unthinkable and rebuilt their nation around the industrial sector and revolutionize both their economy and technology to a higher level than had ever been seen before. For many, this is the most accepted argument.

The state government, however, believes that it had nothing to do with trade. Rather, it was the innovation of the Achik and the discovery of lost ancient texts that made it possible to rebuild the empire's technological superiority through sheer inherent superiority to the Achik's race. Of course, this is the propagandized version of the story and not a single foreigner believes in it. But it served to exalt the imperial's pride and dignity to the masses and through that make them support the more militaristic policies of the new government and factions in power.

The Imperial Archivists though tell a mix of both stories, while the Empire's may not have a large size compared to its larger neighbors it had everything necessary to conduct an industrial revolution, all the basic natural resources and more at the reach of its most simple miners. Diffusion of trade also had a lot to do with it, but most importantly it lies in the defection of engineers from Quat’i Al-Qarikha, some of them persecuted due to their liberal beliefs, who found no better place to hide than in the Empire of Achik and through it was possible to revolutionize industry at a national scale, and the rest is history.

Nowadays the empire is ruled by Amaru VIII, a young ruler barely over fifteen who is controlled by the army's council of five. The five marshalls in charge of the Imperial army and the ones who wield the real power around. This is a change from times past, for the empire was usually ruled by the emperor and the emperor alone. It was an absolutist regime, where the head of state wasn't only the emperor but also its religious head. Its contact with the Gods and thus a divine individual who was deserving of worship. Now, he is just a puppet of the generals, who studied in imperial military academies both national and foreign, learning of the ideas of nationalism and liberalism. Learning that their empire and their government was nothing more than a corrupt system serving an emperor who did nothing for the nation. It was time for a change, through political intrigue and intimidation, the generals managed to pull forward a change in the regime. Replacing many bureaucrats with sympathizers to their cause of revolution and militarism.

They see in the future of Achik, a great one as the fires of war spread to its rivals. They see a unified and powerful nation back on track to claim its birthright and proclaim a reborn empire in a sense. One that is lead by the ideals of the unified nation and that unification can only be achieved through strength towards its enemies. For while many wish it was now, the nation of Achik remains surrounded by their access to the sea hampered by a lack of trade and the supreme naval dominance of its neighbors. For many, Achik is still just a backwater nation trying to play it big for its populace, that continues to demand more and more as their levels of education continue to rise and their standard living doesn't seem to rise with them. As most of the centralized planning has sent resources to an oversized military with over a million standing soldiers more millions that can be conscripted into the army. All of them wearing the bright uniforms of their empire, the bright colors of gold and a deep red. The colors of pride and blood.

While the army prepares to stockpile ammunition, weapons, and cannons. The populace continues to live under the control of the military junta that truly governs the country, taking sons away from their families and sending kids to the factories so that rifles and muskets can be put on the hands of its soldiers. It seems that for this regime, the word "enough" doesn't exist and some have begun to believe that the junta has lost the sight of reality. Whether it remains true or not, and that their dreams and illusions can be crafted into existence remain unknown. All the people know is that clouds of war are gathering and that is it time to prepare and say their goodbyes.

Economy: The industrialized economy of Achik relies on self-sufficiency, much like the old empire of old, nonetheless, they still trade with the outside world but to a lesser degree to the levels of trade of other nations. As a planned economy, the economy is pretty much centered around the needs of the state rather than that of the people and while famine isn't a problem, the lack of consumer goods for the people is certainly appalling for foreigners, who learn to make do with whatever there is available or is handed out by the state.

The state uses currency as a way to measure things more properly but at the same time, they also assign prices to various consumer goods sometimes fixed sometimes not. Depending on the type of good and the demand for it. As such, this type of economy relies heavily on a bureaucracy capable and willing to manage a considerably amount of numbers, and as such, the number of accountants and economics is quite high for the state sector. All of them balancing data and making sure the numbers remain in the right places, of course, with a slight accepted margin of error.

The most important method of transportation is the train, without those steel and iron beasts. It would be impossible for the economy of the Achik empire to function properly and as such, junctions and railways connect the empire and can be seen in all corners of the empire covering it in steel and wood. One can easily travel from one corner of the empire to the other through the train and this has facilitated the mobilization plans of the army.

Army:

The army is a well-disciplined force, vast and with logistical support that covers various necessities of a field army. From engineers, surgeons, hospitals, nurses, wagons, fortifications. Railway construction amongst others. Currently, the empire has 1,000,000 of its subjects in the military, with a high officer to soldier ratio so that the army is well lead and properly organized at all times. As such, it is no surprise to see imperial academies compete with universities and the like to get the most recruits for the army, offering nice bonuses and salaries for officers in some cases even higher than those in the civilian sector. This as a part of a militaristic policy of the council of the five who currently control the empire.

The empire is divided into two theaters if one may say. The northern and southern theatres. Each tasked and preparing for a possible invasion at all times, either from the southern sultanate or the southern colonists. Either way, their vast numbers are surely more than enough to deter any invasion and as such, plans of invasion are now being drafted all of which included massive armies crossing the border and the logistical side needed to supply said armies with ammunition and food. Food is the most important, as such, recently the engineering department has been getting a lot of people assigned to it. For it is planned for railway engineers to build railways for trains as fast as possible during army advancement into enemy territory. To supply them well enough.

The soldier's empire has a nice mix of infantry and cavalry. Leaning mostly on infantry rather than cavalry, depending on the terrain more cavalry regiments are assigned to a particular region than others. Elite units are non-existent and as such, soldiers are evenly spread for their ability throughout the empire's military. Not diminishing the capability of a single regiment but neither concentrating them into stronger regiments.

The army believes it can easily reconquer the lost territories of the empire through the superiority of firepower and numbers, though, many still want to see in action all that the military command has planned. Many believe that the Empire of Achik may not have another chance at reunifying its lost territories, so all advantages are needed to defeat the two largest powers in the world.

Navy:
The navy of the empire of Achik is below average, even sub-par for some and it is no wonder, the empire never saw the seas as a domain they could compete for. At least not yet, they have yet to build a large enough navy and most efforts are focused on the shipbuilding of merchantmen. Trading ships, gunboats, frigates and the like. Never larger ships, too big and too slow to escape possible enemy ships. Thus it is no wonder that the navy is somewhat left behind, small ships meant to protect the coast are non-existant most of the ships of the navy are mostly meant to raid other ports and then leave as fast as possible. This is the doctrine of the Achik Empire on the seas.

