[center][b]Isotope[/b] [b]AND[/b] [b]Monkeypants[/b] [b]present,[/b][/center] [center][b]The Antian Dominion[/b][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/rxJ9gY4.png[/img][/center] [hider=NATIONAL] [b]-Capital:[/b] Laona [b]-Government Type:[/b] Constitutional Monarchy [b]-Currency:[/b] The Sove. A silver square like thing with a simple version of the nations flag symbol printed on it. [b]-Population:[/b] Roughly 28-32 million individuals. [b]-Realm Size:[/b] Super power [/hider] [hider=TRAITS] [b]-Unique Trait #1:[/b] [i]The last super power:[/i] The nation has endured many problems over its existence. from civil wars to religious conquest. It has created one of the most technologically advanced army's to date that has strived to perfect the art of killing people. This, coupled with large and well trained armies have given it a clear advantage in many wars. The recent fall of its long time rival, the Somnus Imperium, has left it alone in the face of the world. Many generals have access to various books and actual experience on how to fight wars and hopefully these tools will give the lumbering giant a defense against a force as strong as the dream plague. [b]-Unique Trait #2:[/b] [i]Well constructed society:[/i] As ancient as the nation is, many things have been learned that go beyond the methods of murder. Advanced construction techniques have risen from years of city sieges, techniques to make structures more survivable and bring in much needed water through massive aquaducts. Paved roads that originally were designed to allow armies fast and easy travel throughout the nation now help to spread trade and culture. [b]-Unique Flaw #1[/b] [i]Complicated government[/i]. With the general size of the nations population, many different governments from mayors to the senate/parliament/congress (king excluded) take time to pass laws. The massive size of the nations council of representatives makes getting things done difficult.. to say the least. [b]-Unique Flaw #2:[/b] [i]war weary[/i]. Years of fighting the Imperium and then two decades of constant vigil against the ever growing threat of the plague has created a tired population. There hasn't been riots but its no secret that the conflicts are taking its toll on the people. [/hider] [hider=GEOGRAPHICAL] [b]-World Map:[/b] Light blue, the nation before Somnus fell. Lighter blue, the areas taken over after the end of the war. It belongs to the Dominion state but is set up like a police and puppet state. The majority efforts of removing the plague happens here. [img]http://i1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag161/monkeypantslol/gon%20beat%20dat%20dik_zpszouwm4ag.png[/img] [b]-Geographical Trait:[/b] (created by me in consultation w/ you. Applies to nations adjacent to the Plague Lands.) [b]-Geographical Flaw:[/b] (created by me. Only applies to nations not adjacent to the Plague Lands. Generally speaking to nations beyond the green geographical zone in the center.) [b]-Internal-Realm Map:[/b] [b]Overview[/b] [img]http://i1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag161/monkeypantslol/NATION%20close%20up%20yo_zpsrub5u0l7.png[/img] [b]The north[/b] [img]http://i1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag161/monkeypantslol/nothern%20part_zpsnck741cu.png[/img] [b]The south[/b] [img]http://i1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag161/monkeypantslol/southern%20part_zpsdjbtkwsj.png[/img] [b]-Major Cities:[/b] [i]ka'lae[/i]- One of the largest port cities in the nation. Is the home of the southern navy. a very oceanic city that specializes in commerce. [i]Dale[/i]- The jewel of the south. Named after a famous trader and well deserved. Many exotic goods and animals flood the massive markets. It would feel like a strange place from the central and northern populations. It is the biggest example of cultural diversity. [i]Ferra[/i]- This city is on the front line of the plague. Most of the population has left over the years, turning it in to a sparsely populated city. [i]Iona[/i]- Largest city in the far east on the old Somnus borders. Still shows remnants of the war through its aging but still potent fortifications. [i]Grel[/i]- Largest city in the northern regions. One of the few prosperous settlements.the buildings here show signs of survival rather than beauty. [i]Nasita[/i]- Some call it dark and dreary. Well, it is. A major city that has fallen on hard times due to the war ending in the north. It is still wealthy but the general population is starting to feel their once glorious city getting stale . [i]Falnost[/i]- The capital of the ancient Jonite empire is likely the oldest city in the nation. Strange buildings exist in sections, akin to aging rings of a tree, each section with its own time period and history. [i]Borost[/i]- The largest Jonite city sits right on the coast in the northern part of the nation. It has one of the biggest dock areas in the nation and is a major ship birth. The northern fleets do most of their maintenance here. [b]-Major