Cold Iron Hegemony

## Overview

The Cold Iron Hegemony encompasses Cold Iron Isles, New Harbor and various other small towns but remains a small and centralized empire. Its reach and political influence is not far and its borders are not large but that which is owned by the Cold Iron Hegemony (sometimes referred to as the Cold Iron Imperium) is decidedly developed.

## Races

The Cablanian Empire is primarily composed of lizardfolk. The next species in terms of population are kobolds and dragonborn whom are roughly equal in population. Racism is largely prevalent in the Cold Iron Hegemony; generally directed at any nonreptilian species or at least those who do not appear to be reptilian (such as dragonborn which are technically mammalian). Quite commonly in the Hegemony, especially in smaller towns, ethnic purges are enacted when there are not enough resources to go around which typically significantly lowers the population of non-reptilian species.

## Hegemony Law

### Horses

Horses have extreme cultural significance to the people of Libertatem. Killing a horse is punishable by death; often even when on the battlefield under normal circumstances. That said; killing a horse in battle is rarely a crime that is investigated as often accidents happen. Abuse of a horse is also punishable by death and horses are considered 'abused' if they do not have a matt to sleep on, fresh hay every morning, are not physically under durress or being conventionally abused and additionally their stables must be mucked clean daily. For this reason many towns have a public stable which houses horses for a small fee though it is often considerably higher than other continents (often 1gp on Libertatem).

### Magic

All spell casting under the Cold Iron Hegemony is illegal. Adventurers are often exempt from this law provided their spell casting is done outside the main cities.

### Nobility

In the Cold Iron Hegemony the nobles hold absolute power. There is, traditionally, no king except during times of war or other such emergency. During these times the emperor rules with absolute power; superseding any directives imparted by the nobility. The temporary king is decided from the list of established nobles whom inherit their titles through birthright.

It is of particular note that the Cold Iron nobility often wage wars against one another for territorial disputes, to train their soldiers harshly or simply to spite their opposition in politics. These wars are often justified through 'the right of deities' which refers to their interpretation of the worship of their gods. Soldiers in these empires are not restricted by the rules of war like the Calbanians are and thusly cannibalism of the dead, rape and pillaging are to be expected in a war against the Cold Iron Hegemony.

### Murder

Murdering someone in the Hegemony does not carry the same connotations as it does in the Calbanian Empire. Instead, murder is only considered murder if the deceased was killed through indirect means, such as poison or stabbing them in the darkness. Additionally, the nobility of the Hegemony are considered murdered if the suspect was not of noble birth themselves or if the same conditions apply.

### Personal Property

Under the law of the Cold Iron Hegemony personal property does not exist. Anyone whom is stronger and capable of taking what they desire may do so; leading many of its citizens to train nigh endlessly in preparation for a fight.