Traits:

The land of the Rail: Not in any other country one has seen the level of railway construction and the marvels of engineering than in Achik. Trains run on time, freight is transported as incredible speed and even the mountains aren't a problem if one must build a railway through them. As such, the economy of Achik is highly interconnected and so is its people, allowing for more dynamism, low transportation costs and higher capacity for mobilization of armed forces.

Foreign Relations:
-Quat’i Al-Qarikha and Grakaisaran Imperpulau Anyueva both hated.

Name of Nation: The Sovereign Order of Bannerets

Territorial Claims: Assorted Garrison-Monasteries established within willing nation-states.

Species: Slight Human majority throughout, Volyudki form the Grenadiers' chief majority, but representation of any known species can easily be found.

Population (total and by species): Approx. 500,000 total, no clear percentage breakdown beyond slight human majority.

Culture and Society: A sovereign military order founded on monastic traditions and beliefs that "True Honor and Skill Comes from Blind Warfare." That one can only truly prove their martial prowess and military acumen by fighting anywhere and everywhere, without care for political disputes or international bickering. As such, they operate as a unified independent diplomatic and military entity, leasing military forces to governments and private individuals in exchange for the right to establish Garrison-Monasteries and acquire necessary supplies, trade goods, financial subsidies, and useful services. Only those wholly dedicated to this cause are admitted, to ensure true transparency between the Order and their contractors and the sovereignty and survival of the Order.

History: The Order's history stretches back several hundred years, to more feudalistic times when national militaries were far more disjointed and decentralized, and protection for civilian travelers was almost nonexistent. The Order of the Bannerets began as an affiliation of independent knights and men-at-arms, who owed allegiance to no lord or ruler, and sought honor in battle and protecting others.

These warriors would band together under the ideals of perfecting martial tradition, while fighting for anyone and everyone who could afford their services. The Order's early history was as a coalition of loosely-aligned equestrian houses and traveler's posts, connected more by a shared code of honor and heraldry than by any bureaucratic structure or chain of command.

However, as the world grew and advanced, and ruling powers became more able to afford standing armies, the role of the Order had to change. They quickly reformed into a highly regimented, disciplined organization, centralized and on the cutting edge of advancements.

No longer was the Order of the Bannerets' existence defined as a band of lordless knights and soldiers, instead they became strictly defined by their founding philosophy, the Code of Blind Warfare, and a strict regimen resembling a blend of military command and training, and ascetic and monastic lifestyles.

Striking deals with various national bodies great and small, the Order of the Bannerets began to found "Garrison-Monasteries", all-inclusive compounds within which their soldier-monks lived every waking moment not spent in service to a contracted power.

Economy: The Order's economy is utterly linked to their contractual payments and obligations. Their leasing of forces finance their needs for supplies, goods, services, and payment for their Garrison Monasteries and their troops. This is both a blessing and a curse, as it allows them greater flexibility in income sources, but also puts them at risk of suffering a serious blow in the event of a major source of income being destroyed or cancelling their agreements.

Army: The Order's military structure resembles a blend of a highly disciplined modern army, and ancient monastic and ascetic traditions recognizable the world over. Their recruits are drilled in the arts of both military conflict and in acting as guards and escorts for individuals and locales of great importance, but are also disciplined into eschewing much of the trappings of wider life, recreation coming in the form of distinct festive celebrations and individual hobbies and interests. In terms of formalized unit composition, there are four distinct deployments offered to contractors.

The Banneret Guard: Small retinues and individuals whose training and drills prioritize escort and guard duties, whether those be in service of an individual, a location, an organization, or a patrol route. These men and women are no mere garrison force, however, and have devoted their lives to ensuring the safety and protection of their charges to their last breath, with outsider speculation suggesting they train in the very actions they seek to thwart. Only the most disciplined and well-performing of the Order's troops are permitted into the ranks of the Banneret Guard.

The Banneret Skirmishers: These forces make up the bread and butter of the Order's military deployments. Drilled to act a vanguard force, these units chiefly deploy in skirmish line formations, acting as light infantry and harassing forces, and opening up ground for the main attack from their contractor's forces, or possibly other Banneret units. These units are generally favored by contractors who don't wish to deploy their own forces in such roles, or seek quality auxiliary screens to their main forces.

The Banneret Grenadiers: First and foremost assault units, these are the best infantry fighters the Banneret has to offer. Their drills and training condition them for the harsh conditions of close-quarters fighting and violent siege assaults. More candidates for the Banneret Guard are drawn from these units than any others, and this plus their dangerous combat role makes them the most expensive units to lease from the Order.

The Banneret Dragoons: A holdover from the equestrian and knightly heritage of the Order, these units operate as mounted infantry, using their steeds as rapid transport before deploying into skirmish line formations to engage the enemy. Given their very specialized deployment style, they're generally leased to those who hope for a quick campaign or coordinated strike against a weak foe, and thus need quickly-deployed forces at their beck and call.

Navy: The Order's naval capabilities are solely based on what contract arrangements can be formulated and organized, meaning it is directly linked to their buying and negotiating power. It is not uncommon for contracts to stipulate that the leasing nation or entity must provide transportation for the forces they lease to the location they're needed. The Order's forces are also not suitably trained and outfitted for serving as Marine Infantry, and thus contracts requesting such are generally overturned.

Traits:

Lines of Communication: The Bannerets have devised a means of communication between their Garrison-Monasteries that allows messages to be sent via a mix of electronic wiring and light-based optical signals which are then transcribed into text by a typing device upon arrival. Referred to as "Transwire Mail", this system is currently kept close to heart by the Bannerets, as it allows communication to travel across the continent far faster than by courier.

Without Nation or Ideology: The Sovereign Order of Bannerets believe that real battle can only come from being willing to fight for anyone or any cause, and so they offer their services as career soldiers to such. The entire organization's design is built around this, with all members being capable field troops beyond their daily duties to the order. The only requirements for joining are a willing mind and a capable body. Members are welcome from any nation, race, gender, or religion, and individuals from across the known world can be found within their ranks.

The War Economy: Although the Bannerets can and do offer their services as guards and escorts for individuals and private businesses, their lifestyle comes from warfare, and it is easily what they rely on. War, both the threat of it and the active fighting of it, keeps the Order alive, and without it, they would quickly need to restructure or disband.

