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06/01/07 |
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Overview Arkavia is divided by a number of Kingdoms, Provinces and Empires. Each have their own goals. The Imperial Empire is the largest, consisting of the Imperial Province itself, the House Province to the south and the Coalition Province to the East, as well as control of the frozen isle far to the east. Below is a detailed overview of each of the nations.
Once called the Xyrodill Kingdom, it was founded by the legionary King Zenthir, often called the true first Emperor. He conquered the tribes in the heartland of Arkavia, setting the stage for the most powerful nation to take hold. However, he was murdered by his most trusted military advisor, General Daedric. General Daedric fled to the east with his loyal supporters and began to rule his own nation, the Daedric Regime. It is unclear at this time what exactly transpired, but at one point the Kingdom became an Empire, and began it's war against the Regime. The war has lasted over 200 years, mostly due to the Empire having trouble routing the Regime out of the swamps of the House Province. Today the war is at a stalemate. The Regime's Fort Sullmoth is the last defense that the Regime has, and it is nearly impenetrable. The Empire consists of the Imperial Province, the House Province and the Coalition Province. All three meet at Ebony Hall, a fort that the Regime built during their conquest of the now Coalition Province. There the Emperor Remus V and representatives of the two subjugated provinces govern the Empire, though the Emperor has veto powers. The Empire's army is divided into four areas, the Guard, the Legion, the Zenthir Guard and the Navy. The Guard are charged with civil police duties. They can be found in nearly all the Imperial Province villages, towns and cities. The Legions are the main shock troops and are always on the frontlines. They man the forts and defend the Empire from its enemies. However they are rather unpleasant to talk to. The Zenthir Guard are not under the control of the Emperor. They are a religious army charged with defending holy sites and cities. They are under the command of a Head Watcher. The Navy is under the control of the Emperor but it is privately owned. The Empire pays the Navy when needed.
The first nation to be liberated by the Empire from the Regime, the House Province is located in the southern swamps of Arkavia. Prior to the Regime, the cities within this area were ruled by families or Houses. When the Regime came all but one house fought back, House Broth. Because of their loyalty, they received many benefits from the Regime and took great joy in governing the land. When the Empire came to take their revenge at the Regime, the other Houses joined in the fight and in time the Regime pulled out and House Broth was no more. The Empire appointed House Songler to govern the land from the port city of Balmora. Despite the protection of the Legions, the House Province is under direct attack from both Gordica in the west and the Dros Empire to the East. Gordica, for their part, have not conducted any large scale operations, preferring to harass travelers near the boarder. The Dros Empire however, have invaded Imperial Territory. A rouge Dros General named Tanner has taken control of the world's largest Ebony Glass mine. With the stalemate with the Regime, the Legions are unable to shift their focus to this problem. As a result, the House Province is left to defend itself. Another issue that's plaguing the province are the Elves. The Elves hate Man, and they attack the travelers and merchants that walk the roads. Elves raid villages and plot murders. The Legions can do little, with the thick swamps the Elves are able to hide and escape capture. One last point about this area, is that smuggling is a problem. Cold Coast, Tuus, and Bitter Town along the southern coastlines are ripe with smuggling. Tuus is under lock down and the Legions built a large wall around the city. Within two groups of smugglers struggle for domination. Cold Coast was once the home of House Broth and it is rumored that they still function as a smuggling group. Bitter Town is sparsely populated, and as a result smugglers conduct their trade outside of town.
The newest addition to the Empire, the Coalition Province was considered officially "liberated" ten years ago. Prior to the Regime's conquest, the area was a collection of independent city states that often warred with one another. Once the Regime came they banded together and tried to resist. Because of the vast open plains and little in the way of hiding, the Legions made short work of the Regime's troops and routed them. The city states, now after over 200 years of cooperation in the resistance, are now forming their own government in the largest and last city to be liberated by the Legions, Hlaalu. Emperor Remus V sent diplomats to aid in the creation of the new government, but these diplomats decided to make themselves cozy. They have made themselves almost like kings. However because of the Regime, the Legions cannot take action and force their removal, and to make matters worse, many of these diplomats have their own private armies. The new center of Imperial Power is in Ebony Hall, replacing the old capital of Xyrodill in the Imperial Province. The Emperor spends more time at Ebony Hall then anywhere else, and this is having an effect on the rest of the Empire, particularly the far western cities such as Labor Town and Farpoint.
