Most natives still associate themselves as Ithnilites but the new enforced terminology is Antians
--Government type
Strict theocratic military junta.
The supreme Archon, or King, presides over the various Eleutherian religious militant groups that reside within Antioch. The Archon's word is absolute with sole exception being that of divine mandate. The Archon may dismiss a particular army at any time, forcing them to make a hard choice, Disband and rejoin alongside a army that is within the Archons favor, or simply leave the nation.
He is responsible for all that goes on within his lands and can choose his advisors, generals, civilian leadership at his sole discretion.
Below him are the leadership roles that exist at the start of the story,
High priest, whom also presides over any non-combat Crusader groups.
Lord of the Crusader Army, "Ulites"
Lord of the Crusader Army, "Thurans"
Lord of the Crusader Army, "Norjanders"
--Leader/Leaders
Titus is a Fotian Eleutherianism of unknown origin but many in his order believe him to be of Ascain nobility, with identity being further mystified as no one alive has ever seen his face. He does possess traits that stand out from the commoner, one being his height, which is nearly two heads over the average man and a voice rough and commanding. A voice that is like sandpaper and a tone that one seemingly has no choice but to heed.
This Authority is furthered by his command of the highly elite warrior group known as 'the Ascendant Order'. These warriors are fast, deadly and nearly emotionless in all circumstance, giving them the title of cold blooded professional killers in the eyes of most enemies and allies alike.
This man is not only a brilliant tactician but also a skilled martial opponent, versed in every known combat style in the east, including mounted. This danger is furthered as he is trained with every weapon that has been encountered thus far.
High priest, his holiness Ulrich V. The main religious figurehead in Antioch. He oversees the priesthood, religious converts, churches and destruction of all things blasphemous.
King Amastrad II. The deposed king of ithnil. Is currently imprisoned in Black rock. He was known as Amastrad the Defiant in the past as he was an active threat towards Ascain.
Lord of the Army 'Uites', Lord Gwen Vittori. She hails from a little known village near southern Ascain. A devout Fotian Eleutherianist. She holds little regard for Ilinucists and has been guilty of acts that many would consider war crimes... but in gods name.
Lord of the Army 'Norjanders', Lord Damien of Terstead. He is a older male with a criminal background. His present mentality is that of redemption and of all the Crusader lords he may be the most forgiving, as he feels himself had been forgiven and given a chance to be great in life. His Order follows this example and is the kindest of the group. His soldiers would fall in line as being Orthodox Eleutherianists but their views are seen by some as borderline passive.
Lord of the Army, 'Thurans', Lord Nena IV of Yusair. A Orothodox Eleutherianist and middle aged mother that presides over the largest of the Crusader armies, making up nearly half. This has given her an advantage in the laws enacted and is the primary force that currently keeps the more aggressive leadership, like Lord Gwen and the Archon Titus, in check. She herself is a rather plain individual that follows the faith to the letter.
--Ruling factions/dynasty if applicable
The rose court, a general assembly of the three crusader orders in Antioch's capital of Black rock.
Assemblies
--Other Important political figures
--Currency
Ithnil coins are still in circulation but are in the process of being replaced by the Ascains 'cedi'
--State Religion
Eleutherianism in all of its glorious forms.
--Demographics and Geography
--World map location
red on the map. will port over later.
--Interior map
--Major cities
Nilus- The former Capitol of the nation. It was a massive high walled fortress that had withstood a two year siege. Today it stands as a half burnt city due to a lucky catapult shot that set ablaze a granary on a dry, windy day. The fire spread throughout the city, charring nearly half and completely leveling a quarter.
Black rock- The Current Capitol of the nation. It is built upon the mountain of the same name, which is a holy location. It is said to be a place where a prophet had ascended to the heavens.
In its current form, Black rock is host to a massive fortress made of thick stone on its outskirts and a city literally built into the mountain, offering protection beyond that of any man made wall. The city is mostly stone buildings that have wooden innards, akin to a brick house, which they deemed far safer. The decision to do this was mostly due to the fire that had devastated the city of Nilus during the war.
--Major military installments
Suban Keep, The first military installation built during the 1st crusades by Archon Dirrus. It acted as the Archon Dirrus' command center until it was destroyed in an Ithnil counter attack. It was later recaptured during the 3rd crusades and remained in crusader possession into the present. It is a high walled Star fort that has been built up into more of a castle, that has a large city encircling it. Many caravans from places like Ascain would undoubtedly stop here.
--Important locations and buildings
--Population
The population currently is nearly 16 million. This number is gradually dropping off as crusaders steadily return to their homes.
--Race and Ethnic demographic
--Economy
Antioch's Economy is surprisingly strong due to the large number of highly skilled crusaders, that had brought with them much experience in many fields, such as trade and construction. Due to the rebuilding, there is no shortage of jobs available and the large and healthy farmlands were avoided by the crusaders at all costs to maintain their stability. This was a smart choice for them as currently the nation is able to sustain the majority of its population.
--Major exports
Various spices, especially salt is very abundant within the mountains that have only recently been opened.
Both Raw and processed Bronze and Iron
Clothing
--Major Imports
Armor Weapons Construction tools Various foods, mostly staple but there is a desire for the more 'exotic' foods.
--Staple agricultural crops
Wheat and corn is excessively abundant.