The Army Without Borders: The Garrison-Monasteries that serve as the homes and encampments of the Bannerets are both a blessing and a curse. Their existence as independent land makes establishing contracts across the known world in multiple locations at a time a cinch, but it also means they have no unified core territory to return to in the event of disaster or tragic loss. Contracts negotiated by the Bannerets often specify that if the home Garrison-Monastery of the contracting units falls under risk of danger, the units will withdraw to defend it, even if it means a breach of contract.

Ignoble Warfare: While the history and namesake of the Bannerets are intertwined within the historical cultures of nobility, knighthood, and equestrianism, there are members within the Order's higher command structures who feel that the darker side of warfare is just as important as the side fought upon the field of battle. Rumors abound beyond the walls of the Garrison-Monasteries that the Banneret Guard, elite troops trained to act as bodyguards and personal honor escorts, are trained in the arts of spycraft, assassinations, and kidnappings in order to understand exactly how to prevent such techniques. These rumors claim that those in training are contracted out illicitly in order to fulfill these tasks in real situations to test the full resolve of the members.

Foreign Relations: The Yuukoman Principality - The Order's headquarters is located within the capital city of of Yuukoma, and the nation's histories are interlinked, with the Bannerets' history protecting those unable to fend for themselves linked to the Yuukoman Uprisings





Other: Uniform Mockups and unit descriptions

Name of Nation: Most Hallowed Sovereignty of Luchmeyern
Species:
Luchmeyer: As their cousins the Owcans, the Luchmeyer straddle the line between physical and arcane. Unlike the Owcans, however, the Luchmeyer were not made with fine craftsmanship to exude grace, but rather were forced into their form by sheer power and built for strength. They were made of the same clay that was found on the banks of the rivers, and were then imbued by the same divine spark that brought to life all the living creatures of the world. Luchmeyer, due to the circumstance of their creation, are a massive, towering species, reaching on average 275 centimetres, with some reaching as high as 300 and as low as 240. They are similar in form to the Owcans, they having a shared creation, excepting that the legs of the Luchmeyer are hyperproportionally thick, in part due to their larger size. While Owcans live long lives of 100 consistent years, Luchmeyer were built en masse, with more variety between each form, and may exist for anywhere between 35 and 45 years on average. Furthermore, their greater size means more energy is output at any moment, and thus they must sleep for about 12 hours each day. Their genes, due to their nature, are hypercompatible with those of other peoples, but the impurities within them result in low fertility rates, which may only be maintained by the possession of many partners.
Owcan: See Owca
Humans

Population (as of last census; census data not completely accurate):
Total: 49,672,651
Luchmeyer: 24,836,325
Owcan: 8,278,775 (≈10% free)
Human: 12,418,163 (≈30% free)
Other minorities: 4,139,388 (notable: Yuukoman, Lasagnon, Chevoiere)





Economy:


Navy:

Traits:

Foreign Relations:
Yevrahza Continental League
Burned Order
Confederacion Angelica
Empire of Yuukoman
Chevoiere Legue
Commonwealth of Rodynsha

Enemies:
Kingdom of Cogaidh
Imperyivka Volstranlyudkovka
Communes of Iethus
Qarikha
Anyueva
Confederation of Dastria
Republic of Astalia

Rolls:
Land Area: 16 (S)
Land Fertility: 10 (+3)
Social Development: 15
Technological Development: 6 (S, +2)
Land Power: 19
Naval Power: 17 (+2)
Economy: 10
Magical Reserves: 4 (-10)
Magical Sophistication: 13 (+3)

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Species: Eisengard's population is split predominantly between Humans from the Luchmeyer mainlands and the native Lasangnon (which translates'jungle people' in their native tongue.) The Lasangnon people are predominantly six feet tall (1.8288 meters) on average and generally bulkier in body mass than most Humans. Most of the Lasangnon's body is covered in fur aside from the palms of their hands, the soles of their feet, their backside and their faces. The color of their fur are mainly reddish brown or black in color. They have better senses of hearing and smell than most Humans. However they are not as agile and does not have the same endurance when performing physical labor.

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Culture and Society: Eisengard is always infamously known as a 'church with an army'. The Church of the Holy Posdal was established from the local beliefs of the natives. Posdalism takes it root word from the term 'posdal', meaning 'messanger' in the tongue of the Assai people. Assai merchants took their beliefs to the coastal islands of the south and with them their religion. The Lasangnon people eagerly adopted the till the arrival of the Luchmeyerian colonizers. Over the centuries, the upper class of Eisengard would come to adopt it in secret. Posdalism eventually became the state religion when the self-proclaimed king Ferdinand Otmar seceded from the Luchmeyerian empire. Aiming to further distance the new kingdom from its mainland roots.

Posdalism has become even more vital to the state in passing century after the creation of the empire. Though the king holds absolute rule in the realm, his influence runs down to the clergy before it reaches the common man. Officer Universities are also maintained by a shared control of the church and state. The army has armed clergymen, responsible for any number of religious activities as well as raising the morale of the common soldiers.

The church itself is led by the three Posdals. The Posdal of the Mother and the Posdal of the Son are chosen by a diet of Cardinals who choose from among their numbers who will take the positions. The Posdal of the Mother

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History: Eisengard started a small duchy founded in -, --, 1003 by Jarl Hiltrud the Mad. Her title a result of her brash actions and short temper.She was known for her brave charges against the enemy and her vigor for battle. Jarl Hiltrud was reccorded to have have chased off curious Lasangnon tribals that wandered near her starting colony. One major Lasangnon chieftain, Datu Saripada, was the first to wage war on what he saw as brazen intruders. Jarl Hiltrud would defeat numerous war parties and would come to defeat the cheiftain himself at the battle of Roteswasser during -, --, 1003. Datu Saripada's village was taken over by the jarl and a quarter of the defeated lasangnon were butchered, the rest taken prisoner or subjugated. Several Datus would follow in declaring war against the Luchmairish invaders and their Human associates. The colony was only seen fit as a small plantation of local opium plants and cash crops during its first few years. However under the rule of Hiltrud the Mad's son, Jarl Harold, several prospectors discovered valuable iron reserves crisscrossing the country. A great mining boom enveloped the country. Turning the small duchy into a heavily populated mining territory. Thus the Duchy would recieve its name. Eisengard, the realm of iron.