The long time rival of the Empire, the Regime was founded on betrayal and blood. After the murder of King Zenthir, General Daedric fled to the east, escaping the wrath of the Xyrodill Kingdom. It is unclear as to why General Daedric murdered Zenthir, such things are lost after hundreds of years. The Regime controls of the wild lands of Arkavia. Thick forests, tall, sharp mountains and steep valleys, it reflects the nature of the Regime. Several hundred years ago, the Regime began their conquest of Arkavia, just as the Xyrodill Kingdom was going through a state of internal turmoil. The Regime set their eyes on the open plans in the west, the now Coalition Province. The Regime's shock troops were brutal, razing villages and causing utter destruction. They built Ebony Hall to govern the land, and soon made their way south the swamps of the Houses. The Regime knew they couldn't take it by force, instead they employed House Broth to work from within and give the Regime's troops the ability to move swiftly and take the key villages, forcing the other cities to submit. The Regime then set their eyes on Gordica. The hot desert made it difficult to fight in. The Regime nearly conquered Gordica and making a clear path into the Xyrodill Kingdom, but Gordica had a valiant leader. A mythical leader named St. Velith (or Vyler or Ventis), along with General Merdock pushed the Regime out of Gordica. At this time the Xyrodill Kingdom reformed itself into the Imperial Empire and began to take offensive at last. Defeat after defeat, the Regime pulled back until finally ending at Fort Sullmoth in a stalemate. Because of its location, Fort Sullmoth is the lynchpin for the Regime. Losing that will give the Imperial Legions access to the rest of the Regime with little resistance.
Located were Man is said to have arrived on Arkaiva, Dagon Carida's history is old. Once called the Tullun Kingdom, it was the first organized government in Arkavia. However after a number of greedy and corrupt kings, the people took action. They razed their own city, Marrowhold and killed their last king. The fear of giving one man all that power lingered over their heads and people turned to a council system. A group of five wise old men run Dagon Cardia. Although they are supposed to all be equal, the eldest in truth has all the power. Because of this system, Dagon Cardia can no longer go on the offensive in times of war. The Council of Elders will not appoint a general, all military decisions are done by vote. This lag in time has caused the Dagon Pikemen that are charged with defending their lands unable to thwart the nations of Gordica and Thornia. The town of Warnian, the only Ebony Glass mine in the west, is under attack by both those nations. Dagon Cardia is taking advantage of one situation, because of the rise of Ebony Hall, the western Imperial cities are feeling the shift in political power and as a result, Dagon Cardia has cut off some of the Imperial cities off from the rest of the Empire. Fort Dagon stops all those seeking to travel on foot, forcing them to ride by boat across the Imperial Lake.
Like Dagon Cardia, Gordica is an isolated society. They worship St. Velith as a god and the government enforces that. Ordinators are used to enforce the law and are very brutal in their means. Gordica is located in the southern deserts, rain rarely falls. Gordica is the only nation that has slavery. Only women can be slaves. A woman's spouse or closest male relative can sell her into slavery to the state. If a woman no male realities and is not wed, she is the property of the state. Once a slave, a woman can not go back. The slave women are used to work what little fields are available for farming. Those that escaped are killed, and all those that assist in their efforts. Gordica controls the only vein of what is called White Ebony Glass, called so because of the gray impurities that make it much stronger then Ebony Glass. The vein is on Dwemeria Isle, and Thornia wants some of the action. The Isle is split in two, with Gordica still controlling the mine. Not much else is known of Gordica at this time, being a close society, it's hard to get information.
The only nation to have humble origins. Thornia was a small tribe that was conquered by a rival tribe. Some of the people discovered Red Glass, and began to arm themselves. Soon they had the weapons and armors to fight for their freedoms. Thornia soon grew and now is a very powerful nation in the west. It is the only western nation friendly with the Imperial Empire, as the Empire pays big to use Thornia's Red Glass for their own weapons and armor. The government of Thornia is unknown. There is a king but is will see outsiders. Instead a Regent is the visible symbol of Thorn's leadership. Thorn is the only source of Red Glass. Because of this Thorn turns a profit from the Imperial Empire. Thornia is able to fund its wars with Dagon Cardia and Gordica with this money. Two features set Thornia apart from the rest of Arkavia, first is the Fortress City, the largest fort in Arkavia. It stretches for miles and miles, contains it's own shops, inns, housing and docks. The Fortress City defends Thornia from an attack from Dagon Cardia. The second feature is White Tower. A small village of the same name is located just to the west of it. No one knows who built it, but Thorn Guards (called Reds), stop all those that try to enter it.