Castles:[/b] Castell Domaut: The castle closest to the old Somnus border, it overlooks the quickest and easiest path between the two nations. Surrounded by a small city that is mostly refugees from the plague lands. [b]-Buildings of Interest:[/b] Borosts harbor: The docks themselves are huge. walkways going far in to the ocean and giant ship hangars. Dry docks are located here. It is the home to the nations northern navy command. [b]-Geographic Features of Interest:[/b] The Great Mountains [/hider] [Hider=RACIAL] [b]-Majority Race: [/b] Humans [b]-Majority Race Appearance:[/b] Tan Humans who grow lighter to the North and darker to the South. Highly diverse Human population results. [b]-Majority Race Characteristics:[/b] See culture section for details. [b]-Minority Races:[/b] [hider=Jonites] [img]https://40.media.tumblr.com/34042add304265df47bf54c459e2c121/tumblr_nebrz09CEv1szbceio1_500.jpg[/img] These are distant human relatives are native to the mountainous regions to the west. Long ago they were prevalent in the eastern areas outside the mountain but were persecuted and driven in to the mountains centuries ago. When they emerged onto the global stage, they had changed drastically in looks. Their skin was fair and are a somewhat, pale dark color from the lack of direct sunlight. Most have white colored hair and have pointed ears that enable far superior hearing than the typical human. Their eye-sight is not quite as well as the average human due to their long time in the mountains darkness. That being said, their night vision is very good, tied in with their heightened hearing, makes them very proficient night-fighters.[/hider] [/hider] [hider=-RELIGION & MAGIC] [b]-State Religion:[/b] Ya'huanism. Nearly identical to Yuwanism. The primary faith of the Dominion is Ya'huanism. It is very close in pronunciation to Yuwanism. Most people outside often mistake it for traditional Yuwanism but just said with an accent. It is very closely related to the more traditional Yuwanism practiced in the south. Ya'huan//Yuwan: She is the chief goddess who had an epic fight in the stars with Justinian. The battle was so epic that the moon was destroyed and Justinian was cast back down in defeat. Thus leaving Yuwan as the chief deity. She has three beings that are directly believed to be the incarnations of their charge. They are said to be more like angels than actual gods. Ammae; The hero of war and justice. She is said to control the fate of the battlefield. Most generals and admirals alike pray to this god before battle. Kynnis; The hero of life and death. He is said to be the one who chooses who lives or dies. Most soldiers and sailors alike pray to this god before battle. Mansla; The hero of sky and earth, He is said to be the one who controls the wind and rain and fertility among other things. Farmers usually hold this one in high regard, to protect their crops. Above them all is the 'maker'. It is not quite worshiped as a deity as Yuwan is but it is definitely a prevalent ideal in the faith. It is supposedly the creator of all. The father of Yuwan and patron of creation. [b]-Religious Information: [/b] Other gods are said to exist but have been mostly replaced by Yuwans "angels" A god of war, supposedly controlled the battlefields before Yuwan pushed her aside. Some believers say that Yuwan fought her and won. She offered her a place by her side as a god of war, which she accepted A god of death, Said to have been the one who would find the sick or dying on the battlefield to accompany them to an afterlife. Is said to have been killed in a fight with Kephis. A god of the sea, An old belief that still lingers along side Mansla. He is supposedly a patron of anything ocean related. A god of the sky, wind god. Is said to be the father of Mansla. No one is really sure if he died and Mansla took his place or if he retired. Most just agree that he existed at one point and passed the mantle to his son. Prayers are often done at the beginning and end of the day. To coincide with the rise and fall of the moon. Jonites have a particular affection for Ya'huan as they are most active at night with her light always guiding them. [b]-Religion Demographics:[/b] Ya'huanism; 77% Justinians; 12%. These are mostly Somnus imperials. Red Pantheon; 9%; Remnants from an old time. They are praised in various areas and usually by those who are desperate or in poverty. There are larger cults in areas but are seen predominantly in the south-eastern regions of the nation. Dryadicism; 2%. Mostly in the north. [b]-Holy Relics In Possession:[/b] Holy hand grenade.of Antioch (Lulz) [b]-Holy Sites Under Control:[/b] [b]-Magical Schools and Curriculum:[/b] Magic is a prized possession in the Dominion. Magic has always been associated with the goddess and her will. Her angels are all said to be high end magical beings, using lightning and the chilling winter to either help or destroy. The unknown intentions of the angels and indeed Yuwan herself, has led to a very strict set of rules for not only the safety of others but the