The next 200 years have seen Eisengard faced off and traded with neighboring jarls. Switching fueds and alliances with each generation. The twisting and shifting wars and trade pacts lured many mercenaries to the region. Turning the Realle sea into a luxurious oportunity for freelance soldiers and marines. The situation became chaotic for the traders who were mostly Human. They were forced to hire additional sentries for their trade ships. It caused major discontent with the merchant-class who were rising steadily in power. In -, --, 1203 Jarl Otwin appointed a prominant Human merchant to oversee domestic affairs while he focused on his skirmishes with the duchy of -----. This merchant was Ferdinand Merkkellorne. He was given the title of kolonialmarshal, allowing him govern the day to day operations of Eisengard. He seemed to be a loyal servant of the jarl and the jarl's guards and spies never found any reason to suspect him of treason. However Ferdinand had secretly been building alliances with the Lasangnon natives. He had spent a considerable amount of time studying their culture, customs and religion. He hired liasons to make contact with notable Lasangnon community leaders. In -, --, 1203 Ferdinand would gain their trust by secretly converting to Posdalism with several prominent Lasangnons as witness. In the coming months Ferdinand along with his Lasangnon planned to overthrow Luchmeyer rulers of the isle.

However Ferdinand's plans were placed in peril during -,--, 1204. One of Ferdinand's Lasangnon allies, Bastian Hartmann was arrested by the local authorities for suspension of treason.

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Rolls:
Land Area: 11-5=6
Land Fertility: 13
Social Development: 10
Technological Development: 20-6=15
Land Power: 11+6=17
Naval Power: 11+3=14
Economy: 6+2=8
Magical Reserves: 14
Magical Sophistication: 14

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Name of Nation:

Astalian Republic, or simply Astalia.

Motto:

Former: To Greatness, with Honor
Current: One Heart, Ten Thousand Spears (Often shortened to "One Heart")

Capital City: Hautmont

Territorial Claims: Astalia is located between the Quat'i Al-Qarikha territory to the south, and the Tsardom av Kinier to the north. It considers all land in the space in-between to be within its sphere of influence. It also claims several small islands and territories, mainly to serve as naval repair and resupply docks.









Foreign Relations:

Yuukoma: Capitulation Agreements, Protection Agreement
Dastria: Trade Agreement, Sea Protection Pact

Rolls:
Land Area: 9-3=6 (swapped)
Land Fertility: 2+8=10
Social Development: 14+3=17
Technological Development: 19 (swapped)
Land Power: 20
Naval Power: 20-7=14
Economy: 11
Magical Reserves: 6
Magical Sophistication: 6

Name of Nation: The Knights of the God once Revered and now Burned and Forgotten

Territorial Claims:

Species: The Croxen are the ruling species within the Order. They are large and resemble Bipedal Crocodiles, they are approximately 8 feet tall on average and 800-1000 pounds. They are often hunched in appearance and they speak in an odd mix of hisses and language that is very hard to speak and understand. The Croxen can hold their breath for a very long time and are naturally very strong, but they are not great at long distance travel on land, but can swim at a very quick pace.

Religion: The Croxen worship an entity known as The Burned one (his true name lost to time) the Croxen have claimed that The Burned one shall one day manifest and take control of their state and lead them to an age of greatness. The Croxen believe that The Burned one was the one that raised their species into what it is now, from smaller crocodilian creatures inhabiting the regions where Croxen are native. The native wildlife of the Morion region is very prone to change in odd forms.

Population: 40,582,395
Less than 1 million in other species live on our coasts, in what is known as The Free cities.

Culture and Society: The Croxen culture is based around family and competition, the population will often host games of physical might and brawls, and even the state hosts games every year. The Croxen do not marry but they tend to stay together at least until any offspring they had, have reached maturity and they tend to have family gatherings at least once a year if not more.

The Croxen consider male’s and females equal in just about everything, they get paid the same amount and are both allowed to be soldiers, officers and are eligible for the same political roles.

Government: The Croxen are led by a Monarch that is chosen from the previous leaders children through a contest of physical prowess. The current Monarch is King Athrigoa, he is large and brutish upon first glance, but can be very thoughtful and creative when the situation calls for it. Below the Monarch are a great deal of advisors and governors, many of which are related to or are close friends with the ruling monarch, but previous Monarchs have brought foreign advisors into their courts before.

History: The Croxen were a tribal society until relatively recently (being roughly a few centuries ago). The Croxen history only goes back roughly 800 years which is believed to be when the Order was formed. The Croxen tribes were unified roughly 800 years ago after a series of inner conflicts and alliances that has resulted in many years of unity and an almost completely united people. The very few external conflicts in Croxen history have mainly been by accident or misunderstanding, due to the croxen language being very difficult to understand.

Economy: The orders mountains are full of resources such as gold, silver, iron and coal. These vast deposits of resources allow the Croxen to fuel an ever growing industry. The Croxen currently use a gold and silver backed currency officially but many outlier areas mainly deal in traded goods and services.

Army: The army of the Croxen consists primarily of . The Croxen Army is Primarily designed for defence and has many small forts and outposts scattered throughout the territories of the order and a small number within the People’s Union of Rodentia.

Navy: The Croxen navies are relatively small and with less of a focus on ships of the line, and more light ships such as frigates. The Croxen navy only has a handful of heavy ships that are old but very well maintained and updated.

Traits:

Foreign Relations:
Luchmeyern: The Order, and Luchmeyern have become necessary allies, due to the gradually increasing anti monarchist sentiments. Though their alliance has been unsteady at times it has persisted.
People's Republic of Rodentia: The Order is the overlord of Rodentia but it allows many freedoms towards its subject, and only demands small amounts of tribute for its protection.

The Dastrian Confederation: The New Alkadion Accords- The accord was signed after a short war that ended with the Croxen becoming the overlord of Rodentia. The pact acts as a mix of a demilitarization of the Rodentian-Dastrian border and a regional defence pact.

Rolls: Land Area: 14
Land Fertility: 1+8=9
Social Development: 13-3=10
Technological Development: 19
Land Power: 14+2=16
Naval Power: 10-4=6
Economy: 14
Magical Reserves: 2
Magical Sophistication: 13-3=10

Name of Nation:
The Yuukoman Principality

Territorial Claims:
Yuukoma is primarily located in Southwest Yarhezev in a land known as Lodis. They historically had a larger Empire, encompassing much of modern day Tanwir and Chev, along with the northwest coast by the desert. Following the Great Yuukoman War, Yuukoma lost these territories and was forced to renounce their claims.

