Member
The Mantodean League
NPC
Territory:
Species:Human, Elf, Many other species from across Ishtar looking to do business.
Religion: The Church of the One. Although the Church has somewhat less power in the League than it does in places like the Valanor Accord.
NPC
Territory:
Species:Human, Elf, Many other species from across Ishtar looking to do business.
Religion: The Church of the One. Although the Church has somewhat less power in the League than it does in places like the Valanor Accord.
A merchant republic and confederation of city states, led by powerful merchant families with ties to Orduin nobility. They hold elections however only the heads of each city state get to vote on the Magistrate. That being said, a noble family may find themselves deposed in local elections if they do not vote to the desired parameters of their constituents. In local elections only those who own property, farm, serve in a military capacity, or are registered with a guild get votes.
The Magistrate is the head of the Mantodean senate, and mostly handles foreign policy and diplomacy, while in theory being the one with the power to declare war, although he can cave in or be overturned by a majority vote from the rest of the senators.
There are a total of 12 city-states and thus 12 senators including the magistrate. The King was once part of this senate but has since been replaced by a regular senator.
There is a royal line and royal family within the League, however it has lost the power it was initially meant to hold. The King is in charge of many ceremonial and cultural aspects of the League, but is also in charge of the military; although this is supposed to be little more than an honorary title with experienced generals and the Marshal of War being the true leaders of the League’s armed forces. However, in recent years the royal family has slowly taken more and more actual power within the military; and indeed the League as a whole.
The Magistrate is the head of the Mantodean senate, and mostly handles foreign policy and diplomacy, while in theory being the one with the power to declare war, although he can cave in or be overturned by a majority vote from the rest of the senators.
There are a total of 12 city-states and thus 12 senators including the magistrate. The King was once part of this senate but has since been replaced by a regular senator.
There is a royal line and royal family within the League, however it has lost the power it was initially meant to hold. The King is in charge of many ceremonial and cultural aspects of the League, but is also in charge of the military; although this is supposed to be little more than an honorary title with experienced generals and the Marshal of War being the true leaders of the League’s armed forces. However, in recent years the royal family has slowly taken more and more actual power within the military; and indeed the League as a whole.
During the fall of the Orduin Empire and the inclusion of the Great Swarm, the region the Mantodean League inhabits was ravaged by the bugs, most of the leadership was wiped out via death or kidnapping, leaving leaders chosen by the swarm to to control the region, in which most failed. However one of these swarm chosen leaders, a powerful merchant named Bison managed to string together various powerful merchant families that managed to fill in the power vacuum, helping to fight back against the bugs in their lands.
Together this coalition of merchants took husbands and wives of many remnants of the Imperial Senate and other noble families essentially marrying into the nobility of Orduin and in a manner of speaking establishing a new Imperial Senate from these families. Bison himself took on a distant cousin of the late Emperor as his wife, declaring himself the new royal line, however he did away with the title of emperor and chose the somewhat more humble rank of king.
King Bison ruled as head of the council of merchant lords that had each established a city state in the region. However despite holding the title of King things were mostly handled democratically while Bison devoted more time to securing his borders and fighting off invaders during the era of chaos. When he died there was no true form of succession planned and the senate decided to elect one of their own to take up the mantle of leader, as the princes were busy leading the military at the time against the many hostile factions outside and within.
As years passed the royal-line while still around became less and less prominent, with the Magistrate and senate of merchants running the majority of the League, even taking over military burdens by electing a Marshal of War from amongst their number.
During this time the League has sent troops, coin, supplies, and even dispatched their own armies to aid various parties on the political map. Aiding the Duchy of East Orduin against the Valanor Accord one moment, before attempting invasion the next. They have been an active contender in the conflict between The Valanor Accord, Wisserland, The Duchy of East Orduin, and any other would be Orduin Empire successor state.
However in recent years the royal family has started biting back. With the current king, King Gasher consolidating a political party known as the Restorationist, and increasing the powers of the military to overturn laws of the state. However, even he has no real plan for his own successor; with his four daughters all having clear desire to rule after him.
Together this coalition of merchants took husbands and wives of many remnants of the Imperial Senate and other noble families essentially marrying into the nobility of Orduin and in a manner of speaking establishing a new Imperial Senate from these families. Bison himself took on a distant cousin of the late Emperor as his wife, declaring himself the new royal line, however he did away with the title of emperor and chose the somewhat more humble rank of king.