safety of ones self. Most of these powers are some more direct abilities that would confuse some. That random lightning storm or small blizzards at inopportune times. It's hard to describe and its unknown if its just lucky timing or perhaps actual divine intervention. [/hider] [hider=MILITARY] [b]-Total Military Size[/b] Roughly 480,000 [b]-Military Details[/b] The Army is made up of 380,000 soldiers split over four sections of the nation with the navy possessing some 40,000 sailors. The other 60,000 soldiers make up reservists and specialists engineers etc. All soldiers have training in basic agriculture and the army's mostly have their own farms to take a burden off of the privately or publicly owned ones. All of the soldiers in the army and navy is volunteer. Though the nation does reserve the right to conscript if need be. The army formations are usually divided in to brigades of roughly 5,000 soldiers which use varied strategies depending on the mission. The basic formation is a shield and spear soldier which always carries a back up sword or knife. Behind them are the archer companies whom use crossbows predominantly. The newer troops that use the Amakus are in special divisions that have a coupled gunner and heavy soldier set up. The heavy soldiers use broad shields to help protect the gunners as they fire between the shields. It has been an incredibly effective formation against the highly organized Somnus imperium soldiers. As the Amakus hasn't been fully outfitted to all soldiers, special divisions are created for their use. The armory of the Dominion is pretty straight forward. Any advance made in military technology is deployed as quickly as possible as to maintain order and simplicity for battlefield commanders [b]-Royal Army:[/b] Dominion Legionnaires- The standard soldiers of the Dominion are well trained soldiers whom half are seasoned veterans from the constant war with the Somnus Imperium. These men and women wear a light weight but very tough Jonite pioneered metal called Fhorride which is made in to chain mail shirts and pants. Above this, segmented leather shirts and below they wear leather pants. When it comes to weaponry, things are very straight forward. The basic hand weapon is a short sword. It isn't anything special to most but its light weight and broad blade gives it good potential with slashing and thrusting. Front line soldiers all utilize an elongated pentagon shaped tower shield. These are sturdy and angled to help deflect spears and crossbow bolts. To further bolster their fighting potential, they utilize a six foot spear. It does not have the traditional arrow head adorning it but rather a long metal spike. It is made for throwing and thrusting, A good portion of these foot soldiers are proficient with the crossbow. They are easy to use as they are direct fire with a standard draw due to a crank mechanism. These crossbowman have mostly replaced the long bow in traditional combat formations and it has been a good decision as it has been effective against the heavily armored Somnus Western army knights. This weapon, albeit newer in the armory is already being replaced by a far lighter and deadlier weapon, the Amakus. This weapon is a early long barreled firearm. It is easy to load and even easier to fire as it has a simple flint lock like mechanism and a single easy trigger. The shot is a solid iron ball. While these soldiers make up the bulk of the army, there are two other types of combat soldier, ones that are able to strike even more fear in their foes. Cavalry ride a special breed of war mount. [img]http://f.tqn.com/y/dinosaurs/1/W/D/K/-/-/andrewsarchusDB.jpg[/img] Sarosarchus are enormous canine like animals. Four to five meters long and weighing one to two tons the vast creatures are the staple of Dominion cavalry. First found in the north where the predators could roam forest and plain hunting everything from bear too turtle the Sarosarchus are often colored like grass and leaves and exhibit agility and grace that would seem impossible for their size. Reaching speeds in excess of most horses with perhaps somewhat less stamina the Sarosarchus are prized for their charging ability, easily able to overwhelm all but the strongest defensive formations though a combination of speed mass and the ability to jump above most men. Of course the Sarosarchus are war beasts, unsuited to the monotonous tasks of logistical supply for the forces at the front. To fill this role the largest beast known in the Dominion is used [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Indricotherium-rec2.jpg[/img] Vast monsters seven meters long and twenty tons Jarus have long hauled catapult and cannon to the front with little effort. The most prolific and if any force is to be feared and well known from the Dominion is their Knights. These soldiers wear segmented iron plate mail, longer bastard swords and light shields. These troops are highly trained to fight on any terrain and on mount or foot. [b]-Artillery:[/b] Modern Antian artillery has been