Democratic Kingdoms of Ekrustia

The **Democratic Kingdoms of Ekrustia** (abbreviated the DKE) is one of the two major powers on the continent of Ekrustia.

## Overview

It controls the area west of Fel Sadanis as well as the northern coast, one of the cities closest to Fel Sadanis is Jarro, seventy leagues (350km) away. Global organizations of the Watch, the Guild, and the Bank do not fall under the authority of the DKE as agreed in the Treaty of Halfstone.

The DKE is a representational meritocracy where each of the 37 Citizens receives one vote. To raise a new Citizen, the vote must be unanimous and such new Citizens are expected to be at least Level 50. (exceptions have been made though)

*"Democratic" is apparently a mis-translation by Rain, based on his interpretation of common-language words that included "voting". As per the Greek origins of the English word, a "demo-cracy" is a "rulership of the masses"; while the DKE's structure is in effect that of a highly elitist meritocracy/oligarchy.*
Most Citizens come from old families in the DKE that trace themselves back to the area's original kingdoms before the DKE's unification war. Often ruling over their cities as tyrants, indifferent to their subjects needs, they are bound together to preserve their power and will crush any who threaten it (even other Citizens). Citizens rule only one city (taking the city's name as their title) and have no equal within it (even if another Citizen should visit). Though some Citizens govern large swathes of territory along the border of the DKE to fend off the Adamant Empire, no Citizen may hold more then one city at a time. Any accumulation of too much power, even two Citizen's come from the same family, is viewed as dangerous.

All Citizens have an implant telepathically linking each and every Citizen. No matter where it is inserted in the body, it will find its way to the heart and requires a strong mind to endure the pain of implantation. The implant is used both to communicate and hold formal votes. Its creation and use is a tightly held state secret. Citizen Sadanis is the only one alive who abdicated and fled her responsibility as a member of the DKE.

### History

The DKE were founded in a unification war, with the Queen of Westbridge (later the first Citizen of the city) playing a major role in framing the future shape of the DKE, like prescribing that no Citizen (or their family) may rule over more than one city at a time. The motivation for this unification was the perceived threat of the Empire of Adamant.

These fears were not unfounded, as the ongoing Empire-DKE war shows.

## Geography

The DKE consists of the following capitals of former kingdoms, each represented by a Citizen; here in alphabetical order:

* Ambermar
* Barstone
* Berryfed
* Bluecrest
* Bowcraig
* Davlake
* Downharrow
* Eastspar
* Elfield
* Ellis
* Estervale
* Falking
* Farmarsh
* Fioe
* Gamon
* Goatcrossing
* Greenfield
* Halfstone
* Harrport
* Jarro
* Kallias
* Kepar
* Kinepeak
* Lenleah
* Magabor
* Nasha
* Northharbor
* Orman
* Pinepeak
* Rumdell
* Shinevale
* Southguard
* Tem
* Timar
* Warmak
* Westbridge
* Yelfenn

## Known (former) Citizens

* Citizen Jarro: Former Rousers mage-killer archer, who is known for governing his prosperous city fairly and is loved by his subjects. Also known for his principles and for opposing the other Citizens occasionally.
* Citizen Westbridge: The former Citizen Westbridge led the attack on Fel Sadanis and he was a patient man who mastered skills involving mana manipulation, the soul, and Majistraal artifacts. The new Citizen Westbridge who emerged after his death, is a younger man whose identity is still unknown to the readers.
* **Citizen Kallias**: Velika Vekuavak's aunt. She is not known as a patient woman.
* Citizen Downharrow: A powerful mage tasked with negotiating with the Guild after the DKE took Fel Sadanis.
* Citizen Magabor: Tasked with negotiating with the Watch after the DKE took Fel Sadanis.
* Citizen Sadanis (*former*, in Fel Sadanis): After she returned Fel Sadanis into custody of the Watch, Citizen Sadanis fled. Her whereabouts are unknown, and she is the first rogue Citizen known in history. The DKE has branded her a spy for the Adamant Empire to cover up their complicity in taking Fel Sadanis.
* **Citizen Northharbor**: Air magic specialist capable of using it for flight. Was killed by Lightbreaker.
* **Citizen Bowcraig**: Dual primary-element mage specializing in Heat and Cold. Was killed by Lightbreaker.
* **Citizen Greenfield**: Earth Mage who was a siege specialist.
* Citizen Bluecrest: Rare breed of fighter called an Aspect Elemental (Arcane fusion, ice, and sword combat forms). Enjoys the challenge of a good fight.
* **Citizen Southguard**: Known to be one the strongest Citizens of the DKE, placed in his city to fortify it against the Empire. Possibly fallen in combat.
* **Citizens Tem, Yelfenn, and Elfield**: recently retreated to their cities to fortify and defend them against the invading Empire
* **Citizens Ellis, Rumdell, Berryfed**: have combat qualities as demonstrated in their attempt to defend Ellis against the Empire together with Bluecrest and Jarro
* **Citizens Shinevale, Kepar, Davlake**: have combat qualities as demonstrated in their attempt to re-take Shinevale from the invading Empire

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 38
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Chapter 068
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chapter 076
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Chapter 072
5. ↑ Chapter 106
6. ↑ Chapter 74
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Chapter 093
8. ↑ Chapter 108
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Chapter 94
10. ↑ Chapter 184
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Chapter 193