King Bison ruled as head of the council of merchant lords that had each established a city state in the region. However despite holding the title of King things were mostly handled democratically while Bison devoted more time to securing his borders and fighting off invaders during the era of chaos. When he died there was no true form of succession planned and the senate decided to elect one of their own to take up the mantle of leader, as the princes were busy leading the military at the time against the many hostile factions outside and within.
As years passed the royal-line while still around became less and less prominent, with the Magistrate and senate of merchants running the majority of the League, even taking over military burdens by electing a Marshal of War from amongst their number.
During this time the League has sent troops, coin, supplies, and even dispatched their own armies to aid various parties on the political map. Aiding the Duchy of East Orduin against the Valanor Accord one moment, before attempting invasion the next. They have been an active contender in the conflict between The Valanor Accord, Wisserland, The Duchy of East Orduin, and any other would be Orduin Empire successor state.
However in recent years the royal family has started biting back. With the current king, King Gasher consolidating a political party known as the Restorationist, and increasing the powers of the military to overturn laws of the state. However, even he has no real plan for his own successor; with his four daughters all having clear desire to rule after him.
The League believes itself to be the natural successor of the Orduin Empire, being both the continuation of its governmental body as well as the one true keepers of the royal line.
The League is culturally and politically divided amongst two factions, the Restorationist and the Secessionist.
The Restorationists are much more interested in reestablishing the Orduin Empire or at the very least giving more power to the centralized royal family, and establishing themselves as the true successors of the Orduin Empire to the rest of Ishtar. They are somewhat more war hawkish, and are fearful of growing powers at their doorsteps such as Wisserland, the Yuukoman Empire, The Holy Zentaeri League, and most of all the Chitijian Hives.
The Secessionists are the opposite, who seek to remove themselves from association with the Orduin Empire in all but a superficial level. They believe they are not a continuation of the Orduin Empire but a separate seceded state that while the successor of the empire’s history (and past glories) hold no real commitment to its revival. They desire to strip the royal family of all power and the most radical members even wish to be rid of them entirely (even on a cultural level). They want more power for the senate and the Magistrate.
The League is culturally and politically divided amongst two factions, the Restorationist and the Secessionist.
The Restorationists are much more interested in reestablishing the Orduin Empire or at the very least giving more power to the centralized royal family, and establishing themselves as the true successors of the Orduin Empire to the rest of Ishtar. They are somewhat more war hawkish, and are fearful of growing powers at their doorsteps such as Wisserland, the Yuukoman Empire, The Holy Zentaeri League, and most of all the Chitijian Hives.
The Secessionists are the opposite, who seek to remove themselves from association with the Orduin Empire in all but a superficial level. They believe they are not a continuation of the Orduin Empire but a separate seceded state that while the successor of the empire’s history (and past glories) hold no real commitment to its revival. They desire to strip the royal family of all power and the most radical members even wish to be rid of them entirely (even on a cultural level). They want more power for the senate and the Magistrate.
The military is led by the King and the Marshal of War, however who outranks who is a matter of debate amongst the league.
Every city state has their own private military, and lends troops to what they call the Mantodean Legion, a large force made up of the united forces of all the city states, however it is possible to sign onto the Mantodean Legion full time, with citizenship and the right to vote being gained from this method.
Each city state also sends a chosen knight to represent them in the Knights of Zeralda, a group of 12 knights who serve as commanders in the Mantodean Legion, as well as royal guards for the royal family during times of peace.
The Mantodean Navy: Perhaps the League’s greatest asset, 4 grand fleets of war galleys and transport ships, some built fresh, others repurposed merchant vessels. Of the four fleets 2 are always away from harbor, sailing to islands, going along the coast, and sailing into unmapped lands to the west and south of Ishtar.
Every city state has their own private military, and lends troops to what they call the Mantodean Legion, a large force made up of the united forces of all the city states, however it is possible to sign onto the Mantodean Legion full time, with citizenship and the right to vote being gained from this method.
Each city state also sends a chosen knight to represent them in the Knights of Zeralda, a group of 12 knights who serve as commanders in the Mantodean Legion, as well as royal guards for the royal family during times of peace.