Species:
Yuukoma’s largest demographic are the Yuukomite wolves, constituting 50% of the population. 30% of the population are Lodis Demons. 10% are humans. The remaining 10% are others.

Population (total and by species):
30 Million Total
15,000,000 Wolf Folk
900,000 Lods Demons
3,000,000 Humans
3,000,000 Others

Government:
Yuukoma is an absolute monarchy. There are two main administrations: the Military administration and the Civil administration. In both cases, the Exalted Prince is the highest authority. The civil administration is based on the rule of the local provinces and their individual characteristics. The military administration is concerned largely with the core territories of Yuukoma.

As a governing body, the House of Yuukoma holds absolute authority, and the members of the dynasty are considered the most important people in all of the Empire. They are thought of as divine, and this is written in Yuukoman laws. The Imperial Harem is the secluded residence of the Exalted Prince’s concubines and their servants. It is a symbol of the Exalted Prince’s power, wealth and sexual prowess. It also served as a school to educate its members into various roles needed by the State, and serve as the counterpart to the Collected. The Collected refers to the various members of the State which have been part of the Collection program: the annual conscription of youths. The promising members are inducted into the State itself and educated similarly to the harem.

Though the Exalted Prince is absolute, duties are delegated to members of the State. The second highest authority in the Empire is the Grand Vizier, followed by the Mother of the Harem. The various ministers and advisors gather in the Divan where they discuss matters of State. There are two divans: The Small Divan and the Large Divan. The small divan is the one that regularly meets almost everyday, composed of only the chief members. This included the Grand Vizier, the Harem Mother, the various Ministers of the State and other personally selected members. They discuss the day-to-day function of the Empire. The large divan is composed of the major figures all across the Empire. Aside from the members of the State, provincial governors, vassal lords, guildmasters, frontier generals, and leaders of the clergy are called upon. The large divan is called only when matters of great significance are put into question. The most notable was Maka’s Large Divan upon his establishment of the Empire.

Culture and Society:
Yuukoman Society is a meritocratic society influenced heavily by patronage. They do not recognize aristocratic families, and there is much social mobility involved. There are four main social classes:

Peasants are the lowest and constitute most of the population

Artisans who encompass people of various specialized professions (smiths, sculptors, artists, gunmakers, merchants, tax collectors, etc.)

Martials, who are a military class encompassing Timariots and State military

And finally Intellectuals, a class for scientists, judges, philosophers, lawyers, mages, physicians, alchemists, and other high end fields.

Most of society is matriarchal. However the State itself is egalitarian. Men are weaker and softer than the women in Yuukoma, and most domestic duties are given to them. Women make up most of the labor forces and military personnel. Due to the sexual dimorphism with ten woman for every one man, men are allowed to have multiple wives.

Slavery is legal in Yuukoma. In Yuukoma, a slave is not considered property, but subject, one that is defined by being tied to a person, contrasting a serf who is tied to the land. As such, slaves have several rights, and often have a social status equivalent to the status of their master.

Yuukoma’s culture is centred around the concept of pleasure and vices. Rather than see it as an evil to society, Yuukoma instead believes life is about pursuing pleasures and desires. This has made Yuukoma seem like a nation of decadence. To look “desirable” is a cultural phenomenon.

History:
Yuukoma is descended from tribes who split of from Volstrun around a thousand years ago. They were a nomadic people who were accustomed to a life of war. This trait was what led them to the land known as Lodis, where the Loddisian Empire ruled.

The Empire of Lodis was in turmoil following a 20-year anarchy without an Emperor, and in the power struggles Prince Yuuko, founder of the Yuukoman tribe, offered himself as a mercenary to General Korpoli, one of the rebels against the Lodis throne. Over the course of the war, Korpoli was killed, plunging his region into chaos. It was Prince Yuuko who emerged as the dominant figure in here, and established the first state of Yuukoma.

Over the course of the next century, Yuukoma’s hold began to expand usually at the expense of Lodis. It was not only through military conquest, but also diplomacy and tolerance. Following typical Xani traditions, many of Yuukoma’s conquests were allowed to keep their own local cultures and traditions in exchange for recognizing Yuukoma as their overlord. This proved very effective in gaining supporters, as Lodis by comparison was less tolerant and their growing weakness meant many in their former Empire would rather side with the rising star that was Yuukoma. Many nobles of Lodis also defected to Yuukoma, feeling that their chances at wealth, land and glory would be better with the energetic Yuukoma than it was with the ailing Lodis.

Yuukoma then conquered the capital of Lodis: Arcanum. In a siege that took two months, Exalted Prince Maka entered the capital and proclaimed the beginning of the Yuukoman Empire, and he renamed Arcanum into Yucekent, which would be his eternal capital. Following that, Yuukoma continued to expand in all directions, until it was the largest Empire in the Southwestern continent, occupying much of what would be the Chev Leage and Tanwir Confederacy, along with the Al-Ham coastline by the desert.

Conflict with their fellow wolves, the Voldyuki, would mark Yuukoma’s territorial zenith. Following the reign of Amika, subsequent Yuukoman Princes would have less of a presence with the rise of the bureaucratic court. Yuukoma was focusing more on consolidating its empire in the following centuries, having a more defensive stance as it built up its domestic policies.

The status quo would continue until the reign of Emna. Jealous of the vast conquests of his predecessors, Emna would launch new invasions against the surrounding nations. Emna would conquer many territories for the first half of his reign, and he saw himself as Maka the Conqueror reborn. He, however, underestimated the scale of the coalition forming against Yuukoma as a result of his wars. When Emna launched an invasion on Tanwir to capture its capital city, Vodyuki riders broke through the center of his Empire and split the army in two. Then the entire coalition invaded Yuukoma from multiple fronts, starting the Great Yuukoman War. Over the course of the war, Prince Emna was captured. The loss of their Prince caused panic in the Yuukoman court, and this impeded their ability to form a coherent defensive strategy. After three years of war, Yuukoma lost much of its territory, reduced back to Lodis.