advanced over and over again to decimate the ever growing numbers and fortifications of its ever present enemies. The catapult had been the long favorite of the nation in combat formations due to its low weight. Unfortunately, these always took a long time to set up and in today's more mobile warfare, a new weapon was needed to keep pace. The Ballista was developed in conjunction with the crossbow long ago. It was designed as a sniping weapon as it has good range and the projectile itself can penetrate thick armor at long range. Its long reload time and difficult setup mechanism has seen it mostly withdrawn from front line use in favor of the cannon. This weapon does see effective use on fortresses as it can use a wide head for tearing ladders in half with ease. A major advancement came with the invention of the cannon. The original Design was for naval use but after metal frames and sturdy wheels were developed to hold the cannons weight, it became a deadly battlefield weapon that was not only easy to transport via horse but also not requiring time to unpack and assembled to be effective on the field.. It takes time to reload but once its ready, the projectile can decimate ranks as the shot goes through armor and bodies with ease. newer shell advancements have been made but are not as wide spread, one is the gun-powder shell which fires a cast iron ball towards a target and will explode on or near it, sending shrapnel in every direction. A thing to note is that the fuse is ignited by the firing of the shell from the cannon itself so timing is a difficult thing, if the thing ignites at all. A recent variation is the bombard. It has been designed to breach thick walls with a 500lb stone that is fired at high elevation. Its range may be low compared to weapons like the trebuchet and takes a long time to set up and load due to the excessive weight but the destructive potential far outweighs any other siege weapon the Dominion has encountered to date. Aside from whats mentioned above, other battlefield weapons exist. Catapults are still made for sieges and battering rams for attacking city gates. These are always created on the battlefield as moving a five story siege tower from one castle to another would fatigue the soldiers pushing them by the time they reached the enemy walls. [b]-Royal Navy:[/b] The Dominion Navy, primarily located in the southern ports of the nation, has known its fair share of conflicts and despite the recent lull in naval action has nevertheless utilized all the technical advances of the Dominion to modernize into a frightening and proficient war making force. The main battle force of the Navy is the standardized Kynnis class warship. Propelled by Bermuda rig sails and with space for sixty oars in times of low wind the vessels are renowned for their range. Of course that isn't to say they lack in armament, with 42 guns spread over two decks and 21 guns per side the ships are well known as high endurance fighters that can give out just as much as they take. Also abundant are Interceptor class vessels, small sixteen gun ships that are used to hunt down pirates and harass enemy traders in numbers. Also used for scouting missions the small single gun deck vessels are versatile if not under armed. As for the rest of the force it is often spread around both various captured or single order ships, with one true exception. The Shepard class vessel is that exception, never built in large number but plentiful enough that some are in most every task force the Shepards are huge catamaran vessels that perhaps strangely lack any guns at all. Of course that is but a disguise, the true strength of the Shepard class lies within. [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Basilosaurus.jpg[/img] Barada, huge beasts, lurk in the massive ships, living three to a ship in large underwater cages and having been the product of extensive training they are fearsome beasts that have sunk many a ship. Excellent for unexpected attacks the Barada are deadly beyond measure once a ship as begun to go down, it is perhaps cruel that they are trained to kill all they are set upon, but it is what makes them effective. Aboard all these vessels are the proud sailors of the Dominion, equipped with a simple leather breastplate and trained for years in the knowledge they need few would call them anything but a professional force. Usually armed with sort barreled Amakus and shorter agile swords the priority in the navy has consistently been the elimination of the enemy before he boards through a wall of fire, of course nothing is full proof and the swords are a vital portion of any sailor’s uniform. [/hider] [hider=NATIONAL DRAMATIS PERSONAE] [b]-Head of State/Monarch:[/b] [hider=Tetan Serin] [img]http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/072/0/7/07fb5c241182ac0b25ce82bc3d6e61e7-d4sm9ib.jpg[/img] Age: 37 The third of the four sons of Reaus IV Serin Tetan was, not initially, ever expected to ascend to the throne. As a result he was often shunned by his father while