--Trade partners
Any Eleutherianist nation
--Culture
Antian natives find little comfort in their new lives as constant inquisitions seem to wreck the lives of many former Ilinucists. As that faith has been effectively outlawed, many have sought to embrace the sitting god. Those that choose not to have either ended up in prisons or fled the borders.
Outside of that constant threat is a pretty straightforward life, in the morning, one eats then goes to their local Eleutherianist gathering for church. Afterwards the daily life begins, jobs are started and completed. These jobs range from Construction and Farming to Accountants and Professional traders. Towards the evening, most villages have various gathering places where ones talk of the day or merely sit and joke with their friends and neighbors.
The militant crusaders live somewhat simple lives, helping with the rebuilding or constant patrols through the nations country side. Many festivals and elaborate church ceremonies are thrown in the sitting gods name.
In general, the nation is sprawling with activity, however mundane those action may be. --Religion
Eleutherianism
--Denomination
All three exist
--Religious heads
High priest Ulrich V
--Popular opinion on the volcano
It is a thing that God has created as a test to man, a test to either learn or lose self respect and control. To those that have failed this test and revel in its so called "glory" and "power" are truly lost to the world and the only salvation for them is by the sword or flame.
Those that resist the temptation are heroic and have truly lived up to Gods desires.
--Popular opinion on wars
War is glorious, so long as it is Holy. War for the sake of War is frowned upon.
--Popular opinion on magic
The Majority of magic is viewed as dangerous and not for man to control. As most do believe that magic is part of God's grand design, it is used to an extent within the nation. That being "blessing" objects or purifying existing, blasphemous ones.
--Popular opinion on religion
Pious
--Popular opinion on the Aristocracy
It is part of civilization. In some circumstances it is necessary but the common belief is that on should not hold an office due to a name but rather ones actions.
--Pauper opinion on the Government
Seeing as the government is militant and has yet to release control to a domestic and citizen elected leadership, the popular opinion on the government is the same as the opinion on the military which is mixed, heroes and villains.
--Popular opinion on foreigners
Any coming for trade and learning are welcomed, any traveling to learn the ways of Eleutherianism are encouraged to come and settle. There is no real ill towards foreigners as the military is technically foreigners to the general population.
--Popular opinion on other cultures
So long as they embrace the sitting god, more power to them.
--Cultural name for the Volcano
The great seducer, or giant douche.
--Cultural History
Ithnil, the great nation of the lake, can trace its history far back to when Ethea was the dominant power in the area. It was a peaceful land with no need for an army, just simple town guards.
Things changed during the Ethea/Ascain war, volunteers went to Ethea's aid while the king of that time rightly decided to build a true military.
By the time Ethea fell, ithnil posessed a strong military and proved a thorn in their side. Trade routes from the west were ceased and constant policing and seizures of goods from southern caravans, put a stranglehold on any southern based economy.
There were conflicts over the years but nothing ever truly threatened them, until the first crusade was called.
No one really knows what truly prompted the event or who called for it but a young man named Darrus was named Archon and a mighty host gathered at his camp. Thousands of warriors, young and old, men and women, came to his camp in the name of Eleutherism. These people came far and wide, from all corners of the known world to participate.
The first crusade lasted nearly ten years and resulting in over 200,000 lives being lost. An ultimate outcome of Eleutherist victory failed to be realized but the damage was done, the people of Ithnil had seen weakness in their government.
By the time of the second crusade, Ithnil had already begun to decline and when the war ended with a quarter of their nation in 'divine possession', morale began to plummet. Crusaders began receiving Ithnilites who thought they had been betrayed by their gods, and chose a new one.
The third and last crusade was led by a vicious general, Titus. His armies were exceptionally trained and rolled over Ithnil's armies. The war finally ended ten years ago with the downfall of Ithnils last free army in the westernmost region of the nation.
In those ten years, thousands more have died in the name of the sitting god. Inquisitions and subsequent purges take many lives as people still believing in the Ilinucist gods find it harder and harder to practice.
Leaving the nation is harder than one may think as not only do they have to worry about the constant patrols and inquisitors, but their very own neighbors. Neighbors that would do anything to protect their own families to stall or thwart an inquisition into their town. --Notable figures
--Type of Military
Crusaders are mostly semi professional volunteers. and as of the start of the story, make up the majority of the military.
The nation is shifting towards a smaller, professional standing army consisting of mainly elite soldiers and officers. During war time, levies would be trained by these professional warriors.
--Total Military fighting units
Bloated in comparison to most but is gradually levelling off due to the crusade being over.
--Unit demographics
The Majority of Crusader armies are medium armor, mid to short range combatants that are trained in defensive methods against ranged foes.
Ascendant Order Knights, or more commonly referred to as Order knights are elite, professional warriors. They are trained in both foot and mounted combat and utilize a broad array of weaponry.
They do utilize horses but prefer tamed sabertooth cats from the southern plains.
--Notable figures
--Past wars and notable events
--Past conflicts with other nations
--Current conflicts and wars
Other
Artifacts and famous enchantments under control of the nation:
Anything else we should all know
Avery is a well rounded Ilinucist with an complicated past. Her family was made of bread makers and potters, a life she didn't desire. It was an easy decision to join the church and realize her incredible potential with the gift from the volcano, magic.
She is extremely gifted in the magical arts, especially her training with enchanting, which she uses specifically for spell weaving. Pieces of specific paper are used and through a long and complicated process, a item similar to a scroll is forged. These are single use, only able to be used by Avery, and very potent. Though careless or rushed use can produce negative results.
