[CHAR] A Gilded Throne - A Shadow Looms (Closed)

[GreivousKhan]

Imperial NS

House Name:(self-explanatory, just keep in mind these are generally last names)

Head of House:(This is the Arch Elector of the imperial province your House rules over, they manage the state as well as oversee family affairs often acting as that houses leader.)

House Specialty: (Each House has favors a certain skill, or possess some unique ability. For example, one House might breed superb horses, while another are expert traders/bankers or sailors, master armorsmiths/weaponsmiths or gifted in magic etc.)

House Ancestral Artifact: (These artifacts are ancient family heirlooms that grant a unique power onto its wielder. No one quite remembers their origin but it is rumoured that Kammeth himself forged them and gifted them to the generals who fought with Lalaifia. These can be magical weapons from a flaming sword to a bow that conjures arrows to even a stave of some power. Be mindful not to make these items broken or OP. I will be looking over these carefully but if in doubt hit me with a PM on any unorthodox ideas you might have. )

Important Members:
(You don't have to list every member of your house, those with great influence or positions of power should be here however or anyone else you deem important for your own plots.)

Nation/Realms Name: (This is the name of the province you control, and note this is separate from your Noble Houses name. )

Sigil: (Your house's sigil or crest oft used to identify them on the battlefield or while traveling.)

Flag: (This is different from your House's Sigil as it is the coat of arms for your province/county.)

House Motto:(Your house's famous saying, this is in fact optional, in case 'Winter Be Coming" is all you can think of.)

Region/color on map: (for map placement)

Race name: (self explanatory; think of them as what a cultural group would use to identify themselves.)

Racial appearance: (Should include height, weight, skin and hair color. The races of men are more like minor ethnic groups but can still vary vastly. Something like the races of Men in Elder Scrolls. There is no 'Human' race as it were.)

Racial traits: (Most known abilities associated with these people, these are often rather minor, such as one people being known for seamanship, another for their preference toward martial discipline, over brute force and maybe another for their love of crafting.)

Capital:(Your house's Seat of Power, this is the land your House has a De jure claim to)

Capital Population: (Keep it reasonable)

Other Major Settlements: (These will often be the capital of those Barons, or Dukes who answer to you. Or other major settlements of note or strategic value.)

Population: (Again keep it reasonable; if in doubt use medieval demographics to get an idea, the map has a mile ratio for this reason. )

Culture:(The Customs, Arts, Fashion, and beliefs unique to these people.)

Type of Government: (Succession Laws and form of Governing/Titles used)

Influence and relations: (Any alliances or military pacts with another family? Perhaps born of marriage ties? Any sworn enemies? Work with other players if you seek one ahead of the RP if you so desire.)

Military -
(Details on the amount and types of men available. Any war vessels from navies, go here as well, it would be important to note as this is a Middle age Setting that relies largely on levies, few have the funds for a standing army, aside from the Phoenix Throne.)

Unit demographics: (heavy infantry, marksman, etc and their equipment/training, remember no army in real life was ever able to field a fully rounded all capable army. Sometimes a lack of something makes it more interesting.)

Landscape:(What do your lands look like?)

Wildlife:(Optional)

Economy: (How well off is your county? Poor? Rich and prosperous? Somewhere in the middle?)

Religion: (As stated before Kammeth is the primary god of the Empire and will by default be what the majority of the people worship or follow *excluding special circumstances*. Worship of deities outside of the Sky pantheon is greatly discouraged IC. You can however, create a deity of your own making from within that Patheon, or if you feel ballsy, add in any minor cults that exist. Perhaps even your family secretly worships other gods not sectioned by the Empire? Be mindful that heresy is frowned upon by the Church and you might have the Inquisition breathing down your neck if they catch a whiff of heresy on you, but if you want to make a storyline in that direction go right ahead!) (Tip, don’t piss of whoever is the Arch Dawnbringer!!!)

History: (At least the past couple generations, include conflicts, major upheavals, wars, etc. You can overlook this part and fill it in as the Roleplay progresses in order to work with other players for maximum cohesion.)

Strengths: (Similar to House specialty, but often larger in scope, this could include an abundance of a resource, or the inability to field an army of much size. )

Weaknesses: (At least two, and they have to be real disadvantages, you can't really say you have a terrible navy if you're landlocked.)

Export: (Major goods that this region/nation provides, no more than five resource types to keep people from providing everything on their own)

Import: (No realm is totally self-sufficient, you surely need something ^^)

(Only two Nordheim slots left)

Nordheim NS

The Tribes of the North are a very different playstyle to the Houses and their sheet reflects this. They can gear toward war more easily but, can just as quickly falter and fall apart from fragmentation. Feed the warbands with plunder or watch them eat each other alive.

The main difference between the Houses of the Empire and the tribes of the north is their manner of rule. The Nordheim only recognize the strong and will never follow a man or women merely because of birthright. They do not recognize noble blood nor do they follow a tradition of voting for their ruler. Typically those who wish to rule most prove themselves in some manner of contest either a duel, wrestling and defeating all challengers, or other contest of skill that depends on the tribe. Even the most organized of the tribes of the north are limited to elective gavelkind succession in where their lands and holdings are split among their sons.

The tribes are also much more mobile than those of the south. Capable of migrating when the need arises. It is also not unheard of for sons to challenge their fathers for position if they believe they can win.

Jarl(ess): (The name of your ruler, and main character)

God: (The Nordheim follow a pantheon of gods much unlike their southern brethren, these gods play an active role in their lives, see the appeasement section under the god to know what acts will grant you unique blessings. The form these take depend on the god, but may include calm seas, or a sudden storm to cover a tribes retreat.)

Clan and Kin: The minor characters of your clan, such as your spouse, children, and vassals or housecarls. A Jarl typically has up to two Arls serving under him, as well as a number of Thanes, the Nordic version of Knights, and Thralls or slaves.)

Dynasty Bio: (A brief description of your tribes rule and history. Unlike other kingdoms, the strong rule in Nordheim rather than bloodlines, so it may be typical to see power being shared by many different families over the course of the generations.)

Tribe Bio: (A description of your tribe, their successes, defeats, or grudges.)

Military: (A generous word for the warbands that fight under a chosen Jarl, Tribes of the North are unique in that the more success they are met with the more Northmen will flock to their banner over time. Even once enemy tribes will join you if they believe loot is to be had. Win enough and perhaps you will become the next High King! Fail and...well come what may.)

PM me any questions you have or post it in chat.

[Little Bill]

House Cragmore

House Name
House Cragmore

Head of House
Kenten Cragmore, King of Erayis and Keeper of The Highlands

House Specialty
Diregoat Shepherds and Handlers
House Cragmore gained their wealth, which in turn gave them their rule of Stormgully and later all of Erayis, by breeding goats. House Cragmore's ancestral seat Stonereach is just as much of a fortress as it is a goat farm, and is the sole remaining source of diregoats, which have been extinct in the wild for generations. Cragmores have a natural affinity for the beasts, and though they are tempermental creatures to most untrained laymen, diregoats naturally follow orders from those with Cragmore blood.

House Ancestral Artifact
The Mace and Shield of Craggan
Though they are only magical when wielded together, The Mace and Shield of Craggan have been in recorded texts for "calling down great storms of lightning". In reality, however, the two serve as little more than a farming tool, as they call forth great rainclouds. The Mace of Craggan is a steel flanged mice, decorated at the hilt with the gilded bones of Craggan's own diregoat, Stonebiter. Those outside of the Cragmore bloodline find it is uncomfortably heavy for a one-handed mace, though Cragmores are able to wield it as if it were hollow. The Shield of Craggan is similarly heavy to those outside of the bloodline and light to Cragmores, and is decorated around its circular rim with more of Stonegrinder's gilded bones. The inscription on the handle reads "We Will Withstand", the words of House Cragmore.

Important Members
₅₂ King Kenten Cragmore
₃₃ Prince Duncan Cragmore
₂₂ Princess Reliwen Cragmore
₂₀ Prince Benjamin Cragmore
₁₇ Prince Melvan Cragmore
₁₆ Princess Sofia Cragmore
₁₅ Prince Harper Cragmore

Nation/Realm Name
Erayis

Flag


House Motto
We Will Withstand

Region/color on map
Navy

Race name
Erayan

Racial appearance
Those from Erayis are usually somewhat short, with ruddy complexions, dark hair, and brown or green eyes. They tan rather than burn, though they are more likely to turn pink-brown in the sun than copper. They frequently have jagged or pointy teeth, though this has more to do with genetics than dental care.

Racial traits
Aside from their love of Harberry leaves, the people of Erayis simply aren't known for much. Though they are some of the best shepherds in Ethica, this is hardly a boastful statement. They are a very hardworking, if somewhat dry and humorless people.

Capital
Stormgully
Named for the frequent rainstorms as a result of Cragmores of the past dueling with their ancestral mace, Stormgully is one of Erayis's most wealthy provinces. While still a fairly small city, Stormgully boasts some of the region's most impressive glassware and stonemasonry.

Capital Population
7000

Other Major Settlements
Blackpool
The largest city in Erayis, Blackpool is a port for business and trading as much as it is a port for crime. Though Kenten's harsh laws have put thousands of smugglers into salt mines, Blackpool remains one of the most crime-laden cities in Erayis, with near-lawlessness in some parts of the city brought on by the corrupt rule of the region's lord, Harold Blackburn.

Tanshire
Tanshire is a small city by the edge of Erayis's mountainridge. It is home to many skilled tinsmiths, goldsmiths, and jewelers. Tanshire's largest mountain, Mount Glimdir, is home to more gemstones and precious metals than any other mountain in Erayis.

Fairfield
With a population just over one thousand, Fairfield is the largest village in Erayis. They supply a great deal of the country with cheese and meat, as well as fur, pelts, and other products of their local sheep and rams. They are ruled by the softspoken Lord Percival of House Godfrey.

Darrend
Darrend is a city carved into the mountains on Erayis's north-western border. It is ruled by the famously brutish House Darry, whose words are "Let Them Come", and whose sigil is a freely bleeding barbarian's head on a pike. Unsurprisingly, they manage a Erayis's few river-outposts to ward off the rare river-travelling northern barbarian, and supply a great deal of Erayis's guards and soldiers.

Population
100,000

Culture
Erayans are a hardy people who are as tough and simple as the lands they reside in. Aside from rarely getting sick, the countrymen of Erayis have few racial talents, and are a rustic sort who care for little of the world outside of their homeland. At best, they are viewed by outsiders as tight-knit and hardworking, and at worst they are seen as xenophobic and dim. Most are farmers, shepherds, or miners -- There is a dwindling "middle class" of merchants and artisans, though with Erayis's rise in crime and taxation, more and more move elsewhere every day.

Fensure
The village of Fensure has among the lowest populations in Erayis, having grown around House Conrad's now-abandoned coal mine. It is ruled by House Conrad, which has dwindled to a sole member, James Conrad -- Erayis' prime elector, a position granted to him by Kenten Cragmore several years ago after being bribed with the remaining Conrad fortune.
Type of Government
Monarchy

Influence and Relations
House Duvard
House Cragmore has a long-standing trade agreement with House Duvar, giving them salt and the majority of Erayis' mined precious gems and metals in exchange for large quantities of iron and fish. In an attempt to boost relations, Benjamin Cragmore recently sent Guillame Duvard a neutered diregoat kid for his sixteenth birthday.

House Valian
Benjamin Cragmore spent his youth in Ebonheart, becoming close friends with Elias, Lucius, and Imara Valian, who he is currently betrothed to. Valian and Cragmore have a very strong trade relationship, as Xandria now recieves more of Erayis's salt than any other country.

House Borvringska
Fifteen years ago, Kenten Cragmore drunkenly lost his family's ancestral mace to King Borvringska in a round of "Hen and chicks", a popular children's game involving eggs, played similarly to bocce. Angry about his loss, he later challenged Borvringska, wagering his disabled son Harper and intentionally losing, forcing King Borvringska to sire him until his youth.

House Tallurian
After House Tallurian took Kenten's offer to marry his son Melvan off to one of their daughters as an insult, relations have been fewer and colder.

House Gracieux
Elouan Gracieux is currently staying in Stonereach as ambassador between Violette and Erayis, though he was only granted this position in order to spend time with Sofia Cragmore, whom he is madly in love with.

Military
The military of the region is mostly devised between infantry and ram-based cavalry. Archers are well regarded given altitude and hunting culture, but are not as esteemed as those in Xandria. With that said, the region has a staunch history for using their environmental advantage for guerrilla combat, and it has been said that Erayis has won their wars "Not with swords and shields, but with very large rocks on very tall ledges". Aside from their guerrilla tactics, Erayis is known for The Black Herd, a contribution to their military from their ruling house.

The Black Herd is a specialized cavalry of diregoats, which are only bred by House Cragmore and not found anywhere in the wild -- Although not as swift or agile as horses, diregoats are capable of ramming through shield walls and barricades, as well as traversing hills and mountains without breaking much stride. The Black Herd is also used as a tool of psychological warfare, as historically, the infamous Dread Horns are sounded shortly before the cavalry’s deployment. Because Stonereach's diregoat population is kept low to create a demand for them, The Black Herd is only about 500 goats, though they are notoriously harder to kill than horses.

Landscape
The lands of Erayis are plentiful with timber as well as large depths of mountains, hills, and valleys. Due to Erayis being situated in the middle of The Highlands, the weather is also a bit colder than that of their southern and eastern neighbors. Within these mountains are swathes of metal ore, occasional gemstones, and increasingly rare gold. Moreso than the rest of the mountain's resources combined, however, is salt -- Salt mines make up about 60% of Erayis's mining efforts. The vast rolling hills are also well-known for massive capacities of animal herding (ranging from sheep, ram, cattle, and fowl), hunting (deer, bear, rabbit, duck, and wolf), and general farming; though the winter seasons are harsher than that in the south of Ethica, so harvest seasons are much more regarded.

Economy
Erayis is fairly wealthy, though the upper-class are disproportionately much more wealthy than their peasants, due to Kenten Cragmore's historically high taxes.

Religion
The majority of Highlanders worship Kammeth, though about a quarter of the population worships Gerna, the Goddess of Mining.

Strengths
Strong trade ties
From the frozen reaches of the north to the southernmost tip of Ethica, Erayan salt finds its way into ports and markets. Aside from the many trade ties, Benjamin Cragmore's frequent gift-giving has cemented several long-standing trade pacts with affluent merchants in major cities.

Strong defensive army
Though Erayans have no standing army other than the riders of The Black Herd, there is hardly need for any manner of trained army. Throughout the centuries, Erayans have managed to avoid being colonized despite their country's small size and wealth of natural resources through the use of guerrilla tactics. Nearly all Erayans are taught of their village's mountain's network of tunnels in adolescence -- Such secret tunnels are labyrinth-like structures that go deep into the earth, stockpiled with weapons left behind from forgotten wars. In addition, many Erayan sports and games are designed as practice for Erayan warfare.
_{Rollby, a traditional Erayan game similar to bowling, is played by rolling a polished spherical stone, usually weighing four to five hundred pounds, down a hillside at targets made out of wood.}

Weaknesses
Poor reputation
Kenten Cragmore is known for his infamously cruel taxes, interests in the wives of his smallfolk, hunting convicted criminals -- particularly poachers -- for sport, his shady and often suspect business dealings, and his generally bombastic and crude attitude. One of the Cragmores is crippled, another is retarded, and one is too ugly to ever be married. This, combined with their relatively new affluence stemming from Kenten's slave-labor in the salt mines, leaves many noble houses to believe that the Cragmores are somewhat nouveau riche.

Dependency on trade
All in all, Erayis requires the large amounts of food it receives from the neighboring Xandria to survive. Aside from their sheep, ram, goats, and cows, Erayis is only able to farm grain. As a result, nearly three-fourths of the fruits and vegetables they receive are from Xandria, who receives the bulk of Erayis's traded salt.

Exports
_{In descending order}
Salt
Meat
Cheese
Metalwork
Gemstones
Imports
_{In descending order}
Vegetables
Fruit
Wine
Spice
Harberry Leaves
Tea
Fine Goods

Royal Family

Kenten Cragmore (52)

Simply put, Kenten is the reason most put "The Once-Great" as a prefix to House Cragmore. Born the bastard son of King Ferris Cragmore and a barmaid, Kenten began life as "Kenten Black", being sired at Stonereach with the rest of the Cragmore family. He grew up mean-spirited, unruly, and jealous of the family he never truly belonged to. This, along with his propensity for violence and large frame, made him an obvious suspect in the death of his half-brother Conrad, heir to the throne.

Winning his trial by combat by naming himself as his champion, his aging father Ferris had no choice but to legitimize him, now too old to sire more children. Since then, Kenten has become famous for his wanton cruelty, with taxes highest in Erayis's history, entire generations being born and dying in the salt mines, and peasant revolts becoming more and more frequent. That being said, his use of slave-like conditions in the previously minimally tapped salt mines have made House Cragmore (And several of their vassals) much more wealthy than before.

Duncan Cragmore, (33)

More commonly called "Tall Duncan" by smallfolk, Duncan is the charismatic and well-liked heir of Kenten Cragmore. Though Duncan is far from a skilled ruler, he is a skilled drinker and a skilled brawler, two traits that make him well-liked among Erayan smallfolk. Aside from his large size, he is known for being good-spirited and charitable. Finding his ancestral diregoats to be too finicky and hard to train, he is known for his immense skill on the direram, which is seen in Erayis as "the common man's steed", as diregoats are only bred by the Cragmores. His direram is dinstinctly orange-brown, and is named Rootripper.

He is a jouster who has only been bested twice, inheriting his large size and strength from his father. He has little interest in ruling Erayis, anticipating he will likely put all responsibilities on his small council. Aside from his popularity among smallfolk and jousting skill, he dislikes being questioned or challenged, and has a surprisingly fragile ego for a robust, wealthy prince.

Reliwen Cragmore (22)

Often called the "Second Cragmore Prince" in whispered japes, Reliwen has spent the 22 years of her life honing her martial ability. She knows she is not especially good-looking, nor is she especially clever, but she is definitely skilled. Reliwen's inherited strength makes her better-suited at using a two handed sword than most her age, an advantage she holds whenever sparring in duels. Forsaking the normal life of a princess, she has refused to learn to knit, sing, or even read, devoting her life to swordplay instead. She anticipates she will one day serve as a guard for her older brother Duncan, which she has no qualms with -- She abhors the idea of marriage.

Benjamin Cragmore (20)

The second-in-line heir for the throne, Benjamin is the more level-headed and well-spoken of the Cragmore brothers. What he lacks in Duncan's strength or Melvan's intellect, he makes up for in his connections, as Benjamin has seemingly made allies in every corner of Ethica. It is a well-known "secret" that Benjamin rules House Cragmore behind his father's back, sending out trade agreements, gifts, and other official documents that veto many of his father's orders. Though this has been going on for three years, nobody has yet made Kenten alert of his son's actions, as they have all been more beneficial for all parties involved than any of Kenten's decrees.

Benjamin spent his youth from the ages of ten to seventeen at Ebonheart, being sired with House Valian. It was here that he befriended Ethias, Alexia, Lucius, and most notably, Imara Valian, who he is now betrothed to. After hearing of his mother's death after an attempt at Kenten's life three years ago, he returned home to Stormgully with his diregoat, Pearlpelt.

Melvan Cragmore (19)

Unlike Benjamin or Duncan, Melvan is soft-spoken and sallow. He is the only Cragmore that has not abandoned Kammeth, or even religion as a whole. Having been born sickly, he believes his life was given to him by Kammeth, and follows him unwaveringly, hoping to one day become the first Cragmore Dawnbringer. He enjoys uncharacteristic hobbies for a young nobleman -- Most of his time is spent either in prayer, walking through the nearby forests, or tending to household chores. He believes keeping himself disciplined and occupied will keep him in Kammeth's graces, thinking that to be born to Kenten Cragmore is already a curse enough. He has a fairly noticable limp, and walks with a blackthorn cane, topped with a silver goat's head.

Sofia Cragmore (16)

Sofia Cragmore is the youngest of Kenten's daughters. While not especially beautiful, and not especially clever, she expects that her singing voice is what will grant her a good husband, and rarely raises her voice as a result. Second to her singing is her skill as a harpist, which she is equally proud of. She is closest to her brother Duncan, seeing Reliwen as too manly and unpleasant, Melvan as too quiet, and Benjamin as too serious and prideful of their meager ancestry -- She dislikes her family history as a whole, feeling that an ancestry centered around goats is unladylike and that her father has ruined what remained of the Cragmore name. She hopes to get married soon, if only to distance herself from her house.

Harper Cragmore (15)

Fifteen years ago, Kenten Cragmore drunkenly lost his family's ancestral mace to King Borvringska in a round of "Hen and chicks", a popular children's game involving eggs, played similarly to bocce. Angry about his loss, he later challenged Borvringska, wagering his disabled son Harper and intentionally losing, forcing King Borvringska to sire him until his youth.

The Cragmore family knows little of Harper, and to Kenten, this is more than fine. Born 'different', Harper has trouble vocalizing his thoughts, speaks with a stutter, and has trouble with fine motor skills. Flat-faced and slope-eyed, it is easy to tell he was born with a defect, which garners both pity and disdain from those around him. Although he has the mentioned setbacks, he is unusually talented with swordplay, from fencing to using greatswords. He knows very little of his Cragmore heritage, having been won in a bet with King Borvringska as a newborn.

[Gowi]

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Map

House Valian
The Kingdom of Xandria

[Lord Zee]

-Null-

[ethanjory]

Nation CS

House Name:
House Borvringska

Head of House:
Eldrik Borvringska, Lord of Nordevar and Defender of the Realms of Man

House Specialty:
In accordance to their ancestor, King Borvir the Hammer, House Borvringska and the land that they rule over contain many of the greatest architects and engineers that can be found anywhere in Ethica. Their knowledge of expertise tends to be related to the building of military fortifications, especially those of forts, castles, and more. It's not entirely uncommon for Northern engineers to be commissioned by southern lords to build walls, bastions, and other constructions. In addition, Northerners remain possess soldiers especially skilled in the art of defensive warfare, based on generations of repelling Nordheim raids from the Webwood. As such, they are able to make the most out of their terrain, and it would be much more difficult to burst through a their heavy infantry when compared to armies of equal strength.

House Ancestral Artifact:
House Borvringska has existed as the ruling house of Nordevar since after the Age of Strife, predating the empire by thousands of years. Therefore, their artifact wasn't bequeathed to them as a gift due to their participation in those wars, but far before, during the building of all of these great fortifications that now exist throughout Ethica. This artifact is a warhorn called the Horn of Borvir, made from the bone of a giant and decorated with many sophisticated runes, and serves the purpose of lighting all the beacons within the many watchtowers scattered throughout the Gray Spine, as well as activating the magical wards woven into these constructions that aid in repelling the vilespawn. Finally, when used, it gifts all men who hear it with strength and vigor, enabling to fight far longer than they would have been able to do without. It lays within the possession of the Lord of Nordevar, only to be used when the Wall of the North is on the verge of being overrun, and as such, has only been used a few times within recorded history.

Important Characters:
Eldrik Bovringska, 42
Kresimir Borvringska, 15
Jahn Borvringska, 29

Nation/Realm Name:
Nordevar (Commonly referenced as The Northern Reaches, or The Far Reaches throughout southern Ethica)

Sigil:


Flag:
N/A

House Motto:
Vigilance

Region/Color on the Map:
Slategray

Race Name:
Northmen/Northerner

Racial Appearance:
Northmen tend be much more bulkier than other races, if only due to the environment that they live in, which tends to have long, harsh winters and short, cool summers. They also tend to be much fairer of skin and hair than their southern counterparts, and are on average, quite a bit taller, giving them a favorable physique to be soldiers, which is quite favorable in a region that is very harsh and constantly raided. Overall, imagine a Scandinavian appearance.

Racial Traits:
Northerners make excellent warriors due to their instilled societal values and the constant threat of raiding. Therefore, the men of the north have far real military experience then the southern provinces, though this is only against inexperienced raiding parties, though it still knowledge than many other realms aren't offered. Moreso, they remain excellent builders of fortifications, and are in demand quite frequently in other provinces when such constructions are necessary. Due to their general distrust of southern affairs, it's exceedingly rare to see Northerners live in the south of their own accord, especially if they're not working as a mercenary or engineer.

Capital"
Last Vigil
A great city built right into the Wall of the North, it was constructed as the seat of Borvringska kings as a continual reminder of their duty to guard the realm against all odds. Great towers make up it's architecture, as well as some of the most impressive defenses in all of Nordevar. It has become a fortress in it's own right, though it is unfortunately doomed to fall if the wall itself is compromised, it serves as a chilling reminder of what is at stake should the North fall in their ancient duty.