The Mantodean Navy: Perhaps the League’s greatest asset, 4 grand fleets of war galleys and transport ships, some built fresh, others repurposed merchant vessels. Of the four fleets 2 are always away from harbor, sailing to islands, going along the coast, and sailing into unmapped lands to the west and south of Ishtar.
The Mantodean League is a grand center of trade in Ishtar, particularly the west coast. They control the only river to the east, either forcing merchants to pay huge tax rates or to sell to them directly.
They produce significant amounts of fresh and saltwater fish, and farm wheat, barley, potatoes, and corn. They also produce textiles, and various processed goods using raw materials imported from eastern nations. They are however very much jealous of Karynia (their main economic rival in the west) who has begun trading with the Chitijians, not only obtaining rare goods, but threatening their economic hold on the western coast by ignoring their river taxes.
They produce significant amounts of fresh and saltwater fish, and farm wheat, barley, potatoes, and corn. They also produce textiles, and various processed goods using raw materials imported from eastern nations. They are however very much jealous of Karynia (their main economic rival in the west) who has begun trading with the Chitijians, not only obtaining rare goods, but threatening their economic hold on the western coast by ignoring their river taxes.
The City of Nava:An elven city-state that many elves flock, with the fool hardy believing it to be elven paradise. It is instead a place of debauchery and hedonism, with the elves living there growing more and more indulgent by the day, hiring mercenaries to fight for them rather then train their own troops, and most businesses being geared towards pleasure, tourism, and other such luxuries. Many well-traveled humans and other Ishtar races visit Nava at least once in their lives, being especially popular amongst mercenaries looking for a place to spend their coin, are individuals who have a preference towards elves.
The Gates of Bison: located at the nation’s capital Hilliac; which serve as a blockade for any fleets or ships attempting to get into their capital, enter their lands or use their rivers. It serves as both a defensive mechanism as well as a means of enforcing rigorous taxes. There are two major gates in Hilliac the 1rst Gate usually remains open, allowing ships to come and go from the city. The 2nd Gate however remains closed, with smaller sub-gates opening up to allow those who pay the transport taxes to go up-river.
The Kolobar Cathedral: A grand cathedral in the city state of Kolobar, construction began under the orders of one of Hesper’s 100 Acolytes, a wizard named Lazlo who converted to the Church of the One during the Orduin civil war to put Hesper on the throne. Lazlo only used his magic to help the workers cool off, and be comfortable, believing that the Cathedral would mean more if it was built by the hands of the people, and it also provided jobs for many families until it was finished during the era of peace.
Eventually the Great Swarm arrived, and while most of the city was ravaged the Kolobar Cathedral remained relatively unscathed, serving as a safe-zone for many of the local inhabitants during the siege. Using the catacombs they were able to hide thousands of civilians from the attackers.
The Kolobar Cathedral is the base of most religious operations within the League, and many of the faithful across Ishtar go on pilgrimages to and from the location.
The University of Magi: A prestigious school located in the lake-island city of Fedoll. The University allows applicants of all races and ages into its halls with magical ability being of foremost importance. Originally the private archives and library of one of Hesper’s more bookish Acolytes, the mage Oz, it was repurposed into a school for mages during the era of peace.
During the bug invasion it was left untouched while the rest of the city was ravaged around it, refusing to aid the people who they believed deserved their fate. They would go on to repair and take over the city, being the last to join Bison’s coalition.
The University is a place of great wonder and knowledge, with many discoveries and secrets being uncovered within its halls; including the creation of the Gnolls during the beastmen incursions.
However it is just as much a hive for the intellectual elite; the mages in this case, to maintain control of the city and eventually the entire League.
They mock almost all magic findings done by any not associated with the University or other prestigious institutions, they harshly scrutinize any work that contradicts their own findings, and will out right refuse to examine any research done by their political enemies (especially the Church of the One) only doing so as to publicly rip apart any findings (even non magic related ones) by any who don’t align with the university.
They often indoctrinate students into their own ideology that teaches doing stuff for other people’s own good, and “guiding” the non mages of the world.
They look down on most non-mages and actively despise any mage who challenges their knowledge and ideals, thus they are in direct conflict with the clergy of the Church of the One who are mostly made up of mages, yet believe in the exact opposite (the Church feeling that mages must serve not rule). The more radical members of the University call them fanatics, and accuse the church mages of enslaving their own people. Conversely the more extreme members of the Church of the One view the University as tyrants in the making, opposing them on almost all things political by default, (there by burning bridges for potential allies within the University).