Yuukoma was in turmoil following this catastrophe. During this time, Yuukoma saw four Exalted Princes in quick succession, often little more than scapegoats and puppets for the State. It was not until Exalted Prince Izana when effective reform began to take place. Downsizing the military while also enacting a free trade policy while also lifting bans on certain commodities allowed Yuukoma to enjoy a budget surplus. Much of that money was used to quickly pay for reparations and to repair the country after the war, restoring the people’s faith in Yuukoma. Prince Izana also adopted a practice of demilitarization of the population, focusing instead on improving relations with other nations, even their former enemies. As a show of humility, Izana changed the official title of Yuukoma from that of Empire into Principality.

Since then, Yuukoma has transformed into a bureaucratic state focusing on domestic improvement and international trade and relations. The ministers and officials of the state became more important during Izana’s exhaustion causing him to retreat into his homes more often. Though small scale conflict by the borders and seas continue, Yuukoma no longer undertakes large scale military operations. They have been looking largely to improve their image to the world by making new allies, while also extending the capitulation treaties to further incentivize trade with the principality. Domestically, there have been greater efforts to “Yuukomanize” the citizens, so that the population of Yuukoma would be tied greater to the will of the State. The process is very slow, as the tribals and peasants of the country were never too bothered with the will of the State.

Izana eventually retired, and succeeding him is the young Eris.

Economy:
Following Izana’s reforms, Yuukoma has become very wealthy. The principality’s location ensures that it’s a common avenue of trade, acting as middlemen between western and eastern trade. To further incentivize trade, Yuukoma practices “Capitulation Treaties” which allow foreign nations to establish their own communities in the Yuukoman Empire, where the law of their nation takes place, in return the nation ensures trade relations with Yuukoma.

Wheat is the most common staple crop. Much of the farming is subsistence farming, with only specific areas tasked with surplus farming to feed the large cities of Yuukoma. Tribal elements of the country feed off the land, and have made certain parts of the land uncultivated as a result.

Yuukoma grows cash crops to trade in the market. This includes tea, incensce, silk, tobacco, spices, wine, cotton, and drugs. Yuukoma, due to the abundance of pastoral tribes, also are rich in wool, dairy, and furs. Notably, Yuukoma grows their own trademark spice called the “Venus Spice '' which add a savory flavor to their meals, but also works as an aphrodisiac. It’s most famous effect however is the feminization process, and is largely responsible as to why Yuukoma’s population is very effeminate.

Yuukoma is rich in lumber along its coastline with large forests dotting these places. Yuukoma is also a source of sulfur, saltpetre and charcoal. These three’s abundance in Yuukoma resulted in Yuukoma being one of the first to capitalize on gunpowder weapons, so much so that statues of cannons are a cultural phenomenon. Yuukoma is also a large source of magic rocks.

In terms of production, Yuukoma produces high quality textiles, carpets, clothes, instruments, tableware, glass and firearms. Being a culture based on aesthetic, Yuukoman artisans are some of the best in the world, selling their paintings, sculptures and novels to people worldwide.

Yuukoma largely imports precious metals like silver and gold. They also import iron and coal. They also buy food to further feed their megacities. They also import slaves to keep the State running.

Army:
Yeniceries
Yuukoma’s standing army is the Yeniceries. The Yeniceri army is 100,000 strong, a modest number for Yuukoma whose population exceeds twenty million people. What they lack in size they make up for in quality, as the Yeniceri are trained since childhood and personally cared for by the State itself. They are stationed in the five majors cities, and commanded by Princesses of Yuukoma. The Yeniceries are the elite soldiers of Yuukoma, and are divided into infantry and cavalry. They receive a regular salary, and upon the end of their service they are given pensions in the form of land and servants. The Exalted Prince is their overall commander, but in practice this is often delegated more to the General of the Yeniceries.

The Yeniceries are largely recruited from the Collection program, the annual conscription of youths ages 8 - 12 to be raised and trained as soldiers of the State. Most of the students who graduate become Yeniceri infantry, while the best among them become cavalry. Those who are gifted in non-martial fields can become apprentices of government ministers.

Yeniceri infantry primarily use muskets, but are also trained in more traditional weaponry. The royal bodyguards wield halberds. The cavalry fight as heavily armored cavalry with lance, mace and sword in addition to pistols and carbines. They royal bodyguard cavalry fight alongside the Exalted Prince himself.

Selected infantrymen would often be tasked with wielding more specialized weapons such as the great musket, grenades, hand held mortars, and others. They are given higher pay than usual as compensation for their more demanding tasks.

Humbaraci

Humbaraci, or cannoneers, form a major part of Yuukoma’s arsenal. One of the first countries to capitalize on gunpowder, Yuukoma ever since the reign of Prince Yunko had a military culture centred on gunpowder weapons. The current arsenal of Yuukoma have cannons of many calibres and used for field battles, sieges, coastal defenses, and naval warfare. Yucekent in Yuukomalia and Asuf in Tel Varia are two arsenals that produce cannons primarily, directed by the State itself and therefore unburdened by the problems found in artisan workshops. Yuukoma pioneered the development of gun forts and gunpowder arsenals.

Timariots

The Timariots refer to the people who are given the rights to collect revenue from land in exchange for protecting the land and gathering soldiers for war. Timariots are not professional soldiers like the Yeniceri, and are largely responsible for their own equipment. Most Timariots are cavalry, but there is a lot of variation, especially with the increasing importance of infantry. Timariots answer to their provincial governor.

Timariots are the backbone of Yuukoma’s campaigns, being the largest source of manpower for war. During peace Timariots protect the land allotted to them, while during war Timariots gather soldiers from those lands. The number of soldiers and their equipment depends on the revenue of the land the Timariot holds. Richer Timariots would have more soldiers with better equipment, while poorer Timariots would be the inverse.

Should a Timar fail in his duties, he or she could have their lands taken away by the State for one or two years. Continued failure could be the removal of that person from the Timar class, relegating them to Frontier troops or worse, peasants. A Timar who proves exceptional in their duties could be granted richer lands, and the most outstanding Timars can join the State itself, and be given actual ownership of the land.

Timariot demographics vary, but often are people who already have a martial history even before Yuukoma. They range from old aristocratic families who simply continue their obligation to the State as timars, tribal groups who prove exceptionally effective, and warriors promoted from the Frontier troops.

Frontier Troops

As their name implies, these soldiers operate on Yuukoma’s frontiers. Many of them are warriors of the lower social class, who for whatever reason want to live a martial lifestyle. This can include peasants simply looking for opportunities or riches in war, or the unruly tribal folk who are better to position close to the enemy than anywhere near Yuukoma’s more civilized society. Sometimes they are locals of nearby towns and villages who seek protection inside Yuukoma’s border forts, or mercenaries when the situation at the frontier is more active.