Capital Population:
25,000

Other Major Settlements:

Population:
513,350

Culture:
Due to a wide variety of different factors, the northern provinces of the empire has become greatly different than their counterparts in the south. A large part of this may stem from a lack of actual wealth, at least compared to the thriving economies of the south who generally have much more exploitable and profitable resources at hand. Therefore, this has created a society that places less emphasis on personal or societal wealth but more on character and family units. It's quite clear why Northmen value honor, duty, and trustworthiness as significant positive traits and greatly downplay greed, lying, and personal gain. Furthermore, the militant culture instilled into Northerners is hardly shocking either, due to prevalent raids upon them as well as an almost inner motivation to follow the example and vision of King Borvir. In terms of their favorability to the empire, they are partially reliant on imperial support to keep the garrisons at the northern border completely full, although such support has laxed over the recent years and put strain on the northern lords to do so themselves. It's of no question that northerners are committed to defending this northern border, but, at the same time, they do expect to have a reasonable amount of support from the south to do so, considering that the bulk of the military engagements on the continent are within this region.

Most live away from the few centers of population, and end up eking out a living as a farmer or hunter, all while under the protection of the noble lord who owns the land that hey live on. Though this certainly doesn't stop many from living from forming fortified village, especially along the coast, as a precaution to the raiders who choose to avoid the great wall and try the luck by sea. There is a series of beacons built along the coast for this very purpose, but they were built directly to contest with these raiders, long after the death of King Borvir. The greatest taboos consist of kinslaying and violating guest right, emphasizing the value that they put into honor.

Type of Government:
For thousands of years Nordevar has existed under the very common system of feudalism, with several major noble houses are subject to House Borvringska. They include House Estrav of Southgate, House Redvari of Reftall, House Heravasa of Estargard, House Jormungar of Nordenvka, and House Ald of Aldfjord, with House Borvringska controlling the territory surrounding Last Vigil. Beyond these capitals, these lords control a considerable amount of land within the area, not including minor lords that happent to be sworn to them. Ultimately, they all pay tribute to House Borvringska, who often has to spend far more time than they wish in settling disputes among these noble families.

Influence and Relationships:
Shoot me a PM for relationships

Military:
The military of Nordevar has always been geared towards defense and not conquest, something established by King Borvir the Hammer himself. Because of this, this makes these northern troops some of the best on the continent when if comes to defense, especially when it comes to holding fortifications and resisting sieges. Of course, the core amount of the army that Nordevar can raise consists of levies pulled from its many vassal lords, who are actually obligated to provide a sizable amount of men to man critical fortresses on the wall and throughout the rest of the northern territory. In terms of the general makeup of these troops, the majority of them tend to be heavy infantry, since they are greatly favored when it comes to manning the wall. This provides much fewer horsemen, but they do exist, when it comes to flanking and pursuing enemy raiding parties should they avoid the wall and make an effort around the Gray Spines. This makes hitting Nordevar from the north an unimaginable task, but it does leave them rather exposed in the south, where the years of peace has lowered defenses in that region. Also, many indepened military orders have formed themselves as a way to provide better protection in the north. Many of these remain independent, since they provide security for the numerous villages that tend to be fairly isolated from the far more protected centers of population. Others are supported by the Empire or the Borvringskas, and offer a way for soliders of fortune to essentially fill in the spaces that were left by the laxed effort on the border by the southern provinces, as well as a way for mercenaries to get much easier money than they would otherwise.

Unit Demographics:
Much of it's current strength is present on fortifications on the wall and along the coast, though ships are maintained to intercept the occasional long ship that tends to slip through during the spring. By no means does this mean Nordevar has the capability to make the claim that they are any kind of naval power, and it would be surprising if they possessed more than a dozen ships that can actually used for this purpose. Furthermore, these armies aren't strictly experienced in facing conventional forces, but is hardly an issue with the Empire still intact.

Landscape:
As one of the most northern of realms, this leaves much of the landscape cold and mountainous, but when spring comes around, it is suitable for a decent amount of farming. Of course, such crops planted are tough and grow quickly, to take the fullest advantage of the short springs and summers. Other notable features consist of forests, hills and the fertile valleys that run off of the mountains, that provide a source of considerably better farming, but the climate still poses the same problem. It is no doubt much colder than the rest of the continent, but it has been settled for thousands of years, which have given those who live there much better means of survival than other undeveloped northern realms.

Wildlife:
(Optional)

Economy:
Nordevar isn't poor, considering that their land is far more developed than other northern realms, but he output of their economy is dominated by common product, such as fish and grain. So, this limits them to being a middling economic power, since their economy tends to be overshadowed by the southern provinces.

Religion:
Nordevar doesn't possess the massive temples and shrines that can be found in the south, nor do they believe being a priest is a viable occupation for a man to have, so the limited centers of worship that exist in the north are generally small and simple. Otherwise, the same gods are worshipped as elsewhere in the Empire.

History:
The origins of House Borvringska can be traced back to its founder King Borvir the Hammer, a legendary northern king during the Age of Strife, as well as the years that followed. He is mentioned as a fearsome warrior and general during this war between the gods, but that wouldn't be the ultimate legacy that he would eventually leave behind. He's responsible for the many different fortifications that he was responsible for building that are scattered through Nordevar and even beyond. Of all these constructions, he would be most well known for the massive wall he built guarding the broad Gray Spines mountain pass that opened up to the Webwood. Now known as the Wall of the North, it is over 40 miles long, 150 feet tall, with many impressive fortresses built into it, all with ancient forgotten magic woven into the stones. Built in response to the end of the Age of Strife, and placed purely for the purpose of defending all of Ethica should the continent ever be threatened again, it now serves Nordevar mostly as a direct defense mechanism against Nordenheim raiders, far less of a threat that originally envisioned. At the base of the wall sits the great city and capital of Nordevar, Last Vigil, a fortress city in its own right, and built as a constant reminder of the duty that every king of Nordevar should be focused upon- the defense of Ethica. However, garrisoning all of the wall is a challenging feat, and a pact called Borvir's Promise was created among many of the kingdoms on the continent. Unfortunately, as the years went on, and no bigger threat then tribal raiders ended up present, fewer and fewer southern realms decided to give their support to the wall, and many of the ancient fortresses remain empty and abandoned, even today, under the Empire's watch.

Borvir's other wonders include the many watchtowers he built into the Gray Spines, serving as a last defense should the wall ever fall, and they all possess the ability to be lit with Borvir's Horn, but like the wall, they have been left abandoned and unused for many years. This includes the greatest of them all, built into the Lone Mountain, far into what is now the Heartlands of the Empire, and when lit, can be seen for hundreds of miles in every direction. Finally, there is the great tomb he built for himself just before his death, and is located on the island of Borvral, and rumors are that many treasures lie within, including his great warhammer from legend. The walls, like his other construction, are magically-infused and cannot be destroyed. There are many stories about how to open them, but many contradict themselves, and can hardly be considered reliable.

As for a true orgins of Nordevar, it essentially did begin with King Borvir, who remained ruler of the last northern kingdom after the onslaught that they faced during the Age of Strife. It was him while serving Kammeth (or Tifune by some accounts) who greatly contributed to the slim victory won by man against the vilespawn. At the end the fighting, before dedicated himself to the building of his great constructions, he carved himself out a kingdom whose sole purpose was to aid in the defense of Ethica, and even though there have times where Nordevar has briefly expanded, this core land has been under the rule of Borvir and his descendents, each with the immense responsibility to hold the northern border from any foreign excursions from beyond. And throughout history, despite a few times where the wall became compromised, they have done just that. This mission, is lived by every Northernman, noble lord, soldier, or not.

Strengths:
Strong Defensive Military
Nordevar possesses one of the most impressive defensive militaries in the world, when having the right amount of terrain or fortification, it becomes nearly impossible for them to be easily moved from a position, without a lengthy siege or war of attrition. As such, their army will probably not engage you head on head, but wait for you to engage them in a place of their choosing, which usually involves holding a fort or other fortification against siege. Their heavy infantry is very experienced, and nothing to openly scoff at.

Honorable
They see duty as a major value, and are unlikely to resort to underhanded methods to gain power or wealth. In fact, their duty of being a bastion of the north is reverred. With this in mind, gaining the trust of an average Northman can be a valuable asset, since it's highly unlikely that you're see any kind of betrayal from them.

Weaknesses:
Lack of Wealth
Despite having a large amount of different resources, none of it is such of that which produces any considerable wealth. And along, with the cold winters and low population, exploitation of the more valuable of it tends to be unviable.

Open Southern Border
For thousands of years, Nordevar has held the north against raiders and more sinister forces. The same was partially true for their southern border to hold against hungry southern neighbors. However, after the establishment of the Empire, any border skirmishes became nearly nonexistant, and now, there is only any major defenses active along this border, putting them at great risk should a civil war in the Empire ever break out.

Export:
Stone, Lumber, Fish, Grain, Coal, Iron, Other Metals, Fur

Import:
Salt, Spices, Fabrics, Fine Goods

POV Characters

Eldrik Borvringska

Age: 42

Personality: Eldrik remains much loved and popular throughout Nordevar, which is to no surprise since this lord many of the values that most northern men can appreciate. With this in mind, Lord Eldrik could be described as an honorable man, partly the reason avoids the Southern provinces as if a plague were running amok. Treating southern politics with a great disdain. He is rather inquisitive, even if there are times where he is rather sullen. Even so, he does possess a dry sort of humor, such as when the Imperial Regiments on the wall request reinforcement from the capital, it isn't but two weeks later when he sends his own letter asking for a similar amount of reinforcement. Of course, he devotes much of his time in the continued defense of the northern border, often shifting garrisons around to force raiding parties to attack certain points of the wall that he wants them to, proving to many that he has the ability to take full advantage of the amount of men that he has to work with. He's regarded as one of the most experienced military leaders on the continent, and few others can be considered to be more well-versed in the defense of the Empire's northern border than him. Finally, he's known for his swift justice, executing more deserters than anywhere else on the continent.

History: Lord Eldrik ascended to the lordship of Nordevar at the young age of 8 when his father took an arrow to the throat during a minor border skirmish. His father had only begun to groom him to the challenges that were involved with being a sovereign ruler of the north, but it was little more than Eldrik different parts of the wall, thereby thrusting Nordevar in a state of confusion. Such worried were quickly dissipated when his uncle, Crevan, took the role of regent, and steered the nation back onto the right track. His influence grew the two of them together, and Eldrik would consider Crevan has his “second” father, even to this day. It would become Crevan's highest priority to prepare the young lord to successfully assume power when he came of age, and all of his efforts directly reflected that. Such as the ancient duty to defend the wall against any threat, as well as performing other duties expected of any lord.

On the day that he turned 16, Eldrik formally became lord of Nordevar, as well as all powers associated with it. Despite taking part in a few defensive operations in the years prior, Eldrik was still relatively green when it came to real combat, though he proved to excel when it came to handling a sword. He chose to spend the next years completely devoted to serving with his men within many different garrisons and fortifications, as a way to truly understand what it was actually like to defend against the constant threats that always threw themselves against Nordevar. Also, it was critical for him to gain the experience needed for him to have a good conscious in leading these men to defend the nothern border. Otherwise, he wouldn't possibly find it suitable for him to be their lord. His brilliance would soon be recognized, especially when it came to using the limited amount of men and resources that he had available to him, though the Imperial Regiments were hesitate to cooperate with him at first. However, when men are forced to fight with each other, it isn't long before legitimate bonds form, and respect for both sides develop.

So, of course, he well acquainted with many southerners, but that only extends to those within the Imperial military, considering he detests the bureaucracy that is entrenched within the capital, as well as those who normally influence policies. He's probably justified in that opinion, since he's spent many years working with depleted imperial garrisons of such a magnitude that he's been forced to devote much of his own manpower into old forts that were originally completely controlled by imperial regiments. This another reason for him to despise politics, and the usual disregard for the real problems than stem from beyond.
Like his father before him, Eldrik has held great interest in asserting Nordevar as more of an economic power than in the past, but his had have been tied behind his back due to most of his attention has been keeping the border secure. This has led to much of his trade efforts to fall flat when competing with other southern powers. He finally ceased efforts upon the betrayal of the Starborns, whom they had a marriage alliance with through his aunt, betrayed him by underselling Eldrik in the lumber market, which remains one of Nordevar's top exports.

He was married once, but his wife died during the birth of his only child, and son, Kresimir. With his many responsibilities, he found little time for his son, supplementing this time lost by sticking him with Harper Cragmore, a boy that his uncle Crevan had won in a bet with Lord Kenton Cragmore. Currently, he's sent off his son to the Ald Fort by Aldfjord, which remains a critical fortification by intercepting raiders from a small mountain pass to the northwest.

Ultimately, his greatest desire is to make all of Nordevar safe and protected, so that they can finally shift his focus to other things that he is greatly concerned about. That is why it's critical for the next Emperor to recognize the threat of the barbarian tribes, and take action to find a final solution to these seemingly neverending border skirmishes.

Jahn Borvringska

Age: 29

Personality: If there was any black sheep within House Borvringska, it would be, without a doubt, Jahn. He was always interested in what the world had to offer, and soon found that the adventure was much more to his liking than spending his days serving at the border like so many other Northern men. He's been to much of Ethica and beyond, his sense of exploration and curiosity knowing almost no limit. Despite his young age, he's served as a sellsword, thief, travelling merchant, and several other nearly limitless activities, both legal and illegal. He's much a man that prefers to live in the moment than to adhere to what he sees as some arbituary duty like some many others do. In that way, he's far from the traditional and simple way of thinking that many northerners subscribe to, and very much appreciates the southern provinces' excess and debauchery, and makes sure to take advantage of all of it.

History: It amazes many when presented with the fact that Jahn is the son of Crevan Borvringska, one of the most well-respected and prominent Northman of the last 30 years, when the reality is that Jahn is so different from his father. Many whisper that it was because of some kind of bitterment he developed due to living within his father's shadow while he grew up, but Jahn would be the first to deny this. His relationship with his father up until his death was certainly strained, but that was a result of his father expecting him to be someone that Jahn never could be, and failing to remedy that divide is possibly the only thing Jahn could say that he truly regretted. But he loved his father, and no one should ever doubt that. Despite everything, Jahn was certainly the wild youth while he was growing up, something that his father attempted to crack down on with vigor, but it was all for naught. Crevan shipped him off to multiple different assignments on the border, hoping that this would somehow make his wayward son become serious. Jahn proved to be an outstanding swordsman and fighter, but a poor soldier, expressing absolutely no desire to ever take command. Seeing that his efforts to reshape his son was proving to be fruitless, Crevan went ahead and let him decide his own fate, and Jahn happily acted upon that opportunity.

It wouldn't be long before he chose to travel to the world, as a way to see everything that it had to offer. He was very young at the time, and the world that he wished to see was so very large. There were times where you could have considered him to be a traveling merchant, rubbing together the few coins he had to his name until he slowing began growing some wealth until he grew bored with that and started to look for the next exciting venture within his life. This would lead him to being a mercenary one day fighting against bandits, to joining a band of thieves that would steel from that same mercenary company the next day. As his hunger for adventure grew, so did his exploits, as well as his reputation. He had many run-ins with death and danger, all the while learning what really made the world and the men that lived within it tick. He slowly grew a thirst to have all the world and nothing less, and he found out that he was far thirstier than all the rest.

His interests and actions since that realization could easily be seen as questionable by just about anyone, along with his rather shaky moral code that he has developed. So, it's probably isn't to anyone's surprise that Jahn has become involved with the darker underbelly of society, though it certainly does help his popularity amongst the Cragmores. Perhaps it's due to his current association with the Thieves' Guild that definitely doesn't exist, or his supposed connection to a myriad of different smuggling rings that specialize the distribution of several different hallucinogens to the public, or even better yet, the transfer of dangerous creatures into and out of Ethica upon the request of rich noble lords? If you were to ask what his interests were, he'd probably shrug and say that he enjoys dabbling in just about everything, which is one of the few truthful things that you'll ever find him saying.

The sort of relationships he has managed to foster within the last several years has made him a notable player, especially within the imperial capital, which remains the center for such activity. Of course, he's engaged in quite a number of legal enterprises as well, but we can all assume that's not where the majority of the money is at. He's become quite efficient when it comes to this game, though he's not infallible, and all it takes is but one slip for everything to start crumbling. And that might be way he enjoys what he does so much. The risk, the danger, what could happen, and how he successfully works his way around it. Despite all this success, all this greed, all this lust, and everything else that has now taken the center within Jahn's life, he still possesses an unfortunate regret- his father. Crevan, who only died a few years ago... and the realization that he was unable to mend the differences that had grew between. And so, he decided to head back to Nordevar, maybe for the last time, and find some sort of closure, whatever that may be.

[Slamurai]

House Duvard

House Duvard's coat of arms depicts a captured Darthii galley, a testament to the history of invasions that have been repelled on Ignesian soil. The helmet is topped with a dire boar's head, the national animal of the province. The device on the shield is taken from the flag of Ignis. Chief colors of Duvard livery are black, gold and burgundy.

Head of House:

Roman Duvard

House Motto:

“Fit via vi.” Strength is the way.

House Specialty:

The Duvards are best known for being the first house to join Lalaifia's cause. Its founder, Odvin Duvard, is known for being her closest retainer. The house owes its loyalty to a timely counteroffensive led by Lalaifia, which broke an incursion on Ignesian soil by a foreign army. Ever since, the Duvards have followed the Valariens' command and have been fast friends. Odvin Duvard became a prominent general of Lalaifia's host, serving her faithfully over the duration of her campaign.
While loyal to a fault, the Duvards are also vain and can be regarded as excessively opulent by distant provinces. Its open displays of subservience to the Heartlands may be cause for some dislike among humbler houses.

House Ancestral Artifact:

After some time under Lalaifia's command, Odvin was rewarded with the privilege of carrying her personal banner. The colors of Valarien flew high, safe in the gauntlet of the Duvards' progenitor as Lalaifia's host conquered and united the tribes of Ethica. Though the banner was returned to the Valariens at the conclusion of the conquest, Lalaifia permitted the newly-erected House Duvard to keep the standard as a token of her favor. It hangs behind glass in the Duvards' great hall, proudly displayed for visitors to see. Magical enchantments have prevented the relic from degrading, and it is just as vibrant as it was in antiquity.

Important Members:

Immediate Royal Family
Roman Duvard, 46 – _{Head of House.}
Dragica Duvard, 44 – _{Wife of Roman.}
Edgar Duvard, 24 – _{Oldest son. Married to Sophsi Valarien.}
Anastázie Duvard, 23 – _{Oldest daughter. Married to Jakinius Valarien.}
Olívia Duvard, 19 – _{Second-youngest daughter. Married to Lucius Valian.}
Guillame Duvard, 17 – _{Youngest son. Married to Helen Seval.}
Alais Duvard, 16 – _{Youngest daughter. Betrothed to Morion Tallurian.}

The Province of Ignis

Ignis's flag is a stylized sun wheel, spreading its rays in all directions. The design represents Kammeth's light piercing the darkness. The flag was designed following House Duvard's alignment with Lalainia, who "brought light to Ignis."

Region/color on map:

Red (Nexus's former claim)

Demonym:

Ignesians

Racial appearance:

Ignesians are traditionally thought to have olive skin tones and dark eyes and hair. This preconception resembles the popular image of Spaniards or Mediterranean peoples, while in reality, both groups have a diverse range of features, due to immigration and varying regional identities. Genetic variations can be seen across the province and can be attributed to the mixing of Ignesians and their neighbors. The current Duvard family, for example, tends toward lighter-colored hair. Most native Ignesians are medium in stature and their builds lean towards the slender side. It is common for them to have long, oval faces with well-defined features and narrow, aquiline noses.

Racial traits:

Capital:

Brionne

Capital Population:

Approx. 81,615

Other Major Settlements:

Iorica, 57,130
Giseux, 48,969
Avitaine, 28,565
Brabant, 19,587
Lignys, 16,323

Population:

Approx. 1,541,000

Culture:

Type of Government:

Hereditary Monarchy

Influence and relations: (Any alliances or military pacts with another family? Perhaps born of marriage ties? Work with other players if you seek one ahead of the RP if you so desire.)

Military:

Ignis has historically built its military around heavy infantry, pioneering an analogue formation of the real-world Spanish tercio. Blocks of heavily-armored pikemen, supported by halbardiers, swordsmen and crossbowmen form the core of its fighting force. It also fields cavalry, but to a lesser extent than in the past. Ignesian cavaliers have begun employing bows and hand crossbows, rapidly maneuvering and harassing enemies, only to fall back and strike elsewhere.
Though adept on the field, Ignesians have considerable siege experience, learned from the many Darthii and Northlander raids it has endured over its lifetime. Ignesian castles and fortresses are renowned for their impregnability, and their garrisons have many tactics up their sleeves to dissuade and combat attackers.

Ignis's army is drawn into three battalions; one for the north, the south, and the west. Each battalion is led by a Colonel, and divided into sixteen companies each. Ten of these companies are pikemen; the rest are crossbowmen. Each pikeman company has 250 men, for a total of 2,500 pikemen per battalion. The remaining six crossbow companies per battalion are made up of 200 men each, with a total of 1,200 per battalion. During engagements, these crossbow companies are typically divided and evenly dispersed among the formations of pikemen.
Ignesian cavalry is not permanently attached to any one battalion; instead, the 1,600 men-at-arms of the army are recruited and dispatched by locale. Many of these riders are members of the waning knightly class, or experienced riders under contract to serve.

The average pikeman in service to Ignis dons blackened, munitions-grade plates on his breast and back, with a gorget to protect the throat and tassets over his thighs. He wears a morion on his crown; the best companies top theirs with a plume of burgundy. He carries a pike with a tapered head about 4.5 meters long, paired with an arming sword.
Although Ignesian infantry is organized into “pikeman companies,” not every man is a pikeman. There are some formations made up of halberdiers, who use their polearms to chop overhead the rows of pikes. There are sword and buckler men, who maneuver through the pike shafts to incite chaos by slashing and stabbing up close. Also present are swordsmen who carry long Zweihänders, practiced in the Tellarian school of swordplay.
Crossbowmen are armored much the same way, though may wear less protection than their frontline counterparts. They carry pavise shields on their backs, with which they can hide behind and fire from safety.
Cavalry still fights largely in the traditional manner: gendarmes donning full suits of plate armor drop lances and charge into the enemy, formed into thin lines to maximize the points of contact. They also carry swords, picks or hammers for close-in fighting. The lead gendarmes are usually just a bit more armored than their comrades behind them, who may wear less leg protection. Some lighter cavalry carry crossbows, with which to deliver mobile surgical strikes and harass foes.

Unit demographics:

Approx. 12,700:
7,500 [59.06%] - Pikemen & heavy infantry
3,600 [28.35%] - Crossbowmen & archers
1,600 [12.6%] - Cavalry

Landscape & Wildlife:

Ignis is characterized by scores of gentle hills and grassland, which give way to thick forest on the far west coast. These woods are home to many direboar, which have been cast as the province's national animal due to their abundance and ferocity. To the southeast, the province meets the Southpeaks; the mountain range that stretches across the border between the Heartlands and Xandria. This region is ripe with iron ore, and taken full advantage of. There are several major rivers that snake across the province, supplying ample quantities of fish, and ever-necessary fresh water.

Ignis's climate varies; the south resembles a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The north is more continental, with hot, dry summers and cold winters. The very northern tip of the province experiences frequent rainfall and grey, cloudy skies.

Economy: (How well off is your county? Poor? Rich and prosperous? Somewhere in the middle?)

Religion:

Ignesians focus their worship on Kammeth, who holds center stage for fathering mankind and creating the world. It was also by Kammeth's will that Lalaifia united the provinces when they were still petty kingdoms; a feat that will forever resonate with the people of Ignis.
Other gods are also recognized, but are usually sidelined to be worshiped on specific holidays or when aid in their respective domains are needed. Lyriel is the second-most revered god in Ignis, and in many places within the province, other deities are simply not touched.

History:

Ignis was the first province to join Lalaifia during her conquest, and the Duvards the first house. Warned of an attack from Northerners by a vision from Kammeth, Lalaifia sent her husband and general, Paragon Valarien, to Ignis. As it were, a large invasion had landed on the shores of Ignis and already clashed with the Duvards. Lalaifia and Paragon led a force to the Duvards' main keep, arriving just in time to fight off the Northerners' siege. When the fighting cleared and the Northerners had been broken, Odvin Duvard, leader of the house, pledged his loyalty to the Valariens. The Duvards have since become staunch allies and loyal retainers of House Valarien. Odvin joined Lalaifia in her conquest of the provinces, earning the privilege of carrying her personal banner. The two of them became fast friends, and Odvin was at the forefront of many battles in her name.

Strengths: (Similar to House specialty, but often larger in scope, this could include an abundance of a resource, or the inability to field an army of much size. )

Weaknesses: (At least two, and they have to be real disadvantages, you can't really say you have a terrible navy if you're landlocked.)

Exports:

• Dyes: Ignis is a supplier of rare indigo dye, extracted from a plant called frillcaps, that are unique to the region. Ignesian dye has been used in the garments of the Phoenix King on many occasions, and is highly sought-after for the cloaks of the wealthy.

• Furs: The fur of dire boars has adorned the shoulders of Duvard nobility for generations. Ignis's national animal is a fierce and enormous creature, and the risk involved with hunting one ensures a high price for the materials. Furs from other animals are also prized, like the striped mink and water badger.