the firstborn was raised to rule. Seeking an escape from the oppressive and condescending court Tetan joined the military and serves in the western war, seeing action on two occasions before it ended. Coming home Tetan was stunned to discover the first born in the family line was dead from a hunting expedition and his father was ailing rapidly. Reaus, despite having shunned Tetan in youth comes to see him as a responsible soldier in comparison to his brother’s flippant and pompous attitude toward most anything. In one of his last acts before passing Reaus IV names Tetan his official successor, bypassing his brother all together. The coronation went smoothly, however Tetan’s brother would come to level multiple insults upon him and descend into drunkenness before eventually taking his own life, a fact that Tetan has come to blame himself for. Regardless Tetan has strived to be a good king, prizing the opinion of the people and working to spend as much time amoung them as is possible while still representing them. This all compounded, eventually earning him the name of The Peoples King given that he had on more than one occasion intervened to improve conditions in a village he had stopped in. Still a military man at heart Tetan often sees force as an acceptable measure, but from listening to the people has also come to respect peace the the desire for it that so many in the nation possess.[/hider] Speaker Sharod Kepaghe: He is the technical voice of the entire people's senate portion of the nation. When the laws are passed and edicts made, this man is the one who announces it. He is often near the king when he is in the capital. Sharod has short, jet black hair that is always combed back. He is quite the ladies man but most attribute that to his position of power rather than any notable facial features and an average build. [b]-Ruling Dynasty:[/b] [b]-Military leadership:[/b] General Terah Mavran of the 1st army central; Terah is a devout Jonite general who has long served the nation. He led the northern third army twenty years ago during the Somnus war. His attack was instrumental in blocking the northern Somnus army from moving south. After the war ended, the general of the 1st army retired and General Terah put in his bid for that position. Upon successfully getting the position, he has reformed the mid west sections of the nations military, changing out guards and working with the navy on improving marines. General ??? of the 2nd army south: General ??? of the 3rd army north: General Karston Lovrain of the 4th army central: He rose in the ranks after the war ended. He surpassed many battlefield veterans bids for becoming officers, pissing many off but he had his eyes on the prize. Years passed and he continued to rise through the ranks, winning mock war after mock war against other would-be commanders. When he got the position, he thought it'd be for the north or south army. He was depressed about this at first as it seemed like a boring charge, stuck with blocking a seemingly simple plague. With nothing left of the glory of the great war. [b]-Religious Head:[/b] The most holy, Talikus IV He is an older man whom always wears a hat similar to a pope of the Vatican. A devout follower of Ya'huan and her angels. He is said to have the power to heal people or stir up violent storms but there is no official verification of this.[/hider] [hider=CULTURAL] [b]-History:[/b] -History: Some two thousand years in the past the first precursor states of the Dominion rose in the West. Militant in nature and brutal in life the citizens of those precursors were ruled by fracticious warlords and seperated into three nations. Those three nations found faith in the ancient red pantheon and in the weapons they held dear. Fate would have it that those militant societies was bordered by the peaceful and pacifistic Jonites living out their days in their own empire. Born to the Yerhan family the Great Warlord set out to unite those various states. After many victories the other warlords united against him, seeking a way to starve off defeat the Great Warlord forged a pact, though with who is still unknown. Reguardless he set out and conquered the united warlords with whatever power ha had gained, the peaceful Jonites fell in a masacre not long after. Out of the ashes of that terrible war came the Dominion. In time the Warlord became the Divine King; cults of personality forming around him as the land stabilized and his victories grew in number. Yet at the height of his reign and at the eve of his greatest conquest the Divine king fell to his son. Though the son tried to control the cults that had formed the people revolted, his father’s work undone the land fell once more into darkness. Blood pooled around castle walls and thousands fell, but in time it became clear the Monarchy was doomed, nothing could stop the revolt. Driven by desperation the new King declared a peace and went to meet with those who had risen against him. Seeing the gesture of peace a compromise was made, a council of the