Major Kingdoms
Baptimal Empire
The Baptimal Empire is a preeminent kingdom, built in the honor of the One, the one true god. At the height of its power, it crossed the three continents and slew the heretics and false gods. However, at the request of the One, the Baptimal Empire withdrew to Xanthsia, the continent of its origin. There, the Baptimal Empire continues to worship, praise the One and remove any heretics within its borders. While the rest of the world descends into godless anarchy, the Baptimal Empire remains strong.
The mortal leader of the Empire is the Archbishop and he and his family are the only members of royalty. They serve as the mouthpiece of the One for day to day activities and organize the True Day festivities. The Archbishop also dictates the laws of the Empire and its people. To cross him is to cross the One, himself.
Capital: Spire
Thurmore Kingdom
The Thurmore Empire is the most modern country, a strong contrast to its neighbors, the Alliance of the Warring Tribes. The founders were originally from Dragon’s Peak, a volcanic and dangerous Ethereal Seat. During their time there, they were able to better understand the laws of physics as it related to steam and heat. This lead to the discovery of the steam engine, though due to the prohibitive costs and the preference over the much more stable magical equivalents, its technology is has not had much success outside of Thurmore Kingdom. Rumor has it that the kingdom continues to experiment with the steam technology and seeks to produce a flying machine.
Capital: Baroport
Alliance of the Warring Tribes
The Alliance of the Warring Tribes is a group of tribes that constantly strive to improve and become stronger. While they differ in racial makeup, traditions, and beliefs, all tribes agree on one thing - combat and adversity create improvement. A group of eight tribes (Himba, Aztal, Adair, Allardice, Unzarl, Pardonal, Caldwell, Yordal) came together to form the Alliance after seeing the rest of the world viewing them as savages. Formed during the Baptimal Crusades, the tribes bound together to holdfast and preserve their way of life.
Even after the Baptimal Empire’s fall, the tribes continue to maintain a loose form of government. The Great Chief is chosen once every four years after a tournament between the now twelve tribes. The Great Chief is primarily responsible for settling inter-tribe disputes and negotiating with leaders of other groups such as the Thurmore Kingdom.
Capital: Burning Rock
Fandor Kingdom
The Thurmore Kingdom, named after Great Wizard Thurmore, serves as a beacon for the academic, scholastic and arcane. It welcomes people of all races, creeds and beliefs and welcomes them with open arms. Through acceptance, the Oneall can continue to grow and prosper, potentially ascending to godhood like Thurmond himself.
While accepting of all, it is clear that certain schools of magic (e.g., Divination, Abjurative) warrant more praise and respect than others (e.g., necromancy, enchantment, evocation). Also, be warned that Thurmore is a kingdom of affluence and acceptance is highly dependent on one’s ability to play the social game.
The kingdom is lead by Arcane Council, one member for each school of magic. Additionally, the kingdom is renowned for its “docile”, magically modified servants, who are known for their silence and obedience.
Capital: Kharmor
Crimson Federation
The Crimson Federation is a proud and militant country. Originally two distinct kingdoms, the two were the first conquered by the Baptimal Empire during its crusade. During that time, the original cultures were wiped out and viewed as heresy by the occupying force. Additionally, the native population was decimated under the Baptimal Empire’s policy to slay any twins born or any children born with “the marks”. After fifty years of occupation, the occupied people formed the Crimson rebellion to fight back against the Baptimal Empire. It had limited success until the “Red Knight” appeared. A hero of extraordinary might and tactical brilliance, this individual single handedly turned the tide in the rebellion’s favor. With the growing success and the Baptimal Empire’s forces growing thin with the other rebellion kingdoms, the Crimson Federation formed. Occupied people flocked to the federation and they continued to grow. After the Baptimal Empire retreated to Xanthsia, they formed a formal government, lead by the Red King, in honor of their fearless leader.
Now, the Crimson Federation remains militant and vigilant. It proudly serves as the door holding back the Baptimal Empire and receives compensation from the other major kingdoms in support. Once a child reaches the age of eighteen, they are tested to see how they can best serve the Federation, either militarily (e.g., receiving formal combat training), medically (e.g., becoming a healer), or academically (e.g., developing new war tactics, educating subsequent generations). To serve the Crimson Federation is the ultimate honor. After five years of service, the individual is able to choose whether to continue the service or reduce service to one month per year.
Similar to other kingdoms, there is a nobility but it is based on military service and ranking, not necessarily wealth or connections. Instead, people use those traits to procure cushy military positions or opportunities for staged glory.
For the latter, being accused of staged glory is incredibly serious. If the accuser is correct, the accused and all known relatives receive a severe punishment, including banishment from the Crimson Federation.
Capital: Gastead