• Iron: Ignis has a moderate sum of iron ore deposits across its expanse, which can be used for steelmaking. It is a leading smelter of iron, using bloomery furnaces to produce steel. Its excess iron ore is never want for buyers, considering the necessity of steel.

• Fish: As a coastal province, fish and seafood products are never in short supply. Ignis has an extensive fishing industry and hauls thousands of nets each day. Bounties are shipped further inland and much of it ends up in the Heartlands.

• Furniture and lumber products: While Xandria boasts the best quality of lumber south of the Heartland, it is the craftsmanship of Ignis that turns it into luxury. Steelpine is a material favored by woodcarvers and artisans for its natural luster, and Ignesian handiwork is acclaimed throughout the Empire. Xandrian steelpine is imported before being transformed into furniture, sculpture and other forms of art, and sent throughout the provinces. Steelpine even finds its way into shipyards, where the wood is built into fantastic, silvery vessels.

Imports:

• Precious metals: Owing to the Duvards' admiration for luxury, gold, silver and precious minerals are imported and turned into elaborate jewelry pieces. Ignis lacks vast amounts of rare minerals, so must import most of its glamour.

• Lumber: Despite having renowned woodworkers, Ignis does not have huge swathes of forest. It imports much of its wood from Xandria; especially steelpine.

• Alchohol: Ignesians adore exotic goods, and this pertains to drink just as well as food or costume. They import wines from many different provinces to satisfy their palettes, along with liqueurs and ales.

• WIP

• WIP

[Pepperm1nts]

Super WiP:

Clan Rovaan

Rovaan

Head of Tribe: Sivaas The Worldweaver

God: A myriad of gods and goddesses, as well as spirits, are revered by the Northkin, and Clan Rovaan is no exception. Their patron god is Arduin, otherwise known as Tihune, the god of nature. The Rovaani are largely animistic, believing the world is co-inhabited by spirits of the wild. In some Northkin clans, Tihune is worshiped in a stewardistic tradition; he rules over the land and the spirits, and the people serve them. Among the Rovaani Worldweavers, however, the tradition is more dominionistic.

While the average Rovaani tribesman worships Arduin in the same way a man from Clan Vidor Lastren would, the Worldweavers - shamans with a magical connection to the spirit realm itself - believe the spirits and wild magics of the world are meant to serve Man. Not the other way around. As such, Worldweavers manipulate the world of spirits and magic, blending it with our own to manifest both terrible forbidden magics, and life-giving energy.

Clan Specialty: The Webwoods are saturated with ancient magic; the Black Forest, ever-shrouded in mist, comes alive with it. The mist shifts and glows, the trees bend, and the air screams. Forbidden magics run as free as the tribes that inhabit the forest. But the Worldweavers of Clan Rovaan have distinguished themselves from the common shamans of other tribes. The goat-skull-wearing, bone-rattling Worldweavers are especially gifted and attuned to the ways of primal magic. They weave our world and that of the gods together like one would a braid of hair.

Clan and Kin:

Sivaas The Worldweaver (30)

TBA

Region/color on map:
Roughly there.

Race Name: Northkin, Rovaani

Racial Appearance: TBA

Racial Traits: TBA

Tribe Size: 8,000~

Tribe Bio: TBA

Influence and relations: TBA

Military: TBA

Unit demographics: TBA

Landscape: TBA

Wildlife: TBA

Dynasty Bio: TBA

Strengths: TBA

Weaknesses: TBA

[Hannibal]

Country Flag


House Sigil


House Name
House Votigar

Head of House
King Eluric Votigar 50

House Specialty
Master Intrigues
While the Votigar’s and the other lords of Cassereth are know as the ‘Luxury Lords’, they’re also known as silver-tongued serpents. Whether it be assassination, forgery, spying, or fabricating claims or treasonous acts. Or something small such as sowing dissent. If its cloak and dagger happening in the shadows, they have a hand in its doing. It is often said that nothing happens without the Votigars knowing about it first.

House Ancestral Artifact
Devil's Tounge - A foreign made artifact brought with House Votigar to Ethican shores. The blade it's is spell forged steel that is nearly transparent and exceptionally light for its size. As it is named though in combat it radiates ann immense heat, catching the blade itself on fire. To foes its unbearable and as legend says it can cook its wielder's foes in their armor, this theory hasn't been tested though. To allies it creates the warm of conviction and empowers them with minor strength to help them push through towards victory.

Important Members
Queen Berthe Votigar (Matriarch) 45
Duke Mathias Votigar (Heir) 28
Lady Ambre Votigar (Eldest Daughter) 24
Lady Auriane Votigar 21
Lady Mareli Votigar 20
Sir Osgart Votigar 18
Evrad Votigar (Last Son) 16

Duke Renauld Politer (Marshal) 43
Duke Stephan Torigan (Spymaster) 37
Duchess Sibyl Azizan (Chancellor) 31
Duke Guy Siltross (Steward) 49

Nation/Realms Name
Cassereth

House Motto
We are eternal.

Common Saying
Sneaky as a Votigar

Region/color on map
Purple/Burgundy

Race name
Casseri/Casserethian

Racial appearance
Cassereth is a melting pot of different cultures from across the realm and as of late there’s been an influx of many different peoples. So to see a darker skinned individual is as common as one of lighter skin. The most common is hair of brown, black and red is the most common, with a large variation of eye color’s. The ruling elite though are not of this realm, actually foreigners from a destroyed empire of the south. The ruling elite are blessed locks of silvery white hair with with luminescent jade like green eyes, but looking closely their pupils looks almost like a serpents.

Racial traits
Casserethians on a whole are a quick people in all aspects of their, being able to do most of their day to day activities fairly quick. When banners are raised they tend to move quicker and engage quicker than the other kings. Not by much but whoever takes glory gains the favor. The highborn are the ones that play the intruige games the smallfolks themselves could careless honestly, but due to the amount of money poured back in to the populace make them a very loyal bunch to their overlords.

Capital
Livonio

Capital Population
73,000

Other Major Settlements
Clepus
Rurora
Iahaver
Istrario
Amartras
Yarvare
Satorath

Population
964,000

Culture
Cassereth is a hodge-podge of many different cultures many that of southern Ethican, but with the influx of old Satrlid empire people migrating to the land, it's become more elegant and appealing to the eye. Men still control the majority of the household to a 60 to a females 40 percent of the household. In theory though at least according to law, each gender is considered equal. Females are not required to wear dresses, they're allowed to wear flowing trousers. They don't hold the genders to one specific set of guide, hence allowing females to wear such attire.

Type of Government
Parliamentary Monarchy

Influence and relations
(Open)

Military
Frigates are not as great as its neighbors to the south however, they tend to prefer speed over durablity. Making them harder to track down. While the ships themselves aren't lacking much they don't vary, keeping to a specfic style of the old Satrlid dromon fash. However each ship carries a payload pitch they each captain will self destruct should the situation turn grim.

Casserethians nobles still follow the old ways which still yield great results when they're used correctly. Lacking a light infantry and cavalry core but make up for it with an army of heavy infantry, pikemen and archers backed by a plethora of siege engines. Heavy infantry makes the core of the army as their backed by interlaced pikemen to brace for calvary charges. Long bowmen fill behind the infantry core. Movable scorpions, small and large ballista's bombard the army from behind

Unit demographics
50% Heavy infantry
25% Pikemen
20% Archers
5% Seige Engines

Landscape
The climate is temperate for the most part winters tend to be cold but never yield anything than a light snow because of it’s borders to the more tropical climate. Most of the landscape is rolling hills and plains perfect for crops and the production of food. While there are forests in Cassereth is small. Mountains are abound in the southern part of the lands but yield an ample amount of resources but not enough. This area is also warmer than the rest of their realm with more of humid tropical climate

Wildlife
Wild game is smaller all around, from wild game to work beasts. Adapting to its environment most of the game is smaller and quicker to survive closer as large bulkiness is a liability in the rolling hills and flat lands of Cassereth; however Casserethian hawks are all the rage if they're caught. These birds of prey are often sought after by the hierarchy for hunting purposes.

Economy
Rich/Prosperous. Due to the silk trade and their dominance over the luxury trade has tremendously bolstered the economy. Along with minor taxes on foreign religion has further built coffers. Gambling and prostitution also run rampant the shoots the coffers tremendously.

Religion
The people of Cassereth are a devoted lot of people to the pantheon of gods. Kammeth holds important for the most of peasantry and common folk. Several foriegn gods that have taken hold in the eastern coastal cities. The ruling Votigar’s are not devoted to any faith due to the tragic death of their youngest child/sibling have made them unfaithful but allow any retainers to keep their faith. As of late there has been a rising in the old pantheon of the Satrlid gods. As there has been an infulx of the old empire migrating to Casserethian lands.

History:
-Lady Carlyi Votigar and her husband brother Toralas flee from ensuing civil with ten thousand of their most loyal vassal’s to the north.

-The Satrlid Empire’s capital is destroyed by the fist of the heavens. (Metor)

-The Voltigar’s stake claim on Cassereth and claim the pensuila as their own, establishing a power house.

-Lalifia Valarien meets with the Satrlid remnants, but they refuse to bend the knee to yet another tyrant.

-War is declared and first engagements are a stand off for the first three years. Satrlid remnants wage a war in the shadows. Causing morale to plummet and desertion becomes rampant. Dealing with a foreign aggressors is a taxing process

-The day Lady Caryli gives birth, her husband Toralas leads a vanguard to crash into the queen's forces and dying in his valiant attempt to keep their independence.

-Queen Lalifia Valarien gets her victory but does so as Pyhric victory. As the Satrlid’s are forced to bend the knee, but out of charity allows the Satrlid’s to stay and given their current lands.

Strengths
The essence of the once great Satrlid empire is still about Cassereth, in its towns and infrastructure. Buildings are not only pieces of art but fully functioning pieces of the city that provide more than ample services to the people. Bath’s and public facilities also cut down on disease providing a more comfortable way of living.

Being a coastal region and with access to other corners of the realm they’re a cultural blending pot so to speak. With several different languages, gods and technologies all blending together, benefiting in society in such a way as not seen in other places. Providing a much-needed edge against the other kingdoms of the realms.

Due in part to the large amount of luxuries resources that come from Cassereth it has been quite prosperous. Money is never in short supply. Thanks in part to the silk trade that is more extensive as they're the realms only major supplier of the fabric owning the monopoly on the highly sought after and luxurious fabric.

Surviving documents from the old empire has giving the lords of Cassereth the know-how on how to build seige-engines to great effect. Scorpion's, ballista's and trebuchets are are geuninely much better when the built by the Casserethians. Another trade secret that they don't let out.

Weaknesses
Those reigning from the greater house and the knight houses that serve them are a proud lot, boasting of the ancestors and were their ancestors previously come from. Giving them a knack of thinking and acting like they are better than most everyone else.

Inbreeding is a common thing among the Casserethian elite because they keep their bloodlines pure and out of the hands of others. They do marry out of thier lands, while it isn’t often it does happen. Those that don’t though can have several side effects from the brother/sister marriages. Such as madness and frailty.

While Cassereth is prosperous and has the necessary requirements to feed and arm its population. The land itself lacks the resources for major operation to build fleets and create a larger standing army.

Export
Silk
Precious Gems
Incense
Perfume
Glassware
Tapestries
Stained Glass

Import
Fruits
Iron
Marble
Stone
Rice
Timber

[gorgenmast]

House Lastren

Head of House: Lord Anastus Lastren

House Specialty: Light cavalry. When Vidor Lastren swore fealty to the Emperor and denounced Tihune in favor of Kammeth, the Emperor gifted Vidor with one hundred fine riding horses so that his unmounted clansguard "might ride as true imperial knights". From this original stock came the hardy Varlander: a hardy, stocky steed with the endurance and speed to run down lightly-armored infantry. Additionally, there is a tribe of indigenous horse people who owe fealty to House Lastren known as the Narze. Riding upon shaggy and nimble Tkarin horses, the Narze dispatch their foes with long javelins. These mounted javelineers are among the finest light cavalry in Ethica. A troop of Narze riders serve in Lord Lastren's retinue, and freelance troops can be called upon if the Lastren Lord need their assistance.

House Ancestral Artifact: None. House Lastren joined the Empire long after the age of Lalaifia and missed out on Kammeth's divine gifts.

Important Members:
- Lord Anastus Lastren (35)
(More to come as plotlines develop)

Nation/Realms Name: The Septentrion

Sigil: Pending

Flag: Pending

House Motto:

Region/color on map: Forest green

Race name: Hinterfolk or Northlander are used to name the settled people of the Septentrion. The unsettled tribes under the protection of House Lastren are as Northkin.

Racial appearance: Pending

Racial traits: The Northkin and most Hinterfolk are descended from the same family of northern tribal people. On an ethnic level, the two are difficult to distinguish. However, the two peoples are separated by a wide cultural gap. The Hinterfolk have been assimilated into the fold of Imperial Ethica; adhering to the lifestyle, diet, religion, and customs that prevail in the southern realms. The Northkin live as they have done for eons. Within their palisaded strongholds deep within the Ostwood, most Northkin largely oblivious to the empire they are now technically citizens of.

Capital: Vandaster

Capital Population: 9,000

Other Major Settlements:
-Riffleford
-Cape Mossystone
-Kestrelle
-Frostmouth Keep (Imperial outpost)

Population: ~100,000

Culture: Pending

Type of Government: Feudal Aristocracy

Influence and relations: Highly dependent upon the Empire.

Military - Pending

Unit demographics: Pending

Landscape: Pending

Wildlife: Pending

Economy: Destitute

Religion: In the cities and feudalized south of the Septentrion, worship of Kammeth prevails. But the old god of the land - Tihune - is revered by many, particularly in the unsettled North. Lord Vidor Lastren converted to worship of Kammeth when he swore fealty to the Emperor and zealously forbade the old rites of Tihune worship during his rule. His heirs, more concerned with keeping the Septentrion intact than maintaining an impractical facsimile of a southern kingdom, relaxed their stance on Tihune worship. The sparse population merits few clergy to teach the laity the exact parameters of Kammeth's faith; as such, syncretism between the new religion and the old ways is common.

History: House Lastren was the last dynasty to join the Empire of Ethica. A leader of a settled tribe of Northkin named Vidor Lastren sought the audience of the Emperor. Before the Emperor of Ethica, Lastren pledged his allegiance to his Empire and forsook the old god of his people - Tihune - in favor of Kammeth. With Imperial support, Lastren carved out a fledgling kingdom out of the Septentrion by pushing his unsettled kin out into the hills and forests to make room for farmsteads and feudal estates. While Vidor Lastren had modest success in fashioning the southern marches of his dominion into a simulacrum of a functioning feudal kingdom, the vast majority of the country was simply inarable. Windswept hill country, dense forest, sheer mountains, and harrowing winters confounded Vidor's efforts to establish a feudal enclave in the northern lands.

To make matters worse, the Northkin tribes that had been displaced during the initial wave of imperial conquest returned in the following years. They avenged themselves by raiding the functioning estates in the south of the realm and pillaging the farmstead hamlets. Vidor demanded his imperial benefactors send more soldiers to put paid to the rampant forays of the savages. The Septentrion was developing into a financial burden and a military quagmire for the Empire as whole. Before he could see the situation improved, Vidor suffered an untimely death when he fell from his horse at a gallop and was accidentally trampled by one of the steeds of his retinue.

Aetius Lastren - rechristened with an Imperial name by his late father - took the reigns of House Lastren and was dismayed by the state of the realm he had inherited. His first priority was to quell the unsettled Northkin within his realm. Aetius was not as stubborn as his father had been, and was not as inclined to see his way meted through force as Vidor had been. Aetius, after all, was born as a Northkin himself and could empathize with the unsettled neighbors that his father wanted only to expel through force. Aetius called a council to be attended by all the Northkin tribes living within the Septentrion. Through much negotiation and compromise, an uneasy truce between House Lastren and the tribes was brokered. In exchange for a meager tribute from the tribes, the Northkin would receive protection from House Lastren and the Empire of Ethica so long as the Northkin left feudal estates and settlements in peace. This arrangement was shaky and often violated, but it was instrumental in restoring order to the countryside.

Anastus Lastren is now Lord, and his policy has been a pivot back to the Empire. Taramyth Paragon grossly neglected the northern garrisons, and Anastus has had to battle for each Imperial soldier posted at the remote northern fortress at Frostmouth. Word has filtered back to the Webwood savages that Ethica's northern flank is exposed. Perceived Imperial weakness has resulted in exacerbated incursions by the savages, stretching House Lastren's men-at-arms and the Imperial soldiers all too thin. Now, with Taramyth's death and a coming long night, the state of the realm is dire indeed.

Strengths:
+ Seasoned: The Septentrion is a hard place. Constant barbarian incursions, squabbles for supplies, and general hardships cultivate a stronger people. Fighters Septentrion have seen combat time and time again with marauding raiders often possess extensive combat experience. Even the peasant levies will typically fare better in combat than their softer southern counterparts.
+ Remote: At the Northernmost fringe of the Empire, the Septentrion is far removed from the political turmoil that seethes in the more populous south. Imperial oversight is scarce and House Lastren is usually left alone unless their Lord requests imperial attention.
+ Supported: Barbarian incursion is a fact of life in the far north. Fortunately, the Empire is (usually) amenable to backing the realm with military support. Imperial armies, in addition to helping protect the countryside, prove useful in quashing peasant revolts. This defrays the cost of military endeavors.

Weaknesses:
- Savages: Lord Aetius Lastren's efforts at smoothing over hostilities with the indigenous Northkin did much to pacify the realm. However, not everyone got the memo. Raiders from the Webwood trickle through treacherous mountain passes into northern Ethica, presenting a constant nuisance at best and an existential threat to the Empire at the worst.
- Inhospitable: The fact of the matter is that the Septentrion is poorly suited to sustaining a feudal realm. Agriculture is only feasible in the south of the realm. Flocks, fishing, and imports from the south are necessary to feed the populace, small though it may be.
- Depauperate: The Septentrion would be able to pay its dues were it not for constant Imperial support. Make no mistake, there is natural wealth to be had in this land - the north is ripe with mineral wealth and quality stands of old-growth timber. However, the inhospitable nature of this land is such that this wealth is difficult to extract.
- Dependent: Without the Imperial garrisons' assistance in containing the barbarian incursions, the Septentrion would collapse and northern raiders would overrun the realm. House Lastren expends much energy in reminding the Emperor's court that without reinforcement, barbarians will wash across the Septentrion and stream down into the valuable southern realms.

Export:
- Wool
- Timber
- Honey

Import:
- A better question is 'What don't they import?'

Fuck hiders.

[Raptorman]

Map

House Name: House Tallurian

Head of House: Queen Elector Varminia Tallurian

House Specialty: House Tallurian is known for its very close spiritual connection to the goddess Alluria, a connection that has manifested in their mastery of divine healing magic in particular. While it is true that you cannot teach faith it is possible to teach healers how to be more skilled at the art of using their faith and calling on the gods for healing. The Tallurians are very gifted in this art and many healing priests are trained by them. The Tallurians are also the founders of the Vaels(Purifiers) of Alluria and have always headed the order that provides healing and a firm line of defense against vilespawn incursions throughout the Empire. Magic is quite literally in their blood.

The most proud military tradition of the Tallurians is that of swordplay and in their history the Tallurians have produced many great exemplars of the art. The greatest living Tallurian swordsman or swordswoman is awarded the title of Vael of the Blood, the holy champion of Alluria herself, wielder of the sacred sword said to have been made from the goddess' own solidified blood. This is a goal to which almost all martially inclined Tallurians aspire and the pursuit of excellence in this area has always been a proud tradition. The Tallurian school of swordplay focuses on the use of the greatswords known as lroist though there have been occasional members who have practiced other techniques. Tallurian swordplay emphasizes an unrelenting offense designed to crush the enemy with power, relying on the offensive power of the lroist as well as the heavy armor worn by the wielder to protect oneself. The Tallurians with their innate healing magic were the original pioneers of this particular school of swordplay, and are still typically the masters of it due their innate advantage in that sort of contest.

House Ancestral Artifact: The ancestral artifact of House Tallurian is the Bloodletter. A seemingly indestructible lroist that appears to be made from some sort of red half transparent glass that glows with a deep crimson light, supposedly forged from the blood of Alluria herself. The Bloodletter is supernaturally sharp and is always handled with extreme care. This sword is a holy relic and only ever used by the Vael of the Blood, always chosen from House Tallurian. The Bloodletter is never to be drawn unless blood is to be spilled for it is said that once drawn it cannot be sheathed until the blade's thirst has been sated. For Tallurians the blade is like an extension of the body and seems to sing to the wielder, granting almost supernatural abilities on the battlefield, these abilities grow in strength the more blood is shed but the longer one holds the sword and wields it in a battle the greater the chance of madness or entering into a berserk frenzied state. To non Tallurians the blade seems hostile and those who have attempted to wield it have often found that mishaps come frequently.

Important Members:

Primary Bloodline:
Queen Elector Varminia Tallurian, Age 43: Varminia Tallurian is a statuesque woman who does not truly look her age. Like many of her lineage she has appeared to age very gracefully. She possesses the crimson eyes and hair along with the alabaster skin that mark her as a Tallurian. She was in her youth one of the most radiant young women of her day and evidence of that remains. She is also highly intelligent and organized always keep a close eye on what is going on in her realm. She has a friendship with Alexander III Valian despite the distance between them and has for years now been raising two of his children as wards as part of an attempt to establish closer bonds between the distant states. She was previously married to Siegfried of house Amrothan though he has been dead the past 3 years.

Princess Avalia Tallurian, Age 18: Avalia Tallurian is the Hieress to the throne of Tellaria. She is widely regarded as rather beautiful in the traditional way of her house with long flowing red hair and almost flawless alabaster skin. She is also the spitting image of her mother in her youth. She is however notably severly nearsighted with very poor vision. She like all members of the Tallurian line has the ability to perform healing magic. She's also shown an instinctive grasp for politics and while she may have issues due to her impaired vision she has potential to become quite a capable ruler in her own right. She is betrothed to Rodan Valian with the marriage planned for the next month.

Prince Morion Tallurian, Age 17: Morion Tallurian is a quite dashing young man who is possessed of many of the intrinsic aspects of Vaelhood. He has shown martial talents from an early age and expressed nothing but eagerness to fulfill his hereditary role to become the next Vael of the Blood in the future. He's a quick witted and valiant individual who is nevertheless fond of humor and always one of the first to laugh at a joke. He is betrothed to Alais Duvard, who has spent the last two years in Tellaria, and the two appear to be quite taken with each other.

Princess Visia Tallurian, Age 15: Visia Tallurian and her sister Meliri are identical twins. Both are on the short side by the standards of their family, standing only 5'4. They are both delicate in their appearance. Visia is particularly gifted at the divine healing magic of the household and is a shy bookish girl most often found in the archives. She has a very close bond with both Ethias and Alexia Valian. Visia and Ethias are promised to each other and engaging in some courting.

Princess Meliri Tallurian, Age 15: While the spitting image of her sister Meliri does have her own rather different personality. She is outgoing and adventurous, with her mother often comparing her to how her aunt Velhara was when the two of them were children. Meliri loves the outdoors and is fond of boating on the great lake. She is like her sister very close friends with both Ethias and Alexia Valian, though her bond with Alexia is more intimate as the two have been best friends for years.

Secondary Bloodlines:
Lady Velhara Tallurian/Gracieux, Age 39: The younger sister of Queen Varminia of Tellaria. She is wed to Lord Reynold Gracieux and together they have two children. Velhara was and still is one of the most cheerful people in the Empire. As a child she was a boundless source of optimism and good cheer, always able to put the best spin on situations and make people smile. It is a trait that she still possesses. She still visits Rianis every couple years with her children.

Tsirine Gracieux, Age 12: The younger of Velhara and Reynold's children Tsirine takes after her mother in appearance if not in personality. She is the party pooper rather than the life of the party. She says she is a realist but most people would see her as the glass half empty, or more than half empty sort of person. Tsirine is an adorable young woman however with intricately styled crimson hair and the finest clothing that her family can provide and being adorable can make up for less winning personality traits at times. She's also sharp witted and enjoys strategy games (such as chess or some sort of equivalent).

Vael Divorain Tallurian, Age 46: The current Vael of the Blood and a highly respected warrior across the Empire. Divorain Tallurian has trained several scions of the Imperial family along with a select few members of the great houses from the other realms within the Empire. Married to Sybila Tallurian(Formerly Zurand)

Lady Marra Tallurian, Age 33: The official representative of House Tallurian and Tellaria to the Prime Estate. She is the youngest sibling of Queen Varminia of Tellaria. She loves the city and is a socialite, and has quite possibly the worst attendance record of any of the representatives. Still, no one can say she does not know how to throw a party, and when she does show up she is mostly competent. When there are actual serious issues though she is one who always calls for delays to send the question back home for further consideration due to her not trusting herself to make those decisions and a few early occasions where she successfully voted the wrong way on important issues. Despite not being the best at her job, she is helped by her social know how and the fact that she is very attractive.

Nation/Realms Name: The Kingdom of Tellaria

Flag: The flag of Tellaria features the three colors of white, black, and red. The white crowned serpent is twined around a red robed woman upon a black field. The crowned white serpent is said to represent the house Tallurian and the red robed woman is a clear representation of their goddess Alluria.

