WORK IN PROGRESS!!! [b]Nation Name:[/b] The Ralgon Empire [hider=Flag] [img=http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/cosmic_fury/__Flag___zps13c1f0a5.png][/hider] [b]Region:[/b] Valeria (all of the purple islands between Gaia and Aethia), as well as others within their borders. This excludes the island inhabited by The Deauxerran League. [Hider=Map][img=http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag63/cosmic_fury/HcHpFEk_zpse9f9623a.jpg][/hider] [b]Capital:[/b] The Imperial City of Dragonstone [b]Capital Population:[/b] 430,000 (Includes metropolitan areas) [hider=Major Settlements] The Kingdom of Mashiro -- About 1.6 Million The Kingdom of Pyrax -- About 1.4 Million The Kingdom of Aero -- About 1.8 Million The Kingdom of Duro -- About 1.3 Million The Kingdom of Stormhold -- About 1.8 Million The Imperial Colony of Prometheus -- 250,000 The Imperial Colony of Ferro -- 125,000 The Imperial District of Dragonstone -- About 600,000[/hider] [b]Population:[/b] About 8,875,000 [b]Racial Demographics[/b]: 18% pure Elvish subspecies, 14% pure Human, 53% Ralgons (A human/elf hybrid race), 15% Other [b]Dominant Race[/b]: Ralgons of various types [b]Social dynamics:[/b] (What is respectable, how do people re-act to certain things, etc) [b]Fashion:[/b] Fashion is actually widely varied within the Empire. However, most of it would closely resemble that of Victorian Era England during its peak. Anyone with enough money chooses to dress themselves in rich colors -- however, they tend to avoid the colors Royal Purple and Imperial Blue, as the dyes for those are extremely expensive, and also reserved for those of noble status. Due to the Ralgon Empire being such a varied country, almost any sort of fashion may be deemed as acceptable, so long as it is tasteful in the land it originates from. [b]Calendar:[/b] Official holidays within the Empire include the following: New Year's (at the beginning of the year) The Spring Equinox (celebrated somewhat like Easter) The Autumn Equinox (celebrated very much like Mardi Gras) V-Day (celebrates the Ralgon Empire's formation), May 4th The Summer and Winter Solstices (which happen to resemble Christmas in many ways) The Emperor's Birthday (usually when the Emperor makes an appearance to the people) [b]Art:[/b] [b]Law:[/b] [hider=Education] Education is highly promoted, especially in areas of warfare, seamanship, and other "practical" things. Magic is also studied by many in the religious community, as it is believed to be a gift directly from God. Education is compulsory between the ages of 7 to 15, when a student has learned all of the basic education needed for a child to succeed in the world when they reach adulthood. Higher education is strongly encouraged after that, with the Imperial Government expending large sums yearly to ensure that gifted students going to universities there are able to graduate. Financial aid is available, although this is very hard to acquire for the average student. As a result, when students graduate their basic education, they normally join the military or pursue the trade they studied for in the later years of their basic education. The most gifted and talented students are able to go to institutes of higher education at very little to no cost, in exchange for military service as officers. This allows for even the poorest of the Ralgon Empire's talented people to gain an education for themselves. However, students like these are rare enough, as many students happen to be sons and daughters of wealthy families, not to mention that there are very stringent requirements for students to be accepted into this particular program. Many trades are taught at the last two (or three) years of a student's basic education. These include anything from smithying to sailing to farm work -- even the Empire's very few magicians are initiated at this stage. Students are allowed to freely choose those they are deemed to be best at. Hard work during a student's first five or six years at school is strongly encouraged, and is very richly rewarded. Those of high integrity are able to receive benefits directly relating to high education, along with far more choices than others when they use the last two or three years of their basic education to learn a trade. As a result of the current system, children learn less often their parents' trades than other nations. In fact, a family's best chance at climbing the social ladder in recent years has been the capacity of their children to do well in school, as high education (between the ages of 15 to 20) means that a student is well-respected as either a master in their trade, or a scholar easily capable of great things -- be it an illustrious career in the military, political office, or being a master in their trade, held in high regard above all others. As for higher education, the main institution for this, is the famous Imperial University of Dragonstone, which is most notable for its College of War, where many of the nation's greatest admirals and generals have come from.[/hider] [b]Type of Government:[/b] Imperial Monarchy, backed by a Senate run by the nobles. [b]Influence and relations:[/b] Alliance with The Deauxerran League [b]Important People:[/b] Emperor Tiberius Dragonstone King Edward Ferro of Stormhold King Adrian Steele of Mashiro Queen Helen Nafune of Duro Queen Lianna Gale of Aero King Eric Vulcan of Pyrax Queen Marin Rai of Duro [b]Trading and tax:[/b] [b]Major industries:[/b] [b]Major Associations:[/b] [b]Currency:[/b] The Drachma (one troy ounce of gold) [hider=Military] Active Duty Army: 20,000 (four legions) Mostly consisting of crossbowmen, and equipped with things that help them defend the many castles and islands of the Ralgon Empire. 20,000 Marines (four legions) These are the true expeditionary armies that the Ralgons have to offer. These are mainly used for besieging cities along the coasts, and conquering islands. They are armed with a wide variety of weapons, mostly crossbows... all to aid them and their siege machines. 45,000 Sailors (nine fleets) The Ralgons pride themselves in their massive navy, which consists of about 250-300 strong ships. These ships are dedicated warships that are specialized to their role. [/hider] [hider=Landscape] WORK IN PROGRESS[/hider] [b]Wildlife:[/b] [b]Notable places:[/b] [hider=History]WORK IN PROGRESS[/hider] [hider=Race Description] [b]Name:[/b] Ralgons [b]Classification:[/b] Sentient [b]Appearance:[/b] Mostly like humans, but characterized by their pale skin and vivid eyes. [b]Natural abilities:[/b] [b]Lifespan:[/b] 80-200 Years (depending on mix of Elvish/Human blood and family status) [b]Origins:[/b][/hider] [b]Relations with other races:[/b] [b]Lanuages:[/b] [b]Religious beliefs:[/b] [b]Preferred occupations:[/b] [b]Famous people:[/b] [hider=Strengths] Very strong Navy Youthful Emperor Very full treasury (income from mining industries, and very strong currency) Advanced Education System Superb Generals and Admirals Excellent mining industries Excellent trading industries Mountainous Terrain Strong holdings (many castles, defensible terrain, well-defended seas) Relatively high population Religious Freedom Relative Political Freedom Good climate Good medicine[/hider] [hider=Weaknesses] Divided nobles Corrupt politicians Lack of large landmasses for farming Inexperienced Emperor Imported food from other nations Small land holdings Lack of national religion Small Standing Army[/hider]