However, while the University is quick to stick their nose up at those they deem beneath them there are a few institutions that they (although somewhat begrudgingly) view as worthy of their evaluations. The magic schools/institutions of the Yuukoman Empire, The Scribes and Researchers of the Pharess of Thakis and Mel Coldfinger of Caslan, as well as the works of the Mage-Lords of the Grand Noocracy of Xodia.
They also hold many old tomes, tablets, and scrolls donated to them throughout the years by the Mage-Kings of Khudara, from before the rebellion deposed them; which they hold in high regard as the Khudarian Mage Kings of old are often romanticized within the University, and their society seen as the ideal one to aspire to.
The Gates of Bison: located at the nation’s capital Hilliac; which serve as a blockade for any fleets or ships attempting to get into their capital, enter their lands or use their rivers. It serves as both a defensive mechanism as well as a means of enforcing rigorous taxes. There are two major gates in Hilliac the 1rst Gate usually remains open, allowing ships to come and go from the city. The 2nd Gate however remains closed, with smaller sub-gates opening up to allow those who pay the transport taxes to go up-river.
The Kolobar Cathedral: A grand cathedral in the city state of Kolobar, construction began under the orders of one of Hesper’s 100 Acolytes, a wizard named Lazlo who converted to the Church of the One during the Orduin civil war to put Hesper on the throne. Lazlo only used his magic to help the workers cool off, and be comfortable, believing that the Cathedral would mean more if it was built by the hands of the people, and it also provided jobs for many families until it was finished during the era of peace.
Eventually the Great Swarm arrived, and while most of the city was ravaged the Kolobar Cathedral remained relatively unscathed, serving as a safe-zone for many of the local inhabitants during the siege. Using the catacombs they were able to hide thousands of civilians from the attackers.
The Kolobar Cathedral is the base of most religious operations within the League, and many of the faithful across Ishtar go on pilgrimages to and from the location.
The University of Magi: A prestigious school located in the lake-island city of Fedoll. The University allows applicants of all races and ages into its halls with magical ability being of foremost importance. Originally the private archives and library of one of Hesper’s more bookish Acolytes, the mage Oz, it was repurposed into a school for mages during the era of peace.
During the bug invasion it was left untouched while the rest of the city was ravaged around it, refusing to aid the people who they believed deserved their fate. They would go on to repair and take over the city, being the last to join Bison’s coalition.
The University is a place of great wonder and knowledge, with many discoveries and secrets being uncovered within its halls; including the creation of the Gnolls during the beastmen incursions.
However it is just as much a hive for the intellectual elite; the mages in this case, to maintain control of the city and eventually the entire League.
They mock almost all magic findings done by any not associated with the University or other prestigious institutions, they harshly scrutinize any work that contradicts their own findings, and will out right refuse to examine any research done by their political enemies (especially the Church of the One) only doing so as to publicly rip apart any findings (even non magic related ones) by any who don’t align with the university.
They often indoctrinate students into their own ideology that teaches doing stuff for other people’s own good, and “guiding” the non mages of the world.
They look down on most non-mages and actively despise any mage who challenges their knowledge and ideals, thus they are in direct conflict with the clergy of the Church of the One who are mostly made up of mages, yet believe in the exact opposite (the Church feeling that mages must serve not rule). The more radical members of the University call them fanatics, and accuse the church mages of enslaving their own people. Conversely the more extreme members of the Church of the One view the University as tyrants in the making, opposing them on almost all things political by default, (there by burning bridges for potential allies within the University).
However, while the University is quick to stick their nose up at those they deem beneath them there are a few institutions that they (although somewhat begrudgingly) view as worthy of their evaluations. The magic schools/institutions of the Yuukoman Empire, The Scribes and Researchers of the Pharess of Thakis and Mel Coldfinger of Caslan, as well as the works of the Mage-Lords of the Grand Noocracy of Xodia.
They also hold many old tomes, tablets, and scrolls donated to them throughout the years by the Mage-Kings of Khudara, from before the rebellion deposed them; which they hold in high regard as the Khudarian Mage Kings of old are often romanticized within the University, and their society seen as the ideal one to aspire to.