people was formed and the King took a seat separate from it. The Council held great power and in the years to come even the state religion was changed by the will of the many and the banner of Ya'huanism took its place on temples even though none were made renounce their red pantheon gods. For a long, long time this meant peace, scars were healed and the many coalesced into a single indivisible whole. Centuries passed and though wars were fought the Dominion only grew with conquest. That very conquest would spell the downfall of the grater Dominion. Motivated by faith the Dominion launched a great crusade into the fractious land of the Drathan lords, hard fought battles plagued the army that had expected light resistance. Looking for a victory the Drathan lords poisoned the minds of the Eastern Dominion with promises from the Red Pantheon, a faith many still held dear. The Invasion of the Drathan came to fail, and the East came to rebel. Labelled the Somnus Imperium the new rebels and the Dominion met in raised arms and plated armor. Tens of thousands dead, a decade of war and a mere three miles lost by the Dominion, the war was as horrid as it became pointless; eventually a new peace was signed. It did not last long. The second war dragged on much like the first, but this time there would be no peace. The war escalated to a conflict of apocalyptic scale over the border, and little changed hands once again. The ending came only in collapse; the Imperium began to crumble from within. Few would know outside the nation but the Imperium had been struck by a nightmarish catastrophe, the Dream Plague had been born. Unaware of the horrors within the armies of the Dominion seized on the chaos and committed to an offensive on every front. Crumbling but still strong the Imperium managed a defense and seeing the rapidly advancing forces in the north committed more than half their southern army to repel the Dominon, once more the front was dead locked. However anticipating the move generals in the Dominion delivered the killing blow. It came from the Dominion own southern forces, the Imperium had misjudged the man power that could be brought to bear and saw its own force crumble. Surrounded and blockaded the soldiers in the North were left to die by the Imperium. As Dominion forces closed the retreating Imperium army found the nation in ruin, the plague eroding everything. It was decided that surrender was the only option. The remaining Imperium forces dropped their swords and the Dominion armies marched ahead to see firsthand the horror of the plague. The war was over and the two former enemy armies cooperated in evacuating thousands of citizens, leaving the east to rot. Now in a state of military control the Imperium remnants hide behind thick walls hoping against hope the Plague will end [b]-List of Historical Grievances [/b] Lengthy war with the Somnus Imperium, war was made up of meager gains by both sides with no real end in sight, the plague erupting from the capital brought the imperium to its knees. Many refugees fled to the Dominion for safety. The Dominion recognized the threat, and allowed this and then took the lands adjacent to its own borders. [b]-Cultural Notes[/b] [i]Northern Culture:[/i] Nordic Architecture The Northern lands, cursed with cold winters and mild summers the few who call the North home have become a hard people. With a history dating back long before integration into the Dominion the territory was once home to a great empire, though all that remains of it are stone ruins. While the early history of the North is shrouded in mystery more recent pre integration history favored many small kingdoms ruled by petty monarchs that true to their frivolous disputes never united when the Dominion marched into their lands. In modern times those in the north have little to offer beyond what they save for themselves. The least powerful and least represented territory the North is often the source of small uprisings but by and large most in the region are more concerned with feeding themselves. Pale skinned and light of hair the muscular natives are often drafted into the military’s most brutal regiments and as a result the Northerners are often viewed as savages, an image few care to repair so long as it keeps them respected. While the North may be poor in comparison to other regions a misjudgment about its strength has crushed many would be conquerors. Distant in the minds of most the North is a forgotten land, and most would prefer it stay that way so long as what little autonomy is allowed remains. [i]Southern Culture:[/i] Islamic Architecture Once ruled by a series of rich city states the tropical and lush southern region of the south is now home the Dominion’s large exotic goods industry specializing in odd animals, fruits, and the sale of equally unique peoples. The various powerful cities serve as a series of heavily used warm water ports that link the Dominion to the wider world. The south is often said to have been built on the seas bounty and as a result