An Empire within Gnarr Bay, the Dros Empire consist of all the islands within the bay. It's origins are lost to time, the Dros Empire makes deals with all the other nations. Smuggling is a big deal in the Dros Empire, particularly in Gnarr Bay City. Here, the nations of Arkavia can make purchases they normally can't make. However the Dros Empire has fallen onto hard times. It's Emperor is old and near death, a political group is trying to reform the government into a representative system, and General Tanners wants it all to himself. Because of the importance of the Dros Empire, the rest of the nations are trying to back the Emperor with loans and military supplies. Considered by many to be the most dangerous man in Arkavia, General Tanner has the ability to the set the entire bay into open war with his legions of loyal troops, willing to attack and destroy their own nation. Currently residing in Terra, a Dros village that protects what land the Dros Empire controls in the House Province. Xyrodill The official capital of the Imperial Empire and the Imperial Province. Xyrodill was founded by Zenthir himself when first formed the Xyrodill Kingdom. The city is declining in its prestige since Emperor Remus V moved all political decisions to Ebony Hall. As a result, General Brashen has become the de facto ruler of the city. Ebony Hall Located east in the Coalition Province. It is now the most important city in Arkavia. Ebony Hall consists of two forts, the Hall itself and Fort Ebony just outside. Ebony Hall was constructed by the Daedric Regime. The Regime used it to help govern its new conquered territories. When the Empire came, Emperor Remus V decided to convert the fort into a political center of power. Ebony Hall is now the place where the Imperial, House and Coalition Provinces meet to govern the Imperial Empire. However the Hall is not without its problems. The Dros Empire has long decried the fort since it's construction by the Regime. The Dros Empire claims Ebony Hall was build on Dros territory and the Imperial Empire must hand it over. However with most of the Dros Legions tied up in internal politics, it is unlikely the Dros Empire will be able to take the Hall by force. Marrowhold The oldest known city still in existence in Arkavia. Marrowhold has seen its share of problems. Left to ruin for countless years as various kings abused their powers, Marrowhold only began to rebound once the Council of Elders took power. Marrowhold has the only port that is underground. A large sewer system lies beneath the city. There, by cave access, ships can dock in the city. The sewer is also a place of mourning, as a symbolic gravesite marks the deaths of all those that died during the worst moments in Marrowhold's history. The Palace of Marrowhold is one of the largest in Arkavia. It is also the home to the largest library of books. However these books are closed off to only a select few, namely the Council itself and only a handful of assistances and staff. The Holy City of ZENTHIR Located on a large island north of Arkavia. Legend has it that this is the island where Zenthir himself came to the world. Whether this means he was born to the world or by some mystical means is unclear. For countless years pilgrims would travel by boat to visit the city. Emperor Zenithir tasked the Legions into creating a land bridge miles long to the island to allow better access to the island. Zenthir is also home to the Zenthir Guard, a religious order of knights charged with the protection of not only the city but all holy sites in the Empire. They are under the direct command of a Head Watcher. The Zenthir Guards do not take any orders from the Emperor, nor do they assist the Legions in defending the Empire. This has caused a rivalry between the two armies. White Tower Located in the southwest portion of Arkavia, White Tower is the location of a mysterious White Tower that looms not far from town. The town itself is along a high cliff, and a number of inns and shops are built into the nearby mountainous rock. The Thorn guards prevent anyone from accessing the tower. Daedrica Capital of the Daedric Regime. It is located deep within the Great Daedric Forest. Information about the history and layout of this city is unknown. Fel Is the main naval port of the Imperial Empire. It is located in the north and home to the Imperial Naval Company. It is also the main port to the Frozen Isle. The Fortress City The largest fort in Arkavia. The Fortress City stretches for hundreds of miles and is home to many citizens. The Red Guards of Thornia use it to protect Thorn against Dagon Cardia. Gnarr Bay City Smuggling capital of Arkavia. Gnarr Bay City is controlled by the smuggling kingpin Big Bertha. The Dros guards stationed there are all bought by him. Narsis The only real farming village in Gordica. Most of the slaves in Gordica work the fields in this coastal city. Labor Town A major iron mining village in the western edge of the Imperial Empire. The territory used to belong to Dagon Cardia before the Legions came. Now the only road leading to Labor Town is blocked by Dagon Pikemen. Thorn Capital of the Thornia and the location of the only vein of Red Glass. Outpost Town The largest settlement on the frozen isle. It's the only way on or off the isle. The constant snow forced the Legions to use fencing to mark the roads.
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This site was last updated 06/01/07
