Order through discipline, progress through merit!
Capital: Arkronia
Quick description: The kingdom of Arkron was founded when the men from beyond the sea landed on the shores of the western peninsula. They quickly built up a thriving civilization, subjugating the human tribes who were living in the area in the process. From the shore of the Great lake to the Mountains of Arkronom large walled cities can be found from this urbanized civilization all across the kingdom.
Side during the 3th rebellion: The Arkronians and her loyal vassals valiantly resisted and overcame the forces of chaos that threatened the balance of the continent and the foundation of the kingdoms' power.
Population/race: The kingdom of Arkron is relatively densely populated and is known for their many urban centers. In the countryside there are many smaller settlements and agricultural hotspots. The majority race within the kingdom are the Arkronians. They hold all the power. The kingdom has also a large Human minority and other races do have some form of representation within the kingdom's borders.
Arkronians: The Arkronians are also known as “the men from beyond the sea”. Arkronians mostly resemble humans to a large degree. However they tend to be of longer build with male ones roughly being in the range of 200 to 220 centimeters. Females tend to be smaller. The Akronian skin is recognizable by its grey color. Not every Arkronian has the same greyscale. This has led to the proverb that there are as many shades of grey as there are Arkronians. Arkronians do not have bodily hair. Their scalps are bald and facial hair in the form of beards, moustaches or eyebrows are absent.
Humans: The humans are bipedal humanoid creatures that could best be described as a shorter, hairy version of the Arkronians. Humans tend to be around 180 centimeters for males and 165 centimeters for females. Both male and female humans are prone to having lots of hair growth on their heads but might lose it as they age. Male humans often get facial hair on their cheeks, chin and below their nose. Hair color of the humans that reside in the kingdom of Arkron ranges from blond to black and their skin color could best be described as a pale shade of pink.
Society/culture: The culture of the Arkronians could best be described as highly organized, disciplined and hierarchical. Arkronians love order and expect everyone to follow the mostly written rules and social customs. In Arkronian lands everyone is expected to walk on the left side of the lanes, greet acquaintances who are higher positioned on the social ladder in the typical Arkronian way of raising the left arm in an L shape with open hand and say the old Arkronian words “Alan Arkronis” which roughly translates into “praise god's favorites”
The Arkronians consider themselves superior to the other races and nations of Mycoria. They believe that their race is the finest creation of the gods and have received the divine order to bring order to the lesser creatures. They often view their rule as sharing in their greatness rather than a system that has the sole purpose of remaining the most powerful. The Arkronians have made huge expenses to show their superiority through marvelous feats of engineering. Arkronia, the white city of marble is such a feat.
The capital of the kingdom of Arkron is built with only one thing in mind, to make representatives of other nations feel insignificant. You enter the city through the grand gate and are greeted by the marble lane, a 100 feet wide, 2 mile long lane made up of pure white marble that leads straight to the royal palace. Most peculiar about this lane is that the kingdom employs hundreds of humans to keep it clean all day long. If a horse or other animal left his feces during travel on the road some humans will quickly run out of some corner to clean it up. Impressing others is one of the core tenets of Arkronian society.
For those who can afford it Arkronians build lavish estates in the countryside. Especially merchants and the landowning nobility are prone to getting into spending wars on who can build the most impressive estate with the most exquisite gardens. Even though the kingdom has accumulated huge amounts of wealth, not all Arkronians have benefited from the prosperity of the nation. By law, humans are paid less for work than Arkronians. This has led to a relatively large underclass of Arkronian citizens who struggle to find jobs. The solution of the crown was to create a professional standing army that was only accessible for Arkronian people.
Religion: The Arkronian mythology consists of a Pantheon of 6 gods, three of them are considered good deities, the other three are generally viewed as bad deities. In the Akronian creation myth, Ka’oron the god of chaos created many races and left them alone on the planet up to their own devices. Ka’oron and the other gods watched in delight on how these little insignificant creatures struggled with the environment and each other in order to stay alive. Much to the joy of Ka’oron, the god of stagnation Sta’ron used his divine power to make sure that the creatures Ka’oron had created could never progress beyond their struggling self and Ba’oron, the god of misfortune made sure that their lives would be miserable.