House Motto:"Pure of Blood"

Region/color on map:Yellow

Race name: Tellarian

Racial appearance: The typical Tellarians have rather pale skin, but not as pale as those of the Tallurian bloodlines. They also tend towards lighter hair colors, blonde is common in various forms and so are lighter shades of brown. Blue eyes are the most common eye color as well. Tellarians also tend to be on the taller side for the most part with the average height being 6 feet for males and 5'10 for females.

Racial traits: Tellarians are known for being very devout and very stubborn people. You are very likely to find that most of them feel they have a deep personal relationship with the deities that they worship, more so than many places where the gods are simply part of the backdrop. The fact that they are stubborn is always well known. There is a saying about the merchants from Tellaria. "They may not be the smartest, or the most skilled, but it's easier to get blood from a stone than coin from them."

Capital: Rianis. One of the wonders of Ethica the city of Rianis is built entirely upon the waters of the great lake. No one is entirely sure how the construction first began but the city has existed in one form or another for a very long time. Rianis is composed of many separate platforms connected by bridges and with canals of lake water running through it. In the center of the city are the royal residences and the Cathedral of Alluria. In truth the lake was once much shallower and long ago Rianis was a city upon an island. Over time the water has risen and Rianis has become the 'floating city'. Reaching Rianis proper requires the use of a boat, something that has always been the city's first line of defense against attack.

Rianis also has a large secondary 'city' of sorts on the shores of the lake, a number of settlements and marketplaces along with mooring sites for boats. Coastal Rianis is a thriving microcosm linked the the great, if unable to expand further, floating city on the lake.

Capital Population: 56,000 Inner Rianis, 25,000 Coastal Rianis

Other Major Settlements:
Tressanis: 23,000
Vilanis: 8,000
Lorialn: 17,000
Hevordin: 20,000
Messiala: 14,000
Niliphi: 29,000
Shilorvan: 14,000
Mephori: 18,000
Vaelithrin: 14,000
Lilrilin: 6,000

Population: 1,723,000

Culture: Tellaria is a great and ancient place, sheltered between the rivers and with a capital city that seemed unassailable it was quick to develop early civilization and was already a well established feudal state by the time the Empire set eyes upon it. Tellaria has for this reason often been described as the one true bastion of civilization in the north, an element that the citizens are extremely proud of even if it is debatable if they are truly in the north or not. It has great markets in its cities, prestigious academies, thriving industries, and even one of the main education centers for divine magic where healers are taught their trade.

Due to it's age Tellaria does have elements that distinguish it from the Empire at large such as the titles used. While in much of the Empire the title of Kuman is used for sanctified and holy warriors those in Tellaria are referred to by the title of Vael. Another difference is the prevalence of the worship of Alluria, who while she is worshipped as part of the pantheon everywhere is preeminent in Tellaria. Further Tellarians on the whole are very devout and loyal people who have an almost religious reverence for their royal family.

Type of Government: The Kingdom of Tellaria is typically ruled by a Queen. Should there be no eligible female heirs to the throne than it will fall to the eldest male child of the previous Queen.

Influence and relations: (open to more, just get in touch with me)
The Kingdom of Xandria: In recent years there has been friendship between the distant realms. Queen Varminia and King Alexander III have formed a bond over their shared blessing of twin offspring that has been strengthened by the presence Ethias and Alexia as wards in Tellaria.

Erayis: Relations are currently a bit chilly. Varminia took offense to an offer to marry the cripple Melvan Cragmore to her daughter Meliri and has not deemed to forgive the perceived insult as of yet. On the whole though the relations between Erayis and Tellaria have been cordial and friendly.

Ignis: Ever since the first Darthii invasion of the Empire, when Valora Tallurian sent her brother, the legendary Vael Valorin Tallurian at the head of her own personal retinues to aid in the defense of distant parts of the realm there has been friendship between the two states. Both are loyal supporters of the Empire, and with the scarcity of true loyalists those who are must stick together.

Violette: While relations with Violette have waxed and waned over the years, often with the fortunes of Tellaria's own merchant houses there are currently strong ties between the two. The leading families of both regions are linked and the close ties are leading to prosperity and increased wealth for both states.

The Septentrion: Relations with the Septentrion have always been cordial since the realm was founded and Tellaria has had a longstanding trading partnership with the northern region to supply much needed food in return for honey and other uncommon resources that are found there.

Military -
While most of the subrealms of the empire do not have a standing army Tellaria does possess one albeit a small one. As a reward for the sacrifice and bravery that the soldiers of Tellaria showed to break the siege of the Imperial City in the Great Darthii War the Emperor has provided a small stipend to the Kingdom in order to keep a force ready. Outside of this small force and the personal guards of the Tallurians themselves the rest of the army is made up of levies. Unsurprisingly perhaps Tellaria is not particularly skilled in mounted combat and while it can field some number of cavalry they are a pittance compared to the true core of Tellarian forces. Tellaria is heavily focused on heavy infantry clad in armor and wielding the greatswords known as lroists(a claymore variant) Tellaria's navy is primarily made up of a large number of river and lake galleys that are very useful in the small confines of rivers and lakes, or on the relatively calm waters of the Bay of Tellaria and less so out on the open sea. They are potent defending Tellaria, less so anywhere else.

Unit demographics:
Totals
Heavy Cavalry: Roughly 1,000
Heavy Infantry: Roughly 12,000
Light Infantry: Roughly 1,000
Crowsbowmen: Roughly 4,000

Standing
Heavy Cavalry: Roughly 50
Heavy Infantry: Roughly 1000
Light Infantry: Roughly 500
Crossbowmen: Roughly 200

Landscape:WIP
Wildlife: WIP

Economy: Tellaria is quite comfortably well off. It is not so lavish as some of the southern realms but it is a bastion of culture and vastly more civilized than some of the more northern realms. It has a strong market scene and attracts merchants from all across the Empire.

Religion: Tellaria venerates the goddess Alluria most heavily. Prior to Tellaria's integration into the Empire the goddess Alluria, then known as the Queen of the Blood was venerated as their sole goddess. Hers was a religion of bloody sacrifices and steep costs, but also one of great miracles and acts of divine favor. In the old myths it was said that the Tallurian line, rulers of Tellaria, were born from a dalliance between the goddess and a mortal, though that tale has fallen out of favor since the rise of the empire.

Currently Alluria, now the Princess of the Blood is still most heavily venerated but now she is one of many along with the family that adopted her. Still there are many great temples to Alluria in Tellaria, and very few great temples to the other gods. Rianis possesses the greatest of Alluria's temples, a grand cathedral made primarily of large blocks of a reddish veined marble, imported at great expense many years ago. The Tallurian family still occupies the upper echelons of the faith of Alluria, now primarily a church of healing and many who possess the gift of divine magic come to Rianis to learn the ways of healing.

History: WIP Still building this.

Strengths:
Strong Defense: Tellaria is a land surrounded by rivers and mountains with a capital city floating in the midst of a great lake. It is difficult to lay siege to their lands and their natural borders make them particularly potent in a defensive war.

The Truly Faithful: While their focus on the goddess Alluria more so than the other gods of pantheon occasionally draws questions from the inquisition none can deny that they are extremely devout and that the faith is an integral part of their lives. If something can be couched in terms that portray it as a holy struggle or even a holy war Tellaria will fight on until utterly ruined for the cause and then likely stand defiant in the ashes until killed.

Weaknesses:

Lack of Metal: Tellaria has always been dependent upon importing metal from other lands. The almost complete lack of usable metal reserves in Tellaria means that should it be unable to import more it would be in trouble rather quickly.

Lack of Warships: Tellaria has a large number of river galleys and other craft made to defend the waterways on which their nation depends but they have a noticeable lack in ability to project naval power outside of their rivers and lakes as well as the Gulf of Tellaria. They do however have a merchant marina. The open sea is not friendly to their light coastal defense vessels and as such their navy has almost no offensive potential.

Export:
Grain: While not the biggest exporter of Grains, Tellaria does produce a surplus of it unlike most of the northern houses, and they are capable of being a local supplier to the northern houses when necessary. They grow large quantities of wheat and other similar crops.

Fish- With access both to the sea and to a large network of rivers and a massive lake Tellaria has ample opportunities to fish. There are a few types of fish that aren't found in other places living in the great lake and for those with particular tastes things that are not found everywhere can be quite in demand. One particular kind of fish, an ugly bloated creature pulled up from the depths of the lake is both extremely poisonous and extremely delicious if cooked properly.

Dyes- Tellaria is a main producer of Dyes, in particular the rich crimson red that thus far has only been able to be extracted from Bloodlilys. While Bloodlilys can be grown in other parts of the realm they grow best in the climate of Tellaria and the large amounts of ritual sacrifices over the years has made the ground particularly well suited for their growth in certain sites. Even so, there is only so much dye that can be made in a given year and with the high demand for the crimson color this is one of the key sources for the crown's income.

Tea- While it is true that Tellaria is not the main gateway to eastern trade, there was one particularly eccentric and ambitious merchant who several centuries ago sailed off to the east on an unsanctioned expedition and returned with a plant with leaves that could be boiled to create tea. Cultivation of the tea plant has been one of the newer and somewhat lucrative endeavors for Tellaria.

Gold- While Tellaria does not possess much in the way of metals they do possess several gold mines in their mountains. While none of the mines are particularly rich they do provide another source of income.

Import:

Metal- While Tellaria does have a few gold mines there has otherwise been little metal in their mountains and they have been largely forced to import metal for pretty much everything that it is used for.

Salt- An essential, especially for the fishing industry, salt allows for the long term preservation of food. Most of Tellaria's salt is directly imported from their neighbor Erayis.

Luxury Goods- Tellaria's does not produce much in the way of luxury items and there is a great desire for them.

Characters In Depth

Queen Varminia Tallurian

Age
43

Relations
Siegfried Amrothan_Deceased

Appearance

Personality

Abilities & Skills

Princess Avalia Tallurian

Age
18

Relations
Rodan Valian_Betrothed

Appearance
Avalia Tallurian is a classical example of the Tallurian lineage, she possesses fine crimson hair that she wears long and loose. It falls down to the center of her back in a crimson cascade. Her face is delicately sculpted and well formed with large expressive if clouded crimson eyes. Her skin is alabaster white and with the notable exception of her hands rather free of marks or blemishes. Her hands are worse for wear with many old scars and scrapes, a legacy of stumbles and falls in her youth. She stands a full 6 feet in height and has a slender elegant figure. She is most commonly clad in fine, somewhat padded garments of green and red fabric. She also will always have a mid length staff of white wood that she uses to help her navigate and avoid running into people and things, especially in places she does not know by memory.

Personality
Avalia is dedicated and focused. She has applied herself a great deal despite her issues and while it was difficult knows how to read and write, difficult because for her to read requires her to raise the papers to withing inches of her face and then squint. Avalia has known from birth that she would one day be expected to follow in her mother's footsteps and become the next Queen of Tellaria, something that has always intimidated her. She desperately wants to succeed and live up to expectations but is always worried that she is failing to meet them at the best of times. She is highly intelligent and is surprisingly well read despite her difficulties. The death of her father three years ago affected her fairly deeply as she was reliant in ways that her other siblings simply weren't and to have one of the big supports for her world vanish did not make things any easier. Avalia also has rather poor self esteem and is easily flattered.

Abilities & Skills

• Well Read: Avalia is quite well read and has spent a fair amount of time pouring over old books and stories. She has favored accounts of great legends, holy knights, epic quests, ect. While not the most useful knowledge she can tell many stories and has commits them to memory.

• Tallurian Healing Like all Tallurians Avalia possesses a link to the goddess Alluria that allows her to call upon her faith and the goddess to heal herself and others.

• Musically inclined Avalia has a wonderful singing voice and likes to use it.

• Trained to Rule Avalia has been thoroughly educated on who is important within the realm the brief histories of the various realms, the stories of the conquest, and other knowledge that is important for a future Queen to possess. She has also been trained to some degree in how to behave properly regal, though she is still working to master that.

Prince Morion Tallurian

Age
17

Relations
Alais Duvard _Betrothed

Appearance

Personality

Abilities & Skills

Princess Visia Tallurian

Age
15

Relations
Ethias Valian_{Promised/Courting}

Appearance

Personality

Abilities & Skills

Princess Meliri Tallurian

Age
15

Relations
NA

Appearance

Personality

Abilities & Skills

Vael Divorain Tallurian

Age
46

Relations
Available

Appearance

Personality

Abilities & Skills

Lady Velhara Tallurian/Gracieux

Age
39

Relations
Lord Reynold Gracieux_Married

Appearance

Personality

Abilities & Skills

Lady Marra Tallurian

Age
39

Relations
Available

Appearance

Personality

Abilities & Skills

[Isotope]

Seval

House Name:
Seval

Head of House:
Eretes II Seval

House Speciality:
Generations spent tracking the great whales of the western ocean have endowed the Seval family with an unparalleled skill in navigation on the open seas as well as an intimate knowledge of the denizens below the waves. So acclaimed has this skill become that it is said no ship run by a Seval has been lead off course in a hundred years.

House Ancestral Artifact:
A simple and functional suit of plate the sole artifact of house Seval is known as the Armour of the Drowned. While not used in generations the suit is said to permit breath to its wearer even at the deepest reaches of the sea, though unsurprisingly few have volunteered to verify this.

Important Members:
(53) King of Aeche, Eretes II Seval: The current ruler of Aeche, Eretes is considered gregarious by most and has long been a man known to engage in all the necessary social activities with eager readiness, but to entirely disregard those not specifically requiring his presence. In truth Eretes does little he is not required to, and while he engages in the affairs of court and state it has been silently noted by many an observer that often the king will simply choose the viewpoint of another and support it unwavering rather than forward any original ideas. This has lead many to dub Eretes the quintessential sycophant, a man who only speaks so that others might enjoy what he says.

Of course to those closer to the king such a label would be disingenuous. The truth being that while Eretes may not seem to be personally opinionated during his many public appearances, this is merely because he has no opinions concerning the governance of the the kingdom and the empire. Obsessed with the stars Eretes has long held a certain disdain for politics, and even against the will of his late father spent most of his youth in the study of mathematics and theology. It is in these pursuits that Eretes spends the majority of his waking hours, leaving all but the most basic of court work to his wife.

Indeed, much of what can be called the official policy of economic expansion in the Kingdom during the reign of Eretes can be traced directly to Mera Seval. Whether this is a result of an explicit arrangement or merely the kings eccentricities is anyone's guess, but few could deny it. Beyond such matters though the relationship between the king and his wife can be called nothing less than enigmatic, given the two are rarely ever seen together.

(48) Queen of Aeche, Mera Seval: The current queen of Aeche is a soft spoken and shy woman known to avoid most public appearances unless strictly necessary. As a result little is publicly know about her, though it is known that she and the king often share private discussions, leading many to wonder how many decisions in the kingdom can be traced to her rather than the king.

(26) Prince of Aeche, Neset Seval: The heir apparent of Aeche, Neset seems to most the polar opposite of his father. A man of few words with an apparent disregard for courtesy or politesse Neset is blunt and sceptical of anyone incapable of cutting to the point. Still, regardless of their apparent distance few can say there is enmity between Neset and his father, rather the two seem to share the same conviction and desire to create a more prosperous Aeche, though perhaps in different ways.

(18) Princess Helena Seval: The middle sibling of Eretes children and renown for her beauty Helena takes after her father in her sociable nature, but contrastingly holds strong (and often cynical) opinions with what many call an absurd stubbornness. This disposition while respected by most has often put her at odds with the religious authorities, nevertheless of her close family Helena is the most involved in happenings outside of the royal court. On any give day she can often be seen in the market with her personal guard or making public appearances at the courts of lesser nobles.

(16) Prince Cevest Seval: The second son of Eretes II, Cevest is the youngest of the kings children and compared to his siblings seems the very image of moderation. Not terribly headstrong but still opinionated, and friendly but hardly charismatic. In contrast to his siblings however Cevest is easily the most adventurous. Having trained with his cousin and brother Cevest is a capable navigator and sailor even at his age, and of all his family none have participated in more hunts on the open ocean. On his recent sixteenth birthday Cevest was granted a small vessel and crew by his father and now spends his time between court and touring Ethica.

(25) Duke Certes Seval: Son of the recently deceased Duke Rente Seval and the nephew of King Eretes II, Certes is nothing but ambitious. In the short three years since inheriting his fathers position Certes has led an effort to turn previously minor the port city of Ramoni into one of the largest centres of trade in the province, a venture that has managed to eliminate one of the largest smugglers guilds in Aeche and even attract merchants from across the sea. This sudden and seemingly inexplicable success has led many to question whether Certes exploits have been entirely legal, some even suggesting he orchestrated his fathers death.

(22) Kelae Seval: Daughter of Rente Seval and niece of King Eretes II Kelae was once known as an affectionate and loving individual with perhaps a worrying disregard for the lines of class. The days of her leading spontaneous efforts of charity in the slums with little or no guard however ended abruptly upon the death of her father. Exactly what she has occupied herself doing is unknown, but she has not been seen leaving the palace in years.

Nation/Realms Name:
Aeche

Flag:

Provincial Flag

House Motto:
We Endure

Region/color on map:
Lime Green

Race name:
Aecheian

Racial appearance:
Aecheian's tend to have a fair complexion and often stand between 5'6 and 5'8 regardless of gender. Black hair is almost ubiquitous, with a lighter brown being indicative of the southern regions. Eye colour is less homogenous, though green and blue tend to be the norms.

Racial traits:
The people of Aeche are known not for their affinity for the sea, though they do have one, but for their seemingly supernatural ability to increase the yield of their crops and render land fertile. Generations of innovation both magical and traditional precipitated by what was once constant scarcity have permitted the people of Aeche not only self sufficiency, but abundance.

Capital:
Vestera, the capital of Aeche is located at the base of Feste bay and on the Festen river that flows into it. The capital is built around the three great bridges spanning the river and the royal palace in turn is built upon the central and largest of this bridges. Renown for its colourful and bustling seaside markets Vestera is the most populous city in Aeche and the home of the provinces many glass blowers.

Capital Population: 16,300

Other Major Settlements:
(8,300) Caspen: The capital of the duchy of Caspe the city of Caspen is the surrounded by farms and often considered the breadbasket of the province. The city itself is said to be the oldest in Aeche, dating back to the era of unification when it was the capital of the local petty kings territory.

(3,900) Argosie: The capital of the duchy of Argoe the city of Argosie isn't particularly notable save for the fact it stands as the centre of the ever important whale hunts and houses most of the provinces hunting fleets.

(6,100) Eserote: The capital of the duchy of Esren the city of Eserote hugs the edge of the only mountain range in Aeche. Eserote is often called the ringing city, and fittingly as what little metal is produced in Aeche can all be traced here, to a city where the pounding of iron can be heard well into the night.

(3,600) Ramoni: The capital of the newly formed duchy of Ramoi the city of Ramoni was nothing but a minor port as little as three years ago. However under the guidance of Certes Seval the city has blossomed into the largest trade hub in the province.

(2,300) Velre, Castle of the Mist: Often called the greatest fortress in the west Velre was built on the lesser island of Verche with the duty of repelling any would be conquerors from the black continent. Grand in scale and built overlooking the precipitous cliffs of the island many have claimed that a direct siege of Velre would be all but impossible. Over time the castle has also become the central point of the islands settlement, and a city of its namesake has sprung up in its shadow

Internal Map:

(The smaller island is known as Verche, while the greater is Aeche proper.)

Population:
~102,100

Culture:
For generations the rulers of Aeche have been reluctant involving themselves in the affairs of the mainland, and this has bred a grand misconception among the people of Ethica that Aecheians are cold and insular. In truth the island province while not particularly outgoing prizes hospitality above all else, and many a traveller without a place to stay have found the locals more than willing to share a bed.

This courtesy is not merited only to strangers however; it is an inherent part of Aecheian culture. The common people of the province are more than inclined to share what they have if their neighbours need it, though they are not so gullible as to be tricked by dishonest scarcity. With such tight knit communities the people of Aeche have also become known for their lack of inhibition amongst each other during their yearly harvest celebration, events which many say predict the next generation with disturbing accuracy. Friendly, accommodating, and unconcerned with the needless boundaries between strangers Aecheians are perhaps the exact opposite off what many expect.

There are however, some parts of the culture that do fit the stereotype, namely the island people’s reliance upon the whale hunts and their love of the sea. Should one ever find themselves in Argosie upon the return of a successful hunt they would be witness to a spectacle of religious devotion wherein the local priest would preside over the vast beast give thanks to Kayo, and this is not without reason. Beyond the local crops there exist precious few sources of meat on the island, and while local fisherman provide for the coastal communities only the meat of such vast beasts as the whales of the western ocean lasts for it to be distributed throughout the island. This simple truth has been curiously unifying for the people of Aeche, and many say that the whale hunts are the back bone of the people’s culture.

Type of Government:
The law of succession is Aeche is that of Absolute Primogeniture, though this isn’t a constant among the lower nobility. Below the king all the various Dukes are granted the right to choose their own laws concerning inheritance, and some have deviated from the norm considerably.

Influence and relations:
(Any alliances or military pacts with another family? Perhaps born of marriage ties? Work with other players if you seek one ahead of the RP if you so desire.)

Military:
The kingdom of Aeche holds a large standing fleet, though usually these ships are at port and manned by skeleton crews of skilled sailors. In truth these sailors are the only standing forces in the kingdom of any real note and Aeche is well known for its lack of armoured knights, leading many to joke they always drown trying to get there.

The bulk of the Aecheian military is light infantry and in the case of Aeche these troops are usually equipped with light amour combined with buoyant but sturdy iron reinforced wooden coffin shields to make up for their deficiency in a sustained melee. These troops are armed with either a long spear and a short sword, or a short bow. Overall the men of Aeche have mastered war at sea and boarding actions but come up short against heavily armoured forces.

Landscape:
Both greater Aeche and lesser Verche are dominated by rolling grassy hills, though only greater Aeche peaks in a small set of mountains. The islands rise suddenly out of the ocean in most cases, but there are a number of locations where both islands level off to smooth beaches rather than precipitous drops.

Wildlife:
(Optional)

Economy:
Historically Aeche was a poorer province, but over time its people pulled themselves out of poverty and into a more moderate and comfortable position. In the last few decades the economy has improved markedly, though some are uncertain if such a disruption to peaceful life is worth its benefits.

Religion:
(As stated before Kammeth is the primary god of the Empire and will by default be what the majority of the people worship or follow *excluding special circumstances*. Worship of deities outside of the Sky pantheon is greatly discouraged IC. You can however, create a deity of your own making from within that Patheon, or if you feel ballsy, add in any minor cults that exist. Perhaps even your family secretly worships other gods not sectioned by the Empire? Be mindful that heresy is frowned upon by the Church and you might have the Inquisition breathing down your neck if they catch a whiff of heresy on you, but if you want to make a storyline in that direction go right ahead!) (Tip, don’t piss of whoever is the Arch Dawnbringer!!!)

History:
(At least the past couple generations, include conflicts, major upheavals, wars, etc. You can overlook this part and fill it in as the Roleplay progresses in order to work with other players for maximum cohesion.)

Strengths:
-The fleet of Aeche is a capable and sturdy one manned by well trained sailors, when it comes to war they will rarely back down from an engagement unless victory is utterly impossible.
-Surprisingly enough Aeche can export foods as the innovations used to increased the fertility of the land have become so efficient near any plant can grow plentiful on the island.

Weaknesses:
-Positioned as it is Aeche takes the brunt of most disasters from the west, ether they be storms, raiders, or enemies from across the sea.
-The lack of woodlands on the island makes it forever beholden to mainland imports of lumber, a weakness that would mean disaster should the province be blockaded.

Export:
-Whale Oil.
-Smoked, Salted, and Pickled Fish.
-Seagoing Vessels.
-Glass.

Import:
-Lumber.
-Refined Metals.
-Beasts of Burden.
-Spices.

[Abefroeman]

Ready for review.

Kawachian South Ethica

House Name: House Swiftwave

Head of House: Viceroy (High Count) Ryan Swiftwave

House Specialty: Naval Combat and Naval Shipbuilding

House Ancestral Artifact: The Staff of House Swiftwave – An ancient, yet beautiful wood and iron staff as old as the house itself. Atop is fixed an azure and white gem, that looks like the crashing waves of the ocean itself. The gem glows brightly, as though it were bestowed upon House Swiftwave by the God themselves. It is said this staff imbues it's chosen users with mastery over the sea, with the ability to calm the waters of the endless tides, or to call great storms upon the foes of House Swiftwave. Only one Swiftwave may lay claim upon this herald artifact at any given time, and only those who are truly worthy, are able to wield it. Darker tales speak of the need for blood to power such a boon, making it both a blessing, and a curse. (Currently wielded by Ryan Swiftwave.)

Important Members:
Viceroy Ryan Swiftwave – 24 years old, sole surviving son of the late Viceroy William Swiftwave.