Frontier Troops in peacetime guard Yuukoma’s frontier while launching periodic raids against their enemies. They are largely paid for in plunder, and cost almost nothing to employ. They are armed with whatever weapon they can gather for themselves. During campaigns, it is the duty of the Frontier Troops to guard the logistical train, scout ahead, perform skirmishing and harassing actions, mark roads for travel, and, when push comes to shove, act as cannon fodder.

Mercenaries

Like any State, Yuukoma also employs mercenaries. They are notable however for housing the Headquarters of the Order of the Bannerets, the monastic mercenary group. Yuukoma had relied on the Bannerets greatly during their uprising years, and although the Yeniceries have largely replaced the Bannerets as Yuukoma’s elite troops, they are still a prestigious group given many privileges in Yuukoma’s territories.

Navy:

The Yuukoman Navy is concerned largely with the protection of its coasts and merchant vessels, particularly in the turbulent Sea. Yuukoma has a large navy, but it’s quite outdated. They are efficient in coastal protection and transport, but are not built for attritional engagements with other navies. Many are built with speed in mind, to quickly catch pirates while also quickly escaping enemy ships.

Yuukoma pays many privateers to conduct piracy and raiding actions against other nations without advertising Yuukoma. Many of these piracy actions are to control the trade around their sea, while also a source of bringing back slaves to the principality.

Traits:

Divine Dynasty (balanced): The Yuukoman dynasty is deified in the eyes of the people. As their gods on earth, the Yuukoman members are a form of meta-beings capable of using magic while also being stronger than mere people, with a long lifespan. However, the overt focus on the royal family means that no one else in Yuukoma can use magic.

Healthy Population (positive): Part of the Divine Dynasty’s powers is the purification of water. This allows very clean water to flow in the large cities. Furthermore, Yuukoma focuses greatly on hospitals and the sewage system, keeping their cities pristine. This makes the Yuukoman population less susceptible to diseases.

Marauding Tribes (balanced): Tribes regularly settle in and out of Yuukoma. These tribes are often a warrior people who can serve Yuukoma as fierce and fearsome troops, but these very same traits combined with their unruly nature makes them a headache to handle.

Entertainment and Charities (balanced): Keeping the population content is a priority of the Yuukoman State. Performers come daily in many forms to perform for the public, and the hospices and soup kitchens are prioritized in stocks to feed the large populations of the cities. This makes the people content, and helps reduce dissent. However such undertakings are expensive, and pulls funds away from other aspects of Yuukoman society.

Soft and Artistic People (balanced): Following Izana’s rule, most Yuukomans are dedicated to aesthetics and pleasures. Many are pleasant to be with, and have a fine eye for arts and literature. However, this makes majority of the population averse to conflict, which hampers their ability to be mobilized for war.

Foreign Relations:

Astalian Republic - Capitulation Treaties
Dastrian Confederation - Capitulation Treaties
Chevroière League - Guarded
Luchmeyern - Capitulation Treaties, Trade League, Royal Relations
Volstran - Guarded but sharing cultural and history
Banerrets - Housing their HQ, Hired to police the borders

Rolls:
Land Area: 13
Land Fertility: 12 (+8)
Social Development: 15 (+3)
Technological Development: 12 (-8)
Land Power: 10
Naval Power: 9
Economy: 20
Magical Reserves: 20
Magical Sophistication: 5 (-7)



Other: Woof Woof

Name of Nation:

The United Communes of Iethus, informally the Communes or Iethus

Territorial Claims:

Iethus stakes most of its territorial claim in the northern half of the eastern continent and is often believed to be mostly frozen wasteland, which is a misconception. While Iethus is naturally cold there is arable land in the south which makes up Iethus’s food production. Iethus also claims some of the territory around it that it does not control, as the chaos of the revolution left other successor states and surrounding neighbors to take Iethus territory.

Species:

As the Communes are one of the few nations who willingly open their borders and accept species of diverse backgrounds and races, the demographics of the nation are in a state of flux but there are a few species who have claimed Iethus as their homeland for a number of centuries that make up the bulk of the population. The Communes are also notable for the amount of cross-species hybrids that exist, as the acceptance of inter-species relationships and the long history of genetic compatibility between the various humanoid races that have claimed Iethus as their home

The first and most prominent of the species that inhabit Iethus are the Llanvese. The simple and most effective way of summing up the Llanvese is that they are anthropomorphic cats. While mostly humanoid, they have a few notable differences that designate their status as a feline species. They do not have normal ears - instead they have cat ears. They also have tails and some Llanvese are born with whiskers. Llanvese also tend to be physically weaker than other humanoids but make up for it with their increased agility and senses, particularly when it comes to eyesight and smell. Llanvese-human hybrids are also fairly common sight in the Communes, as the two species have historically lived within the same areas of Iethus The Llanvese existed mostly in independent clans and tribes within the area that is Iethus before being conquered by the previous monarchical rulers of Iethus.

Humans also have lived within Iethus for most of its known history. They are your standard, boring, meatbags

The third most prominent species that lives within Iethus is the Lusinae. The Lusinae are a species of tall, strong, red-skinned giants ranging from the shortest at 6’1 to the tallest at 7’1
with facial horns across their chins and cheeks that are found primarily in the east of Iethus. They also only ever have black or gray hair, with most Lusinae having grey eyes or incredibly rarely faded green eyes. The Lusinae were historically used as slaves by the previous monarchical regimes of Iethus to mine both metals and magical crystals. Following the beginning of the revolution they were freed by the Llanvese responsible for instigating it and incorporated into the Communes’ political structure.

The fourth and final species that is prominent within Iethus are the Civian. The Civian mostly live in and around the pine forest that borders the frozen wastes in the north of Iethus. The Civian are a blue-skinned, red-eyed, and black hair species that is also humanoid much like the other species that live within Iethus. Civian-humanoid hybrids are far less common however as the Civian tend to keep their own communities This has been a point of contention between the Civians and other species within the Communes, as unlike the Lusinae or the Llavnese the Civians willingly became vassals of the feudal regime of Iethus. They however gladly assisted the Llanvese during the revolution and their head of houses pledged loyalty to the central commune so the fears have mostly faded.