This playing with live was much to the disdain of the other 3 gods and under leadership of the god of order Ak’ron they created the finest creatures the gods could make in order to lead those insignificant creations of Ka’oron and bring order to the world. These creatures would become known as gods finest or Arkronians. The Arkronians believe that they were created to bring order to a world in chaos and that they have a divine right to rule over other races.
Arkronian religion is all about worshipping Ak’ron, the god of Order. He represents the best qualities a sentient being can have. The worshipping of Ak’ron is done in by living an orderly life. Structural daily routines must be done in order to please the god of Order. It goes against his wishes to leave your bed in a mess when you get out or to have the dishes not done right after dinner. If you succumb to such chaotic behavior, you’re viewed as unworthy of being an Arkronian.
History: The Arkronian people are an ancient race whose origin is from beyond the great sea. According to their creation myth the Akronian people were given the divine task to bring order to a world that was ruled by chaos. They saw it as a divine duty to spread their rule across all continents and bring an end to all chaos.
When the Arkronians first landed on the shores of the western peninsula they were greeted with hostility by the human population that were the original inhabitants of the lands. Confronted with such chaos the Arkronians realized that they should quickly enforce their rule over these barbaric creatures and colonized the lands, integrating the humans into their highly organized and orderly society.
As the Arkronians explored the continent of Mycoria they realized that all the peoples and nations did not meet the standards of the gods and that the Arkronian rule should be enforced throughout this vast continent. However due to the large size and the many different nations any form of direct rule seemed to be highly improbable. None the less the Arkronians were bound by their gods to lead these creatures away from their chaotic ways and into an age of discipline and order and launched the 100 years war.
During the hundred years war the Arkronians subjugated every nation on the continent to a form of indirect rule. Some became close allies while others still were rather unruly. However due to clever diplomacy and military supremacy the Arkronians managed to implement a basic form of order and made many nations dependent on their rule. One of the core tenets of the system was the payment taxations to the Arkronian crown. This ensured that no nation could grow the strength to challenge the established order and the position of the Kingdom of Arkron as ruler of the continent.
On various occasions a number of nations rebelled against the order that the Arkronians had created. The last rebellion was 50 years ago during the reign of Dakon-Al II, the indecisive. The reign of Dakon-Al II was plagued by his weak leadership and inability to make the harsh decisions. This made the kingdom look weak, especially in the eyes of the nations whose loyalty could never be counted on. Nations like the Epha Dominion and the Yuravian confederation saw the weak and indecisive nature as a chance to break free from the Arkronian rule. They managed to bring additional nations including the kingdom of Vulpinia into their camp and launched their bid for true independence.
However due to clever diplomacy and some strong fear mongering towards the young Vulpin king Aidar Fir Shadowfax the Arkronians managed to convince the Vulpin to betray their rebel allies and had him lure the combined rebel army into a decisive ambush that became known as the battle of the Sionnach Wald. After the battle order was quickly restored but the underlying conflict was never truly solved.
Fifty years has passed since the third rebellion without the rule of the Arkronians being challenged. The indecisive king Dakon-Al passed away and his son Amon-Mar IV ascended the Arkronian throne. He managed the realm for nearly 30 years until he passed away from a mysterious disease that is currently plaguing the Arkronian people called the grey death. Some whisper that the only heir to the throne, Rakon-Da has contracted the disease as well.
Government: The kingdom of Arkron is an absolute monarchy. The King of the Arkronians have inherited the divine right to rule from the gods. However the king does not rule alone. There is a large bureaucracy of ministers, civil servants and other bureaucrats that govern the highly structured society. This has led to a lot of red tape and occasionally clogs the chain of command as orders run through an extensive line of bureaucrats distorting the orders from the king. The bureaucracy has in fact, made governing so complex that the king cannot control every aspect of it and have an eye on what his ministers are doing.
The king of Arkron has the right to appoint all ministers but often recruits from a small pool of people from important noble families and prestigious universities. This has led to an elite that wields all political power within the continent. The king also can appoint assistants and servants as he pleases. Most important of these assistants is called the steward of Arkron. He is the direct advisor to the king and heads the council of ministers in absence of the king. Many regard the steward as the second most powerful person in the kingdom.