Ryan Swiftwave

Viceroy William Swiftwave – 58 years old (Deceased, died with the late Emperor in his ship's sinking.)
Jace Swiftwave – 36 years old (Deceased, died with the late Emperor.)
Dererr Swiftwave – 33 years old (Deceased, died with the late Emperor.)
Alessi Swiftwave – 30 years old (Deceased, died with the late Emperor.)
Kimbely Swiftwave – 27 years old (Deceased, died with the late Emperor.)

Vicereine Deana Swiftwave – 52 years old, widow of the late Viceroy William Swiftwave.
Lee Swiftwave – 54 years old, brother of late Viceroy William Swiftwave.

Nation/Realms Name: Kawachian South Ethica

Sigil:

Flag:

House Motto: Eternity begins and ends with the ocean’s tides.

Region/color on map: Pinkish Red



Race name: Kawachian's

Racial appearance: The men tend to stand anywhere between 5'10” to 6'5” on average, with the women ranging from 5'8” to 6'1” in height. The vast majority of the Kawachian people share either grey-green eyes, or a hue of greenish-brown eyes. Their skin color is that of toasted tan color, due to the tropical sunlight and climate. Their weight averages no more than 215 lbs for the men, and 125 lbs for the women. Their hair colors range from hues of brown to dirty blonde, with the occasional rusty reddish brown showing up.

Racial traits: Most, if not all men of Kawachi are known for their rugged seamanship, skilled sailors who ply their god given gifts upon the waves of the endless oceans of their world. They are said to know when a sea storm approaches, when to sail, and when to batten down the hatches and tide over the storm. Their skill as sailors has lead to many a man of Kawachi to strike out and join as crewmen on not only their own ships, but those of neighboring realms as well.

Capital: The City of Point Break

Capital Population: 66,000 roughly.

Other Major Settlements:
City of Kongo – Seat of House Greenmane, currently ruled by Lord Beren Greenmane. 26,000 people.
City of Musashi – Seat of House Demetria, ruled by Lady Sally Demetria. 23,000 people.
City of Fuso – Seat of House Abbendis, ruled by Lord Alan Abbendis. 19,500 people.
City of Mikasa – Seat of House Marjhan, ruled by Lady Sabine Marjhan. 25,000 people.
City of Izumo – Seat of House Tolgraine, ruled by Lord Darrion Tolgraine. 22,500 people.

Population: 673,000

Culture: Kawachian South Ethica is best described as a seafaring and agrarian people. Their lives are devoted to the sea and tending to their crops. They praise feats of seamanship, and lavish farmers who grow bountiful crops that help feed the people. Men are looked at as the providers, the laborers and the defenders. They work the fields, defend the coasts, fish the oceans, and build the cities and houses. And yet, they have the easy task, so to speak.

Women, they are the true leaders behind the scenes. The manage the households, plan the crop rotations, when to plant, what to plant, where to build, what to build. They are the truly educated and gifted, for their skills in finance, economics, engineering, and so on, ensure that the sun never truly sets on Kawachi. Women are the heads of their households, working together with one another to ensure all the tasks of the home life are completed and finished to ensure peace and prosperity.

There is a saying on Kawachi, behind every great man, is a great woman. Here, men and women are equals, and use their talents in different things to work towards the singular goal of being successful, of doing what is needed to ensure continued sustainability.

Outside of the household, the people of Kawachi are very religious. They pray to Kammeth, and then to the other gods. Their folk lore is filled with tales of the Gods, coming down to Kawachi, and teaching them all that they know now. Kammeth is said to smile upon his sons and daughters of Kawachi, and that praise is due when its due, for Kammeth gave them all life and light, and his lights and life must never falter either.

Type of Government: Hereditary Monarchy, regional power residing with Viceroy Swiftwave, and all other families paying fealty to the ruling family in Point Break.

Influence and relations: The main influence that the people of Kawachi have over the realm is their ability to produce naval ships on a large scale, and at a rate that is enviable. They are known for taking orders from surrounding regions and building the ships they need, big and small, military and trade, at an affordable and quality level. They currently have standing orders for numerous ship building contracts with nearby regions, some just starting, others nearing completion.

The Vialiphate of Meletis is another story altogether. While from time to time, they have bought ships from Kawachia, their relationship is icy at best. Seen as overly zealous, hostile, and above all, heavy handed, the people of Kawachia and the Swiftwaves tread carefully when the Inquisition is near. They do as little as they can to be of help, and sometimes even impede visiting Inquisitors. Who knows how many innocent men and women have been whisked away, branded as heretics, to be cast out from their lands and homes. Blood has been spilled in the name of Kammeth, and in the name of Watatsumi, as the monks, priests/priestesses of Watatsumi have become more militarized in response to their continued harassment. House Swiftwave did what it could to stem the witch hunt, and for a while with the help of the late emperor, the Inquisition was held at bay.

Yet, not with the loss of the Emperor, and the loss of the late Viceroy, Kawachia and its people now must face the new wave of the Inquisition alone.

Military - The majority of Kawachian South Ethica's military is drafted from local levies and people who wish to serve in times of need. Levies who have already established themselves regularly train once a week, usually on a weekend, in order to keep their skills relatively decent, and to share in the camaraderie of being among friends. These training sessions usually turn into cook outs and feats of skill, where entire families come to enjoy being among friends and neighbors. Levies all know one another, and generally have a high moral based off of being drawn from close knit communities and continued practice with one another.

The standing military of Kawachi perhaps numbers no more than 5,500, with many of these men working rotations, so that only half are in the field at any given time. The ocean is a natural barrier to any would be enemies, and why waste precious financial reserves to have men who could be fishing and farming to stand around and look menacing. But, never consider the people of Kawachi unprepared, for at the behest of their ruler, a long chain of watch towers was constructed, and always manned. These watch towers provide a constant look out for any signs of aggression, and then light their beacons, signalling the levies, and the professional military who are not on duty.

Unit demographics: The military of Kawachi is broken down into three main pieces, the infantry, the archers, and the navy.

3,250 men - The navy is the single largest institution of the governing body of Kawachi. The comprise of sailors and marines who defend the shores of Kawachi, and her islands. The sail the oceans constantly, in both to help friendly ships to port, and to provide security to the shorelines. The navy also helps the people by fishing and providing escort to the shores.

1,250 men - The army, which is mainly comprised of lightly armored swordsmen, who wield a two handed sword meant for war, and war alone. Levies tend to be equipped with either swords, or spears, though generally spears as they are cheaper to produce and maintain. The army also helps tend to crops around their garrisons to provide food for themselves and the people around them.

1,000 men - The last piece of the puzzle, the archery corps. These men practice daily with their weapons, honing their skills to ensure that the home islands are never invaded. The archers ply their skills as hunters and showmen, providing a dual benefit to the people of Kawachi, security, and food/entertainment.

Landscape: A very tropical region, akin to Vietnam or Burma. Volcanic mountains long since dormant created a fertile region where growing crops is easy and a mainstay, though the climate precludes large crops of wheat and barley, which has the majority of crops being devoted towards rice, and other crops that can grow easily in the tropical climate. Numerous trees and forests dominate the islands, leading to the dominant industry of lumber and shipbuilding.

Wildlife: Like any other tropical region, bugs, bugs, and more bugs. Lots of birds, reptiles, large tigers, and oxen. Tropical forests, wavy grasslands, and jungles, along with dormant volcanic mountains.

Economy: The economy of Kawachi falls in the middle. There are those who are rich, like the noble families, and those that are extremely poor, criminals and beggars, and then the majority, who fall in the middle. Lucrative shipbuilding contracts help fund much of the region, while fishing, salt, and sugar exports also help keep the region relatively well off. Kawachian South Ethica retains enough wealth to live comfortably, but not in an excess to where they can afford massive standing armies, the newest fashions, and so on.

Religion: Kammeth is the Sun God, and warms the world. He is the primary god of Kawachi, with two others falling below him in importance. The first, is Kammeth's son, the Sea God Watatsumi. Depicted as a dragon, his temples dominate the coastlines of Kawachi, often being prayed to before a ship sets sail, the sailors very superstitious folk. These temples to Watatsumi house the wares of thousands of ocean voyages, gifts given up to the Dragon of the Seas, as tribute, and to stay his fierce desire to have have sailors for his vast undersea fleet. A darker cult, known as the Sea Dragons, believe that it is Watatsumi who is the one true rightful god to rule the Sky Pantheon. Thankfully, their sect is isolated only on the southern most island of Kawachi, known aptly as Furutaka, the large mountain that rises from the sea. Their temples dot the Southern coasts, with their largest and greatest built into the mountainside, grander and greater than any other temple on that islands.

The third god, or rather goddesses that are worshiped in Kawachi are the three sisters, daughters of Kammeth, known as Kim-Rae-Ali, the three sisters of the mountains. These goddesses are worshipped by farmers, hunters, and woodsmen, with their temples built into the mountains of Kawachi, and its outlying islands. The three goddesses are well regarded upon the islands, and tales of their beauty are traded among many a man and woman alike. Depicted within the temples as three loving sisters, they stand next to each other, holding hands and smiling, looking down at those who come to pray before them. Kammeth is usually painted onto the ceiling of these temples, looking down at his daughters with pride, and at his own loyal subjects as well.

Kammeth is paramount of all gods, but in Kawachi, he has only two temples, each larger than any of the other temples in all of Kawachi, excluding the Sea Dragon's monastery redoubt built in Furutaka. The temples of East and West, to mark the rise, and setting of the sun, built on opposite ends of the Kawachian realm, herald Kammeth and all his glory. The sun rises, and falls with Kammeth, and with him, the world awakens, and slumbers.

Secretly, last of all, is Ryan Swiftwave, who is a secret follower of Watatsumi and his cult of the Sea Dragon. He has never told anyone, nor plans on doing so. His private quarters hold a small shrine, a beautifully crafted dragon that he prays to and lights incense for, when he feels the need to.

History: WIP

Strengths:
Archers – If the enemy can never land on our shores, what need do we have of infantry? Kawachian's pride themselves on archery, using their skills in it to defend their ships and lands from any enemy who would dare attack them. Their bows are built from two types of wood, domestically grown Kuma wood, which grows in the mountains of Kawachi, and when there is spare wood, Webwood tree wood.
Naval experience – The sea is the lively hood of Kawachi. Why turn your back upon it when you can use such a great gift to your advantage? Kawachian sailors have an almost innate ability to tell the weather, when to sail, and when to put in. They have rudders that have mapped vast portions of the oceans and coasts of Ethica, all of which are fiercely guarded to the death.
Warships – With all their focus on the sea, they people of Kawachi have crafted some of the finest war vessels of the realm. These ships are used primarily by the Imperial navy, and themselves, for these war ships are closely guarded, and scarcely, if ever, sold to anyone else. A fine vessel that is a cut above everyone else, or at least in the eyes of the Kawachians.

Weaknesses:
Terrible Calvary – Kawachian South Ethica posses little to no true calvalry units, most if not all being only used as very light scouting units and dispatch runners. Horses are very scarce among the Southern Islands, only owned by nobility, and by Imperial Units.
No Heavy Infantry – Due to a lack of large reserves of mineral deposits to create Steel, let alone Iron is sufficient quantities, the military forces of Kawachi are almost completely devoid of any heavy infantry, save for the ceremonial guard unit stationed in the regional capital.
Shields... ha, we laugh at those things – The people of Kawachi never really developed the usage of shields, seeing it as a useless weight to hinder a man on the battlefield, and create the image of a coward who hides behind objects from his foe. The entire standing and levy military of Kawachian South Ethica is devoid of shield bearing units, preferring to use two handed weapons, duel wielding, or bow and arrow.

Export:
Ships – With the largest naval ports and shipbuilding yards in the realm, the pride and joy, along with the bread and butter of Kawachi, is the production and sale of seagoing vessels.
Sugar Cane – With a wonderful tropical climate, sugar is easy to produce and on a large scale. It would seem the rest of the realm likes sweet things.
Rice – A major foodstuff crop, the excess is exported to support the realm and feed those who need the extra sustenance.
Fish – With large ports come large fishing fleets, and the need to feed not only themselves, but to help out the Empire as a whole.
Salt – Well, you are surrounded by ocean on all sides, and salt is needed to preserve food, make it taste good, and so on. So, you collect, and sell it to the folks to the North of Kawachi.

Import:
Iron – As of now, iron is a hard item to come by in truly large quantities. This leads to the reason of Kawachi not having heavy infantry, heavy armor, shields, and so on. Iron is highly valued, though one day perhaps an iron mine of sufficient quantity will be discovered.
Wheat – Due to the hard nature of tropical climates, wheat is harder to grow in a sufficient number to create bread from the people of Kawachi. As such, wheat is imported, or its processed form, for food supplementation.
Horses – Horse are not naturally native to Kawachi. As such, they are imported from the mainland, but not for military use, but rather agrarian usages, and civil engineering.
Webwood lumber – Something is magical about this wood, its amazing to say the least. It is used in the largest of naval vessels, providing a large boost to the ships overall strength. Very costly, but well worth it for anyone who ply's the deep waters of the world.

[The Nexerus]

Violette

House Gracieux of Fleur de Violette

A violet in bloom on a field of gold.

Head of House: Duchess Victoria Gracieux, Elector of Violette.

House Speciality: Exotic Trade. Violette, House Gracieux's seat, is Ethica's primary destination for commerce with the Eastern Continent, 'Lointaine'. All trade between Lointaine and the imperial continent of Ethica flows through either Violette herself or her sister cities, giving Violette a reputation as the premiere destination for the finest goods in Ethica. The immense quantities of coin from these lucrative continental voyages have secured the place of Violette's noble houses and merchant guilds as considerably rich and influential players in Ethica's political and economic world, a force to be reckoned with in the empire at large.

House Ancestral Artefact: The ancestral artefact of House Gracieux is the 'gilded bouquet', a golden, gem-encrusted necklace said to have been gifted to the Gracieuxs by Kammeth in ancient days. The necklace is decorated with various gemstones inlaid to represent different flowers, and the largest of these flowers is a violet, made of amethysts, in the necklace's centre. The gilded bouquet is not imbued with any tangible magical power, and is said only to bring good fortune to its wearer, at the expense of their enemies.

Important Members

Lord Reynold Gracieux;

Aged 48. Admiral of the Veletian Marine. The younger brother of the deceased Duke Frank Gracieux, the former ruler of the Republic of Violette. An exceptionally talented sailor and leader of men, but (unusually for a Gracieux) something of an ascetic. His quarters on the flagship of the Veletian Marine are intentionally austere, and he does not share in—though does not necessarily loathe or even dislike—the vanity and gratuity of the rest of his house. He is merely dedicated to his role as Admiral, and has a certain level of distaste for anything which distracts him from his crucial duties. The one exception to this is his wife, Velhara Gracieux (née Tallurian), and their children, Xavier and Tsirine.

Duchess Victoria Gracieux, Elector of Violette;

Aged 28. Duchess of Violette. Daughter of the deceased Duke Frank Gracieux and his wife, Corrine Gracieux (née Duvard). Imperious and shrewd, Victoria is a woman who places great emphasis on her image and reputation, both from the eyes of her people and her fellow nobles. The people of Violette know their Duchess as the essence of elegance and confidence, seeing her only in elaborate dresses, walking tall among her guards in fanciful processions and occasionally travelling across the republic and beyond, decked in the finest jewellery and carrying herself with the thoughtless confidence, arrogance even, that only a woman of her stature can possess. Her contemporaries know her as a lady not to be trifled with; she tolerates no slights against her or her family and is rumoured to have murdered her previous husband, an abusive drunk, after he struck their daughter. Today, the Duchess is married to Ralltene Valarien, a prominent member of the Imperial family in the running for the succession. Victoria has gone to great effort to establish popular support for Ralltene, orienting the economic might of Violette in his favour and applying great pressure on House Gracieux's allies to support his claim.

Duchess Zoé Gracieux;

Aged 29. Duchess of Ramoi, in Aeche. Zoé is the amicable sister of Victoria, the Duchess of Violette, and became a Duchess herself shortly after her marriage to Certes Seval, when her newly wed husband's father passed away under not at all suspicious circumstances. Zoé is a tall, olive skinned woman, who presents herself as friendly and courteous. Her place in House Gracieux affords her extensive connections to Ethica's largest merchant companies, which she has used to great effect to help turn her adopted home in northern Aeche into a city of commerce and class.

Lord Xavier Gracieux;

Aged 20. The son of Reynold and Velhara, and older brother of Tsirine. A boastful young man and a talented swordsman, Xavier has all of the good looks and magical abilities of the Tallurians, all of the coin and connections of the Gracieuxs, and a way with a blade that is all his own. He has won numerous dueling tournaments both within Violette and abroad, and is fond of using his family connections (especially those of his father, the Admiral of the Veletian Marine) to travel the world, having already visited the eastern continent of Lointaine once before, even at such a young age. As he carries the blood of House Tallurian, Xavier looks rather unlike the other members of his household of Gracieux; he is pale, rather than olive-skinned, and instead of black his hair is a bright, vibrant red. Xavier is fond of teasing his younger sister and her constant worrying, which contrasts greatly with his own overconfidence.

Lord Elouan Gracieux;

Aged 19. A somewhat effeminate young man, known among the commoners as a patron of the arts, and among the aristocracy as a soft fool. He is the youngest of three siblings, kid brother to Victoria and Zoé. Elouan is too preoccupied with his hobbies, chiefly poetry and the lyre, to have much of an involvement (or even interest) in the political affairs of Ethica. Lately, he has gone to live in Stormgully, as a 'diplomat' between House Gracieux and House Cragmore. In truth, he is in love with Sofia Cragmore, and seeks to marry the young lady and take her with him back to Violette.

Lady Tsirine Gracieux;

Aged 12. The younger of Velhara and Reynold's children, Tsirine takes after her mother in appearance if not in personality. Although Velhara is a lively and optimistic person, Tsirine is a pessimist, and a close friend of her younger cousin, Anice. She is pale with red hair, like her brother and the rest of those with close Tallurian ancestry. Tsirine possess a sharp wit and a love of strategy games such as chess, which she enjoys teaching to Anice.

Lady Anice Gracieux;

Aged 10. Heir of House Gracieux. The daughter of Duchess Victoria through her deceased first husband, Anice took her mother's name after the death of her father, and is the first in line to succeed as head of House Gracieux should her mother pass. She is an intensely shy, skittish child, suspicious and afraid of strangers and kept under close watch by her mother. It is rumoured across the republic in hushed whispers that Anice, then an even younger child, was once struck by her abusive, drunkard father. Her mother, willing to tolerate violence against herself, but not her daughter, grabbed a knife and slit the throat of her hated husband. Regardless of the validity of these rumours, Anice is incredibly close to her mother, and no one else. The only other person that Victoria feels comfortable allowing Anice to be alone with is Victoria's uncle, Lord Reynold, or his wife Velhara. When Reynold and Velhara aren't available, and Victoria needs to leave Violette, Anice must always come with her. Although Anice is extremely introverted, she does have one close friend. Her cousin, Tsirine, is very close to her, and Anice easily spends more time with Tsirine than anyone else. This friendship is sanctioned by Victoria, who hopes that Anice's friendship with Tsirine can help make the young Gracieux heir more ready to rule.

Republic of Violette

Regional Map



The Luzerne is the name given to the republic's countryside, a region largely left to its own devices by House Gracieux and the other nobles of the republic. The peasants here are farmers and lumberers, tending the region's fertile fields and harvesting her forests' plentiful wood. Unlike in most of the empire's realms, the majority of the inhabitants of Luzerne—who are themselves called 'the Luzerne'—are free, unbound to any count, duke or king, and subject only to imperial authority. Their towns and villages are in free association with the republic, however, for the reason of mutual benefit. Violette and her sister cities offer the Luzerne profitable markets for their produce, and the gendarmerie of the republic help to keep the Luzerne free of banditry, and out of the reach of neighbouring kingdoms who might seek to claim their lands.

The inhabitants of the Fleurs de Mer are not so fortunate. Each of the islands is personally owned in its entirety by House Gracieux, the city of Estporte in the northern Fleurs de Mer the only notable exception. The peasants of the Fleurs de Mer are not free, like in the Luzerne, and instead of selling the fruit of their labour on the open market, their produce is the possession of the head of House Gracieux, and they are given room and board for themselves and their families and paid a modest wage. Most of the habitants of the Fleurs de Mer are migrants from the Luzerne; although there is less opportunity in the Fleurs de Mer, there is greater certainty in a fixed wage than in the independent farming on the republic's mainland.

Cities and Populations

The total population of the Republic of Violette, including the city of Violette itself and her sister cities, as well as the Luzerne and the Fleurs de Mer, is 1,440,000.

Violette (126,000);

The eponymous capital of the republic and one of the largest cities in Ethica. Violette is a crucial port-city, serving as the empire's main eastern economic hub and its most important link to the eastern continent: Lointaine. Violette's ports and streets are constantly bustling with activity, day and night, included among their inhabitants traders and travellers from far off, foreign lands. Violette is considered a cultural centre in addition to an economic and financial one, home to a great many upscale restaurants and taverns, and hosting plentiful musicians and other artists. Violette is also home to the headquarters of each of the four most important organizations in the republic: House Gracieux, the Veletian Marine, the Veletian Gendarmerie and the Violette Senate.

The first and last of these organizations are located on the Fleur de Violette, a small island just off of the coast of the city, connected to the mainland by a bridge. The Fleur de Violette is home to the Palais du Peuple, a gargantuan construct resembling a cathedral, built in the Gothic style and housing the Violette Senate, both its chambers and the personal residences of the senators. The island also contains the private residence of House Gracieux, a servant's quarters for the attendants of both House Gracieux and the Palais de Peuple, and a barracks of the gendarmerie. Admittance onto the island is restricted: one must either be a Gracieux, a Senator, one of the resident servants or an invited guest for the gendarmerie to permit entrance.

Confluence (23,500);

The second largest city in the republic, located in its north-western region. Confluence sits astride the meeting point of two rivers, Jamais Sur and Jamais Nur, which combine at Confluence to form the River Jamais, which feeds into the Bay of Estporte. Confluence was founded ages past as a small fishing village and a way-point across the River Jamais. It was only two hundred years ago that a prominent merchant family bought the land of most of the peasants living around Confluence, and began expanding the town to encourage settlers from the northern Luzerne. The expansion of Confluence from a small village into a significant trading town coincided with the rise of the once modest merchant family who bought the town into the now fully fledged noble family of House Jamais, with Confluence as its seat.

Île Couronne (5,800);

The smallest of the Veletian sister-cities, but a major outpost of the Veletian Marine, and an important town for the mining industry due to the large gold mine for which the town was founded. Île Couronne is regarded as a possession of Violette's ruling Gracieux dynasty, who are the owners of aforementioned local gold mine (and most of the town's other business). Île Couronne is governed entirely from Violette; the only civic government on the island is limited to a single office-holder: 'Mayor of Île Couronne', a ceremonial title awarded in perpetuity to the head of House Gracieux.

Estporte (8,700);

This sister-city of Violette sits within Calm Bay, on an island mostly owned by House Gracieux. Located along the island's eastern shores, however, is Estporte herself, the seat of House Mercalme, a noble dynasty with history dating back as far as that of Ethica's great houses. In ancient days, the Fleur de Mer to the east of Estporte were over-run with pirates, and the name 'Calm Bay' was an ironic one. Estporte was a fortress-city, with thick, stone walls running to the shore, and a heavily defended coastline built to withstand attacks from the eastern marauders.

The fleet of House Mercalme, a substantial war-fleet, charged a fee to merchant vessels that needed to traverse the bay, escorting them to ensure their safety in exchange for coin. It was House Mercalme's main source of revenue, which is why the family went broke when, several generations ago, the Veletian Marine was deployed to rid the islands of their pirate menace. The Fleurs de Mer were annexed to House Gracieux, and within a generation, House Mercalme was entirely out of money. Over time, they were forced to sell more and more of the land on Estporte and more and more of their once famous fleet to the powers-that-be in Violette: House Gracieux. Nowadays, the Mercalmes are heavily indebted to the Gracieuxs, and are rumoured to maintain their exuberant lifestyles through various illegal enterprises.

Artran (19,300);

The eponymous seat of House Artran, a noble family originating from the Imperial City that relocated to the republic far into the past. Artran is home to a great number of expert craftsmen, especially jewellers, and House Artran itself possesses one of the empire's largest collections of fine jewellery, much of it crafted right there in the city.

Ethnic Name: Veletians.

Ethnic Appearance: Veletians tend towards the features of southern Europe, such as olive skin and darker hair colours. This tendency is most pronounced in the southern Fleurs de Mer, and least evident in the northern Luzerne and the riverside city of Confluence, where lighter tones are more common. Fair skin and hair are seen by the wealthier, urban Veletians as stereotypically Luzerne (and therefore lower-class) features.

Culture: The culture of the Republic of Violette is distinguished from the rest of Ethica foremost by its enlightened nature. Veletians, especially in the cities, are much more open to new ideas than the people of the western kingdoms, and are in particular less strict about the roles of women and the boundaries between the classes. Wealth, not blood, is the primary determiner of status in the republic, and all noble titles throughout the republic are (theoretically) bestowed by the Violette Senate. Although the common man in the republic is no significant degree richer than the common men of other realms, he is substantially freer. The republic's mainland countryside, the Luzerne, consists entirely of free men, unbound to service, holding no lords and no masters spare the Emperor, and governed only by their local community.

