[center][h1][b]Empire of the Hidden[/b][/h1][/center] [b][h2]Location/Geography[/h2][/b] [hider=Map Claim][img]http://i.imgur.com/e4XAszg.png[/img][/hider] #22 The entire Empire of the Hidden is buried underneath the shifting sands of the Great Arduin Desert. The northern border of the desert is is blocked off with the Arduin Mountain range on one side leading into the Quinze river while the eastern and southern borders are protected by high cliffs against the ocean. The far western coast of the desert is the Xultz mountain range spanning two hundred miles of the coast. All the Empire's cities are built into massive underground caverns spread throughout the desert and even includes several cities built into the face of cliffs and hollowed mountains. The only indications that these cities even exist to the outside world are large thirty foot tall spires that rise into the air marking the entrances to these cities. Theses spires exist as a form of small fort as well as an early warning system against any invading forces for the cities below. [b][h2]General Introduction[/h2][/b](What is your nation? What they do? How they live? etc...Anything you can think helps identifying your nation among the rest.) [b][h2]History[/h2][/b] (You can detail the history of your nation here. How they were formed? Any major events like wars, political changes or catastrophes? Really, you know better than me what you wish to write here. History is good for giving other players story hooks to establish some relationship with your nation. A good history section tries to incorporate knowledge from other NS to do exactly that, a shared history.) [h2][b]Government & Society[/b][/h2] The Empire of the Hidden is united under the single banner of Empress Tetha who is the sole authority of the land. Her throne is located within Xeztec as the capital and her word is considered law by all her subjects. All the cities spread through the desert are under the command of individual governors that are the hands of the Empress and enforce her laws within their cities, though they do not have the power to make negotiations on their own or even raise the taxes of their city without the central governments permission. The lineage of Emperor or Empress is through bloodline with the authority to rule passed down from parent to child. [hider=Quexltec] The Quexltec are a race of lizardmen that have grown adapted to the underground life style with several features that allow them to live in the desert. The Quexltec range in size from 5'4" all the way to 6'2" and they ranged in color for their scales from pure black to deep green with most also sporting several markings on their body. The main distinguishing feature of the race would be how the males have large frills around their necks roughly three feet in diameter that is able to fold up against their necks when not completely extended, the females of the species sport a spinal frill that runs from the base of their necks all the way down their backs to the end of their tails that is also able to fold up when not extended. Both males and females have a sharp row of teeth meant for tearing at their prey along with sharpened claws on their hands and feet. Quexltec are omnivores by nature, thought their diet mainly consists of herd beast and if located closer to the ocean than there is a variety of fish that can be mixed into the diet. A special function of the race's frill is that it helps as a mating attractions as well as a way to regulate body temperature while in the surface. [hider][img]http://orig10.deviantart.net/873d/f/2011/207/6/2/lizardman_by_vampirewhite-d41riel.jpg[/img][/hider] [/hider] [h2][b]Economy & Industry[/b][/h2](What are your primary exports and imports? How much you trade? How are your craftsmen organized? How developed is your technology? What kind of unique creations you have? etc. If you haven't described your involvement with magic in the society/government section, you can do it here.) [b][h2]Military Overview[/h2][/b] The Empire of the Hidden is a defensive nation that has developed their military strength around defending their borders against any invading force. The mountain range that makes up the northern border of the Empire is fortified with a picket line of large forts that are built into the faces of the mountains as a first line of defense against invasion. Within the entire Empire, there is a standing decree that upon invasion or declaration of war that citizens are to be conscripted into the army in the defense of their homeland. [b]Forts:[/b] These defensive positions are built to withstand month long sieges on their own without assistance from any external sources. Each is garrisoned with roughly five hundred troops with several dozen iron cast cannon emplacements along the outer walls of the fort. Behind this first line of defense is a spider web of tunnels dug into the mountain to disorientate and confuse any force that made it into the compound. [b]Army:[/b] The Hidden's standing army is a pitiful shadow of many of it's neighbor nations as they do not have a centralized military. Each of the cities is responsible for raising and maintaining their own defensive force under the command of their governor. Though each of these smaller armies have to swear fealty to the Empress and to serve as one unified army if the call ever comes. Each of these cities must also offer soldiers from their own personal forces to serve in the border forts for a service time of two years. Xeztec as the Capital of the Empire maintains the largest army of all the cities as well as being the headquarters for the Knights of the Scale. The main body of the army consists of an infantry force supplied with large halberds used for keeping the enemy at bay while inflicting damage upon them. These weapons prove to be an effect deterrent against cavalry charges as well allowing the infantry line to only have to deal with infantry while their own cavalry can deal with the flanks. For closer ranges and hand to hand combat the infantry is given a three foot battle axe with a crescent shaped blade on one side and an half foot spike on the other side. They are either allowed to carry two axes into battle or a round body shield with protruding spikes along the edges. Depending on the wealth of the soldier, this equipment could change for different weapons. [hider][img]http://safebooru.org//samples/406/sample_3131b338269dc7b3dd0dc544ef254a7a03a2ff15.jpg?406490[/img][/hider] The cavalry of the Empire is a force to be fears as instead of riding horses, they have tamed the sand dragons of the southern deserts to become their mounts. These dragons each stands at roughly seven feet tall with a long lean body that is covered in plates that make them hard to pierce with arrows from a distance or a sword at close range. These mounts have proved to be extremely fast on the surface of of the desert with their clawed feet giving them the appearance of gliding over the sand, they are effective on other terrain other than sand but that is where they will maintain an advantage. The Quexltec that chose to ride these sand dragons carry a long lance into battle giving them an effect charge against the enemy as well as being equipped with their standard battle axes for close up fights. Their mounts has also proved to be effective in battle along with the rider as they use their powerful jaws and spiked tail as offensive weapons to maim opponents and take down mounts. [hider][img]http://img14.deviantart.net/e4fe/i/2009/060/f/d/sand_dragon_by_jslewis.jpg[/img][/hider] Knights of the Scale are elite (Yeah, of course you also need to tell us some about your military. Try to avoid number games and unhealthy arms races. We play this game for fun and that needs balance and sensible approach. One of the main guidelines is that your nation's military shouldn't be much better than a historical 15th century medieval army. Don't worry, I don't ask you historical accuracy. So-called "super units" can be okay if they are rare enough for their worth and don't make your army unbeatable. The point is to let you do cool things and explore your creativity but at the same time don't do it at the expense of others. Also if you have magic or magicians involved in your military then perhaps you can describe that, too.)