Population (total and by species):

Total Population: 138,223,420

Llanvese - 65,123,050

Human - 31,110,520

Lusinae - 19,236,001

Civian - 17,125,056

Llvanese-Human Hybrids - 3,056,298

Other Hybrids of the four prominent species - 1,456,980

Other - 1,115,515

Culture and Society:

If there is one guiding principle that has helped organize Iethus’s society and culture ever since the revolution, it is the now famous quote laid out by the revolution’s founder, the Llvanese Rina Caileth, which was “If there is one thing this revolution seeks to accomplish above all else, it is total democratic control of all large farms, factories, and mines within all of Iethus.” This quote had guided the formation of the Commune’s government as well as social development. For starters, unlike a lot of other nations, the Commune is guided by democratic principles and social control of resources and the means of production. For most people, this effectively means they get to live comfortable lives as they are paid far better than the workers of other nations, and also have a number of other benefits that are not given to the workers of nations. Quality of life in Iethus has only drastically improved for the average citizen since the revolution.

Democratic control of the means of production also provides the basis for the governance within the Communes. Iethus itself is divided into several different regional governments known as communes. These communes form the basis of managing resources within their respective resources, coordinating with the other regional governments and the national government to effectively distribute resources to where they are needed and keep meeting production goals. Every Commune has a number of elected officials which form the basis of an executive council that makes most of the decisions within their respective area, setting up courts and other government offices, as well as other governmental functions. There is also an elected body of Union representatives, which unlike the executive councils aren’t picked in regional elections but instead elected by workers in their respective industries. This body acts effectively as an advisory one that brings concern and makes sure the demands of each different body of workers are met, while also making sure the executive council does not abuse its power. Some communes, most notably the Civian ones, also incorporate former elements of the regional governments, such as the Civian Houses replacing the executive council in Civian communes, much to the confusion of those outside Communes who see the Civian houses as left over royalty.

At the national level while there are some similarities with the regional governments of the communes there are a few key differences. While there is still a council of elected officials as well as a body of union representatives, there is also an executive known as the Presiding Speaker who oversees the small organized military that the Communes do have as well as being in charge of diplomatic affairs and overseeing the various executive agencies assigned to the Presiding Speaker by the council. The Presiding Speaker is also capable of calling upon the militias to command in emergency and can propose legislation to the council. The council is also far larger and has more power then the regional governments, but to compensate the body of union representatives has far more power as well to overrule their decisions.

On an economic level, no one truly owns any of the means of production. While there are workers who are responsible for managing the logistics parts of the economy and vaguely resemble the upper and middle management of corporations, the rest of corporate structure has been eliminated as well as any form of profit motive. The means of production are operated solely to better the workers and the nation as a whole. Resources are not concentrated but distributed as necessary and excess used to expand and better the nation as a whole. Workers also hold their own meetings and discussions at each factory, mine, and large farm to discuss what the best path for that particular facet is. The management of the economy, along with the generous benefits and welfare programs provided by the Communes, has eliminated any form of poverty within Iethus.

Besides that culture can vary heavily by species and within what commune you are in. The Llanvese for example can be incredibly diverse, as despite the efforts of the feudal regime, the unique cultural backgrounds of each of the Llanvese tribes were never erased. In general however, the Llanvese are a very communal species. What might be considered the traditional family unit doesn’t exist among them, with children being raised by the community as a whole and one “choosing” their family by either marrying a member of it or being selecting one that they feel is right for them. The non-standard family units also tend to intermingle and care about each other far more than what might exist in a standard society. The Llanvese are also open to all types of interspecies and LGBT+ relationships, which has meant that many of the species of the Communes and those who flow through are often accepted into Llanvese communities. Religiously

History:

Economy:

Army:

Navy:

Traits:

The People’s Army - As the Communes are still a relatively new face in the world, their military forces are still organized around the revolutionary militias that were created during the revolution. This isn’t necessarily a downside per say as this means most communes and provinces have citizens that are all armed and ready to defend, but the disorganized nature of the militias as well as the lack of a large standing professional army make it hard for Iethus to coordinate any real kind of offensive. Efforts have been made however to expand the Communes standing army as well as organize the militias in a manner that can be used for an actual offensive.

The People’s Navy - There is a naval office in the capital, it has a few party members that occasionally handle the paperwork of the few fishing boats that are operated by the nation. The Revolution led to the ruling regime to destroy most of the navy and shipyards to prevent the revolutionaries from using them, with the largest of the shipyards still under control of the Imperial Remnant. This combined with the frozen waters made it a daunting task for the ruling government to actually repair the shipyards and operate a true navy, despite the economic strength of the Communes.

Rare reserves - The extensive mining by the previous feudal regimes has left the larger deposits of magical crystals in Lusinae lands nearing depletion, with the Communes having declared a ban on their mining to prevent the spread of taint in the area. With this in mind, the Commune is reliant on their reserves in the North, which has proven to be difficult to achieve and access due to the frozen nature and inability of mining equipment to reach these deposits. Without access to these deposits the Communes have been left with less than average reserves, and have also struggled to further their development of magitech.

Workshop of the World - While the destruction of and mistakes of old regimes have left Iethus in a poor spot in some areas, where Iethus has truly dominated is it’s economy. Despite their extensive unions and benefits for workers, Iethus remains an economic juggernaut, in large part due to its industry. After the conclusion of the revolution, Iethus guided the originally mishandled industrialization efforts of the old regime towards a worker-centered one that emphasized communal control of the factories. This much more benevolent effort made industrialization a far smoother process on Iethus and allowed them develop into a strong economy. This, in combination with their mineral reserves, has made them one of the pre-eminent industrial powers in the old world.

The Civian Elite Guard - The Civian have always been a proud military people, and their contribution to the revolution involved the famous Elite Guard. This small but dedicated force is one of the mostly highly trained in the world, and while they use to be answerable only to the Civian Houses, they are now under the personal command of the Presiding Speaker to be used as seen fit.

Foreign Relations:

Rolls: (Rolled by GM in the Discord Server. Just ping me, and I’ll roll as soon as I’m able.)

Land Area: 16 - 1 = 15
Land Fertility: 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 10
Social Development: 17 - 1 = 16
Technological Development: 16
Land Power: 15 - 2 = 13
Naval Power: 1
Economy: 20
Magical Reserves: 10 - 2 = 8
Magical Sophistication: 11 - 1 = 10



Other: