Kingdom of Poker

== History ==
Like much of the coastal northeast, the region that is now known as the Kingdom of Poker was settled by humans of the Northman cultural group at some point before recorded history. The earliest major kingdom to arise in this area was known as Prokoyroxa, which disappeared ages ago, but the name stuck and variations of it have often been used to describe the area ever since, with the inhabitants themselves known as the Prokoy.
The lands in the region are subpar, and as a result, the people often found themselves vassals of more organized, powerful, and/or numerous nations. Poker was briefly part of the Khenomeric Empire at its peak, and was at times part of the Northern Khenomeric Empire as well.
The only time the region came close to truly flourishing was when it was a part of the nation of Greater Elanxa, whose capital was located just across the bay. However, when Greater Elanxa fell, the area found itself far from the main surviving population centers in what is now Elanxa and the Princedom of Platinum. It fell into obscurity again as a minor independent kingdom and was later incorporated into the Kingdom of Tarot as a vassal of the Kingdom of Cups.
In recent times, Poker as changed hands yet again, this time to the Avangar Empire following a brutal war between Avangar and Tarot in which many losses on the Tarot side were soldiers and officers from Poker, including the reigning king and queen at the time, several of their children, and a number of other lesser nobles. Even after Tarot officially conceded Poker to Avangar, a local resistance has continued, leading to much bloodshed. These days, the eldest surviving royal is a vassal queen to Avangar, while her remaining sister leads a large part of the resistance.
== Government ==
Since taking over, Avangar has tried to shift Poker’s royal family from being the openly powerless ceremonial function they were under Poker, to a strong, (seemingly) independent ruler for a nationalist nation that would help provide fodder for Avangar’s wars of expansion. However, everyone is well aware the current Queen Dresna serves under duress, and her brother Garr is a necromantic creation under Avangar’s control. 
The government consists of a haphazard mess where three competing organizations try to run each fiefdom within Poker. The local lords that weren’t killed or fled into exile tend to be corrupt, decadent, drug users, and/or sadistic magic users, as are many of their guards, magistrates, and stewards. Each region also has an Elyrian military advisor with associated garrison troops (generally not the best of their kind), and a group of clergy, who also handle certain bureaucratic and legal roles.
The most powerful man in Poker is arguably Zwalla Dar, the head of the local clergy. A power mad fanatic, he has brought in a number of rituals seen as dubious even by hard line clerics in central Avangar, such as ritual dismemberment followed by incineration in sacred flames, for both fallen heroes and tortured dissidents.
The second most powerful individual is likely the so-called “Pauper Queen”. The youngest of the royal family, she has forged alliances with dark powers and wages a brutal, nihilistic campaign against the Elyrian occupiers and the local quislings. She knows there is no chance of victory without significant foreign intervention, but no longer cares, seeing vengeance for the sake of vengeance as sufficient motive, and there are plenty in Poker who agree with her.
== Economy ==
The Kingdom of Poker doesn’t have much of an economy. The lands are largely lacking in mineral wealth, and aren’t well suited for agriculture either. In a more stable nation, much more of the land could have been cleared, drained, and made suitable for hardy crops and grazing, but centuries of war, poverty, and lawlessness have kept the population low due to out-migration, and left the land haunted by restless dead and dangerous artifacts.
What population does remain tend to live on the coast or the main river, and live by fishing, growing wheat, potatoes, and other hardy crops, or ranching sheep and cows.
== Foreign Relations ==
=== Avangar Empire ===
Poker is a vassal of Avangar and there is little love between the two peoples. There are some Elyrians who may have once seen the Prokoy as underdogs like they once were, but years of brutal oppression and insurgency have soured any possible positive relations.
=== Tarot ===
Poker had better relations with their former rulers, but even before Poker fell to Avangar, Tarot saw Poker as dirt poor country bumpkins, while Poker saw the Tarot elite as clueless socialites. 
=== Vilga ===
The Quamona Tong of Vilga has been forging some alliances with the Pauper Queen and other rebel factions, but even the Quamona Tong sometimes find the Pauper Queen’s brutality concerning.
=== Harmony Goddess’ Realm ===
Some people from Poker have fled to this realm, but only those who truly convert are allowed to stay.
== Geography ==
The terrain is an odd mix of near-empty steppes, scraggly forests and swamps located along the main rivers, and a maze of coastal beaches and salt marshes made dangerous by rapid and unpredictable tides. Much of the rock is limestone, and as a result, caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers are everywhere. 
There are several half-empty cities and towns, most of which were in decline well before Avangar took over. Ruins from many different time periods are another common feature.
== Demographics ==
The majority of the population is human, with most being indigenous Prokoy, but some being Elyrian occupiers. 
The Prokoy are unofficially divided between the coast dwellers, whose culture is more traditionally Northmen, and the interior dwellers, who have more in common with the plains folk who live in on the southern edge of Platinum and certain parts of Avangar. However, the line between these two groups is often blurry, and neither like the Elyrians. 
There are a handful of fey and a few trolls living in the region. It also has a fairly large number of undead, and some rogue demons kicking around.
== Religion ==
The Elyrians have been trying to convert the Prokoy to the Avangar Faith, but few have shown genuine interest, though many participate in ceremonies under duress. The head clergyman Zwalla Dar is particularly fond of overly elaborate ceremonies with dark and sadistic undertones that have made even fellow zealots question his sanity.
Even before the occupation by Avangar, the Prokoy were not a particular spiritual people. There were few professional clergy or actual churches, instead a mix of Northmen, Khenomeric, and Tarot Creed rites and rituals were incorporated into locally run festivals and ceremonies.
Category:Nations
Category:Littlestep