Monarch:
Steward of Arkron: Drokan-Al
Minister of the interior: Bakhal-Amar
Minister of foreign relations: Horish-Namar
Minister of the Army: Ekram-Rhas
Minister of the Navy: Ridhouan-Tag
Minister of the treasury:
Minister of economic development:
Minister of the intelligence: Ohrahm-Braz
Minister of trade: Ragid-Can
Minister of religious affairs: Cardinal Orign-Eltar
Minister of technological development:
Minister of education:
Minister of public health and water management: Arid-Ro
Minister of Infrastructure:
Minister of judicial affairs:
Minister of history recording and administration:
EconomyThe kingdom of Arkron has a vibrant trading culture. Their merchants sail the world seas and are the only ones on the Mycorean continent who are allowed intercontinental trade. Arkronian merchants can often be found in every nation on the continent, buying local goods for export overseas. This has given the kingdom a great deal of wealth.
The wealth from trade is mostly invested in local industries. Especially the shipbuilding industry and resource gathering operations such as mining and wood production. Many artisans produce high quality goods such as fine furniture, clothing and tools. Also the Arkronian way of life has created a large body of professional bureaucrats that methodically register and check all kinds of transactions.
Humans play a vital role within the Arkronian economy often being employed as wage workers in agriculture, mining and other low income jobs. Most farmlands are owned by the nobles who form the landowning elite. They employ both humans and Arkronians to work the fields and manage the economic affairs of the estate.
MilitaryThe kingdom of Arkron maintains a professional military. Native Arkronians can enlist in the Arkronian military starting from the age of 18 and sign contracts for 30 years of service. After completing their 30 years of service Arkronian soldiers receive a state pension and a plot of land as reward. Looting and plundering are deemed chaotic behavior and are punishable by death. Thus the wage and pension are the only form of payment that Arkronian soldiers receive.
The Arkronian military is trained and equipped by the crown. No soldier has to pay for their own equipment. Equipment is standardized across the armed forces. All soldiers go through a basic training fase that lasts for 6 months. During this phase the recruits are drilled and disciplined to the highest standards. Physical fitness, basic combat training and formation fighting and large scale maneuvering are trained extensively. All soldiers are trained to be capable of marching 35 kilometers in full gear a day. Once the basic training phase is completed soldiers are assigned to their respective regiments and receive additional specialist training. After 5 years of service soldiers can try to enlist into one of the Arkronian military academies for an officer training course. Generals in the Arkronian army all have started out as basic soldiers at the bottom and risen through the ranks.
The backbone of the Arkronian army are their heavy pike infantry. Equipped with long pikes, a sword as backup weapon and protected by a heavy iron with shoulder and thigh guards. The cuirass is worn over a long chain shirt and the protective elements are complemented with a helmet. The Arkronian pike square is a formidable fighting force. They are organized into regiments of hundred soldiers who typically fight in tight 10 by 10 squares, highly trained and very disciplined they can maneuver quickly and deliver a devastating charge.
The Arkronian pike square is supported by a number of supportive regiments such as the Arkronian heavy cavalry wings, light archer regiments and siege regiments. The Arkronians also have extensive command and control elements for delivering orders. Siege weapons play an important element within the Arkronian military. Their armies generally move around with a large number of powerful catapults and ballistas.
The Arkronians complement their armed forces with large quantities of tributary troops. Her tributary states are bound by treaty to bring in manpower for their armies. Vulpin scouts, Cor Knights and Rhaetian cavalry, warriors from all nations can be found among the ranks in an Arkronian battle line. Akronian generals often have a habit of committing the auxiliary troops to battle first to wear the enemy out before sending in the Arkronian pike squares.
The Arkronians excel at large scale pitched battles and siege warfare. That is where their ability to organize, command and control of large formations comes to fruit. If you give an Arkronian army time to prepare a defensive position you will often be faced with an extensive network of trenches, earthworks and palisades to delay and disrupt enemy formations. However the Arkronians often struggle when it comes to unconventional warfare.
The Arkronian navy is a separate branch of the military with its own leadership. It is tasked with keeping the sealanes secure and ferry the army across the continent. The Arkronians field a large variety of ships which are often equipped with powerful ballistas and catapults. Crews are also trained extensively and are excellent navigators. Within the navy there is a special marine branch which is dedicated to fighting boarding battles
Territory: The most remarkable features of the kingdom of Arkon aren’t the Arkronian Mountains, nor the great river plain or the Peninsula of Amor-Rakan. The most remarkable about the kingdom are the many great cities that the Arkronians have constructed over the centuries. Methodically planned out with straight wide lanes, beautiful parks and unparalleled architecture all behind walls that are both aesthetically exquisite and offer a strong defense.
