Dominions 5: Warriors of the Faith

Dominions 5: Warriors of the Faith is a 4X turn-based strategy game created and published by Illwinter Game Design in 2017. It is characterized by simplistic graphics, a functional UI, and deep gameplay, with a roster of over 80 playable nations able to interact with more than 900 unique spells, 400 magic items, and thousands of different unit types. Players take on the role of pretenders, immortals with vast magical powers who are venerated as gods by a given nation. Their goal is to spread their faith, eliminate rival Pretenders and ascend as supreme god of their world. Compared to its predecessor, Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension, Dominions 5 has been described as mainly a refinement, introducing real time combat for battles between armies, revising map generation, and a new system for blessings allowing the bonuses bestowed by gods to their nation to be customized.
While not having been adapted, Scarlet Marines had indeed watched a Dominions 5 playthrough-commentary by OfficiallyDevin. After watching watching two Dominions 5 playlists (the first wasn't completed) involving Middle Age T'ien Ch'i, this article was created by yours truly for the purpose of fun as well as creating Scarletverse nations. Some nations from the game will also be adapted.
==List of nations==
===Sovereign Justice===
====Early Age====
Valaderis, Watchers of the North	Valaderis, the official name for the Northern Captaincy's home region, was first established a few months before the end of the first Reformist Wars. The discovery of World-DOMINIONS meant that the Reformist Wars would have included it as a target for liberation. Instead, on the mandate of Grand Marshal Borealis Norsoutha III, a Gate to World-DOMINIONS was built to allow large contingents of civilians and troops to move there. The establishment of Histriteia (Nicanonea in Histricus) was followed by the establishment of two more Gates in two provinces and later a few cities in each province.
 	
====Middle Age====
Valaderis, Watchers of the North	The Northern Captaincy of Valaderis had been watching the lands to the north for some time, with a number of scouts going out of and in to the Novayan-administered region. When several scouts returned with reports of horrifying events that happened in the Ermorian Empire, the Governor-Militant and his officers discussed on the matter before deciding to allow the refugees to settle in; scouts were sent to gather any surviving Ermorians and lead them through long routes with nothing but hardships. Then came the fall of Sceleria, which had used the same death magic albeit in a strictly disciplined manner. After several debates on what to do, the Governor-Militant of Valaderis and his officers voted unanimously to contact the Imperial Bureaucracy of T'ien Ch'i. The result led to the Tien Chi-Valaderis alliance.
T'ien Ch'i, Imperial Bureaucracy	T'ien Ch'i is a Celestial Empire, led by a family supposedly chosen by Heaven itself. In practice, nothing is expected of the Imperial family, and we aren't sure if the Emperor is even aware of the Ascension Wars. Those handling the affairs of the Empire are the Emperor's Eunuchs, who attend to all corners of the Empire and engineer all aspects of its society. The Celestial Emperor and his eunuchs were made contact with scouts from Valaderis, who wish to discuss with them on the world around them. After meeting with the Governor-Militant and his officers in the Imperial Palace and learning of the barbarians' intent of overcoming Tien Chi, both the Northern Captaincy of Valaderis and the Celestial Empire of Tien Chi concluded an alliance with each other.
====Late Age====
Valaderis, Watchers of the North	The Northern Captaincy of Valaderis watched alongside its Tien Chin allies as the magical world began slowly being replaced by the mundane. However, threats began arising from below and without. Not wanting to take any chances, the Governor-Militant alarmed the Triumvirate of what is happening.
====Reformist Wars====
The Reformist Wars sub-section doesn't really exist in Dominions 5, so treat the Reformist Wars section as a sort of what-if scenario.
Valaderis, Watchers of the North 	The situation in the lands to the north had gotten very worse, and despite the alliances between the Northern Captaincy of Valaderis and the Celestial Empire of Tien Chi as well as the presence of Novayan forces, hostile forces crashed upon their far eastern ally like waves. Unable to handle the situation, the Governor-Militant decided to call upon the Triumvirate as well as the Novayan Stellar Commonwealth.
T'ien Ch'i, Imperial Bureaucracy 	The Celestial Empire, in the Late Ages, has been terrorized by Mongol-themed barbarian nomads. While the legions of the Northern Captaincy of Valaderis helped prevent a collapse of the Celestial Empire, it was only a stop-gap measure intended to allow more time for the Imperial armies to be fully formed. Eventually, help did arrived in the form of armies led by Grand Marshal Borealis III.
Jomon, Human Daimyos 	Jomon is a nice, arable region, at least relative to neighboring Shinuyama. After overthrowing their Bakemono overlords, the Jomonese adopted a strict warrior code and were at peace ever since.
Atlas, Armies Beyond the Veil 	Atlas is technically not the name for a nation but rather the name for the medieval armies - consisting of voidwalker (especially Novayan, Saiyanese and Nova Roman medieval troops) troops, medieval fantasy worlders and volunteers, all in medieval gear - summoned by the Captain-General of Valaderis and gathered by Grand Marshal Borealis III in response to the worsening situation in T'ien Ch'i, Ermor, Sceleria and so on.
Backed by allies and the Congregation of the Gods, Borealis III hoped to achieve his goals in the Second Reformist War: bring peace, stability and order to a war-torn world, put an end to the dangers wrought upon by the dark arts of Death Magic, and unleash the full might of all the supreme gods (or just one of them) upon the Singer of the Void, who had illegally set up shop in the Void. With a plethora of troops and gods in his hands, and allies such as the Latin Empire joining in to help heal the world, Borealis III knew this Reformist War of his would be nothing short of the greatest uphill battle, and he and all his allies and troops will overcome it.
In order to maintain stability, Borealis III decided that Earth should have peacekeepers involved. The most notable is China, whose government volunteered to set up overseas police stations in provinces to help ensure that no natives of World-DOMINIONS will use dark arts; another is the USA, which sent members of the Central Intelligence Agency to interrogate users of dark arts; and lastly is Russia, which deployed Federal Security Service agents to assail heretic (read: magic users who abused all kinds of magic) strongholds within Atlas-controlled territories in conjunction with Chinese and American forces. The fact they did away with their hubris nor greed helped things better.
Congregatio Deorum, Armies of the Gods	The Congregation of the Gods had been in the sidelines watching World-DOMINIONS even before the advent of the Second Reformist War. And so it was, until a joint Triumvirate-IUPFC-CD-Sovereign Council exploratory flotillas discovered a second (albeit more fixable) Breach tucked away in one corner of the Void.
After an investigation by the Paranormal Forces Coalition's Project CHARYBDIS and Department of Antediluvian Research revealed that an unknown god had illegally immigrated to the Void and took up shop in an otherwise barren world; from there, the unknown god sang a song to lure unsuspecting, victorious Pantokrators in an effort to drain them of their magic or, in some cases, do something worse to them. A small exploratory team had discovered this unknown god had also did upon them a cruel fate worse than even death itself.
This breach flies in contravention of the Tokyo Accords signed in the Day of Ancient Reconciliation between the gods and their agents, voidwalkers, mortals and immortals and all that IS and that IS NOT. While most of the gods went to confront this unknown god, they also sent their forces down upon the world to help free it 
Participating in the conflict, the gods' armies consisted of mortals and immortals as well as mythological and supernatural creatures as well as some voidwalkers, who used their knowledge to provide rigorous military training to medieval troops. Because it would be overkill to send all their armies down there, it is decided to only deploy small armies one at a time. These armies would be self-sufficient as well as merging into and separating from large armies no different from how the Roman legions would function.
Terra, World of Originium 	The Terranians had been rebuilding on Earth-ANIME and (to a lesser extent) its interplanetary colonies throughout the world. When Grand Marshal Borealis III announced the Second Reformist Wars, many were uninterested while some would; it was only when it is discovered that all kinds of magic were used, especially the dark arts of necromancy, and the existence of other otherworldly forces native to the world did the Terranians decided to join in on the conflict. Since they use cold weapons and originium arts, they can function well even with their modern gear.
Aeras, Aversaria at the Lead 	When the Second Reformist War was announced, some would think of Borealis III's hubris as funny and they should just watch on the sidelines; several of them would simply demand proof as to why he would launch such a vanity project. However, the Aversarians - especially Aautokratir Nicanoneus "the Black Sun" Kalathisomon, Aautokratia-Legan Hecaeda Anoteris and Governor Arch-Legan Nicenea "the Black Sun" Kalathisomon - recognized how much serious the Grand Marshal was regarding what is happening on World-DOMINIONS that when the Novayans (with assistance from Project CHARYBDIS) genuinely bring literal proofs - ghostly apparitions and undead as well as other things - did they realize how far more serious the situation was.
On Nicenea's urging, the Aerasians gathered an expeditionary force which would be led by Nicenea herself. Operating under the aegis of Atlas, the Aerasian Expeditionary Force were tasked with the liberation and reformation of the devastated nations of the world itself. While roughly 70-75% consisted of Adabyssians, Sjalvolkis, Sarradonians, Kikarsags, Marchers and Ojyczayns, 25-30% contain Aversarians. A good majority of these Aversarians consisted of Apokiakas, Eastern and Northern Aversarians, Erimatos, Abdexorns and Practitioners; many follow either the Nicanoneus Aagiokratia, Nicenea Aagiokratia, Agionism and Reformed Aversarinas Aagiokratia, while the Omitilos Aagiokratia is used to minister.
Because it is led by Governor Arch-Legan Nicenea "the Black Sun", the Apokiakas Legions (whose heavy infantry were called the Shields of the North) has a significant presence.
 	