Type of Government: Crowned Republic. Violette is governed by a unicameral legislature, the Violette Senate, which consists of five hundred directly elected senators serving three year terms. The Violette Senate determines the entirety of Veletian civic policy, in both Violette itself and her sister cities. It is also the responsibility of the Senate to determine Veletian military policy, deciding when to deploy the Veletian Marine or Gendarmerie abroad. Legally, it is even the Senate which bestows the supposedly honorary title of Duke of Violette upon the noble of their choosing, in recognition of their service to the republic.

In practice, however, the Senate always selects the designated heir of House Gracieux as the next Duke, just as it always deploys the marine or genderarmerie at the Gracieux's behest. This arrangement is seen by most of the Veletians not as corruption, but merely something of an esoteric succession practice, and one of practical benefit: a strong royal house to handle important matters, and a democratic senate to forge less important day-to-day public policy. It is worth noting that House Gracieux is popular among the Luzerne, who do not vote to elect senators and are therefore contemptuous of the Senate. For that reason, and many others, the Senators are almost without question loyal and obedient servants of Duchess Victoria (lest they be deposed). If push came to shove and there was a discrepancy between what the Senate wanted and what House Gracieux wanted, House Gracieux would win.

Influence and Relations

Although House Gracieux's impressive wealth imbues a sort of a passive influence all throughout the empire and beyond, it is those houses and those nations with especially close trade ties to Violette, and whose families have married with the Gracieuxs, who are most susceptible to the family's influence.

House Cragmore: Lord Elouan Gracieux is residing in Stormgully, and courting Sofia Cragmore.

House Duvard: Duchess Victoria Gracieux's mother was born Corrine Duvard, and Victoria's Duvard ancestry has helped positively inform her opinion of House Duvard; a sensible, noble family, appreciative of all the finer things in life that Violette has to provide.

House Seval: Lady Zoé, sister of Duchess Victoria, married Certes Seval to eventually become Duchess of Ramoi. House Gracieux is using its merchant connections to help establish Ramoni as a major trade city, and generally regards House Seval (though especially Certes' line of the house) as an ally in the west.

House Tallurian: Lord Reynold Gracieux, Admiral of the Veletian Marine, is married to Velhara, the sister of the Queen of Tellaria. Houses Tallurian and Gracieux, and therefore Tellaria and Violette, have both a positive personal relationship and prosperous and growing trade ties.

Military

Veletian Gendarmerie

The Veletian Gendarmerie is the republic's combined army and police force, responsible for protecting Violette and her possessions from threats both external and internal. The force is extensively trained, highly disciplined and pays exceedingly well, ensuring that its uniformed men are skilled in both combat and manner; the only thing better than a gendarme's swordplay is his etiquette. The rigorous nature of the initiation requirements and the training process ensure that only the most capable men make it into the gendarmerie. For this reason the organization is famously impartial, baring no predisposition towards corruption or harassment of innocents, as might be found in other cities.

The second consequence of the gendarmerie's strict induction process is its small number of enlisted men. The gendarmerie numbers only 7,000, policing a country of nearly one and a half million. Therefore, they must be supplemented at times with local militia groups of substantially lower quality. In the settlements of the Luzerne and Fleur de Tulipe, for instance, it is not uncommon for a village to possess only one or two resident gendarmerie, aided in their efforts by a larger number of local militiamen who report to them. This situation can also occur during times of war; when the gendarmerie are believed to be too few to counter a threat, it is not uncommon for the gendarme in charge to recruit a temporary militia to fill in any gaps for which there are too few uniformed men to occupy.

The dress, weaponry and even the behaviour of the gendarmerie is highly regimented. Their violet-coloured uniforms are tight-fitting, made of breathable, stretchable fabrics, designed to mimic the dress of the upper classes without limiting combat capability. Underneath this uniform is worn a padded cuirass, for purposes of defence, and over top is worn a helmet, as well as light armour for the shoulders, thighs, calves and forearms. The standard gendarmer in the field will be armed with a basket-hilted sword and a small crossbow, but the equipment of the gendarmerie deployed on the battlefield is more modular, ranging from pikemen to longbowmen.

As to a gendarme's behaviour, a strict code of conduct is followed, called the 'manière charmant'. It has three basic tenets: a gendarmer must act without personal advantage or favour, must conduct themselves with nobility and grace when treating with all classes of persons regardless of status, and is to exemplify courage in all their dealings within and without the call of duty. A gendarme's oath to obey the manière charmant is a serious one, taken on the final day of their training to finalize their place within the gendarmerie. If a gendarme is found to be in violation of the manière charmant, he can be subjected to severe punishment, up to and including execution by guillotine.

Veletian Marine

The pride of Violette and the mistress of the Eastern Seas, the Veletian Marine is one of the largest and most skilled naval forces in the world. Its purple-sailed vessels patrol the seas from Violette herself to the farthest reaches of the Fleurs de Mer, keeping the republic's coast-lands free of pirates and secure of foreign aggressors. The territorial breadth of Violette's empire does not represent the full extent of the reach of the Veletian Marine, however. Veletian merchant ships carrying cargo of exceptional value will often by accompanied by war-vessels of the marine, deterring all but the most foolish pirates and other enemies of commerce. These commissioned trade outings, alongside the constancy of piracy threats, ensure that the sailors of the Veletian Marine are experienced and capable of reacting quickly and appropriately to crises as they occur. While in many foreign lands, formal military vessels are often in duty only in times of war, most ships under the command of the Veletian Marine are kept in action at all times (excluding regular repairs and inspections), leaving their captains and crew seasoned on the high seas and ready for battle.

Although the Veletian Marine is a more than sufficient force for both defending the republic and projecting its power abroad, Violette also possesses a large merchant navy. Rather than for defence, they exist for the purpose of conducting overseas trade, the primary engine of the Veletian economy. Owned primarily by independent merchant outfits, the vessels of the Veletian Merchant Navy tend to focus on speed and cargo space over defensibility, and in times of conflict (either with pirates or foreign navies) are dependent on the Marine to ensure they reach their destination.

Landscape: The republic's coast-lands, including Violette itself, are Mediterranean in climate, and relatively flat and featureless. Further inland, into the western Luzerne, the climate becomes more temperate and the landscape more varied, and large stretches of forest interspersed with gently rolling hills can be found.

Economy: The Republic of Violette's economy is strongly dominated by international trade. Most crafts centre around this fact, and by far the most common tradesmen in Violette are sailors. The republic's economy is neither entirely dominated by foreign trade nor consisted entirely of seamen, however. The immense quantity of luxury goods moving through Violette and her sister cities have given rise to many speciality trades, such as gem cutters, and the wealth produced from this flow of commodities has in turn given rise to careers catering to the rich, such as artistry.

Religion: Veletians are primarily followers of Kammeth and Lyriel, the father and mother of the world. The lesser gods are not without worship in the republic, however, and foremost among them is Kayo, the God of the Sea, who is revered by Violette's plentiful seafarers.

History: The republic has existed since before the rise of the Phoenix Empire, and the story of the formation of the Violette Senate has long been lost to the sands of time. The rise of the republic to greatness, however, is relatively recent, and was largely caused by the empire's formation. Imperial authority brought order to Ethica, allowing for an environment more conductive to trade and mercantile enterprises, which Violette has always specialized in. As the empire grew, so too did Violette's base of customers. House Gracieux's immense wealth has allowed the family to become incredibly influential in the years of peace that the empire has brought on, and permitted her influence to be felt in all four corners of the continent. Separatist sentiment is almost non-existent in Violette; the empire is coin, and coin is all that matters.

Strengths

Bottomless Coffers- House Gracieux is fabulously wealthy. The family makes a fortune off of trade with Lointaine, owns extensive tracts of land in the republic, and is the primary investor of a great number of merchant companies and other businesses all across the empire. There is not a province in Ethica that isn't home to something owned by House Gracieux.

Manière Charmant- The Veletian Gendarmerie's exceptionally qualified men and the force's rigorous organizational process ensures that the Republic of Violette's lands are some of the best policed in the Empire. Violette and her sister cities in particular are kept safe and clean by the gendarmerie, and the organization's impartiality prevents corruption within the republic's government, preventing societal decay even in a society as laissez-faire as Violette's.

Weaknesses

No Masters, No Slaves- There is a reason that lords like to keep their peasants in bondage to them. A serf may be less happy than a free man, but you can use him harder, and for more than just tilling the land, such as fighting your wars for you. The unbounded nature of the farmers in the Luzerne means that they have no obligation to fight for the Duke of Violette, and thus that the vast majority of the republic's otherwise perfect levy candidates are ineligible to be called forth. This forces the republic to rely on the the Veletian Gendarmerie and its extremely limited numbers as its land force in times of war, severely restricting the republic's combat abilities on land.

Exports

Luxury Goods- Violette's trade with the eastern continent allows the city to serve as Ethica's primary (re)exporter of various exotic and luxury goods, ranging from silk, to gemstones, to rare herbs, to coffee beans and cocoa, and all the way to caged beasts from foreign lands.

Gold- Île Couronne, one of Violette's sister cities, is built around a large gold mine, which supplies a portion of its bounty to the republic's jewellers and exports the rest as solid bars, for refinement elsewhere.

Financial Services- The various merchant families in Violette, and especially the noble House Gracieux itself, are known for using their established wealth to supply the coin needed to start up business ventures elsewhere in the empire. The financial district in Violette, just across the bridge from the Fleur de Violette that serves as House Gracieux's seat, is home to a number of banks and loaning institutions, which can store or supply coin from or for various clients throughout Ethica.

Imports

Metals- Although Violette's Île Couronne is a literal gold mine, the rest of the republic's land area is sadly bereft of significant ore deposits. Both common ores, like iron and tin, as well as rarer ones such as silver for use in Artran's jewellery, needed to be imported from other kingdoms. Even stone, an extremely common material elsewhere in Ethica, needs to be imported into the republic.

Animals- There are almost no livestock farmers to be found in Violette, and everything from cows for milk and beef, chickens for poultry and eggs, and horses for both overland trade and personal transportation need to be brought into Veletian lands from abroad. This need also applies to other products derived from animals, such as fur, wool and oils.

[Claw2k11]

It is done!

House Shieldbearer

House Name: House Shieldbearer

Head of House: King Elector Dorias Shieldbearer

House Specialty: Strong Generals. Men born into this house have always been exceptional generals and have been always knwon to sntach victory from the jaws of defeat in most of their battles.

House Ancestral Artifact: The Shield of the Protector - Morgas, the general that led Queen's Lalaifia's bodyguard had been able to protect her for so long for a reason. Kammeth handed Morgas for his service, the Shield of the Protector, a shield capable of forming a small magical shield around the wielder and some of the people around him. The Shield is usually handed to the Leader of the Emperor's personal bodyguard

Important Members:

Dorias Shieldbearer(Age 24)- Current head of the house and a very promising general as the people in his house usually are. However, unlike most of the previous heads, he has chosen to be rather isolationist, only making contact with other houses if necessary. Despite this, he has kept trade relations with the other house, mostly to supply his rather barren province. He is currently unmarried, however, he does try to get himself married, if it's in the interest of his nation it's even better.

Mardanis Shieldbearer(Age 32)- Older brother to Dorias, Mardanis carries on the tradition of his house in leading the personal bodyguard of the one he sees as true Emperor. However, his loyalty lies not to the head of his house, but to the Emperor himself, taking orders only from him. And as tradition has it, he can no longer claim the seat of house Shieldbearer.

Princess Remis Shieldbearer(Age 23)- Youngest member of the house and a charming young woman. While she chooses not to play any direct role in the house, she has established a rather expansive network of spies throughout the Empire, so more often than not, she knows what's happening to the realm, if the head of a house is in financial trouble, or if the member of a house is secretly ill. These secrets, will help make her house, one of the more important houses of the Empire.

Mertenis Steelskin(Age 25): While not officialy married to princess Remis, mostly thanks to King Dorias, the young Mertenis is very much considered part of the family, only to a point however, as the king does not trust this young man to become regent of Khomeria while he is gone. Like most Khomeri people, he has silver-like hair and light blue eyes, however, unlike the honest working people of Khomeria, he is very cunning. He is the brother of the current head of house Steelskin.

Vermias Stone(Age 30)- This young man is the bastard son of Regios Shieldbearer, brother to the previous king, King Karmius Shieldbearer. Like so many of the bastards in the empire, he has no legal claim of the khomeri throne and does not seek it either. As he was placed in the Iron Guard mere weeks before the start of the Purple Plague at the age of 18. Not only has he survived the plague, but he has advanced to become the leader of the Iron Guard, now accompanying his brother and king everywhere he goes.

Marianna Stormborn(Age 24)- Sister to the current head of house Stormborn, has joined the Royal Guard and is now serving under Mardanis Shieldbearer, rumored love interest of Mardanis Shieldbearer and Laikar Steelskin

Laikar Steelskin(Age 29)- Second in Command to Mardanis in the Royal Guard, and younger brother to the current head of house Steelskin.

Morgon Shattershield(Age 30) - A massive brute of a man, standing a head taller than most men and with incomparable strength. In the Royal guard along with Marianna Stormborn, Laikar Steelskin and Morgon Shattershield.

Armonia Stone(Age 29) - A strong and cunning woman, illegitimate daughter of the deceased Veritan Stormborn, previous head of the Stormborn family. Currently the Grandmaster of the Wyvern Knights

Nation/Realms Name: Khomeria

Sigil:



Flag:



House Motto: "Raise your shields!"

Region/color on map: Orange(Above the red and northwest of the brown)

Race name: Khomeri

Racial appearance: The people of this province are rather tanned, despite having lived in the mountains for such a long time. It is common for a Khomeri to have silver colored hair and light blue eyes. The average Khomeri adult has about 80kg, while in height he would be about 1.9 meters tall. Most of the men of this nation are well built, even if they haven't trained, whilst most women have a natural beauty to them that makes them very desired by the men of other nations.

Racial traits: These people have a natural skill in smithing, and it evolved from all the mountains around the nation being rich in all sorts of minerals. This made the weapons and armors of this nation to be of top quality. However, the smiths of this nation also make the most beautiful lockets, bracelets and other pieces of jewelry.

Capital: Meraton

A very heavily fortified city with massive and thick fortifications. The city in itself is rather colourless, the city is filled with smiths to produce weapons for the ever increasing demands of weapons, armors and jewelry. The town is mostly made up of residential quarters, the military quarters, and the trading quarters and the manufacturing quarters where all the smiths and other smillar professions reside.

Capital Population: 60.000

Other Major Settlements:

Vermilias- The fortress standing at the only entrance into this province. This fortress has been improved over the generations to be able to whitstand invasions from other provinces and is now a massive fortress complex rivaling the capital in it's size. The population of this fortress-city is of about 50.000. The Lords usually in charge of this fortress are given the title Lord Protector of Vermilias. The current head is Lord Protector of Vermilias, Fokas Stormborn

Drahmis- Situated right next to the mountains, this is where all the riches and metals of this nation come from and is one of the most important cities in the realm. It has a population of about 45.000 people, of which 5.000 are either miners or smiths. The Lords in charge of this fortress are ussually among the richest in the province and maybe sometimes the Empire. The current head is Lord Maridan Steelskin

Dertamis- This place is both the cultural and religious hub of Khomeria, the city having many towering structures and temples. This is also the place that Morgas, the head of this house was born and as such, the Khomeri consider it their most important city. The city has a population of around 45.000 people, many of which are dedicated to the temples. The current head is Lord Leimar Shattershield

Population: 312.000

Culture: Many people of the outside see the people of Khomeria as hard working smiths and proud warriors, but some see them as just xenophobic primitives sealing themselves in their own little world. In truth, they are artisans, smiths, merhcants, architects and even strong warriors when the need arises, alas, since the population has lived only with itself, it has grown rather suspicious of other peoples.

Type of Government: Feudal Monarchy with the leader of the nation taking the title of King of Khomeria and Protector of the Realm

Influence and relations: Other than being on good terms with the Phoenix Throne(after all, the head and a lot of the Emperor's bodyguard is made of Khomerians), it only has friendly relations with the only nation they consider true friends, the Kingdom of Ignis and House Duvard.

They have maintained strong relations with them, partly from necessity, as Khomeria imports much of it's food from Ignis, as such, the occasional man may whisper that House Duvard has a leverage over House Shieldbearer, however, they are quickly hushed by a proud Khomerian who consider the people of Ignis true friends.

Military -
(Details on the amount and types of men available. Any war vessels from navies, go here as well, it would be important to note as this is a Middle age Setting that relies largely one levies, few have the funds for a standing army, aside from the Phoenix Throne.)

Garrisons:

Meraton: 850 guardsmen

Vermilias: 650 guardsmen

Drahmis: 600 guardsmen

Dertamis 600 guardsmen

Voldigar: 400 guardsmen

Morkias: 350 guardsmen

Armais: 300 guardsmen

Standing Army:

500 triarii- Heavy Defensive Spearmen

200 Shieldbrothers- Heavy Defensive Sword Infantry

100 Longbowmen- Medium Archer Infantry

50 Snipers- Heavy Crossbow Infantry

15 War magi

50 Reavers- Light Shock Cavalry.

50 Lancers- Light Spear Cavalry

50 Iron Guards: Heavy Defensive Spear Infantry

Unit demographics: (heavy infantry, marksman, etc and their equipment/training, remember no army in real life was ever able to field a fully rounded all capable army. Sometimes a lack of something makes it more interesting.)

The current Standing Army of Khomeria is a highly trained military force. The Hoplites and Shieldbrothers are heavy and slow-moving units and as such have been armed to defend themselves rather than attack, and as such, they have learned to become a impenetrable wall of swords and spears. They are equipped with high quality steel weapons and armors. The Longbowmen and Snipers are strong ranged units, however, what they make up in high quality weapons, the lack in extensive training using them. The cavalry it's this nation's weakest link, having little to no horses, the nation focused little on the training of it's cavalry, resulting it's cavalry to be more bark than bite. The Iron Guard are the personal bodyguard of the Khomerian King and are formed of the best trained soldiers in the Khomerian army.

This nation has made one of the oddest choices a nation could do, it chose to stop conscripting troops into levies and rather maintain a small but professional standing army.

Landscape: Heavily Mountainous with forests and little to no arrable land.

Economy: Financially speaking, Khomeria is a rich nation as it is the exporter of most of the Empire's precious metals, jewelry and other metals, however, agriculturally, the nation is poor, having to import large amounts of food from other more fertile nations.

Religion:

While a large portion of the people worship Gerna to aid them in their efforts in the mine, the people of Khomeria worship a little known god that has been almost forgotten by everyone except the Church and Khomerians. This god has been in the past attributed as the patron god of Khomeria. While his name has been all but forgotten, his title still stands and resonates in the hearts of the people of Khomeria. He is called the Protector and people pray to him that he shield this nation from the threats of nature and man. The Standing army of the nation worships this little known god of the Sky Pantheon and prays that the Protector shield them so that they may see the next day again.

History: It will be built up in the RP...

Strengths:

Minerally Rich- This country, being mostly settled in the mountains, it has a massive flow of precious metals and jewelry, making it a rich nation.

Standing Army- Thanks to these riches, the nation is one of the few capable of sustaining a standing army, a small one, but a standing army neverthenless.

Nation of the Fortresses- In this nation, even the smallest castle has complex fortifications, making it all that harder to conquer by any possible invading force.

Weaknesses:

Infertile lands- Again, since this is a mountain nation, most of it's lands are infertile and uncapable of producing many crops for it's population.

Isolated- This nation has had almost no contact with the other nations for the past two generations(except the Phoenix Throne itself) and as such, it's relations with many of major and minor houses are rather poor.

No Navy- This nation, despite having a sea opening, they have chosen to not make any ships as they believe the Protector despises sailors. The only measure they take against a possible invasion is having any towns near the coast heavily fortified.

Export:

Gold

Iron

Weapons

Armors

Luxury Goods

Import: This realm heavily imports any sort of food it can to sustain it's growing population.

[BlackBishop]

House Starborn
We Light The Way

House Name:Starborn

Head of House: Victor Starborn, King of Mivaen, Grand-Mayor of Starborn.

Kingdom of Mivaen, AKA Starborn City-State

House Specialty: The Starborns are known to be pragmatic merchants, able to look past moral qualms in pursuit of profits. This may have made them unpopular with some houses but the Starborns are quick to excuse their actions with their common saying; gold has no conscience. Their ability to see profits above all other considerations has given them a certain focus in their mercantile dealings, and their rich coffers are evident of this fact.

House Ancestral Artifact: The Tri-Star Crown - In a time since before the Empire, a sailor was hopelessly lost at sea. His crew dead, his provisions spent, the man was on the brink of death when a vision came to him of angelic beings singing of prophecy. They said that he was destined to found a great city and a dynasty to last the ages. The angels cast a blinding light across the sky, a trail to lead him to his destiny, which erupted three stars in a radiant glow. Following his new path, the sailor made landfall at long last. Setting foot in the realm of Mivaen, which at the time was a fueding realm of divided clans. The sailor, born anew, took the name Starborn, united the clans under his rule and laid the foundation for the city to come of his name. For his efforts, Kammeth smiled upon him and sent him a gift from the heavens, his kingly crown. The Tri-Star Crown, adorned with three shimmering jewels representing the the Sisters' Stars that led the first Starborn home, remains within the same lineage to this day.

Important Members:

Victor Starborn

The pragmatic head of the Starborn Dynasty, and ruler of Mivaen and Starborn City. A man of near sixty, he is widely respected among the lords of Mivean while reviled in greater parts of Ethica. Seen by many as greedy, or a midas touched by others, no one can doubt his shrewd mind for finances.

Willim Starborn

Though the younger of Victor's two sons, Willim is thought to be favoured among his father and vassals for the succession, given the keen mind for business he learned from his father. Sharing his father's pragmatism, Willim's love for family and empire is overshadowed by his love of gold.

Tybolt Starborn

Though the elder of the two Starborn sons, Tybolt has exhibited little interest in rule beyond that of his own ship. A seasoned sailor and explorer, Tybolt is the naval commander of Mivaen's fleet, and is content with that title.

Elana Starborn

Elana is Victor Starborn's eldest child, and enjoys the coveted title of Imperial Ambassador. Stationed in the capital, it is Elana's charge to conduct diplomacy and represent Mivaen interests in the Emperor's court. She is a shrewd woman when she knows what she wants, but is sparing with favours and quick to carry favour with the lords of the land, offsetting the ill reputation of her father.

Vance Rainwood

The Warden of the Steel Quarter, a fortified district within Starborn City that houses the city's prison and City Watch headquarters. As well as a warden of the city, Vance also sits upon the king's high council as Royal Martial. He is a brutally honest man who does not mince words, and does not believe in honeyed speech.

Seras Rightspear

Seras Rightspear is the Baroness of Buntry, and the principal ruler outside the walls of Starborn City. Years ago Seras was taken hostage by the Dread Pirate Rareik. Seras was freed by Tybolt Starborn, and though Rareik escaped, she has shared a special bond with Tybolt ever since, despite their arranged marriages to different rulers.

Garret Hardrow

Garret Hardrow is the Baron of Hardrow, his family a long standing rival of the Starborns and former kings of Mivaen. Garret himself has a sound working relationship with King Victor, any disdain born from their family history kept at a distance in favour of peace. In his private counsels, however, Garret remembers his family's former glory well.

Giles Gisborn

A charismatic noble within Starborn City, Sir Giles Gisborn comes from a long line of prosperous traders. Giles himself often charters trading expeditions to far away Lointaine. Considered the leader of the House of Nobles of Starborn City, Giles is often frustrated by the lack of influence held by the house.

Faryn Silverhand

Faryn is a testament to the rising power of the merchant class of Starborn City. Though a lowborn without landed titles, Faryn is a highly successful trader, and owns three trade cogs frequent busy ports across all Ethica. His success prompted his ascension to the royal council, King Victor naming him Royal Steward much to the chagrin of much of the nobility.

Rareik Farwyn

Known in Mivaen as the Dread Pirate Rareik, Rareik is actually of noble blood, belonging to House Farwyn that were principal rulers of Mivaen before the rise of the Starborns. His ancestors defeated by the Starborns, their ancestral lands conquered, the Farwyns were exiled into the western badlands which have since taken their name. Though inhospitable, the rivers and lake that border the badlands offered Rareik much opportunity to hone his seamanship. A competent sailor, Rareik harasses and pillages Starborn merchants at every opportunity. He is currently in hiding following a defeat at the hands of High-Captain Tybolt Starborn.

Nation/Realms Name: Mivean and Starborn interchangeably. (While technically a kingdom, the concentration of power in Starborn City renders it a city-state.)

Sigil: A battlement before a blue sea, crowned with three stars.

Flag:
The traditional Mivaen Flag, depicting the Tri-Star Crown, bordered by the Sisters' Star and the North Star, all of which that play a vital role in navigation for the kingdom's sailors.