it is easy to see how the sea has become vital to the culture of the local dark skinned people and easier still to understand how the mostly forgotten ocean god still thrives there, alive and well from the ancient days of city states. Adventurous and willing those from the south are known for their significant presence in both the army and inevitably the navy. Perhaps nowhere else in the Dominion does martial tradition thrive as it does in the south where more than a few families have carried general and admiralships on their name for numerous generations, passing the torch from one hand to the next. As a result the south is often seen as a land of promise for aspirational soldiers. For all the good integration has brought the region in recent times some in the South have questioned excessive central control given the regions relative isolation due to the passable but harsh mountain range that separates it from the mainland. Though the question is permitted recent activities by some military officials have garnered attention. [i]Imperial/Temperate Zone Culture:[/i] Byzantine/Roman Architecture The largest ethnic and cultural region in Dominion the Midlands provinces are often referred to as the home lands, the origin of the Dominion. Home to tan skinned and hardworking Humans those in the Midlands are often some of the richer citizens in the Dominion even among the lower classes. While this has bred some resentment most simply cite the abundance of arable land in the midlands and historically domestic immigration has been high. This general wealth has led to a contented populace with a commendable work ethic and stability that as persisted even in the face of war and the plague. However recently burdened by foreign immigrants from Imperium the region has developed a strange attitude wherein foreign immigrants working like the rest are seen as good additions and those who do not are seen with distrust, disgust and general racism. Needless to say this in itself has proved a tremendous motivator for immigrants to work and local lords in the region have become immensely wealthy from the increased population to work ever larger fields further adding to the reputation of the midlands wealth. [/hider] [b]-Persons of interest: [/b] [hider=Morinth][b]Morinth[/b] [img]http://th08.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2012/319/5/a/dark_elf_ranger_by_rozen_clowd-d5l28xr.png[/img] Morinth... This girl is somewhat of a mystery. She is a twenty eight year old Jonite who grew up in the slums of Falnost. Her parents were of nobility whom wanted a son to continue their name. When Morinth was born, her mother begged to keep her but her father decided it would be best if they made another child and hope for it to be male. They had no desire to raise a child that wouldn't go anywhere in regards to her family's nobility. She became a soldier in the army and found her faith there. Morinth pushed herself and rose in the ranks quickly and eventually gained command of a small group of Bree riders. One day her group came upon a large formation of thirty soldiers. Instead of falling back, she ordered her group in to try and take anything of value. She single handedly took out ten men within a few minutes. The other soldiers said that she jumped from man to man, dodging killing blows and rolling between soldiers just to stab them with their own sword. Her mission was even further successful as not a soldier died and they discovered a very important dispatch which later led to a decisive victory. When the military heads learned of her exploits, she was sent to a special group of operatives that would assassinate officers or sneak to replace documents to mislead enemy soldiers. Her faith became prevalent during this time as many thought she was blessed by Yuwan herself with the ability to blend with the shadows or summon the powers of lightning due to a bow that would seemingly hit any target at extreme distance. Weather these feats are true or not is really known between her a Yuwan. The Church blessed her with an edict, do what ever is needed to protect the faith and then the council finalized it by giving her special permission to more or less go where ever and who ever if need be. She is one of the most dangerous people in the nation at this point and is likely known outside of it. A true creature of the night and a extremely skilled combatant. When she starts a mission, there are sure to be new widows.