 	
 	
Constantinople, Crusader Latin Empire 	The Latin Empire of Constantinople is the result of the Byzantine Empire unexpectedly collapsing due to unending civil wars and rebellions unlike how it would have fell to the Crusaders. Under a French empress known as Borealis Norsoutha, the Latin Empire of Constantinople launched its own great holy war with the intent of spreading Hellenism; that intent was changed from spreading the Hellenic faith to the salvation of the world itself.
===Ancient Empires===
====Ancient Age====
Kalaidis, Colonial Governorate	The empire of Kalaidis has yet to be founded and in its place is a loose collection of colonial settlements. Bronze is more common than iron would and the legendary hoplites and legionaries of the military governorate and later the empire have not seen the light of day yet. Instead, chariots and mighty warriors made up the core of the Kalaidian armies. During this age, slavery is a common practice while free men have a lot of free time to pay for fine arts and good living. Philosophers gathered in the colonial cities to discuss the myriad esoteric truths and engineers manufacture contraptions for either civilian or military use.
 	
====Early Age====
Kalaidis, Imperial Governorate	Kalaidis is an old kingdom, led by a military governor who is appointed to rule. Although the region itself has survived for much longer, not much has changed in the centuries. Under the authority of a series of military governors, the Kalaidians were now part of a greater imperial state. Trade between the empire and the governorate had been booming though the Kalaidians chafed under the high taxes imposed upon them for their fine arts, slaves and luxurious items. However, Kalaidian armies have been improved due to the efforts of the Astrian Empire's modernization efforts. While warriors and chariots still saw some use, the addition of cavalry and the Sparabara helped strengthen its armies; despite this, the Kalaidian sparabara were but a pale imitation of the genuine article.
 	
====Middle Age====
Kalaidis, Empire Rising	Kalaidis is an old kingdom, led by a military governor who is appointed to rule. Under the authority of a series of military governors, the Kalaidians were now part of a greater imperial state. Although the region itself has survived for much longer, not much has changed in the centuries. Soon, troubles began brewing in the Astrian heartlands that culminated in a series of events that forced the Stesiphonians to withdraw, leaving Kalaidis bereft of military aid or economic support. The military governor, a Kalaidian veteran of many battles, was appointed after the Astrian governor left with his forces. Soon he got to work to prevent Kalaidis' utter collapse and stabilize its holdings. Despite this, Kalaidis was left in a vast dark ocean, alone to hold out against whatever barbarians came to their way, however struggling the Kalaidians have been barely.
In a sudden and unexpected turn of events, one that would upset the state of the world, the military governor of Kalaidis designated Borealis Norsoutha, a 16-year-old Kalaidian woman who studied under his tutelage, his heir as he worked to organize the governorate for a potential conquest. To the surprise of all but the few who knew her well, governor-heiress Borealis helped improve the governorial armies and transformed them from a massive, convoluted force to a small yet highly-professional army. In the next few years, the 20-year-old woman was made governor-militant and, unexpectedly, empress of Kalaidis; this unexpected coronation was done at the behest of the previous governor. Under her reign the region gradually transformed in several short months from a governorate to a proper empire that was worthy of becoming the heir to the Astrian Empire's lands. New methods were developed to allow the nation to prosper. And finally, the time has come to launch the empress's ambitions - to civilize the entire world.
Under her reign, Empress Borealis had espoused a religion, Pormasyneidism, or "The Formation of Consciousness". Though a small religion, her patronage before her becoming governor and then empress had helped spread the new faith throughout Kalaidis. The most high gods who were once foreign gods that had been adapted into this growing religion were Amaterasu Omikami the Sun Goddess, Sagittarius the archer and scholar goddess, Persephone the goddess of destruction and the underworld, Ishtar the goddess of war, divine beauty and justice, and recently Sourastan (Surasthana) the goddess of nature, peace and knowledge; unbeknownst to everyone, Empress Borealis had descended from Amaterasu, Sagittarius, Persephone and Ishtar, and she knew of her divine ancestry after finding relics, mosaics and stone tablets in a cave only she knows when she was 16.
Kalaidis uses a combined arms army. Hoplites and phalangites were used to batter the enemies from the front while legionaries and cavalry maneuver to assail the flanks and even the rears. Archers and horse archers were used alongside light infantry to harass the enemy in order to weaken them. Sometimes legionaries, phalangites and hoplites fight together to cover each other's own weaknesses, with support from the archers. The troops were equipped with the lorica segmentata, lorica hamata and the famed hoplite helmets. Finally, the Kalaidians developed siege weapons to overcome enemy fortifications. Pormasyneidic priests and astrologers saw major importance in helping maintain morale and heal wounded soldiers, as well as converting the enemy populations to Pormasyneidism.
 	