House Motto: We Light The Way

Region/color on map: Grey

Race name: Miveans (human)

Racial appearance: Due to intermingling between different ethnic groups, a result of the busy port city of Starborn, it is sometimes hard to discern the native attributes of Miveans. In the border regions of the kingdom, however, there are some who endeavor to keep the Mivean bloodlines pure. These people tend to have reddish to black hair, and radiant amber eyes.

Racial traits: Mivaens hold a special reverence for the sea, and the starry sky for the role it plays in navigation. The people of Mivaen are known for their mastery of ship and sea.

Capital: Starborn City - Largely considered the jewel of the south, admittedly by Mivaens themselves, Starborn City is a bustling merchant port and one of the largest cities in the empire. Central to the city is the Starry Palace, seat of the Starborn Dynasty. The palace is known for it's three towers, representing the three stars, the Sister Stars prevalent in the houses origin.

Starborn City

Capital Population: 100,000

Other Major Settlements: Buntry (6,500) - The only other major settlement in Mivaen, surrounded by short stone walls, a town and harbour, dominated by an obsidian stone tower.

Hardrow Hall (800)- Once the proud seat of kings before the rise of the Starborns, Hardrow Hall's glory is long past. It now stands as a decrepit hall surrounded by a village and neglected port.

Westport (500)- the westward most settlement in the kingdom and the gateway to the lawless Farwyn badlands. Westport is the site of a small harbour and a hall for the local baron, with a disorderly village surrounding the hill.

Seastone Tower - An ancient fortess raised up from the ocean rocks from beneath the sea. Legends say it was built by the infamous wizard Flarnax. An affront to the Gods, Flarnax was vanquished by the Sea God Tritus but his tower still stands. Now it is occupied by Starborn troops and guards the southern coast as well as a way station for Starborn fleet. In times of peace, it is populated by shipwrights exercising their craft, but in times of war it can be garrisoned by as much as one thousand troops and provide a defended harbour.

Population: 400,000

Culture: The Mivaens are a proud seafaring people. They mainly worship the Sea-God Tritus and hold the sea in a deep reverence. For the most part, the peasants of the land work on the merchant and fishing vessels, followed by foresters and farmers. The nobility busy themselves trading, most owning their own vessels from which they use to trade across the empire, and most reside within Starborn City. There is a rising merchant class within the city that have reaped the fruits of trade within the city, some of the more affluent have gathered enough wealth to rival the richest of the nobility.

Along with the reverence of the sea, the captains of ships are held in high honour in Mivaen society. Such men are highly regarded for having the strength to tame the power of Tritus, that is the sea. Such show of respect is often evident when Mivaens go into a naval battle, often taking risks to ensure an enemy captain is captured alive, and treated with the respect given to his station.

In the rural lands of Mivaen, beyond the walls of Starborn City, many stay to their clan culture that was prevalent since before the rise of the Starborns. Along the borderlands, Mivaens endeavour to keep their bloodlines pure, are led by clan elders, and lead an isolated existence. In Starborn, on the other hand, the city is a lively mix of many different cultures and races. While the nobility is made up of Miveans exclusively, the influential merchant class is highly diverse.

As a result of this diversity, the art and fashion of the city takes on a more worldy flavour, with elements from across the continent woven into music, paint, and dress. There is also a large degree of tolerance for other races and cultures unlike in the Mivaen countryside. Starborn City is a city of the world, but beyond the walls Mivaen culture is fiercely protected from outsiders.

Type of Government: Mivaean is an Elective Monarchy, with the vassals and nobility able to wield a vote for who among the Starborn Dynasty will rule. Mivaen is divided into baronies, who rule over elders and chieftains respectively. Starborn City is divided into wards, each ruled by a warden, a hereditary title akin to a baron. Apart from these rulers is the House of Nobles that offer collective guidance to the king and vote on the succession.

Mivaen and Starborn City are ruled by a king who also holds the title Grand-Mayor of Starborn City.

Influence and relations: (Any alliances or military pacts with another family? Perhaps born of marriage ties? Work with other players if you seek one ahead of the RP if you so desire.)

Military - The Mivaen lack any kind of standing army, save for the City Watch of Starborn City. This force, mainly occupied with internal disputes within the city walls, are lightly armoured and typically carry maces or other blunt weapons. There purpose is to keep the peace within the city, though in times of war they are called up to defend the city walls.

The bulk of Mivaens fighting forces are made up of peasant levies. A force of about one thousand may be rallied to defend the city and surrounding baronies. As one might expect from such a force, they are ill equipped fishermen and farmers, and not much good at fighting.

The noble families of Starborn City and Mivaen are the kingdom's greatest strength insofar as land forces. Mounted and with heavy armour, typically forged outside the kingdom, this force is generally well organized and equipped.

It is at sea that Mivaen's pride themselves, however. The Starborn Fleet, under direct control of the king, numbers some ten war dromonds. While the wardens and barons hold a combined fleet of fifteen. The king has also been known to press the merchant navy into war, should the need arise, further complimenting their navy, though these ships are ill suited for battle.

Unit demographics:
2000 Peasant Militia
1000 Vassal Army (Mostly Militia and Ligth Infantry)
500 Noble Knights (Heavy Cavalry)
500 Light Infantry (City Watch)
10 War Dromonds (Starborn Fleet)
15 War Galleys (Baron/Warden Fleet)
25-50 Merchant Ships (Merchant Navy)

Landscape: Mivaen is dominated by a large central forest, known as the Amber Wood. Deposits of amber have been mined to exhaustion generations ago, but it still stands as a reliable source of lumber, hides and food. Beyond the wood, grasslands, rolling hills and farmlands extend out to the shorelines and land borders. A single source of stone was quarried long ago to build the oldest parts of the city, mainly the palace, and inner wall. Expansions generations later are mostly made from wood, any stone having to be transported in for surrounding areas. What remains of the quarry is known as Gnarled Redoubt, and is a known haven for brigands.

In the western reaches of the kingdom an expansive badland is prevalent. There are scattered forests of ashwood and some fishing villages sprung up along the coast and along the rivers and lakes. These villages largely live outside Starborn's sphere of influence, though in times of need, stewards are sent to extort taxes or raise troops. The prominent group in the badlands is a nomadic peoples, the Farwyn, who travel the harsh landscape, never settling in one place for too long.

Internal Map

Wildlife: The Amber Wood is heavily populated with deer, rabbits, wolves and bears. It can be a dangerous place for the unwary, but the experienced Mivaen foresters have a deep understanding of the local flora and fauna. In the waters that surround the south and east of the kingdom, teems with bite-fish, tuna, and salmon. There are also sharks that stalk the waters and deeper out to see, are the mammoth whales that are a prize hunt for Mivaen whalers, who use the great animals fat to make whale-oil.

Economy: Starborn City is a trading hub of the south. Merchant vessels trading their goods across the southern shores routinely pass through Starborn City before continuing up the eastern coast to the north. As a result, Starborn City has reaped much profits from port landing fees, and taxes, making the city very prosperous.

Religion: Mivaens primarily worship Kayo, the God of the Sea and Atonement. Their reliance and reverence on the sea for sustenance have created a strong affinity for the god. That their god is blind and deaf plays into their innate caution of the sea, and the dangers of becoming lost. To the Mivaens, the aspect of atonement plays more into navigation, and appeasing the God in order to find their way home.

The Mivaen people abhor Lohennir, none refer to him as the Fisherman, as such is a common and respectable occupation among the kingdom's people. He is believed to dwell under the sea, who is able to churn the waters of the sea to draw out ships, and beset sailors with the fog of his foul breath, whereupon becoming hopelessly lost, he ensnares them.

History: Before the rise of the Starborns and the Empire, Mivaen was considered a petty kingdom of feuding clans. Times in which clans were untied was seldom, usually when faced with an outside threat. In these times the Hardrow Clan wielded the greatest power and influence, and were one of the few that could manage to unite the clans under their banner.

When the First Starborn landed, the Hardrows and Farwyns were his rivals. They attempted to unite the clans once more against Starborn, but the Mivaens were divided. Some had chosen to follow Starborns banner, and after a series of battles and crushing defeats, Hardrow Clan was forced to surrender and swear fealty to Starborn. The Farwyns never bent the knee, however, even after Starborn razed their hold-fast to the ground. Their ancestors now live a nomadic existence in the wastes to the west.

During the conquest of Lalaifia Valarien, Grand-Mayor Gilles Starborn ruled the city of his namesake, which had grown into a prosperous center of trade, but the surrounding clan lands were strife with unrest and rebellion. The Hardrows had grown in power once more, and threatened the city. Seeing the power of the Phoenix Queen, and believing in her cause, Gilles swore fealty, and with her help, vanquished the Hardrows and restored his rule across Mivaen, reclaiming the kingship.

After his victory, King Gilles Starborn led a fleet in Valarien's name, sailing west and winning a great victory against the Bastard King, though Gilles perished from wounds a fortnight later. Gilles son and heir, Tybolt, finished out the conquest, but suffered a grave defeat that smashed his fleet and forced him to take refuge in the Seastone Tower. Besieged by enemy forces, Tybolt was facing starvation. Luckily, just before the possibility of surrender seemed assured, the Veletian Marine broke through the enemy blockade and broke the siege. In the aftermath the houses of Starborn and Gracieux formed a friendship, but soon soured as competition between the houses grew.

In 657 AU, during the Great Drathii War, the western fleets were smashed by the Drathii. In response, the Emperor Durrus VI gathered the eastern fleets to combat the invasion, including the Starborn Fleet. Unfortunately this compelled the Starborns to work closely with the Gracieuxs of Violette. Starborn City had been diminishing Violette economic dominance in Ethica over the centuries and a rivalry had formed between the two high houses. Both competed for the position of admiral, the infighting further slowing the navy's ability to mobilize. Before the matter could be resolved, the Drathii armada arrived in the south, and scattered the Starborn Fleet, making landfall in Mivean.

Over the course of the next year, the Drathii were able to lay siege to the major hold-fasts of the kingdom and surround Starborn City. At Seastone Tower, the Starborns struggled to repair their fleet, but frequent raids by the Drathii made it impossible. By 658, when the Battle of Kawachian Straits would see the tide of naval supremacy turn for the Empire, Mivaen was exhausted from the siege. Though the Veletian Marine was able to scatter the Drathii raiding ships, causing the Drathii besiegers to strike camp, the Mivaen navy was unable to recover until after the war.

With the Veletian Marine robbing the besieging Drathii of their method of resupply, the invaders strike their camp, their siege of Starborn City now in doubt. King Garrus Starborn, marred by defeats throughout the war, and humiliated by the Violette Republic, eagerly pursues the Drathii as they march inland, making for the Ignesian capital to join their fallen brethren's siege.

King Garrus assaulted the rear flanks of the enemy, and along with Ignes sorties and Xandrian charges, the Drathii invaders crumbled, and Garrus could save face, finally being part of a great victory in the war.

Strengths: House Starborn has unfettered access to the strong red oaks of the Amber Wood. The lumber cut from the Red Oaks is preciously sought by shipwrights and carpenters alike. Under the care of a discerning craftsmen, red oak can be forged into some of the finest woodworks in the world, and there are none like the craftsmen of Mivaen.

Weaknesses: While Mivaens are known for their craft of lumber and their mastery of ships, they have proven to fare far less in matters regarding land warfare. The peasant militias are a mere rabble of small folk armed with pitchforks and hunting bows. Knights of the kingdom are more concerned with their status and tourneys then actually fighting, and the City Watch of Starborn City are gifted with clubbing a cutpurse over a swordsmen.

Export: Red Oak Lumber and crafts, Whale Oil, and Hides.

Import: Iron and iron works, precious metals and baubles, fashion finery and other luxuries.

[Taeryn]

House Amrothan

Map (TEMP)

House Name: House Amrothan

Head of House: Bannerlord Lothar Amrothan

House Speciality: House Amrothan has always styled itself first amongst the banner lords, greatest of the "horse lords", since such a notion could hold weight. It has thus found its purpose in rearing, training and charging their vast troop, team, harras and herd's of varied horse breeds across the eponymous "triangle plain". From the faithful farmyard helper to the rare Adelpferd prized highly in equestrian circles, all can be found or purchased from the Amrothan.

House Ancestral Artifact: The "Einhorn" is a "lance" that is often coupled with a kite shield, though no uncommon qualities are ascribed to the latter. The Einhorn is a seemingly traditional, older style wooden lance inlaid with silver strands that has been passed down by the Bannerlord from generation to generation, rumoured to be able split any shield, topple any creature and, consequently, assure the success of any charge, it is always carried into battle by the Bannerlord. Largely unwieldy on foot, the lance also seemingly looses some of its lustre when wielded upon the ground.

Important Members:

Bannerlord Lothar Amrothan, Age 41 - One of the Bannerlord's whom has not seen the saddle as a necessary duty to rule, Lothar has maintained a rugged handsomeness that comes about from a life spent half in the saddle and half in the intrigues of court. Regarded as a just ruler, if sometimes harsh, but fair, in judgement, Lothar has maintained a realm in a manner that even detractors would be hard pressed to describe as anything other than competent, if at times uninspired.

Prince Reimar Amrothan, Age 20 - The heir apparent to the Bannerlord, Prince Reimar has come into his own as an accomplished rider and near equal of his father. While, at the very least, having an aptitude for leadership, his concerns seem to be about getting as far away from the affairs of life at court as possible for as long as possible.

Princess Adelheid Valian (née Amrothan), Age 18 - he most recent scion to fully come of age, Adelheid is the eldest daughter of Lothar and by far the most beautiful, though none of the Bannerlord's daughters could be called any less than pleasant. Adelheid, unlike her brother Reimar, revels in the affairs of court and matters of intrigue. Somewhat headstrong but not brash, Lothar was inclined to defer to his daughters wishes regarding her future, but marriage waited for no noblewoman of high standing.

Princess Charlotte Amrothan, Age 16 - Charlotte is the second daughter of the Bannerlord and is described as "pretty but plain" by most. She has come to be known as an amateur scholar in the halls of Reiterburg, perusing the collections of Amrothan history and snippets of genealogy and other facets of world history with a great curiosity. Nevertheless, like all Amrothan, she is at worst a competent rider.

Leopold, Elise, Rosaline (6) - The triplets that were born to Lothar and --- were the final, and arguably greatest gift bestowed by Lyriel to the next growing generation of the direct line of Amrothan nobles. Although a testing and dangerous birth, all were ultimately born without difficulty, and although still young and defining themselves, all three share a great bond with each other and an almost greater curiosity.

Notable Others

Siegfried Amrothan (Deceased) - Brother to Lothar, Siegfried became the faithful husband of Varminia of House Tallurian, cementing a blood bond alliance with the neighbouring kingdom and noble house for some time to come.

Yvonne von Ostermarz (44)
Wife of Lothar and member of the Ostermarz nobility, the marriage between Lothar and Yvonne ended a brewing rivalry between the new money nobility growing in the east and the old nobility of the west with Amrothan caught between. The Marriage, whilst one of politics, blossomed into one of love and mutual respect, with Yvonne coming to be a competent member of Amrothan court and a voice of reason in the east.

Dieter Amrothan (32)
The youngest brother of Lothar Amrothan, Dieter became the representative of Amrothan to the Prime Estates in the capital, having proved some measure of competency in the courts of Reitenburg and guild halls of Flusstadt. Loyal to the bonds of family and a firm grip of Dreibene values he has consequently proved able in the affairs of the Prime Estate, at least as Dreiben judges them. His time away from the Prime Estate is largely spent socialising and forging partnerships in the necessary duties of capital poltical life as well as assisting Amrothan and Dreibene merchants and dignitaries. A handsome man of fiery red hair and the ruggedness of an experienced rider, the fact that Dieter has not yet married is a question largely avoided by House Amrothan.

Nation/Realms Name:The Kingdom of Dreiben

Flag:

Hider

House Motto:"Forever Onward"

Region on map: Sea Green (East)

Race name: Dreibene

Racial appearance: The Dreibene are generally a light-skinned people, predominantly light in hair colour with a distinct section of the western population known for red and blonde hair predominantly, while lighter shades of brown prevail elsewhere. While a varied people, both in height and build, Green eyes are dominant amongst the Dreibene.

Racial traits: The Dreibene are known for their strong bonds with their horses, and to own any beast of burden or companionship is almost a primal obsession among many circles. Dreibene who show an aptitude will consequently often take the Druidic path, while by and large most Dreibene can be considered somewhat wild by other standards, they are immensely loyal to those with whom bonds are forged.

Capital: The Capital of Dreiben rests in the riverside Reiterburg, nestled in the foothills of western Dreiben. The largest city in western Dreiben and the second largest Dreibene city after Flusstadt, Reiterburg is a city of wood and stone seemingly built with its streets more concerned with horse-drawn traffic than any other. Reiterburg consequently radiates outwards in wide open streets around the central stables, Spire of Rhiannon and Einhorn Castle, seat of the Amrothan House, before its walls meet the floodplains and more difficult hilly terrain.

Capital Population: 70,000

Other Major Settlements:
Flusstadt: 94,000
Nordstrom: 22,000
Halb: 6,000
Talveldt: 16,000
Öffnungberg: 5,000
Seeburg: 7,000
Prachtvoll: 52,000
Messanhöhe: 35,000
Wasserstelle: 6,000
Nordreiten: 7,000
Sudreiten: 14,000
Kreuzung: 9,000
Wassergrad: 8,000
Sudmarsch: 4,000

Population: 1,250,000

Culture: The Triangle Plain has birthed and preserved an equestrian culture since before the time of the Empire, though surely never one as unified as the present. It has been a place of veneration of the working beast, as well as the noble steed, and its various historical nations where predicated on a love of the horse and a respect for the druidic arts. Consequently, the Driebene have been at times nomadic, but always returning to the safe places that have now become the stalwart cities of modern Dreiben.

Bonds are important to Dreibene culture, promised by agreement long negotiated, forged from marriage or created between horse and rider over time, all carry significant weight in society. While Dreibene may sometimes abrogate agreements - particularly where they feel they have been mislead, Dreibene will judicially adhere to the word of an agreement, and can always be relied upon to satisfy the demands of blood bonds no matter how inconsequential. Dreibene consider bonds as they see them as different to oaths and simple loyalty, though a bond will cement both. This is a subtlety that is sometimes lost elsewhere.

Sometimes wild, yet decidedly loyal, the Dreibene are not simply horse-folk, with a seasoned history of study and institutions based upon such knowledge in as many fields as one would find elsewhere in the Empire, though the true heart of the Dreibene lay in livestock, the food to feed them and themselves, and the horse.

Type of Government: Drieben was once a myriad of realms ruled by the Bannerlords, brought to heel under a electoral system by the Bannerlord of House Amrothan many a time ago. While the electoral system for the purpose of ruling Drieben was largely abolished under the Imperial System - and the realm is ruled as a typical feudal system - elements of the electoral systems persist in village life and in general dealings between the nobility and associations that represent the cities, guilds and grand stables.

Influence and relations:

WIP

Military
The Dreiben military is, as most, based on the raising of levies and marshalling of nobility as needed. Nonetheless, a strong equestrian tradition dominates and a reasonable standing retinue of Bannerguard, primarily cavalry, is maintained by House Amrothan and paid for by the personal profits of Amrothan stables.

Unit demographics:
Totals
Heavy Cavalry: 2,000
Light Cavalry: 4,000
Heavy Infantry: 1,000
Light Infantry: 1,250
Ranged Infantry: 1,500

Standing
Heavy Cavalry: 425
Light Cavalry: 515
Varied Infantrymen including archers, but predominantly light infantry: 290

Landscape: Dreiben is dominated by the vast plains that make up the dominant terrain of the realm. Dotted with small villages, the occasional rolling hills and ever graced by herds of livestock and horses, the plains make up the majority of Dreiben and are sheltered by a number of rivers that ensure the land remains suitable for small scale farming and grazing.

In the west, the mountains and foothills give way to some of Dreiben's great settlements and its major interior river system, whilst in the east, the largest city and greatest area of agricultural activity is found amongst the Ostenmarz and its two river systems and its small forests and hill ranges.

Wildlife: Dreiben is home to largely domesticated animals or wild breeding stock, with the occasional migratory herd's or unique visiting wildlife. Of note is the Adelpferd, a horse breed unique to the western foothills of Dreiben that is generally stronger, a degree smarter and more suited to greater bonds with its riders than even the most valued traditional breeds.

Economy: The Dreiben economy is based on three aspects, the extraction of mineral wealth from the west, to varying degrees of success, on agricultural produce, largely serving to meet domestic need for food and animal feed, and primarily upon its husbandry. Dreiben consequently invests much of its economic activity in the other aspects internally, providing large quantities of edible livestock, animals suited to work such as draught horses and oxen, and luxury and military needs such as with its varied horse breeds.

Religion: The various traditions of times long past were decidedly of the primal path in Dreibene, there was, and always has been, a respect and tradition of veneration of the deity that would became known as Lyriel, though despite no direct attachment to the beasts upon which so much rested, that which was necessary for them to survive was very much in her influence. The presence of Rhiannon, a uniquely Dreibene deity, is largely presented as a white horse under the guidance of Lyriel, though in times past Rhiannon was a very much individual and dominant theistic presence.

With a recognised tradition that was not too much of an unknown and somewhat recognised, if not particularly codified religious sphere centred around Lyriel, the various conflicts and theistic re-evaluations that ordered most of the faith around Kemmeth caused only minor issues in Dreiben. Nevertheless, The people of Dreiben were, after all, "wild" even in their adherence to faith, but had forged a bond common enough in trying times to forego any such issues ever becoming a pressing problem. Nonetheless, the common folk of Dreibene take a relaxed approach to their faith and put a greater emphasis on their interpretation of Lyriel than any other of the gods and consequently tend to be far more lenient to minor theological transgressions. A history of live and let live pervades, and it is rare to see "heresy" that does not border on the overt, politically damaging or murderous attract too much undue attention.

As such, the adherence to matters of religion is largely an individual decision, primarily centring around Lyriel and , Kemmeth, and in the east, a small subset of primarily Allurian orientated religious groups. The importance of bonds put some emphasis on Helistar upon his more widespread introduction from Xandrian origins, but has always remained somewhat of minor importance comparatively.

History:

• Prior to "Unification", the plains were home to several varying Dreibene realms of varying degrees of centralization, having ended nomadic traditions some time before. House Amrothan would ultimately win several military and diplomatic successes and unite Dreiben under an electoral monarchy. House Amrothan will ultimately fall out of rulership several times, particularly as unification approaches and differing ideals present themselves.

• Dreiben, despite the great odds, resists unification for some time, but is ultimately defeated. House Amrothan remains one of the few viable houses in Dreiben and ultimately comes to rule Dreiben once more. With a weak nobility the electoral system is disestablished, and House Amrothan become vassals of the growing Empire.

• Dreiben did things and stuff happened. This was The Great Drathii War.

Strengths:

Equestrian Tradition: With a strong equestrian tradition, it is easy and somewhat more economical, particularly with widespread training and lesser, but noticeable horse ownership, to recruit cavalry, particularly of the light variety, from the populace at large. Such traditions also feed a greater availability of heavy cavalry and skill amongst the nobility.

Another Beastial Bond: Maintaining a tradition of raising working animals and livestock has endeared the stalwart dog in the hearts of the Amrothan and Dreibene at large. Many families will have at least one canine companion, whether it is utilized in herding or other working capacities or as a simple companion. Dogs also form a component of Dreibene cavalry formations both military and luxry, making up part of a shock element or standard hunt, while Shepherds have come to breed some of the most loyal and hard working dogs to be found anywhere.

Weaknesses:

Everyone A Cavalryman: With its predisposition towards preparing for a life on horseback, it can be difficult to find men of good quality who are willing to serve out of the saddle. Consequently, recruitment suffers in other fields.

A Demand for Animal Feed: While possessing a not inconsequential agricultural sector and exporting some agricultural goods not suited for it, the vast livestock and husbandry sector demands a great deal of base animal feed. A tradition of not skimping on such matters further drives demand for good quality feed.

Export:

Tin & Copper: Tin and Copper are the predominant ores extracted from Dreiben's mines, and as such, are far more than could ever be used at home.

Silver: Silver is extracted in reasonable quantities from the western foothills and mountains, and much finds itself exported to satisfy demand elsewhere in the empire.

Horses & Working Animals: Working animals and horses are always in demand from many different avenues of society, Dreiben has these in abundance, and some of its prized horses go for a small fortune abroad.

Livestock: For purposes of breeding or consumption, Dreiben exports a great number of livestock to other realms, particularly those without any large livestock sector or husbandry tradition of their own.

Import:

Iron: While Dreiben produces a reasonable quantity of ores, it does not satisfy demand for iron. As such, the smithies and armourers and other industries that make use of such ores must import.

Luxury Goods: While the Bannerlord's and assorted nobility traditionally abstain from ostentatious dining and decoration, there is still an appetite for such things and in particular a growing one amongst the growing merchant and other middle elements of society reinforced by Imperial cultural standards. The best luxuries that are not equine, of course, are ones from abroad.

Agricultural Goods: A demand for varied foods and in particular, a need to satisfy the demands for animal feed continue to grow, as such, Dreiben imports far more of these than it exports.