Factions:Name: Association of Holy Order
Other names: The Association
Description: The Association of Holy Order is the divine institution that is dedicated to interpreting the wishes and scriptures of the Arkronian pantheon. They are the bridge between the gods and the mortals who serve them. The most important task of the Association of Holy Order is choosing the royal bloodline. When Arkronians establish a new kingdom or when a bloodline dies out, the gods appoint a new bloodline to rule the Arkronians and task him with the duty to bring order to the world in chaos.
Name: House Rhaskozikan
Description: House Rhaskozikan is one of the most important noble houses and one of the initiators of the Arkronian migration to Mycoria. When the kingdom on the continent was formed, the house Rhaskozikan was extremely displeased that the gods did not favor them enough to become the royal bloodline. The House Rhaskozikan is infamous for their hardline views on the world. They interpret the holy scriptures in a way that justifies etnic cleansing as a way to bring order to the world. Members of house Rhaskozikan are known for their extremely negative views about the Ascerians of Yuravia and the men in the north. Members of House Rhaskozikan can often be found at high ranking military positions and within the bureaucracy of the state.
Name: The forbidden tribe
Description: The forbidden tribe is a secret organisation for the promotion of human independance and the conservation of human culture on the peninsula. Many of the humans within the kingdom secretly associate themselves with The Forbidden Tribe. Some more radical elements within this loose coalition of humans have done violent attacks while others simply express their wishes in secret.
Name: The Arkronian merchant guild
Description: The Arkronian merchant guild is the umbrella organization for all Arkronian merchants. Historically the Arkronian merchants have brought in vast amounts of wealth to the kingdom and the idea of monopolizing intercontinental trade to the Arkronian kingdom. The Merchant guild has grown increasingly concerned about the growing influence of Aegire merchant activity in the more recent years. Some even whisper that it would have been better if all the sea-folk were whiped out.
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CharactersName: Amon-Mar IV
Titles: King of Arkron, supreme overlord of the realm
Description: King Amon-Mar IV recently passed away due to a mysterious disease known as the grey death that is plaguing the Arkronian race. Amor-Mar IV ascended the throne two decades after the 3th rebellion and he maintained stability through clever diplomacy and a strong military force. His wife died in labor during the birth of their only son and crown prince Rakon-Da.
Name: Rakon-Da
Titles: Crown prince to the Kingdom of Arkron
Description: Rakon-Da is the 33 year old crown prince to the kingdom of Arkron. Arkron law and tradition dictates that a crown prince can only choose a wife when he has ascended the throne. He went to study at the most prestigious Arkronian universities and was tutored by the most referred professors the kingdom has to offer. Many considered Rakon-Da as a prodigy. However with his inauguration drawing near the first signs of the grey death have surfaced.
Name: Drokan-Al
Titles: Steward of Arkron
Description: Drokan-Al, the Steward of Arkron is considered one of the most famous politicians within the kingdom. He had a long career as both a soldier in the Arkronian army during the 3rth rebellion and as a politician in the post rebellion period. With his 80 years Drokan-Al is one of the oldest men at the Arkronian court and respected for his knowledge and achievements.
Name: Ambassador Morkrain-Boray
Gender: Male
Age: 47
Description: Morkrain-Boray is the Arkronian ambassador to the Rhaetian Republic. He has been serving in that post for a decade. Born as the 3th son in the noble family of house Borayishkan Morkain-Boray comes from a long line of foreign policy officials. His father served as the former minister of Foreign Affairs.
Name: Modrain-Na
Title: Inquisitor
Gender: Male
age: 39
Description: The Arkronian Inquisitio is the secret police force of the Arkronian kingdom. They are focussed around investigating and rooting out crimes that undermine the power of the Arkronian government. The Inquisitio falls under the minister of Intelligence. Modrain-Na is considered one of the greatest Inquisitio agents of his day. His sharp wit, perception and intelligence are praised among his peers. However his methods are sometimes beyond the comfort zone of conservative Arkronians and he is often more dedicated to finding the thruth then serving the desired political narative.