====Late Age====
=====Kalaidian Empire=====
Kalaidis, Empire Eternal 	Kalaidis is an empire, old but flexible and always changing under Empress Borealis Norsoutha. Having left its comfort zone and expanded into foreign territories, its armies marched east to subjugate the Astrian successor-states that vied for domination and survival. The four-year conquest of Astria had culminated in the establishment of the Governorate of Babylon, the Kingdom of Astria, the Kingdom of Ptolemica, the Astriano-Kalaidian Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Yavana. The conquest had ended then and there so as to allow its armies to rest and recuperate in order to consolidate and organize Kalaidis' holdings that was done within a few years, a feat she had achieved. Military colonies were set up to help spread Kalaidian culture and the now-growing Pormasyneidic faith, culminating in the creation of new Pormasyneidic faiths.
After being allowed to recover as well as consolidate and organize its holdings and colonies, Kalaidis is once more ready to continue its mission of civilizing the entire world. Kalaidis now utilize a reformed combined arms army. The phalangites and hoplites have become legionaries themselves, equipped with extendable swords, shapeshifting shields (which changes into round shields, rectangular shields, or even oval shields) and retractable sarissas which had been created by the Astrian engineers. Chainmail and plate armor would be used, replacing the loricae segmentata and hamata, though the weapons and shields used still remain.
Babylonia, Domain of Ishtar 	Babylonia, the home of the Babylonians. The home of Ishtar, the goddess of war, divine beauty and justice, love and sex. The home where Empress Borealis' ancestors came from. After Astrian Mesopotamian was conquered by the invading Kalaidians, it saw the rejuvenation of the city of Babylon as well as its restoration into one of the greatest cities of Kalaidian Mesopotamia and the grandest capital city of Babylonia. It is said that Empress Borealis changed her uniform to match the outfit worn by Ishtar as part of a Babylonization effort to help further consolidate her rule; in secret, she restored Babylonia as part of her goal of restoring the lands once ruled by Ishtar and Amaterasu.
Yavana, Kingdom of Knowledge 	Yavana is the recent Kalaidian kingdom established by Empress Borealis Norsoutha as part of the first stage of her mission to civilize the entire world. After smashing the Astrian kingdoms and organizing them into governorates or kingdoms, the Kalaidians marched east and southeast to help secure the eastern frontiers. Instead of continuing on, Empress Borealis had her armies consolidate and help establish military colonies, the first of which is named Borealisia in the Indus. After developing the colonies and whatever cities and towns there, in a coronation she declared herself King of Yavana and appointed a military governor to rule in her stead.
Japan, Land of the Rising Sun	Japan is a kingdom established by Empress Borealis Norsoutha as part of her mission to civilize the entire world, but also as part of her plan to restore the lands of Amaterasu and Ishtar. After preparing and launching an invasion fleet, which avoided the deadly storms the astrologers warned, into Japan and shattering the shogunate that resisted them, the Kalaidians established new military colonies to help further solidify imperial presence there. While the Imperial Dynasty is still allowed to exist, Empress Borealis ensured that the Japanese people will see her as the legitimate empress of Japan and the legitimate descendant of Amaterasu. It is said Empress Borealis was seen wearing a replica of the dress worn by Amaterasu in her imperial coronation in a Japanization effort to cement her claims.