Lumber: Dreiben lacks any area of vast forest, largely reserved to a few small areas or copses built to break up the plains and provide windbreaks, as such, it must import a reasonable quantity of lumber from elsewhere.

[Paper Angel]

House Name: House Tlaerie

Heads of House: Vialiph Nis'Silvani Tlaerie and Vialipha Sael'Lysi Tlaerie

House Specialty: House Tlaerie is incredibly devoted to the Kammethian faith and are have provided inquisitors of their own family for years. They personally run the Argentum and are granted an unheard of level of freedom in bringing Kammeth's fire to the world while rooting out all traces of the vile darkness.

House Ancestral Artifact: The Cord of Vaelor and Vaela. A long silver cord of unknown material that is inscribed with old runes and glyphs. If a male and female bleed upon the cord and then the bloody ends are pressed to the other with the proper rituals and oaths it will create a bond between holders. This bonding is key to the power of the inquisitors.

Important Members:
Royalty
Vialiph Nis'Silvani Tlaerie 34
Vialipha Sael'Lysi Tlaerie 36

Royal Hiers
Vili Il'Dival Tlaerie 17
Vila Tsi'Niri Tlaerie 16
Vila Lia'raya Tlaerie 6

Royal Relatives
Vi'Trisn Tlaerie 63
Nil'Lora Nicalir 36
Lae'Vesi Trielia 19
Lis'Vorel Jirili 22
Av'Linn Tlaerie 23

Nation/Realms Name: The Vialiphate of Meletis

Flag: Intertwining pillars of silver and gold flame upon a black field.

House Motto: “Our Watchful Fires Burn.”

Region/color on map: Light blue green

Race name: Vaelie

Vaelie: The Vaelie are beautiful and striking beings without a doubt. Their skin is the color of silver and their hair gleams like pure gold. Their bodies look as if they were crafted by some god with an eye for what would be the most desirable traits imaginable. They stand have no sexual dimorphism in height and almost always clear 6 feat tall. They tend to be slender but with delightful attributes and features for both male and female members of the race.

Racial traits: The Vaelie are mesmerizing and have the power to sway the opinions of those around them to a small degree. It is normally just a casual nudge and a favorable inclination towards the Vaelie in question. When multiple Vaelie join together it can be a very effective way to make even the most stubborn talk. The effect is strongest when they are speaking and is often projected through song. Vaelie also take the best to the bonding that creates inquisitors. Inquisitors and entertainers often train to maximize this gift's effects, though for different reasons.

Capital: Thalae, A magnificent and ancient city that dominates the island of Meletis. Thalae was founded long before the rise of the empire when the Vaelie, fleeing from their original homeland after a failed war found the mostly uninhabited island of Meletis

Thaelae

Capital Population: 70,000
Other Major Settlements: Thalae, and Melae are the only settlements of note, with the other inhabitants spread throughout fishing and farming villages and hamlets.

Melae: A small mining city set in the mountains of Meletis. It is build around and above the Vialiphate's goldmines and is well fortified with it's own guard force separate and distinct from the Thalaen Guard.

Population: 100,000

Culture: The Vialiphate has a rather different culture from most of Ethica as they do not originally hail from Ethica. They originally come from a land to the south west, a land that no longer exists as it once did. They have different clothing styles, different weapons, and in some cases different foods and customs.

The Vialiphate buys as much silk as Violette can sell them and uses it extensively in their upper class garb. Traditional clothing is made up of many layers of cloth wrappings around the body, often with different colors and patterns. The interwoven cloth patterns are unique to the Vialiphate and while the material they use to make them is extremely expensive and scarce they seem to be masters of using it. As if it once wasn't.

The Vialiphate's most commonly favored weapon is a long curved sword made of folded steel. A type of weapon that is capable of being drawn extremely quickly in lunging strikes and slashes. There a number of weapon arts that have been created and honed around its use.

The Vaelie despite their loathing of the Kawachian heresies do import a substantial amount of food from the slightly more southern islands as they favor such items.

Type of Government: Theocratic elective monarchy. Each member of the family gets a vote in determining who the next Vialiph or Vialipha of the nation will be. You have to be an adult and hold a rank in the holy Argentum to be eligible to be selected.

Influence and relations:
Kawachian South Ethica: The Vialiphate has long loathed Kawachia and the Swiftwaves, viewing them as dangerous heretics hiding behind the thinnest veil of supposed faithfulness. The gods of Kawachia have never been accepted as part of the faith and inquisitors have been dispatched relentlessly to hunt down the worshipers of the false god Watatsumi and the cultists of the sea dragon. House Swiftwave was favored by the late emperor who restricted the Vialiphate's ability to purge them, but now that he is gone the Vialiphate has wasted no time in once more calling for the Immolation of Kawachia and dispatching inquisitors to the neighboring island chain.

Military -
Inquisitors: Inquisitors are the elite investigators and enforcers of the Argentum. They always travel in pairs of one male and one female inquisitor and 90% of all inquisitors are Vaelie. They are well trained in both arcane and divine magic and have a powerful resistance to corrupting magic and the touch of Azueral. All are expected to master at least one weapon art and to be able to hold their own in combat.

An inquisitors uniform consists of the following components.
Robe of Vaelor/Vaela: The robe's color differs depending on the gender of the wearer, women wearing silver robes and men wearing golden robes. These robes are voluminous and ornate, featuring a peaked hooded had that covers the head and has a shroud of either silver or gold that obscures the face other than the eyes. These holy robes are the symbolic garb of the inquisitors and the Argentum.

Quilted Armor: Beneath the robes inquistors normally wear padded armor that covers their most vulnerable areas. Because the robes are hard to cut through the main purpose of the padded armor is to stop or reduce the blunt trauma caused by impacts of weapons. The high peaked hood is also stuffed with padding to help reduce damage done to the head if it is struck.

The Lash of Vaelor: A ceremonial whip included in the uniform of all male inquisitors. It is seldom used but highly symbolic.

The Stake of Vaela: A ceremonial stake included in the uniform of all female inquisitors.

Weapon of Choice: Most inquisitors favor a long curved blade but some who are not Vaelie prefer other weapons.

Thalaen Guard: The Thalaen Guard is an elite force never to exceed 500 members who guard the holy city of Thalae from attack. The Thalaen Guardsmen are well trained, well equipped and mostly hardened from years of serving as members of an Inquisitorial Retinue before being allowed to take the easier post as a guardsman. The Thalaen Guards wear armor that mixes their older aesthetic with that of the standard Ethican armor. (Think Akiviri from Elder Scrolls) Their armor is gold in color and they wear silver cloaks.

Inquisitorial Retinues: The Inquisitorial Retinues are a way that the Vialiphate can at least slightly get around the Edict of Neutrality. Each inquisitor can have a retinue of up to 10 accompanying enforcers. Service in an Inquisitorial Retinue is extremely dangerous and involves training to fight against vilespawn, heretics, magic users, and of course normal men and women. Members of an Inquisitorial Retinue do have a uniform but it is only worn when they are advertising themselves. Most of the time the Retinues are not open and are concealed to allow the heretics false confidence.

Unit demographics: (heavy infantry, marksman, etc and their equipment/training, remember no army in real life was ever able to field a fully rounded all capable army. Sometimes a lack of something makes it more interesting.)

Landscape: (What do your lands look like?)

Wildlife:

Economy: The Vialiphate is extremely wealthy. It draws its wealth from taxes, tithes, the confiscated resources of heretics, and the gold within the mountains of its island domain. It also is subsidized directly.

Religion:

The Vialiphate and the Argentum are very much purists when it comes to the Kammethian faith. They accept the membership of the following gods in the legitimate family of Kammeth.

Kammeth
Lyriel
Alluria: While the Vialiphate was reluctant to cede this point the direct words of the Prophesized One said that Kammeth had adopted Alluria and the words of the Prophesized one are sacrosanct.
Ra-hun-ru
Vaelor/Vaela
Helstar
Kayo

All other gods are considered to be false and heretical to worship. Such worship is blasphemous and unholy, and such gods are clearly false reflections of Azueral that must be purged from the world by holy fire.

History: (At least the past couple generations, include conflicts, major upheavals, wars, etc. You can overlook this part and fill it in as the Roleplay progresses in order to work with other players for maximum cohesion.)

Strengths:
State Funded: The Vialiphate is directly funded by revenues from tithes and taxes collected across the empire. They have wealth beyond the wildest dreams of many nobles and can afford the very best in almost everything imaginable.

The Argentum: The Vialiphate is the host of the Argentum one of the most powerful bodies in the Kammethian faith. They control the inquisitors and are tasked with watching over the empire and guarding against any and all heretics. This gives them a great deal of power and few dare to challenge the authority of the Argentum.

Armory of Magic: The vaults in Thalae contain a massive stockpile of powerful magical artifacts, many of which are spoken of in legends. When situations are truly dire the Vialiphate can draw on it's stockpiles and even in less desperate times many of the lesser artifacts are commonly used by inquisitors, with the blessing of the Vialiph or Vialipha of course.

Weaknesses:

Edict of Neutrality: The Vialiphate is prohibited from having traditional levies or a proper army. The first Empress valued the services of the Argentum but wanted to ensure it never became an overpowering military force. The Vialiphate is permitted to have 500 members of the Thalaen Guard to protect the holy fortress city from attack and an unspecified number of operatives who accompany inquisitors but barring invasion they are not permitted to muster further forces without direct orders from the Emperor.

Feared: It is not always good to be feared. The Vialiphate and the Argentum have long used fear as a weapon against the heretics and blasphemers. Fear of the scourge, fear of the purifying fire, fear of the rituals of consumption, fear of the boiling waters, fear of torture and scouring, but while the heretics are certainly afraid their fear has made them harder to find.

WE KNOW THEY ARE HERE SOMEWHERE: The Argentum can sometimes get so invested in finding the heretics in a particular area or be overzealous to the point of finding heresy where there really isn't any. While they do not answer to anyone, this is still a waste of time and effort when there really is not heresy in the area.

Export: Gold, Fish, and lots of money.

Import: Pretty much everything.

[LordZell]

James Conrad, comes from an old line of minor lords who used to be very wealthy as they held control over a salt. mine, but once it has collasped and people moved on their power diminished. James used the last of his money and gave his land away to Kenton in order to be made the Prime Estate. Which he does very well. He is a smart,organized man who is influential within the Estate. Though doesn't send much back to his master at home. He's influential within the city getting to know lords and commanders. He'd also own some bussienesses within the city. His family over the years had gained a huge collection of books which James read from birth as it was all he could do. He held little interest in combat and most girls he knew were too old. Some of those books were very old and held information of forgotten magic.

[Darkspleen]

Still very much a work in progress, but this should give you all a basic idea as to what I'm going for.

House Name:
House Zarand

Head of House:
Lorant Zarand, Lord of the Kingdom of Acitha

House Specialty:
House Zarand has had a longstanding tradition of arming its women so that they can fight alongside the men in times of conflict. Over time these warrior women became the equals of their male counterparts, becoming skilled warrior and generals in their own right. Women of noble standing are expected to not only be skilled in sword dancing, but also be able to apply these skills in an actual battle and lead soldiers to victory. This allows House Zarand to field an army much larger than one would expect possible given its population.

House Ancestral Artifact:
Serpentine Band: The true name and origin of the Serpentine Band is a mystery. What little is known about the Serpentine Band is that Lalaifia gave the band to House Zarand, though where she obtained the Band herself is unknown. The Serpentine Band is a ring of Acithan steel created in the image of a serpent biting its own tail; it is considered the oldest existing product of Acithan steel and some believe it to be the very first object made from the material. When its master wishes it so the ring will become animate and grow into a lindwurm, a two legged dragon with a venomous bite. The lindwurm can grow in size from just slightly larger than a normal ring to slightly larger than a horse; however, the lindwurm can be animate for a limited amount of time and this amount of time shrinks the larger the lindwurm becomes. At its largest size the lindwurm can be active for only five minutes and will not be able to move again for a full day. Should the lindwurm be ‘killed’ it will revert into a ring and not be usable for a full day.

Important Members:
King Lorant (Age 54)
Queen Aranka (Age 51)
Crown Prince Elek (Age 33)
Princess Lynette “The Lioness” (Age 28)
Prince Aldrick (Age 26)
Prince Kardos (Age 24)
Princess Sarika (Age 22)

Nation/Realms Name:
Acitha

Sigil:


Flag:


House Motto:
“We stand ready.”

Region/color on map: (for map placement)

Race name:
Acithan (Acithans)

Racial appearance:
Acithans are typically slightly taller than their southern cousins, although not necessarily bulkier, and stand at around six feet on average. Acithans are a fair skinned and haired race of humans; most of them have blonde or light brown hair and blue eyes, although green colored eyes aren’t necessarily rare.

Racial traits:
Acithans are well known for their skill with a blade. While, certainly not all Acithans know how to use a sword, many have at some point or another received some sort of training in swordplay or sword dancing. The women of Acitha are especially known as being skilled sword dancers and women of war. A tradition of women fighting on the battlefield has helped make Acithan women be viewed as the equals of men in every way.

Capital:
Ziele

Capital Population:
32,000

Other Major Settlements:
Cheva – 15,000
Corzina – 18,000
Saliza – 22,000
Taros – 15,000

Population:
480,000

Culture:
Acithan culture emphasizes energy, hard work, and empathy. To them the end result often times isn't as important as the journey or experience that caused it. Acithans are energetic people who seem to constantly need to be doing something. Coupled with a huge emphasis on hard work, this energy makes Acithans some of the most industrious people around.

Acithans have a rich tradition of literature, music, and dance. Much of Acithan music is traditional folk music, performed throughout the countryside by famous Acithan composers. Acithan music tends to have a strong dactylic rhythm. Thousands of pieces of masterfully written literature has been written in Acithan. Many of Acitha's more prominent literary works are ancient epics written to teach moral lessons. Sadly these works are barely known outside of Acitha as most have never been converted to another language.

Dances in Acitha can be divided into two broad categories: folk dances and formal dances. Acithans take part in folk dances on a regular basis as they serve as an important social and entertainment purpose. Most folk dances are intended to be done by dozens of individuals at once and have few rules or guidelines. The Autumn dance, for instance, is a dance where men form a large circle and jump around. Typically the Autumn dance is male only, but inviting a woman to the circle is acceptable and a common means of asking for her hand in marriage. Tavern dances, on the other hand, are large scale partner dances that are done by all members of the community over the age of eight, where dancing partners are frequently switched throughout the dance. Tavern dances last until either all the dancers or musicians tire, whichever comes first. Formal dances are typically reserved to the upper classes and are usually weapon dances of some form. These dances commonly share similarities to theater performances as they are used to tell stories of the past. Many Acithans enjoy performing dances from the kingdoms of the south.

All Acithans are expected to be given a dog of their own when they come of age. Commonly these dogs are shepherd dogs of one kind or another, although having a different breed can be a status symbol. Acithans typically use how an individual treats their dog as a gauge for how good of a person they are. Dogs, in Acithan culture, have become a symbol for many things, especially loyalty. Many of the greatest epics written by an Acithan make use of a dog as a symbol of loyalty, man’s relationship to nature, and even of the gods in some instances.

Type of Government:
Constitutional Monarchy
Pure Cognatic Primogeniture Succession

Influence and relations: (Any alliances or military pacts with another family? Perhaps born of marriage ties? Any sworn enemies? Work with other players if you seek one ahead of the RP if you so desire.)

Military:
Acitha’s military is made up of a skilled levee force with an elite professional army serving as its core. Many of Acitha’s people have fought in a conflict of some sort or another, and those that haven’t have received some degree of training from those who have, meaning that they have at least some passing skill with a sword, spear, or bow. These levee soldiers are usually divided up depending on what type of armor they managed to acquire themselves; a good chunk of these soldiers have no or little armor and carry a simple spear and bow into battle. The rest of the levee soldiers usually have leather armor, a wooden spear, a short sword, and either a spear or a bow.

The Chevan Guard - A force of elite professional soldiers who serve as the core of Acitha’s military. Their primary responsibilities are to protect the royal family and guard the northern border. The Chevan Guard are a heavily armored, well trained force that can be relied upon as a strong defense to hold a position.

Sisters of the Silver Shield – An exclusively female military order, the Sisters of the Silver Shield are devout followers of Ra-hun-ru. The Sisters of the Silver Shield, otherwise known as shield sisters, are an elite force of warriors well known for their flexibility, courage, and sheer tenacity. Although they are based primarily in Acitha and tend to focus their efforts in the north, the Sisters of the Silver Shield maintain forts and chapters throughout the Empire. The shield sisters strive to destroy evil wherever it can be found, protect the innocent, and spread the teachings of Ra-hun-ru. Each shield sister is both a warrior and a priestess, thus she is expected to have a firm understanding of Ra-hun-ru’s and, to a lesser extent, Kammeth’s teachings. Shield sisters commonly travel to the south in small groups, ranging from ten to twenty shield sisters, in order to find recruits for the order, spread the teachings of the faith, and seek out and destroy evil. While they do not actively seek out heresy they will not hesitate to destroy heretics wherever they may be found and will answer a call to arms from the faithful.

The Valkyries are a group of shield sisters distinct in that they can use divine magic. They are typically better warriors than normal shield sisters, although this is not necessarily always the case. While they do possess some healing magic, their magic tends to be more offensive in nature. On top of all of this their mere presence on the battlefield has been known to greatly raise the morale of friendly troops, making them an asset to any battlefield commander.

Shield sisters, as their name implies, all carry a shield into battle. The preferred type of shield is a large round one, but some shield sisters choose to carry a smaller buckler instead. Typically they prefer to wear light armor into battle, usually leather, but it’s not unheard of for a shield sister to use chain or scale armor to protect her torso. Steel or iron bracers or gauntlets are a common means of protecting the arms and hands. Valkyries are far more likely to wear a chain or scale mail shirt and will always have either a winged circlet or helmet, making them visibly distinct on the battlefield.

All shield sisters are trained with and carry a sword, although many prefer to use a spear as their primary weapon. Javelins or throwing axes are commonly used as a means of breaking up the enemy’s formation right before contact is made in battle.

Unit demographics:
1,000 Chaven Guards
5,000 Shield Sisters
9,000 Levee Soldiers

Landscape: (What do your lands look like?)

Wildlife: (Optional)

Economy: (How well off is your county? Poor? Rich and prosperous? Somewhere in the middle?)

Religion: (As stated before Kammeth is the primary god of the Empire and will by default be what the majority of the people worship or follow *excluding special circumstances*. Worship of deities outside of the Sky pantheon is greatly discouraged IC. You can however, create a deity of your own making from within that Patheon, or if you feel ballsy, add in any minor cults that exist. Perhaps even your family secretly worships other gods not sectioned by the Empire? Be mindful that heresy is frowned upon by the Church and you might have the Inquisition breathing down your neck if they catch a whiff of heresy on you, but if you want to make a storyline in that direction go right ahead!) (Tip, don’t piss of whoever is the Arch Dawnbringer!!!)

History: (At least the past couple generations, include conflicts, major upheavals, wars, etc. You can overlook this part and fill it in as the Roleplay progresses in order to work with other players for maximum cohesion.)

Strengths:
Acithan Steel – A special type of steel created exclusively in Acitha, Acithan steel is famous for being tough, resistant to shattering and capable of capable of being honed to a sharp, resilient edge. Acithan steel is visibly distinct from other types of steel in that has patterns resembling flowing water. Acithan steel allows the country’s weapons smiths to create weapons of much higher quality than can be found elsewhere.
Sisters of the Silver Shield – A devout military order that worships Ra-hun-ru, the Sisters of the Silver Shield are made up exclusively of women. Based in Acitha, the Sisters of the Silver Shield grant the north a small elite army that is willing to stand against the heathens to the north and any heretics that may be found in the south.
We Stand Ever Ready – The people of Acitha are no strangers to conflict; in fact, conflict is so commonplace that most Acithans are veterans of battle and those that aren’t have made a point of receiving some degree of training when it comes to using a sword or spear. This means that even the levees Acitha raises possess some skill in battle.

Weaknesses:
Guardian of the North – Acithans are the self-proclaimed guardians of the North. Should another Northern kingdom come under attack Acitha must march to its aid; if it does not minor lords and the peasantry themselves will do so on their own accord. The only time that Acitha may choose not to come to the aid of another northern kingdom without consequences is if it itself has an imminent and visible threat.
Land with no Cavalry – Acitha’s military is not known for fielding excellent cavalry, or any for that matter, in battle. It’s not that Acitha has no horses, quite the opposite in fact, but those that are available are not suitable for battle. The most common horse in the country, the Clydesdale, is excellent for farming and moving supplies, but not for battle.
The Fisherman’s Navy – The Acithan navy, if one can even call it a navy, is made up of fishing boats, the occasional merchant ship, and the rare warship. In short Acitha has no naval might and is reliant on the Empire and friendly kingdoms to protect its trade lanes and supply trade ships. This is something of an embarrassment for Acitha, not to mention a strategic weakness.

Export:
Acithan Steel Weapons
Fur
Iron
Lumber
Precious Metals

Import:
Alcohol
Dyes
Fruits
Glass
Grains
Incense
Perfume
Textiles
Salt
Spices

[LordZell]

House Name: House Selvus

Head of House: Nathaniel Selvus

House Specialty: House Selvus house has connections all over the kingdom and has reaches far beyond what he should

House Ancestral Artifact: The former weapon of House Yervington was a sword that was meant to be a symbol of power. Yet when House Selvus took over, they melted it down and forged part of it into a dagger used for torture against the King Enemy's. The other part was made into a piece of crown reprenting respect and wealth.

Important Members:

King Nathaniel Selvus, 45: Nathaniel, a relatively young looking man for his age has short black hair, piercing light blue eyes. The man has a 5 O’clock shadow. Nathaniel while coming from a minor house was very rich and received the best training his father’s money could buy. Though he cared little to fight like a normal man he can still stand quite fierce in a fight and is considered to be a political genius.

Queen (Proposals open)

Patrick Blackspit, 20: A bastard born to some lowborn and Nathaniel. While his hair is a dirty brown rather than black such as his father Around the age of 5 Patrick was brought to his father’s keep and taught to be the best sword fighter and military commander in the entire land. Unlike his father Patrick is feared not for his cunning ability but for his strength and combat. However he is very refrained as his father taught.

Nickolas Gerbeth, 38: The current Master at Arms for House Selvus, he commands the guard, teach Patrick how to fight and lead. He is also one of King Nathaniel Selvus, closest confidants. Nickolas is a ravaged man with long brown hair and an eyepatch.

Guild Master Andrew, ??: The current Guild Master Andrew is an elderly man yet is usually kept hidden and rarely greets anyone personnel choosing to send envoys instead. Another close friend and Confidant to Nathaniel.

Nation/Realms Name: Kingdom of Umbras

Sigil: imgur.com/NZwLoEs

Flag: imgur.com/FHWhgb2

House Motto:Sit and Wait

Region/color on map: imgur.com/cKldPiR

Race name: Umbrans

Racial appearance: Average heights, though usually paler then the others. The hair also usually tend to be darker and it is a rare case to have blonde hair.

Racial traits: The men tend to become loyal to their families and houses as for the greater good. Also, due to the vast open fields of the kingdom many men are well trained farmers and tend to be stronger even without looking the part.

Capital: Snake’s Hold

Capital Population: 25,900

Other Major Settlements:

Urvelus:It is currently a ruin and used to be the home of the old Lords the Yervingtons before House Selvus and their army ransacked the place and burnt it down.

More to come

Population: 310,456

Culture: Normal human stuff nothing too different.

Type of Government: Absolute Monarchy

Influence and relations: Any takers?

Military - ?

Unit demographics: ?

Landscape: The Landscape of Umbras is fairly flat and open. The kingdom used to be prosperous due to all the crops that could be planted yet due to the recent war. People have died and farms destroyed

Wildlife: The wildlife of Umbras are mostly deer, horses and smaller animals such as rabbits.

Economy: The Kingdom of Umbras isn't exactly prosperous, however, being a mostly arable land they are well known to supply major food exports. While metals may be scarce however.

Religion: Most of the country worship Kammeth however most of the nobles care little for relgion especially House Selvus who are nearly atheists or perhaps they worship something far darker.

History: ?

Strengths:

Thieves Guild: The thieves guilded housed in Snakes hold, is where many deaths are sentenced without a war or in times of desperation. While they may ask money or more from other houses and families. The Guild Masters have always been close to House Selvus so as to allow their services to remain. Favors are often used, many assume it was one of these such assassin that hunted down the last of House Yervington's family.

Network of Informants: House Selvus doesn't strike on whims or because they desire they know the game all to well and have been well informed on almost all that goes in their kingdom and now that they've risen to high Lords they'll soon learn of all the Empire's Secrets

Weaknesses:

New Leadership: House Selvus only recently came to power within their lands and while they may have a somewhat solid control over their lands other lords around them strongly dislike them.

Devestated Land: Due to recent rebellions and revolts the Kingdom isn't fully capable as it was under House Yeringtons and won't be for some time.

Export: Mostly export wildlife and food due to the flat and open areas for farming.

Import: Most metals are needed.