[/hider] [hider= Lord Komitus Braith IV] [img]http://l1304.hizliresim.com/18/n/m8u3f.jpg[/img] The Senate has many appointees, from murderous assassins like Morinth to Knights that are the eyes and ears.. and sword, of the peoples voice. Komitus is the most prolific of these knights who directly answer to the senate. This one is an extremely skilled combatant who wields a supposedly enchanted long sword and one of the navy's finest snub Amakus. His background is that of nobility. Raised in the upper class homes of the capitol, he became a land owner at the age of twelve when he was granted the location of his future home. His supposed destiny was to be a powerful senator or even a governor of one of the major cities but he found his called when the military called upon youths to help fight the Somnus on their southern borders. He had answered the call and was immediately put in to a reserve corps, overseeing logistics but he could see through the charade, a plan by his parents to keep him safe and one night he walked out, grabbed a sword and mingled with the foot soldiers. Since he had disappeared, many thought him dead but during one of the final battles of the war before the dream plague destroyed the Somnus, he led an assault on one of the major forts blocking Dominion forces from moving forward in his theater. His methods were straight forward and seemingly doomed to fail but he had some sort of charm, a powerful ability to motivate his men and by doing so, led a force of 700 soldiers to overtake a fortress of over 1000. They breached the gates using shields to defend against arrows, small barrels of gunpowder were set near the door and then the troops fled, letting the explosives to open his soldiers way. It seemed for naught as the enemy had ballstae and archer alike guarding the door way. He rose his sword in to the air and it seemed as if the sky grew dark. Black clouds had became darker and then lightning shot down from the sky as if Yu'huan her self was unleashing her fury. Ballistae exploded as the bolts of lightning struck.. men were shocked alive as the bolts crashed through their metal plate armor. When the storm subsided and rain began to pour, he ordered the charge. When they breached the gate, all they saw was death inside and cowering soldiers. He became a symbol of power when he offered himself to the church but the senate offered him a position he couldn't pass up, to be one of their agents, to go anywhere and do anything he wanted with the nations blessing. [/hider] [u]-Current national relations;[/u] [hider=Drathan Union] The Drathans have been a long time friend of the Dominion since Yuwanism took over the country many centuries ago. As time went on, various wars would come to the dominions door step, ones that would ultimately end with the Drathans invaded. (which likely had a big part in their decision to help) As time went on, a strong respect between the two led to a loose alliance that has prospered by trade and mutual protection.[/hider] Kingdom of Charlin Otnemarcasan Empire The Isoterix Shogunate Kingdom of Karkarth [hider=Hokksulgug] This one is an interesting situation as long ago, Hokksulgug was a province of the Antian Dominion. When it split, a major war which left the nation in shambles took place. Without the somnus imperium drawing the dominions attention, its likely to this day that the Hokksulgug would be a province in the dominion. Like a phoenix from the ashes though, Hokksulgug prospered from its independence. Furthermore, they even came to their parent nations aid during its time of dire need. Granted, the potential for invasion by the justinians played a big factor in the decision making process. These wars and the dominion recognizing and respecting the Hokksulgug, has created a slow bond over the centuries that has flourished in to a very strong alliance.[/hider] [hider=Aeieal] As the Dominion began to conquer adjacent territories to the north they encountered the infamous northern marshes. Aware of the rumours detailing siren like creatures within and seeing land further north of little value the marshes were spared the butchery of the early Dominion expansions and in doing so the gate to the Otnemarcasan Empirewas left sealed. As time moved on emissaries from the marshes emerged representing a nation they called Aeieal. While initially cautious of the beautiful yet undeniably deadly people the Dominion eventually decided that the regions value as a buffer in the north was sufficient to make a deal. While beginning as a mere agreement to respect the borders of Aeieal relations grew with time until trade, especially of the slave variety had become an important source of income in the region. Seeking to secure Aeiealas an asset one of the earlier Yuwanist kings proposed an alliance with the state to the council and despite misgivings over the diet of the people that lived there the council agreed. As part of the alliance that early king married a Vaelie and began a tradition that usually one in the royal family per generation would continue, though there were certainly lapses at times. In recent history due to the instability in the north and the fractured Otnemarcasan Empirethere has been a push to reinforce Aeieal with Dominion border forts, although the deal has been a long time in the making recently there is hope that a solution to each parties misgiving can be found. As for the tradition of intermarrying Tetan Serin's younger brother, Prince Oran Serin has carried it into the current generation after Tetan himself declared he had no intention of marrying anyone for the foreseeable future.[/hider]